#and i REALLY love her with harpy type arm wings

[bmpmp3]

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[sigh-artist]

Half Bird KO just has wings too small to fly... but he can float quite nicely. Yessss... Avian Seekers and Glider KO is such a nice concept.

Even better if he's not afraid of heights... but doesn't want to hang out with the pure seekers who always flock to them. Cause I imagine they make fun of him. Why wouldn't they? Plus? That would add a reason for his "I'm better than you" behavior. He's told he's the worst, so he acts like he's the best. Combine that with Peabird's and their pride and... welp. Good luck with him lol.

What BD btw?

Okay first I wanna say thank you so much for the ask! I don’t mean to be weird or awkward but I get really excited and really genuinely happy when people show interest in my ideas, so thank you!

And Yesssss! I was thinking the same, this is why he has the “I’m better than you attitude” and the pride thing is probably definitely why I chose a peacocks design for him.

As for bd, i think he’s just a “normal” grounder here, but he supports his husband regardless of him not being a pure seeker, he thinks his drop dead gorgeous anyway and loves him. Bd/breakdown is a strong supporter. But that being said, you know how breakdown is known for his huge chest? Well…. Similar to some mammals and how they have multiple…teats? As some people call them? Tits/nipples, well that’s how my breakdown is like, a lot of nips, i think eight, three smaller ones underneath his normal chest/booba. Now it’s weird but since they are aliens , why not have fun and give them weird biology?

But in my lost wings au ,all my humanoid formers have little “mutations” or quirks if you will, so they aren’t quite human, example is starscream and seekers being bird man/woman or heavily similar to harpies.

My Airachnid, similar to how a spider have multiple limbs, has four-six arms, i think six might be overkill but the extra arms are to make her resemble a spider, she has a normal amount of legs, in my original art she had two prosthetic arms underneath her normal ones I think? But designs might change.

TW: for fictional racism-ish stuff/concept/i don’t support or condone real life stuff of course (it’s gross and makes no sense)

but i do imagine seeker’s might have a bit of racism? Prejudice against grounders, of halfbreed seekers or disabled seekers at that, not all seekers are ,i like to think , but seekers have beauty standards and all and if you can’t fly then they don’t think you are as good as them, some think disabled seekers are a disgrace. It’s really sad, honestly, and i think this version of ko might be a victim of this. They see grounders as being “dirty” or “too rough” or “brutal”.

And…whilst I love starscream, he do have old man/boomer vibes and i think…he might be a “tad” (putting it very lightly) prejudiced against grounders too, old bird man racism.

Oops 👉👈 i accidentally rambled again.

Oh before I forget! I’m not the first person to have the idea of seeker ko! I believe I saw another post with a similar concept (of normal robot ko) so credit to them! I was inspired.

Also, notice how seekers can have different body types/be different models of jet? Starscream being more sleek and tiny and dreadwing being more bulky and big? I headcanon there’s different types/species or subspecies of seekers too, rare/hybrid halfbreed or extinct. Or some are just rumors/near extinction rare like vampiric types.

[the-boiling-bisles]

Thoughts on the collector following WAD (this is a long one buckle up)

I will talk about the finale as a whole later (it was great fyi I loved it), but right now something that has been bugging me for a while \that has finally just become impossible for me to ignore about this show is that I really don't like the collector.

Maybe I'll get a ton of shit for this, but whenever he got his physical form in Kings Tide, I just couldn't see the point of introducing such an important character into the story the way they were three episodes before the show was over.

The collector also had a very large inconsistency in characterization between the "shadow" and physical version of himself, the former being more demeaning and more rooted in chaos, while the latter was more akin to a young innocent child. This confliction made him feel even less enthralling as a character, it made him just feel like a prop to move the plot forward.

This was ever more apparent in the finale too.

I know considering the circumstances, the finale had to be rushed, there was no way to get around that. But honestly the collector just felt so pointless to the story that after the finale ended I wished that he was never even in the story to being with. For a character this big with so much lore potential to only have under a minute of screen time devoted to exploring said lore as it related to overarching story was super disappointing.

With that said here's what I think what could've been done WITHOUT the collector ever having been introduced to the story:

-Belos is the ONLY villain, he is the cause for all of the problems in the specials, and time that would've been spend with the collector and king is spent on Belos' past and more information on the isles themselves

-The day of unity in King's tide would be stopped by Eda while the circle of coven heads which stops the spell in the middle of it, people are still weakened so that is an issue, Belos would be goopy from an attack from a different major character, still falls on Hunter's shoulder and is stuck in the human realm [cue ttt]

-Everyone returns to the BI following ttt, people are not hiding from the collector but rather are too weak to be able to do anything too grueling (Hunter is not affected by this as he does not have a bile sack). Belos still tries to find a body to possess

-School events are the same, but no more of the kikimora/boscha stuff is shortened. The separation with Camila+Luz, Amity+Matt, and Guz+Hunter+Willow remains the same as well the interactions.

-Meanwhile King is having some sort of Titan awakening (getting wings or a new type of power something like that), which is an adventure on his own, he is trying to find Eda and Luz as he experiences this. Eda isn't weakened by the spell since her arm literally got ripped off so she's busy trying to find a way to heal everyone and help fix the isles (can be related to the students) her and King meet up at some point and vow to find Luz

-Belos actually possesses one of the Caleb clones (I'm so PISSED he didn't do that there was so much potential there) and he trudges his way back to the castle because he's already decided to possess the titan itself (in a realization that because everyone is weakened obviously no one will fight back)

-Eda takes notice of him climbing his way into the titan and follows him distantly in Harpy form

-The gang has reunited at this point inside the titan itself like in the actual episode (just not broken), and so they are perfectly placed to be able to fight Belos head on, Ftf would end with the gang's reunited in the skull hearing a rumble underneath their feet as Belos takes over the body after besting Eda and making it to the heart

-Now it's time for the finale, and instead of the entire group expect for Luz immediately being thrown to the side, they actually get their time to shine in a fight to try and get Belos off the heart. We get cool animation, it's great, until Camila is about the get struck by Belos, we get Luz sacrificing herself but with more meaning to it, and the gang decides they need to retreat before anyone else gets hurt

-Everyone mourns Luz, and then Eda takes notice, which is when Eda meets Camila, and they have a heart to heart over Luz. Queue a different version of the scene where the gang decides to use glyphs instead of their tired magic, but with more time

-We have a scene of Luz meeting the titan like usual, they speak and instead of collector lore we hear about how kind to the isles Luz was and how great she was to King, she's brought back to life etc etc

-Luz appears in front of the gang in her titan form, and she goes with just Eda and King to defeat Belos, basically the same as the original scene. on the split side the rest of the gang is working to keep the people of the isles from getting hurt while the titan is moving using glyphs

-Luz saves the day and then just like the actual episode Philip shows up one last time, but with the whole gang (including Camila). Instead of him immediately dying, Luz and the others take the time to ask questions, which he answers as he is threatened. From this we could get more wittebane brother lore+flashbacks, a confirmation on evelyn being a clawthorne, and even a petty huntlow scene. THEN the rain comes and he dies while everyone watches

-After that they somehow find a way to help the people on the isles and then everyone meets again (raeda kiss of course we were robbed in actual wad)

-This is more general but I think with what time was used in the previous episodes with the collector could've been focused on Belos' glyph knowledge instead

-After that it's about the same, but we have more time for the timeskip so they can take more time with it.

Wow this ended up being way longer than I thought but yeah I really do think the show would've been a little better without the collector. I didn't mean to rewrite all of s3 but oh well I guess.

[luminnara]

Marko x Harpy!reader | 18+ ONLY

Request: Mine is weird, but since Marko likes pigeons, I like to imagine him with a scary, human eating harpy mate 👀 If you're down, could I get some headcannons or a little drabble about them experiencing like a "harpy heat" or like the reader sees his vamp face and watches him kill for the first time, and is overcome with joy, pride, and lust because her mate? Is so strong? And tough? Strong mate = strong babies. Also he has a shiny / colorful coat, so I like to think that that makes him all the more attractive to her, like when a male bird flaunts its feathers to attract a mate.

MY INBOX IS DEFINITELY OPEN FOR MORE LOST BOYS REQUESTS, ESPECIALLY WITH MONSTERS!

I kinda imagined this harpy style as the kind from world of warcraft tbh so use that as refernce if you want! The descriptions are kinda vague

Warnings: smut, mating cycles/heat, monster stuff, violence/vampire stuff u kno the type lol, some breeding kink stuff

It was love at first sight.

Those golden curls…

Those mischievous eyes…

Those shiny, wiggly squid lures on the shoulders of his jacket…

The moment you met Marko, you were absolutely hooked. You knew coming to the seaside town of Santa Carla was a good move—it was chaotic and fun and full of prey—but the second you saw him, you knew you wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. He was perfect, and the longer you watched him from rooftops and trees, the more you knew you had to have him.

It was a good thing he felt the same way about the weird bird creature he had glimpsed a few times, too.

Marko had a thing for birds. He liked them because he admired their plumage, and if the flock of pigeons he kept back in the cave was any indication, birds liked him, too. So when he caught a glimpse of something one night that wasn’t quite avian and wasn’t quite human, he was totally hooked…and when he managed to catch you off guard, something no human could ever do, you were delighted to find that he was something else entirely.

You spent a whole night together, just chatting and flying and comparing diets. Vampires liked to drain their victims, only needing their blood to survive, whereas you liked a little more substance in your meals. He could fly, but he didn’t need to grow wings or flap his arms, while you sprouted beautiful dark feathers. He couldn’t survive in the sunlight, and you just preferred hunting at nighttime because your eyes were sensitive. The two of you were different, but the same, and after that first night, you refused to leave his side for very long.

The others grew used to you. Paul liked to pet your feathers when he was high out of his mind, and you didn’t mind sitting with him while he came back down to earth. Dwayne was curious, nudging a book towards you one night and asking you how accurate it actually was about harpies. You answered all of his questions, noting that a lot of his assumptions were wrong, but a lot more were right. And David—well, David tolerated you, and that was more than enough to keep you sticking around. He liked having you around the den so long as you promised to take care of any intruders who might come wandering in, and you liked having a nice space close to Marko where you could roost.

Because he was still the only guy you had eyes for.

You spent date nights together out on the boardwalk, all your feathers gone as you wore your human disguise. Well, most of them, anyways; you always had some on the nape of your neck, soft little things that Marko loved to stroke with the pad of his thumb whenever he got the chance. You kept them covered with your hair or a scarf or whatever you could, lying low and out of sight from any of the hunters David liked to scare you about.

“Vampires are one thing, but a harpy? I bet they’d cut you up and piece you out and make a killing.”

And you’d throw something at him and he’d just laugh, because in a weird way, the two of you had become friends and that was his way of showing it.

Really, you weren’t that worried about hunters. You were a killing machine, just like the boys all were, and with Marko at your side, how could a human possibly hurt you?

Unfortunately, hunters in Santa Carla didn’t work alone—and they were upping their game. That was how, while out hunting one night, you found yourself backed into an alley, three of them advancing on you while your would-be victim thrashed in your grip.

“Fuck off!” You spat at them, talons sinking into the man’s shoulder as you tightened your hold.

They didn’t answer, brandishing their knives and guns as they advanced, and suddenly, you felt like a fucking idiot for hunting alone. You always hunted alone, preferring it, much the same way that the vampires liked to hunt without an audience a lot of the time...but right now, you really, really wished that Marko was there, because you were terrified. 

You glanced between the humans, a scared little shriek leaving your throat as you tried not to tremble. Luckily, someone answered--and moments later, blood was splashing across your face as something--or someone--tore through your attackers.

Your heart soared when you saw Marko tearing them apart. He was fast, more like a blur of color and blood as he ripped their spines out and spilled their guts all over the pavement. It was brutal and sadistic, his face twisted in a horrific smile that had butterflies fluttering in your stomach. 

How did he keep getting more and more perfect?

You stared with wide eyes as he carved through the hunters, his claws shredding their flesh, his teeth sinking into their throats and ripping chunks out. You had never seen a vampire in action like this before, and you had never imagined that Marko would look so good amidst so much carnage. He was downright beautiful, his white shirt stained red with blood, his normally hazel eyes blazing bright yellow. When the human in your arms screamed in terror and you shoved him towards Marko, the vampire caught him and separated his head from his spine as easily as he could pop the flower off a dandelion. 

And you had never been more in love with him. 

He was so fast and so strong, tossing the corpses around as if they were toys. He had come to your rescue so quickly, and dealt with your assailants so brutally...you could feel warmth twisting in your belly and you couldn’t help but bite your lip. You were still shivering, but now, it was less that you were trapped and afraid and more that you were slipping into a totally different state of mind. 

Marko let the body fall and tossed the head away even as its eyes continued blinking in disbelief at what had just happened. Marko’s chest was heaving and all he wanted to do was drain every last drop of blood from the corpses...but then he remembered why he was there in the first place, and he turned towards you with wild eyes. 

“You okay?” he rushed towards you, grabbing your arms as he checked you over. He couldn’t see any wounds and he couldn’t smell anything other than human blood, but when he glanced back up at your face, he saw that you were just staring. “...Babe?”

You were looking at him with an expression he had never seen on anyone before, your eyes almost hazy as you took in his features. It was the first time you had ever witnessed him vamping out, and when you finally moved, it was to trace your thumb along the sharp angles of his cheekbones. He watched you carefully, almost scared to do anything lest he scare you off, but you didn’t draw back. You just looked at him in wonder, lips parted slightly in a way that made him want to kiss you more than usual. 

“Hey.” he finally said when you remained silent. “You okay?”

You nodded slowly, and he thought that you were traumatized or something. It would be a fair reaction, right? David spent all his time teasing you about hunters, and then Marko had gone and left you alone long enough for four of the fuckers to go after you--

His thoughts were interrupted by a strange sound reaching his ears. It took him a moment to realize that the little coos were coming from you, and when he finally focused on you again, he saw mall blue-black feathers dotting the outline of your face, your eyes shifting to a predatory amber. You made the sound again, the soft trill a bit louder this time, and Marko could only stare as you placed a clawed hand on his blood-soaked chest and gripped his shirt lightly. 

“Marko...” you purred, your voice strange and inhuman. 

He had to clear his throat. “Y-yeah?”

You stepped up to him, pressing your chest against his. “Thank you...”

He felt your tongue on his throat and a shiver ran up his spine. “N-no problem, baby...”

“You were so brave...”

“Yeah, guess I kinda was...”

“...and so strong...”

“Yeah, that too...”

“So protective...” you sank down to your knees, your hands tugging at the waistband of his jeans. 

He just stared down at you, his breath caught in his throat. He knew he always got horny after killing, but he had to admit that he was a little confused...but he really couldn’t bring himself to care too much, not when you were pulling his cock out of his pants and wrapping your lips around the head. 

“Fuck, baby...” he groaned, running his fingers through your hair. He could feel soft feathers hidden there, more and more seeming to grow as you moaned around him. “Guess I should save you more often, if this is my reward...”

You pulled back, licking a line up his shaft. “Fuck me, love...”

Well, he wasn’t gonna waste any time, especially not when you were telling him to do it. He had you up on your feet in the blink of an eye, his lips crashing into yours as he squeezed your ass. Only a moment later, you were free of your clothes, your back hitting the wall you had just been trapped up against...except this time, Marko was the one holding you there, and you were whimpering for more.

“Please!” you whined, clawing at him as he bit at your shoulder. All you could think about was him, about feeling him inside of you, feeling him fill you up and give you everything you wanted. 

He huffed a laugh against your throat, hoisting you up to hook your legs around his waist. His hips rolled forward and you practically screamed when you felt the tip of his cock nudging against you...and when he finally plunged inside, you really did scream, throwing your head back and letting out a noise that seemed more avian than human. 

“Fuck..” Marko moaned. You were wetter than he’d ever felt a person before, his cock sliding into you easily. You were warmer than he’d ever felt before, too, practically scorching hot...and he just wanted to sink into that warmth and stay there forever. 

“M-Marko,” you breathed. 

“Don’t worry, baby.” he said as he pulled out only to snap his hips forward again. “‘M gonna take care of you...”

You could feel tears at the edges of your eyes, you were so happy. 

As Marko fucked you, your heart felt so full you thought it might burst. You were overwhelmed and overstimulated, but you didn’t care, demanding more and more and more from the guy who was lucky enough to have supernatural stamina and a libido to rival Paul’s. He fucked you until you came, and then he fucked you until he came, and then he fucked you until you both came together--and then you did it all over again, the two of you covered in the blood of the men Marko had killed for you, your neck covered in dark hickeys wherever you didn’t have feathers. 

By the time your feet finally touched the ground again, your legs were so wobbly you nearly wiped out. But Marko--your perfect, beautiful mate, Marko--was quick to grab you, laughing breathlessly as he held you up with one hand and fixed his jeans with the other. 

“Damn, baby,” he laughed as he took in your dazed expression. “Not bad, huh?”

“Mmm,” you just smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek. “Amazing...and you saved me...”

The tiniest hint of a blush spread across his face. “It was nothin’...”

A wolf whistle had both of you looking towards the alley entrance to see Paul, David, and Dwayne, and Marko immediately hissed at them. You were still naked, and as Paul leered at you, you thought there was a good chance they might fight...a notion that had those butterflies going wild in your stomach again.

Marko’s nose twitched as the scent of harpy arousal grew stronger in the air, and he knew that the others could smell it, too. He just didn’t even want them looking at you while you were so turned on. 

“Well, what happened here?” David asked, boots splashing in the blood as he glanced around at the mess. “You two do all this?”

“I did,” Marko said, straightening up. 

“He saved me,” you said, hugging his arm as you nuzzled your cheek against his. 

“And then the chivalrous hero took his prize, huh?” David smirked. “You didn’t even finish your dinner before going for dessert...”

“Shut up!” Marko snapped, baring his fangs. 

“Shit, I wouldn’t be able to eat my brussels sprouts with somethin’ that cute waiting’ for me, either,” Paul grinned wolfishly at you. “Good job, Marko. You fucked her real good.”

“Shut the fuck up before I--”

“He did,” you interrupted, beaming up at him.

“...Well, I mean, I’m glad you think so--”

Paul barked a laugh and David snorted. 

“Careful, Marko.” the platinum blonde said before turning to leave. “Harpies get very attached, you know.”

“I don’t need your advice,” Marko bristled. 

“No?” David paused, looking back over his shoulder with a cigarette between his teeth. “Then don’t come cryin’ to me for help when she lays eggs ‘n makes you a daddy.”

Marko’s face fell in shock and Paul laughed so hard he had to sit down in the blood. 

“Hey, wh-what?” he asked. But David was just chuckling to himself, walking away with Dwayne at his side. Paul hopped up, saluted Marko, and then followed the others, still laughing like a hyena as he caught up. 

And you were just staring up at Marko with the biggest, happiest eyes he had ever seen.

[irradiatedsnakes]

[ID: 7 drawings of monster!mechanisms designs. they are as follows: 1. a colored drawing of ivy alexandria that has been partially passed through the deep dream generator neural network, giving parts of the image a swirling, surreal appearance, often resembling eyes. 2. a digtal sketch of nastya as a ghost. her eyes are obscured by her glasses shine and she is covered in blue wisps, and dripping blue from her mouth and hands.  3. a digital sketch of drumbot brian as a centaur sitting down. his horse half is also mechanical and resembles a clydesdale. he also has horse-ish ears. 4. a sketchy bust of vampire marius. he looks smug, and looks to the side with a fanged smile. 5. digital sketch of partially-transformed werewolf gunpowder tim with doglike ears, claws, and a tail. he says "ok why did getting turned into that somehow give you a pitchfork." with a quizzical expression. 6. digital sketch of jonny d'ville as a devil or demon, with horns, pointy ears, cartoony wings, and a thin tail with a heart-shaped tip. he's holding a hellish pitchfork, looking confused and says "what? i already owned this.” 7. a traditional sketch of harpy/siren raphaella. she holds here feathery winged arms out, while her mechanical bat wings are unfurled behind her. her lower half is that of a bird. end ID]

ok ill post a couuuple. self indulgence machine go brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

ok so u know like back in the gravity falls fandom there was that really popular au called monster falls where everybody got turned into some sort of monster/mythological creature? i fucking love that scenario and have been making my own little “everybody gets cursed by a witch or something so now i get to draw these fun designs” aus for like everything i like (never did it w tma oddly enough? good inspo just never struck.) so here.......is..........this. not everybodys pictured here but go under the cut for a list of what everybody is plus some extra notes and stuff

lets just goooooo alphabetical order

ashes - OKAY HONESTLY STILL NOT 100% ON ASHES im THINKING half-dragon. yes i know i already went dragon for them in the furry au its just a good fit and also looks Cool, but also waiting out to see if i can think of anything better

brian - CENTAURRRR also again. yes. i know i went 4 horse for him in the furry au. its just good and has fun brian vibes. wanting to draw centaur brian was the thing that led to this au happening

ivy - ELDRITCH SOMETHIN OR OTHER...idk what youd call that exactly. but you get the gist. cosmic horror, eyes, unfathomable patterns and things. doing the deep dream stuff for her in that picture was very fun and im very happy w how it came out...definitely something to revisit in the future. not sure how i wanna draw her when...not doing a whole colored digital thing, but well cross that bridge when i can draw again

jonny - he’s. he’s a devil? a little demon guy? like. yeah. of course. this guy was fucking meant to have little wings horns and a cute little demon heart tail. he has somehow become MORE bastardly

marius - VAMPIRE MARIUS ONCE AGAIN HES JUST FUN. hes just fun and the aesthetic suits him. i cant wait to draw him in a fun little cape with one of those big dramatic collars you know the ones. vampire marius is of course @ alientoastt’s idea!!

nastya - BANSHEE...or ghost in general but there some banshee stuff i feel could be fun to integrate. apparently in some tellings banshees can turn into crows? i love that very much. but anyways hmm..some notes abt the design in thsi post shes not quite where i want her to be. this was done on that collab canvas the other day and like...was mostly noodling things out having fun, those flamey looking bits are a very nice motion very fun to do but NOT wwhat i want for ghostya. i want her to be more. drippy. very drowned person vibes. fire and upward-floating motif not what i want. but it was fun to draw. also i think theres some potential comedy in there with “person who predicts deaths” among crew who habitually murder each other

raphaella - SOMEWHERE BTWN HARPY & SIREN (the bird kind not the mermaid kind) very excited abt her. lots of fun potential poses here. doing her design was a bit tricky- sirens tend to be just like- big birds with human heads? but i didt wanna do just that that takes away too much of her design recognizbility yknow to Just have her head. so she has a people torso, bird from the waist down, plus her arms are wings. which means she has Two pairs of wings. which i for one think is incredibly fun like you remember in httyd2 valka’s dragon w the four wings? yeah. also avent figured what bird in particular shell be based on- for the ufrry au i went w african grey parrot but dont feel like that here. ill think on it

tim - WEREWOLF TIM DUH. DUH. also i think werewolves are especially funny in scenarios like thse cus like- okay everybody suddenly ahhh cursed ahh monster whatever. but then tims just there like. i mean i feel fine lol and u get to have the fun surprise of Oh Suddenly Werewolf. also the question of how exactly werewolves who change based on the moon function in a. spaceship. i like to think its entirely fucking random i think thats funny

TS - ANIMATED SUIT OF ARMOR!! I DONT HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY ON THSI BUT I LOVE . THIS IDEA. and i will never draw it. because fuck drawing and designing armor oh my god

anyways i think thats??? all i have to say on this??? agdvjdkb. if you wanna talk about this at all (or if u wanna see more doodles...) im totally open to that. ill be real i get weirdly embarrassed about specifically this kind of au (like. monster stuff in general especially werewolf/vampire stuff i could not fucking tell you why. gotten better abt it over time though hey im actually postin this shit!) so im just happy i posted it afhcgvjdkvdg .

as for story type things like how. this happens. frankly i dont know thats not my forte. but the little bit of whatever ive got going on my head has the Terrific Trio of ivy marius & raphaella doing Research Science Whatever down on a planet somewhere get into contact with a Cursed Artifact or whatever the fuck and eventually get back to the aurora like. oh. uh. it happened to you guys too, huh. but thats like whatever honestly im not in it for the writing im here to draw fun centaur man etc.

if you made it to the bottom of this winding fucking ramble know that i love you. mwah. that was fun to write out i like thought barfing about stuff like maybe 3 people will care about

[miraculouswolf99]

Miraculous Ladybug/Monster High Crossover Idea

As a person that grew up with Monster High, I can tell you that I loved it so much. But I definitely prefer the old Monster High to the version from the two most recent movies for it. But I definitely loved the concept of the children of monsters all attending high school away from the “normies.” Aka, regular humans.

Plus, I was inspired by the movie, Freaky Fusion, since it had hints that hybrid monsters were not liked by regular monsters. There was not a lot of that type of discrimination in the movie, so I thought of my idea.

So, when I was thinking of what could be a cool new idea for a Miraculous crossover, Monster High eventually came to mind. Each of the characters could be turned into a monster and their school could be another school for monsters.

Marinette could be the daughter of the White Tiger from Chinese mythology. Since it is said that the tiger is supposed to come when there is peace on earth, Marinette could have the power to spread peace to whoever she touches. Adrien could be a light elf. Since light elves are said to be “fairer than the sun to look at” he could have the power turn into light. Alya could be a blogging ghost that thinks she searches for truth but believes many of the rumors that she hears. She is like Spectra from Monster High. Nino could be Alya’s banshee boyfriend. But Nino would prefer making real music than just using his horrible scream like his ancestors. Chloe could be a mermaid that gains legs when she is dry. She would still have her giant ego since is one of the more “beautiful” monsters. 

Some of my original characters will also be included once again. Lyon is a siren that only uses his hypnotic voice only on bullies or to just get people to leave him alone if they are insufferable. Vallia is a butterfly girl since she inherited a long lost trait of their family that descended from Eros and Psyche. Mason is a dragon and ice spirit hybrid, meaning that he looks like a dragon boy but with fire that freezes instead of burns. Apollo is a cupid and naiad hybrid, meaning he can summon wings of water while also being able to create love potion arrows. And Lena is a nymph/centaur hybrid, meaning she is half horse while also having nature powers. Other characters from the show would also be made into Monster High monsters as well. Marc is a satyr that loves to write. Luka is a siren while Juleka is his half sister who is a vampire. Kagami is the daughter of a Valkyrie general. Kim could be the son of a giant that actually has the power to grow or shrink as he sees fit. Nathaniel could be dryad that loves to draw using naturally made materials. Rose is a nymph. And Lila could be a harpy that usually lies and tells people she is an angel.

The main idea that I have is a salt fic that focuses more on Chloe Salt than Lila Salt. I still hate that liar, but I also hate Chloe since she is nothing but a spoiled brat that never faces any consequences for her actions.

So, Chloe believes that she is the queen bee of the school, with her zombie Sabrina minion always doing as Chloe wants no matter what it was. Her father could be the current ruler of a merpeople kingdom outside of Atlantis. So, she believes that she has some form of control over the school. And with the principal, the cowardly owl-man Damocles, and their main teacher, the victim-blaming and bully-coddling air spirit Bustier, both bending to her will, it makes her believe it even more.

Chloe has an extreme hatred of hybrids. She thinks that they are freaks of nature that do not belong in the world. So, when Lyon, Vallia, and their friends join their school, she is furious that they were allowed to attend. Her attitude only gets worse when the boy that she is obsessed with, Adrien, makes friends with them.

Adrien is actually very interested in the new students. He really likes how all of them were a type of hybrid. Even the Greek twins since both had siren and Olympian DNA inside of them even if Lyon was more siren and Vallia was more Olympian. He, Marinette, Alya, and Nino all are good friends with the the hybrids.

But the more that Adrien hangs out with the hybrids, the angrier that Chloe gets and the more she desires to have them out of the school. She tried to just go to the principal and demand that they all are expelled for the simple reason that they are hybrids. But since all of them are protected by the monster council of their home country, all of the still being from Greece, Damocles can not do what Chloe demands for once. And that only makes her want them gone even more.

All of them had already established that as long as she thought herself above everyone else, they would not even give her the time of day. And they had also been helping Adrien stand up to her more. The prime example when he actually yelled at her to stop jumping all over him and grabbing his arms even after all the times that he has told her that he hates it when she does it. And even when she still tries to do it after that, Adrien starts using his power to turn into light to get away from her.

Since the hybrids had arrived, it is made clear how little the other students actually think of Chloe. None of them like her, or are even scared of her since her father has no power over them or any of their monster kinds. Sabrina is the only person that even thinks that she is as great as Chloe brags about being.  Chloe is forced to sit alone at lunch, with only Sabrina around, since everyone leaves whatever table she sits at. 

And with the hybrids still in contact with their parents back in Greece, they all know about what has been happening at the Paris monster school. So, the Greek monster council starts to get involved. They bring the problem to the French council and they get involved with the school. That takes away Damocles’s power as now the other teachers no longer have to fear getting fired for punishing the mermaid menace. The other teachers start scolding her for her bullying nature while Bustier remains as the only one that still treats Chloe as a misunderstood angel. But that only gets her investigated as well by the council and monster school educational board.

As Chloe starts to get angrier and angrier, she actually goes up to the hybrids when they had been alone and demands that they all leave “by order of the merpeople kingdom.” But that only makes them laugh right in her face and tell her that they know that she does not have any real power in the school or even in her kingdom as well. There happens to be a merman on the French monster council and he goes to Chloe’s kingdom to set the government system there back to normal. Aka, they kick Chloe’s father out of office for abuse of power.

That really set off Chloe into a screaming tantrum saying that they had no right to interfere with “her reign” over the school. She calls them a bunch of anti-hybrid words. The recently hired new principal hears her and she is soon expelled.

Oh well, nobody liked her anyway.

And behind the scenes while Chloe was throwing her many tantrums, Lila was exposed as a harpy and not an angel by the hybrids. Since they were from Greece, they knew a harpy when they saw one. And maybe a hypnotic song by Lyon to force her to tell the truth had also helped. But he would only smirk instead of answering if he was ever asked about it.

[kim-monsterlings]

Hello! Is it okay if I ask for a monster match? If it isn't just delete request!

So em... Biologically I'm a/my pronounce is a she/her. I'm 5'3 or 5'4 (not sure). I'm a heterosexual (but I look gay as f-). I love studying arts (music, architecture and etc.). A bit of history nerd and sometimes (almost every time) overthinker. I keen watching TV shows, anime, documentaries and honestly anything. I'm a wierd combo of introvert & extravert. Prefer staying at home and living my 'raccoon in the dumpster' life. Veeeeery touchy (with concent ofc). That type of a person to hold a frog, call it Garry and claim that it's your knew friend. (Love snakes, spiders and a lot more of wild animals that a lot of people dislike). Good looking flying living creatures are my weakness.

A bit about my look (spoiler I'm fabulous) ((maybe)). I have short dark brownish hair. Blue and green eyes. Small chest and a good looking 🍑. Prefer mens clothing (POCKETS AND FREEDOM TO THE WAIST) but I don't mind feminine.

I'm searching for someone a bit of opposite of me (looking opposite too but honestly doesn't really matter), so he could push me sometimes when I get too lazy or smt. And sometimes to walk me bc my home is my fortress (again home dumpster racoon). Preferably WAY taller then me (I need a pillow). Someone that can tolerate my sometimes (a lot of times) childishness. I don't really care about what type of monster he is. As long as he ok with me being me.

Thank you ahead! ♥️💓

Levi - M Harpy x F Human (Reader) // SFW Monster Match

Anon monster match <3 I hope you love him!

Matches under the read more!

Content: SFW/Citrus; flirting, intimate embraces (cuddling, kissing), mentions of dating/courtship, creating a nest, use of endearment “sweetheart”, allusions to sexual intimacy

Masterlist // Monster Match Info + Masterlist // My Ko-Fi

Headcanon

Levi approached you first.

Though after his confession of being captivated by you - returning to the old museum in the hopes of stumbling into you once again, no recollection of him came to mind, and you would have remembered him.

Who wouldn’t?

Delicately feathered, shimmering with navy tips and darkened to near ebony closer to his chest. Long legs with talons clicked on the polished floor, but only the presence settling carefully beside you had roused you from staring toward the hanging artwork.

As rare as days out were of your own volition, you would never tire of reading the plaques and learning more with each visit. You hadn't moved for almost an hour when soft feathers tickled against your arm and in his attempt to create distance, they ruffled and stroked closer.

He may have approached you first with his chest puffed out and his head turned to focus only on you, but you were the one to speak, undeterred from staring at the wall opposite.

"Do you like it? This piece?"

His breath left him in a quiet exhale, enough to finally lure your attention to the broad expanse of his frame - failing in curling himself smaller, tracing the gentle sloping of his forehead down to his nose with a warmer stare.

In a voice as gentle as him, the stranger, as he was then, rasped, "sorry?"

"It's nothing special, is it?"

Rising from the low bench had you leaning against him - for the slightest and most fleeting of moments, relishing in the heat of his feathers, before he stood with you.

So close, his wing extended like a guiding arm, you couldn't help but reach to trace over them until he trembled.

Overstepping hardly made the best first impression, with little idea of how sensitive his wings may be, but the harpy stepped closer, lips curling. "Walk around with me?"

Your decision was made even before asking, "how much do you know of the artwork?"

"Very... very little."

"Perfect."

Many afternoons passed in a close embrace, though you were hesitant to have him accompany you home. For however much you adored a day out, you loved time spent indoors far better, and the evening came around by your invitation to share your favourite films with him.

Even still, you doubted he enjoyed them.

(You had a slight suspicion he watched them not only to have you tucked against him, but to see your delight in whispering the memorised script.)

The incredibly brief tour of your open-plan home led you into your bedroom to change into something comfier, hesitating there too long.

You returned to a sight you'd never forget, and one reinforcing the love you had for him.

"Do you mind?"

Levi bounced unsteadily on his thin legs, surrounded by a mess of cushions and blankets; a hastily arranged nest. Using those same sheets you had readied earlier on the sofa, too, and you were struggling for words.

"We've had our days out," he murmured, extending an arm to draw you close. "Now, I just want you. Is that okay?"

You tiptoed to whisper, "perfect."

Drabble

Some weeks felt longer than others. Little could rouse you now beyond the dimensions of your bed - not even the quiet ringing of your phone. The screen would brighten with the warm photo of dappled feathers, your boyfriend reminding you of your plans for the day. 

You hadn't forgotten.

He never left your mind.

Though the gentle knocking at your door made you turn deeper into your pillows. When the door creaked open, your smile tucked into the sheets soon to be pulled from your body. 

Not too long ago - not long enough after your first date, really, you had gifted Levi a key of his own. His courtship passed quickly and you were smitten, but he had opened the hastily folded tissue paper and frowned.

"Oh. Oh, I... thank you." 

By reflex alone, you moved to snatch the key, already rasping, "it was a mistake-" 

Feathers tickled your cheeks, lips soft against yours. His laughter never failed to soothe your nerves and he spread his arms wide around you. "I already have a key. I walk you home almost every night. Who do you think unlocks the door?" 

With it official then, it warranted a sweeter kiss, and the same greeted you now with warm hands coaxing you from the sheets. His quiet sigh resonated like a sharp twinge in your chest until you remedied it by stroking up through his feathered chest, just how he liked. 

"You coming out today, sweetheart?" 

Little more than a whine was your answer, a pout beckoning a kiss. Routine warned of quiet tutting - of pleading and compromise (often in your favour), but today you wanted nothing more than to finish the documentary you started the other night with him, not to go outside. 

Arms slipping beneath you earned a scowl. "I'm not going." 

Levi grinned. "Looks like you're going somewhere." 

This became the compromise; an understanding that though you loved to waste the day drowsy and warm, the nest he added to with every visit in your lounge welcomed you both. There was less chance of talons dragging against your legs, and more space for him to nestle tight. 

"We'll have a quiet day today," he murmured. "Next weekend, we're going somewhere nice. My treat - you can't say no." 

"We'll see." Levi pinched your waist and you smothered your smile into his wing, only for it to widen when his breath caught. You slipped your fingers lower down his stomach. "That's next weekend. Right now, we're laying together, and I still have too many clothes on. Want to help with that?"

[oc-ask-demon-archival]

The OC Ask Succubus whispers in your ear:

Does your OC have a thing for any inhuman features (ie horns/wings/etc…)? Is there a form of extraspecies (mermaid/harpy/arachne/etc…) that your OC might have a particular interest in? And for both, why is this particular thing/type in their interest?

(much obliged for the idea)

Aaahh, sneaky sneaky, my succubus friend, but thank you for the ask!! I hope your day is going well! 💜 (For those who don’t know, I came up with the base idea for this question)

This one isn’t too lewd, but will still be under a cut because it’s long.

Azrael has a distinct thing for wings, given how they craved wings of their own for so long, and were only granted them upon ascension. This led to a particular interest in species such as aasimar, other winged tieflings, and the like. But, specifically back-sprouting wings, not the arm mounted ones like an Arakocra (ara-ara cock-ra more like it)

Atrapas grew up in a more elf dominated society, and worships a drow goddess, so they definitely have a thing for elves. Not really much beyond that, although they have a slight fascination with Yuan-Ti women… unhinging the jaw and all.

Altrea’s main partner is a mermaid named Lucinda, who can transform between tailed form and legs using magic. This has led the two of them to… experiment with the tail, seeing what kinky and fun things they can do. They haven’t experienced many other species, otherwise. Mutant-kind is also very versatile, but their core group isn’t very…. deviated?

Kaolae has a passion for other species with horns, primarily Iridonian Zabraks. Growing up as one of the few Dathomirians to have horns, they’ve read a lot about how some Zabrak cultures lock horns as a sign of emotional vulnerability or intimacy (it’s a fanon thing but I love it). Although they met a Theelin woman once, and were absolutely taken with her and how she looked.

Roy’ao… probably has the most species they like. It’s not a single overall feature, but they’re attracted to many alien types. Twi’lek, Togruta,, Theelin, Mirialan, Falleen even… But their biggest has to be Zeltrons. The funky skin tone, mixed with the natural pheromones and telepathy! Sign them up!

@oc-ask-succubus (also I need a custom tag for you…)

[kusunogatari]

                                                              [ @kyuuzuchiha ]                                                                      𝕩     𝕩     𝕩                                                                      𝕩     𝕩     𝕩                                                                      𝕩     𝕩     𝕩 

“Yo, teme! Teme!”

Lurching forward as an arm wraps around his shoulders, Sasuke just sighs. “What, dobe?”

Grinning like a fox, Naruto flashes two small pieces of paper in his other hand. “Lookie what I got!”

“...tickets? For what?”

“Some fancy shmancy new restaurant!”

Dark brows furrow, looking to Naruto skeptically. “Tickets for a restaurant?”

“Well, it’s not just a restaurant...apparently they do, like...shows and stuff!”

Shoving his friend aside to unburden his pace, Sasuke gives another glance. “...why did you get tickets to something like that? Doesn’t seem your style.”

“I won ‘em!”

“...how?”

“Oh, just a little bet I made,” the blond replies evasively, tucking the tickets back in his jacket.

“...meaning?”

“Nothin’!”

“Naruto, you weren’t swindling humans again, were you?”

“No, no! It wasn’t anything like that!” Hands wave in defense. “They weren’t human!”

“So, less likely to get you arrested, and more likely to get your ass beat.”

Lips pout. “Hey, I won that game fair and square.”

“All right, fine. Still doesn’t explain why you’d put your ass on the line for something that...random.”

“Welllll, at first I was gonna sell ‘em! See, this place is Nightwalker…! So they’re super expensive! Apparently it’s, like...really hard to even get tickets. But then I thought...y’know who I know who appreciates nice things?”

Sasuke deadpans.

“My good pal Sasuke!”

“Why would I care about some high-end eatery?”

“Aw, c’mon! It’ll be fun, ‘ttebayo - we can get all dressed up, rub some elbows…!”

The Uchiha’s nose wrinkles. “What makes you think something like that would be fun…?” He has distant family in high places, which means elbow-rubbing is something he does at times. And it’s never fun. Just boring, stressful, and time-consuming.

Naruto’s lips purse again. “Well just cuz you get to do it all the time doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy it!”

“Then go by yourself.”

“But I’ve got two tickets…!”

“So? Sell one, if you want the money.”

“But Sasukeee…!” Naruto gives his best combo of puppy eyes and whiny tone.

Head craning back, Sasuke sighs. “All right, fine.”

“YAY!”

“When is this supposed to happen?”

“Friday! Uh…” Whipping the tickets back out, Naruto studies them. “At...two am!”

“A little late, isn’t it?”

“Aw, c’mon - sunrise isn’t until after five this time of year! It’ll be fine! Plenty of time for you to skulk off to bed, huh?”

“...address?”

Handing over the ticket, Naruto lets his friend type it down into his phone. “We should probably get there a little early, huh? Find good seats?”

“Naruto, the seats are assigned. Look, it says right here.”

“Oh…” Smiling sheepishly, he tucks them away one last time. “Guess I’ll see ya there, teme!”

“Guess so.” Watching the werefox take off, Sasuke sighs lightly to himself. Surely one morning won’t be a huge loss...and it’ll make the blond happy. Maybe he’ll get off his back for a while. Hands stuffing into his pockets, he starts to mosey for home.

His little apartment is quiet and dark when he arrives, sunrise just tinting the horizon. Flicking on a light, he indulges in a snack before calling it a day, hiding down under blankets in his blacked-out room until nightfall.

The rest of his week passes fairly quickly. To his own annoyance, part of him actually starts to feel...curious about this little outing. Not excited, but...he’s intrigued. While he’s been to a few Nightwalker-only places, they’re hard to maintain given how populous humans are.

Even harder to keep safe.

Digging through his closet Thursday evening, he picks out something nice, but...not too nice. Slacks, black shoes, matching socks, and a dress shirt. A little perusing of the place online gives the impression his outfit should be fine.

Gods know what Naruto’s going to show up wearing…

He doesn’t don it until he’s ready to go, deciding to walk. It’s not too far, and he can always use a little speed to get there quickly if he has to. Otherwise, he strolls casually, taking in the city by night, as per usual. To his honest surprise, a small crowd is gathered outside when he arrives.

A faint feeling of unease stirs in his gut.

“Sasuke! Oi, Sasuke!”

A bit surprised to see the blond there before him, Sasuke closes the distance. Somehow, Naruto’s actually dressed about as he is...except that his shirt is a bright, obnoxious orange compared to Sasuke’s deep purple. “You weren’t kidding about it being hard to get in.”

“Told ya! C’mon, I’ve got the tickets!”

“Any idea what the show actually is…?” Sasuke then asks, glancing around and taking in the building.

“Apparently it changes every so often so it doesn’t get boring. Guess we’ll see when we get up there!”

The line moves rather slowly, tickets checked at the door alongside identification to ensure no humans manage to find their way in. Eventually the pair make it to the front, presenting both.

“All right, so you two are on the main floor, left-hand side,” a woman tells them, the stub of the tickets removed. “Next show starts in ten, so you’d better get seated.”

“Thanks!” Naruto calls as Sasuke steers him in. “So I guess they do the show more than once?”

“Makes sense - otherwise people would miss it, given how many hours they’re open.” Also must be why there was a time on the tickets.

The tables are numbered, most seating groups of two or four. Their own is one of the former, and Sasuke finds himself glad they won’t be joined by any strangers. In the general murmur before the next showing begins, a band plays slow, soft jazz music.

“Cripes, look at these prices!” Naruto whispers harshly, followed by a grunt as Sasuke elbows him. “What?!”

“You’re being rude,” Sasuke hisses back.

“But -!”

“What did you expect, dobe?”

“I dunno! Guess I’ll just...put it on my card…”

Scowling, Sasuke picks up his own menu, and...wow, Naruto isn’t joking. Maybe he’ll just get an appetizer and call it good…

“Sasuke?”

Looking up, the vampire startles at a familiar face. “Wha-? Aniki? What are you doing here?”

Itachi stands beside their table, looking just as surprised to see them. “Madara-sama is attending tonight. How did you…?”

“I won some tickets!” Naruto chirps, earning a look that makes him shrink.

“He swears up and down it wasn’t anything illegal,” Sasuke cuts in. As an enforcer, Itachi’s got every right to look into it and arrest the blond...if his dealings are shadier than he claims.

“...well, I’ve got more important matters to tend to, anyway,” Itachi assures them, giving Naruto a pointed look, a hint of a smile showing through.

“So the old bastard’s really here, huh?”

“I’d be careful how loud you say that,” Itachi cautions flatly.

“I’m not scared of him.”

“You really should be. He’s a senator, Sasuke -”

“And he’s got way bigger things to worry about than me calling him names,” the younger brother cuts in. “You better get back to your guard duty, lapdog.”

That earns a flat scowl from Itachi, but Sasuke’s right - the music is fading, and the show’s likely about to start. “...maybe I’ll see you again before we leave.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Naruto watches him go, then turns to Sasuke. “That was...awkward.”

“Aniki takes his job too seriously, that’s all. As if someone like Madara gives a shit about what I say.” Still, the fact that the senator is here brings back that worried feeling in Sasuke’s gut. It could be an invitation for trouble…

His musings are interrupted, however, as spotlights illuminate the stage at the end of the building. Their table is fairly close, and Sasuke watches as slower, more somber music kicks up from the band. The red fabric begins to rise, and finally reveals the subject of the show.

Sitting on her knees atop the stage floor is a woman. Clad in a silvery gown, waves of snow white tumble down her back, which is mostly exposed in the backless dress. Head bowed, she seems to wait for a certain moment in the music. Then a mic grasped in a hand lifts to her lips...and she starts to sing.

The tune is melancholy, crooning about loneliness and solitude. Staring almost as if dazed, Sasuke listens as the lyrics tell a tale of someone both eager to be loved, and yet shying from the risk of heartbreak. Slowly she lifts to her feet, almost as though floating, a mic stand held as she continues on. This close (and with eyes this strong), Sasuke can see her own are a rain cloud grey, framed by lashes as white as her hair. Curiosity burns as to what kind of Nightwalker she is.

And then she tells him.

Her gown pools at the floor, hiding her legs. But as she abandons her hold on the microphone, moving to shield her face from her fears, her arms shift in a smooth motion to white feathers smudged with sooty black.

Sasuke can’t help a jump. So...a harpy. Snowy owl, maybe…? He’s not exactly an expert when it comes to birds. While there’s plenty of common-breed harpies in the cities - crows, pigeons, and the like - something like an owl seems...out of place. And even then, they tend to dislike how crowded the cities are. No room to fly. Too many wires over the streets. Spell broken for a moment, he glances over to see Naruto staring, jaw agape.

And he’s not the only one.

The whole hall is enraptured, staring at the avian as she sings her song. Wings slowly shift down to peer out, silvers tinged with both curious longing, and yet a fearful hesitation. They roam over the audience from one side to another.

And Sasuke swears they stop when they meet his.

Something seems to pull at his spine - like an urge to get to his feet he barely manages to suppress. And as soon as she moves her eyes, the feeling seems to pass.

What the hell was that?!

After a few more bars, her voice holds out a long, last note before fading out with the music. There’s a stunned silence, and then the audience breaks out into applause as the lights fade back in. Limbs arms once more, she smiles bashfully, head ducking and face flushing a pretty pink. A hand then gestures in praise to the band.

Once things quiet a bit, she looks up and addresses her crowd. “Thank you...it’s an honor to be invited here to perform. And an even greater honor to do so in front of one of Japan’s most prolific senators!”

Up she gestures, and Sasuke follows her hand to the second floor balcony above and behind them. There he sits: Uchiha Madara, giving a small, acquiescing wave. Beside him, both Itachi and Shisui eye the crowds warily. Even more Uchiha, Sasuke’s sure, are positioned around the room to help guard against any threats. Not that Madara needs them, but...what’s the use in his enforcers if they don’t double as a kind of secret service?

Still smiling, the harpy then introduces her next song, the band striking up into something a bit lighter in mood.

Wait staff then begin fanning out to take orders, and Naruto turns to his friend. “Holy crap, that was awesome!”

“She’s good.”

“Good? Good?! Dude, it was like...like...mesmerizing! I couldn’t look away!”

“You and everyone else,” Sasuke assures him, leaning back with folded arms.

“She’s so pretty...think she’ll sign autographs after? Man, if I could get a picture -”

“I think she’s a little out of your league.”

“What?!”

Sasuke snorts, grinning as he teases his friend. “She’s a professional singer, and you run back alley deals and smuggle stuff. Not sure she’d find your employment charming, Naruto.”

“And what about you?!”

“What about me?”

“Y’think she’d be all goo-goo eyed over an enforcer dropout who lives in a teeny tiny apartment and works odd jobs?”

“I never said I wanted her to like me. You’re the one all smitten, fox boy.”

“Whaaat? You mean you don’t think she’s pretty?”

“She’s...fine,” Sasuke replies evasively.

“You’re insane!”

“And you’re taking this little daydream a little too far.”

They’re cut off as their orders are taken, and both wordlessly go back to watching the show. She’s singing a jazzy little number, swaying with the tempo and smiling coyly.

Sasuke’s eyes squint. She’s clearly harpy, but...looking around the room, he finds any eyes on her totally glued. It’s almost like she’s -

With a loud report, the front doors blast apart, debris and smoke billowing into the dining hall. Screams quickly break out, and Sasuke reflexively spins to face the threat. All around him, panicked Nightwalkers make for the stage: the direct path away from the explosion. Atop it, the harpy calls for them to come this way, to make for the back door.

A glance up shows Madara being directed the same way, enforcers dropping to ground level to stand between him and whatever’s happened at the entrance.

Through the smoke step a group of people. Many are clad with modern armor, riot shields at the front and bearing weapons no doubt loaded with silver bullets. But at their fore is a woman: black hair cut in a sharp bob to her chin, violet eyes seeming to glow as they’re illuminated from behind. Armored vehicle headlamps burn into the now-gaping entry. All she seems to hold in terms of weapons are clawed gloves.

Sasuke sees them drip.

Poison.

...is she -?

As one, the group moves. Bullets start streaking through the hall, blasting into the woodwork and shattering stone. Cries of pain join those of panic as the enforcers all take cover.

Ducking behind a half-wall, Sasuke’s joined by Naruto. “What the fuck?!” the blond shrieks.

“Hunters!” Sasuke calls back over the sounds of gunfire and impacts. “They must be here for Madara - they’d never be so open otherwise!”

“Sasuke!”

Itachi’s voice cuts to them, and they lock eyes.

“Take the harpy out through the back!”

“But -?”

“Just do it!”

Looking to Naruto, Sasuke sees him grin, teeth already sharp. “Not quite the show I expected,” the blond offers, “but I guess this’ll do!” With a blur of orange and black he shifts, streaking forward with the enforcers to begin combatting the Hunters.

Swearing under his breath, Sasuke looks up. Half-shifted herself, the harpy takes to half-carrying, half-dragging wounded Nightwalkers back behind the stage with her taloned feet. Blood coats her dress, and judging by her limp, she’s been hit.

Sasuke knows well how silver stings. That she’s still walking at all is impressive.

Aniki, you’re gonna owe me big time for this, Sasuke growls in his mind, flickering over to her as she makes one last pass behind the wings of the stage. “Hey!”

Screeching, she makes to strike at him with her claws, but he swiftly pins her.

“I’m not the enemy! I’m here to get you out!”

“No! There’s still people in there!”

“And you’re wounded! The enforcers are taking care of the hunters - you need to get out of here and get some medical attention!”

“No!” Defiantly, she kicks a foot at his chest, knocking him aside long enough to slip back out.

“Damn it!” Sasuke shouts, taking off after her.

She’s made her way to the second floor, landing beside a couple pinned down. With feathered limbs she guides them to a rear staircase that leads down behind the stage. Making the leap amidst the bullets, Sasuke takes her shoulder. “I am not leaving you in here!”

She makes to snap at him, but they fly apart as more rounds cut through the air. Coming up the stairs at the front, hunters begin closing the distance.

“Is there an exit up here?” Sasuke calls.

“There’s another flight at the back that goes up to the roof!”

“Then let’s get going!”

Sprinting, they cut into the stairwell and start ascending. Finding the door locked, Sasuke simply kicks it from its hinges, flying out across the roof. Around them, buildings tower several stories over them. Out in the open air, they hear the whirling blades of a helicopter, a spotlight snapping to the movement of the door.

Well, shit.

“Run to the edge!”

“What?!”

“Run to the edge, and jump - just trust me!”

Looking to her like she’s lost her mind, Sasuke ducks as a bullet slams into the top frame of the door from behind them.

No time to argue.

Using vampiric speed, he bolts across the rooftop, leaping out toward an alleyway between the buildings. Landing a three storey fall is nothing for him, but -

The helicopter fires a volley of bullets, and just as he crests the edge, he feels one tear straight through his left side. Arms and legs still pumping as he screams, he feels something grip his biceps. Talons lock around his limbs, and rather than fall, he glides upward as the harpy carries him out between two taller buildings that frame the restaurant.

With the backdrop of human structures, the helicopter doesn’t dare fire again, and they slip into the alley unscathed.

For several blocks she glides, managing to find a one-storey roof nearby. Dropping him to his feet, she doesn’t land so smoothly, crumpling and rolling as she shifts back to a human guise.

Gasping for breath as the silver eats at his flesh, Sasuke collapses to his hands and knees. It’s mostly just a graze - he’s sure no vitals were hit, but he’s bleeding like a stuck pig. Add in the intense pain of the metal, and he trembles with the struggle to keep from slipping into a frenzied state.

Several paces away, groaning in pain, the harpy drags herself up. Turning to him, her eyes widen. “Hey -!” Limping back, she kneels beside him only to fall to her backside as Sasuke bats her away.

“D-don’t!”

“But -?”

“I...I’m not s-stable…”

“You’re wounded!”

“I-I might -”

Eyes flickering over him, her jaw then sets. Bloodied hands pull locks from one side of her neck. “You’re a vampire, aren’t you? Blood helps you heal, right?”

“I can’t, I - I might infect you. I can’t...trust myself not to frenzy.”

“You can’t infect me.”

“...but -?”

“Just trust me!”

Shaking, Sasuke’s eyes drift from her face to her neck. His mouth burns in instinct. If he’s going to survive a wound like this...he does need help…

Uncurling himself, he heavily grips her upper arms. For a moment, dagger teeth hover over her skin before plunging in.

He feels her stiffen for a moment, but then force herself to relax.

A minute passes as he takes long draws. Already, the fresh blood eases the sting...but he knows it’ll take more than that to tend to a silver wound. But before he can go too far, Sasuke forces himself back onto his haunches, chin stained red.

As soon as he moves, one of her hands lifts to hold at the wounds. “...do you have a lighter?”

“What -?”

“A lighter. If we’re going to help that silver wound close, we have to get rid of the flesh that’s been touched. Otherwise it will stay open.”

His brows draw...but he shakes his head. “No, I...I don’t smoke -”

She heaves a curt breath through her nose. “...well, at least the bleeding’s stopped. Here -” With a tug, she rips a wide section from the hem of her dress. Part she spares to her leg, where Sasuke sees not a bullet wound, but peppered punctures from shrapnel. The rest she binds around his middle, ignoring his protests. “We still need to clean them, but...at least this will keep anything else out for now.”

“...you a nurse or something?”

“I wanted to be at one point. Never panned out. Can you walk?”

“...can you?”

“If I have to.”

After a pause, Sasuke then thinks to pull out his phone.

“...who are you calling?”

“My mother.”

A white brow perks.

“She’ll send someone from my coven. Get us cleaned up. Hopefully she’s heard if things back there are over yet…”

Looking him over more closely, she observes, “...you’re an Uchiha too, aren’t you? Are you related -?”

“Distantly. My brother is Madara’s top enforcer.”

“...and you?”

“...I’m not.”

As though sensing the sensitive topic, she doesn’t push it as Sasuke finally connects. “Kāchan? Can you -? Yeah, I’m fine. I was. Is anyone -? ...okay. We’re -” A glance around. “...probably three blocks south? On a roof - I think it’s a conbini. Yeah, but - ...no, I’m not dying. Not anymore, anyway. Is aniki -? Okay, good. Yeah, we’ll be fine. Can’t really leave, we’re covered in blood. Five minutes, got it.” A pause, then, “...I love you, too. See you soon.” Hanging up and leaving a bloody thumbprint on his screen, Sasuke looks up. “The hunters were pushed back...no idea how many were killed, yet. My cousin’s going to come find us.”

“...do they...know if it was bad…?”

Sasuke eyes her for a moment. “...not sure. But you got quite a few people out, seems like.”

Her own gaze averts. “...I had a bad feeling. As soon as they told me the senator would be there…”

“Yeah, me too. But it could have been worse.”

“It never should have happened at all,” she cuts in, hugging her knees with a bitter expression.

“...I know.”

Silence falls, and then she glances to him. “...what’s your name?”

“Sasuke. You?”

“Suigin Ryū.”

“...I’d say nice to meet you, but the circumstances are a little…” A pause. “...fucky.”

To his surprise, she snorts softly. “...to put it lightly.”

Another question burns at him, and he decides he might as well ask. “...you’re not just a harpy...are you?”

Greys glance to him warily. “...no. I’m not.”

That explains her lack of worry over being infected with vampirism. If she already has humanoid Nightwalker blood in her, she can’t become anything else. “...never met a hybrid before. What...else are you?”

“Succubus. From my father’s side. Not that I know him, but...well, I knew my mother was a harpy like me.”

“...was?”

“...was.”

An awkward silence falls. “...guess that’s why Naruto was so gaga over you,” Sasuke then offers, trying to lighten the mood.

“Naruto…?”

“Friend of mine. The werefox that was sitting with me.”

“Oh…” A hint of a smile lifts her lips. “It helps with shows. At least...on anyone who’s attracted. Otherwise I have to rely on actual merit.”

“Sounded pretty good to me.”

“Thanks…”

Well, now he knows why he felt that strange pull.

Another silence, but this one more...relaxed. “...thank you…”

“For?”

“Saving my life.”

“Yeah, well...guess I can say the same. Call us even. It’s my brother who’s going to owe me, pulling me into this mess. And Naruto for getting the tickets.”

“For what it’s worth...I’m glad you were there.”

“...least I made it out alive.”

“Oi!”

Both heads turn to see another Uchiha climbing up a ladder along the side of the building. “About time you got here, Shisui,” Sasuke chides.

“Pretty sure none of our evenings went as planned, Sasuke,” the enforcer rebukes. “C’mon, I’ll get you back so you can get cleaned up.” Helping them both down, Shisui introduces himself. “Sorry about all the ruckus, miss.”

“It’s not me you should apologize to,” is her soft reply, wincing as he guides her into a seat.

Thankfully it’s not far to one of Madara’s many safehouses. Already the wounded enforcers are gathered, as well as the dead. A few civis are taken in to be seen to, and Madara himself speaks sternly to his captain. Itachi’s expression is strained.

There’s gonna be hell to pay for this.

Once inside, the pair are made to be separated - Sasuke’s wounds are far more severe. “Guess I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah…” Letting Shisui guide her to another room to be patched up, Ryū glances up as he questions her about the bite on her throat.

Her answer is cut off as Sasuke’s led to different room, dressed down to have his injury purged of the silver influence. Spare blood to help him recover further is quickly brought in. Muscles tense and nerves scream as the afflicted flesh is removed, eagerly gulping down the red viscous liquid. Almost immediately, the wound begins to close, no longer impacted by silver.

“How’s the harpy?”

“Fine, sir. Just some shrapnel in her left calf. No silver.”

Given leave to shower, he does so and redresses in spare clothes. By the time he emerges, she’s already done, hair still wet from her own cleansing. “...you okay?”

“I’ve been better,” she admits, clinging to a large coat someone’s thrown over her shoulders, a basic gown over her frame to her knees. “But...I’ll be all right.” Peeking out from under her hem is white gauze encasing her calf. “...I’m sorry you were shot. It was my fault -”

“The only reason I got off that roof with just one hole rather than looking like Swiss cheese is because you carried me out. Don’t apologize.”

“But -?”

“It’s fine. I’m already on the mend.” As proof, he lifts his shirt, showing the knotty scar.

Her brow furrows at the sight of it, but she doesn’t comment.

“Sasuke.”

Turning, Sasuke brightens at the sight of his brother. “Aniki…”

“You were shot?”

“I’m fine. Already healed over. You?”

“Somehow avoided it...I heard what happened.” He turns to Ryū. “...thank you. You saved my brother’s life.”

“I also helped put it in danger.”

“Well...your actions helped get most of the civilians out. We lost far fewer than if you hadn’t taken the initiative. Thank you.”

She just ducks her head.

“Now...we should get you home. I still have much to attend to...there hasn’t been this much open conflict in quite some time, and the implications are still growing. This is going to be a nightmare to cover up...”

“I can take her.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Sasuke assures his brother. “You just keep your nose to the grindstone. We’ll be fine.”

“Very well. Thank you.”

Nodding, Sasuke takes her back through the building...only to come up short as Madara himself steps in their path.

The senator glances to him coolly, but his focus quickly shifts to the harpy. “My apologies, miss. It would seem you were caught in our little drama.”

Stiff with nerves, Ryū manages to stutter, “I-I…”

“I assure you, you and the guests will be compensated. This attack won’t stand…” A hand reaches, taking a lock of her hair even as she flinches back. “...we will speak again. Another time, when we are not so...otherwise indisposed.”

“Y...yes, sir.”

Lingering a moment longer, Madara then takes his leave, asking for Itachi as he walks past them.

Ryū then remembers to breathe.

“...yeah, he’s a little intimidating,” Sasuke mutters.

She doesn’t answer.

Taking one of the Uchiha’s many fleet cars, he drives back into the city, getting quiet, short directions from his companion. A high rise apartment building takes them into its underground garage, and he offers to accompany her to her door. Outside it, they pause.

“...thank you again,” Ryū murmurs, fiddling her keys.

“Back at you.”

For a moment she looks ready to protest, but then sighs in defeated acceptance. “I...guess I’ll say goodnight. Take care of yourself, Uchiha-san.”

Snorting at her sudden formality, Sasuke doesn’t rebuke it. Clearly she’s still shaken up, and a tragedy hasn’t exactly made them best friends. “...you too.”

Letting her eyes lift, there’s a moment’s hesitation before she steps up, planting a kiss on his cheek.

The skin seems to tingle pleasantly, and he can’t help a small jump of surprise.

“...goodbye.” Opening her door, she steps in and gives a polite nod before it shuts.

For a long moment he lingers outside it, a few fingers reaching to itch at the sensation on his cheek, which starts to fade.

Something tells him he’ll be seeing her again.

                                                                     .oOo. 

     Woo, day two! This time featuring my Nightwalkers verse, and the lovely @kyuuzuchiha‘s boyos, as well as a few of my own from @hyuuchiha in addition to Ryū :3 And Ayame’s technically in there if you squint, heh heh.      Technically we don’t have a ship in this verse yet, so...I made it more subtle. I don’t write action or violence too often, so...hopefully that part wasn’t a total flop - I tried ^^;       Nightwalkers is of course my original monster verse with lots of politics and drama and stuff! I LOVE getting to write in it cuz...I’m a nerd when it comes to my worldbuilding =w= So this was actually rather self indulgent, eh heh (kinda like the whole event is so I can write all the lovely ships with the lovely people who humor me, ahaha~)      ANYWAY, Boo darling, I hope you enjoyed this dramafest, lol - and I hope I did both your boys justice. I love how you write them and I hope I managed to stay true to your interpretations ;w; And of course thank you for writing with me, no matter the verse or the bonds with our muses. I love it <3 (and I hope you’re doing all right, dear)      Buuut that’s enough rambling outta me! I still need to work on more days to try and stay a bit ahead since I’m busier than I’d like, ahaha~ Hope everyone is enjoying the event n_n

[astridxreyes]

W H O    A R E    Y O U?

ASTRID REYES

AGE: 28 APPEARANCE: Astrid rarely wears makeup and, when she does, she wears a bare face kind of "no makeup" makeup look. She likes fashion and likes experimenting with clothes, but often is seen in more plain jane clothes in an attempt to blend in (ex. t-shirt, jeans , sweaters, white sneakers). GLASSES/CONTACTS? She has glasses that she occasionally wears, but only to help her blend in as a "human" who needs reading glasses. TATTOOS? She has a matching tattoo with her friend Liv (who she accidentally turned into a harpy) that says "to infinity" across her rib cage (here); A couple of watercolored little birds on her right collar bone (here); stay gold tattooed across her left wrist (here); a tattoo that says 'but without the dark, we'd never see the stars' on her left upper thigh (here); a little anchor on the back of her neck (here); and a little elephant on the back of her ankle (here). SCARS OR BIRTHMARKS? Astrid has a couple different scars on her body. She has some scars on her hips and her wrists from TW: self harm; Her left wing doesn't tilt exactly right and a has a scar across from it; she has a tiny little scar that can barely be seen across her right temple. RICH OR POOR? Astrid grew up in poverty and although her adopted family is very wealthy, she lives a lower middle class lifestyle not wanting to borrow money from them. SPECIFIC TICK OR MANNERISM? She fidgets with her hair when she's nervous, often switching up her part from one side to the other or fidgeting with the hem of her skirt or shirt as she talks to people; she also has a tendency to rock back and forth slightly on the balls of her heels and nibble on her bottom lip.

P E R S O N A L I T Y ?

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

“I don’t really know if I believe in perfect happiness anymore, but I guess if I had to pick I’d say that moment when I just forget where I am. When the world around me fades away and I just can exist without the past or... fear of the future.” If she had to pick a specific moment, she knew it would have been when she was flying, high above the trees, far away from any source of people whom she could hurt, where she could just sing to her hearts content, letting the wind kiss her cheeks.

What is your greatest fear? 

Being found out, being sent to prison or even worse, transferred. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare the shit out of me, excuse my language, to be sent somewhere- anywhere- away. But, I think the part of me that scares me more is what would happen to my family- the Reyes who took me in when they didn’t have to- and my friends like Liv. I did this to her, I scratched her. I turned her. I ruined her life and, because of me, she might end up spending the rest of it behind bars. And Damien- he already lost so much. I wonder if he’d even look at me again if I ruined what was left of his family, Astrid couldn’t help but think. But, she wouldn’t ever dare mutter it out loud.

What is your biggest pet peeve or trait you deplore in yourself? 

“There’s kind of too many to list. But, I guess if I had to pick I’d say just not feeling able to be myself? Or even really knowing who I am? I sometimes see other people around my ages, fooling around laughing and letting loose. You know, those people who are the focus of every group they’re apart of, who make you laugh out loud and are just magnetic? Those people who everyone can’t help but be drawn to? I see them and I get jealous, so freaking jealous, because I can never be like that. And it’s not just because-” Because she was undeclared. “I just- sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in my own body. In my own skin. Like no matter who I’m around or what I do, I’m on edge and petrified of being myself, of letting people in, of getting hurt again, of having someone take something of mine that wasn’t theirs to take. I hate that I don’t feel safe, that I haven’t felt safe since I was like 10 years old and will probably never feel safe again and- and I hate when I look at these bright amazing people, I know deep down that I’m not one of them and I probably never will be, I guess...”

What is your biggest pet peeve or trait you deplore in others? 

“I don’t know? I don’t really know if there is one. But, maybe being entitled? Those people who feel like the world belongs to them and everything is for their taking even if it’s not?”

Which living person do you most admire? 

“I have two. My mom and dad. My adopted mom and dad. They took me in and gave me everything. Not just a home, but a family even if it was far from easy. They’re kind of the coolest people in the world and I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

Which living person do you most despise? 

“I don’t know if he’s alive anymore, but...” Charlie...

What is your greatest extravagance?

“College? I only went for a year and a half before it was just too much to keep paying for on my own, but it’s definitely the most I’ve probably ever spent on anything.”

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? 

“Maybe faith? I don’t just mean in the ‘higher power’ sense. I mean just hope. Believing that everything is going to be okay, even if the world is falling apart at the seams?”

On what occasion do you lie? 

“I kind of lie everyday, now-a-days. About who I am? Where I came from? But, I guess I lie the most when I tell people ‘I’m fine’.”

“What is the quality you like most in a significant other?

“Optimism? Or maybe humor? If someone can make me smile or let my walls down, they’re a-okay in my book.”

 Do you have a catchphrase? Which words or phrases do you most overuse? 

“Maybe ‘Gosh Darn it?’”

Who or what is the greatest love in your life? 

“Fiyero Tigelaar. And if you know who that is, then you probably know why.” She’s a little theater nerd and fell in love with singing and the stage.

When and where were you happiest? 

“The first time I flew across the lake. I kind of had a whole Harry Potter riding a hippogriff, moment. It’s was pretty awesome.”

Which talent would you most like to have?

“Shapeshifting would be pretty cool, but I’d settle on getting over my stage fright?” Or singing without the possibility of accidentally paralyzing someone or knocking them out... Kind of puts a damper on being a broadway star and all.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

Being Declared without having to go to jail, would be pretty cool? She couldn’t help, but think.

If you could pick up and go anywhere, where would you most like to live? 

“Just get me anywhere in Europe with a backpack and I’ll be happy.”

What is your most treasured possession? 

“My Hello Kitty backpack. It’s silly and cheesy, but it’s all I’ve got from before I ran away, so...”

What do you value most in your friends?

“Faith, trust, and I have yet to find someone with pixie dust, but that would be cool too.”

Who is your hero of fiction? 

“Elle Woods. She got into Harvard. You know, not like it’s hard or anything.”

What historical figure do you most identify with? 

“Amelia Earheart. She was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and she just never let anything hold her back. I don’t know if I’m anything like her, but I want to be.”

What is your greatest regret? 

“Not getting out fast enough when Charlie... when I was turned.”

What is your life’s motto?

“If you’ve seen Warm bodies-”

Would you describe yourself as being an optimist or a pessimist?

“Optimist. I’d say I’m a glass half full type of person, but I drink water too fast to have half of anything left.”

Introvert or Extrovert? 

“Introvert aka a not so closeted loner... I really should get that on a t-shirt.”

How do you hope others will see you? 

“Hooman?”

How are you seen by others currently? 

“Nice? Which I kind of hate by the way. I mean being nice is great and all. At least, I’m not the devil or anything, even if our pastor might disagree if he-” learned the truth. “But, in my experience, nice is kind of the go-to-word to describe someone you know nothing about.”

How do you see yourself? 

“Like Tracey Turnblad shoved inside a scrappy filipina body.”

How do you react to praise? 

“Last time someone complimented me, I’m pretty sure I flailed my arms and made a sound that could best be described as an awkward dinosaur noise? So not great.”

How do you react to criticism? 

“I thrive in it. My self-esteem loves being taken down a notch. But, in all seriousness, I try to prove them wrong and often end up doing something I’ll probably regret like doing a weird rollerblade dance routine to Stayin’ Alive. Clearly, one of my finer moments.”

Do you often make snap judgements or take time to consider? 

“I’d like to think I’m a rational thinker, but... did I mention the Staying’ Alive boogy dance? On Roller blades?”

Do you think you lead more with your head or your heart? 

“Bu-dum, bu-dum, bu-dum...  I was trying to make a heart sound and the second I did, I instantly regretted it.”

When was the last time you cried? 

“When half of the ice cream in my cone fell on the ground. What? It was a very traumatic experience.” Even, though she knew it was actually when her parents asked her if they could adopt her. Happy tears.

What is your guilty pleasure? 

“The Bachelor franchise. It’s like watching a car crash. It’s horrifying, but you can’t look away. That or singing to show tunes in my car at the top of my lungs when no one’s watching or sitting in the taco ball parking lot eating a quesarito while... also listening to showtunes. And then I end up ordering dominos and make the deliver guy knock on my window like I’m doing some shady drug deal when in actually it’s just for cookie brownies and those parmesan bread knots... I have a lot of guilty pleasures.”

When was the last time you showered? 

“This morning and every morning like a hygienic person?”

Are you the type of person who talks in the movie theater? 

“No. Unless it’s a horror movie. Then, you’ll find me curled up in my chair, peaking through the cracks in my fingers covering my eyes, screaming at the characters not to go in the room and asking them why in the world they’d be asking if anyone’s home when they hear a creepy noise upstairs, as if the killer is just going to respond with ‘oh hi love! I’m just making myself a sandwich. But, don’t worry. I’ll be down in a giffy to kill ya.’”

Are you more of an indoor cat or an outdoor bird? 

“I'm more than a bird, I'm more than a plane-” (Cue Five for Fighting - Superman) She’s an outdoor person.

Are you a fan of Harry Potter and, if so, what would be your Hogwarts house? 

“Honey badgers don’t care.” She’s a huge Harry Potter fan and a Hufflepuff all the way.

Do you like superheroes and, if so, which character is your favorite? DC or Marvel? 

“Yes! And Kitty Pryde aka Shadowcat.”

Did you used to play Pokemon? And if so, what be your starter Pokemon? 

“Yes! And in the versions I’ve played, Squirtle and Piplup.”

Star Wars or Star Trek? Or neither?

“Both?”

If you were in the Hunger Games, what would be your game plan? 

“Hide?” Hide until I get caught and then fly up real high or sing until anyone who tried to attack me gets stunned so that I can escape?

If the zombie apocalypse happened today, how would you defend yourself?

“I’m a goner anyways, so...” ZOMBIE HARPY HERE I COME!

What’s the first thing you do when you’re home alone?

“Slide across the floor like I’m Tom Cruise in Risky Business while singing ‘What Dreams are Made Of’ into a hairbrush like Hillary Duff.”

What is the most overplayed song you listen to? 

“Defying Gravity or Satisfied. Can you tell I used to be a theater kid in High School?”

Do you believe in a thing called love?  (cue the Darkness song…) 

“I believe in a thing called love Just listen to the rhythm of my heart There's a chance we could make it now We'll be rocking 'til the sun goes down I believe in a thing called love Ooh!...

too much?”

Do you believe in love at first sight? 

“No. I believe in lust at first sight, but when you think about the cliche disney fall in love moments- Prince Charming couldn’t even recognize Cinderella when she didn’t have a big ball gown on and, in Snow White, which also was Prince Charming funny enough... he was kind of a stalker and necrophiliac? And yeah... I don’t know if I want that personally.”

If you could travel to any period in time, future or past, where would it be? 

“I’m kind of happy now, to be honest. Even though I wouldn’t mind reliving the early 2000′s again?”

Have you committed a crime? 

“Who? Me? Nooooo.... Never....” I’m literally undeclared so... you do the math?

If you could commit a crime and get away with it, what would it be? 

I’d like to continue being undeclared without being caught, thank you very much.

If you found yourself trapped in an elevator with a group of strangers, what would be the first thing you’d do? 

“Panic? I’ve seen Tower of Terror and I have no want to be the little girl in that movie.”

[myth-lord]

Greek Characters A

Because of the lots of hate I was getting for using Wendigo’s and Yara-Ma-Yha-Who’s, i’ve been pushed into the Greek Mythology corner again, but to my surprise I kinda love them again, like I did before I started to collect all worlds mythologies. 

My current personal-fun-project is all Greek, with sometimes a bit of Roman flavor. 

These are the characters that play some role in the RPG, Cardgame or whatever-game would fit them. Starting with the A. Note that this doesn’t include the true Gods and heroes yet, they have different roles than the Characters, villians, Monsters and Demi-Gods.

Note that I give my own spin to many of these characters, while trying to at least keep most of their real-myth features intact.

NAME: Achelous RACE: Demi-God / Triton SIZE: Large (In all his forms) ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral ENVIRONMENT: Rivers and Lakes ABILITIES: Water Control, Self Polymorph into Blue Bull, Self Polymorph into Water Minotaur, Bull Rush, Magical Trident Weapon APPEARANCE: Like an old man with long beard, his body is covered with shells, and he has two very long bull-like horns on his head, his skin is covered with blue fish-like scales and he holds a Trident weapon and a giant beautiful shell-like shield. His lower-body looks like some fish-scale covered eel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achelous

NAME: Achlys RACE: Demi-Goddess / Daemon SIZE: Medium ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil ENVIRONMENT: Tartarus, Vile Swamps ABILITIES: Very Long Poisonous Nails, Poison Breath, Summon Death Fog, Aura of Sadness, Enhance Poisons APPEARANCE: Like an ugly old Swamp Hag, with long and dirty dark green hair, lighter green warty skin and very cruel looking nails, she is followed by a creeping evil green mist.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlys

NAME: Adephagia RACE: Demi-Goddess / Daemon SIZE: Large ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil ENVIRONMENT: Anywhere, Mostly Urban ABILITIES: Aura of Gluttony, Powerful Stomach, Immune to Disease, Enlarge Mouth, Acid Puke, Body Crush APPEARANCE: Like a very obese woman sitting on a throne that is carried by very thin and weak-looking daemons. Instead of normal teeth she has sharp fangs and beside her moving throne she also has a moving table with all types of food on it, also carried by a demon slave.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adephagia

NAME: Aegaeon RACE: Titan / Hekatonkheires (Hundred-Handed One) SIZE: Colossal ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil ENVIRONMENT: Tartarus ABILITIES: One-Hundred Hands, Rolling Madness, Extreme Strength, One-Hundred Mad Voices, Raining Rocks APPEARANCE: Like a swarm of giant moving arms and hands, in the middle of the chaotic creature are lots of ever-screaming monstrous heads, the horrid creature doesn’t seem to have any legs, instead using a lot of its arms for locomotion. Some of its one-hundred arms grow out of other arms, some arms are huge and others are very small.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hecatoncheires

NAME: Aello RACE: Beastman / Harpy SIZE: Medium ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil ENVIRONMENT: Hades, Tartarus, Olympus, Beaches, Cliffs, Anywhere ABILITIES: Song of Storms, Painful Voice, Tempest Screech, Swift Flight, Shocking Talons APPEARANCE: Half bird and half woman, Aello’s face is like that of an ugly old hag with gnashing teeth. Instead of hair she has beautiful blue and green feathers, lightning flashes from her eyes, claws and talons.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aello

NAME: Akheilos RACE: Cursed / Daemon / Beast / Former Human SIZE: Huge ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil ENVIRONMENT: Oceans ABILITIES: Blood Frenzy, Command Sharks, Rain Madness, Swallow Whole, Mega-Bite, Sharp Skin, Disfiguring Bites APPEARANCE: Like a monstrous prehistoric shark covered in horns and spikes, it has oversized fangs.

http://www.theoi.com/Ther/Akheilos.html

NAME: Alastor RACE: Demi-God / Daemon SIZE: Large ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil ENVIRONMENT: Tartarus, Battlefields, Anywhere ABILITIES: Animate Weapons, Enhance Weapons, Razor Edge, Madness Cuts, Aura of Vengeance APPEARANCE: After his defeat and death, Alastor’s spirit merged with his giant sword, now Alastor looks like a giant possessed sword from hell with a unholy black and red aura around it and demonic runes and artwork on the sword itself. He is always followed around by other animated weapons.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alastor

NAME: Alecto RACE: Demi-Goddess / Fury (Erinyes) SIZE: Medium ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil ENVIRONMENT: Tartarus, Anywhere ABILITIES: Boiling Blood, Induce Madness and Anger, Control Blood, Summon Blood Minion, Create Blood Weapons, Create Blood Shields, Blood Magic, Blood Arrows, Harden Blood, Blood Cage, Carnage APPEARANCE: Of all the furies, Alecto looks the most human. She looks like a strict old woman dressed in black and red clothes, with a very cruel looking crown and a dress with blades pointing upwards where they hit the ground, her skin and clothes leak blood wherever she goes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alecto

NAME: Antaeus RACE: Demi-God / Gigante / Elemental SIZE: Large ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil ENVIRONMENT: Any Wilderness, Cave or Forest ABILITIES: Control Earth, Crushing Earth Fists, Tremors, Earthquake, Extreme Earth-Regeneration, Earth Grab, Expert Wrestler, Taunting Scolding APPEARANCE: Antaeus looks like a half humanoid giant and half earth elemental, his lower arms are made from rock and earth, and so are his lower legs, his face is half flesh and half earth element, with almost crystal eyes, he is bald and doesn’t have any body hair.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antaeus

NAME: Anteros RACE: Demi-God / Erote SIZE: Small ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil ENVIRONMENT: Any, mostly Urban ABILITIES: Arrow of Hate, Luring Cries, Annoying Laughter, Hate Gaze APPEARANCE: Much like Cupid, but with black gothic hair which covers one eye, and with black angel-wings instead of white. He always has this wicked smile on his child-like face.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anteros

NAME: Apate RACE: Demi-Goddess / Daemon SIZE: Medium ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral ENVIRONMENT: Tartarus, Hades, Anywhere ABILITIES: Veil, Illusion Weaving, Invisibility, Hallucinatory Terrain, Blur, Mirror Image APPEARANCE: Nobody knows what Apate really looks like, she is always hidden behind her tricky illusions, which reveal her as beautiful woman with purple clothes, she often covers her head with a cloak. Apate loves masks of all types, and always wears the most bizarre ones herself, she emits an aura of mystery. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apate_(deity)

NAME: Arachne RACE: Cursed / Beast / Former Human SIZE: Large ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil ENVIRONMENT: Caves, Hades, Forests ABILITIES: Iron Webs, Hallucination Poison, Red Widow, Freedom of Movement, Implant Eggs, Eight Legged Army APPEARANCE: Like an enormous, hideous and monstrous black spider.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachne

NAME: Argus Panoptes RACE: Daemon SIZE: Huge ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Neutral ENVIRONMENT: Anywhere ABILITIES: Perfect Sight, Eye Spies, All-Around Vision, Eyebeams, True Sight, Sleepless, See through other Eyes, Minor Future Vision APPEARANCE: Much like an even freakier and bizarre looking Beholder, it has ten tentacles with eyeballs on it, and its orb-like body is covered with eyeballs. His alien-looking skin is green, while the eyes are mostly blue, much like a peacocks feathers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus_Panoptes

NAME: Aristaeus RACE: Cursed, Beast, Former Titan SIZE: Huge ALIGNMENT: Neutral ENVIRONMENT: Hills and Deserts ABILITIES: Crushing Roll, Scarab Swarms, Slicer Mandibles, Burrowing Ravage APPEARANCE: Aristaeus looks like an enormous mutant stag beetle mixed with a scarab beetle, his body is covered with small scarabs and other beetles.

http://www.theoi.com/Gigante/GiganteAristaios.html

NAME: Asterion RACE: Beastman / Minotaur SIZE: Large ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil ENVIRONMENT: Underground Maze ABILITIES: Perfect Memory, Extreme Cunning, Bull Rush, Great Strength, Axe Expert, Wounding Anger APPEARANCE: A hideous half bull and half man, armed with a beautiful axe and some armor, his horns are huge and his face is disfigured.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur

NAME: Atropos RACE: Demi-Goddess / Moirai (Fate) SIZE: Large ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral ENVIRONMENT: Unknown ABILITIES: Scissor Hands, Cut that Line APPEARANCE: Like the Atropos in God of War, but even freakier, one of her hands is deformed into a large scissor-like weapon and her face is old and ugly. Her hair looks like it was cut randomly, with some long parts and some short parts in it, like she cut herself in madness.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropos

[mellicose]

That Woman Over There - Chapter 2

A You Me and Him Fix-it Fic

Rating: Teen, for some mild w|w eroticism (You bet your sweet ass)

Word count: 4452

Warnings: none

Summary: ~ Set after the birth of Monty, Olivia’s baby ~ A dear friend of Olivia comes to visit for a week, and she disturbs the fragile peace between her, Alex, and John.

Read Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

She woke with a gasp.

The sofa bed was nice enough, but her back ached for her own bed at home. She could’ve gotten a hotel, but Livvie insisted she stay at the house. Her and Alex wanted to take care of her.

Her heart rate decreased to something normal, and she realized why she was scared.

It was too damn quiet.

In her apartment in the meatpacking district, there was always noise. Dump trucks emptying bins full of glass bottles from all the nightclubs and restaurants. Foreign assholes driving around in their souped up sports cars, their engines roaring. Drug dealers screaming to each other from their respective corners. And underneath it all, the thrumming, coked-out heartbeat of the city.

Here, in this lovely little oasis, there was nothing. Not even the big-throated crickets that sang American suburb-dwellers to sleep. It was strange. She rolled out of bed and checked her cell phone. It was a little after 3 AM, local time.

It was 11 PM in New York. She usually went to sleep around that time when she was in the planning stage of her installations. She stretched and looked around at the dark living room. Everything seemed to be in the saturated primary colors of childhood, so different from Livvie’s cool, clean, and pastel. Furthermore, Alex’s influence was clear - in the art on the walls, and the upholstery on the furniture.

She stretched, arms high over her head, and caught of whiff of sweat and cigarette smoke from the pub.

“I need a shower,” she said softly to herself, and shuffled quietly up the stairs. Alex and Olivia’s bedroom door was open. Their blinds were up, and a breeze stirred the paisley curtains. They were a painting of domestic tranquility - Liv, snoring softly with her hand still on the rail of the small rocking crib. Monty lay on his back, dreaming. Alex slept on her side, hugging her pillow, her bum pressed against Olivia. Olivia’s other hand rested on the soft hillock of Alex’s hip.

Her chest twitched in a silent sob. She was so happy for her. She had everything she wanted, and deserved. Back when they first met, Olivia was resolved that although what they felt for each other was real, it was just a naughty phase. It was a mess - Connie, the more outwardly passionate one, came out to her conservative Catholic parents immediately, but Olivia refused to ruin her parent’s lives with such unpleasant news. She was angry at the time, but she could never hate her. In any case, experience taught her that people have to come out at their own pace - it should never be forced, even by a partner.

Alex was the one who convinced her to do it - the one she refused to obfuscate about.

She was a lucky woman.

After her shower, she went to the kitchen to make herself some coffee. She felt for the light switch, found it, then decided not to flip it. There was enough light coming in through the window to see her way around.

She rummaged through the cupboards for a loose pod and slammed it into the coffee maker. She looked out the window as she waited for the drink to brew.

There was music, very faint, and another sound that was familiar. A high-pitched whine. She opened the window and stuck out her head. John’s house was dark, but in his garden, there was a large shed whose door was open. That’s where the warm light and noises came from.

“What’s he doing in there at this hour of the morning?” she said to herself. Most probably crouched in front of a computer screen, typing filth on his MRA reddit page. She picked up her cup from the coffee maker and walked to the back door, staring out in curiosity, then decided to step outside. She wrapped her robe tighter around her and looked over the low hedge to his garden.

The music was intelligible now - it was pop, but in a language she couldn’t understand.

“Oh my God,” she said, and a half smile made her lip twitch. It was Kpop. She was sure of it. That leather-clad chode listened to Korean boy/girl bands? It was too much. The light spilling from the open shed door painted a warm yellow wedge on the lawn. It looked … inviting.

Her toes curled on the grass. She noticed the whine had stopped. Had that been a different kind of music? She walked to the hedge to take a closer look. The silk of her kimono caught in the neatly trimmed bush. Sticks poked at her hips. She raised her cup for a sip-

“Why you spying on me?” John said, coming up from behind and putting a hand on her shoulder.

“Virgen Santísima!” she said, clutching at her chest. The cup flew out of her hand and spattered hot coffee on her feet.

“Oh my God - I’m so sorry -” he said, his smile fading to genuine distress. He put down the steaming cup in his hand, pulled his t-shirt over his head, and dabbed at her feet.

She slapped at him. “Get off me! Why the fuck would you do something like that? I almost had a heart attack-”

When he saw the skin at the tops of her feet reddening, he nearly started to weep.

“I didn’t mean to scare ye like that. I saw you snooping through my kitchen window when I was making myself some tea-” He pointed to the cup by his feet. “What are you doing looking over hedges at this hour of the mornin’?” he asked, his accent becoming broad by the end of the sentence.

“I was making coffee, and I heard noises coming from here.” She shrugged. The fact was, she was being nosy. She just didn’t think she’d get caught.

“It’s my shop,” he said simply, still inspecting her feet. “And you need some aloe for this burn.”

“I dunno whether Liv’s got that, but I can put some calamine lotion on my legs.”

He stood up, a head taller than her. “That’s nonsense. I have an aloe plant on my back porch. I’ll cut you a leaf or two. You’ll be good as new by tomorrow.”

He walked through a gap in the hedge and beckoned to her. She stared at him, unmoving.

“Come on. You were already snooping. Might as well get a closer look, eh?”

She rolled her eyes, but followed him. The skin of her feet was beginning to sting. He put his shirt back on - coffee stained and damp - and walked quickly across his yard to the back porch. He took a small knife out of his pocket and sliced a long, meaty leaf from the plant, then expertly began to peel and split it. Her eyes drifted to the shed door.

“Sit,” he said, pointing to the steps. “They’re clean.” She lifted the kimono over her knees.

“Alright, sweetie, lemme get a good look at those welts.”

“Don’t call me sweetie,” she said curtly.

He shrugged. “Sorry. Encarnación.”

“Or that. I really don’t like it.” She was surprised he remembered. Most English speaker didn’t, or when they did, they mangled it.

“Why not?” he said, gently rubbing the cooling aloe on her skin. Despite being tense, she sighed with relief. “It’s like a Spanish puritan name. Very prim and proper.”

“It means incarnation, but it brings to mind red, bleeding meat. It’s grisly.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why my mother insisted on it and not a nice easy name, like Maria … or Rosa. Rosa’s nice.”

“You and roses,” he said softly, pressing the translucent heart of the leaf on a particularly nasty burn.

“What do you know about me?” she snapped, pulling the robe tight around her thighs.

“Olivia talked a lot about you, especially right before you came. Both Alex and I were very curious to meet you. The artist who makes magic with flowers. The beautiful New York socialite who took Liv under her wing and made her visit one of the best times of her life. ”

She snorted.“Olivia exaggerates.”

“Not about you,” he said earnestly, shaking his head. “Not even a bit.”

“Uh, thanks,” she said, standing up. “I should get back.”

“Of course. Away to bed with ye,” he said, wiping the aloe juice on his jeans. She resented his tone, but she didn’t know why.

Just as she crossed the hedge into Olivia’s yard, he ran to her, covering the distance in four strides.

“Yes?” she said.

He held up the other aloe leaf. “Forget to give it to you. For later. Again, I’m sorry. That’s what I get for trying to be cute.”

“Right,” she said, taking it. “Thanks.”

She turned just before reaching the back door.

“By the way, what’s in the shed?”

He gave her a mischievous grin, something he was quite good at. “My own magic,” he said, and gracefully vaulted the waist-high hedge to his yard.

Show off.

He watched her shadow as she walked into the house, then went into his shop.

Cedarwood plants, already cut to size, littered his work table. Behind it, his hand tools were neatly hung on pegs, or stored in the cabinets underneath the table and against the walls. He flipped off his radio and stood at the shed door, hands on his waist, like his grandfather used to do. A jaw-cracking yawn made him tremble, and he looked down at himself. His carefully chosen concert t-shirt was stained and wrinkled.

I didn’t much like the Verve anyway.

He took it off and cleaned the sawdust from the bandsaw, then oiled the blade.

Take care of your tools, his grandfather always used to say. They’re your bread and butter. That, and keep your shop clean. A shop is a reflection of the craftman’s mind. Organized shop, organized mind.

He finished sweeping and brushed the sawdust into a trash bag. He liked it there, in that shed - the smells, the memories, the peace. Lately, he preferred it to parties and pointless affectation. Mannism was his bread and butter though, but after the divorce, his anger had faded to bemusement.

Not all women were horrific, soul-draining harpies with silky skin and soft, lovely parts he still ached to touch. Not all of them were out to use and discard. Alex and Olivia had convinced him of that. But that was only them. It could be a lesbian thing.

He thought of Connie’s burn-spackled legs and smiled. He really shouldn’t have scared her. And he felt awful for scalding her, but happy he was able to care for her afterward. Maybe she didn’t see him as …

Scoliosis boy. He sucked his teeth.

Did he deserve it? Maybe a little. But he was more than his business. He hoped he could prove that, even though he didn’t know why he was compelled to do it. He picked up the pre-sanded boards, ran his graceful fingers along the smoothed edges.

“You’ll have to wait ‘till tomorrow,” he whispered, and piled them neatly at the corner of the work table and locked the shed.

He did some back stretching exercises in the dark, focusing on long, lean, and straight. After, he breathed on his lilies, then went inside for a good sleep.

Olivia woke up before Monty, breasts aching.

The morning sun sliced into Alex’s placid sleeping face. She was so lovely. The last bit of pink was growing out of her bleached locks, and it made her look like an ink-watered daisy.

She put her hand on Alex’s belly, let the ache echo to nothing, then nuzzled her.

“Good morning,” Alex said sleepily. She spread her legs and lifted the blanket to give her access. Olivia’s mouth watered at the smooth heat between Alex’s thighs. “Don’t stop. I’ll pretend I’m sleeping again if you like,” she said, and chuckled.

Olivia sat up.“No, it’s - um, I have to pump, ASAP. My breasts are screaming.” She waved her hands over them anxiously. The pale orbs were painted with fine blue veins, something that Alex had found is quite enticing. They were heavy, warm, and filled with life. Alex crawled to her and pulled on her tanktop strap.

“Why don’t you you just feed Monty?” she said, grazing her fingertips on her swollen breasts. “You just had two glasses of wine last night.”

“Dunno. I just want to pump this bit out, just to be sure. There’s enough bottles in the fridge to get to this afternoon.”

Alex pulled down the other strap, and gently undid her stretchy nursing bra. Her beautiful nipples were chapped red and sore with Monty’s voracious feeding. She cupped her breasts gently in her palms, caressing the hot silk of her skin with her thumbs.

“They’re being slowly gummed to oblivion,” Olivia said, flustered. She tried to cover herself, but Alex shook her head and removed her hand. She sat on her haunches in front of her.

“It’s okay,” she said, and kissed the tops of her breasts, brushing her sleep-warm lips on her skin. Olivia let out a soft wheeze that made her smile. She started to undo the tie on her pajama bottoms, leaning into her until she lay back. She pulled them down past her hips and ran her fingers right underneath where her c-section scar was a fading pink line. Olivia tugged at the post pregnancy belly wrap she still wore.

“Monty’s right here,” Olivia said breathlessly.

Alex kissed her, biting her lower lip. “Then be quiet.” Her hand moved down to where Olivia was downy and damp, and she sighed.”That’s yummy,” she said, then quickly removed her sleepshirt. Alex’s breasts were still pert despite the pregnancy - but a bit larger because of it. She was both cursed and blessed, and the glint of steel on her left nipple made Olivia swear. She wanted to give in, but there was something in her that had gone dormant. The thirst she had for Alex before and during the pregnancy had faded to nothing. It’s as if her pussy was broken.

Alex started to pull off her sleep pants, but Olivia shook her head.

“Not now,” she said softly.

“I’ll be gentle, mein frau,” she said, her eyes wet with entreaty. It had been over six months, and oddly, her own experience had not hurt her libido. “You won’t have to do a thing but lay back and enjoy.” She kissed the insides of her thighs. She was so needy that even Olivia’s faint scent made her shiver. Just as her head dipped between her thighs, Olivia popped up.

“No! Please,” she said. Monty began to whine at the noise. “See? Monty’s up.”

Alex sighed, then pulled Liv’s pants back up. “I’ll wash up and prepare a bottle.”

“Nice,” Olivia said, already picking the baby up from the crib and clicking her tongue at him. “Good morning, darling. How are you? How are you?”

Monty gurgled and tugged on her blond hair affectionately.

She watched them from the door, waiting for her blood to cool. She was horny, but so happy. She had Olivia. And a beautiful baby boy. It was not what she imagined at this point in her life - but it was better. The fading pain worked its way to her heart.

It’s what she called it, when she couldn’t face up to calling her by name - Jo. Baby Jo. John knew, and thought it was fitting - it was like having a girl junior. But Jo wasn’t to be. At first, her bitterness made her want to hate all the world in general, and Olivia specifically. After all, if she hadn’t inseminated without consulting her, she wouldn’t have gotten blind drunk and slept with daft John and gotten pregnant.

It was all cause and effect, right?

She wanted to hate her, but she couldn’t. It was impossible, even though she was angry. Olivia was type A to the hilt - a rad barrister, and super-organized and persnickety - but her pregnancy was a mess. She couldn’t be a mum alone. And, even thought at first it hurt to see her own belly shrinking as her’s grew, she powered through, for love.

If she could have no regrets about smoking laced weed at a fucking carnival, or getting pregnant by the dudebro next door, she could stay with Liv. And she did.

She went downstairs and found Connie doing stretches on the living room floor. Her legs were stretched and wide apart, and she leaned into the carpet, breathing slowly. She wore no more than a pair of panties and a tank top with lace cups. In other words, she could see everything. And everything was banging.

She had the body karate going on.

“Oops!” she said loudly, walking past and into the kitchen. She slammed a bottle into the bottle warmer.

“I’m so sorry!” Connie said. She heard her running around the living room, a zipper, and rustling cloth. She came in wearing a pair of jean short shorts and a t-shirt. She smiled bashfully. “I hate being that bitch, but it seems like I’m her regardless sometimes.”

Alex put her hand up. “It’s totally okay. We don’t do much stretching ourselves lately, but it’s still a nice to watch.”

Connie smiled, and dared to touch Alex’s tangled bleached locks. “I know it’s not on purpose, but your hair looks awesome,” she said, pulling on her fading pink ends. “Are you gonna cut it off, try another color?”

“I wanted to cut it off,” Alex said.

“You going straight then?” Connie said, joking.

“Never! I want to cut the pink out and try something else. I was thinking… green and purple.”

“It’s perfect. You’re giving me all sorts of mermaid teas,” Connie said, fluffing her hair. Her body was pressed against her side, and the softness of her breasts made her feel dizzy. Before she could stop herself, she looked down.

“The Eurythmics,” she said, pointing to Connie’s shirt. She tried to ignore the fact her nipples poked through the fabric.

“You like ‘em?” Connie said, puffing her chest out. Alex blushed. “They’re sick right? Annie is, generally.”

“Yeah, sick. Totally,” Alex said, hoping she didn’t notice her ogling, but Connie seemed oblivious.

“Here,” Connie said, took it off, and handed it to her.

“Shit -you don’t have to do that-” Alex said, but took it from her. She averted her eyes, but she could still see lace and perked nipple in the corner of her eye.

“Naw, man. I want you to have it - something to remember me by. Also, I have another one, with her wearing that rad feather headdress from the Why video. I’m good,” she said, and walked back to the living room to cover up.

Olivia came downstairs, and Alex heard a squeal and the smack of kisses as Connie took Monty in her arms. Olivia went into the kitchen, eyebrows high. She waved her hands over her body, cupping her hands underneath her own breasts in a curvy pantomime.

“I know,” Alex said, wrapping her arms around her waist and kissing her neck.

“She tends not to wear much - she’s been like that since she was a teenager,” Olivia said into Alex’s hair. “I’ll tell her if it bothers you,” she said, but she chuckled.

“Eh … I think I can deal for the rest of the week,” Alex said, winking at Olivia. They both looked into the living room, where Connie swung Monty in her arms to the baby’s delight. She wore an open-sided 90’s MTV t-shirt.

“I get it,” Alex whispered. Monty’s star-shaped hands grabbed at Connie’s breasts. He was hungry.

“Hmm?” Olivia said. Her arm was wrapped around Alex’s ribs.

“I wouldn’t wear much either if I looked like her,” she said.

Olivia swatted her bottom. “You know you’re quite yummy yourself, with your little sailor shorts and see-through tops,” Olivia said. Alex raised her brow. Now she was frisky? But she would take what she could get.

“Maybe I’ll wear something nice today,” Alex said, then gently bit her earlobe. The little gold hoop in Liv’s ear clicked against her teeth. The hand resting on her ass finally squeezed.

“I won’t complain,” Olivia said, flushed. Just a half hour ago, everything was dead underneath her belly button. She watched as Connie lifted Monty’s shirt and blew a raspberry on his belly. The baby screamed and giggled, kicking into her flat belly. She stared at the line of her throat, down to the softness beneath. Hers were the first breasts she ever touched, and tasted. All at once, her muscle memories came back. She remembered the different textures and flavors of her, her sounds. Her arm twitched around Alex, bringing her back to herself.

That was years ago. And she had learned a lot since then. She looked down at Alex, who smiled indulgently as Connie pretended to eat Monty’s chubby feet.

“Om nom nom nom,”’ Connie said, then tickled his sides. He wriggled with pleasure.

Alex’s hair smelled like lilac and smoke, a scent she now found comforting. The byzantine blue of her eyes, her easy beauty, made her giggle out loud like Monty. She was surrounded by love.

Connie looked up. “Like mother, like son,” she said, smiling at her. Alex kissed her cheek and walked into the living room.

“Time for breakfast, peanut,” she said, picking up the baby. Connie pouted, and patted the sofa.

“Commere, Liv,” she said. Olivia sat beside her, back straight and knees clenched tight together … until she saw the red blotches on Connie’s legs.

“God, what happened?” she said, tapping the skin delicately.

“Ah, nothing. I spilled some coffee on myself last night in the dark,” she said, shrugging. She didn’t know why she didn’t say what actually happened.

“You would, “ Olivia said. Connie’s clumsiness was a running joke. “I have some calamine in the cabinet. I’ll go get it.” She stood and walked into the kitchen.

“You don’t need to-”

John walked in, fresh as a daisy, wearing a giant grin. She was beginning to think it was his thing. And it was annoying.

“Morning, beautiful. Sleep well? He said, sitting down in the overstuffed chair in front of the window. He wore loose-fitting pants and a tank top. His freckled arms were slim, but well-shaped. He crossed his ankles in front of him, and his long legs seemed to stretch to the middle of the room.

“You’ve made yourself comfortable,” said sardonically, opening her suitcase and digging through it. She had to keep her hands busy.

“You look great. Classic MTV was the balls,” he said.  She pulled a silk drawstring bag from the bottom and spilled its contents on the sofa.

“What is that tangle?” Olivia said, coming back with a steaming cup of herbal tea and the bottle of pink mud.

“I thought you hated herbal tea,” Connie said, eyeing the cup.

“It’s for better milk production,” she said, but she made a face. Connie and John laughed together, but Connie stopped. The synchronicity made her want to kick his leg. Olivia plucked at the ball of necklaces on the sofa.

“Why would you do this?” she said, trying to separate a pearl necklace from a tangle of gold and silver chains. She held up the pearls and clucked her tongue. “I gave you these! They’re Mikimoto,” she whined.

Connie shrugged. “Don’t have a jewelry box,” she said.

“But what about the one your mother-” Olivia started, then her mouth snapped shut. “Right.”

John looked back and forth between them, curious.

“What is it?” he said.

“Mind your business, Braveheart,” Connie said. It didn’t have the effect she wanted, since he leaned back, holding his stomach and laughing with his whole body.

“Oh, that’s rich … brilliant,” he gasped, slapping his thighs. His face was pink, his large eyes rimmed with tears.

“Oh, fuck off,” she said, and walked into the kitchen, where Alex had Monty in a high chair. She fed him porridge, which he wore more than ate.

“What’s he going on about now?” Alex said, then gently scraped the porridge from his chin with the spoon.

“Something that wasn’t that funny to begin with,” Connie said, walking to where Olivia had started scrambled eggs.

“I’m sorry,” Olivia said, her brow furrowed. “I can’t keep my mouth shut to save my life.”

“No biggie,” she said, and gave her a quick hug, and a peck on the cheek. She stared into the skillet. “I’m starving.”

“I know. You like them with dill and green pepper, on buttered toast?”

“You know me too well,” she said, and sat by Alex. She dipped her finger in the warm porridge, tasted, then made a face. “That’s nasty.”

“It’s for Monty. It’s made with Liv’s breast milk.”

“Oh wow,” she said, her face twisted. Alex and Olivia laughed. Porridge flowed out of Monty’s mouth as he smiled, wanting to share in the merriment. Connie made a thumb’s up at Olivia. “Really prime product. Good job.”

John loped in, curious about the laughter, and took some eggs from the pan. “Ooh, that’s better than your usual,” he said, and tried to get more. Olivia slapped his hand with the spatula.

“That is for our guest,” she said, spooning the fluffy eggs onto a plate.

“Aren’t I a guest?” he said, sniffing at the herbed eggs as she put the plate in front of Connie.

John looked over her shoulder. “You fancy sharing a bit with me? It looks like a lot, and I’m sure you’re watching your figure.”

The kitchen went silent. Even Monty seemed to squeal with disapproval.

“I’m not suggesting she needs to...” His voice cracked. The women stared balefully. He put his hands up. “I think I’ll make my own brekkie,” he said, and backed out the door.

“What a twat!” Connie said, her face red with anger.

“Language!” Olivia said, pointing at Monty.

He poked his head back into the kitchen. “ I wasn’t suggesting that you aren’t absolutely gorgeous, mind you. You sure you don’t want to share?” He gave her a toothy grin.

Alex threw the burp rag at him. “Bugger off, mate,” she said.

Olivia just threw up her hands.

Read Chapter 3

[p-artsypants]

320 State Street (14) October 26,2016

FF.net | AO3

Previous

Y’all best buckle up, these next few chapters are going to be…rough.

—

“Hey daddy?" A customer and his small daughter were checking out from Hiccup.  

“No, you can't have candy." The father responded.

The little girl curled her tiny fingers over the edge of the counter, and leaned forward and backward. “It's not that. I just wanted to say...I love you."

"I love you too sweetie, but you still can't have candy."

Hiccup snickered as he typed in the total.

“Hey daddy?" She asked again.

“Yes?"

"I don't love you anymore."  

Hiccup had to cover his mouth to hold back the laughter as the little girl looked stalwartly at her father. It seemed that she was not bothered in the slightest, nor was he. He thanked Hiccup calmly, and walked out with his purchase. The little girl looked back at Hiccup with a frown.

“Maybe next time.”

After the customer left, Hiccup glanced up to the clock in the ceiling. His brows furrowed slightly. Astrid was now 20 minutes late for her shift. It was concerning, to say the least.

“Still not here?” Gobber asked, coming out of the back room.

“It’s so unlike her. She’s late sometimes…but never this late. She’d call if something happened.”

“Aye. Unless she’s in midterms.”

“No,” clarified Hiccup. “Midterms were last week. I don’t think she had class today at all.”

“Do you want to call her?”

Hiccup nodded, taking his phone out. He had no notifications waiting for him. He put the device to his ear and waited.

After several rings, it finally connected. Astrid was sobbing, “oh Hiccup! I’m so sorry! I totally forgot—“

His heart dropped into his shoes and he was on high alert. “It’s alright. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She was quiet on the line for a long while before she coughed out another sob. “No, I’m not okay.”

“Where are you? I’m coming for you.”

He could tell that she was trying to rein in her emotions. “I’m at Hanson’s…it’s my dad.”

Hiccup looked up to Gobber, who was watching in interest.

Astrid was whispering, like she didn’t want to admit the truth. “He died, Hiccup. He’s gone…” She dissolved into sobbing again.

“Axel died…” Hiccup half whispered to Gobber.

Gobber shut his eyes sadly, and sighed in pain. “You go ahead. I’ll close the store.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Gobber, shooing him off. “Just go.”

Hiccup nodded in gratitude. Then he addressed Astrid, “I’m coming now. I’ll see you in a few, okay? Then you can tell me everything.”

There was a small whine from the phone as Astrid confirmed.

Hiccup spared a look at Gobber, who was returning to the register with a bank bag. He looked overwhelmingly sad, but at peace.

“You okay, Gobber?”

“I will be, lad. I will be.” The boss confirmed, “Axel was a dear friend, but when I saw him at the party in July, he was such a shadow of his former self. I’m just glad he isn’t suffering anymore.”

Hiccup nodded in understanding.

“Get going lad, she needs you.”

Without another word, Hiccup fled from the store.

At Hanson’s, Hiccup entered into the lobby, and told the secretary he was there for the Hofferson family. She sent him in with a sad smile.

The end of the hallway seemed so far away, but he could hear her crying from here. The rest of the building was eerily quiet, as if the whole world had stopped to mourn with her. He nearly ran, if not for politeness, and came to a room in the center of the wing. It bore chairs and couches, and a little kitchenette. It was warm and inviting, and held none of the sterile Hospital white that was so painful to him.

Astrid sat in a chair, her head in her hands. Uncle Finn sat next to her, his arm around her in comfort.

“Astrid…” Hiccup spoke just loud enough.

She lifted her face quickly, which bore the marks of crying for many many hours. Before she even finished standing, he had closed the distance between them and crushed her to him. She buried her face into his chest, wiping all tears and snot onto his shirt. He didn’t mind. “I’ve got you, it’s alright. Just let it out.”

Her fingers curled almost painfully into his back, but he showed no signs of discomfort, only petted her hair and kissed her head. He murmured sweet nothings into her ear.

Finally, after several minutes, she looked up at him and pried her arms away. “I-I’m sorry, Hiccup. I didn’t mean to…I’m a mess.”

“Honey, it’s fine!” He assured. “I’m here for you, and if you just want me to hold you while you cry, that’s fine.” He kissed her cheek quickly.

Astrid choked a little more, trying to catch her breath and wiped her face. “He wasn’t supposed to go this soon. One of the nurses found him early this morning.” She clenched her eyes shut. “He vomited sometime in the night, and then since he couldn’t move, he drowned in it.”

Hiccup frowned in disgust and furrowed his brows.

What a way to go.

“It’s because no one was there to turn him over. I wasn’t there to help him!”

So she blamed herself. Hiccup shook his head and wrapped his arms around her head. There was no easy way to console her. Carefully, he parted her hair away from her face and delicately wiped her cheeks. “Astrid, you’re blaming yourself for something that wasn’t your fault. Even if you were able to be with your father all the time, something still might have happened. You couldn’t have watched him 24/7.”

Astrid looked him in the eye, listening to what he had to say.

“Don’t cry because he’s gone, cry because he lived, and he doesn’t have to suffer anymore.”

She nodded harshly as a fresh round of tears welled up. He just hugged her tight.

Uncle Finn approached them, resting a fatherly hand on her back. “Astrid, it killed your father to not be able to speak anymore. As much as he loved you and seeing you happy, I know he’s much happier watching your joy from Heaven. Where he can cheer and sing along.”

She nodded against Hiccup, and then whispered, “I know. I know he’s in a better place…it just hurts.”

“Of course it does,” Uncle Finn nodded sagely. “It hurts me too. I just hate seeing you in pain.”

Astrid looked up at the two men in her life, and sniffled. “What do I do now? The only reason I was applying to work here was to take care of dad. I don’t…” She hung her head, dejected. “What’s going to happen to me?” She pulled away from Hiccup. “You’re leaving for Africa, and I’ll never see you. I’m…” An ugly sound got caught in her throat as she cried. If only she could stop these pathetic tears. If only she could control her volume. She couldn’t control anything. Her world was falling apart around her, and everything felt hazy and swayed. All she could do was cling to Hiccup and cry.

Hiccup didn’t let her move far away, as he tugged her back, and kissed her softly. “Astrid, you keep thinking of yourself as this isolated island, not connected to anything. But you’re really a puzzle piece, you’re apart of something much much bigger.” He smiled at her, urging her to meet his eyes. “And I’m the weird jagged piece that hooks in next to you. I want to go back to Tanzania, yes. But I also want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

His words fell upon her like a warm blanket, wrapping her in a cocoon of protection, and soothing her soul.

“I love you, Astrid. And…I’d like to formally invite you to come with us to Africa.”

She and Uncle Finn stared at him with awe.

“Of course, you have enough to think about right now and I didn’t mean to overwhelm you…but I just want you to have that option. So me leaving doesn’t have to feel like the end. Everything will work out eventually Astrid, I promise.”

“Thank you.” She nodded, resting her head on his collarbone.

“Anything for you.” He whispered back.

“I love you too,” she replied. Finally, finally, a smiled graced her face.

The atmosphere in the room went from warm and comforting to cold and dismal in a matter of seconds. A clack of heels hit the floor, and a shrill voice called out. “Where’s my Axel? I want to see him.”

Astrid stood ramrod straight and looked over to the new voice sharply. Malice, wrath, and revulsion marched across her tear stained cheeks. “Mom?”

“Hello darling.” Phillis Hofferson smiled patiently, as she always had addressing her child. She was exactly what Hiccup pictured when he thought of an absent mother. Bleached blonde hair, heavy red lipstick, fur-lined collar and stilettos, and a leather hand bag. A short, squat man with a bad toupee and dated glasses stood inconspicuously behind her. “Did you miss me?”

Astrid’s nostrils flared, and she bit her lip to keep from screaming and swearing. This was not the place.

“Phillis, I wondered when you’d be here.” Finn acknowledged.

“I would have been here sooner, but the traffic from Chicago was terrible.”

Astrid looked at her Uncle in betrayal, “you called her?”

“No matter how you feel, Astrid, it was the right thing to do.” Finn didn’t mean to lecture her, but that’s how it sounded.

“After all, he was my husband,” said Phillis.

“WAS!” Shouted Astrid. “You abandoned him! You harpy! Why couldn’t you just stay away!?”

Hiccup grasped Astrid around the waist, in part to comfort her, and to keep her from attacking the woman.

The action was not missed by Astrid’s mother. “And who is this? Your boyfriend?”

“You can call me Henry,” said Hiccup, blankly. “Axel is over across the hall, if you wanted to see him.”

“Thank you, finally someone is giving some answers.” She flicked her hair over her shoulder with a perfectly manicured hand and walked out of the room.

Once gone, Astrid whirled on him. “Why did you tell her where he was?! I don’t want her alone with him! I hate her! I hate her!” She emphasized this with violent thumps to his chest.

He figured she was justified in her hate. “I know you do. But she’s not going to do anything to him. She loved him at one point, right? No matter what she did, she should be allowed to say goodbye.”

Astrid nodded, understanding, but not happy about it. “I suppose you’re right.” A snarl tore at her lip. “She’s still a bitch.”  

Uncle Finn also had strong feelings about Phillis being back, despite trying to do the right thing. He glanced in the direction she had gone, and decidedly followed her. Leaving the kids alone.

Hiccup cupped Astrid’s face gently, giving her a tender kiss to the forehead. “My mom is coming home in a few weeks, just in time for the holidays. Knowing her, she’ll adopt you right away.”

This was another comforting idea to Astrid. “I like your mom. At least, what I can tell from D&D.”

“She’s always trying to get involved in my life one way or another.” Hiccup smiled, fondly. He mused Astrid’s hair slightly, “she’s always asking about you. She nearly cried when I told her we were dating.”

Astrid smiled, holding his hand lightly. “Of happiness, I hope.”

He snickered. “Of course!”    

Astrid’s smiled faded as she fell into thought. “What should I do about Stormfly?”

Hiccup was quiet. “Maybe just tell her what happened. I don’t know if seeing him would be good for her. But if you like, I can drive home and get her.”

Astrid shook her head, “no, you’re right. Birds are very keen to these sorts of things. I’ve read that the death of a loved one usually results in the death of the bird.” Astrid looked shamefully away, “It might be selfish, but I don’t want to lose her too.”

“It’s not selfish.” He gave a half-smile. “I think Stormfly understands that your dad was sick. She might already know this was going to happen.”

Astrid nodded, “alright, I’ll tell her.”

“That’s my girl.”

They heard the click of heels behind them as Phillis re-entered the room. Her makeup was perfectly in place. “I’ve had enough of this dreary place.” She announced, “let’s go get dinner. The five of us.”

Astrid looked at Hiccup, begging him to do something. He only shrugged.

“Alright,” said Finn. “The mortician is on his way. I think it’s best if we leave. Astrid’s been here since 10 o’clock this morning.”

Hiccup winced, that was a least 5 hours.

“I’m thinking either Papa Vino’s or Chili’s. I haven’t been to either since leaving home.”

—

Dinner was awkward. The men sat quietly, not really knowing what to say. The man with Phillis hadn’t said a word, as it was obvious he felt like an intruder. Astrid was thankful for it, because if he had spoke, she’d have to resist the urge to punch his lights out.

“So,” Astrid finally spoke, maddened by the silence. “Did you finally get to go to Europe?”

“Oh yes!” Her mother said, joyfully. “We spend a month over there. A week in England, a week in France, a week in Italy, and a week in Germany. It was wonderful.”

“That’s nice.” Astrid kept her voice as neutral as possible.

“We also travelled a lot in the US. I finally got to see the Grand Canyon. Very impressive. We spent a lot of time in New York and Boston…” and she was off. Astrid could find a little comfort in just letting her mother blather on and on instead of sitting in awkward silence.

She glanced over to Hiccup to see him doodling on the paper table cloth with a pen.

“And what about you, Darling? I haven’t spoke to you since I left.”

“That’s because you told me to never talk to you again.” She bit.

Her mother shrunk slightly. “Well, yes…but you could have tried.”

Hiccup reached under the table and took her hand gently.

Astrid sighed. “I went into nursing. LMC has a good program.”

“Nursing? That’s respectable. Not quite Law, though.”

Astrid resisted the urge to hiss.

“Do you have a job lined up after school?” Phillis asked.

“Yes, I do. I have 2 offers for private companies.” It wasn’t a lie, though the term ‘company’ was pretty loose.

“Impressive.” Her mother nodded, glancing at her phone. “Do you have a job right now?”

“Yeah, I work as a cashier at Gobber’s Goods.”

“Gobber’s Goods!? You mean that tacky little hardware store downtown? What on earth made you apply there?” The woman laughed.

Astrid was undeterred. “I was desperate, but now I love it. It’s my favorite job so far.”

“How can you enjoy it? Do you even know anything about Hardware?”

“I’m learning more and more, and I get along really well with my co-workers.” She looked sidelong at Hiccup, who smiled.

“That’s nice.” It was obvious that she didn’t really care, but she was making an effort. “And you Finn, how’s business?”

“Business is booming.” Supplied her Uncle. “We have 17 trucks now, and we’re the best electricians in the county.”

“Wow, that is impressive. I’m sure Axel’s proud.” She smiled, faintly. “What about you, though. Are you married again?”

Finn looked down at his hands. Once, before Astrid was born, Finn had been married to his high school sweetheart, Martha. But she died giving birth to a stillborn son. Finn had never really gotten over it, and it was kindly thought as taboo to speak of in polite company. “No, I’m not. Haven’t even thought about it.”

“It’s a shame,” said Phillis with a sigh. “I’m sure Martha and your son are looking down from heaven, and hate seeing you so miserable.”

Hiccup leaned back a little in his seat, as the awkwardness of the situation was palpable.

“I’m not miserable.” He stated, calmly. “Astrid’s been like a daughter to me, and we have great fun together. Otherwise, I’m extremely busy taking care of the company, when I wasn’t visiting Axel.”

“Oh, I see.” Said the mother, quietly.

Hiccup took a sip of his soda. The air felt dry.

“Silly me,” Started Phillis looking over at Hiccup, “how long have you two been seeing each other?”

“Oh, about two months.” Answered Astrid.

“How very nice. What does he study?”

Astrid glanced at Hiccup, he was able to answer for himself.

It was taking Hiccup a while to get used to the idea that Phillis was Astrid’s mom, and not just some distant Aunt. She did look at lot like Astrid, however. For Astrid’s benefit, he decided to lay the charm on thick. If this woman believed that he was the most amazing man in the world, she’d have no ammunition to get Astrid with. “I study Industrial Design in Engineering Technology.”

“My my, that’s quite a mouthful. What is that?”

“I’m learning how to design and manufacture functional prosthetics at affordable prices. How you ever heard of the shoe brand Tom’s?”

“Of course,” said Phillis, leaning forward a bit in interest.

“For every shoe they sell, they give another away in a developing country. My friend, Jacob Ingerman, and I are creating a similar business, since there’s about a million new amputees per year globally, and about 2 million Americans that are amputees alone, not to mention that children go through a prothetic every 1 to 2 years. The average price of a prosthetic is anywhere from 5,000 to 50,000 dollars. I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think our homeless veterans can afford that price. 400 dollars might still seem expensive, but this covers the price of two legs. One for the person commissioning the project, and another for a person in Africa. And we do payment plans for people here in the States that can’t just fork over 400 bucks.”

“Hmm, I didn’t know they made prosthesis in mass quantities.”

“They don’t,” he clarified. “Every single leg we make will have to be fitted in person. You see, my mother is a missionary in Tanzania, and once I graduate, I’ll be going back with her. I will be leading the part of the organization over there. While Fish—er, Jacob will be leading the group here. I have someone who can 3D scan and model, and someone who can do the fittings.”

“Are your legs very good quality then? Have you had someone test them?”

“Field testing.” He reached under the table and undid his leg, holding it up. “I’ve designed several different variations for myself, depending on the weather. It’s made out of ABS, the same kind of plastic used to make legos. It would take a car to break it. I’m not the only one using these either, everyone in my little company has a loved one missing a limb and they made a prothetic for.”

“Sounds fairly complicated.” Said Phillis, now very attentive. “But not very profitable.”

Hiccup clarified. “The materials for one leg are about 50 dollars, the other money goes to labor. So we make a good margin.”  

“Well, it’s a nice dream, I hope it all works out for you.”

Hiccup smiled, putting the leg back on. “It’s not a dream, it’s already happening. My team and I have already made 20 legs, so we’ll be able to fit 20 people with new legs when I get to Africa.”

“Oh how very nice.” Phillis smiled. “That’s got to be hard though, having to leave Astrid.”

Hiccup held her hand gently.

“I told you I had two offers from private companies.” Astrid shrugged, “I’m just trying to decide which route is the best.”

Phillis looked very stricken at this new revelation. “So, you’re moving to Africa…to live in a mud hut with a cripple?”

“We don’t live in a mud hut…” Hiccup started to correct.

“Astrid, you had so much to live for! You went to Yale! You were going to be a promising lawyer!”

“And who’s fault is it that I couldn’t!?” Astrid raised her voice, standing up. “Who took my trust fund away and put dad into Hospice when he didn’t want to?! Cause I know it wasn’t me or Uncle Finn!”

Hiccup tugged her arm. “Astrid…”

Phillis huffed in annoyance. “I already explained myself to you. I don’t have to again. Or to Henry.”

The two women fell into uncomfortable silence.

“Do you have a business card?” The quiet man who was with Mrs. Hofferson—well, Mrs. Ander’s now, had finally spoken up.

“Marcus!” Phillis hissed.

“I think it’s a very promising venture. I do run several successful businesses, if you ever need help with anything. I’d be willing to donate if you need new equipment.”

Hiccup took out his wallet and swapped business cards with the man. “Thank you, sir. I’m flattered that you think so.”

The man smiled, and then looked at his new wife. “Give him some credit, hon. Not all of Africa is underdeveloped, desert wasteland. Just some of it is. And that’s the part that everyone sees in movies. Doesn’t it make you proud that your daughter could be saving lives and making everyday life easier for poorer folks?”

Phillis was silent, a petulant frown on her face. “I guess.”

The rest of the meal was much better, as Phillis had enough conversation. Most talk was between the men as both Marcus and Finn were curious about Hiccup’s blooming business. It was still very new, and wasn’t considered a true business yet since they were still in school. More like a class project that got out of hand. But it’s what Hiccup had wanted to do for a while, and Astrid knew he’d find a way to make it happen.    

Astrid, however, was quiet for an entirely different reason. What was left of her busy life had revolved around her father. Now that he was gone, she really was at a loss. Of course going to Tanzania with Hiccup was the obvious answer, but was it what she should do? Would she be a distraction for him? These were all concerns that weighed heavily on her still grieving mind.

She had cried for so long at Hospice, she feared she’d never stop. A gaping hole was left bleeding out of her chest.

Her father, her daddy. He was gone.

Though, she supposed, he’d been gone for a while. And all she was really missing now was the feel of his hand in hers, and the scratch of his beard on her face as she leaned in to kiss him.

She was an orphan now, since her mother was too self-absorbed to have anything to do with her. After the funeral, Phillis would most likely run off to God knows where, and she’d never hear from her again.

She thanked God that Hiccup was in her life now. She couldn’t imagine trying to get any comfort from Scott in this situation. She reached over the bench and entwined her fingers with his as he talked. A little pink dusted his cheeks.

—

After the meal was over, Hiccup invited Astrid to stay with him instead of going home alone. She was thankful for this, since she hadn’t wanted to go back to her dreary apartment.

At the house, Stoick and Gobber were drinking beers in the kitchen when they entered.

“Ah lass, I wondered if you’d be coming over.” Stoick said, pulling a chair out for her.

“I hope I’m not intruding.” She spoke meekly.

“Of course not! Can I get you anything? Water? Beer?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” She sat down, and Hiccup sat next to her.

“You know,” Stoick began. “I lost my father when I was just a little older than you. Valka and I were married already, though. He owned a gun store, and some punk kids broke in at night and shot him. I cried like a baby for weeks. It was the primary reason I got interested into going into policing instead of sole missionary work, like I had been. Valka urged me on and supported me. It was rough, and it’s still rough when I have to go so long without seeing her. But when I retire in a few more years, I’m going to go be with her. I just had a sense of duty to fulfill.” He finished his Leinenkugel. “Sorry, I sort of rambled there. I might have had a bit to drink.”

Astrid smiled at him. “No, thanks for telling me that.”

Stoick wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a hug. “It’ll hurt for a while, Lass. But it’s okay to grieve.”

Astrid nodded against him, trying to will herself not to cry again.

“Why don’t you two go to bed? I’m sure it’s been an emotional day.”

Astrid smiled in thanks, “thanks dad, oh!” She blushed.

Stoick just smiled at her. “Its fine with me if its fine with you.”  

—

Astrid put on the spare pajamas that the Haddock’s kept for her and kissed Hiccup goodnight.

“Where are you going?” He asked, watching her go into the hall.

“Uh…to the spare room?”

“Come here, just leave the door open.”

She did as he asked, and climbed onto the bed with him. He turned out the light, and laid on his back. Slowly, she moved over until her head rested on his shoulder and one leg draped over his. “Is this okay?”

“Mm-hmm.” He hummed, wrapping his arm around her.

A few minutes passed and there was a loud ‘WHUMP’ at the end of the bed.

“Glad you could join us, Toothless.” He smirked.

The cat lazily stretched out and laid on his back.

“Spoiled baby.”

Astrid giggled. “You know, Halloween is in a few days.”

“Oh right, I almost forgot.”

“What are you going to be?”

“I’m going as The Gingerbread Man from Shrek. You know, at the part where Farquaad breaks off his legs?”

“Genius.” She chuckled. “Are you entering the costume contest at school?”

“Of course! I do every year! What are you going as?”

She shrugged, “I didn’t actually have a costume picked out. I guess I could go as Pinocchio, from Shrek.”

“You have to wear a thong though.” He stated, matter of factly.

She sat up and looked at him, “excuse you?”

“It’s in the movie! ’Say something crazy, like ‘I’m wearing ladies underwear.’ ‘Okay, I’m wearing ladies underwear…’ ‘…Are you?’ You know! It’s the best part of the movie!”

“That’s the second movie! And that’s not even the best part! The best part is when Donkey drinks the potion and he says, ‘do I look any different?’ and Puss says, ‘You still look like an ass to me.’”

“Okay, that is pretty good. But the thong scene is still the best!”

“Dreamworks movies are all really good.” Astrid said with finality.

Stoick peeked his head in the door. “Hey you two. I don’t mind you sharing a bed, but there better not be any pre-marital sex happening.”

“Don’t worry dad,” Hiccup pacified. “We’re not going to do anything.”

“Okay. Because you don’t need any one-legged panther trainers running around.”

“Wait, dad, are you serious?” Hiccup sat up a little.

“I don’t mean you, Hiccup.”

The boy laid back down.

“You were adopted from Tanzania, a rare albino baby.”

“Dad!”

[madscientistjournal]

To See the Light

[CONTENT WARNING]: This story contains medical horror. Readers should be advised.

An essay by Max Allaway, as provided by J. Harper Art provided by Luke Spooner

A deep, groggy breath. I tried to open my eyes. All I saw was black. Had I not opened them? I tried to open my eyes as wide as I could. Had I gone blind? I lifted a hand to touch my face but found myself confined, unable to lift my arm more than a few inches. Something soft but strong was wrapped around my wrists. A noise in the darkness, a groan. I was sore. So terribly sore. I opened my mouth to speak, but the only noise I could make was a hoarse moan. My throat was raw. And my arms felt like they had been severely bruised, a deep-seated pain sat just below my collarbone on my left side, and my crotch. Christ. I felt an uncomfortable pressure and ache as if something was obstructing my urine flow, and my asshole felt … Oh god. Had they put a catheter and a rectal tube in me? Considering the only other alternative I could think of, with shuddering breaths, I could only hope so.

Tears pricked my eyes. I squeezed my eyes shut tight against them, turning my head to my less painful shoulder. Something tugged gently at the skin around my scalp and hairline. Something wet lapped against my face. I swallowed, tried to focus. Cried out instead. I was panicking. Deep breaths dragging in and out as I shouted. Screaming for help, to be let out, for anyone to save me. For any response at all. I struggled against whatever held me, liquid I could barely feel sloshing around me, aches and pains causing me to cry out even louder in anguish as I moved. No one answered, no one came. I screamed until I couldn’t breathe. Until my throat burned and the ache in my limbs and collarbone stung as if down to the very bone. Tears streamed down my face, running in warm rivers to the liquid I floated in. How had I gotten here?

~

The Hanwell hospital was old, the type you see in movies or Victorian gothic novels, with towering white walls edged in low trimmed hedges and iron bars across the tall windows. It looked like the kind of place you didn’t want to get stuck in, if you were superstitious, like the patients of eras long gone would pop out of the walls to drag you away.

But this was not some cheesy horror movie, and as imposing as the place looked even in the bright sunshine, I’d be damned if I wasn’t going in there. While the hospital now no longer operated for the general public, instead serving special interest cases transferred in from other programs and facilities, it was still one of the largest research facilities in the country. Countless studies had been conducted within the hospital’s grounds, primarily focusing on brain function, perception, memory, and cognition.

I was there because of those studies, as the nearby university where I was an undergrad often encouraged the psychology, health sciences, and biology students to participate in at least one study, providing credits for our degrees in return for each completed study. Up until this point, I had been rather reluctant to participate in a study at the hospital, my grades never suffering to the point where I felt I needed the extra credits, and honestly? The old place gave me the willies.

Everyone local knew the history of the place, and those from out of state, like me, quickly picked up on the weird stories. Back when it had primarily been a mental hospital, it would have been the kind of place people were sent to keep them out of the way and brutalized with treatments now understood as horrific, but back then would have been considered “cutting edge.”

Cutting indeed. Cutting, bleeding, poisoning, and lobotomizing for every case of biliousness, chlorosis, corruption, or hysteria. While none of these practices were still in use, the stories still lingered. Then, of course, there were the local legends, the ones the grad students and undergrad seniors liked to spread around, of students going missing at the hospital after volunteering for studies. It’s all bullshit, sure, but nobody likes to be the white girl in a horror movie.

So why the hell was I standing there in the paved courtyard of the hospital, about to go in and head to the research wing? Because Professor Onassis is an old harpy who decided to make participation in a study a requirement for our practical research and inquiry in behavioral sciences class, that’s why.

I was awake now. It was just a bad dream. A hallucination. A really bad trip. It had to be.

To read the rest of this story, check out the Mad Scientist Journal: Autumn 2018 collection.

Max Allaway is a 23-year-old undergrad working towards a B.S. in psychology at Arkmoore University. Allaway takes pride in creating and running the University’s first club specifically for genderqeer, genderfluid, bigendered, and transgendered individuals like themself, and would like to pursue further education to become a counselor for LQBTQA+ youth. Allaway disappeared on the way to Hanwell Psychiatric Hospital, where they were scheduled to participate in a research study for class credit. Authorities are still investigating the disappearance, and encourage anyone who may have seen Allaway to come forward.

J. Harper is a 26-year-old queer and introverted witch from the North Bay Area in Northern California, with a B.S. in Forensic Psychology. She was recently accepted into the M.F.A. in Creative Writing program at Mills College, focusing on her love of horror and sci-fi in her short stories and novels. When not writing about horror, she is often found reading or watching it, painting, or sometimes playing horror video games rather badly.

Luke Spooner, a.k.a. ‘Carrion House,’ currently lives and works in the South of England. Having recently graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a first class degree, he is now a full time illustrator for just about any project that piques his interest. Despite regular forays into children’s books and fairy tales, his true love lies in anything macabre, melancholy, or dark in nature and essence. He believes that the job of putting someone else’s words into a visual form, to accompany and support their text, is a massive responsibility, as well as being something he truly treasures. You can visit his web site at www.carrionhouse.com.

“To See the Light” is © 2018 J. Harper Art accompanying story is © 2018 Luke Spooner

To See the Light was originally published on Mad Scientist Journal