#and it DOES take place during christmas so therefore it counts

[kazz-brekker]

adding how to blow up a pipeline to my list of favorite christmas films

[cruel-summerxy]

labyrinth - brad bakshi x reader

summary ➞ ever since brad came out of prison, he has tried to be a better person. when a stranger tests him he decides to be nice and its a good thing he does . word count: 2k words

a/n ➞ I'm back! this is going to be in multiple parts, so yay! I already have the second part started, so I'll probably post it tomorrow! a little gnf cameo in here too. comments and reblogs are appreciated <3

based on ➞ taylor swift's song "labyrinth"

you know how scared I am of elevators, never trust it if it rises fast 

Brad isn’t an easy guy to know. Sometimes he wakes up early and does some quick cardio before going into work– other times the only thing the man does is brush his teeth before catching a bus to work. As of lately, it was the latter. He is in a slump. The man is obviously glad that he is part of Mythic Quest once again, even if it was as the janitor (recently promoted as a fucking assistant), but he sometimes misses the chaos. He misses being in the conference room, he misses screaming at a random person who has no authority and therefore cannot help, he misses scaring the new hires. Brad misses all of this and more, but he is a changed man.

Everyday that he had been in prison he liked to imagine that the company had been in pure chaos without him. Now he has tickets to the front row. David had obviously hired new people and those people have no idea who he is. Although he isn’t proud of it, it brings a smile onto his face when he eavesdrops at their conversations. Hearing that deadlines have to be met, budgets having to be readjusted, and whatnot brings him joy now (it’s truly pathetic).

Even though he had been gone for a while, Brad knows that he still has the ability to manipulate those around him. The browned-eyed man was able to prove himself by getting Rachel to take his old job; he tells himself that he had helped her for his own benefit, but the truth is that the girl is smart and he does want her to succeed. Old Brad would’ve rolled his eyes, but new Brad can only smile at what he has achieved (he smiles alone though, he doesn’t want to give the wrong impression to others). He was able to get the workers their bonuses and maybe it was the Christmas spirit but he had been happy and giddy. His happiness hadn’t been unacknowledged, David and Rachel gave each other a look when they heard Brad sing along everyone else Christmas morning. 

Ever since Christmas morning something felt different. So he decides to wake up early and to take a trip to the coffee shop near his home. Brad grabs his lunch bag (he had decided to cook his own food) and makes his way out the door. Even though he lives on the fourth floor, Brad walks down the stairs. He had skipped his workout and he told himself it was better than taking the elevator. 

He can’t help but to whistle as he makes his way to his favorite coffee shop. His body trembles as the breeze comes to him. Even though it is pretty cold, it is a beautiful day. The sun is out, not helping him warm up but it sure does look nice. As he enters the shop he mentally curses, of course there would be a long line

“It’s okay Brad. You have time,” he assures himself. Old Brad would have rolled his eyes and left the place. He would have proceeded to send someone from the office, but alas he was a new man (he also didn’t have someone that could just drop everything for a stupid coffee).

After what seems like forever Brad was next. 

“What can I get for you?” a middle aged woman asked. He stands there wondering what he should actually get. He often opts for a black coffee, but today he craves something sweet. During his time in prison he would often wish that he was sipping a sweet old caramel frappe, with extra caramel drizzle– of course. 

“Could you be any slower,” someone groans behind him. Now, old Brad would have made some remark, but he decides against it. He decides that today is a good day and that it's simply not worth it. So he turns around and sees that it was a woman in her early-twenties who had spoken earlier.

“What would you recommend?” Brad asks with a small smile on his lips. A blush covered the woman, making Brad laugh. She bites her lip and thinks about it. Brad’s eyes stay on her and he is now crossing his arms, waiting patiently for her to give her input. She studies him for a moment before she answers him.

“An iced caramel macchiato,” the woman croaks out. 

Brad then turns without giving her a second glance and loudly orders two iced caramel macchiatos, “one for the lady behind me.” As soon as he is done ordering he positions himself where the woman would see him. Although he was trying to be better, old habits die hard.

“I’m sorry about that,” the lady whispers, standing in front of him. He looks up, pretending that she had frightened him. Brad cocks his head, taking a good look at her. “It’s just that I’m already late for this meeting and you were taking a while to order.”

“You should’ve woken up earlier,” Brad lectures her. Well, so much for not acting like old Brad; he just couldn’t resist it. The lady nods her head and proceeds to stand next to him. The two of them remain silent, waiting for their drinks. She sniffles next to him and he can tell that she is sick. He notices the pack of tissues that are stuffed in her coat’s pocket and even though she has makeup on, Brad can tell that her nose is red.

“You should’ve said a medicine ball tea,” Brad says as he checks the time on his phone. The baristas are taking their time and he is losing his patience. He takes a deep breath, reminding himself that he was okay with time. She turns to him and sighs.

“Yeah… well I did order that for myself,” the lady confesses, “I kind of thought you were going to order both of the drinks and then leave me without any.”

He turns to her and lets out a laugh, “that's good. If it had been any other day, I probably would have done that. I’m trying to do better, plus I did take forever to order.” 

Her eyes soften up as she hears him talk. Brad notices this and can tell that she is no longer on edge. He is about to say something when the barista calls out his name and their drinks. Brad stands up, rubbing his hands together, he can taste the caramel on his lips already. He utters a quick thanks and strides back to the woman. Their hands touch for a moment as he hands her the coffee. He knows it’s nothing, but he can’t help but to smile at her. 

The woman breaks the little trance that he was in by coughing and now he’s disgusted. He hasn’t gotten sick in years and there he is, shaking hands with someone who clearly should not be going into work, nor a coffee shop.

“I’m sorry, but I really have to get going. Thank you for the coffee Brad,” the lady speaks softly as her eyes come across his name on the cup. 

“You haven’t gotten your medicine ball,” Brad points out. She shrugs and he steps aside and allows her to pass by. Brad stands inside the busy cafe, watching as the door swings and he is puzzled. He hadn’t gotten her name, but he’s certain of one thing: he has seen her before. 

He could wait for a name and a medicine ball to be called, but Brad decides against it. It’s a bit late and he has a meeting to attend to. 

.. 

Brad sighs as he opens a side door. He has taken the stairs once again and now he is out of breath. He hasn’t taken a sip out of the drink that the lady had recommended yet. He spots Jo and shoots a smile at her. The woman scrunches her face and continues walking to him.

“You’re sweaty Brad,” The blonde woman points out.

“No shit. I just walked up six flights of stairs,” Brad thinks to himself. He reminds himself to play nice and shoots her another smile.

“Are you seriously going to keep acting like that?” The blonde woman groans. She has grown tired of the way that Brad has been acting. Jo used to look up to Brad, they would scheme together and now he smiles at everyone. She sighs sadly at Brad, “what happened to you in prison?”

Brad laughs at her question, “nothing. I had a great time there. I’m just a changed man Jo.”

Jo says nothing and leaves Brad’s side. In a way, Jo is right; Brad has changed drastically within the last year. It was for a good reason though. He had become close to those who had worked around him (even if he didn’t show them) and his brother had come in and almost (using this term very loosely) ruined it. One night when he had been in his prison cell, Brad had come to the realization that he had been miserable and rude to those around him for no reason. So now that he is out, the man smiles at his peers, he sometimes helps others, and he is nice to strangers. Life is too short.

Brad slowly makes his way across the floor and hears the people around him chatter. He sits on a random couch to catch his breath. He decides to finally try his drink and a disappointed sigh comes out of his mouth, the macchiato is no frappe. It was no secret that he had a sweet tooth, maybe he should have told that information to the stranger. 

His thoughts are long forgotten and his eyes grow wide. He stands up and he sets down his disgusting coffee; inside the conference room stands the stranger. Brad quickly scans the room and she is standing next to a tall man. He observes them,  his eyes light up and he remembers who the man is. The guy was some twitch streamer– GeorgeNotFound. 

“What a stupid name,” Brad mutters to himself. He had seen some of his streams before, but he hated his streamer name. He had forgotten that Rachel had wanted to add streamers to the Mythic Quest campaign. That’s why Brad had recognized her! He had been researching George the day before, orders from Rachel, and she had been in some of his posts. His heart then drops as he remembers that he was supposed to be in that meeting. 

They seem to be discussing something and before he can think it through, Brad stands up straight and walks into the conference room. All eyes land on him and David lets out a squeak. “What are you doing here Brad?”

Brad ignores him, “Hello, I just wanted to officially introduce myself; I am Brad Bakshi.” He offers George and the stranger a smile. 

“Hello,” a nervous smile decorates the stranger’s face. She extends her hand, Brad shakes it happily. He can hear her sniffling– the coffee he had bought her probably making her more sick. A red tint covers her neck, letting him know that he has an effect on her. He can’t help but to smirk– he still has it. “I’m Y/N and this is George.”

“Well nice to meet you both,” Brad leans against a chair, “I hope you find Mythic Quest good.” He finds himself fixing his posture and his eyes remain on the stranger– Y/N. The woman opens her mouth, but before she can let out a word David begins speaking.

“Brad, please leave. We are having an important meeting and… your services are not needed.” The white man smiles, telling himself that he did good. Brad is about to argue that Rachel had wanted him to be there but ultimately decides no to. 

“Okie dokie. I’ll see you two around.” 

[inbarfink]

I’ve seen a few discussions in the Deltarune fandom, especially during/right after the Spamton Sweepstakes, trying to like… determine the time period in which Deltarune take place. I think the most common assumption is that it’s a contemporary setting based on the ‘202X’ year written down in the hidden files for Ralsei’s Manual back in Chapter 1. But I’ve seen arguments that the very retro look of Noelle’s Blog as seen in the Sweepstakes links indicate that Deltarune takes place in the early 2000’s or late 90’s. Maybe ‘1997’ isn’t actually a distant year of the past, but, like, literally just last year??

But while I understand where these theories are coming from, in my opinion there’s one important thing that we’ve got to keep in mine. Deltarune does not take place in our world. It’s a universe with a wildly divergent history where Monsters take up a sizable present of the population and magic, although rare, is real. Their world exist in duality with an alternative reality made of dream and darkness and like, may or may not be part of some sort of a mad science experiment…

Why would they use the same dating system as our world? We measure years from the supposed birth of Jesus, but does Christianity even exist in this universe? The Holidays’ nickname for Kris being ‘Krismas’ (and like, actually the Holidays whole existence) implies there is a Christmas and therefore a Christ. But otherwise the Angel’s Religion seems to fill Christianity slot in this setting. And who knows how they started counting their years!

And hell , there’s no reason to assume this universe’s technological development directly parallel ours. I mean, look at Undertale. That story takes place some unspecified time after the year “201X” (201X was the year Chara fell into the Underground. Since basically no one recognizes a human on-sight, and the only characters who have first-person recollection of the pre-Royal-Siblings-death era are either immortal or incredibly long-lived - we can assume it was at least a generation). And the technology is a combination of, like, fantasy-medieval, slightly-outdated-to-contemporary technology and high-tech science fiction shit. 

Sure, a some of it might be explained with a combination of magic + the fact that a lot of the Underground’s tech is reversed-engineered from Human garbage. But still… Even what little we see of the surface world in the True Pacifist credits seems to be closer to our world than, like, the year 211X or whatever. 

The Light World in Deltarune is intended to feel closer to our ‘real world’, but I still wouldn’t be surprised if a divergence in it’s technological development led to it being the kind of setting where, like, Minecraft and Webrings and TikTok are equally current and popular. Part of the point of Deltarune’s vaguely ‘contemporary’ setting is to evoke a sense of nostalgia - so it won’t surprise me if the very divergent history is used simply to create a world that consist a mish-mash of nostalgic elements for different generations.

(For the record, I do kinda abide by the ‘202X’ date used in Ralsei’s Manual, with the caveat that since it’s technically not in-game and contains some outdated information, I will throw it away if I find a more solidly-sourced date. But I just don’t think the name of the year necessarily indicate anything about the time period this world parallels)

[trustafarian-has-liner-notes]

Here is a link to the pdf of a free novel i wrote, about being young and only kinda dumb, at the dawn of a new millennium

this version is formatted to be readable on my girlfriend's aged kobo, feel free to dm me about alternate formatting or with typos/corrections/questions

Cast art by the author:

I do need someone to tell me whose exact ages or birthdays have been mentioned

Dan is actually 23 in January of 2016 but is one of those people who counts his year of life up until age 1 so he considers himself 24......he's a libra (I think the birthday wouldve been mentioned if it was during the parts of year we know about) which means he's actually turning 24 in october of 2016 and was born in 1992....in victoria bc. I think his folks and sisters moved from halifax before he was born. Their last name is Edwards. What do the parents do again? Are they both engineers?

We know JP is a year older so he's 25 and born in 1991, which ims (in my synesthesia) is a good year for him, the ones are giving 2x thin and white, lol and being 25 is giving quarterlife crisis......born in montreal?...... born jan 1, so he just had had a birthday when dan shows up

I think mouse is 20 which means when he was 13, 7 years ago, was approx when Bruce moved in with Toi who had just taken on the Maison....so thats 2009 right when thank me later came out and unrelatedly, people were starting hella podcasts on random topics and having them take off because a huge rush of iphone people wanted to subscribe to anything that sounded cute.....anyway mouse's place of birth is unclear, i think he's an aries or scorpio, whichever he isnt for sun, thats his moon....maybe he turns 20 during aries season of 2016? Which makes him born 1996. Aries/pisces cusp.

If Bruce is 24 also, 7 years ago he was 17, which, works fine legally and with his family biography, for him to move to Toronto to live in an older partner's house. He's def gotta a christmas baby, sag/cap cusp all the way, plus that means Toi is back with new boobies just in time for his bday....so wait is he then 23 for the whole story? Thats fine. Either way i dont want to have to figure this out. Like its cool if he's turning 25 but does that mean he was born in 1991? I think yes, and that makes sense agewise so, he spends the whole story age 24 and was born in 1991

Toi would've been a newly minted legal adult with property rights at that time and therefore fit to sign a leasing contract from mommy dearest, so, 19 in 2009 and seven years later age 26, so, born in 1990. An aquarius date....closer to capricorn cusp.

Alice is the oldest, 29 or 30, right? Let's say she an '86, they have a softer, kinder energy than the 85s (im an 85, i can say that) but still soooooo xennial......i think libra/scorp cusp or scorp/sag....probably scorp/sag, so, she's 29 during the story? I didnt say her age did i?

I think Roscoe is 34 and from somewhere, like grew up in rural Italy and has family who emigrated and his mom wanted him to go to school in canada for unclear reasons and he did the business visa thing after by starting a business but ultimately still doesnt know why he's in exile (god spoke strongly to his mother that her gay son should be with the heathens her relatives hate) because he's never come out to his family and he's so butch and beloved. Anyway i guess that means he's an '82....a pisces, so he's 33 when we meet him.

Pete is in the liminal MA or PHD thesis zone of being on campus a lot for student teacher stuff, department stuff, grad student events that are secretly mandatory, etc....I suppose he's also 24 in 2016, born in 1992...keeps his birthday to himself so i bet he's a cancerian or maybe taurus and he visited family for a big homecooked meal instead of hanging around the maison (this is a big list of why we dont know their birthdays from the story lol, huge cast and no birthdays wtf)

Andre's age is pretty unfixed, I think she's younger than the others but not as young as Mouse, so, maybe 23, that's a fun age that really goes to her whole deal, its weird how different 23 and 24 often are for people ime. So, she's a 1993 and her birthday is feb 14, a valentines baby. Roscoe knows from andreah that she wanted to do something highkey sexy-romantic with andre to celebrate that day, and andre said no because of cigarette mom childhood birthday baggage, and they had a fight where no one was wrong and everyone reasserted their boundaries, but andreah was still upset about no sex on valentine's and decided to use the open relationship card when roscoe punted dan her way at the cafe. Of course she got in trouble for ignoring andres birthday the wrong way. Of course she did.

Andreah I think is older, maybe even a little older than Toi...she's def got 80s energies attached to her....let's say '89, which tracks with her being in middleschool when one of those x-men movies with halle berry is in theatres.......i think she's an aries, closer to the taurus cusp. Her mom is anishinabe, her dad is from mumbai, she was raised by a Philippino nanny living at her dads, until highschool when she moved in with her mom and then out into her own place as a subletter. She feels neglected and unwanted by both parents, which is true, she is.

[snappleapple]

their favorite types of kisses

people in this - dream, georgenotfound, sapnap, wilbur, punz, jschlatt, awesamdude, quackity

headcanon!

the most disgusting fluff i’ve ever written

warning - cursing, i think that’s all but if there is more please do not hesitate to tell me :)

word count - 2k

a/n: okay okay, i might’ve lied earlier about that being my last post but this was short and easy to make which is why i would like to feed my readers this early haha. anyways, enjoy and please disregard the errors in this post, i hate proof reading anything lol. also, i’ve been very indecisive on the title and i might change it later and ooh, my masterlist will be made soon. i’ve just been feeling very unproductive these days. also, please put in requests, i am so bored and dumb therefore there are no ideas in this brain. and if you’d like a part 2, i might add more people for the part 2!anyways, peace!

dream -

i get the feeling that dream’s favorite type of kisses would be cheek kisses

he just likes to watch as you struggle to reach his height

“aw look at those little legs do their thing.”

ends up with you not giving him his kiss

and mans becomes SO pouty

“y/n…come on. don’t be this way.” :(

if you don’t kiss him on the cheek, will also become SO clingy and whiny

“why won’t you KISS ME!”

clenches his fists and stomps away like a teenage girl during puberty

slamming the door to your room

so then you have to go and give him all the kisses he wants

his face is slammed into your pillow

you sit on the side of the bed and pet his hair

leading him to stare up at you with puppy dog eyes

“i will give you all the kisses you want. so stop being so pouty, you big baby.”

will literally leave zero feet of space between you and him

taps his cheek to tell you he wants kisses

when you go on dates, will literally make you stand on your tippy toes to get his kisses

does not bend down at all and actually lifts his head higher to tease you

in other words, clingy but rude hoe

george -

george is a classic romantic

he loves just lip kisses

pecks or lingering ones

he doesn’t care

mans don’t need too many kisses

nor does he need to be too clingy

total opposite of dream and sapnap *ahem clingy ahem*

if he wants a kiss,

he will come over to you and get it

doesn’t get pouty if you’re busy

just waits patiently

doesn’t enjoy it when you interrupt him when he’s streaming so you do your own thing

when you’re watching a movie with him,

he will literally only stare at you with his cute smile

and listen to your every criticism of the movie

he likes to just peck your lips whenever he feels like it

and you’re just not surprised anymore

just likes to stare at your lips whenever you talk

overall, is very sweet but not to an extent with showing affection

sapnap -

omg

sapnap just vibes with neck kisses

it tickles his neck and he loves them

giggles when you pepper kisses along his neck and flushes a deep red

“y/n. stop.” giggles between each word

but when you do, becomes the saddest person in the whole world

“i was joking.” :(

when he’s streaming and he begins to miss you

would leave his room and find you just to get a kiss

just like dream, would get angry if you give him no kisses

“GIVE ME KISSIES!”

very amusing for you

and you love to tease him

“i don’t want to give you kissies.”

continues to stare at you with a large frown until you give in and give him kissies

lsg supremacy but i’ll get into this later hehe

you better give him kisses or you’ll be dealing with a very sad sapnap

sadnap :(

wilbur -

wilbur, wilbur, wilbur

what can i even say

total nose kiss guy

i bet he’ll boop your nose twenty four seven

asks stupid questions just to get your attention

“y/n?”

“yes wilbur?”

“is a hotdog a sandwich?”

“why-“

“boop.”

“did you just say boop while you booped my nose?”

if he’s streaming and you bring him a snack

he will hold your face still and leave kisses on your nose

not too clingy but not too distant

likes to be just right with you

if its snowy outside and your noses get red

makes dumb jokes about he is rudolph and you’re mrs. rudolph

just a lot of smooches from wilby

takes you to a lot of hidden cafes in the city

and while you read, he balances his head on his palm, staring at you in admiration

if you’re insecure about your nose, you legit can’t be around wilbur because he will go on a tangent about how beautiful it is

substantially, soft boy hours all day bro, besides when he gets mad then you leave the hormonal man tf alone

punz -

i don’t see a lot of punz on tumblr so here we go

punz loves hand kisses

not to an extent where he has a hand fetish

god no but just like

when your holding hands, he’ll occasionally pull your hand up to his lips and leave a kiss

lots of hand holding

and i mean lots

constantly gets mad fun of for being a simp but ignores those comments because he genuinely loves you so much

likes it when you play with his hair and messing it up

also likes to compare hand sizes with you

always has a hand on your thigh or your hand in his whenever he is driving somewhere with you

even when you go on dates, always holding hands

no matter how sweaty your hand gets, he will hold on

sometimes if he holds on for too long, you have to tell him to let go

“punz, my hand is super sweaty. lets take a break from the hand holding.”

would flat out decline so you would have to pry your hand out of his

he would also love it when you would kiss his hand

makes him feel all polite and precious LOL

would also wrap his pinky along yours when you walk together

he once came with you to a family gathering for christmas and was so SHY

shy boy held your hand for security while your younger siblings made fun of you

afterwards, when you were under a mistletoe, he kisses you on the lips before kissing you on his favorite part of your body,

your hand

c!jschlatt -

jschlatt is a whole mess

the first time you met, he confessed that he would hate you for as long as you lived because you made fun of his boots

now he says he still strongly dislikes you but you’re more tolerable

doesn’t like it when you make him soft and HATES it when he blushes

“why must you do this to me, mother nature?”

also “hates” it when you even touch him because he “hates” you

when he actually confessed to you that he liked you with his grumpy usual grandpa voice,

you kissed him on his forehead, after he bent down of course

he is an actual giant and threatens to squash you like an ant if he feels the need to

is an absolute monster to you but loves it when you kiss his forehead because it makes him feel secure and loved

likes to watch the wind blow through your hair and mess it up but gives you his hat because he like you being “all pretty and shit”

gets SUPER jealous when you hug children

like for example, when you went over to a family gathering at his house, his cousins came up to hug you

and when you let go of the child, the man child comes and lugs you over his shoulder

gets yelled at by his mom and gives her a sheepish smile before rolling his eyes and throwing you down on the sofa set next to him

his mom doesn’t approve of the way he treats you but you tell her its fine because he’s cute

when you are far from any type of civilization or in the safety and solitude of your own home, he wants kisses on the forehead

pointing up to it and bending down so you could reach it

“y/n, i only love you because of your forehead kisses.”

“you only love me for my kisses?” :(

“mhm.”

actually feels slightly bad

“and because of your personality.”

“thank you-“

“shut up. we don’t talk about this.”

in conclusion, give him his forehead kisses or perish

awesamdude -

sam just adores it when you give him jawline kisses

not because it’s basically the only place you could reach but because it’s a sweet gesture

sam is all about sweetness

i mean have you even seen this man on his stream

he likes to watch you while you have conversations with your friends

not in a creepy way but more like an adoring way

cause man does he love you

i mean not only does he love you but his whole family does

and when you’re alone with sam, you love to bury him underneath all of your love

“i love you sam!”

“no i love you more y/n!”

“NO i LOVE you more!”

“NO i LOVE you MORE!”

“SAM NO. I LOVE YOU MORE!”

“okay thank you sweet pea.”

leaving you a bit confused but happy that he accepts your love

when you cuddle, omg

he never stops peppering kisses all over your face and vice versa because your relationship is disgustingly fluffy

when he lends you one of his sweatshirts, you sure as hell better wear that shit out or else (i am leaving a blank threat here)

sam loves technology but you guys sort of have a system

a system that involves mailing each other love letters rather than texting them

you guys also go on a ton of walks just about anywhere

hand holding is mandatory even though you probably look like a child compared to him

just give sam lots of love and in return, you’ll receive lots of love

quackity -

mans cannot leave you tf alone

likes to do ANYTHING freaky around you

“i will follow you to the ends of the earth, mi amor.” or

“ayy, back off.” if anyone gets too close to you

messes with you twenty four seven and makes it his job to drive you insane

plays horror games at two in the morning for fun

and when he gets scared, hides in the safety of your arms

“mi amor. i’m scared.”

“shut the fuck up and sleep, alex.”

“okay.” shuts up quickly and snuggles deeper into the crook of your neck

loves you so deeply but HATES your cat

“look at that little dumb thing stare at me. you got a problem bro?”

your cat also HATES alex

scratches him all the time and hisses at him

if you think sapnap is babie, wait till you meet alex

“y/n he bit me!”

when you glance down, you don’t even see a scratch

“kiss my boo boo.”

wtf

“what boo boo? there’s nothing there.”

gasps as if you offended him

“this boo boo that your el demonio did to me.”

this man will do anything to get boo boo kisses

istg, you once found him provoking your cat to get some scratches

in alex’s mind, ouchies = kisses from y/n

always has ouchies from god knows where and shows it to you

even though you find it annoying at first, you grow used to it and it sorta becomes your thing with alex

alex is babie and you need to take good care of him :)

[xeulousluv]

Almost

AN: Hello everyone, I am fairly new to posting on this app, so therefore I am still learning how to use it. Hehe :) Anyways, I hope you are having a great day!

Warning: Nothing really, maybe a little bit of angst? 

Zayn and Y/n broke up and all he’s left with are the videos she took during their senior year of high school.

September 1st, 2010: 

The camera was set up in her hand as she was slightly fixing her hair, a huge smile plastered on her makeup covered face. He always thought she looked better without makeup, but sometimes you couldn’t beat the insecurities. 

“Here we are, the first day of senior year! How are we feeling, Zayn?” 

Next to her stood himself, a much younger version of himself. Two years to be exact. He was almost unrecognizabel, with his usual high school attire adoring his body. A white tee-shirt, black skinny jeans, and not to mention his varsity football jacket hanging off of his shoulders. She looked lovingly at her boyfriend, her eyelashes beating against the softness of her rounded cheeks. 

“I’m ready to get out of here, the last three years were the upmost worst years of my life.” Zayn spoke truthfully, he hadn’t expected to make it past the ninth grade, but with the help of Y/n, he managed to make it all the way to his graduating year. Y/n gave him an offended look before responding, “Hey! If it weren’t for these last three years, you would’ve never met me, let alone had the courage to talk to me. Am I really that bad?” 

She laughed out while speaking, all so he knows that she is joking and would never accuse him of thinking such things. Though, he was already two steps ahead of her and was laughing along at her sad attempt of looking offended. “Of course not, baby. You are what kept me going.” With that, Zayn kissed her temple and she let out a small giggle before stopping the camera. 

September 5th, 2010:

Random small talk was heard on the computer sitting in front of Zayn, before her face showed with a bright glow. She was so beautiful it almost hurt. She was laughing at something her friend Emery said, though it was completely inaudible, he just let the smile take over his face hearing her laugh again. 

“I don’t exactly know why I turned this on, but hello! We successfully made it through the first week of school, and let me just say, it was not fun. The teachers still hate me.” Again, Y/n laughed towards the camera. 

“I remember this one time last year when Mr. Lambert threw me out of class because I wouldn’t stop laughing. In my defence, he was talking about the safety of condoms and Zayn kept mocking him. That was a detention worth going to.” Zayn remembered that day clearly. He sat to the left of Y/n, Mr. Lambert’s first mistake, and would whisper in her ear how he would show her the proper way to wear a condom when they got to her house that night. To say he did end up showing her was an understatement. 

The camera then turned to her friend before she continued on with what she was saying, “Anyways, Emery here, has informed me about this back to school party for seniors at Anthony Stilettos house. So, we are heading to the mall so we can get a nice looking outfit for tonight. I’ll see you guys later!”  And with that the camera switched off.

He thought that was the end of the video, but when she popped back on his screen, he was pleasantly surprised. She wore a black dress that just reached her knees, the end of it rippled and flew each time she took a step. Her hair and makeup was done, and her shoes matched her dress, she really was the most beautiful person he has ever met. 

Without saying anything, Y/n moved the camera to where the view was now on Emery. She wore a simple tight red dress that fit her like a glove, she was placing bobby pins in her hair before realising a camera was watching her every move. Emery turned away from the mirror Y/n had in her room, and started making random poses into the camera. The video finally ended with Y/n facing the camera back to herself while laughing at it. 

October 7th, 2010: 

It was homecoming. Their final homecoming, and of course, Zayn asked her to be his date. He didn’t go all out like the previous years, this particular year was asked right after they finished giving each other their all. They were bunched up together, all sweaty and breathless, and that is when Zayn asked her to go to homecoming with him. He thought it was gross because of their previous activities, but Y/n thought it was sweet, endearing even. It was personal and intimate, she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Plus, she was tired of all the attention that comes with getting asked to homecoming. 

Her dress was a beautiful shade of baby yellow, Zayn wore his usual black suit but with a yellow tie and a yellow rose pinned to his coat pocket. The night couldn’t have been anymore magical. 

“Z, are you ready to go? Emmy and Dallas are waiting in the car.” Her soft voice echoed through the speakers, she was worried about being late. But more so, excited about what the night had planned for the couple. Zayn was fixing his hair, like he does any other day, however today, he wanted to look his absolute best. “Just one more second, love. Gotta look perfect before leaving these four secured walls.” 

Y/n rolled her eyes into the camera before another smile took over her face. It only got wider as he finally announced that he was ready. 

“Baby, you look handsome! You don’t need all that hair gel, make one wrong move and we’re calling you Uncle Jesse.” Zayn scoffed, his hands finding their place on her hips, him being pressed up against her back. His chin resting on her shoulder, they looked so in love. They were so in love. 

October 31st, 2010: 

Fall was Y/n’s favorite season, meaning Halloween was by far her favorite holiday. She squealed into the camera when Zayn walked out in his Peter Pan costume. “Baby, you look so fucking adorable!” She cooed, though Zayn was having none of it. “Do we have to go to this party? Can’t we just stay in and watch scary movies, I promise I will protect you if you get too scared!”

He knew it was no use, Y/n had been going on and on about Anthony’s costume party for the past week, so when she started laughing, Zayn internally groaned. “Brave of you to assume I will get scared during a horror movie. How about we go for just an hour, then you and I can come back here and watch whatever movie you want?” 

At that, his ears perked, he could go for an hour. That gives him all the more time alone with his love. “Hocus Pocus? That’s my favorite.” 

“Yes baby, we can watch Hocus Pocus, do this for me, and I’m all yours for the rest of the night.” A grin was stretched across his face as she leaned up and gave a peck to his lips. Adoration shining brightly in her eyes as she looked up at him. “You are so lucky I love you, Y/n.” 

“I love you, Zayn. More than you will ever know.” 

December 31st, 2010:

“Hola, my favorite people! Happy New Years Eve, I hope you guys are having a good day. My family is having a little party to bring in the new year, even though you won’t be watching this until later when I decide to post it, I hope you guys have an amazing holiday. Be safe now. Bye!”

Christmas and New Year’s was hard for Y/n. She had major separation anxiety for everyone she grows close to, so not being able to see the people she loves for a whole two weeks was taking a toll on her. Not to mention, Zayn went back to Bradford for the holidays, so he wasn’t there to keep her calm. All she had was the emails and messages he would send her.  

However, that night was different. She didn’t know what it was, but the air felt more intoxicating. There was something she was missing and the young girl couldn’t put her finger on it. 

Emery got ahold of Y/n’s camera without her noticing, pressing the ‘record’ button and smiling.

“Hi, as many of you may know, my name is Emery White. Before questions start racing through your head about where Y/n is, she is currently in the kitchen talking to one of her neighbors, and she knows nothing about this so, shhh!” Emery held her index finger up to her mouth, even though she is talking to a camera. 

“So, the time is now 11:58, meaning it is almost New Year’s and I got a message from a good friend of mine to get her camera and start recording. Oh wait, she’s coming over! Act normal!” 

“Emmy? Why do you have my camera, wait no, when did you get my camera?” Emery turned her neck to look at Y/n, and smiled while looking at her friends confused face. “It’s almost midnight, I figured we could record the big moment for your journal thing.” 

Y/n looked at her watch and sure enough, it was 12:59, and the people around her were counting down. By the time Y/n looked back at her friend, Emery had switched her position to behind the camera, her smile now stretching to her eyes. She gave a confused smile towards the camera before shaking her head. 

10..

9..

8..

A tap was felt on Y/n’s shoulder making her turn around, not believing her eyes, she had to do a double take. There he was in all of his glory. Zayn stood in front of her with a bouquet of random flowers, her eyes widening in complete shock. 

3..

2..

1!

Before she could fully process his presence, Zayn had planted his lips against hers in what he would call, one of their best kisses. His arms went around her waist while hers were around his neck, keeping him as close as humanly possible. She was the first to pull away from the kiss, tears forming at the bottom of her eyes but never fell. Zayn pulled her back, this time her face went into his neck as he whispered out a small, “Happy New Years, baby.” 

May 22nd, 2011: 

Senior prom, a day Y/n has waited her entire life for. Getting all dolled up for one night of perfection sounded glorious. Unlike most people, her dress doesn’t reach the floor but goes a little ways past her knees. It was a light shade of green, she wasn’t usually one for the cliche pink and blue, and her stomach was laced over showing her belly button peircing. She felt on top of the world, the most gorgeous she has ever felt in her entire life. 

Zayn was in a nude tuxedo, a lightish green tie tucked into the blazer. “It’s prom day, baby, how do you feel?” The now well-known camera placed in front of his face, though he paid no attention to it, but really the girl behind it. “Like I have the most beautiful girlfriend in the world. How did I get so lucky, hm?” 

The blush was evident on her face, he could see it perfectly now even with the camera facing him and not herself. He could still see the light in her eyes. Looking back on it, he couldn’t imagine living his life without her, how could he let her go? 

It wasn’t like they got in a fight or anything, Zayn and Y/n were going to different colleges and he didn’t want to do the whole long distance thing. He felt she deserved better than that. So even though the breakup was absolutely not a mutual agreement, Y/n somewhat understood and let him walk away. 

“You’re such the charmer, Zayn. Always got me blushing for no good reason.” 

“I would be a bad boyfriend if I didn’t.” 

Now turning the camera to face both of them, Zayn placed a kiss on her lips before turning off the camera and letting their night go on as best as it could, for it would be one of the last good memories they have. Except at the time, neither of them knew the last time would actually be the last time. 

June 4th, 2011: 

“Hey everyone, I just want to start off by saying congratulations, we made it. Graduating today was the most amazing feelings, and I’m sure you all can agree with me. The past four years have really taught me a lot, I know I sound like the Mallory Barnes, our valedictorian that gave the speech today, but I’m serious, you all have been amazing. Teachers included.” 

Y/n wasn’t in her usual attire. She was in a comfortable baggy hoodie, and that’s all you could see as her camera was propped on the desk in the corner of the room. Her hair was in a messy bun, no makeup, and her glasses were sat perfectly on her nose. What no one could notice was the slight puffiness to her eyes, the way they were red and tired. But Zayn noticed, however. When Y/n first uploaded this to her instagram, Zayn couldn’t bare to watch it, so seeing it now definitely brought back a feeling he tried too hard to push away. 

“In the past four years I have learned about friendships, I learned about love, and I learned about heartbreak. I have got to say, high school brought me some really great friendships that I will cherish forever. I am finding it very difficult to say goodbye, but we are bound to go off and do bigger and better things. The future awaits for us.” 

“I just want to thank you guys for the amazing memories, and I hope you guys make your dreams come true.” Y/n sighed into the camera, she was really bad at saying goodbye, though you would think it would be easier considering no one likes high school. However, Y/n loved every single second of it, maybe not the learning but the memories made.

“Now, I am going to get really sappy for a minute and say a massive thank you to the man who has loved me for the past four years. Zayn, I know we haven’t talked in a few weeks, and you’re probably not even watching this, but just know that I am so proud of you.  I don’t know how I could not be. I really hope you make something wonderful of yourself. You were by far my favorite part of this journey. Thank you for sticking with me and for loving me. And even though we aren’t together anymore, I love you.”

“We almost had it all, didn’t we?” 

AN: Yeah, I don't think I like this babahahah. Love the concept but someone out there could definitely write it better. 

[pepper-up-potion]

Chapter 9: I know (Sirius Black x Fem!reader)

Summary: Your family invites Sirius to join your winter break vacation. Moments are shared, feelings are had, things start to get spicy.

Warnings: definitely spelling mistakes, I didn’t proof read so…. I tried to avoid mentioning Christmas but it does take place during that time (I think the only time I use the word is when referring to Christmas lights). Some angst?? (Nothing more than other chapters tho). Maybe some underlying hornyness??? (Hehe sorry, it just sort of…happened idk) I don’t remember all of this cuz I wrote some parts a long time ago. Please, please tell me if I missed anything!

Word count: 2235

A/n: ummmm okay so this was way too fun to write. I cut out some bits so I could post this sooner but like let’s just say they’re on vacation for longer than two days lol. I really really hope you like it! I would love to hear your thoughts cuz some pretty big things happen here hehehehehe. Happy reading my lovely sunshines!

It’s been three months that you and Sirius have been pretending to date. Schools kept the both of you busy. You haven’t been seeing each other as regularly as you were at the start of the relationship, if that’s what you’d call it. You’re grateful for the distance. The less you see him, the less you think about him. Or so you thought. He somehow still manages to cross your mind. A lot.

You’ve limited yourself to sending Sirius one letter a week to slow down your inevitable process of falling in love. You can feel it slowly creeping into your chest, sneakily making its way to your heart. It's the worst case scenario, and yet you crave it.

You might have limited yourself to sending one letter a week, but Sirius has not. He sends you letters every day, sometimes more than once. You’ve rationalized that it would be impolite to leave these unanswered and you therefore must answer.

So you and Sirius update each other every day and you hate it. You hate it because it’s your favourite part of the day. You hate it because it’s something you long for. One minute you’ll be reading about underage magic wizarding laws and the next you’re wondering what funny annectodt Sirius will share in his letters today. Your mind easily drifts from Sirius’ letters to Sirius and suddenly you’re thinking about him and his pretty smile and his pretty hair and his pretty hands and-

The last thing you need is to spend a long period of time with him. So, of course your parents invite him to join your winter break vacation. Every year your family goes on a trip during the holidays. This year you’re going to a wizarding world spa in the Austrian alps. No, correction; you’re going to a wizarding world spa in the Austrian alps with Sirius Orion Black.

Your stomach is brewing up a strange concoction of stress, excitement, fear and joy. At every little thought of spending time with Sirius, your stomach lurches with anticipation. A moment later it drops with anguish and ties into a multitude of stress as you nervously imagine what this trip could be like.

You hear the knock on the front door from your bedroom. Next thing you know you’re rushing down the stairs to greet Sirius. He smiles graciously at you, a duffle bag in hand. He is wearing a long black wool trench-coat jacket. A maroon knitted hat is covering his head and ears. He’s sporting a dark grey scarf that he’s flung loosely over his shoulder. His cheeks are a little rosy from the cold. You suck in a breath, admiring just how beautiful he looks.

“Do you think they will have alpine skiing there? I read about it in a muggle magazine. I was sort of hoping we could try it out.” Bubbles Sirius as he steps past you and into your front entrance.

Your parents rush in to greet him, giving hugs and kisses and praising the quality of his coat. Finally Sirius makes his way back to you, pulling you into a tight hug and whispering in your ear. “I can’t wait to spend all this time with you.” And squeezing you a little tighter.

You and your family apparate to the resort where the concierge then guides you to your rooms. As you step out of the magical elevator and into the hall, it is immediately apparent that your parents splurged for this trip. The furnishing shines from frequent polish, there are expressive flowers on every table and lavish armchairs at every six steps.

The concierge walks the four of you to the end of the hall where there are two doors. You immediately assume it to be one for you and one for Sirius. They’re probably just dropping the two of you off before they go to an even fancier room for themselves. Your heart skips a beat as you slowly put it all together. The concierge gives Sirius a key, and then gives your mother a key. You frantically look at him, praying there’s another key, but he’s empty handed.

Sirius unlocks the door to the room on the left, stepping in. You quickly turn to your mother, grabbing her arm before hissing “We can’t possibly share a room, mother. That would be inappropriate.”

Your mother huffs. “Please, you think I don’t know what you do when you don’t come home until morning.” She waves a hand before entering her own room. “You can thank me later.” She adds before shutting the door.

All that proves is that she has absolutely no clue what you do when you don’t come home. Normally you crash on Sirius’ couch or spend the night at a friend’s. You accept your fate with a sigh before heading to your room. Well, after you tip the concierge that your mother so kindly left for you.

You drop your bag on the floor and kick off your boots and slip out of your jacket, stuffing your scarf into the sleeve. “So? How does it look?” You call out into the suite. No response.

“Sirius?” You try again, hanging your coat in the entrance closet. Still no answer. You hastily walk around the corner, continuing to call out Sirius’ name. You quickly glance around at the absolutely stunning place. Even though you’ve seen your fair share of expensive places, this… well this is really something. A kitchen that conjures anything you can imagine, a living room with heated armchairs, a bathroom with more mirrors than you can count…

Your thoughts are interrupted when you bump into Sirius, who’s standing frozen in the doorway to what you would presume to be the bedroom. “Sirius!” You huff, rubbing your forehead upon impact. “What’s the matter with y-” You cut yourself off and suddenly stand frozen next to Sirius.

Oh. Right. One bed. Why that hadn’t clicked until now is beyond you. The signs were all there. First your mother thinks you're a couple. Second, you find out you were sharing a room. In your defense, hotel rooms with two beds do exist. Third, your mom hints about thinking the two of you share a bed most nights you’re away. This is probably where it should have clicked that you would not be granted the privilege of two beds. Yet here you are absolutely stunned.

To your relief, it would appear Sirius is feeling the same way. Well at least that’s what you think is going on. Neither of you have moved or said a word in minutes. Quite some time passes, yet the two of you continue to stare at the king size bed you’re supposed to share.

“I uh- heard they have uh- a Nordic bath.” He clears his throat. “Do you wanna go for a swim?” His enthusiasm sounds forced but you appreciate him trying to defuse some of the tension.

“Yes.” You immediately answer because you want nothing more than to get out of that room. You spin on your heels to retrieve your duffle bag in the front hall.

“I‘ll change in the bathroom.” You call out, quickly slipping into the loo and closing the door behind you. You lean your back on the door and cover your face with your hands. Your cheeks are burning. You mumble soothing words to yourself as you fan your face frantically.

You finally emerge from the bathroom after splashing cold water in your face, pointing at yourself in the mirror and giving yourself a pep talk. Sirius is pacing in the hall. He snaps around when he hears the bathroom door click open. There’s a loooong moment where Sirius is looking at you, and you’re looking at Sirius. It’s long enough for the both of you to know that you're both checking each other out.

Sirius steps forward and you practically jump back in surprise. He raises his hand in a surrendering apology as you both mumble your sorrys. Wow the both of you are a mess. You throw him a robe, putting yours on too.

“Let’s go.” You clap your hands together loudly, looking forward to some fresh air.

***

After the sun has long gone and the starry night has settled, you and Sirius finally make your way back to your room, noses frozen from the cold, hands pruny from the water, and cheeks sore from smiling.

You quietly get ready, before sliding into bed next to Sirius. Sirius raises his arm, never looking away from his quidditch magazine, indicating you to slide next to him. You scoot over and rest your head onto his chest and wow this feels right. Your head rising and falling with his chest, your legs tangled with his…

Neither you nor Sirius objects when you close your eyes and drift off to sleep as he massages your scalp.

***

Saying that was the best night's sleep in your life would be an understatement. You wake up late morning wrapped in Sirius’ arms. There’s a sliver of sunlight filtering through the curtains, just enough to make out the shadowy outline of Sirius’ face. You quietly observe his features. The pointiness of his nose, the thickness of his eyebrows, his high cheekbones, his slightly parted plush lips.

Without thought, too mesmerized to think, you gently slide your finger across his lower lip. A weak tilt of his head pushes his face out of the light and into the complete darkness. You pout to yourself, losing your source of entertainment (and admiration).

The arm loosely spread out over your waist tightens before it pulls you into a warm and solid chest. You sigh sweetly as you cuddle Sirius and you just can’t help but think again how right this feels. You. Sirius. One bed. Imitating each other’s breathing.

You cuddle shamelessly into the early afternoon. You’ve run your hand through his hair more times than you can count. He’s run his hand up and down your arm for so long that his arm feels like an extension of yours. You’ve become two bodies entwined into one. Sirius’ forehead is pressed to yours as you whisper and giggle to each other. His lips are inches away. You could simply tip your head forwards and your lips would touch his. You can’t get the thought out of your mind. It looms there the whole time. Lost in the moment, you almost do connect them, forgetting you’re not meant to. Forgetting this is all fake.

Finally dragging yourselves out of bed, you start the day. You and Sirius make plans to go walk around the small town and explore the local shops.

The whole thing has a winter wonderland feeling to it. The roofs are sprinkled with fluffy snow, Christmas lights border windows and store doors. Some instruments have been charmed to play festive music. The day flies by as you pop from store to store. With the fast setting sun, the cold sets further into your bones. Surrendering to the cold, the two of you head back inside for the night.

***

Your parents have planned a special dinner at the resort restaurant to finish your trip on a good note. Upon entering the restaurant, arm intertwined with Sirius’ your mother lets out a little yelp. You freeze, utterly shocked that she would express such a reaction in public. You look at her as she points upwards and mouths ‘look up’.

Slowly, both you and Sirius drag your eyes overhead.

“Oh.” You whisper.

“Oh.” Sirius whispers back.

Above you hangs a sprig of mistletoe. This is it, this is your moment. You want to yank Sirius by the lapels of his blazer and desperately smash your lips together. You actually consider doing it for a second but when you look at Sirius it all feels so real, so overwhelming that you get shy.

“Are you okay with this?” He asks cautiously. “We don’t have to. We can find an excuse.” He adds.

“I want to.” Is all you answer before he’s moving forward and you tilt your head and connect your lips with his.

Just like a moth and a flame, or a honeybee and a flower, your lips and his, belong together. Any shred of doubt that you didn't love Sirius fades in that moment because this kiss just screams love. It’s like a shared promise. An assurance that you are his and he is yours. This kiss is the raw and terrifying confession that your heart is for him to take. And the way he’s kissing you back is a promise that he’ll handle it with care, he’ll protect it with all his might.

When you pull away and your eyes connect you almost let the words slip from your mouth. ‘I love you. God, I love you. So much.’

Sirius grabs your hand and squeezes it. You weirdly feel like he’s trying to say ‘I know’.

Your leg bounces impatiently over dinner. The kiss was soft, sweet, affectionate, but you could sense the burn of passion you both withheld. You want to taste it. The smokey, intoxicating taste of passion.

You clear your throat, “I think I’m going to call it a night.”

Sirius quirks his brow at you. You nod slowly communicating that you want him to follow.

A mischievous thrill runs through your veins as you stand and walk to your room, Sirius closely following suit.

General taglist: @pottahishotasf, @cupids-crystals, @oliverwoodmarrymepls, @the-mighty-bookworm

“Charming Pureblooded Boyfriend” taglist: @iamabeautifulperson18, @my-belooveded, @youcantbesirius, @whattheforks, @hogwarts-1d-drarry-stan, @siriuslyfearless, @pinkcloxds, @gabitanaka47, @blackbirddaredevil23

[venchyl]

Let's Talk ; 10k Affirmation Challenge

Let me start this off with a notice; By no means is this me denouncing this challenge/method and the people who use it. This is simply my opinion and my take.

Ah, yes. The challenge with so many lights on it you'd think it was a suburban white families house during Christmas.

This challenge has gotten a lot of attention, and I can see why. It claims to base itself off of science and it does. The fact this challenge uses logic aids a lot of manifestors in their beliefs because some people react better to science rather than being told to bid goodbye to the logic you were taught your whole life, and I don't blame them.

I think the challenge is fine, it helps people, although I share the common worry that others do. One that everyone is aware of and hence why the 10k challenge is such a double-edged sword. Even though it does help people who seek out more logical evidence, it also brings the idea of having to affirm a certain amount of times, and not only that but it can bring doubt AFTER the pupils do 10k affirmations. Of course, the maker(s) of the challenge are not at fault for this, this is inevitable with literally all methods like this.

It's just unfortunate how some people are gonna start to assume that they must affirm ten thousand times to get their results. And honestly, they contradict themselves in that manner. The idea is to repeat an affirmation to a point so your mind can believe it completely therefore placing inner belief within you, but I've seen that some people simply... start looking around, as if they expect their desires to conform to them then and there rather than thinking they've already confirmed long ago.

Reaching the 10k goal isn't seen as just a number in this case, it is seen as the indefinite idea. Which may be good in the sense of "I will definitely get this!", but when people are done with the challenge and immediately go against that the MOMENT they reach the milestone, they regress.

People need to realise and remember that their desires are meant to be there even if they don't notice them. They aren't meant to turn their backs instantly. Keep your footing. You have nothing to lose.

My Experience

yes, I'm finally speaking about how the challenge went for me, I know, took me long enough.

honestly, let me say, I wouldn't say this challenge is for me. this is all just my personal opinion and I know others feel differently, however it honestly was tiring 😭

I'm not the kind of person to partake in really 'intense' challenges, or basically anything with a goal to reach. for me, it take the fun out of affirming and makes me feel like I have to continue affirming and reaching that number as quick as possible, I don't get to enjoy myself.

It was suggested by many people that you count how many times you have affirmed and that also was a nuisance to me, and it felt so obsessive like i had to count every time I affirmed. It just isn't my cup of tea, personally.

Although, I will say it did help me improve with putting my affirmations on the backseat as I did something else. I'd be focusing on assignments or a video and affirm at the same time without it interrupting my thoughts which was helpful.

I wish I could say something grand like I got all that I asked for but I didn't and no, I'm not really disappointed because tbh, I did not have much that I wanted anyways. Still, I think the fault was on me rather than the challenge, due to the fact I wasn't emotionally invested and I couldn't feel excited like I normally would and honestly I became so fixated on the 10k mark😭.

Now, would I suggest this challenge?

Maybe! It depends on your mindset. If you're gonna assume that you have to reach a large number of affirmations to receive your desires then this'll cause you an issue. If you believe you won't have trouble with that and won't put it on a pedestal, go for it! you don't have to do 10k, you can do less, but just go with whatever pace you want!

[shadowed-dancer]

My Thoughts on the New MHA Opening and Ending

I have thoughts, and I will share them because oh boy if I don’t get this out I’m gonna explode

Vague Spoilers for the manga (up to chapter 258 and vigilantes) because I discuss the upcoming arcs, but I don’t discuss any major plot points in detail. Still, proceed with caution if you’re anime only

Keep in mind, this OP and ED will cover the Endeavour Agency Arc and the MVA Arc, so I will be judging them accordingly.

First, the OP

This is a good OP... in theory (that’s going to become my catchphrase for this post). It’s nice to look at and flows pretty well, but my biggest problem is that it doesn’t do it’s job. An OP is supposed to be a sort of... summary (?) of the Cour it plays for. That means any cool plot points, emotional beats, and important characters should be featured in some way, shape, or form. We’ll talk about that more later, but first let’s discuss the music.

The song is really good. I have a feeling it will continue to grow on me as I listen to it more often, but yeah my first impression is that the song sounds great. My only complaint about the music itself is that it ends kind of abruptly (I noticed this is the JT opening too). The previous openings used to have a bit of instrumental to “play us out” and lead us to the end card, but this one feels like it ends very suddenly and unnaturally.

As for the visuals...

Yeah alright I’ll admit, the visuals are stunning... in theory. I appreciate the variety in backgrounds and colours, it makes the OP really interesting to look at. This was actually one of my biggest problems with the JT Opening, it all took place on the training grounds, so there was no variety (everything was metal tubes with a blue sky, with only 3 shots set somewhere different). I appreciate the style of this OP.

But like I said, that’s only in theory, as in, through screenshots these are all pleasing to look at. The pacing of this OP is wild, and I truly don’t know who to blame for this.

That sunset shot above? It lasts approximately 12 seconds, zooming in every few to make it seem like something is happening (when in reality it’s still the same poses, angles, etc). While there’s nothing wrong with a nice, drawn out shot, it becomes irritating when compared to the pacing of the rest of this op.

At the 41 second mark, we are given the shot above. It has flowed directly from the previous sunset scene. We still have not moved away from the image of the trio (aside from the opening shot and the title card) yet we’re approaching the halfway mark of the OP.

The next shot is the MLA, which lasts about 5 seconds. Ok, perfect. Not too long, but also not short enough to be confusing. It cuts away a little fast once the dude on the far left appears, but does anyone actually know who that is? No, seriously, I’m asking. I don’t remember his name and he’s not on the wiki, so I can only assume he’s not important. Therefore, it’s not all that bad if the shot cuts away shortly after he comes into frame. The audience is able to take in the scene without having to pause...

... And then the problems start

While this shot is fine in theory, it pans up fast and  cuts away quickly. You know how hard it was for me to get this screenshot? Really hard. You want to know why I struggled so much? Because, due to the timing of the cut and the way it pans upwards, it’s almost impossible to pause on Dabi’s face. I literally had to go frame by frame to get it, because he’s in shot for so little time that naturally pausing is guaranteed to miss him.

When watching this in real time (without pausing) the cut away makes you feel as if you missed something because “something was there, I just couldn’t register what because now it’s gone”. Unlike Compress, who wears a very colourful coat you can recognize the entire time, Dabi’s pants are more blended into the background.

It also doesn’t help that this shot is literally composed to draw your attention away from Dabi until the last possible second. Due to framing, your eye is naturally drawn to the brightly coloured Toga in the foreground, making it super easy to miss Dabi in the back (until, of course, his bright face appears and contrasts against the background, drawing your eye just in time for the scene to change, leaving you to wonder who or what you missed).

I know this sounds like nitpicking, but this shot is the only group shot we get of the League, and is also the start of a seriously weird trend for the villains in this OP getting the short end of the stick.

Anyways, then we get what I’ll call “The Carousel Shot” in which every Class 1A kid shows up and poses dramatically, as if they were on a carousel. It’s a lovely sequence and I really enjoy watching it but... why is it in this OP?

Seriously, this is a genuine question. Class 1A barely shows up in the Endeavour Agency Arc, and NONE of the students are in MVA. This sequence (not counting the three boys at the end) lasts 8 seconds. Why is this much time dedicated to characters who are barely in the arc? (Unless Studio Bones extends their work studies into fuller plot lines which oh my gosh please don’t do that, or if they do, do it quick).

We then get what I call the “Oh God I Blinked And Missed Everything” sequence, which lasts 3 seconds (not including the longer, moving shot of Shigaraki at the end) and features NINE INDIVIDUAL IMAGES, none of which are related to each other. Not only is this 3 images per second, but the fact that they are all unrelated means you can’t even use previous information to fill in the blanks.

What do I mean by that? Well, imagine if I show you 9 images of various pro heroes posing. If I play that in 3 seconds you’ll absolutely miss some of them, but as long as you catch some you’ll still get an idea of what I’m trying to show to you. Your brain is able to fill in the gaps that “I recognized 4 pro heroes, therefore the rest must have also been pros” even if you didn’t register every single frame.

That doesn’t work if every frame features a completely different subject. The shots in this sequence vary so widely that it’s impossible to find a through line. Some feature multiple characters, some feature one, some are closeups, some are super far away, some are character’s we know, others are characters we don’t. It’s impossible to get a solid read on what you’re being shown.

Now, again, there’s nothing wrong with these super quick shots... in theory. The problem comes from the fact that these shots are the only indicators for some of the major themes that will be explored during this Cour (like Twice’s growth and young Shigaraki).

That being said, let’s move away from criticism and talk about speculation, because hidden amongst this sequence are two... interesting images.

This All Might one is very reminiscent of the shot in Chapter 257, where Aizawa and All Might have a conversation while staring up at the stars. However, this is technically the start of the “War Arc” (or the “prologue”, if that’s what you want to call it), so this might indicate that we’re going to get farther into the series than a lot of us guessed.

(Many people suspected we’d get to that cliffhanger at the start of the season (if you read the manga you know the one), but after seeing the pacing for JT a lot of us assumed we’d be lucky to even finish Endeavour Agency. It seems we’re back to the cliffhanger now though lol). 

This is another really interesting shot because it’s indicative of Shirakumo, meaning we might get to see Aizawa and Mic confront him some time this Cour (this also makes sense, since this confrontation technically happens before that All Might scene I mentioned in the previous paragraph).

But the cat specifically is a really strange addition. That cat is named Sushi and, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think Sushi is ever mentioned in the main series. I think he’s only in Vigilantes.

This might just be a little Easter Egg for Vigilante readers, but I’m personally hoping that they’ll add at least a few Vigilante shots in there to really tug at the heart strings. I’d say I want a whole Vigilante episode but I don’t think they have the time (unless they really cram MVA, which I do NOT want).

I don’t have much to say about the last bit of the OP. The action shot between the 3 boys was nice, and it follows the sort of narrative through line they established from the early shot of them sitting at the sunset. I also like the shot of Endeavour fading in to replace All Might, even if it’s very simple.

But I want to talk about an overarching problem I touched upon earlier in that villain shot: the way the villains are handled in this OP.

This is a good OP... in theory. The problem is, it doesn’t represent half the arcs in the cour! Every shot of the League is so rushed that you can barely register that they were on screen before they’re gone.

I have no idea how many Episodes Endeavour Agency will take, but I’d assume 3 (4 if you count the Christmas episode). 12 episodes for this Cour minus 3 for Endeavour Agency = 9 episodes left. If we truly do get the prologue for the War Arc (and if we assume it’s only 1 episode) that leaves us with 8 villains episodes.

8/12 episodes (aka two thirds of the Cour) will likely be about the villains. And yet they’re pushed to the background so hard in this OP.

I want to dream, and I want to believe that this OP is going to magically change when MVA starts. The song fits super well, and I can imagine like an inversion of the OP but from the Villain side! Wouldn’t that be neat? Imagine right after the “it’s alright” part Shigaraki just freaking decays the title card... oh man that would be so cool. But, alas, I highly doubt they’d do that.

Side rant, but you know what was so fun about MVA in the manga? It’s that, for 21 chapters, we leave the kids behind and the villains become our protagonists. Suddenly Shigaraki is the one we’re rooting for, suddenly we’re learning backstories for everyone, and suddenly we find ourselves just as attached to the villains as we are to the kids. It’s an inversion that’s SO RARE to find, and I think many people (myself included) were hoping it would be reflected in the OP.

A big part of being the protagonist means featuring heavily in the OP, and a lot of us just wanted the villains to get that honour, even if only once. As is, the OP still treats them as the antagonists when... really they aren’t. Not right now, at least.

So yeah, final thoughts on the OP are that it’s good, it’s just not very representative of the arcs it’s supposed to cover. If this was just for Endeavour Agency, I’d say it’s actually really cool, but if we assume that this is what will play for the Villain Arc, then it simply doesn’t do it’s job. And it makes me sad to say that because, again, this OP is really well done.

If I had to rate it? Hmmm

If Studio Bones actually grants my wish and creates a different visual for the Villain Arc (while using the same song) and then this version only plays for the Endeavour Agency Arc and the War Prologue? I’d give it an 8/10. It’s really good, but it could use a few more elements that are clearly derived from the Agency Arc (ahem, Todoroki siblings).

But if this is the OP that will play for the entire Cour? a 6.5/10. It’s nice, but it’s not representative of one of the arcs it’s going to cover. And, unlike other arcs like Pro Hero or Summer Exams, the villain Arc is so important and takes up so much time that it honestly feels like a bit of a disservice.

Now for the Ending

I want to say that I appreciate how soft this ending starts. This cour will likely feature a lot of episodes that end on... heavier themes, and I think the sight of peaceful, falling raindrops is the perfect way to let the audience process their emotions before starting the ending in earnest.

The song itself is very nice, and I like that it’s a bit slower than the more recent endings.

(Side note, but the FUNNIEST moment in the entire series is when Sir Nighteye dies because it’s so emotional and everyone is standing around his bed in his heartwrentching silence, only for the ending to come BLARING IN out of no where. If you forgot how jarringly hilarious it was, go listen to the Eri ending and tell me that’s not the funniest thing this series ever did. Anyways yeah I’m glad that’s not gonna happen this Cour).

This ending is a bit all over the place in terms of it’s visuals, but honestly I think it works. Most endings usually have a theme tying them together (all the Class 1A girls, a fantasy AU, old photographs, planning a party, etc) but this ending’s theme is a bit harder to identify.

That being said, I think it’s just supposed to show everyone going about their day. It’s calm, it’s peaceful, and it’s just very sweet to think about

I like this shot. Actually, scratch that, I like this whole sequence. I enjoy anything that allows Class 1A to chill and have fun.

Hawks is featured quite heavily in this ending which, fair. He’s pretty important in this arc.

I really love the shot where Endeavour immediately switches to Hawks, I thought that was a lot of fun, and very good symbolism on how Hawks wants to be like Endeavour. I also love all the shots of Baby Hawks, because it’s adorable.

Something about this shot is just so cute. It’s the little domestic things like waiting for a bus that make this ending feel... idk the word, real? It shows a side of the characters that we’ll never see in the episodes, but we know have to exist.

Like yes, of course the kids have to wait for the bus. We never see it, but of course there are those moments of quiet. Agh, I love it.

The villains also make an appearance and I’m very happy about that (I’d love to see more of the villains just chilling around, I think they deserve it). I kind of wish they weren’t sitting in a dark room for the sake of being edgy, since I think it would be nice to see the villains just... sort of existing, but honestly it’s still a nice shot. I also like how this shot sort of mirrors the first one with Class 1A (someone coming in while everyone else is sitting and waiting for them).

That being said, as much as I love looking at Dabi and his stupid face (affectionate)... why is Dabi the one getting the closeup?

Mind you, endings don’t need to be connected to their Cours (they can be, like the Eri one, but they don’t have to be). But this ending does seem to be connected to the arcs it intends to cover, given all the Hawks appearances, the boys wearing their work study scarves, etc.

So, I ask again, why Dabi? Out of the six League members, we learn the backstory for four of them in this arc (Shigaraki, Toga, Twice, and we very briefly learn about Spinner). The only two left out are Dabi and Compress.

I can only assume they chose Dabi because he’s constantly in contact with Hawks, and therefore that makes him important? If the OP told us anything, it’s that Bones values the Endeavour Agency Arc over the Villain Arc lol...

... Oh my gosh please tell me that’s not actually the reason Dabi is focused on here BONES WAI-

Anyways, the ending comes to a close with Hawks watching over the kids and Endeavour. The relaxing time is done, it’s time for work studies.

Overall impression? It’s great. It’s hard to screw up an ending, so as long as you have something pretty on screen, it’s wonderful.

I’ll give this a 9/10

[raindancer2004]

Aro’s Choice

Word Count: 2,464 Demetri x reader Part One. Warnings: Fluff

Summary: Aro chooses a mate for Demetri; someone that will link his coven to Carlisle’s, a gifted human like none he’s met before. But Demetri isn’t happy, he didn’t choose her, doesn’t want her so he does the only thing he can think of, he pushes her away despite agreeing to a compromise proposed by Y/N. So what happens when an event occurs that changes everything for Demetri and Y/N? Will he go and rescue her...save her? Or will he stay in the castle and wait for his mate as he has done the last 1000 years? Will he realise that the one he’s been waiting for was the very one he had rejected and pushed away? Is it too late, will she ever forgive him? Will she give him a chance to love and protect her or will she walk away from him for forever...?

Edward was in Volterra standing in front of Aro, one of the Volturi’s Kings and whilst Aro was reading through Edward’s memories he saw a girl who resembled Bella and discovered her name was Y/N Swan. However, Aro was unconcerned about the girl as she appeared to know nothing about their world. After seeing Alice’s vision of Bella becoming immortal Aro allowed Edward, Bella and Alice to return to Forks to make their preparations for Bella’s transformation.

Aro saw Y/N Swan again in the memories of both Edward and Renesmee at the confrontation at Christmas but again it seemed that she was still none the wiser about their world so he left with his coven and witnesses to return to Volterra and thought no more of the girl known as Y/N Swan.

Aro paid the Cullens a surprise visit that summer to check on how Renesmee was getting on and bought Jane and Alec with him. Aro decided to stay for a few days and use the time to catch up with Carlisle at the same time as he was aware that his friend was tracking the growth and development of Renesmee. Marcus and Caius stayed back in Volterra along with Felix and Demetri as they were keeping an eye on some nomads that are hunting a little too close to Volterra.

During the second day of their visit Jane had taken a walk in the forest and came across the little cottage Edward, Bella and Ness lived in and being curious she walked up the path to the door and pushed it open peaking around inside. Jane could hear two heartbeats and recognised Ness’ scent but she noted the second heartbeat belonged to someone she hadn’t met before; she was just glad Jake wasn’t around as his scent was rather unpleasant.

Everything changed after Jane’s visit to the cottage for she couldn’t hide her excitement at seeing the gift that the human girl had displayed so openly in front of her niece. Aro noticed that Jane seemed ‘different’ after her walk; she seemed excited about something as she had a hushed but animated conversation with her brother in one corner of the Cullen’s family room. “Jane” Aro said holding out his hand “Master” She replied smiling as she placed her little hand in Aro’s much larger one watching as his facial expressions changed as he saw her most recent memories.

Aro saw Jane watching Y/N with curiosity rather than the usual distaste she held for humans as Y/N’s hands were moving slightly in the air and the toys on the floor were moving into the toy box on the left-hand side of the room. Ness was smiling and clapping quietly as she watched her aunt tidy away some of the toys she had left lying around.

Aro spoke with Carlisle that evening after he returned from his shift at the local hospital. “Good evening Carlisle. I trust you had a good day at work?” Aro greets him after Esme leaves his study, having greeted her husband home from work. “Evening Aro, it was a busy day at the hospital but none of my patients died so, yes it was a good day” Carlisle replies, feeling a little curious “Splendid. I am after a little favour my friend” ‘I knew it’ Carlisle thought to himself “I would like to meet Bella’s sister Y/N. I have seen her in some of your family’s memories and she didn’t seem of much interest…until now” Aro continued “May I ask why she is of interest now Aro?” “Jane met her today at the cottage and saw her ‘gift’ in action and I would very much like to meet her” He replied and Carlisle nodded “I’ll see what I can do” Aro smiled and left Carlisle’s study.

The following afternoon Bella went and collected her sister and drove her back to the main Cullen house “A friend of Carlisle’s wishes to meet you Y/N” Bella said as she drove “Really? Why?” Y/N asked “Well after you met Jane she spoke to Aro about your ‘gift’ and he wanted to meet you” Bella replied “Does this have anything to do with the whole ‘I’ll tell you what you need to know thing?’” Y/N asked turning to look at her sister “Yes it does. You’ll find out more about that too during this visit” Bella replied looking back at her “Ok” Y/N said and turned back to looking out of the window.

Aro waited at the Cullen house to meet Y/N and was feeling both anxious and excited; something Jasper found amusing. Aro finally got to meet the girl in person and pleased to know he could read her thoughts / memories and he found them interesting especially the one where she discovered her ‘gift’. Aro asked Y/N for a demonstration and after looking at Carlisle who smiled and nodded at her; she waved her hands over the coffee table and the magazines stacked themselves into a neat pile whilst the newspapers moved and formed their own neat pile. Aro smiled and clapped his hands together “Wonderful my dear. A truly unique gift” He said smiling at her “Thank you Aro” Y/N smiled back at him. Y/N used her gift a few more times during her visit and Aro only became more intrigued by her and the ‘possibilities’ of her gift once she was immortal. Aro made a choice that day; a choice that changed everything for the Volturi, the Cullens and Y/N Swan. She would be the one to link his coven to Carlisle’s…forever.

Later that evening Y/N and Ness went to the cottage for the night as Ness wanted a sleepover with her aunt, the Cullen ‘children’ including Bella and the twins went hunting “Eating Deer as a one off is one thing…but to do it regularly, I don’t know how you do it” Jane said looking at Alice “It takes a little getting used to I’ll admit but…we prefer this ‘diet’ to yours” Alice responded.

Meanwhile, back at the main house Aro, Carlisle and Esme were seated in the living room reading when Aro broke the silence “Carlisle there is something I wish to discuss with you” “Ok Aro, I’m listening” He replied closing his book and giving Aro his full attention, Esme doing the same. “Y/N now knows about Vampires and our world so she cannot remain human indefinitely” Aro began “I understand that Aro. However, she only learned about us today after you asked to meet her” Carlisle replied “Yes, I am aware of that but it doesn’t change the situation we now find ourselves in” Aro replied “Y/N can become one of us…join our family after she graduates next year” Esme adds softly “I actually had another idea in mind my dear” Aro says looking at Esme, who nods waiting for him to continue. “I think it would be best if Y/N was to become Demetri’s mate. Think of it as an ‘arranged marriage’” Aro said smiling at Carlisle and Esme “Aro, that custom is…rather outdated…with the exception of a few cultures that is. Arranged marriages aren’t really applicable to our kind either…due to the whole mate thing” Carlisle responded “That may be my friend but Y/N knows of our world and Caius would not be happy if I let you add her to your coven, your family. Y/N becoming a part of my family would make things easier for everyone. Carlisle, you know Demetri, after all you lived with us for a few decades. You also know that he is still alone after being around for more than 1000 years. He will treat her well my friend…she will want for nothing” Aro replied in a tone that Carlisle recognised so well, a tone that meant this was a done deal and not up for discussion. “Very well Aro. I agree that Demetri is a good choice for Y/N; he is one of the more…reasonable guards at the castle and you’re right he will treat her well” Carlisle says wondering how the rest of the family will take the news.

The following morning the Cullens, the Volturi and Y/N meet in the family room “I have some news to share that will change things around here a little” Carlisle says standing up and addressing the room, Esme moving to stand beside him. “Y/N knows about us and our world now and I know that we and the Volturi are the reason for that” He says looking at Y/N before continuing “As a result of this Y/N will need to be changed and it has been decided that she will join Demetri in Italy…as his mate; therefore he will be the one to turn her when the time comes.” The room is silent for a few moments as everyone tries taking in the news “So…I become a part of Aro’s family and…and not yours?” Y/N says looking at Esme and Carlisle “As Bella’s sister, Ness’ aunt you will always be a part of our family Y/N but you will be a Volturi not a Cullen once you are immortal” Esme replies softly. Y/N sat there trying to collect her thoughts and therefore tuned out the conversation going on around her. “You can’t send my sister away to live with…with them. They don’t even like humans” Bella said concern clear in her voice “Demetri has never met her. How do you know they’re mates? What happens if he rejects her?” Rosalie asked “You’re right Demetri and Y/N have never met and we don’t know if they are mates. However, that said he has been alone for a very long time and I have decided that Y/N will come back with us and that she will be Demetri’s mate…think of it as an ‘arranged marriage.’ Demetri will treat her well, you need not worry about that” Aro answered Rosalie’s questions.

Y/N had agreed to Aro’s plan as she learned what the alternative option would be if she didn’t. Y/N went back to her house and with the help of Bella they packed her clothes, shoes and a few personal items before meeting Aro back at the Cullen house. Carlisle drove them to the airport where the private jet was waiting for Aro, Jane, Alec and Y/N. Santiago greeted them “Good evening master, the plane is ready to depart when you are” “Thank you Santiago” Aro replied.

“What’s Demetri like?” Y/N asked Jane once they were seated on the plane “He is one of the nicer more reasonable guards, he’s well-spoken and is a very skilled fighter, in fact he and Felix train the lower and transitory guards” She replied, Y/N nodded “You’ll learn much more about him once you meet him” Alec added smiling.

Y/N fell asleep a few hours into the flight and Alec carried her into the room at the back of the plane lying her down on the bed. “Remember to put a blanket on her brother, she’ll get cold otherwise” Jane called out quietly but Alec heard her. “Done, hopefully she’ll sleep for the remainder of the flight” Alec replied as he made his way back to his seat beside Jane. “What do you think Demetri will think of her and her gift?” Alec asked his sister “I think Demetri will find the human very pretty and her gift will no doubt intrigue him…I mean we don’t know anyone else who has that gift” Jane replies smiling “I’m more curious as to what he’ll think about Aro choosing her to be his mate” Jane mused “I think he’ll be surprised but I’m sure he’ll welcome her with open arms as it means he’ll no longer be alone; something we all know is starting to bother him. You know how protective our kind are once we meet our mate and as she’s human it means she’ll need more protection than if she were immortal. You know he’s going to love keeping ‘his little human’ safe” Aro replied smiling “I hope so master because it would be a real shame if he rejects her” Alec added.  

Aro, Jane, Alec, Santiago and Y/N arrive at the castle to find that Demetri and Felix were away on a small mission “Santiago please help Jane and Alec take Y/N’s stuff to Demetri’s quarters” Santiago nods and follows the twins and Y/N up to the Elite Guard’s floor; Jane held Y/N’s hand along the way. “Demetri is away on a mission but should be back tomorrow afternoon” Santiago tells Y/N, Jane and Alec before leaving to return to his own room. Alec lit the fireplace so Y/N wouldn’t get cold and Jane got her a glass of water from the kitchen before they both said goodnight and returned to their rooms.

Demetri and Felix returned sooner than expected and made their way back to their rooms; both hearing a steady heartbeat and picking up on an unknown scent “I wonder why is there is a human up here?” Felix asked “Maybe the human is a welcome home snack for me…seeing as she is in my room” Demetri replied smiling as he opened the door to his room and saw her lying in his bed asleep “You get all the luck” Felix muttered “Y/N is not a welcome home snack Demetri” Jane said firmly “I take it you haven’t seen Aro?” Alec asked “No, we haven’t. He and Caius are with their wives and I wasn’t about to disturb them, besides we’re back earlier than expected” Demetri replied. “Shall we tell him sister or make him wait till he speaks with Aro in the morning?” Alec asked “Normally I’d say wait but seeing as he thought she was a snack, I’m sure Aro won’t mind us telling the basics” Jane replied smiling “The girl in your room is Y/N Swan and she is indeed yours Demetri…” “He gets all the luck” Felix muttered “So let me get this straight the human in my room is mine but she is not a snack?” He asked looking at Jane and Alec “Exactly” They replied together “Then what is she to him?” Felix asked confused “We’ll see if he can work it out on his own, but if he doesn’t Aro will tell all in the morning anyway. Good night” Jane smiles as she and Alec return to their rooms.

The following morning Aro calls a small meeting in the throne room “Jane, Alec please go and get Demetri, Felix and Y/N and bring them here as we have matters to discuss” Aro says to the twins “Yes master” They reply together and make their way to Demetri’s room. “Brother, what is going on? Why have you bought a human home with you?” Caius asked “I’ll explain everything once Demetri arrives” Aro replies smiling.

[lailoken]

“Ash (Fraxinus excelsior).

In the nineteenth century it was believed that if ash trees failed to produce fruit — keys — disaster was foretold.

In Yorkshire:

Some people every summer examined the ash tree . . . to see whether or not they had produced any seed; for the barrenness of the ash was said to be a sure sign of public calamity. It was a tradition among aged and thoughtful men, that the ash trees of England produced no seed during the year in which Charles the First was beheaded. [Jackson, 1873: 14]

In East Anglia:

The failure of the Crop of Ash-keys portends a death in the Royal Family . . . The failure in question is certainly, in some seasons, very remarkable; many an old woman believes that, if she were the fortunate finder of a bunch, and could get introduced to the king, he would give her a great deal of money for it. [Forby, 1830: 406]

ROWAN Or mountain ash, an unrelated tree which has leaves similar to those of ash, was widely considered to provide protection. Occasionally ash itself was also believed to be protective.

Rowan and ash sticks were used to drive cattle . . . believed to be 'kindly' and both trees were believed to be endowed with properties that ensured no interference from harmful influences. [Larne, Co. Antrim, October 1993]

In rural areas 'even' ash leaves-those leaves which lack a terminal leaflet and therefore have an even number of leaflets-were used in love DIVINATION. In Dorset:

The ash leaf is frequently invoked by young girls as a matrimonial oracle in the following way: The girl who wishes to divine who her future lover or husband is to be plucks an even ash leaf, and holding it in her hand, says:

“The even ash leaf in my hand, The first I meet shall be my man.’

Then putting it into her glove, adds:

‘The even ash leaf in my glove, The first I meet shall be my love.'

And lastly, into her bosom, saying:

‘The even ash leaf in my bosom, The first I meet shall be my husband.'

Soon after which the future lover or husband will be sure to make his appearance. [Udal, 1922: 254]

According to a 52-year-old woman who described how she used ash leaves for divination during her childhood:

Start at the bottom leaflet on the left-hand side and say:

“An even ash is in my hand

The first I meet will be my man.

If he don't speak and I don't speak,

This even ash I will not keep.”

As each word is said, count a leaflet around the leaf until the rhyme is completed (this probably entails going round the leaf several times). When the rhyme is finished, continue by reciting the alphabet until the bottom right-hand leaflet is reached. The letter given to this leaflet gives the initial of your boyfriend. Two or three leaves may be used so that you get a greater range of letters. [Thorncombe, Dorset, June 1976]

In many parts of northern Britain ash was known as esh. In north Lincolnshire:

There is a widespread opinion that if a man takes a newly-cut 'esh-plant' not thicker than his thumb, he may lawfully beat his wife with it. [Britten and Holland, 1886: 170]

Burning the ashen faggot — a faggot made from young ash saplings — was a widespread Christmastide custom in Devon and Somerset during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. According to a late nineteenth-century writer, it was:

an ancient ceremony transmitted to us from the Scandinavians who at their feast of Juul were accustomed to kindle huge bonfires in honour of Thor. The faggot is composed of ashen sticks, hooped round with bands of the same tree, nine in number. When placed on the fire, fun and jollity commence-master and servant are now all at equal footing. Sports begin-jumping in sacks, diving in the water for APPLES, and many other innocent games engage the attention of the rustics. Every time the bands crack by reason of the heat of the fire, all present are supposed to drink liberally of cider or egg-hot, a mixture of cider, eggs, etc. The reason why ash is selected in preference to any other timber is that tradition assigns it as the wood with which Our Lady kindled a fire in order to wash her new-born Son. [Poole, 1877: 6]

Ashen faggots are still burnt in a few West Country pubs, and miniature faggots are occasionally prepared for burning on domestic hearths.

On the evening of January sth ('old' Christmas Eve) at Curry Rivel, a Somerset village situated on the southern edge of Kings Sedgemoor, the wassailers go visiting' around the parish with their wassail song and the ashen faggot is ceremoniously burned at the King William IV public house. The faggot is made from young ash saplings and bound with bonds ('fonds,' 'fronds,' 'thongs,' or 'bonds') of withies (osiers); bramble has been used occasionally in the past. The number of bonds is variable but since the bursting of any one during the burning is a signal to ʻdrink up,' decency and country logic demands a 'reasonable few'. Either five or six are normally used. At the appropriate moment the faggot is placed on the fire, traditionally by the oldest customer-one villager can recall the fag- got being brought in a wheelbarrow as was 'right and proper'-and as each bond bursts there is much cheering and a general clamour for drink. The landlord, Mr John Cousins, prepares a bowl of hot punch for the occasion to augment the barrel of beer usually provided by the house Brewery. Until quite recently cider was consumed in large quantities; the 'brew' of cider and perry donated by the (Langs) Hambridge Brewery in 1957 is particularly remembered. [Willey, 1983: 40]

In the first half of the nineteenth century:

Some towns in Somerset held 'Ashen Faggot Balls'. The one in Taunton on January 2nd, 1826 was 'most respectably attended by the principal families of the town and neighbourhood'. It was still held twenty years later, but by then the event was losing its appeal. [Legg, 1986: 54]

In some parts of southern England ash twigs were carried by children on ASH WEDNESDAY.

In villages around Alton in Hampshire, and as far away as East Meon, near Petersfield, at Crowborough in Sussex, and doubtless in other places, children pick a black-budded twig of ash and put it in their pocket on this day. A child who does not remember to bring a piece of ash to school on Ash Wednesday can expect to have his feet trodden on by every child who possesses a twig, unless, that is, he or she is lucky enough to escape until midday. [Opie, 1959: 240]

I was born and lived as a child in Crowborough . . . On Ash Wednesday it was always the custom to take a piece of the [ash] tree around with you. The piece had to have a black bud, without it it was void. If you were unable to produce the piece when asked the rest of the children could stamp on your toes. I remember one day whan I was playing about with it in school and was told to take it to the front and leave it in the waste- paper basket-and all the way back to the seat had to dodge the stamps! Ever prudent I had another piece for play time! This all stopped at 12 mid-day. [Pershore, Worcester shire, October 1991]

[At Heston, Middlesex, in the 1930s] on Ash Wednesday we all took a twig of ash tree to school and produced it when challenged or risked a kick-and we had to get rid of it at 12 noon. We even risked the wrath of the teacher by rushing to an open window to throw out our twigs as soon as the mid-day dinner bell rang. [St Ervan, Cornwall, February 1992]

A widespread cure for HERNIA involved passing the patient through a split ash sapling, preferably one which had grown naturally from seed and had not previously been damaged by man. The tree was then tightly bound up and as it grew together so the patient would be healed. A full description provided in 1878 by the wife of a Sussex clergyman demonstrates how this cure, which required communal cooperation, was considered to be quite normal:

A child so afflicted must be passed nine times every morning on nine suc- cessive days at sunrise through a cleft in a sapling ash tree, which has been so far given up by the owner of it to the parents of the child as that there is an understanding that it shall not be cut down during the life of the infant that is passed through it. The sapling must be sound of heart, and the cleft must be made with an axe. The child, on being carried to the tree, must be attended by nine persons, each of whom must pass it through the cleft from west to east. On the ninth morning the solemn ceremony is concluded by binding the tree tightly with a cord, and it is supposed that as the cleft closes the health of the child will improve. In the neighbourhood of Petworth some cleft ashes may be seen, through which children have very recently been passed. I may add that only a few weeks since, a person who lately purchased an ash-tree standing in this parish, intended to cut it down, was told by the father of the child who had some time before passed through it, that the infirmity would be sure to return upon his son if it were felled. Whereupon the good man said, he knew such would be the case; and therefore he would not fell it for the world. [Latham, 1878: 40]

Similarly:

A remarkable instance of the extraordinary superstition which still prevails in the rural districts of Somerset has lately come to light at Athelney. It appears that a child was recently born in the neighbourhood with a physical ailment, and the neighbours persuaded the parents to resort to a very novel method of charming away the complaint. A sapling ash was split down the centre, and wedges were inserted so as to afford an opening sufficient for the child's body to pass through without touching either side of the tree. This having been done, the child was undressed, and, with its face held heavenward, it was drawn through the sapling in strict accord- ance with the superstition. Afterwards the child was dressed and simul- taneously the tree was bound up. The belief of those who took part in this strange ceremony is that if the tree grows the child will grow out of its bodily ills. The affair took place at the rising of the sun on a recent Sunday morning, in the presence of the child's parents, several of the neighbours, and the parish police-constable. [Bath and Wells Diocesan Magazine, 1886: 178]

An example ofan ash thus used can be seen in the Somerset Rural Life Museum at Glastonbury. A similar practice could be used to overcome IMPOTENCE.

In Wales the similar ritual was to split a young ash or HAZEL stem and hold it just fastened at the top. This made a symbolic vulva into which the impotent male introduced his recalcitrant organ. Binding up the tree again enabled it to heal, during which the impotence faded. [Richards, 1979: 13]

In Cheshire a cure for WARTS

was to steal a piece of bacon and push it under a piece of ash-bark. Excrescences would then appear on the tree; as they grew, the warts would van- ish. [Hole, 1937: 12]

In Wiltshire sufferers seeking a cure from NEURALGIA were advised:

Cut off a piece of each finger and toe nail and a piece off your hair. Get up on the next Sunday morning before sunrise and with a gimlet bore a hole in the first maiden ash you come across and put the nails and hair in; then plug the hole up. [Whitlock, 1976: 167]

In many areas 'shrew-ashes' were used to cure lameness in cattle and other illnesses. In a letter dated 8 January 1776, Gilbert White of Selborne, Hampshire, wrote:

A shrew-ash is an ash whose twigs or branches, when gently applied to the limbs of cattle, will immediately relieve the pains which a beast suffers from the running of a shrew-mouse over the part affected . . . Against this accident, to which they were continually liable, our provident fore- fathers always kept a shrew-ash at hand, which, once medicated, would maintain its virtue for ever. A shew-ash was made thus:- Into the body of the tree a deep hole was bored with an auger, and a poor devoted shrew- mouse was thrust in alive, and plugged in, no doubt, with several quaint incantations long since forgotten. [White, 1822, I: 344]

In the nineteenth century a particularly well-known shrew-ash in Richmond Park, Surrey. According to the park-keepers' tradition ʻgood Queen Bess had lurked under its shade to shoot deer as they were driven past’ [Ffennell, 1898: 333]. This tree was closely observed by Sir Richard Owen (1804-92), first director of the Natural History Museum in London, who lived near the tree, at Sheen Lodge, from grew 1852.

Either the year he came to live in the park or the year after . . . he first encountered a young mother with a sick child accompanied by 'an old dame', 'a shrew-mother', or, as he generally called her a 'witch-mother'. They were going straight for the tree; but when they saw him, they turned off in quite another direction till they supposed he was out of sight. He, however, struck by their sudden avoidance of him, watched them from a distance, saw them return to the tree, where they remained some little time, as if busily engaged with it; then they went away. He was too far off to hear anything said, but heard the sounds of voices in unison on other occasions. He heard afterwards from the keeper of Sheen Gate... that mothers with 'bewitched' infants, or with young children afficted with WHOOPING COUGH, decline, and other ailments, often came, some- times from long distances, to this tree. It was necessary that they should arrive before sunrise . . . Many children were said to be cured at the tree. The greatest secrecy was always observed when visiting. This was re- spected by Sir Richard Owen, who, whenever he saw a group advanc- ing towards it, moved away, and was always anxious that they should not be disturbed. He could not tell me in what year he last saw a group approach the tree to seek its aid. He could only say he had seen them often, and thought they continued to come for many years. [Ffennell, 1898: 334]

During a recent survey [of Richmond Park] the site of the old shrew ash was identified. This proved to be . . . the spot where an ancient ash still stood in 1987. A sucker from its roots was still alive, although the tree itself was passé. The storm of autumn brought the trunk down. A railing has now been erected around the remains, which are to be left in the ground, and a young ash is to be planted alongside the stump. Presumably it will eventually replace the old tree, but it means that the site at least will remain identifiable. [Kew, Surrey, February 1994]

There uses included curing EARACHE, RINGWORM, and SNAKE BITES.

The sap of a young ash sapling was used to cure earache. A sapling was cut and put into a fire so that when the stick started to burn the sap came out the end and was caught on a spoon. This could be put on cotton wool and put into the ear. [Daingean, Co. Offaly, January 1985]

Ringworm was more common in my childhood . . . a remedy resorted to was to burn ash twigs in a tin box or similar container and allow the smoke from the smouldering twigs to envelop the affected part—usually arms, neck or face. [Larne, Co. Antrim, October 1993]

Ash leaves are used to combat viper bites. When an animal has been bitten farmers boil ash leaves and give the animal the resulting liquid and place the boiled leaves as a poultice on the bite. Works on people too! [Dorchester, Dorset, February 1992]

Ash sticks were used as weapons.

The Joyces are tinkers . . . they are wary and row among themselves. They do have some fierce fights in which the women join in. When they have each others heads well cut with ash plants they settle down and are as friendly as ever. [IFCSS MSS 750: 242, Co. Longford]

Stories relating to Ireland's past tell of fair-day brawls where ash plants were used and blood flowed freely. [Ballymote, Co. Sligo, May 1994]”

—

The Oxford Dictionary of Plant-Lore

by Roy Vickery

[pocket-luv101]

Hi there! I’m sorry to be a bother, but I was wondering if you knew the timeline of Servamp or had any ideas? Like if I remember correctly Tsubaki destroyed Mahiru’s school right before summer break (maybe spring?) and that was much earlier in the story. Do you have any ideas or an estimate on what month you think it could be?

Do you mean the timeline of the manga in general or allll the way back to when Sensei made Servamps? I’ll do my best to predict both. First, I’ll list a timeline of the manga. I’ll summarize the arcs and comment on how much time has passed. A little warning, the timeline gets messy around the C3 arc. (Since I’ve read the manga so many times, I’m skimming it so tell me if I miss anything).

We know that it has been 10-11 months since Kuro and Mahiru first met. In the first chapter, Mahiru’s class was preparing for the Cultural Festival. In the most recent chapter (100), it’s stated to be August 25-26.

Chapter 1-5 [Intro/Setup Arc]

The series starts in mid October, likely October 16 (Ironic considering how the manga is centered around vampires). We know this because Mahiru’s class is preparing for the Cultural Festival so it’s a few weeks before then. There is an email with the date October 26. We rewind a week from Oct 26 and then a few more days from when they get the email.

Chapter 6-9 [Sakuya Arc]

There is a time skip of one week after Chapter 5 and is now November 1st or 2nd. The fight takes place two days before the Cultural Festival and Sakuya mentions that Misono has known Mahiru for two weeks now.

Chapter 10 [Bridge/Setup Chapter]

Two weeks has passed since chapter 9. Mahiru mentions that it has been a full month since he met Kuro. Therefore, it is currently November 18.

Chapter 11-13 [Pride’s Introduction and Short Training Arc]

There is a large time skip of 8 months between chapters and it is now July 17. Mahiru mentions that it there is 3 days to Summer Vacation. In Japan, their break lasts from July 20-August 31. (We unfortunately skipped over Kuro and Mahiru’s birthday and Christmas in that time). The festival takes place on the first day of Summer Vacation.

Chapter 14-15 [Sloth Pair Captured in C3 Arc]

No time has passed between the chapters so it is still late July (most likely July 22). Lily also mentions that “I’m still worried about the dynamite attack the other day”. He didn’t say yesterday so I think it’s two days. This is a short arc that takes place over one night.

Chapter 16 [Bridge to Next Arc]

It feels like some times has passed between chapter 15 and 16 but there isn’t any dialogue that suggests how long this could be. The chapter takes place over one afternoon.

Chapter 17-21 [Lust Pair Arc]

There is no indication of how much time has passed. I don’t think it’s much since Mahiru is still discussing the plan to gather the seven servamps from the past chapter. It’s later that night or the next night.

If you count the night scenes, 3 nights has passed in the arc and it ends on the fourth day.

Chapter 22-26 [Greed Pair Introduction/Setup for Next Arc]

Once again, time has passed between chapters but it doesn’t give me a specific time. They set up their headquarters at Tetsu’s onsen and Misono brought his bed there xD I’ll say it’ll take a few days for Misono’s father to agree to let him move a bed into his boyfriend’s onsen :P

I counted the night scenes and two nights have passed. Licht was taken by Higan and Kuro was trapped in the black crystal during the morning of the third day. Combining chapter 16-26, I think a little over a week has passed and it’s early August now.

Chapter 27-38 [Greed Arc / Black Orb Arc]

With the distance limitation, the heroes have to make a plan to save the Greed Pair immediately. Misono specifically says it has been a few hours. A lot happens in these two arcs but everything happens within a single day.

Chapter 39-45 [Introduction to C3′s Idiots and their Headquarters]

C3 immediately comes in to contain the Jinn and capture Tsubaki. Tsurugi does mention that it’s cold like December but Mahiru corrects him that it’s August. I don’t think C3 would let them chill in their house for long so it’s likely still early August.

Chapter 46-79 [C3 Arc]

Please, don’t make me go through this arc again... I don’t want to see my boot-licking son go through all that pain again. Also, the arc jumps around so much that I don’t know if I can make a list of events and determine how much time has passed. They’re inside most of the time so I can’t even count the night scenes to guess how much time has passed.

Bless Tsurugi’s line of “It’s almost my birthday”. The arc ends on August 22.

Chapter 80 [Cool Down of Last Arc]

Three days have passed since the building collapse. The chapter is centered around Tsurugi talking to his friends and learning what happens after he passed out.

Note: Chapter 81 actually takes place before the events of the manga.

Chapter 82-85 [Set Up for Pride Arc and Gluttony Arc]

I believe this takes place later in the day Tsurugi wakes up in the hospital.

Chapter 86-89 [Hospital Attack Arc]

This takes place on the same night as chapter 82-85.

Chapter 90-Current Chapter 100 [London Arc]

We finally get a date!!! :D It was August 25th when they were sent to London. So far two nights has passed and chapter 100 is on August 27th. In chapter 100, Tsurugi calls Mahiru and Kuro to tell them about everything Touma has discovered. Tsubaki plans to revive Sensei as the 9th Servamp on August 31 and that they have 5 more days until then.

Well, this took a long time... Going to bed now.

[ladymiraclewings]

Here is another Advent Calendar OS featuring several fandoms that I am currently writing, with the theme: "Overwhelmed." with the Super Wings

-----------

If Jett had ever been told that his delivery missions were going to be tough, he would no doubt have confirmed that this was partly true.

But on the other hand, if he would have been told that he would very quickly be overwhelmed with several pending missions, that he would not have believed.

Yet this is what is happening to him at this very moment, in the midst of the Christmas festivities, he has recently received several orders from children all over the world, the young plane therefore finds himself spending long hours delivering packages. which begins to pile up under the weight of the controls.

Jett wonders if he will be able to deliver them all in time to get some rest, but the more the hours went by, the more breathless he was. Had he had two or three deliveries in a day, but never more than this moment, or he had to deliver 10 or 15 packages, or maybe more? He had stopped counting because he was going so fast.

Except that even going fast to deliver "On time, Every time!" As he always says, he fears that he will never be able to catch up with the already accumulated delay. And even with Mini Jett's help in going into Super Charge mode, he doesn't have time to make a delivery as he usually does he is called back to base right away, although he had one or two clashes with Theodore, who continued to be clever with him.

Jett never thought I would say that one day but he's ...

…. Overwhelmed.

Extremely overwhelmed.

He so wishes it was a bad dream, or just a bad day, but no, this is just harsh reality. He finally realizes what a busy time means, and he experiences it with the Christmas holidays: almost every order was for decorations or a special item that serves to spruce up the house of the recipient of the package.

Jett tries his best to concentrate but fatigue begins to take hold of him, but even though he pretends to the contrary to Jimbo, Sky and Storm, he feels he will not keep up for very long. But at all costs, the young plane hangs on so as not to disappoint the children who are waiting for their order.

Returning later from a rather perilous new assignment in a rather arduous place in a part of the World, Jett finally decides that he might just stop delivering his packages for today. Entering the World Aircraft, he hears Dizzy calling him:

“Hey! Jett! She said, accompanied by Mini Dizzy.

- Hmm…? Ho ... hi Dizzy! He replied with a yawn.

- It really doesn't seem to be going that well with all these deliveries, are you sure you want to continue?

- I feel like I'm not going to be able to carry out a new mission, indeed… but… I must not disappoint the children whose orders are late…. He yawned again, under the sad eyes of Mini Jett, who rubbed against him.

Dizzy, understanding the duty of his friend, answered him with a smile:

- You really want to continue ... luckily Jimbo found a solution so that you are no longer overwhelmed as you are now.

- Ah yes ? Which solution ? He jumped in hope, wanting to know what it was right away.

- Follow me, you'll see! " She said with a wink, under a small assertive squeal from Mini Dizzy.

Deciding to follow the two of them to one of the main rooms of World Aircraft, Jett was surprised to find Jimbo, Sky and Storm waiting for him, but what surprised him even more was seeing a small group. of Super Wings composed of ...

“Donnie! Mira! Paul! Astra! Crystal! Ho, and even Flip and Jerome! What a surprise ! He said, amazed to find them here with bags beside them. But ... what are you doing here?

- Jimbo had warned us that you were overwhelmed by all these package deliveries. Crystal replied, so he asked for several Super Wings to form this delivery team. she added smiling at him

- We don't want you to be totally exhausted and no longer able to continue your missions, so we thought that distributing several Super Wings in several places in order to deliver the packages during this festive period was a good solution. Jimbo added

- Each Super Wings is assigned to one or two countries in the world, so you don't go back and forth too much. Sky adds.

- Woaw, thank you very much folks ... this is beautiful. He said under a happy spin of his Super Pet.

- You're welcome, and then ... it's always nice to be back in service with you. Added Flip

- Me too. Added Jerome! We leave our four together on a mission, as it was in the past! He adds, pointing to Dizzy and Donnie.

- Yes, a bit like before. So what if we go now? These packages will not deliver on their own. Jett said, taking his own bag, soon followed by the small troop.

- I bet you that I could deliver all these packages before you finish.

- Challenge met Jerome, we'll see the winner! Jett laughed.

- Return of this rivalry with Jerome, I almost missed it! Mira said

- Yes, to us too! Paul added, thinking back to Jett's current rather extreme and chaotic rivalry with Theodore.

- Okay… come on, let's quickly lighten up Jett of all these packages, so he doesn't get overwhelmed any longer. Mira said Everyone nodded and then set off, under a sigh of relief from Jett.

Now yes, he could have said that indeed, he would have been overwhelmed for at least a period of time during his delivery missions, and for nothing in the world does he want to relive that alone unless he is backed up by his friends.

[found--family]

Kid!Dean in 15.14

Dean's narrative in Last Holiday was really well written, and now that I've had time to read some meta and reflect on things I appreciate certain elements of the story that I thought were OOC on first watch. 

It starts out with him in caretaker role - wearing an apron while cooking dinner and fixing clunky pipes - and then as soon as Mrs. Butters enters the scene we see him relegated to *kid Dean* by many visual and textual elements such as his Scoobydoo underthings, being chastised for swearing, and accused of wearing unclean (smelly) clothing, ie. all things you would expect of a child requiring some parental caretaking. 

We go from Dean referencing him and Sam dealing with the Biggest Bads (Hitler and Lucifer) to telling Mrs. Butters it's been *one apocalypse after another* and her response being both understanding and motivated: she knows how busy their work can be, and how self-care can fall by the wayside, and that they deserve all the domestic bliss she can drum up. 

Dean's childlike state-of-being continues throughout the episode as Mrs. Butters assumes responsibility for all domestic duties: his giddiness (and innocence) over his very own Scoobydoo sleeping robe; uncontainable excitement for the Christmas-decorated bunker; the request for rice crispy treats (in place of cake, which when viewed as a bi!dean symbol makes sense for being overlooked by the embodiment of pre-teen-Dean choosing a classic childhood treat instead); joy for homecooked meals with family around the table; smiles at a packed lunch as he heads off to save the world from monsters (minus the investigation/minus the consequences, just like a child at make-believe playtime); playing with his vegetables during Thanksgiving dinner; joy over a grilled cheese sandwich (a perfectly simple but nonetheless wholesome homemade comfort food); the repair of the TV in the Dean Cave™ (a grown man's fort); Dean's plan to free him and Jack from captivity (very *boys will boys*, ie. fun/experimentation often results in injury). 

Now, Dean can and has done all the everyday things Mrs. Butters does: laundry, cooking, fixing things, and not least of all taking care of Sammy (the brotherly teasing was not new, but it did take on a childish air in light of the episode; and Dean not calling Sam for help because he was with Eileen speaks to him putting Sammy's happiness above his own personal safety, which is the Dean we all know). But taking the time, effort (and if it weren't for the magic, money) to celebrate various holidays isn't something they're used to - and as mentioned this episode, the Hunter's Life™ has never really let them slow down enough to enjoy such things (at least not regularly) but that goes way back to Sam and Dean's childhood being void of such (-what may have been insisted by John as-) trivialities or distractions. Mrs. Butters gives Sam and Dean the chance to live the festive childhood they never experienced, as well as infusing the festive celebrations into Jack's childhood (which feels like papa!Sam and papa!Dean improving John's parenting in that regard but not yet because they didn't actually instigate this happy turn of events..). 

But we're also reminded that Dean is /not/ a child: Mrs. Butters gives him tomato juice and remarks on his cholesterol; Mrs. Butters teases him about his age and want for his own birthday party treats; plus a few other minor instances - one I noticed was Mrs. Butters watching Dean carve his pumpkin with concern (for just a moment) as he uses a big knife to do the deed (we also don't see any pattern in that pumpkin because it's still whole, which may be viewed as a lack of whimsical imagination, ie. no-longer-innocent-Dean, or maybe representing Dean not having opened up/carved his feelings out (yet; ie. to Jack) but that's 100% fun wild musings on my part). But /not/ being a child is still not a bad thing (despite Dean's face falling every time it's mentioned) because he still has someone taking care of him (the juice) and indulging him for his birthday (rice krispy treats) like a parent would a child. 

And let's not overlook the magical aspect: Dean refers to Mrs. Butters as *Mary Poppins*, a classic childhood movie. She uses magic to go about her domestic duties, but that magic is also imbued into the Bunker itself (the Geoscope™, the Monster Radar™) and when she leaves her magic leaves with her, the fantasy home reduced back to the relative banality of reality in the Bunker (same could be said for her absence of caretaking). But she leaves the boys with the lesson learned that they should take time to celebrate each other (as well as a few choice lines to each of the boys, which I meta'd a little in this post). 

By the end, we see Dean resuming his caretaker role (wearing the apron again, and Sam remarks how Dean *loves that apron* which is true: Dean is a natural caregiver and loves taking care of his family) as he presents Jack (his son) with a homemade birthday cake. This is Dean choosing to celebrate the "trivial" domesticity they never did before, ie. it's no longer Mrs. Butters at the helm, therefore this act can be counted as Dean improving on his own upbringing. 

And I know we gawk at Dean's lopsided cake because - as proved at the beginning of the ep where he aces homemade burgers plus countless previous examples: he does have decent cooking skills! - surely he could manage a simple cake? Alas, no. Pie, maybe. But cake is a distinctly celebratory creation and this episode makes it clear they've never taken the time to stop and celebrate - because the world was in danger.. because one or more of them were in near-constant danger or of no mind to celebrate anything.. because they lived on the road.. because John never stopped to celebrate such things with them. 

This is perhaps the first cake Dean has ever baked. It's no Mrs. Butters masterpiece, as he mentions, but the thought counts - it means a helluva lot not just as the start of their own festive celebrations as a family, but also as a reiteration of Dean's words to Jack: he's trying, and Jack smiles! And despite lack of skill, Dean's effort and love and pride (and childlike decorations of icing-words and rainbow sprinkles) are the epitome of a child's creation and therefore should not be viewed in a harsh light. Dean gets points for trying! 

The icing on the cake (heh) is the penultimate closing shot of Dean telling Jack to *make a wish*. Wishes, miracles, unexpected and fortunate magic - they're not exactly commonplace Good™ in their lives. Hard work and sacrifice is what has always gotten them What and Where they need to be, but this moment isn't about Need; a birthday wish is all about Want. It's a little bit of fanciful magic, some wishful thinking reserved for children, not Hunters, yet Dean sincerely wants Jack to embrace his childhood in this moment. 

.. and it may be the last chance he gets to do so! :o

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #397

“you’re my religion, you’re my reason to live  /  you are the heaven in my hell”

Do you think that you’ll always love who you love now? Even if we're never together again romantically, I will ALWAYS love her at least as a best friend. Have you ever made out with a random person? Yeah, no. If you could do your first kiss over, would you? No. I'm lucky that my first kiss was honestly cute as hell. Do you like your country’s president or prime minister? Well I voted for him, so I obviously can't hate him. He seems to be doing fine so far, though take that with a grain of salt seeing as I don't keep up with politics. Even before voting for him, I just did a small bit of researching on his values. What color is your house? Yellow with white accents. Do you listen to Christmas music during the holiday season? No, I don't enjoy it. Man, Jason's mom sure did, though... I loved how in the spirit she'd get and always played Christmas music in the car during that time of year. I miss that woman and I sure as hell hope she rests easy now. Do you like ginger ale? Solely if I have a stomach bug, and I can only ever sip it. What are you listening to? "Electric Sugar Pop" by Jeffree Star. What’s the last thing you watched on TV? The TMS office has the TV on, and the woman who overlooks it (I have zero idea what her position is called) tends to have it either on a cooking channel or a home improvement one. Today was a cooking one. Is your favorite author the author of your favorite book? I don't have a favorite author. Describe someone you find really attractive: M-Mark Fischbach. *___* If you HAD to look like someone else, but could choose who, who would you choose? Hm... maybe my friend Alon. I've mentioned I feel like a million times that she is like, ethereal with how gorgeous she is. Have you ever seen someone get a tattoo done? If so, what was it? Did they cry or were they in a lot of pain? Yeah; it was a watercolor feather with "ohana" written below it. She didn't cry at all, but she grit her teeth a few times. Do you have anything you couldn’t go a day without? Some form of technology. Have you ever gotten caught doing something illegal? No. What’s your favorite flavor of Vitamin Water? I don't even think I've ever tried it. Is there someone you wanna date right now? Yeah. What first attracted you to the last person you kissed? If we're talking the very first, our vast similar interests. How many brothers does your father have? None. Does your best friend have any tattoos? No. Do you like Ben + Jerry’s? Yep. Man, I want their Phish Food ice cream now. Would you ever wish to be the opposite sex? Nah. Do you think you’re attractive? Nope. What is your favorite card game to play? Magic: The Gathering. I really miss my PS3 where I had Duel of the Planeswalkers installed on it, it was really fun. Do you own a globe? I don't think we still do. What is your favorite wild cat? Perhaps clouded leopards. If your bedroom had three portals to anywhere, where would they lead? South Africa, Sara's place, and maybe a nice little cabin in the mountains for when I'm feeling a peaceful getaway. You can ask any author one question about their story. What do you ask? I have zero idea. What’s a place you have a strong emotional connection to? The pond behind the local community college. Jason and I took our first prom pictures there. Do you take yoga classes? No, but I'm actually considering it since they offer those at the YMCA Mom and I now go to. What is a decision you’ve made that changed your entire life? To let Jason go. It's pretty great, my PTSD has been less of a bother lately! Have you ever made any money from a side-hustle? Could you consider being paid to take pictures once in a blue moon a "side hustle" when I don't even have a main job? Do you ever wonder what kind of person you’d have turned out to be if a certain event never happened to you? Ugh... it's incredibly painful to wonder how life would be if Jason never left. If you could have anyone’s singing voice, whose would you choose? Adele's or Amy Lee's, probs. What are your top 3 favorite genres of music? Metal, hard rock, alternative. Do you think Mars will be colonized in your lifetime? No. Have you ever been homeless? If so, what led to your homelessness? Technically, yes, because Mom couldn't afford the rent. She, my little sister (who still lived with us at the time), and I each were accepted into the homes of willing, kind people, though. Have you ever been on a ship? No. Who was Van Halen’s better singer - David Lee Roth, or Sammy Hagar? David. Which fictional character has the most memorable quotes? Heath Ledger's Joker is quoted all the time, so probably him. What do you think of the "Healthy At Every Size" movement/philosophy? Before I answer this, I want you to keep in mind that this is coming from someone who is obese, so I would positively love to agree with that for my own self-confidence, but I don't. I believe it's a very dangerous mentality. I think you should cherish your body unconditionally, like it's an amazing machine, but I firmly believe you should have an active interest in becoming what is physically healthy. You couldn't pay me millions to convince me that, say, a 300 lb. person is healthy. What was the name of the first person you ever had a crush on? Why did you like them? I think my first *real* crush was this guy Sebastian my freshman year of high school. I thought he was very sweet, funny, caring, and attractiveness was a bonus. What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? Sashimi, caviar, raw eggs... Which famous person would you like to be BFFs with? Bindi Irwin, for one. What kind of natural disaster is most common where you live? Hurricanes. Have you ever had an animal get into your attic? No. Have you ever been bitten so hard that there teeth marks were there after? I mean I've had hickeys before if that's what you're asking. Ever gave one? Oh, I guess you were. Yeah. Do you think its weird if guys wear make-up like eyeliner? Not at all. Would you ever date a disabled person? (Be honest) Yes. Would you rather adopt or have your own child? IF I wanted kids, I'd rather have one myself because I'm well aware I personally need that special connection. Stepkids count, too, because they'd be my partner's and therefore very important for me too. What is the most personal question you have ever been asked? Probably TMI, so here's your fair warning, but I've been asked before if I "touch" myself and I was absolutely repulsed that someone would ask me that. Were you abused by your parents? No. If you’re not straight, who was the first person you came out to? Sara. Were you one of the smartest in your class? Up to finishing high school, modestly, I was. Where did you meet your first crush? Art class my freshman year of high school. Do you ever go places with wet hair? Yeah, idc. Who is your favorite little girl? My niece Aubree. She's such a wonderful girl. Does your best friend have kids? No. If you were pregnant, would you want a boy or a girl? Hypothetically, a girl. What place outside of your own home do you spend the most time at? Um, maybe my older sister's house? Have you ever participated in a medical study? No. Do you have any family members who are cancer survivors? Yes, including my mother. Twice. Are you allergic to any medications? None that I've tried. Do you have any licenses other than your driver's license? I don't even have that. If you’re atheist, would you raise you kids believing in God or not? No; I wouldn't intervene with their own spiritual (or lack thereof) journey. They'd learn what they'd learn and decide themselves what they believe. Do you like reading self-help books? No, I just can't get invested in those. What is your opinion on sex change? If you're unhappy with your body, you're more than free to surgically change that with no judgment from me. Do you have any goals for this summer? If so, what are they? Yes, to lose weight. Can you get a strike at bowling? I have before. There was one occasion where my first go was a strike RIGHT after saying I sucked at bowling, hahaha. Do you ever take pictures of negative moments? Well, I photograph roadkill, and that's one hell of a sad moment. I actually wouldn't mind broadening my horizons of photographing negative moments (with permission of course), because I actually find these very impactful and even builds empathy. I will never, ever forget this one picture I saw sometime of an emaciated boy huddled in the dirt with a vulture close by watching him... like fuck, it made me want to sob. No one should ever have to live like that, especially a child. Would you ever post a picture of yourself crying on social media? No. I know that sounds contradictory to what I just said, I just wouldn't be able to do it myself. Have you ever held a newborn baby? Once, when my last niece was born. I'm terrified of holding them because they're just so fragile. Do you know anyone who has twins? My friend just had triplets. What is your favorite country in Europe? Germany. Are you thriving in your life right now? BOY HOWDY- Do you remember to water plants? I don't keep plants. Name three YouTubers you aspire to be like. 1.) Markiplier in a vast plethora of ways; 2.) Jeffree Star for his incredible work ethic; and 3.) Shane Dawson for his incredible compassion. Yes. I know the controversy, but regardless, he cares a lot about people. Who is your favorite character from Harry Potter? I wouldn't know, given I haven't read the books or seen the movies. Do you watch PewDiePie? Not anymore; his content doesn't interest me anymore. I watched him religiously back in the day when he was a serious let's player, though. Do you have a Steam account? Yes. Have you ever played Five Nights at Freddy’s? No, not personally. I like watching LPs of it and I find the story fascinating, but it's not the kind of game I'd enjoy playing. Have you ever tried Akinator? Yes. I don't think I ever beat it, except maybe once. Are you wearing socks right now? No; unless I'm wearing closed-toe shoes like sneakers, I never do. I hate the feeling of them. Can you twerk? Haven't tried, don't wanna. Do you like dabbing? No, it looks stupid. Do you like fishing? I honestly do think it's fun with all the anticipation and thrill of seeing how big the fish is, however I don't support it anymore unless, like hunting, you genuinely need it for food. The only case where I'd go again was if my dad asked me, because that's always been our bonding experience. Do you have a Spotify account? Yes. Have you heard of Blizzard Entertainment? Well, they're the company behind World of Warcraft, so obviously. Do you like bananas? Yes, but only for a VERY short window of time. I am beyond picky with the ripeness of bananas. Are you addicted to anything? Caffeine and technology. Do you know your phone number? I actually don't. Do you swear in front of children? No.

[glitterytidalwavedragon]

Putting it Out There (A Biracial Child)

I’ve always wanted to address this, I just never knew where or how to. But, as I write, I see the influences come into play more and more (More so when I am writing my B.B fanfic and the Tourist), so I thought, now is a good time as any and this is the only account and platform I feel safe (maybe because I don’t have 200+ friends or followers here who know me outside of social media). I also feel as if this prospective of life isn’t given much attention or heard. 

I, as some may know cause I had commented as such, am a biracial child. My father is a Caribbean Hispanic male and my mother of German and Italian descent. 

This does not mean I have the best of both worlds. In fact, most of the times I feel alienated. 

Born in the early 90′s, the song “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin was every where. My mother would tell me that song was about me, now I was 5-6ish. I thought she referred to me liking cats, and trying to go out to perform a crap version of ‘Singing in the Rain’ along with the love for magic. 

No, it wasn’t so innocent. It was straight up because of my skin tone. I looked like the girl the song was describing. I had no idea. Nor did I realize a silent war was raging in my family. 

Growing up was...hard to say the least. It is even harder when you have racism on both sides pointing fingers at each other. On my mother’s side, my aunt and uncle wouldn’t allow me to visit unless it was a holiday to which there was pressure from the family. Out of spite, they would invite my much older siblings father over to cause a fight (The man did not celebrate christmas). Meanwhile my other aunt would tell me over and over again I was Italian. In the end, during these events I would end up alone and not know why. 

Now lets turn to the other side of the family, my father’s. My first words had been Spanish. Yet, I lived with English speaking relatives... guess who stopped speaking Spanish for a long while. When visiting my family on his side, none of of my relatives would address me, only if they had to because my father was not around. These people knew how to speak English, very well even though they had moved from their native island. They just refused to speak to me. This sucked cause where it was 3 people on my mother’s side, it was 16 aunt’s and uncles on my fathers not counting the dozens of cousins I had. So, as the other family events, I ended up alone not knowing why. 

The answer was rather simple but much to complicated for my child self. Both sides of my family was and still is completely racist. My white mother was near exiled for being with a man many would consider black (he considers himself Spanish and oddly doesn’t get the fascination on why his skin matters or makes me worry about him when he is stopped by cops...). I was the ‘mixed’ baby, a simple of her family’s shame. 

My father’s side could not care what color my mother was, only that she was not Spanish. For those who don’t know, Spanish can be an array of color, its cool. But, she was no Spanish, did not speak Spanish and therefore my father was exiled by everyone but his own mother for many years (which is why we ended up in family events, my mama wanted to see her youngest grandchild by her baby boy). This meant being put at the back table, being openly mocked, and never told of big family events like babies or weddings. 

This only lead to more fighting at home and in the end even my own siblings, alienated me. It was a pretty lonely experience. 

This carried on to school and friendships. Elementary was not fun, but I felt the effects more in Jr. and High school. In elementary I was grouped with the other Spanish kids, because starting in late summer I had my Spanish tan on and therefore, I was not white to other white kids. But I did not speak Spanish. At one point I spoke gibberish to just to be able to hang with the Spanish kids at recess. It worked and I still don’t know how. 

In Jr. ahhhh... at one point my family was making good money, which originally, it once took the income of five adults to keep us afloat, now it just took 2. My father and my grandpa (who I will talk about later). We moved to a ‘nicer’ neighborhood. In the early 2000′s that mean, a white neighborhood. Boy, did I stick out. 

Now you might think “But you grew up in NYC, said you were from Brooklyn” well, here is a fun fact. Nothing is more segregated than NYC schools. The north did not do busing like the south did, so white schools stayed mostly white while schools in low income areas stayed mostly black or other minority races. I was a very tan child going into a white neighbor hood to a white school. Lets top it off that I played video games and Yu-Gi-Oh, HA! 

I received hell. I had legit parents sneer at me, and girls asking me if I had sex because I was Spanish. A 12 year old, got hit on by 15 year olds because they thought my race made me easy. I was 12, all I wanted was to collect cards and play Pokemon on my stupid advance, I had no time for boys unless they were anime. But... someone (more than likely their parents) had set these ideas in their head on how Spanish people, more so girls, acted. 

Then I realized, I really liked all things Gothic. A Spanish Goth.... it pains me to think about it. Everything from poser, to faker, and ‘trying to act white’ was laid on me. I could not wait for Jr. High to end. And when it did, a whole 180 happen. 

I was no longer Spanish. I did not know why, just everyone referred to me as ‘the ONLY white girl’ in the school and that is not a joke. My school, was dubbed the worse in all of Brooklyn and shut down, which I believe it was dubbed that because of the 1% white population... I was the 1 after my second year when the other white kid (who was a boy people asked was my boyfriend) graduated. Now, in high school it wasn’t the kids who gave me hell. It was the teachers. 

In fact, high school led me to meet others who were also feeling alienated. One of which I am very close to, a black man who is Jewish (adopted by a white couple) and gay. He did not where he belonged either. In the mid-00′s to be a black gay man living near the ghetto was dangerous. I can’t count how many times he had to hide who he was so he wouldn’t get shot. Nor could I count how many times my other friend coped with being a biracial black man who loved anime and being goth so much he was bullied for it when we weren’t together (who I ended up dating throughout high school). 

Suddenly being labelled white get me an acceptance I was not expecting. I ended up being popular against my best efforts and people who I did not know knew me. At 15 I did not get what had changed, because no one had told me yet. No, I figured it out at 16, when I was placed in senior English because of my grades. My English teacher told me, I was white, in the worse why I could ever imagine. 

My English teacher, a beautiful black woman who celebrated her African roots, gave an assignment one day. I was one out of five in a class of thirty who did it, because I did it in her class the day before. I played sports, so did half the other kids, I did not have time after school. This did not sit well with her, she was mad, which was an understatement. So, she turned to the class and said

“This is why our people end up in Jail or having babies to early. Because like black people don’t take education seriously.” Then called be out by name and continued “is why she will end up being successful, because white people know the importance of an education.” 

First off, she was very racist towards EVERYONE, second I at 16, who was always called Spanish in school was now labelled white in front of everyone by an adult. I was both confused and terrified as my boyfriend who knew my family cared JACK SHIT about education looked ready to kill her. Luckily, he just walked out of class and waited for me as I was too studded to move. 

I later asked him if he thought I was white, he admitted he did until he saw my father and called me biracial. For the first time in 16 years, I had been called biracial. Went home, did not tell anyone what happened, asked my mother if I was biracial and she said yes. To shorten this up, this was what life felt like, 

At home, I had no race. Neither side welcomed me. 

In school, I was told I was Spanish and had to fake my way in the Spanish group.

Jr High, I am now trying to distance myself from everyone as being Spanish makes me a target. 

High School, I thought being Spanish would be a good thing. Now everyone is telling me I am white. 

I had not idea who or what I was. 

All I ever wanted was to be me. I wanted to understand why my family never got close to me, and I wanted friends who were friends because I was me. 

It was like I was being ripped to pieces. I could be what others wanted or be no one at all. I had no idea what to do. If people at the new school found out I was Spanish, would I become a target again? I was allowed to freely play games, watch anime, and be my gothic self if I were white. But that also meant I could not hang out with my friends who lived in the Ghetto, shouldn’t like rap, R&B, and reggaetón or use the slang I grew up always using. 

To be a Spanish person trying to be white

or 

A white person trying to be black/another minority of color. 

I had watched as the former got my friend (boyfriend at the time) kicked out of classrooms as he was compared to those involved in columbine shooting from teachers since he was different. Also the hell he received from other boys for cosplaying and playing anime based card games. At one point it was so rough he thought about dropping out and I begged him to stay along with his mother. I was so afraid of going through that again.

So I kept my mouth shut. 

I took on the military standard of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. My father never came to the school because he worked so much so no one knew. Everyday, I just took what my English teacher said to be without any force back. When Obama was voted in, she told me I had no right to celebrate, that my people had JFK and that Obama was for all the minorities to celebrate. I fell into a dark hole of hating myself. My home life was awful and now school I had to pretend to be something I wasn’t comfortable with. I started ditching classes, got into more fights than I would care to admit, did some really shady stuff and began hurting myself. 

The only joy I got was when I busted my ass grades wise and got out of school six months early. I did not have to go to school anymore and I could lock myself away to be no one but myself. It was lonely but I found company in books and my art. Through art I was allowed to be me and no one could take that away. 

When I returned for Graduation I June, did I get the final laugh on that English bitch. My mother and father showed up, she asked if my father was a cab driver helping my mother as she had gone blind. I told her, rather happily, that was my father. She went from joy to sheer disgusts faster than you can blink. For years she kept talking about who ‘mix babies’ never got any where as their fathers were never around. Yet, despite me hardly showing up, I gradated top of my class, never had a baby nor was I ‘loose’ (In fact I feared sex as a teenager), and my mixed couple parents as she lovingly called it, were together. 

She walked away from me and never said a word since. 

But now school was over, college was starting. I still hadn’t figured out who I was. Was I white/Italian or Spanish. In college I learnt no one was going to tell me who I was anymore, nor did they care. At home, it was still a battle of the races. Finally, one of my cousins spoke up and declared I wasn’t Spanish as I knew nothing of the language. At home, my aunt and uncle decided I was Spanish and called me a ‘Spick’ as a joke. I did not take it as one and therefore I was called ‘uptight’. 

My siblings also informed me, if I wanted free college to put down Spanish on everything unless it was the census. Then I should be white. Sometimes I still run into people who think I am one over the other. I had people come up to be speaking Spanish to be highly offended when I tell them I don’t speak the Language well. (I tried learning but it is hard when motivation is not there). 

In recent years, I had someone at work tell me how they met a Spanish person, shockingly where my father works, and then described in detail my father and then tell me they thought he was illegal since he looked the type. All because they thought I was white... proud to say that person got fired for being racist.I did also inform them that was my father to their response was “you’re one of them”. 

It never ends. 

No, the reason why I haven’t been driven insane is because of my late grandpa. My grandpa was a man I adopted to be my grandfather. My biological grandfathers on both sides died long before I was born and the man I adopted was close to the family and acted like a father to my parents. He was a good man and the reason I had a childhood. 

He once went through the same, Italian/Jewish, you wouldn’t think there would be a problem but when he was growing up that equaled Catholic/Jewish, to which he too was either pinned in the middle or rejected by both sides, this is the 1930′s-1940s. He gave me the best piece of advance ever. 

To be myself. 

That if I were myself, then it did not matter. The moment I stopped being who I am, that passing or faking would never tell me who my real friends were. That if he, could love me for who I was, a weird girl who liked boy things and drawing strange looking characters, then anyone else could. Being a stranger to myself would never bring happiness. So, after years of not listening to that, I finally decided to listen to my Grandpa. 

I know who I am, I know the history of my families. They might not like that I am not what they want me to be, but they don’t have to live with me. I have to live with who I am. My friends are my friends because they know who I am, not who they think I should be. 

So for all my biracial brothers, sisters and them’s, be yourself. Don’t try to force yourself into a mold, it isn’t worth it. None of it is worth it. 

Look yourself in the mirror and say your name. Say it loud and let everyone know they can not define who you are, and so what if they say you don’t belong, guess what? You do if you want. You belong because YOU say so, because that blood runs in your veins as well as theirs. So you get to make that choice! 

Make that choice of being you! Define yourself to YOUR standards. 

Don’t let anyone take that away. I know I won’t.

So here I see myself! A strange fox who changes coats with the seasons, that loves anime and video games, who plays Yu-Gi-Oh and listens to opera and Metal while can twerk and get low to Daddy Yankee! Who eats sushi and makes a mean chicken cutlet but can also make the best empanda with beans and rice with the rest of them!

And no one can take that from me.