#and my outfit looks real nice and groovy today as well

[mayplantstarrwaters]

feeling real groovy and happy today so everyone have these ELP bánh trôi nước ^^

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Miss Raven Birthday Suit Up! Voice Lines

I made these for fun ;v; I gave Raven a lot of extra home idle lines because I wanted to write a bit about how the rest of the Twisted Wonderland cast celebrated with her!

Artwork is by @shimmeryspark~

LOG IN

“Oh, today is July 27th. That makes it Leona-san’s birthday. I’m sure he’ll get a lot of presents and praise from every... e-eh? Me too...? I should join in, too? I-I suppose I have no choice, then... Hehe. Thank you for remembering me.”

SUMMON

“Once upon a time, a lion and a raven were born on the same day...”

SET HOME

“Happy birthday to me... Happy birthday to me... Ah. I finally have people to sing that with.”

HOME IDLE

“How do I look in pure white? Perhaps it is a bit too angelic-looking for one as pessimistic as me. There are a lot of cute clothes and accessories I like looking at, but I don’t think I could wear them well.”

“I didn’t expect anyone to remember today. It was a big surprise when Uncle threw this birthday outfit at me. I hope it doesn’t irritate Leona-san too much to share.”

“I find it strange that humans are so attached to sweet things. Not just cake or candies, but sweet emotions as well. Me? I am more accustomed to bitter endings.”

HOME LOGIN

“Ah, welcome back. I have a slice of cake and a story set aside for you.”

GROOVY

“A story scattered to the wind... A-Ah...!! Waaaait, my pages, come back! You!! D-Don’t just stand there, help me grab them!”

HOME TAP (GROOVY)

“Hehe. This is fun. It took me a little while to get used to having this many people around, but once I did, I haven’t been able to stop smiling and laughing. Is it really okay for me to be this happy?”

HOME IDLE (GROOVY)

“I’m another year older now. I wonder what kinds of experiences will inspire my stories and enchanted inks for the year to come.”

DUO MAGIC

“Happy birthday, Leona-san. Let’s make this day a special one for us both.”

HOME TAP

“I received a spray bottle from Riddle-san. Er, truth be told, I’m not sure what’s in the container, but he claims it’s repellant that wards off ‘suspicious seafood’, namely eels. It smells very strongly of roses. Do you suppose that means eels dislike powerful florals?”

“Trey-san made me such a cute cheesecake. I’m surprised at how rich and fluffy it was. He even decorated it nicely, with whipped cream and fruit and a little chocolate animals! There was a raven, and a seagull, and an eel... Trey-san looked a little concerned for me as he handed me the cake, saying to ‘be careful around dangerous people’.”

“Cater-san offered to promote me and my writing on his Magicam page. I politely turned him down. While the free exposure is nice, I don’t enjoy having my face plastered all over social media. The sentiment was nice, though.”

“A group of my first year classmates came to wish me happy birthday. I was touched by their words until Ace-san announced that they would take turns bonking me on the arm, once for each year. I knew there had to be a catch...”

“Doesn’t this raven plushie remind you of my bird form? Deuce-san said he spent a long time picking it out. He has a surprising eye for cute things, doesn’t he?”

“Uwah...!! Ruggie-san gave me a real fright just a moment ago! He popped up behind me and poked my sides, then snuck off before I could give him a piece of my mind. He somehow snuck a homemade pair of earrings into my pockets during that moment... Just how nimble is he with his hands? I didn’t even notice it until later.”

“I didn’t know cacti could produce such pretty and vibrant flowers. I have Jack-san to thank for teaching me that--and for this cactus to add to my collection. It seems that behind his scary face is a kind heart.”

“Leona-san can be surprisingly nice when he wants to be. It was sweet of him to brew his own unique ink color for my birthday gift. He calls it Canary, and it’s a bright sunshiney buttercup color. The color seems to sing right off the pages. Hehe. It will remain a valuable item in my collection for years to come.”

“I think Floyd was making fun of me when he handed me his present. It was a pretty pair of shoes fastened from sea glass. He said the heels would make me look ‘not as short’... Shouldn’t he have said they’d make me look ‘a little taller’?! Why did he have to focus on me being short?!”

“I want to wipe the smug smile off of Azul’s face. He slid me a suspicious manila folder and told me I’d find useful information inside for ‘wooing’ Ja--er, a certain someone. D-Do I seriously look that desperate?!”

“... Oh? You want to know why I’m smiling? I have a brand new pen to use! See? It’s carved from mother-of-pearl and the shape resembled a fish skeleton, picked clean. It came with this pot of mushrooms--these ones glow in the dark, and these have an cap that drips inky goo. The mushrooms will join the small farm of herbs and indoor plants I’m cultivating. I have an inkling of who the sender was... and though it pains me to say this, I must thank him later.”

“Kalim-san knows of my culinary curiosity. They provided a number of delicacies from their home country, the Scalding Sands, for me to sample. I felt so stuffed after just a few bites, but Kalim-san kept shoveling more and more food onto my plate. Ahahah... At least his heart is in the right place.

“I write at odd hours of the day. To help me achieve a more peaceful sleep, Jamil-san has gifted me an aromatherapy diffuser, along with an assortment of fragrance oils. Lavender, chamomile, bergamot, jasmine... They all smell lovely. It’s nice and practical~”

“Ah, Vil-san handed me a complete skincare set. He rattled off the steps to me, but stopped halfway through to adjust my sash and smooth out my skirt. I feel a bit bad that he’s always fixing my appearance for me, but at the same time, it’s a little comforting. He’s like a fretting mother hen, hehe.”

“Epel offered to give me a ride on his Magical Wheel. It was very fast, and whipped my hair in my face... but it was so exhilarating! It was like flying, but low to the ground, and so much faster!”

“... Rook kidnapped me from the celebration for a while. He led me to a beautiful field of flowers, and set me upon a swing he had affixed to a tree. It made me feel like a princess. Sadly, that magical moment couldn’t last forever. Still, it was a fun memory, and now I have a new location to pick plants for my inks.”

“Idia-san didn’t look very happy to be at the party. I suspect that Ortho-san dragged him along. I asked if he wanted cake earlier, and Idia-san just shot me a look that said ‘Are you insane?! Go away, you disgusting normie!’ ... Or something like that. Well, I guess his presence is a rare enough gift in of itself, so I let him be.”

“He’s very cute and pure, that Ortho-san. He’s always thinking of how he can help others. For example, he gave me an anatomy and physiology textbook as a reference material. I hope to use it to better understand my human body.”

“It seems Lilia-san had a fun arts and crafts night. The result of that... is this candle he made. It smells like flowers, the sky, and the world after rainfall... It’s very soothing. Its gentle light will keep me company when I write late into the night.”

“Sebek-san sent me the entirety of this fantasy book series. It’s one of those sorts of stories that centers on fairy tale retellings and reimaginings. He spoke highly of the series, so I’m looking forward to tucking into bed with the first volume later.”

“Silver-san showed me a few self-defense tricks, in case I am ever without magic. Now I know that I can jab people with pen nibs to stun them while I scramble away! I’ll try that tactic the next time I get cornered by a suspicious character.”

“Malleus-sa... er, Malleus-sama, came to give me a blessing. I was honored to receive it, but I have no idea what exactly it is that he did. When I asked him, he gave me this mysterious smile and said he wished me well. N-Now I’m seriously scared that he put a death curse on me or something!!”

“That poor mob boy that the Leeches always push around... Kon-san, was it? He came today to wish me a happy birthday. This cute little seashell bracelet is from him. Kon-san is very thoughtful, isn’t he? I only wish he and his friends received more thanks for their hard work.”

“Coach Vargas said he’d give me free swimming lessons. I’m thankful for his efforts, but I’m not sure if I want to take him up on that offer. Just being near large bodies of water makes me queasy...”

“Professor Trein let me pet Lucius! I’m usually not good around cats—they’re natural enemies of birds—but Lucius is very well behaved. He purred like an engine every time I pat his head! I think Professor Trein smiled a bit, too.”

“Professor Crewel prepared a new outfit for me. He said he got my measurements from Uncle. It’s so cute with its pleated skirt, the beret, and all this lace and ribbon. He understands my sense of style really well.”

“Sam was kind enough to grant me a generous discount to his store for my birthday month. Of course, there’s only a few days left in July, so... that discount won’t mean much in a few days’ time. I realize it’s a tactic to push sales, but I can’t resist a good deal, especially when the Mystery Shop had many hard to find ingredients for my inks!”

“The Ramshackle Prefect... Yuu-san, was it? They stopped by with Grim-san to say happy birthday, and to offer a tuna can. They may not have much to their name, but... mere words hold their own power.”

“Uncle is so very, very kind. This photo album is from him. It contains many of the memories I made during my time here at Night Raven College. Because of Uncle... I feel like I have found a place where I belong. I can make many new memories here, with everyone. I’m very grateful for that.”

[twstarchives]

Gala Couture・Voice Lines

● Event: Fairy Gala (June 9 - June 28, 2020) ● Exclusive Cards: Leona, Jamil, Kalim, Ruggie

Ruggie Bucchi - R

Unlock Card “These clothes are so white; stains would really stand out on them. Guess I shouldn’t eat while I’m wearing ‘em.”

Groovy “How do I look? Even someone like me can pull off this costume.”

Home Setting “These clothes are kinda really awkward.”

Home Transitions “The embroidering on this costume is really detailed. I wonder how many madols I could get for every design if I started doing that as a side job.���

“There are way too many buttons on this costume. I don’t really like clothes with a lot of buttons on them, ‘cause I’m so impatient.”

“These bracelets are just going to get in the way during our plan, so can I take them off and leave them back at my dorm? ...I’m kidding.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Hah~... Leona’s always making me do so much complicated work.”

Home Taps “Kalim’s really rich, so maybe he’d leave some of his share with me if I made friends with him. Shishishi!”

“When I lived in the slums, I looked after the neighborhood kids a lot. I used to make flower crowns for all of them.”

“Leona looks like some kind of prince in that fairy get-up. ...Oh wait, he actually is one.”

“How many madols did this costume cost...? I don’t understand people who splurge so much just on clothes.”

“Hey, c’mon, don’t touch me so much. Professor Crewel will get mad if this gets wrinkles on it.”

Kalim Al-Asim - SR

Unlock Card “Alright! I’ll dress up as best as I can and turn myself into a fairy from head to toe!”

Groovy “The fairies’ party sounds like it’ll be much fun! I’ll be right next to you, so you don’t need to be nervous!”

Home Setting “How do I look? Just like a fairy?”

Home Transitions “You should change your clothes too. It’d be much more fun if all of us were dressed up as fairies!”

“I like the color white! I would always pick white fabric whenever I got my clothes tailored.”

“Don’t you think these clothes could use a lot more jewels on them?”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “I’m always up for anything showy and exciting! What should we do today?”

Home Transition (Groovy) “You think I look good in this? Hehe, thanks! You’d have to credit Professor Crewel for dressing me up like this.”

Home Taps “See how the areas around my eyes are glittering? Vil let me borrow his makeup stuff!”

“They wear a lot of clothes like this back home too. ‘How much is a lot?’ ...A whole lot!”

“Fairies are so interesting~ Some are small enough to fit in your palm, but then there are huge ones like Malleus too.”

“Ruggie said ‘I don’t really look good in these clothes,’ but... I thought he really did!”

“Hahaha! The bugs on my shoulder aren’t real; they’re just stitched on! Insects are a symbol of celebration in the Scalding Sands.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Do you know the name of the flowers in my hair? Take a close look at them. Aren’t they beautiful?”

Jamil Viper - SR

Unlock Card “So we’re dressing up as fairies...? Honestly I’m not that excited about this, but as long as I have to do it, I’ll make sure it’s flawless.”

Groovy “Your language and culture don’t matter when it comes to dance. I’ll make sure to entertain the fairies.”

Home Setting “I feel like this costume will get a lot of eyes on me.”

Home Transitions “I know I used the fairy dust, but do I really look like a fairy this way...?”

“Leona was grumbling that it’s too hard to move in these costumes. ...Honestly, I kind of understand.”

“I’m used to seeing all kinds of fancy clothes in Kalim’s wardrobe, but getting to wear them myself feels different...”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “I don’t see Grim anywhere... Don’t tell me he ran away? It’s tough looking after each other.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “It makes me feel a little better hearing that I look good in this. They made me try on all kinds of outfits before deciding on this one.”

Home Taps “These boots feature insects on their design. I know they’re not real, but I still hesitate a little before touching them...”

“Everything on me is white, from my hair accessories to my boots. It’s not really a color I’d pick for myself, so I’m a little uncomfortable.”

“This embroidered bird looks really cool, doesn’t it? The Sorcerer of a Desert Kingdom always brought around his bird with him, so I like this a lot.”

“The accessories on my wrists are so heavy... I’m worried they might throw off my balance when I’m dancing.”

“Are you curious about my corsage? I don’t mind if you touch it, but please be gentle. It’s very delicate.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Doesn’t my shirt feel nice? They must’ve used really high-quality fabric for it. Honestly, I don’t want to think about how much this all cost.”

Leona Kingscholar - SSR

Unlock Card “A fashion show, huh...? You’re gonna have to pay a lot to have me there. Be prepared.”

“Why do I have to pretend to be some fairy? ...Let’s just get this over with.”

Groovy “I don’t care about flowers or festivals... But I guess getting some attention isn’t that bad.”

Home Setting “Getting in and out of this outfit takes so long.”

Home Transitions “You think I look good in this? Well, thanks, but I’m so tired of being complimented all the time.”

“A fairy festival? Leave me out of annoying things like this.”

“This is annoying on my ear. Tch, what’s the point of these leaves?”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “I can smell flowers somewhere... Oh, is that the perfume they sprayed earlier?”

Home Transition (Groovy) “A lot of people nitpick me on my fashion back home. You’re not going to do that too, right?”

Home Taps “These clothes are so fancy. And they’ve got a lot of heavy decorations on them... Can I take it off yet?”

“These stoles are supposed to look like fairy wings, but I only see bug wings... O-Oi, don’t repeat that to Crewel.”

“Fairies are actually pretty competitive. And there’s a lot of them that get very jealous easily. They sound like annoying creatures.”

“Wealthy people in the Scalding Sands are much richer than royalty in other countries. So if you’re trying to get on someone’s good side, your best bet is going to Kalim, not me.”

“It’s bad enough that my tail is cramped. Any more than this and I’m gonna get ticked off.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “I’m not saying Crewel’s sense of fashion is bad. It’s just not my style.”

Duo Magic Leona: Kalim, why are you messing around? Kalim: I wanted to show you my cool side, Leona!

[queenofnohr]

Twisted Wonderland: Jade Leech Scary Outfit (SSR) - Voice Lines + Personal Story

Voice Lines

SSR Summoning Quote: For this long awaited day, I have prepared for you the finest quality horror. Summoning Line: I will do my utmost to ensure everyone has a wonderful Halloween. Groovy: The way you look running away, screaming…… it’s irresistible. I can’t help but chase after you! Set Home: Who wants to be bound by fear? Home Idle 1: You want to see me scared? Fufufu, by all means, you may try scaring me at any time. Home Idle 2: There’s no such thing as jack o’ lanterns under the sea. I was surprised when I learned about landweller culture as a first-year. Home Idle 3: Have you tried the limited-time Halloween menu at the Mostro Lounge? I, too, came up with a recipe. Home Login: Trick or Treat. …...I see you’re not so scared you won’t accept treats to eat. Home Idle Groovy: Oh my, you intend to play a trick on me? I’ve prepared sweets, so pardon me for today. Home Tap 1: Ruggie helped me make a jack o’ lantern. The result was fast, cheap, and beautiful. As expected of him. Home Tap 2: Dehydration is deadly for merfolk. Being dried out like a mummy…… It’s frightening to even think about. Home Tap 3: Floyd, don’t eat too many sweets. After all, you have a high risk of getting a cavity here, unlike under the sea. Home Tap 4: The way the bandage adornments look like jellyfish tentacles is beautiful, isn’t it? I especially enjoy the asymmetrical design. Home Tap 5: It seems you’d like to become a mummy. First, we’ll have to bandage your whole body, then we’ll leave you to dry…… Just kidding. Home Tap Groovy: What’s Halloween like under the sea? If you’re interested, I’d be happy to guide you.

Personal Story

Could You Please Teach Me? : Chapter 1

-Classroom-

Ruggie: I’m coming in. Kalim: I’m begging you, Jade, make it work somehow! Jade: Kalim, this amount is regulation. No exceptions are allowed. Silver: Zzzz, zzzz…… Floyd: I’m so bored of you guys arguing~. Jellyfishie over here is also so bored he fell asleep. Goldfish, do something funny. Riddle: Why me!? I have a better proposal— how about you go somewhere else, Floyd. Ruggie: Wow, it’s pretty lively in here. You guys in the middle of something? Jamil: Silver and I just tagged along. Pay us no mind. Kalim: You’re gonna have to wait a little longer, Ruggie. I’m talking to Jade about the budget. Jade: Kalim. As I’ve said before, the budget cannot be negotiated. Please cut down your expenses more. Kalim: Don’t say that, Jade. After all, the flashier the exhibit, the more the guests will enjoy it, right? Riddle: Kalim, the entire school has a budget. Scarabia would do well to follow the rules. Ruggie: Jade, take this. It’s our budget application. You’ll be able to take care of my business right away. Jade: Yes, of course. …...Kalim, please seek to emulate Savanaclaw’s example. Look here, they’re precisely within budget. Silver: Zzzzzz...... Jamil: Silver got so tired of waiting he fell asleep…… Let’s go back and reevaluate it, Kalim. Kalim: Okay…… I guess we should. Oh, has everyone else settled on what costumes and decorations they’re gonna have? Ruggie: We’ve already decided. This year our theme is gonna be pirates. ???: My, my, what a troubling theme. Jamil: So you’re here now, too, Azul. Azul: But of course. When I passed by the classroom, there seemed to be quite the commotion. Jade: Pirate ghosts who left behind many legends of how they sailed the seas, raising havoc in search of treasure…… they certainly are quite frightening. Ruggie: Jack’s the one who thought of it, but I don’t think that’s what he had in mind. I think he thought it suited Savanaclaw, since we have a lotta tough looking guys in our dorm. Floyd: That’s real good for Halloween. Kalim: By the way, do you guys celebrate Halloween in the Coral Sea? Jade: Yes, of course. At this time of year I’d usually be busy collecting shells and starfish for decorations. And on the day itself, everyone stuffs sea sparkles into bottles…… I believe you’d call it a lantern on land. You carry it around with you. Floyd: We also got musical performances where we play some bangers~ Kalim: Nice! Music is always needed for banquets and festivals. Jamil: The shape and sound of instruments in the Coral Sea must be different from instruments on land. Silver: Carrying around a lantern of sea sparkles is also a really interesting custom unique to the sea. Riddle: It sounds like it’d be a magical sight to see. Azul: It’s an honor to have you all take such an interest in our homeland. If you so wish, we’d even be willing to put together a package tour on long breaks where you’d be guided around. Jade: Azul. As fun as that sounds, we’ll have to chat about that another day. Now then. As everyone has pointed out, Halloween on land is quite different from under the sea. We’ve been continuously surprised at the cultural differences since coming to land. There are many things I don’t know yet. As a member of the Organization Committee, I would like to deepen my understanding of how Halloween is celebrated on land in order to liven up the event. Could you all please teach me how Halloween was celebrated in your hometowns?

Could You Please Teach Me? : Chapter 2

-Classroom-

Jade: Could you all please teach me how Halloween was celebrated in your hometowns? Riddle: …...Halloween, hm? In my hometown, it seems standard for children to gather in the town square for a “fun party.” Jamil: “It seems”……The way you said that makes it sound like you’re talking about someone else. Riddle: I’ve only participated once before, and never again. So I’m not too familiar with it…… What did leave an impression on me was everyone bobbing for apples. Floyd: Goldie, what’s bubbling for…… what’s whatever that apple thing you just said? The name sounds kinda tasty. Riddle: It’s a traditional Halloween game in the Rose Kingdom. You have to use your mouth to grab one of the apples floating in a large basin of water. Of course, you can’t use your hands. Jade: I see…… that is a game unique to land. Azul: Yes, under the sea the apple would float all the way to the surface as soon as you let go of it. Jade: If we turned it into a game of chasing down an apple quickly floating upward, we could play it underwater. Floyd: It could be fun. Silver: But…… is it even possible to grab an apple with your mouth? Riddle: It seems like smaller-than-usual apples are used, but…… it’s still very difficult. Jade: It seems to be a game in which a child with a good physique would have the advantage in being able to grab an apple. Riddle: You’re right. Not only the size of one’s mouth, but the amount of strength you can put into your jaw is necessary to have an advantage. Ruggie: Then wouldn’t Jade and Floyd have an edge over everyone at this school? They’re huge and their teeth are jagged. Jade: Fufufu, I wonder. I’d be embarrassed opening my mouth so wide in front of everyone…… We may not be able to get the apple due to being unexpectedly sluggish. Floyd: So how d’ya decide who wins and loses? Riddle: I think the rule was that whoever gets an apple in the shortest amount of time wins. Even in the Land of Shining Stones, there are places where this game is played. Cater told me that in his hometown, they competed based on how many they were able to get. I couldn’t quite get the hang of it, so both my face and clothes ended up completely soaked…… But now that I think about it, it wasn’t the result that was important. Laughing and making a ruckus while struggling to get an apple…… I think that was the point of the game. Jade: It certainly would be a very interesting sight, seeing you desperately chase after an apple with your mouth hanging open…… Yes, it would be very much worth seeing. Riddle: And just what is that supposed to mean? Kalim: I get what Riddle is saying. After all, having fun is more important than winning or losing! Riddle: Yes…… that’s right. Kalim: It’s a little different than the Kingdom of Roses, but Halloween in the Land of Hot Sands is also a lot of fun! Jade: Oh, what is the customary activity characteristic of the Land of Hot Sands? Kalim: In the Land of Hot Sands, it’d definitely have to be the feast! When Halloween comes around, we make so many dishes they can’t fit on the table. Jamil: So that we may eat together once again with the ghosts that have returned…… that is its purpose. Sweet, salty, spicy……. We prepare a wide variety of food, from light appetizers to huge platters. As Halloween approaches, the kitchens get filled to capacity with everyone starting to prepare the ingredients. Jade: I would very much like to see such a magnificent dining table someday. Are there any customary dishes? Kalim: If we’re talking about the Halloween feast…… I like that one thing. What was it, it was like baked vegetables topped with some kind of sauce. Jamil: Huh? Kalim: Oh, your face totally made it click. It’s the thing with potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes! Jade: ……Is it like lasagna, but with the pasta replaced by vegetables? Kalim: Yeah, they might be similar. It’s super good right out of the oven. Azul: I see. It seems like it would be favored by those that prefer healthy foods. Jade: Jamil, may I ask the name of the dish? Jamil: Sure…… it’s a local dish called moussaka. Kalim: Yeah, that’s it, that’s the one! When I was young, I really wanted to eat it on a day when there was no feast, so I asked Jamil to make it for me. Jamil: I was scolded harshly. My parents and the other servants said, “Children can’t use fire by themselves!”…… Kalim: Whaaat!? Really!? Jamil: It was because I was still only in elementary school at the time. I hadn’t cooked as much as I do now…… Even starting a small fire would be a big problem. Looking back on it now, I can understand why my parents and the others were so upset with me. Kalim: Oh jeez, I’m super sorry. But the moussaka I ate back then was really delicious. I still remember it well. Just remembering it makes me wanna eat it. Hey Jamil, please make it again sometime! Azul: I’d also like to request it. It might be good for our new Mostro Lounge menu…… Jamil: Absolutely not. Kalim: Awww, don’t say that~ Jamil: Moussaka is a time-consuming consuming dish to make since it requires many ingredients and two sauces. I simply don’t think it’s suitable to serve in a cafe. Jade: From what you’ve said, it seems to be made in an oven. The oven in the lounge isn’t that big…… It would certainly prove difficult to make a large amount. Azul: Aren’t there many ways to increase the turnover rate, like making a lot on a big platter? Ruggie: Octavinelle is the same as ever. Jade: Fufu…… To get the details, how about we have a nice, calm chat over some of your home-cooking, Jamil? Jamil: Oi, hold on, I never said anything about cooking for you…… Jeez. Silver: Zzzz…… Zzzz…… Jamil: Look, Silver fell asleep while you Octavinelle goons were getting excited over profits. Jade: Oh, my sincerest apologies. It seems I’ve derailed the conversation. Silver, please excuse me. It’s time to get up now, isn’t it? Silver: Ah…… Sorry. You wanted to know about Halloween in the Valley of Thorns…… didn’t you? Jade: Yes. Please tell me. Silver: If we’re talking about Halloween, then I can’t remember anything but my old ma—…… I mean Lilia’s costume. Riddle: Oh, that’s right, you two are from the same town. Jade: As expected, the Land of Thorns has costumes…… Wearing costumes is a common custom on land in every country, it seems. Silver: Do merfolk not wear costumes? Jade: To begin with, we don’t really make a habit of wearing clothes. Because it isn’t familiar to me, dressing up in various styles on land is quite novel. Silver: Actually, it’s hard for me to associate costumes with fun memories. Even remembering it now makes me shudder. Floyd: Huhhhhh, wouldn’t that little Flapjack Octo be even smaller back when he was in his hometown? Silver: Well, he didn’t look much different than how he looks now, but…… It was only on that Halloween that I saw Lilia-senpai have such a terrifying appearance. Jade: Oh, that’s very interesting. Especially considering how much he’s proud of his own cuteness. Silver: The horrifyingly frightening appearance of Lilia-senpai in his costume…… Sebek and I watched him together, trembling in fear. We were so afraid to sleep that night, both of us promised to stay up till morning. Jade: If I were to witness something so horrifying, I’m sure I’d start wailing. Floyd: Ehhhhhh, I wanna seeeeee. We’ve been together since we were born, but I’ve never seen you do anything like that. Ruggie: So, did you and Sebek end up gracing the morning sun with your tears? Silver: No…… I fell asleep before I knew it. Riddle: I knew it...... Silver: Sebek was so scared he couldn’t use the restroom all night, and the next morning he angrily called me a traitor. Ruggie: Wow, so even Sebek can be cute sometimes. Jamil: Then how did you spend Halloween, Ruggie? Ruggie: Me? Halloween in the slums isn’t really great for reference. Jade: Now, now, don’t speak like that. Every tale about life on land is fresh and educational, so please teach me all about it. Ruggie: I guess I don’t mind talking about it, but…… Don’t wrinkle your nose after I tell you. “Trick or treat”...... It’s normal to play a trick if you don’t get treats, right? But Halloween in my hometown ain’t that cute. If you didn’t give us candy, we would go home till we got some…… It was a 24 hour candy collecting marathon.

Could You Please Teach Me? : Chapter 3

-Classroom-

Kalim, Silver, Riddle: A 24 hour candy collecting marathon!? Jade: Candy collecting…… Only hearing about it, it seems the same as a normal Halloween tradition……. But judging from how you talk about it, it seems that the reality is quite different. Ruggie: That’s right. It’s because we rarely get to have candy. So the fact that just by saying, “Trick or Treat,” nets you candy feels like getting blessed. It’s impossible for hyenas like us to pass on a chance to fill our bellies. Jade: Ruggie, whenever you help out at the Mostro Lounge, you always bring tupperware. I take it that means your appetite hasn’t changed from how it was in the past. Ruggie: I’d gather all the neighborhood kids, decide who was in charge of each area, then go around the entire village. ……We didn’t miss even a single house. Jamil: That’s an incredible amount of tenacity…… Ruggie: And so long as it’s not the same faces, you’ll get sweets again, so we’d switch out members and hit the same house over and over again. Silver: If you go that far…… I feel like it’d cause problems. Ruggie: And you’d be right. Some odd years ago our patrol strategy got found out by the manager of the neighborhood association…… They immediately issued a trick or treat ban. Jade: Poor things. Was everyone disappointed? Ruggie: You bet. I was just a kid, so I didn’t know how to quit while I was ahead. And I was the one scolded the most since I was sorta like a big-brother figure to all the kids in the area. Jade: It occurred to me while you were talking earlier, but you’re surprisingly good at taking care of others, Ruggie. The image you put forth is that of someone who only works for a reward, but…… Ruggie: ……Well, putting that aside. My grandma couldn’t stand seeing sad kids, so she made pumpkin pie for us. Riddle: Pumpkin pie…… Boy, that sure sounds delicious. Jade: It seems we have a new candidate for our Halloween menu. Ruggie: Oh, I’ll charge you extra if you’re asking me to leak the Bucchi family secret recipe. Shishishi. Jade: How shrewd— as expected of you, Ruggie. It’s something prettier than simple muffins and cookies, and most importantly, seems filling. Ruggie: Of course. Looking pretty’s got nothing on being able to fill you up. It’s ‘cause it’s made from the pumpkin guts after you hollow it out to make a jack o’ lantern. Jade: My, my…… I wouldn’t have been able to devise such a clever way to use such a thing. Ruggie: So then, the next year, I started a part-time job carving jack o’ lanterns to use for pumpkin pie. Azul: You’ve had very much experience doing part-time jobs…… I’m even more impressed. Ruggie: If you get a part-time job doing that, the client provides you with the pumpkin, and you get to take the hollowed out contents for free…… “You’re just gonna let me have all this delicious stuff!?” was how I felt. Halloween’s really the best! Jade: How wonderful! I must follow your example of having the willpower to turn anything into profit. Silver: ……Seems like everyone enjoys Halloween in different ways. Kalim: Yeah. Let’s enjoy Halloween at the academy to our heart’s content, and make a bunch of good memories! Floyd: “Enjoy it to our heart’s content?” Azul: Good memories……? Kalim: ……? Don’t you enjoy Halloween? Jade: It’s not a holiday with that kind of feeling attached to it, at least not for us merfolk from the north. After all, those who lose their lives at sea are often consumed by regret and despair. Those who were caught in storms, those who exhausted all their strength aboard their ship, hopelessly lost at sea…… Whatever the case, it is not uncommon for the ghosts that return to be ferocious. Azul: Indeed. And pirate ghosts top that list. Jamil: Didn’t you guys say before that Halloween was celebrated with sea sparkles and lively music? Floyd: The lanterns are anchors for merfolk to stop ‘em from accidentally wandering into the next world. And playing music means the ghosts won’t be lonely. Azul: It’s also intended to soothe their sorrow and rage. Riddle: ……No way, you mean there’s ghosts all over the ocean floor? Jade: While I haven’t actually seen one, personally…… During Halloween there was a notice issued from our school. In it contained places one shouldn’t approach, times one shouldn’t go out…… since there were people that went missing every year. Ruggie: Hold on a sec…… That’s way too creepy. Floyd: Now that I think about it, when we were in middle school, I felt like I saw 3 Jades in different places~ Jade: There was also a time where I thought I was talking to Floyd, but I remember when I spoke to him the next day, he said, “You didn’t tell me anything about that.” At the time I didn’t pay it any mind and thought he simply hadn’t been listening to me, but…… Azul: It’s because it was Halloween. Those kinds of things are to be expected. Jamil: “Those kinds of things”…… as if it’s normal. Silver: The sea is a terrifying world outside the farthest reaches of the imagination…… Jade: The Coral Sea is a place where you can experience thrills you normally wouldn’t on Halloween. Floyd: Well it’s not boring, that’s for sure~ Azul: Just as Ruggie said earlier, it’s wonderful that we have so many business opportunities! Jade: Putting aside Azul’s talk of work…… I do love Halloween both under the sea and on land. It’s exciting to think of what unexpected things might happen. As I was selected to be part of the Organization Committee, I’d like if I could make everyone on land experience different feelings than usual. Because we hail from the sea, the thrills we can provide are far more than simply “fun.” This year, let’s have a wonderful Halloween that won’t lose to any other. Fufufu……

-

T/N: Two things- “sea sparkles” are Noctiluca scintillans, and yes the real colloquial name for it is “sea sparkle.” Secondly, I’m aware that the name of Cater’s homeland (the Land of Shining Stones) can be read as the Land of Pyroxene/Augite. I personally feel that name feels REALLY out of place compared to the others so unless the specific stone augite/pyroxene is thematically relevant or canonized beyond a doubt somehow, I separated the kanji into shining/glittering/sparkling + rock/stone/etc. 

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #864: The Disco King (Super Smash Bros Ultimate)

6:45 p.m. at Smash Mansion, Outsode of Luigi and Daisy's Bedroom......

Daisy: (Flexing her Muscles in Front of the Mirror Door While Wearing a Female Berserk Outfit) Heh Heh!~ Still got it. (Gives Both of her Muscles a Kiss Each Before Calling Out to Luigi) How's the costume going in your department, babe?

Luigi: (Inside the Bedroom) Pretty good! Just need to finish the final touched....aaand....Done!

Daisy: Sweet! You ready to come out here and show me whatcha got?

Luigi: Yeah. I'm still not sure if it'll look nearly as good as yours though....

Daisy: Oh come on, 'hon. You're being too modest again. I'm sure your costume is gonna look great this year.

'Door Open'

Daisy: Hell, it might even look better than mi- (Eyes Widened in Complete Shock at What is in Front of Her) OH... MY GOD!

Luigi smiles sheepishly and shyly while wearing a green, disco like attire.

Luigi: This.... isn't too much, is it?

Daisy: (Almost at a Loss For Words) Luigi, you look amazing.......The clothes....the shoes...the hair! Where did you get all of this?

Luigi: Professor E. Gadd gave it to me back when I was at the hotel two years ago. I wore this as a disguise to infiltrate the ghost party at the disco ball room. And....since I was given "Disco King" as my codename, I had to prove the title is real by disco dancing for three and a half minutes. Which was kind of pretty fun to do in hindsight.

Daisy: That is so cool and hot at the same time......

Luigi: Really? I figured you would find all of this lame and boring.

Daisy: Are you kidding? I love Disco! We used to throw those kinds of parties back at my kingdom, when I was a little munchkin. Been in love with the culture ever since....('Click Tongue') Ah man....

Luigi: What's wrong?

Daisy: If I'd knew you would be wearing that for Halloween this year, I could've brought a disco costume of my own a long time ago. We could've been known as the King and Queen of Disco Dancing! And I could've wore a sick afro!

Luigi: You would look pretty groovy in a afro......(Smiles Softly) But I'm sure we can wear it together some other time. For what it's worth, I think you already look amazing in the costume you're wearing right now.

Daisy: You think so? It's a costume I usually wear for Dungeons & Dragons night with the ladies. (Begins to Smile Proudly While Showing Off her Muscles) Not to brag or anything, but I just so happen to be the only, strongest Berserker of the entire party.

Luigi: (Chuckles Lightly) I can tell. Your muscles are looking better than ever.

Daisy: Thanks, sweetie~ I knew my workout routine would pay off eventually.

Luigi: Well, you are the strongest princess I know after all.

Daisy: (Smiles Bashfully) Weegie, you're giving me too much credit here~ I'm sure there's like a ton of other girls in the world that are lot stronger than I am.

Luigi: Yeah, but....(Holds Up Daisy's Hand While Giving her a Bit of a Seductive Smirk on his Face) You'll always be my #1~ (Starts Kissing the Top of Daisy's Hand)

Daisy: (Giggles Ticklishly by Luigi's Kisses Before Pulling him Into a Tango Like Position) C'mere, you!~

The princess is about to give her man a kiss on the lips. When suddenly......

'Gopsel Keyboard'

Dedede: (Comes Out Of his Room With a Slug Like Figure While Singing Wearing his Preacher's Cloak and an Elvis Wig) YEEAHEH YEAHEYEAHE YEAH! YEAHEYEAHEYEAH! YEAHEYEAHEYEAHEE YEEEEEEEEAAAAH!

Daisy: (Eyes Widened at What is In Front of Her and Luigi) Dedede?

Luigi: Are you..... Dressed as Elvis?

Dedede: Close. I'm a Preacher NAMED Elvis. I was debating which of the two I wanna be this year for Halloween until I say....(Sings While the Slug Plays the Keyboards Again) WHY NOT BOOOOOOOOTTTTTH!!!~ Praise the one and only Elvis Dedede!

?????: Amen.

Daisy: (Points at the Slug) Hey, who's that?

Dedede: My partner & crime, Escargoon.

Escargoon: (Smiles Brightly at the Couple) Pleased to meet ya lovely folks today.

Luigi: Ah yeah.... Dedede told me about you a while ago. (Happily Pulls his Hand Out For a Handshake) It's so nice to finally meet you in person.

Escargoon: (Gives Luigi the Handshake) Likewise. Love the costumes by the way. Couldn't decide which one is my favorite already.

Dedede: Yeah. I have to agree. Y'all look good.

Daisy: Why, thank you~ (Starts Flexing While Speaking in a Manly Like Voice) I AM KNOWN AS THE STRONGEST BERSERKER OF ALL THE LANDS AND SEAS!!! (When Back to Smiling Brightly While Hugging Luigi From Behind) And this here is my handsome Disco King!~

Luigi: (Smiles Sheepishly Again) I-I wouldn't exactly call myself a king or anything, but....I am pretty groovy!~ Speaking of which, what are you dressed as, Mr. Escargoon?

Escargoon: I'm Joe Esposito. Elvis's manger and right hand man. It's not much, but....I think it suits me pretty well. It's a lot better than the first costume the former sire suggested me to wear

Dedede: (Glares at Escargoon) Ah come on, now. Being a T-Rex isn't so bad.

Escargoon: (Glares Back at the Former King) Dedede, I am not gonna wear a T-Rex costume just to make your Elvis Preacher impression look more good than it already was. Did you forget that I literally have no legs?

Dedede: Then you can just wear the head. It wouldn't be any problem with that.

Escargoon: Yeah, expect for the fact that I couldn't see anything clearly out of it! I mean, seriously, how much does it cost anyways? $1000?

Dedede: (Slowly Starts Looking Away in Silence) ....................

Escargoon: (Eyes Widened) Oh my god. You actually spent money that stupid thing? Why!?

Dedede: (Went Back into Glaring at Escargoon) Hey, that costume ain't stupid! And the only reason I brought it was because it looks interesting!

Escargoon: What? You thought about wearing it for yourself or somethin'?

Dedede: NO!........ Probably. But that's beside point!

Escargoon: (Facepalms While Groaning) ('Ugggh') You are SO impossible to deal with all the time.....(Turns to the Couple Behind Him) Has he always been this stubborn to you guys?

Daisy: Oh yeah. Big time.

Luigi: Almost at a daily basis even.

Dedede: (Immediately Glares at the Duo) TRAITORS!

Escargoon: (Already Has a Deadpinned Look on his Face) Hey, don't blame them for speaking the truth. I bet everyone else in this mansion will say the same.

Dedede: HUSH UP! You know what? Forget y'all! (Angrily Walks Way) I'mma go downstairs and show everyone on my swagger on my own! PEACE!

Escargoon: (Watches Dedede Walk Away While Walking) Once a spoiled brat, always a spoiled brat......(Turns Back to the Duo with a Soft Smile) Thanks for looking out for him for me. It means a lot that you care.

Daisy: No problem, man. Annoying as he is, he's still family.

Luigi: Always.

Rest in Peace Elvis Presley & Joe Esposito

@keyenuta

@caleb13frede

@26shann

@ma-lemons

@albion-93

@supergamemaster64

@illyrilex

@italian-love-cake

[punkscowardschampions]

Dash & Lux

Dash: ☀️🧙🏽‍♀️🎶🥁🎸🪕🧚🏿‍♂️🌿🌼🧚🔮💃💫🔥🕺🏻🌳💗🍯🍻

Lux: That is almost exactly what the inside of my head looks like right now!!!

Lux: Is mind-reading a power that is bestowed upon you believers this eve?! 🤔😲

Dash: Right on

Dash: it’s one of many, trust

Lux: I’m ever sadder I can only be an observer now

Lux: Telepathy would be the most useful!

Dash: you gotta open your 👀 at least twice

Lux: I can 👀 at it, all of it in its splendour, just not participate

Dash: Bummer! What’s got you backing off? You don’t look like no wallflower chick to me

Lux: I got the dress code 🌻🌻🌻

Lux: Sunflowers are so strong-looking for flowers, don’t you think?

Lux: Not dainty and delicate

Lux: Well, I’m a Christian and technically this is a Pagan ritual so it’s a big 🚫🚫

Lux: I am finding it super interesting though

Dash: they don’t look strong, they are, babe 🌻🌻🌻 cleaned up Chernobyl, it’s far out what they can do

Dash: its roots, yeah, but we’re not all pagans here & we all still find something to celebrate, you could do St John the Baptist’s birthday as a christian, bonfires were big for that too

Lux: Whaaaaaaaaaat????! TELL ME MORE

Dash: about 🌻🌻🌻 or 🎂🔥🎇🎆?

Lux: 🌻🌻🌻 birthdays are contentious too

Dash: Helianthus annuus, from the Greek helios, meaning ☀️ they can remove poisonous chemicals & metals from the ground, water or air

Dash: they spread rapidly & can stabilize if not totally clear a field in 3 years, it’s 🤯

Lux: I wish I’d gone to school

Lux: Do you know any more fascinating things?

Lux: That sounds like magic

Dash: the world’s full of magic, but it wasn’t school that taught me to recognize it

Lux: Share the secret, kind sir

Dash: you’ve got the 🔑 & this here’s your kingdom, all you have to do is hang out & stay hip to what you 👀👂👃👅

Dash: 🧠➡️⬅️⬆️⬇️↗️↘️↙️↖️↪️↩️⤴️⤵️

Lux: I’ve 👅 so many wondrous tastes today

Lux: I feel full in so many senses of the word

Lux: How long have you been a member of the kingdom, stranger?

Dash: quest accepted to lay that feeling on you in every sense, then it’ll be a rad celebration

Dash: I’ve been here since I could walk, everywhere else is too big a drag to keep me

Lux: Oh, that’s so kind!

Lux: Everyone is so open and willing to teach me things

Lux: For instance, quick, when’s your birthday, wolf boy

Dash: it’s that kinda space 🦊

Dash: 20th of January 🎂 got me on the cusp ♑♒

Lux: Twins!

Lux: My birthday, which I’ve never celebrated before, is the 20th of March 😱

Lux: Someone, I’m not sure who, was just telling me about the Celtic tree signs

Lux: ‘If you were born in the month of the birch, you probably have a fresh and unusual outlook on life. People born under this Celtic tree astrology sign tend to be highly driven and are always full of zeal and ambition. They always want more and try to reach new horizons and expand their knowledge. Some of the characteristics attributed to the Birch sign are tolerance, toughness, and leadership. The Birch signs can brighten a room with their smile and quickly charm other people’

Lux: Yay or nay 🐺

Dash: you charmed so far or nah? [obviously smiling at her wherever she is as well like heyyy]

Lux: [definition of this emoji 🤭]

Dash: What’s your celtic tree sign?

Lux: ‘Those born under the Alder sign are natural pathfinders. They have the ability to move people and quickly gain followers to their cause. The Alders have a way with words, mingle easily and people love to be around them. They possess a mystic charisma, confidence and strong self-faith. Other character traits are: a good focus on goals and ideas, can’t tolerate fluff and waste.’

Lux: I am unsure but flattered 😊😊😊

Dash: I dig it

Dash: they let you know if we’re compatible? Your ♓♈ cusp makes you mad desirable to all signs

Lux: You need to see who here was born 15th April to 12th May or 2nd September to 29th September

Lux: But it says I’m compatible with you, so how does that work?! 😣

Lux: There’s so much I have to get my head ‘round

Dash: You’re gonna be 🥰💖 for me while I’m 🔍 for a 🐈 or 🐤 born on those dates?

Lux: Hey, that’s way less nice!

Lux: but I can also be looking for people born 13th May to 9th June AND 10th June to 7th July so 😋

Dash: those signs are full of it, trying to make me look uncool but don’t sweat it, I’d never cut you that low, like

Lux: If it’s not in the 💫s I can still say I’m pleased to meet you today as friends, Mowgli

Dash: Look up

Dash: if you don’t see a 🌠 I can show you a 🐺🌟 & 🦊🌟 chasing each other across the sky

Lux: [obviously literally does]

Lux: That’s very Disney 🏰✨

Dash: is that allowed?

Lux: I watched some at a friend’s house one time

Dash: & how was it?

Lux: 😭 but romantic

Dash: Anyone told you the oak king story yet?

Lux: Okay, thank Goodness

Lux: this lady with the dreads and the big back tattoo tried to tell me but I couldn’t understand her 🙊

Lux: Redeem your gentlemanly reputation and save both of us the embarrassment

Lux: Her accent was wild! 🤯

Dash: did her version start with Fadó, fadó?

Dash: wouldn’t be a wild guess

Lux: I won’t credit you with any telepathic skills this time, then

Lux: also I’d need to 👂 it again to confirm fully but yes, I think so

Dash: [send her an utterly unnecessary voice memo]

Lux: It sounds more intriguing when you say it

Dash: [obviously gotta tell her the full story in an irish voice memo purely for the #flex and the flirt cos you know damn well you’re gonna have to translate it, boy]

Lux: 🤩

Lux: Did you learn that here too?

Lux: I’ve lived so many different places and yet I only know the one language

Dash: My ma started it but when the establishment took over it was a bad scene & turned me off for time, last few years here it felt groovy again having that connection & I refound the 💚☘️

Lux: It’s really cool

Lux: it sounds old, or like elvish or something else not real

Dash: it’s a trip, you’ve gotta get someone to teach you while your fly by lasts

Lux: Oh, I live here 😊

Lux: I room with Nora, do you know her?

Dash: Beats me, what’s her deal?

Lux: Her and her brother Finley have been here for a while, but not forever like you

Lux: but there are a lot of people here so I’m not surprised you’re not sure 😅

Dash: not a clue but loads of people are too rattled to wanna get involved, could be her vibe

Dash: or she just ain’t outta sight like you

Lux: She’s totally involved, she secured like all of the sunflowers for today

Lux: well, me and Amber helped but she was definitely the most enthusiastic

Dash: 🌻👑! I do know her, but her in with Amber & instant karma means she’s not gonna mess around with me

Lux: Ooh, what did you do

Dash: jack, Amber’s hassling me cos I’m not trying to be her old man, she gets super rash & things get heavy with 0 slack

Lux: Hmm I shouldn’t have asked 🤐🙉

Dash: ask her why she’s making a move on my older bro now if not to try & lay a trip on me, babe’s lost it

Lux: Whaaaaaaa

Lux: You have a brother?!

Lux: Is he invisible?

Dash: I wish

Lux: Which one is he, point him out

Dash: [points in the direction of their house lol]

Lux: [a face of understanding like oh okay]

Lux: How does Amber know him then?

Dash: from stalking me

Lux: I don’t think she would do that

Lux: She must’ve just bumped into him or something

Dash: at my house, yeah

Lux: It’s cool, it’s not really my business

Dash: open 👀 like I said

Lux: 📖

Dash: that too 🧠💗🤲

Lux: I can agree with that sentiment

Dash: we’re groovy then

Lux: Of course 😊

Lux: enjoy your evening

Dash: back at you, golden girl ☀️🎇👸🏼

Lux: I like your outfit too

Lux: it’s very ☀️🧙🏽‍♀️🎶🥁🎸🪕🧚🏿‍♂️🌿🌼🧚🔮💃💫🔥🕺🏻🌳💗🍯🍻

Dash: [comes over and ties a chain of flowers around her wrist like it’s a friendship bracelet energy]

Lux: [clearly delighted with this]

Dash: [ask her if she wants to dance even though you know damn well she’s only observing because kind of boy you are]

Lux: [so rude lowkey when she’s struggling so hard with what she does and doesn’t believe now, we’re in enough of a dilemma without your help but there we go; thus we will go dance with you because we do want to and we can make arguments that that isn’t joining in with the rituals of it all]

Dash: [he’s lucky Amber is busy because she would fight him, but instead enjoy your dance you two]

Lux: [the audacity of your lies about her, we were so awkward like 😬 anyway, we will have a nice dance though]

Dash: [such a dickhead he can only be humbled by fire, full offense Nora because we’re ignoring you hen cos you’re clearly wise to his bs]

Lux: [there’s clearly a growing group of gals who are unimpressed by your nonsense and that will be interesting to navigate]

Dash: [Definitely, but yeah probably do slip away like a snek before any of those gals do kick your ass]

Lux: 🎃👠🐁🌠🕛

Dash: A 📘 for the 🔥

Lux: 🤔?

Dash: it’s a drag, all that heavy shit with her fam is a bummer, she gets to split but only til 🕛 that’s some 🌠

Lux: Yeah, it’s enough to get help though and then she gets saved

Dash: nah, to get shafted, she don’t get to dance with anyone else there, it’s a scam

Lux: 😅 who else does she need, she’s got the prince, silly!

Dash: someone who recognizes her next day?

Lux: Touche 😏

Lux: Being a 🤴 is a lot of work

Dash: What 🤴 told you that?

Lux: Where to begin

Lux: I’ve known several who would say as much and the 👸s would never disagree

Dash: Fadó, fadó, fadó a bhí ann…

Dash: but I’d shut it down from the beginning, they gotta be shining you on

Lux: I’m going to have to have translate open constantly, I see 😰

Lux: but very noble

Dash: I try, like you & your ☘️ it’s chill we’ve all got your back

Lux: It would be way worse if it was the only language any of you spoke

Lux: thank goodness 😅

Lux: there’s lots more that’s more pertinent for me to get a grip on

Dash: 🧝🧝🏻‍♀️🧝🏽🧝🏾‍♀️

Dash: we’ve got you on the rest too, like, goes without saying

Lux: Most everyone has been super welcoming

Dash: how long have you lived here?

Lux: Not long enough that that’s insulting 😋

Lux: but gosh, a couple of weeks? Must be

Dash: nah I meant cos I don't wanna explain to you what sorta place this is like you're fresh through the door if you've had loads of time to find your own way

Lux: Oh no, I’m a total n00b

Lux: Hazel got me here but I’ve kinda just been left to it since

Lux: Anything you wanna tell me would be appreciated

Dash: did Amber or Nora give you the tour?

Lux: Amber’s been super busy and Nora likes to stay in our room mostly

Dash: not super welcoming

Dash: but it’s no sweat, I’ll show you round, we’ll have a blast

Lux: they’ve both got their own stuff going on, I don’t expect them to drop it for me

Lux: but that would still be cool, thank you!

Dash: say when

Dash: it’ll be as electric under the ☀️ as the 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌙

Lux: I can 👀 in the dark

Lux: You choose

Lux: find me when you’ve stopped having the MOST fun?

Dash: 🐺🐾🦊

Dash: Meet me in the orchard at midnight, ditching your shoes before

Dash: there’s an 🍏🌳🍎 you can 👀 the whole farm from the top of

Lux: And you’ll remember what I look like?

Dash: you look unreal

Dash: unforgettable

Lux: I got creative with the arts and crafts 🌟⚡️☀️

Lux: I’ve always made my own clothes

Lux: well, I made them for my sisters before

Lux: looking unforgettable was not the end goal there though

Lux: that was for secret

Dash: my nan would be hip to you, she used to make her own clothes, for her girl & her sister too when they wanted, it’s still a vibe for her

Lux: I will make her something then

Lux: what’s her style?

Dash: indescribable

Dash: I’ll show you pics

Lux: Awkward if your nan is cuter than you

Dash: at our age she totally was

Lux: Awh, you’re so sweet

Lux: I have nothing nice to say about my meemaw

Dash: keep it for mine when you meet her

Lux: You’re gonna introduce me to your nan? 😊

Dash: right on, she’ll wanna put whatever you make on for you to 👀 & it’s only a few fields over

Lux: 🏞 it’s a crazy beautiful spot to live, that’s for sure

Lux: so you live with her?

Dash: Yeah, my ma grew up there & when my parents called it quits she wanted to move back

Lux: You’re close-knit

Lux: that’s special

Dash: closer than I am to my da

Lux: Does that upset you?

Dash: I don’t let it upset my equilibrium, he’s uptight, that’s his problem not mine

Lux: I understand

Lux: I don’t agree with my dad on a lot of things

Lux: it’s still sad though

Dash: I got killer people round me, a 2nd family here accepting me for who I am, it ain’t cool he don’t, but they give me what I need

Lux: I’m happy for you

Lux: Seriously

Lux: again, that’s special, you should be really grateful

Dash: I am, believe me

Dash: you’re gonna scope out how special it is here now I’m in charge of showing you everything

Lux: I’d love to see your 🌍 how you see it

Lux: Kinda sounds like everything I need, honestly

Dash: you can, easily when we’re sharing a branch

Lux: 🧚‍♀️ you’re dainty, I trust you won’t let me fall

Dash: I’ll let you fall into something good though, new heights

Lux: Will it hurt?

Dash: no way

Lux: You aren’t pranking me, are you?

Dash: there’s no plastic on me, I’m being real with you

Lux: If you’re gonna try and jump me out in the orchard I’ll have to show you crazy and I really can’t afford to lose this place okay

Lux: so if I believe you right now and you were lying, it’ll be worse than it would’ve been, you feel me?

Dash: Hurting you isn’t my action, I’m about a gentler touch than that

Lux: and I’m not a bully, that’s not my vibe so that’s the warning out of the way

Dash: avenging 👼 I get it

Lux: My costume has you fooled, I think

Dash: Wait, so you’re pranking me?

Lux: No, I swear! 😅

Lux: I don’t feel like I’ve been anywhere near as nice to you as you have to me though

Dash: but you did dance with me & that was choice

Lux: I wanted to

Dash: me too, I wasn’t asking just to be nice

Lux: even though you’re very nice

Lux: I believe that

Dash: I think we’re getting somewhere

Lux: You understand why I’d find a boy like you being interested in me dubious at first, right

Dash: Nah, but I’m listening

Lux: Well it’s embarrassing to say

Dash: alright, listen, I think you’re the most

Dash: I’m embarrassed I’ve not met you before tonight

Lux: There are so many people to meet

Lux: and you’re like the 🤴 of this place, huh

Lux: you have to dance with all the ugly stepsisters too

Dash: if Amber said write that to bait me I’m shutting up

Lux: I think Amber left 🤔

Lux: And who’s calling her ugly, even if you guys have beef, like no way

Dash: & Nora’s gotta be back in your room cos that’s her bag, yeah?

Dash: so where are you?

Lux: I’m in the middle of [one hippie activity] and [another]

Dash: [go find her and dance with her again obvs, we can be bolder about if some of the haters are gone and it’s later so he’s clearly a bit more drunk/high by now too]

Lux: [the way you’re probably sober like how lmao, not saying you always are or will be ‘cos no but gotta have our wits about us ‘cos witchery is afoot; but yeah we all know it can shamelessly way more of a Thing™]

Dash: [at least Amber was too until her row with the bae even if she wasn’t the most present in other ways, so it wasn’t just you gal, but yeah, dispel any remaining fears she may have that you’re not into this please boy with this moment]

Lux: [we know you got your own going on, it’s good, this drama has to happen whether you like it or not babe sorryyyy, when you’re then even more into it because it’s like HELLO IS THIS ALLOWED, so new and fresh to get to remotely be this brazen]

Dash: [shouldn’t LOVE that for you but I do, we should probably let y’all go on your tour then because we’re both in a mood and there’s nobody to separate you]

Lux: [probably, but I will insist on making you wait ‘til midnight regardless]

Dash: [it is a fat mood and I did pick that time deliberately so yeah, dance the night away first hens]

Lux: [sure it’s probably near that time anyways]

Dash: [yeah absolutely]

Lux: [we can skip to the after in this if you like?]

Dash: [are we thinking am like did y’all fall asleep together or?]

Lux: [Hmm, do we go with the Cinderella and have her bounce or do we go against it and not, because then she would think he wasn’t a dick later]

Dash: [even though he’s a dick I still want all the cute I can grab with my smol hands]

Lux: [it’s not like you can’t be like I just fell asleep it’s nbd with it so yeah okay

Dash: [I also like the camber parallel of it all so]

Lux: [true true, we can do it, then you can just have breakfast as a group because duh, was it sunday or monday today?]

Dash: [I think it’s sunday aka Cosmo is having his 2nd date with Ruby tonight and then Camber breakfast dates start monday]

Lux: [okay then you will have to think of a creative way to ditch her then boy hohaha]

Dash: [at least he can just go home because Amber only stayed to angrily eat some fruit and Cosmo had a busy day ahead because I doubt the shower situation at this commune is thriving, water probably runs out always]

Lux: [what a poser lmaooo]

Dash: [and very rude not to invite her when she probably wants to shower or bathe too]

Lux: [we literally got gems stuck to our face but pop off]

Dash: [we know you’re not because your mother is there and sick of your behaviour but yes, it wouldn’t kill you to let her boy]

Lux: [no offence but run him over, anyway, some time later]

Lux: are you ⬇️🍄?

Dash: 🛹⚡️

Lux: aha, cool

Lux: good thing you didn’t invite me I’d end up 🤕 for sure

Dash: I didn’t stop you falling out of a tree last night to have you fall off a board later in the AM

Lux: Hey, you make it sound like I was 🤏 close! 😆

Dash: nah, your balance is sound

Lux: I don’t recall you stepping on my toes, either

Dash: don’t wanna have to start the day off doubting your 🍒 recall, that’d be a bad scene

Lux: I was totally sober thank you 😅

Dash: easy to claim the magic’s all you when I ain’t met you before but I’m a believer

Lux: Wait, was that a compliment or a diss?

Lux: Maybe I’m contact-wasted

Dash: contact with Nora would get you more sober, there’s a diss

Lux: Awh, don’t be mean!

Lux: She’s been really nice

Dash: chill out, I’m only playing

Lux: Hmm 😏

Lux: anyway, what are you doing later?

Dash: I said I’d hang with Yara

Lux: Oh cool, who’s that?

Dash: I’ll introduce you after

Lux: after what?

Dash: we’re done messing around

Lux: wow, alrighty then

Dash: you’ll like her, she’s a trip

Lux: I’m not totally sure she’d want you to 💬 that

Lux: or I’ll know what to 💬 now

Dash: it’s no biggie

Lux: idk, this is not the way I was raised

Lux: you say it’s not but idk, you know

Dash: you don’t have to meet her

Lux: Yeah

Dash: I think she’s rad but you gotta make up your own mind

Lux: It’s not about her

Dash: nah, you, I understand where you’re coming from, it’s a new world

Lux: Right, it seems really icky to me that you’d tell me any of this

Lux: it’s not about how rad she could be

Dash: Come on, Lux, I’m keeping this honest

Lux: I guess

Lux: Why do you need to tell me though, I don’t get it, for real?

Dash: I like you, I don’t want it to get twisted

Dash: 📖

Lux: Okay, I appreciate the sentiment then

Dash: I’ll come find you later, on my own

Lux: That’s okay

Lux: I’ve got lots of chores to catch up on

Dash: they’ll be done faster if I help you

Lux: I can’t stop you

Lux: the place is a mess after last night and the more people who pitch in the better

Dash: I don’t get why you’d wanna stop me

Lux: I don’t really wanna hang out now, not today anyway

Dash: I can’t believe you’re being like this

Lux: Being like what?

Dash: Amber

Lux: I’m not

Lux: you can’t hang out now, I can’t hang out later, how is it any different?

Dash: the way I’m travelling through today is a straight line, yours is all over the place

Lux: Good for you?

Lux: It doesn’t matter either way though

Dash: doing a u turn on me does matter

Lux: It does?

Lux: because last night you thought I was rad, so obviously this morning I wanted to hang out with you again, so I think it’s my turn to do the 180, if you think about it

Dash: I still think you are, last night was unreal & we can be again, I’m just asking you to take 5 cos I can’t split on Yara after making plans time ago

Lux: That’s fine, it’s not fine to be mad at me ‘cos I ask you to take 5 too

Lux: that makes it make no sense

Dash: I’m not mad at you, I’m trying to make sense of why you’re mad at me

Lux: I’m not mad at you, I’m upset

Lux: You only need to ask

Dash: idk I didn’t think this would go down how it is

Lux: Me either, I guess

Dash: you for real want space?

Lux: I don’t know

Lux: Can I get back to you on that?

Dash: yeah

Lux: I wanted to see you again

Lux: I thought you’d want to see me too

Dash: I do, you read me right last night, why are you gonna start disbelieving yourself today?

Lux: You want to see Yara more

Dash: I wanna see her too

Lux: Okay, have fun then

Dash: we cool?

Lux: I don’t know

Dash: idk what's turned you different, you were laying it on me like you got it, how I'm

like royalty & everyone wants a piece of my time

Lux: Oh my Gosh

Lux: I wasn’t being serious and I didn’t think you were

Lux: do you honestly think that, like what?

Dash: It's a touch plastic saying I'm like 👑 but still close to how it is

Lux: Um, you don’t even live here

Lux: you have a whole house and family

Dash: I'm here with my chosen family as much as I can be

Lux: Yeah, but what do you

actually do for this place, or anyone here?

Lux: The audacity to act like it’s your kingdom, that’s laughable and gross all at once

Dash: back off babe, I do whatever they need me to do

Lux: Babe-ing me right now isn’t a good look

Lux: manual labour at best makes you help, not visiting royalty

Lux: are you crazy, like, who do you think you are, seriously I’m so curious

Dash: Who are you? Thinking you can lay this trip on me about what I can & can't do

Lux: I’m not telling you you can or can’t do anything

Lux: I asked you not to call me babe, which is basic politeness

Dash: nah, you're telling me I don't belong to this place

Dash: questioning how I do like

it's up to you

Lux: I said you don’t live here, and you don’t

Lux: and I’ve never seen you contribute, maybe you were super busy before I got here, then I’ll apologize for that

Dash: you're doing a census, yeah? Hold up [everyone currently who doesn't live her like the petty prince he is]

Dash: I've got family here, they all keep me busy

Lux: Cool? Thanks for telling me who else is a tourist ???

Lux: You’re just being defensive, there’s no need if you’re secure in that and your place here

Dash: quit trying to rattle me

Lux: I’m truly not

Lux: but no, we’re not cool now

Dash: I made it known from the top where I live

Lux: Where you live isn’t the issue

Dash: what's your issue? I'm loved & welcomed here, that's all I said

Lux: That’s nice

Lux: I don’t really want to discuss my issue with you, with you, right now, if that’s okay

Dash: later then

Lux: See you around, Dash

Dash: I can't believe you think I'm a flake, this has me totally unglued, you know

Lux: I don’t feel great about it either

Dash: how can I make you feel less bummed out?

Dash: your tour was the most far out I've ever given

Lux: I don’t think you can, it’s done now

Lux: I just need some time to change what I thought this was, or was gonna be, in my head

Lux: but thanks, for offering

Dash: take your time to 👀 what we can be & how you wanna evolve

Lux: Maybe we can be friends later on

Dash: I’d dig it

Lux: I liked talking to you last night

Dash: I felt more connected to you than I usually do

Lux: I don’t think you’re an awful person, FYI

Lux: I just think you could’ve been clearer, and accept that you hurt me without getting way defensive, you know?

Lux: I can accept you didn’t mean to

Dash: I thought I was being clear

Lux: Yeah, I know

Lux: I’m from a very different background and place, it just didn’t translate well, clearly

Dash: yeah

Lux: but I thought I’d put that across well enough that you got that too

Dash: I do get you, but I can’t 180 myself to fit

Lux: No, I’m not asking you to fit my understanding, it’s fine you don’t

Dash: What are you asking?

Lux: Nothing, honestly, I’m trying to explain why I’m upset

Lux: Just like you can’t 180, I can’t change how I see and feel about it immediately, even if some of the ways I were raised are outdated or potentially bad, you know

Lux: You don’t need to do anything

Lux: From my perspective, it felt like a 180 and hurtful to tell me about hooking up with someone else the morning after

Lux: I know how you think and operate is totally different, but that’s it

Dash: but I wanna do something, to help you

Lux: You are nice…

Lux: I don’t know though, what would help?

Dash: I meant what I said last night about showing you this place, making it feel more like a home, how it is for me

Lux: Maybe you could come back and help with the chores

Lux: I shouldn’t have said you NEVER help out, I’ve not been here long enough to make that observation

Dash: maybe it looks like I don’t, cos with family you take liberties sometimes, that kid who’s naughty at home & don’t say shit at school, comfortable to play up

Lux: I have 8 brothers, I understand 😅

Dash: you can have that too, should

Lux: I did, as much as any of us did

Lux: I was a boy, remember

Dash: with 0 limits though, people trying to control & change what you do is for outside of here, I don’t have to think in my dad’s 🟥🟧🟨🟩🟦🟪⬛️⬜️🟫 way or do what my ma reckons is righteous

Lux: Sounds idyllic, Dash

Dash: it is

Lux: You have to understand my experience of people doing exactly what they want means someone is being exploited or abused for that person’s privilege

Lux: my parents had their utopia at the price of the things we wanted, needed

Dash: that’s why you need this new experience

Lux: Okay

Lux: I do want new experiences

Dash: the farm has the magic to grant you whatever you’re here for, no wish is the wrong size

Lux: You really seem to believe it so I will try too 😊

Dash: I’m about to 🛹⚡️ back if you wanna clean the opposite end or hide from me in the 🍏🌳🍎

Lux: That’s cool

Lux: but thanks for the warning 💗

Dash: don’t let how out of this world you look distract me then

Lux: I so don’t so that won’t be an issue 😌

Dash: It's an accident, huh? I feel you, it must be my fault I can’t look away

Lux: You’re way too smooth for your own good

Lux: but I wouldn’t say that’s a fault, necessarily 🤭

Dash: Hey, I didn’t manifest you into being, even if last night did feel like it had to be cosmically devined somehow

Lux: I felt it too

Lux: no one has ever

Lux: not like that anyway

Dash: you’re like a song I can’t get out of my head, I don’t want it to turn sad

Dash: I’m sorry I got you unglued too

Lux: It’s a lot more complicated than just you

Lux: it’s a whole thing

Dash: You’re gonna find people to share how heavy it is

Lux: 🤞

Dash: they’ll carry you through & even if it’s Amber I won’t let it bug me

Lux: I’m sure that’s a misunderstanding

Lux: I could talk to her? Subtly, of course

Dash: yeah, her misunderstanding me, you’ve got your reasons, she’s not new to any of this

Dash: her problem is she thinks she’s the most & everyone else should think she’s choice no matter what

Lux: Do you think she likes your brother?

Dash: no way, unless she’s got a football obsession now too

Lux: 🧲 maybe

Dash: idk

Lux: Me either

Lux: it just seems a bit crazy otherwise

Dash: he’s as uptight as my da, she’s never gonna get nowhere trying to mess around with him, whatever she’s doing it for

Lux: She won’t have any problem finding someone new

Lux: you said he’s older, right?

Dash: not loads, but he’s gonna be done with school in a sec

Lux: I see

Lux: so you’re the 👶

Dash: til my dad’s new lady puts her demands in

Dash: how many sisters you got to go with your 8 bros?

Lux: you don’t like her at all, huh

Lux: and 5, so they had a tough job being outnumbered

Dash: you heard of a WAG? That’s her whole deal

Dash: whoa, so you had a full time secret sewing job

Lux: yes, we lived in England for a while, that’s how I ended up here

Lux: like a Kardashian, I can see you not having a lot to bond over

Lux: exactly 😂

Dash: you gotta teach me, my nan would be jazzed

Lux: I’d love to!

Lux: there’s a surplus of old clothes to practice on

Dash: still a chore, we get to skip cleaning, yeah?

Lux: Mending isn’t as fun as creating but you’ve got to start somewhere so, I think so 😊

Dash: 😁

Dash: we’ll have a blast cos I gotta start somewhere on earning your forgiveness too

Lux: You’re sweet, Dash

Dash: I’m being for real

Lux: I know you are

Lux: I don’t know what to say though because I’m awkward 😳

Dash: it’s a hands on kinda task & you already know what you’re doing with it, it’ll be me feeling 😳

Lux: No flirting, only crafting

Dash: 🧷📏🧵✂️🧶📍✨

Lux: That’s a very impressive emoji selection

Dash: missing 😍💞🥰💓😘💘 but it’s chill

Lux: Idiot 😏

Dash: 💟 is the compromise

Lux: Okay, that’s adorable

Lux: allowed 🤭

Dash: [show up and take her hand to lead her off to sew, we know you weren’t far away bitch]

Lux: [the way you just melt when he shows, oh gal]

Dash: [I’m upset about it]

Lux: [we know you really like him, for better and worse rn]

Dash: [thank god he does actually like you and it’s not a straight up Drew and Ro situation happening]

Lux: [we can only do that ‘cos they both lowkey suck so we aren’t sad lmao]

Dash: [I like this gal too much to be that evil]

Lux: [it’s drama enough without it being entirely one-sided like no lol]

Dash: [I hope some sewing does take place amidst the blatant flirting because learn a useful skill for once in your life dickhead]

Lux: [we aren’t gonna just roll over immediately ‘cos actually did upset us so you will have to]

Dash: [yay]

Lux: [so that’s probably the vibe for today ‘cos yeah we absolutely won’t even though it’s clear we still like you like that too, so you’ll just have to hang out platonically]

Dash: [it’s gotta be the vibe for a while, sucks to suck boy, but obviously hang out until that girl comes to find you because you clearly do also wanna hang out with her platonically it’s not just like that vine where he breaks the skateboard]

Lux: [a quality vine]

Dash: [do we wanna leave this here?]

Lux: [I think we can]

[dopescotlandwarrior]

Unforgettable-Chapter One

 Also on AO3                       Special thanks to @statell​ for all your help

Chapter One

Short flouncy skirt, tight strapless top, boyfriend jacket, bare legs, high heels, curled lashes, red lipstick, and wild black hair.

“Oh my God Beauchamp, you have outdone yourself.”

“Claire! You are late for your own party! Time to go!”

“Okay, okay, let’s go.”

Claire smiled at Geillis and Laoghaire when they gushed over her outfit. The three of them were notorious fashion smashers who could not give a rip about fitting in. Her friends looked bomb tonight, very fitting for her favorite club and last night out for two years.

I will go out in style tonight, she decided.

Entering the club they heard the loud roar from friends, causing enough of a disturbance to make heads turn in their direction. Claire scanned the crowd and smiled at the good looking men, it was her weakness after all. Bodies were hugging and shots were pounded and then it was time time to dance. Claire grabbed Laoghaire and pointed at Geillis and they pushed into the center of the dance floor to get their groove on. After five songs Claire headed back to the table and was pulled into Rupert’s lap showing her a cherry in his palm.

“Lovely! Lay down your bets people, Geillis will cover up to one hundred dollars!” Geillis shot her a look and she shot one back, I got this, no worries.

Someone dropped a second cherry into Rupert’s palm and a fifty-dollar bill was slapped on the table. Claire looked up at a dreamy cowboy in a Stetson and felt her panties melt off. She smiled and took the challenge pushing both cherries into her mouth. Mister dreamy sat down and watched closely and four minutes later out came two cherries tied together. Dreamy turned them this way and that smiling at her parlor trick.

“Care to dance…miss…”

They swayed to a slow song while she took inventory of dreamy. Stunning hair and height, handsome face, but alas, she wasn’t feeling it. When he walked her back he pointed in the direction of his table and asked her to join him. Claire smiled and said maybe later. Shots came to the table and her friends toasted her as they slammed them back.

Laoghaire spoke in Claire’s ear that her cousin was here and she should say hello. She pulled Laoghaire into her lap and kissed her on the mouth before standing up to meet her kin. She was used to looking eye to eye with most men so when she saw a massive chest her eyes kept going up. Square jaw and cleft chin, yummy blue- oh my God eyes. She quickly surveyed the table and then put her arms around his neck to speak into his ear.

“I’m sorry but newcomers are required to kiss someone with dark hair and it looks like I am the only one at the table with dark hair. Let’s get this over with so you can get on with your night.”

She pulled his laughing mouth down on hers for a sensuous soft kiss that he was in no hurry to end. His arms came around her and his kiss deepened and then suddenly it was over. Claire told him that was fine and announced James was one of us tonight. Geillis started screaming it was time to dance and pulled her to the dance floor. They waved and hollered at their favorite DJ and he spun their favorites for the next hour keeping them on the floor shaking their ass.

Claire pulled Geillis back to the table before passing out from heat exhaustion. More shots were ordered and more friends came until the table had no seats left. She tapped cousin Jaime on the shoulder and motioned to his lap. He laughed and pushed away from the table so she could sit. Ooh, an unexpected delight was her short skirt being pushed this way and that by her constant twisting in Jamie’s lap. Before long she was in direct contact with the denim covering Jamie’s thigh and decided that was spectacular.

Someone produced an old Instamatic camera and the friends burned through three rolls of film, toasting and kissing each other, hugging and smiling. Because it was Claire’s going away party, most of the pictures were of her and various friends and all of those were on the lap of Laoghaire’s cousin.

She felt his hand move down her leg and she looked at him smiling.

“I have to go Sassenach, work tomorrow. I wish I could stay.”

“I get it, someone has to be responsible to remind all of us that we are hopeless miscreants. I suppose you have to take your lap with you? Alright, James.”

She kissed him and held his cheeks to keep him on her lips. The minute she broke the kiss she shot out of his lap heading for the dance floor.

It was an extraordinary night. Geillis left a bit early to pursue her new love interest and Laoghaire and Claire stumbled out to Laoghaire’s car after last call.

“Laoghaire, your staying on my couch tonight. You are much too drunk to drink alone… drive alone. Thankfully, I am with you and will keep you on the road, at least to my apartment.”

“Alright, but I’m up and out early for school tomorrow. Thank God I don’t have hangovers. Is there anything ye need help with, gettin ready to leave?”

“No sweetheart. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow to clear me for my shots, and then the shots of course, and I’m done. If I'm completely ready one day before I leave it keeps the anxiety at bay, ya know? Good night sweet one, thanks for bringing your cousin, he is a gorgeous man that one.”

Once she tucked Laoghaire in she closed her bedroom door to send a text message to Joe. He would be sleeping but he would see it in the morning.

C: Everything still super groovy? I will see you in three days, can’t wait.

Claire flopped down on her bed and fell asleep with her clothes on. It wasn’t the first time. The next morning she was racing around the apartment trying to find something to wear and finally opened some boxes to find clean clothes. Late, as usual, she pushed the UBER driver to hurry but he couldn’t find the doctor’s office. Geillis set the appointment for her but failed to mention how to get there. Flush with frustration she pulled out her phone and set the navigation. Five minutes later she stood winded at the reception desk signing the check-in sheet.

Waiting to be called, she mentally ticked items off her to-do list and remembered the last conversation with Joe.

“Very primitive Claire. Lucky if we have electricity to run the lights and sterilize the instruments. Weather is nice. Ninety degrees and ninety percent humidity.”

Since she followed him all over the globe, she wished he would be more discerning when choosing his next post. Maybe I will pick next time, she thought, two years from now when we get ready to leave. I wonder if he would follow me? I would never put him to the test. I can’t live without Joe so where he goes, I go. Hearing her name snapped her out of her daydreaming.

The nurse mumbled something about my being late for the appointment as she pulled Claire’s hips to the end of the examination table and secured her feet in the stirrups.

“I’m sorry, the UBER driver got lost. I don’t suppose the doctor can fix chronic tardiness?”

“The doctor will be in shortly Claire.”

Claire pulled her phone out of her purse and checked her messages. Typing a quick response to one of them she heard the door open and doctor washing his hands. she clicked send and looked up at what had to be a joke, a very bad joke.

“What the hell are you doing here in that white coat inching toward my business end?”

She watched the color drain from his face. He was as shocked as she was. Christ on a crutch, how did this….Geillis!

“I’m doctor James Fraser and you are here to verify no pregnancy, pap, and clear ye for shots before ye travel to… Honduras!”

“Stop! Don’t come an inch closer, please stop. This is a mistake, I need a real doctor, a better doctor, I mean a doctor I don’t know. Sorry, I have to go.”

“Sassenach, I am a professional, no need for embarrassment.”

“I hardly believe that the way you are giggling, and would you please just stand still while I think.”

“I can do better. I will see my next patient and give you some time.”

When he disappeared out the door she jumped off the table and wrapped the ridiculous fitting gown around her then paced the small room. She was so freaked out and really couldn’t think at the moment so she dialed the diabolical Geillis for help.

“Geillis! I need another doctor's appointment, today! This doctor is Laoghaire’s cousin who came to the bar last night. I can’t let him bury his nose in my cooch. Can you find another doctor…”

“Don’t be silly Claire. I see him for my yearly and he’s great, not to mention drop fucking dead gorgeous. No Claire, it's him or no one because ye wait until the last minute to do everything. Just bite the bullet and let the man do his thing.”

“Why do I feel manipulated right now?”

“It took some doing to get him to the bar last night so maybe that’s it. He is my going away present for my short term best friend.”

Claire was speechless. Geillis was right, it was her own fault. If she was going to leave in three days she had to get through this. She climbed back up on the exam table and melted into her misery.

“Sassenach, have ye decided what to do?”

He walked to the end of the table and put his elbows on her knees. “I can probably do this without lookin if that will make it easier for ye.”

Claire knew she had run out the clock and had no choice in the matter but that did not ease her humiliation. He waited patiently while she tortured through the inevitable decision to get this over with. shutting her eyes tightly she told him to hurry. I never have to see him again, she thought, he is a stranger to me.

“Hurry please.”

It was over in a matter of minutes and doctor Fraser was pulling his gloves off and wishing her well. The door clicked shut and she was alone to dress and get the hell out of there.

On her way home, she considered how few men in the world were truly handsome, fewer still were those with a body you wanted to bounce off of. The rarest of this small, endowed group were those with a good heart. The triple threat as it were. Doctor James Fraser was a triple threat and she wanted a second helping before disappearing into the jungle for two years. She leaned back in her seat and asked the driver to push up his speed. She needed to call Laoghaire and ask a favor.

Claire looked at her buzzing phone and smiled at the caller ID.

“Miss Beauchamp this is doctor Fraser.”

“Oh please, call me … whatever it is you call me.”

“The message says yer havin complications from the procedure today.”

“Yes, complications, what should I do?”

“Can you explain what’s amiss, do ye have pain?”

“Not yet but I’m afraid that may be happening soon.” She held her breath and waited.

When he spoke again his voice sounded softer and more interested. “I dinna want to send ye into the jungle with unresolved health issues Miss Beauchamp. Perhaps ye would meet me for dinner to discuss the problem. I believe that is best at this stage.”

“Do you mean tonight doctor?”

“For tonight I need a promise of a short skirt and high heels and ye agree to cheer my team to victory in the playoffs.”

There was silence on the line and Claire was breathing from open lips. She heard his deep voice, “can that be arranged Sassenach?”

“That would be fine I suppose. Where is the game, I will be cheering from the stands.”

She wrote quickly and ran to the shower before plowing through her boxes for a short skirt as requested by the good doctor.

She was late getting to the game because she was late for everything. Walking toward the bleachers she saw the doctor’s impressive ass as he bent in a huddle with his players. Claire was amazed at the little people hanging on his every word. He broke the huddle and scanned the crowd quickly. His head snapped back to black combat boots, bare thighs, and a short skirt. She waved and smiled, calling out “GO…” oops, she leaned toward the lady next to her and shouted “Wolverines!!”

Claire was in her fan zone, having a great time. When doctor Fraser’s team was running the ball toward the goal she was on her feet cheering them on. With less than two minutes left in the game, Jaime pulled in a fresh player and spoke into his ear as he nodded his head. He shot a look at Claire catching her biting her nails, wide-eyed. Jamie managed to look at his player in time to call a code they had practiced a thousand times and the team came together in a formation that broke all the rules of the game.

His new player kicked the ball hard into an area without players as a teammate was running to take possession. Once the ball was securely underfoot the kid passed the ball to a teammate who specialized in high-flying aerial kicks. The player ran for the goal, twisting just a foot from the goalie and looking into the sky as the ball came down like a rocket. He kicked it into the net and the stands erupted. The kids on Jamie’s team almost exploded on the field. With wide eyes and huge smiles, they searched the crowd for their coach, to say, oh my God it worked, you were right, sorry we doubted you.

Jamie strode to the coach of the opposing team with his outstretched hand and a humble smile. He was aware of the all too rare moments to demonstrate sportsmanlike behavior. Claire scanned the field for his clump of kids and smiled at their jubilation. As Jamie walked back they ran to him clamoring for his attention. Claire watched their mouths closely, “thank you, coach,” “You were right coach,” “sorry I was an asshole coach.” Claire thought she had a handle on the situation and she stood in the stands and smiled down at this handsome man.

Jamie was shaking the hands of the parents and smiling as he tried to extricate himself from the well-wishers. His gaze was stuck on the smiling Claire and one of the fathers figured it out.

“Is lovely legs your post-game party Fraser?”

Jamie looked at him dubiously, “somethin like that.”

Like Moses parting the red sea, the man cleared the bodies between Jamie and the bleachers and stopped several kids from going after him.

Claire sat in the bleachers and watched him approach with a smile for the hero. Jamie took inventory of her frilly feminine skirt, lace-up trench boots, ribbed wife-beater, jeans jacket, red lipstick, a bit of mascara, and those amazing eyes.

“Ye were the best fan we ever had Sassenach. Can I rent yer services?”

“Yes, of course. I’ve always fancied myself a professional fan.” As she walked down the stairs her skirt popped up above her thigh with each step. Jamie was transfixed watching the feminine lace and army boots under it. She stayed a stair above him and laid her arm across his shoulders as her lace bounced. Jamie liked the feeling of a woman’s arm up there and having to look up to see her face.

“I like yer boots Sassenach”

“Christ, my apologies. You asked for high heels but I couldn’t find any in my boxes and I was already late. These are standard issue for where I’m going with the traveling nurses program. I hope you’re not disappointed, Jamie.”

She bounced down to the ground level and looked up at Jamie who studied her inch by inch. Claire felt a wave of arousal move through her and Jamie saw the millisecond she gave into it.

He looked into her eyes and saw a free spirit, playful and vulnerable, yet honed by something big. Somehow she chose to forget her embarrassment of that morning because it suited her to do so and then she set her cap for a bit of fun with him. He was truly honored this beauty would choose him.

“Will ye feel safe on my couch for five minutes while I shower and change?”

“That depends. Will you be feeding me tonight?”

“Absolutely, anything ye like.”

“I like whisky and fine hors d'oeuvres”

“Perfect, me too.”

Claire decided Jamie Fraser smelled like heaven when he was clean and she kept pushing her nose into his neck to breathe deep. Jamie watched her skirt rise higher on her thigh and relished the intense arousal of having her mouth so close to his neck. They hit five of Edinburgh’s best for shellfish, aged beef, sushi, greek, and Mandarin. It was in the Mandarin restaurant that she gave up her side of the booth to sit across his lap and feed him delicacies with expert use of chopsticks. One bite followed by a kiss and Jamie’s hand found it’s way to her knee and then higher.

“I am so stuffed I don’t think I can walk but let's try. I knew you would be so fun to go out with. Thank you for agreeing, I had the most wonderful time.”

Claire decided to satisfy her curiosity. She would not be coming back to Edinburgh when her commitment was up and would never see any of these people again, including Jamie Fraser. She clutched his arm as they walked to his car.

“Why did you choose a career in pussy?” She leaned into his ear, “do you love it that much?”

He looked at her genuine interest and smiled. “I love bairns and families as well as female reproduction. It is very rewarding to see a woman through her pregnancy safely and catch the baby she has wanted all her life.”

“That is totally sweet but how do you deal with the jealous husbands when your face is buried between her legs under a sheet?”

Jamie cleared his throat uncomfortably, “I have not thought of it that way Sassenach.”

“I have thought of little else.”

She pulled his arm around her waist and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. His kiss was soft and exploratory as he touched her face and looked into her eyes. She tried again using her tongue and hoping he would give in to his brutal side. That is the orgasmic side where the party starts. She had no need or comfort with the emotional side. It scared her, it was needy, it would want to plant her somewhere and grow her into a smaller version of himself. She tried it a couple of times and decided that life was not for her.

“We should get going. I have two days before I leave and a week of work to do.” When they were at her door Jamie asked why she invited him out tonight. He liked her and didn’t understand her sudden distance.

“To see that awesome game, eat exotic food, drink the best whisky, and fuck. I have a desire for you that is completely carnal. Before she could get her key in the lock Jamie grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled her head back to receive his crushing kiss. He licked from her collar bone to her mouth making her groan. Pulling her up he felt her legs go around his waist and grind down on him.

While they were otherwise distracted, a male neighbor walked toward his apartment next door feasting on the erotic dance happening in front of Claire’s apartment. Jamie rolled his eyes at the stranger and said move along as best he could with Claire’s tongue in his mouth.

Jamie took her keys and opened the door tripping over a box directly in his path. He spun in midair so he would land on his back taking most of the impact. He looked up at Claire straddling him, “I want ye lass.”

“Well, we finally agree. I believe you are already acquainted with my pussy, care to return the favor handsome?”

Before the night was up Claire would experience the lethal combination of a strong finger rubbing her G-spot while a wicked tongue flicked, soft lips sucked, and nipples were pinched. Jamie reclined on her headboard with a fistful of Claire’s hair guiding her mouth to his balls and then telling her to open her mouth as he exploded down her throat.

When Jamie could breathe again he looked at Claire and recognized the signs of a booty call. Fidgety, suddenly silent, and glancing at the clock. This was the worst part of casual sex for Jamie. No warmth, vacant eyes, an empty heart, and guilt he had done it again.

“Your a beautiful girl Sassenach, will ye be comin back to Edinburgh when yer tour is up?”

“No.”

Jamie shook her hand, “I wish ye all the best miss.” He grabbed his jacket and left without another word. He had zero respect for women like Claire who buried their heart in concrete and just disconnected from their emotions. A man was just like a job to them. Some were amazing and fun and others were drudgery but she got an orgasm paycheck after which she enjoyed her freedom and answered to no one.

He stared at the road ahead, hating his sexual need that put him in this mood time after time. He dated two girls in college that were in love with him but they could not compete with medicine. He thought about them often, the way they would hold him, run their fingers across his skin, kiss him breathless while being so fragile. They made him feel like Hercules but his plan did not include commitment at that stage so he ultimately hurt them and moved on.

Jamie dropped into his bed and thought about Claire in the dark. She was exotic and beautiful, daring and spontaneous. Most women were so afraid of saying the wrong thing they didn’t say much at all, forcing him to pry each word from their mouths. Those dates were uncomfortable and regrettable as he shook their hand and said goodnight. Not with Claire. When her mouth opened it was anybody’s guess what was coming out and he loved it. He loved her free spirit and her ability to accept each moment as it came taking everything she could from it. The bold initiation kiss at the bar was so Claire. He smiled in the dark remembering her demand for a kiss because he was a newcomer. Claire decided what she wanted in each moment and then asked for it. Why couldn’t all women own their power that way? He slept fitfully, dreaming of the wild and beautiful Claire Beauchamp.

Claire watched the door close behind the handsome doctor and felt very strange about the way he left. His sudden distance and shaking her hand, calling her miss. What the hell was that all about? Why did he opt out of intercourse? It was the closest she would ever come to couples love when two people were heart to heart clinging to each other. She wished for that brief moment of pretend with him and her neediness for it surprised her. She wondered if she had made an enemy tonight. Why did she care? She would never see these people again and if Jamie felt bad about a romp with her that was his problem. She got up and headed for the shower.

Feeling fresh and clean Claire wrapped up in her favorite robe and made Chamomile tea to fight off her anxiety. She opened her book but her thoughts kept going back to the date with Jamie. He was such a gentleman and made sure she was having fun all evening. She told him about following her best friend Joe from post to post with traveling nurses. She watched his eyes get dark and mentioned Joe was a devout gay man. She wondered what his reaction was. The disappointment she was attached or annoyance he was pursuing another man’s woman? She would never know. When she sat on his lap and fed him mandarin delicacies he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. Christ, that’s it! He charmed me and I am feeling the residual of that eye contact and arousal.

“Jesus Christ, it’s one in the morning and I have got to get some sleep.”

Claire laid in her bed and kept her nose to the pillow he used. That amazing scent was with her in her dreams all night and by morning she knew what had to be done.

Jamie dragged himself to the field for the last game of the playoffs. His team was psyched to win and he was yawning. Not a great start and he shook his head to clear it. With the game underway and a very skilled opposing team, he was struggling to stay motivated.

Jamie jumped up when his team took the ball and ran it toward the goal. They needed a goal and he held his breath. As he watched every player move the ball down the field he heard a familiar whistle and voice shouting “go wolverines!” He looked in the stands and there she was, his almost perfect date. He smiled at her and felt his heart ramming in his chest. What is wrong with you Fraser, he thought. She will rip your heart out and jump on a plane.

Claire watched his eyes and saw his interest so he didn’t hate her completely. What she was doing there was anyone’s guess as she didn’t know herself. Looking online earlier she saw the playoff schedule and just showed up to cheer them on. The Wolverines scored and Claire launched to her feet calling out the player numbers that rocked. The average age of the team was fourteen and there was enough testosterone flowing through them to notice her short skirt and pretty legs. Normally Jamie would notice a shift in the energy of his team but he was under her spell as well.

When he couldn’t stand the distance anymore Jamie climbed the stands and she offered her hand. He looked at the eyes he had missed all night.

“Nice surprise Sassenach.”

“Well, you did ask me to cheer for your team and I love the little buggers, playing so good tonight.”

“I appreciate the support. I wish I could sit up here with you but I can’t.”

“What would happen if I sat down there with you?”

He held out his hand and walked her down the stands to sit on the field with him. He gave her tidbits of history on the prominent players and noticed she never took her eyes off the kids. It honestly looked like she was enjoying the game instead of waiting for a chance to have his attention.

Claire could not read Jamie’s energy and wanted to ask if he was happy she came. What do I friggin care, she wondered. Get your head on straight with mister gorgeous. You are here to exorcise him from your head and that is it. Tomorrow, Honduras, and two years of hard work with Joe, I can’t wait, so why am I here again?

The game ended, Jamie’s team won with one game left to play for the state championship. The kids were so excited and blushed fiercely when Claire mentioned how well they played. She gave out smiles like they were free and the kids were eating them up. Jamie noticed many of the parents watching her as well. He felt a moment of pride that she was with him and then mentally kicked himself for thinking that. By the time they could extract themselves he was mentally exhausted.

“What time is yer flight tomorrow?”

“Not until two in the afternoon.”

Jamie looked at her skirt and remembered running his hand under a similar garment and touching her round ass and flat stomach. Her lovely core was shaved clean and glistened with interest. He shook his head again.

“Well, what would you like to do Sassenach. Since ye didna run to an UBER after the game I ken you need my attention. How can I help ye?”

Jamie cringed at the harsh sound of his statement and noticed a flicker of insecurity in her eyes. He wanted to take her places she would never forget but he couldn’t and being this close to her was making him a little crazy.

“To be honest, I don’t know. Can I fix you dinner and just talk to you for a while?”

“Home cooking?”

“Oh, yea, I gave my entire kitchen to charity so we have to do it at your house. That is if you want me to cook for you.”

As wonderful as she was, Jamie was not in the mood for another sexual encounter that would make him feel like shit all day tomorrow. He looked at her beautiful eyes and missed her already.

“I am big on honesty Sassenach. Tell me what ye want from me tonight.”

When he saw her blush his heart melted right in his chest.

“I’m rather good at forgetting people but it didn’t work this time. To be honest, I don’t want to take my infatuation to Honduras, I fear it would be very hard to live that way, missing you. I am poison to relationships, that’s why I don’t have them anymore, so this will be a favor to you as well.”

“Like a dual exorcism ye mean.” Jamie held her soft hand and looked up at the sky. “I would be happy to help but I have no food to cook.”

“I will pick up some groceries while you take a shower. It won’t take me any time at all.” She ordered an UBER and kissed his cheek.

Jamie laid on the couch for ten minutes to rest and question his motives in allowing this tonight. She seemed so genuine and her honesty impressed him. She wanted to learn enough to forget him after tonight and resume her heartless life. Well, he could say the same about her, he decided, so stop thinking and get in the shower!

Claire let herself in and admired the trendy apartment once more. It was the perfect bachelor pad for a young, single, handsome doctor. She rolled her eyes at the thought of how much action he got here followed by the same argument she had with herself all day. What do you care, he probably gets a lot of pussy and more power to him.

Jamie emerged from his shower letting the aromas of food fill his lungs. It was not something that happened often and he enjoyed knowing she was here in his kitchen. He opened his mouth to say something and realized she was dancing with her earbuds in. She held a large salmon to her chest and slow danced with it, her head back, eyes closed, having a moment with the fish. Jamie felt a scary shift in his existence wishing he had not seen it. Then she freaked out and dropped the fish.

“Sorry, when I turned around and saw you it shocked me. Good thing I hadn’t taken the fish out of the package. See, floor is still clean.”

“What are ye makin Sassenach?”

“Your favorite, Salmon, with asparagus and baby red potatoes, which doesn’t sound Scottish by the way.”

“I spent a year at Columbia during my medical training and learned to enjoy the healthy foods they eat. Of course, nothin can replace bangers and mash but it will put ye in an early grave.”

Jamie pulled out two glasses and filled them with a very special whisky. He watched Claire’s face as she rolled it in her mouth and swallowed with a smile.

“I better get the fish ready before I start dancing with it again.” Another blush.

They talked about their lives, growing up, college and working in their chosen career. She told Jamie about her parent's death at age five, growing up with Uncle lamb in the farthest reaches of the globe and coming back to civilization at sixteen years old.

“I didn’t fit in very well at first. When I started nursing school I met my friend Joe Abernathy and we have been joined at the hip ever since.”

“What would happen if Joe settled somewhere and quit traveling?”

“Then I would work there and probably start being responsible. Saving money and stuff like that. “If you own an estate in the country why do you live here?”

“My sister Jenny lives there with her husband. It’s too far away to be called to the hospital in the middle of the night to deliver a baby.”

“You have been practicing medicine for three years and you are thirty-three? Did you want to be an astronaut but couldn’t make the cut? Seriously, what were you doing from eighteen to thirty-three?”

“Seven years of university and medical school. The rest of the time I was earning money for my education.”

Jamie thought about telling her the truth. It was something he would do if she were not leaving the next day forever. He ached to tell her everything but that was absolute folly. Even if she were madly in love and camped out on his doorstep, the odds she would accept who he was during those missing years were stacked against him.

The conversation continued through dinner and dishes, each taking turns describing their lives up to this point. Jamie poured two Drambuie over crushed ice and invited her to sit on the sofa.

“That was a delicious dinner Sassenach, thank you so much.”

“My pleasure. I love this drink, what is it?”

Jamie watched her amazing eyes as he described the drink is made from Highland Heather honey and scotch. Very sweet and perfect after dinner. She watched him talk and her face revealed her inner struggle to get past this infatuation with him.

“How are you doing Claire? Are ye feeling better? Ready to get to Honduras tomorrow?”

She walked on her knees across the couch and pushed her face into his. Jamie breathed her in wanting so badly to touch her but he couldn’t. Claire held his cheeks and looked into his eyes.

“I’m a hopeless mess, it’s not better, I don’t know why I am crushing on you so badly. If I wasn’t leaving tomorrow I would ruin this relationship in a couple of months because that’s what I do.”

Her mouth was so close to his he could feel her breath on his lips. She wasn’t letting go of his face so he kissed her. It was enough to touch her lips with his so he kept it light and struggled not to crush her to him.

Claire was feeling the energy from his kiss. He moved them into a comfortable kissing position and they just kissed and enjoyed the close proximity.

“This reminds me of high school when we would kiss for an entire afternoon,” she giggled.

“Is this helping Sassenach?”

“I don’t know because I can’t remember what we ...”

She kissed him halfway through the sentence so it took some time for her to say it. Jamie could feel his resolve slipping and he held her tighter as he deepened the kiss. Sending them both into the higher plane of arousal.

“Sassenach.” He held her cheek and brushed his thumb across her lips. It is borderline torture at this point. Are ye feelin better?”

He watched her deer-in-the-headlights look and he loved her vulnerability. She was soft and sensual, giving into her crush and delighting him with every kiss. Jamie took a deep breath and pulled himself off the couch. He took a long sip of his drink and watched her fuss with her clothing that had shifted with their kissing.

“Well, I should go.”

“Thank ye for makin dinner Sassenach.”

She stopped and looked up at him. “Why do you call me that?”

“It’s… yer British accent. Sassenach means outsider.”

“I see.” Her wide eyes were telling him a story of her fear that she would miss him and that it would hurt. Her vulnerability was killing him and he threw caution to the wind and kissed her again. No more push back, his hands explored her body again until he picked her up and carried her to his bed. His kisses were intense and she was panting his name while pushing his shirt up. Jamie shook his head hard and stayed her hands.

“I will see ye to your car or ye can stay all night with me, it’s yer choice mo chridhe.”

She pulled her shirt off and pulled his head to her. She hated sleeping with other people in the bed but sacrifices had to be made and she believed this would solve her problem.

Jamie took his time. Removing each piece of clothing followed by kissing and tasting the newly exposed skin. He pulled his shirt off and felt her nakedness against him, and kissed her some more, wanting this to last as long as possible. When he entered her they both groaned with the exquisite feeling. He watched her eyes and kept his strokes slow and deep. She arched her back and ground her pelvis into his thrusts, pushing her legs farther apart. “Harder Jamie, right now.” Jamie picked up his speed and felt a pleasant bump in his arousal. Claire grabbed his face and pulled it within an inch of hers. She was panting and looked him straight in the eye.

“I know what you want, I want it to. I say we exit Sunday school and fuck like champions. Let it go, baby. If I say, uncle, I stay for another month. Jamie was too close to his orgasm and this opportunity would not be wasted. He got up and ordered her to stay as she was. He dropped his body within an inch of hers and pressed his forehead to hers.

“I’m takin a shower so we can start over lass. You can opt-out of this and just turn on yer side and I will spoon ye to sleep. It’s a wise choice. Stay in this position and I will rock your world.”

Jamie grabbed a tie on his way back to the bed. He was smiling and excited she had not opted for sleep. Once the blindfold was on he spun her into an erotic tornado with his tongue, and fingers, pulling her so high and placing light kisses on her breasts and stomach while she floated back. Jamie twisted her beautiful body into positions of extreme pleasure and brutal penetration making her come again. Just before his release, he spun her back to face him and removed the blindfold. He kissed her deeply and watched her eyes as he thrust into her soft wetness before going rigid in his release.

“My God yer fun. No ‘uncle’ so ye must sleep mo chridhe, yer plane leaves in twelve hours.” He pulled her into his chest and pulled the quilt over them. Ordinarily, this position would shoot Claire right out of bed and out the door, no matter what she promised. Tonight, she felt comfortable and drifted off to sleep. Throughout the night, Jamie would reach for her and pull her back to him, running his hand up her leg or down her arm before falling asleep again.

Jamie’s eyes opened at five in the morning, his automatic wake up before his rounds started at six. He tried to pull his arm out from under Claire without waking her but she moved into him and threw her leg around him. Not a word was spoken. He pushed into her body and savored every moment, knowing he was falling in love, and she would never come back. When he emerged from the shower, she was gone.

[mysteriouslydarktale-blog]

Suede (Part 1 of 2)

Suede (Part 1 of 2)

Short Story by V-Nasty

1971

 Langston Roberts had received his 10th invitation to the Winter Formal.

 The pink note was folded meticulously on his desk and he eyed it warily as he sank into his seat. He looked around the classroom and rolled his eyes when he spotted Stella Peterson's all-pink notebook sprawled clumsily across her lap. She was pretending not to pay any attention but held a smile as she stared ahead at the blackboard. There were about 15 other students in the class, the history teacher was not yet present.

  Langston lifted the note and began to read it.

 "Winter formal with me?"

 Stella was, undoubtedly, one of the most popular girls at Mclean High School. She was conventionally attractive with very long blonde hair, fair skin and large green eyes. Her father, Richard Peterson, was a member of the House of Representatives and her mother, Hannah Peterson, was a boutique owner and catalogue model

 Langston, however, didn't really care for her.

 He stuffed the little pink note in his bag, deciding to wait before giving her a definite answer. All the girls who asked him to the dance were pretty but since Stella was the most popular one, he considered accepting her proposal. He wasn't necessarily fond of her but she was a member of their exclusive clique. Virtually everyone who attended Mclean High School was extraordinarily wealthy or well-off. It was the second home to Buckhead, Atlanta's most elite group of teenagers.  

 Stella glanced over her shoulder and was slightly put off when she noticed the pink note was gone. Langston caught her eye and shrugged casually, giving her a small smile. Apparently this pleased her because she responded with an even bigger smile as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes again. He didn't understand the fuss girls made about him.

 A freshman girl once told him that he kind of resembled Ricky Nelson. He shrugged it off though, it was barely a compliment.

 The class was active with conversation when Mrs. Harrington inconspicuously walked in.

 No one noticed the student waiting at the door.

 "Morning class," Mrs. Harrington announced loudly, setting down her tote and gradebook on her desk. "Sorry, I'm late. I was showing a new student around." She extended her hand towards the girl at the door.

 The girl stepped forward and everyone grew silent.

 She was tall, roughly 5'7 and slim but…very curvaceous. She wore a white turtle-neck, a suede jacket, a suede skirt and long black knee-high boots. She styled her hair in an afro – a large, brown afro.

 Her most enticing feature, however, were her amber eyes.

 The class was very silent. She wasn't the first black person the class has ever seen but she was one of the first and only black people to ever attend McClean High during that time. The only other black student attended Mclean in 1968. He was the son of a politician or something….it took some time for everyone to adjust.  

 "Stand in front of the class sweetie," Mrs. Harrington encouraged. "Tell everyone about yourself."

 Langston watched her intently; he was overtly fascinated. He had to admit, she was very pretty. To be honest, he's never had any black friends or was close to any black people except for his house keeper, Glenda.

 Jamelia walked in front of the class and when she opened her mouth to speak, her words were barely audible.

 Jamelia's voice was high, soft, and docile. Langston noticed that although she looked like a vixen, there was something profoundly innocent about her face.

 "Hi everyone, my name is Jamelia. I moved to McClean about two weeks ago from Los Angeles." Her eyes weren't trained on anyone in particular. "Um…I just turned 17 and I… love fashion."

 The class was still extremely quiet.

 "Sweetie, tell them about who you’re related to." Mrs. Harrington grinned.

 Jamelia looked mildly embarrassed as she continued on, "Oh um…my mom is Katherine Anderson. She's a member of the Marvelettes. My dad is Steven Anderson; he's an author and…he occasionally writes for the Los Angeles Times…"

 The class was still uncharacteristically silent.

 Mrs. Harrington looked mildly put off by their lack of enthusiasm. "Jamelia sweetie, why don't you take a seat – right there – to the left of Mr. Roberts."

 Jamelia looked slightly confused until Mrs. Harrington said, "The blond with the blue shirt."

 Langston felt vaguely excited that Jamelia was making her way towards him. She was like a teenage version of Denise Nicolas. Her heels clicked softly against the ceramic tiling as she made her way towards the center of the classroom. Langston inhaled a whiff of her perfume as she eased into her seat. Vanilla and lavender.

 When goosebumps started to erupted on his arms, he knew she was going to be a problem.

 Jamelia briefly caught his eye.

 He smiled.

 She didn’t smile back.

______________________________________________________________________

 Langston Roberts was nominated for Winter Formal King and had approximately 3 weeks to decide who to bring to the dance as his date. The pressure was extremely intense.

 Later that week, he had received his 15th proposal and had yet to give an answer to anyone. He was barely attracted to anyone that asked him out. He just wasn't enticed by the sea of superficial and shallow girls that attended Mclean High. Everyone was starting to look the same. Straight, shiny hair, corduroy skirts, and sparkly lip gloss. It was appealing at some distant point but now it was mundane and predictable.

 Langston was only interested in one girl but that one girl was not interested in him. This was a first because he was used to getting a lot of female attention. Jamelia, however, barely batted an eye at him since her arrival.

 He realized one day that he was very attracted to her.

 She strutted into class wearing a white, off-the-shoulder top with the bluest bell-bottom jeans and a pair of brown espadrilles. He almost melted when the scent of vanilla and lavender hit his nose. He was allured by her exposed neck and collarbones. Her skin was a caramel color; perfect and unblemished.

 She sat down and accidently pushed a pencil off her desk. As if in slow motion, it rolled towards him. He grasped it from the floor and handed it back to her. She hesitated before grabbing it but offered a small smile.

 A lump began to form in his throat.

 Woah, she was a dream.

 His body reacted unreasonably in her presence. He wanted to touch her. He craved her scent and longed to wrap a curl around his finger. Never in his life did he have a crush so strong and it's barely been two weeks. He wanted to speak to her but she seemed less than interested - and almost afraid - to start any conversation.  

 Langston knew he had to try. He knew he wanted to ask Jamelia to the Winter Formal.

______________________________________________________________________

 Tiny buds of sweat began to form on Langston's forehead as he approached Jamelia. She was salvaging books from her locker and looked a little apprehensive as she fumbled through the items inside. The hall was virtually empty minus the janitor, who was whistling jovially to some Marvin Gaye tune.

 Jamelia jumped slightly when she heard Langston's footsteps near towards her. She eyed him suspiciously until he completely obscured her view.

 "…Hey," he said, scratching the back of this head awkwardly. "How are you?"

 She hesitated a little. "Groovy."  

 "Cool, cool," he started again. For the first time in his life, Langston was so flustered by a girl, he couldn't think of anything intelligible to say. "C-class is late for you."

 "Huh?"

 "I-I mean, you're late for class," he said, a little more aggressively than he intended to. "Um…I'm sorry – I just saw you in the hall and wanted to see if you were okay."

 Jamelia's lips quivered a bit, she was unsure of how to respond. "Yeah, I actually can't find my Home Economics book," her eyes softened as she looked at him and back at her locker. "You're late too."

 He was also in love with her voice. She was so soft-spoken

 It took Langston several attempts before he was able to approach her. Today, she was wearing a white, satin blouse under a red cashmere vest. Her plaid, pleated skirt was red and yellow and her knee-high socks were slightly sheer. Langston closed his eyes briefly and inhaled. Her signature scent was as enticing as ever.

 "Yeah," he swallowed. "I actually wanted to ask you something…"

 She waited and when there was no immediate response: "Yes?"

 "Uh, I have my Home Economics textbook," he stumbled and scratched his head again. "Would you like to share with me?"

 "Was that your question?"

 "Of course."

 She looked around and back. "…sure Langston, that's real nice of you." Her amber eyes twinkled slightly as she offered him a genuine smile. "We should probably get to class now, huh?"

 He was so fixated by her smile that he forgot to respond.

 She started to walk past him and he watched as her large, brown afro bobbed up and down. Snapping out of his reverie, he ran to catch up with her - unaware of two suspicious green eyes watching the scene from behind.

 Stella Peterson grimaced in mild horror as she watched the pair walk off to class together. She overheard most of the conversation and was appalled that Langston might actually like Jamelia. Why would he like Jamelia, when he was supposed to like her?

 Stella was extremely well-known at Mclean High. She was the object of admiration for both sexes and was recently named Mclean High's Bunny of the Year, a prestigious honor indeed. Underclassman never won Winter Formal Queen and since she was a senior, she was determined to win.

 And she was certain that Langston was going to be Winter Formal King.

 She wasn't going to let anyone get in her way of her perfect night with her perfect date, especially not some random black girl. There was no competition and she was going to make sure of it.

______________________________________________________________________

 "Why is he walking in with her?"  

 "Who does she think she is with that outfit?"

 "She's pretty for a black girl, I guess."

 "Langston looks so good in those jeans."

 Jamelia and Langston were both 10 minutes late to class and were confronted with a sea of murmurs and stares upon their arrival. Langston ignored them and made his way to his regular seat and motioned Jamelia to sit by him. She made her way swiftly with her head slightly bowed down.

 "Nice of you to join us," Mrs. Eskers said in a monotonous tone. "As I was saying, the midterm project is due in 3 weeks. Everyone must choose one person to write a speech about and bring in a homemade gift. This will help with self-esteem in both yourself and the other person. Make sure the speech is heartfelt and the homemade gift is made thoughtfully. Blah blah blah…back to the regular lecture."

 She turned her face to the blackboard and starting writing the steps to making homemade molasses cookies.

 Langston pulled out his textbook and sprawled it across the desk between himself and Jamelia. He looked at her briefly and whispered. "I think I'm going to do a speech about you," he watched as her eyebrows furrowed deep into her forehead.

 "Me? Why?"

 "…because um…I don't think anyone else chose you. So I think I wanna do one about you… plus…I love the Marvelettes."

 "Oh okay, I can dig it…I'm choosing Velma because I've never seen hair that red before in my life," she whispered back and they both started to laugh. "Its far out."

 "Yeah…like you."

 "What was that?"

 "I said, yeah that's true," Langston recovered quickly. "Hey…I wanted to ask you something - "

 "- An actual question this time?"

 He smiled. "Yeah…um…do you have a date for the Win…"

 He was stopped abruptly by Mrs. Eckers, who slammed a ruler across their jointed desk.

 "Miss Anderson, Mr. Roberts – was there something interesting that you would like to share with the class?"

 Langston shook his head.

 "Mr. Roberts!" she screeched. "Please use your voice."

 "No ma'am. Nothing interesting at all."

 "Langston, don't lie to me. Please stand in your seat and tell the class what you and Miss. Anderson were discussing. If not, you will both receive detention."

 Langston stared up at Ms. Eskers and back at Jamelia, who was also looking at Ms. Eskers. He was under the scrutiny of the entire class but his attention was on the girl before him. Her amber eyes were transfixed on the teacher, her lips puffy and pink, her hair large and majestic.

 Bewitched is the only word that could describe his infatuation for her.

 He tore his gaze away, stood up in his seat and inhaled. Mrs. Eskers took a step back, her ruler in hand.

 He stared ingenuously at the teacher. "I was in the middle of asking Jamelia if she had a date to the Winter Formal," He looked at Jamelia. "If not, I wanted to take you."

 The class went completely silent. It took Jamelia roughly 3 minutes to reply and to Langston, those 3 minutes felt like 3 hours. She didn't respond right away and she could feel the glares of every girl in the class burning a hole through her temple. She then eyed at Mrs. Eskers, who also looked like she was waiting for an answer.

 "I don't have a date for winter formal…," she said slowly, choosing her words carefully. "…But, I don't think I'll be going anyway."

 "Oh…cool," were the only two words that left Langston's mouth.

 But oddly enough, he wasn't discouraged.

 He gave her a small smile which she weakly returned. Mrs. Eskers huffed impatiently as she made her way back to the blackboard. There were a few students who were still staring at the pair.

 No. Langston Roberts was not discouraged – he was more determined than ever to get closer to her.

[hetmusic]

TMR TALKS TO... WYLDEST | The Most Radicalist 

On March 1st, London trio Wyldest will release their long-awaited debut album Dream Chaos via Hand In Hive. We’ve been on the journey with this talented outfit for around three years now since the release of single ‘Stalking Moon’, and we had the great pleasure to meet and see Wyldest perform at The Great Escape festival last year. Along the way, there was always that question, when would we get to hear an album? Over the past few months, there have been more hints with the release of each new single, most recently ‘Quiet Violet’ and ‘Alive’. The upcoming record was written, engineered and produced by the band’s founder Zoe Mead alongside band member Mariin Kallikorm, and the flawless percussion is courtesy of Jack Gooderham. Dream Chaos is the result is tireless work, determination and self-belief, and below we discuss the record with Mead.

TMR: Here we are, on the cusp of your debut album, what's the journey been like up to this point? Any notable highs and lows? I know right? Can't believe it. We have a photo of my arm saved to our camera roll with 'Dream Chaos 11.11.17' written on it - that was the night we decided on the name of the album and it's been over a year in the making. There were many nights of complete bliss, when everything was going well and we felt confident that self-producing was the right thing. However, we did have many moments of self-doubt, thinking we needed help to make the songs the best they can be. We've learnt the art of patience and living on a shoestring. The lowest point was probably buying 28p noodles from Sainsbury's for a week whilst tracking the drums. TMR: Speaking of looking back, your recent single ‘Alive’ is certainly one of rose-tinted nostalgia. Where did this song originate? This song was formed from one heavily reverberated riff, a drum sample and a traffic jam in the baking sun where the lyrics were written (true story). The lyrics are a reflection of feelings many people have ... about letting a beautiful memory stay as a beautiful memory and resisting the temptation to go back and try to resurrect a chapter in your life which ended for a good reason. TMR: That track also has an aura of improvisation about it, as do several others. Have any bands or artists influenced this fluid style? Our songs are written in various different ways – ‘Alive’ seems to be the exact result of what we get when we build the song upwards from a single riff - it’s repetitive and doesn’t build too much - it’s about memories and nostalgia - so it works that the song is easy on the ears and provokes a time to reflect, be a little melancholic - rather than a time to think deeply - like some of the other more intense songs on the record. I don’t think we consciously took influence from anyone when writing this - in fact it was a tiny step away from music we usually make - a bit more off the cuff, chilled - we sort of took the pressure off ourselves to try and write an emotional ‘banger’ and wrote something softer on the ears and close to our hearts. Something the mums will like. TMR: When it comes to the songwriting process, does any one member take the lead here or is it more collaborative? The project started as a solo thing in my room. After outing a few tracks back in the day, playing live in various live formats, I met Mariin - a musician, new to London, who'd been jamming in her own projects back in Cologne. Wyldest really took the shape of what it is today when we collaborated. The way we work now is that me and Mariin both go away and write riffs/songs/jams - we call this our 'independent study' time. Then we come back together and develop our ideas together. The way I write is slightly different from Mariin - I'm usually pretty vocal/chord-led and Mariin is more guitar riff-led. We're always bouncing ideas off each other and there to support each other and it’s a machine that seems to work pretty well. Jack usually comes in a little later in the process - we jam out the song and then it becomes real - he's a backbone and a drumming force to be reckoned with. TMR: There are also self-directed visuals to go along with the record, you largely take the reins there Zoe. Why was it also important to have control over the visual aspect? I spend a lot of time in my general life creating video for all kinds of means - so it sort of makes sense for us to do it this way. In fact, creating video content is something all three of us really enjoy doing and it is another dimension for creative expression. I wouldn't say that having control of the visuals is the most important thing to us - as I said, collaboration is something we really enjoy and we have several friends who make incredible music, art and video. Also, when you take things into your own hands - you're only limited by your own time constraints, budget and creative energy - when it is you in the driving seat, you can ensure you arrive at the destination. TMR: The most recent video for ‘Headrush’ deals with several themes including mental health, which has been an ever more central discussion in the music industry. Why is this topic important to you? Yes, the music industry in particular is plagued with mental health problems. People who choose to pursue creative outlets much of the time suffer through self-doubt, anxiety and sometimes financial hardship. We're generally pretty focused and we support each other through times of strain - so we're very lucky. But we have certainly had testing times and we have close people in our lives who suffer too. Creative expression is such a tonic for mental health issues - with particular reference to making bonds with others and collaborating/supporting others with their art. We've built up a friendship network with other bands/creative people and it's so nice to share eachother’s art, struggles and success. We're becoming a little more real with our creative expression and we made a deal when we wrote this album, that we will not hide away from writing about topics that we hold close to our hearts. We want listeners to be lured by dreamy riffs, but also really listen to the lyrics and ponder the meanings - because our music is sometimes not as dreamy as it might seem. TMR: To that point, Wyldest are commonly referred to by the ‘dream pop’ label, but is this a description you’d agree with? I think we are always evolving - especially with our newest stuff. We would certainly not disagree with the ‘dream pop’ label thus far - so we'll take that for now - but being put into a box isn't something we're aiming for. The latest music we've been writing seems to be manifesting quite differently. We are always growing, learning and so is our music. What we have in store may be slightly out of our ‘dream pop’ comfort-zone. We do listen to a lot of shoegaze/dream pop - so it would make sense for our sound to take that on - however it’s also important to us to touch on other genres to ensure we don’t limit ourselves creatively. We also try to go to the source for inspiration. For example, we obviously love Beach House - but they were inspired by Neil Young, who was inspired by the Beatles, who were inspired by Chuck Berry. TMR: I'm sure all of the songs on the album are special for their own reasons, but did any tracks propose a particular challenge? We battled a little with a song called ‘Mind Over Body’. To us it sticks out on the album as a little different from the others and we weren’t sure whether we’d moved away from the synth-pop type stuff we made in the early days. It’s very poppy - and we struggled with finding a place for it initially. We ended up concluding that we don’t need to fit in a box and if we wanna write a synth pop song - then we’ll fricking do it. TMR: A pretty obvious question, although we feel it may have an interesting answer… what does Dream Chaos signify? All life is a game of risk and you can only really win if you’ve risked losing. Dream Chaos embodies this idea exactly. In order to live your dreams, you have to experience the chaos - and the chaos can end up being the most beautiful thing about your journey. TMR: Following the album release you'll be heading out on a UK tour, for anyone hovering over the ‘buy tickets’ button, can you describe your live show in five words or less? Dreamy (funnily enough), overdriven, fun, emotional and groovy (Jack is the leanest, meanest grooviest machine).

http://www.themostradicalist.com/features/tmr-talks-to-wyldest/

[jandjsalmon]

11 Questions Game

Holy Hannah! I spent my holiday weekend at the symphony (Final Fantasy: Distant Lands - SO GOOD!), playing on the lake for the first boat trip of the season, and paintballing my little heart out and generally hanging out with my irlbgf - and yet while I was away, I was tagged by some of my favourite, absolutely amazing wonderful lovely fellow Buggies in the fun 

I promise I wasn’t ignoring you! I love you all and I would like to answer all five of you - so that's 55 questions instead of just 11. That means that I DEFINITELY have to put it under a cut because it will eat up your dashboard and maybe some of you aren't all that interested in my answers. lol. 

BUT if you're interested at all in my answers and who I am, I hope you'll click. :)

From the awesome and ever talented and wonderful @believe-that-you-can-my-friend  💙💛

1. What’s your favourite piece of clothing you own?  

I have a pair of black velour pajama pants. It is my most favourite things in the world. They feel like velvet.

2. What fictional place would you most like to go?

The Starship Enterprise. The Future and the Federation seems like a pretty groovy society to live in.

3. What’s the best way to start the day?

With overnight updates to all your favourite Bughead fics that you MUST read and review before getting into the shower.

4. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch?

I'm not into Fifty Shades of Gray. I mean - I have no problem with BDSM - I simply have a problem with bad writing.

5. What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?

My kids are growing up! Within the next ten years all three of my kids will be gone/leaving for college. I'll be an empty nester with my super dreamy hubby.

6. What city would you most like to live in?

I love where I live - Calgary is the best - but other than just saying "here" - I guess I'd choose London.

7. What movie title best describes your life?

It's a Wonderful Life.

8. What irrational fear do you have?

Clowns. I hate them. My husband tells me that it's an irrational fear all the time - but it doesn't FEEL irrational.

9. In your group of friends, what role do you play?

I'm generally the centre of attention. In real life, I want people to be comfortable and as engaged as I am - so I talk a lot and ask lots of questions so that they'll feel more comfortable sharing as well. People like me - oftentimes more than I like them. In fandom life I'm kinda like that too - but I like to play the roll of the cheerleader and support and over excited and passionate fangirl. In general, I like being /nice/ and I get something out of people loving me as much as I adore them. 

10. What are you most insecure about?

Um... the same physical insecurities that most people have. I guess that I'll be so over-the-top that people will think I'm fake or that I'm silly.

11. What are you most likely to become famous for?

I'm technically writing a novel... that will probably never be published. But I guess that's the only ever way I'd be famous.

From the freaking fabulous @gellbellshead 💙💛

1. What is your favourite food?

Potatoes. Whether it's mashed, soup, fries (poutine!), or whatever. I love potatoes of all sorts. YUM.

2. What is your favourite movie genre and your favourite movie from that genre?

Um. I like lots of different kinds of films but I guess I like Sci Fi the most. My favourite Sci Fi is probably Serenity. But I actually have a list of five favourite ALL TIME movies of various genres: Stardust, Schindler's List, Serenity, EuroTrip, and French Kiss.

3. Favourite Disney movie.

Meet the Robinsons or Brave.

4. Do you prefer to read fluff or angst?

I like there to be a HEA - so if there has to be angst - as long as I get a happy ending I'm cool. I like to call that Flangst. I really like plot driven fics - but I also love fluffy one-shots... I'm fairly easy. Just don't split up my OTP please.

5. Any siblings?

I'm the youngest of five - my brother is the oldest, and then three sisters, then me.

6. Your favourite fictional character?

Elizabeth Bennet

7. Your favourite person in real life?

My sweetheart, Jay. He's my person.

8. Your top 5 songs of all time?

Bizarre Love Triangle - Stabbing Westward (a New Order Cover) Moonlight Serenade - Glenn Miller Monkey Tree - Mother Mother Sleep Alone - Two Door Cinema Club Sleepwalk - Santo and Johnny

9. What it the biggest risk you have ever taken?

Um. I'm not really a risk taker.

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

I "seen" it. Irregardles. Supposably.  (I really hate bad grammar)

11. How would your friends describe you?

Loud and fun. Kinda silly.

From the ever lovely, @wordsonpages1​  💙💛

1. Favourite colour?

Mossy green

2. Favourite book?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Random Passage by Bernice Morgan. The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman

3. What is your mantra or life motto?

As a family, we have a motto "Salmons don't do Shortcuts" - but personally I have two additional mantras. I have a scripture that is very important to me Mark 5:36 "Be not afraid, only believe." and a song with lyrics that I call my mantra: The song is called Chances by Kirby Heyborne and the line in particular is, "I am hope. I believe. I am alive. I am every thing. I have come to take these chances. I wonder when things will go my way. I was born to live my life and no one tells me who I am."

4. The number one thing that draws you to a person?

I'm shallow. Smile - shoulders - smell.

5. Who is your idol or inspiration?

Queen Elizabeth II Hannah Senesh My grandpa.

6. Places you would like to travel to?

All over Europe.

7. A perfect day would entail?

Sleeping late. Hours reading in the bathtub with no interruptions.

8. Dream job?

Can they pay me to read Bughead fanfiction all day?

9. Ultimate life goal?

To retire and travel with my sweetie and raising well adjusted and cool kids.

10. What do you like/ love most about yourself?

I love that I'm fun and passionate about stuff.

11. Sunrise or Sunset?

Sunset for sure. Mornings suck.

From my girl @jugandbettsdetectiveagency​ - 💙💛

1. Describe your aesthetic?

Jughead Jones shaking the soap? (does that count?)

2. Favourite place you’ve ever visited?

Visited is an interesting word. My favourite PLACE is the riverbottom at the bottom of the Coulee in Lethbridge. It's home. I love it.

3. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Nanaimo Bars.

4. Biggest regret?

After my BA I should have gone to Grad school. Or I should have become a Dental Hygenist or something - but I got a History Degree because I love History. I don't work in that field at all so even though I spent $50,000 to become an official Historian... I could have become something else, that would have probably made me a lot happier than what I'm doing and remained an amateur Historian.

5. You’ve been put in the middle of a fantasy battle, what is your weapon of choice?

Double edged lightsaber.

6. Favourite outfit?

Not counting my favourite pajama pants... I have this super cute red and gold paisley handkerchief shirt I bought in Mexico. I love it.

7. Have you ever been in love?

Twice. I was lucky enough to find my sweetheart when I was 19 years old. The love I felt for the bloke before Jay was minuscule in comparison to what I feel for my husband - but it was still love.

8. Favourite thing, fan fiction or not, you’ve ever read?

I can’t answer that. I read too many delicious things.

9. Main thing you look for in a person?

Sardonic sense of humour.

10. What is your earliest memory?

I remember my fourth birthday party really clearly. 

11. You’re stranded on a desert island, what one item (that isn’t a boat) would you want with you?

Can I have two? A hammock and a book?

And lastly - from the wonderful @peacelovebughead   💙💛

1. What’s your go-to pump up song?

Well lately it’s been Believer by Imagine Dragons - but normally it’d be something from Two Door Cinema Club or like Take on Me by A-Ha or something. lol.

2. If you could travel absolutely anywhere, where would you go?

Auschwitz.

3. What Hogwarts house do you belong to?

Hufflepuff

4. Thunder or Lightning?

Lightning

5. When do you feel most confident?

When I’m doing something I’m good at and people around me KNOW I’m good at it.

6. What is one of your favourite memories?

I don’t know if I have ‘favourite’ memories. Yesterday at the lake with my husband and my kids (who are teenagers and fight a lot!) - I got to hear them happily laughing and joking and having a wonderful time. That’s today’s favourite memory.

7. Who is a fictional character that you relate to? Why?

Dude. Kevin Keller is a gay, male version of me. And my brother and husband are cops so I relate to that part of him too. lol.

8. If you could wake up famous tomorrow, would you do it?

If I could keep my happy family and my morals - then sure.

9. What is one of your proudest accomplishments?

How about that $50,000 piece of paper I have hanging on my office wall that announces to the world that I’m officially allowed to have an opinion on British History along with the roots and causes of Totalitarianism. Getting that was pretty great.

10. If you were to live in a fictional world, which world would you choose?

Asked earlier - but I’d say the Star Trek universe would be the place to be.

11. If you were to pick a colour palette to describe you, what colours would you choose?

Jewel tones. 

[foolsiwillshowthemall]

Farm Report:  Breaking hearts all over town

Saturday, the 13th day of Fall.  Today is a very special day.  One year ago, I gave my Abigail the first pumpkin out of my garden, and then promised that in one year, I would propose to her.  Now it's time.

It's all I can do to hold myself back from running straight to the general store and waiting outside until she's ready, but I know she doesn't get out of bed for another three hours.  And, special day or no, I really do have farm chores to do before I head out.

Assorted birds and rabbits!  Soon, very soon, you will all need to get used to having a second human around here to take care of you.  I'm going to go propose to my girlfriend.  Aren't you all excited?

Last year I gave her an ordinary-quality pumpkin, because it's all I had.  Now I have a gold star one - actually the best of last year's crop.  It wasn't grown in time to give her for her birthday last year, so I've been saving it for today.

Don't mind me, Pierre.  Just going to propose to your daughter.

Hi sweetie.

It sure is.  Here, take this extra high quality pumpkin.  I've been saving it all year just for you.  But don't go, I have something else here for you.

It's the traditional mermaid pendant.  Abigail, will you marry me?

She said yes!

I mean, of course she did.  I maxed out her friendship, and any of the romanceable NPCs will accept if you've gotten them to 10 hearts, but it's still really nice to hear.

You do that, sweetie.  I'll mark the calendar.  Getting married on the 16th to my spoopy girl.

Considering the selection of men in this town, I'm not surprised.  Though apparently Abigail didn't know she was into girls before me, which probably didn't help.

We sure are.

Caroline mostly appears somewhat shocked by the idea.  She'll get used to it.

Hey Pierre?  Abigail and I are totally getting married in three days.  Just thought you should know.

Bah, he doesn't care as long as his store makes a profit.

Well, that was the fun part.  Now I have to go and break the news to everyone else in town.  This will be less pleasant, but it needs to be done.

Hey, Maru.  My awesome science girl.

So, Abby and I are getting married.  Yeah, I know!  Cool, isn't it?  Thanks!  Now, I have a few things I need to say to you.

You are way too smart to stay where you are.  Your talents and genius are wasted in this town.  You need to get out of here, go work for whatever this world's equivalent of NASA or MIT is, somewhere where you can put your genius to work for the betterment of the world.  I mean, you build MarILDA in your basement with a box of scraps, imagine what you could do with a proper budget and facilities?

And when you go, please, please take Penny with you.  I know you're friends with her.  I've seen you sitting together and talking.  She's smart, she reads books, she cooks and cleans and keeps a good house, and if you decide you're into girls I'm pretty sure she swings that way too.  I don't care if you take her as a roommate, a girlfriend, wife, whatever, just someone has got to get her out of this toxic situation she's living in now.

Hey there Penny.

So, I don't know if you've heard, but Abigail and I are engaged.  Getting married in three days, on the 16th.

Now, please, sweetie, don't cry.  I know.  It's not what you hoped would happen.  But we both knew this was coming.

But if I can offer a suggestion?  Maru is an amazing girl.  I know you both like each other.  I know you like girls, and I'm pretty sure she does - hard to tell with her, though.  And she's probably good with kids - I mean, she's already built one, and can probably figure out how to have some with you, if that's what you want. Please think it over.  I won't be going anywhere, I'll still be here in town, and I can even watch the kids for you if you decide to spend more time with her.

Hey there, Haley!  Looking beautiful as always, did you do something new with your hair?

Anyway, Abigail and I have finally decided to get married.  I know, I've been saying I would for a year, but now it's finally time.  Thanks!

So, I've been thinking about you.  I know you've been thinking that living in a small town isn't so bad, but I've actually been starting to think that this town might be too small for you.  You're a lot more talented than I initially gave you credit for, and you built your own darkroom - which shows you actually have some drive and skill and aren't just the shallow beautiful girl that some people might assume.

Anyway, I think you could really make a name for yourself with your photography.  But you might need to make more contacts with people in Zuzu city.  And that's why I think you should talk to Sebastian.

You know, Sebastian?  Cute dark-haired goth kid who lives in Robin's basement?  Actually, you might not have ever met him, he doesn't come outside on sunny days.  Now, I know what you're thinking, but he's actually really sweet and thoughtful when you get to know him.  Good kisser, too, though we really need to get him to stop smoking.  And, the important part is, he owns a motorcycle!  Ask him to take you for a ride some day, it's a real blast.  And he can get you in touch with people in graphic arts, and give you rides to and from the big city.  Really, this could work out well.  I'll introduce you.

Hi, Harvey.

We had fun together, didn't we?  The balloon ride?  The model airplanes?  The dance aerobics?  Good times.

But we knew it wasn't going further.  You're a great big adorable goofball, but you're ultimately not really my type.  You know that Abigail and I are close.  Well, we're getting married in three days.  Yeah, it turns out she's into girls after all. And so am I, you know.

But this doesn't mean you have to end up alone.  Can I make a suggestion?  Get to know Leah.  She's smart, talented, mature, and I think at this point she's looking for someone stable and emotionally well-grounded.

And I'm pretty sure her controlling ex has been permanently scared off now, so you won't need to punch anyone in the face.

Emily, you are a totally awesome groovy girl, but I'm afraid our secret woods camping trips are going to have to end.  I'm getting married to Abigail.  Thanks!  I expect you to help us put together outfits and decorations for the wedding, I can't think of anyone more skilled.

But now, if you do feel the need for a partner for dancing, or camping, or whatever, can I suggest Shane?  I've seen you chatting with him in the saloon.

 He's actually really nice once you get past that gruff exterior.  And he loves birds!  And you have a pet bird!  Come on, things could really work out between you two.

Plus, maybe you can finally fix the holes in that ratty old jacket he wears.

Elliott!  Look at me when I try to talk to you.  I know I broke your heart, but that's no reason to ignore me.  Pay attention to me, not that book.

I know you had feelings for me that were deeper than I realized, or intended, and I'm flattered, but I'm still getting married to Abigail in three days.  You're awfully sweet, and I'm really impressed by you actually managing to follow your dreams and write your book, but it would never work out between the two of us.

I suppose your next book can be inspired by the farmer who broke your heart.

Anyway, see you around.

Hey, Sebby.  How's it going?  Motorcycle holding up well?

Anyway, I'm getting married to Abigail in three days.  I know you kind of a crush on her.  Yeah, that wouldn't have worked out, you know.  It turns out she's into girls after all.

Anyway, can I make a suggestion?  You know Haley, right?  Pretty blond girl who likes photography?  You have seen her around, right?  No?  Fine, I'll introduce you.  I bet she would love a motorcycle ride.

Hey Sam.

There's something I've been meaning to say to you for a while. You know those cans of Joja Cola I gave you way back a few months ago? They were all fished out of the pond.

I probably shouldn't have kept that up for as long as I did, but I just wanted to see how long it would take you to realize you were drinking pond water.  I expected you to say something after the first can, but you just kept right on drinking them!

Really, you should probably thank me.  Pond water is better for you than actual Joja Cola. I expect it tastes better too.

Anyway, good luck with that band of yours.  I'll make sure Abigail gets to practice on time once she and I are married.

Oh, and if I ever catch you vandalizing Linus's tent, I will come down on you like the wrath of an angry god.

Hey there Leah. I just want to say that you are an amazingly talented artist and just an all around inspiring person, and I'm really glad I got the chance to meet you.  You've proven Kel wrong and demonstrated that you can stand on your own as an artist.  Well done!

Anyway, Abigail and I are getting married in three days, and you are most certainly invited.

And if I may make a suggestion?  I know you've complained that the cabin can get lonely, especially in wintertime.  Have you ever considered Harvey?  You know, Harvey, the cute doctor.  He's actually great once you get to know him.  He builds model airplanes.  It's adorable, but it also means that he has a great eye for detail and he's really good with his hands.  Give it some thought.

...

Hmm.  Is that everyone?  Have I talked to all the bachelors and bachelorettes in town?  It's getting late, but I can't help think that I'm overlooking someone.

...

Oh, I think I know who I forgot.

Hey, Alex.  There's something I need to say to you.

You should enlist.

The Ferngill Republic needs men like you to defend it from the Gotoro Empire.  You're youn, strong, have obvious athletic ability, and honestly, your gridball career is going nowhere.  I don't want to be harsh, but you need to face reality.  If you were going to go pro, you would have done it by now.  Your window for professional sports has closed.  If you want to really make something of yourself, and prove that you're not worthless, you should join the army.  Ask Kent, I'm sure he can tell you who to get in contact with.

Do it for Stardew Valley.  Do it for Haley.  Do it for all of us.

Clint?

You really should have given her that amethyst yourself.

Not that it would have worked.  You and Emily would be a disaster together.  You think of her as a magical pixie dream girlfriend, but she's an actual human being with her own life and feelings and needs.

Until you can grow up and take control of your own life instead of just doing what you're told and being too scared to actually make your own decisions and fight your own battles, your life will not improve or change, and you'll stay single and miserable in a job you hate. ... That has to be everyone, right?  I can figure it out later, it's late and I still have stuff to do on the farm.

Harvesting cranberries.  I actually put this off for way too long today, but it needs to be done before sundown.

Fixing broken fences around the animal pen.

And finally, harvesting fairy rose honey at the apiary.

Sunday the 14th, and the pumpkins are mature!  Abigail will be thrilled.

The fence has even more damage.  This is really getting annoying.

Stopping by Marnie's to get two more rabbits.  Bigwig and Blackberry will be joining the others at the coop, along with the chickens and ducks.

As I'm buying the rabbits, I suddenly remember who I forgot to talk to last night.  Shane!  How could I forget my sad soft chicken bro?  I rush to tell him - and apologize for having forgotten - but he's cool, he's actually already heard and he's completely accepting of it.  After all, he and I were only just platonic friends anyway.

Shane, I am so proud of you for holding on and pulling yourself together.  Any time you need me, I'm here for you.  Except when Abigail needs me.  She and I are getting married after all.

Oh, I put in a good word with Emily for you yesterday.  I know that camping is not really your thing, but if she ever asks you to go on a camping trip, go with her!

Monday the 15th.  Only one day to go till the wedding.  It's hard to concentrate on my farm chores, I'm so excited and nervous.

Spending a bit of time with my beautiful fiancee on the dock.  Abigail is really, really excited to be marrying me.  Then again, considering that 'farmer' seems to equate to super-human adventurer/civic leader/crafter/defender of the town and provider of everyone's food, she should be pleased.

They are going to be a lot better, babe.  One more day till we're together.

There is one more thing to do first.  I'm buying the last house upgrade.  It's really expensive - nearly every gold I have remaining - but Abigail deserves the best. Okay, I admit, the final upgrade is for a cellar, and I don't think she's ever going to go into the cellar.  It's just another production facility to make certain foods more valuable.  But it's the principle of the thing.

The pigs have given me an early wedding gift.  No, that's not a turd, it's a truffle!  One of the last things I need for the community center bundles.

I don't think I'll be sleeping much tonight.  Tomorrow is the big day.

[newssplashy]

Good life in Ghana

Smart-travelling through Accra, Ghana’s capital city requires a know-how

Musa Jibril

While growing up, there used to be a popular Yoruba saying with regard to Ghanaians: Kos’arugbo n’Ghana––to wit, “There is no unfashionable person in Ghana.” The statement still rings true today. I won’t explain any further. Find out yourself.

Ghana hardly changes. There is not going to be much gap between the experience of someone who lived in the country in the 1960s and that of someone who lived there in the new Millennium. They are not easily amenable to change, the Ghanaians. Even the physical layouts of their cities are still as identifiable as the days of Nkrumah.

Accra, the capital city, is still a melting pot it was during Nkrumah’s time when it was the epicentre of pan-Africanism. Half a century after the Alien Compliance Order sent other nationalities out of the country, today’s Accra has a mélange of foreign nationals: Nigerians, Burkinabes, Togolese, Ivorians, Sierra Leoneans, Liberians and Guineans. This diversity adds colour and zing to the everyday life in Accra. It engenders a cosmopolitan culture that imbues the foreigners with a sense of belonging.

There are many facets to the Ghanaian life and the briefest of stay in the capital leaves you with indelible impressions. A Nigerian staying beyond a few days will need to make some adjustments, though. Truth is, we are different in many ways, the Ghanaians and us. They are not loud. They don’t like loud music. They don’t brag. This is especially important if you are a Lagosian.

I love their sense of enjoyment. Ghanaians abhor stress. They make an effort not to complicate their lives. Unlike Nigerians who work nonstop, Ghanaians, if they work in an office, strictly observed the one-hour midday break. In the evening, they take time off to enjoy. On holidays, they stay indoors. It took me awhile to get used to it.

If you are doing Accra as a tourist, you need to have a head for the good time and a taste for good music. Remember, Ghanaians have a claim to being the exponents of highlife music before Nigerians usurped it and turned into something bigger. Ghana still has a hold on live band music, and +233 Jazz Bar and Grill is the place to have a taste of the real thing, especially whenever Gyedu-Blay Ambolley comes to town. Ambolley has a jazz ensemble that included a terrific horn player that is a Nigerian. The Ghanaian jazz-highlife maestro usually caps his performance with a rendition of one or two of Fela’s song.

Still on music, activities at the Alliance Francaise every month bring a cocktail of cosmopolitan melodies and performance from Francophone countries and other faraway places. The Ghanaians maintained a modicum of the European entertainment culture that will appeal to the bourgeoisie in you. Once in a while, a stage play comes up at the national theatre by seasoned playwrights such as Ebo Whyte or versatile entertainers like the musician Okyeame Kwame whose repertoire includes opera-like plays. Downtown Accra, at Nkrumah Circle, Vienna City, a bar-club-restaurant outfit that is the centre of gravity for fun seekers, sizzles in the evening.

The city has no shortage of clubs––from Hotgossip Night Club to Django Bar to Club Onyx––they are as good as they come. Neat, not seedy; organised and upscale, and good places for a nice evening timeout. There is no negative ring about clubbing in Accra.

If you have a day or two to spare, it will be a great idea to familiarise yourself with the popular sights of the city. Start with Mokola market at Accra Central. It is a sprawling market where you buy anything and everything, and tarry at Tudu, the neighbourhood of moneychangers that has a whiff of Lagos’ Idumota and a slice of Tudun Wada in Kaduna. Nearby Jamestown, with its lighthouse and its famous Wesley church where Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe tied the marital knots on April 4, 1936, is another place to visit. One of Ghana’s oldest town, it is peopled by the Ga whose cultural practices are related in some respect to the Yoruba. Nearby is Bukom, the centre of Ghana boxing culture.

Beach bums will find the Labadi Beach okay, but I have to tell you this: the best beaches are not in Accra. If you are the “jolly good fellow” type who treasures a timeout in a bar over a bottle of beer or two, Ghana is your nirvana. There is a bar every one kilometre on the street. And beer is plenty and cheap and comes in varieties, from rice beer to cassava beer and Alomo to Akpetesi.

Bars, especially those on the road sell from tanks into tankards. If you are a teetotaller, ask for Alvaro or Club’s soft drinks, and soak in the fizzy aura of the bar.

You might have a little difficulty with food. Nigerians and Ghanaians are a world apart in their cuisines. Coming from a Nigerian background where there are varieties of local foods, you might have to make some adjustments to the ‘limited’ culinary options. Not every Nigerian will find Waakye or Kenkey and Banku good substitutes for Apu, Gari or Amala.

Whereas you are used to Egusi, Ogbono, Ewedu and Afang, what Ghanaians offer is okro soup, groundnut soup, palm nut soup and light soup. I love Ga Kenkey––because I was used to it in Nigeria. I lived on it. I love Waakye too, perhaps because both are served with Shito. Those days, whenever we were driven to appease our palate with Nigerian cuisine, House of Ovations Restaurant, owned by Otunba Dele Momodu, was the place to grab a plate of Gari or Semo and vegetable soup.

In general, life moves at a lazy tempo, quite unlike the turbo-charged living of Lagos. I guess that is why Ghanaians live up to 100 years. In Ghana, funeral is fun. The city empties at the weekend as they burrow into the hinterland for funeral ceremonies that easily become an assembly for Old Money families and the nouveau riches, whereby you get the Who’s Who of Ghana in one gathering. Nana Acheampong, my editor, took me to a few. The most memorable was in Ada. Those days, we would to travel with the boot of his Toyota Camry loaded with hundreds of copies of Weekend Sun, which we sold at the events. The strategy was to get the people hooked on the obit pages and subsequently increases next week’s copy sales in those remote areas. We took off early on Saturday morning and on the evening of Sunday, we’d be back in Accra. That way, I got to know a lot of Ghanaian cities and towns across the Western and Central regions. You can never be lost in the crowd in Accra if you are a Nigerian. Nigeria has a significant population in the city, the elite in East Legon, the masses in Kasoa.

There is no shortage of activities in the Nigerian communities. The Igbos maintained a strong presence numerically, commercially and culturally. I attended a few Igbo occasions, especially those organised by the Eze Igbo Ghana, and witnessed the riveting enactment of the tradition of breaking Kolanuts and the ‘rite of the garden eggs and groundnut.’ Good friends make Ghana groovy. I made lots of friends, but most of my friends were in Cape Coast. It is easier to make friends of Fanti, my opinion anyway. My friends were many. A few deserved mentioning––Edith de Vos, a German who runs the Baobab Home, she had lived in Nigeria, but didn’t really like the Lagos life and consequently swapped it for the serenity of Cape Coast; Augustine Addison, 70-year-old boxing buff and a Muhammad Ali fan, we became good friends and he gave me access to his mini-museum and library; James Biney, the newspaperman who all his life lived of selling dailies. There was David ‘Kalusha’ Abban, who became like a brother, and Stephen Forson, a father raising his two daughters singlehandedly; Forson, while studying in Germany, refused to take German history course because of Hitler. In Accra, I lived in Kokoase, North Kaneshie. My neighbours––Jerry, Portia and Esenam––all young and single at the time; living among them was the easiest way to attune my ears to the Twi language.

You don’t have to miss church services if you are visiting Accra. A few Nigerian churches have made an in-road into the capital. While Ghanaians are largely Presbyterian, a slew of Pentecostal varieties, similar in character to those in Nigeria, are all over the city.

I have to tell you this: you have got to be comfortable with seeing signposts advertising the services of witchdoctors. Kwaku Bonsam, the most famous of them all is a celebrity of sorts, and he lends his voice to national issues. Consider him like Nigeria’s Sat Guru Maharaji, but he is more vocal. He talks about everything that is a burning issue. He even offered to help the Black Stars during the last World Cup, when he claimed to have bewitched Portugal ace, Cristiano Ronaldo, to stop him from scoring against Ghana in their group stage match.

You have to be aware of this: Ghana doesn’t treat crime with kid’s glove. It is a society of rights, built on efficient rule of law. And their criminal justice is as effective. Drink driving attracts six months imprisonment. Rape is not bailable. Operating a brothel or soliciting for sex is a grave offence. Smoking wee, a common vice, is unforgivable.

Let me also add: Accra might seem like a paradise, it has its hell as well. As a reporter, I had seen the underbelly of Accra. It’s not nice. It is as unkind as you can get in any mass society. Young girls who ran from home, especially from the northern region, lured by the attractions of the big city, ended up as Kaya yoo (porters), homeless, sleeping in the open. You would find them and other misfits in such slums like Sodom and Gomorrah (before its demolition) or Agbogboloshie, both digital dumping grounds, that make Lagos’ Ajegunle look like a mini London.

The teenagers are vulnerable and some in a year or two joined the teenage mothers’ brigade. I remember a girl of 19 we interviewed. She was from Yendi. She came to Accra to become a porter so she could raise money to pay her dowry. Let me tell you the story of Louisa Weah. She was 19 at the time we met her while investigating teenage prostitution. She had a one-year-old daughter, Daniella. She kept her with a nanny whom she paid one cedi every evening when she went about the city selling sex. She returned home in the wee hours of the morning with about 30 cedis. She was a runaway kid from Cape Coast. Eight months later after the story, I ran into her at Circle. She was heavily pregnant.

“Who impregnated you again?”

She and her friends laughed.

“Oh, he is Nigerian,” said one of her friends.

“In Ghana, you don’t ask a young girl who is responsible for the pregnancy,” I was schooled.

Accra swarms with battalions of such ‘kids’ who ran away from home.

If you are in Accra in September, make it a duty to attend Chale Wote. It is Ghana’s annual street art festival, a cocktail of art, music, dance and performance on the streets. You are likely to mingle with local and international artists and patrons. It is an opportunity to immerse in a kaleidoscope of visual delights that include street painting, graffiti murals and photography. Other activities, including live street performances, extreme sports, film shows, a fashion parade, a music block party and recyclable design workshops have made Chale Wote irresistible in recent years.

On a day you feel bored, a stroll through Oxford Street in Osu will make your day. And if you are missing the bustle of Lagos, go to Nkrumah Circle and get lost in the stream of humanity milling about aimlessly.

My last visit wasn’t my best. I was locked indoors for 11 days, my head buried in transcribing and writing.

But I did have one memorable moment. A day before I returned to Lagos, I spent the evening with Acheampong in his house at Dansoman. Nana Acheampong is a literary encyclopedia, a creative dynamo––a writer, an academic, a music critic, a humourist, more American than Ghanaian in attitude. We spent three hours in his recording studio and thereafter sat in a bar by the sea.

The breeze was cool. The air tangy. I was filled with contentment, a feeling I have come to associate with Ghana. Once you are content, that’s the good life, man.

The post Good life in Ghana appeared first on The Sun News.

source https://www.newssplashy.com/2018/05/good-life-in-ghana.html

[twstarchives]

Ace Trappola・Voice Lines

Additional Voice Lines: Dress-Up Groom Event Card

School Uniform - R

Unlock Card “Don’t drag in any kind of trouble again, alright? ‘Cause I’m not helping you out this time!”

Groovy “It’d get exhausting always being so serious about everything, wouldn’t it? You just gotta be efficient about things ♪”

Home Setting “Let’s take it nice and slow today!”

Home Transitions “Something’s always going on whenever I’m with you. Seriously, it doesn’t ever get boring.”

“Hm? I don’t really hate school. It’s not like I need it, though. Haha! If I didn’t go, I’d just have nothing to do.”

“Professor Crewel called me over when I ditched class duty today... He gets so intense when he’s scolding his students!”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Oh, you’re finally here. So what’re you doing right now? C’mon, pick something~”

Home Taps “It’s kinda nice that our outfits are already picked out for us everyday. If we got to wear casual clothes, we’d have to spend some time trying to put together an outfit.”

“My dreams for the future? Nope, don’t got any! Striving hard to achieve your dreams is so... bleurgh, I can’t do it. It’s just not my thing.”

“Yeah, yeah, what do you want with me this time? You’ve got some serious dedication to this whole prefect thing.”

“I’m glad our dorm color is red. I like red. It stands out, it’s stylish, and it fits me nicely, doesn’t it?”

“Alright, alright, stop pulling so hard; I can hear you just fine! ...So? What is it?”

PE Uniform - R

Unlock Card “I’m pretty confident about my reflexes. Wanna take a look at my magift skills?”

Groovy “You can tell just by looking at me that I’m the type who hates losing. Come do some intensive training with me!”

Home Setting “It’s not good for you to just be standing still like that!”

Home Transitions “I seriously can’t handle Coach Vargas. He’s so intense and conceited... It’s tiring just being around him.”

“I have a lot of fun in the basketball club. I get along well with upperclassmen from the other dorms too.”

“I think sports and magic are kinda similar. I mean, you’ve gotta put all your effort into both of them everyday.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “PE class is about to start soon. You’ll get left behind if you keep moving so slow~”

Home Taps “Did you already eat yet? If not, let’s go pick up something from the store. It’s boring being cooped up inside all the time.”

“No way. I don’t even have to ask; I can tell just by that face that whatever you have to say is something real troublesome. Don’t tell me.”

“I don’t wanna turn into some macho guy who’s totally ripped, so I can take it easy with my training.”

“Cater actually has pretty good reflexes. I should ask him for some Flying tips later.”

“Ahaha!! What do you want~? You keep poking me in the side over and over again!”

Lab Coat - SR

Unlock Card “Working together’s really important. ...So anyway, let’s do our best on this assignment!”

Groovy “It’s fine to slack off just a little. Just do your best not to get caught.”

Home Setting “What, you’ve got a question? Alright, you owe me one.”

Home Transitions “I saw Deuce in the library looking really serious about something. I guess he’s studying for our next test.”

“Hey, did you finish the homework? Let’s do it together if you haven’t yet. That way we can split the work and get it done faster.”

“Sometimes there are potions with effects that make you think ‘What would you even make that for?’ I’d never wanna drink one, though.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “They don’t call Night Raven a prestigious academy for nothing. I gotta study sometimes too or I’ll get behind.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “Why do you have so much motivation for your classes? Don’t tell me you’re actually planning on making Grim a great mage, or something?”

Home Taps “The Headmaster really shows up and vanishes at the most unexpected times. Yesterday it almost gave me a heart attack when I noticed he was sitting behind me.”

“Be careful if you come across any talking flowers in the Botanical Garden. People say they’re really mean.”

“Potions are so nasty. And yet in the Queen of Hearts’ country, they were supposed to have tasted like things like pies and juice...”

“What do they even do at the science club? Trey invited me to stop by earlier but it seemed boring so I said no.”

“Ah, I seriously can’t deal with intense people. Go do that kinda stuff with Deuce, not me!”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Have you gotten everything ready for our next experiment? I’m kinda worried about how slow you are.”

Ceremony Robes - SR

Unlock Card “Wearing these feels kinda... ah, don’t laugh at me! You’re not one to talk either!!”

Groovy “Hehe! I give off that prestigious Night Raven College! vibe, don’t I?”

Home Setting “Don’t cause any trouble today!”

Home Transitions “Hah... Why do the teachers have to talk for so long? It’s so boring. I wish they’d  wrap it up in three minutes flat.”

“What kinds of things do you guys have celebrations for where you come from? Do you celebrate Unbirthdays?”

“Before enrolling here, I thought these clothes looked so old-fashioned, but now I think they’re very fitting for a mage. Heheh.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Oi, Prefect. Grim starts causing all the mischief he wants whenever you’re not here!”

Home Transition (Groovy) “Tada! I pulled a hedgehog out of my hood...! Wait, I messed it up. Magic tricks using living creatures are really hard.”

Home Taps “If you’re free, how about we go to the lounge? Well, the only thing I usually do there is play cards though.”

“Doesn’t this school have a serious lacking of entertainment?! There’s absolutely nowhere to have fun! What about a café? Or some live shows?!”

“My shoulders feel kinda stiff... I’m really not good at formal things.”

“I think my brother was even happier than my parents when they found out I was accepted here. He’s an alumni from the same dorm as me.”

“No, you can’t sleep right now! You were dozing off in class the other day and even I could tell from sitting behind you!”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Oh, perfect timing. Could we have a card game tournament at Ramshackle tonight? ...It’s fine, no one’ll find out!”

Dorm Uniform - SSR

Unlock Card “My winning trump card is the Ace of Hearts!”

“I’d rather not get all heated and serious about things. ...Hey, are you even listening?!”

Groovy “You want to come to Heartslabyul? Haha, we’ll always welcome you!”

Home Setting “Let’s hurry and get this done!”

Home Transitions “Wanna go to the Unbirthday Party together? I promise there’ll be a delicious tart. ...I can’t promise the Dorm Leader will be in a good mood, though.”

“I know a magic trick that can make multiple cards appear from just one. Wanna see?”

“Euegh... I ate too much pie and now I’m so full... Trey’s sweets are just so good; I couldn’t stop eating.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Prefect-! Come help me take care of the hedgehogs we use for croquet!”

Home Transition (Groovy) “So? How do I look in my dorm uniform? Handsome? ...Er, complimenting me that much would just sound like a lie.”

Home Taps “I showed the Dorm Leader a card trick and it actually surprised him. That felt nice ♪”

“If I was put in a different dorm... mm, I can’t even picture it. I guess Heartslabyul just fits me the best.”

“The freshmen have four people per room. It’s crowded, but it’s always full of energy so it’s a lot of fun. You should come hang out sometime.”

“Red vests are part of both our school and dorm uniforms, but the ones we wear with our dorm uniforms also have a traditional pattern associated with the Queen of Hearts on them.”

“Hey, now even you are acting just like Grim does; stop it! This keeps getting more and more out of hand.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “I wish you were part of Heartslabyul too. You don’t get the thrill of wondering when your head’ll get chopped off anywhere else.”

Duo Magic Ace: “Oi, Deuce! You better not just drag me down!” Deuce: “You’re so full of yourself! Who do you think you’re talking to, Ace?!”

Birthday Celebration Outfit - SSR

This card was only obtainable during Ace’s birthday event (Sept 18 - Sept 25, 2020).

Login on Birthday “Hey Prefect, do you know what day it is today? It’s not an Unbirthday... It’s Ace’s birthday! Which means I’m the star of today. What should I do for it~?”

Unlock Card “Today I can have the first slice of cake without worrying about losing my head, right?”

“Hey, what’re you gonna get me for my birthday? Oh, if you’ve got no idea, a cherry pie would be nice~”

Groovy “Having a giant party isn’t as bad as I thought. Thanks for coming to celebrate too!”

Home Setting “This get-up’s so embarrassing! It’s screaming ‘Look at me!’ way too much.”

Home Transitions “This heart-shaped pin is reaaally sparkly. It’s kinda intense with how special! it looks.”

“When I was at my club earlier, the soles of my basketball shoes fell apart. Floyd has a good sense of style; maybe he’ll give some to me as a gift~”

“I don’t mind Cater posting pictures of me on Magicam... but I don’t know how to feel about him tagging it as ‘Acey’s Growth Record.’”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Sorry, but we can’t have an Unbirthday Party today. ‘Cause today’s my actual birthday!”

Home Transition (Groovy) “After the party, can I come over to Ramshackle? Let’s invite Jack and the others and play cards till it’s morning.”

Home Taps “When I was little, my older brother one time blew out the candles on my birthday cake. We got into huge fight after.”

“I’m only one year older now, but everyone’s making a huge celebration out of it... I’m not saying I hate it, though~”

“Deuce said he’d treat me to whatever pastry I want at the school store! Hahaha, let’s ask him for the most expensive one. You in?”

“My brother’s not the only one good at magic tricks in my family; my dad’s really good at them too. On our birthdays, he used to show us tricks using gift boxes.”

“Aghgh, I get it! We’re done saying ‘Yes, Happy Birthday!’ ...It’s kind of really embarrassing...”

Home Tap (Groovy) “I can ask you favors since it’s my special day today, can’t I? When you finish that assignment, come join the party!”

Duo Magic Ace: Ortho, wish me a big happy birthday! Ortho: Happy birthday, Ace Trappola!

Lv Up “Oh, this feels kinda nice!”

“Yay! Level up!”

“I gotta get even further ahead of everyone else.”

Max Lv Up “This feels incredible. Now that I’ve got this, it’ll probably be a lot easier for me to back up a certain someone who can’t use magic.”

Episode Lv Up “Ahaha! So these kinds of things can happen too. I always thought people like you would be the ones I’d get along the worst with, but I guess not! ...Just messing with you.”

Magic Lv Up “I could win against the Dorm Leader now that I’ve got this power, right? ...Oh, what I said just now is a secret, ‘kay?”

Limit Break “Whaaat? Aren’t you expecting too much from me? Well, alright. Guess I just should just work a little harder!”

Groovy “I’ll keep showing you more and more of my cool side, so look forward to that!”

Lesson Select “What class are you doing? Hurry up and pick. I’ll be sleeping straight through any one you pick anyway.”

“You’re so enthusiastic about this... Okay, okay! Stop pulling on me so hard!”

“Make sure to keep a close eye on Grim during class, alright, Prefect? He tried ditching earlier and the teacher got mad at him.”

Lesson Start “Let’s get this over with!”

Lesson End “It’s done~! Ahh, I’m tired.”

Battle Start “Okay~ I’ll make you all hit rock bottom!”

Battle End “Nothing to say about it. I won!”

Other

Profile Quote “Man, the Queen of Hearts is so cool! Nobody would obey a queen who’s just kind all the time, right?”

January 2020 Trailer “Ya better not be late! Or the scaaary queen will chop off your head!”

Countdown Poster “Stop daydreaming. Don’t you know you can get lost in the rose maze?”

Take His Hand “Let's head on over there!”

Player Birthday Wish “Eh? Was there something going on today? ...I’m just messing with you! It’s your birthday, right? Of course I remembered. Happy birthday, Prefect.”

Valentine’s Day Gift Letter (2021)

These letters were originally in English. I didn’t translate or edit them in any way. They came with official merch from Aniplex, and are not present in-game.

Hey you, Thanks for the present. But what’s up with the sudden gesture? Are you trying to apologize for something here? …JUST KIDDING! I actually need to talk to you about something, too. See you in class later!

[twstarchives]

Rook Hunt・Voice Lines

Additional Voice Lines: Dress-Up Groom Event Card

School Uniform - R

Unlock Card “Bonjour! I’m curious to see what kind of world you’ll show me.”

Groovy “Merci for making everyday so entertaining!”

Home Setting “How do I look?”

Home Transitions “Très bien! I’m excited. How will your choices change this school, and what kind of beauty will it bring?”

“I’m very interested in seeing every action you make. Would you let me follow you around for today?”

“You should see lots of sights and experience just as much. Refining your senses plays a large role in your beauty.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Something about you is different than it was yesterday... Heheh, could you wait a moment? I’m trying to pinpoint what it is.”

Home Taps “Uniforms are something you’re only allowed to wear for a limited period of time. Isn’t that fleeting part of them just beautiful?”

“Tips for hunting? You need to observe your target very closely. Stare at them long and... deeply.”

“Learning broadens your world. There’s a beauty that you can’t feel outside of this school, after all.”

“The beautility these uniforms have is fascinating! Don’t you think so too?”

“Oh, are we playing pretend hunter? Heheh, then I can’t lose either.”

PE Uniform - R

Unlock Card “I’m very athletic, despite how I look. How about we play a game of cat-and-mouse?”

Groovy “It’s just like paradise here! Everywhere I look, everything is beautiful!”

Home Setting “Let’s both work up a nice sweat!”

Home Transitions “I’m confident about my endurance. That’s something you can’t go without when you’re hunting.”

“You think sweating is embarrassing? Non! Putting your all into something is a very wonderful thing!”

“I’m very well-versed in sunscreens. Vil would just die if he got a sunburn, after all.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Why don’t you practice hunting with me? Hunting is a game of survival of the fittest, filled with survival tactics and natural beauty.”

Home Taps “Sports? They make everyone’s emotions all start to come unhinged... It’s wonderfully dramatic!”

“I always recommend wearing a hat. It’s hard to see your prey when the sun is in your eyes.”

“Beautiful souls lie in beautiful bodies. That’s why I train so hard.”

“Hm? Is there something you’re interested in? Alright; I'll satisfy your curiosity as much as you’d like me to.”

“Are you trying to provoke me? Heheh, how naughty. Disturbing your target’s peace of mind is a hunter’s favorite game.”

Lab Coat - SR

Unlock Card “Observing and analyzing... These skills are useful in both hunting and academics.”

Groovy “Now, it’s time for our ever-so-fun experiments!”

Home Setting “Now. Let’s work hard at our studies.”

Home Transitions “Focus on the task at hand. Well, I do understand the feeling of not being able to take your eyes off something beautiful, though.”

“If there’s something you want to know, you should keep asking until you get what you need. A determined look makes anyone look beautiful.”

“Dressing properly like this is just beautiful.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “The motivation to want to learn something is beautiful. I have some time today too—why don’t we spend some time together?”

Home Transition (Groovy) “I can smell herbs somewhere. These are... ah, I’m sorry. The sense of smell is very important to a huntsman.”

Home Taps “Vil never slacks off with anything, whether it be his studies or his training. That’s one of his strong points.”

“A person’s natural beauty is only static beauty; the ever-changing beauty that comes as you develop is dynamic beauty. I wonder, under which does your light fall?”

“You can study and study and study, but you will never know everything about beauty. That is why I’m so enraptured by it.”

“Do you consider me odd? Then perhaps you need to know more about me.”

“Ah, how lonely you must be. That’s only natural when you remember the situation you’re in. As long as you’re alright with it, I’ll keep you company anytime.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Seeing something run away makes me want to chase it. You know what that means, right? If there ever comes a time when you run away from me, make sure you’re prepared.”

Ceremony Robes - SR

Unlock Card “It’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before you jump in.”

Groovy “I feel like I could stare at that dignified profile of yours all day long.”

Home Setting “Sometimes it’s good to be under pressure.”

Home Transitions “Wearing these ceremony robes feels so sophisticated and mysterious... mm! I just can’t put it into words!”

“How elegant the silence of the Mirror Chamber is during ceremonies! This school is beautiful inside and out!”

“Ah, preparations took a long time to finish. But I'll be standing next to Vil as the vice dorm leader, so I need to put in all my effort.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “I was just thinking I wanted to see you too. What a coincidence! Or maybe this was fate?”

Home Transition (Groovy) “Can you tell I have a different fragrance than usual? Today I put on perfume. It's a nice smell, isn't it?”

Home Taps “I’m acting a lot more well-mannered than usual right now. There’s a beauty in that that stands out.”

“It’d be easy to get lost in the dark with these clothes on. Heheh.”

“There is beauty that some are just born with, but the beauty you work hard to achieve holds immeasurable power. Isn’t that right?”

“Your eyeshadow is a little smudged; it’s putting your beauty at stake. Would you mind if I fixed it for you?”

“Slow down, you’ll mess up your clothes if you keep playing around like that. You need to be good right now.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Let’s put on some makeup that fits you better. What color goes well with your eyes...?”

Dorm Uniform - SSR

Unlock Card “Everyone is beautiful in their own way.”

“Welcome to Pomefiore! I’m very certain you’ll have a wonderful time here.”

Groovy “Can you see now what real beauty is?”

Home Setting “This must be it!”

Home Transitions “I had a feeling you’d be here. It seems my intuition was correct yet again today.”

“Oh no, are you drinking enough water? Your lips are a little drier than they were when I saw you earlier.”

“The Pomefiore uniform is just beautiful, isn’t it? It’s my favorite too.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Hello, I was waiting for you. Where are you off to today? I’ll accompany you wherever you go.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “I’m always thinking about how I want to be someone befitting of these beautiful robes.”

Home Taps “Some might say the rules of our dorm are strict, but that’s only natural when it’s something Vil is particular about.”

“I believe it to be an honor that I was sorted into Pomefiore. Although, every dorm has their charms.”

“I would never do anything to embarrass our dorm leader. That is my pride as the vice dorm leader.”

“The insides of our uniforms are patterned with the Queen’s beloved apples. Take a look! Frightening as they are, you just can’t take your eyes off them. That’s what beauty is.”

“You don’t think I could hunt in this outfit? Hehe, famous last words.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “Oh dear, are you nervous? I can tell clear as day that your heart is pounding in your chest.”

Duo Magic Rook: I’ll show you how to hunt, Epel. Epel: Okay, Rook!

Birthday Celebration Outfit - SSR

This card was only obtainable during Rook’s birthday event (Dec 1 - Dec 6,, 2020).

Login on Birthday “Merci! That beautiful chirp of yours is the best present of all. I’ll always cherish those feelings you have.”

Unlock Card “What sort of beauty will I have the pleasure of seeing today...? I can’t wait.”

“Birthdays are one of my favorite events. Anyone can be their story’s protagonist on this day, and shine like an étoile.”

Groovy “This beautiful day is just like a glittering jewel... It’s nice spending this time with you.”

Home Setting “I’m getting ready to be the star of today.”

Home Transitions “Ahh, there was a shining smile on Vil’s face when he was eating cake! I couldn’t ask for a better birthday.”

“I like getting presents. It means that when you were picking out a gift, you were thinking of me.”

“‘What do I want for my birthday?’ Hmm... An art gallery just for me. I’ve been looking for somewhere to put all of my favorite things on display.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “Surprises are wonderful! Going all out just to make someone else happy... What a noble sentiment!”

Home Transition (Groovy) “People born in separate lands spending time together in the same place... Would I be overdoing it if I called this fate?”

Home Taps “Roi du Léon got awfully cautious of me when I told him it’s my birthday. I only wanted him to wish me a happy birthday.”

“Beauté! The tart Trey made is just gorgeous. It was too precious to waste; I didn’t want to eat it.”

“Ruggie came to my birthday party. I was so happy I got to see how a hyena eats up close.”

“Before coming to this school, I’d spend all day on my birthday watching plays. Matinée, soirée... and journée.”

“Heheh. You don’t have to keep wishing me a happy birthday over and over. I can hear you. I have excellent hearing.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “A dream space where everyone is celebrating... Maybe you’d like to document this scene with your Ghost Camera?”

Tutorial “Now, let's go together. Onward to our beautiful school building!”

Lv Up “Marvelous! This is truly spectacular.”

“Making progress is exciting, isn’t it?”

“Nothing can replace the time spent with good friends.”

Max Lv Up “There exists beauty that can’t be seen unless you’ve mastered an art. Très bien! I’ve been shown another new world thanks to you.”

Episode Lv Up “Non! Don’t say another word. I can tell what your heart is trying to say just by gazing into your eyes.”

Magic Lv Up “Now I’d be able to easily secure any of my targets. Could you try running away from me so we can test that?”

Limit Break “You’ve shown me new possibilities. This is definitely a first. Merci!”

Groovy “I’ve acquainted with a new version of myself. My heart is pounding knowing something wonderful is about to come!”

Select Lesson “Those with beauty have a duty of taking responsibility for any choices they make.”

“Beauté! I could stare at that ever-so-hesitant face of yours all day long.”

“Which subject are you best in? Tell me now; it will stay between us two.”

Lesson Start “Now, the starting bells are ringing!”

Lesson End “What a beautiful ending... Fin.”

Battle Start “Let’s begin. My time to hunt...!”

Battle Win “If I must fight, then I’m going to want to win beautifully.”

Other

Profile Quote “Oh, you’re more beautiful than anything on earth! I wonder, can you outrun my arrow of love?”

January 2020 Trailer “I’m waiting for you here. And I always will be.”

Countdown Poster “I’d love to show you my beautiful world.”

Login Bonus “Très bien! You’re much more beautiful today than you were yesterday! I’m so hopelessly excited to see how you are tomorrow.”

Player Birthday Wish “Bon anniversaire! Your birthday is a day for me to commemorate, too. After all, this is the day that something beautiful was added to this world. It’s truly a wonderful day.”