#and the break outs are nooothing like they used to be

[confinesofmy]

i think if there's one thing i can impress on children and teenagers it's that it's pretty much guaranteed that acne is something that is simply happening to you. you are not causing it, you are not to blame, you are just in a time in your life where it's happening, or certain not-necessarily-controllable factors are occurring that are creating acne. there's a very good chance there's nothing you can do.

unless you are rubbing dirt into your face (and even then, i'm not sure. is dirt even bad for faces?) you are not getting acne because your face is "dirty." i used to break out from the simple act of washing my face, be it with avène, l'oréal, cerave, eucerin, anything. now i'm regularly rubbing the cheapest moisturising oil i could find into my face for 20 minutes at a stretch and then wiping it off with a hot rag (no soap) and my skin loves it. i honestly think i could get away with anything at this point.

what changed? hormones, maybe. i think i have papulopustular rosacea which can be aggravated by bacteria from mites, so it's possible i unknowingly had a huge mite die-off for some reason. maybe i quit eating something and that's why it stopped. maybe an unrelated antibiotic course knocked it out. i don't know. but it definitely didn't go away because i found the right product or perfected my routine or stopped touching my face, none of that shit worked at the time and now that it's over i use whatever products i want and i touch my face all the time. now when i break out it's a surprise.

[ca-8]

Zuko x Reader Scenario: When You First Meet

She could get in so much trouble.

No disciplined, sane child would ever dare to sneak out at night, especially those with parents who act like the most important people to have ever existed. Parents who always expected their children to be well-behaved, respectful, quiet, and incredibly boring for every second of their life. Parents who don't have a clue of what relaxation meant, even if some sort of high-class professor gave them a month-long lecture about it.

Basically the kinds of parents (Y/n) was so sick of.

The nine-year-old bit her bottom lip as she ever so carefully pulled the door to the beach house shut. Once she was sure no one had woken up and was on their way to give her another five-hundred-hour lecture on her ‘ignoble’ actions (whatever that meant), she snuck down the stairs and dashed toward the direction of the beach. 

‘Is it this way? Or was it the other way?’ she questioned. She forgot, and her mind wouldn’t let her remember. Her heart was racing; she had never done something this audacious. If her parents had already woken up and discovered that the pillows under her covers were not her, she’d be better off being alone with a fully grown dragon while covered in the finest jewels. 

And yet, at the first sight of the moon just barely hanging over the ocean as its light painted a shimmering white streak over the water, she instantly abandoned the worry. Here, on the quiet, isolated beach, she was free.

(Y/n) took off her shoes, and her toes instantly sunk into the cool sand. Her eyes scanned the beach, from the giant rocks asserting an aura of dominance, the tranquil ocean reflecting the twinkling stars that partnered the moon, and instantly to the lone turtle crab. 

A wide smile spread across her face, and she quietly approached her favorite animal. It stood at the end of the ocean line, gazing up at the stars. Something tightened inside of her; it looked so...lonely. 

“Hello!” she greeted, perhaps a bit too loudly than she intended, when she bent over it, suddenly covering its view. The turtle crab jumped and shrunk back a little in its shell, though (Y/n) still could see its upside-down face. 

“Why're you by yourself? Where're your friends?” she asked, jumping down beside it and making sand fly all over her pajamas. It stared back at her, then ever so slowly emerged from its shell. (Y/n) gasped. “Do you not have any?”

The turtle crab only blinked in response. “That’s terrible!” she exclaimed. "Buuuut then again, I don’t have any either, so… Hey, why don’t the two of us be friends?” She got on her knees, and the turtle crab’s only view was her giant smile. It blinked again, not saying yes, but also not saying no. 

“Great!” she cheered, embracing her new friend. Though a turtle crab wasn’t really her original ideal friend, every single kid she met proved themselves to be the most stuck-up, boring, rude people in existence, so maybe this was the better option. “So what’s your name?”

She immediately felt stupid when it didn’t, or, rather couldn’t, respond. “Ehehe, right, uh, you can’t talk,” (Y/n) realized. “But don’t worry, I can give you a name! What abooouuuttt….” The young girl scanned the animal for a quick moment before saying, “Misterrr...Snapper?”

It stared right at her, the moonlight reflecting off of its black eyes. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She got up and bowed respectfully to the small creature, just like how her mother taught her whenever they approached someone important. “Nice to m-I mean, my name is (Y/n) (L/n), and I’m delighted to meet you, Mr. Snapper.”

She glanced at the turtle crab again and let out a soft laugh, then carefully picked it up and put it on her head. Her stomach flipped, and she couldn’t help but envision how loud her mother would be when she’d tell her to get it off her head. But, for now, she put the thought aside and focused on being glad it didn’t panic and run off. 

“You’re weird,” she giggled, “I like you, Mr. Snapper. Now, what should we play tonight?”

The night always seemed to last forever, so (Y/n) and Mr. Snapper could do whatever they wanted without anyone saying otherwise. When the moon would lose the war over the sky with the sun, it could be the second she’d stop running around the entirety of Ember Island. 

But doing that seemed pointless. And Mr. Snapper didn’t look like the type to enjoy marathons or running in general anyway. 

“I know!” (Y/n) abruptly exclaimed, making Mr. Snapper bounce on her head. She gazed up, expecting to see his curious eyes, but only obtained the sight of the twinkling stars. “What do you think about being the Dark Water Spirit?” 

~

“He...He’s gone,” (Y/n) whispered in the deepest voice she could make, staring dreamily at the ocean line where the moon had almost touched the water. She glanced back at her princess, Mr. Snapper, who stood silently with the white shell on his head. She didn’t know why she expected him to say his lines in a high-pitched, princess-y voice. 

“Yes, this glorious land is finally free from the Dark Water Spirit,” the young noble said, moving Mr. Snapper in a way that made him appear as if he were talking in the high voice she was doing for him. “And now, we can be together, Noren.”

(Y/n)/Noren picked him up and stared into her mortal girlfriend’s eyes as huskily as she could (she also tried not to burst out laughing when she thought about it). “I never thought I’d fall in love with a mortal, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off of you, Yua.” 

Mr. Snapper/Yua blinked, the moonlight reflecting off of his/her eyes. The shell began to fall off his/her head and (Y/n)/Noren fixed it quickly. “Does that mean you’re going to stay mortal? I can’t exactly marry a dragon, you know,” Mr. Snapper/Yua “said”. 

“Hm, let’s just say you’ll be seeing the best of both worlds. Now kiss me, Empress!” Yua and Noren gazed into each other’s eyes for a blissful eternity, and they slowly leaned into the moment of affinity. Their lips were close, even though Yua seemed to be pulling away for some reason, and then-

“Um, what are you doing?” 

(Y/n)’s soul was yanked out of Noren’s body and forcefully transported back onto Ember Island. Inches away from her face was no longer Empress Yua, but Mr. Snapper without his crown. And standing a few feet away from them was none other than Prince Zuko. 

The Prince of the Fire Nation was here. He was standing right there. Staring at the daughter of a lowly noble as she was about to kiss a turtle crab.

Had the air only turned unbearably hot and heavy to her or did something set the moon on fire? 

“Nothing,” she answered immediately in Noren’s voice. (Y/n) cleared her throat, mumbled an “I mean”, quickly held Mr. Snapper by her side, then put on the most innocent smile she could muster. “Nooothing,” she said in a voice much higher than it was supposed to be.

The Prince stared at her like she was standing on water and speaking three different languages all at once. “O...kay…” he said slowly. 

'Who taught you to talk in such an absurd way to the Prince?' her mother's voice suddenly echoed within her mind. 'Fix your posture and throw away that ridiculous smile. And please, dear, speak NORMALLY.'

“S-SO!” she yelled, making him jump and instantly breaking every one of mind mother's rules. “What’re you doing here? On this beach? That my, uh, family bought? I think? Cause you, uh, have your own beach, cause you’re a prince, a-and...um…” Her smile widened despite her infinitely growing urge to bury herself as deep into the ground as possible and hide there forever.

“This is actually my family’s beach,” he said with eyes knowing this was the dumbest girl on the planet. “You’re the one not supposed to be here.”

'Once again, you're acting like an embarrassment to our family,' mind mother muttered.

Everything inside her twisted and tightened and told her to run. Though there were tsunamis of embarrassment hitting her relentlessly, there were also tiny ripples of realization. “Huh, so that’s what that sign meant when it said ‘Prince Ozai’s Beach’,” (Y/n) commented. 

The Prince winced. “What? Are you-?”

Her eyes widened as they caught the animal he held in his arms. “IS THAT A TURTLE CRAB?” she shouted, then ran up to the boy and bent down to get a better look at the other turtle crab. Prince Zuko jumped back and hissed at her to be quiet, and her instincts told her to bring back the courtesy for him she had just thrown out the window. However, she only inched closer because LOOK AT THAT ADORABLE LITTLE FACE HOW DID SHE NOT NOTICE IT EARLIER?

"Awww, so cuuuute!" She reached out to pet it, but it sank back in its shell. Mind mother sighed, creating a tiny hint of guilt inside her. 

"H-Hey!"

(Y/n) looked up at the nine-year-old Prince, glancing back at the turtle crab every few seconds. "Keep your voice down or else you'll wake up the whole island!" Prince Zuko whisper-shouted. 

She stood up, cocking her head, then caught a glimpse of the turtle crab again. "What're you doing with it anyway?" 

"Um…" He glanced down at the turtle crab. "N-None of your business!" he insisted hurriedly with a hint of pink on his face.

She squinted her eyes at him, and the stern look in his onyx pupils faded away to the same confusion from earlier, then discomfort when more quiet seconds had passed. "You're...here because Miss Green broke into your room but you couldn't keep her there so you brought her back to shore because you wanted to make sure she made it back home safely!" (Y/n) took in a large breath, filling her almost-empty lungs.

The Prince stared back at her with widened, bewildered eyes. "...Who?" he said. 

"Your turtle crab's name! I named it that because it reminds me of my first teacher, Mrs. Red, but since it has a green shell, well, you know. Also, totally off-topic, but have you noticed that red and green go so well together? I've been getting into sewing lately, and I was thinking that Ms. Green and Mr. Snapper, that's my turtle crab's name, by the way, could have red and green sweaters! Wouldn't that be adorable?" 

He said nothing. He didn't exactly look angry, but not really pleased too.

Her smile dropped, then she giggled nervously. "Sorry, I'll stop talking. A-And you don't have to call it that if you don't want to! Or name it at all! I-I was just-"

The Prince went against his fear of being caught as he let out the loudest laugh (Y/n) ever heard.

Her entire body felt like it had been engulfed by every firebender's element. Her family might as well have formed a crowd around them with their disapproving gaze. 'Maybe Mr. Snapper can help me start a new life under my bed,' she thought as she gazed at her feet.

"You're weird," the Prince suddenly said, chuckling. 

(Y/n) snapped her gaze up at him and saw his weirdly relieved smile. "Oh, thanks!" she said, feeling her own smile curl upon her lips. She wasn't one hundred percent sure if he really meant that as a compliment, but his face didn't hold any signs of mockery. 

Her stomach did a backflip. Was the Prince, one of the most important people ever, being...kind of nice to her?

Prince Zuko laughed again, then after a quick moment, his face went back to being serious. "Um, please don't tell anyone I'm doing this, okay?" he said.

(Y/n) beamed and nodded. She stood in silence for once while Prince Zuko sighed, walked over to the edge of the water, then placed the turtle crab on the rolling water. 

Mr. Snapper wiggled out of her arms and crawled over to Ms. Green. Zuko stepped back until he was next to (Y/n), and the two animals stood together facing the moon with their claws just barely touching. 

"Ah, that's so adorable!" (Y/n) squealed. "It's like Yua and Noren!"

Zuko turned and raised an eyebrow at her. "You know about Love Amongst The Dragons?"

The girl gasped dramatically, swiftly putting her gaze on him. "Know it? I'll have you know that I've memorized every single line of that play!" she said, holding her head high with pride. "I can perform every character at any time! In fact, I was doing just that before you interrupted my final act." 

'You do realize you're still talking to someone much more important than you, right dear?' mind mother whispered. (Y/n)'s grin was wiped off her face along with most of her pretension. 

Surprisingly, he didn't look offended. "That's my favorite play, too," he said with a hint of enjoyment on his face. "Was that why you were about to make out with your turtle crab?"

She blushed furiously and pouted, averting her eyes. "M-Maybe…and his name's Mr. Snapper..."

Prince Zuko chuckled again and after a moment of weirdly comfortable silence, a frown appeared on his face. "Hey, I need to head back. And you should go in case the guards kick you out."

"...Th-There are guards here?" (Y/n) whispered. She ran over and fiercely hugged Mr. Snapper, then went back over to him, her voice slightly increased. "Why didn't you say so?!" 

He smiled the most carefree grin in the world. "I thought you knew, since you're on my dad's beach."

"Well, it was nice meeting you Prince Zuko, but now I need to figure out how to escape before my parents have to get me out of prison." She quickly bowed, her heart fluttering at the sound of the Fire Lord's grandson enjoying her joke (hopefully it stayed like that). 

"Wait!" he suddenly called.

She was beginning to run back to the beach house when he did. (Y/n) turned around and said, "Yes?"

"Um," he started, hesitating. The young girl cocked her head; someone like him shouldn't be nervous about talking to someone like her. If anything, she should still be the one hesitating and worrying about what to say. "What's your name?" he finally asked. 

She flashed a grin as the moon began to lower into the light pink sky. "(Y/n), Your Majesty." Before he could respond, she ran off the beach as fast as she could, hoping to see her parents still asleep within the beach house.

[why-not-a-tickle-blog]

We can try? 3

(Final)

“You know, we never did get to the lower half,” Patton said, a grin growing on his face as he watched Virgil stiffen.

“Y-yeah, we didn’t.” Virgil felt his face grow warm, hoping that his makeup would cover it as memories danced through his brain.

“We could fix that now, if you wanted?”

Virgil bit his lip, carefully not looking at Patton’s grin. “Uh, we could… if you wanted to.”

“Oh, that’s fine, I can wait.” Patton said, settling back in his chair and dropping the subject entirely.

Virgil was left dumbfounded, phantom tickles ghosting under his shirt.

It only got worse as the day went on. His thoughts constantly coming back around to it, over and over.

It was on purpose, it had to be. But darn if it wasn’t working! By evening, Virgil could barely stand it. Especially knowing it was so easy to do something about.

He found himself outside Patton’s door, giving a light knock. As soon as the door was open, a smug smile spread over Patton’s face. “Yes? Did you want something?”

“I-uh— we could— do the, the thing now?” Virgil mumbled, feeling his cheeks and ears get hot.

Patton stepped aside to let him in and shut the door, waving his hand over it to soundproof and lock it.

“Do what thing?”

Virgil took in a deep breath and his blush grew darker. Patton was going to make him say it??? “The t—“ his voice caught in his throat, and he turned it into a cough.

“Take your time,” Patton teased.

“The— I want you to— Totickleme!” He only managed it by rushing it out in one breath at the end, and squeezing his eyes shut.

“Aww, Virge, I thought you would never ask! I’d be happy to tickle you!” Patton cooed. “How do you want to do this? Do you want to be tied up again?”

Virgil nodded, biting down on his lip.

“What? I couldn’t hear you~” Patton said.

Virgil let out a frustrated growl. “Yes! Yes, I want you to tie me up.”

“Aww, you don’t have to be mad,” Patton said, cupping Virgil’s face in his hands. “It’s just a bit of teasing. Wanna lay down for me?”

Virgil laid down and let Patton tie him up.

“You ready?” Patton asked, resting a hand on his stomach.

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

Patton climbed up on the bed and sat on Virgil’s shins.

“I’ve never tried tickling legs and feet before, so you’ll have to tell me how I’m doing, ok?”

“O-ok…” Virgil said.

Patton started off with lights squeezes around Virgil’s knees, causing Virgil to jerk around. “How is it here? Does it tickle?”

“It— yeah, some.”

Patton moved up a little, squeezing at his thighs sporadically. “How about here?”

Virgil was jerking harder, but it was more reflexes, not because it tickled. “Not so much.”

“Aww… how about now?”

Patton moved to tickling directly behind Virgil’s knees. Virgil had been more relaxed, and wasn’t expecting the laughter to sneak up on him like it had, and he couldn’t hold any of it back, pulling at his legs and cackling and snorting.

“Oh, come on, it can’t be that bad~” Patton said. “I’m barely even trying! Now this might tickle!”

Patton sped up his fingers and Virgil nearly died cackling. He couldn’t pull his legs away, or even fold them up to protect the tender spot, and that was almost worse than the tickling itself. Patton’s fingers danced around, and he kept coping encouragements to keep laughing.

“Your laugh is so cute, Virge!”

“Ihihis nohot!”

“It is too! And I won’t stop tickling this spot until you admit it!”

Somehow, the tickling got even worse.

“Pahahatton! Plehehease!”

“Please tickle you even more?? Oh, it’s my pleasure, Virgil!”

“Stohohop!”

“Oh, you know how to make me stop. You’ve just gotta say that you’ve got a cute little laugh.”

“Ihihi hahahahave—- ahh! Phahha!”

“You have what, little Lee?”

The tickling let up only just enough for Virgil to reply.

“Ahaha cuhute laugh!”

“Ohh! Yes, you do!” Patton finally moved his hands away. “You’ll get just a little break while I figure out what I’m going to do with your feet. Want some water?”

Virgil nodded. “Ye-ah.”

Patton untied Virgil’s hands to get him some water, and then took his box down to the bottom of the bed and rummaged around in it, letting out ‘ooh’s and ‘oh, I’ll use this one!’ Virgil couldn’t see anything but the top of his head from where he was crouched, but he suspected that that was the point. Patton popped back up.

“Ready now?”

Virgil bit his lip, like he always seemed to do when he was nervous. He didn’t think that his feet would be ticklish, but he wouldn’t have guessed it about his knees either, and Patton seemed to have a full plan already.

“I-I guess…”

“You guess what?” Patton smirked.

Oh, not this again! “I’m ready for you to— to tickle me again.”

Patton’s smile got bright and happy. “Ah, I knew you could do it, Virge!”

Patton fixed his arms back, and gave him a pillow that propped his head up so he could see what was happening to his feet. He pulled up a chair for himself at the foot of the bed, and pulled off Virgil’s shoes and socks.

“I’ll need your help again, Virgil, to tell me what works.”

“A-alright.”

“Thank you. Now, why don’t we start reeeeally light~” Patton pulled out a feather and brushed it lightly over Virgil’s feet.

It sent tingles running around, but didn’t tickle too badly. Until it slipped in between two of his toes, making him let out a squeak and try to jerk his foot back.

“What is it?” Patton asked.

“No-nothing!”

“Nooothing~? Are you sure? There’s no spots here that are ticklish?” Patton held the feather, fluttering it in the air close, but not touching.

Virgil’s feet jerked involuntarily, his skin crawling with anticipation. But Patton still held back, waiting on his answer.

“Such a shame~ Nowhere on these little feet is ticklish~ I guess we’ll have to stop~”

“No! It—it’s the—it’s the toes.”

“Where on the toes~?” Patton teased further, inching the feather closer but still not touching.

“I-in between!” Virgil squeaked, his whole body tensing up.

The feather slipped down and in between his toes, sending Virgil into cascades of squeaks and giggles. He tried scrunching his toes up, but wherever Patton wanted to go with the feather, he pulled back the toes with his other hand, leaving Virgil entirely incapable of protecting himself.

It tickled so bad! Virgil wasn’t going into hysterics anytime soon, but this type of tickling made him want to pull away so much more!

Finally Patton set the feather down, granting Virgil a tiny break while he picked his next tool. He pulled out a makeup brush and ran it over Virgil’s foot.

Now that wasn’t so bad. No matter whether he went slowly or quickly, straight or in swirles, it didn’t tickle too much, just made Virgil squirm his feet around.

“You can try a different one,” Virgil suggested, though he knew that it could be just as bad, or worse, than the feather had been.

“Alright, I will. You know, I don’t think I’ve tried these for anything.” Patton pulled out both electric toothbrushes, switching them on.

Virgil flinched, his grin widening as he imagined just what those could do.

And then they were set loose on his feet. Virgil was kept in constant laughter, especially when Patton discovered that the creases just underneath his toes were especially susceptible to the toothbrushes.

“Ooh, Virgil! I’ve had a wonderful idea!”

Patton grabbed some tape from somewhere, and taped the toothbrushes in place on Virgil’s heels. It wasn’t the worst place, but it did keep him plenty giggly. Then Patton pulled out the other tool, still with the feather attached, and turned it on too.

Virgil’s eyes went wide, suddenly realizing the plan.

“Wahahhaait!!!”

But Patton just gave an evil laugh before the feather was dipping in and around his toes. Virgil squealed and bucked against the restraints, trying in vain to get away from the overwhelming sensations on his feet.

And he’d been arrogant enough to think that he didn’t have ticklish feet. Patton continued, making him feel exactly how very wrong that thought had been.

Virgil hadn’t been prepared for such an intense tickling.

“Sssahahanders!”

Patton stopped immediately with the tool, though the toothbrushes took a few more seconds to turn off. He rubbed Virgil’s feet firmly, slowly dispelling the tingles and tickles left behind.

“How’re you doing, kiddo?”

“I’m fantastic, Pat.” Virgil was still panting, feeling like his whole body was glowing. “Thank you.”

“Anytime, kiddo.” Patton smiled, and untied Virgil, fussing over his ankles and wrists where he’d pulled too hard. “Next time, let’s try it without these, yeah?”

Virgil was very willing to be tickled without the restraints, but even more unwilling to accidentally hurt Patton if he was flailing around. “Well, we can try?”

[bffhreprise]

Entry 242

 I was going to have nightmares tonight.  There would be no avoiding nightmares after seeing one in the flesh.  Raine’s other form was the single most terrifying thing I had ever seen, or even imagined.  The whole room had warped with her, seeming surreal, and her body… the claws… the teeth… those awful spikes…  Hadn’t the others felt like they were going to die just looking at her?

 “Look, Raine!  good as new.  Well, save for the missing paint.” amended Emma, who had just finished touching up the ceiling.  She seemed fine.  She had seen a demon, but was smiling as she watched James pet Raine, now in her kitten form.

 “What happened to our ceiling?” demanded one of the twins as she entered the room and followed where Emma pointed with her gaze.

 “Nooothing.” claimed Emma after dropping her arms.  She looked exceptionally guilty in a faux-innocence sort of way.  

 “Don’t worry.  We’ll bill you for it.” stated the other twin, entering with Jarod and taking in everything with a glance.

 James quickly said, “Don’t bother.  I’ll touch up your paint, and I’m quite certain the boards are better than new.”

 I couldn’t believe his calm.  Even when Raine was transformed, he had seemed calm.  Now as he casually petted Raine’s head, no one would believe he had a care in the world.  Did nothing ever bother him?

 “This is probably the strangest practice I’ve seen.” teased Jarod with one of his huge grins.

 “Ha!  Sure, man.  As if you practice with us.” retorted Brandon with another smile.

 My brother was always quick to get over things.  I knew he had been scared as well.  Color had barely returned to his face.

 With an even larger grin and a shrug, Jarod said, “True, but I have seen some and don’t recall any involving James petting a kitten while the rest of you watch.”

 “Hey!  I was fixing a ceiling here, not staring at the adorableness.” insisted Emma in mock outrage.

 Apparently not realizing that Emma was speaking, Portentia said over her, “You wouldn’t believe what you missed if we attempted to tell you.”

 Cosette laughed with no hint of worry.  “I think he really would, but he’d probably be sad he missed it from only hearing.”

 “It’s not funny.  He wouldn’t want to see.” I told her, but my voice came out in a whisper.  Was I really the only one so shaken by this?

,,,^._.^,,,

 I strode back into the gymnasium as Brenna whispered about Jarod not wanting to see what had happened.  I understood how shaken she was.  I was still shaken.  There had been no sign that Raine possessed such devastating power.  Worse yet, I broke my tenant agreement.  Had I actually managed to injure Raine, I would no longer be alive.

 As terrifying as Raine was in her other form, I had to agree with James’ assessment about Death.  Aaliyah’s voice could make you feel like some intangible place inside was being caressed by a blade.  I had seen her actual blade too often already.  I hoped not to see that again.  Our conversation had seemed to take a long time, but I was cowed enough by the end that I listened to her ramble on about my chocolate factory for minutes at the end.

 “I’ll show them anyway.” I announced, firming my resolve and using my fey-born telepathy to replay what I had seen.

 Ai and Mai needed to see this, so they would fully understand their complete inability to fight against Raine.

 “The kitten has claws, so don’t you three dare push her.” I warned, staring them down.  Then I said, “I still have not begun to heal, and I was only scratched.  Imagine if she really wanted to kill me.”  I then stepped over to James, knelt, and reached for Raine.  “May I?”

 James had moved his arms protectively around her at first, but he handed her over seconds later.

 I carefully cradled the kitten in my hands and whispered “There, there.  I’m sorry that I took things too far.  I thought to show James that you were quite capable of defending yourself, but I never even considered there could be a reason for you to restrain.  Aaliyah… explained... a few things to me, and I won’t push you so far again.  Please consider earnestly training with us.  Every strength needs the restraint of discipline, and I am quite certain you can learn to control yourself.”

 If Raine was as strong as Aaliyah had suggested, having her aiding James was an enormous boon to his company.  I had more power than any Slayer’s spawn on record, but Aaliyah had warned that Raine could brush me away by accident if I got her too worked up.  What had made Raine so timid?

 Looking at all of the eyes on me, I created a spell to gather Raine’s clothing.  Then I said, “Well now.  Let’s get back to practice, shall we?”  Feeling Raine squirm in my hands, I quickly told her “I obviously don’t mean you, Raine, unless you’re feeling up for it.  The rest of us, however, cannot afford to slack.”

 Most everyone got back to their exercises without a word.  Brenna hadn’t moved, so James walked over to her.

 “You can take a break today if you want.” he informed her.

 “How can you be so calm?  Even w-when Alma was hurt, you seemed… relaxed.” she replied, looking at him as if trying to decide what he was.

 “I really have seen Death, and nothing short of her seems frightening these days.  Besides, I believe that Raine has a good heart.  If she really were a monster, she would have started slaughtering us, but she didn’t even cut Alma very deeply.  On some level, Raine still didn’t want to hurt anyone.” he explained with one of his gentle smiles.

 “She looked so terrifying.  Alma’s version of her was scary but nothing compared to the reality.  I couldn’t handle looking at her.” insisted Brenna.

 I wasn’t surprised.  My mental protections had been bombarded by some sort of magic when Raine had transformed.  

 “Don’t worry.  She’s a good kitten.” stated James as he looked into her eyes.  “Why don’t you take a walk to the kitchen?  Marco would surely love to hear about the development, and I can assure you that his knowledge of sundaes is very extensive.”

 Brenna nodded and walked towards the door with a stiffness that showed her unease.  That girl had a reasonable amount of talent, despite her fey magic not being useful for combat.  If she worked for me, I’d have her trained for espionage, but James wouldn’t part with any of his employees, as he shouldn’t.

,,,^._.^,,,

 Wanting to try something, I walked over to Alma and asked “Mind if I attempt to heal you?”

 She looked at me in surprise but nodded, maneuvering Raine into her uninjured arm.

 I touched her, sending blood through my palms and sensing the magic infecting the wound.  I called to it through my blood, gathering it into me.  The feeling was exhilarating, similar to Portentia’s blood, though not nearly as potent.

 “That’s working!  Cosette, you’re incredible.” insisted Alma in surprise.

 James joined us, seeming to marvel at the healed flesh as he caressed Alma’s arm.

 “Vampires are protectors after all.  Looks like my father was right again.” I asserted.

 “About what?” questioned James.

 “He said that vampires were given their abilities by a demon, so I thought our magic might work to cure a wound from one.” I explained, allowing myself a smug smile.

 “Slayer records claim that vampires were given their abilities by a deity.” argued Alma.

 “Slayers believe in deities?” asked James in surprise.

 “We all came from somewhere.” she told him.

 “Even your own records claim that vampires were given a divine mandate, and you still oppose vampires?” I asked incredulously.

 “Didn’t you say that you wanted to avoid the politics of Slayers and vampires?  You seem quite bias considering your heritage.” retorted Alma.  “Vampires were a flawed plan from the start, since they feed on those whom they’re meant to protect.”

 I quickly pointed out “But the feeding doesn’t have to be lethal or even dangerous.”

 “Yes, but how often is it from many vampires?  Great protectors, casually slaughtering the helpless to slake their thirst.” asserted Alma with a slight frown.

 “The Slayers aren’t so perfect either.” I told her.  “My parents are both dead.”

 “Cosette, I am sorry for your loss, but weren’t your parents associated with some less savory sorts?” she questioned

 “What?  Of course not.  I mean, they knew some.  How could they not given their lifespan, but… Hang on.  How would you know?” I asked, deciding we should get this out in the open.

 Alma sighed, obviously not wanting to admit what she did.

 “You killed them?” I suggested in a whisper, taking on a look of shock for effect.

 Raine jumped to me from Alma’s arm, so I caught her and hugged her, petting her with my fingertips as I stared Alma down.

 “Did I just heal my parents’ murderer?” I goaded.

 “Yes, and I’ve felt the guilt every day.” she admitted.  “James certainly hasn’t let me forget, not that I could.  I witnessed a murder and followed the killer back to your parents.  I assumed, however wrongly, that your parents were like him.”

 “You knew and didn’t tell me?” I demanded as I looked into James’ eyes.  The subject brought up just enough anger that I felt I could look convincing, despite wanting to hug James.  I felt his magic working its way through me, despite my nature.

 “James is innocent in this.  I asked him not to tell you.” insisted Alma in an almost pleading tone.

 “No, I’m not innocent.  I simply didn’t know how to tell you or even if telling you was the right thing to do.” he argued, looking ashamed.

 I giggled, unable to restrain myself any longer.  “You two really are the strangest of couples.  I’ve known for a while.  Aaliyah told me just after I moved here, so you can stop abusing James’ powers, Alma.”

 “What?  You don’t care?” asked Alma in shock.

 “Oh, I had plenty of plots to kill you go through my head.  I’m still missing my parents daily.  I forgive you.  You made a terrible mistake and didn’t even bother attempting to make amends, but I still forgive you.  I refuse to be like the Slayers, bent on destroying everything that looks dangerous without thought, and I hope one day you’ll see the error of our family’s ways, but I forgive you for being a slow learner.  Now you must forgive me for this, because it’s your own fault.  Vive la révolution!” I exclaimed before hugging James with my free arm.

 My time here, though brief, had shown me that James was a good person even if he was as fallible as the rest of us.  Despite my justly founded misgivings, I felt Alma was at least well-meaning if not entirely good.  I could imagine what her family had put her through, training far harsher than my own.  My father’s journals had taught me a great deal more of the Slayer family than he ever meant to tell me.  Now that this was in the open, I hoped Alma’s guard would drop, so I might get to know her well enough to judge her fairly.

[retracing-my-steps]

Just I got a laundry list of things that specifically stress me out or set me off and all the boxes are being checked off these past few weeks

Like got the apartment complex giving me weird citations for things I didn’t do so I had to confront authority

Got some dude threatening the store for a couple days and got cussed at and threatened and feeling tense and scared all day

Feeling demoralized because I got 10+ hours of sleep and a good number of days of good sleep and felt just as bad as I do with 3 hours

Dog barking echo chamber hell

Permanent iron level issues so so many meds to remember to take (for me anyway, I keep forgetting)

Coworker constantly commenting whenever I stop moving for a second like I’m not working enough

For September being super fucked over on Sundays because I’m basically working with one other person all night so if someone goes on break the other person is left with the phone and the whole store and alone on register so if someone buys a lot or it gets crowded we’re fucked

Drinking a huge black coffee at 7 pm so I don’t feel like I’m gonna die trying to finish my shift but it doing nearly nothing, not even feeling it (I guess it’s the ADD)

Anxiety at work constantly because being tired makes me feel really nervous

Dentist appointment scary stuff for me

Waking up alone falling asleep alone and not being able to hear the voice of the person I love

Going through this all mostly alone and not knowing when I’ll see him again

This is just one of those NOOOTHING TO LIIIVE for time periods where I am so emotionally and mentally and physically exhausted and I don’t know how to fix it that even though I may be a stronger person than I used to be I just wish I could go coma unless there’s something worth waking up for cause right now there really isn’t and this is a real fucking endurance run and I hate this all so much

[raging-violets]

#11 - Cadverage / Flarrow

For Ethan on Twitter

-Rhuben

-

Prompt list (x)

Fandom: Flarrow (Flash/Arrow)

Characters: Cadence Nash, Sage Moreaux, Averey Moore (OCs)

#11. “We’re going to be in so much trouble if somebody catches us.”

-

“I think Oliver is going to propose.”

It was those seven words that had Cadence Nash, Sage Moreaux, and Averey Moore sneaking through Sage’s and Oliver’s apartment.

Well, Sage was sneaking, tip-toeing, and Mission-Impossible-Rolling. Cadence and Averey was strolling casually behind her.

“It’s your place,” Cadence pointed out to her after hearing Sage’s explanation as to why she was “flopping on the ground like a dying fish.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why are you sneaking?”

“We’re on a mission,” Sage replied with a roll of her eyes, pushing her hone blond hair back behind her ears. “Duh! Besides, for all we know, Oliver has booby trapped the place.”

“Do you see any arrows hidden anywhere?” Cadence asked, nudging Averey in the side with her elbow. “With his life, wouldn’t put it past him.” She chuckled.  “I’m sorry, I know he’s your brother, but I still can’t believe that Oliver actually shot him in the back.”

“Mmm. That’s what I’m here for.” Averey twisted her mouth to the side, pushing her glasses up her nose with her finger. She slowly turned in a circle, eyes darting from place to place, surveying the scene. “Nope. No traps.”

“Great.” Sage clapped her hands together before enthusiastically punching a fist into the air. “To the bedroom!”

“Reckon, we’re going to be in so much trouble if somebody catches us,” Averey said, shaking her head as she followed her energetic friend.

“So let’s not get caught,” Cadence replied. Averey stared at her.

“Have you ever wondered whether or not you’re setting a bad example for Brady?” she asked flatly.

Cadence shrugged. “No,” she replied, “I’m just the fun parent.” She stuck a finger in Averey’s face. “And you, Auntie Averey, are the fun sucking one he keeps complaining about.”

“Don’t ask the girl who can see hundreds of thousands of meters at a time to babysit, then, yeah?” Averey shot back. “I can see everything.”

“Then use those binoculars you call eyeballs to help me find the ring!” Sage called from deep inside the bedroom.

“Aren’t you supposed to be surprised by all of this?” Cadence asked, stepping across the threshold into the room.

“I will be,” Sage promised, digging through a drawer of shirts. “It’s not like I know how he’s going to do it. I just want to see what I’m working with.” She stopped what she was doing, standing up straight. “Not to dredge up the past, but you guys have experience hiding things you don’t want people to see-“

“Keep talking, and you’ll really understand why they call me Flare,” Cadence said, dryly, giving Sage a pointed look.

“All right, all right.” Sage put her hands up defensively before clasping her hands together, sticking out her lower lip. “Pleeeeeease help?”

“For all we know, if there is a ring,” Averey said, throwing her hands into the air, “he probably has your cousin holding it for him.”

“Or Barry,” Cadence added.

“Iris wouldn’t be able to hold that secret for long,” Sage said, waving away the thought that her cousin could have the ring. “She gets giddy and smiley whenever she gets excited about something this big.”

“So…she turns into you?” Cadence asked and Averey snorted.

“Just start looking!”

Sighing heavily, Cadence and Averey joined their friend in looking through the bedroom for the illusive ring. Stacks of clothing was toppled over, bookshelves were looked through, the mattress was flipped; sheets and blankets were thrown onto the floor, and bathroom cabinets were rifled through all with the reassurance that they could put everything back “exactly as we found it” by Averey.

“What are you doing?”

The three women froze hearing Oliver’s voice break through their laughter. Slowly turning their heads, they spotted Oliver standing in the doorway with his arms, crossed over his chest. His lips formed a thin line, yet turned up just slightly in the corners looking amused, yet suspicious all at the same time.

“Nooothing.”

--------

Sage Moreaux is @ceruleanmusings‘s Flash character.

Cadence Nash and Averey Moore are our Flash characters.