#and they get a package addressed to the and the music starts getting a little louder

[thestarstho]

I need Teenagers by MCR in the Percy Jackson series I need it I need it

[long-live-astronerd-ghost-king]

DPXDC prompt: Dead on main. No trick only treat.

~~Сhildhood friends and deals~~

The Justice League has to summon a ghost from another dimension to address the threat. They don’t know what price the Ghost King will take but there’s little time to bargain. Another spirit threatening them has already seized all the computers on their base. John doesn’t know what else to offer. A summoned ghost starts to look bored. Gold, jewelry? A favor from a member of the League? Like the Ruler of All Dead needs it. No one dares to make another offer, and the King is in no hurry to set out his demands. Maybe try to pull off a soul sale scam?

Suddenly, Red Hood breaks into the hall, walks up to Phantom and shakes his shoulder vigorously. Red Hood: You, get Technus out of here right now. I need access to the files and fast. Phantom: That’s rude, dude. Where did you grow up? in the cave? No "hello, no how are you, Danny", really? Red Hood: I’ll pay the usual price. Phantom: Deal.

What is the price? John sees Batman and gets in his way. The usual price, his guy said. Means Jay was already out of the deal alive and well. This hyperprotective bat would only piss off the ruler if he interfered.

The King quickly deals with his subordinate using a thermos and remains to watch working Hood. Red Hood: What do you want? I’m busy. Danny: You and I have a contract~ Red Hood: All right, all right. Jay throws M&Ms right in the face of the ghost. But king doesn’t look angry. He opens the package and starts sorting the candies by color. Phantom quickly eats up all the green ones and passes the red ones to Hood. Jason takes them without any questions.

Strange. John has never seen a summoned creature share its reward with a human. And the son of a bat looks too comfortable with it. Wait, since when do super-powered beings think that candy is a decent wage?John makes one of the most likely deductions using his experience. Constantine: Batsy, how long has your son been sleeping with the King of Ghosts? Batman: He…what?!

~~~~~~~

Dick *knocking at the door*: Little Wing, you hate ectoplasm and everything what is neon green, so why? He’s dangerous! Jason who turned on the music to not listen to his crazy family: ~He’s poison but tasty~

Dick: NoOOoo

~~~~~~

Jason: And now everyone thinks that I sold my virginity to you for a bargain or something, because interdimensional creatures like you aren’t supposed to help for nothing. Like you’re playing favorites. I’m gonna fucking kill John. Danny: Well, I wouldn’t say no to that. Jason: What? Danny: I mean, to k-kill John, yeah. How dare he.. Jason: Omg, you’re still so terrible liar, Fenton.

Danny: Sorry :(

Jason: No. Say it again.

~~~~Twelve years ago~~~~ Maddie wasn’t thrilled to learn that Danny was trying to make friends with Todd’s son. Their neighbor was terrible. And his son was definitely a street rat and probably a juvenile delinquent. Maddie: Danny, honey, there’s got to be a reason this boy is talking to you. Even kids from the crime alley are always looking for a bargain they can make or a fool they can fool. Danny: But Jason is so cool! He knows so much about books and alleys and.. Maddie: But you don’t want to be a fool, do you? Danny: Okay, Mom, I get it.

So, if Danny wants a cool friend, he’s got to offer a bargain.

He didn’t have a lot of pocket money for every month but Jason needed it more anyway. And his lunch that Jack was picking for him was big enough for two and only bitten on Tuesdays. Nice. Jason: Do I understand correctly? You will pay me and give me food, and I, what? Protect you from bullies? Danny: No! I’m not weak, I don’t need to be protected. Just..maybe we could sit together at lunch and walk each other home sometimes? Jason: Nay Danny: But why? You want something else? Jason: Money’s fine but your homemade food is…strange. Danny: I can bring sweets if you want. Jason: Deal. 3 pop tarts for a joint lunch, a party size bag of M&Ms if you waste my time out of school.

~~~~

Sometimes they share sweets when they hang out but more often Jayson takes them home to save in case his parents have money problems. Sweets have a long shelf life stored and he may not be afraid to poison himself. Over time, candy becomes their currency and a secret language for all occasions. Need help without unnecessary questions? M&Ms. Problems with learning? Skittles. The question is about family? Snickers. There will be a serious conversation? Pop Tarts.

Jason: One snickers and a pack of gum. Danny: Yeah, Jason? What do you want? Jason: My mom wants to meet my friend. Come to lunch on Sunday. Danny: Okay, you managed to pay for my expensive services. Jason:…and you just lost the gum from the deal.

~~~~~~

Jason threw a package at Danny: Three pop tarts. We need to talk. Danny: All right? Jason: Why are you avoiding me all week?! Danny: Well, it’s just..you’re Wayne now. Jason. Still Todd. And what about that? Danny: You can hang out with the cooler guys now, I didn’t want to embarrass you. Jason: Bullshit! I’m still the street rat, and you’re trying to avoid our contract. me. And I don’t even need money from you anymore. What the hell? I thought you are my friend. Danny: And I am!

~~~~~~

Robin: What’s a schoolboy doing in an alley at night? Danny: Um, I…nothing? Don’t tell my parents, Mr. Robin sir. Robin: It will cost you so many Chunky Bars, you have no idea. Danny:...Jason? Jason: N-no. Danny: Damn yes. What are you doing in green shorts on the street at night?! Jason: Cosplay. Danny: Oh yeah? Then I’m just your hallucination. Don’t hesitate to ghost me. I’m going home, Disgrace In Pixie Boots, bye. Jason: fu%&c$#u

[certifiedcodbabygirl]

clearly the only solution to the penpal au is you’re supposed to write to ghost but the entire task force hijacks the letters every once in a while. /hj /lh

Price also ends up doing that too once he realizes why the entire team becomes obsessed with writing letters

DUDE YES *smooches your brain*

Simon starts writing to you through a military penpal program Price had all of them in. Ofc, like the rat bastard he is, he drags his fuckin feet on it. Eventually, you manage to get him a little more willing to write back and it seems like he even looks forward to it. He's the first one to grab his letter from the container when they come. He claims it's to get it over with, but the other guys know better.

You'd think the other guys would be the ones more open to their penpals but NO. They managed to be paired with some of, who they call, the most boring people they could have met. Hell, even Price began to drag his feet after the 2nd letter back.

Simon seems to be the only one actually enjoying his exchanges, even if he tries to hide it. Johnny's the first one to get curious, wanting to know what the LT's got that's good enough to loosen the stick in his ass.

While Simon's out of the room, Johnny reads through the first couple letters Simon received. Your sweet words, stupid jokes, and genuine care are a stark contrast from the uninterested and short words he received from his penpal.

He stops writing to his penpal, not that they noticed/ cared, and grew the balls to write you one. He claimed his penpal dropped out, so they had to make do, not that you minded. And God, when you started to write back, he swore it was like he was a schoolboy all over again. Getting excited for the letters, heart racing as he reads your carefully written words, counting down the days till he gets another.

He gets ballsy one night and opens up to Gaz about what he did, not showing a single crumb of remorse. Tells him all about how sweet you are, how you show genuine care for his safety, even giving the idea of sending a care package. He could see that same thought process going through Kyle's mind, contemplating switching to you. He gave Kyle your address and told him to just come up with an excuse.

Now Kyle's a little smarter than Johnny, knowing that if Ghost finds out he's probably fucked. However, at the end of the day, he's a lonely man. He had this sweet thing like you just within reach and he's supposed to not take it? Yeah right.

He gave the same excuse Johnny did, claiming his penpal's schedule became too busy to write back, and just like that you had 3 soldiers wrapped around your finger. He sweet talked you, gave little puns here and there, really became like a lap cat. He wasn't as forward as Johnny and not as refrained as Simon. He gave you music recommendations when you say you like a certain genre, he gave you book recommendations, even sent you photos of him in front of a helicopter (you begged for it when he told you about him falling out).

Now, Simon isn't stupid. He isn't clueless. He noticed that the first couple letters went missing. Then he noticed Johnny being more eager to write. Same with Kyle. He noticed how they seemed to pull away from him when the topic was brought up. He's not a stupid man.

He might even be considered generous (don't say it to his face though, he'll take it as sarcasm). He knows the boys are talking to his penpal, but he'll be kind enough to share. His sweet lil thing. If you can keep up, that is. Your letters seem to boost morale and bring a small light that wasn't there before. They're all hard-working men, risking their lives to keep the world clean. They deserve this, don't they?

Even Price finds himself wanting in on it. If you can manage to bring Simon happiness (again, he won't admit it) and keep the other boys happy, surely you can take on one more. He sends you a letter, as their captain, and thanks you for what you've done. You're such a kind soul for giving these men some hope in their lives (laying it on thick, gotta keep em interested) and how much you've helped their performances.

They all write to you, their unofficial 141 penpal, and it works surprisingly well. The lines begin to blur a bit on being platonic and something else, but it'll be sorted out eventually. For now you're just theirs (Simon came around to it once he realized you had plenty of love to go around). You're the 141's, even if you don't fully understand what that means.

The first picture they send to you, around Christmas^ (I can't find the artist, please tag them if you know who it is)

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Bittersweet 2

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc. 

Part of the Sweet and Spicy AU 

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as dubcon/noncon, and other possible triggers. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk. 

18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you. 

Summary: Your startup business catches the eye of a powerful rival.

Character: Loki Laufeyson

Please comment and reblog if it’s not too much. I always love getting to chat about these stories and hearing all your ideas! You all are wonderful and loved.

It’s baking day. Your kitchen is stolid with the heat of the oven and the treats cooling on the counter. Your apartment has been converted into a pseudo chocolate factory; though you wouldn’t claim Wonka’s glory. You are certain to keep to food-safe standards however and so your morning began with sanitization, another two hours on top of a long day. 

It’s a few weeks out to the next show; a local festival that hosts all sorts of local shops, though the biggest attraction are the musical acts. Even so, you’re hustling as best as you can. You spent a portion of the baking show profit to get a kiosk in the mall for the holiday weekend. It’s a big deal, you expect a crowd and now you have an idea of how much you’ll need to bring. 

You sigh as you tally up what you have so far. You’ll be in the kitchen all week at this rate and you don’t think even then you’ll meet your set quota. You’ll still do well but you can’t help the echo of that man’s words. You’re hitting a wall on your own. 

And you’re running low on red cacao. You frown at the slack canvas bag. That’s another trip to the bulk seller down by the freeway but that’s so far out, it’ll eat at least an hour and a half off your day.  

He’s right. That pompous snakish man is right. You can’t keep up with the demand.  

No, you can. You’ll bake into the night if you have to. It’ll be cooler then, anyhow. You inventory your cupboards as the oven radiate with heat. You have a list. Tomorrow you can get to that but for now, you’ll start packaging the chocolates in the fridge. 

You count out the truffles and fudge squares precisely. Each one in a sleeve or a box. You’ll add all the little details later; a ribbon, a bow, a seal. You yawn at the repetition but aren’t bored by it. Having your own business isn’t exactly dull, if anything it’s tantalizingly stressful. 

Your tablet dings as the baking show you keep on stream quiets for the notification. The woman’s voice returns to full volume as you approach to check the icon in the margin. It’s from your online shop front. Between the physical work, you can’t forget about the healthy tide of orders coming in virtually. 

It adds to the weight on your shoulders. You slump and drag down the notification bar. It’s large order and before you can skim each item, another notification sweeps in. You tap the inquiry so that the message opens.  

The inquiry is labeled with the same order number that just came up. You squint. ‘...requires in-person to order address...’ You don’t do that. It isn’t an option but the customer’s tone comes of insistent even over text. They promise a gratuity and underline that they did pay for the expedited option. 

That’s the first position you’re hiring when you can make the space. A customer service representative because you hate this. You go back to review the full order. It’s a lot; a lot of baking and a lot of money. 

You’ll have to make it work yet there’s this needling voice in the back of your head, slithering and sharp, you can’t keep this up forever. 

🍫

Surely, it’s the wrong address.

You idle in your large SUV, the nearly two-decade old model puttering between the sleek modern cars the fill the spaces outside the luxurious storefront. You gulp as you peer up at the moniker. You recognise the brand and the logo. 

Black Snake. It’s some sort of trick. You should have been suspicious.

The chocolatier isn’t unknown to you beyond your encounter with its owner. While the headquarters are nestled right at the heart of your city, there are locations across the country and even a few international. The local start-up boomed onto the front page and you can’t say it had nothing to do with your own come up. You offer a more affordable option with the same premium taste. 

You suppose he doesn’t like the competition. You wouldn’t either but you put yourself out there against the Black Snake monopoly knowing you would be trudging uphill. You get out and try not to think too much. 

You unlock the hatch and take out the large box stamped with your business name; Sweet Nothings. You approach the front door, trying to see through the tinted windows that form the front wall, and it opens before you can reach it. Shoot, he’s expecting you. 

“Ah, right on time,” Loki greets as he checks his watch. “I see you’ve no branding on your vehicle.” 

You try not to cringe. He has an eye for detail. You bite down on your smile. 

“Hello again,” you try to act like his foreboding hasn’t haunted you for a week, “I have everything in here--” 

“I didn’t see a reselling clause on your terms of service,” he proclaims smugly, “these should be popular.” 

“Ah,” you hesitate as he steps out of the door to hold it open for you, “you’ve paid so I guess I can’t stop you.” 

“Mm, and how is business then? You are quick to respond. Can’t be very hectic, then.” 

You take the jab like a weathered boxer. You don’t flinch, you just keep going. You stride inside and look around. You carry the box to the empty space the counter. 

“As promised, I will transfer a fee for your trouble,” he follows quickly. 

“Thanks, uh, I should--” you face him as he blocks your path. 

“You’ve a pop-up. This coming weekend.” 

The advert is at the top of your online shop. Of course, he would know. His diligence is starting to eke you out. 

“I do,” you confirm, “so I should be off.” 

“Yes, you have much work to do. Tell me, how many ovens do you have going?” 

Your expression falls, “you spent all this money to mock me?” 

“No, I’m simply discussing business. Seeing as I am experienced, I thought I might offer some sage advice,” he flutters his long fingers. 

“I appreciate that, really, but I am running a business, same as you, so if you would like to discuss that, you are more than welcome to make a proper appointment with me. Like a business person.” 

He snickers at the slant in your voice, the tone that insists you’re legitimate like him. 

“I didn’t see that option on the store front,” he counters. 

“You have my card,” you sniff and step around him. “Feel free to let me know if you have any concerns about your order.” 

“Wait--” He calls after but you’re already halfway through the door. 

[miss-tc-nova]

With Reckless Choices - Leona Kingscholar x Reader Pt 4

I like this chapter. It's cute imo. But it's kind of text heavy and I regret it, lol. Anyone with a screen reader let me know if it's problematic.

Premise: It's Leona's birthday

Words: 2,462

Music Inspiration: Misbehavin' - Pentatonix

~~~Maybe a Little~~~

               “Are you certain it’s sound to have such liberal amounts of eglantine around so many guests? Those from outside Briar Valley may not have the wherewithal to avoid being pricked.”

               Her Majesty simply stares, blinks, then returns her attention to the gardener. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that my concerns go unheeded. Even the prince himself pays me no mind as if I hadn’t spoken at all. Defeated, my gaze averts. Quite frankly, my presence at this meeting is pointless. I’m not here for my input; I’m here for the presentation.

               “I leave this matter to you,” the queen says, to which the man bows and speaks his obedience. “Then this meeting is over.”

               He bows again, making a hasty retreat.

               Then Her Majesty addresses us. “You two are also dismissed.”

               With that, the future king stands. My head bows as he walks behind me before I rise myself. Watching his back retreat without so much as a glance towards me fosters seething disdain in my chest.

               Letting the hatred boil, I make my way out into the courtyard to share my secrets with only the roses and stars.

               Still somewhat inexperienced, fingers tap awkwardly at the screen.

               Dropping the device in my lap, a deep breath fills my lungs, letting loose the stress. An inhale of surprise comes back when the phone buzzes. I hadn’t expected a response so soon.

               There’s no denying the smile that pulls at my lips.

               That twists at my insides.

               What started in my stomach is creeping up into my ribcage.

               Those cold coils have begun to corner my heart.

               Being honest with myself, I am. Even so, I’m not so fond of his game.

               I can practically hear him laughing at me now, that baritone voice setting a fire under my skin.

               Irritation conflicts with my desire. He almost gets no response but even if I wanted to, he’s well out of my reach.

               I did receive a package just a few weeks ago, but received no explanation as to what the contents were for.

               I’m not going to be getting any more answers from the frustrating feline. Still, it would be a lie if I said I didn’t want to see him—especially on his birthday. Though I’ve no idea what this “theory” of his is.

               Whatever tasks I may have needed to attend are hastily finished or set aside for a less favorable time. The guards and attendants bid me goodnight as I “retire” early. In reality, to my own face I lie, telling myself that I’m not putting in the extra effort for any reason other than it’s Leona’s birthday. Yet the intrusive thoughts keep surfacing, imagining him mingling and laughing with someone else—eyeing them up. I reexamine my outfit choices.

               Sooner than later, however, the hour declared draws near. From the dresser I draw the crystal I now understand the use of though not the purpose. Nevertheless, I hold the artifact close, willing it to reveal the memory contained.

               Sunlight rains down on my skin, the sound of traffic filling my ears. Before me sits an ornate golden fountain, surrounded by animal sculptures honoring a young, future king. The greenery of the park is vibrant and not entirely ­something I would expect to find within city limits, but the Sunset Savana is famed for living alongside its wildlife.

               A tinge of disdain pricks at my boredom at hearing the voice of a child calling out to me. As he approaches, tugging on my arm, his mouth runs faster than any cheetah.

               Still, my gaze roams, looking to different areas of the park I’m dragged through, taking in as much as I can.

               Blinking away the magic, my mind returns to the present, back in my own room in Castle Blackscale. The immediate purpose of the memory doesn’t strike me and I wonder what Leona expects me to do with such a mundane thought. Despite his annoyance at his chatty nephew, he’d taken great care to take in the details of the park. I can still see it in my mind almost as if I were there.

               That clever kitty.

               Closing my eyes again, I hold fast to the borrowed remembrance. The peaceful, tranquil park backed by the bustling civilization sticks in my mind as I try to fully convince myself that I was there. Reaching out, my magic searches for the connection that will grant me passage to a place I’ve only been vicariously.

               To my greatest surprise, black sparks come to life at my fingertips. My jaw drops as I trace the door that opens wide to the park I’ve never visited before. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that lion’s crazy theory worked.

               The only difference from my second-hand memory and the one I now stand in is the light. The sun has long since set, leaving the area blissfully deserted. Yet I take it all in, purely excited at the events that brought me here and the events to come.

               From my pocket the phone is drawn as I tap away at the screen.

               Alarms ring in my head.

               It takes me a moment to track down the entrance gate. I carefully secure the hat guarding my identity as I take a few timid steps beyond the iron fence. There aren’t too many cars around, however, there’s a peculiar, gleaming black car far more expensive than any other. Leaning against it is a young man I’ve only seen pictures of—he was one of Leona’s schoolmates.

               When he catches me staring, I press my glasses higher.

               “You here for Leona?”

               Nervous, I nod.

               “Cool.” The hyena opens the back door for me. “The drive to the palace won’t take too long, but make yourself comfortable. You got all the controls back here.”

               My head dips in appreciation as I slide into the back seat. He seems not at all disturbed at my lack of response, but Leona must’ve told him as much. Thankfully, I quickly discover the privacy screen and separate the front seats from the back before pulling out my phone again.

               Occasionally, the driver makes a remark, more to himself than me. It’s mostly about the traffic or the radio, I think just to fill the silence. Aside from that, it’s a fairly peaceful ride, watching the sleepy city drift beneath the glittering sky.

               As promised, the driver takes me to the palace. Booming music can be heard well before we breach the castle grounds. Leona wasn’t kidding when he said his family had gone all out, but I wasn’t expecting this. Lights make up for the lack of sun, the music shaking the car even as we pass. The yard is filled with people, both guest and performer alike and I find myself thankful for the tinted glass between us.

               Onto a ramp the driver pulls, taking us to an underground garage. Parked among several other expensive vehicles, the man slips from the driver’s seat and comes around to open my door. A hand waves towards the stairs.

               “I’ll take you up to Leona’s room where you can relax until he gets there.”

               Again, I nod in appreciation and follow. As we pass through the first floor, I can hear the celebration but we go without being spotted. Up on a higher floor, he wanders down a couple halls until he pauses in front of a door and opens it for me.

               “Here you go. He said make yourself at home. There’s a bathroom in the door on the left and I’ll go let him know you’re waiting.”

               Ambling inside, I awe at the room, jumping a bit when the door closes behind me.

               Leona’s room feels familiar despite having never been here; I could’ve immediately guessed who it belongs to. It’s relatively neat, though there are obvious signs of his laziness such as clothes on the floor, open drawers, and a bit of rubbish around the bin. To the right is an open wall leading out onto a balcony overlooking the city. It’s a beautiful sight.

               A seat on the bed holds me for maybe ten minutes before the doorknob turns. My head immediately drops, not entirely certain who’s going to walk through that door.

               “I knew you were jealous.”

               With heat winding along my spine, I drop the hat and glasses. “I told you, I’m not jealous.”

               The lock turns behind him.

               To my surprise, Leona is dressed for the occasion. He’s got a black button-up shirt with a long, sleeveless overcoat in a royal shade of violet embroidered with gold. Black slacks end at his neatly polished purple shoes while his golden necklace adorns his neck. He looks quite dashing, the only hint of his inebriation being the crooked paper crown upon his head.

               Mischief lies behind that smile. “Still lyin’ to yourself, I see.”

               “You asked me to come,” I retort, strolling closer. “It would be rude to refuse you on your birthday.”

               “Sure sure.” Leona steps around me, circling like the big cat he is. “You tellin’ me you didn’t wanna come over, get me away from Sanaa and Zawadi, and have me all to yourself?” He pauses in front of me, standing so close I can smell the alcohol on his breath. “‘Cause I can always go back downstairs and enjoy the party. I’m sure Zawadi’s lookin’ for me with another drink. No doubt with another hint about coming upstairs.”

               How this man knows exactly what to say to get under my skin is beyond me.

               With a final ‘hmph’ of triumph, the lion turns back towards the door. I’ll be giving him the checkmate, but my heart gives me no choice as I snag his sleeve. Defeat meets that all-knowing smirk.

               “That’s what I thought.”

               Leona steps into me, hands at my hips and lips honing in on my neck. Instantly, I melt into him, plunging in over my head into my own desire. Warm hands roam, a thrilling tingle left in their wake with each move. Yet in all this adoration, I can only cling to his coat and bask in the euphoria of his lust.

               Until that twinge of guilt pulls taut in my heart. A gentle nuzzle gets the birthday boy to retreat only long enough for him to switch sides.

               “Wha’s wrong?”

               “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer to enjoy the party?”

               He leans back. Smoldering eyes leer at me—only me. “Why would I wanna endure those loudmouths that talk behind my back when I have you right here?” Our foreheads meet as his voice lowers. “My helpless…hopeless…jealous prey. Honestly, I don’t know what you were worried about.”

               In my pouting, I look away. That’s when Leona begins his nuzzling.

               “A’int no one out there as gorgeous as you. You think I could even consider anyone else after tasting you?”

               Embarrassment surges into my ears. Surely that’s not something he’d say with a clear head.

               “This is the only thing I’ve wanted all day.” His head bumps against mine. “So make it worth my while, yeah?”

               Thankful he’s too preoccupied with my skin to see my self-consciousness, so I put on my best act.

               “Oh? And how do you propose I do that?”

               He’d be purring if he could. “You can start by letting me have another taste.”

               If I know Leona, that make out is going to quickly devolve to clingy cuddles and sleep shortly after. He never had any intention of attending his own party. I sigh; I really was worried over nothing.

               Poking at his paper crown, I tease, “As you wish, my king.”

               That’s when I see the purest, happiest smile I think anyone has ever given me. And in this moment, I would do anything for him.

               “Damn right.”

               My eyes roll, but there’s no denying the smile infecting my lips.

               “Happy birthday, Leo.”

~~~~~

Part 5

Nova’s Twisted Wonderland Masterlist

[trtlebuns]

OH YOU BETTER WORK!!

Synopsis: You “accidentally” send your clothes to your boyfriends address and demand a fashion show

Inspired by this video: 💋

Tags: Fluff, wholesome, comedy, and Soap

Johnny (Soap) MacTavish

“babe” you hear Johnny say through the FaceTime call

“Hm?” You replied not looking at the phone while you paint your nails

“What is it” you ask again now looking at your phone since you didn’t hear Johnny reply

“I think you sent something to my address” Johnny said while showing the package in the camera

“Ooohh!!! I was wondering where that went, I thought they forgot to send it and was going to request a refund” You said while looking at the logo on the package

“Do you want me to drive over and give it to you?” Johnny put the package down and looked around for his keys

An idea popped into your head

“no no no” you frantically say as he pauses and waits for you to continue your sentence

“Try them on for me” you say

There was a pregnant pause

“I think those polish fumes are getting to your head darling” Johnny chuckled

“I’m deadass” you said as you put on your most serious face as you stare into the camera as Johnny stares back at you

“Babe I-“ Johnny was about to start before cut off by a

“AHHHH PLEASE PLEASE WITH A CHERRY ON TOP!! YOU WONT HAVE TO BUY ME LUNCH FOR THE WHOLE WEEK PLEASE I PROMISE I PROMISE JUST THIS ONE THING UGHHH” you screamed into the phone

Johnny knew you were lying about the lunch because he knows how you get when you’re hungry

Johnny rolled his eyes and told you to hush and you did

“Fine WOMAN! I will put the clothes on mkay” he said with a tight lip

You smiled “prop the camera up so I can get a full body image, it’ll help me image it on myself”

Johnny does what you ask and opens up the package

“Dear God woman, where and why did you even buy these clothes??” Johnny said confused and scared as he picked up a few articles of clothing

“I was just browsing and seeing what I might like to see myself in. Now enough questions, get on with the get down okay?” You said as you put yourself in cross cross apple sauce position and watched Johnny changed

As Johnny was about to lift his shirt he caught a glimpse of you looking like a mad woman in the camera

Eyes wide , staring deep into the camera, and breathing deeply

“Back up, damn. Creeping me the fuck out” Johnny said while letting go of his shirt and about to cover his camera

“ ILL CLOSE MY EYES” you said as you saw his hand

Johnny rolled his eyes

“You better” he said and went back to changing

“No promises tho…” you shut your eyes peeking a bit

“Huh???” Johnny said

“They’re closed” you said irritatedly, but nevertheless closed your eyes fully

In the midst of you eyes being closed and rocking your self side to side

You hear a bunch of “my gods” “would this even fit?” “my body would swallow this” “trashy” “ooo a wig” “why is my nipple on display?” “THONG?!”

“Hurry up” you said impatiently as you hear him grumble his complaints

“I’m almost done, hush! You can’t rush art” you hear him smack his lips

“Okay andddddddd done” you hear Johnny say out of breath

You open your eyes

“Good God” You say aloud and cover your mouth to stop the giggles from erupting from your body

“Speechless? I know babe” Johnny said as he bit his lips and rubbed his hands together

Visual: Johnny is wearing a pink crop top with some short shorts , with a white fur coat and a purple bob wig to match

As tears begin to fall down your eyes and the laughter managed to escape your mouth

Johnny gave you a full blown show

I’m talking twirling, strutting towards the camera, twerking a little bit

You even put on beez in the trap by Nicki Minaj to give him the all experience bad bitch vibe

“BITCHES AINT SHIT AND THEY AINT SAYING NOTHIN!!” You yelled out while you got up and starting dancing

“YOU BETTER EAT JOHNNY!! YOU BETTER WORK!!!” You yelled in the camera as Johnny started dancing along with the lyrics

As the music came to an end, you hear the door open from the Johnnys side of the phone

Immediately Johnny is frozen in his spot

“Could you pleas-“ you hear a familiar voice and automatically align it with Simon (Johnnys roommate)

There was a pause in his sentence, as he continues

“Playing a little bit of dress up?”

“Yeah…” Johnny replied

“good, good, It’s good to pretend” you hear Simon say

You cough awkwardly

“You look beautiful” Simon chuckles out

“Oh fuck off and get out” Johnny yelled out and went to close his door and lock it

“Please keep it down Princess” you heard Simon yell behind the door

You’re having a giggling fit as Johnny picked up his phone and looked at you

“Never again” Johnny says

“Okay okay, I promise” you replied with a smile

[takaraphoenix]

Sun-in-Law

Tags: m/m, established relationship, family fluff

Main Pairing: Apollo/Percy

@polympians-event Prompt: family focus.

Summary: Apollo had lost so many over the span of his life, but for the first time, he had a real family to come home to, and he was grateful for it.

This story on FFNet | This story on AO3

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Sun-in-Law

Apollo loved getting mail. Letters and packages addressed to him. It was a silly thing to find joy in, he was aware – he was the god of the sun, music, prophecies, medicine, he'd seen and caused so much that was magical, inspiring, ever-lasting, impactful, yet here he was, giddily staring down at their electricity bill. Mister Apollo Jackson. Followed by their address. That was, his and his husband's address. Because he was Mister Apollo Jackson now, husband to one Percy Jackson.

He'd had so many fake last names over the years, to pose as a mortal when falling in love, to try and be a normal man and not a god, but none of them had been real. This was the first time he had a real last name. His husband's last name. He'd taken it when they had exchanged their vows.

For the first time in forever, Apollo had a life. A normal life. A husband, a house, bills, neighbors, even a job (technically, he was Doctor Apollo Jackson, but oh well). He did things the way every normal mortal being did. Neighborhood barbecues, Sunday family dinners with his in-laws, meeting his husband for lunch whenever possible, preparing lunch bags for their daughter.

"Are you staring at your name with a stupid smile again, sunshine?"

Apollo jumped ever so slightly at his husband's voice. A blush lit up the Sun God's cheek. Sometimes, it felt like Percy had prophetic abilities of his own. How could he possibly know?

"I'm just getting the mail, sea star," Apollo called back, quickly getting the rest out too.

When he entered the kitchen, he found his beautiful, amazing husband in the middle of preparing dinner. Percy Jackson was stunning. Even as a retired hero, still athletic, well-trained, his eyes the ever-sparkling endless depth of the sea, his very, very kissable lips pulled into a teasing grin.

Percy was the greatest hero their world had seen in so many centuries, he'd been wooed and beloved by countless demigods and gods alike. Yet Apollo was the one who could count himself so lucky to be loved by the demigod. And for the first time, Apollo was allowed to love. Percy didn't get turned into a plant, or a constellation, or die otherwise. No, he was so strong, he could hold his own against any god – or titan, or giant, as proven in the wars.

"Papa! Papa, look!"

Apollo's attention was drawn away from his captivating husband and down to their daughter. Well, in all technicality, she was Apollo's granddaughter – a daughter of his son Asclepius, the god of medicine, her mortal mother having died when she was still very little. Too little to be at a Summer Camp, too alone to be abandoned. Percy had fallen in love with her so fast and so hard, it had been his idea for them to adopt her, and it had warmed Apollo's heart. Now she was theirs. Little Ariana Jackson, her fathers' pride and joy. Smiling at her, Apollo knelt down next to her.

"Oh, that's a pretty picture, sweetheart," Apollo smiled as he looked at the crayon drawing.

He smoothed down her wild, dark-brown hair and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, making her giggle. They had made a beautiful home together, him and Percy. A normal home. The kind Apollo had only ever gotten to dream of. Yes, he still had his duties on Olympus, but especially after his father's unjust punishment, Apollo had few qualms not being as diligent. If he king of gods thought they could do without him, then who was he to argue.

What had started out as a punishment had in the end been what drew Apollo and Percy close and even after Apollo regained his godhood, they remained friends. Apollo kept dropping by, visiting Percy at college, annoying Percy, hanging out with Percy, falling in love with Percy. It was a bit ironic, perhaps, that what had put them together in the first place had been Apollo fighting to get his place on Olympus back, only for him in the end to more or less give it up willingly. What mattered here was the choice. This was his choice. His choice to be with the one he loved.

Yes, he would like to take Percy to Olympus. Make him a god, know him immortal and protected. Not as long as Paul and Sally were alive though. Percy refused to leave the mortal world as long as his parents were still on it. So they compromised, and Apollo had come to live here, live a normal, mortal life with the man he loved, until Percy was ready to accept godhood and move on.

It had started out as a compromise, Apollo could have never anticipated how much he would come to love it. Love this life with all its facets, fall in love with all the small, mundane things.

"If you don't mind, how about setting the table before everyone gets here?"

"Ri—ight," Apollo got up again and walked back to the kitchen. "Sorry, our adorable daughter is very, very distracting. Setting the table now, my love."

There was a particular, little smile he always got when calling Percy 'my love'. Leaning in, Apollo kissed his husband's cheek before he went to set the table out in the backyard for eight. Their house had a beautiful, large garden with a pool – Apollo did not marry a son of Poseidon to then not spoil him with a sea-water pool; he may lead a mortal life right now for the sake of his husband, but he was still a god and he was going to spoil his consort! The garden though, admittedly, was mainly pretty thanks to Apollo's half-sister Persephone. One of his favorite half-siblings, the two were close. The beautiful garden had been her wedding present to them.

"Ba—abe, doorbell," was screamed at him about twenty minutes later. "I would, but chicken."

Apollo huffed out a small laugh at that and hurried back in, after one last glance at the table. Cutlery, plates, napkins, he'd also prepped and served the salad already. Looking good. Pleased, he went to open the door for their guests, offering a bright, sunny smile.

"Mom, dad! So good to see you."

Paul Blofis winced at that. "I told you not to call me that. It's just… weird."

Next to him, his wife laughed and elbowed him. "Fairly sure that's exactly why he's doing it. Hello, Apollo, it is good to see you too. How are you boys?"

Sally pulled him into a warm, loving hug. She had a gift for those. And for making people feel like family. Coming from an awkwardly broken home himself – an affair of Zeus', which of course meant his parents didn't raise him together, and which also implied the anger and disdain from his dear stepmother – he had been very overwhelmed by how warmly he was welcomed into the Jackson family after he had started dating Percy.

"Hi, Polly, where's my brother?" Laura asked, already pushing past Apollo. "And my niece!"

The young Jackson deeply admired and loved her older half-brother. She liked Apollo too, but only after she got her Percy hugs in. Grinning amused at her, Apollo pointed toward the kitchen and she zoomed right off to attach herself to Percy's waist like a clingy octopus. It should be more awkward, that Percy's sister and Percy's daughter were only a few years apart, but Laura had been absolutely psyched to be the older one for a change, and she took being 'best auntie' very seriously. As soon as she had enough Percy hugs, she turned her attention to little Ariana.

"Brother!" Tyson greeted him loudly and enthusiastically.

Apollo grunted as the cyclops hugged him hard and lifted him off the ground by a couple inches. Percy's brother had fully accepted Apollo into the family and was very happy about how happy Apollo made Percy. Apollo gasped for breath once he was put down again. Cyclops hugs were tight. Next to Tyson, Tyson's fiance simply smiled at him and waved. Ella was a good one. She worked closely with Rachel a lot, and Apollo in return still worked with his chosen oracle, so on occasion, he also spent time with Ella, outside of Jackson family events.

"Okay, that's everybody. Let's move this party to the backyard, I already set the table."

On their way to the backyard, they of course paused in the kitchen so everybody could properly greet Percy and also Ariana. The little girl giggled delighted as her uncle Tyson lifted her up onto his shoulders, her tiny fingers reaching out for Ella to pet her feathers.

"Hey, mom," Percy's voice was muffled by his mother's shoulder. "How are things?"

"Exhausting," Sally's eyes landed on Laura. "Half the time, it feels like I am too old to go through all of this again. I should be in my grandma era."

"You are rocking the grandma and the mom gig," Percy grinned at her. "And you know, whenever you and Paul need a break, me and my hubby are more than happy to babysit my awesome sister."

The hubby in question also grinned and offered a thumbs-up to Sally. He indeed was always willing to babysit Laura and help out in any way he could – he always had, at first in an attempt to endear himself to Paul and Sally, but by now, simply because he loved them. Because they were his family.

"Dinner smells delicious, Perce," Paul offered a smile, patting Percy on the shoulder.

"Ye—es, and I am starving," Tyson pushed past them so he could help carry something out.

Percy laughed at his brother and motioned at everything that was ready to go. Everyone picked something up, so they could finally get to dinner. Sunday family dinners were so important to them all. Once a week, they made the time to eat together. Sally and Paul alternately hosted these dinners with Percy and Apollo. Apollo took his seat at one side of the table, next to his husband, with Sally and Paul opposite them, Tyson and Ella on one side and Ariana and Laura on the other.

"How is school, Laura?" Apollo asked his sister-in-law.

She wiggled her nose at him and frowned. "I do not care for math."

Percy choked on his food, laughing hard. Concerned, Apollo reached over to pat him on the back. Sea-green eyes looked at him, sparkling with love and amusement. Once he was calmed down again, Percy leaned in to kiss Apollo on the cheek, ever so softly. Apollo knew why. Because Percy loved how much Apollo cared about their family, that Apollo didn't just love Percy, his consort, but the whole package deal of Jacksons (and Apollo really thought that Paul should have done as he did and taken the Jackson name when him and Sally had gotten married. Tyson went by Jackson too).

"I'm afraid you will need math to finish school, princess," Paul chuckled, patting her head.

"But I don't wanna finish school," Laura's frown deepened. "I've decided that I will work at the forges with Ty! And Ty never-ever went to school at all!"

Apollo laughed at that and leaned back, letting the mortals at the table take this one, because things were different for him, as a god, and for Tyson, as a cyclops too. Tyson was working at Poseidon's forges. Ella was working as a librarian in New Rome. And Percy, well, Apollo's amazing husband had followed Paul and Chiron's steps and become a teacher. Apollo loved that, loved seeing Percy with the kids. His hand reached out to link fingers with Percy, while the Jacksons tried to convince Laura that school was important, actually (a tough point to argue with two teachers). A soft smile spread over Apollo's lips as he watched the family he loved so dearly. His family.

~*~ The End ~*~

[onyxrosess]

Pain is My Hometown

vergil x reader [multi-chapter series]

Chapter III: Only Fools Follow Their Heart

Chapter I | Chapter II | Chapter III [you're here!] | Chapter IV | Table of Contents

・warnings/tags: some mature topics.

( cross-posted on ao3 )

A few days have passed since going out with Dante and the girls, after your conversation with Nero— well it was an argument. You apologized to him the morning after, still feeling a little guilty for your delivery of your concern. Nero of course did not hold a grudge, just brushed it off and resumed life as normal. Later that day Kyrie shouted at you, someone was calling asking for you. Secretly, not really a secret at all, you hoped it was Kane. It had been radio silence since two nights prior. 

And as luck was in your favor, Kane’s voice spoke through the landline. It was different hearing his voice so clearly instead of being suppressed by blaring music and shouting. The conversation went well, giving him Devil May Cry’s number. Since the city had far more job opportunities than Fortuna, you had already started looking at job listings passively, not having to rely on Kyrie’s endless support would be nice for a change. Relying on Dante felt more morally correct, two negatives make a positive right?

Currently, you sorted through a package Kyrie received as a gift for her help in the orphanage. Most of it was household items, as Kyrie never accepted money, she barely even let you help around the house. Selfless woman, but it’s admirable to give without guarantee of something in return. Making a pile of unopened letters addressed to Kyrie for her to read, some of the return addresses had names you recognized, there were a few kids in Fortuna who came to Kyrie for help after a small hell gate had opened. Luckily it had happened when Nero and Nico were in town. It was nowhere near the scale of the artificial hell gates that had opened in Fortuna when The Order was around. But enough to leave kids without parents, or parents to grieve their children’s lives. 

Ringing filled the room as the landline was the clear source. You walked over and held it to your ear as your other hand still had an envelope in it. “Hello?” “Hey party animal.” You rolled your eyes, you had one drunken night in the past 6 months and now you’re the party animal. “Shut it, what did you call for?” “You said you were looking for jobs right?” Your interest was now piqued, instead of just being playfully annoyed with Dante. “Yeah, I am.” “Well, your dearest friend has an offer for you.” Why does this sound like it’s not gonna end well? Back to being annoyed with him. You reluctantly hummed a response. “How about you come help with some of the shop's legal papers. I’ll pay ya.” “I thought you were short on work, where the hell are you gonna get money to pay me?” “I have my ways.” Last time you checked this man was far deeper into debt than you could even imagine. “It won’t be all the time, the stack of papers does end eventually. Plus Trish and Lady will be there sometimes. I’m not a very strict boss.” A sigh left your lips, it wasn’t a bad deal. Filing papers and calling companies didn’t seem that bad. “Fine.” “You’re amazing, I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Yeah yeah, whatever old man.” Dante shouted at you through the phone but just as quickly as that started you hung the phone back up with a satisfying click and a smile on your face.

The sun peaked above the horizon, filling your bedroom with a warm glow, unfortunately waking you up from your slumber. Stretching your muscles in an attempt to also wake them up. Very uncoordinated this morning you swing your legs over the edge of your bed, bashing your ankle into the metal box spring. A prolonged curse left your gritted teeth, at this point, you needed a padded room. You’d probably still manage to nick yourself. 

Putting on something simple, but still comfortable— it’s not like your job for Dante was anywhere near professional, he’s the opposite of professional. Walking down the hallway, passing Nero and Kyrie's bedroom, Nero’s snores seeped through the walls. Into the living room, Kyrie was already up, her hands wrapped around a coffee mug. She was always a morning person. She sat on the couch, the kids must still be asleep too. “Morning, Kyrie.” You addressed her, she turned around somewhat surprised, “What are you doing up so early?”  Admittedly, it was pretty abnormal for you to be up at the ass crack of dawn.  “Dante offered me to work for him. Just temporarily I think anyway.”  Kyrie smiled, “Well, I won’t keep you then.”  “It’s not a worry, he didn’t give me a time to be there.”

Getting a quick bite to eat and snagging some of Kyrie’s coffee, you asked about the kids with Kyrie, and she talked about some returning faces. Chatting back and forth you bid her farewell, leaving into the garage. Pulling your arms through your jacket, you zipped it up before putting your helmet on. It wasn’t too early that your motorcycle would wake everyone up, it wasn’t that loud—or maybe you just are losing your hearing.

The drive over to Red Grave was peaceful, besides the few drivers who you questioned how the hell they got their license. Driving through the gravel alley, you kicked your stand up, like many times before. Turning the backdoor handle, you stepped into the shop, your eyes on the ground while you took off your helmet. As your eyes scanned for life, they landed on Dante. With a towel around his waist and another making a feudal attempt to dry his hair. A little surprised, you hopped up on the bar stool.  “You know Dante, this is your business office too, not just your house.”  “You’re the one who decided to show up at 7 in the morning.” Dante’s voice was still groggy, but that never stopped him from bickering. Rolling your eyes, accepting your defeat, this time. You set your jacket and helmet down on the counter making your way to Dante’s desk, trying not to trip over random objects and trash that littered the floor. How does he live like this? You sigh as you pick up the piles of paper that were not so neatly set on the ground. Dante better pay you well for having to put up with this level of disorganization. 

The first couple hours of your day consisted of organizing which papers were what. You’d assume they would end up sent to collections, after all, the charges were just sitting here for god knows how long. Then again, that never stopped Dante. A pair of footsteps descended the stairs. Almost in perfect timing, Lady barged in the door.  “Why didn’t you tell me (Name) was gonna be here?” Lady took great offense, after all, you maybe saw her once a week or every other week. Dante shrugged, “Dunno, forgot I guess.” “Jerk.” Lady leaned against the desk, looking over at all the papers you had scattered about on the wooden surface. Her head tilted trying to read the papers, the text was upside down to her.  “You got her to do your paperwork? Did he blackmail you?” Lady leaned over to observe you, no amount of money could get her to do his paperwork either. But you aren’t like her, not nearly as badass.  “No, I willingly accepted this offer. I need to start looking for jobs anyway.” A sigh left your mouth, it became a habit whenever you admitted you were broke as shit. Lady stood back up with a hand on her hip. Still skeptical, her eyes scanned your face. As if Dante stuck a device to you that controlled your every move, like in the cheesy sci-fi movies.  “I’m not forcing her, though blackmail’s not a bad idea.” Dante scratched his scruff on his face, a smile lightly tugged on his lips.  “Dante.” You warned him, staring at him, solidifying your warning. “You know I wouldn’t do that.” Dante crossed his arms over his chest. “Let's go, Dante, I gotta make our score even.” Lady tugged her weapon’s leather strap over her shoulder. A smile spread across her face, you suppose they always had the competition. Hearing about young Dante was always interesting when Lady graced you with stories.  “Bye!” Lady waved at you, running out of the door before Dante, as he quickly followed suit. Not without a nod and a smile in your direction. A silent goodbye.

Another few hours drag by. Going through a section of papers, looking at the clock in between. What felt like 45 minutes in reality was only 10 minutes. Now was when you took your unpaid break. You walked over to the white fridge, the jukebox adjacent to it lightly illuminated the surrounding area. The fridge was surprisingly clean, maybe just because there was barely anything in it. A pizza box of course was put into the fridge, classic Dante. There was a carton of milk and a few random take-out boxes. Before completely abandoning ship, you moved things around a little to find a box of strawberries. Picking it up, you eyed it suspiciously, checking for mold. At first glance, they seemed okay. Washing them in the sink, you were still cautious of them, after all, they were in Dante’s fridge. 

Back at the desk, you snagged a recent newspaper, unfolding it in your lap, you took a bite of a strawberry. Better start looking for job ads. Idly eating the strawberries that luckily were still edible, you bounced your leg. Most of the job listings seemed pretty boring, or simply too much work for what they were likely offering to pay. Plus it’s far too late in your life to pick up devil hunting like Lady, so a boring salary job it is. Flipping the yellowing paper, you scanned the other side. The shop was quiet, besides the muffled sounds of people walking by outside or an especially loud car. You filled the silence by humming the rhythm of a song.

“Dante did not tell me he hired someone.” A voice from around the corner spoke, nearly making you jump out of your seat. You had completely assumed you were there alone when Dante and Lady left. You looked over your shoulder to see Vergil standing there. Vergil. The conversation you had with Nero did not leave your mind so easily, you are sure your expression had turned a bit sour. 

“Apparently not.” You turned back around in the chair, resuming what you were doing. You would rather not discuss your utter hatred for him and what he did to Nero. You try not to completely despise him, it is difficult not to, having the experiences you do. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him sit on the red couch against the wall, pulling out a book. Your eyes returned to your paper.  A few silent minutes passed, no longer feeling like you were allowed to make a peep in his presence. What was it? You suppose Dante was quite strange like that when you first met him. Though oppositely, brimming with strength but rather using it to make himself look flashy. This was more of a suppressive strength. Anyone in his presence should think lower of themselves just to lift him higher.

The rotary phone on the desk rang as it lightly vibrated the desk. You picked up the phone, putting it to your ear.  “Devil May Cry.” You tried to imitate Dante’s voice when he said it. Your words did not come out as effortlessly as his does. “Hey, office girl,” Kane spoke through the phone. A smile tugged at your lips, a little giddy from the compliment. “Not for long.” Letting out a small laugh through an exhale.  “Oh really?”  “It’s just temporary, I’m looking for other jobs right now.” You glanced at the newspaper, your pen marks littered the paper. “Maybe I’ll still get to call you office girl. Maybe a secretary.” You could hear his smile through the phone, silly man. You chuckled at his comment, “Whatever your sick fantasies desire.”  “I was calling to formally ask you out on a date, I would’ve called sooner but you know how life gets.”  Your finger twirled around the phone wire while you listened to him. “So you are a gentleman after all.”  Kane’s laughter seeped through the phone, as you couldn’t help but smile a little. “What about tonight then? When do you get off?” Kane asked, and you thought, when the hell do I get off? “I’m not sure actually, probably 5 at the latest.”  “What about 6 then, it’s not formal, so don’t worry about that.” Kane soothed your worries before it even crossed your mind.  “That works for me, I’ll give you the shop's address.” 

The conversation ended after you handed over the information. Now you sat at Dante’s desk with a giddy smile. But, you have to get back to work, or… you could slack a little. A sharp snap of a book being closed pulled your attention to where Vergil sat. He stood, still with the thin book in his grasp. He is such an odd man, but you still see his blackened heart through his exterior. His steps were almost eerily silent as he made his way to the front door, his head turned to look at you from the corner of his eye.  “Do not trust that man.” His words were sharp, but what confused you more was… why? And before you could even defend Kane or yourself that you’re a grown woman and you can make your own decisions, he left. The bad taste that the encounter left in your mouth refused to go away for the rest of your shift. 

The roads were lit with a warm glow of the streetlights, the architecture of Red Grave was always so beautiful. Not nearly as impressive as Fortuna, especially the building the Order once resided in was a sight to be seen. The faded white lines on the pavement passed by you with each dash mark. You hadn’t spoken a word to Kane since you both got into the car. The silence was not suffocating, it was pleasant. It’s been a while since you’ve been able to relax, the radio played quietly, some music you didn’t know but it coaxed you into closing your eyes. Your date with Kane went very well, thinking about it made you smile. His easygoing personality was nice, though unfortunately, Vergil’s warning made you think about what details you shared with Kane. You have no history with Vergil, and you have no idea if his judgment is sound, but it still affected you. And that irked you more. However you started to get lost in your thoughts, and eventually, you did fall asleep, hand holding up your cheek as your elbow rested on the car door.

“Hey, we're here.” Your body jolted awake as you surveyed your surroundings, you were still in Kane’s car. You turned to look at him, and he looked a bit surprised that you were woken so easily. Your body once tense, relaxed. You leaned back against the leather seats of his car, whispering an apology under your breath. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to take you back to Fortuna, but even then I didn’t know where you were staying so-” “It’s okay, thank you.” You interrupted his rambling, and a slight red color rose to his cheeks. His dark blue shirt matched his tan skin, his collarbone peaked out of the neckline. A few strands of his dark hair fell out of the bun he had put it in. You silently wondered what his hair would look like down, the thought made your body pull itself closer to him. His breath fanned over your face as he remained motionless, his eyes were half-lidded, analyzing the curves of your face. You caught yourself doing the same. Leaning over the center console of his car, which was an awkward position for your body, it was all worth it when his lips clashed with yours. It was slow, your hand held onto his forearm as your other played with the baby hairs on the back of his neck. You slowly opened your eyes to take a peek at his face, you wondered if his eyes were squeezed shut or if he had color on his cheeks once again. Instead, you were met by brown eyes looking at your own, his eyelashes cast a shadow over his irises, though this close you could see a ring of orange within the deep brown. Trying to summon your ‘nothing phases me’ facade, was a miserable failure. Your cheeks heat up like a pouring lighter fluid on a raging bonfire, you break away from his lips, trying to hide your face but you are only met with a laugh from Kane. “Shut it.” Once again your tough guy act was not very convincing as you tried to look at him with a stern face but he was met with a different expression. Trying to fight a war with your smile that you didn’t actually want to win, though you would appreciate it if your entire face didn’t feel like it was gonna explode. This only caused Kane to laugh more.

And you were left with no other option but to tug on the collar of his shirt, clashing your lips together in an embarrassing attempt to free yourself from your current position. And your solution did work, as his hands managed to find purchase on your back. The kiss was not as soft as earlier, but you did not dare open your eyes. Instead, through your closed eyelids, the dark lighting inside his car was lit up like the sun suddenly appeared right next to you. Both you and Kane froze, as you struggled to look out the windshield. As your eyes adjusted, you recognized the front of the vehicle that rudely interrupted your activities with Kane. But then annoyance morphed into horror as you realized who was in the driver's seat of that van, Nico. And who was next to her in the passenger seat? Nero. And once again, you fear your face showed your embarrassment. Kane's hands still clung to you as you slowly slipped out of his grip. And even worse, a figure stood outside of the van, Dante. This embarrassment has you praying to whatever god exists. Kane only recognized Dante, he was not so sure why you were so embarrassed, but he relaxed back into his seat as he watched Nico unfold into laughter, which could be heard through the closed windows of Kane’s car. 

You quickly got out of Kane's car, almost stomping over to Nico’s van door. You opened the door with such vigor you could care less if it flew off the hinges. “You shut up!” You pointed a finger at her, through laughs she could barely even speak. “You two love birds!” Then she kept hysterically laughing, but behind her in the passenger seat, Nero just awkwardly smiled. God, this was awful. Kane snuck up behind you as he tapped your waist with his hand, and he looked like he was about to burst out laughing too when he looked at your reddened face.  “You gonna have to apologize to Nero for traumatizing him like that-” “He’s 26!” Yes, Nero was very close to a younger brother to you, but he was an adult! He had a girlfriend and practically kids too, but it just made you boil with unbridled embarrassment. Kane stood next to you, he pulled you close by your forearm. Which surprised you but Nico got out of her car, fanning her face like she was the one who had just been making out with a guy, with an unexpected audience. 

You threatened Nico about 20 more times within the span of a couple of minutes, Nero had since joined the four of you on the sidewalk. Kane had to hold you in place or else you’d run away and hibernate for years. Finally, Nico stopped laughing like a hyena, you were able to ask her what they were doing out here. “We have an overnight job,” Nero answered. You nodded, Kane had since abandoned you to talk to Dante. You pray Dante isn’t sharing embarrassing stories about you, but you immediately knew he probably did just by looking at the stupid smirk that was plastered on his face. Silence came over the two of you before Nero spoke up again, “Is that the guy from the other night?” His words came out awkwardly, being able to stomach conversation about Kane you replied, “Yeah, his name is Kane.” “Right right.” Nero just fiddled with the hem of his worn-out shirt. “I’ll be careful Nero.” You told him, but you knew in that moment Vergil was somewhat right, you need to be careful. As much as you want to believe that Kane is a good guy, morally at least, he’s showed no signs of being anyone crazy. But, neither did you expect your previous boyfriends to be utterly insane. 

Nero seemed less tense after that, but the mood suddenly shifted when Vergil appeared from around the corner, you were the first to notice him. You couldn’t stand to look at him, especially with Nero right next to you. Kane had departed from the conversation with Dante and stood next to you, which you leaned on the side of the DMC van. Nico reappeared from the inside of the van, with somehow more grease on her, yet it had only been 10 minutes. And now it was a standstill, Vergil stood a few feet away from Nero, who was standing on the sidewalk. The air was thick, or at least just seeing Vergil next to Nero made you want to punch Vergil. Maybe it was because you couldn’t deny that Vergil was his father anymore when you looked at the two of them side by side and how similar they looked. Dante exchanged words with Vergil, which you didn’t catch as your focus was swayed to Kane. He squeezed your hand,  “I’m gonna go, you have somewhere to stay here right? I don’t want you driving to Fortuna this late.” You smiled, how sweet of him. “No, I’m okay.” You softly spoke as you could hear the conversation behind you between Dante and Vergil.  Kane hummed as he quickly kissed your cheek, which just reminded you of your embarrassment from less than 15 minutes ago, but not nearly as bad. His hand gave your hand one last squeeze before getting in his car. 

Luckily after you watched Kane drive off into the horizon till his car became a little blip in your vision, it wasn’t silent. You had enough of awkward encounters today, and probably for the next year too.  “We’re gonna leave, (Name),” Nero mentioned as he was about to climb back into the van, you nodded, giving him a quick hug, and you spoke over his shoulder. “Don’t do anything stupid, okay?” Nero only nodded before Nico stuck her head out the driver’s window,  “Him? Stupid? That's all he knows.” Nico spoke while chewing a stick of gum, Nero glared at her, which spurred her on even more. You only let out a breathy laugh, watching Nero get into the van. Dante and Vergil stood closer to the shop, Vergil’s body was straight, and well thought out like his doctor told him he needed to watch his posture. Though you presume he doesn’t even have a doctor– do half-devils have a doctor…? You pushed your curiosity aside, maybe after a shot, you’ll ask Dante sometime.   “Practice caution, Nero.” Vergil’s voice had less of a demanding tone, though his words were similar to the warning he gave you earlier today. Nero nodded, you stared at Nero for a little too long trying to analyze his expression, searching for a reason to smack Vergil. For good measure of course.

Waving off Nico and Nero as she drove maybe a little too fast for that beat-up van. You turned back around to Dante and Vergil, which Vergil quickly retired to inside the doors below the ‘Devil May Cry’ neon sign. You stood in front of Dante, whose shadow covered you.  “Soooo, that was entertaining wasn’t it?”  Dante’s stupid smile, again. “Oh please, I already heard it from Nico.” You turned away from him, trying not to relive the sheer amount of embarrassment that memory would likely hold for a while. Dante chuckled as he put his hands on his hips, so sassy.  “Can I stay the night or are you gonna kick me to the curb to go drive an hour back to Fortuna.”  Dante let out a dramatic sigh, scratching his white stubble with one gloved hand.  “Kicking you to the curb would add to tonight’s entertainment.” You only smacked his shoulder before walking towards the front door. Dante stopped you, pulling your arm as you stumbled closer to him.  “Vergil didn’t say anything weird to you, right? Before me and Lady left.” You bit your tongue, debating if you tell him or not, and you began questioning why you were holding back. To save Vergil from a lecture? You turned your head,  “He just overheard me talking to Kane on the phone and said something like, ‘Be careful’. It wasn’t anything.” You tried to play it off the best you could, because frankly, you didn’t want to start doubting Kane, you would not listen or even consider Vergil’s words. Only your own, and you’ve had plenty enough experiences to guide you to the right decision. You had a hard time looking at Dante right now, his face was oddly serious, his skin lit up by the neon sign.  “Just… Let me know if anything happens.”  “I will.”

You vowed as you both walked in the door in silence. Your piles of organized paper still sat on top of Dante’s desk, the lamp illuminated the otherwise dark room. You sat down on the couch, stretching your arms over your head, letting out a silent yawn. Dante sat down in his chair, moving papers so he could put his feet up on his desk. Thankfully he did not disturb your organization too much. “You can take my room,” Dante spoke as he found another magazine to flip through, how does he not get tired of those?  “You sure? I’m scared I’ll get devil coodies if I sleep up there.” You stood up from the couch. “I can still kick you to the curb, you know.” Dante looked up from his magazine, you knew he was joking, thankfully. “Fine, you don’t have devil coodies.” Dante let out a chuckle, his eyes quickly going back to the contents of the paper in front of him. “Goodnight.” You spoke as you went up the stairs, which creaked under your weight. “Night.” 

As always, thank you for reading! -onyxroses

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[bullet-prooflove]

Valentine's Day Bingo: Stillwater - Stuart Scola x Reader

Tagging: @trublu2u @greenies-green @burningpeachpuppy @upsteadlogic @malindacath @yezzyyae @noxytopy @district447 @soultrysworld

Prequel to Unruly (NSFW) - You get a little territoral when it comes Stuart.

Hitting the Secret Admirer Bingo Square

When the bottle of Stillwater whisky is delivered to the house on Valentine’s Day, Stuart assumes that it’s from you. You’re away in Europe, teaching explosives training to the police force in Budapest. You’ve been testing the waters, exploring more options outside of the field since the pregnancy scare a couple of months ago. It had brought up the topic of kids and whilst you weren’t ready yet, you’d started to think about it. Stuart thought at some point in the next few years the two of you may be starting your own little family.

You blew the budget, he texts you before sending a picture of himself holding up the gift.

This bottle alone costs almost five hundred dollars and he’s touched. You refuse to dip into the joint account, you’re far too independent to spend the cash he earned at Goldman Sachs despite the fact he’s told you it’s there for the both of you.

It isn’t until the late afternoon he gets the message back from you.

That isn’t from me. Maybe a wrong delivery?

He knows that can’t be true. He’d had to sign for that package, it was his name and address on the paperwork.

Yea maybe, he texts back because he doesn’t want to worry you.

You respond with a picture of yourself in City Park giving him a thumbs up. He can see agents Kellett and Vo in the background, holding takeaway cups of coffee. He finds himself smiling because you look so vibrant in that moment, so happy and relaxed. Travelling suits you he thinks, the two of you haven’t done enough of it. He makes a mental note to book a trip when you get back, maybe Barcelona or Madrid, somewhere warm to balance out the harshness of the New York winter.

It’s when he steps out of the shower that the doorbell goes, he throws on his sweats and a t-shirt. The fabric clinging to his damp skin as he pads towards the door in bare feet. He’s surprised to find  Armando, the delivery driver from his favourite restaurant Villa Valencia outside, a brown paper bag of food clasped in his hand.

 “I didn’t order anything.” Stuart tells Armando as the other man hands the bag to him.

“Your girl did, she called it in about an hour ago” Armando informs him, already halfway down the steps. “She said someone should be taking care of you on Valentine’s Day.”

There’s an apprehension in his chest as he sets the bag down on the kitchen table, he picks up the delivery receipt and it’s a list of all his favourite food. Nowhere on the bill does it mention the name of the person who called in the order. He checks the time on his phone, it’s two am in Budapest, there’s no way that was you who bought his food. He dumps the takeaway bag straight in the trash.

The whiskey and now this…

It makes him uneasy. He double checks the doors and windows before he goes to bed, making sure they’re locked.

When he wakes up the next morning it’s to the scent of freshly brewed coffee. The aroma assails him and he reaches for his gun on the nightstand because he knows there isn’t a chance in hell that it’s you. You aren’t due home for over a week. Even if you’d decided to surprise him, a flight from Budapest is almost twelve hours direct, you wouldn’t be here in time for his alarm to go off.

When he steps into hall, he can hear music playing in the kitchen. Something soothing and soulful. It reminds him of the music in the coffeeshop the two of you used to frequent, the one down the block. There’s someone singing along to the song, the voice is too low for him to recognise.

He uses his palm to slowly push open the door, his gun raised. He’s surprised to find a woman standing with her back to him, she’s wearing one of his shirts and very little else. There’s a breakfast tray he doesn’t recognise in front of her. He sees the cappuccino with coffee art heart set into the foam, the toast on the side, the dainty little flower she’s placed in one of his glasses. There is no doubt in his mind, she’d intended to surprise him in bed this morning.

When she turns about to face him, he recognises her immediately and he knows exactly why this is happening.

There’s a reason you’d both stopped visiting that coffeeshop. You’d left him last year after the Mad Bomber had been released, disappeared for a few months. You’d both fucked other people in that time, falling back into old habits.

One of them had been the perky barista from the coffeeshop. She’d always paid him a little extra attention even when he came in with you. You had joked about it once upon a time, how she always left little hearts in his coffee but never in yours. She’d noticed when you stopped coming in, that he was hungover most mornings. Bad break up he’d told her. He’d bumped into her in a bar a couple of days later, gone back to her place. He’d slipped out of the sheets in the early hours of the morning the same way he did with everyone woman before and after you. He’d been upfront with her at the time.

I’m not looking to replace her, he’d said talking about you. This is just a one night thing.

He’d seen her around since then, the grocery store, one of the bars down the block, at the subway. It had stopped when you’d come back onto the scene. He’d told you about the girls he’d fucked, and you’d shared your own stories. There were a couple of overlaps, for him the barista, for you Nestor Vertiz.  You’d steered well clear of them both since, neither of you wanted your past indiscretions rubbed in the other’s face.

The worst part is he can’t even remember her name.

“Scola, you still there?” Tiffany’s voice is in his ear, as he grips the phone in one hand and his gun in the other.

He’d dialled his partner before he’d left the bedroom. She’d already been seated at her desk in 26 Fed, getting a head start on some paperwork when he’d called her.

“Yea Tiff.” He says quietly, his eyes still trained on the barista. “I need you to get a unit over here, there’s a woman in my house.”

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Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[kobedivision]

Nighttime hit the city of Kobe as well as, the darkness masking over the once bright skies of the secluded little forest that housed the cabin belonging to Max Soukoku.

Waiting just outside his canon, strangely enough, was a large package. Plastered to the side of the package was a letter addressed to the birthday boy, written in pristine, neat handwriting.

“I heard it’s gonna be a bit colder this year. I also heard you’re not so keen on weather changes. You remind me of someone I know in that aspect, so take care of yourself, kiddo! Hope you like ‘em!

— The Black Cat of Minato”

Inside was a grey faux fur blanket, along with two polyester throw pillows, decorated with a scene of a wolf howling at the moon.

"Hey Max, quick question, how the fuck does Reiaki know you?" Kaiji questioned as Max wrapped the blanket around himself and held the pillows, squishing them a little before giving them to Akihisa to place on the couch. The green-eyed boy looked at Kaiji and shrugged, his attention turning to the wolf cub playing with the ends of the blanket. "I don't...know her personally...I met her through...Ren..."

"Ah, that's right, Max was there during my "Bloody Masquerade" music video, Reiaki was in charge of my makeup and I introduced the two of them, though that was pretty much a one time thing, I'm surprised she remembered you much less knew it was your birthday and gave you a gift, it was pretty nice of her though." Ren smiled and Max nodded, now swaddling the cub in the blanket and heading off somewhere in the cabin.

Kaiji looked at the brunette and shook his head with a smile. "Man, he's really starting to come out of his shell huh? Already making friends on his own, before we know it, we're probably gonna see him get married."

The crossdresser laughed but was cut short when he looked at Ren who looked slightly distressed. "Oh god, you're right! Our baby brother is growing up so fast!"

"Why the hell are you saying that like it's a bad thing?!"

Thank you for the gift!

[denjivhs]

match-up for @thecurrator

Your match from Blue Lock is . . Nagi Seishiro!

❂ i think you and nagi would make such a cute couple. very "dating me is like peeing your pants. everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth."

❂ how did you meet?

you both happened to be at the dentist on the same day. nagi certainly didn't want to be there but he had an aching tooth and reo would simply not leave him alone about it. ("we have a match next week! you cant let this pain distract you!!" blah blah blah.)

he had been so close to dozing off there when his lanky ass caught sight of one of his favorite artists playing on the phone of the person sitting beside him.

"pathetic."

"sorry?"

"i love his songs."

"oh!-"

nagi rarely ever initiated conversations, or rather, rarely ever put in the effort to do anything, but meeting someone who listened to same sort of music as him irl somehow sparked a hint of enthusiasm in him. he chatted with you quite amicably while you two waited for your turns, mostly about music, then some random talk here and there. you ended up finding out that you live in the same neighborhood.

nagi would not be bothered by your rbf at all (unbothered nonchalant king, you will never catch him being chalant) so breaking the initial ice will not be an issue for him. i imagine you'd develop a friendship by bonding over similar interests and likes, especially in music, anime and movies. also congratulations, you have acquired a new friend— reo mikage! (they come as a package deal, you do not have a way out)

casual hangouts around the neighborhood and in each other's rooms, late night walks to go grab some ice cream while sharing earphones, lazing around in the sun during winters and such activities would be a frequent.

nagi hates earphones, but for you, he never opposed using them, just so that he could listen to music with you.

it would kind of be a slowburn for you guys since it'd take the poor guy forever to figure out that feeling all warm and tingly and zoning out while daydreaming about you was not platonic. hell, if it hadn't been for reo helping him, it would've taken even longer.

❂ nagi would primarily express his affection for you through small gestures. he may seem like a complete airhead but when he wants to, he can be extremely perceptive. way before he had even figured out that he was whipped for you, he had started noticing little details about you. your quirks, your habits, what you like, dislike, what caused that heartstoppingly beautiful, warm smile of yours to bloom— everything.

he never considered himself to be a 'possessive' person or whatever, but the first time he accidentally made you blush? dear god he wanted to just hold you tight and hide you away from everyone else because that unbelievably adorable sight should only be reserved for his eyes.

he's also pretty blunt in general, so he'd tell you whatever he's thinking, including all the out of pocket, shockingly romantic things you'd never expect to hear from someone like him. what can one say though, you've got him good.

❂ miscellaneous: he loves to nap while resting on you. he does it especially when youre crocheting or something. will make up an excuse like "oh let me help you, ill keep the wool disentangled-" pure bs, he is going to fall asleep on your lap in 0.2 seconds.

also, he addresses your plushies in a most proper manner and treats them like your children. also i think has a really imaginative thinking, so he'd definitely join you whenever you'd analyse and break something down with inputs of his own. would be interested in hearing your perspective on the most random things.

❂ songs that would give off your dynamic's vibes: dirty dancer by orion sun, pretty boy by the neighborhood, stop the world i wanna get off with you by arctic monkeys, some by steve lacy.

Your match from JJK is . . . Gojo Satoru!

❂ another white-haired character . . 🤭 i know they're both kinda really different but hear me out!!

❂ how did you meet?

au where you start working part-time at this really cute bakery. you usually helped with serving and some other tasks, but one day your colleague happened to fall sick, so you filled in for her at the counter.

and who would walk in but gojo satoru and his hopeless sweet tooth ass.

ever the flirt, he'd definitely try to rizz you up with his natural charm and smooth comments. would ask you what your personal favorite item from the menu is and buy two of them to give you one no matter how much you'd politely deny. def would say something like "cute cupcake for a cute girl."

since the cafe was on his way back home, you found out that he was a regular.

over time a sense of familiarity was established between you two (it was mostly him being an absolute little shit because.. i mean, it's gojo. cmon.) and although he'd never give you a straight answer, he definitely started trying to come to the cafe when he was likelier to run into you.

he'd sometimes catch you daydreaming and make a point to tease you however he could, whether it be over this or your cute judgemental cat bag.

one day mr-gojo-canonically-lightweight-satoru was on his way back home, still rather tipsy from a little get-together he'd gone to that evening when he decided to stop by the cafe, and it just so happened that you were working late that day. oh, the way his eyes absolutely lit up from under his signature shades was beyond endearing.

he couldnt stop rambling about how cute and sweet you are, especially with that 'resting grumpy cat face' and whatnot. even got a little bold and leaned forward to cup your face in his hands in the middle of his adorable drunken rant. infact, if you'd let him, he'd kiss you all over your face and bite your cheeks because he was convinced you'd be sweeter than his favorite mochi.

in all honesty, he had never expected himself to ever feel this way about someone, but meeting you changed everything, and he was gonna go all in because yolo.

❂ miscellaneous: im Sorry but youve just gotten yourself a lifetime subscription to Loud and Annoying! bro is loud. bro is a yapper. bro is sometimes way too tactless and blunt.

but!! bro will make you feel loved and cherished in his own way.

whenever he fucked up, he usually bought you your favorite snacks as an indirect apology. he definitely struggles with being able to say sorry, so you're going to have to be patient with him. it'll take you some time to figure him out, but hey, you got yourself your very own case study, have fun studying him lol.

❂ once he found out that you have a sweet tooth as well, he took you to all the cutest cafes and bakeries around. also tried to bake with you but literally couldn't stop eating the frosting, the batter, even the sugar???? you probably had to beat him up to get him to stop.

satoru would send you videos of black and orange cats together saying 'us.' would also come up with obnoxious nicknames, you're just gonna have to cope with that.

❂ songs that give off your dynamic's vibes: sweet/i thought you wanted to dance by tyler the creator, right here by chase atlantic, redbone by childish gambino, meet me in the pale moonlight by lana del rey, killshot by magdalena bay

[donnerpartyofone]

Yesterday morning I woke up early to go to the Corpus Christi event in the park where several local parishes were converging for an outdoor mass. The point of the celebration was to affirm the literality of transubstantiation, since communion has started slipping into the realm of symbolism in a lot of people's minds and the Vatican doesn't like that. I really enjoy the pageantry of Catholicism and I will do anything for a look at the monstrance, the extremely fascinating luxury container for the holy wafer. It looks like something out of DAGON and in fact I wouldn't be surprised if that story were meant to refer to Catholicism in some way, I'm sure Lovecraft hated Catholics as much as he hated everybody else.

At one point the homilist addressed the accusation that eucharistic adoration is a form of idolatry, an impression he corrected by reminding everyone that the eucharist is not a fetish object but the literal body of Christ: "We don't worship a piece of bread!" (congregation laughs appreciatively) But I thought, why not? Even though I'm an outsider who can't take communion, I find it easy to think about its meaning in a general way; like if you believe that there is some sort of generative superlayer to reality, which I'm learning that I kind of do, and if you think everything natural manifests from that, then it's not so hard to think that food is divine. And I mean food is divine, it's what perpetuates life. We SHOULD be treating food with reverence and respect, whether you believe in a spiritual lifeforce or only a chemical one. I'm often surprised that Christians are not hardcore ecologists by nature, if you believe that everything comes from God for humanity to steward, you should have a powerful feeling for your environment--but for whatever reason this is not a standard part of the package. After the park part we processed down the street, which had been closed off for the occasion, to St. Mary Star of the Sea (even more Dagonesque!), and this part was totally amazing. The church was packed to the gills with people from all different parishes and the organist was playing some absolutely demonic music that I had never heard the likes of. When the people sang, the whole place vibrated powerfully, and in a moment of silence an old italian lady started praying at the top of her lungs, startling everyone. It was an exciting thing to get caught up in.

After that my husband and I went to a bar around the corner to stalk the building owner, who is renting a couple of apartments on the upper floors. Unfortunately he wasn't around but we got sucked into a conversation with a local who didn't look like he would want anything to do with the likes of us, a gruff older Brooklynite who engaged us about our weird shared neighborhood for much longer than I meant to stay. I tried to take it as a good sign, like maybe we could put our "vibes" on the place by integrating with the regulars, at the same time that our associates have been recommending us to the owner as good future tenants. It would be amazing if we got in there, we could move almost our whole apartment by hand.

Then it was time to go to the film festival. The screenings I saw the day before were in a theater that is hip but not particularly luxe, which made me feel pretty relaxed about what I was going to have to do--but these screenings were in a VERY nice theater, the lines were huge and everyone was dressed to the nines, and I started to freak out a little bit. The staff rushed me through my instructions with such intensity, I was just praying I actually understood it all. One of the actors on my panel is this cult film goddess who is a terrific person in addition to being shockingly beautiful, and she showed up in this like fairy tale dress that accentuated her otherworldliness to absolutely ridiculous heights. She introduced herself to me and I just started blathering; I'm not attracted to women but she's so beautiful it's insane, it almost qualifies as a deformity. Looking into her face is just confusing. Many other people there were startlingly beautiful. The director of the movie I was there for is someone I had seen on screen many times, and I always perceived him to be kind of an ordinary nerd, but in person he was enormously charismatic and sharply dressed and groomed and he had fully transformed into fucking George Clooney or something, I almost wasn't sure I had the right guy.

I also saw two other actresses-of-a-certain-age who looked so much better standing in front of me than they did in the movies I'd just seen them in, I honestly felt like I was tripping on acid. One of them was Alicia Silverstone, who sat in front of me at a different screening; she wore a highly reflective plastic tube dress and stiletto heels that were almost entirely transparent, and she had to be helped around by her entourage. The aforementioned actress I would be interviewing was also having a lot of trouble locomoting in her amazing Glenda the Good Witch getup, she too needed to be attended by aides. It occurred to me that maybe when your career is (in part) being extremely glamorous, you have to do these things that cripple you, you have to be strapped into these hobbling appliances and carried around to formal appearances. There is something fascinatingly morbid about this.

My panel was really great. I knew I was killing it. All my jokes landed with the audience and I got the film cast and crew in a really good place right away. It was late on the Sunday, the last screening of the festival, and everyone on and off the stage was exhausted until I wound them all up, which I consider a significant personal achievement. Everyone thanked me in this moving way and some stranger on the street told me I did a good job. I was aware that this was my introduction to quite a number of people, including several recognizably established folks who have certainly been vaguely aware of who I am and what I do, but now they've all seen me at full power and I could tell they'll remember it.

When photos of the event started turning up, that was NOT so thrilling. I was a complete mess and I didn't even know it until it was too late. It's probably GOOD that I didn't realize it earlier, when I couldn't have done anything about it. I found myself looking in the mirror at home, where things seem not so bad somehow, and trying to match what I saw there to the person that everyone's camera saw. It was pretty shocking, but I have to say that it wasn't a complete downer. I had the feeling that I can see what I need to do, and that is positive in and of itself. I might not have even realized the degree to which I need to take better care of myself if this hadn't happened, at least not for a while. Right now everything needs to change. My house needs to change, my state of employment needs to change, my body needs to change. If I can treat these things like hobbies, like projects I am authoring, rather than like obligations or fuckups I need to fix, then my chances of success are strong.

[veebs-hates-video-games]

I think once I do Ys 8 I'm basically caught up, but first Dragon Quest 11 for a bit.

I played the demo on my computer a couple years ago and was really impressed. I spent at least a dozen hours on just the demo and still didn't run out of stuff to do, and I was enjoying the retro vibe in a more modern and polished package.

Then I decided to wait for it to go on sale at an arbitrary price I decided I was ok with. And then I kept waiting for multiple years because it just keeps never hitting that point on Steam.

I ended up actually paying slightly more than that for a used physical copy for the Switch instead, so good job Squenix, you got $0 out of that instead of like 10% less than what you would've if you'd dropped the price slightly more over time.

The problem with that is that now I have to redo all the stuff I did in the demo, and the beginning of the game is slooow. Painfully so. And on top of that the game is just painfully slow in general. It would be instantly improved by speeding up literally everything by 20%, even without redoing anything to fit the slightly faster pace.

The default camera speed takes a full five seconds to do a 360, and even at the max speed it takes at least like three. This is a recurring problem for me in a lot of Japanese games, and less often in games from other places (who tend to screw up their cameras in different ways). If the maximum speed isn't too fast for me to comfortably use your range of speed settings is too narrow.

Unsurprisingly to go along with that the walking speed is also really slow compared to what I'm used to. It has separate speeds for indoors and outdoors, and really the outdoor speed is how fast the indoor one should be while the indoor one should be reserved for stealth/sneaking sections (and those should stay in games I don't play because they're just not fun for me). It's especially painful coming directly from Ys 8, where the slowest walking speed is faster than the fastest one in DQ11, plus it has a run button to go faster, plus you can equip an accessory to turn it into a run even faster button.

There's a setting to change the combat speed, but really that wouldn't address most of my problems, and also it makes the animations look weird, which is a shame because there's a lot of excellent animation work in the game, like every different enemy has their own set of animations, and they're all extremely expressive and charming.

Unfortunately it tends to make you wait through the entire animation every time, including the full transition to their idle animation, when normally most games would move the camera or start accepting input again somewhere in the middle of that process. Also if there's a musical jingle that plays for any reason (e.g. winning a battle, leveling up, a new party member joining, saving your game) you have to let the whole thing finish playing before you can do anything (and anything includes mashing buttons to skip through stuff you've already seen dozens of times), which is also an extremely long delay compared to what most games do.

I swear if the camera and run speed were more reasonable and all the little things that make you wait around extra time doing nothing were tweaked a bit the game would instantly go from 100 hours to 60-70 and feel much better too.

Also while we're at it can we get some menus that suck less, especially the terrible inventory? I know a lot of the weird quirks in the game are things that were inherited from the older ones, but sometimes you just need to change them to make them actually functional, and you can reference the old ones with visual design or something.

It's a great game in a lot of ways, but it sure does manage to suck in others at the same time. I wish I'd just paid the extra five bucks and finished the game in 2021, because redoing all this stuff at the beginning is painful.

[jodilin65]

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 I was surprised to get a letter from Paula today. It was a nice one too, saying I’d always be her best friend and the only one who really understands her. Anyway, her life sucks, as usual. The poor girl’s stressed out on account of her probation, Miguel and the threat of going to jail and losing Justin.

She also enclosed a picture of her and Justin. They don’t look good at all, to be honest. They’re both pretty heavy. I can see where Paula’s the 170 pounds she said she was, but hey, she is middle-aged and she did have two kids. I had to laugh when I noted her expression which was as serious as it usually is when she gets her picture taken. It was hard to tell without a close-up of her face, but she looks younger than she is at 36 years of age.

She also got the package and was wearing the watch as we spoke.

I also received a very short letter from Mary and some drafts. Just as soon as she gets me Scot’s correct email address, I’ll send him a copy of her book. Now all I have to do is hope she hangs onto her copy till she’s released so she can organize it herself. I’m sick of being the shuffler! Besides, she can’t make and have any money from the book while she’s in jail.

My own book is progressing well. I should have it done in a few weeks or less.

Yesterday’s 1200-or-so-calorie splurge didn’t hurt me as bad as I thought it would. I’m only a pound heavier than I was yesterday.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2003 I have yet another new story idea in mind for the story I’m now working on. I think I’ve finally figured out where I’m heading with it.

I woke up at 127 and of course I’m stuck. Today, though, I’ve been so hungry. It’s like my body wants to make up for the lack of eating I did yesterday. Why it’s so important to my body to hang onto its weight is still beyond me. Yesterday I had 500 calories and today I’m going to have around 1000. I’ll gain back a pound or two for sure. Especially if I don’t shit today.

The house in front has moved once again. We’re thinking that they’re going to be dumb enough to set it at ground level, judging by the tractor I saw parading around over there today, and I hope they do. That will give us added privacy. I hope the house is going to be set up where it’s currently at, too. We can barely see it and the front’s no longer facing us. If they’re going to blast music, we’re going to hear it no matter where they’re at, but knowing how most people and their animals hang out in the front of their houses out here, it should keep the people and the dogs more out of sight and out of sound. I’m also beginning to think this may be the only house to come over there after all, too. I just hope whoever sells it does just that – sells it and doesn’t rent it.

Later…

I ended up having about 1200 calories and gaining back 3 pounds. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to try harder. Come grocery day I’ll get very, very little food. I realized another thing I can do to help myself and that’s not having the food around to give in to when the hunger strikes, just like it helped not having cigarettes around when I was quitting. Losing weight and quitting smoking are very similar in that the tools of destruction must be eliminated.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2003 After taking yesterday off, which Trimlife recommended, I gained back the two pounds I lost. Almost, anyway. I’m like half a pound under where I first started. At first I was like, look, just give it up. You can’t lose weight and there’s no point in losing weight you’ll only gain right back anyway, so just accept yourself as you are.

But then I thought about it and realized that it’s my fault I didn’t lose a significant amount because I simply didn’t work hard enough. I set my standards too low by assuming I could lose weight on 1000-1200 calories a day with one day a week off and with working out just a few times a week. I’m sure I could in my 20s, but at this day and age, I really think my best bet would be to eliminate food altogether and jog for a good 20 minutes or so every day till I get the weight off, then I can up it to eating every other day to keep the weight off. One might think it unhealthy to not eat, but with the kick-ass vitamins I take, plus lots of water, I’m not losing any nutrients. The only thing I’d be losing would be calories. Besides, if something is wrong with my thyroid, then that’s all the more reason I need to push myself harder and work harder. If I don’t do something now, I’ll never stop gaining. My problem goes behind the typical I-can’t-lose-weight problem. Not being able to keep from gaining is more like my problem. Especially if I think I can ever have 1500-2000 calories a day. If I were either younger or of average height, then I could, but not at this age and height. Meanwhile, if I just don’t open my mouth and put food in it, then sooner or later my weight’s got to come down, wacky thyroid or not.

In better news, I won a ballerina Barbie yesterday for $25 total. She’s coming from a smoke-free home in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

I’m not going to be getting the Kate picture I ordered because they no longer have it. They offered me a 10% discount on anything else I may want, but I decided not to bother. I could get the picture from another place, but I guess I just don’t really want it all that bad.

If I don’t hear from Rosa by the end of this coming week, then I’ll assume she didn’t get the letter. I can’t imagine her not writing back if she did get it.

We decided to go on eBay on Wednesday with one item to start with to see how it goes and have it end over the weekend. So we’ll run Samantha for 5 days.

We’re each going to join a casino from our own logins through Memolink. I just joined the Desert Dollar and am awaiting their approval. We had to scan my ID for them. Once I’m approved, I’ll have over 9000 points, plus $50 to start gambling with.

Later…

Got an email from Trimlife. They wanted to verify what group I was in. They say that 50% of the people lose 7-10 pounds and end up in Group A. Figures I’m not in that group. Group B is for 30% of the people. They end up losing 3-6 pounds. Group C, which I just had to qualify for, only loses 2 pounds or less.

For qualifying for Group C, they recommend doubling my Trimlife dose and drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day. That much doesn’t surprise me. What does surprise me is that they recommend only a moderate workout of just 15-20 minutes, 4-5 times a week. I thought they’d tell me to work out every day till I dropped. They also surprised me by recommending rice, potatoes and pasta. I can see the chicken, fish, turkey and lean beef, though, and I can see avoiding bread, pop, salty and high-fat foods like they recommend.

I know I said I wouldn’t get it without at least a 5-pound loss, but I really believe the stuff will give me the strength I need to starve, just like the Nicorette gave me the strength I needed to quit smoking.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2003 Day 4 and I’ve only lost a pound, but I swear my waist has shrunk a half-inch to an inch. Still, I don’t see how it can make that much more of a difference in another 4 days. Not nearly enough of one to buy a month’s supply anyway. The only side effect I seem to have from the stuff is a slightly sore lower back. It’s weird, but ironically, it began when I began these pills.

I thought about what I wanted to do from here and decided it would be too expensive to always have to buy new clothes if I let myself keep gaining, so I’m going to settle for getting down to 120. Then I’ll be just 15-20 pounds overweight. 120 is worlds away from 129 at this age and it’ll take me a few months of practically starving to get there, but I might be able to do it in time. It’ll just be as hard to do as going from 129 to 100 was when I was younger.

Later…

Tom was right. They did move the house in front. However, it’s even more visible than it was before. Especially from the living room windows and the parking lot. It could actually be a bit noisy when we’re out there along with them and their dogs, which I know is going to be in front, even though their front door’s facing west. God hasn’t been very kind to me, for the most part, when it comes to neighbors, and I’m just afraid he’s going to stick some very noisy and outdoorsy people over there. With my shit luck, they’ll build a deck in front to hang out on, and when it’s cooler, there’ll be people visible from the living room window as often as in back. After being cursed so badly with past neighbors, it’s hard for me not to picture things like them opening their windows to blast music outside while they hang out front, someone being home as often as I am, kids screaming up a storm, and barking dogs stored outside in front 24/7 that will bark plenty loud enough to be heard in here and no doubt every time we step foot outside as well. I’d rather the screaming kids than the barking dogs, though. Kids aren’t outside 24/7, but dogs are. I just know I’m in for a rowdy bunch with one or more big dogs! God knows how often I’ll have to hear the bass of their music thumping in here as well as see them hanging out front every time I walk by the living room windows. I’m going to really miss being able to enjoy the view in front without houses and people in it. Being this close to us and in this good of view, there’s no way we’re going to get civilized people in there without dogs or whose dogs are allowed indoors. No way. I am happy about the money it brings in, though, and I’m glad it’s a new house and not some old shit box for rent.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2003 I got mail from Mary yesterday. I just can’t seem to get her to stop sending me back drafts to shuffle around. I can’t make her understand that I just don’t always get what she wants me to do and how much it confuses and frustrates me. She said she wouldn’t have me make any more changes, yet I get drafts back.

The good news of it is that she not only got her GED, but she sent 4 books of stamps. I was like – wow! How generous! So I’m sending her a copy with larger print that I hope to hell she’ll hang onto till she can make her own changes, though I know better. Those pages will find their way back to me with requests for changes that I won’t even begin to be able to figure out. I don’t know why she won’t listen to me. She says she wants it to be perfect for her lawyer, Scot. Supposedly he said he’d help her find a publisher, but I don’t know. People always say they’re going to do things they never do. She wanted me to email him a copy with one t in his first name, but it wouldn’t go through. Neither would it when I tried two t’s, so I’ll see if she can let him borrow her copy or have him email me so I can just hit the ‘reply’ button and send him the book that way. With my shit luck, though, she’ll have me mail him a copy via regular mail. It’s a pain in the ass that takes up paper and toner, but at least I’ll have the stamps. She even enclosed a manila envelope.

She said she cut her hair to the middle of her back.

Anyway, speaking of my own book. I’m going to rearrange the plot a bit more. Instead of having Misha get raped and pregnant while she’s passed out from her fall, I think I’ll just have her fall and lose her mind for a while. I know pregnancy and childbirth are very popular subjects, but as I have been for quite a while now, I’m sick of them. Totally sick of hearing about them. All it does is remind me of the misery I went through as I did for years.

I thought about it and oh, how I’d love to email the Arizona Republic a piece of my mind to their “corrections” department. Not because I feel the need for the general public to hear my side of the story, the true side, but because I’d love, love, love more than anything to either ruin or mar the pig, the public defender, and judge’s careers, but I know that’d be merely a dream. Whoever read about their hatred towards Jews, the way the pig helped the “victim,” his personal friend, in order to spite me for the city complaint, and how the K tricked me into pleading guilty for something I wasn’t even charged with, on top of the monstrous judge who gave me a sentence that would never have fit the so-called crime even if I had been guilty, would only laugh it off. Either that, or I’d get in trouble for damn sure, but you know what? I’m not going back to jail for these sick twists or anyone else for that matter. So I sit in silence just like I’ve always been forced to do when it comes to these subhuman pieces of shit. Who’d believe me or give a damn anyway? Besides, I don’t have anyone up there looking out for me and protecting me the way they do which means I must protect my own self and hope they never again try to pull anything else on me.

Although it’s only the third day, I already know the pills aren’t going to make a significant difference, but I figured as much anyway. I couldn’t have lost more than a pound for I’d not only notice if I lost more than that but I’d be stuck as well. Whenever my weight does drop more than a couple of pounds, my body tries to fight it by being stuck and I’m not stuck at all. This is it too, as I’m not going to spend my life trying to lose weight I’m not meant to lose. In fact, I’m going to have 2000 calories a day and let my weight continue to go up. Taking these pills may help suppress my appetite and it may keep me where I’m at, but I can’t afford to take these things forever. If I were in my 20s, the calorie cut from the suppressed appetite would cause me to lose weight, but at this age, it hangs on despite the calorie cut. I saw that when I tried starving every other day. An older person can cut their calories and still hold their weight very easily. I figure it’s either a fate thing, a thyroid thing or an age thing. Since I never had thyroid problems or problems losing weight in the past, I really think it’s just an age thing. I can cut calories, starve myself, and jog around the house all day but I’m simply too old to be losing weight. I guess it’s a good thing, though, when you consider the fact that if I lost a significant amount of weight I wouldn’t have anything that fit since I got rid of my skinny clothes a long time ago, and we’re going to save about $75 on a full month’s supply. I said I wouldn’t buy the full month’s supply without at least a 5-pound drop and there’s no way in hell I’m going to drop that much by the end of the week.

I was truly shocked to read and learn that Monster got arrested once for assaulting Mary. I thought she was just like me where no matter what or how someone hurt her, they’d automatically be guaranteed the right from above to get away with it. If I’d been in her shoes, I’d be the one accused, tried and convicted of James’ abuse and Gretchen’s murder, and Monster would be walking the streets today a free animal.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 Today’s the day we’ve been waiting for when it drizzles all day, signaling the end of the hot days. We hardly need the AC at night. It’s the middle of the afternoon yet right now it’s just 72°.

Amazingly, the diet pills are making a difference. At least so far they are. They do help to suppress my appetite. In fact, I couldn’t even finish my Ramen noodles today. In yesterday’s email from Trimlife, they said not to weigh myself till they said to. That will probably be at the end of the week, but I think I already lost a pound or two. I know I’m still over 125, though, because I have slight little side rolls. I have to get under 125 before my waist doesn’t have rolls. At 120 I’m able to bend all the way to the side and not roll at all. I still don’t know if I’ll lose a significant amount of weight, though. Time will tell.

Today they said to up it to two pills twice daily which I was going to do anyway. They do give me a bit more energy, too. So much so that I was up for 19 hours yesterday! I guess that’s due to all the caffeine that’s in them.

Tom said he almost quit his job yesterday because he knows they’re never going to pay him shit for it which is what I told him. I urged him not to quit till he gets a new job or else we can’t get unemployment. I urged him even more so to start aggressively hunting for a new job since we’re obviously never going to be able to count on me to make money. All I get are bullshit job offers that demand money. A real job shouldn’t cost money, it should pay money! It’s just so not meant to be. I wish I knew why, although knowing why wouldn’t necessarily change anything.

When I do get legit calls about jobs, there’s always a problem with it. In other words, Herbal Life called, which is a legit company, but I’d have to pay a registration fee of $179 and know people to sell their products to in order to make money. If I can’t get anyone interested in Yves, how could I get them interested in Herbal Life? You really have to know tons of people to succeed with such a thing. It’s a lot like Avon. If you don’t have people to sell the products to, you can’t make money.

How I wish I could have a simple, clean-cut job like stuffing envelopes! Something that’s straightforward and doesn’t require me to know anyone, spend any money or do any traveling.

I still worry we’re on the path towards financial doom and I feel like not only does something not want us here, but it wants to drive us out of here before we can get rich off this place which is a done deal if we can hold out long enough. In about 5 years this place should be worth half a million and worth a million in a decade. It’s inevitable, totally guaranteed if we can just stay put for a while. But if we go broke and his selfish mother doesn’t help us, or the freeloaders pop back into our lives to try and victimize us again through the law, then we’ll have no choice but to get out.

I’ve been a free soul for 5 months now and I never take a day of it for granted. It still amazes and thrills me that finally, after 7 years of victimization, nothing we do, nothing we spend money on, and no place we go has a damn thing to do with them!

There is a little bit of good news despite my not being allowed a job and Tom making shitty money, and that’s that I won us a 3-day trip to our choice of either San Diego or Las Vegas! The airfare and hotel will be all paid for. All we’ll need to pay is $55 or less in taxes and have the money for food and gambling since we both agree that if we take this trip, it’ll be to Vegas. The only catch is that we have to sit through a presentation when we go to pick up our tickets. We have a year to take the trip and we don’t know for sure if we will. It’ll depend on what’s going on in our lives.

I got outbid on those two dolls.

I discovered that my desktop calendar goes way, way back in time, so I clicked back through the months and years and charted down all the major events I could remember like when I got braces, when Tom’s father died, when I moved to different places, etc.

Later…

Here comes all the sales calls. I totally regret giving my number out. Once they start they never give up, and of course they run and give the number to everyone else they know, too.

I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps I said something that either scared or made my old dentist uncomfortable, though I’m not sure what that could be. Not only have I not gotten a response to the regular email I sent, but the postcard was never retrieved either. Oh well. I doubt I’ll ever see her again anyway.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2003 Boy, did I get a shocker in the mail yesterday. I got a signed 5x7 photo of Kate! Both of us were really surprised. We never expected I’d get anything. You usually don’t from the bigger stars. I never heard from her when I wrote her when I was 10, but maybe it’s because she’s older now. I still don’t think she read the letter herself, though. I picture her getting more than she could possibly even have the time to read. I don’t think they hear about any of their fan mail unless it’s something that’s either way off the wall or threatening. Anyway, although I don’t really like this picture because it’s black and white and she was between 45-50 when it was taken, it was still really cool to get something. It could be a printout, but it looks like she actually signed the photo herself with a marker. What sloppy handwriting the woman has, too! If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t be able to read the name. Anyway, it was nice. Not as nice as it would’ve been had she sent a letter saying she regressed back in time and looks just like she did 27 years ago and would love to get together with me just as soon as Tom leaves for work, but it was still nice, even so. The other Kate picture that I ordered won’t be shipped till around October 9th, I was told, though it could ship a little earlier or later. Meanwhile, I hope Rosa’s now as shocked to have gotten my letter as I was to have gotten Kate’s signed photo. I also hope she writes back!

I didn’t get mail from Mary yesterday like I expected to, but I got my Trimlife samples. One’s a multivitamin I’m supposed to take twice a day, and the other one’s for the weight loss I still can’t believe I’ll achieve. It’s all natural, but even natural things can cause problems so we’ll see. I’m going to take it real soon. That too, is to be taken twice a day. It’s got 5 different things in it that are supposed to suppress your appetite, boost your metabolism and give you energy. They say you can lose anywhere from 1-10 pounds during the first week and whatever you do end up losing will determine which group you’re best off in if you buy a full supply of the stuff. I decided not to get any more if I don’t lose at least 4-5 pounds.

Later…

The good news is that the pills didn’t make me nauseous and the bad is that the scammers won’t stop calling! Now I’ve got the same problem I had in Phoenix with the constant sales calls! The ones that mention money up front are the obvious scammers, as Tom pointed out, trying to see what they can take you for. However, I got a rather odd call in the midst of it all. In this case, the guy gave me his name and number and told me to call him if he doesn’t get a hold of me tonight at 8:00 my time to discuss a home-based job. Why didn’t he just discuss it with me last night when he had me on the phone? Well, we’ll find out tonight what the story is with this one, though I won’t hold my breath. I still don’t think I’m meant to make money anymore than I think I’m meant to lose weight, but it is all up to fate. Whatever will be will be and whatever won’t be won’t be.

The mesquite tree’s flourishing beautifully. We definitely want to transplant more of these, but we’ll have to find smaller ones so we don’t have to damage their roots. Even the two full-grown mesquite trees that are 25-30 feet away are fuller as the water eventually seeps down and over to them.

The remaining palm still looks the same exact size as it was when we first got it and it still looks on the verge of death, too.

There are two Barbies up for auction at a starting bid of $5 with no reserve price set and just $5 shipping, so I put a bid on them. I’ll find out tomorrow morning at about 6:30 if I won them. They’re in L.A.

It’s been cloudy since I got up, but it doesn’t look like we’re going to get the rain they predicted for today. The clouds are too thin.

I think the horse may be gone in back which is a good thing. Not that I have a damn thing against horses, but the horse was one more reason to draw them outside and they’re outdoorsy enough as it is. I swear there’s a new vehicle over there every few months too, if even that. I’d say someone over there fixes cars for sure. Most of them sit there with their hoods open. Since they’ve been around more often and gotten rid of the horse, they’ve been much neater. I mean, the place is still an eyesore, but they’re not dumping their trash to get blown onto our land anymore, so that’s good.

Later…

Wow, it’s just after 3:00 and it’s only 84°. The wind’s picked up, the clouds have thickened, and we’ve now got a bit of a drizzle going, even though it’s pretty half-assed. We should be right on the verge of the end of the super hot days, but not too close to needing heat.

I’m working on my story now which I think I’ll be able to finish before the year’s out.

Although one day is too soon to really make an accurate judgment, I do seem to have a bit more energy and the pills do seem to help curb my appetite, though I’m still a little hungry. I guess nothing can be perfect, though. If this continues to work the way it has today, maybe I can lose a little weight. I don’t think I’ll ever be between 100-110 pounds like I’d like to be, but maybe I can get to the 115-120 range. I won’t count on it, but we’ll see when the week’s trial period is up. They recommend those under 150 pounds begin with just one pill twice a day, but maybe it’d be better if I upped it to two pills twice daily.

I’m still winning the dolls, but there are still 15 hours to go where I could get outbid.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2003 If I don’t get my diet pills today, then I’m going to really believe, beyond a doubt, that something doesn’t want me to lose weight, though I still say you can’t lose weight on no pills anyway. I also think the testimonials were made up, judging by how well-written they are. Most people aren’t that literate and just the way they’re written and all that makes me think the same person wrote them all, making up names along the way and picking random towns and cities that these people are supposedly from. Nonetheless, I still would like to get the pills, so hopefully they’ll be there today, along with mail from Mary.

I wonder if Rosa got my letter and if that was the correct address. Of course, there’s always the chance that it was the correct address and she moved before the site could be updated.

I bid on a set of 3 dolls yesterday but didn’t meet the reserve. That’s okay, though. I don’t want to go back into debt by as much as I would have if I’d won.

There are a couple of dolls with a starting bid of $5, no reserve, just $5 shipping, and it ends in two days. I’ll keep a watch on that one.

I’m wondering once again about us getting it on. See, when I was thinking about how I fell asleep too early for sex, it hit me that if either of us had had the desire that much, we’d have found the time earlier. So, in light of my schedule and us not seeming to put much effort into making the time even if it means getting it on earlier than he’d like, makes me question the whole thing again. I think we should go back to being the friends we have been for the last few years. I know he loves me and I know he knows I love him, but do we really want to get it on with each other all that bad? Obviously not.

Although I don’t feel unhappy or incomplete, I sometimes find a longing stirring within me. It’s like I wish I could experience love and lust with a woman I’m attracted to as I am with Kate, yet I don’t want to give up Tom and the life I have now. Not only is my current life wonderful compared to my past one, but it’s wonderful compared to the average life out there. Anyway, maybe that’s why I write my stories; as a way of living my fantasies without having to change or give up what’s reality.

I had another story idea. Maybe a young woman can be living at an apartment complex much like the Vista Ventana and fall for the complex’s security guard.

For the last week, it had been like June – hot and cloudless. Today, while it’s still pretty warm, it’s also cloudy. It’s just a thin white haze that I doubt will produce any rain, but maybe it will later on.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2003 As I figured would be the case, we never got it on during the week, though there’s certainly no one to blame for that one but myself since my schedule was what it was. I don’t know if I’ll be up late enough to do anything today at the time he prefers which would be an hour or two before he goes to bed. I guess, like I’ve said before, neither of us must want it that bad since we don’t seem to make the time for it.

We had a lot of fun yesterday checking out their offers through Netflip. My first check should be arriving soon enough. It’ll be around $25. I think I’ll use that, plus the Walmart certificate we’re getting through one of the offers we signed up for, for that split-end trimmer that costs $60 and that trims the last eighth off each strand of hair. It’s so cool. You comb it through your hair and once it gets to the end of each strand, the hair flips up and into the cutter.

We have tons of fun things coming. While Tom is my love, shopping is definitely my hobby! For $135, we may subscribe to a club that gives you discounts at all kinds of stores, but we haven’t decided for sure on that one yet. Meanwhile, I’ve got gourmet coffee samples coming with a coffee grinder that I’ll keep as a backup and a digital camera (the camera will probably be shitty). This intro offer was $20. I have 30 days to cancel it, which I will.

We’d love to be able to join online casinos where you play against others for real money, but like most things in Arizona, it’s illegal. It’s totally fucked up, too. You can walk into a casino and gamble in this state, but you can’t do it online. To say that Arizona has the most fucked up, twisted, ridiculous and unfair laws, along with Texas, is a complete understatement!

After my $9 debt was paid off, I still had $7 in my allowance and that’s exactly what it cost to get this particular 8x10 glossy photo of Kate I like, so I ordered that too, through Memolink and got about 100 points.

I hope to turn Samantha and Amelia into Haiku soon enough. Tom’s going to set up a PayPal payment plan on eBay real soon so that payments made for anything we sell can go directly into our account.

Come New Year’s when I get my Christmas and birthday money, I think I may use it towards one of the more expensive dolls I like in order to give me a huge jump-start on the savings. That will probably be Alexa. I think I’ll want to get her dressed because I like the dress she comes in.

I decided not to get the $50 fake palm tree. Having 3 live plants and one fake one that’s really big is enough.

Tom decided to fix and sell cars on the side and that starting with our own car would be a great way to start. He checked into it and found that it wouldn’t cost as much as he thought it would. We’d like to keep this car as a backup. It’s always good to have more than one vehicle. Especially when you live where there’s no such thing as buses and taxis for miles and miles.

Speaking of cars, I had a bad vibe pertaining to the car and told Tom about it. He checked everything really well, but nothing appeared to be wrong. Then sure enough, about a week later, the battery died completely. It was corroded, I guess.

Tom had to work overtime last Friday, but unlike at the bank, he got paid for it.

He received an email about a computer-related job he had applied for before getting hired at the place he’s at now, and they had told him that while he did meet their qualifications, there wasn’t a position available. I guess they have something available now, so he let them know he’s interested. It’s in Phoenix, but it’s for so much money that he’s willing to cut out of work to go for an interview if he gets called for one. Let’s just say that with this job, I could get an expensive doll every month if I wanted to. Unfortunately, though, I don’t sense him getting this job. They probably emailed the message about the opening to a bunch of people and someone else will probably get it first. I don’t think we’ll come into a lot of money till we sell this place, although I have been having money vibes lately. I feel like we’re on the verge of something, though I don’t trust my vibes because I’m not one of those good-fortune psychics. I’m a doom psychic, so I don’t want to get my hopes up.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2003 The Barbie stands came today. Now I’m just waiting on the diet pills and books as well as the various samples I’m expecting. The stands are cute and they’ll make displaying the Barbies a lot easier than before when I had to lean them up against things.

The day after I heard that loud bang I went out and checked and found that the arm of the mini flag was still sticking straight up, so as Tom said, it was probably a dust devil I heard.

Signing up for all these online things is also asking to be harassed! Every day now we’re back to the sales calls and spam. I have to start giving the ones that require phone numbers a bogus number.

I talked to Paula whose latest story is that she was broke and still intends to send the money and form on the first when she gets her check. Other than that, Miguel’s at her place, even though he’s not supposed to be. Both of them would be in trouble if their POs found out. She’s been beating on him, she tells me, and is taking domestic violence classes, anger management classes, and who knows what else. I know she sees a therapist. One who chides her for not having a job and collecting off the state.

I always believed Paula could work. If she can keep a schedule and do all the community service she’s done, then she should be able to hold a job, but like me, she needs to work independently because of her temper. She doesn’t get along with people any better than I do. Perhaps she’s even worse at that.

I knew her mother was a wacko, but even so, I was surprised to learn she never had any dolls of any kind as a child. So, at 36 years of age, she shall get her first Barbie. Three of them.

We discussed a whole new fencing idea that I like way better. Instead of doing a wire fence on the property’s perimeter, we decided we want to do a block wall around the house. We won’t get too close to the house, though, so we don’t cause that same echo effect that will enhance sounds like in Phoenix. Because blocks aren’t too cheap, we’ll probably mix things in with it like maybe wood or iron rails. For practice, Tom’s going to replace the plastic skirting with blocks. Another reason we want to do this is to keep snakes away from the house and cars. It’s just too easy to end up getting struck before we have a chance to even realize the snake is there. The block wall has to extend down into the ground a foot or so, so rodents and rabbits won’t be digging holes under it for snakes to go through. I just hope this is something we can actually do sooner or later and not always something we just talk about.

Since Monday seems to be the day I get mail from Mary, I’m going to make Tuesdays my mailing day.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2003 Paula’s package will have to wait another day since Tom was unable to get to the PO when it was open. His lunch, which usually varies, was at the same time the PO workers had theirs. I’ll never send the lying, ungrateful nut another package again after this anyway! I never expected to get every time I gave, but when someone says they’re going to do a little thing that means a lot to me that they never end up doing, it really bothers me. I’m sick of it. I give and I give and I give and I never get shit in return. Not even the simplest little things.

I still hope to make it back to eBay for one of the Barbies I still want by the end of the month, but I don’t know. It’ll depend on how much we save on groceries.

When I rearranged my office, I didn’t think about being right where the sun streams through the sides of the blinds, so I had to tape pieces of paper in the top right half of the window to keep the glare out of my eyes.

They worked again in front yesterday, but Tom didn’t see any water tanks to get an idea of what’s going on over there.

It’s a good thing I didn’t fall asleep an hour sooner than I did or else I’d have been woken up for damn sure. Something hit the side of the house, or at least that’s what it sounded like anyway. It was too loud to be an animal of any kind. When I went out and checked I didn’t see anything suspicious. After I came inside the house and was too tired to go back out and check again, I realized it could’ve been the mini flag holder. Its arm was sticking straight up and if the screws holding it let go, then the arm would’ve swung down and smacked the house.

I decided it was time to send my old dentist an e-card letting her know that Tom recently changed jobs and because she’s not on the plan they have, I may not be able to come back, but we’ll see because he’s not happy at this place anyway and may be looking for a new job. I told her I thought about just paying for yearly cleanings, but the X-ray costs are a killer! Meanwhile, she can still email me with any computer questions and check my photo albums whenever she wants to. I gave her my Webshots username.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2003 Another Maricopa report day, but not for me!

I managed to sleep just fine and got up in the early evening. That’s when I packed Paula’s package. These priority mailers are cool in the way they’re so easy to use. They’re also free, too. I know she doesn’t deserve this, in a sense, and that I’m being too giving, but it’s only shit that can’t be sold and that will just sit around here taking up space anyway, even if we have enough of it. I can’t get my money back on the things either. Also, it won’t cost nearly the $30 it took to ship the dolls I never should’ve sent. Anyway, I’m sending the lilac, lily, orange and strawberry lotions I don’t like, along with some old jewelry I never wear, like the boring watch Yves sent with my first order. It’s too big on me anyway and it isn’t adjustable. It should fit Paula just fine, though. Lastly, I sent her the 3 Barbies I didn’t like in gowns with colors she’ll like more than I do, plus a few extra outfits I don’t want. I don’t care for white, yellow and dark green, but she told me her favorite colors were white, green, red and purple. She hates black and orange, she told me. I hate gray, olive, navy, maroon, brown and dark shades of yellow, green and orange. Pinks, purples, neons and pastels are definitely the best where my tastes are concerned. Anyway, she’ll get the Barbie done up as Gone with the Wind, then the one done up as Beauty and the Beast. Or was it Anastasia? Whatever. She’ll get a handmade gown, too. Whoever did it can sew really well. I even kept a couple of the handmade outfits. So in the end these 3 Barbies will go back almost to where they came from just 20 minutes away.

We have a ton of our own stuff coming in the mail as well. Barbie stands, books, diet pills, and many free samples.

Memolink also has a lot of dollar offers that give you points, plus $25 certificates for various stores. For just $4 we can get $25 certificates for Walmart, K-Mart, Toys R Us, and Home Depot. That’s $100 for just $4. Totally worth it. Then all we have to do is cancel the membership attached to it within 30 days.

Two days ago they appeared to be putting the pump down into the well in front and yesterday they seemed to be running pipes to the house, though I don’t know why they’d do that before the thing was set up. Tom said there’s a for sale sign still up over there, so not only does it seem that yes, the property was split, but it might not all be owned by the same person. I still think more houses will be hauled in, but we’ll see.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2003 I didn’t fall asleep till 11:30 this morning and was sooo pissed when a bird pecking on the outside of the bedroom wall woke me up 4 hours later. What is it with the fourth hour of my sleep being so cursed? Most of the times I’ve been woken up it’s been during the fourth hour. And more so, what is it with my being woken up more often in a house in a rural town versus a house in the heart of a giant city??

Anyway, when I first woke up I said to myself, “Please just be a dream.” I got up and looked out front, but no one was there. Then I remembered Tom telling me that some of the door-knocking dreams we’ve had are actually real and how he caught a bird pecking on the house one time which sounded exactly like someone knocking, and it does, though once I heard it a second time I could tell it was a bird. I had just been drifting back off to sleep when it made its second round on the bedroom wall. I scared it away when I rustled the blinds on one of the windows. Again I was about to nod off when it made its third knock. I slammed the wall by my head real hard and it was gone for good, but I worry that this is going to be a regular problem which is ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous! Why must I be woken up by shit like this? How I wish I could stay on days!!

Got mail from both Bob and Mary. Mary just sent drafts. She doesn’t say much these days, but then again, when you’re in jail, how much can you possibly have to say anyway? I guess she’s just been taking classes and writing.

Bob hasn’t heard from Kim, but as I told him, thanks but no thanks. I really don’t want to bother with her. In fact, I don’t know why I even bothered sending her the letter. I’ll either make money from home or I won’t make any at all.

He also says it’s already gotten cold there at night, then he shocked me by saying he has to walk half a mile to meals rain or shine. I wonder why so far?

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2003 I went to Trimlife’s site, the people I’m getting the diet pill sample from. They sell a lot of things - diet pills for kids, multivitamins, protein-packed foods, sex aids, hormone balancers and more. It looks like a 1-mos. supply will be $75, but if this stuff works in any way, it might be worth it. I’m all for using tools to help us help ourselves so long as they’re not destructive ones, like how I used the Nicorette gum to quit smoking.

Being the pessimist I am, though, I’d have to agree with Tom and say they don’t work or else there’d be no fat people in the world. I know they can’t make me skinny like the Nicorette gum didn’t make me quit smoking, but perhaps it can help me slim down like the gum helped me quit smoking.

I told Tom I wanted to skip today’s screwing session because I was ragging pretty hard. Besides, I wasn’t in the mood. Being the not-so-typical male that he is (though it’s much to my delight) he declined my offer to take care of him in other ways. I wasn’t kidding when I said we both have no appetite! He mentioned us getting it on during the week, but I don’t think we will, and also, I think he’ll avoid me at mid-cycle like he mostly used to. Although we’d be 100% safe even with him cumming, it’s okay for him to do what makes him more comfortable. In other words, if he feels, be it subconsciously or not, more comfortable not screwing at those times, fine.

He still thinks I’ll eventually make money from home, although I doubt it. Like I said, if that were in my cards, how come I haven’t made anything from home yet? Still, I’m giving it a chance like I said I would. If by some miracle he’s right, I’ll wait till there’s more money coming in before I get the more expensive dolls so they won’t take me forever to save up for them. I don’t know, though. I still think he’s going to have to end up getting a better-paying job which will probably mean traveling further and working longer.

I’m racking up the points on Memolink and am now at 404 and should be receiving a few hundred more soon. That’s because I signed up for free things that give you points just for doing so and because I “referred” Tom, I get a percentage of any points he earns. If God really does help those who help themselves, then he’ll allow me to earn a little something after the hours and hours of work I’ve spent trying to make something of this! Then again, somehow I doubt he cares if Jodi S makes enough money to supplement her husband’s income. Oh well, what’s in our cards is in our cards and what’s not is not, but it’s still too early to really make a judgment. If in a month I’m still being asked to take surveys for a chance to win this or that and not given surveys for set dollar amounts or points, then I’ll know it was just another bust.

I’ve been slaving away on my story.

In my next story, I thought I’d have a straight girl get in trouble for some petty bullshit, but not go to jail. Instead, she gets a few months of probation and ends up with a gay PO who becomes obsessed with her. So much so that she frames her for murder, then kidnaps her and blackmails her by threatening to turn her in if she leaves her.

The story after that will be way off the wall. Tom once suggested I use some real-life event(s) and then sensationalize it from there. In real life, when I was 10, I collected pictures of Kate. Just like a child would talk to their stuffed animals or dolls, I would sometimes talk to her pictures when the abuse and stress got too much for me to deal with. It was like a coping mechanism, as strange as it may sound. In the story, I’ll have one of these pictures “come to life,” so to speak, years later when I’m an adult and we’ll fall for each other.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2003 The 9 Barbies arrived yesterday and I decided to keep 6 of them – 4 blondes, 1 black, 1 Asian. At least I think the Kira doll is Asian. Anyway, there are 2 brunettes and a blond I don’t want. They weren’t in as good condition as I was told they’d be in, but they were good enough for used dolls. I brushed out their hair and scrubbed off some spots that were on one of them. One doll was in a silver ball gown that was torn in a couple of places. It was in such shabby condition and I didn’t like the dress anyway that I ditched it. Barbie dressed as the lead from Gone with the Wind was boring, plus a yellow gown that one came in, along with a green gown. I don’t really care for yellow and dark green, so when we sell stuff I’ll sell the 3 Barbies in those outfits.

I’m also going to sell the Alex and Eve fashion dolls and two porcelain dolls – Samantha and Amelia.

Today I ordered a dozen rainbow Barbie stands for $20. The colors are 3 pink, 3 lavender, 3 sky blue, and 3 mint green.

Also, for just a little over a buck, I sent for a trial diet thing. It’s these pills that are supposed to help block fat absorption. It mentions that green tea that was in those vitamins, so hopefully I won’t end up puking or getting too jittery. I guess it’s similar. Anyway, for a lousy buck-something, plus extra points on Netflip, I figured why not? I believe I’ll always be heavy, though, and will probably get heavier and heavier with age, but oh well. There’s more to life than being skinny.

My letter is on its way to Rosa. It cost 60¢ to mail.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but I think I may’ve found Rosa! It finally, after all this time, hit me to try Mexican phone records so I checked online. The sites were in Spanish, so knowing the Spanish I know helped a great deal. Swearing she told me she lived in Guerreros, I put in a search for her husband’s name, assuming she’s still married. Amazingly, one of the results which displayed a phone number and an address had both their names! How I hope it’s her! If it isn’t, I don’t have a clue as to what I should try next. All I know is that I’m tired of wondering where she is and what her life is like. Is she happily married? Unhappily married? Divorced? I picture the poor girl living in a cheap, dumpy, roach-infested apartment with tons of people and noise. By now she must have a few kids as Mexicans breed like rabbits. I don’t know how they do it; perhaps the females ovulate more or the males have more sperm or more potent sperm, but where there’s 1 there are usually 50 more. I don’t know why they’d have such large families with so little money, but despite my lack of fondness for them in general, Rosa’s an exception. I don’t care what her lifestyle is because I love and miss her all the same.

Rosa was about 21 in 2000 and not very bright, but most people that age aren’t. I highly doubt she has a computer or could afford to call the States much. International calls are super expensive, so as Tom and I agreed would be best, I typed a letter in Spanish to her. If it is her, we may be able to get a phone contract deal at some point, but I don’t know about visiting. My Spanish isn’t good enough to give good enough directions for them to come to me (unless Rosa’s forbidden to enter the US) and I don’t know that they’d be smart enough to follow a map. It’s also very far away so we may not even be able to go to them. Guerreros is way down there by Acapulco.

If it’s her, I hope there’s a chair or a couch nearby when she reads my letter because she’ll faint with shock for sure. I assume, and I certainly hope, that she’ll be delighted to hear from me. Here’s a copy of my letter to her which basically says that I knew Rosa in Estrella jail in December of 2000, we were good friends, like sisters, and I miss her very much. I said I didn’t want to say much in the letter till I knew whether or not it was her, but that I hoped so! Then I explained that I found her number through a Mexican online directory, that Tom and I were well and I hoped she was, too. I said we lived in a rural town an hour south of Phoenix and that I’d love to hear from her. I enclosed 3 ways to contact me – email, the PO box, and my cell phone, though I think she’ll choose to write if it’s her.

Later…

Tom set my word processor up so I could set it to Mexican Spanish. That way I can have its spell checker insert the proper punctuation. I even wrote Mom a letter in Spanish using it.

I didn’t realize just how big Mexico was. I thought Rosa was a matter of hours away, not days! Yet she’s about as far away as Massachusetts is to me. Mexico’s huge. No wonder there are so many damn Mexicans!

Tomorrow my letter will go out to Rosa. I hope it won’t cost much to mail. I doubt it will. Not compared to a phone call anyway. I wonder how long it’ll take to reach her. I just hope it really is her! I’d love to hear from her and be pen pals with her. I just hope she doesn’t turn out to be one of those who can’t write without asking for something if it is her.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2003 I’m so bored right now that I wish those damn surveys would hurry up and come in if they’re really going to! Most say it could take up to a month. Meanwhile, the TV’s alive with the usual topics – sex, drugs, murder, childbirth and racial issues. There’s nothing on at the moment that I care to see, so I guess I’ll go work on my story that will contain some of these popular subjects.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2003 Again no dolls. I hope it was sent by parcel post cuz if it wasn’t that means the seller either wrote our address wrong or some illiterate shit at the PO screwed up. I’m going to take Tom’s advice about giving it a week before I contact the seller. If it was sent by parcel post, I should have it by Saturday.

I can tell we’re getting close to the end of the really hot days, but where is everybody? I stood outside on the steps for a few minutes and saw not one prairie dog or rabbit.

Later…

So far I’ve earned $3.90 and once I get up to $20, they’ll send me a check. It may cost me a few bucks out of that $20, though, in the end in order to get the $20 check. They pay you for signing up for the offers they have available. Some cost a lot and some are just a few bucks. Tom’s going to go through and pick out the best ones this weekend.

I really do hope I make more and more money the more I get established with these companies because when I think of all the people I’ve either made or saved money for, quite against my will, of course, I see a very scary pattern there! Yes, I make money for others really well. Just look at what a financial asset I was to the Arizona Republic alone without even trying. Then I go and do the idiot thing of sending Paula over $400 worth of dolls and I can’t even get her to send me the damn form and money towards things she herself said she was interested in so I can get that $30 certificate. I can’t get shit in return. It’s not that I always expect to receive upon giving, but still, keeping true to her word was the least she could’ve done.

I’m so pissed I sent her those dolls and didn’t sell them! I may sell Samantha and Amelia, though, since they’re really not all that great. Especially with the wire skeleton versus a loc-tite armature. I may also sell the Alex and Eve fashion dolls. If I do, I’ll sell those nude, but the porcelain dolls will be dressed. Tom may sell old computer and TV equipment, too.

I know it’s a complete waste of time to dwell on the past which can’t be changed, but I just can’t seem to help myself. I realize that if I’m still pissed off at the way I let the black bitch run off at the mouth at our door, for example, then the thought of it is likely to always enrage me. As funny as this may sound, I almost wish someone would come to my door and to my face and threaten me just so I could “do it right” this time. Then, after I beat them beyond recognition, I could never look back on it and feel like a coward who didn’t fight back. Someday, though, someday. People don’t just like to use me, they like to threaten me too, so I know it’s only a matter of time. Hey, at my size, why not? No one believes someone smaller than them can hurt them, but I’ll be much obliged to show them otherwise just as soon as the next dumb and sorry person makes the next threat. It may land me in jail for years, but I don’t care. It’s about time I put my damn foot down, fought back, and stopped turning the other cheek and sending the wrong message. I learned the hard way a long time ago that if you either forgive or cower from someone who’s screwed you over or who’s threatened you, you will be taken advantage of.

So dare to threaten me, whoever you are, and I shall gladly take my next perp down a peg or two. Normally, I’m not one who feels she needs to prove herself, but if need be I wouldn’t mind teaching someone that smaller doesn’t always mean weaker. The way I’m now looking at it is this: God can protect my next perp from the law, but he can’t protect them from me. It helps to keep telling myself that. I mean, that’s my “positive” thinking, my inspiration, so to speak because he will protect them. Well, telling myself he can’t protect them from me makes it easier to deal with. I don’t know why he’d ever want to see me hurt or threatened by so many people, but to hell with destiny, fate, patterns – I’m fighting back. I owe it to myself.

Anyway, I ordered a few magazines from Memolink to earn extra points. All I have to do is cancel the subscription once I get the first free trial issue.

Also, a Lonnie P is going to get me 7 hardback books from the Doubleday Book Club. Yes, I got a little magazine with books to buy, and it couldn’t have been any more perfect because the card attached had that name on it.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 I assume that because I didn’t get a text message from Tom this means my dolls have arrived. I sure hope so! If not I’ll contact the seller and find out how she shipped them. If she shipped them by parcel post, then they could be a few weeks away. Either way, 5:30 can’t come fast enough!

I still may get one of the standard self-sealing priority-mail boxes they commonly use and send Paula the lotions I don’t like, plus a few other odds and ends I never use. I figure the stuff’s already been paid for, so why not send it to someone who can use it?

I hope there’ll be some jobs waiting for me when Tom gets in. I gave the survey people his email address, so I won’t know till he gets in. It’s nice to finally be able to know what time he’ll get in too, even if he’s making shitty money.

As usual, the water pills only dropped me to 125, then ceased to help anymore. After just two days of eating 1600-2000 calories, I’ve already crept back up to 128. I tell you, I can’t keep on with this struggle! I’m so, so close to letting go and having 2000 calories a day no matter how much I gain. I know my body wouldn’t be crying out for more calories and weight if it didn’t need it and that I’m being mean to it by depriving it the way I have been.

Later…

Well, my dolls didn’t come, but there is good news! Not only does Tom think I’m going to be making more than him, like $300-$400 a week, but they’re making plans to build a community just 5 miles from here! Boy, is that going to up the value of this place! That will easily make this place worth half a million. Tom, who’s always been great with money, says that if we hold out long enough, this place will certainly be worth a million eventually, probably in a decade. Just 4 years ago we paid $1,500 for 10 acres. Nowadays, the average 2-acre parcel is going for $60,000!

Well, I do have good money vibes and see us as pretty well off eventually, able to buy most of what we want and definitely what we need, but I don’t want to get my hopes up too high.

As for me making money - Tom says it’ll be a couple of weeks before we get a good idea of what I might make. Right now I’m still in their screening phase to see how serious I am which means that today I only got one survey to do for a chance to win something and not for a guaranteed amount of money. Most surveys will probably be $5 - $100, so I’ll want to do as many as possible. I have plenty of time, after all. How wonderful it’d be if I could make $500 a week because then Tom wouldn’t have to work! I sure as hell can’t imagine that, but I’m going to try my best to make what I can.

I’m up to 316 points now on Memolink.

I asked him if he planned on telling his family if the survey thing works out so I know what to say and what not to. You know, to keep our stories straight. Of course not, he said. Then I asked him what he’d tell his family if I ever really did make enough for him to quit working and he said that that would be a problem he wouldn’t mind having. I was laughing my ass off and making jokes like how he could tell them he just got sick of working or something like that.

The survey topics, so far, have consisted of a wide variety of things from judging material things and music, to opinions on gay marriage and terrorism. I’m definitely all for us finding a way to make our own fuel and not have to depend on those fucking Arabs and “continue to fund their anti-American sentiments,” as was one of the choices. I was surprised to see that 45% supported gay marriages, 42% were opposed, and the rest weren’t sure.

It’s nice, in a sense, to be able to express myself and have a say in things when most of my life was spent being either forced to be quiet or to go along with others.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2003 Maybe I’m not going to be on days any longer after all. I slept till 11:30 today.

Anyway, I just finished working out. Once again, I feel a bit silly working out to weigh the same overweight weight, but hey, if I stopped I’d no doubt be 50 pounds overweight rather than 20.

One of the medical questions on one of the surveys was a bit tricky. It asked, do I consider myself very overweight, a little overweight, a little in shape, or very in shape? Well, I’m both a little in shape and a little overweight. A lot of people don’t realize that one can be muscular, strong, fit, energetic and flexible, yet still have more fat than they should have.

There was a survey that came in today in which the first 3000 people to complete it were to receive a buck, but I was too late. See, I can’t even make a lousy buck it’s so not meant to be! As Tom pointed out, though, don’t expect much to happen on a weekend. Being the pessimist I am, I’m not going to hope for much during the week either. I just don’t want to get my hopes up for something that, like most things I dabble in throughout life, could very well turn out to be nothing. However, I think I can eventually gain enough points for store and restaurant certificates from Memolink, though. It may take forever, but that’s actually possible. Very possible. I have a chance to get 5 points a day as it is if I answer their daily trivia question correctly, and then they have a daily lotto, too.

Later…

Earlier Tom and I changed my office around. After nearly 4 years, it was time for a change. I moved the desk to the opposite wall, but it’s turned in a slightly different position. The desk is V-shaped. Before, the bottom part of the V was flush against the wall. This time, though, the right side of the V is flush against the wall where the closet door is. The entry door used to be on my left side, but now it’s directly behind me. I should have a much nicer view till we get shade trees that actually make it. It’ll also be hard for anyone to walk by without noticing them.

Another reason I wanted to move to where I did was so that I could be closer to the floor vent. This room gets miserably hot. Especially in the mornings and early afternoons. During November through February, I’ll enjoy putting my feet by the vent as it blows warm air.

The only negative is that the wires are more visible and I have to step over them in a couple of areas and lift the vacuum over them when I vacuum. I have so many damn wires because I have the two printers, the scanner and the amplifier. That’s not counting the computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

I haven’t finished decorating because tomorrow I should definitely have my 9 Barbies from CT. I set some of the porcelain dolls up but decided to wait till tomorrow on the vinyls. I also rearranged the walls a little.

Not surprisingly, we didn’t end up having sex this weekend, but I was hoping we wouldn’t as I just don’t have the desire to do so with this man. I’ve simply known him for too long.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2003 Gee, it would have been just 55 days left with the freeloaders – ha, ha, ha! Oh, how I hope I never hear from them again! I still worry about that, but most of all, I wonder when and where the next place I’ll be stuck in will be. That’s the biggest worry.

You know, I can truly see how those who didn’t know me, who made their judgments based solely on the journals I sent the freeloaders would think I was the antagonizer and that they were the victims. Especially what with how I used race as a weapon. It’s like men who rape, for instance. It’s not about sex for them, it’s about violence, though sex happens to be the weapon. For me, it wasn’t about their color, but about their antics in which I used race as a weapon to further lash out against them when giving them a piece of my mind since I had promised Tom not to lay a hand on them. Normally I’d say that using words was much more appropriate than using fists, but not in that case! Not in that case. How I wish I’d beaten the snot out of that black bitch when she came to our door with her histrionics! I should’ve done that, called the pigs like everyone else does when they have a problem with someone, then claimed self-defense. We were, after all, on our property. I don’t know if a Jew’s word would be taken over that of a non-white, but I should’ve tried, should’ve done something. If I had to go to jail I should’ve at least earned my way in there.

I guess something must want me on days. I slept till noon yesterday so I thought I’d sleep till then or later today, but nope. I was up at 8:30 after just 5½ hours of sleep.

Meanwhile, to my utter shock and delight, I just may be making money after all, though, not a steady income and not much. That’d be okay, though. More is always better, but something’s also better than nothing at all. It’s too soon to tell how it’s going to be. It may take a week or two before I get emailed survey links which will earn me more cash/points than what I’ve been earning so far. With most of the sites I spent hours signing up at, all I can do now is sit back, wait, and hope for the best. Some give cash prizes and others let you earn points for certificates at stores and restaurants. I wish I’d signed up for this before ordering from Yves because one of the sites offers 12 points for every dollar you spend there. With a few of them, however, I could take little surveys for small amounts of points. On one site I already have 300 points. When I reach 8300, I’ll be able to snag their $50 Walmart certificate and get my fake palm tree!

Season one of Charlie’s Angels was released earlier this year on DVD and it’s only $25. I’m definitely going to get it at some point. It’s got 22 shows on 5 DVDs. I hope they release the remaining seasons Kate was in cuz I’d love to have them all. It was my favorite show and she was my favorite celeb so it’d be really cool to have.

The second of the three divas arrived yesterday and she’s even nicer than the first. Her shiny silver gown is really nice as are her silver glittery gloves.

By the end of this month, I hope to be back on eBay in search of the last diva or the other Barbie I want. I also hope my 9 Barbies make it in from CT on Monday. They might’ve arrived today, but Tom forgot to stop at the PO on his way back from the recycling center.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2003 It looks like we could be on the verge of a storm soon.

The well rig is gone so we’ll just wait and see what happens next. Tom says we’ll be able to tell by the size of the water tank they bring in whether or not more houses are coming.

The irritation I had down there is gone, so now, thanks to my big mouth, we can irritate it all over again at – let me guess – 6 PM on Sunday.

Paula called and said something about her case being continued without a finding until February. She is so lucky she’s not out here!

We decided, what the hell? Why not try some of these home job things and see if they’re scams or not? Personally, if it isn’t us being scammed and if it’s nothing that can land me in jail, then I don’t mind doing a little scamming.

The one we’re going to start with that Tom’s going to sign up for tomorrow is this company that wants you to pay $20 a month for website addresses of companies that want people to do their surveys. They said you can try it for a few days for just $3 and we decided it was worth the $3 to check it out. I still can’t imagine ever having a home job, but we’re going to check into things anyway.

See, the question is, are we going to be compensated for doing as well as we were financially? If so, fate will prevent us from finding any good jobs. It depends on if a financial curse is going to be thrown at us or not. I do know that something does like to tear down whatever we build up so that’s not comforting.

A movie I saw gave me new ideas for the story I’m currently working on. I was going to have the main characters fall in love and for one to get pregnant either through rape or an affair, but decided more was needed. So when I saw a movie about a woman with multiple personalities who was abused as a child, that gave me the idea to make the one that gets pregnant a nut. That way the other one can really have a challenge on her hands! Instead of multiple personalities, I may have her go nuts by having an accident, which would explain why things started off just fine.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2003 Oh, the lies people tell. Of the three people I bought dolls from so far on eBay, all have said they left positive feedback on my behalf in the feedback forum, yet only one really did.

Ashton’s full of their own tall tales too, telling me they’d send a brochure and an order form for a doll I wanted to see a better picture of when all they sent was a form and note saying they didn’t have any brochures for that doll. Why couldn’t they tell me before that they didn’t have the damn brochure?

I hope they’re done drilling in front as I’m getting rather sick of hearing the drone of that thing. It’s louder than Dan’s was because of where it’s situated on the land and where our house is situated on our land. I think they are just about done cuz it appeared they were pulling up drill bits earlier.

I’m officially off my day schedule now. After a week of sleeping 6-8 hours, I needed to sleep in. The problem with what keeps me from keeping a schedule is that, unlike most people who can still go to bed at their usual time on the days they sleep in, I can’t do that. For me, sleeping later means going to bed later. Maybe, when I get a new doctor, I can ask them why I need so much sleep.

Tom’s thinking of looking for another job because this one’s not looking promising. I still fear us having quite a financial crisis, too. Oh, God, why do you insist on having one person after another fuck us over and why do you let them get away with it?! Why do you always have someone tear us down after we work so hard to get ahead and to build ourselves up?

Anyway, I told him that life is too negative/positive to look for money too close to home. In other words, it’s either shit money close by or more money further away, so he should look further from home, I advised him.

Paula now says she’s going to put a hold on the Yves stuff (though I know she’ll never do it) so she can have money in case she does get thrown in jail tomorrow. She said she’ll call me tomorrow night if she doesn’t and that I should call her if I don’t hear from her so someone can tell me exactly what’s going on.

She shouldn’t be going to court. I tried to tell her that if she thinks there’s a chance she may go to jail, then it’d be silly for her to go to court, but you know Paula; she does all kinds of foolish things. What she needs to do is move without leaving a paper trail and stay out of trouble. That mostly means ignoring the abusive PRs she loves so much.

I wanted to scream when I got Mary’s letter yesterday with more drafts which I told her not to keep sending, but then I was relieved when I read she wouldn’t send anymore. I hope not. I keep trying to tell her to just write the book while she’s in jail, then when she’s out she can organize her book and try to get it published from there.

Unfortunately, I mailed her final book copy to her before I got her letter telling me to wait till she could send stamps (like I’d really get them) so I could get a copy to her with bigger print since her eyes were so bad she already needed reading glasses. I was shocked! Here I was pissed off at going blind in my late 30s, so that must really suck to need reading glasses in her mid-20s.

I’m down to 126 now. I wish I could say it’s due to all the brisk walking I’ve been doing, but it’s nothing I’ve done. It’s all thanks to the water pills. It won’t go no lower than 125. Once I hit 125, I have to practically starve myself to lose anymore, then once I eat normally again, it all comes right back. The only way to lose weight and keep it off naturally would be to starve and I just don’t want to do that. I don’t have the willpower it’d take. Meanwhile, I guess I can’t say all my hard work is going to waste. Exercising like this is keeping me from gaining a lot more than I already have over the last 5 years.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 Once again, Jodi gets the man and not the woman. Yes, Teddy Bear stood me up, but I, a destined-to-be man’s woman, actually did end up getting it on with the hubby yesterday, something I have mixed emotions about. We couldn’t quite go all the way since it’s been a while and I’m rather tight. He also wasn’t fully hard. I don’t know, though, it’s like so boring and so predictable. I mean, what do we do from here on out – have sex every Sunday evening with neither one of us really into it? Is it really worth the irritation I now have down there?

At the same time, I’d have been pissed if he’d blown me off because then I’d feel like he was a liar.

At least I’m down a couple of pounds, partly thanks to exercising, but mostly thanks to lowering my calories and taking water pills.

Still on a schedule, too. Yesterday I slept in till 9:15 and thought I’d do the same today. But when I opened my eyes at what I thought would be between 10:00 - 11:00, it was only 8:20.

They’re still drilling away in front. Who knows when they’ll be done? The question then will be what happens next? Do more houses come in or does someone move into the one that’s there?

Looks like Tom’s going to be right. His guess is that the little door knockers won’t return. It’s still early, so we’ll see. Meanwhile, I’m armed with mace in my pocket and waiting to settle my curiosity as to what the hell they want.

Hunting season’s begun, but it’s typical so far. Last year they were shooting up a storm from sunup to sundown, but so far they’re packing it in come late morning. That’s how it usually is, too.

Tom did make it to Mom’s and back. They didn’t give us shit for money, either. Tom says that knowing how his family works, it’s a good thing. He says he doesn’t want them giving us little bits here and there which will dampen chances of getting a lot more later on.

Later on when? When we’re really struggling? Is that what mom’s waiting for? For us to hit rock bottom? Well, I think it was highly selfish and insensitive for her not to give us something. Tom’s right; it’s his family so he should know them better, but somehow I doubt we’ll see much from them. He said he “set the stage” by mentioning all the things that are costing us money like flat tires.

And it was greeted with not one offer to help out. Meanwhile, let’s see if they give a damn when we no longer have the money to fix all the things we have that can’t stop breaking. They did give us some soda and fruit drinks but that was only because they didn’t like them. Also, like Tom said, they couldn’t get the Yves stuff because of allergies, but I don’t buy it. There were things in there they could’ve gotten that everybody uses like shower gels, shampoos, nail polish and shit like that that can’t possibly set one’s allergies off.

I downloaded a desktop calendar last night that’s pretty cool and simple to use. You can even use it with your wallpaper, though not all of them look good with it. It’s cool, though, because it lets you put text on important dates, set your own colors and things like that.

Anyway, one of the sellers left positive feedback pertaining to me in the feedback forum which is where sellers and buyers build either good or bad reps. Both sellers say they shipped my dolls today. The CA one should come by Thursday or Friday, they said.

I decided that’s it, I’m definitely going to wait till we go to CA someday and pick out a mannequin in person. Meanwhile, I’m going to get the last diva at the end of this month, the Spring Bouquet Barbie at the end of next, then for once and for all I’m going to get the top 5 porcelains I want – Alexa, Haiku, Blanca, Becky and SW16 Bailey. Maybe I’ll get an occasional Ashton-Drake doll, too. It’s going to take a year or more to save for just the top 5, and like I said, we can never know who may fuck us out of our allowance altogether.

I spoke with Paula yesterday. I started with something like 140 minutes on my phone and ended up with 80 when we were done. It’s the same old shit with her. How many more slaps, how many more nasty names, how much more stress and how much more degradation is it going to take for the self-respect to kick in and for her to dump this Miguel? The little cock’s getting out of jail on Saturday, and Thursday, it’s time for Paula’s favorite pastime – playing court. At least she’s refusing to buckle from the bluffs and threats and plead guilty. She’s going to trial. I’m not exactly sure what’s going on, though. She’s mentioned a million probation violations, along with charges involving Miguel, so I don’t know for sure exactly what’s to take place this week. All I know is that Paula’s the reason Miguel’s in jail. At least someone in this world can get punishment for their perps! Meanwhile, I have to sit and hope I don’t get fucked over by anyone, not just cuz I wouldn’t like that, but because I know they’ll get away with it. They always do.

As for Yves, she’s another dead-end. She’s just too stupid. That’s okay, though, I just got a huge order from them and so it’s nothing that can’t wait. First she wants to send me the money and the form cuz she’s too stupid to write out a money order in the amount I wrote out for her, stick it in the damn envelope, stamp the fucking thing and mail it. Now she doesn’t know what form I’m talking about.

Later…

I talked with Paula some more. In between Miguel, she said she found the form and is going to mail that and the money out tomorrow. Whatever. I mean, I know it’s bullshit.

Anyway, she says tomorrow’s her trial for threatening Miguel, but since threats made to and from any color or race back there is just a misdemeanor, she probably won’t get much more than a few months added to her probation if even that. Out here, unless it’s someone like a pig, a lawyer, a governor, or a mayor getting threatened, it’s only a misdemeanor if a white threatens another white or if a non-white threatens another non-white or a white. If it’s a white threatening a non-white, it becomes an automatic felony. It’s wrong and it’s unfair, but that’s just the way it is.

[o0-iris-0o]

Luminous | Xiao x [F] Reader

Description: After months of isolation and endless work, your friend insists on taking you out for a night of music and escape. But a stranger at the bar has an offer that might take your life in an unexpected direction.

Warnings: Dark Themes | NSFW | 18+

Chapter: 11/29

V AO3 Tags Below V

Graphic Depictions Of Violence | Major Character Death | Dead Dove: Do Not Eat | Dark Fiction | Horror Themes | Depression | Anxiety | Angst | Emotional | Crying | Involuntary Medical Procedures | Blood | Needles | Injections | Vomiting | Captivity | Yandere Themes | Physical Altercations | Drugs | Drug Use | Alcohol | Intoxication | Gangs | Guns | Combat | Action | Romance | Enemies to Lovers | Cuddling and Snuggling | Fluff | Smut | Plot with Porn | Vaginal Fingering | Vaginal Sex | Oral Sex | Cunnilingus | Blow Jobs | Sex on Drugs | Bloodplay | Knifeplay | Hair Pulling | Rough Sex | Gentle Sex | Dom Xiao | Alatus (Genshin Impact) | Aftercare | Reader-Insert | Reader is Not Traveler | POV First person | Alternate Universe - Future | Diluc Cameo

< CH. 10 | CH. 12 >

Chapter 11

Our departure from the inn was swift, with all of us packing into Shenhe’s car as usual. Yanfei, brimming with enthusiasm, tried to give directions to the restaurant she had in mind for lunch, claiming it was a brand-new, up-and-coming hotspot that we absolutely needed to try. However, Shenhe growing increasingly annoyed with Yanfei’s convoluted directions, demanded she provide the address instead. 

We’d been delayed a little, but eventually, we made it to the restaurant of Yanfei’s choosing. It was, in fact, just as good as she had boasted, and while we were there, the alcohol flowed freely, with Ganyu now joining in on the drinks. After our meal, Ganyu requested that we stop by a bakery she liked for some dessert. Yanfei, ever thoughtful, decided to buy two adorable, personal-sized cakes as part of her gift for the party. 

From there, Yanfei worked on the second half of her gift, securing a good deal on a bundle of luxury candles and high-end home fragrances, all beautifully packaged. Seeing that it was getting late, with the sun starting to set, we began making our way to the soiree. The drive was lengthy, taking us to the northeast outskirts of the city. Now we’re arriving at nine p.m., just in time.

While Shenhe carefully navigates the crowded parking lot, I watch through the dark-tinted windows as people in luxurious outfits exit their cars, engage in conversations, or make their way into the venue. The search for parking is taking longer than expected, and unfortunately, the spot we find is one of the furthest from the entrance.

“Ah, finally! It was getting so cramped in here—w-woah!” Yanfei exclaims, bursting out of the car right after me. Her movements are too quick for her current state, and she loses her balance. Reacting quickly, despite my own intoxication, I manage to grab her arm just before she teeters over. 

“Y-Yanfei!” I stutter, struggling to hold her as she regains her balance. “Are you alright?” 

With an apologetic smile, she assures me, “Sorry… I’m fine! I’ll try to be more careful.” Then, letting out a drunken giggle, she takes my hand. “There, now we can look out for each other!”

I can’t help but to respond with a touch of sarcasm, “Yeah, that makes a lot of sense…” 

“Oh!” Yanfei turns to point into the car, “I almost forgot—can you grab that bag for me?”

“Sure.” I move to retrieve the bag of gifts resting on the empty passenger seat. With a thud, the car door slams shut, and the confirming beep of the locked doors rings through the air. Yanfei and I quickly maneuver around the car, rejoining Shenhe and Ganyu.

As our group navigates through the parking lot, Yanfei keeps a tight grip on my hand. At least she’s sticking close, it makes it easier to keep an eye on her. I never realized how energetic she really is until now, and it’s been worrying me for the past few hours. It’s almost as if each drink she consumes gives her more energy. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get her to settle down once we’re inside.

Approaching the venue, we walk past groups of conversing people under glistening golden outdoor lights, steering around them to reach the front doors. Inside, the venue reveals itself as a spacious hall with striking golden accents, certainly big enough for the crowd. 

Straightaway, Shenhe takes control over the situation. With a briefcase in hand, she swiftly finds a staff member to take us to the hosts of the party—or rather, our clients. The four of us are promptly guided through the hall. Along the way, we pass tables covered with plates of food and drinks that catch both mine and Yanfei’s eyes. It’s been so long since we last ate, and with so many drinks in between, I can hardly wait for this deal to be over. I’ll definitely be coming back to these tables later.

We’re guided to a smaller, private room hidden off to the side. The staff knock on the door, then open it, kindly gesturing for us to enter. Shenhe and Ganyu step into the room first, followed by Yanfei and me.

“Oh, good evening. Punctual as usual,” a woman’s voice greets us, though she’s momentarily obscured until the others move further into the room. Shenhe and Ganyu both give their greetings as they go to take their seats on a lavish sofa. I then see the warmly lit lounge area and the two assumed hosts seated on one of the sofas.

One is a woman of fair complexion with exceptionally long, white-beige hair, partially tied into an elegant bun resembling a bow, secured meticulously by a hairpin. She wears a stunning golden dress and gives us a subtle smile as we take our seats. The other woman, seated beside her, wears a lovely burgundy dress that matches well with her darker-colored hair. She gives the group a wide grin as Shenhe places the case onto the center table, clicking it open to display its contents. 

Just then, I notice Yanfei’s outstretched hand, gesturing for the bag I still have. Quickly, I hand it over so she can place it on the table alongside the case.

“Good evening, Ningguang, Beidou,” Shenhe starts. “It’s nice to see you again. I hope you’re doing well.” 

“Indeed, we’re quite well, and yourselves?”

“Things have been going more smoothly recently, and business is good as usual. We’ve taken on a new member since we last met, as you could probably tell already. This is Y/N, a fellow adeptus. She joined only a few months ago.” I didn’t expect to be put on the spot in this conversation, but as Shenhe gestures in my direction, all heads turn toward me.

“Oh, an adeptus? How very interesting,” Ningguang remarks, raising an eyebrow.

“Um—yes, my name is Y/N. It’s nice to meet you.” 

“Likewise. I do hope the inn is to your liking, yes? If there are any issues, don’t hesitate to voice your concerns.” 

It takes me a moment to process, but then I understand her meaning. “O-Oh, you’re the owner of the inn?”

Ningguang sighs, though it's more in happiness than frustration. “Wangshu Inn. The name hardly fits the script, wouldn’t you say? I own many properties, the towering inn at the heart of the bustling city being among them, yes. Though I must admit, it sees much favoritism. We’re always looking for ways to improve our guests' visits and our residents’ foreseeable stays.” 

“I see. So far, I’ve enjoyed the inn very much and haven’t had any issues. I can’t say I’ve lived or visited anywhere more extravagant; it’s a beautiful property.” I add, noticing her pride in her establishment. 

My praise earns a genuine smile from Ningguang. “Thank you; your honest feedback is greatly appreciated. Um, Beidou—” She turns to her companion, but her words abruptly stop when she sees Beidou holding one of the rainbow syringes in her hands. “Hey, what did I tell you?” Ningguang scolds, snatching the immunity serum from the open case. “Take this one first.” “Yeah, yeah—I was just about to take it!” Beidou retorts.

With an eye-roll, Ningguang replies, “I’m sure you were. Now, would you please hand over the check so these ladies can get to enjoying themselves.” 

With her free hand, Beidou produces a folded piece of paper from beneath the collar of her dress and hands it to Ningguang, who quickly takes it.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” she comments, examining the paper. “Here you are. As always, all lease fees have been accounted for,” she informs Shenhe, handing her the check.

With a nod, Shenhe accepts it. “Thank you very much.”

“Now go, enjoy yourselves at the soiree, and thank you again for coming. We’ll be out shortly.” Both hosts give us warm smiles, and with that, we leave the private room and rejoin the crowd outside in the hall.

As our group merges back into the sea of people, I hear Yanfei grumble, “Ugh, I’m absolutely starving… Y/N! Let’s go find those tables with the food we saw earlier!” 

“Oh, okay.” I nod along. I can’t deny I’m just as hungry, and I agree. But just then, Yanfei grabs my hand again and bolts off in the opposite direction of Shenhe and Ganyu, hardly giving them time to notice. Confusion sets in as Yanfei streamlines us through the crowd, but my dazed mind snaps to attention when I realize Yanfei really shouldn’t be running right now—for her own health as much as to avoid knocking others over. “W-Wait, Yanfei!”

“Huh, come on! We’re almost there. I can already see the tables.” She brushes off my attempts to slow her down. But before I know it, we’re already standing in front of the large assortment of entrees and drinks. Yanfei releases me to grab a plate, while I take a moment to catch my breath. 

Exhaling heavily, I join her, grabbing a plate. “How about we don’t run like that again, yeah?” 

“Come on, I brought us to the food, didn’t I? Hehe. Oh, here, have a drink,” she says, holding a champagne glass she plucked from the array of drinks. 

Narrowing my eyes at her, I say, “I’ll only take it if you promise not to run off like that again.” “Alright, alright, no more running, I swear.”

Taking her word for it, the glass of alcohol transfers into my hand, and we both load our plates with as much food as we can. 

—

The night was in full swing when Ningguang and Beidou finally made their entrance, the room quieting momentarily as they took the stage. Ningguang’s voice, smooth and authoritative, echoed through the hall. “Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for coming tonight. It’s an honor to host such a distinguished gathering…”

Her words were met with a round of polite applause, and the crowd's chatter quickly resumed its lively hum. As the evening went on, I found myself trailing behind Yanfei, who was in her element. She bounced from group to group, effortlessly starting conversations with strangers, her charisma drawing them in like moths to a flame. Meanwhile, Shenhe and Ganyu remained out of sight, never emerging from the waves of guests. 

I try to keep up, to feign interest in the endless small talk, but as time passes and drinks pile up, my focus drifts. The champagne and wine coursing through my veins dulls my senses. By the sixth or seventh group Yanfei engages with, I’m barely present, my gaze locked on the intricate patterns of the floor tiles. My head spins, the alcohol making me unsteady on my feet even in my motionless stance, when suddenly, an urgent need cuts through my haze. 

I have to find a bathroom, and fast. Seizing the opportunity to extricate Yanfei from yet another group of strangers, I blurt out, abruptly cutting into the conversation, “Yanfei, I need to use the bathroom!” 

“Oh, right!” she responds quickly, turning to our bemused company. “Sorry, we’ll have to excuse ourselves.” Yanfei begins to say her goodbyes, and I instantly turn on my heels. Scanning the room, I spot a restroom sign on the far wall and I take off in its direction.

“H-Hey! Wait up!” I hear Yanfei’s voice call from behind, but desperation drives me forward.

Bursting through the door, I’m hit by a strong floral scent. Upon first glance, the restroom appears empty. Thank goodness. Hastily, I pick a stall and slam the door shut behind me, collapsing onto the toilet with a soft grunt, muttering a depleted “fuck…”

As I sit, feet dangling above the ground due to my strewn drunken position, the room spins around me, a sense of relief washing over my sore limbs. I’m completely out of it. Here I am, at a glamorous party, but I feel anything but elegant right now. I close my eyes, trying to steady myself, to find a moment of peace as Yanfei now shuffles around outside the stalls. I guess it was fun to pretend for a day, but now I just want to go home. 

Suddenly, as I’m lost in my thoughts, a wet splat against my knee startles me. I open my eyes, adjusting my leg to see a black substance blotted across my skin.

My expression sours, and with my disoriented vision, I inspect the stall, only to find it in pristine condition. What the hell… where did it come from, then?

There’s another splat against my knee. This time, my eyes trace the falling substance up to the ceiling, where I spot a dark patch of liquid seeping through the panel above. It drips again, my eyes distinctly following its path, but when my gaze falls to my knee, the stain has vanished.

What the—

Instantly, my focus snaps back up to the ceiling, but there’s nothing there, not even a stain. 

Dropping my face into the palms of my hands, I squeeze my eyes shut. “Ah, shit…” “Everything okay in there?” Yanfei’s voice echoes throughout the room.

With a flush, I fling the stall door open. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I reply, moving over to the sinks. “I think I had too much to drink, though…” Yanfei nods, fixing her hair in the mirror. “It’s alright, we’re going to be leaving soon anyway. Shenhe’s probably been looking for us, but I haven’t checked my messages yet. She hates being at these events for so long.”

Finishing up in the bathroom, we start to make our exit, a chill rolling over me as I’m approaching the door. My hand grazes its surface, the weight of my arm then cracking the bathroom door open, allowing me to glance out into the hall where I immediately freeze up. Am I… seeing things right now? My vision blurs, and I try to fight against it, but I’m unable to focus my sight before Yanfei’s voice distracts me.

“Y/N? What’s wrong? What are you looking at?” her tone is hinted with concern, but I’m unable to offer a response. The figure turns around, and a cold dread washes over me. Without thinking, I stumble back, away from the door.

“Y/N, you’re scaring me… what’s going on?” Yanfei confesses, but I’m already set on looking for an escape route, or at least somewhere to hide. The thought of shoving Yanfei into one of the stalls crosses my mind, but before I can react, the bathroom door swings open. 

A chuckle resonates off the tiled walls, emitted from the blonde woman now standing in the doorway. She gives us a chillingly familiar smile as she takes a step forward, the door swinging shut behind her. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise?”

Yanfei and I are left speechless, neither of us confident enough to speak up, and an uneasy silence fills the room. Lumine’s eyes flick between us, her smile never faltering. “Something the matter? Come now, there’s no reason to be so tense, we’re all good, old friends here, right?”

Her words feel like a taunt, and my mind races. Why now? Why here? Just when we were about to go home too… if a fight breaks out here there’s no doubt that it’ll end horribly, especially with all these people.

“You don’t have to be so frightened; the two of you look as though you’ve just seen a ghost.” She prods, then suddenly bursts into laughter as if she’d told some hysterical joke, earning uncomfortable glares from both of us. “Although, I think I’m the only one seeing ghosts right now, am I right, Y/N?”

Huh?

“Lumine!” Yanfei shouts unexpectedly, startling me.

Lumine’s expression turns to one of amusement upon hearing Yanfei’s reaction, her gaze sharpening. “Ah, I see…” she says, her focus now locking onto me. “Y/N, I don’t think you should trust these people.”

“Lumine, stop!” Yanfei’s voice holds a desperate edge, but Lumine silences her with a single gesture of her hand. Suddenly, Yanfei stands frozen, struggling to speak but unable to make a sound, as if something’s holding her mouth shut.

“Stop!” I finally speak up, seeing that whatever’s happening to Yanfei is beyond her control. “Please don’t hurt her—”

“Just hear me out.” Lumine continues calmly, a hand positioned out in front of her, presumably keeping Yanfei secured. “There are things that your friends are hiding from you, important things. Things you should know, things… that you deserve to know.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re talking about,” I stammer, trying to find a way out of this conversation. It’s quickly starting to sound like a bunch of nonsense. 

“Of course you don’t,” Lumine chuckles. “It’s such ‘confidential’ information, after all. But I know. Yanfei knows, Ganyu, even Xiao. Especially Xiao. He’s probably the one who ordered everyone to keep their mouths shut.” 

“Lumine, please… Just tell me what you mean,” I plead.

She pouts her lip. “Well, I’m certainly in no position to lay it all out for you. All I can really do is advise you. A word of advice: demand answers, and seek the truth. The rest is up to you.” Once she finishes speaking, Lumine releases her hold on Yanfei, who gasps for air.

“Now go on, you have an objective to complete,” Lumine adds, stepping aside. Instantly, I grab hold of Yanfei’s hand, and we bolt from the bathroom.

Speeding through the hall, we search desperately for our other two companions. 

“Shenhe, Ganyu!” we call out, trying to get their attention as we zoom over.

Hearing our calls, Shenhe looks up from her phone. “There you are. Remind me never to let you out of my sight again—”

“We have to go!” Yanfei interrupts.

“Yeah, you’re right. I wanted to leave hours ago,” Shenhe answers, missing the urgency. 

“Ugh, whatever. Come on, let's get out of here!” Yanfei instists, pulling on Shenhe’s arm.

Without much objection, we make a swift escape from the soiree.

—

Stepping off the elevator, I let out a sigh of relief. Home, finally…

Scanning the empty living area, I doubt Xiao is sleeping right now. I drag my feet against the floor, opening the door to the dimly lit lab to find Xiao seated at his computer, absorbed in his work as expected. 

“I’m back,” I announce, closing the door behind me. 

“I know,” Xiao answers, turning to face me. “How was the event?” “It was nice, very fancy,” I answer, my mind replaying the night as I come to stand by one of the tables.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less of Ningguang.” Xiao’s expression softens, “Are you… alright? You look bothered.”

I hesitate, Lumine's words echoing in my mind before I scatter them. “I’m fine, just tired. Did you find anything in my test results?”

Xiao lightly shakes his head, “Not yet. Everything looks normal so far, but I’ll have more answers by morning,” he assures me. 

“Alright then. Thanks, Xiao.” I sigh, exhaustion settling in. “I’m going to get some rest.” 

< CH. 10 | CH. 12 >

[music-industry-updates]

Why Deliver My Tune’s AI-Driven Mastering Stands Out

In the rapidly evolving landscape of music distribution, independent artists often face a plethora of challenges. From limited resources to navigating the complexities of global platforms, the journey to getting music heard can be daunting. This is where Deliver My Tune steps in as a game-changer, offering a revolutionary approach that empowers artists like never before. With a range of services designed to put the artist first, Deliver My Tune is transforming how music is distributed, promoted, and monetized in today’s music industry.

Empowering Artists with Full Control Over Their Music

One of the most significant ways Deliver My Tune differentiates itself from other music distribution platforms is by offering artists complete control over their creative output. Many traditional platforms tend to impose limitations on how artists can distribute or monetize their music. Deliver My Tune takes a different approach by ensuring that musicians maintain ownership of their work, while still benefiting from professional-grade distribution services.

The platform allows artists to choose where their music is distributed, whether it’s on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or global stores. Additionally, Deliver My Tune offers flexible distribution packages, giving artists the power to select the most suitable plan for their needs. Whether it’s a single release or a full album, the platform provides tools to release music worldwide with ease. By putting artists in the driver’s seat, Deliver My Tune empowers them to dictate their musical journey without being restricted by a third-party distributor.

All-Inclusive, Artist-First Approach

At the heart of Deliver My Tune’s success is its all-inclusive, artist-first approach. While other platforms might focus solely on distribution, Deliver My Tune goes beyond that, offering a holistic suite of services designed to help artists grow their careers. This includes not just music distribution, but also social media management, artist branding, playlist placements, performance tracking, and promotional strategies.

For independent musicians, these services can make the difference between getting lost in the noise and gaining traction in a highly competitive market. Deliver My Tune recognizes that distribution alone is not enough; artists need a comprehensive support system to help them reach new audiences and maximize their potential. This all-encompassing approach makes Deliver My Tune a one-stop solution for artists looking to build their brand and succeed in the music industry.

Transparent Pricing and Affordable Plans

One of the major pain points for many artists, especially those just starting, is the cost of distributing music. Hidden fees and complicated payment structures on some platforms can drain an artist’s resources, leaving little room for growth. Deliver My Tune addresses this issue by offering transparent and affordable pricing plans.

The platform provides clear and upfront pricing, so artists know exactly what they are paying for without any surprise costs down the road. For instance, Deliver My Tune offers annual plans that include both music and video distribution, making it cost-effective for artists to release their work across multiple channels. Additionally, the platform’s pricing is accessible to artists at different stages of their careers, from emerging talent to more established acts.

Unlike other services that charge on a per-release basis or take a cut of royalties, Deliver My Tune ensures that the artist retains the majority of their earnings. This transparency and affordability are central to its artist-first philosophy, allowing musicians to focus on their craft without worrying about complicated financial arrangements.

AI-Powered Mastering: A Technological Edge

Deliver My Tune takes innovation to the next level with its AI-powered mastering tool. Mastering is a crucial step in the music production process, ensuring that a track sounds polished and professional across different playback systems. However, traditional mastering can be expensive, especially for independent artists with limited budgets. Deliver My Tune’s AI-driven solution offers an affordable alternative without sacrificing quality.

The AI mastering tool allows artists to enhance the sound quality of their music in a fraction of the time and cost it would take with traditional studio mastering. This feature is particularly beneficial for independent artists who might not have access to high-end studios or professional mastering engineers. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Deliver My Tune ensures that every artist, regardless of budget, can release music that meets professional standards.

Artist Management and Social Media Integration

In today’s digital age, an artist’s success is often tied to their social media presence. Deliver My Tune understands this and offers robust social media management tools as part of its platform. Artists can integrate their music distribution with their social media channels, creating seamless promotional campaigns that engage audiences and drive streams.

For example, the platform offers tools to schedule and manage posts across platforms like Instagram and YouTube, ensuring that artists maintain an active and consistent online presence. This is crucial for independent artists looking to grow their fanbase and connect with listeners on a personal level. By providing tools that streamline social media management, Deliver My Tune helps artists focus on what they do best — creating music — while still promoting their work effectively.

Additionally, Deliver My Tune offers artist portfolio services that help musicians build a professional image online. With customizable portfolios that feature integrated videos, music, event updates, and photos, artists can present a polished and cohesive brand to the world.

Personalized Support and Guidance

Another feature that sets Deliver My Tune apart from other platforms is its dedication to personalized support. While many larger platforms offer minimal interaction with their users, Deliver My Tune takes a hands-on approach to assisting artists at every stage of their journey. Whether it’s guidance on how to optimize distribution, improve social media engagement, or fine-tune a promotional campaign, the Deliver My Tune team is available to provide expert advice.

This level of personalized attention can make a huge difference, especially for artists who are navigating the complexities of the music industry for the first time. By offering personalized support, Deliver My Tune ensures that artists never feel like they’re going through the process alone.

Conclusion: Deliver My Tune as a Game-Changer in Music Distribution

Deliver My Tune is more than just a music distribution platform; it’s a revolutionary tool that empowers artists to take control of their careers. With its transparent pricing, comprehensive suite of services, AI-powered mastering, and personalized support, Deliver My Tune is changing the game for independent musicians. By putting the artist first and offering innovative solutions that address the challenges of modern music distribution, Deliver My Tune is helping to create a more artist-centric music industry.

For musicians looking to grow their careers while maintaining creative control, Deliver My Tune offers an unparalleled opportunity to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.