#at the v least i wanna take it to goodwill since that's Where i get clothes. at best i wanna sell it

[arcadian-vampire]

Some of The Hoard (tm) fits. kinda in my closet. so. there's that

[tinytonysnark]

Ask Me Later

It’s Valentine’s Day.

Steve has a date with someone who isn’t Tony, on Valentine’s Day.

Tony is in Steve’s dorm room, on Valentine’s Day, helping him pick out an outfit for his date, who isn’t Tony.

God, his life sucks.  

Natasha will no doubt laugh her ass off when he tells her once she’s finished gloating with her “I told you so’s,” and “I warned you this would happen,” but she’ll also let him eat all the ice cream she has so it won’t be too bad.

“What about this one?” Steve asks, pulling out a white cable knit sweater.

“God, no, definitely not the sweater. Move over, let me take a look at your closet,” Tony says, springing up from the bed to look at whatever Steve has in his tiny little closet.  

“You know, this would be better if you’d tell me who your date is with,” Tony says, not turning to face Steve who’s sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Tony - I already to-”

“I know - I know, you’d rather not say. Just would make this whole process easier is all I’m saying,” Tony tells him, and doesn’t think about how his best friend not only doesn’t feel the same way about him but also isn’t even comfortable enough to want to tell him who he’s seeing.

He might need Natasha to buy extra ice-cream tonight.

He thinks that’s what hurts the most. That they’ve been friends for over a year now, and best friends for what feels like longer, and they’ve told each other everything. Well, almost everything. Tony being utterly and completely in love with his best friend notwithstanding.

But apparently Steve has not only been crushing on someone else and asked them out, but he’s also never, not once, mentioned any of it to Tony.

“I guess, something casual? Nothing too over the top or fancy, but like I’m making the effort, you know,” Steve tells him.

“So the vibe you’re going for on this first date, on Valentine’s Day, the day known for its capitalistic ideas of love and romance, is casual?” Tony turns, tossing one of Steve’s plaid blue and grey plaid shirts in the trash pile - items of clothing that may or may not disappear from his closet to end up goodwill, if he has anything to say about it. “Well, I'm sure that it’ll all go down great. Hey, out of curiosity, do you have wedding dates set? I hear Spring’s lovely.”

“Ha, you’re hilarious. Truly, I’m in stitches,” Steve deadpans and Tony throws - yet another plaid shirt- at his face, which he dodges easily.

“I mean, you know me though. It’s not like I’m the most casual guy around,” Steve shrugs. “I’m all about long-term planning.”

Oh. “Oh, so you really like them then,” Tony says, turning back to the closet. “Like, you want this for more than just a few dates?

“Well, yeah. Definitely,” Steve answers, with no hesitation and Tony feels like he just set himself up to be kicked in the lungs, repeatedly.

He takes a few steadying breaths, and when he thinks he can trust his voice says, “Well, your anniversary will always be easy to remember at least. V-Day. Oh, unless you forget, in which case, you’d be forgetting both dates, which, yikes.”

Steve laughs, his full bellied laugh and Tony doesn’t even need to turn and look to know he knows Steve has his head thrown back and there're crinckles in the corner of his eyes, the way there always are when he smiles.

“Here,” Tony says, turning to hand the clothes, and yup, he was right. There’s that smile and the eye crinkles. “White tee, these absolutely ridiculous skinny jeans and this jacket. Can’t really go wrong with a classic white tee. Especially not with your shoulders-” Tony says before he can stop himself.

Steve grins as pinks dusts on Tony’s cheeks. “Thanks Tony. Just give a minute while I change."

Steve heads to the bathroom and Tony flings himself onto the bed to scream into a pillow before, pulling his phone out oh his back pocket and rolling over to text Nat.

“Please, please tell me you’re stocked up on Half Baked?”

Nat responds less than 30 seconds later, “Oof, jumped right over Mint Choc Chip and PBC? It must be BAD BAD.”

“He’s got his whole future planned out with this perfect date and they’re gonna live happily ever after and I’ll have to bear witness to all of it -”

The bathroom door opens and Steve steps out and Tony turns his head briefly before going back to finishing his text to Nat but then his brain finally processes the image from his eyes and he snaps his head back, while also losing grip of his phone. Which falls onto his forehead.

Ouch.

“You look - Well, I mean I know I put it together so obviously you look great but -”

Steve smiles, all bashful and sheepish, the way he does and Tony thinks he's gonna combust. “Thanks for, you know, helping me look presentable. You know I'm not too good at this and Nat always says I dress like an old man but -”

“Yeah, don’t be alarmed if all your plaid shirts mysteriously go missing. And are somehow found in a dumpster. That happens to be on fire,” Tony tells him, standing from the bed.

“Okay, they’re not all that bad -”

“Not all of it is bad, but that pile over there,” Tony says pointing at the heap on the floor that seems to be nothing but a pile of plaid, “you’re never gonna see those ever again. We’re not even going to look at them too long.”

Steve laughs, “I don’t even get to say goodbye?”

“Marie says we should say Thank You, but I honestly don’t know if they deserve that.”

“We should always say please and thank you Tony, no matter what,” Steve says, and Tony can’t tell how serious he’s being.

“Oh hey, what time is your date?” Tony asks, tugging at Steve’s jacket to give his hands something to do. “Are they picking you up or are you? Or are you meeting them there? And where is there, by the way? And also, who are they?

Steve laughs, then scratches the back of his neck. “Well, uh, funny thing. I haven't actually asked them yet.”

“Uh, say that again?  You just got ready for a date - which the other person is unaware is even happening in the first place?”

“Yeah. No need to repeat, seems like you got it the first time?

“Steve - who - WHAT - who does that?”

“I got too nervous to ask!” Steve says, cheeks going pink. “So I did this instead?”

“Okay. Okay, so what exactly is the plan here?” Tony asks, arms crossing. “You’re gonna - what? Show up and ask them, right then and there if they wanna go out immediately?”

“Well, the great thing is that I can just ask him right now, and if it doesn't work out, I'll just head back to my closet to change, no need to even leave the room, possibly for the foreseeable future, ever.

Tony tries not to go through the list of ‘he's’ that both Steve and him know and says, “So you’re gonna text him? Okay, great, do it.”

Steve’s stares at Tony with what can only be described as exasperation before pulling out his phone,  which, okay, if anything - Tony’s the one who’s exasperated because who even does this-

His phone vibrates in his hand.

He thinks it might just be Natasha, probably wondering why he stopped replying mid text - but it’s from Steve.

Steve, who is standing right in front of Tony, giving him a hopeful look.

Steve, who sent him a text reading, "Hey, I’m wondering if you’re free for dinner tonight? I’ve got reservations at that fancy Italian place you’ve been wanting to go to for 6.30?"

Tony thinks his heart might be beating so loud, Steve can hear it. “Steve - are you- are you asking me-?

“To be my Valentine’s? Yeah,” he says, smile on his face. He juts his chin at Tony’s phone. “You gonna give me an answer?”

Tony tosses his phone onto the bed and drags Steve down into what is, objectively, one of the best kisses in Tony’s life. Steve’s arms circle around his waist and they’re both so close together, a piece of paper wouldn’t fit between them.

“Answer clear enough for you?” Tony asks when they pull apart, because hey, breathing is a thing.

Steve grins, “Don’t know, think I need a little more clarity,” before kissing him again and Tony’s brain promptly shuts down.

♡ ♡ ♡

They don’t make it to their reservation, but Natasha does attempt to break Steve’s door down to check on Tony since he wouldn’t answer her texts. She brought the ice-cream with her.

[gerbiloftriumph]

So you wanna be a king (pt2)

(or at least cosplay one.)

Continuing the cosplay creation saga for anyone interested, here’s how I put together my King Graham cosplay:

Part 2: Jerkin 

Disclaimer: I’m totally novice at cosplay and only do it for like one event per year if that, so take what you will or throw it all away.

Also this is not really a step by step tutorial post because this is several years ago and the details are hazy.

If you’re following along, then you should have a cloak and cowl (click for sort-of-instructions-here). 

Step one: Pull out those reference screencaps you made in the first part and stare at them. Repeat that you still love this character and that you’re committed to this nonsense. Ready? Let’s go.

The long sleeved purple undershirt I just happened to find at Goodwill. Please try to find something lightweight--this costume is warm. 

But you won’t be so lucky to find a jerkin at Goodwill too. You’ll have to make it, or at least modify something.

Still, it’s just an elaborate brown tank top, more or less. You don’t even have to worry about attaching sleeves! Surely this is an eas--wait, what are those lace things? Could you even bend down to pick up inventory items with laces that thick and close together? How can I translate that into something semi-practical I can wear without wanting to eat my adventuring hat? 

It’s a great design, but I’m mortal, not digital. If you can determine a simple way to get that lacing to look accurate while still being comfortably wearable, let me, novice cosplayer that I am, know. (maybe if they were just made separately, flat, and sewn on, like a decal thing?)

I had planned on building this out of fake leather/suede-ish material, but then I remembered I wanted to also wear this as my new RenFest costume, and I didn’t want to die in July. 

So I went to my local Joann’s and picked up a considerably lighter, thinner, and satisfactorily rich looking brown fabric (I think it was this stuff: https://www.joann.com/kona-cotton-solid-quilt-fabric/1378397.html) for both jerkin and bracers. I’ve lost the original receipt, so I’m not sure how much I bought. Too much, because my storage bin is full of leftovers. I’m sure 3 yards is more than plenty, but measure to be sure. 

Tunic time!

This is the point where the “How To Graham” tutorial breaks down and becomes especially fuzzy and experimental, because I kept none of my in-process notes. High five, Gerbil, very helpful indeed. You might just want to glance at this for ideas before doing your own thing. 

I laugh in the face of patterns, hahahaha. (bad idea, don’t be me.)

I got my favorite fitted t-shirt (Disney Afternoon ftw), paper, a ruler, and old scrap fabric to maul as practice. I pinned my shirt flat to paper and traced both the front and back separately (folded the sleeves in so my tracework was sleeveless). The front had a deeper neckline but was otherwise nearly identical to its back partner. Once both sides were traced, I added a half inch margin around them, cut them out, and started working on fake jerkins, so I could sculpt the right fit before I got out the nice fabric. I wanted the jerkin to be pretty form fitting as Graham’s is, so I curved the sides in a bit deeper. 

I made at least two fake jerkins, fyi.

Since I went pattern-less (hahahaarrgh), tests were crucial, especially regarding the neck hole. The t-shirt is elastic, but my fabric is not. I personally require at least 22″ around the neck to get the thing over my nose, and it’s barely enough clearance. (I’m fairly certain I measured some other shirts with my fabric ruler for a loose size to aim for, then did edits on the junk fabric til I had a size that worked.)

Tests also showed that the back piece needed an additional two and a half inches of fabric on the bottom thanks to how it sits on my shoulders. In the above image, you can see the green fabric is higher, but I wanted the piece to look balanced from the side. 

It’s a touch hard to see as it’s usually hidden by the cloak, but I find a balanced jerkin is a happy jerkin. 

And here’s that additional fabric without a human in it. (ack don’t look at my uneven stitches)

By now, you should have a belt (in my method it doesn’t matter how it clasps, so pick any belt you please as you’ll be wearing it backward) so you can determine how long the flappy things on the front and back should be. Where your belt sits comfortably is where your side laces will stop and your trim on the flap things will start--the belt hides the transition. 

Graham’s belt sits low on his (fantastically defined) hips. I prefer it on my waist so it doesn’t slide up when I’m walking, so my flap things are longer than his. For reference, my flap things...no, wait, there must be a technical term....Google says it’s a peplum. My peplum (??) are 8″ish long, though his look like they’re about half that. 

For reference, as a 5′6″ person, from hanger to hem my jerkin’s back piece is approximately 28″ long. The most important things here are how long it is overall, and if the neck hole is big enough to fit over your head: nearly everything else can be altered when wearing it via the lacework I have planned.

Look, at this point, you might want to give up on me and find a real shirt pattern, fitted or not. I understand. I’ll wait. This isn’t actually a step by step tutorial so much as a vague What I Did And It’s Probably Wrong. 

Okay, you’ve traced your favorite shirt (or bought a real pattern like a good person). Your tests have shown that your peplum sit at the same height on your leg, and you like the shape and feel of it when you wear your scrap fabric test (I recommend using safety pins to replicate the laces during the early size test phase). You’ve cut out the front and back shirt shaped pieces of brown fabric (with that half inch hem margin all around), and now they’re sitting on your floor, mocking you. 

The actual construction part!

The only attachment you’ll give these pieces is via the shoulders. If you’re new to this Making Your Own Clothes thing and your fabric has a nice side and a not nice side, put the nice sides against each other and sew along the not nice side so when you turn it over your hem is inside. 

I seam-ripped a collar from a shirt I loved but was too worn to wear otherwise--no math or sewing your own collar from scratch if you swipe it from another shirt. No one will ever see it since your cowl tucks into it, so it doesn’t matter how it looks, though natural colors are better than, say, blue, in case your cowl slips a bit. There are lots of lovely videos about attaching collars: this one seems nice, if you skip ahead to the actual sewing-on part at 4:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k31FWDp1s5I

At this point, since you’ve fitted it and trimmed it and done all that you want to it to get the shape you like, you’ll want to hem your shirt by that half inch margin all around so it’s clean and easy for the next part. It only looks vaguely shirt-like now since it’s held together just by the shoulders. 

Now, let’s get medieval on it. 

Time for lacing!

I used a blond suede leather rope to mimic the lighter color on Graham’s sides (check the beading or leather working section of the craft stores, and make sure it’s thick enough that it won’t snap under light strain, and thin enough it’ll fit through the grommet size you select). I already happened to own an anvil (...why?), so I just needed grommets. Mine appear to be 12mm--I got them in Ancient Copper. You’ll use them in the bracers later, too, so leftovers are a good thing for once. Hobby Lobby or Michaels can hook you up with supplies, but Etsy and eBay have more diverse color choices. 

Every inch from where the armpit opening stops to where the trim of the peplums begins (the height of which was established earlier when I decided to how to wear the belt), I made a mark for a grommet, and marked its corresponding partner. For reference, I have 9 holes down each hem, for 18 total holes per side, and a grand total 36 grommets in the tunic. I jammed an awl through the holes marked and applied the grommets as per the packet’s instruction. 

Like making a metal and fabric sandwich. With a hammer. 

It’s totally therapeutic. I can see why Amaya’s into this stuff. 

(It’s not a Looney Toons anvil, by the by: like this, instead.)

Unspool the suede rope and thread it through the grommets. To try and mimic the game, I use a ladder shoelace tie, starting with the grommet pair beneath the arms and running down until I tie a bow in the last pair. I tuck the loose ends into the waistband of the trousers. So, this: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/ladderlacing.htm

Finally, I made (because I couldn’t find to buy) my own trim about 1/2″ wide from some scrap light brown suede in the Joann Scrap Bin, and attached it to the peplum (is this truly a better word than flap, vote now).

And that, friend, is a jerkin that would make any real medieval person flinch but should be cool for cosplay. You should try it with your cloak and cowl. If you’re following my method, you get to layer up, lucky you: anchor shirt, long-sleeved-purple-undershirt, jerkin, cloak (snaps through the jerkin’s collar onto the anchor shirt), cowl (to cover your shoulders so you don’t see the cloak tugging at your jerkin collar). 

Yeah, it’s warm. Sorry.

Drink some water.

When you’re done sweating in it (eww, I know it’s awful, sorry), handwash it. Strip the rope out of the grommets, use handwashing detergent in a (clean!) bathroom sink, then hang it over a bathtub to dry before relacing it using that ladder shoelace technique and storing it on a hanger. I always have it laced, and pull it on over my head with it laced, too.

And with that, you’ve got about half of your entire cosplay done. Congrats! Take some time to relaaaax. You’re gonna be a king. 

(is this helpful at all to anyone? should i keep going?)

(peplum?? really????)

[fromthedeskofelizabeththird]

After End

V x MC | Gen | FIXIT FIC | I left in the bits I liked. All two (?) of them.

Also I wanna dedicate this to @jihyunkkim, who loves V more than anyone and has been excellent to rant with

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

MC’s wedding dress was as white as a snowflake and as soft to the touch as a summer breeze. She turned to admire her reflection in the mirror-once and then twice, touching her fingers to her hair.

For the first, and likely only, time in her life, she was wearing a tiara; made of silver and engraved with clear stones. It was cool to the touch but warmed her heart, a reminder that the day was hers.

Half hers, at least. She wondered how Jihyun fared in his room-if he was as excited and nervous as she was. If she closed her eyes, she could practically see him, only partially paying attention to Jumin’s well wishes and advice for the day as he fastened his tie.

She opened her dresser drawer and unfolded the letter within, rereading the vows she had spent months drafting and amending in the run up to the big day. There were so many things she wanted to tell him; so many promises she wanted to make. She knew she would not have the luxury of reciting them all, but narrowing them down was easier said than done.

Someone knocked at the door and she folded the paper again, slipping it back into her drawer without a moment’s hesitation. It wasn’t a secret, but it was slightly embarrassing.

“Come in!”

It was Jumin, dressed in a carefully tailored suit and flowers pinned to his lapel. He gave her a soft smile as he entered, so small and subtle that only those who knew him well enough might see the warmth behind it.

“Congratulations,” he said, taking in her dress and curious expression. “I’ve got something for you.”

MC wasn’t sure what else he could possibly have for her. He had already offered up the use of the grandest of his vacation homes for the nuptials.

The item in his hands was perhaps the last thing she might have expected: a single use camera, typical of her childhood, though rather unusual of late. MC turned it over in her hands, remembering the seemingly endless summers of her childhood, snapping photograph after photograph of her friends and family and waiting eagerly to see the results. She held the camera to her chest, considering how typical such a detail was of both her fiance and his best man. Her wedding might last days or even weeks depending on how long it took to gather and develop the film.

The first photo she took was of Jumin standing a few paces from the doorway as the Chois arrived with a handful of bridesmaids. The second was of Seven in his three piece suit, pretending to toss her bouquet over his shoulder, while Saeran watched in horror.

Seven made no secret of the fact that he wanted to be MC’s maid of honour, winking theatrically at the tradition of running away with the best man. Jumin flatly refused the idea and, even though everyone else found the mental image amusing, MC compromised and asked him to walk her down the aisle instead. Both twins, actually, would be giving her away. She laughed and joked that it was to stop her from escaping, but in truth she wanted them close now of all days.

It had been years since her arrival at the Mint Eye castle and everyone had changed, mostly for the better. Seven no longer worked for the agency, instead putting his skills to use at C&R, a gesture of goodwill from Jumin that has provided near constant entertainment since. When Seven wasn’t playing pranks on his boss, he was enabling his love for cat projects, much to Assistant Kang’s ire. MC wasn’t sure which was worse for Jaehee’s health: trying and failing to prevent Seven from filling Jumin’s desk with party poppers or the knowledge that even after everything, his diet was almost entirely chips and soda.

Saeran was hospitalised for almost a full year after the incident, slowly progressing from withdrawal to psychotherapy. No one could say for certain exactly how much elixir had poisoned his body, only that he spent months shivering and sweating, racked by nightmares and sick to his stomach.

The change she was proudest of came from Yoosung. He had grown so much in the past couple of years, barely recognisable as the boy she chatted to all those years ago. He was taller. Happier. He balanced psychiatric studies with volunteer efforts and fundraisers; a regular at counselling groups for the survivors of Mint Eye and their biggest advocate during their integration back into society.

He, as well as Zen, were the ushers at her wedding and both swelled with pride when they saw her approach.

“Ahhh, here comes the bride.”

“Congratulations, MC!”

“Has everything gone to plan so far?”

“Ehh, a few paparazzi here and there. Nothing we can’t handle.”

“Did...he show up yet?”

She didn’t say his name, but everyone knew who she meant.

She and Jihyun spent hours on their wedding invitations, creating each by hand. They attached lace and ribbons in the style of a wedding dress; wrote each name in careful calligraphy-no two identical, but each one perfect.

Neither Jihyun’s father nor his stepmother had responded to their invitation; something Jihyun himself claimed was for the better. Pursuing an art career had left them more distant than ever, leaving only his sister to acknowledge him as family. She replied within a matter of hours, young enough to be more excited about the occasion than any bad feelings.

She was a bridesmaid, in fact; willowy and cheerful in her pale pink gown. MC wanted to include her somehow, in return for her maturity and understanding over the past few years. Her gentle nature, in fact, was the reason MC whispered the question.

“Not yet,” said Zen, with a sympathetic touch to her shoulder. “But there’s time yet!”

MC sighed, conflicted in her emotions; closing her eyes to take in the momentary silence while realisation slowly sank in. This was it. Soon she and Jihyun would no longer be engaged but man and wife.

For the briefest of seconds, she found herself anxious, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Jihyun had been broken in so many different ways...what if she hurt him in several more? What if he fell out of love with her the moment she threw her bouquet?

MC took a deep breath, glancing down at the flowers in her arms: sweet peas, pale pink and shaped like butterflies; lily of the valley, as ornate as a pearl necklace; pink peonies, as soft as kisses. Saeran put them together for her; his love for flowers one of the only constants over the past few years. Last night he stayed in his room to arrange every ribbon.

They were as comforting as a lover’s embrace and MC let out the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding, just in time for violin music to ring out from beyond the closed doors.

She watched as Yoosung and Zen pulled them open, revealing a garden illuminated by fairy lights.

“Wow,” she whispered, unsure where exactly to look. There was something new in every corner, from friends and family watching her expectantly to Jumin and V standing under a floral canopy that matched her bouquet. Jihyun had his back to her and stood up so straight that she could tell he was nervous. Jumin stole glances every now and then, smiling and whispering in Jihyun’s ear.

She noticed the record player last of all, as she took her first steps down the aisle. It was Jihyun’s idea to have a band, but Jumin’s to play a recording, speaking aloud the ideas that Jihyun never would. It was not just any musician; not just any song. It was a song by Pachelbel performed by a dead violinist; one who set aside her music books in unfortunate circumstances.

Her seat was in the frontmost row, with two white roses resting against the frame.

A gentle breeze caught MC’s hair as she reached Jihyun, scattering flower petals across the green. Seven and Saeran loosened their grip on her arms and she turned to her fiancé for the first time all day, stomach fluttering in anticipation.

He had flowers on his lapel just like Jumin’s, matching her bouquet and complimenting his light suit. He flushed the same shade of pink when he saw her, never once looking away even as the record player fell silent.

The rest of the ceremony passed by in a blur. Seven shed several tears as they exchanged vows, completely serious for the first time all day. MC stumbled over the words, love seeping into her voice as she professed her feelings in almost unadulterated detail.

His vows were not only original but the words of a poet. He told not only MC but everyone present how long he had searched for love before her; how dark and lonely the years had been. He once believed that true love would be a masterpiece, and in many respects that was true, but he had not been able to not experience it fully until he found his own colours.

MC, he explained, was full of colours. More colours than he would ever know the names of, much less put to paper. His world was monochrome when he met her; she leaves sunsets and soft light wherever she goes. If he was beautiful now it was her doing.

Their hands trembled as he slipped a ring onto her finger; the room falling silent with the exception of camera clicks. MC could not tear her eyes away from their joined hands and never wanted to. She never wanted to let go ever again.

The spell was broken when they were pronounced man and wife; MC returning to reality as if crawling out of a comfortable slumber. No one had to tell Jihyun he could kiss the bride-his lips were on hers the moment he heard the word ‘wife’.

He took her hand as they turned for photos, whispering both sweet words and obscenities in her ear.

She blushed, eyes darting around the garden and finally resting on the unexpected guest standing at a distance, a white envelope in his hand.

He was far away, but recognizable enough for anyone who knew him. V’s sister certainly did, gathering her skirts and rushing to greet him with an enormous smile on her face. She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the other guests, eager for him get a photo with his brand new daughter in law.

Jihyun clearly wasn’t expecting his father to attend and MC wondered if Chief Kim had ever expected to come. They both looked like ducks out of water as they stood side by side for photographs.

She still wondered about it as she tossed her bouquet, watching it sail through the air and land quite neatly in Jaehee’s arms. It took her a moment to fully register what was happening, but she was swift to elbow Seven in the ribs when she realised he was standing next to her fluttering his eyelashes.

It was a day MC hoped to never forget-from champagne bubbles on her tongue to their first dance as husband and wife.

She does not forget, of course. No one could forget such a perfect day and she has it immortalised in seven different albums, containing each and every photograph from every roll of film. From Zen posing for a selfie at the dinner table to Jumin giving his best man speech to Saeran sitting by the flowerbeds to feed confetti to the birds. Every detail is immortalised, with only one exception.

At the end of the evening, almost every single disposable camera was full, save for mystery camera with exactly one photograph left on the film. At first she was eager to take a photograph of just about anything just to finish off the film, only to change her mind at the realisation that doing so would truly end her wedding day. She was glad of the extra time each roll of film afforded her, but the prospect of being a bride forever was far more attractive than knowing what was on the film.

She positioned that camera pride of place in their front room, underneath her wedding bouquet, which Jihyun pressed and fitted into a frame. It serves as a reminder that every day is her wedding day; each morning is a fresh start and new beginning for their love.

She never intends to develop it, never caves to curiosity and ultimately only reaches for it when several years have passed.

“She’s here!” Jihyun says, running his fingers through his hair and taking one step towards the front door, only to change his mind and double back. “What should I say?”

She hasn’t seen him this nervous since the day she married him.

“Well...you could start with ‘hello’.”

“Good idea!”

MC gives the room a final onceover, listening to his excited, albeit stuttered greeting when he opens up the front door.

“Come in, come in!”

She moves to join him, stepping out into the hallway to greet their guests.

Jihyun is still shaking the social worker’s hand when she gets there, and they look only too relieved when he awkwardly lets go.

The woman is an acquaintance of Yoosung’s, who regularly gives lectures on vulnerable children. The orphanages she works with have benefited from multiple VFA fundraisers, in part because of their tactical approach. They bring an orphaned child to every party, appealing to the sympathies of other guests and very often securing not only funding but permanent homes for abandoned children, just like the one standing in front of them today.

Her name is Lucy, or so MC was told, and has been in and out of foster care from birth. Both Jihyun and MC expressed surprise at such a detail, for Lucy is quite a beautiful child, not unlike a porcelain doll. It all became clear, however, when they actually spoke to her. Lucy did not speak her name-she signed it.

Along with painting, Jihyun had studied sign language, in part because he had never done so to communicate with his mother. MC wasn’t sure who was more excited to speak; Lucy, whose signs bordered on frantic, or Jihyun, who struggled to translate at times because he needed to give her one hundred percent of his attention. He told her terrible jokes; she told him he was handsome. Later they learned that she suffered mumps as an infant, which left her hard of hearing at first and later entirely deaf.

Today MC sits onto her knees and clumsily signs a greeting. She’s not nearly as fluent as Jihyun, but more than willing to try.

My name is MC. I’m going to be your Mother.

She knows for a fact she probably signed it wrong, but Lucy is more than excited, reaching to loop her arms around MC’s neck and pulling her into the warmest of hugs.

It was MC who suggested they adopt her. Having children had always seemed like a far off dream, but Lucy crossed their paths ready made and perfect, leaving MC unable to think of anything else but feeding her ice cream and signing her goodnight.

Once again she is reminded of warm summer childhoods; of excitement and wonder. She can see it in Lucy’s eyes as they sign the final papers, unapologetically examining each and every inch of their home.

No.

Her home.

Before long it is just the three of them; Jihyun showing Lucy to her room, laughing all the while at her excitement over each and every toy they picked up for her. She has a paint set from Jaehee, multiple leather bound encyclopedias from Jumin, a DVD of one of Zen’s performances that Jihyun slipped into a cupboard and never saw the light of day again, an enormous teddy bear from Yoosung.

Of all of the gifts, however, she makes a beeline for the tablet left by her uncle Luciel.

“Ahh, now, Lucy...wouldn’t you rather play with this?”

Jihyun picks up a copy of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and Lucy shakes her head.

MC watches them from the doorway, turning that final disposable camera in her hands, just like she did on her wedding day. She lifts the camera to take the final picture, laughing at her husband’s incredible old fashioned-ness and Lucy’s excitement at whatever game Luciel created and installed on the tablet. From the looks of things, it’s a rhythm game, with piano keys and bright lights to show which one to press and when. MC can tell that before long she’ll not only be walking all over Jihyun but the whole of the VFA.

Her husband is barely recognizable from the one that called her upon her entrance to the VFA, voice quivering and spirit broken. She no longer sees herself in the woman who rested her head on his lap while he struggled through poison.

She recalls V’s words on the day of their wedding- that if he is beautiful it is because of her, considering that it is only half true. The three of them are butterflies, bursting out of their chrysalises to bathe in the sunlight.

The camera snaps and MC takes the final photo.

[malachitelibrary]

Entity Reading for Monsterwitchcraft

An entity reading is where I directly converse with specific entities you ask me to talk to, with questions for them that you come up with, and record what they say. This is @monsterwitchcraft​‘s entity reading, which was posted with their permission. 

Note: Where things are [in brackets], are things I have added to aid with context and clarity. All other things are direct quotes from your spirits.

The “Professor” said:

- What should my focus be with energy working?

“Basic meditation is still something you could work on improving, though it’s not the act of meditation itself which is what you truly need help with, it is the act of focusing and maintaining that focus. But, more in particular to energy working, try healing; it is much more universally applicable than you think it may be, and it can be used to gain goodwill with others, both humans and spirits alike.”

- Do you think continuing reiki training would benefit me?

“Yes, to a certain extent. You already have the basic attunement if I remember correctly, however, I know how pricey it is to continue your education. You should...Hmm. This is not my decision. But I would say yes, it would be beneficial; you gain access to a very high-quality energy source that never runs out, you gain a community in which people have similar experiences and can share tricks, and you gain much knowledge in general. This is my personal opinion, but I think it would be in your best interest to continue it.”

- How do you prefer to communicate?

“Well...directly, though I know you are not capable of that yet. No matter, you will gain it over time, do not look down on yourself. Stichomancy may be the easiest for me, especially those with your online generators that can pick words at random from random books. Tarot, I’m also familiar with. I would prefer stichomancy in combination with tarot; use one to confirm/deny the other. But if you must pick one alone, stichomancy would be the best. “

- Do you want to finish that book or start a new one?

“Finish that book. I do not like leaving books unfinished, unless they are truly terrible and not worth reading. “

V said:

- What can I do to help you grow?

….”Foooood :3c. Ummm...I don’t know, make sure I don’t die or do anything dangerous or stupid??”

- How old are you now?

“In human years or dragon years? [I guess human years since we don’t know dragon]. Umm 200 something?? I think?? I’m really not sure, it’s hard to know since I’m not too familiar with your time set-up “[referring to our days/year/etc length].

- Do you have a caretaker? Parents?

“You take care of me! Parents? I mean I was born from them, but no if they’re around somewhere, I don’t know them. But I live in like...a group of..nice dragons of sorts? We all take care of each other, so it’s all good! I don’t think I’ve told you much about them yet. I’m still kinda… :/ on talking about them since none of us are super big and able to like. Fight things (makes pow-pow motions). “

- What kind of music do you like?

“Ummmm I don’t know specific names of music types?? At least not human music types. But I guess I like music that’s either reallllly super calming, that I can sleep to, or really bright and energetic music!”

- What's your favorite game?

“???? (she cocked her head to the side). I’m guessing you don’t mean dragon games. I guess I...really like watching people play video games?? I don’t have fingers so I can’t play a lot of human games :< I’d love to watch you play games with other people, though!!”

- If I were to change the space I've made, what's your ideal hangout spot?

“Uhh I think..whatever place is highest? Besides the ceiling fan. And is soft and squishy, why does your pet get a cool bed and I dooon’t :v. But I don’t know besides that, I’m not super picky.”

Ni said:

- Are we okay? + - Does my relationship with Verkonilous bother you? If so, how/why?

“I...don’t feel comfortable talking about this with an outsider, but I know you wouldn’t have picked this reading if you weren’t certain of it. We’re not as okay as we could be, there’s a couple of things that are bothering me. The relationship with Verkonilous is one of them, I know how you feel about him but I don’t trust him. I know he hasn’t done anything outwardly malicious but...I dunno..I don’t. Just. :/. Besides that, I think you should work on your protections more. Having a lot of spirits, us, hanging around in one small place is bound to attract something bad sooner or later-I don’t mean to spook you, I just want you to feel ready or safe. Read up on those things and I’ll help you out a bit….Would also like a few more snacks :3”

- Do you like to travel with me (astral)? What's your ideal adventure?

“I will go with you to keep you safe, of course. But I think you should stick to more peaceful realms for now, your fight skills aren’t exactly what I would like them to be. But for ideal adventure...I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it (besides ocean-y places). “

- Why the ocean?

“Why not? The ocean is cool and I like it. I mean, I feel like you were expecting something super symbolic here, but. In all honesty, I just like it. Plus I think your energy would work well with ocean energy, you might disagree though. “

M said:

- What's the best way to communicate with you?

[Spooky Scary Skeleton nightcore started playing in my head when he entered.] “Are memes a valid answer? Hehe, but to the point- I would really love it if you were able to hear me like this- but I know it takes a shit ton of concentration and energy. I guess if there is a meme and you think I sent it- then it probably was me? A form of divination on your...blue internet thing you’re always on [tumblr]. But supposedly for more serious things...you’re more experienced in tarot, so let’s stick with that. Also songs are a valid form of communication for many humans, I’ve heard, so that works too. “

- What do you like to do? How can I spend time with you? You wanna get a coffee or somethin??

“I would love a coffee- but I am, in fact, a skeleton, with no stomach. Don’t think that would work :/. But maybe I can figure something out, absorb its energy. [Nods solemnly]. But…[as for specific things] I don’t know. I don’t really do much besides stand around and talk a lot, and pranks. I dunno. I’m not picky, I can have fun anywhere- anything you do for fun, count me in. (As long as it’s not like literature or something, I’m not a big “booky” skeleton.”

- Do you want to talk about your past life, or is that sensitive for you?

“I would be open to talking about it, but not with a stranger, sorry. But yeah feel free to ask me questions when I get back. “

N said:

“Um….I know sometimes you don’t think I really exist, so hiiiiiiiii [waves with tail].”

D said:

“Hiiiii.” [He couldn’t think of anything to say so he just stuck with that, seemed more curious about the readings than actually wanting to contribute.]

----------------

Legal Disclaimer: All readings are for entertainment purposes only.