#at the very least i know all calico cats are girls

[jupitercl0uds]

hey sonic team you should make a male calico cat character who hates the fact hes specifically a calico cat and have him in everything forever for no particular reason none at all noooope

[animalsalvationassociation]

A.S.A. Octonauts Headcanons:

Pt. 3 — Kwazii:

What we know . . .

Kwazii’s real last name is Navarro and before he found out (they managed to find his birth certificate lol) he put "Gilbert" on his military ID.

Ofc in the government’s eyes that’s kind of a problem, but through Dashi’s wizardly tech skills, they were able to fix it without any issues. Let’s be honest Kwazii is a special case.

(I didn’t know that Calico Jack was a real person or that CJ was based off of him. I figured it was just the name the creators chose for the character)

Navarro was his father’s surname (oh wowww how convenient and not at all last minute planning to make things fit)

Kwazii’s mother is Calico Jack’s daughter

Kwazii is still trying to figure out what happened to his parents and remaining family as they all disappeared around the time CJ went to the Amazon. (He was an infant at the time)

Kwazii served with Captain Barnacles on “ The Adelaide ”, a navy vessel that they sailed on for 3 years before Kwazii and Barnacles were promoted to Captain of the Octonauts.

Kwazii and Emma have been going steady for a few years now.

Kwazii’s favorite food is his grandfather’s “Pirate Stew” (It’s still a mystery why)

Fav Color is Green~

Kwazii doesn’t actually need the eyepatch (which is hilarious to me).

Boot Biscuits

Cannot surf to save his life. Literally.

Fav Gup?? Do I have to even answer that???

It's the Gup-R . . .

I JOKE!!!! I JOKE!!!!

At least once a week Kwazii locks himself up in his room and dresses up like a certain pirate captain, he then spends several hours role-playing grand adventures while making a mess inside his room. (Yes he has preformed in front of Emma before, she thinks it’s adorable — Sometimes she joins in on the fun 😉 He’s started collecting costumes for her because she enjoys it so much)

Consumes anything with the word “Pirate” in front of it. He’s actually become pretty reliable when it comes to media because he knows so much.

Actually pretty clumsy

Peso: “If you have to go to the Medical Bay ONE MORE TIME—!”

Tominnow and Tunip hang out with him the most. The others pop in every now and then but you’ll at least see Tominnow by his side.

In true Kwazii fashion.

. . . . . . . . . . . . thank you.

(Lol I forgot what I was gonna say but I think we can all agree)

Kwazii has learned to enjoy girls nights. He made the mistake of accidentally walking in on one and has been “dragged” to every girls night ever since. (Blame Tweak and her need for revenge — *cough, cough* Gup B *cough*)

Kwazii has an exceptionally gentle heart, sometimes it’s hard to see it past the . . . ahem . . . “no thoughts only soup” and "impulsiveness" . . . but when it comes down to it he cares so much for other people/creatures that sometimes he gets swept up and actually forgets about himself. I know, shocking. (I blame Barnacles)

Kwazii tries to put up a front but sometimes he lets slip how lonely he actually feels.

He and Barnacles have a very tight knit relationship, but runner up of “Best Friend” is definitely Peso.

(I remembered what I was going to say earlier)

Kwazii loves spooky stories, mostly because it makes other people squirm (aside from Barnacles, that man is a rock). But Kwazii is quite the scaredy cat (pun intended) himself, not just with spiders n’ stuff.

He tends to get so caught up in those stories that he has a hard time sleeping at night, especially because of how dark the ocean gets at night. I mean he’s got a massive window right next to him, I’d be terrified too if something big popped up without warning.

(It helps when Emma comes over for a visit. Their sleep schedules are kind of off depending on the season so sometimes he asks her to keep a watch while he rests. Ofc she’s more than happy to keep watch and “beat up” any monsters that appear.)

Kwazii has a hard time separating reality and his own imagination, he fully believes those monster stories, or at least most of them. Some are a little crazy even for him. But it’s fun to tease Peso.

Kwazii & Emma’s Relationship:

(Optional reading ahead, this is for anyone who’s interested/curious about their relationship)

Like I said, Emma and Kwazii have been going steady for a few years now. They’ve actually done pretty well despite the distance.

Not to mention they’re quite the well balanced couple. Kwazii being the rambunctious “bouncing off the walls” kind of guy, while Emma is pretty chill and level headed. But I’m not saying they don’t have their moments where they completely switch personalities depending on what’s going on.

Gives “Tall Girl, Smol Boy” vibes.

“I have to find my darling husband, I’m so worried about him!”, “Honestly what do you see in that guy?” , “He makes me laugh.” [ Who Framed Rodger Rabbit? 1988 ]

They met around the time Kwazii was appointed to Sergeant of the Adelaide. He was only nineteen at the time while she just turned twenty.

The reason he became Sergeant so quickly was because of a recommendation by Barnacles. And because of that Kwazii ended up advancing much faster than others in their field. I think Barnacles saw something in him that not many other soldiers had at the time. Of course it wasn’t the highest title he could’ve achieved but it was an honor nonetheless, especially because Barnacles insisted on keeping Kwazii close. He was still so young and without anyone to look up to familial-wise, I think Barnacles had a soft spot for him.

Kwazii and Emma really only started dating after the Octonauts were given a second wind, they reconnected through Barnacles and the A.S.A. and just hit it off. They’ve been long distance ever since.

Of course Emma and Kwazii visit each other every now and then, more than most other long distance couples. You can thank Professor Kelp and Barnacles for that.

In a way they’ve become apart of one another’s teams. In the sense that whenever Kwazii visits the S.S.Jade or Emma visits the Octonauts, it’s as if they’re apart of the family.

He won’t admit it because he doesn’t want to freak her out/scare her off, but Kwazii has always wanted to settle down with Emma. Which sounds crazy I know, but stay with me here.

Both of their jobs are very important and equally dangerous, making it hard to keep in contact sometimes. I think Kwazii is afraid that one day he’ll wake up and find out that Emma has gone missing or worse.

Just like Kwazii, Emma is a thrill seeker. Problem is, Emma pushes herself way more than Kwazii ever has or will. She’s very protective of her team and those that are in her care, and she tends to completely override her own needs for other’s.

Every day Emma is at battle with thugs, gangs, and international villains. Putting herself in more danger than is really necessary. And a lot of times she forgets that there’s more to life than putting away the bad guy.

But the way Kwazii thinks of settling down is completely different to how Emma sees it. They’re both travelers by nature and Emma sees settling as a way of tying herself down to one singular place and never moving again. And just the thought of it makes her anxious, so she tends to avoid the conversation whenever Kwazii tries to bring it up.

But Kwazii sees it more as having a place to themselves whenever they need it, going off to do their jobs but being able to come back and live away from everything for a little while before returning to their duties. He doesn’t expect them to ever stay in one place, but he wants to at least have a commitment to where their relationship is headed.

Unfortunately over the last few months Emma has been distancing herself from him. Just like Kwazii she doesn’t want to loose him or see him get hurt, but her version of this is keeping him at arms length, not too far but not close either.

Doesn’t sound the most healthy way to continue a relationship does it? ;)

Family Tree:

Captain John "Calico Jack" Rackham (Grandfather), Anne Bonny (Grandmother???), Salem Navarro (Father), Madelynn / Maddie Rackham (Mother) Kwazii, Mary Read (Auntie)

Notes:

Keep in mind Kwazii doesn't know anything about his family. All he knows is what CJ has told him, and most of that information is sparse. I don't see myself adding to his lore for a very long time. Not until I know exactly how I want to do it. For now here is all the information you need to know about Kwazii.

Eventually I will create a headcanon for Kwazii's upbringing, but until then please enjoy this iteration.

Captain Barnacles ( 1 & 2 / Peso / Dashi / Tweak / Shellington / Inkling / The Vegimals

[ This is a Octonauts AU, in no way is this canon to the OG storyline. ]

[saguaropokevariants]

How about Rarity with my lil umbeon bean here?

Would it be possible for it to lean more cat-? My girl is catobsessed so it would seem pfft

So uh. Quick bit of info: The amount of babies I draw is randomly decided by rolling a d4. You are the ONLY one to get 4. [I also spin a wheel with the highest shiny odds of 1/1024 with each baby to see if they are shiny!]

So I had to actively EDIT the original image to fit all four in.

Now to get into each one!

Rainbow is the most passionate of the four, running around and following either one of her siblings, or her parents. She likes to try and have a reason to prove herself and show off her skills. She's not particularly fond of her horn size, but tries not to show that. Markings are Harlequin!

Armor is a Preemie like Rarity was, and thus is a very shaky little baby boy. Like Rarity, he's very clingy and, at least until he evolves, will have a lot of Psychic-type outbursts. He's also the only one of the four to get hooves. Markings are Tabby!

Novo is a bit of a prim-and-proper kind of girl, keeping herself clean and ensuring she looks her best. Sometimes, secretly, she'll enjoy splashing around in mud-but tries to frame it as if she accidentally stepped in it if she's caught. She's also INCREDIBLY talkative, loving to chat with anybody. Markings are Siamese!

Zesty is the luckiest of the four, always finding four-leaf clovers, managing to get lucky with all kinds of things. He hopes that because of his luck, Armor was able to survive being a preemie. He cares a lot about his siblings and gets worried if they're hurt in any way. Markings are Calico! [Yes, I know Calicos are USUALLY female but there ARE male Calico cats.]

You're free to take these four if you so please! Since they're all Eevees, they have access to any Eeveelution. I'd like to think they'd all lean towards Dark, Psychic, and Fairy for their options, since they'd be influenced by their parents.

[honamisupportteam]

Project Sekai Cats Time!!!

Let’s look at some cats! And watch me overanalyze them a little bit…

This one is from KAITO’s “Re-tie Friendship” card (trained). Just a cute lil guy.

That cat does look similar to this one from Shizuku’s “Hear Me! Hopeful Show” card, but the markings aren’t identical- they’re just both calicos.

There’s also this absolutely adorable gray cat in Airi’s “Wishing to the Blue Sky for Your Happiness” card (untrained)! I want to pet it so bad…

There’s this weird scrunklie from Minori’s “Cast a Spell on You” card (trained)…

And then we get to Toya cards and…he seems to be a cat guy for sure. This white cat only shows up in his “The Power of Unity” card (trained), but…

This little guy shows up possibly THREE times with Toya. This is its first appearance in Toya’s “Singing in Sync” card (untrained)- it appears in Weekend Garage here, so…does it live there? As far as I know it’s never been mentioned, but Toya seems to get along with it really well:

This is most certainly the same cat in Akito’s “Kick it Up a Notch” card (untrained) which again takes place in Weekend Garage…it’s cuddling with Toya…awww

And then this cutie, who very well might be the same cat in Toya’s “Find a Way Out” card (trained)…it’s obviously a very similar looking card but the paws miiight be different, and of course this one is a trained card…but idk the orange cat thing is definitely not a coincidence…

And this one isn’t in a card but it is colorful palette official art…this cat is literally in his bed and it’s obviously a different cat…There is no textual acknowledgement of any of these cats and Toya’s thing with them? (At least as far as I know)…

That’s all the cats I could find (that aren’t cat girls/boys/cartoons). Feel free to add on if I forgot any!! Or if you have info (or hc) about Toya’s cat thing…

[sun-darling]

Its been a while.

i apologize if it seemed like i am miserable, I know i promised i would move on. I even made a confident remark that this is not my first rodeo, how arrogant of me hahahaha and i think i probably did a good job of doing so for at least a month—or so i thought. It's been months since I've listened to my "On trance" playlist, I haven't even been adding the new songs i found on it because i was trying my best to avoid it. I convinced myself it's because the "Liked Songs" playlist was much more convenient—but really most of the songs there reminded me of you. (And it seemed as though the universe is pulling a prank on me, the song shuffled to J's Lullaby as i am writing this). As i was going through the playlist again, it felt like im going through a box of chocolates, and with every bite a part of you came to resurface. I had tried to not think about what you looked like, how you smelled like, how you felt like and every god damned memory we ever had because that was the only way i could help myself. But when i listened to these songs i caught the edge of your sweet scent, your annoyingly smug smile, the moles on your cheek that seems to look like the tres marias and everything that you are. I remembered promising to make you the happiest girl with the song:

I remembered our very first date at gnar.co where you smugly teased me with all the songs that you have found as if to rub your victory over finding them first, insomnia was one of them and it stuck to me as you said it reminded you of me, i felt my heart doing a tap dance then. And ever since then The Moss was a band that grew on me.

I remember holding your hand to the song:

And i made a remark on how soft and smooth your hands were and funnily, your reply was "let me guess, its an indication of someone who doesn't do chores right?" I was taken so aback because i really did just appreciate its beauty because contrary to yours, mine was veiny and has a lot of scars from getting into lot of fights back in the day.

I remember you telling me how much you wanted to learn how to ride a bike when you brought up this song:

And much to my regret i had not gotten the chance to teach you despite bragging about my oh so amazing capability to teach.

And this song was the very last you sent me,

i still remember feeling all kilig as i listen to the lyrics. You were back in your hometown aurora and you sending me this had me over cloud 9.

And of course the song:

Which became our theme song. This haunted me even in my dreams you know? Nyahahhaha.

There are a lot of songs that reminds me of you, i lie still in my bed listening to every tune with my eyes shut and as the song ends and the music fades, you were gone again.

But you'll always still be a part of me. yesterday lyanne, a classmate of mine asked me if calico cats really were all females, and i was surprised why of all people she would ask me. Apparently she heard from zion that i told him calico cats were all females and zion couldn't recall why they were all females so she came to ask me to explain why and i explained it exactly how you explained it to me—that calico cats are predominantly females because cat's coloring are related to their chromosomes and to have 3 colors you'd need 2 X chromosomes.

And I've never really thought much about classifying oranges, but you taught me that clementines are the small ones and tangerines are less sweet with tougher skins. It's become one of my random fun facts, like how I always mention the calico cat fact whenever I spot one with someone I haven't told yet.

I hate and love how much you left behind of yourself with me, you were my Alaska Young, and to quote her favorite line "how will I ever get out of this labyrinth" but you and my feelings for you is my labyrinth. And I'll be Miles Halter that is doomed to forever dread over what could've been or the "The Great Perhaps"

[talonslockau]

Fire and Ice - Chapter 30

Chapter 29 || Index || Chapter 31

Things had been quiet since the attack from Shadowclan. It was anyone's guess as to whether they were preparing for a second ambush, or if they were no longer interested in Thunderclan, given they had had no luck in finding the banished elders. Firepaw could only hope it was the latter.

At the very least, the camp had calmed down. Bluestar and Quickflash seemed impressed with the camp defenses, and the second freshkill storage was full. They had broken into the first store now, as it wouldn't be good for much longer; this meant less hunting for the next couple of days, which all of the apprentices were in favor of. They had even done a few practice invasion drills, which the Clan had passed with flying colors. They would not be caught so foolishly this time.

Firepaw had gotten the rest of the day off after a late afternoon patrol along the Riverclan border. The sun was halfway below the treetops, and it was beginning at last to cool off. He flopped down in the shade of the apprentices' tree stump to relax and observe camp for a little while, knowing that for the time being all of his duties were fulfilled.

Cats were slowly beginning to congregate in camp. He could see Goldenflower, her belly prominent now, lapsed in the shade with Frostfur grooming her thoroughly. Speckleflight and Dappleshine watched from nearby, while Pepperpaw was playing a rousing game of catch with Snowkit and a mossball. The elders were gossiping, on what he didn't know, and Tinyfrost and Patchpelt were discussing the latest patrols with Quickflash. Things were peaceful, happy even, with the Clan bouncing back stronger than ever from Shadowclan's invasion.

A burst of movement caught his attention. Glancing over, he spotted Dewpaw rushing out of the healer's den, gray ears flat against her head. "Dewpaw?" He called, springing up to greet her. She didn't even glance at him, sprinting out of camp before he could reach her. He slowed to a stop, all too aware of the eyes flicking between him and where the smallest apprentice had vanished.

After a long moment, he turned his attention to the healer's den. What could have possibly caused the young molly to rush off without giving him so much as a glance? Was Spottedleaf in urgent need of some herb? Eager as ever to help, or at least rest his insatiable curiosity, Firepaw made his way over to the long crack in the ravine wall.

Even before he entered, he could hear angry voices within - one angry voice, anyways. "Are your ears filled with cobwebs, or are your eyes made of stone?" He could hear Yellowfang spitting at someone inside. "I thought you were a better healer than that. A better cat than that."

Gently sliding in, he found Yellowfang bristling at Spottedleaf, who was apparently ignoring the furious dark gray molly and sorting recently collected herbs into neat piles. "For what? Telling her to focus on her training?" She replied smoothly, clearly not rising to the level of the other healer. "She was useful when I had to handle all the preparation myself, but your leg is fully healed now. I don't need a third pair of paws around."

"You must be brainless as well, then." The exiled Shadowclanner snarled. "Have you really just been sending that poor girl on errands because you need an extra pair of paws? Can you not see what you've been doing to her?"

"I can, that's why I told her to focus on her training. Patchpelt tells me she's been falling behind in sparring even more than usual, and hunting as well. I've been relying on her too much." The calico glanced behind her, catching a glimpse of the ginger tom standing in the den entrance. "Ah, Firepaw! What can I do for you? Are your wounds from the attack bothering you?"

He shook his head hesitantly. "No, I- I just saw Dewpaw running out of here, and I was wondering what was going on." He flicked an ear towards Yellowfang. "What's happened? Did Dewpaw do something wrong?"

The old healer let out a wordless hiss. "No, it's this fleabrain here that did something wrong! Starclan must have taken her wits and senses for her to do something so downright foolish!" She stepped closer to the calico, her tail lashing angrily. "How else could she be so callous and cruel to the cat that's been following in her paw steps for a season!"

"By doing what?" Spottedleaf finally abandoned her herb sorting to stare down her companion. "Did you just want me to send her out for no reason? Thunderclan needs warriors quickly to fight off Brokenstar's reign, Yellowfang. Or have you of all cats forgotten that?" She shook her head and returned to her herbs. "She needs to get back to training. I know she enjoys our outings, but I can't be responsible for her getting injured because she didn't know enough for her first battle."

"Oh, for-" Yellowfang turned to Firepaw. "You're mousebrained enough. Can't you get through to her?" She asked in exasperation.

He didn't know whether to be insulted or comply with her. "I'm confused." He finally admitted, deciding to get his facts straight before picking a side. "Does Spottedleaf not know Dewpaw wants to be her apprentice?"

"Oh, don't be ridiculous." He was shocked to hear such a flippant attitude from the otherwise even-tempered calico. "Even if that were true, I already have all the help I need. It simply wouldn't make any sense."

Yellowfang flicked an ear to Firepaw, signaling all too clearly that she was ceding this fight to him. "You can't be serious." He glanced back to where the little molly being discussed had gone. No wonder she fled so quickly. He remembered how he had felt when Bluestar had punished him for attacking the old healer. She could hardly be feeling much better, having her hopes broken like that. "That's all she's been talking about since the beginning of greenleaf! Since I met her, even! She's been all but dying to be your apprentice." He couldn't keep the incredulity out of his voice. This was ridiculous. There was no way Spottedleaf had no idea that Dewpaw wanted to be a healer's apprentice. She couldn't have made it any clearer with the way she hung around the den all day.

"You're just misunderstanding it. She's just a very helpful molly. She always has been, ever since she was a kit." Firepaw had to keep his eyes from rolling out of his head at that. "And, anyways, I'm too young to be a mentor. If you want to talk about healers that need apprentices, look at Birchbark. He's practically ancient now, and he still hadn't found a successor before they were driven out." She shook her head slowly. "At least Yellowfang was wise and trained Wetnose before she left." She remarked idly, earning a cross snarl from the aforementioned molly.

"You're too young?" The ginger tom barely contained a snort of disbelief and disdain. "Your muzzle's beginning to get silver hairs, you know." He couldn't help but back up slightly as he noticed the calico's claws unsheathe. Evidently he'd touched a nerve. "Not to mention your brother had two apprentices before he died, and one of those was a warrior with his own apprentice by then." Even if he had just gotten said apprentice… 

"If you're just going to loiter around my den, get out. Both of you." It seemed Spottedleaf's patience had finally run out. "I don't need an apprentice and an exiled healer telling me what they think is best. I know what I'm doing and I don't need to sit here while you two nitpick how I run my den." She whirled around to glare at him. "Until you get a sign from Starclan themselves, you can take your opinion and… and…" She trailed off into silence, her eyes widening in shock.

Firepaw tilted his head in confusion, looking to Yellowfang for explanation. To his surprise, the old molly was also watching him strangely. It was after a moment that he realized she wasn't looking at him, but past him.

He turned around just in time to see a flash of bright, fluffy red disappearing behind him. Just like it had the day he'd confronted Ravenpaw. It couldn't be. And yet…

"I see." Spottedleaf finally mumbled. "I… I have to go." With that, she pushed past the ginger tom, disappearing into the brighter camp beyond the den.

He turned to Yellowfang, bewildered. He didn't know what to say. Why was Redtail haunting a former kittypet he'd never met before? "What was that?" He finally asked the remaining healer.

Her brow furrowed as she studied him with an intensity he hadn't seen from the old molly before. "I think Spottedleaf got her sign from Starclan." She finally replied gruffly, beginning to lap at her shoulder and letting her fur flatten again.

"But why here? Why now?" He didn't know how much to ask. He had proof Redtail was following him now, but how much could Yellowfang tell him? How much could he ask without risking everything?

She didn't respond for a long while. "I think," she grumbled in between licks, "that you may be more important than you know."

This only raised more questions than answers. "What does that even mean?" He asked in bewilderment.

She flicked her tail. "I need to think about this." The dark gray molly stopped grooming herself and looked up at him with a clear gaze. "Go on now, Firepaw. You've done enough here today."

He knew better than to push the temperamental old healer, and with a sigh departed as she instructed. He would understand it if they had been talking about Redtail's death, or Tigerclaw, but he had only mentioned the tom in passing. Could he be summoned by the mere mention of him? Could everyone see him, or only certain cats? If the latter, who were these certain cats? He was dying to know more, but he wasn't about to mess with powers beyond his understanding.

"Firepaw!" He looked up as he heard his name to see Pepperpaw approaching. "What's going on? First Dewpaw ran out of here, and then Spottedleaf charged out and went straight to Bluestar's den. Is someone sick?" 

He shook his head, still trying to make sense of it himself. "Let's go find Dewpaw. I'll explain on the way."

She frowned at him, obviously perturbed by everything that was going on. "Alright. Do you know where she went?" She questioned, falling into step beside him.

"I was hoping you could tell me that. Where would she go when she's upset?" He was glad, at least, that she didn't argue with him, like he would have in her place. 

Pepperpaw considered that for a moment. "She wouldn't have gone far, with everything going on. Maybe the clearing at the end of the ravine? She loved the flowers that grew there in leaffall, and some might have started growing by now." 

The ginger tom nodded agreeably. "Lead the way, then."

As soon as they had departed camp, the gray molly fixed him with a heavy stare. "So what's going on that you couldn't say in camp?"

"Redtail appeared again." Her tail bristled in shock at his words, but she didn't protest like she had before. "Spottedleaf told Dewpaw she didn't need an apprentice. Yellowfang and I were arguing with her, and she basically said that she wasn't going to change her mind unless Starclan sent her a sign. And then, uh, yeah." It was more complex than that, and he was sure the other apprentice understood that, but he was still trying to figure it all out himself.

"He's certainly not being shy lately." She commented wryly to him. "This definitely changes a lot, though. So Spottedleaf can see him too?"

"And Yellowfang." Firepaw dipped his head smoothly. "I tried asking her about it, but she was just being all cryptic about it. Is that some sort of requirement for healers?"

His companion chuffed at that. "Maybe. Mudwish was hardly any better when I spoke to him." She sighed, the small smile quickly disappearing from her face. "Poor Dewpaw, though. Do you think Redtail changed his sister's mind, or…?"

He had to consider that. Spottedleaf had definitely left in a hurry, but she hadn't indicated anything to him. "I don't know." He finally replied with a weary sigh. "We'll just have to see."

 "The clearing is just up ahead." The spotted molly whispered to him, slowing her pace. "Let me do most of the talking, okay?"

"Of course." Firepaw lagged behind, following slowly as they entered a small wooded clearing with a tiny stream, barely more than a trickle, that fed into a little pool at its base. Beside it was the silver molly they had been looking for, picking apart a small yellow flower.

"Hey, sis." Pepperpaw murmured, taking a seat beside her. "I heard what happened."

He could see now as he came to a halt that Dewpaw's eyes were full of tears. "I'm such a fool." She mumbled in reply, plucking off another petal. "I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up."

"That's not true. You're one of the smartest cats I've ever met." Pepperpaw replied soothingly, stroking her sister’s flank with her tail. "I bet you can tell me what flower that is and at least one use Spottedleaf has for it."

Dewpaw was silent for a moment as she let the petal fall to the ground. "It's just some celandine." She finally responded. "Spottedleaf sometimes uses it on One-eye's eye socket, but I don't know why. She doesn't do it very often." She dropped the now destroyed flower she had been toying with. "What does it matter, anyways? She doesn't want an apprentice."

"About that." Firepaw spoke, causing the two gray tabbies to spook slightly and look towards him. "Uhm, sorry. I just- I think you might have more luck changing her mind than you think."

Dewpaw's ears flattened as another tear slid from her eyes. "Don't lie to me. She made it pretty clear she wanted me to focus on warrior training." She spat the last words with the same vitriol usually reserved for Brokenstar or Shadowclan.

"After you left, I had an argument with her. Well, Yellowfang and I did." He stepped forward, trying to appear as comforting as he could. "I don't know for sure what she's thinking, but she was in Bluestar's den when I left."

One of Dewpaw's ears flicked towards him, though he could tell she wasn't eager to get her hopes up again. "And how did you manage that?" She asked scathingly.

He ignored her tone, all too much like his after the hunting competition. "Well, I didn't." He admitted readily. "But I think Redtail did."

"Redtail?" Now he finally had her full attention. "He showed up again?"

"I think so. I only got to see a flash of him before he disappeared again, but I don't know who else it would have been." He was close enough now to rest his tail gently on her flank. "I'm not sure why he did it, but Spottedleaf seemed to think it was a sign from Starclan. Yellowfang, too."

He was glad to see her beginning to perk up. With a clumsy swipe at her eyes to rid herself of tears, she stood up and met him in the eye. "I told you not to get involved." She all but growled at him.

He blinked in surprise at her sudden aggression. "Yeah, but I- Yellowfang asked me to argue for you! I wasn't gonna get involved." He looked pleadingly to Pepperpaw for some further defense. "I didn't mean to break the promise, I swear!"

"I'm not mad." He stumbled back in surprise as she pushed past him, looking over her shoulder to give him a watery grin. "If you hadn't gotten involved, maybe Redtail wouldn't have either. Thank you for breaking it."

He looked in bewilderment between the two mollies. "Uh, yeah, of course. Anytime." He replied, still lost. Was this normal for Dewpaw? Had he missed something? So many questions he couldn't ask aloud for fear of angering the two other apprentices.

"We should get back. Our mentors are going to start looking for us if we don't return soon." Pepperpaw stood and stretched, stepping alongside Firepaw comfortingly. "We can see what Spottedleaf has to say when we get back. Together, if you'd like, Dewpaw."

Dewpaw hesitated at the edge of the clearing. "We'll see." She finally replied. "Let's just get going for now."

Their walk back was quiet, Firepaw's own mind buzzing with questions. Still, he didn't dare to break the silence, hoping that at least some of them would be answered upon the apprentices' return.

By the time they got back, the sun had set below the trees, though the sky was still plenty light enough to see. Everyone was relaxing and sharing freshkill with one another, enjoying the dusk cool before they went to sleep or were sent on patrol. 

Glancing around, he couldn't see Spottedleaf or Bluestar. "Are they still in her den?" He hissed to Pepperpaw. "Should we go and see them?"

"Maybe. And definitely not." The gray molly whispered back. "Bluestar hates nosy visitors. Ask Cinderpaw about it sometime."

He glanced across the clearing to where the other three apprentices were sharing a meal. "Shall we join them instead?" He asked a bit louder so Dewpaw could hear clearly as well, nodding towards their den.

Before either of them could respond, Bluestar emerged from her den, followed shortly by Spottedleaf, Quickflash, and Patchpelt. She swiftly ascended to the top of the Highrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

Her voice rang through the camp, those resting looking towards her with varying quizzical expressions. If Firepaw wasn't at least slightly in the know, he was sure he would have looked the same. As it was, he followed Pepperpaw across camp to where the other apprentices were assembling, while Dewpaw made her way over to her father.

"What's going on? Did something happen? Where were you guys?" The rapid questions came from none other than Cinderpaw, and Firepaw forced down a smirk at her usual antics. "Bluestar and Spottedleaf have been in her den since we got back from patrol!"

"You'll see." He responded simply, taking a seat beside the other two toms and directing his attention to where the Thunderclan leader was looking down proudly on her subjects.

"It is rare that I get the opportunity to announce a new healer." Bluestar began, blue eyes shining as she looked down on the crowd. "Today, Starclan spoke to Spottedleaf. It is their will that Dewpaw be the next healer apprentice."

Even from where he was sitting, he could see the little gray molly squirming with excitement as she touched her nose to the Thunderclan healer's. "Dewpaw! Dewpaw! Dewpaw!" The crowd chanted, Firepaw happily adding his voice to the mix. Bluestar paused as she waited for the commotion to die down.

"I have been fortunate to have your wisdom to help guide my leadership, Spottedleaf. Our Clan can only benefit from you passing your knowledge on to Dewpaw." He could see the calico molly twitch an ear at her words, evidently still not entirely pleased with the arrangement, but she said nothing in response. "May Starclan watch over both of you."

Those assembled began getting to their paws, but froze when the leader continued speaking. "I have one more ceremony to complete tonight." Pepperpaw and Firepaw glanced at each other in confusion as she spoke. "Patchpelt, is it your wish to give up the duties of a warrior and retire to the elders' den?"

The black and white tom stepped forward. The apprentice hadn't realized it before, but the tom's chin was flecked with only a couple of black furs by now, while the rest of his muzzle was covered in white. "It is." The old warrior announced with a dip of his head.

Bluestar nodded solemnly in response. "Thunderclan honors you and all the service that you have given us. May it be Starclan's will that you have many moons of rest."

"Patchpelt! Patchpelt! Patchpelt!" The Clan called his name with a mix of sorrow and pride as he made his way over to the other elders, where Halftail and One-eye nosed him in greeting. 

"Meeting dismissed." With that, Bluestar bounded off the Highrock, and the Clan crowded around the new elder and healer's apprentice excitedly.

"Did you two know about this?" Cinderpaw asked accusingly as she looked between her sister and the ginger tom beside her.

Firepaw nodded. "That's why we were gone. We had to talk about it away from curious ears." He felt able to speak freely since Tigerclaw and Darkstripe were busy talking to Patchpelt. "Ravenpaw's friend showed up again when Yellowfang and Spottedleaf were arguing about Dewpaw."

"What? Why?" Ravenpaw's eyes were wide, and Graypaw's ears perked forward curiously. "I wasn't anywhere near! I was busy sparring with Graypaw!"

He shrugged in response. "Well, Yellowfang seemed to think it had something to do with me, but I don't know how she would have guessed that, aside from the fact I was standing there." He paused for a moment. "Maybe he's following me around now? I don't know why, though, other than he saw me talking with Ravenpaw about him."

"Maybe." The black tom didn't seem convinced at his words. "Did you tell her or Spottedleaf about - uh - everything?"

Firepaw shook his head with a sigh. "I didn't get the chance. Spottedleaf ran off to talk with Bluestar, and Yellowfang was too busy being cryptic for me to get anything out of her."

"So I suppose you think you can gossip about me without me noticing?" The ginger tom flinched as he heard the cranky old healer's voice behind him. He turned to see her standing there, though she seemed amused more than anything. "I thought better of you, Firepaw."

"You did? And here I thought you considered me a mousebrain. I'm touched." The young apprentice stretched as he saw the crowd beginning to disperse. "C'mon, we should go congratulate Dewpaw ourselves."

The other apprentices trotted over to their sister, with Ravenpaw following closely behind, but when Firepaw tried to do the same Yellowfang stopped him. "You need to be more careful." She hissed at him.

He felt the fur along his tail bristling. "What do you mean?" He asked carefully. Did she also know of Redtail's death? How?

She shook her head almost imperceptibly. "There is a great deal at risk here. If you mess up, it could mean the end of the Clans. Do you understand?"

His eyes widened in shock at that. What did she mean by that? Was Tigerclaw a more dangerous threat than any of them realized? "So you know about-"

"Shh!" She lashed her tail sharply to silence him. "Don't say it out loud. Just remember what I've said." And with that, she stalked back into the healer's den like nothing at all had happened.

He was left staring after her, hopelessly confused. He had thought that maybe the healers seeing Redtail meant that they would be able to help with uncovering the truth behind his death. But if Yellowfang was telling him to be careful, did that mean she thought even they couldn't help him? What did that mean for dealing with Tigerclaw? 

As he stood in the middle of camp, he only had more questions than ever before, yet no one to ask them of. Even surrounded by Clanmates, he felt more alone than ever. He faced an impossible task before him now, and the stakes were greater than ever.

What could he do in the face of that?

[shonkgobonk]

Do you guys wanna hear just random things about Adonis and Nyx?

Too bad, I'm telling you anyways, so enjoy<3<3<3

Nyx

- very touch starved, so is one clingy person when it comes to their friends/ possible partner

- she has plushies in her bed, most are of animals, she has 2 favorites, a bear and a turtle

- always tries to have a plant or some flowers in her room

- considers herself to be a girl, but also uses she/they

- knows little to nothing about being a functional member of society

- she doesn't have a job, either figures or how to do it themselves, or will flat out steal stuff or steal money for things

- not a good childhood at all, so either absolutely hates people trying to be a parent figure, or adores it

- gets along great with kids, acts somewhat childish anyways, so at least they can put it to use

- She had a childhood dog, and that was their baby<3 It was a golden retriever named 'Apollo'

- I feel like they don't like a specific genre of music, but they just don't like loud or chaotic music, so metal and loud rock isn't the best fit for them

- bites her fingernails a lot, sometimes bites her fingertips until they bleed and they'll need help to bandage them up

- is surprisingly strong for how they're built. They look like a twig, but can easily lift a person

- one of their favorite activities is just climbing a tree and trying to hang upside down on one of the branches

- totally didn't break her arm once and needed a friend to help her out

- that scenario totally didn't happen

Adonis

- Either very distant to you or loves your presence

- paints a lot, usually bones and flowers

- if they're close to you, physically and emotionally, will just abscent mindedly hold your hand

- will forget and accidentally drag you along with them

- They don't care about their gender or pronouns, but goes by they/them most of the time, but doesn't mind being called she, or he, just please don't call them it, they don't like being thought of as just some creature (I know that's not how it is for people who use it pronouns, but it's just how Adonis sees that)

- Either dresses for fashion purposes or for comfort

- Mostly for fashion

- Is split on what kind of music is their favorite. They love rock and metal, but also love classical pieces

- They actually can play the piano

- Doesn't remember much of the cult, but does remember these weirdly dressed people who would visit them and check stuff out when they were younger

- Had a childhood cat, it was a calico that their mom had lovingly named 'Loaf'

- Actually looked like their parents when they were born, only shifted into their more ideal form when they grew up

- Adonis' middle name is 'Mira'

- would lovingly crush you with their weight

- After eating a person who was already embalmed, they got super sick from the chemicals

- Their mom gave them a beautiful silver necklace as a child, they could never wear it since it would burn them like it was white hot, but it somehow never left scars

Tags:

@the-pinstriped-hood

@rottent33th

@cyanide-latte

@solmints-messyocdiary

@capybar00

@all-of-these-vampires

@vincent-sinclair-deserved-better

@probably-a-plant-thing

@bluecoolr

@sammyhatesclowns

[snowmaniaph]

Snow Man this New Year 2019 -> 2021 playback (part 1/3)

Round-table discussion 2019 highlights!

Snow Man causes excitement on the pages of the TV Guide every year-end and New Year holidays (December 29 - January 3). A playback of the members waiting for their debut in the January ’19 issue to their friendly photos and talk in the ’21 New Year issue! Don’t miss their round-table discussion with reprinted photos too~!

’19 January issue

During Johnny’s Jr. days.  They appeared wearing rat one-piece pajamas to represent the zodiac for ’20. The 9 members’ chu- (play on the sound of a kiss and squeak of a mouse) faces were cute too. From around this time, Raul tightly held onto Meguro. <3

’19 January issue: Raul is refined, Meme is emitting testosterone, Shota is cute

Sakuma: Also, Raul walked at TGC (Tokyo Girls Collection) alone.

Fukazawa: Is that so? So that was in ’19!

Sakuma: That became a connection for everyone’s work. I’m happy.

Meguro: I’m grateful!

Sakuma: Also, you’re in a drama with Non-chan (Kotaki Nozomu) right now! You’re appearing a lot on TV. That’s unthinkable during ’18!

Raul: I can’t imagine it! I want to say just one thing. I became refined!

Watanabe: You’re saying it yourself (laughs).

Meguro: You were waiting for it to be said to you, right?

Raul: Yeah (laughs).

Mukai: It’s true! In terms of appearance, Raul changed the most!

Raul: That’s right! Meme too. He seduced women the most!

Mukai: The “testosterone”!

Sakuma: He was emitting it~ “testosterone”!

Miyadate: It was in the 2nd verse of “Party! Party! Party!”, but when Meguro sang that, the number of women falling for him increased rapidly.

Fukazawa: Thanks for the explanation (laughs).

Raul: And because there’s nothing inside him, he is unexpectedly funny in variety shows.

Watanabe: Fuhahahaha!

Sakuma: What do you mean (laughs)!?

Fukazawa: Are you insulting him? Are you complimenting him?

Meguro: It’s true though. Lately, I’ve been appearing in variety a lot.  

Sakuma: There are a lot of variety shows that are physically challenging.

Abe: It means that you’ve been acknowledged!

Fukazawa: Wasn’t Shota in at least 3 dramas this ’19?

Mukai: That’s amazing! He’s in the drama group!

Raul: You look good in the video!

Watanabe: (making an embarrassed face)

Raul: And, in a serious note, he kindly leads us in terms of singing performance.

Sakuma: He really does!

Raul: Listening to his singing feels good.

Watanabe: (making an embarrassed face once again)

Raul: And he’s cute!

Fukazawa: He suddenly became cute in ’19. We didn’t know he could make that face.

Sakuma: I think that with 9 members there are more and more places for Shota to simply be himself.

Iwamoto: That’s right.

Watanabe: ...enough, enough already (embarrassed). Thank you, everyone!

Sakuma: Should we end it here? Thank you very much!

All members: Thank you very much!

Fukazawa: I’m not done yet!!

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

’19 New Year issue

They wore cat ears and transformed. The other members were in a big fuss and surrounded the youngest, Rau-cat when he played with a fur ball for this shoot. He looked like a real cat while playing with the yarn. For the talk, the members excitedly discussed what kind of cat they would be!

’19 New Year issue: What kind of cat are the Snow Man members? Fukka-san is a robot cat!

Sakuma: I’m a male Calico cat!!

Fukazawa: He’s the one saying it so I want to respect that. Raul is a Sphinx. This is already final. He’s really cool! Stylish!

Raul: Hee~ that makes me happy.

Watanabe: Somehow it feels like it won’t lose hair...

Fukazawa: On the contrary, it doesn’t grow hair.

Watanabe: Really!?

Iwamoto: I’m fine with being a normal cat. Maybe I’m an Oriental Shorthair?

Mukai: How cool!

Raul: Is this a radio drama?

Sakuma: Are you going to do a hero story?

Iwamoto: (ignores) Next, Date-san.

Sakuma: Something queen-like would be nice.

Iwamoto: Like a Persian cat?

Raul: That’s nice! It’s elegant!

Iwamoto: How about a Russian Blue?

Abe: Hee~ how stylish!

Miyadate: Is it “kanashimi blue” (sad blue)?

Sakuma: (singing) kanashimi ni, kuchibi~ru yo~sete~

Miyadate: (satisfied smile)

Mukai: Meme suits the big cat type.

Meguro: Oh! What kind?

Watanabe: There’s no cat like that!

Sakuma: Then, how about a black panther?

Fukazawa: How about a jaguar? Jaguar.

Sakuma: Well, it belongs to the cat family.

Abe: What would Koji be? How about a Scottish Fold?

Watanabe: Doesn’t it sound like a tissue name?

Raul: Kyahahaha!

Mukai: Then I’m a Su-Scottish... Foldy!

All members: Ahahahaha!

Watanabe: You kept stuttering (laughs).

Fukazawa: Oh gosh, that was cute. If that is so then Shota’s (cat) was better.

Mukai: Why!? (upset) Then I’ll be a stray cat! I’ll go to different houses. A crossbreed stray cat!

Fukazawa: Now that that’s over, Shota will be the Scottish Fold after all!

Watanabe: Then I’ll be the tissue.

Abe: No, it’s not a tissue (laughs).

Sakuma: I’ve already picked Fukka’s. An Iriomote wildcat.

Meguro: Amazing! What is that?

Abe: Is it similar to a masked palm civet?

Sakuma: No, a masked palm civet is different~!

Abe: Sakuma really is knowledgeable! Amazing! That was informative!

Mukai: But there’s already a good one for Fukka-san! A cat-shaped robot!

Source: TV Guide

[punkpinkpower]

Today we said goodbye to the last of the old guard.

When my husband and I got married, we both already had commitments to two animals each, which meant we started out with an unruly brood of 4 beautiful babies. They brought us so much joy, and so much laughter, and also so much frustration. I learned so many lessons from these babies. It's hard to believe they are all across the Rainbow Bridge now.

While we have continued adding to our fur family, I'd like to talk about the OGs of our life together a bit.

Pudding Pop was unlike any Chihuahua I had ever met. She had a big enough personality to fill an entire room on her own. She loved people, and getting attention. She would shake her entire body with joy and love when husband came home from work, finally laying down to have her tummy rubbed with a smile on her face. She wasn't very barky, but God was she braver than dogs 5 times her size. She once barked at a great dane across the street as if she could take him, and you know, maybe she could have. She taught me so much about love. Husband had never leash trained her, so I took that upon myself and our daily walkies became our favorite shared activity. Once, we were approached on the street by two men in a threatening manner, and despite being only 8 pounds, she put herself between me and them, fur on end, and bit the guys ankle when he got what she deemed was too close. He tried to kick her, but I yanked her back and, having retrieved my pepper spray, continued to pull her backwards and away from them. When we got home that night I gave her some cooked ground beef as a reward for defending me. She was so devoted to her dad, I had never imagined she would care enough for me to do that. I was so proud of her and after that day it was clear I was her momma. She developed Cushings Disease at 7 years old, and I ran up my credit card getting her treatments and keeping her comfy. She was the first to leave us at 9 years old, passing away gently in her sleep. It was far too soon, but she was such an enigma. There will never be another Chihuahua like her.

Shenanigans was our large and in charge calico kitty. Husband had adopted her from someone at work when she was about 3 years old. The person was having a baby and was going to have her cat put down. Upon hearing this, despite never having met the cat and never having owned a cat before, husband asked to adopt her instead. He told me this story on our second date, and I knew we were the same kind of bleeding heart. Shenanigans was 17 pounds and on a dry food diet, and before I came into their lives, they kinda just cohabitated. She was standoffish, and who could blame her. She'd been abandoned to this ninny(affectionate) who didn't seem to know anything about cats and she was living with a bunch of bachelors. The first time I met her she was aloof, but once I pulled out her first (at least then) cat toy, she realized I was a cat person and attached herself to me. I'll never forget the way she meowed at me that day, like she was telling me all her complaints. "And all they're feeding me is dry food and my nails need trimming and can you please tell them I need another litter box?!" Like I could understand her because I'd brought the toy, so clearly I was a cat person. She was a bossy girl, and we had the privilege of being her devoted servants for around 13 years. Her kidneys started to fail around 14, but when she realized we were treating her special she decided she was going to take full advantage of that and despite being given 6 months to live she gave us another beautiful two years. She was my constant lap cat at the end, and we had to let her go when her kidney disease became so bad she could no longer control her functions. She was such a loving girl, and I'll never forget the way she looked at me while we cuddled, like I was the mom she'd always wanted. I was so lucky to love her.

Timmy. Timmy was my soul cat. I was there when he was born in my friends garage my senior year of high school. We sat a few feet away quietly whispering while Timmy's mother Princess gave birth to him and his siblings. When he was old enough to be handled, I was the very first one to hold him. I would come over everyday after school to see the kittens and by the time he was 8 weeks old Timmy would run towards me on his tiny paws as soon as he heard my voice. It took another 4 weeks to convince my mother to let me adopt him, and the only reason she finally agreed was that I'd had a falling out with pretty much all of my friends. She told me later she was afraid I was going to kill myself, and she thought having a cat would give me a reason not to. She was right. Timmy saved my life so many times. He got me through so many low points. He loved me completely, and I loved him, and we got to spend a beautiful 17 years together. We were never apart. I am so grateful for all the love he gave me. His fur absorbed countless tears, he nuzzled his nose against mine a million times, and I tried to give him a million kisses. Lung cancer came for him in his old age, and I was the last one to hold him when I had to let him go. He spent a lifetime in my arms and I will miss him for the rest of my life. He was the longest relationship I ever had, and I am so grateful for the unconditional love he gave me all those years. He saved me, as they say, in every way a person can be saved. And he took his role as alpha of the house very seriously, training up new kitties we adopted to his standards and never afraid to put someone in their place for misbehaving. God, I miss him.

Today, we said goodbye to our 15 year old tuxedo cat Rygel. He started life out as my roommates cat, and yes, he is named after the dirty old Muppet in Farscape. When he was about 3 years old, my roommate had to make some hard choices about her life, and what ended up coming out of that was my keeping Rygel when she moved out. He was the biggest goofball, an absolute unit of insanity. We often joked he had only one brain cell. He was the cat who climbed Christmas trees and knocked over TVs and sometimes he would yowl in the middle of the night like he was lost until one of us came and picked him up and brought him to bed. He had a huge personality, and he had such a big pur. He developed pretty severe allergies as an adult that cost an absolute fortune. Rygels lesson to me was patience. His allergies gave him GI issues and bladder infections, and he started having litter box problems around 9 years old that... Honestly? Made our lives kinda insane. I think most people would probably have thrown in the towel years ago, but we talked about it and decided we couldn't. We made a commitment to him, and we are long, long life journey people. He was our cross to bear, and we spent money and time making sure he was as comfortable and happy as he could be for the rest of his life. I know he knew how loved he was, because he showed me. He turned into a lap cat and a bed cat, enjoying nothing quite so much as a soft blanket and some good scritches. A week after we said goodbye to Timmy, Rygel was diagnosed with aggressive intestinal cancer. We did what we could for him, and he kept bringing us love and joy for another 6 months. This last week he let us know he was ready. He was tired. And so, with heavy hearts, we took the last of the old guard in for his soft goodbye, and held him tightly.

We have three wonderful younger cats who are comforting us in our loss, but these four were with us at the beginning and Rygels passing feels like a bookend no matter how I look at it. They filled our lives with so much love, and chaos, and joy. Despite how much losing them hurts, I would not change a thing about any of them. Except of course, if I could make it so they were still here.

If love could have saved them, they would have lived forever. I know that we will have many, many more cats and dogs that will have their own stories and we will love them with all we are, but they owe something to these four. They taught us love, devotion, bravery, kindness, patience, and a part of my heart will always be with them at the rainbow bridge. I don't know what I believe about death and what happens after, but I do believe in an afterlife for animals. They're so pure, so kind, and so full of love that I know that carries on somehow, because their love also lives within me.

Thank you for loving us, Rygel, Timmy, Shenanigans, Pudding. I will never forget you, and I will love you forever, even when I cease to be here on this earth, your love will always be part of me. I love you, my darlings. Rest well.

[goodlucktai]

Could you write something about natsume getting a hug?? Just, from whoever n for whatever reason. I keep thinking about how no one ever really hugs him n it makes me sad

x

The absolute last person Joji expected to see today was Natsume Takashi.

Joji slows to a stop on the corner of the street, a block away from the train station, and stares shamelessly.

It's been a decade since the last time he saw Natsume, but he recognizes him immediately. Of course he does. His light hair and eyes aside, Joji has thought about him on-and-off since junior high.

Joji remembers that rainy day when he was thirteen, an empty desk in the middle of his eighth grade classroom, Ito leaning over in his chair to whisper, "Did you hear? Natsume was in the ER. He almost died. The police are looking at his foster parents."

It was as if he'd been plunged into a pool of ice water. He sat there, frozen, while their teacher called them to attention for homeroom and announced that Natsume wouldn't be in their class going forward.

What was the last thing Joji had said to him? "It's no wonder your parents didn't want you." Why the hell had he said that? A book, if he remembers right. He'd lent it to Natsume and Natsume gave it back all water-damaged, like he'd gone for a swim with his backpack on. Natsume's eyes were on his hands, on the ruined book, and he'd tried to apologize, said he'd pay for it, but Joji just snatched it away, ticked off.

"This is what I get for trying to help you, I guess. It's no wonder your parents didn't want you."

Joji is almost twenty-four now. He's going into pediatrics. His fiance, Sakura, is a foster parent. She is currently the proud and fiercely protective mother of two beautiful twin girls.

Sora and Miu are terrified of adults and they go everywhere together and sometimes they make up stories. Sometimes they lie, about why their uniforms are torn, why they're home late, why their lunchboxes are covered in dirt. They have this look in their eyes sometimes like they're just waiting to get hurt again.

Sakura has the patience of a saint. She never raises her voice. She stitches their torn uniforms, replaces their lunchboxes, and, on more than one occasion, has marched into their junior high school and threatened the staff with physical violence if her babies come home with bruises one more time.

Needless to say, Sora and Miu adore her. It took them longer to warm up to Joji, but they're there now; no longer flinching when he moves in their direction, greeting him happily when he comes over for breakfast, smiling shyly when he staggers into the apartment underneath the weight of two giant stuffed rabbits that cost nearly half his paycheck, because it's their birthday, Sakura, they need them.

Joji tries to imagine someone telling them "this is why your parents didn't want you" and goes absolutely breathless with rage.

Natsume glances up from his phone to look right at Joji, as if someone had pointed him out. Caught staring, Joji shuffles in place for a moment, and then squares his shoulders and heads over.

He's expecting the Natsume of his memory; he's expecting him to curl his shoulders and duck his head, the way Joji's girls still sometimes do when a stern auntie wants to talk to them.

He's not expecting Natsume to level him with a clear, politely confused gaze. He pockets his phone, and shoves his hands into the front pockets of the cardigan he's wearing; a size too big, like something he borrowed out of someone else's closet, but it's a charming look on him. He's dressed well, in dark-washed jeans and white high-top sneakers, and his silvery hair is long, probably long enough to fall past his shoulders if he didn't have it piled up in a bun. There's a squat calico cat at his feet, glaring up at Joji with judgmental green eyes.

"Can I help you?" Natsume asks kindly. His voice is a shock to the system; Joji remembers him like it was yesterday.

"Oh," Joji says, stymied. It never occurred to him that Natsume might not recognize him in turn. "Um, I'm Watanabe Joji. We were classmates in eighth grade."

"That's right," Natsume says with gratifying quickness. He looks a little embarrassed now and returns Joji's short bow. "Sorry, it's been a long time."

And we weren't exactly friends, he doesn't say, but that common knowledge sits neatly between them.

"Ten years!" Joji replies with some forced enthusiasm. "Is that why you're here?"

"Sorry?"

"The, ah, reunion this weekend? Ito, from our homeroom back then, put together a whole thing. Our whole class is getting together for dinner and drinks."

It occurs to him that Natsume might not have been invited. Joji thinks that's less because he isn't welcome and more because Ito almost certainly didn't have his contact information. The few times his name has come up, Joji's friends have gone quiet and melancholy. A few of them are parents now, or aunts and uncles at least. All of them know better than they did when they were mean, shitty little teenagers.

Joji opens his mouth to assure Natsume that they'd love to have him, but Natsume cuts him off with a laugh.

It's not a mean laugh. It's not unfriendly in the slightest. But it stings anyway, because Natsume is laughing out of pure disbelief.

"No, no," he says, waving a hand, "god, no. Could you imagine?" he adds, glancing down at the cat. The cat huffs, settling a little more solidly against Natsume's ankle. "We're just passing through, actually."

"We?" Joji asks dumbly. Did he mean himself and the cat?

It's Natsume's turn to get cut-off, this time by a long, drawn-out shout of "Takashiiii!"

A short, russet-haired young man around Joji's age comes barreling down the sidewalk toward them at a flat-out run. Joji's first inclination is one of alarm, but Natsume steps forward with his arms outstretched, and the stranger collides with him in an embrace that looks like it hurts.

Natsume is laughing again, but it's softer this time. It's the warmest sound Joji has ever heard him make.

"What's this for?" Natsume is saying, patting him on the back.

"Just missed you," his friend replies.

"You saw him twenty minutes ago, Satoru," comes the exasperated call from further down the road, and Joji glances over to find a small group headed their way, laden with shopping bags.

"Yeah, exactly," Satoru says, leaning back without letting go, just enough to gaze up at Natsume with a cheeky grin. "I'm all Takashi-deficient. It's pretty serious."

"Sounds serious," Natsume replies, and agreeably keeps an arm wrapped around his shoulders as the rest of their group catches up.

A tall, dark-haired man stoops to pick up Natsume's cat, and it settles agreeably in the crook of his arm. The brown-eyed woman beside him lets out a coo, shifting all her bags to one hand so she has one free to scratch it behind the ears.

"We're being rude," the dark-haired man says in a soft, pleasant tone. "Who's this, Takashi?"

Natsume introduces Joji as an old classmate, giving absolutely none of their history away in tone or expression, but somehow all of his friends seem to clue in to something anyway. Their collective demeanor shifts, in an unidentifiable way, even if their polite smiles don't slip an inch as Takashi introduces each of them in turn.

All but Nishimura Satoru, still tucked up against Natsume's side, who gives Joji a positively poisonous look.

"Okay, Satchan, you're going to lose privileges if you can't be nice," Kitamoto says dryly, and extracts him from Natsume's person with a deftness that speaks of years of practice.

"Nooo," Nishimura says, but it's curbed quickly by Shibata shoving a bag at him and snapping, "Carry this! It's that stupid lucky cat statue you just had to have, and it's heavy!"

"It looks just like sensei! Tooru loves it, too!"

"I do," Taki admits.

It's a warm afternoon, right at the end of August, the sky turning golden with the beginnings of dusk. Joji still manages to feel cold.

He grew up, but Natsume did, too. He always regretted what he did, he always wondered if Natsume was okay, wherever he went, but Natsume hasn't seemed to spare him a second thought. He's got his own friends now; bright, kind people who look like they'd raise hell for him. Who run to meet him.

Joji missed the chance to have a place in Natsume's life. He's a footnote, now, and not a very good one.

"Jojojojo!"

The bright voices have him spinning around, forgetting everything else, and he lights up when he spots Sora and Miu waving at him from the other side of the street. Sakura has a firm hold on their jackets so they can't go spilling out into the street until the pedestrian crossing sign lights up, and then she releases them like a couple of eager hunting dogs.

Natsume's friends shuffle to one side politely, and Joji steps forward to catch his girls when they reach him. They're so beautiful and he missed them so much, this weekend they were away to visit Sakura's parents. He kisses them each on the head, and then kisses Sakura on the head in the name of fairness, and it makes all three of them laugh.

Taki coos just like she did with the cat, hands clasped together under her chin.

"What sweet girls!" she says. "Are they yours, Watanabe?"

"Yes," Joji says proudly, putting one arm around each of their shoulders. They've come so far, not hiding behind him from the group of strangers, even if they press into his sides shyly. "This is Miu, and this is Sora. We're adopting them."

Sakura shifts her weight imperceptibly, a barely-there tell. Waiting, he knows, for the surprise, or outright condemnation. She's dealt with a lot of bullshit for taking these kids in, from family and ex-friends and even total strangers. It rolls right off her, and she usually gives as good as she gets, but she hates when Sora and Miu have to hear it. They don't deserve to hear it.

Joji will have to explain it to her, later, why he brought it up. Why he knew it would be safe to bring it up in front of these strangers.

Sure enough, all their faces soften immediately, a gentle transformation. Natsume crouches, gazing at the twins with an expression that Joji remembers from his childhood. The delicate resilience, the willingness to reach out even if he got hurt.

The look on his face ten years ago when he handed back that ruined book, owning up to his mistake and trying to fix it, buying Joji a replacement even after Joji said something unthinking and cruel.

"I was adopted, too," he says.

"Really?" Sora asks quietly.

"Really," Natsume tells her. "My parents died when I was little. I wasn't an easy child to care for, even though it wasn't my fault, so I got passed around a lot. It took me a long time to find my place, but I found it. Did you find yours?"

"I think so," Sora says, glancing around Joji at her sister.

"Me, too," Miu adds.

Sakura clutches Joji's hand hard enough to bruise. She won't cry here and now, but he already knows it's going to be an ice-cream-for-dinner kind of night.

Natsume looks up to meet Joji's eyes when he says, "That's good. I'm glad to hear it."

It's forgiveness. Joji hears it plain as day. He didn't get a chance to ask for it-- isn't sure he deserves it-- but there it is, freely given. And it's reassurance, too.

When Joji's daughters used to curl their shoulders and duck their heads, it would always tug at the memory of a boy he used to know, who was as kind as he was desperate for kindness.

Now, he thinks, when his girls are making a mess of the kitchen trying to follow a pancake recipe with their friends, or dragging a stray cat inside with big, hopeful eyes, it'll remind him of this afternoon. Natsume's clear, bright eyes, and the protective cluster of friends surrounding him.

The world wasn't fair to him; it left a mountain in his life that he had to climb, complete with all its pitfalls and crumbling paths and bad weather.

And here he is on the other side, goodness intact. Smiling. Loved.

He found his place. Sora and Miu found theirs.

And god, if that doesn't give Joji hope for everyone else.

"It was nice to see you," he says thickly, hoping Natsume hears his honesty. "Don't come to the reunion, that was-- a stupid thing to say, but-- would you-- dinner?"

Natsume hears it. He tilts his head, considering, and then says, "We missed our train, anyway."

"And I'm starving," Tanuma says agreeably. Clearly, he says it more to agree with Natsume than anything.

Nishimura is the hardest sell, watching Joji with hard eyes. But then his gaze dips to Sora and Miu, and all his sharp edges go soft, like butter melting in the sun. After a handful of tense seconds, he visibly gives up on his anger with a huff. His friends, watching patiently, all give absurd little cheers when it's clear he's on board.

"Fine, but if you live farther than three feet away, we're getting an Uber," Shibata threatens, rustling the shopping bags in his hands with annoyed fervor.

They drift in the direction of Joji's home, and Kitamoto talks Shibata down from the Uber with the promise of ducking into a 7-Eleven for ice creams instead, and Taki and Sakura are fast friends, rolling their sleeves up to compare tattoos-- Taki's is a strange, occult-looking circle that Joji makes a mental note to ask about-- and Tanuma lets Sora carry the fat cat, while Miu pets it with reverent fingers.

Natsume walks beside Joji, calm and unhurried, with Nishimura on his other side. He grew up with so much grace.

"Can I add you to the class groupchat?" he asks without thinking.

"Good luck with that," Nishimura butts in, not unkindly. "He's the most unreliable texter you've ever met. He left me on read for like two days once, and we live together."

"You'd have better luck with an email," Natsume says apologetically.

It's more than Joji thought he'd get; they exchange contact information, in the middle of this chaotic, noisy group making its way down the street toward the well-lit combini on the corner and then, beyond that, home.

Natsume doesn't seem to have any interest in reconnecting with his old classmates, and Joji doesn't blame him for that. Even though it will certainly piss Ito off to be kept in the dark, even just for a few days, Joji decides it's for the best.

Nishimura's goodwill can't be stretched that far.

[a-detraque-barista]

Unfixable

Cat Izuku x Reader

Genre: fluff and angst, gender neutral reader

Word Count: 2.2k

A/N: Hello honey buns! Here is Cat Izuku for the fourth day of Izumonth. Announcement post here. @birds-have-teeth​

“Y/n please...I’m sorry!” tears poured out of his eyes like waterfalls. “I’m sorry okay?! I shouldn’t have left you! Just let me explain ple-”

You kept looking forward trying to ignore his apologizes but a few tears still escaped. Traitorous bastards. This was the last thing you wanted to do right now. You’ve been trying to move on from him for months after he left you for Ochako. 

“Look! It’s just like you said! You left me! You can’t fix this Midoriya,” you stopped speed walking to turn to him. You have never called him by his surname since the two of you first met and you knew how much it hurt him to hear you say it.

Knowing exactly what happened will help to understand the situation.

⇉      ⇉      ⇉

You were standing outside of the only hybrid adoption center in your area. You’ve been wanting to adopt a hybrid for years now. You wanted to give them a good home and all the things they could ever ask for. You’ve heard how they’ve been mistreated and it makes you sick to your stomach. How can anyone be so cruel to hybrids? They’re people too, not only pets for humans to use to fill the hole in their hearts.

Reassuring yourself, you walked into the clean and refurbished shelter to be greeted by the smiling lady at the front desk. 

“Hello, how can I help you today?”

“Hi, I’m looking to adopt a hybrid today,” you shyly came closer to the counter and quietly explained your purpose here.

“Oh! Well, I’ll call someone down to walk you through.”

You thanked her and waited for one of the staff members to walk you through the shelter. You’re pretty sure he said his name was Todoroki. It seemed he was a hybrid himself. Maybe he was a calico? Either way, it must mean he was over 18 years old because hybrids can only get jobs and live by themselves after their eighteenth birthday. 

Once he noticed you leaving glances at some of the hybrids in particular he would tell you their names and their backstories of how they ended up at the center.  

They all seemed sad but none of them stood out. Until you passed a mop of green hair sitting in the corner. You stopped. His one wall was covered in posters and photos of someone you didn’t recognize. His blonde bangs were sticking almost straight up but his eyes were like caves. The man’s arms were concerningly muscular and he was wearing a blue, red, yellow, and white costume. On some of the posters, it read in big yellow letters All Might. It must be from a show, you thought.

Todoroki had finally noticed that you were no longer following him so he turned around to see who you were staring at. He got nervous as to why you were staring at him. The particular hybrid had an unfair and tragic past, he knew the criticizing looks and glances the hybrid has received. 

“His tail was taken off by his previous owner,” Todoroki said solemnly.

What?

You hadn’t even noticed until he said something. Poor thing. Why would someone do that to him?

“What’s his name?” your question caught Todoroki off guard. You must’ve been the first person to ever ask his name after knowing about his tail.

“Izuku Midoriya. Cat type is a tabby, he’s going to turn 18 in a few months,” Todoroki seemed excited to tell you the details about the cute cat hybrid. You couldn’t tell if it was because Todoroki himself was a cat hybrid or if he cared for the one behind the glass. 

“Izuku, huh.” you smiled a bit, now knowing which hybrid you were going to take home. “I know who I’m want to take home.”

The half red half white-haired cat smiled and led you back to the front counter to have you start signing paperwork. While you were filling out the documents he went back to let Izuku know that he was being adopted and to pack his things. 

It warmed your heart to see the smile on his face when he came from around the corner. Todoroki helped you put his bags in the trunk of your car before waving you and Izuku off.

Your new cat companion was very shy and quiet at first, you almost thought his face was naturally flushed until he fell asleep on your lap one day. His freckles were no longer masked by the dark red hue that normally covered his cheeks. He snored softly, tired from binge-watching your guys’ new favorite anime. His head ended up in your lap because he began to doze off and you offered the space of your thighs as a pillow.

Now it’s been three months and you’re planning for Izuku’s birthday next week. The poor baby never had a celebration for his birthday before. So you wanted to do the best you could for him.

You even had plans to meet with Todoroki to ask if he knew what Izuku liked and if he would like to come as well. Knowing Todoroki had been talking to Izuku ever since you bought your green-haired friend a phone, had you thinking maybe he could help with the party plans.

Izuku had just woken up while you were getting ready to leave, "Y/n-san, where are you going?" His voice was rough and thick with sleep as he poked his head up from under the covers.

"Just going to talk to Todoroki about something. Need anything while I'm out?" you were halfway out of the bedroom door when you turned around to face him.

He was silent for a few long seconds before replying, "No." And quickly ducking his messy head of hair back underneath the blankets.

You were slightly worried as to why he was acting strangely. Maybe he was still out of it since he just woke up. So you brushed it off and headed out to talk to your other feline friend.

“He could be jealous,” Todoroki explained as he took a bite of his ice cream.

“Jealous? What for?”

“Midoriya might not like the idea of his favorite person in the world going out with another hybrid, and a cat one at that. Which must mean that he’s already pretty attached to you even only after a few months.”

You never thought of it that way. You still weren’t completely aware of some of the attributes that hybrids had. You supposed it did make sense how Izuku could get jealous. But you wanted him to tell you when he was upset and not just pretend like he wasn’t. Your eyes were downcasted onto your hands that were wrapped around the beverage you decided to get from the cafe’s menu.

“So you wanted to talk about Midoriya’s party right?” Todoroki could feel your mood so he decided to change the subject.

"Oh yeah. Is there anything you can remember that Izuku specifically likes that I can include in the party?"

"Hm," he took a second to think of what the tabby could want at his party. "Definitely something that has to do with All Might. It's his favorite hero from an anime he loves to watch. I can never remember the name of it, however. So most likely anything that has to do with heroes will suffice."

Typing all of this into the notes on your phone, you smile. Thank god you had Todoroki to help you with this because you were at a total loss. You knew Izuku loved All Might but you weren't sure if you should've headed in that direction. You set your phone down to smile at him before taking a sip of your drink.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Also, I wanted to mention that an acquaintance of Midoriya’s would like to know if she can come to the party. She's been coming to the shelter non-stop after she heard Midoriya got adopted. She would come by about once every couple of months to see Midoriya so she wouldn't be so lonely. Though, she never thought of adopting him," Todoroki had just finished his ice cream while he explained who wanted to come to the party.

It almost felt like he was warning you, or at least hinting at something. If she visited him so rarely then why does she suddenly want to be involved with him? Todoroki was trying to study your emotions but you weren’t really showing much.

“If Izuku wants her to come then I’ll invite her,” you sighed. You didn’t like the thought of someone like that around Izuku but it wasn’t your place to say who he can and can’t be friends with.

Todoroki stayed silent as he respected your decision.

⇉      ⇉      ⇉

Today was Izuku’s birthday. He was finally turning 18 which meant he could get a job and help pay for things like groceries and such so you wouldn’t have to spend so much money. He felt happy knowing that his first birthday in his new home was going to be with you. You made him so filled with he felt like his heart melts whenever you’re near. 

The only thing he wasn’t looking forward to was the fact that Ochako was now coming to his party. Yes, he said he wanted her to be there but he was still jealous and upset when you had asked him. So thinking it would make you jealous he lied and said he would love for her to come. 

But that wasn’t going to stop him from having fun with you, Todoroki, and his new friend, Iida. He met him through you because Iida was the hybrid of your best friend’s. Iida was a bird hybrid, though, he couldn’t remember what kind. 

You had woken Izuku up with breakfast in bed and smothering his face in kisses. Before the party, he opened up his present from you to see you had gotten him a bed set, pajamas, and posters, all with the theme of All Might. You also got him the whole anime on DVD so he could watch it anytime.

Izuku had even begun to cry when he was finished with unwrapping them all. This led him to tackle you into a hug and look up at you with tears in his eyes. He must’ve thanked you a thousand times before letting go and putting on his new pajamas. 

The party was going smoothly. Games were played, both party and video versions. Snacks were displayed on the kitchen tables, the All Might cake turned out wonderfully, and everyone was having fun.

Until Ochako decided to have a moment alone with Izuku while everyone was leaving and you were cleaning up. 

"Are you happy here, Midoriya-chan?" Ochako looked him directly in the eyes and asked.

"W-well yeah," his voice shook but that was caused by the fact that this was the first conversation he's ever had with a girl besides you.

"Hm," she hummed as she raised a brow. "Come live with me."

"Wha-What?!"

"Live with me. You're 18 now and neither of you are happy living together. So it would only make sense."

"What do you mean neither?" his voice was no longer shaking but it dropped two octaves.

"Well, you're not happy cause she doesn't give you everything you could ever want. I mean look at this house. It is so below your requirements." She took his hands and held them. "And she's not happy because you're deformed."

Deformed. The word left a bad taste in Izuku’s mouth as he's been called that countless times. Did you really think he was deformed? 

"But...but Y/n-san never brought my tail before…" tears flooded his vision as he stared intensely at the ground.

"Just because someone doesn't say it, doesn't mean they're not thinking it." Ochako sighed. "Haven't you seen how much she hangs around Todoroki? It's quite obvious who they like more," this cause Izuku to become both enraged and heartbroken.

How could he be so blind?

"So...what do you say?"

⇉      ⇉      ⇉

Izuku was quiet for the rest of the night. He didn't even say good night and he went to sleep in the guest bedroom. You wondered if it had to do with when he spoke to Ochako. But Izuku wouldn't give you the chance to ask because once you entered the same room he was in, he left immediately. He stopped replying to the texts you sent to check up on him. Hopefully, he would open up to you soon

"Maybe I should go live with Ochako-san," this came out of the blue as you had just gotten home from work to see him by the door with a bag by his side

"Is that what you want?"

There was a pause before he slowly nodded. Your eyes began to burn with tears while you looked to the ceiling to stop them from falling.

"I," you sniffed before reluctantly focusing your sight on your beloved Izuku. "I understand."

With that, he was up and out of your life. He blocked you on his phone and so did Ochako. Izuku would only briefly speak with Todoroki if at all. 

So why he was here now asking for forgiveness was beyond you.

"I think you should run back to Ochako. She might need you."

[improvidence318]

i said screw it so here it is

howdy howdy, this is the anon with the 20’s lingo sheet. i don’t have a tumblr (though i wish i do tbh) and realized that i don’t know how to work shit on tumblr, so i’m just sending in the sheet through a text post. i am highly aware of the amount of power i’m bestowing upon you and honestly couldn’t give a damn

A

ab-so-lute-ly: affirmative all wet: incorrect And how!: I strongly agree! ankle: to walk, i.e.. “Let’s ankle!” apple sauce: flattery, nonsense, i.e.. “Aw, applesauce!” Attaboy!: well done!; also, Attagirl!

B

baby: sweetheart. Also denotes something of high value or respect. baby grand: heavily built man baby vamp: an attractive or popular female, student. balled up: confused, messed up. baloney: Nonsense! Bank’s closed.: no kissing or making out ie. “Sorry, mac, bank’s closed.” bearcat: a hot-blooded or fiery girl beat it: scram, get lost. beat one’s gums: idle chatter bee’s knee’s: terrific; a fad expression. Dozens of “animal anatomy” variations existed: elephant’s eyebrows, gnat’s whistle, eel’s hips, etc. beef: a complaint or to complain. beeswax: business, i.e. “None of your beeswax.” Student. bell bottom: a sailor bent: drunk berries: (1) perfect (2) money big cheese: important person big six: a strong man; from auto advertising, for the new and powerful six cylinder engines. bimbo: a tough guy bird: general term for a man or woman, sometimes meaning “odd,” i.e. “What a funny old bird.” blotto (1930 at the latest): drunk, especially to an extreme bootleg: illeagal liquor breezer (1925): a convertable car bug-eyed Betty (1927): an unattractive girl, student. bull: (1) a policeman or law-enforcement official, including FBI. (2) nonesense (3) to chat idly, to exaggerate bump off: to kill bum’s rush, the: ejection by force from an establishment bunny (1925): a term of endearment applied to the lost, confused, etc. Often coupled with “poor little.” bus: any old or worn out car.

C

cake-eater: a lady’s man caper: a criminal act or robbery. cat’s meow: great, also “cat’s pajamas” and “cat’s whiskers” cash: a kiss Cash or check?: Do we kiss now or later? cast a kitten: to have a fit. Used in both humorous and serious situations. i.e. “Stop tickling me or I’ll cast a kitten!” Also, “have kittens.” cheaters: eye glasses check: Kiss me later. chewing gum: double-speak, or ambiguous talk. choice bit of calico: attractive female, student. chopper: a Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, due to the damage its heavy .45 caliber rounds did to the human body.  chunk of lead: an unnattractive female, student. clam: a dollar coffin varnish: bootleg liquor, often poisonous. copacetic: excellent crasher: a person who attends a party uninvited crush: infatuation cuddler: one who likes to make out

D

daddy: a young woman’s boyfriend or lover, especially if he’s rich. daddy-o: a term of address dame: a female. Did not gain widespread use until the 1930’s. dapper: a Flapper’s dad darb: a great person or thing. “That movie was darb.” dead soldier: an empty beer bottle. deb: a debutant. dewdropper: a young man who sleeps all day and doesn’t have a job. dogs: feet doll: an attractive woman. dolled up: dressed up don’t know from nothing: doesn’t have any information don’t take any wooden nickels: don’t do anything stupid. doublecross: to cheat, stab in the back. dough: money drugstore cowboy: A well-dressed man who loiters in public areas trying to pick up women. dry up: shut up, get lost ducky: very good dumb Dora: an absolute idiot, a dumbbell, especially a woman; flapper.

E

earful: enough egg: a person who lives the big life

F

face stretcher: an old woman trying to look young fella: fellow. As common in its day as “man,” “dude,” or “guy” is today. “That John sure is a swell fella.” fire extinguisher: a chaperone fish: (1) a college freshman (2) a first timer in prison flat tire: a bore flivver: a Model T; after 1928, also could mean any broken down car. floorflusher: an insatiable dancer flour lover: a girl with too much face powder fly boy: a glamorous term for an aviator For crying out loud!: same usage as today four-flusher: a person who feigns wealth while mooching off others.

G

gams (1930): legs gatecrasher: see “crasher” get-up (1930): an outfit. get a wiggle on: get a move on, get going get in a lather: get worked up, angry giggle water: booze gimp: cripple; one who walks with a limp.  Gangster Dion O’Bannion was called Gimpy due to his noticeable limp. gin mill: a seller of hard liquor; a cheap speakeasy glad rags: “going out on the town” clothes go chase yourself: get lost, scram. gold-digger (1925): a woman who pursues men for their money. goods, the: (1) the right material, or a person who has it (2) the facts, the truth, i.e. “Make sure the cops don’t get the goods on you.” goof: (1) a stupid or bumbling person, (2) a boyfriend, flapper. goofy: in love grummy: depressed grungy: envious

H

handcuff: engagement ring hard-boiled: tough, as in, a tough guy, ie: “he sure is hard-boiled!” hayburner: (1) a gas guzzling car (2) a horse one loses money on heavy sugar (1929): a lot of money heebie-jeebies (1926): “the shakes,” named after a hit song. heeler: a poor dancer high hat: a snob. hip to the jive: cool, trendy hit on all sixes: to perform 100 per cent; as “hitting on all six cylinders”; perhaps a more common variation in these days of four cylinder engines was “hit on all fours”.  See “big six”. hood (late 20s): hoodlum hooey:  nonsense. Very popular from 1925 to 1930, used somewhat thereafter. hop: a teen party or dance Hot dawg!: Great!; also: “Hot socks!"  Rarely spelled as shown outside of flapper circles until popularized by 1940s comic strips. hot sketch: a card or cut-up

I

"I have to go see a man about a dog.”: “I’ve got to leave now,” often meaning to go buy whiskey. icy mitt: rejection insured: engaged iron (1925): a motorcycle, among motorcycle enthusiasts iron one’s shoelaces: to go to the restroom ish kabibble (1925): a retort meaning “I should care."  Was the name of a musician in the Kay Kayser Orchestra of the 1930s.

J

jack: money Jake: great, ie. "Everything’s Jake.” Jalopy: a dumpy old car Jane: any female java: coffee jeepers creepers: a term of exclamation jitney: a car employed as a private bus. Fare was usually five-cents; also called a “nickel.” joe: coffee Joe Brooks: a perfectly dressed person; student. john: a toilet joint: establishment juice joint: a speakeasy

K

kale: money keen: appealing killjoy: a solemn person knock up: to make pregnant know one’s onions: to know one’s business or what one is talking about

L

lay off: cut the crap left holding the bag: (1) to be cheated out of one’s fair share (2) to be blamed for something let George do it: a work evading phrase level with me: be honest limey: a British soldier or citizen, from World War I line: a false story, as in “to feed one a line.” live wire: a lively person lollapalooza (1930): a humdinger lollygagger: (1) a young man who enjoys making out (2) an idle person

M

manacle: wedding ring mazuma: money milquetoast (1924): a very timid person; from the comic book character Casper mind your potatoes: mind your own business. mooch: to leave moonshine: homemade whiskey mop: a handkerchief munitions: face powder

N

neck: to kiss passionately necker: a girl who wraps her arms around her boyfriend’s neck. nifty: great, excellent noodle juice: tea Not so good!: I personally disapprove. “Now you’re on the trolley!”: Now you’ve got it, now you’re right.

O

off one’s nuts: crazy Oh yeah!: I doubt it! old boy: a male term of address, used in conversation with other males. Denoted acceptance in a social environment.  Also “old man” “old fruit.” “How’s everything old boy?” Oliver Twist: a skilled dancer on a toot: a drinking binge on the lam: fleeing from police on the level: legitimate, honest on the up and up: on the level orchid: an expensive item ossified: drunk owl: a person who’s out late

P

palooka: (1) a below-average or average boxer (2) a social outsider, from the comic strip character Joe Palooka, who came from humble ethnic roots panic: to produce a big reaction from one’s audience percolate: (1) to boil over (2) As of 1925, to run smoothly; “perk” pet: necking, only more; making out petting pantry: movie theater piffle: baloney piker: (1) a cheapskate (2) a coward pill: (1) a teacher (2) an unlikable person pinch: to arrest. Pinched: to be arrested. pinko: liberal pipe down: stop talking prom-trotter: a student who attends all school social functions pos-i-lute-ly: affirmative, also “pos-i-tive-ly” punch the bag: small talk putting on the ritz: after the Ritz Hotel in Paris (and its namesake Caesar Ritz); doing something in high style. Also “ritzy.”

Q

R

rag-a-muffin: a dirty or disheveled individual rain pitchforks: a downpour razz: to make fun of Real McCoy: a genuine item regular: normal, typical, average; “Regular fella.” Reuben: an unsophisticated country bumpkin. Also “rube” Rhatz!: How disappointing! rub: a student dance party rubes: money or dollars rummy: a drunken bum

S

sap: a fool, an idiot. Very common term in the 20s. says you: a reaction of disbelief scratch: money screaming meemies: the shakes screw: get lost, get out, etc. Occasionally, in pre 1930 talkies (such as The Broadway Melody) screw is used to tell a character to leave. One film features the line “Go on, go on – screw!"  screwy: crazy; "You’re screwy!” sheba: one’s girlfriend sheik: one’s boyfriend simolean: a dollar sinker: a doughnut sitting pretty: in a prime position skirt: an attractive female smarty: a cute flapper smudger: a close dancer sockdollager: an action having a great impact so’s your old man: a reply of irritation speakeasy: a bar selling illeagal liquor spill: to talk spoon: to neck, or at least talk of love static: (1) empty talk (2) conflicting opinion stilts: legs struggle: modern dance stuck on: in love, student. sugar daddy: older boyfriend who showers girlfriend with gifts swanky: (1) good (2) elegant swell: (1) good (2) a high class person

T

take someone for a ride: to take someone to a deserted location and murder them. tasty: appealing teenager: not a common term until 1930; before then, the term was “young adults.” tell it to Sweeney: tell it to someone who’ll believe it. tight: attractive Tin Pan Alley: the music industry in New York, located between 48th and 52nd Streets tomato: a “ripe” female torpedo: a hired thug or hitman

U

unreal: special upchuck: to vomit upstage: snobby

V

vamp: (1) a seducer of men, an aggressive flirt (2) to seduce voot: money

W

water-proof: a face that doesn’t require make-up wet blanket: see Killjoy wife: dorm roomate, student. What’s eating you?: What’s wrong? whoopee: wild fun Woof! Woof!: ridicule

X

Y

You slay me!: That’s funny!

Z

zozzled: drunk

  have fun.

[spicedcinnamoncake]

Pins and Needles  pairing: George Weasley x American !Gryffindor Reader Summary: Who knew that the shy new kid had a way with sewing? To George, that’s pretty cool.  TW: fluffy 💕💕 2.4K Words

   You looked around your dorm and began to unpack. You came in a week after term started and you needed to unpack your things. Luckily, it was Saturday and lessons wouldn’t be a problem. Everyone was buzzing about the weekly trip to Hogsmeade in the halls, and it peeked your interest. Sure you didn’t have anyone to go with, but this could be a good way to make some friends. 

  You had just arrived in England from America, and had just started Hogwarts. Everyone was a stranger here, and you were on the lookout for some new people to hang out with. 

  You pulled a hoodie over your T-shirt and tightened the laces on your boots before locking your dorm and running downstairs into the courtyard where everybody was waiting for the sendoff. You showed McGonagall your signed permission slip and joined the group. 

  The walk was rather pleasant. You took in the scenery, all the trees with red yellow and brown leaves falling in the breeze and the sound of branches rusting against each other filled the air as you and the rest of year 5 of Hogwarts walked to Hogsmeade. 

  Hogsmeade was a cute little town, with shops and cafe’s and cobblestone streets. You walked along the cobble and followed the rest of the kids as you didn’t know the area very well. You saw a majority of people go into a place called Honeydukes. 

  From the moment you stepped inside you could tell why that place was so popular. The shelves were loaded with sweets and tricks, excited people grabbing stuff like crazy. You walked along the shelves, half of the treats you haven’t even heard of. Bertie bots and chocolate frogs and pumpkin pasties... I guess a chocolate frog sounded good. You had a few coins in your pocket, why not? 

  You picked one off the shelf and began to walk as you read the labelling. You were so distracted that you didn’t even realize the person standing in front of you...

  ‘Oof!’ You fell over on your knees, the small candy falling out of your hand. ‘Oh shoot, I am so sorry-’ 

  ‘Nah, It’s alright. Need help?’ 

  You grabbed the strangers hand and hoisted yourself up. You were met with a pair of hazel eyes and flaming red hair. This mystery guy had a spattering of freckles across his cheeks and nose. He gave you a small smile and handed you back your frog. ‘Think you dropped this.’ 

  ‘Oh, thanks.’ You took back the frog and stuffed it into your pocket. ‘Hey, I don’t think I’ve seen you before. I’m George, you?’

  ‘Oh, I’m Y/N, I’m new here.’ 

  George’s eyes widened at your accent. He grinned and fiddled with the end of his sleeve. ‘Would you want to come with me and my brother to the Three Broomsticks? It’s got the most amazing butterbeer in England.’ 

  You smiled at the offer. ‘Sure, why not?’ 

  You payed the five nuts for the frog. (You ended up getting Dumbledore) And followed George to the place he was talking about. He was ever so funny, cracking you up in no time with jokes. He told you all about Hogwarts and how you would love it there. 

  ‘So, which house are you in?’ 

  ‘Oh, I’m in Gryffindor. ‘ 

  George looked at you and beamed. ‘That’s my house as well!’ 

  You two laughed at the coincidence, finally drawing up to the Three broomsticks and going inside. You were met with the strong smell of cinnamon and coffee, and the warm air hit your skin as you went further inside. George led you to a table were a few others were sitting. Another boy who looked identical to George who turned out to be his twin Fred, another boy with red hair who was his brother Ron, a girl named Hermione and a smaller boy named Harry. 

  ‘Guys, this is Y/N, their new here. Their from America, AND their in Gryffindor.’ 

  Everyone said hello, they all seemed so friendly. You sat in between George and Hermione, who asked you tons of questions about America, which you expected might happen at your new school. 

  You all ordered Butterbeer, and Fred and George laughed as you chugged the entire mug after the first sip. George elbowed you and smirked. ‘Told you it’s good.’  You rolled you eyes and giggled. 

  From that day on, the five of you became inseparable. You always hung out, and before you knew it it was already nearing summer break. 

  ‘Ah, summer!’ You sighed as you slumped against a tree in the field you guys were hanging out in, stretching your legs out as you looked up though the green leaves. ‘I’m gonna miss you guys. Welp, at least I’ll see you guys next year.’ 

  Hermione elbowed Ron, who cleared his throat. “speaking of which, Y/N would you liked to come to the burrow this summer? Everyone does, even if it’s only for a week. Mum takes us to Diagon alley before school so we can get our stuff. It’s always fun, you should come.’ 

  You thought about it, and it did sound like fun. “sure, i’ll ask my parents, I’m sure they’d like me out of their hair for a bit.’ 

  George and Fred whooped and you smiled. This should be fun. 

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

  You clutched the backpack on your shoulder and gulped. You had been so excited but now you were so nervous. What if they got sick of you? What if you became a burden?’ 

  You took a deep breath and stepped into the fireplace after hugging your parents goodbye. You erupted into green flames and in moment you found yourself in a slightly smaller fireplace. You stepped out and immediately recognized the voices of your friends. ‘Oi Fred! Y/N’s here!’ 

  George called up the stairs to his brother before rushing over to you and wrapping his arms around you. You giggled as he lifted you slightly. ‘Don’t suffocate me Georgie.’ You joked. George put you down and grinned. ‘Missed you.’ 

  You noticed a faint shade of red start to spread across his face. You didn’t get to think much of it though because of all the people that entered the living room moments later. You hugged Fred, Harry, Ron and Hermione before shaking hands with Mr. Weasley and received an even tighter hug from Mrs. Weasley. You met Percy and Ginny, who both seemed really nice. Percy a bit uptight, but you thought nothing of it. 

  ‘You’ll be sharing with Hermione and Ginny, just upstairs dear.’ Mrs. Weasley said, before rushing to the kitchen.     ‘Ok, Thanks Mrs. Weasley!’

  ‘Just call me Molly dear!’ 

  You smiled and turned to George. ‘Your mum’s really nice.’ 

  George grinned. ‘Need help with your bag?’ 

  ‘Nah, I’m good.’ 

  You followed Hermione and Ginny to Ginny’s room. It was small, but cozy. You put your bag down on your place on the floor. 

  ‘Nice room Gin! I really like it.’ 

  ‘Thanks Y/N’ 

  The three of you talked until Molly called you down to dinner. You made it official in your head that Molly Weasley had the absolute best cooking ever. The food practically melted in tour mouth, and you stared in awe as the dishes got cleaned by magic, washing themselves. The burrow is honestly the most magical place you have ever seen aside from Hogwarts. 

  The summer was amazing, You, George, Fred, Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny all going on walks and playing card games and having mini games of quidditch. Soon, it was already time to go to Diagon Alley. 

  ‘Hurry up Y/N, we’re just about leaving!’ Hermione said as you grabbed the big cloth bag out of your backpack. You and her hurried downstairs were everyone else was gathered. One by one, everyone erupted into green flames and arrived into the large are known as diagon alley. Shops lined the streets and there were people and children running everywhere. ‘Now children, we meet here in exactly an hour ok?’ Molly said, and everyone nodded. George grabbed hold of your arm and tugged you with him. ‘Seeing as this is your first time here, i volunteer to be your guide.’ You giggled and went with him. 

  You two walked and chatted, going in and out of stores. George goggled at how cute you looked when your face lit up at the box of kittens in one of the animal shops. You tugged George inside. Owls were on perches, rats in brass cages running on top of landings and down again, and the faint mewing of cats in the distance. 

  ‘Oh George they are so cute, don’t you think so!?” You cooed as you picked up a calico kitten who purred as you stroked it. ‘Your cute.’ George mumbled. ‘You snapped your head around, and he turned a dangerously visible shade of red. You smirked. ‘Your not so bad yourself Weasley.’ 

  You beamed as be blushed harder. You put down the cat and took his hand, leading him out of the store. You two were about to go back to the meeting place when one store caught your eye. ‘George, I need to go in there. I’ll be right out I promise.’ 

  ‘Slow down darling I’ll come with you.’ 

  You entered the store and you gawked in awe at the amount of fabric, thread, and buttons inside. You were practically in heaven. 

  You ran your hand down the different fabrics, checking the prices. ‘I didn’t know you were into sewing.’ George said, examining a cotton sheet. ‘Like sewing? Georgie my dear, sewing is my LIFE’. You tugged at the shirt you were wearing, made out of black cotton. ‘I made this last winter.’ 

  George’s eyes widened. ‘YOU made that? It’s so good!’

  You blushed at his appreciation. You picked a few pieces of fabric and paid, putting them in the bag and you and George exited the shop, meeting with everyone else. ‘Mum! Y/N’s into that sewing thing as well you know?’ 

  ‘Oh that’s interesting! What sort of stuff do you make?’ 

  You looked at your shirt and the bag in your bag. ‘I make most of my own clothes, like this shirt I’m wearing.’ 

  Molly looked amazed and you two gambled off about sewing and knitting and whatnot. George and Fred just laughed, George thought of it as cute though. He already had this itching crush for you from the moment he met you and the fact that you got on so well with his mum just made his heart flutter. 

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

  It was the beginning of term, and you were now sharing a room with Hermione. Your desk was littered with scrap pieces of fabric, and scattered needles. Hermione’s was depressingly neat. 

  You were wearing a pin cushion on your arm, trying to fix the hem of your robe because it ripped when somebody knocked on the door. ‘Come in!’   

  George entered the room, his hair messed up. He must’ve just got out of quidditch you assumed. When Hermione saw who was at the door, she shut the book she was reading and stood up from her bed. ‘I’m going to go see what Harry and Ron are doing.’ 

  Once she left, you two were alone. ‘Come in, what’s up?’ You gestured towards the space next to you on your bed. George came over, propping himself up with his arm before pulling his hand away, yelping. ‘What? What’s wrong?”

  Your eyes filled with worry as George examined his hand. He picked up a small pin from the cover and handed it to you. ‘Think this belongs to you.’ 

  ‘Oh dear sorry, I’m working on my robe you see, it ripped and i was fixing it.’ You put the pin back in the pin cushion and took George’s hand into your own, gently massaging the area of impact. 

  George turned a bright shade of pink as your delicate fingers ran over his palm. ‘It’s alright Y/N.’ 

  ‘So, how was quidditch?’ You asked, resuming your work. George cleared his throat, looking shyer then usual. ‘Uh, practice was good. Speaking of which, I, uh, managed to rip my jersey on the goal post. I was wondering if you could fix it for me?’ 

  ‘Uh-huh, sure just hand it to me.’ 

  You were so engrossed in your work you didn’t even realize that George was shirtless in  front of you. You looked up when he handed you his ripped jersey. You examined the area where the rip was. ‘Oh sweetie this can be fixed in two stitches, you-’ 

  Your eyes gawked at him. When did this boy get to be so fine? You felt yourself go red, before you decided to turn it into a joke so he wouldn’t notice you being embarrassed. ‘Did you find a small hole just you could see me? Hmmm?’ You smirked, thinking you could tease him, until he said his reply:

  ‘Yes that’s exactly what I did.’ 

 You paused, needle halfway though the fabric. You looked up at him, he tried to cover himself up with his arms, his face bright red. ‘Well, I enjoy your company.’ 

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Also when did you get to be so dang hot?’ 

  You smirked as you saw him get even redder. ‘T-thanks.’ 

  ‘Your welcome... there you are, all fixed.’ You handed him the jersey, the hole all patched up. George slid it on, you watched the shirt over his abs. ‘Look in the right sleeve.’ 

  George turned his right sleeve inside out, only to see a tiny embroidered heart in light pink stitches. ‘Aw, that’s so cute!’  George gushed. You felt pleased. 

  ‘Well, I better get going.’ George said, standing up. ‘Awe man, leaving me already?’ You pulled a pouty-face, and you saw the nervousness in his eyes. ‘Of course I’ll stay.’

  You two talked for what seemed like hours, that is until the dinner bell rang. You helped George up, but not before he pressed a small kiss to your cheek. He left without a word after that. You stood there speechless, tracing the area where his lips had been seconds before. 

  You turned to your bed and screamed into a pillow. Oh merlin he kissed you! 

  The next day you caught him in the hall. Without saying a word, you managed to drag him into a quiet hallway, were nobody else was wandering. 

  You pressed him to a wall and kissed him. You were craving the taste of his lips for a while, and now you finally got his. George melted into you, he hitched you up by your legs, you wrapped them around his waist and you tangled your hands into his hair. You two had waited long enough for this, and this was complete and utter euphoria. 

  Once he pulled away, he smirked. ‘What is is?’ You asked. 

  ‘Oh, let’s just say that I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for this.’  

[tiasgarden]

If I know what love is, it’s because of you. Chapter 1.

Dedicated to @sadgirlshitforever <3 ilysm

Gina Porter had recently joined EJ Caswell as a news anchor on Good morning America. It was originally only suppose to be for a few months. One of the anchors had to take a few months off due to injury.

She from the start had a bad feeling about EJ Caswell. He was very full of himself and always talked down to her. The first day he was convinced he was his new run errands for me girl. She couldn’t believe she got moved from her old news station to this. Yes the pay was better but could she put up with EJ?  She honestly didn’t know.

“ Hey um Georgia right?, listen so you know Peggy is out for only a few months so there is no point in getting to know you. But  just know you stay in your lane and we should have no issues” He said in a ice cold tone. He was glaring at her which didn’t intimidate her in the least.

“ Okay well first I am GINA. G-I-N-A. Also I don’t take orders from someone I just met, “ She said back as she walked over to her seat. It was 5 minutes before their first show together.  She needed to breathe and to relax, she got this.

“ Okay we are live in 5, 4, 3, 2 , 1!” The camera man said. His name was Larry and Gina liked him a lot, she hoped they could be friends.

“ Hello and Good Morning America!!, I’m EJ Caswell and boy do we have a bunch of news to catch you up on! But first I have a new co anchor filling in for Peggy,  her name is Georgia Porter” He said with a smile on his face.

“Um it’s actually Gina, hello America!  my name is Gina Porter not Georgia.  To start us off, let's have a check in with Greg for the weather!” She said as she passed it over to Greg.

“  Sweetie, you aren’t suppose to talk, you just sit there and look well decent” He said to her before looking away and rolling his eyes.

“ I am doing my job, and don’t call me that, it’s gross.  Look we don’t have to be friends, we can stay strangers. I’d much prefer that anyway.” She said.

“ But we have to do our jobs. So lets pretend we are friends.  “ He said hoping she would comply.

This time she rolled her eyes at him.  In no universe would she be his friend, acting or not. He gave her a bad vibe, like bad fish she had one time in Phoenix . 

“ No. We just do our jobs.  I’m not pretending we are friends. I’d rather do anything else.We don’t like each others presence lets just leave it at that” She said before The camera was back on them.

“ Welcome back, so our first story involves a massive protest  for changes in our country against climate change.  Many Americans in multiple cities across the country, marched yesterday saying the government isn’t doing enough. The temperatures are becoming more intense each year”  

“ Okay but really, no one cares about that, now onto a more important story,  we are in the middle of a meat shortage!   A meat plant has shut down due to contamination and  it provided most meat in this country.  Prices are anticipated to go up as  it will be harder to find meat in the coming months. “ Ej finishes before  they go into another break.

It was now time for them to go home. They did the first half of the show and the other two anchors did the second.  It felt like it had been hours when it had been but not too long.

It was now 11:30am, and she had gotten up at 5am this morning so she was a tad tired.  She didn’t get why this dude didn’t like her as much as he did.  They just met, they hadn’t had much interaction at all.  He was only 2 years older than her, him 26 and her 24.

As she pushed that thought from her mind, she collected her things and walked towards the exit of the building.

Her apartment was only a half an hour from here. She had decided to live in New Jersey instead of NYC, as the price wasn’t as expensive.  She got a nice  two bedroom apartment and her apartment allowed animals so she had her calico cat named Toulouse.  He was her best friend, he could always cheer her up.

She had a nice basic Honda CRV but it was a beautiful Blue and it was new, her ex had bought it for her and even after they had broke up, she kept it. She changed the name on the car to her and as sad as it sounded, it was the thing he ever bought her..  

Oh Brandon… Just as she was about to open the door to her car, she heard a voice in the background.

“ Hey wait up, look I’m sorry about the way EJ treated you this morning, he probably didn’t  get enough sleep like usual” A girl  approached her as she reached her car.

“ My name is Sydney and I am the girl who is errand girl. I get all the coffee, lunches etc.  it is an okay job I mean the  pay is good, but wait i’m rambling i’m sorry” Sydney said as she smiled at Gina.

“No it’s fine, this is the best conversation I’ve had today. Mot have just been hello nice to meet you and that was the end. All these fake people pretending to like me. It’s nice to meet you Sydney, I’m Gina”

As the two shook hands, Gina gained a little more hope that this job wouldn’t suck as much.  Maybe EJ would get fired and it could be her show and her’s alone.

A girl could dream.

[tobirama-says-fuck-the-uchihas]

Hello—[Izuna/Reader]

Words—1.k

You are the Senju brother’s little sister, tasked with chasing after a resident Senju’s escaped cat through the woods. You chase it to the riverbed, but you aren’t the one to catch it. Someone else is.

“No, no, no, no!"

She fretted, running after the flash of orange, black, and white through the bushes. "Xi, come back! If I don't catch you for Kae–san then she'll be screaming at me for the next three years!"

Leaves rustled and the wind blew as she chased after the damn cat. In all her years, this had to be at least the twelfth time she's had to chase after one of Kae’s cats. Before her, it was one of her other siblings—like Kawarama. But after he died, it was up to Tobirama or Hashirama.

It was already sprinkling. Although she was beneath the cover of these large trees, their tops shielding her like a blanket from the sight of the clouds, rain still dabbled her. She could feel the wet drops splashing into the crown of her hair. There was a twig sticking to the side of her sandal, and she furiously kicked it away from her while trying not to trip as she ran.

"Xi, come back, please!"

As she chased the tom–cat through the forest and he dashed into the underbrush, she loosely realized that she was nearing the riverbank. If she didn't catch this cat soon, she'd be out in the open, and she desperately did not want that.

"You cat! Come back to me, or I will roast you later!"

She tripped through the bushes, nearly collapsing to her knees as she quickly skidded to a halt. The bushes behind her wavered at her quick exit, and her sandals slid down the rocky, pebbly ground of the riverbank.

Her eyes found Xi fast, but definitely not where she wanted him to be.

"Is this who you were chasing after?"

Her eyes widened as her sights fell onto the figure from the other side of the river.

A man, obviously a Uchiha, with short, shaggy black hair and dangerous eyes held Xi by the scruff while the cat stayed as stiff as a board. His eyes were locked onto the girl, calculating.

The Senju gulped, standing straighter while simultaneously guarded.

"Yes," she confirmed. "I... apologize..."

"Escaped feline on the run from its owner." The Uchiha drawled, his gloved hand coming down beneath the cat to hold him from under his legs, supporting his weight. "Very cliché."

She frowned, eyes still wide and a bead of sweat going down her temple. What was she to do? This man—her clan's enemy—was holding the resident grumpy old lady's escaped cat that she was tasked with catching!

He looked quite young—around the exact same age as Tobirama, she observed. Judging by his chakra levels, she was blown away by how strong he felt. Her mind kept repeating the same word over and over again: dangerous.

With a very worried look in her eyes, her vision flickered between this Uchiha man and Xi, who looked just as frightened as the Senju girl felt.

"... Yes," she accepted, not knowing what to say.

The man's vacant expression morphed into one of subtle amusement. What was he amused for? What was he amused for?! She was freaking out!

"Do you want your companion back?"

She perked up, surprised at the question. Was that rhetorical? Was he trying to trick her? Was he planning something? Grab her by the neck once she's close enough, cast her into a genjutsu, perhaps? A quick and easy kill for him, accredited to her willful stupidity.

She said nothing, only frowning deeper at the inquiry as she stared longingly at Xi.

"Might I walk across to return him?"

She glanced back up at the mysterious man, trying to gauge him and see if there was any falsehood in his actions. She couldn't make out any, but he might have just been a damn good liar.

"I shall..." she paused. What the hell was she doing? "... retrieve him half–way."

He already began walking forward, his sandals making contact with the river water and ripples emerging from his soles. He was adjusting his grip on Xi so that he could hand him to her, and her legs and hands shook tremendously as she crossed the water as well.

She waited for the man to hold Xi out first before holding out her arms. He observed her for many seconds as they just stood four feet apart from each other, eyes narrowing slightly. He was scrutinizing her face.

"Your chakra is familiar to me," he quietly says, slowly holding Xi out so that she could take him.

She said nothing, only holding Xi close to her breast. The calico seemed very content to stay there, very afraid of the man in front of him.

A beat passed.

"You are Tobirama Senju's sibling, are you not?"

He said it as if it was fact, less like a question. The girl frowned deeply.

Tobirama Senju was a fearsome enemy to the Uchiha clan, just as much as Hashirama was to Madara Uchiha. If she stayed any longer now that this young man found out her identity, she would be killed for sure. With a deep inhale, she turned.

"I am sorry for this trouble, Uchiha–san, but I must be leaving. There's an old lady back home who misses her cat." She said it in a rush, very eager to escape the scrutiny of this fearsome Uchiha.

"When you get back," the man called out after her, his eyes lingering on her form, "tell Tobirama that Izuna said hello."

She froze, eyes widening like saucers. A mock greeting made from hatred for her brother.

She just met the infamous Izuna Uchiha. The one whom her elder brother hated so strongly that he went out of his way to spit whenever the name was mentioned. Why did this have to happen now?

With a gasp, she snapped her head to the side to look over her shoulder.

But he was gone.

Her eyes surveyed the area beyond the bushes from where she just narrowly escaped, but she could not see a trace of the Uchiha. The wind blew and sprinkles of rain rushed onto her face. Holding Xi closer to her chest, she turned tail and ran back home.

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

A Familiar Soul - Chapter Two

Summary: Hilda decides to be completely honest with her mother, surprised when she seems to be a lot more in on magic than Hilda had expected her to be.

With her daughter’s association with witches, Johanna is forced to face some secrets of her own, bringing her back to feelings and people she’d rather have left behind

Dealing with insecurities and inner demons of her own, Kaisa finds herself face to face with the very issues that brought her to be so displeased with her own abilities

Or: the one where Johanna is Kaisa’s familiar

Notes:  Hey there! Just wanted to mention that Henrietta being the name for the tall witch from the Committee comes from @cinnamon-sparrow-scout! Hope you enjoy!

Read it on ao3: (chpt1) (chpt2)

Being in the library again after all those years was a strange feeling, to say the least, having avoided it like the plague ever since she was eighteen. Going to that place had always been the most surefire way to find her, which was the last thing she’d wanted to do. Unfortunately, that was exactly what Johanna had come for that day.

The scent of old books and the sounds of pages turning and patrons whispering were all familiar to her like a song she liked but hadn’t heard in a long time. Simultaneously unpleasant and nostalgic, those sensations made her feel like squirming, as if suddenly her skin was too tight. She kept herself composed and continued walking, though. There was a reason why she was there.

It didn’t take Johanna long to spot the librarian’s book cart between two shelves on the first floor, as if it had been put there to close the entrance to the small corridor the space between the shelves formed. It was a clear sign that Kaisa would be there, reshelving.

Johanna squared her shoulder, trying to make herself look braver than she felt. The part of the library they were in was secluded, which served her just fine. She rolled the cart forward to allow herself in and walked closer.

With her headphones on, it took Kaisa a moment to notice she had company. She turned her head to the other woman with a disapproving face, expecting to see a patron which hadn’t respected the ‘do not enter’ message that the cart positioned at the entrance gave. Now Johanna could see why that corridor would need to be closed for reshelving: the two shelves were so close that Kaisa was all but cornered by Johanna in the narrow corridor.

The librarian was good at masking her emotions, always had been. However, even if just for a second before she picked herself up, her eyes widened and her eyebrows shot upward at the sight of Johanna. Good, Johanna thought, I hope I gave the bastard a good fright.

“You need to stop this.” Johanna said with a resolution in her voice she didn’t really feel all the way in her soul. Already recomposed, Kaisa crossed her arms over her chest and deliberately lifted an eyebrow.

“Well, hello to you too.”

“I mean it.” Johanna walked closer, fully aware that she was being rude to someone she hadn’t talked to in so long. Seeing Kaisa again after so much time had gone by awakened something in her which made her want to cry, scream, and kiss her stupid face all at once. “Even you are better than this. Is this some sort of revenge? Trying to put my daughter in danger as well?”

Kaisa blinked, the confidence on her face wavering. In the few moments she’d had, she hadn’t even managed to recover from the shock of seeing Johanna again, a ghost of the past in the middle of her books, and now another blow was thrown at her.

“Daughter?” She asked, hating the disbelief in her voice.

“You know what I mean. You’ve been helping Hilda get herself in trouble, and what for? Getting back at me?”

“Oh, so Hilda is your daughter, is she?” The moments she’d spent with the girl were replayed in Kaisas’s mind, and with this added layer of knowledge, she could now see there had been something about the girl that had struck her as familiar. The irony of Hilda being Frida’s familiar did not escape her either; maybe it was something of a genetic trait? “Congratulations, I would never have guessed such a lovely girl would have been raised by you.”

With one firm step forward, Kaisa tried to squeeze herself between the shelf to her left and Johanna. She wanted that conversation to be over. It was too overwhelming for her to keep up her act of calm for much longer. No such luck, however, since Johanna slid herself to the right and blocked her way.

“You mean you didn’t know she was my daughter?” There was a hint of doubt in her voice when she asked. “Why do it, then? Get her involved with magic?”

“I do not spend nearly as much time thinking about you as you seem to think I do.” Kaisa huffed as she bumped on Johanna’s shoulder with her own, trying to get her to move so as to allow her out. “It’s not my fault she has a wild heart. I just hope she doesn’t let her selfish mother get in the way of what she loves.”

“Stay away from my child, Kaisa.” Johanna glared down into the witch’s eyes. “You know nothing about who I am, so keep my name out of your mouth.”

Kaisa met her gaze with as much intensity, all of Johanna’s anger reflected on her eyes. Johanna didn’t think they’d ever had this bad of an argument before. Even when they had fought, Johanna hadn’t been one to pick the battle. There was one difference this time, though, and it was that this time, Hilda was involved.

“You are a coward, Johanna. I see that still hasn’t changed.” She said with a smug grin that Johanna was dying to slap off of her face. Having no interest in facing charges for attacking the librarian, she instead walked away with an angry groan, feeling like it was much easier to breathe once she was out of that corridor.

With the confrontation over, she noticed her heart rate had picked up pace, and that her breathing was ragged. Thoughts scrambled in her head just like emotions in her heart. Kaisa had to somehow know Hilda was her daughter. She desperately wanted it to be true, because then there would be a reason why her daughter was always going on those crazy quests, why she hadn’t been telling her anything. Because then Johanna would finally be able to tell herself that Kaisa was indeed bad.

And yet, with one small, tragic exception, she knew her old friend was not a liar.

She walked quickly, taking big strides. Her crowded mind made it so she didn’t take much of her surroundings in, until another voice she hadn’t heard in years reached her. It was melodic and overly sweet, at least when she was calm, and Johanna turned her head to see the woman sitting on one of the more comfortable armchairs in the library.

“Johanna? Is that you?”

The woman’s long hair was split in the middle, one half of it orange and the other a creamy white. Johanna remembered that when she was a child, that hair used to remind her of a calico cat. Instead of her usual black dress, she was wearing another ankle lenghted dress, dark pink with a brown sweater on top. Something about seeing her out of her witch clothes made Johanna uncomfortable, or maybe it was just because of the encouter she’d just had.

“Abigail.” She greeted. “Yes, it’s me. Been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Oh, how much you’ve grown!” Abigail said, and Johanna had stop herself from saying she hadn’t aged at all. For some reason, Abigail looked surprised to see her there, and Johanna figured it was probably just because it had been a long time since they last saw each other, and not the best circumstances either.

The witch’s gaze was focused on a spot behind Johanna, and she glanced at it for long enough to realize Abigail was looking at where Johanna had just come from, where Kaisa, too, was now leaving from among the shelves.

“Pity, isn’t it?” Abigail said unprompted. “Such a promising witch, she’d been. And yet, she turned out to be so… self-centered.”

Johanna sighed, hugging her torso. “I agree. I once thought I knew her, you know. I cared about her, deeply. But now I’m afraid she doesn’t even deserve my compassion. I recently found out she had been endangering my child.”

Abigail brought a hand to her heart with a soft, almost inaudible gasp. “This upsets you, doesn’t it?” She asked in a low voice.

“Deeply. She’s… she’s doing to Hilda the same she did to herself. It’s happening right in front of my eyes, and I can allow it no longer.”

“You mean the blue haired girl?” Her head was tilted to the side. “Oh, I’ve seen the sort of thing she does with Kaisa’s support… they’re certainly not fit for a little girl. You are a good mother to try and protect her. I, too, shall see what I can do to try and keep her safe.”

Johanna let out a heavy sigh. Few things could stop Kaisa when she had something on her mind, and much less Hilda, but having an ally in the Committee of Three was something of a win. She knew very well about the power they had.

“Thank you, Abigail. It was good to see you again.”

“The pleasure was all mine, dear.”

The witch had barely finished speaking when a shrill hiss interrupted her.

“Abigail, what are you doing?”

Abigail turned to look behind herself, and Johanna noticed the voice, which she also recognized, was coming from a gap before two bookshelves that hadn’t been there before. Another one of the many secret passages the witches had.

“”Henrietta.” Abigail exhaled. “Must you be this way? I’m just talking.”

“With a non-witch!” The other woman snapped. From the gap, Johanna could only see her black clothes and hair split in half, the same colours as her younger sister’s.

“We can’t go our lives without talking to non-witches, you know?”

Henrietta glared at Abigail in a way that Johanna was sure had a meaning between them. Uncomfortably, she noted that they still talked about her as if she wasn’t in the room.

“Well, maybe we should. This place is witch sacred space! You shouldn’t be communing with them here!”

Before they could continue their argument, Johanna cleared her throat.

“I was already going anyway. Good evening.”

As she walked away from the library hastily, she wasn’t sure if in that visit she’d managed to solved her problems, or only to create more.

_#_#_#_

With her small hands, she placed the violets on the cold stone, one upon each grave. Kaisa didn’t like picking flowers. She knew it hurt the plant and often upset the nature spirits that took care of it. For her parents, though, she made an exception, and when she was allowed to visit them she’d always bring them a flower.

Their graves were side by side, just like they would want them to be. Kaisa remembered few things about her mother, because the woman had died when she wasn’t much more than a baby, but she’d heard stories about her. After she got pregnant and revealed that she had a non-witch lover, the witch community had been revolted. Heartbroken at not having her kind accept that romance, she’d decided to leave any affiliation with witch kind behind.

It was a noble decision, Kaisa thought, but not a very smart one. For her choice, she had her magic completely removed, and it made her terribly weak. Even though sometimes witches would take long to manifest their magic, they always had it in them, and taking it away was the same as cutting apart a piece of their soul. Her mother had gotten weaker and weaker, the harrowing experience of childbirth only making her situation worse, which eventually led to her death.

Without the woman he loved, Kaisa’s father hadn’t lasted long. He was with her for long enough for Kaisa to remember the sound of his laughter, which had always felt forced, the scent of the porrige he used to make them every morning, and to fill her young head with stories of how great her mother had been before she had her magic stripped from her simply for loving, how she’d been the most powerful and wise member of the Committee Of Three. Then, illness had taken him.

Her father had no parents in Trolberg, and her mother had no close family to speak of (none that hadn’t disowned her, anyway), so at a very young age Kaisa had been on the verge of being completely alone. Luckily, her mother had had one friend left, one woman who didn’t agree with the rest of the witches, and who had been kind enough to take Kaisa in.

“Come, little one.” Tildy said gently as she put a hand on the child’s shoulders. “Let’s go home.”

“Why don’t they come to visit me?” Kaisa asked suddenly, making the older woman involuntarily squeeze her shoulder. “Ghosts come to visit what was theirs, you said so yourself. But then why won’t they come visit me? Do they blame me for what happened?”

Tildy made her way to stand in front of her and kneeled down to her level. Age was beginning to make her movements less agile, but it wasn’t something that she ever allowed to stop her. Gazing into the girl’s big, melancholic eyes, she knew there was a long road ahead to get her to heal from the terrible experiences she’d had at such a young age. No child should have such a thought on their mind.

“Oh, sweetheart, of course they don’t blame you.” Resisting the urge to lock Kaisa in a tight hug, Tildy cooed. “You see, ghosts don’t usually come to visit people because… the thing with loved ones is, eventually they die too. And then everyone’s together again! It’s not because they don’t like you at all. They loved you so much, little one. You were a miracle in their eyes. I promise they’ll be looking at you with a lot of pride.”

Kaisa nodded. She didn’t look forward to dying, but at least she knew she’d see her parents again then. She knew what she had to do in this world, in the meanwhile.

The woman took her home again, and baked her her favorite cake, which she always did when she wanted to cheer her up. Kaisa was infinitely glad for Tildy’s warmth in her life, comforting and uplifting her. It was all she had. That, and the burning certainty in her soul that she had a debt to her mother which she had to pay.

She had to change the system that had gotten her killed, because even if Kaisa herself wasn’t the culprit of her death, she’d always feel responsible for her mother’s downfall if she didn’t do something. Kaisa would be great, she knew it. She would have to be if she wanted to make her mother proud.