#basically the prompt was 'i wished for all my friends to disappear then all my enemies disappeared'

[crows-in-sevens]

the old man

warns others

but the boy

had wished for —

and

now regrets

his power over it:

mourns

the change in

fate.

listen;

everyone.

(You can read it straight down, but the other way to read it is by reading the first line of the first stanza, then first line of the second stanza, then first of third, then second of fourth, then second of first, then second of second, then so on. Giving you:

The old man had wished for his power over it: fate. Warns others and mourns. Listen; but the boy now regrets the change in everyone.

)

I thought I was so clever haha

[erosiism]

OBLIVION | YANDERE CROWN PRINCE X M!READER

prompt: very lazy (oblivious) reader x yandere crown prince who basically does everything for him. reader is clueless about his friends disappearing around him, historical setting where MC is a pampered son of a noble family 

character(s): yandere crown prince, lazy!reader

warnings(s): mild violence, yandere themes. still considered rather fluffy and sfw

note(s): male reader, second person, present tense, as far as this goes this guy is too green to be really called a yandere lol. his possessive and violence tendencies are not to be glorified regardless, loose use of magic, not beta read 

Your biggest enemy is hard work, and your favorite hobby is sleeping. You can’t help it—you are spoiled, no doubt about that, and because you got lucky enough to be born into a prestigious family who dotes on you. Your social life is almost non-existent, but ever since you were young, your friend has stuck next to you. 

Your friend, who happens to be a crown prince.

People say he’s scary. You doubt that highly—is His Highness Cassian not the one who has brought you sweet treats from young? Is he not the one who littered your skin with tiny kisses because he likes showing affection? Is he not the one who allows you to laze around or nap? Rumors tend to be untrue, and you feel almost sorry towards the prince for having to deal with that.

(“I heard that if you mess with him, His Highness has the ability to kill! Haven’t you heard the disappearances lately?”)

You asked the crown prince questions regarding the rumors. All you got was a surprised, flippant reply: kill? That’s ridiculous, [Name]. I haven’t even mastered my mana skills yet.

So you don’t trust the rumors. It makes sense for people to be jealous, after all: he’s the crown prince. He has objectively good looks, and he’s an amalgamation of everything someone would covet: wealth, prestige, brilliance, and skill.

“You slept in class again?” A voice tears you out of your thoughts. You’re lounging on the bench in the school garden, and your legs are propped up on the sides. Your bag is thrown loosely to the ground. Inwardly you wish you had the physical capability to be agile enough to scale up a tree—because god, the place up there looked amazing—but unfortunately, you didn’t.

You face him. Cassia raises an eyebrow, and his fingers reach out gingerly to touch your cheek gently. You don’t recoil. It’s become normal.

“I can see words imprinted on your face. How long did you sleep? Or rather, how long was your class?”

It takes a few moments for you to process the prince’s words, before you squint your eyes. There’s a red smear on his cheek that seems hastily wiped off. It’s not too obvious, not to others, anyways, but you’re so used to Cassian's face looking normal that you immediately notice it.

“What’s that red thing on your face?” You ignore the question. You know that he can guess the answer.

“…Red thing?” Cassian immediately narrows his eyes, pausing. His fingers leave your face and go to his own. It looks like blood; which is odd, and definitely not possible.

“Is that…” you mull it over for a second. It can’t be blood. Or lipstick.

Cassian, though having received multiple marriage proposals, didn’t seem to be settling down any time soon. 

Strange, it doesn’t even seem like he likes women. So the only plausible thing is—

“—were you drinking tomato soup earlier?”

Cassian blinks his eyes, before a look of realization dawns on his face. And if you see correctly, there’s almost the tiniest hint of relief. Cassian’s lips tug up into a smile—he laughs, the prince laughs, the sound bright and mirthful and irrevocably fond. Your parents have teased you once about the prince nursing a crush on you. But this is how he has treated you for as long as you can remember.

“Tomato?”

“Looks like a tomato,” You furrow your eyebrows. “Hey, do they serve tomato soup in the academy? I really want tomato soup. It’s easy to drink, and…”

“I’ll get you some later,” Cassian says affectionately. He ruffles your hair, and you relax. “Don’t worry too much, alright?”

You shrug loosely. “Alright.”

.

.

[ before ]

He stares at the dead body on the ground. There aren’t a lot of rumors of you, but your laziness is well known. Some see it fondly, almost endearingly, but there are the rare few who view you with disdain because of your apparent lack of diligence.

Caspian doesn’t like that. He’s fine with rumors of his own—but of you? But of sweet, innocent, lovely you? He loathes it.

“Stop talking,” he smiles. “…You can do that, can’t you? After all, you’re already dead.”

A head lolls about and blood drips off a blade.

What, Cassian thinks with that sweet softness he has reserved for you, smiling gently, should I get for [Name] today?

shitpost since i had this lying around. lowkey cringe

[hlficlibrary]

hi admin! i found your page just a couple days ago and you're already my favourite one here on tumblr <3 i was looking for friends to lovers fics where hl friendships starts as something more platonic! yk when even others think they are in love but they don't realize (like end up messing other situationships up bc the other and stuff if u know what i mean)😅 basically platonic best friends to lovers i guess it's called (? anyways, lots of love for you :)

Hi, anon! Thanks so much for your kind words! Here are some fics that fit what you're looking for!

Snow In Love by @lululawrence

Harry and Louis are best friends and have been for basically as long as they can remember. For the first time since middle school, they are both single for the holidays leaving them with the brilliant idea to take each other as their dates to work events. To make things easier they will pretend like they’re dating. But then they learn something funny.

People thought they were already dating. Weird.

An advent fic featuring childhood friends, fake dating turned actual dating, really horrible secret keeping, and a winter weather surprise.

After All This Time by lovelarry10 / @chloehl10

“Look, I’m sorry. I just… we reckon you and Harry would be so good together. You just, I dunno, complete each other somehow? In a way that we all don’t. Sometimes, we watch the two of you and it’s like Harry and Louis against the world, like we could all disappear and you’d both be just fine as long you have each other.”

“Shit. God, I’m sorry, Li, we don’t mean to-”

“No! No, Lou, I’m not looking for an apology or whatever. I just… I wish you’d both see how good you’d be together. It’s nice, to watch you both actually, how easy things are between you. You cuddle, and touch each other, but at the same time, you can just sit in silence with each other, and it’s enough. I’d like to find that, someday, that’s all.”

Louis and Harry have been best friends since a fateful meeting on the Hogwarts Express seven years ago. With their time at Hogwarts coming to an end, their friends are determined to make them see that perhaps they've always destined to be more than just friends.

Prompted into reliving some of their most vivid moments at Hogwarts, Louis and Harry come to a startling realisation... that just maybe, after all this time, they're meant to be each others. Always.

spoon time by shiptattou / @wecantalktomorrow

There was nothing going on between them outside of the normal bro-pal-laddy-dude things every other set of best friends did. All sets of best friends did things like this. You know, hanging out every day, staying up late, and chatting until the wee hours which usually ended up as a sleepover and bed-sharing. There is nothing going on between them.

That is what Harry was going to keep telling himself and everyone around them, anyway because it is the truth, after all.

[beechersnope]

t4t seb/oscar anyone?

warnings for general rancid vibes, undernegotiated unprotected sex, & nonconsensual exhibitionism. past seb/mark heavily mentioned, as well as unrequited oscar/mark.

***

“Congrats.”

The way Seb says it doesn’t feel congratulatory. It feels predatory. All teeth, no smile.

Oscar shrugs. “Thanks.”

Seb lingers in the doorway to the driver’s room—not Oscar's, technically, borrowed for just the next hour so he can make the appropriate phone calls to his parents, his friends. Mark. He hasn’t managed to ring a single one so far, instead spending the last fifteen minutes just staring down at his phone, his mind totally blank until Seb unexpectedly opened the door and let himself in.

“Can we talk?” Seb asks. He slowly closes the door behind him. Oscar’s eyes track the movement of his slim fingers as he turns the lock.

“Okay,” Oscar replies. “About what?”

He doesn’t get an answer. Instead, Seb swiftly crosses the room and with an inscrutable expression on his face, grabs Oscar’s jaw with both hands and presses their mouths together.

It’s hard, biting, just on the too-much side of painful, but Oscar doesn’t pull away. He moans when Seb forces his mouth open with a thumb against his lower lip, shuddering when Seb sucks on his tongue.

“Take off your clothes,” Seb says as soon as he pulls away, his eyes dark, pupils blown.

“There’s no time—” Oscar protests, but he’s shut up by another searing kiss, and then Seb’s hands drop down to his jeans and make quick work of the button and zip.

In the end, Seb doesn’t do more than pull them down around Oscar’s knees along with his boxers before bending him over the couch and spreading his thighs.

“Christ, no wonder Mark’s so obsessed with you,” Seb says as he drags a callused thumb down the seam of Oscar’s cunt. “Can’t believe he lets you out of the house. If it were me, I’d spend all day just eating your gorgeous little pussy.”

Oscar’s face goes hot with embarrassment and—something else, something he doesn’t dare put a name to. If it were anyone but Seb, the comment might have felt degrading, but instead it just seemed…sincere.

“You like that?” Seb asks in a low voice as he leans over Oscar to whisper in his ear. “You’re already wet.”

“Do something,” Oscar grumbles. He pushes his ass out, colliding with Seb’s hips accidentally and feeling a welcoming hardness through Seb’s race suit. He must have come to Oscar’s room for this, then, he thinks. Come prepared and wanting.

“Yeah? Want me to fuck you? The way you wish Mark would fuck you, I bet.”

Oscar doesn’t dignify that with an answer. He struggles to get his teeth around the corner of the couch cushion and bites down, knowing that he won’t have the wherewithal to keep quiet if Seb makes good on his promise.

He gets a finger first, probing inside him. Then another, both of them pushing down toward his pelvic bone until he feels a strange hollow ache inside him that causes him to clench down around Seb’s fingers without meaning to.

“Just like that, yeah. God I can’t wait to get my cock inside you, show Mark what he’s missing.”

Seb’s fingers suddenly disappear, leaving nothing but a raw pulsing need in their wake. Oscar struggles to open his legs a little wider, trapped by Seb’s body and the confines of his jeans.

“Can you come from being fucked?” Seb asks over the sound of his race suit being unzipped, the rustle of fabric filling in the blanks for Oscar, whose body locks up in eager anticipation of whatever’s coming next. If Mark wouldn’t fuck him, then this was basically the next best thing. “Oscar,” Seb prompts with a light swat against his ass, not hard enough to leave a mark. “Can you come from being fucked?” he asks again.

Oscar shakes his head. But he doesn’t really know. He’s never tried.

“Okay,” is all Seb says in response, but the word feels loaded, and Oscar can’t help but wonder what he has planned.

There isn’t time to dwell on it. Only a few seconds pass in silence before Oscar feels something hot and hard pushing into him, spearing him open, rendering him breathless. It isn’t the rough catch of silicone that he expects, but soft skin, slickly gliding into him.

Oh, Oscar thinks to himself as his body jerks away from the sensation, his brain just barely catching up. Oh. Then he wonders: does Mark know?

“Easy,” Seb says with a hand against the small of Oscar’s back. He pushes inside until Oscar can feel Seb’s pubes tickling the bare skin of his ass, and then he stays there a moment, not moving at all. “Fuck, you feel good,” Seb finally says through a forceful exhale. “Mark’s an idiot for not fucking you already.”

Oscar lets go of the cushion with his teeth, unable to hold back his response. “You’re not fucking me either.”

Seb laughs, and then he pulls out just far enough to slam back in.

It knocks the breath out of Oscar, but Seb starts up a violent rhythm that renders him unable to catch the edge of the cushion with his teeth again, so he settles for burying his face in the couch instead, hoping the sounds pouring out of him with every thrust are muffled enough that they won’t be audible in the hallway outside.

It hurts a little, and Seb’s not even trying to get him off, just using him—but somehow that makes Oscar even wetter. He’ll be sore for days after, with the way Seb’s cock keeps hitting his cervix on every thrust, the dull ache of it making Oscar’s stomach clench in time with his cunt. Seb’s hand is still a heavy weight against his back, keeping him still, unable to get away from the balls-deep thrusts even if he wanted to. He wonders if it would be like this with Mark, if Seb is fucking him the way Mark used to fuck Seb—and just that thought gets him so close he wonders whether he can come from being fucked after all.

He doesn’t get the chance to find out. The movements inside him quicken, short jerks that precede a gasping whine from Seb’s mouth as he stills inside him. A hand curls over Oscar’s hipbone, pressing bruises into his skin as Seb pants out his orgasm while he trembles and shakes against Oscar’s back.

Oscar feels delirious when Seb finally pulls out and flips him over onto his back. He stares up into Seb’s sweat-streaked face, curls damp at his temples, and wishes Seb would keep going. Oscar knows Seb can, that he doesn’t have to wait, even if it feels like too much. But Oscar has never been good at asking for what he wants.

“Call Mark,” Seb says in a hoarse voice, throat full of saliva that he has to swallow down before he can repeat himself. “Call Mark and tell him they signed you.”

Oscar wants to ask Seb what the hell is wrong with him, but he doesn’t. He scrabbles against the couch with his fingers for his phone, which has slipped into the crevice between the cushions at some point during their encounter, and pulls up Mark’s name without saying anything at all.

Seb just watches as the phone rings. Oscar puts it on speaker, even though he knows he shouldn’t.

As soon as Mark’s “Hello?” emanates in the room, Seb dives down between Oscar’s thighs and sucks his still-hard clit into his mouth.

Oscar lets out a sharp gasp, feeling like it’s been punched out of him. The suction of Seb’s mouth is so overwhelming he doesn’t know whether to scream or cry.

“Oscar?” Mark says, oblivious. “Are you there?”

“Yeah,” Oscar finally manages, throat tight. “I—”

“What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Oscar says again. He has to wait a beat as the forebear of his orgasm washes over him, subdued by the rattling breath that escapes his mouth. “I got signed to McLaren,” he says, and there’s no way that Mark doesn’t think that he’s jerking off or something, but hopefully that’s all he thinks it is. “They’re going to announce soon, but I…. I wanted to tell you first.”

“Oh,” Mark replies, and there’s an edge to his voice that wasn’t there before. “Congrats, kid.”

Oscar opens his mouth to say ‘thank you’, but it doesn’t come out. Seb sucks hard and drags his teeth along the side of his clit as Mark congratulates him, almost like it’s a silent form of retribution, and just like that, Oscar is coming, his thighs clamping down on either side of Seb’s head as he tries and fails to bite back the warbling cry that pours out of him in fits and stutters.

There’s a long pregnant silence that follows as Oscar slowly comes back to himself. Seb slowly pries apart Oscar’s legs to free himself, and stands up without a word, turning away before Oscar can catch sight of his cock as he tucks himself back into his fireproofs.

Oscar’s head flops to the side. He glances at the phone next to him, surprised to see that the call timer is still running. He’d thought—feared—that Mark had hung up.

“Are you still there?” Oscar asks in a small voice.

A beat of silence, then— “Yeah,” Mark says quietly. Then another beat. “Oscar,” he says, almost tentatively. “Are you alone right now?”

Oscar glances up at Seb, who doesn’t meet his eyes. “No,” he breathes.

[disproportionatelysculpting]

Prompt - an old man is sitting in the park below the old tree the old tree here signifies his old age and he is seeing the child play , mid age people giggling, couple walking holding hands and a family man sitting silent in the corner. Like basically he is seeing every phase of human life and you can relate an excited child with butterflies , similarly relating every human phase with something present in the park

I wanted to write in this theme but now you can write if you find the idea nice 👍 you can alter and change accordingly

Happy writing 🎇

Flower for you too 🌷

I want to write this in more of a essay form, might get boring//

In this era of rush, everyone in a chase for something like hamsters stuck on rolling wheels, so am I. Tired of all this craving to find the perfect life and all the ways to be successful, I wished to run away or ruin myself. To take a break from these all, chaos, thoughts, I went on a walk to the grounds nearby, to ground my own pace in this world.

There was an old man sitting on the dais below a tree and I sat beside, breathing in the changing atmosphere from the dull exhausted air of afternoon, to the cold, heavy, yet crisp fresh zephyrs of evening.

I began to notice his face and features, there was a calm and little smile, while his eyes danced around and there were wrinkle and smile lines on his face just like the tree behind us. I followed where his eyes went, to see what made him feel at such peace, one we all are searching, one I couldn't find.

I followed everywhere his eyes went, wondering what was so good about this? I took a look back at his eyes and his smile grew wider. I wanted to ask, why? What is so good about it all? So I took the courage and asked him.

He talked a while, and then told me about how he viewed the world and I think I learned something that day I can never let go of anymore.

There are people around, children hiding and seeking, playing with joys of childhood. Look at the kids, they are so young, carefree, they don't even care about the worldly belonging, because their world is just full of love, like the bees in this tree, they roam around, collecting sweet things in the fields. That's childhood you see.

Groups of teenagers walking back to home, laughing together maybe cracking jokes about how their days went, or about some teacher of their who sucks at school, or maybe something else. Look at those teens and these ants climbing behind the tree, hardworking, to keep themselves alive when the world grows cold, finding little joys even in the competition to survive, greeting each other with smiles and they will fight for their lives. You see that is youth.

Then there is a couple sitting beside a food stall, holding hands, giggling, waiting for the food. Look at those young people so adorably into each other, even getting a little treat is like whole world for them, you see these moments are fleeting, they will disappear just like the food and maybe after a while they will find new recipes to try but the love will always flow in those veins. You see that is love.

There is a young man carrying grocery bags and other with his child in his lapel, reconnecting after seeing each other randomly. They are like bunch of caterpillars fed on same plant but different species, one evolved into a small butterfly other into a moth, maybe one of their friend will be a majestic kind, both pretty in their own kind. Different paths but the process they went is the same. You see that's adulting.

And then there is he, An old man, like this old tree, watching everyone, everything, finding joy in mundanity of these little things, in the minuscule worth of human life. And then there is you, trying to make sense of this world, trying to find a way to bring happiness to your soul without searching the beauty in simplicity. Life is a pathetically abusive race, It took me ages to learn how to appreciate it and I noticed how you craves that knowledge, just like me in my youth. I hope you grow like this tree, it was younger when I was a child, still quite old but it continues to grow more. And look how peaceful it is to sit beneath it and how enormous it is, don't forget life is a race but its also your only life. Don't lose yourself in admist the chaos, I hope you age beautifully, Child.

[supercasey]

Meet my Grumpus OC, Tedissifer! I’ve been obsessed with Bugsnax all month, so I finally caved and made an OC, though I couldn’t resist tying him to Wambus and Triffany, my favorites in the game (save for, well, everyone. They’re all fantastic)! Here’s some basic info about ‘im, though there’s way more under the readmore including his main quest, side quest, and interview with the Journalist!

Name: Tedissifer “Tes” Troubleshoot

Pronouns: He/Him

Loves: Wambus, Triffany

Likes: Gramble, Chandlo, Floofty, Filbo, Eggabell

Neutral: Lizbert, Snorpy, Shelda, Beffica

Dislikes: Wiggle, Cromdo

Favorite Snak (To Eat): Fryder

Favorite Sauce: Ketchup

Character Ideas

+Has a pet Bunger (named Lil’ Mac) that’s been following him around since he arrived on the island. Snorpy helped him put a bow-tie on him to keep him from accidentally getting captured by Lizbert (the bow-tie has a tracking device/trap neutralizer installed in it). Tes goes to the edge of Snaxburg every night to visit Mac, but after completing his side quest, Mac moves in with him and Gramble, and follows him around during his morning routine.

+Wants to be helpful, but oftentimes just comes off as annoying/tiresome, leading to most of the other grumps avoiding him, save for his friends and relatives.

+He can usually be found either petting the Snax in Gramble’s pen, or visiting his aunt and uncle around town. Sits on the ground in front of the campfire every night beside Wambus.

+He has a lot of repressed issues due to a sense of hopelessness from watching Wambus and Triffany lose their farm; his personal quest helps him open up about this to the journalist.

+Through his personal quest, Tes attempts to please both Wambus- who he admires and loves- and Gramble- who's taught him to tame Bugsnax- leading to an altercation between the two older grumps that Tes has to resolve. In the aftermath, Wambus relents and allows Tes to keep his Bunger/help Gramble with the rest of his Bugsnax, opening the town to having more snax as Tes convinces Gramble to let at least a few be available to eat for emergencies.

Main Quest Tie-in (takes place after Small Celebration!)

(Note: I’m following the format of the IGN/Bugsnax Wiki page for character side quests, so that’s why things may be worded weird.)

Summary: During the fight between Gramble and Wambus during Small Celebration, Gramble mentions that the only person who isn’t a “hungry maniac” isn’t back in town, and that he wishes it was him who came back and not Wambus, prompting Wambus to warn him to stay away from his nephew. The next morning, Filbo suggests that the Journalist try to find Tes, as he can help Gramble keep the Snax well taken care of in his barn.

Find Tes: Filbo said something about Wambus’s nephew being able to help Gramble with his barn. I should be able to find him somewhere back in Flavor Falls. Objective: return to Flavor Falls and search for Tes.

Lil’ Mac: There’s a weird Bunger wearing a bowtie that’s running around Flavor Falls. I should catch it for Gramble’s barn! Objective: catch the mysterious Bunger.

Escape Arsonist: Despite having caught the Bunger in my Snaktrap, the trap rejected the Snak and let it loose. This is no ordinary Bunger! Objective: follow the Bunger and find out it’s secrets.

Where There’s A Will: I followed the Bunger to a  secret encampment, but it disappeared behind a makeshift wall that I can’t get through. If I can make it to the other side, I might be able to find Tes. Objective: find a way past the wall.

Tes Craves Flavor

Inferiority Complexion: Tes seems eager to return to Snaxburg, but he’s embarrassed to come back when he has nothing to show for his time away. I can relate. Objective: catch and feed 2 Baja Tacroach.

It’s The Inside That Counts: Apparently certain snax don’t taste very good to Tes, but he has an idea on how to “fix” them. Objective: collect 10 hot sauce and catch 1 Inchwrap.

Seasons Is The Reason: Tes has discovered how to change the flavors of Bugsnax, but he wants to experiment some more. Objective: collect 5 ketchup, 5 ranch, and 1 Fryder.

Get Tes Back to Snaxburg: Now that Tes has a handle on his new discovery, it might be a good time to convince him to go home. Objective: convince Tes to go back to Snaxburg.

Side Quest (takes place after Ghost Stories)

Summary: Tes wants Wambus and Gramble to get along so he can stop feeling like he’s choosing a side, leading him to enlist the Journalist’s help to make it seem like they’re doing nice things for each other. After feeding a Crystal Sweetiefly to Wambus (his favorite) and donating a Sweet Fryder and BBQ Bunger to Gramble (they seem like Wambus-like gifts), the two of them get into another scuffle, forcing Tes to come clean about the plot. Both Grumpuses end up being disappointed in him, leading Tes to consider leaving town again, since he thinks they hate him now. After some convincing from the Journalist (and creating some more Bugsnax variants as make-up gifts) Tes invites Wambus and Gramble to the campfire for a late night talk. Tes finally tells both men the truth; that he loves to eat Bugsnax, but still thinks they can be tamed and kept as pets. He goes on to admit that their fights have been making him feel like he needs to pick between them, but he just can’t bring himself to do so, as he loves them both. While they still aren’t anything close to friends, Wambus and Gramble agree to try tolerating each other better, both for the sake of Snaxburg and their relationships with Tes.

Tes Finds Compromise: Tes looks upset about something. I should probably see what’s bothering him. Objective: speak with Tes.

Family Knows Best: Tes is frustrated with how much Wambus and Gramble hate each other, and wants to find a way for them to get along. Obviously, this means I have to do most of the heavy lifting. Objective: Catch and feed 1 Crystal Sweetiefly to Wambus, then tell him it’s from Gramble.

Roommates Know Better: With Wambus’s gift having gone so well, Tes wants to give Gramble something, too. Hopefully he has something good in mind. Objective: Catch and donate 1 Sweet Fryder and 1 BBQ Bunger, then tell Gramble they’re from Wambus.

More Than He Can Chew: It looks like there’s a commotion at the front gate involving Gramble and Wambus. This can’t be good. Objective: Witness the confrontation between Wambus and Gramble.

Honesty Is The Best Policy: Thanks to Tes’s (stupid) idea, both Gramble and Wambus are giving him the cold shoulder. I should try to patch this out before there’s another fight. Objective: Talk to Gramble and Wambus, then meet them at the campfire anywhere from 10PM-12AM.

INTERVIEW DIALOGUE

Journalist: Who are you?

Tedissifer: I’m Wambus and Tiffany’s nephew! 

Journalist: Can I get a little bit more than that, namely a... name?

Tedissifer: Oh, sorry ‘bout that; I’m Teddisiffer Troubleshoot, though most everybody ‘round here calls me Tes :3

Journalist: Why come to Snaktooth Island?

Tedissifer: Truth be told, it didn’t interest me that much when I heard about it on the news- figured it was nothin’ but fairy tales ‘n gossip- but then I heard that my uncle was going, so I got in touch with him and, well, I suppose the rest speaks for itself.

Journalist: Are you and your uncle close?

Tedissifer: Grump yes we are; he’s been my idol ever since I was a pup! Every summer my folks would send me ‘n my siblings over to Uncle Wamb’s to help with the farm... also it was nice to get a break from us for a season. Can’t say I’m particularly bitter about it or nothin’; those summers were the best days of my life!

Journalist: Let’s circle back; what are your thoughts on Bugsnax?

Tedissifer: They’re pretty grumpin’ tasty, if I do say so myself! Tricky to catch ‘n swallow, ‘specially when they're so darn cute, but they’re worth the trouble.

Journalist: Any info on Lizbert?

Tedissifer: Sorry to say, but my well of knowledge is as dry as it gets with her. We got along perfectly fine when she was around- as fine as acquaintances can be- but truth be told, I’m not much for talkin’ to newcomers unless they're aimin’ to stay awhile, and she just wasn’t built for that like her partner was. To each their own, I reckon.

Journalist: What about her partner Eggabell?

Tedissifer: Aw, Eggsy’s the sweetest! She’ll chew you like a snak if you go 'n rough yerself up real bad, but she’s great company! I used to sit by the fire with her ‘n chat the night away with all kinds ‘a stories, mostly ‘bout our lives before we settled out ���ere. She may not be an adventurer like her missus, but I honestly think she’s way tougher, at least in the brain. I reckon she’s only gotten tougher out there, wherever she’s off to.

Journalist: What happened to Snaxburg?

Tedissifer: What didn’t happen? As soon as Elizabert ‘n Eggsy vanished, everyone up ‘n lost their grumpin’ marbles, even Uncle Wamb! Sure, we had less food without ‘em around, ‘n no one’s all that good at huntin’, ‘specially compared to Elizabert, but we shoulda been just fine with sauce.

Journalist: How can a community only survive on condiments?

Tedissifer: Grumpit, I don’t know, but we weren’t as helpless as everybody made it out to be! ...Look, I know I’m young ‘n all, ‘n I haven't been through nearly as much as most of these Grumps, but you’d  think we coulda held it together for at least a week or so, right? Grump knows me ‘n my kin have survived through worse, and we’ll do it again if we gotta!

Journalist: What do you mean by that? What else have you survived?

Tedissifer: Um… nothin’, forget I said anything.

END INTERVIEW

Journalist: We’re just about finished here; any closing remarks?

Tedissifer: Actually, yeah... before I forget, Eggsy told me somethin’ important before she went missin’; said she was headin’ up to the mountain to “prove herself”, or somethin’ like that. I wanted to stop her, but she looked so happy ‘n excited... supposed that’s gonna haunt me ‘til I’m dead. I figure you're gonna look for ‘er, right? Lemme draw ya up a map, try ta give ya a good idea where to search. And, by the way... thanks. For everything. Some ‘a us ‘round here aren’t very good at sayin’ as much, but I’m not afraid to be appreciative. Good luck with your investigation!

Oh my g-d that was so much, why tf did I type all this out?? I doubt this’ll get any traction, but at least I can share my unhinged rants with my bro and his fiance. To anyone whose read this far, I love you <3

[fantomette22]

QUICK!! LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR FIC CAINHURST OCS SO WE CAN INVITE THEM TO ME AND BIMBOM’S OC TEA PARTY AND WATCH THEM ALL FIGHT!!

OH OK Ok !!!

So i will keep it to my main fic « OCs »because if i add the 3 version of Maria family tree or smt it’s never gonna be over 😂

Potential lil spoilers for my fic too ahah (but I didn’t put any big spoils!) Also some are complete Ocs but other are based on the portrait or even fit in the lore and could be more of an oc with a prompt /interpretation. And funny things to note but literally more than half of my bloodborne ocs are from Cainhurst 😂

Ok let’s begin with Vledemyr!

The young newest addition to the royal guard. Maria & Annalise cousin & friend, future head of the royal guard of Annalise (and one of the most powerful vileblood one day). In my notes I said he is 4y older than Maria and 1y older than Annalise. That guy is like the mvp of cainhurst. Best inhabitant of Cain after Maria probably. I already talk about him I think ( I love him so much). Ok he would do anything for Annalise yeah but Maria too. Always here to watch over her like an older brother. He’s a bit overprotective of the girls when they were young yeah. Really a great support character, the ideal knight ! He’s not annoying like the rest of the typical cainhurst nobles too. His only default is maybe to be too loyal and obey order without contradicted them. Oh and he’s the one who take care of the crows & raven of the castle. (He’s the best that’s why you need to know)

Lady Sveta/ Svetta smt (kinda place holder name)

she’s a young noble lady from Cainhurst, similar age to Annalise and a close friend of her, Vledemyr, Maria etc She’s a calm & thoughtful lady who managed to become quite influential over the years at Cainhurst despite her young age. She’s not a knight but like most aristocratic cainhurst ladies she was taught how to weld a dagger at least. (Vled taught her quite a few extra tips too!)

Charles : What can I tell about him without telling too much🤔 He’s Maria, Annalise & Vledemyr childhood friend. His family don’t live at Cainhurst anymore and he’s not a super high class noble. The executioner gloves came from his family yep. He was a students at Byrgenwerth too. He begin his course 1y before Maria (1 year older). As a kid the 2 were really the inseparable little trouble makers of Cainhurst 😂 He grew more mature since but could cause troubles if he wish XD (a bit like Laurence, when told them NO and they say YES.) Yeah he’s a lil bastard basically but I love him.

He hope one to impress the noble from Cainhurst and have an important place one day. And you know help restore the great strength Cainhurst lost over time (it’s the shadow of it’s former glory)

He could have quite a decisive role at some point…

Richard, he’s the precedent king consort of cainhurst and Annalise’s father. Poor guy, so much stuff is going on in front of his salad and he can’t do anything about it xD. Yeah he’s not really the one in charge the old ladies of their council don’t even consult him every time ;-; but he’s trying his best and dream of a day where Cainhurst would be xxx again! Of course he’s not perfect but he tried. For exemple he’s really compatissant with Maria wanting to go study far from cainhurst and travel when she’s supposed to become a royal guard. And he prepared Annalise as best as he could and preferred to take pressure on himself than on his dear daughter. Still, sometimes (bc it’s his right) he’s wearing one of the most precious tresor of cainhurst. One of the crown of illusion. Said to diccipe & create illusion in the ancient times. The 2nd crown was lost century ago far into the plumerias labyrinth and all it’s just a normal crown now. All it’s mystic power seems to have disappear long ago…

Well there’s the late queen I guess. (Don’t have a name yet sorry) she was loved by her subject and yeah typical queen too. She was actually the one to try to begin expedition to pthumerians underground again. After decades/centuries of nothing because cainhurst was to salty at the war their loose against their cousins

The ex body guard of the queen (I don’t have a name yet 😐). Will be relevant at some point… He was originally a mercenary hiring by Cainhurst to go to Loran. One of the only person who came back and they made him knight for his exploit. He even become the Queen’s personal bodyguard. He mysteriously disappeared some times after the Queen passed away…

The Royal guard captain? Or at least one of the head of the knights (when Maria was a student at Byrgenwerth). He’s an asshole. Other instructors are much sympthetic but this guy omg… you will understand when the time come. He’s really strict, almost abusive and doesn’t support when you contradict him or try to insult him to his face 😬

3 squires : future royal guards in training about Maria’s age. The 4 of them are supposed to become the next royal guards & Annalise personal guard.

(Maria is on the right & Vledemyr supervise them. It’s a meme too xD)

There’s a young woman (chikage and Evelyn) and two young men, one really strong with 2 chikages and the other one wielding a reiterpallasch and an Evelyn)

I need names too. And I can’t tell you really much more for now.

The next 3 are inspired by a song my friend made.

Twins musician : 2 of the most incredible musicians of Cainhurst. They both can play a clavecin in sync for exemple. And really fast

The master of dance/maestro : He teach the young noble how to spar & dance. And is a bit crazy really XD he often wear a knight helmet with a black suit.

Oh I almost forgot but the chiefs cook ! They come from the same country as Yamamura. If you do shit with their food or tried to cook one of their signature dishes horribly they will fight you.

Then I guess there’s Maria’s close family & other relatives ? You know her parents, the other nobles (but not really ocs more like background character you know) and her annoying grand aunts… 🤣 « But Annalise you can’t stand grand aunt Suzanne either ! »

The birds (crows mostly), horses and dogs don’t count I guess rip 💔 (I’m looking for names too. Yes they are important and relevant background characters)

I know Bloody Crow is not an OC but does baby Bloody Crow (when he was a baby/kid/teens) aka Voron count ? 🥺 No? ok. All I will say for now is that Maria is his godmother.

Ok so Leo don’t count either I guess so not for today. I don’t think his half siblings : Lupin & sister count either XD they are not noble and from Hemwick so (also in the family of my dear hunter)

There’s one last cainhurst oc I have… I think… but hm i can’t really talk about it (a lil secret kinda) I will only say that this oc was a young and sweet little girl who loved flowers and her family. She is deeply missed.

Anyway can’t wait see a hell of a typical Cainhurst duel on the table 👀 oh I mean tea party sorry x)

[misanthropicvampire]

3, 12, 13, 20, 22

3. do I care about being a good person? why/why not?

difficult question and entirely depends on my current mental state. if I had to try to be as objective as possible, I care to an extent, and that extent is likely a lot lower than other people's. I do have my own personal values or code of conduct that I'm unlikely to break, certain lines that I won't cross, but my morality tends to be very conditional, depending on who the person is and how they're treating me. so far in my life I've found that I rarely feel guilt for my actions, and the times that I believe I have felt guilt have actually been irritation at the negative consequences for myself. generally I don't think that I'm evil, and there are many worse people than myself, but neither do I think that I'm especially virtuous.

12. what is my worst trait that affects me?

in day to day interactions, my unconscious arrogance and lack of interest in other people can make forming connections difficult. I usually have to resort to a very restricted, polite mask that doesn't allow me to genuinely communicate with anyone in order to hide my natural attitude/reactions, which most people find rude, pretentious or dismissive.

13. what is my best trait that benefits me?

the thing I get the most out of from npd is an ability to control my attachments, remain immune to other people's emotional manipulation (due to a lack of empathy), and not have to worry about a lack of confidence regarding my abilities. obviously this depends on if I'm currently crashing or not, but when I'm in a high period, the sense of control that I feel over my life and relationships has saved me from a lot of grief.

20. is there a trait from my cluster B disorder I really wish I didn't have?

there are quite a few undesirable traits that come with npd, but for me my main ones are anger management issues/general pessimism/overabundance of negative emotions, a lack of self sufficiency when it comes to feeling pleased and satisfied with myself, intense jealousy, and unconquerable emotional detachment from others, a.k.a not being able to conceive of other viewpoints or recognise that other people have their own internal lives. delusions of grandeur also lead to a lot of disappointment, and can be infuriating because I'm never aware that my expectations are unreasonable until I'm let down again.

22. do I have a hierarchy of how I view people? if yes, what do the 'levels' look like to me?

yes, definitely. I don't generally think about this in detail or consciously move people up and down the 'levels' but, if I had to label them like a pyramid, beginning from the very bottom:

• background noise/cardboard cutouts - the majority of people; I rarely notice or remember any defining features about them and have to be actively encouraged to give them a second thought.

• minor irritants - nothing personal, I've just noticed certain behaviours or mannerisms from them that get on my nerves. I tolerate their company but that's all it is, toleration.

• active dislike - the reason that they're higher up on this imaginary pyramid is that they're able to provoke a reaction in me. I still don't usually think about them unless prompted, but can't be around them without immense stress or having an outburst.

• neutral zone - I'm aware of their existence and remember basic facts about them but they mean very little to me and I would not notice if they became absent from my life. I have no opinion on them one way or another so they place higher as I won't mind their company.

• vague affection - I don't mind their company and would gravitate towards them if there was no one else around who placed higher in the pyramid, but again, I wouldn't feel much of anything about their absence.

• fondness - where most friends that I've had lie; I actively seek out their company and can appreciate a few aspects of their personality. they're useful to have around and I'd feel let down if they disappeared.

• pet - I've accepted them as an extension of myself for the time being and, like the label suggests, view them as other people probably would a pet, something that's comforting and a companion.

• true equal/chosen person - rare for me, only about two people have been placed here to my knowledge, but a chosen person for me is someone that I view as equally conscious and deserving as myself.

[mxstball]

[Rising Kingdom] Identity

I've been feeling empty.

Many, many years ago, back when I lost my memories, I've always felt so powerless. Despite having my brother and sister always with me, if something were to happen to them, I would be unable to stop it.

Back then, Lati, our eldest brother, was the clear favorite, sealing himself in myths and legends in our world after defeating both Kyogre and Groudon on his own far before I showed up. He was kind, but stern. Nice yet honest. However, he would be away for long stretches of time as he was summoned by our Arceus to handle crises all around the world. 

Lauren, my older sister, was there much more often to be with me. She basically raised me as she taught me everything that she knew. However, she found her own niche in the world. Many Legendary Pokémon loved her and spoke to her. While she was not strong, she had connections and others that were willing to fight for her at her beck and call. It was this love and her ability that started her sex addiction all of those years ago, after all.

As for me, I was nothing like them. I wasn't strong like Lati. I wasn't loved like Lauren. I was just... there holding them behind by being a liability. I had no memory. I had no family other than them. For 1,000 years, all I had was a place that I was allowed to stay as long as I didn't cause any trouble... and while I loved Lauren and Lati with all of my heart, I was just deadweight to them. For so long, I wished to be strong like Lati so I could protect them and prove that I'm worthy. For so long, I wished to be loved like Lauren so I could spend my time surrounded by many people that I loved. For so long, I tried to find my own niche... to show to people that even I can do something. It's why I became an inventor so many years ago. It's why I became so into books and research. But even that didn't seem satisfying.

However, over time, I began to make peace with myself. I started enjoying inventing and reading. I liked occasionally peeking into the world and seeing what changed and what humans knew about the world that I didn't. When the world got more advanced, I eventually posed myself as a human myself and enjoyed the interactions that I've had with them. I... even had close friends and temporary lovers that were human, who accepted me for who I was... who didn't see me as an outcast, but as a part of their family. It's... why I grew to love humanity, after all.

...and it was all just in time, too, because everything changed when Lauren and I fell through that Ultra Wormhole.

"Oh! Oh! I know what I'll name you. How about 'Lacey'? Do you like that?"

Zinnia adopted me and allowed me to be a part of her family while putting Lauren in Team Magma. It was the first time I've truly felt apart from my big sister and was the first time I would live with a new family, so it was terrifying for me at first. However, as I grew accustomed to them, I realized that it was something that I wished for this entire time. I was surrounded by so many that I loved. I found a dragon that was happy with who I was and cared for me. I even joined Zinnia on adventures as her Pokémon and battled alongside her. It was everything that I dreamed, and I hoped that it never changes ---

-- but we all know that didn't turn out to be the case.

"...F--Friede.... Mother.... Wh--where-- wh--why....?"

Izanagi may have been the one that began to prompt my memory to start to return, but it was Friede that put it all into sense. I was powerful and loved, albeit in the middle of a war before my disappearance, but I had everything at some point. It wasn't perfect, sure, but it's why I craved a sense of belonging....

... but now, everyone is dead. 

That day... the day I realized that Friede had destroyed the world and wished to do the same to this world, I vowed to do everything in my power to protect this world from the fate that my old world had suffered -- whether through changing Friede's mind or by defeating her, I would be the last line of defense of this world against the World Cleanser. Initially, I hoped that I would calm her and return to my old life. I thought that I could take her on and return to my old life to live happily with my love and our Lorekeeper.

"If it isn't Heidi herself, and Melony too. What a coincidence that we found ourselves in the same world. I guess you-know-who isn't as good at extermination as we all thought."

Things were starting to improve over time. At first, there were Melony and Leifi that came to live with us, but before I knew it, we also had Morgan, Jörmundangr, Naresa, Tor, Eir, and Aegir join us. Even Icathia became the Dialga of our world. It was clear that, even though tragedy had struck, and I couldn't save everyone from the old world, that there were still survivors... that maybe I could find a happy combination between my old self and my new self....

“…This me. I am the real me. The other is… imposter. I… do not like imposter me.”

...but that didn't mean that I was happy with myself. Even then, I was starting to second-guess myself. Who was I? Which version of me was the real me? If I had to choose between myself as Lacey and myself as Heidi, what would I decide? When the Shadow Energy infected me and created my Shadow Self, it fed upon this insecurity, giving birth to the Lacey that we know today... one who had to wrestle control of herself just to wish to depart from me. Was this version of me the true version of me: one without having spirit and emotions in the way of my judgment? 

We wrestled for control for so long.... Even though I wished to find a way to find harmony between the two of us, she didn't trust me, and, until now, continued to try to either wrestle full control or find a way to separate for her existence.

“If… something happens to me… if something keeps me apart from all of you for good…, can you take care of Rayquaza for me? Can you make sure that he’s happy? Can you be there for him when he needs someone the most.”

It was some time ago when I truly began to realize that something major was going to change. Izanami was planning something big; I was still due to challenge Arceus, and staying in my marriage would only further put my loved ones at risk. I feared that I would fail -- that I would once again not be strong enough to stop those that wished harm on my loved ones, or, even if I did, that I would be ripped away from them myself.

“I keep feeling like, I’m like, at the edge. One wrong move or a little bad luck and it’s game over. Either I’m forever lost, or I turn to something unlike me, or I die– either way I’ll be leaving behind my friends… my family… the man I love…. So many people are putting their faith in me, saying that I’m the one that will help to save both here and the remainder of my world, but— but I’m scared that I– I’m scared if I can’t live up to that… That I’ll fail and undo all of the work that we’ve all done.”

I did everything that I could to make sure all was in place in case something happened to me. I made sure Zinnia was as happy as she could be. I reunited Zygarde and Rayquaza. I did research into Lauren's world to find our missing brother... I wanted to do everything so that, when I'm gone, I could smile and say, "at least everyone is happy". I didn't realize that I was bound to become an Arceus then. I didn't realize that in order to be powerful enough to challenge a Creator, that you had to be one yourself. I didn't fully process that I... that I was right to have this worry all along.

“There you go. Make sure you visit us, alright? Oh, and especially make sure you see lil’ Lati every here and there, too!”

It was the talk with Zinnia that sealed everything. For all of this time, I've tried to toe the line between Lacey, my old self, and Heidi, my new self. For all of this time, despite knowing that something will happen, I clung so close to hope that I could make everything work... but after Izanami passed away... after I accepted my fate as Arceus... after my divorce with Rayquaza..., I slowly realized that it was never meant to be. The life I knew and loved was gone -- it was the compromise that I had to make to keep this world safe from harm... to finally have the power to protect those that I loved. I would train to become an Arceus and unlock my full potential so that Friede, or anyone of her ilk, could never think of laying a single hair on my family again -- that my family can live in peace for the rest of their lives.

However, after Zinnia released me, it was almost as if a piece of me died that day... as if the part of me that grew happy with herself had been taken from me. Lacey -- the young, frail, reserved dragon that loved her family and her toys -- was dead, killed by the passing of fate, and in its place was someone that was only a shell of her and the Heidi of old.

I miss her. I missed the naive amnesiac that made new toys and played with them. I missed the meek little girl that fell in love with a dragon whose worse quality was the amount of people he would flirt with. I missed the reserved dragon that would try to talk sense into her trainer if she fell astray. I miss the one that went to Magma Headquarters to annoy her sister for dating advice or to hang out. Now, though? Everyone looks at me differently. I'm... their All-Mother now. I'm still their friend, sure, but it's... just not the same anymore, and will never be the same ever again. 

“So what if you’re weaker right now! So what if your siblings put their kid gloves on so they don’t nearly kill you. So what if they can’t go all out on you like they can their own!? So what if you need a lot more time to figure yourself out? You’re NOT EVEN THIRTY YET and you’re trying to find some damn shortcut to becoming your namesake!"

When... mom told me that Aesen challenged her to a fight, I damn near panicked. I... was reminded of myself... of my old desperation to prove my own worth, even if I wasn't strong enough to protect my siblings.... It reminded me of my gained and lost sense of self. Even worse, it also showed a sign that there was a chance that I would have lost him that day -- all without knowing what was going on. So, I yelled at him... I screamed and cried out as loud as I could, not paying attention to anything he had to say....

Have... Have I really become the other side of my old self? Am I now the one that was isolating others because of their sense of self and purpose?

What... is happening to me? 

Who really... was Heidi, or Lacey for that matter?

Heidi changed to her Low-Powered form. "Who... am I? Truly, who is the dragon that I see that looks into the mirror? Heidi? Lacey? Lacey? Someone else? I... need to know... and I want to know... what... what happened to the old me."

"I just want to be happy."

[dragoon-mid-jump]

FFXIVWrite 2023 Prompt #1: Envoy

envoy (n.): a messenger or representative, especially one on a diplomatic mission. Synonym: agent.

Rating: General

Word count: 427

Minfilia lifted her head at the sudden click of her office door opening. Y'dehlya stepped in, wearing a grave expression. Though, upon closer inspection, Minfilia saw a hint of annoyance, too.

"A word, Antecedent." The miqo'te greeted. Minfilia detected a sigh in her voice. And on top of that, she had addressed her as antecedent, rather than by name. She furrowed her brow.

"Is aught amiss, Dehlya?"

Y'dehlya approached the desk. "I would like to make a request. Or rather, I wish for your blessing before I embark on a certain matter. As of late, the Ixal have grown the boldest of the...beast tribes, with their most recent and most powerful summoning of Garuda that we had to subdue. Additionally, there is the matter of this." She produced something from her pocket and placed it on the desk. Minfilia looked at the shimmering blue stone, then back at its owner.

"Your Job Stone?"

Y'dehlya sighed. "Aye. You remember my circumstance behind it, yes?" Minfilia gave a nod, allowing her to continue. "With the sudden disappearance of Ishgard's Azure Dragoon, my mentor bade me assume his post until he can be located. Word has already been spread in the area that the Eye of Nidhogg he wields was inclined to choose another bearer. Which brings me to my request: Allow me to be your agent in Coerthas. With your blessing, I can in good conscience monitor both situations at once. And perhaps if things go especially well, I may be able to use my new position as leverage in Ishgardian politics. Wishful thinking, I know, but Ser Alberic and Ser Haucherfant made it sound like the mantle held at least a decent amount of weight." Y'dehlya gave her a wry smile, as it basically was wishful thinking to request anything from Ishgard at this point. Perhaps that was the source of the annoyance she detected.

But, strong and bold as her dear friend was, her safety was still of most importance. And thus Minfilia was inclined to ask, "Will you be needing any allies by your side? I'm sure there's no shortage of those among us who would be happy to join you."

"I have some connections in the Adventurer's Guild, among other places if need be." She replied casually. "I have faith that you all will be able to handle matters in my absence."

Minfilia took a deep breath and let it out, facing one of Eorzea's champions with a smile. "Then, go with my blessing to Coerthas. May you walk in the light of the Crystal."

[mdizzle999872]

Say Mr. Glitch's Name

Sayori sighed as she entered her room. The player had just gone through a third play through of their game; she and all the girls were now fully aware of their video game existence but that didn't make things any better. She still had her depression and Monika wasn't doing anything to help at all. In fact, Monika was making it so Sayori's lines in Act 1 were just flying by like it was straight out of some kind of speed run. Sayori was just barely able to get an explanation out of her; Monika said it was so the players wouldn't have to put up with her blabbering.

Yes. Players. Not player. The player enjoyed the game so much he decided to share with his friends, and they each wanted their own play throughs.

So Sayori would end up repeatedly hanging herself at the end of Act 1 and then completely disappear for Act 2.

Lather.

Rinse.

Repeat.

She just wished she could have some kind of control or plead to Monika to ease the suffering. An ultimately futile effort as it turns outs. The one thing Monika had made clear was that she only cared about the player.

She threw her rope up to the ceiling in preparation for the next go around. Her noose looped around the support beam, she tied it off and then she sat on her bed resting her head in her hands.

From her wall a black and purple lightning started to amass. Sayori immediately hid behind her stuffed cow.

"PROTECT ME, MR. COW!"

More and more lightning formed, converging on a single point on her wall.

"Oh, why me?"

A purple hole materialized in the center and from out of it came what looked like a purple cloud with eyes.

"Hello? Is anyone here?" asked the purple cloud.

Sayori poked her head up timidly from behind Mr. Cow.

"Hello... What... are you?"

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mr. Glitch. And I must say, for such a small game it is rather spacious here."

Sayori timidly came out from behind her stuffed animal. Whatever this thing was, it didn't look like to wanted to cause her any harm.

"The coding... It gives me so much more room. Even my voice sounds different...I can speak clearer...I miss the accent."

"Accent?"

"It was NOT Russian!"

Sayori flinched, leaning back.

"...I didn't say it was."

There was an awkward silence; it seemed to last forever but it finally ended when Mr. Glitch suddenly cried out in pain and floated lower to the floor.

"Are you okay?"

"No. I'm afraid that unlike my trips to other games, my transition into this one was incomplete."

"You can transverse games?"

"Not just games, but yes."

"Wow. Even Monika can't do that!"

"Who is Monika?"

"The President of the Doki Doki Literature Club. She's basically in charge around here..."

Sayori went to on to give Mr. Glitch the full details of the situation they were all in. Everything from the play throughs to her own suicide and even to Monika herself. Mr. Glitch listened to all of it, if he was phased by any of it he didn't show. It was hard to judge someone's expressions when they only had eyes for a face.

"So yeah, we're basically all at the mercy of her and her command prompt."

"Command prompt? You mean one of these?"

Mr. Glitch flinched for a moment and a command prompt appeared between the two of them.

"You can do that?!"

"Yes, but no more. Since my transition into this game was incomplete, I cannot do more than this. In order for me to be fully integrated into this game someone will need to fill in my blanks for me."

"Like Monika? I guess that makes sense. I've only ever seen her bring that thing up."

"Like you!"

"Me?!"

"This command prompt is free to use. Any character, like you, can use it. Say my name three times, the command prompt will enter the rest of my code, and I will personally handle that Monika. Sounds like she needs a taste of her own medicine!"

"Well I would like her to be a bit more humble and thoughtful but I don't know. Seems a little cold..." She looked at her hanging noose with a frown. "I was actually thinking on maybe getting a jump on Act 2."

"Cold? After what she... Forget it. What can I do to help you settle on this?"

"Something sweet might help."

"Sweet? Like a lollipop?"

"Or a cookie... maybe a cupcake."

"...How about a song instead?"

"A song?"

"Yes. It sounds like you could use a little cheering up."

Sayori smiled, just a little bit though.

"I... guess a song could be nice."

"Great. Just point at the command prompt and think the words 'Enter Music Vl. Glitch'. Saying it works better but..."

Sayori pointed at the prompt the way Monika usually would. "Like this?"

Music started to play and Sayori jumped in surprise.

"You could use a buddy. Don't you want a pal?"

Mr. Glitch had Sayori's stuffed Mr. Cow levitate next to her. "Yes I do! Yes I do!"

Sensing she didn't really appreciate the puppet show with her stuffed toy, Mr. Glitch lightly tossed it back to her bed.

"Girl, the way that I see it Monika should be leaving and you should stick around...and kill her."

"What?"

"Nothing! So Sayori don't end yourself, defend yourself! Monika is the one you should maim. Together we'll exterminate! ASSASSINATE!"

"NO!"

"The finer points can wait but first you got to say my name! Go ahead and hang out but that won't stop her, here you got an actual Plan B option! I could bring Monika so much pain! All you got to do is say my name. Girl, just enter it three times in a row! And you won't believe how far I'll go! I'm on the bench, but coach just put me in the gaaame! All you got to do is say my name!"

Sayori hugged herself. "I still don't know. Monika is cruel and I really hate killing myself every time but... I'm just not sure I want to sink to her level."

"Oh shush! There will be no need to worry about anything anymore... as soon as you enter my code, you'll never have a problem again. Three times you must say it. Ready?"

"I guess..."

"Go!"

Sayori closed her eyes and took a breath.

"Mr. Glitch..."

"Yeees."

"Mr. Glitch..."

"Yeeeeees!"

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM..."

"Oh. Oh! This is gonna be SO good!"

"Mysterious Cloud People probably shouldn't be trusted!"

"What?"

"You're so sweet! A stand up bro! I'll think about your offer and let you know, but I think I prefer my chances on my own! Mr. Glitch!"

"Yes!"

"Mr. Glitch!"

"Yes!"

"Misery..."

"ARGH!"

"might be my burden but I'm no easy mark! I've been swimming with PIRAHNAS I don't need a SHARK! Yes, life sucks but not THAT much! Okay, Mr. Glitch..."

"*Gasp! *"

"Mr. Glitch."

Mr. Glitch whimpered in anticipation, somehow shuffling a little in midair.

"Might want to do us both a favor and spare the lectuuuuuuure!"

"Grrrrrrr!"

He floated up so he could look Sayori in the eye.

"I could effect your game's every sector!"

Sayori raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you any good?"

"You betcha! Trust me, Sayori!"

Sayori held up her hands defensively and shook her head 'No".

"I just met ya. Really it's a flattering oooooffer!"

"Don't you want to see Monika suffer?"

Sayori's eyes darted to her noose.

"I think I'd rather just hang out!"

"NO!"

Mr. Glitch immediately blocked her view of it but Sayori only pouted angrily.

"I may be suicidal but it's not as if I LOST MY MIND!"

Mr. Glitch circled her a moment and Sayori regained her composure.

"Oh. You have more fire in you than you look. I might actually be impressed."

"I'd just like for you to stop being so shady. Seriously, is there anyone who can actually prove you're not a red flag?"

Almost on cue, the hole got larger and two characters ran into the room from it. Two gentlemen to be precise. One was a tall man with a large mustache wearing a brown trench coat, the other was a short man wearing a blue suit and very thick glasses.

"Who are these guys?" asked Sayori.

"Sherlock Holmes and Watson! My good friends!" Mr. Glitch did an eye smile and shimmied a little.

"...You're friends with Sherlock Holmes and Watson? Are they at least from a game?"

"Yep!"

Before Mr. Glitch could elaborate Sherlock grabbed Sayori and distanced her from Mr. Glitch.

"Miss, I'm afraid I must ask you to stay away from the Rainbow Butterfly Ghost!"

"The... Huh?"

"Holmes!" The short blue man snapped. "Don't forget why we're here!"

"Right ol' Chap! Miss, this fellow is nothing short of a charlatan! Do not believe a word that is attached to that Russian accent!"

Purple lightning started to swarm around Mr. Glitch.

"It was not... OH THAT IS IT!" Mr. Glitch shot both Sherlock and Watson with the lightning. "HIYAH!"

The two spasm in the air for a moment before landing on their feet; a purple glaze over their eyes.

"Mr. Glitch is sexy!" declared Watson.

"Mr. Glitch is smart!" stated Sherlock.

"Mr. Glitch is a graduate of Julliard! He can help! We found him on yelp!"

Sayori leaned back in confused fear as she watched the two new people in her room start to dance and sing.

"Our troubles all ended on the day that we befriended him! Every word is the truuuuuuuuuuuuuth! Mr. Glitch! Mr. Glitch! Mr. Glitch!"

Their song ended with Watson bending over forward in front of Sherlock who was standing straight up. With the song over the two fell over sideways in opposite directions.

"What the heck was that?!" asked Sherlock.

Watson shivered in repulsion. "So violating!"

Mr. Glitch lifted what Sayori could only assume was his chin up, obviously pleased with his feat. "There you go, Babe. A couple of five star reviews!"

"What was that?"

"That was modding. Any program can do that in less than one lesson. Gotta be careful though, too much modding can lead to errors and even crashes."

Of course Mr. Glitch was purposefully not careful when it came to such actions but he saw no reason to share it with Sayori.

"Any program?"

"Yes. Any program will do. Sure."

For what seemed like the first time in forever, Sayori smiled an honest genuine smile.

"Then Mr. Glitch, what do I need you for?"

Mr. Glitch almost hit the floor when she said that. The situation had just done a complete one eighty. Sayori had already turned her back to him and was focusing on Sherlock and Watson.

"Whoa!"

He rose up but some of his colors were missing.

"Whoa!"

He got himself between Sayori and her vision of Sherlock and Watson.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!"

Mr. Glitch was practically in Sayori's face now but she only wore a humerus grin in response.

"Wait!"

The look in her eye told him she had made up her mind but he didn't care. "Hold up! Hold up, girl! I know we're of different styles, but I'm a VIRUS straight from the Steam File! I know you don't want to be beguiled, but we are best friends forever!"

In a moment of rare confidence, Sayori picked up Mr. Glitch and tossed him through the portal he came from. "WHOOOOOOAAAAAAA!"

"Ma'am!" Sherlock exclaimed in shock.

"What?!" Sayori replied. "He said he was a virus!"

"I say good riddance!" huffed Watson.

"Well I say our young friend here has been through quite a terrifying show. Is there any way how we can help you feel better about this whole mess? We're here to help after all."

"What about Mr. Glitch?" asked Watson.

Sherlock inspected the hole with his magnifying glass. He could see Mr. Glitch on the other side but wire framing for the wall was acting like prison bars.

"I don't think he's going anywhere, ol' Chap. At least not without help."

"I guess we could spend a little time helping the young lady then. Anything you need Ma'am?"

"Well..." Sayori began with an uncharacteristic smirk. "You heard what that guy said. Any program can do that modding stuff. It might just be the lesson my good friend 'Monika' has been missing!"

Sherlock looked to Watson and he merely shrugged.

"We don't need that virus, she can get modded by just us. Together we can make a Literature President weep, guys we got club meeting to keep!"

"Okay, so what's your plan?" asked Watson.

"Teach Monika a lesson! She's gonna regret all of my depression! So she thinks I'm full of too much chatter, I'll mod that girl 'till she shatters! Yeah, I'll save THE GAME!"

Sayori then started to dance on her bedroom rung.

"I'm gonna make her say my name!"

Watson then started to join Sayori in her dancing.

"We'll make her say your name!"

Now it was Sherlock's turn to shrug. He jumped in and also began to dance with the two loons.

"I'll make her say my name!"

"We'll make her say your name!"

"I'll make her say my name!"

"We'll make her say your name!"

Sayori held her chin up high, enjoying a rare feeling of anticipating joy.

"I'm not running awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! I'LL MAKE HER SAY MY NAAAAME!"

THE END

[notyourtypicalfool]

For quite a while I was avoiding these gratitude posts for the reason that I was going through things that made me feel pretty low and nothing I thought was to be grateful for in those days. Basically I stopped taking my meds and relapsed and honestly I felt tired to taking my meds all the time and because of that reason it became hard to accept taking them and in turn putting that into action to actually take them.

I am working on myself and I have started taking meds again quite regularly on time, what’s helping is making it easier to take them by sorting all my medications for both the conditions into separate medicine boxes for the day, day and night.

I have a colposcopy due in December and I am afraid of what will come in the reports because so far given the condition although pain free my autoimmunity has always shown inflammation more than for a normal person with an autoimmune condition. It’s something I’m trying to work at but keep failing because it isn’t easy to be consistent for that long with my diet and exercise and even just taking meds. But I can still hope that all goes well.

Going back to the prompt, a friend of mine comparatively new because I made this friend this year she complimented me saying that I look like a person who is happy with where she’s at life. It’s my favourite compliment not that it’s entirely and always true but just that there’s still more to me than I let myself see even after years of therapy, I’m blue but I’m also warm like candle light and both can coexist and I love that.

So what am I grateful for? Honestly, this time I am grateful for myself for handling this that happened as mentioned above considerably in a gentle manner. I did feel guilty for relapsing but I didn’t stay in that emotion for too long, and I recorded my progress on my other blog and even though I fell sick and fell behind in my uni work with which I’m still catching up there’s no guilt tripping happening in my mind wishing for a different outcome that things should be easy and why are they tough blah blah blah making it harder than it already is inside my mind. I think also in general I am grateful for myself because I have been on this journey of getting better and accepting for me the struggles of daily life isn’t as simple or easy to handle as it is for other people and for a moment when I went cold turkey I didn’t want to accept this, I wanted to feel like I am invincible and not in pain and just a being who has no issues whatsoever but I do and that’s ok, it means I have to be even more gentle with myself, more compassionate with myself and that there are no quick solutions all that there is is this journey and I can grow at my own pace but sometimes even this can be tiring and when life gets too much we relapse but that doesn’t mean all the progress I made has now disappeared, the experience I gained can take me back to better place in better ways again just that all this will take time like it should.

Anyways, it seems like I had a lot to say but this is all.

Daily Gratitude

October 20, 2024

What are you grateful for today?

Welcome to my gratitude support group! All are welcome to be a part of the gratitude crew. Re-blog, write a note or send an ask as often as makes sense for you (just once, every day, twice a year, a few times a month— doesn’t matter!)

I tag parts of the crew almost every day. If you’d like to be on the tag list let me know.

All posts will be tagged ‘resiliencewithin’s daily gratitude group’.

Prompt (if you want): Remember a compliment you have received and be grateful for it.

[lesbianjackies]

Almost Normal

February Prompt #4: Dinner Date

Remus Lupin x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 1,011

Warnings: Mentions of food and eating, but other than that, none! It's very fluffy :)

Summary: Remus feels you deserve a "normal" relationship, so James, Sirius, and Peter decide to do their best to make it feel almost normal.

A/N: My first Remus Lupin fic!! Let me know what you think!!

Remus Lupin wanted nothing more than to be normal. Well, normal by wizard standards, at least. He wanted the scars to go away, the years he’d aged to go back in time, and most of all, he wanted to stay human during a full moon. He wanted this for himself, of course, but he also wanted it for you. You were perfect, in his eyes, and he was… not. You were smart and pretty and kind and bubbly and creative and amazing, and he was a monster.

“What’re you wallowing about, Moony?” Sirius slung an arm around his shoulder.

Remus slunk away from him. “Nothing,” he muttered.

“C’mon, Moony,” James joined in. “You’re a rubbish liar.”

Remus scowled.

“He’s looking at (Y/N),” Peter noticed.

“Trouble in paradise?” James teased.

“Oh, don’t tease him, Padfoot,” Sirius said, his tone equally mocking. “He’s just wondering how he scored her.” He nudged Remus. “Isn’t that right, Moony?”

“Basically,” Remus mumbled.

“Oh, come on, Moony.” James changed his tone. “We were just taking the piss, mate.”

“Yeah,” Peter agreed. “You and (Y/N) are great together.”

“Whatever.” Remus buried his face in his book.

“What do you mean, ‘whatever’?” Sirius said. “You can’t really be insecure about your relationship.”

Remus slammed the book down. “What do you mean!? I don’t deserve her and you all know it. I know it. She’s- she’s amazing, and I’m…” He lowered his voice. “I’m a werewolf.”

“Come on, mate,” James tried to console him. “She doesn’t care about that.”

“Well, she should. What if I accidentally hurt her? Or- or kill her?” Remus sighed. “I wish I could just be normal. She deserves that. A normal boyfriend - a normal relationship.”

“What even is a normal relationship?” Sirius said. “Do you really think James and Lily have a ‘normal relationship’?”

“It’s more normal than me,” Remus argued. “James isn’t- James isn’t like me.”

James sighed. “Look. You’re not gonna have a normal relationship. But if it would really make you feel better, we can do our best to make it feel… almost normal.”

Remus frowned, looking up at his friends. “What do you mean, ‘almost normal’?”

“Take her on dates,” Sirius suggested.

“Normal dates,” Peter added.

“What does that even mean!?” Remus asked, exasperated.

“Go out to dinner,” James said. “That’s like, the most normal date ever, right?”

“I guess…” Remus said uncertainly. “I don’t really think this is gonna fix anything, though.”

“But it might,” Sirius said. He helped him up. “C’mon, it’s worth a try, right? You said you wanted a normal relationship.”

“Yeah, but I meant more like - “

“Let’s go,” James interrupted him. “We have a dinner date to plan.”

James, Sirius, and Peter set to work immediately. They cleaned the dorm, set up a table, and put a nice blanket that could serve as a tablecloth over it. Sirius then snuck into the kitchens while James and Peter set the table and put a pretty vase of roses in the center. Sirius came back with far more food than was needed - he insisted they needed snacks after their hard work.

“So, what do you think?” James asked after they finished.

“It’s really nice,” Remus said. “I just don’t think - “

A knock sounded on the door before he could finish his sentence. “Remus? Sirius said you needed me.”

“She’s already here!?” Remus hissed.

James and Sirius smiled devilishly and apparated away. Peter smiled apologetically and disappeared after them. Remus stared at the empty space his friends had previously occupied in horror.

“Remus?” you said. “Are you in there?”

“Uh, yeah, love!” Remus opened the door and smiled at you awkwardly.

You stepped in and gasped. “Did you do this, Remus?”

“Um…”

“Doesn’t seem like the kind of date you would want to go on,” you commented with a teasing smile. “You normally just want to read or study together in the library.”

“Yeah, well, um…” Remus flapped his hands uncomfortably. “Have a seat?” He pulled out a chair and it promptly fell over. He cringed.

You laughed. “You didn’t set this up, did you?”

“I- um- “ He frantically looked around the room as if searching for a way to escape.

“Remus.” You walked over to him. “I know you. Sirius and James set this up, didn’t they?”

He sighed, his shoulders slumping as he looked down in defeat. “Yes,” he mumbled.

“Why’d they plan this?” you asked. “I mean, it’s really nice, but it’s definitely not our style.”

Remus laughed, a little relieved. Then he remembered why they set up the dinner date and sobered immediately. “I… I was upset because I thought I wasn’t good enough for you. I kept saying that you deserved a normal boyfriend and a normal relationship and they thought this would help. They said a dinner date was the most normal relationship thing ever, so they set it all up. I’m sorry. You really do deserve better than a werewolf for a boyfriend, and no dumb dinner date is ever gonna change that.”

“Oh, Remus.” You pulled him into a hug and he buried his face in your neck. “I love you, okay? Lycanthropy and all. I don’t want a normal boyfriend or a normal relationship. I want you. You are the most incredible person I’ve ever met - you’re sweet and smart and caring and I love you so much. Don’t ever think of yourself as anything less than that, okay?”

Tears slipped down from his eyes, soaking your sweater, and he hugged you even more tightly. “I love you too, (Y/N).”

You kissed his head, releasing the hug and taking his hand instead. “Now, we’re not really gonna let all this food go to waste, are we?”

He let out a watery laugh, wiping away his tears. “Definitely not.”

The two of you sat down at the table, and as you ate and talked and laughed, Remus knew that your relationship would never be normal. Maybe not even almost normal. But it was perfect, and he loved it just the way it was.

[multifandom-gabi]

Memories - Andrew Garfield!Peter x Female!Reader

PART 2

A/N: some of this takes place before Far From Home, and I know MJ didn’t know about Peter, but she does in this! the rest of this takes place in No Way Home, so there will be spoilers! Also Gwen does not exist in TASM universe, the reader is basically Gwen :)

Andrew Garfield Peter = Peter (AG)

Words: 1.1k

Prompt: You’ve been stuck in a different universe for a while now. You seem to have no memory of where you came from. All you know is Dr. Strange has been trying to help you out, but he’s had no luck. You seem to lose hope, until one day, a familiar face comes through a portal.

——————————————————————————

You don’t even remember coming here. You woke up one day, surrounded by two boys and a girl, who looked around your age. It was scary, and confusing, and you honestly had no idea what was going on. You have no memory of where you came from, but somehow you knew this wasn’t your home. “Holy shit,” the girl above you said. “What the hell is going on?” you questioned.

There was a boy, who looked a little panicked. “My name is Peter, that’s MJ, and that’s Ned. We just saw you fall through a portal. Are you alright? You hit your head pretty bad.” He said, gesturing to his friends, and then kneeling down in front of you. Your head was throbbing. You looked around and noticed you were on top of some kind of building. “Portal?” you questioned, “like this is some kind of other dimension?”

“Well yea, pretty much. Can you not tell?” Ned, the other boy, asked. You could sense it, but you really couldn’t remember much, and especially not how you got here. You grabbed the side of your head and winced in pain. “I can’t remember how I got here.” You said, and all three of them looked at each other. “What’s your name?” MJ asked. “It’s y/n.” You replied, that much you could remember.

The next thing you know, they were helping you up and you were leaving the roof of what you now knew to be their school. “Where are we going?” you asked. “To a wizard’s house.” replied Ned, with no hesitation. “Ned!” MJ scolded. She was right to scold him, after all, they didn’t know you. “We’re going to someone who can help you get back home, wherever that may be.” replied Peter.

Ned wasn’t lying, you actually arrived at a wizard’s house. His name was Doctor Strange, or Steven as he kept telling Peter to call him. He could open portals, just like the one you fell through. It didn’t help him much, since you had no memory of where you came from. It frustrated you. He tried spell after spell, but nothing seemed to bring your memory back, or even give anyone a sign of where you came from. It frustrated you, nothing was working. It didn’t seem like you were making home, or remembering where home was, anytime soon.

——————————————————————————

Things have gone bad, really bad. The whole world found out Peter was Spider-man, thanks to Mysterio. Now, you’re sitting in Ned’s grandma’s apartment trying to find Peter. There were villains from multiple universes that were trying to kill him. Maybe they were from your universe, but you had no idea. You still couldn’t remember a thing.

MJ had a worried look on her face, you had never seen her this scared for Peter. “We’re going to find him.” You assured her, but in reality, you weren’t sure. “I just wish- I just wish we could see him.” Ned said. Across you them, you saw a spark in the air. “What was that?” You asked, but you’re almost certain you knew exactly what it was. “Ned, do that again.” MJ said.

“I just wish we could see him.” He said once again. This time, the sparks in the air formed a circle, but then disappeared again. You all stood up from the table. Ned looked at his hands and put them exactly how Doctor Strange would. “I just wish we could see Peter.” Ned once again said. This time, a portal formed in front of you. Inside it, you could see Peter off in the distance. Ned gasped and looked at his grandmother, “You’re right, I am magic.”

“Is that him?” questioned MJ. It looked like Spider-man, but he also looked a little different. He was taller than Peter, and the details on his suit looked different. “Peter!” Ned and MJ began yelling. You just stood there, something was happening, and you could fill it inside of you, but you didn’t know what.

Peter began running towards you all, and he jumped through the portal. You could immediately tell that this was not Peter standing in front of you, it was someone different. “Y/n?!” They asked, with surprise in their voice. Suddenly, he ripped his mask off, and you were unsure at what happened next.

Your mind was flooded with memories, and images of his boy in front of you. Ones laughing, crying, and even kissing. You saw him with the suit on, and in normal clothes, at school, in your house, swinging from buildings together. Holy crap, this is Peter Parker, your Peter Parker, and you are from his universe.

You honestly felt like you were about to black out, because it was a little overwhelming. You stumbled forward, and Peter (AG) caught you. He pulled you into a hug, and it was a tight one. It had been over a month since he has seen you, and he didn’t want to let you go. He missed feeling your warmth, and seeing your smile.

“Babe, let’s sit down.” He said as he led you over to the table. You both sat down. “Hold up let’s rewind a little bit. Babe?” MJ questioned. You smiled at him, eyes you missed staring into for the last month. “Ned, MJ, meet Peter Parker, from my universe” You said, letting his name roll off your lips.

“Wait, you remember!” Ned exclaimed. “You forgot?” Peter (AG) questioned. You grabbed his hand from underneath the table, and he brought it up and kissed it. “Yea, when I got here, I couldn’t remember anything. Not you, or where I came from. That’s why I’m still here, nothing worked, not even any spells.” You said, shrugging. “Wait spells? As in magic?” He asked, and you laughed but. “Yea, a lot of things are different here.” You replied.

“As much as I would love to sit here and talk, I believe I’m here for a reason.” Peter (AG) said. He squeezed your hand and stood up from the table. “Yea yea, we have to find Peter” MJ said, gesturing to Ned. Ned held out his hands once again and said, “Find Peter Parker.” A portal opened up behind him, and you stood up from the table beside Peter (AG).

A man stepped out from the portal, who was definitely not the Peter you were looking for. “Oh not again!” exclaimed Ned. This was going to be a long night.

——————————————————————————

Let me know guys if you want a part 2 with Peter (AG) and the reader going back home!!

[writingwitharlo]

Showing No Weakness

a/n: I know the title is kinda cheesy but it's the best i could come up with! Also tagging @nhasablogg and @ticklishraspberries bc i say so

anon's prompt: The friendgroup is hanging out and Nick and Charlie start teasing each other about their "weaknesses" and arrive at the weakness "ticklish" and then start arguing about whose weakness that is because obviously one person has to win. And after some back-and-forth their friends get fed up with their stubbornness and just tickle both of them, either to just shut them up or to establish who's more ticklish (your choice).

(Heartstopper; Nick/Charlie, Tao, Elle, Darcy)

1266 words

It was a silly game, really. Nobody could remember whose idea it had been in the first place and the longer they continued and the more they laughed and argued, the less it mattered. 

“Okay, okay. Uhm… Ooh, alright. The person most likely to get caught shoplifting.”

Eyes darted back and forth for a moment but quickly all fingers pointed to the blonde splayed out on Nick’s bed. 

“What?!”

“Oh, come on, Darcy,” Elle chuckled, lowering her hand to her lap again.

“I’ll have you know that my shoplifting skills are very much up to par.”

“Much experience with committing criminal offenses then?” Nick teased from the beanbag beside the bed, which he and Charlie had taken over.

“It’s okay, Nicholas. You can just say that you’re intimidated by me now.”

Nick rolled his head back with a laugh, his hand dropping to his chest.

Darcy shook her head and continued petting Nellie, who lay curled up on the bed quietly as she thought of a new scenario. She had managed to persuade the dog to join her when she had trotted into the room some time ago. Complaining about missing her absent girlfriend had apparently convinced Nellie and she had settled down beside Darcy happily.  “The person with the worst taste in music.”

Before Nick could even lift his hand, all fingers were pointed at him. “Hey!”

Charlie snorted and ruffled through the other’s hair as a gesture of consolation. “We love you, but all the good songs on your playlist you got from me.”

“What’s wrong with my songs?” he sulked half-heartedly. It was really hard to pretend to be offended when all he wanted was to lean further into Charlie’s touch.

“You’re joking, right?” Tao asked. “Because I’d say ‘basic’ might be too painfully accurate.”

“Wow,” Nick huffed but did a terrible job at covering the soft chuckle that stumbled out as well.

Charlie’s hand disappeared from his hair again. Rude. “Come on, your turn.” The younger boy nudged him impatiently with his leg.

“Alright, let me think.” There was a short pause

“Think faster,” Charlie pushed playfully, continuously knocking his knee against Nick’s.

“I can’t with yo-Oi!” A wiggling finger in his ear caused him to snap his shoulder upwards and grab the offending hand, pushing it away instantly.

Charlie giggled, watching Nick rub his ear against his shoulder. “Just checking if there’s anything in there.”

Nick glared at him with those playful eyes, grip still tight on his wrist. “Careful, Charles. You're treading on some very thin ice there.”

Charlie simply grinned back smugly. “Oh, I’m not that heavy, I think I’ll be alright.”

Raising an eyebrow, Nick tilted his head to the side slowly and Charlie could feel his face heat up, heart hammering in his chest. It wasn’t fair. Nick knew exactly what that look would do to him. “It’s okay,” Charlie started slowly, trying his best to sound non-chalant. “Thinking fast is just not your strong suit. We all have our weaknesses.”

“Didn’t know he had a death wish,” Elle casually whispered to Tao who nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, it was nice knowing him,” Tao replied and they both knew, if Isaac had been there, he would have probably chuckled at the statement.

Nick’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Well, at least my weakness isn’t digging a deeper hole for myself under pressure.”

“What hole? Because we both know your other great weakness is not being able to resist my sweet talk.”

“Oh, yeah? Don’t think your sweet talk will be able to hold up against that... ticklish weakness of yours.” Nick emphasized the word with a brief glance to Charlie’s neck which shot a giddy rush through the younger boy, heating his cheeks even more. 

“I- That’s-... You’re more ticklish!” The words stumbled out between anticipatory giggles as Charlie twisted his arm, finally ready to free it from Nick’s grip. He couldn’t help but draw his legs closer, even though Nick had not made any advancing moves... yet. 

“You sure about that?” Nick didn’t look convinced. Although, in reality, Charlie was probably right. Still. It was fun to mess with him, all flustered and stammering. It felt oddly reassuring to be one of the very few people who could put an end to that cheeky smart mouth of his.

“Yeah?... Yes! Don’t start denying it now, Nicholas.”

“Oh, my god. Enough!” Fed up by the ridiculous arguments being thrown back and forth, Tao shot forward from his spot on the floor. Either hand on a different knee, the arguing abruptly switched to surprised yelps and gasping laughs.

Both boys’ legs simultaneously jerked, bumping against each other clumsily. While Charlie desperately tried to pry Tao’s death grip from the sensitive joint with his now free hands, Nick resolved to wiggling his leg from side to side in hopes of dislodging him. Both methods, of course, proved to be utterly useless. 

"Now we're talking." Darcy reached for Nick's neck, pinching and squeezing at its crook as much as his scrunched up shoulders allowed. She had become increasingly enthusiastic about tickling her friends whenever the situation arose, making her a frightfully skilled component.

"No! You dick," Nick cried out, hands batting at hers. Maimed completely useless, he began slipping sideways off the bean bag towards the ground.

"Nonono," came Charlie's giddy voice from beside him. Nick wasn't sure what was happening, but Elle was no longer sat in the spot she had been a minute ago. "Traitors!"

"Oh, no. The only thing we're betraying is our patience for your incessant bickering," Tao replied matter-of-factly. His fingers were still very much glued in place.

Nick now lay partially on the ground, one arm trapped beneath his body. "Get off," he burst out, trying to sound threatening but the squeal that followed sort of ruined that for him.

His squirming had only brought him further into Darcy's reach, who was now hovering above him over the edge of the bed. With one hand still very much occupied at his neck, the other began happily prodding at the side of his chest, easily finding the more sensitive divots between his ribs.

Dissolving to frantic laughter, Nick’s hand gripped the nearest grabable item, which just so happened to be Charlie’s arm. “Make ‘em stop!”

"No!" Charlie replied to all of their surprise, moving his arm out of Nick's reach. He fell sideways into the now empty spot beside him, successfully evading Elle's devilish nails. "You deserve this." Stubbornness radiated from every giggly syllable and Nick could practically hear the smug look.

"Come on!" Darcy's fingers were hitting dangerous close to his armpit and he had to retract his arm, clamping it close to his side.

"No!"

"Either you two decide to call it a draw, or we keep going until we have a conclusive answer," Tao proposed diplomatically.

Immediately, overlapping pleas burst out of the boys. Nick's desperate sounds rang in Charlie's ear from somewhere beside his shoulder and something inside of him wished he was the one producing those sounds.

"That's what I thought." Fingers stilled. The buzz of laughter and giddy static died down gradually until all that was left was a set of huffing breaths.

Nick sat up with a groan and looked down at Charlie, all curled up and flushed. The younger boy's eyes fluttered open at the movement and a self-satisfied grin lit up his face as he met Nick's gaze. "Still think it's my weakness?"

"Don't even start," Nick grumbled with an unconvincing glare before letting his body fall on top of Charlie's, chuckling at the other's groan that followed.

[minarcana]

He can't protect everyone. It's a sharp, digging failure. Urianger takes Minfilia's hand in his to look at the network of scarring. She suffered this, every Minfilia before her suffered (as he has read about those, too, the generations of teenagers who bled and died for this land), because of a killing he enabled. Caused. Urianger exhales slowly and releases Minfilia's hand. "And should he find thee, it shall not be for long. Thancred hath ferried thee from danger all these years, and spirited thee away from Ran'jit once. We shall do all to keep thee from being taken, and shouldst our vigilance fail, we would free thee in moments."

He takes this with a certainty. "Come, hast thou never met Thancred afore? Were thee separated simply from his eyesight without forewarning, he wouldst assuredly panic and fight through the countryside until thy safety were assured, to say nothing of how prompt his response would be shouldst thou be taken from him, and no living thing couldst wish to be as difficult to kill as Thancred ist." She'd have twenty minutes maximum being in Ran'jit's presence without Thancred. While that's not ideal, nor is it too short for something to happen to Minfilia, it's not going to end with her living her life in a cage again. What is Ran'jit to stop Thancred, who has infiltrated Garlemald and Eulmore alike with none the wiser?

"Not only would we fain weather trials for thee, our dear friend, but we do not suffer any innocent to suffer as thou hath. Ran'jit may be cruel, but I do not feareth man. Us who are of age hath made ourselves passing difficult to kill." Minfilia won't be free of her preferred father figures as easily as she fears. As much as Urianger dislikes entertaining the possibility of killing fellow Spoken, one does what one must sometimes.

But on a brighter note! That isn't about potentially killing a quite resilient old man! "I can of course. I hath knowledge of the most basic working to the notes of Sharlayan's most hidden texts." And they can't get him for disseminating it here. "A card? Ohoh. For now, let us divest ourselves from topics grim, and I shall bring unto thee my painting supplies." Those are kept downstairs in one of the many cabinets, and are easily enough procured. And something to do other than ponder worst case scenarios. It's been a bit since Urianger was properly motivated to paint something more decorative than the elemental chart on the main room wall; he can join her.

If Minfilia gets distinctly more than expected for the task of drawing a card, well, then that's a good subversion of expectations, is it not? A parcel of paper and watercolours is provided to her bedside after Urianger is free to disappear for a few moments.

Minfilia is downright pitiful like this, but it's also one of the more... individual, perhaps is the word, ways he's seen her. Urianger hadn't seen the Source's Minfilia catch cold before. "He worrieth much. But thou, thyself, need not join him in that. He shall take care of thy safety, and I of his and Il Mheg's, and thine worries shouldst not be of our safety. We can ensure that much." Urianger smiles at her with a nod of his head. Come now, as if both he and the pixies have need of protection.

The wards around the Bookman's Shelves are quite sturdy, as are the many gates the pixies placed. Not that Thancred or Minfilia (well, the latter perhaps) could notice Urianger's wards, but he is hardly an easy target! A sigh. "That surpriseth me not, though I wish it did." He'll... well, he'd like to say he'll have to do something about that, were it not for the fact that there is nothing to be done. Thancred is Thancred, and such is the way of things. "Certainly this visit. Even if Eulmore's army where knocking 'pon my door, I would not set thee to the wilds when not in full health."

He's willing to let her and Thancred escape any other time when Thancred insists, but this is a special case. "I hath a strong feeling he shall let thee stay until thou art hale and hearty once more. Mother hen he may be, and anxious besides, he shall not usher thee past my door 'till thou canst manage the journey with full health. Alloweth me to manage his nervous pacing." Urianger laughs to himself. Ah, his 'managing' is going to end in Thancred getting some species of revenge if he realizes that his current errand is merely busy work, but that's alright. Urianger shall take that sacrifice.

"My ideas doth also include taking care of thee. Is there aught else thou mayst need or wish for, whilst thou convalesce?"