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seb-owns-these-tatas · 5 years ago

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Witcher Of The Night (Chapter 6)

THIS IS MODERN ERA READER WHO WOKE UP IN THE DIMENSION OF THE WITCHER.

CHAPTER 5

WITCHER OF THE NIGHT MASTERLIST

Characters: Geralt of Rivia x small!Naive!Reader

Summary: It seems as if a witcher came home after having his midnight pleasures from the brothels; leaving you in having a sleepless night. The witcher seemed to be distant after his argument with his child of surprise which left you completely confused because you’ve did nothing and have been anything but mean to him. Some questions were answered by a fortune teller as to why you came from another dimension; but the witcher was stubborn enough not to believe him and his intuitions. Leading to another event which would get everyone's life on edge, especially yours.

Warnings: Cuss words. Old times where men treat women like shit. Irked, frustrated, confused Geralt. Emotionally hurting reader. Naive reader about the whole medieval era. Jaskier finally being comfortable around the reader. (I don't know why this is a warning? 😂)

Words: 5,800+

A/N: AAAAAAAAHHHHH! I need me some actionnnnn! LMAO. XD This chapter was supposed to be posted on April 18 but I couldn't help it and I wanted to post it right now, So y'all can have something to read about. Heehee! THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT, TATERS! Btw, this is one of my favorite chapters and chapter 7 too which will be next to this. Ahonhonhon! Dang, I can feel we’ll reach 25 chapters before this ends. 😂😅 jkjk. I’M SO THIRSTY FOR GERALT, IS THIS NORMAL?

TAGLIST IS STILL OPEN FOR THIS ONE! Heehee! Don’t forget to REBLOG, COMMENT OR GIVE FEEDBACK IF YOU DID LOVE THIS CHAPTER! IT’LL MAKE ME SMILE!

Disclaimer: PNG's used in edits are not mine even the GIF's too. However, the edits and oneshots are definitely from moi. Characters, places and said monsters aren't from moi as well.

MY WORKS ARE NOT NOT NOT NOT NOOOOOOT TO BE POSTED ON ANY OTHER WEBSITES. My official username in Wattpad is “TATATHEPOTATO” and that’s the only other site I have for writing aside from Tumblr. Thank you, Tater tots!

You haven't seen the outside world; like you've been a cast in the 'Big Brother reality show' that you were watching back at your apartment. It was a lot more different in their city; much more barbaric; lively but actually mirthful.

When you've arrived at the marketplace there where tons of people, absolutely crowded with all forms of life walking around. There were white tents where merchants have been selling their goods and a lot of buyers hollering for their attention.

You've remembered the night before when Cirilla has hugged the life out of you all night. She'd cried herself to sleep but eventually let the wrath fade away early in the morning; acting like nothing happened as she'd asked Geralt for her weekly training in swordplay before the morning comes.

Up all night and you couldn't sleep. Cirilla has offered her bed to keep you comfy rather than the table out in the kitchen. You've said your disagreement to the offer because of her status. She was a princess, so you've thought that sleeping beside her would not be possible. Though, she was persistent and asked you if it was okay to hug you while she sleeps even just for the night.

You've eventually said yes; but had to keep your eyes all open especially at the bothered feeling of your heart from the facts you've heard from Cirilla. Even adding more effect to your sleepless night was from a witcher who happened to went home before the morning twilight rises. His reasons were unsaid but the booming voice of Jaskier in the small living room was enough for you to know that he'd gone somewhere...fun, exciting and pleasurable.

Thus, that kept you up all night even more.

Your heart seemed to be a lot more bothered after he arrived maybe with a pang of a peculiar sting inside your chest that made you pout all through the night.

Nevertheless, you've ignored that feeling because maybe it was just a stomach bug that you've had since then. The morning after, you wore your winning smile as you've shown yourself to the men of the household with a beam you hoped that seemed to be convincing that you had a good night sleep.

But, Jaskier being Jaskier; he'd pointed out those horrid eyebags you've appeared to be nastily wearing. The Witcher had said nothing other than a wavering look which felt so different. So distant and withdrawn like he wasn't capable of smiling. Well, he had reasons not to after what has happened in his life and probably realizing how much of a baggage you are for even living in their home like you popped out of a chicken's bottom and gave them eggs to bear.

The connection lasted for two seconds as Geralt studied your face before breaking whatever overwhelming feeling that the butterflies in your stomach has been trying to say. He'd then avoided being in your presence and went out to feed his horse as he got ready for the morning activities.

Jaskier gave you both a look of wonder before you'd given him a reassuring smile like there was no uncomfortable feeling running in the veins of your heart. You were the best at it; faking a smile that is.

The way towards the marketplace was much farther than the way to Cuthbert's house. Obviously, because it was almost like a city or the center of the kingdom for the walk of life. You've walked alongside with Jaskier as Geralt had Cirilla on his horse.

It was the first time you've appreciated Jaskier's talkativeness because if he wasn't then the whole journey would've been serene and awkward by how the witcher was giving one word answers to anyone's questions or statements.

Well, he certainly slept on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Literally, because he'd slept on a different kind bed with a woman.

You've tried sparking up a conversation; tried saying your sweetest good mornings when he was outside and talking to his horse, but when he'd felt you were there. It was like the wind changed and he didn't want you to hear him talking to his horse nor even breathing.

A simple good morning and how he was were asked; but a simple, lackadaisical answer of the word 'fine' was given to you; not giving you those enchanting golden eyes and just the wide statuesque of his back were shown.

So much for going outside to try and talk to how he was because he seemed to be in need of more people who cared for him.

You've ignored the way your heart fell at how he was putting up; acting like he wasn't trying to comfort you the other day when you were having one of those panic attacks you have. Here you thought, he was actually starting to treat you as a friend even just for the time being but it was like the world shifted and he was treating you like a stranger.

Maybe, you were right. Your presence was beginning to become a burden of his surprise obligation for even paying for your clothes and letting you stay in their home. As much as you've remembered that night, you would only stay for a day and leave to find the airport. But, the airport was nowhere to be found as you've finally realized how you actually magically appeared on a different kind of earth and in a timeline you weren't accustomed to.

You didn't know what to do. No matter how much you wanted to go home and leave the family you were currently living with; it was like you were left with no choice but to stay because you didn't know how to come home.

There was no coming back, as of now.

"Why, who's this small lass?" The feebly, doddering woman croaked as she accepted coins from a Kaedwenian child before she'd finally turned to look at you from head to foot, her expressions unreadable when she'd noticed how you've looked more of a hobo then their peasants who lived anywhere and had no place to live. Though, you were cleaner than the rest.

It was like there was a garage sale in the marketplace; tons of stuff laid on the tables as you didn't knew what the uses of it were. Your eyes were scanning the things that laid on the table; one by one until your attention caught a silver necklace that had a leaf as a symbol and coral green stones wrapped around the linings of silver. You've picked it up and examined the jewelry; being charmed by the mere necklace and lately realizing that the stones were twinkling like no other; having no explanation at how it was twinkling or glittering against the sun like magic was consuming it.

"It's a fae," Babeth cut you off your reverie. You've snapped out from being enchanted by a simple necklace. It was a pretty one, definitely can be used everyday and the way it twinkled was strangely beautiful. You didn't expect for them to have these kind of necklaces, "---Serves as an amulet for bad luck that is bound to come. A sorceress has said her incantations to that necklace; keeping you away from ill-fate,"

Babeth gave a weak smile, the wrinkles on her face thoroughly evident as she continues to mindlessly fix her goods in front of you. You blinked back at her, a beam raising your lips as you tried to get a good look at her, "A fae, ma'am--??"

The woman has completed your sentence for you, raising her gaze to meet your eyes and noticed it was a beautiful, light forest green, "You can call me Babeth, Elfin!" she sweetly yelled over the loud chatters of the crowd.

She suddenly gestured behind you, nodding her head as her smile widened, eyes also twinkling like how bright her smile have been; like she was happy with her life and family, with no worries. "What's your connection in being a travel companion with a witcher, elfin?"

You blinked out of surprise, betwixt and between turning half your body around when you've felt Geralt's presence looming behind you. You've resisted the urge to face him and just stared at Babeth instead, ignoring the fact that he was already staring at your head; longer than he ever did since this morning. However, you didn't know he was even looking.

"Ughm," you hesitatingly started, thinking of another statement other than saying that you were figuratively an alien in their world. The witcher wanted to save you from saying anything weird that can get them speculating that you weren't from their world and tried to butt in, "She's---"

Jaskier came to your aid; despite of not asking any help because you certainly didn't need saving in anything. He'd slid beside you with a more added effect and subtly wrapped an arm around you, in between you and the witcher who was sky scraping from behind.

"Geralt's destiny," the bard confidently finished for you both with a dramatic gesture of his free hand; giving Babeth a smolder when he did open his mouth to utter lies at the sweet, old woman.

Geralt's attention went straight to Jaskier's arm wrapped around you; lately becoming aware of what he managed to tell the merchant. It made him growl beneath his chest, giving the bard a scowl from behind. But, it seems as if Jaskier's persistence didn't falter as he continued to smile at the seller before them.

"Bard," Geralt roughly scolded with his jaw tensing.

Babeth's facial expressions seemed to even be happier, if that was even possible. Finding the news thrilling and exciting for her to hear; her eyes lit up like fireworks in the sky, "Oh! A lover!" she gave a clap full of mirth, "---I didn't know when you'll become serious with yer' life and thought you just do yer' whores!"

Your smile wavered at the last mention of that word. So, he was also infamous for that. Probably always in brothels since Jaskier has always been saying. To make things straight to the point, Geralt was one of the fuck boys in earth. Typical men.

Well, he isn't a prince from the start so technically that explains it. Withal, there was no prince' and only in fairy tales despite that you were living in a fairy tale surprisingly.

You've felt Jaskier's hold on you grow tighter when you continued your explanation for the poor, old merchant who was smiling like she'd seen her favorite OTP finally be together, "Oh--Babeth--I'm not--" a loud cough erupted out of your throat as the bard scooted closer, his arm now around your neck as he added pressure like he was choking you, "Ja-Jaskier!" your eyes bulged out of your eye sockets, grabbing onto his arm and violently clawing them away.

The merchant went on with that adorable smile of hers, never guessing if you were both playing nor trying to kill each other already. Jaskier was smart enough to distract your loud huffs of breath through his fake laugh; topping those loud complaints of yours, "Oh! Hahaha! Aha! you know how tender...love...and care can change a person! Perhaps, got the witcher soft somehow!" he gestured with his thumb towards the Witcher who was throwing daggers behind his back.

"Is this your compensation because we've brought a Hirikka at home?!" you hoarsely whispered, struggling to get away from his hold.

The bard laughed louder before lowering his voice down and muttering in between his cackle, "I'm making it easier for everyone! Shh!"

You were close to biting his arm until it bleeds. But, you didn't want to ruin his very elegant and flamboyant clothing that you only see in the medieval period, "Well, you're not!"

Jaskier slanted his head to take a peek of your reddened face. Due to his arm choking and also probably the fact that he'd been trying to tell the merchant that you were Geralt's other half, "Then, why do I see a blush?"

The merchant waved her hand from the banters, giggling at the way you both looked like you were playing before giving her attention to a new customer who'd rudely demanded for her attention. Thus, it was the perfect time for Geralt to wrench Jaskier's arm around your shoulders, strongly pulling him from his back as the witcher sighed in frustration.

Jaskier tried to battle with his strength, though it was no use because apparently; the witcher was stronger. "Ge-Geralt! What?! I'm making everything easier by controlling your foolishness while you're being an utter boor!"

Their voices died down, constantly being covered by the lively noise of the marketplace. The boys were probably going to the Tavern they needed to visit as you were now left with Cirilla who was picking new dresses for her and for you.

She'd pick up a cute princess like strapless dress that will certainly reach above your ankles. Cirilla held onto the beautiful dress and showed it to you, her grin painted on her pretty face, "Say you didn't like dresses, Y/N?" you've blinked back at the dress like you couldn't believe it was real and actually cute. A satisfied nod was given to the child, "Well..That is certainly an exemption," you pointed out and excitedly grabbed onto the dress, placing the clothing in front of you to see if it would fit perfectly. It does and you couldn't help but think how it was normal to wear these kind of dresses without people looking at you weirdly like back in earth.

Cirilla continued her ransack through a hill full of different types of clothing and grabbed onto a red, sheepskin cloak that had the right length for you; adding it to the items that should be bought. She went on in finding more clothes that will fit you, "---Also, they have leather pants, boots of your size and half sleeved shirts you may want?"

You saw how concentrated she was with picking clothes for you to wear; like she was more excited to dress you up. However, no matter how much you wanted to buy those clothing, you understood and accepted the fact that you haven't brought your wallet with you and they probably had a different money currency as well.

"But, I don't have any coins for these..." your train of thought ceased; index finger pointing at the pile of clothes she was carrying on her child-like arms.

She gave all the clothes to an awaiting, smiling Babeth. The Ashen haired child patted herself as she was searching for something, "Cease the worry, Y/N!" the latter fished out a medium sized black bag full of coins, "---Geralt has it covered!"

You've had your face in a twist; screaming its negations over the fact that it was the witcher's money that was going to be used. Though, there was no use of a protest when she was determined and was a one word woman.

All the clothes that has been bought was inserted in Cirilla's beige ransack that was strapped on her back. You've offered to carry it for her as she'd seen Ethelia who hollered for her attention. She was also the same age as her; even as beautiful as the princess but she had brunette hair, hazel eyes with freckles all over her nose. Ethelia was as pretty as a picture; same goes for Cirilla.

One fact that you learned about their world was that it was full of lovely people and you were thinking that you were seeming to be out of place for it.

Cirilla informed you that she would be playing with her and the kids not far away from the tavern. You've given her a thumbs up but you were actually worried for leaving her in a place you didn't know and felt sketchy because of how it wasn't your ordinary; leaving you feeling anxious for her well-being.

Hence, the tavern didn't looked better as well. You were used to strobe lights, the smell of cigarette or sweat and the moribund heat that backs you away from stepping in a nightclub; never dreaming to come close to one ever again.

But, here you are; standing in the middle of an hostelry looking like the small elephant in the room as people who wore old-fashioned clothes and armor were staring at you like an alien. So far, they didn't know that you were actually one because you didn't belong to their world.

You were trying to find anyone you knew; even trying to look for a certain white haired man who seemed to be not in good terms with you for unknown reasons. There, you did saw him seated on the farthest end of the pub looking mighty with his sword laid beside him as he drank Ale, listening to a man who appeared to be reaching his elderliness.

Geralt's whole being has ever been so ostentatious like you were watching a scene unfold from a television series. You didn't notice you were already observing him from afar until he'd blinked and slowly turned his head to you, eventually catching you gawking. But, being lucky at the most awkward scene of gaping at him over the other end of the roadhouse has saved you from your embarrassment when a well built villager wearing tons of heavy armor accidentally bumped into you; making you break away from watching the witcher. As the man bumped into you, his mouth was as nasty as he looked and tried to tell how peasants like you who had no crowns deserve to be sold to a brothel keeper because of how poorly you were dressed; also, probably because it was only your worth.

So, women were treated rather poorly in their era. Your consciousness talked back and gave you the reality of it all.

You were also lucky enough to catch Jaskier's attention and saved you from being sold anywhere.

As you sat down with Jaskier and his pixie friends that had elf ears; it was stunning to see a live fantasy gnomes sitting in front of you and drinking till their heart's content. You'd realize how survival was a difficult task in their world as the poor were treated like they were the lowest of the low and people with crowns were treated rather fairly.

Hence, living in their world can officially be a nightmare for you. A daydream of showing how much of a nightmare was to live back in the old times.

"So, this is what a bar looks like in the medieval period," you murmured to yourself as your eyes scanned the whole buzzing place. They were heathen people and there were loud chatters and laughter like there were tons of stories to tell; even the bard himself does as he was sat beside you; chattering with a man who weren't hobgoblins; but was sat around your table. "You sure Ciri is fine with the kids?"

Jaskier waved a hand to wash away your worries; giving you a once over as he smiled a big one, "Ow, shush. Yes she is. Stop being a mother hen and enjoy my singing out here with the lads," the bard grabbed onto his lute that was strapped behind him, swinging the instrument and actually hitting you on the shoulder before he apologized and started to strum a melody in which you've heard when he was trying to annoy the witcher who lived in the house you were in.

So, that's what its called. Toss a coin to your witcher. The bard already forcefully let you hear the song and you were pondering if people really toss coins to a witcher who slays beasts, like literally.

You playfully rolled your eyes at his attempt on entertaining people in the tavern, "Your singing sucks ass, Jaskier." But, it was actually just a playful banter because his voice was amazing, believe it or not. However, you weren't there to give him compliments and shower his ego after calling you rat for so many times.

The bard gave you a look of curiosity, his blue eyes sparkling like how the sun cascades through the oceans, "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

You tried the Ale that Jaskier has given you. You've smacked your lips a lot of times to taste it better and subtly noticed the bitter taste that it had more than a typical beer. It definitely had more alcohol content than a Heineken, "Bad as how Geralt calls your singing like a pie with no filling,"

Jaskier faked a surprise, stopping from warming up before he starts singing epics, giving you his war face and a coltish glare as he humorously spat, "You are certainly the living nightmare in my life for saying that!"

Jaskier's singing grabbed all of your attention. Thus, you were oblivious of a particular individual who was lurking behind you as he seated and talked to Durriken who continued to ran his mouth on the heed-detached witcher.

Durriken's ginger hair was shiny against the light of the sun that reflects from the windows, the elderly man shakily continued his story as he studied who the witcher was gazing at that even got him giving a damn when he ever does not, "---The villagers had seen the beast on the swamps in the south! Had my lads killed as they've stabbed it with their swords! It was a poisonous monster and wounded my people with a burn that could let ye' see their bones!"

The witcher gave a disgruntled hum, his jaw clenching like he'd seen something awful.

Durriken ceased his stories; sipping on his ale as he bluntly asked and ripped his eyes away from him with a knowing smile, "The trouble and strife, witcher?"

Geralt couldn't help but want to roll his eyes at the incessant accusations they had between the two of you; giving abrupt malice to your presence as you tagged along with them, "Why do people always tell me this," he gruffly mumbled to himself, finishing his shot of Ale in one gulp as he dropped the cup with a thud.

"Have ye' seen the way you look at er'?" Durriken's smile was unwavering as he could remember you from his dreams; like the whole scene was dejavu.

The witcher gave him a tight-lipped frown, sitting completely composed; but with his blood boiling for whatever reasons he doesn't understand, "She's been dragging me in to more horseshit than I can ever get involved,"

Durriken heedlessly caressed his goatee; seeming to be in deep thought to what his next words would sound like and if it will be better to be said rather than keep it to himself and watch the future unfold without alarming the other, "Ye' wouldn't be complaining if you realize that she's actually your destiny, Witcher."

Jaskier stopped strumming his lute after finishing one song; planting his ass on his seat as he laughed out loud with the villagers of Kaedwen. The adorable hobgoblins lending their elfin ears at the bard who had memorable tales to tell, "I've been the witcher's travel companion decades ago!"

You were unaware of somebody patting your hand like he was consoling you because of your consciousness was solely on the bard who kept on getting everybody's attention. That being so, you jumped on your seat as Jaskier hurriedly slapped the man's hands that rested on top of yours as it was laid on the table, "And---Hands off, Belerick! You don't want to vex off a witcher and have your adorable little body thrown in the swamps,"

The dark eyed gnome raised his voice to groan out his frustrations, caressing the hand that Jaskier has attacked; eyes exclusively on yours alone, "She's just so cute and my type!" Belerick mirthfully announced with his eyes giving you the hearts. You kindly smiled back at little guy, "Say, munchkin; wanna spend the night with I?"

A soft giggle was sent to the latter and it was enough for him to sigh like a man in love, "You're a cute one, Belerick." your smile softened as you saw him grin like a cutie pie and tried to reject his offer in a very nice way, "---But, I'm good for the night. There are other women out there who would want to,"

Everybody who sat on the table in a circle cooed. The spot light suddenly on you, "Aww! She's a kind one!"

The little guy irritatingly huffed, growling at his companions who kept on teasing him that he was rejected, "Nobody does, Y/N!" Belerick snapped with a bitter tone as Merek hopped off his chair and leaned his short elbows on the table; giving you a kissy face, "Aye! Maybe Y/N would want to spend the night with me a lots more than ye', Belerick!" Merek teased the other little guy who kept making a fuss, "---Cause ya' got a small dick!"

Both gnomes had their hands choking each other as they fought for your unavailable hand. You couldn't help but chortle from their sudden fight; entirely unaware of their intoxicated self controlling their minds.

Jaskier emitted a loud sigh beside you; dramatically rolling his eyes at the scene, "Oh gods, you are all signing your death wishes,"

Another giggle was sent to the people surrounding you, trying to infect them with your naivety, positivity and kindness; "You guys are cuties! Thank you for finding me...nice-looking, though I don't actually," you started again, looking at the set of barbaric men seated around you and Jaskier, "I look like a potato, boys. You need to get your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist,"

"A what?" Now was the time for Jaskier's brows to tighten.

"Ye', don't look like a potato!" Belerick and Merek uttered all together in chorus, giving you the heart eyes.

"Yet, you look a little different!" another leprechaun crowed named Carac. He had his medium length hair tied on the back in a makeshift ponytail. Carac paused for more added mysterious effect. Both you and Jaskier blinked back at him; unnerved because of how the lad was scrutinizing back at you like there was something wrong.

Until such time, he'd open his mouth and vaingloriously claimed that made everybody groan out in exasperation and utter cheesiness, "Ye' look like my future missus, Elfin!"

You and Jaskier blew out a breath you were holding; the thought of finding out you weren't from their dimension now disregarded. You've apprehensively giggled and pointed a finger at the little man giving you a smolder, "Oh, that was smooth." Carac pouted his lips more, wiggling his eyebrows in a frisky way, "Do I deserve a kiss?"

A nod of fascination was given to the latter. You've given him a grin and shook your head at his sudden twentieth century kind of flirting, "Very smooth,"

"You know, he can hear you right? He's a witcher, you oaf!" Jaskier gave the dwarf a look of disbelief before you'd suddenly stood up out of nowhere and drank the last of your ale. "I'll check Ciri outside," you declared and put down the empty cup after burping in a low tone and it was enough for Carac, Belerick and Merek to sigh like a boy in love as their eyes were trying to melt you down. Jaskier scoffed at how they looked and nodded with a smile as he waved you off, "Alright, try to keep out of trouble, rat. I'll follow you soon,"

Moments have passed and stories were told, Geralt has understood Durriken's offer as he tossed a bag of coins to the witcher in which he caught it with his bare hand, his expressions twisted in a way that can tell people he wasn't in a good mood. The real question here is; when did he ever looked like he was?

The bard was already off his seat, Geralt saw you went out minutes ago and Jaskier began to tail like a cat to the rat; even began to feel a little comfortable with you since this morning and it was slightly bothering him to no reason.

Thus, Durriken even had the chance to tell him things about destiny that even rattled him more.

"I don't believe in utter bullshit," the witcher spat to his utmost discontent, sighing as he does so. He was tired of hearing it over and over again. It even lead to having Cirilla in his life; he wouldn't want to include you as well. Especially that everybody who gets involved with him; enters demise without him knowing. It was like a link to death when one person even tries to want to know him better.

He was already having a difficult time protecting Cirilla and Jaskier from harm; it would kill him more if you had the plausibility to meet death without even coming home to your homeland.

"Destiny will always come to you, Witcher," Durriken cheerfully muttered in spite of Geralt's gloomy state; his smile never faltering, "---As much as the princess did,"

The witcher languidly closed his eyes; asking himself what he has done to receive all kind of destiny thay gives him a rough time. "Once...is enough," he seethed through gritted teeth. Annoyance ticking his features, "Twice is destiny playing fucking tricks on me,"

"It's been two years, Witcher. The elvens; they will never cease." Durriken announced as a matter of fact, trying to remember his dreams that he wanted to forget because it never fails to happen. "---Say, that elfin of yours isn't from our world, aye?" the latter added with a cunning smirk, "---She has created more chaos to our dimension. Opening a door to the continent which has never been seen before,"

Geralt's forehead creased a lot more to what he was saying, looking completely at loss. Never trying to look guilty that you actually really didn't come from their world. He didn't know if Durriken was just guessing or not and he didn't want to be cocksure.

Durriken continued, his voice lowering a pitch as he whispered; "---It is like a whole new era to the conjunction of spheres. Revealing unaccustomed beasts you haven't seen nor fought with, but has all been taught back in Kaer Morhen," he leaned his elbows on the table, pursing his lips as he eyed the witcher who gave him his unconcerned attention.

"---Her existence has created more beasts that cannot be slayed nor controlled. Warning mages, elders and sorceresses from other peculiar changes," pause. "---She shouldn't be here. But, your future has made everything possible, Witcher."

On the spur of the moment, the grandsire looked around as he was trying to find someone. Also, getting a gist of an uncomfortable feeling and a blurry image of his future. His ability already has certain limitations he couldn't control rather than years ago when he was younger.

"---Only one wish shall be required for it to be permanent," he suddenly blurted out of nowhere, eyes falling at the scowling, confused, ivory haired witcher.

"Durriken, you are talking shit," Geralt grumbled beneath his armored chest, a brow raising for the incredulity slipping through the man's words.

"I am a fortune teller, am I not?" Durriken boastfully affirmed with a shaky chuckle, "---When do I fail at reading the future?"

"Today, you are." the witcher mumbled beneath his deep breath, shaking his head at the fortune teller's intuitions.

Durriken was tapping on the table with his index finger as he looked away; like he was lost in his own world. The old man breathed a deep one as he closed his eyes and felt his temples twitching; trying to remember his dreams despite of how blurry in ended, leaving answers to himself that he couldn't quite understand, "Keep her away from a cunning queen and a greedy sorceress," he admitted with a whisper, "They'll know her existence and it'll bring you a much more unfortunate fate, Geralt of Rivia,"

The witcher studied him, waiting for him to laugh out loud for all the lies he had said. However, he received none and only a smile that tells him that Durriken was never lying from the start. His statements were processing inside his head; thinking so hard on how it was possible. You, a mere human who suddenly popped out of nowhere now had a destiny linked to his.

Impossible.

"Witchers are known to have no emotions," the ginger head, old bloke shared with no shame, "---Yet, I never believed that. You have been capable of achieving more, Geralt." he'd snapped his head to look out the door as a barbaric combatant or considering a root of the kingdom's military forces sauntered in; they were some of the people doing the dirty work and Durriken knew what was happening like he had seen this already, "---She is about to be taken as a strumpet right now by the Kaedwenias," he continued to fixate his eyes on the gallant who loudly demanded for Ale towards his older daughter at the bar.

Fate moves in mysterious ways. He'd believed that when he'd seen the witcher's future turn exactly the way he saw it; seeing how it molded and bended his beliefs like no other was a miracle. Durriken subtly pointed at the door with his thumb as he saw Geralt's face mask with aggravation, shock and disbelief. "---With your Cirilla outside. Yet, she has been saved by the purity and selflessness of your woman's heart. You owe her your life because your Cirilla was close to being captured,"

The witcher hurriedly stood up in a trice at the aforementioned warning; heedless of Durriken's smile that was filled with felicity and mischief; a mix of both when he noticed how Geralt grew tense; letting the fortune naturally go like he eventually does.

"---You will love her like no other," the fortune teller promptly delievered with sincerity. Geralt halted from drifting away, his wide-width shoulders on display as he never saw how the witcher's face was now filled with bother and perplexity.

"---Nevertheless, your beautiful destiny is always masked with an unbearable truth and thus waiting for a price to pay, Witcher."

PLEASE DON’T BE SHY AND SCREAM YOUR FEEDBACKS TO ME, TATER TOTS! HEEHEE! THANK YOU! I JUST WANNA BE Y/N SO BAD. 😂😥😣

Taglist: @alyxkbrl @himarisolace @barkingbullfrog @ayamenimthiriel @hellodevilslittlesister @vania-marie @spookypeachx @grungelovebug @fangirl-inthe-us @nympeth @amirahiddleston @gabethelobster @dreaming-about-starfleet @uncoolcloudyhead @melaninstylezz @psychosupernatural @missjenniferb @dance-dreamer @marvelousell @kingniazx

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imo-chan-imagines · 4 years ago

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『 Haikyuu!! Week 2020 | Day 2 』

· Sept. 26th → One Ball, Heart and Soul ·

Characters: Sawamura Daichi, Testurou Kuroo, Bokuto Koutarou, Ushijima Wakatoshi, Oikawa Tooru, Terushima Yuuji

Prompts: A. favourite position/role + B. travel/journey

Tags/warnings: Haikyuu!! (anime), PG, fluff, crack, headcanons, HaikyuuWeek2020

A/N: I found it so hard to pick a favourite position/role, because they're all so interesting and important, and I love everyone 😭 But I settled on the role of captain because of the headcanons I thought of. Captain Sqaud, assemble! So, want to find out what these boys are like on a road trip?

(Just to be clear, I do love all these guys. None of this is hate 😂) All my Haikyuu Week 2020 posts will be SFW, but I have some NSFW stuff on my blog, too. Feel free to check that out~ Thanks for reading! Please enjoy ♡ Imo~

☆ Sawamura Daichi ☆

Dad-chi™

Comes prepared with all the food, drinks, snacks, med kit, camera – literally everything you could possibly need on a road trip

Plans out the route beforehand down to the tiniest detail nothing gets past this man

As well as multiple backup routes in case there's diversions etc.

Plans for regular breaks at two-hour intervals where everyone can pee, stretch their legs, buy anything they need, etc.

He's the one who's driving he's not letting anybody else get a scratch on his van, lmao

And he's good at it

No speeding he's a cop, y'all but he doesn't dawdle either, no running red lights, turns corners well, keeps an even foot on the gas, etc.

Just a good time, tbh

Nobody is getting car sick because of him that would be a damn disgrace

"Stop fighting right now, or I'm turning this van around"

And will actually do it if you don't stfu, lmfao

Don't even think about making a mess and dropping your rubbish in the van you'll be walking home

Everyone else thinks his music is boring and for old people, but Daichi honestly doesn't care

Besides, it's either that or no music at all, because he needs to concentrate on the road

He takes this shit seriously. People's lives are in his hands, dammit!

☆ Testurou Kuroo ☆

Likes to switch between driving and riding shotgun/being designated navigator

Is fairly decent at both

Is constantly eating something but, like, he probably doesn't even know what it is

Some kind of edible is shoved towards his mouth by whoever's riding shotgun, and in it goes shut up. Not like that, you cretins 😂

Somehow manages to behave like an overbearing grandparent and an overexcited child at the same time?? Nothing new there, I guess 😂

I'm sorry, Kuroo, I love you. Please don't be mad 😭

Has a banging playlist full of throwback songs from the 90s and early 2000s

Drums along sofly on the steering wheel or dashboard constantly

HATES driving in rain he's low-key terrified he's going to aquaplane

Likes driving with the windows wound down and feeling the wind in his hair

Will plan the route, but then forget to save it/print it off, etc.

Cannot work Google Maps or SAT-NAVs to save his life Kenma, please help him

Actually packs properly balanced meals, but is heavy on the snacks, too

You'd think he'd drive too fast, but he's actually really responsible

Constantly telling dad jokes to try and keep people amused the groaners are the best

Would probably fight someone at the gas station if they started being a dick and causing trouble

Kuroo, baby. I love you, but please don't get arrested 😭😂😭

☆ Bokuto Koutarou ☆

Dear God, do NOT let him drive leave it to Akaashi, I'm begging you

Has really bad spacial awareness in a vehicle and drifts all over the place

Probably speeds without even knowing it, too

Likes to ride shotgun, but is a terrible navigator, so is nearly always made to ride in the back

Is the loud one that moves around too much and blocks the rear view mirror strap him in tight, Akaashi

Belts along at the top of his voice to whatever music is playing, he's not fussy

Was told to pack essential items in his backpack and proceeded to fill it with sweets and snacks and a pack of condoms??? and thought he did good

Bokuto: Bro, you said they were essential

Akaashi: NOT FOR EVERY SITUATION

Rarely ever has to pee, but when he does, it's always miles away from any service station, and he has to hold it for hours

Has definitely peed at the side of the road multiple times because he couldn't hold it any longer, but he wasn't even embarrassed as numerous cars zoomed past

Likes sticking his head out the window like a dog on the motorway which gives everyone else heart attacks

Like, get the hell back inside you maniac 😭

If the car has a sunroof, he's 100% standing up through it with his hands in the air just you try and stop him

And they will. Everyone will try

"HORSES!!"

Will get out of the car in traffic jams to find out what's going on and end up chatting with random strangers until it starts moving again

And he's very sad when he has to leave his new friends. Droopy hair and emo Kou for the next 2 hours :(

Unironically enjoys playing 'I Spy' for hours at a time

Is a bit much to handle in such a confined space for hours on end, but he's just so excited for the road trip

Will fall sound asleep in a matter of minutes if you set him up with a travel pillow and it's freaking adorable!!

☆ Ushijima Wakatoshi ☆

No music whatsoever it's distracting. Why would he want it?

Okay driver, brilliant paper-map navigator

Will sit and do absolutely nothing but stare out the window the entire trip if he's neither

Breaks too hard and accelerates too fast, though

Is also kind of heavy-handed with the gear stick he may or may not have snapped one off before...

Never give him a SAT-NAV, though, because he will follow the directions with 100% accuracy and end up driving through a wall or some shit don't try and deny it

Does he ever even blink when he's looking at the road? We may never know

Might be astral projecting, who knows

Forgets people need toilet breaks but refuses to make unscheduled stops

"Just hold it in"

Uh-huh, sure. That's how that works, Toshi

No snacks

Or rather, no fun snacks. Protein bars and mineral water all the way, babyyyy 🙃🙃🙃

Could probably drive all through the night without taking any breaks but that's irresponsible

Don't do it, kids

Will likely devour the entire KFC menu at the service station he's big, okay? He eats a lot

Is prone to leg cramp after long drives oh look, he needs a massage 😏

Doesn't get car sick. Ever. Upset stomachs are for the weak

Has garbage and recycling pouches on the backs of the front seats use them correctly, or feel his wrath

Isn't exactly a barrel of laughs, but it's somehow endearing just like always *happy sigh*

But it's actually a good thing

There's no hidden side to Ushi or any bad or annoying habits that come out of the woodwork on a long road trip

He's just the same old reliable, adorably straightforward Ushijima ❤

☆ Oikawa Tooru ☆

Calls shotgun and demands the aux cord every. Single. Time but it's pretty decent music, so no-one really complains

Not that he's any good at navigation pray for Iwa-chan

Is constantly taking selfies, making TikToks, and documenting the trip on his social media

#ROADTRIP #SQUAD GOALS #BETTER THAN YOU

Will send all the photos in the group chat when it's over, and they actually come out pretty well

Will not stop complaining if the air conditioning is busted and Iwa-chan will threaten to dump him in the middle of nowhere if he doesn't can it 😂

Iwa-chan: I shoulda left you on that street corner where you were standing

Oikawa: But'cha dIDN'T

Bonus points if you get that reference, lmao

Has to keep taking breaks because his butt hurts when he sits down for too long because it's fLaT

I'm sorry, Tooru 😭😭 Forgive me. I love you, really

Is constantly on his phone

But he points out pretty views and interesting sights to everyone all the time awww

Low-key needs to pee all the time, but gets defensive if someone brings it up please stop bulling him, travelling is hard

"Are we there yet?"

Seems kind of annoying, but is actually just genuinely excited to go on a road trip and spend time with his friends 😭😭

Buys matching souvenirs for everyone in secret to surprise them with 🥺

When people complain about all the photos, souvenirs, and enthusiasm, etc. and ask why he has to keep doing it, Oikawa says:

"I want to remember as much of this as possible. I want us all to remember as much of this as much as possible," with a sweet little smile 😭😭😭

And that's when everyone realises how mean they've been to him about being over-the-top and irritating, and they all feel terrible

Just like in the freaking anime, man

☆ Terushima Yuuji ☆

Will hijack the aux cord to play his incredibly niche music taste

Feet up on the dashboard when he rides shotgun

Shoes on is bad enough, but shoes off just stinks up the entire car you have to roll all the windows down, lmfao

Will break all sorts of road laws if you let him behind the wheel please don't

Daichi will come and arrest him 😭😭

Lives on energy drinks

That's all the drinks he packs. Nothing else

Travels in sports wear and sliders yes, even though you reallly shouldn't drive in sandals

Like he knows or cares 😭

Will chat to girls at the gas station and ask for their numbers, even though he's never going to see them again

"You never know, man! It could be, like, fate or something"

Yes, Yuuji, you do. And it's 'or something'

Thinks it's a good time to sext his current booty call because, like, he has hours of free time. What else is he going to do?

Probably forgot to pack actual food

Has to live off of snacks and cheap service station food for the duration of the trip

But not his own snacks, of course. Everyone else's one doesn't keep friends and buy one's own snacks

Genuinely doesn't realise if he's being gross or annoying, so let him down lightly like a bro and he'll probably make an effort to stop

Doesn't plan the route or anything, even if he's driving. Just punches it into Google Maps as he sits his ass down on the day and trusts it to get him there in one piece and on time

Entire Johzenji team: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...

For some reason knows how to change a flat tire, though, so he's good for something, I guess 😂😂

Probably saw a YouTube video on it. Maybe a WikiHow article

Somehow still manages to be an endearing part of the trip??

He smiles a lot and makes a lot of jokes, particularly when things go wrong, so it keeps everyone's spirits up

It definitely wouldn't be the same without him

#imo chan imagines #haikyuuweek2020 #haikyuu!!#hq!#headcanons #haikyuu headcanons #sawamura daichi #tetsurou kuroo #oikawa tooru #ushijima wakatoshi #terushima yuuji #sawamura daichi headcanons #testurou kuroo headcanons #oikawa tooru headcanons #ushijima wakatoshi headcanons #terushima yuuji headcanons #bokuto koutarou #bokuto koutarou headcanons

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kmomof4 · 4 years ago

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Of Darkness, Vampires, and Soulmates Ch.5 Ingrid

*rubs furiously at my ear* Wow, y’all!!! Y'all had a lot to say about that last chapter, didn’t you? Well, most of the pain is now firmly in the rearview. There will still be a bit of pain in the coming chapters, but not like we’ve had. Today’s chapter brings us to the halfway point in the fic as well as the turning point, the modern era and putting our favorite couple on the final road to their Happily Ever After. We still have a lot of story to tell and I so hope you enjoy what’s coming! Thank you all so much for the trust you’ve placed in me by coming along on this journey! Y'all are the BEST!!!!

All of the love, thanks, and socially distant internet tackle hugs to @profdanglaisstuff for her outstanding beta services and being a fount of information and encouragement when I wanted to either throw my laptop, pull my hair out, or give up completely. Also to @hollyethecurious for her encouragement and help in brainstorming. The ladies of the CSSNS and CSMM discords for their encouragement, sprinting, and help with a title, and finally to @spartanguard for making such GORGEOUS and PERFECT art for EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER!!! I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m so grateful that I got paired with you!!!

Chapter Summary: We are now in the modern era, and we meet a new family that has become a major part of Killian’s life.

Rating: M (Violence and smut)

Words: Almost 8800 of 41K total

Tags: Vampires, Soulmates, Reincarnation, Prophecy, Black Death, French Revolution, Magic, True Loves Kiss

Prologue | Ch1 | Ch2 | Ch3 | Ch4 | Ao3 chapter link | Ao3 fic link

Tag list: @hollyethecurious @winterbaby89 @snowbellewells @stahlop @resident-of-storybrooke @jennjenn615 @kingofmyheart14 @profdanglaisstuff @thisonesatellite @branlovestowrite @ultraluckycatnd @flslp87 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @let-it-raines @shireness-says @kymbersmith-90 @darkcolinodonorgasm @bethacaciakay @searchingwardrobes @ilovemesomekillianjones @teamhook @aprilqueen84 @qualitycoffeethings @superchocovian @artistic-writer @donteattheappleshook @doodlelolly0910 @seriouslyhooked @tiganasummertree @lfh1226-linda @nikkiemms @xsajx @klynn-stormz

Please let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.

Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, October 1995

Killian Jones brought the Jolly Roger into his personal dock on his estate greatly anticipating a warm meal and long hot shower after being away for so many months. Of course he ate on the Jolly and she had been outfitted with modern plumbing that he kept most of the passengers away from, but nothing beat a homemade meal from his own kitchen. He had donned many hats over the centuries in terms of occupations, pirate captain, smuggler, whaler, blockade runner, a brief stint as a doctor in Chicago, and now pleasure cruise captain, and now that the long summer season was over, he could return to his home for a few months of rest and relaxation. The weather was just starting to turn cooler overall, but the sharp bite of the wind and clouds rolling in told him that a storm was right on his heels. He made his way up to the back door of the manor as his scarf was blown about his face and raindrops just started to fall.

“Thank you, Mr. Starkey,” he addressed the older man that had immediately appeared when he entered as he handed him his scarf and leather greatcoat.

“Your supper will be ready in about an hour, sir,” the man admitted, chagrined. “I wasn’t expecting you quite this early.”

“No worries, Starkey,” he replied, “we had favorable winds, and with the expected storm, I wanted to make it home before it hit. This will give me time to get the sea salt off me before I sit down to your excellent meal.”

The man before him smiled. “It’s your favorite, sir. I wanted to welcome you home properly. My lobster chowder with Red Lobster’s cheddar bay biscuits.”

Killian threw his head back and groaned in delight. “I can taste it already. Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome, sir.”

Killian departed the lower story, and headed for his chambers on the other side of his home trying to bring his salivating under control. He may have problems with fresh, raw garlic, but who could resist those biscuits?

~*~*~

Much later that night, Killian was pulled from his slumber by a crack of lightning that shook the windows and lit up his chambers as if it was noon. The rain against the windows beat a staccato rhythm that matched his breathing and heart rate. Once he got his breathing back under control and his pulse back down where it normally was, much, much less than a resting heart rate for a human, he became aware of a pull. A tugging sensation over his heart that almost felt like something was trying to rip it out his chest. Laying back down on his bed, the sensation lessened but didn’t go away entirely. As he lay there rubbing at the area, his heart nearly leapt out of his chest with a pressure, that if he didn’t know any better, he would have said resembled a heart attack. It was exactly the same sensation that he felt over 200 years ago when Emma had been born in France and when she had been born in the late 19th century.

Killian would never forget the day that he lost his Swan yet again. He recognized the soulmate connection and arrived in Chicago a few years later in 1896. He took a position with St. Luke's Hospital near the industrial center of the city where he knew his Swan was employed. One of the unfortunate victims of the lack of child labor laws and the Industrial Revolution. Close enough to feel her daily presence, but apparently not close enough to protect her. Rumplestiltskin, owner of the factory where she worked, brought her in covered in blood from where she had lost most of her left arm in an accident at the factory. Although his cruel designs were cleverly hidden behind his mask of feigned concern for the little girl in his arms, Killian could see the delight dancing in his enemy’s eyes as he lay Emma, only about six years old, even younger than he had known her at first in France, on the table in front of him. She had lost so much blood and was so nearly gone, that he was completely taken aback when her green eyes opened briefly, landing on him, and whispered, “It’s you.” before breathing her last. It was all he could do to remain upright. Did she somehow recognize him? Recognize their connection? No one questioned the blood tears that streaked his face, just assuming it was hers, as he ran from the room, Rumplestiltskin’s laughter echoing in his ears.

She had been reborn again. There was no doubt in his mind. But where? When she had been reborn in France, he had felt the pull toward Paris. In the 1890’s, Chicago. This time though, he wasn’t feeling any particular pull toward anywhere. Could it be too soon? Had she literally just been born? Was it possible that she could have been born somewhere nearby? He didn’t dare hope. Hopefully the morning light would bring some answers. Hopefully, he’d be able to get back to sleep before then.

~*~*~

He was awakened the next morning by Starkey knocking lightly on his chamber door. Killian awoke rather disconcerted that he had slept as late as the angle of the sun in his room told him it was, plus the fact that anyone approaching his chambers normally would have put his senses on full alert. Being caught unawares by Rumplestiltskin, even in the privacy of his own home, was not something he wanted happening.

“Enter,” he called, standing and wrapping himself in the robe from the bottom of the bed.

Starkey stuck his head through the door with mirth dancing in his eyes and a smile on his face. “The ladies Elsa and Anna Fisher are downstairs for you, sir. On the back patio. They are quite excited and impatient to see you.”

An affectionate grin broke over his face. “I’ll be down momentarily, Starkey.”

“Very good, sir,” he replied. “I’ll let them know.”

~*~*~

Killian entered the patio area just a few minutes later to the barely contained enthusiasm of two little girls that he had been blessed to know these last few years when they came into the care of their aunt, Ingrid Fisher, a very close personal friend of his for many, many years. The girls had been so young when they entered her charge, nearly one and just turned three, that they both knew her as Mama.

“Uncle Killian,” little Anna cried, “guess what?” She had very nearly flown from her place on the chaise lounge where she had been bouncing in her exuberance. She now stood before him nearly vibrating with excitement trying to contain the torrent of words that it was nearly killing her to hold back right now.

Killian knelt down before her and lifted her into his arms as he continued to where a much more sedate Elsa waited patiently for them on one of the other lounges. “What is it, my lamb?” He settled down next to Elsa and gave his full attention to the elated little girl in his arms.

“We have a new baby,” she very nearly squealed.

“AnewsisterMamacalledfromthehospitalthismorningtotellusthatababygirlhadbeenbornlastnightintheEmergencyRoombutthemamaleftsothebabyhasnoonetotakecareofhersowe’regonnatakecareofhershe’llbeoursister.” Anna’s words tumbled out of her so quickly that Killian had trouble keeping up. He looked toward Elsa with barely disguised confusion on his face.

Elsa released a long suffering sigh, as only a six year old could. “You have to slow down, Anna,” she exasperated. “Mama will be bringing home a new sister for us. She was born last night.” Killian couldn’t help the chill that ran down his spine at that information. “But the mama left before morning. Since Mama is already approved to be a foster parent, we get to have her.” At this, some of the excitement that Elsa usually kept inside, leaked through. Her blue eyes sparkled and the smile that broke over her face rivaled the sun at noon. “Mama said that we’ll adopt her and she’ll be our sister. She’ll have the same last name and everything!”

“Oh, my darlings,” he exulted, “that is indeed wonderful news!” He reached over and pulled Elsa to him in a side hug as Anna was doing her best to strangle him with the force of her embrace. “When will Ingrid be bringing her home and when may I come see the new addition to the family?”

“Mama said it would be a few days before she could bring her home,” Elsa volunteered, “so maybe this weekend.” She shrugged.

“Alright then,” he replied. “I will call this evening after your mama gets home and get some more details.” He stood back up with Anna still in his arms and started toward the kitchen. “And now, my lambs, have you had breakfast? Would you like some French toast? I know how you love Mr. Starkey’s French toast.”

The girl's squeals had nearly the same effect on the windows that the lightning had the night before. Killian laughed as he led them from the patio to the kitchen.

~*~*~

“Hello?”

“Good evening, Ingrid,” he replied, settling down in his favorite armchair, “I hear congratulations are in order.”

His friend’s delighted laugh made a grin break out on his own face. “I knew the girls wouldn’t be able to wait to tell you.”

“So, tell me everything.”

“A teenager, a girl really,” she corrected herself, “came in last night in the last stages of labor. Her daughter was born about three this morning. Right at the height of the storm, from what I understand.” Killian hummed and tried, without much success, to suppress the shiver that ran through him. “But by the time I got in this morning, she was gone. I don’t know how she was able to walk out of the ER so soon after giving birth. So there’s essentially no record of her whatsoever. She was too close to delivery to get any kind of information about her, and when one of the other nurses came in to get the information and move her and the baby to the maternity ward, she was gone. Leaving that poor baby girl behind.” She sighed.

“By the time I got there at 7, the whole place was in an uproar. I went up to the nursery to see her and just fell in love. With the mother gone and no idea of where to begin looking for her, that poor baby would go straight into the system. And I just couldn’t allow that. Not when I had the power to stop it.”

Killian hummed in agreement. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, lass. Tell me, this baby...” he hesitated. Ingrid was the closest friend he had ever had. She was one of two, in all his centuries of life, that ever knew exactly what he was. But she didn’t know about this. “This baby, have you decided on a name for her yet? She doesn’t by any chance have a birthmark on her neck, does she?” It was all he could do to keep his breathing steady as he awaited her answer.

“The girls and I discussed it and we decided she looks like an Emma. And yes, she does have a birthmark actually,” she exclaimed. Killian’s breath hitched. “How could you have possibly guessed that? It’s a swan that looks like it’s taking off. I’ve never seen anything like it. Anna thought ‘Swan’ should be her middle name. For the birthmark.”

Killian’s head spun. He gripped the sides of the chair, trying to regain some equilibrium. It was her. It was his Swan. How…? He couldn’t believe that it had happened again. He had, of course, been waiting for it, hoping, continuing on in the long lonely years of his life, praying, ever hopeful that this day would come. But now that it was here, it was all he could do to contain himself. He cleared his throat. “Emma Swan Fisher,” he whispered. “Uh, Ingrid? When will you be bringing her home?” he asked.

“Wednesday morning, barring any unforeseen complications, I should be able to bring her home,” Ingrid replied. “Killian, what’s going on?” Her concern for him was plain over the line. Killian scrubbed his face in his agitation.

“Ingrid, I promise,” he beseeched her, “I’ll explain everything. I’ll see you Wednesday. Give me a call when you get home.” He hung up and scrubbed his hand down his face again.

He made his way to the adjoining bath and splashed cold water on his face, trying to bring himself under control. He looked back up in the mirror. Haunted eyes in a pale face looked back out at him. Purple bruises under his eyes told him that he’d gone too long without the sustenance that his physical body still needed, even if he could still eat and drink. He was going to have to hunt tonight. Getting his hands on a rabbit or even a larger animal like a deer wasn’t going to cut it. Not after a shock like that rocked him to his very core.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to do it very often, he normally partook of animal blood to meet his body’s needs. And even that, he only had to do once, maybe twice a month. But when he was so obviously drained, as this bombshell had quite effectively accomplished, he was going to need human blood. Fortunately, the island had no shortage of scoundrels, villians, the bottom dwellers of humanity on which to feed, people that no one would miss, and in fact, their disappearance may very well free others on whom they preyed.

Donning black from head to toe, the vampire disappeared into the night.

~*~*~

Killian was unsurprised when he could see Anna’s red braids flying behind her as she ran to answer the door. Ingrid had brought baby Emma home that morning and he had told Ingrid to expect him around noon.

“Uncle Killian,” she cried, grabbing his hand and dragging him along behind her. “Come see my baby,” she exclaimed.

Killian chuckled as he picked her up and strode toward where he could hear the cries of an infant. “Where are they, my lamb?”

“In the breakfast room. Baby Emma doesn’t like the bottle Mama is trying to feed her,” she chattered on about how cute and how loud her baby was. Killian couldn’t help the delighted grin that stretched his lips as he came into the room. Ingrid sat at the table with the newborn in her arms, holding a small bottle to her mouth. Elsa stood by her side cooing to the baby and gently stroking her head trying to get her to take the bottle.

Ingrid lifted her face toward Killian as he set Anna down so that the little whirlwind could join her Mama and sisters. “Oh, Killian! Thank God, you’re here,” she exclaimed. “Could you take her for just a minute? I’m not ready for the girls to hold her by themselves yet and my bladder is about to bust.”

Killian was taken aback briefly, but made his way over to them and sat down. “Of course, Ingrid,” he assented, holding out his arms for the infant. As soon as Ingrid transferred the precious bundle into his own arms and handed him the bottle, she all but ran out of the room.

The girls gathered around him as he looked down at the baby. Wide light gray eyes stared, unblinking at him. He took in every detail he could. The way her little cheeks had yet to fill out to the pleasing plumpness that most associated with babies. The thin, whispy, light colored peach fuzz that covered the crown of her head. The scrunches around her eyes when she closed them as she opened her rosebud lips on a wide yawn. With her mouth as wide as that, he thought he might attempt to get her to take the bottle in his hand. Placing it in her mouth, she closed it again and began to drink from the instrument of nourishment. Her eyes opened again and she continued to stare at him as she drank from the bottle.

A smile broke his face as a profound sense of destiny swept over him. This was his Swan. Beyond any doubt. He could see the birthmark on her neck. He could feel the connection between them buzzing under his skin and with every beat of his heart as he held her close. Perhaps that was why she was taking the bottle from him so easily when she didn’t want to take it from Ingrid. Love like he had never known filled him near to overflowing. A love that he had harbored for over 300 years. Holding his soulmate in his arms like this, made him realize one thing. He would do anything to protect her. And since he found her so early in her life this time, he’d be able to protect her the way he wanted to. The way he should have done all those times before. He would do anything to make sure that she had the chance to grow up and fulfill her destiny. Her prophesied destiny to join him in the destruction of the Darkness and the final downfall of Rumplestiltskin. This time, he would succeed. This time, she would be his. He couldn’t lose her again. And then, a small smile broke over his face, they’d live happily ever after.

He hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Rumplestiltskin in a century. Not since the last time that Emma had lived, in the late nineteenth century. As much as he rejoiced that the demon had left him alone for so long, it was rather disconcerting. Before Emma died in France, he would make his presence known about every decade or so. Since then, it had been spaced out further, finally terminating when Killian had lost Emma back in Chicago. Again at the hands of his sire. This was by far however, the longest that he had gone without being aware of his presence. Now that Emma had come into his life again, he would doubtless make an appearance. He’d have to be doubly vigilant in keeping her safe from the monster if he hoped to bring his dream to fruition. And now, he was going to have to tell Ingrid everything.

~*~*~

All three of the girls were finally down for naps when Killian and Ingrid settled down in the living room with some hot tea. Ingrid leveled a hard stare at him sending him scratching at the area behind his ear.

“Ok, Killian. What’s going on here?” The love and concern were written all over her face.

Killian couldn’t meet her eyes as he began. “There is only one person that I’ve spoken to about this, Ingrid,” he sighed. “And I honestly never expected to have to do this with you.” He raised his head until his eyes met hers. “You are the closest friend I’ve ever had. You know what I am. You know what I care about, my values, and my convictions. How I live this cursed life.”

“And it’s because I know you so well,” she interrupted, leaning over to him and placing her hand on his arm, “that I’ve never been afraid of you. Both to have you in my life for all of these years and the lives of the girls.”

“And I can’t thank you enough for that, lass.” He looked down at where she was touching him with a soft smile.

“Pfft,” she snorted, leaning back in her chair and waving away his sentiment, “Don’t call me lass. I’m a little too old for that these days.”

He smirked at her. “You’ll always be a lass, compared to me, love,” he teased her, earning him a mighty eye roll.

Twenty-seven years ago, he met Ingrid, quite literally by accident. An accident that had claimed both her parents, and nearly claimed herself as well. When Killian got himself out of his car, with his broken bones and cuts quickly healing, he could plainly see that there was nothing he could do to help the two adults in the front of the Oldsmobile that had broadsided him. The two girls in the back however, were both still alive, although the older one was in immediate need of medical attention. As he moved closer to her, he could hear the rush of her blood within her, not in its appointed channels. She was bleeding internally and would almost surely die before she could be transported to a hospital. The other girl, probably about five years her junior, was only unconscious. He moved to the side of the gravely injured child, and sneaking a glance around to be sure that no one in the gathering crowd was paying attention to him, bit into his wrist and held it up to the girl’s lips, letting just a few drops of his blood land on her tongue. The coppery taste was enough to rouse her. Unfortunately, sharing his blood with her would not only heal her, but also expose him for what he truly was. Her eyes widened in her shock.

“Who are you?” she asked, obviously fearful that a strange man with red eyes and fangs was standing over her.

“A friend,” he answered, as his wound healed and his eyes resumed their blue hue and his fangs retracted. Listening carefully, he could hear not only the sirens of ambulances in the distance, but he could also hear the healing going on in her body. “You’ve been in an accident.” He didn’t think it wise to tell her about her parents.

Her eyes widened even more. “What about Mama, Papa, Gerta?” she cried, looking toward her sister.

“Your sister is going to be fine, lass,” he said, comfortingly. “What’s your name?”

“Ingrid,” she replied. “Ingrid Fisher.”

“Your sister is going to be fine, Ingrid. And so will you.” He moved away from her side as the paramedics arrived. He waved them off from attending to him, as only a few scratches were now visible. The girls needed their attention much more than he did.

He had been able to keep in contact with her, and because she quite vividly remembered his healing of her, he wasn't terribly surprised when the, by then, young teen, figured out his secret.

Killian returned to the present and to the amused concern still flooding Ingrid’s eyes. He gave her a small smile before taking a deep breath and beginning his story, from the beginning.

~*~*~

Ingrid’s mouth hung open as she leaned back on the sofa. “Soooo, let me get this straight,” she mused, “Rumplestiltskin, as in the fairy tale Rumplestiltskin, was real. Is real,” she corrected herself, shaking her head. “And that baby, from the fairy tale, was your brother. Fast forward, he kills Liam and changes you, and since then he’s come back every so often and has been responsible for at least two of…” here she trailed away momentarily, obviously trying to get her mind around all he had revealed to her, “my Emma’s past deaths. Ok.” She nodded decisively. “I can handle this.” She turned her pale blue eyes to his. “But she is your soulmate. And the two of you are prophesied to destroy the Darkness? The Darkness that makes you a vampire? But what will happen to you?”

Killian shrugged his shoulders. “If it’s the Darkness that makes me a vampire, as I believe it is, I’m hopeful that I’ll no longer be a vampire and that I’ll be able to live out my life with Emma at my side.”

“Oh, Killian,” she breathed, “That would be wonderful, indeed.”

“So you raise her,” Killian asserted, looking at her again. “You adopt her and raise her as your own. As long as that monster stays away, you will all be safe. But when he comes, and I say when because it’s only a matter of time, you will have to leave.” He looked down at the clasped hands in his lap. “And you won’t be able to tell me where you go. He would be able to find you through my knowledge. And he won’t hesitate to kill you all to prevent my happy ending with Emma. When the time is right, you’ll come back, and I’ll be able to court her and protect you all myself. This time,” his voice shook in his conviction, “we will succeed.”

She covered his hands with her own. “You will, Killian. I have no doubt.”

~*~*~

Three and a half years later, Boston

Rumplestiltskin stood on the quay looking up at the ship that he hadn’t seen with his own eyes in over four hundred years. It looked exactly the same from where he stood. The wood of the hull was in pristine condition, freshly painted, nearly ageless. If he didn’t know for sure that it was the same ship, he’d have trouble believing it himself. Still as majestic as I remember.

Rumple ducked his head into his shoulder as the captain appeared at the gunwale of the ship. He wasn’t yet ready to reveal his presence to his progeny.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, lads and lasses,” the captain called out. “Welcome to Jolly Roger Tours! I am your captain, Killian Jones. Today we will be sailing into the waters of the Atlantic, hearing tales of Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, and visiting several barrier islands where they and several other of the most notorious pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy lurked before striking the merchant ships coming into Boston Harbor. We will end our tour in Salem with a visit to the New England Pirate Museum where you will see actual pirate treasure and be able to tour a Colonial seaport before returning home. Now once you are aboard, everyone under the age of twelve will become junior crew members. They will be outfitted in pirate gear and will be in the charge of one of my crew for the duration of the tour.”

The captain then turned a stern eye on the very excited children of the group. “Now let me tell you how it works on my ship. I give the orders and you follow them. Is that clear?” The children let out a collective YESSS, that was so loud, he was sure he wasn't the only adult with the beginnings of a headache. “Then welcome aboard, me hearties!”

The children climbing the gangplank resembled a flock of birds, moving as one, with the combined weight of a small elephant, which did nothing to make the headache dissipate. Perhaps it was a mistake to make his appearance here and now. But the time had come again. Time to remind Killian Jones who had the power in their centuries-long dance.

He hung back until he was at the end of the queue ascending the gangplank. As he neared the captain, who was personally welcoming each passenger aboard, he decided to go ahead and make his presence known to his host.

~*~*~

Killian was nearly to the end of the queue when a depraved giggle reached his ears and a bolt of fear traveled down his spine. Looking toward the last person in the line, his eyes widened as he took in the distinctive profile of his sire. Thankfully, his eyes were averted, so he was in no danger of revealing anything to the demon, but he could see the curve of a sinister grin sliding onto his features.

“What are you doing here,” he hissed.

“Why, Captain Jones,” he gasped, in mock outrage, placing his hand on his heart “no joyous welcome? No, ‘It’s good to see you, mate.’”

“No,” he deadpanned, crossing his arms across his chest. “As Captain of this ship, I have the right to refuse to let anyone on board. For any reason.”

“Oh, really?” he drawled, feigning surprise. “Are you going to let me board, Captain?”

“No, I am not,” he replied. “Get off of my ship. And don’t let me see your face anywhere near her again.”

Rumplestiltskin giggled again. “Oh, don’t you worry, Dearie,” he crooned, before his voice took on an edge of malice, and was that anticipation that he could detect in his words? “Showing my face near your ship will be the least of your worries in the near future.”

Dear God in heaven, Killian thought, he knows where Emma is. “Get off of my ship.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” he murmured, with a mocking bow, sarcasm oozing from his words. “Until we meet again.”

Killian watched as Rumplestiltskin meandered down the gangplank, his gold tipped cane clicking on the boards, before he disappeared into the crowds.

~*~*~

Killian brought the Jolly in to dock behind his estate, his shoulders dropping in relief when he saw the four people he loved most in this world waiting for him. He’d been acutely aware, all day long, that if his sire knew about the family and where to find them, he could have already struck.

Anna, predictably, bounced on the balls of her feet, all ready for her adventure. Ingrid and Elsa were doing an admirable job keeping their countenance free of the fear he could plainly see in their eyes. Little Emma dozed on her mother’s shoulder. It was past her bedtime.

He descended the gangplank and grabbed their various suitcases and baby paraphernalia before he started hauling them aboard as Anna peppered him with questions. “Where are we going, Uncle Killian? Is it a pirate adventure? Is that why we’re leaving at night? Are we gonna spend the night in a pirate cave? Do we get to hunt for buried treasure?” Killian chuckled at her enthusiasm as he deposited their luggage on the deck .

“No, my lamb,” he sighed, “You’ll be going on an adventure with your mother and sisters this time. I’m not coming. I’m simply taking you there.”

“But, why aren’t you coming?” she whined, looking up at him with her big blue eyes.

Killian knelt down in front of her. From Elsa’s expression, Ingrid had either told her what was going on, or she picked up on her mother’s apprehension. Elsa stepped forward next to her sister, fixing him with her stare.

“Where are we going, Uncle Killian?” she asked. “All Mama told us was that we needed to pack our suitcases and that we could bring only two favorite toys and two books.”

“I didn’t know what to tell them, Killian,” Ingrid lamented. Killian smiled gently at her, struggling to swallow the lump in his throat. He knew this day would come, but that didn’t make it any easier to deal with now that it was here.

Before the ship had even cast off for the Pirate Tour that morning from Boston harbor, he had texted Ingrid to tell her that it was go time. He’d told her when he’d be home that evening and that she and the girls were to meet him at the dock. He would take them to Boston, and they could disappear to anywhere in the world, ensuring their safety from Rumplestiltskin. Shortly after he had revealed everything to her when Emma was just a newborn, he had made financial arrangements for the family in anticipation of this day. A secure offshore bank account in Ingrid’s name would meet all their needs for many, many years to come.

“I’m taking you to Boston, my lambs,” Killian began. “And from there your Mama will be your captain. She’ll be telling you where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.” He smiled at them. “You might be getting on another ship, you might be getting on an airplane, you might be getting on a train or a bus. This is going to be a most excellent adventure. But for now, we must cast off. We’ll be in Boston in no time.” He rose from before them as Ingrid returned from his quarters after settling Emma in bed down below. “Ingrid, take the helm while I weigh anchor,” he ordered. “Girls, go below with Emma.”

Everyone scrambled to obey his orders as he moved to the capstan. The enchantment that the Blue Fairy had placed on the wood of the Jolly all those years ago, still held and enabled him to lift the 112lb anchor himself. Once finished, he joined Ingrid at the helm.

He placed his arm around her shoulders as she finally lost the battle with the tears she’d been holding back. He murmured comfort into the crown of her head as she sobbed into his chest.

“How am I supposed to leave you, Killian?” she cried. “You’ve been with me for most of my life! I’ve always been able to count on you!”

“And you will again, love,” he cajoled. “This is only temporary. As soon as Emma is old enough for me to court, you’ll come back and we’ll be together again.”

She raised her tear stained face up to his. “But, Killian,” she protested, “that’s fifteen years away! How am I supposed to not contact you for that long?”

He turned to her and held her gaze with his own. “Ingrid, I have never met, in all my years of life, a woman as strong as you. Losing your parents when you did, fighting for Gerta not to be separated from you while you were growing up in the system, losing her and Agnar so soon after Anna was born, raising these three girls all by yourself, accepting me into your lives so easily, Ingrid, that takes a tremendous amount of bravery and fortitude,” he asserted. “You will be fine. And so will those girls. Rumplestiltskin will not be able to find you and they will grow up safe, happy, and together. That is all that matters right now.”

Ingrid sniffled again. “I know,” she sighed, “I’m just gonna miss you so much.”

“And I’ll miss you all, too. So much,” he murmured, placing a kiss to her brow. “Now you go below and be with your girls. We’ll be to Boston in about an hour.” He released her and she made her way below.

~*~*~

Killian entered his quarters after docking in Boston. On his bed, Emma was sound asleep, while at the foot, Ingrid read quietly to Anna and Elsa on either side of her. His heart nearly broke at the sight. He had to be strong for them. This was for their safety. This is what was best, for all of them.

Ingrid looked up at him as he drew near the little family. “We’re here, my lambs,” he choked out. Anna and Elsa looked up at him. Anna jumped to her feet on top of the bed and placed both her hands on his cheeks.

“Don’t be sad, Uncle Killian,” she said, “I’ll write letters to you every week telling you all about our adventures.”

Killian shook his head as he took her little hands in his own. “No, my darling,” he insisted, “You will not be able to write letters to me. You mustn’t contact me at all. Not until Emma is all grown up. When she is, you’ll all be able to come back to me and we can be together again. Is that okay?” He cocked his head toward her as he awaited her answer. When her brow furrowed without one, he continued. “I have to keep you safe, my lamb. And this is the only way to do it. That’s why we have to do this. Why we have to be apart for a little while. When the danger is past, we can be together again.”

The furrow remained on her brow as she raised her eyes to his. “Okay, Uncle Killian.” She nodded decisively. “But I’ll miss you.”

“And I will miss you, my lamb,” he promised, gathering her in his arms. He held his other arm out for Elsa as she launched herself toward him, sobs choking her. Killian closed his eyes as he held these little girls that he loved so much in his arms. After a few minutes, he carried them to the hatch and placed them on the ladder to the deck. They scrambled up as Ingrid came toward him, carrying Emma, still sound asleep.

Killian took her precious cargo so she could climb the ladder then followed along behind her. Reaching the deck, he saw that Ingrid already had Emma’s stroller opened up and he could lay her right down in it. He turned and pressed a kiss into her brow. “I love you, my Swan. I will see you again,” he murmured, setting her down and arranging her so that she could sleep peacefully until she had to awaken. He picked up his end of the stroller as Ingrid grabbed the handle and her own suitcase and carried the stroller containing the sleeping toddler across the deck and down the gangplank. Anna and Elsa followed behind with their own suitcases. Finally depositing the stroller on the quay, he turned back toward them. Kneeling down and opening his arms to them, they ran and nearly knocked him over with the force of their hugs.

“We love you, Uncle Killian,” they cried.

“And I love you, my lambs,” he replied. “Never forget that. We’ll be together again soon. I promise.” He disentangled himself and turned to Ingrid once more.

He gathered her in his arms, whispering endearments into her hair. “It’s okay, Ingrid,” he murmured, “I love you. You can do this. I’ll see you again.”

“I love you too, Killian,” she echoed. “And yes, we’ll see you again.” She pulled back, out of his arms and turned to the girls. “Make sure you have everything. Anna, hand on the stroller.” The tears were gone from her voice, her head held high and her back straight as her brood gathered their suitcases. There was his strong lass. Pride and love for her filled his heart to overflowing. She grabbed her own suitcase and pushing the stroller before her, made her way toward the street without looking back.

“Until we meet again, my loves,” Killian murmured before ascending the gangplank once more to make the journey home.

~*~*~

It was nearly midnight when Killian arrived home that evening. He didn’t expect Starkey to meet him at the door at this hour, but he also didn’t expect to find him being held by Rumplestiltskin in the middle of the morning room, much like the monster had held his brother four hundred years before.

The terror in Starkey’s eyes brought him to a halt. “Welcome home,” the demon singsonged, eyes seeking his own from over his captive’s shoulder, not loosening his grip a single iota.

“What are you doing here,” he growled, anger flowing through him as he advanced on the imp. He wasn’t frozen this time and he wondered if it was possible that the devil had forgotten to do it, or if he had some other plan for him.

“Why must you always insist on asking questions that you already know the answer to,” the monster demanded, giggling. The giggle was suddenly cut off as if with a knife. “I want to know where she is.” His words were slow, deliberate. Carefully enunciated so that Killian knew exactly to whom he was referring.

Righteous anger at this breach of his sanctuary and threatened murder of someone under his protection flooded him. Killian met the eyes of his sire with his own, knowing that Rumple would see nothing of value when their gazes locked. “Who?” he asked.

“Do you really think that now is a good time to antagonize me,” the creature hissed. Killian couldn’t help the little thrill of triumph that skittered across his skin at his opponent’s obvious anger. Looking more closely at his nemesis, his eyes widened as he became aware of something that, he was sure, the imp intended to keep hidden.

Rumplestiltskin was nervous. All of these centuries, he had always held the upper hand. It was why he would always come back. Taunting him, manipulating him, reminding him who held the power. Until now. It hadn’t occurred to his sire that he’d be able to throw off the yoke of oppression that had kept him exactly where the devil had wanted him all these years. The plans and provisions that had been made, long before they were needed, had finally given Killian the upper hand, and the beast was thoroughly rattled by that.

As this realization came over him, pictures that he knew came from his enemy flooded his mind. A wicked looking dagger with Rumplestiltskin’s name on the blade held in the hand of the Blue Fairy. Knowledge that it had the power to kill the monster before him and of where to find it. Killian’s eyes skittered to where his sire’s gold tipped cane lay forgotten on the floor.

With an inhuman howl of rage, Rumplestiltskin threw Starkey to the side like a rag doll. The sickening crack of his skull on the marble floor echoed through the room, but Killian couldn’t do anything about that now. Not with this animal racing to attack.

Killian met this scourge on his entire existence halfway. Blood red eyes shone, exposed fangs glinted in the bright artificial light coming from the kitchen, as Killian crouched and drove his shoulder directly into the rabid creature's abdomen. He flipped over Killian’s shoulder and crashed through the floor to ceiling window behind him, landing flat on his back, briefly knocking the breath out of him.

As Killian came to stand over him, he could see Rumplestiltskin’s face twist in pure malevolence as he struggled to catch his breath. He placed his boot right over his solar plexus and ground down. Only his age as a vampire could explain how quickly he was able to overcome his vulnerability. He screamed in malice, the pitch of his voice rising to the point where Killian nearly stepped away in order to cover his ears. “HOW CAN YOU SEE THAT? NO ONE KNOWS THAT! I WANT HER! WHY CAN’T I SEE HER? TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!”

Killian lifted his enemy from the ground, grabbing the top of his head. He pulled as hard as he could, forcing his head back as he hissed in the cursed creature's ear. “I don’t know where she is and you are never going to find her. We are going to defeat you, Rumplestiltskin. I swore that I would destroy you, and when my love comes back to me, we will find you and fulfill that oath.” Holding the monster tightly in his arms, Killian dove in, piercing his sire’s flesh with his fangs. Blood flooded his mouth as he drank deeply. This time, he was able to shield his mind so that all his attention, all his concentration was focused on the blood. There was nothing else. Nothing to fear giving away and nothing to fear receiving from the evil creature. Rumplestiltskin continued to scream and struggle against him, but it was no use. He grew weaker and weaker as Killian continued to feed.

In a last, desperate attempt to free himself from Killian’s iron embrace, the devil was actually able to free one of its arms and reach for the back of his head. Killian took the opportunity to tear open the monster’s neck, blood spraying everywhere, exposing muscle, tendon, and sinew. The arm fell lifeless to his side and the demon was finally still.

Killian held no illusions that he was actually dead. He could already see the wounds he inflicted stitching together. He knew he had only a few minutes to save Starkey, if he wasn’t already dead, and get Rumplestiltskin out of his home. He dropped the animal at his feet and made his way to where Starkey lay, motionless. He breathed a sigh of relief when he could discern a faint heartbeat and a shallow breath. Piercing his own wrist with his fangs, he held it to Starkey’s lips and let just a few drops land on his tongue. Now confident that his butler would be fine, he turned back to where he had left Rumplestiltskin.

The Blue Fairy stood over the still unconscious creature. Killian’s eyes widened in surprise, then anger.

“What are you doing here?” he shouted, advancing on her. She gave no sign that she had heard him. In the face of her silence, he couldn’t help but ask the question that had plagued him for centuries. “Where have you been all these years?”

The fairy raised her face to his, sorrow swirling in the depths of her brown eyes. “There is no time to answer the many questions and righteous anger that you have right now. They can wait until after I’ve dealt with,” a sneer crossed her features as she looked down at the imp, “this.” The fairy waved her wand over the still motionless creature. He was enveloped in a cloud of blue smoke and disappeared.

Killian was startled. “Where did he go?” he asked, “Where did you send him?”

“Somewhere far from here,” the fairy answered. “Now,” she continued, looking toward him again and squaring her shoulders, “I am at your disposal.” Killian stood staring at the fairy, stunned speechless. The stuttering inhale, determined tilt of her chin, and ramrod straight posture told him that she truly was ready to face whatever questions that he had for her. He ushered her back into the kitchen and prepared them both some tea.

“Why now?” he asked, laying out the tea and sitting next to her at the table. “Where have you been all these years?” That had to be first. He had to know why she had failed so completely in her sworn protection of his family.

The Blue Fairy bowed her head in shame. “When your father sent you and Liam to negotiate that treaty, he was acting on the information that I gave him. Rumplestiltskin was, by that time, a master at manipulating magic and he appeared to be gathering his forces in order to make good his threat upon your family. Your father wanted you both to be safe, so he sent you away. I learned too late that it was nothing more than a diversion. By that time, Liam was already dead and you had disappeared.”

She looked up at his face, obviously trying to gauge how he was taking this information. He refused to let her off the hook. He already knew all this, he wanted to know about the intervening centuries. “I, of course, knew exactly where you were and what had happened to you.” Her eyes turned pleading, filling with tears. “You have to understand. Please, I was Fairy Godmother to your family for generations. I knew your father’s great-grandfather. I have loved your family for centuries before you were even born. I… I couldn’t face your father and mother. I couldn’t be the one to tell them what had happened to you. What had happened to you both.” She bowed her head again. “I was a coward. I failed in my oath, and then I abandoned my family. My duty. Since then, I’ve tried to make it right. I have watched over you, protected and prospered you.”

Killian couldn’t help but snort. “Protected me? You call letting Rumplestiltskin nearly sink the Jolly, multiple times due to magical storms, protecting me?”

She gave him an unamused eyebrow raise. “No, I call keeping you from falling overboard during those storms protecting you. And keeping the Black Death away from you, both while you were in London, and when it was unleashed on your ship. Those are some of the ways I protected you over the years. You may be a vampire, but you are still subject to some of the frailties of your human body.”

“I see,” he replied. His fury drained away, becoming compassion. He took a deep breath and turned gentle eyes on her. “I understand. If I had been in your position…” he trailed away, “I don’t think I’d have done much differently.”

“Thank you,” she said, sincerely.

After a few moments of silence, he spoke again. “Why now?” He repeated his question from earlier. “Why show yourself now? If you’ve been watching and protecting me all these years, why are you now letting me know that?”

The Blue Fairy fixed him with a fierce stare. “Because you are correct in saying that this time, you and Emma will succeed. Rumplestiltskin and the Darkness have served their purpose in history and their time is rapidly coming to an end. It is your time now. Your’s and your soulmate’s.”

Understanding dawned on Killian. “It was you,” he breathed, “You wrote the prophecy.” The fairy nodded. “You made Emma my soulmate. You’ve brought us together all these times.”

“Yes,” she agreed, “And each time I brought you together, Rumplestiltskin has managed to work circumstances in his own favor and ensure that you and your soulmate were never able to fulfill the prophecy. This time, however, you have been able to do the same. This time is your time. Live your life in peace until Emma returns to you. Once she does, the clock will begin ticking. Rumplestiltskin will also return and you will have to face him. The visions you had revealed the way to defeat him.”

Killian startled. “What? How do you know about that?”

She laughed. “I was the one who gave them to you, Killian,” she exclaimed. “I made that dagger when Rumplestiltskin became a vampire in order to destroy him and the Darkness forever. When I was unable to accomplish that back then, he enchanted the dagger so that I can’t even touch it. But you, or your soulmate, can. Use the knowledge I’ve given you. It will serve you well.”

“Can you tell me anything about Emma,” he begged. “Why her? What makes her my soulmate? Does she know? Has she ever known? Will she know?”

“True Love’s magic,” the fairy answered, “You were both created out of True Love. True Love that has carried down through the centuries. That is what made her FOR you. To answer your question ‘has she known’, she has felt the connection with you in the past. Not as strongly as you. Your senses are enhanced because of what you are. But she has not recognized it for what it truly was. Except that time in Chicago. She was so close to death, that she did recognize your connection. This time, when she returns, she will again. The True Love that you will hold together will destroy the Darkness forever.”

Killian’s eyes widened at the revelation that he was also created out of True Love. He knew that Emma was. He had seen it first hand in David and Mary Margaret. And while he knew that his parents loved each other deeply, hearing from the fairy’s own lips that they were also True Love, made Killian’s heart soar. “What about now? Is she safe?” he worried.

“Know that Emma and her family are safe, and will continue to be. She will return and the path forward will be laid before you.” Killian sat back, lost in thought, mind swirling with all the revelations of the night. The fairy was silent for a few minutes before she cleared her throat and stood from the table. “And now, I must bid you farewell, Killian Jones.”

Killian was brought back to the kitchen and company before him. “Thank you,” he breathed, sincerely, “I won’t waste the knowledge or opportunity you’ve blessed me with.” Nodding, she waved her wand, shrinking down to the size of his hand and disappeared into the night.

Turning back toward Starkey, Killian was gratified that his heart rate and breathing were steady. He picked the man up easily and carried him toward his own apartments a little further down the wing. He knew that come morning, he was going to have a lot of explaining to do. But as he refused to exercise his powers of persuasion or compulsion on his faithful servant of many years, there was no other way around it. After making sure he was comfortable in his own bed, he climbed the stairs to his own chambers.

Laying down on his own bed, Killian finally allowed the emotion of the day to wash over him. What had started out as any other day became one of the worst and then one of the best of his long, long life. He had answers. Emma and her family were safe. He was assured that he would see her again. He’d been patient before, he could do it again.

With a smile on his lips, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

~*~*~

See? Happy right? Thanks for reading and sharing!

#cssns20 #of darkness vampires and soulmates #krystal writes #art by spartanguard #ch5

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raggedy-dxctor · 4 years ago

Text

Leave Without Me! | Din Djarin/The Mandalorian

warnings: angst near the end, but it's a happy ending & it will probably contain spoilers

Pairing: The Mandalorian / Din Djarin x reader (female pronouns)

Word Count: 1.06k

Silence embraced you and Din as you flew to the destination of you next bounty. You were excited and couldn't wait to carry out the bounty, but Din was nuetral, as always, and hadn't really shown even a slither of the excitement. "C'mon Din! Lighten up a little!! This mission will be easy, we'll walk in, kill the bounty and then walk straight out! It'll take a few minutes and you won't even get a scratch on that lovely armour of yours" You snorted, teasing him as he just stared ahead, the mask hiding his face. If only it was destined to be that simple

He hummed and nodded in acknowledgment before gently speeding up. You snorted and repositioned your helmet, never once removing it from your head. You grinned from under your helmet as Din started to relax into his seet a little, you hovered your hand over his, but ultimately decided against it, pulling your hand away before he could even notice.

With a sigh, you spun around in your chair to check up on the kid, he was probably doing something that would cause a lot of inconvenience.

Little did you know, as you walked off, Din's face fell a little, he noticed your hand hovering over his instantly, but pretended jot to notice. As soon as you pulled away, his heart sunk and his eyebrows knitted together, forming a small frown.

He dejectedly sighed, his breath slightly steaming up the inside of his helmet. He longed for your touch, he longed for you to hug him or hold his hand, from the very first day he met you, he was smitten. You had his heart at hello.

Around two hours later, Din pulled into the landing area, stretching as he got up from his seat. A small yawn escaped from his mouth as you giggled. "Wow, so you aren't a robot?" You giggled even more, feigning curiosity as he shrugged. "Ha ha, very funny" He replied sarcastically as you grinned, before exiting the ship, cradling the child in your arms.

You and Din decided to pay a visit to your old friend, Kuill, and leave the child in his care. It would be a lot safer and you couldn't risk loosing the child, he was too important to you and Din.

You ventured the half hour walk to the destination pretty much in silence, there was the occasional chat between you and Din, but it didn't last very long as you both quickly went silent.

A few hours later, the mission was going pretty horribly to say the least. It was a set-up. The bounty was faked and it led you to a powerful warlord, a warlord that had a thirst for vengeance on you and Din after you took down a whole fleet of his ships.

"Din! Let's get out of here!!" You yelled over the noise of gunfire, pointing to a possible exit. He nodded and grabbed your hand, dashing towards the exit in a sudden flurry of panic.

Seconds later, you hear a cry of pain and two gun shots. You hear his cry before you see him fall. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as he fell, pain plastered on his face and blood seeping from his shoulder and leg. You bit your lip, tears streaming from your eyes as you ran closer, already regretting your next choice. "Zin! Oh god, no! Please, we need to carry on, i know it's gonna hurt, but we need to get you somewhere safer" You rambled, your face hidden as tears poured down your face, staining your cheeks.

Din nodded, groaning in pain as he forced himself up, you flung his arm around your shoulder and ran to the exit, shooting a pile of rocks that fell down behind you, blocking them from following you.

You and Din ran, ran as fast as possible, until you reached a sheltered cave, you dragged a barely conscious Gin in and gently placed him against the wall as he groaned. "I know, i know i'm sorry" You cried, gripping onto his hand as he winced in pain. "Y/n... you have to leave, i'll die here, but you won't" He wheezed out, clutching onto your hand as you attempted to heal his wound. It was useless, the wound was way too big and he had already lost way too much blood. "No! I'll never leave you, Din! We made the promise to never leave eachother, remember?!" Yiu shouted, your tears streaming even more as Din squeezed your hand, slightly wincing from the pain in his shoulder.

"Why're you always so stubborn? Just go! Go be happy without me!" He argued weakly, coughing as the pain increased. "Don't you get it?! I love you! I always have! And i'll never leave you!" You cried, biting your lip as he gasped.

You heard a small click and a large clatter of metal as you looked up, meeting his unfamiliar, pained eyes. "You do??" His eyes widened as je grabbed both of your hands, it was his turn to start crying now, as tears welled up in his eyes. You weakly chuckled m, throwing your helmet off to properly neet his eyes.

"I always have" Your tears carry on falling as you place a hand on Din's cheek, his tears slowly meeting your hand as he leans into your touch. He seems so at peace when your hand is on his cheek and ypur other free hand is gripping his.

"Well Y/n, you fell in love with a failure" He weakly joked, chuckling as you shook your head. "You're the strongest person i've ever met" You bit your lip, before leaning in.

Milliseconds later, Din crashed his lips into yours, new tears pouring from his eyes as he smiled into the kiss.

"I detected distress, is anyone in need of my assistance?" The robotic voice of IG-11 echoed through the cave as your face lit up. You sighed with relief as the droid quickly rushed over to Din, offering him all sorts of medicines and cures, before quickly deciding on the best option available.

Din still wasn't in perfect condition as you made the journey back to Kuill's home, but with his new friend and his long-time crush, now girlfriend, by his side, he felt as if he could walk to the end of the galaxy and back.

a/n: hey y'all! i hope this is ok, i kinda rushed the ending hshdhdhdhg

edit: word count updated & spelling mistakes corrected

#din djarin #the mandalorian x y/n #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian x you #mandalorian #the mandalorian #mandalorian fanfic

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starlight-ascension · 4 years ago

Text

My friend who live sent the reactions to Fresh is now watching Heartcatch. I have been waiting months for this and I bet you have too.

For episodes 31 through 34, I will be doing the direct, unedited copy-paste that I did when I posted the reactions to Setsuna’s arc.

☾━━━━༺☾❀☽༻━━━━☽ ☾━━━━༺☾❀☽༻━━━━☽ ☾━━━━༺☾❀☽༻━━━━☽

EPISODE 31

Imma watch episode 31 now

Well, this is an exciting start!

WOOP!!!!

Cure Blossom: "Your withered heart flower has been used! Return to your former self!" Desertrian: *confusion*

"Same thing, over and over again!" Is this lampshading or--

Welp, that's the end of that fight. New record for earliest time in an episode for a fight to end! Unless I'm forgetting some older episodes that also started with a fight and finished quickly. But I THINK that this one is a new record.

"A flower can be this beautiful?" 0_0

Ooooh, is this showing possibility for redemption???? don't answer that

Theme song time!

Fly on the tree

Oh, hey Yuri!!

caught "Yuri-san" when overhearing (and not looking at of course) the title [context: when she started fresh, i advised her to close her eyes when the title card pops up because of spoiler titles being very common]

So these flowers are called amaryllis. They really are nice aren't they

Ooh, echoing footsteps. And dang, won't even let the fairies so much as touch her now

Aw, Potpourri doesn't look too happy about the rejected hug

"We can't procrastinate until the last second like what happened to summer homework." Learned her lesson with that and hung onto it. Good for her. Wish I could say the same for myself, but... :-/

they have their heads hung with their faces cast in shadow

Oh! :-D :-D Well that's awesome!

"Let's have Momoka-san come as a special guest!" Are...are you guys sure about that? Welp, okay. Wait she's gonna ask Yuri too????

I mean...she's not wrong

This should be interesting

Wait, who's THIS

They have glowy glasses

"Mr. 2nd place"? 2nd place in what?

Saintani. Interesting how if you take out the "I"s and the first "N" you get Satan XD Oh dang that guys is a fast typer

Next test?

The shiny wobbly eyes from Yuri after Tsubomi says the theme is "A New Myself"

...Look at all the staaarrrs (*o*) (*o*) (*o*)

OH FRICK

HOLY FRICK HOLY FRICK

Talking to Dune again. Hmm.

"I've got them in my palms already." You liar.

"Maybe I should go on a journey?" Ooooh, a journey? THIS should be good

*both her teammates look at her* *Cobraja's face mask cleanly peels off*"What's wrong with you?" "Is it love? But you can't fall in love with me. I'm too pretty for you."

Oh hello Dark Precure. Haven't seen YOU in awhile...

Dark Bracelet?

"When you use this, the Desertrian will turn dark, bad, and violent immediately." What????????

JFKHNFIONGIJORGNWRJKNWRJGBERNJGKLRBNGJKISBNINJUKBGWRJLGHWRJOGBHJOGRWNBGOIWRBGIOFNHJRKLGNSFJKGBNSWOGIRUWBNEOUINGRWBRWGIOWRBGORUWBGOUJRWUGBNERJBGURWNJGNRWGJRWLBNJORWGHNRWIJGRWNG

SASORINA, NO!!!!1!

D~= D~= D~= D~= D~=

Wait, Yuri...LOST her Heart Flower???

Oh...

"But do you want your fairy to stay like this?" Stay like...what... Wait, is she talking about...

Yeah. I'm sure if she can start to heal again it'll come back.

*sings like Gumball and Darwin* Do do do do do!` Commercial break!

Well THAT was a mood whiplash

They're out in their pajamas? XD and Itsuki's fully dressed and bright-eyed without hairs sticking out or anything

Mm. Yeah. Maybe give her a bit of time.

XD fairies inching along the ground like caterpillars XD XD XD XD XD XD

Saintani's exaggerated "NAAAANIIII?!?!?!?!" XD XD XD XD XD !!

"I'm losing my conviction..." Okay, the way he sounds just...sad, saying this, not even frustrated or anything. Hmm. And Sasorina's walking up.

Yuri?

!!!!

Well frick she got him. And this time she has the Dark Bracelet...

Transformation time!

YEAH! WOOP! YEAAAH!

"A loser should just give up. Just accept that and go crazy." FRICK NO THEY SHOULDN'T! Y--wait, I'm realizing this could be like a parallel? To Yuri? Because Sasorina called her a loser reminding her of the fight she lost? And if Saintani shouldn't give up just because he keeps losing than Yuri shouldn't give up either and--

But, like, also the thing he keeps "losing" at is...studying? And as satisfying as it must be to come in first there, though second does mean he still came ahead of lots and lots of people, competing isn't really the point of studying, is it? the point is to learn and stuff. Right?

Yessss Blossom! Preach!

Oh no

No, no, NO--

NO !!!!!!

STOP STOP STOP

There's gotta be SOME way to stop this before it's too late--!!!!

REHIOGBHRWIOGWHRBGIOURWBGOIURW

GHWRJOIGBRWOUGBHROUGRWBNGJRWNGIJRWNGJWONGWIOGHEWIONGRWEOGNWR

WHAT ARE THE FAIRIES DOING

Come on guys, come on, you can get out of those things...

YES!!!! Y E S ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

"So annoying, the bonds of Precure! I'll defeat you next time!" she says as she hangs upside down in a tree

"Someone said this in my dream. 'What's important is climbing right back up when you're down, a strong heart.'" she's right you know. And you could take that advice yourself Yuri.

Wait, SPINACH?

Twerk-and-poop time

Chartreuse. Nice.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 ToT ToT ToT ToT ToT ToT ToT !!!!!!

end theme!

EPISODE 32

And we start with Cure Blossom and Cure Marine punching evil monkeys! And Cure Sunshine exploding them! WOO!!!

What...what is going ON

It looks totally EPIC but like WHAT is going ON =~O

HNDUFOBEWIOGBRWIOGBRNGJOLNOUGSJKLBGSIOBRWIOGWBJWHBRWJUHWEOIHWUOHWIOGHWOUGHNHJSBJKDSNUJBUGRWBGOIUWBGRWIOJNDSJKGBSNDJHKGNSGUIWBGUIWGEWUREWOUGBHJFKBNSJKSBDG

SERIOUSLY FLASH BACK RIGHT NOW

Wait was this a vision her grandma had of the future darkest moment in the climax before they save everything?

Why we zooming in on her necklace

Theme song time!

Gotta wonder what Sabaaku's face looks like under that mask...

Coppe-sama is large and fluffy <3

Hmm. Yeah, keeping on fighting Desertrians under the effects of the Dark Bracelet could be challenging to say the very least. And the stakes have definitely been raised.

"And then we remembered that Cure Flower had some really awesome powers!" OOOOH like what!

Heartcatch Mirage? What is THAT

"It's a mysterious item that gives the Precure unlimited power."

Unlimited power...mm. In my experience with media that sort of things doesn't come without some kind of price...

Oh wow I was hoping we'd get a glimpse of what she looked like as Cure Flower

Dune was a menacing-looking dark glowing giant with long flowing hair a claw fingers and stuff? The small glimpses of him we've seen had him looking like a teenager. Maybe this is him at full power and he's currently not at full power?

Oh wOw

Precure Palace?

I'm a little uneasy about this idea, but the Desert Messengers ARE getting stronger and there don't seem to be any other options.

A terrible test? Ohhh THIS should be good... OOOOH ENCHANTED TREE DOOR

Yes, go with them Yuri!

(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*)(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The palace of Dune, the King of the Desert Messengers, draws near." What ??

(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The place is really beautiful

Welp, transformation time I guess

I remember it took me awhile at first to stop expecting them to say "freshly picked" before their cure names

Treasure hunt

"It's too high up!" Y'all can give yourself glowy capes that make you fly, remember? If you fall you can just do that... except for Yuri I mean... *awkward pause* wELP imma just keep watching

Wha-- Ohhh it's the Heart Tree!

"Just like that time." Huh?

"The Heart Tree comes to watch over the test to receive the Heartcatch Mirage." Ohhh. Cool! I wondered why it was here.

Flashback!...Oh... Oh wow...The inside of the palace is pretty too

HDJSHFJRHGEJORJUGH That's...not really her, is it

Defeat her?

*sings like Gumball and Darwin* Do do do do do! Commercial break!

You've got this, guys!

So there WERE generations of precure before Cure Flower (I forget if we'd learned this for certain already or not, only that there were none between Cure Flower and Cure Moonlight)

"I do not wish to fight you too, Tsubomi, even if this is only a test." </3 <3

Him? Who's--? *jaw drops at the sight of the rose petals* =~O =~O =~O =~O =~O =~O !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harsh way of saying it...but I mean, she's not wrong.

And, I have wondered why he appears like this. Why he has the rose-petal powers and everything.

Yeah, why IS he here in the Precure palace... And they seriously call him "mysterious hot guy" or "hot guy"

You can do this, guys!!!!

*pours more goldfish crackers* YES GO GO YOU CAN DO IT

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

YES YES YES YEAH

WOOP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coppe-sama! I knew they were magical doppelgangers of some kind

wait WHAT IT WAS COPPE-SAMA THE WHOLE TIME NDJSLFHDSJFHJUBURHJURHGJUHJUHRUJHHJKDLSHFIOW

"Another lost love"? Somecreature who looked exactly like your grandpa?

=~D

*sings* You gOtta take the UpgrAyAyAyAyADE! Gotta take the UpgrAyAyAyADE--

(*O*)(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I saw something like this in the eyecatch...

Yeah! She could! (and she will if the opening and the eyecatch are anything to go off of)

*screams into pillow*

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

*collapses backward grinning ear to ear and laughing*

☾EPISODE 33☽

Cool start

Flashback!

"I...I didn't do much to help you." I mean, you're part of the reason they actually ended up going to do this...

"You girls overcame the test with your strong bonds of friendship." Mm. Yeah. True. They did that together themselves without her help.

"So very different from I, who fought alone."

Are you sure it's impossible? I mean, it's okay if you're not READY yet either way but like, IS it?

"Use it and see my Heart Flower!" Ohhhh, right, that

Oh...

Cologne? THAT'S her fairy's name?

Wait, was that Cologne talking just now??????

Theme song time!

How did her dad know about the Heart Tree though...

Upperclassman? They have school? I mean, I probably shouldn't be surprised... And Cologne's voice did sound older and less cutesy, if that was Cologne earlier

Where WAS Cologne then...also how did Cure Moonlight know Shypre and Coffret

=~O

NO NO DON'T TELL ME HE--???

D~= D~= D~= D~= D~= D~= D~=

*sobs*

*sobs rainbows when Erika hugs Yuri and they all tell her they heard about Cologne and all* ToT ToT ToT ToT ToT ToT <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

"We want to bring back your Heart Flower! One more time!" "We want to be the source of your power!" *crying rainbows all over the place*

Ooh, they designed clothes for Yuri? Let's see 'em! Ooooh! :-D

Oh hey Coppe-sama

GLOWY HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They all drop down and Potpourri's the only one who doesn't know when to stop and just hits the ground XD

What happened?

Oh hey there's Dark Precure

IT'S GLOWINGGGG

*sings like Gumball and Darwin* Do do do do do! Commercial break!

Among the cacti

Cologne!!!

So they call the container of Heart Seeds the Heart Pot. For some reason I can't help but think of... Chamber pots

"Tell Cologne your feelings"?

That sound...

Aaaand yyep it's Dark Precure

It stopped glowing?

Transformation time!

"Where is Tsukkikage Yuri?" Ho ho ho, wouldn't YOU like to know

"Too bad! She's not here anymore!"

Cologne! :-D

He's a ghost

"Thanks to Cure Blossom and Cure Marine gathering the Heart Seeds, I can stay like this"

It wasn't your fault, Yuri ;^; </3 <3 <3

"You've been working too hard by yourself"

OHHHHHHH ='-O So there was a point when Cure Moonlight WAS offered the option of having teammates but she didn't think she needed them... And she was so, so wrong

ToT ToT ToT ToT ToT <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 </3 <3 <3

"You didn't want to hurt anyone. You only wanted to take the pain yourself."

=~O =~O =~O !!! ToT ToT ToT ToT </3 <3 </3 <3 </3 <3

"Accept yourself, Moonlight. Accept your kindness and our sympathies towards your partners." *sobbing rainbows all over the place*

So she CAN be a precure again now?? ='~D ='~D ='~D Do iiiiiiiiit

OH FRICK

Totally forgot in the midst of that feelsfest

YEEESSS GO GIRLS DO IT FOR YURI

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I LOVE THE SHINING POWER FORTISSIMO

VDSHFVGSYFBEVWIUJERHGOIERJGEIGHJIOGHJRIOGEHRNIERHGJLKSHNIKG

D~= !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do it Yuri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*)

(*O*)(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*)(*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) (*O*) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRANSFORMATION TIME TRANSFORMATION TIME

HEART SEED RESTORED!!!!!!!!!!!

YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS THIS TRANSFORMATION SCENE IS EPIC!!!!

THEY'RE GONNA END IT LIKE THAT????

next episode NOW

EPISODE 34

And we start by replaying that awesomeness!!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I just held down the E key for almost the whole henshin

Skip the theme song

Guess we're getting to THAT part of the series now

The expression on Dark Precure's face as it cuts back and forth between closeups like that is PRICELESS

This extended flashback of THAT day is just...wow

Seriously though in present day I absolutely LOVE seeing Dark Precure be this SHOOK XD You didn't think you actually just killed her now did you

YEEEEEEEESSSSS GO GO GO GO GO

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

WOOWOOWOOWOOYEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Oh hey these three are here now

WOOHOOOOOOOO

Cure Moonglight effortlessly slapping his cards away with one hand like that YES

HOLY FRICK HOLY FRICK

This entire fight so far has been HDSOUNOIUJRGPIBOUBFNJKLNGRIGBNRWOUGBWRGOUHRWNFGJKSNGJKSNGHIOERJLWHSFOJNSAKLFNWSJKLGNSJKLFSHGJRWLOBHRWIOGNRWJKLGDNSJKNGIOWRBGNRWIOGBNRWIORNBSGIORWBIWRKGBNRWILRWNGIKWNGIOHNRW and it looks like it's only getting started

"The Dark Bracelet isn't just for powering up Desertrians. They also give us power!" Yyyeah, I guessed that after seeing Cobraja use it like that without having a Desertrian in this fight

Sasorina used mega-braid of power! Kumojacky used insta-sword! WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I love the clashing good guy bad guy power explosions!!!

"A beautiful one like you, Sunshine, is most fit to be my partner." *le disgust*

CRITICAL HIT

D~= !!!!!!!

MORE critical hits!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SILVER FORTE WAVE VS DARK FORTE WAVE YES YES YES YES

"Dark Precure! Why do you hate me so?!" I was kinda wondering about that too. She does seem to have some serious vendetta against Cure Moonlight specifically.

"You are...You are me, that's why!" ...What????????????????????

"As long as you remain the moon's light, I remain the moon's darkness!" "When darkness swallows the light, the moon becomes one!" That answers and raises questions at the same time

You've got this, Moonlight! Get up!

Ooooh, is that gonna be a catchphrase??

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GO GO GO GO GO YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THIS IS TOTALLY EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

*sings like Gumabll and Darwin sped up* Dododododo!Commercialbreak!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

what? What's THIS?...Dark Precure? There was this purpley glow going up around her and then she fell over and fizzled lightning? ...Is that just what it's like when she's beaten?

Oh hey Sabaaku

"You're Dark Precure's..." Dark Precure's what? Dad? Creator? Pet mongoose?

Cure Blossom!!

*shakes head in disapproval at Sasorina* I was so enjoying the possibility of a heel-face-turn imminent for you. But, welp...

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOWOOWOOWOO

HA HAAAA YYYES XD

Kumojacky's attack exploding in his face so he flies into the water fountain

XD WOOP

GO CURE MOONLIGHT GO YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

XD And now the other cures finish it off!

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

It's official... ...the gang's all here.

WOOP

The sun rises and all the water is gold now...

This isn't a school day, right? 'Cause y'all got no sleep all night...

Her heart flower's already reviving!

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 (-: (-: (-:

What just happened? He's still there, right? Just can't be seen now...

"You are a true crybaby, you know?" XD

the others crying too <3 :'-)

Yep. That was definitely a lot

I'm...gonna guess there's a yes coming for Yuri being their fashion model

Yep!

"Who do you think I am! I can tell her measurements without even taking them!" Wait, really?

XD Erika scuttling around like a crab

While Yuri stands there with a poker face

SHE DID IT?

End theme!

#long post

3 notes · View notes

sunflowerstache · 6 years ago

Text

Not So Bad In L.A

A/N: omg wow okay hi guys! So I’ve been planning and working on this for about 2 weeks now and I am finally ready to post it! This is my first ever chapter to my first ever fic! I really hope you guys send me some feedback as I really want to make this a great story for y'all! This first chapter is kind of more of an informational to y/n’s background, but I promise Harry will make his appearance starting next chapter!

A special thank you so much to these beautiful ladies for the constant encouragement and love! @harrygivenchy @customhucci @loveharryx @bridge-to-terabethia @ultravxl @pinkflowerharry @swayingnoodlelove everyone else from Harry’s Bingo Hall, and @emotionally-imbruised I adore you all!

and a special thanks to @theasstour for being my inspiration and the first ever person to read this fic... love you lots!

Also, if by any chance you want to be tagged in the next parts, have questions or any suggestions about the fic, just let me know, I love hearing from y'all! okay, love you, please enjoy!

Chapter 1: She’s Got A Family In Carolina

January 2017

Word Count: 2.1k

Masterlist Fic Masterlist

Next Chapter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One may think living in the South means constantly wiping beads of sweat from your forehead and the sun always shining, but here you were, freezing your ass off while the rain pelted you in the face. Checking your watch for the third time, you swiftly ran across the street, making sure to wave a quick “thank you” to the cars who let you pass. It had been raining for the past six days in Charleston, and it was easy to tell everyone was beginning to move from irritated to borderline insane from being cooped up inside all day everyday. You pushed open the door to Gnome Cafe and shook the excess rain from your umbrella before making your way over to a table in the corner of the room.

“Sorry I’m late. I was finishing an episode of Brooklyn Nine Nine.” you shrugged, shimmying out of your pink rain jacket and placing it on the back of your chair.

“At least tell me it was a good one.” Bri rolled her eyes

“The whole series is good, what do you mean ‘a good one’?” Sav argued while taking a bite of her salad.

“The one when Hitchcock drank his fish.” You smiled, knowing it was one of Bri’s favorites, “Thanks for ordering for me.” You mumbled around your sandwich while the three girls around you agreed that it was a decent enough episode to be late to lunch for.

“Okay, onto actual important things; LA.” Bella gleamed while clapping her hands together.

The Four Whores. That’s the name Isabella- Bella, had dubbed your group way back in the eighth grade. Bella’s mom and your mom had been best friends growing up and had gotten pregnant at the same time, consequently resulting in Bella being your best friend since the day you were born. The two of you had met Brianna – Bri, and Savannah – Sav, shortly after at the start of the sixth grade. From then on, the four of you had been inseparable. Constant sleepovers, sharing clothes, going to prom together, and even winning “Best best friends” in your last year of high school. And finally, after 22 years of living in South Carolina, the four of you had finally signed a lease for an apartment in Los Angeles, California.

“Yes, okay, so…” putting your food back down on the plate, you leaned over to pull manila envelopes out of your black bag and handed them to the girls, “The leasing office sent over all the last minute extra information about the place and we are officially all set to move next week on January 7th.”

A gaggle of cheers was heard around the table and echoed through the small café, causing other patrons to glare in your direction. The four of you had been waiting for this day for what seemed like forever. Sav and Bri were the first ones to suggest the move about two years ago, as they were both fashion majors and thought L.A would be a great place to start their careers. Bella was fortunate enough to come from a family who had money – cumulatively the family had six Law Firms – so moving around for her wasn’t an issue. Making the move out to L.A was a bit for different story for you. Of course, you wanted nothing more than to pack up and start your life with your best friends, but leaving your family was hard. It was well known that out of the four of you, you were the closest to your family, especially your younger sister, Morgan. She was only 2 years younger than you, having just turned 20, and the two of you were incredibly close. She was the person you told everything to, the person you cuddled with on the couch when watching HGTV, she was just your person. So finally making the decision to move across the country was a hard thing to decide. Slightly shaking your head, you rejoined the girls and discussed plans to ship all your belongings out to California and then the conversations merged into any trips you all had coming up after the move.

“Speaking of upcoming trips, will you please call Nicholas. He texted me 9 times yesterday asking about his stay.” Sav laughed, signaling to the waitress for our check.

“That little shit. He literally just booked the flight on Thursday. There’s like a month before he even gets in.” You laughed, shaking your head

Nicholas Grimshaw. It was definitely the oddest friendship you had made throughout your years in college. You were 19 and had somehow ended up at a party in London 3 years ago that he was attending and the Four Whores – more specifically Bella -- had quickly weaseled your way into the VIP section and made friends with the Brit and his gang. And ever since, even though you only got to see him every so often when he was stateside, or you got to London, you both were extremely close. He had called you up one night, unwilling to tell you the reason for his trip into California, but requesting to spend a couple days with you and the girls since “You won’t even know anyone there at that point. You need me to help you socialize.” So, you spoke to the girls and they all agreed it was time to have a visit from good old St. Nick.

“Well, call him, he’s getting on my last nerve.”

“Don’t even get me started on last nerves, mom’s been on my case about this move, so I gotta get home and make sure she isn’t having an aneurism.” Sav’s mom had always been a bit weary of the four of us together and most of the decisions we make, so it was no surprise she was voicing her concerns.

“Yeah, it’s been a pleasure ladies, but I’ve got to get back to work.”

“Y/N sitting on the couch doesn’t count as going to work you know.” Bri laughed as you all popped your umbrellas and left the small café.

“Ha-Ha very funny. For your information, I have a phone interview later and have to get my portfolio together to send them.” Sticking your tongue out, and making the girls laugh with excited variations of “Good Luck!” falling from their lips, you all walked your separate ways, back down the wet, cobblestone, streets of downtown Charleston.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I just can’t believe you’re actually leavin’ me. It’s like you want me to suffer living here alone with mom and dad.” Morgan moaned

“I do find it quite interesting you didn’t invite Morg to join the lot of you on this new life journey.” A voice piped up

Morgan was laying on her back, with her head hanging off your bed and had been complaining for the past twenty minutes about having to stay home by herself while you moved across the country. Knowing he would always take her side, Morgan facetimed Nick from your laptop and now here you were, packing your room while being harassed by your sister and a friend 4,000 miles away.

“Okay, I already get enough of that from her Nicholas, I don’t need it from the peanut gallery too. And you do realize you don’t have to stay here, right Morg? You can move on campus literally anytime you want - Do you still have my thigh high boots? The black lace up ones?”

“Hey, I was pulled away from a perfectly good bottle of wine and my couch for this - not that I mind hun – so don’t yell at me.” He laughed, finishing his glass of red wine

“Well miss ‘I get paid just to travel’ some of us don’t have- “

“Ah-Ha! I found them!” you interrupted, pulling your favorite pair of boots from the bottom of your closet

“Anyways, as I was saying, I’m not payin’ for room and board on top of med school tuition. That shit’s expensive enough as it is.”

“Just think of all the money you’re gonna make when you’re some big timey doctor with her own practice. You’re gonna blow me, and mom and dad, out of the water, so hush up about how much shit costs. Everyone’s in debt these days, who cares.”

“Nick would let me move in with him.” She grumbled

“Woah there love, you know I adore you like my own sister,” The two of them had hit it off from the moment they met, which was the best thing you could have hoped for, “but not enough to take care o’yeh. I wouldn’t know what to do. Like what do you eat?” Nick’s eyes widened at the thought of Morgan moving in with him

“I’m not a dog Nick. I eat food like every other human.” She laughed, rolling onto her stomach and turning the laptop so she could directly FaceTime with Nick

A few months after your first met in London, Nick had had some time off and decided that he would take a tip into the states before he was needed back at BBC Radio. So, he flew into Charleston after spending some time with friends in Los Angeles and was immediately obsessed with Morgan. Of course, she knew who he was – thanks to her many years of obsessing over One Direction – and was thrilled to spend time with him. From then on, he looked at her, and treated her, as a younger sister, something you were extremely grateful for, considering how difficult the last two years have been on Morgan.

“On the topic of royalty,” Nick’s voice pulled you from your thoughts, “Don’t make any plans the 28th.” He grinned wickedly as Morgan turned the laptop back to face you sitting on the floor.

“Bold of you to assume we don’t already have plans that night.”

“Oh, I know they all do. You’re the one who doesn’t. Bri and Sav will be off doing some fashion thing, and you know Bella will have found a man by then, so she’ll be gone. Which leaves you all by yourself. So, I’m taking you out.” He had hit the nail on the head for your gang.

Savannah and Bri had always been extremely work driven. They knew what they wanted to do since they were young and have been working towards it ever since. Not to say you and Bella weren’t the same way, but the two of you liked to enjoy the slow process of your careers and where they took you instead. And Bella had always been someone who craved affection, so it was no surprise when she had a new boy toy every couple of weeks. None really lasted too long as “they all try really hard to become a serious relationship and I’m just not into that! I’m just a girl with needs!”. You on the other hand, enjoyed spending time at home. You traveled quite often for work so when you got the chance to stay in home and relax, you did just that. And Nick never lets you live it down.

“How many times do I have to tell you, I’m not as much of a hermit as you make me out to be. I just like relaxing when I’m not working.”

“I don’t care. I already made the plans, and we’re meeting up with other friends of mine, so you can’t back out now.” He shrugged

“Nick,” You whined, “I don’t need you playing friend matchmaker for us okay. We’re big girls, we can do it on our own.”

“I’m not doing this for you love. They were already going to be there so we’re just tagging along. “

“Fine. At least tell me where we’re going?”

“Not a chance. Los Angeles is the land of the free baby. Anything can happen. And I promise you, you’ll enjoy yourself.”

Nick was many things; a radio host, a loud mouth, a sincere friend, a bit of a light weight, but he was not a liar. And it was clear he wasn’t only talking about the night he had planned for you both. Los Angeles was going to change your life, you just had to buckle in and enjoy the ride.

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bfreelancing · 3 years ago

Text

Something new, something borrowed, something...failed?

Hello World,

I can't take it anymore.

I just can't.

I have to tell someone all these stories, or I'm positively going to BURST.

So, this is me, starting a blog that no one will read. A blog basically for myself to chronicle my adventures as a freelance marketer; a blog that I can pretend people are reading so they can share in the hilarity of my adventures.

And I'm doing this anonymously - or as anonymously as one can be on the internet. I'm not going to share client names or locations or anything like that. If I use people's names, they will be changed. BUT, these stories can be crazy and specific so if it sounds like you, then it most likely is. Sorry. (Not really).

My life got a little off track at the beginning of 2021. No, not because of COVID (though that did add to the whole ordeal). I had a personal matter take over my life. I couldn't search for new clients. In fact, I barely managed to hang on to my old clients.

But that ordeal is now over. And I find myself with more time on my hands. And not nearly enough money to pay off all my debt (we're talking student loans AND credit card debt incurred during COVID trying to keep my family afloat - oh, and not to mention the taxes I owe the government for 2020).

I have once again started the *interesting* journey of reaching out to companies in the hopes of gaining new freelance clients.

What do I do, exactly? Marketing. But really anything a company needs. I once helped a company get a new phone system. I work completely remotely (I've done so for several years before COVID made it the cool thing to do) and never visited their building which was several states away. Did I know anything about phone systems before that? Nope. But I do now.

I try to stick to marketing, though: website design and development, social media management, graphic design, photography, videography, blogging, etc...if companies give me a chance, that is.

I've done this for seven years now. SEVEN. I can't believe it's been that long. Where does the time go? Have y'all seen the movie The Last Holiday with Queen Latifah? There's a line in that which has stuck with me over the years. I can't find the exact quote online (come on, Google, you're letting me down), but it's something like this: You put your head down, and you work, and you work, and you work, until one day you look up and think, how did I get here?

God, if that's not the truth. They told me growing up in school that I could be anything I wanted to be - that I would have the world at my feet, so long as I worked hard.

That was a lie.

I've worked hard. Harder than I ever thought I would have to. And I only have experience to show for it. Experience that still isn't enough. I'll never understand that.

How did I get where I am? In college, I had a family emergency. After I graduated, I moved back home to help my family. I was stunned to discover that my Bachelor of Science in ecological sciences provided me ZERO job opportunities at home. And I mean ZERO. I live in the country, but the city is only an hour away.

I'm in the Midwest. So, it's not like the city is HUGE like New York, but if I told you the city, you would 100% know it. Still, there were no opportunities.

I decided to go a different direction. Yep, you guessed it, MARKETING. Why? Because life threw me two more curve balls when I was in college, and instead of having multiple ecological internships, I had a few of those, but also a few marketing internships. Maybe one day I'll tell you about those.

But for now, you get the gist: I had two years of actual, real world marketing experience. I started applying to local marketing jobs. No one would hire me. When I was able to get feedback - which was few and far between - I was told that while my portfolio from my internships was impressive, the companies didn't like me because I didn't have a degree in marketing. Sure, I had a 4.0 GPA in all my science classes, and I graduated an entire year early. I was an officer in five clubs, a regular member in two others, worked five jobs, and took 21 hours of classes each semester. That wasn't enough. College told me I was well-rounded, but the real world could have cared less.

Thankfully, that didn't matter to the people from my internships. Several businesses I met from there begged me to help with their marketing. I started freelancing while searching for a full time gig elsewhere. Freelancing provided me a little money, but not enough.

I listened to all those people that told me they weren't happy with my degree, and I returned to college to get a master's degree in marketing. I completed it in a year.

With that under my belt, I started applying to places for a full time job - still freelancing on the side. I was barely making any money. But I was getting lots of experience. I can never thank my first clients enough. They would come to me and say things like, "Do you know how to use WordPress?" I would truthfully tell them no, but for a discounted rate I would figure it out for them. They took me up on the offer, and I learned invaluable lessons that way.

But it still wasn't enough. No one would hire me. Why? No idea. No one likes to give feedback these days. I guess too many applicants and not enough real people to respond to them.

So, I turned back to my freelancing and focused heavily on it. But then someone close to me suggested we start a business together. I thought maybe that was my chance, and jumped at it. I did that for three years before throwing in the towel. It took up too much time and the return just wasn't enough. But that same person offered me a job with their other company, and I took it.

Here's the deal about that, though: I went into the office every day. But I didn't work all day. I worked when projects came in and kept track of my time. When there weren't projects, I was allowed to freelance from my desk.

Those projects weren't enough to get me where I wanted to go. This was pre-COVID. This was a world where people didn't want to work remotely with other people. I received a few clients from referrals (thank you, sweet people!), but again, not enough.

When I say enough, I mean enough to pay off all my debt and get a house. That's all I've ever wanted in life: my very own house. That's my goal.

I'm not even close to attaining it at this point.

So, I start reaching out for full time jobs again. This time, I try to see if there are remote jobs available. I find one on the west coast. It seems like a dream, and the salary is great.

It was a complete nightmare. I'll tell you about that sometime too, but not today.

COVID hits, and they tell me my job is secure. They tell me they are going to give me a raise, after a job review. I go in for my job review and come out WITHOUT a job. Don't worry, I promise I'll tell you about that in another post.

What do I do? Go back to my tried and true freelancing. In a post-COVID world, EVERYONE wants to work with you remotely. It's amazing. I get new clients. I think I'm making progress.

Then my life is shattered due to a personal matter. Then tax season hits, and I realize that while I thought I was suffering during COVID with my freelancing, I actually made more money than ever. But didn't make my quarterly tax payments. The government wants an arm and a leg in exchange - literally.

I work out a payment plan with them, and I find that I'm completely broke. Barely able to make those payments, barely able to keep my credit cards UNDER the limit.

My personal matter slowly calms down. And I have a horrible realization: I've been doing this for SEVEN years, and I've gone absolutely nowhere. NOWHERE.

I don't judge my progress based on others. But, I thought by now I would have a house. I don't. I haven't paid off any student debt. My credit cards are now all pretty much maxed out thanks to COVID.

It's time to get my butt in gear, put my nose to the grindstone, and start reaching out to companies again to see if they need a freelancer's help.

Which brings me to my first official freelancer story, which I am sure you all will get a kick out of, if you read this far. Which I doubt you have. If you have, I'll love you forever. Feel free to message me, and I will legitimately tell you I love you. No joke.

So, to set the scene, it's a hot, humid Sunday. I'm inside. My air conditioner is broken, so I'm huddled next to a portable unit I purchased because I'm told that it will be a MONTH before my central air is fixed. I'm not moving a lot, trying to keep cool. The TV is on with old movies I've seen a thousand times playing in the background: old, familiar friends that make me happy, cheering me on while I search job boards for freelancing positions.

I find one for a web designer. It sounds dreamy. A company is looking for someone with a little bit of HTML experience, that they can train to use their brand new web design platform. I would be making templates for them, and their price per hour is exactly what I charge. I'm excited at the thought of learning something new, and I'm excited to find a company that's willing to teach me!

I immediately apply. I receive an automated response back that they want me to take a personality test, which I promptly do.

The questions are simple ones, that I know will reflect my hard-working nature. One question asks: You've had an event planned in your personal life for several weeks. When it comes time to leave work early for the event, your boss says that there's an emergency project they need your help on. What do you do? Do you...A) Stay on after you expected to leave then go to the event later....B) Go to the event....C) Ask a team member to do the project for you...and some other option I can't remember.

I choose A. That's the person I am (except for that nightmare job I mentioned awhile back, but that's REALLY for another post, so I need to stop mentioning it).

Another question asks: Your plate is full, and your time is completely booked, but a team member comes up to you, asking for help on their project. Do you...A) Put aside your work to help your team member...B) Tell your team member you're busy and to go ask someone else...and two other options I don't remember that are basically B, just repeated in different wording.

I choose A. Again, that's who I am. If I'm crazy busy and you come to me for help, I might be a bit cranky and stressed, but I'm going to set aside what I'm doing to help you. I'm not going to kick you to the curb.

But that's not what this company wants, apparently.

Why?

I submit the personality test, and it says that I FAILED it. Yes, it tells me that I FAILED the personality test. I'm still laughing about it. I guess companies want people that don't care about their coworkers and don't want to work? If so, that's definitely not me.

But how do you even fail a personality test? Who even knew that you COULD fail a personality test? Not me. Though I do know now.

What made it funnier? About an hour after being told I failed the test (which, by the way, was the WORST I have ever done on a test, so there ya go), I received a notification that said I was moving onto the next step in the application process. I just had to answer *one* more question: why am I a good fit for this job?

The answer I wanted to give? Because I want it. The answer I actually gave? A real one, full of bull to make everyone feel better about themselves.

Will I get this position? Probably not once a human gets involved and sees I failed. I think right now I'm just in their automated process.

Still funny though. I'm the girl that failed the personality test. I feel like I need to go make a t-shirt about that now.

That's all for now folks, thanks for sticking with me through this long read. Can't wait to see you back for more!

-B

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rottenappleheart · 7 years ago

Text

“if you’re going to liveblog something at least put it under a cut,” i say to myself

majora’s mask, unfiltered notes from opening screens to entering termina

the opening flybys of MM just... show you the world, and the people in it, living their lives, and Link unobtrusively in the middle of it all

various locations (my favorite is the graveyard with link sitting playing games with the skeleton children) but it always ends with the music souring, growing faint, the darkening sky, the lowering moon

the message is clear: this is a good place, it is in danger

(hidden message: it is not your good place, but that shouldn't make a difference, your heart instinctively goes out to these people who look so familiar)

contrast to the openings of the other games

oot: link is very solitary, a hero riding alone, interspersed with very dramatic scenes of his exciting adventures, it is a story of Destiny and Prophecy and Good Versus Evil

which matches as well with the actual first scene and the mood being set in each

oot: the lonely child, dreaming of horrible things and quaking in fear at his own powerlessness, and the friend who comes to him, navi the fairy, the literal Call To Action on his hero's journey

ww: your peaceful life, your idyll, your complete detachment from and indifference to history and destiny, until your idyll is violated by schemes older than you can imagine

tp: cold open on a soft and melancholy mood, a mature conversation between adults and the responsibilities they bear, emphasizing the humble beauty of life and hard work

mm: an even more intensely somber mood than tp - link riding alone, as he does in the dramatic openings of several different games, but slowly and with head down, plodding along through featureless woods... a heaviness and sadness to the scene, into which the ambush and robbery is jarring not only for the violation of your personal belongings but also for a violation of your quiet and inward mood

i just love that deeply unsettlign opening - the sound of a laugh over a dark screen, the mask rushing over your view, alternating between the heart and the horror, the horror and the heart

(the dark heart, the empty heart)

a game that really grips to the power of ungrounded images against the darkness - the mask salesman, some of the stories being told, Link undergoing his transformations where the whole world falls away and there is only darkness and solitude in this moment of pain

unrelated: i really love how they designed the clocks in mm, not just the big one obviously but the little copies scattered throughout the world! my sister and i once sat and stared at one until we could understand how it is tracking time. i love the colors and all the spinning parts.

actually i love all the textures and colors in mm, it's so much more detailed than oot, and one of the many reasons i haven't replayed it in forever is because i wanted to wait until i could play it via hypatia's high-res mod

okay that's enough sitting on the floor watching the loading screens time to go

at the mere feel of an n64 controller i am rushed back to my gentle youth

aw yeah hold R for shield, that's the stuff

the legend was held "dearly" by the royal familk=y

he crept away

a private journey

a beloved friend

link forsaking his own legends

and then the so-familiar sound of navi's wings

i'm crying

the mask appearing before skull kid himself, a clue to what is going on and who is wearing whom

and that little glimmer of actual eye underneath (because at this point he can still take it off)

i wonder if the "huh? this guy? ... well, that shouldn't be a problem" was a reference to skull kid recognizing link (from their own youth, playing music together in the forest) or if one of the fairies pointed out the Sword, Shield, Steed heroic combo he's got going on

... okay so the thought of "what happens if the ocarina breaks" has played into MULTIPLE vast epics of loz fanfiction that never saw the light of day off my own personal hard drive

but it's a chilling thought! you are so helpless without it, even more than you are without a sword (because your adventures are based in doing the impossible)

for being a voiceless game it actually has a lot of voices, more than i recall in most other zelda games - everyone emotes a little bit, everyone is recorded

i still remember the first time i played this and realized that you do FLIPS when you jump now AND I HAD NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED

oh hang on gotta run through all the long streamery fairies so that they scatter

it's tradition

SWORD OUT

BUSHES TRIMMED

HYA!

and the ability to press Z to rapidly center the camera behind yourself, something a lot of games should continue to implement

looking at you, enslaved

and... acually everything, yeah, let me put the camera behind myself in a single button

omg skull kid's terrifying head-bobble

and the sound of the deku scrubs ecjoing

the blurred camera

i take it back this is terrifying

... for a zelda game

ON THE OTHER HAND, BECAUSE IT IS A ZELDA GAME, IT IS ONLY -SO- TERRIFYING

BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO THE CUTEST CREATURE ON EARTH

A LITTLE SHRUBBERY GIJINKA WITH A FUNNY HAT AND A KILT

WHO PIROUETTES ACROSS STILL WATER AND BLOWS BUBBLES AT HIS ENEMIES

my heart!!!

i agree skull kid it is a good look for him

i disagree that he will be here forever

have you met him

he's the hero of time

even as tatl's dialogue is rude and aggressive she sounds (literally) just like navi, her little excited and sad and exploratory noises

(have i ever decided for myself what is inside a fairy's light sphere? no)

(do i think about what must be going on in link's head when tatl says "why are you looking at me like that," the shock and hope and longing)

i really want to know what... place they are in, during this transition, where worlds have been/are being crossed but also someone has taken the time to paint the walls with murals of flowers blooming, and the ceiling with yellow diamonds, and the doors erupting with scarlet flames

UGH I LOVE BEING DEKU LINK WHAT A CUTIE

THE CUTEST MCCUTERSON TO EVER CUTE

(pulling on my tp-link-is-oot-link theory, i can easily read tatl as practice for midna, and how link just... rolls with the punches of the latest selfish bossy violent girl to fall into his life)

n64 zelda sounds ;____;

OH NO THE PETRIFIED STUMP ;___________________;

the worst ;________________________________________;

THE FIRST RESOUNDING SLOW MUSIC OF THE SONG OF HEALING AND THE CLOCKWORKS

FUCK I'M SO GLAD I'M PLAYING THIS AGAIN

remind me to tell y'all about the "song of endings" please

a move they tried again, with greater success, in TP - beginning with your vision very narrow, literally climbing up from the depths of confusion and decay until you are finally high and out and able to see where you are

i like the moss growing on everything too, it's such a nice touch

this is what i'm saying, every square inch of termina is carved and painted, they stacked layers and layers of patterns onto the same polygon shapes they used for oot and it's so neat, i love heavily-textured and decorated worlds

i've spent a few minutes now looking at the symbol painted on the inside of the clock tower door, and i can't parse it - three green shapes in the midst of red curlicues? maybe it's nothing, but if it has a meaning i want to know what it is

(by the way it has become wine o'clock as i type all this up so be warned)

THERE IT IS

YOU'VE MET WITH A TERRIBLE FATE

HAVEN'T YOU

okay yeah it's overplayed now but that line is just. so good.

and tatl immediately hides from him

SO THE THING IS (yeah you can tell i have wine the capslock is staying on) HE SAYS RIGHT OUT THAT HE OWNS THE HAPPY MASK SHOP, AS IN, THE HAPPY MASK SHOP IN HYYRULE CASTLETOWN

DOES HE KNOW YOU??? IS THE HAPPY MASK SHOP TRANSCENDING TIME AND SPACE???

WHAT DO YOU KNOW HAPPY MASK SALESMAN??????

one of the weirdest possible options for them to have picked as a Recurring NPC for these games, what was going on here

(in my head this is... basically garfield the deals warlock as well)

aaaaaaaugh the abrupt jump cuts in this scene are so effectively unsettling

"I can help you," he says, while immediately behind his head, on his pack hands a mask of a screaming human face lest you get too comfortable

i missed everyone having pointy ears in the N64 zelda games! in ww and even tp it's a lot less common, no longer a given. but an integral part of the zelda world to me was always the hylians with their long ears and the gerudo with their round ones, and that transcendentally racist bit of lore that hylians were better able to hear the gods because of their ears.

my heart racing as i stand before the doors

about to enter termina

about to start that clock running

here we go

#yelling about mm

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tinemouser-blog · 6 years ago

Text

Deacon’s delivery journey

It all started on Super Bowl Sunday which was February 7, 2016. Contractions began while we were at a friends house watching the game. I don’t even remember who was playing. I just remember lying on the couch, logging my contractions in my notes app on my phone and not wanting to do much of anything. I was getting really uncomfortable so I told John I was ready to go. On the way home, we called my doctors office and got the on call doctor to return my call. He advised me to go in because my contractions were pretty close. So we went home to grab my bag and head to the hospital, but not before I shaved my legs. Yes, I sure did shave my legs when I was in labor. I mean I wasn’t prepared to go into labor! I was scheduled to be induced on the eleventh and my due date wasn’t until the sixteenth. So I had to take care of that before heading to the hospital of course.

We arrive at the hospital and they wheel me straight up to Labor and delivery triage. My contractions have progressed by this point and the pain has arrived too. I was only 2 or 3 cm so they asked me to walk the halls and see if that could help the process a little. So we went walking the halls, pausing for each contraction along the way. Made our way back to the room and after an hour had passed the nurse checked me again…..after hurting me so badly I almost completely came up off my bed! This should not have happened by the way, for you first time mama’s out there. Still, to this day her comment doesn’t make sense to me “he’s so low I have to reach around his head to get to your cervix” Okay, I’m sorry but shouldn’t that mean that I’m fully dilated? I don’t know I’m not a nurse or anything but, maybe someone can shine some light on that one for me. A completely unnecessary painful situation to find out I didn’t progress enough for the on call doctor to admit me, but I could stay if I wanted or go home. John and I, being first time parents, didn’t know what to do at this point so we ended up just going home. We left confused, not knowing when to come back. I was leaving in more pain than I arrived in, so much pain that I had to hold onto the wall with my head in my husband’s chest breathing through contractions and the pain. I remember people passing us in the hall were staring. So we finally made it to the car & to the house we went. I did everything the nurse recommended, rocked in the rocking chair, took a bath, walked, you name it I did it. After doing all of this and seeing how much pain I was in, John looked at me and said “We’re going to the hospital and this time we ain’t leaving, come on let’s go”

We arrive back at the hospital and as we’re pulling in I tell John there is no way I can walk in this time, you’re going to have to get me a wheelchair. He wheels me into the ER to the front desk and I tell them we were here earlier I’m back, I’m in labor, I need to get to labor and delivery. So off we go again to Labor and delivery triage. The same nurse greets us and she says “I had a feeling we would be seeing you again tonight” I was like really?! Ok whatever so she checks me and they automatically bring the rails up on the bed. As they did this I turned to John and said “I guess that means we’re being admitted” Nurse said oh yes you’re 5-6 cm we’re getting you over to your room which is where you will also deliver your baby. I said great, how soon can I have my epidural? She said I’ll get them here as soon as I can. As soon as she could wasn’t soon enough for me, I was in SO much pain. Seemed like it took him forever to get up there. I know 30 minutes for sure, which is a really long time when you’re having contractions every 2 or 5 minutes. Finally got my epidural, I think it was around 3 or 4 AM. Got a couple of hours of sleep before the early morning began.

Seven AM we notified our families that I went into labor & baby Deacon will be coming earlier than planned! My on call doctor comes in sometime in the morning & says he’s going to break my water. As he goes to do this he says he doesn’t feel any water. (I later find out after Deacon is born, he actually nicked his head with this tool used to break water. He obviously didn’t check before trying to break my water.) I then said well my husband just told me my gown was wet. My nurse looked at me & said when? He told me just a second ago before he left the room. She said girl, he was right. Your water already broke. Here we go, it’s showtime. Fully dilated & ready to get this baby in my arms! So here I am first time mama, depending on my nurse to direct me on breathing, pushing, what to expect, etc. My nurse was absolutely amazing in every way. She coached me through this whole process. I knew going in, the first baby normally takes a while to actually get here. I didn’t realize til after the fact the pushing process normally goes fast once you get to this point. So here I am pushing on every contraction I’m having. I notice I’m in pain and I’m feeling things that I wasn’t able to before. So I tell my nurse & she calls the anesthesiologist. My epidural ran out….this happened 3 times that I remember while pushing. They had to call each time for the anesthesiologist. I’ve been pushing for some time now & nothing is happening. My husband & nurse have been able to see Deacons head for a while now. I’m getting tired by this point & running out of strength. I can tell by the look on my nurses face she was getting concerned. She leaves the room with me in the care of my husband. (whom by the way was phenomenal & exceeded all expectations of how he would be on this day) She came back with my on call doctor. At this point I had been pushing for 3 hours on every single contraction I was having! I also knew Deacon was passed a c-section at this point because the doctor had told me that over an hour ago. So here we are needing to make a decision. The doctor tells me I’ve given a really good effort & said we have three options at this point. 1. Vacuum 2. Keep pushing 3. C-section. I could tell he wasn’t really comfortable with any of these options. He wasn’t leaning towards either of them. I told him I couldn’t push anymore at this point. He then asked me how big was your baby measuring at your last ultrasound. I told him 7lbs 10oz. He said ok so that means he would be around 8lbs 10oz. I’d be more comfortable doing a c-section. I could see it on his face then, he was good with doing that. John & I looked at each other and said ok looks like we’re having a c-section. Once those words came out of our mouths, the pace went up a few notches. The doctor started saying his orders which included “get NICU here & get Dr. so and so here, I’m going to need her on this it’s going to be difficult” so off they go taking care of the orders and it’s just myself, John, & my oldest sister in the room. (She was there to capture birth pictures) I lost it, I started weeping. Mentally I knew Deacon was already past having a c-section & hearing the words to have NICU there terrified me. I didn’t know what was about to happen with my baby. John being the supportive husband that he is, wiping my tears away & telling me everything is going to be just fine. My sister says I’m going to let y'all have some time & I’ll see y’all after while. So she walks out because she can’t be in there for my c-section anyways.

My nurse walks in & starts prepping me for c-section. As she’s doing this I get really nauseated. Next thing I know I’m vomiting. I do this 3 times before they wheel me into the operating room.As I’m being wheeled to the OR my body is shaking uncontrollably. I can’t even talk without my voice shaking. I’m freezing, I’m shaking, I can’t talk right & I’m on my way to surgery. As I entered into the OR there was medical staff everywhere. My doctor came over to me & said he was going to push my baby back inside of me. I was like ok. (Why did I not question him on this?) I’m still shaking at this point & remember asking “is this normal?” They assured me that it was normal & it was because of all the medications. Now that I’m having a c-section I require different medication. So here I am with the anesthesiologist giving me more meds. Now it’s time to get this baby here. We have Hillsong playing over the operating room speakers and we are ready to get this baby here.

My body is still shaking while they begin surgery. I still remember having the thoughts about what could go wrong with me shaking like this, could it affect what they needed to do? I remember looking up at John as he was taking pictures & watching in excitement. He looked down talking to me & I said, you have some of my blood on your face. He just kinda smiled & said oh do I and wipes it off. Next thing I know, I hear the sweetest cry I’ve ever heard & my mama heart immediately kicks in. John is there checking on me & looking at Deacon from a distance. I told him to go talk to him & see if he could calm him down. John hollers his measurements over to me, 8lbs 11oz & 21.5 in long. I said wow, he’s a big boy! It wasn’t long before John brought Deacon over & laid him on my chest. As he was on his way over to me I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to hold him because of my shaking, but to my surprise, the shaking stopped when he placed him on me. I started talking to him & he immediately stopped crying. I only held him briefly because his skin started to turn purple, so the nurses took him from me to go check him and make sure everything was ok. He checked out fine & we made our way to the recovery room shortly after they were done closing me up. As I was holding Deacon in recovery, I was observing him & all of his beautiful features. Taking it all in, now it’s time to go to my room & for the family to see this sweet baby!

Our hospital stay was really good, my recovery on the other hand….well that’s another journey in itself & I will share all about that in my next blog!

You may be wondering why is she sharing the delivery of her child so in depth. The answer…..I don’t want first time moms or any mom for that matter, to have the experience I had. There is SO much that happened in my journey that should not have happened. I didn’t know that while I was in it, but being on this side of it looking back I am overwhelmed with gratitude. My outcome & Deacons outcome could have been majoring different, very easily. I owe everything to Almighty God, his hand was on us through this entire journey. So here I am sharing my journey to help someone else!

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