#but also one of my favorites came in and chit chatted with me and it was nice :]

[kiddokori]

customer service is half reveling in the joy of humanity and the small connections we make every day with those around us and half holding myself back from calling people idiots to their faces

[hugemilkshake]

Snow anon: ok I admit I pretytped this in a notepad on mobile since I thought this up in the middle of the night....buuut added onto it when you mentioned how things will get untense when y/n talks lol! And sorry if it's a little bit of a mess, typed it in a half asleep daze since I woke up in the middle of night with idea and had to type it down as fast as possible before my shitty memory deleted it lol!

Baker thinks once they have healed up and so on after being baked...they think the cookies will put em to work and vows to repay the cookies for their kindness....maybe their first words once they are strong enough to talk is "thank you for everything."

Only to discover the spoiling doesn't end once they get stronger. (If ya want: the spoiling INTENSIFIES!) reader is surprised....but then, to explain why this is happening, maybe they say lines that hint at them knowing y/n's past. Like "oh y/n, you must be tired. You've worked so much. Here, I Made your favorite!" Or "Oh heh y/n, I know you worked hard for [item] so I made/got it for you!" and it's like a gaming console y/n had always wanted but could never afford or fit into their life or a plushie they wanted but couldn't get....like the cookies make sure y/n doesn't want for anything.

Also idea...y/n is either talking or learning to talk at this point...like I'm curious how untense the cookies become once y/n can talk!

(Also random guess why it's tense...they don't know if they grabbed the right human until y/n speaks and they recognize their voice and go something like "oh thank the witches we grabbed the right one!"? Lmao!)

Enjoy the milkshake! Idk why it took me so long to write this but here ya go!

Also sorry if this is shorter than the other 2

Chit chatting

-Platonic scenario-

Part 1, Part 2

Strawberry Cookie was panicking at the fact you were standing up, and also understandably scared. Like you you were randomly standing up, how could she not be scared??

Strawberry Cookie had called Wizard Cookie over to make sure you wouldn’t crumble and to their surprise you were pretty much good to walk and move around! As long as you didn’t do anything too wild

Now trying to explain to the two of them proved to be very difficult due to your throat still being too sore to talk

So you had to try and act out what happened since you didn’t know sign language and their was nothing you could write on around so you were kinda embarrassing yourself

In the end you all gave up since you were getting no where. But good news! You could actually go outside finally! So that was nice

At least so you thought…

Some cookies were… kinda concerned by you. You came out of nowhere and couldn’t talk… it’s a bit suspicious

Other cookie were quite friendly and even offered to aid you in walking since you were being guided by Gingerbrave

The cookies who were more friendly with you kept on giving you lots of free stuff, claiming that you seem very familiar so here’s some stuff

While the cookies who were more put off by you tried yo get information out of you, just to see if you could be trusted.

Chili Pepper Cookie was the one who interrogated you the most, you were hanging around Gingerbrave and his friends, like I mean she doesn’t care for them she does care

Chili Pepper Cookie was also the first one to hear you actually say something, what you said was probably really simple like a yes or no but still you could actually speak

After that you just were spoiled by way more cookies, they thanked you for helping them build this glorious kingdom!

You were starting to think that there was more to this cookie game than meets the eye…

[thestarrynightslover]

Second Time Is the Charm

Pairing: Jay Halstead x Reader

Word count: 1,211

Warnings: None, just fluff.

Summary: Jay meets the Reader, Hailey's best friend, when she's meeting Molly's for the first time after having moved back to Chicago.

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the One Chicago shows, or its characters, also not associated with it in any way, or know anyone involved with it.

A/N: Still not in my best writing but I hope you like it!

(y/n) = (your name) (y/l/n) = (your last name) (y/n/n) = (your nickname)

| mastelist |

"Hey, guys! This is my best friend, (y/n) (y/l/n), who I told you about! She just moved to the city a few weeks ago, so, be nice!" You heard your long-time friend, Hailey, warn her coworkers, who she always swore by to be some of the very best people in Chicago.

"Whatcha sayin', Detective Upton? I'm always nice!" a tall guy, who you recognized as being the one Hailey'd had a fling with some time ago, exclaimed, feigning offense.

They all are very sympathetic to you and you can see how they managed to get Hailey's friendship so easily. But there is one person who stands out from the rest of the group. And you just can't help yourself but to stare at the handsome guy who Hailey said is her partner. The famous Jay Halstead. You do know that it's impolite to basically ogle him like that but you. Just. Can't. Stop. He might just be the most beautiful man you've ever seen and that's saying a lot since you'd already lived in many places and had already met lots of hot guys.

Maybe you were dreaming or something but it seemed like he, too, was taking a few glances at you. But you must've been imagining 'cause he never made a single move your way — not that you were dealing any better with this sort of crush.

The hours ticked by faster than anyone there would've imagined with all the friendly chit-chat and the stories being told but, when you noticed the time, you decided it was time to go home, so you announced: "Hey, guys, thanks a lot for tonight! It was really nice meeting you all, I had a blast! But now I think I'mma head home."

"What? No! I can drive you there later," Adam started but you cut him off:

"No need for that, really. I live nearby and the walk home is gonna be good for me!"

"But going alone this time of night…" Kevin trailed off.

"Well I was thinking about heading home too and I'm also gonna walk. So maybe we can go together?" Jay asked, speaking directly to you for the first time in the whole night.

Not really knowing how to politely decline that one, you accepted: "Oh, um, okay, that'd be nice."

"It's really nice of yours to offer to walk me home, Jay. Thank you again." You said in an attempt to break the ice.

"Yeah, no problem. You know I like making myself available for the community!" He said with a wink? Was Hailey's partner seriously trying to flirt with you? "So, back at Molly's everyone explored a lot why you came back to Chicago but I wanna know what made you leave it in the first place, 'cause you went to college here, with Hailey, right?"

"Uh… yeah, we were roommates, actually. But I left for many reasons, the main one being a wish to see what the world had to offer. Which wasn't very hard since I can easily get a job pretty much anywhere I want…" You answered, leaving out the part about how your ex had humiliated you into leaving the city just to put as much distance between the two of you as possible.

"Hmmm, I see. But you said work had you moving back?"

"Yeah, well this was an exception because I was being offered a better position in case I came here." And because now you'd already gotten over what happened with your ex.

"Then which one is your favorite city so far?" There he got you, you always had a hard time picking favorites…

"Hmmm, maybe Amsterdam?" You thought that it would be a smooth way to do some flirting of your own. "It can be a very romantic city…" You started, "and I've always seen myself as a romantic, hopeless or not…"

"Oh, is that right?" The detective asked.

"Yeah, well, what can I say if everything romance just makes me happy?" You said, looking up brightly at him. Before he could muster up an answer though, you realized where you were, "Oh, that's my building right there!" You exclaimed pointing at the building across the street. But just as you said it you found yourself being sweetly and longingly kissed by Jay, which caught you completely off guard.

"So…" You started without really knowing how to continue after the kiss.

"So…" He imitated while nervously scratching the back of his neck. "I guess it was a bit awkward to just kiss you like that-"

"No! I, uh, I liked it!" Gosh, you sounded like a teenager, " I mean it wasn't bad or anything."

"Then maybe you'd be okay with giving me your number?" He asked.

"Yeah, sure!" Once again, teenager, dammit! "I, uh, what I mean is that I wouldn't mind it if you wanted to call me sometime, detective. You know, just making myself available for the community." You repeated his previous words with a wink.

"Huh! Careful with those empty promises, ma'am," Jay said playfully.

"Who said anything about empty?" You countered.

"Okay, then… Just know that you might be getting a call from me sooner rather than later." He half confessed while shaking his head.

"Looking forward to it!" You shot back and turned around to walk towards your building. Just as you were about to take the first step though, you decided to take a last glance at him, saying: "Have a good night, detective." He didn't answer, you didn't give him time to. But, as you were almost at the building's door, you heard your phone starting to ring and decided to pick up, since it wasn't very common for you to get calls at that time of night. "Hello?"

"Hi, uh, is this (y/n) (y/l/n)'s phone?" You heard Jay's amused voice on the other end of the line and instantly turned back around to see him, still standing on the other side of the street, purposely in your eyesight.

"Really?"

"You said to call at any time-"

"Hmmm…"

"And I just couldn't wait!"

"Are you making fun of me right now?"

"Not at all!" He quickly responded. "I am, actually, inviting you to grab coffee with me one of these days." At that, your heart started beating faster and you could only hope that he wasn't able to hear it through the phone. "Or, you know, lunch, dinner, whatever you prefer!"

"I, uh, I would love to, Jay." Was all you could answer, as the flirty banter suddenly seemed pointless. "I would love to grab coffee or lunch or dinner with you sometime!"

"Okay. That's, uh, that's great! So, maybe this Saturday? 9 o'clock?"

"Yeah, sure! That sounds good! Just let me know where you wanna me-"

"Nope, nuh-uh, that's not happening! Just be ready by then and prepare yourself to be surprised!"

"Jay, I-"

"Not taking no for an answer! Goodnight to you too, (y/n)." He said and hung up, waving at you as he continued his path. Meanwhile, you went upstairs thinking about Saturday and about how you'd snatched a guy like that on your third day back in the city. Maybe Chicago wasn't as bad as you remembered it anymore...

[or0ch1maru]

Could you write some fluff of my favorite pretty boy deidara? :)

He’s so cutie and I need to see him go on a date and be happy for once

I apologize for my absence loves. It’s been busy and then my health went to shit for a while so I decided to take a break from most of my socials to fully unwind and heal.

But I’m feeling much better and I’m planning on sending out some requests over the next few days. Also, as I’ve mentioned before, I’d love to get some jjk requests in since I recently finished watching the show and would love to add some characters to my write list!

Fluff, deidara x GN reader first date 🫶🏻

•

-the two of you first met when Deidara visited your weaponry shop for a custom order

-the adorable blonde acting stoic but with a hint of pink blush to his cheeks as he ushered out a thanks before leaving

-just like the rest of the akatsuki, he visited monthly for a fresh set of weaponry. Kunai’s, shuriken, sheaths, the usual

-it wasn’t until his fifth time visiting that the words fell from his lips. “Um, want to go dinner sometime?” And of course, you said yes. Giving him a date and time

-the night came, and from hours before, Deidara was in his room, making sure his liner came out nice and nothing was smeared or smudged.

-the same goes for his hair. He brushed it out(multiple times may I add) making sure there were no knots or frizz

-he even annoyed the hell out of poor Sasori. “You sure I look okay?”, “don’t lie to get me to shut up ya know”

-after Sasori, and Itachi’s reassurance. The explosive blonde made his way towards your place. Your address scribbled on a piece of paper in your neat scrawl

-after knocking, he waited patiently, a small bouquet of flowers sitting in his grip.

-Konan was the one to explain that it’s ‘custom’ to bring some sort of small gift, flowers, or even chocolate to a first date

-and coming from a woman, he took her advice seriously. Picking out a beautiful, yet simple flower bouquet. Deidara didn’t want to go over board in case you ended up thinking he was weird, or overwhelming

-his cheeks flushed a bright red when you opened the door. A gentle smile plastered across your face as you gazed up at him. Your hair styled nicely, on top of a casual yet classy outfit

-just like deidara, you didn’t want to go overboard with your clothing. Wanting something comfortable yet stylish, but also sophisticated and casual

-deidara had picked a cozy, family owned restaurant about twenty minutes from your village

-the food was delicious, and filling. The two of you chit chatting about multiple different things. Mostly how it was being a member of the akatsuki and how it was being a blacksmith for rogue ninjas

-as the night wore down, Deidara walked you home. His fingers grazing your hand for most of the walk. It wasn’t until you took the initiative to hold his hand. Yours fitting so perfectly against his

-not minding his mouth hands in the slightest. Bringing you back to the day you two first met and you complimenting them

-“tonight was great, I had fun” deidara would say softly, his voice even but an underlying tone of nervousness was apparent

-despite the two of you having fun on the date, he was scared that you would ghost him, or simply say you weren’t interested in him anymore

-it wasn’t until you stood on your toes, placing a soft peck to his cheek with the words “I’d like to see you again, if that’s okay with you” fell past your lips as you gazed up at him, your two hands holding onto his that he finally relaxed

-“how does next Friday sound?” He asked you kindly, a soft smile etched on his features

-deidara then walked home, a huge smile on his face, one full of pride and happiness as your soft voice echoed in his mind

-“I’d love that, I’ll see you then” repeating over and over in his mind as he approached the compound

-excited to see you once again

[triple-mayday]

There’s hella theories floating around about the reason behind Tucker Carlson’s sudden divorce with Fox News, but there’s one that I love the most.

Its the sexiest, pettiest, most delicious bullshit to ever be conceived. Behold:

We know for a fact that Tucker got bitch slapped across New York City by Rupert Murdoch himself. Not only that, but baby boy was laid off sometime on Friday and notified only on Monday, when he came to work. So, this unforeseen development was like a kick in the balls. For the uninitiated, Rupert Murdoch is the name of the demonic entity responsible for the creation of Fox News.

Tuckerson and Rupert had a special relationship. According to Tucker himself, the now ex-host was “100% [Rupert’s] bitch” (we love a proud sugar baby). Tucker was basically a glorified court jester - he cosplayed for daddy Rupert as a pro-worker, anti-elitist, anti-establishment, Christian, relatable everyman that broke republicans could relate to. That was, of course, a load of horseshit. As said by Tucker himself.

You see, back in Mesozoic Era (circa 2008-2011), our boy was an active participant in shock radio programs where he paraded himself as an open and proud elitist and a self-admitted trust fund baby.

All of this deliciousness speaks for itself. Tucker Carlson is a chameleon that changes his face depending on what’s resonating best with his conservative audience. Which brings us to the nearly orgasmic culmination of events that could have possibly led to Tucker’s current unemployment.

Tuck roleplayed as a hardcore Christian for quite some time. On that fateful Friday night, he turned it up to 100 for his speech at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation’s 50th anniversary gala. Bubba was popping off, calling abortions “child sacrifices” and demanding daily prayers. The audience loved it. Rupert? Not so much.

The thing is, for Rupert business comes before fascism. Grandpa worships money, Jesus is merely a profitable business strategy. For a businessman, the rabid fundie shit was already incredibly off-putting. And Tucker’s villain monologue just happened to be the last drop in the bucket that was already filled to the brim by Murdoch’s ex. That’s right. The chair of Fox News broke off his recent engagement because his fiancée was a Jesus freak.

Now onto the good shit. Rupert’s ex had a favorite show. Guess what that show was?

Tucker Carlson Tonight

The woman in question even had tête-à-tête chit chats with her favorite TV personality, thanks to her connection to Fox News CEO.

Tensions were rising in the Murdoch household. The ex-fiancée’s obsession with Tucker only added fuel to the fire. The woman went as far as declaring that Carlson was a messenger from God. One day, Tucker had a dinner at his boss’ estate. In the middle of dinner the Jesus lady pulled out a Bible and began discussing the book of Exodus with Carlson.

Rupert just sat there like 👁️👄👁️

In the end, the man was too freaked out by Christian fundamentalism and kicked Tucker out after his particularly awful speech. It was also a cute little fuck you to his ex cause now her favorite show got canceled

This is just one theory, but it’s my favorite, so I prefer it above all else, and now you get to experience this beauty with me

God, I adore American politics

[ryukenzz]

Fear's Favorite Test Subject

♱☠︎.𝕮𝖔𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙: Headcanons of the Fear and his most prized possession. These headcanons will be about As Nodt as a yandere mad scientist with a female reader in mind.

♱☠︎.𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘: There will be content that'll include human experimentation, yandere themes, manipulation, gore (subtle flesh picking, needles, drugs, etc.), As Nodt being a warning himself, mad scientist themes. If any of these topics are triggering for you, I would suggest not reading this for your own comfort. If I missed any other warnings, please don't hesitate to let me know!

♱☠︎.𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖉 𝕮𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙: 1.3k

♱☠︎.𝕬𝖚𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖗'𝖘 𝕹𝖔𝖙𝖊: This is for @nagumoan's Dance with the Dead collab. This is also my first time writing yandere, so I hope this is good jdskf. I gave As Nodt a backstory of him as a neurologist that went into being a neuroscientist. I tried my best with the research I did for these careers, so I apologize if I got any facts wrong 😭.

The Neurologist and His Patient

As Nodt. Oh boy. The very embodiment of fear itself. This quiet man would be formidable as a mad scientist. He is no Mayuri or Szayel, but he is a madman in his own right. His knowledge on the nervous system and negative human emotion makes him one of the worst, if not THE worst mad scientist to come across. And when you add “yandere” to that status? It’s essentially game over for anyone who intrigues him.

A long time ago, As Nodt was a renowned neurologist. He barely spoke to anyone, always preferring to keep to himself and just do the job. To him, the idle chit chat was distracting and unnecessary while attending to his patients. He was a firm believer of interruptions being a hindrance to his work. He barely even spoke to his own colleagues. It all became a daily routine, over and over. Every day was silent. Every single hour became dull. That is until he made an unintentional discovery while looking over a recording of a patient's video EEG test session. Your EEG test session.

His dark eyes were trained on the recording, reviewing your results. The tapping of his pen against his clipboard matched the tempo of the machine in the video. His interest was intrigued by the amount of activity your brain displayed. Your reactions to the variety of clips being shown was brilliant. But, what really had his sights set on you was your fearful reactions. The way your beautiful face contorted whenever a killing scene appeared sparked an unfamiliar feeling. It didn’t sit right with him, but… it piqued his twisted curiosity. How much fear can the brain take before it breaks? How long does it last? He wanted to explore the possibilities. He needed to find the answers. And these thoughts began to chip away at As Nodt’s curiosity… all until it descended into something twisted and deranged.

It seems that dual graduate program will be useful to him, after all.

From that day on, As Nodt began to keep tabs on you. Your appointments, the days and times where you came and picked up your medicine, all of it. He even made arrangements to make sure that you went to him and him only. You didn’t think much of it at first, believing that he favored certain patients over others. As didn’t say a word to you in the beginning, his only responses alternated between blank stares and curt words that lasted two seconds at most. Even with his custom doctor’s mask and lack of eyebrows, his demeanor did the talking for him.

But eventually, he began to make small conversation with you. His words were still short, but definitely way more than what his coworkers received. The sudden change didn't make much sense. As Nodt, the most nonsocial person on Earth, showing interest in something other than his job? Impossible.  You figured that was just his personality … but little old you failed to realize that your new friend lover was leading you on a gurney straight to Hell.

As the months went by, As Nodt stopped showing up to work. You didn’t even realize he was gone until you came in one day and another neurologist handled your appointment. You assumed he was on vacation, so you didn’t worry too much. You went home that day and did your daily routine, watching a cheesy reality show with a snack. It was only a shame that you didn’t catch the small camera that was placed within the console below the flat screen. Or the carnival teddy bear’s eyes that were now camera lenses. Every small corner in your home had been turned into a secret watch party for As to learn everything about you. From the clothes you wear down to the way your fingers moved when you held something of value. His dark eyes burned everything into memory. He couldn’t wait to see that look of fear in your eyes again.

The Fear and His Frankenstein

The day you were taken from your home was akin to a scene right out of a psychological horror. You came home from your errands as normal, but things just felt out of place. The feeling of being watched crawled all over you like flies on a piece of food. It was a mystery… up until a small flash on the TV console caught your eye. You thought it to be a reflection of light from outside, but they don't flicker like a heartbeat. The moment you got closer to it, As Nodt came from the shadows and used a chloroform cloth to make you pass out. It took five minutes for you to finally go unconscious. The neuroscientist’s face crinkled into a creepy expression as he carried you out bridal style.

When you woke up, you were met with grim lighting and advanced machinery. The room was filled with computer monitors, graduated cylinders with foreign chemicals, and multiple shelves of books. You were in a lab. Your eyes studied the room until they landed on As Nodt’s figure. You were filled with confused relief to see him, and went to ask where he had been, but he cut you off with a deep and eerie command.

“Experiments should keep their mouths closed until they are given permission to speak. And I did not grant you that, so I suggest shutting your mouth unless you want to end up like the failures in those tanks.”

Life after that first day was pure agony. Every single moment brought misery. It would make even the strongest people crumble. As Nodt would tell you it’s “for the sake of research and health” but you knew better. He was sick and obsessive, but what could you do? You had little to no power, so your insults and words meant nothing to him. They were as valuable as the dirt that clung to his shoes. Throw every single curse word at him if you want to. It won’t save you from what will come.

His experiments were tormenting and painful. Needles and brain-prodding machines chipped away your sense of self every day. There was no hour where you weren’t being picked at with a needle, or an MEG scanner being attached to your head. The flashing lights and constant clips of horror movies was nothing compared to the pain-inducing drugs that invaded your nervous system. Or the electric buzzing that made your senses numb. The daily experiments were already bad enough, but when it came to his punishments, he became a sadistic creature. Anything that would bring you pain, physically or mentally, As Nodt would turn it up ten notches. 

For every offense that you commit, this silent scientist will base the experiment on whatever it was you did. If you leave the house without permission, he’ll use a special medicine that renders the nerves of your hands useless for two weeks. He’ll feed you and all, but don’t see it as a token of appreciation. Now, if you mess with his other experiments… you’ll wish you’d be one of those brains in the tanks. As Nodt would strap you to a chair and use an MEG scanner and clips of him experimenting on the other “failures” to torment you for hours. In your best interest, and others, don’t underestimate his ruthlessness. If you desire to keep your body and consciousness intact, just keep quiet and be his good little test subject.

“Why do you insist on being so difficult? Because of your constant insolence, I’ve been forced to end the trials of two nearly successful subjects. Thanks to your little belief of escaping, they’ve paid the price. You’ll make up for that, won’t you?” 

♱☠︎.𝕬𝖚𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖗'𝖘 𝕹𝖔𝖙𝖊: I apologize for posting this three days after Halloween is over hfbdjf. But I hope you all enjoy these spooky headcanons for As Nodt!

©ryukenzz 2023. Do not copy, paste, steal, translate, or repost my work.

[thecinematicalgorithm]

Can't Catch Me Now: Lucy Gray and Katniss Story-Tie Analysis

I have not been on Tumblr much over the past couple of years but with the coming film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on its way I knew I'd be dusting this old page off. The Hunger Games series is one of my all-time favorite book series and the films are some of my favorite book-to-film adaptations, so to say I am pumped for this upcoming movie is an understatement. And to top it all, I have been obsessing over Olivia Rodrigo's new song Can't Catch Me Now, which if you've read the prequel, you'll know that it perfectly ties Lucy Gray's story to Katniss' journey. As always I want to warn anyone who might read this that spoilers for the upcoming film and Suzanne Collins' novel lie ahead. Also fair warning, this is super long cause I don't know how to be concise.

In preparation for the prequel film I have re-read TBOSAS and I am currently re-reading the original THG series (I am currently on Catching Fire, if anyone cares to know lol). I am also planning on a movie marathon the week of the prequel release, which I fully intend on subjecting my boyfriend to as he recently admitted he has only ever seen the first (and I simply cannot let him continue living life with no clue on how wonderful Peeta Mellark is). With that said, I have had a few thoughts, which I wanted to share before the release knowing that I will certainly have more thoughts after I have seen the film.

Honestly, I am going to be ridiculously obsessed for the next several weeks. I also know I wrote a couple of analyses on the differences between Snow and Katniss and the early games vs. the later games, which I will re-post so people can read them if they haven't before.

Enough chit-chat though let's get to it.

The parallels between Katniss and Lucy Gray are quite extensive and beautiful despite the characters being in many ways polar opposites. There is the saying that "Lucy Gray Baird is a performer made to hunt while Katniss is a hunter made to perform". This is a great summary of their overall character profile, and while I may at some point do a breakdown of Lucy Gray vs Katniss, I first want to write about how Lucy Gray and Katniss' story are far more connected than some might have realized. Part of the realization for me actually came while listening to Olivia's new song.

The chorus of the song reads as:

But I'm in the trees, I'm in the breeze

My footsteps on the ground

You'll see my face in every place

But you can't catch me now

Through wading grass, the months will pass

You'll feel it all around

I'm here, I'm there, I'm everywhere

But you can't catch me now

No, you can't catch me now

In terms of Katniss, I think it's been obvious for sometime that Snow particularly despises Katniss because she is a strong reminder of Lucy Gray Baird. She is a girl from District 12. She stood out during her Reaping, and swept the Captiol off their feet during her time in his city. She not only sang in the arena, but she sang a young girl "to sleep" with the very song Lucy Gray sang Maude Ivory to sleep. She used the Captiol's berries to save herself and Peeta, just as Lucy Gray used the Captiol's snakes to save herself. She wears a Mockingjay pin, the very bird which Snow undoubtedly relates to Lucy Gray and rebellion (far before it truly became the symbol of rebellion).

Katniss may not be like Lucy Gray in personality, but to Snow, Lucy Gray's spirit must seem very much alive in Katniss, and just as he tried desperately to rid the forests surrounding District 12 of mockingjays, this is one Mockingjay he wants to destroy.

The second verse of the song goes:

Bet you thought I'd never do it

Thought it'd go over my head

I bet you figured I'd pass with the winter

Be something easy to forget

Oh, you think I'm gone 'cause I left

This verse summarizes Snow's mindset at the end of TBOSAS, as we know he thinks he is safe from the threat of Lucy Gray. Her games have been erased, as time passes "there will be a vague memory that a girl sang in the arena" and even that too shall pass. However, where he goes wrong is when he fails to understand the deep connection and love the other Covey share for Lucy Gray. Despite not seeing how the story ends for them, or even having a solid explanation of Lucy Gray's ending, we at least know that Lucy Gray and her songs were not wiped from existance. Whether they believed, as he supposed, that the mayor was responsible for Lucy Gray's disappearance does not erase their connection to her.

Snow may have chosen never to allow love to control him again, but he did not erase the love those children had for Lucy Gray. Her music became all they had left of her so you can bet they continued singing them and sharing them, even if they had to do it on the down low. (I also share the common fan theory that Maude Ivory is the grandmother to Katniss Everdeen, and I'm hoping the film confirms this). Either way, Katniss clearly learned those songs from somewhere, which for Snow would have been a siren's call from the great beyond that Lucy Gray did not pass with the winter and she was not as forgotten as he had hoped.

Then we go into the bridge of the song where Olivia sings:

You, you can't, you can't catch me now

I'm coming like a storm into your town

You can't, you can't catch me now

I'm higher than the hopes that you brought down (repeats)

This is my favorite part of the song. Not only is it moving and emotional but it ties so much of Lucy's story to Katniss'. Both girls were like storms in the Capitol, sweeping the people and the nation into their stories so they could not help but be invested. Both were near impossible to control, despite Snow's best efforts, and both had a spirit of hope greater than Snow's ability to crush the highest of hopes. There's also something deeper, which intended by Olivia or not, makes this song perfect for the series. The lines "I'm coming like a storm into your town" and "I'm higher than the hopes that you brought down" is sung from the point of view of Lucy Gray. Both bring to mind images of the rebellion in THG: Mockingjay. The rebels stormed into the Capitol and their hope was higher than the hopes and lives which Snow had already destroyed in an effort to quell the rebellion.

However, just like Katniss becoming the Mockingjay, or the symbol of the rebellion, Lucy Gray had become her music. She was the anthem of the rebellion. If Katniss inspired hope, Lucy Gray was that hope. The hope of freedom. Dead or not Lucy Gray was finally free and her song reflects that truth and the rebels clung to it. Dead or alive they would be free.

Furthermore, Lucy Gray's song not only led to the freedom of Panem, but it also led to the freedom of Peeta's mind from the lies and brainwashing inflicted on him in the Capitol. Remember, Katniss always associated Peeta with hope until Snow brainwashed him. And if you'll recall, Peeta's first true breakthrough in regaining his memory of Katniss and his love for her was when he heard her rendition of "The Hanging Tree". Lucy Gray not only stormed into the Capitol but she stormed into Peeta's muddled memory, and her music was higher than the hope Snow had brought down. Lucy Gray's song led Peeta and Panem into freedom, and it helped to restore Peeta as the hope and love of Katniss' life.

Lastly, the ending of the song greatly foreshadows Katniss' journey:

There's blood on the side of the mountain

It's turning a new shade of red

Yeah, sometimes the fire you founded

Don't burn the way you'd expect

Yeah, you thought that this was the end

Of course, we all know the end is far from over for Snow. As Lucy Gray told him once, "The Capitol show isn't over until the mockingjay sings". Katniss' story ends with her singing Lucy Gray's lullaby to her children. Katniss was the fire founded by Snow, and despite his best efforts, it didn't burn out or even burn the way he expected it to. The line "the fire you founded" is also perfect to describe Snow and Katniss' dynamic because in many ways Katniss was only a threat because Snow threatened her. It's the same dynamic as Harry and Voldemort's. If Voldemort had left Harry and his family well alone, Harry never would have been the perfect enemy to thwart him. In the same way, if Snow had left Katniss and her friends and family well alone, she may never have come for him the way she did or joined the rebellion.

Interestingly enough, if Prim's name had never been called not only would the rebellion most likely have been avoided, but Lucy Gray's music may very well have been truly forgotten. Assuming Katniss is the only one left who actually remembers the songs, we know from reading the books that Katniss does not like or want to sing simply because they are painful reminders of her father. If Prim had never been threatened and Katniss had never been a contender in the games she would have been subjected to a life of mining and may have let the songs fade from memory as she lived out her miserable slave life in District 12.

But as we know that's not what happens, and instead the memory of Lucy Gray and her music is forced from Snow as Katniss is forced onto this journey proving the memory of Lucy Gray is very much still alive except this time Snow can't catch her now.

Thank you for reading if you made it this far! Please share your thoughts if you'd like!

[btr-rewatch]

Big Time Rush Season 1, Episode 10: “Big Time Party”

Highlights: An epic Palm Woods party thrown by the Hollywood Super Party Kings of Hollywood! Also, a single five-second scene proves enough to nearly break me.

As the guys enter Rocque Records, their party-detecting senses start tingling. They find out that there's going to be a big party to celebrate their first album! Except they're not invited!

Booooo! 👎👎👎👎

Gustavo doesn't want the dogs messing up his fancy shindig, but Kendall declares that they are STAYING. Gustavo, however, has cleverly planned for this exact scenario. He tells them they can stay, but they can't go into his Super Party Fun Box.

The boys immediately enter the Fun Box.

Cannot contain my amusement at this whole scenario. The fact that Gustavo had this at the ready. The muffled music playing from the inside of the box. The fact that the group's singular shared brain cell evidently did not go to any of them that morning.

Brilliant show, I tell you. I think it may even be funnier now than it was when I was younger.

Later on, Mrs. Knight tells the boys that she and Katie are taking a day trip to San Diego. Kendall thinks it's the perfect opportunity for them to throw a party and, being the responsible young man that he is, goes to ask his mother if it's okay. Mrs. Knight reminds them that it's against Palm Woods rules to throw parties, and they're one strike away from being kicked out.

As soon as Mama Knight and Katie walk out the door, the guys immediately commence scheming to throw a "social gathering." They agree to keep it small (three people each), and Kendall doles out the responsibilities to his buds. This scene then happens, and listen. LISTEN. I totally forgot about it, but as soon as Kendall started delivering the line, it all came back to me. This was by far one of my favorite lines of the entire show, and I cannot properly convey how much it made me laugh when I used to catch the episode on TV. It is hysterical. The absurd humor in this show is top of the line.

No, you don't understand. This is like. The funniest gag on the planet to me. Kendall has an actual (unidentifiable) thing that he gives to Jo. She's so polite and appreciative about it even though she clearly has NO CLUE what it is. It's just—it's just a thing. He just gives it to her and does that goofy smile and point thing and moves onto chit-chat about the party. No additional context.

WHY did he give that to her?? What is the wacky in-universe explanation? He's so pleased with himself! Jo doesn't know what it is!!! I've spent the last ten minutes laughing over this scene. If anyone ever wants to know what my sense of humor consists of, I'll show them this one specific exchange.

Okay, I must summon my strength to pull myself together.

Kendall invites Jo to the not-party and asks if she'd like to be his "guest, friend, person thing." He is so normal.

Meanwhile, James and Carlos are also being normal about their party-planning responsibilities.

As the party gets into full swing, Camille wastes no time in coming on very strong to Logan, who is so overwhelmed by the attention that he literally crawls away from her and goes running to Kendall for help.

Kendall suggests that Logan simply be truthful and tell Camille he's not interested. Jo suggests Logan relax a bit and give things a chance with Camille. In a bizarre shift from the norm, Logan takes Jo's advice and tells Kendall he's wrong. *gasp*

We briefly go to Rocque Records then, where Gustavo is busy throwing the lamest party of the century. He tells Kelly they've got to liven it up.

Back in 2J, Kendall casually asks Jo if she likes hockey. She replies that she hates it, and Kendall proceeds to choke on his drink and go into a violent coughing fit. Jo doesn't like hockey?? Earth-shattering news.

Meanwhile, Logan is dealing with his own crisis when Mercedes Griffin suddenly walks in. As you may remember from the previous episode, she wanted Logan as her new boyfriend but never got the chance to date him because Kendall gave her a real stern talking to. Well, she wants to now pick up where they left off. And just like that, Logan is thrown into the classic sitcom "I've got two dates for the party!" plotline.

Moments later, the apartment is overrun by a huge crowd of people on account of Carlos is a bonehead who misread "all contacts" as a name.

Yes, it is, boys. Yes, it is. Also, I have to wonder how this even managed to happen in the first place. Aside from the fact that I don't even think it's possible to send a message to every contact at once (I looked it up, and it said you'd have to use third-party apps, and like. This is 2010, and Carlos has a flip phone.) But even if he managed to do it, I'm sure he's got family in his contacts! His parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings?? They would have gotten messages inviting them to this. Did none of them try to reach him and ask why he sent a mysterious party social-gathering invitation to them?

Listen, I realize I'm thinking too much into this, but still. A lot of things would have had to have lined up and gone wrong in order for this to happen.

Good job, Carlos.

Knowing Bitters will be on the hunt for their party, Kendall recruits Jo to help intercept him while James and Carlos shut the party down. The Hollywood Super Party Kings of Hollywood decide that moving the party down to the pool area is good enough.

Seeing that his friends are going to be of no help whatsoever, Kendall decides that if Bitters wants to bust a party, they're going to give him a party to bust. After running around the building with a boombox, they manage to lure Bitters into the Super Party Fun Box. Wooo! The threat has been eliminated! Kendall and Jo celebrate with a high-five.

They are so cute.

We go back to the pool then to tie up some remaining loose ends. Camille (who is angry after discovering Logan's double-date situation) says she won't talk to him for a week, but she will dance with him. Mercedes quickly moves on and picks Guitar Dude as her new boyfriend. Gustavo and Kelly have managed to save their boring party by bringing everyone over to the Palm Woods, and Carlos and James sit on their thrones and look upon their party kingdom with satisfaction.

Happy ending for all (except for Bitters, who was likely stuck in that box for the remainder of the night)

Good episode. Love seeing those guys get put into situations and then spend the next 20 minutes desperately trying to scramble their way out. I'm still thinking of the "I kinda got a thing for her" scene, btw. Living rent free in my head.

[god-complex-12]

Cigarettes

——

Pairing: [Joker] Jack Naiper x reader

Pronouns: he/him

Fandom: DC

Quote: “Call me Joker.”

Description: Y/n gets a new housemate.

Disclaimer: Boring story, the story and Joker is just completely based on Chaz frome When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. The chapter is called The House. Great book. Recommend, but this story is almost exactly like that.Joker comes off creepy. It doesn’t really clarify if y/n really likes Joker. Joker is referred to as Jack. And cigarettes.

Master list

——

An old building, it was. An old building, but y/n found it homey. An old building, filled with crazy people, and cluttered with antiques. It was more of just a big house. Y/n has lived there for awhile, it wasn’t the best place, but he couldn’t complain. He usually kept to himself, not talking with anyone that much.

He did know the drama. For instance, he knew that a student was moving out to go to college. He also knew someone was moving in. A guy named Jack, and y/n so happened to see him in the hall. No, he wasn’t moving in, he was just renting the room. He wasn’t to stay permanently, at least, that’s what y/n thought.

“You wanna help?” He asked.

Y/n didn’t talk much to him, he kinda just examined the man. He was slender, and handsome. He looked perfect, so y/n started to try and focus on his flaws. He has freakishly pale skin. His yellow teeth. But if you asked y/n, he found those things more appealing.

“You looking for something?” Jack asked, he had a cheeky smile.

Y/n didn’t respond. He just went on talking about something else. Jack wasn’t the nicest. He was pretty rude.

“Anyways, I don’t have to chit-chat.” And then he walked away.

He liked to do that. Leave the conversation early, like he wasn’t the one to start it. It was kind of annoying, but y/n couldn’t do anything about it.

Before Jack, everything was quiet. Now, the day consists of old 90’s rock music. It’s not that bad, it’s good music, but all day? It was annoying. Sometimes, Jack would come to see y/n. Knocking on his door asking for a cigarette. Y/n would cave in, handing him one, and Jack would stand there and smoke it. Y/n had to stand at his doorway and watch. Jack would complain about y/n’s room. Y/n didn’t think anything was wrong with his room. It’s clean. It’s neat. But Jack didn’t think so.

The longer Jack lived there, the more things y/n started to notice. Jack lost his job, supposedly because he was too good for it. Y/n doesn’t really know if he got another one.

Jack began to knock on y/n’s door more often. He had no care in the world for the time. He’d always have so many stories or some stupid conversation to say. Y/n tiredly listen.

Jack wasn’t the most stable person, and they came more apparent when he’d angrily throw stuff out his window, or break something and spread all of the pieces around staring at it. Sometimes you’d see him with a beat up face, he’ll say he got in a fight and won, other’s say he got jumped.

A lot of times when y/n would open the door, Jack would drag y/n out of the wrong, by aggressively grabbing his arms. Jack would control each of his limbs as a puppet. That was when it clicked something was seriously wrong with this guy. Y/n didn’t notice as fast as he’d like, maybe he thought someone so good and clean looking could be so lost.

Jack would even go as far as shoving notes under y/n’s door. They were creepy and unsettling. “I can die and be born again on the same day.” or “You’re my favorite, I’d keep you.” The writing was if it was written from blood. The dark red ink (If it was ink) was off putting. Y/n heard he didn’t to someone else in the house too, but it wasn’t as bad. That was when the landlord told him to leave. Jack had no choice but to agree.

Someone had come by to get his stuff and had said he was put into a mental institution. Said that he was schizophrenic. y/n wasn’t shocked, in fact he felt a little sympathetic, and even went to see him one time. “I knew you loved me. That’s why you were my favorite.” He’d say.

“Yeah, yeah. Keep it to yourself, Jack.” Y/n grumbled.

“Call me Joker.” He said and it seemed more of a threat than a request.

——

[matenrou-fan]

Yandere! Doppo with fem! s/o

yippee my favorite thing to write!!

yandere themes, stalking, mention of being locked, lying, delusional Doppo;; 1703 words

It's actually much more easy to imagine than you probably think. This man have low self-esteem, he get used to being treated like he's nothing, to the point where he think about himself like about garbage, and he's depressed af

And then.. you appeared. He may be not that religious but he definitely see you as angel, without any jokes. Angel, who came down from heaven and bright his days, his whole life..!

It's doesn't matter if you're actually the ray of sunshine who have many friends or also awkward shy introvert, he will see you as the kindest in the whole world, even if you just smile to him sometimes during lunch break and asking if he's alright when he feel sick after sleepless night of paperwork.

Yes, he have Hifumi who always treat him good and even cook for him, but it's different! Hifumi is his closest friends who know him from childhood, and you're.. you're just a stranger, just co-worker, yet you always so calm, so kind to him, you never scream at him. He get used that everyone in office try to slack off from their work, making him doing theirs reports too..! And you was different, you're the only one who was so gentle with him, making his soul tremble and his heart skip a beat when he notice as you walk in office early in the morning.

He start to peeking at you more during work house. Just by looking at your focused face he can start feeling himself much better, and when he accidentally meet your gaze? Oh, he's so embarrassed, trembling and looking away, as he afraid that he will scare you off with his strange behavior. But in the same time, his heart beat faster and faster, as he can't stop smiling. Such new, sweet feeling.. so addicting..

But soon it will be not enough. He's still too shy to talk with you more than for five minutes when you two bump into each other in corridor accidentally, so he decided to start stalking you outside of work too. Why not? After looking at you for so long in office it's doesn't sound that bad, he's just a little bit nervous and want to know about your life, what's wrong?

So he will walk you home, slowly passing through dark streets behind you. Aren't he actually doing a good thing? If someone will try to hurt you, he will be right here, immediately protecting you! So it's mean he's not that creepy, he just making sure you are safe!

Slowly he will get more info about you through stalking, your address, closest friends, family members, favorite places to hang out and more, more.. He still reassure yourself that he just trying to know you better so it would be more easy to talk with you, and that he's not doing something illegal.

Then he finally will be enough confident to talk with you. Now, when he know your preferences and favorite things it's easy to choose right topic to make you interested in him, to make you think that you two are understand each other so good and have so much same interests! Shouldn't you just befriend him already?

"Oh, you also like this show..?! Yeah, me too, I think I can tell the whole plot from memory, hehe.." - should I say that he spend whole night before this little talk watching it and scrolling through wiki so he would look like a big fan?

He can't control your free time outside office but during work hours he will try to cut off your little chit chats with other co-workers, talking with you himself or make them actually do their work. Yes, he finally start to say "no", so he would be able to stalk you right after work, and not sit in office till midnight..!

Also.. Aren't this mean you have a positive influence on him? Ah, just how much he's appreciate you in his life, how much you change him! And he's really sure that it's good, cause now he feel himself so happy when he admire your sleeping figure through your bedroom's window, or when he write new interesting fact about your life in notes in his phone..! He never feel himself more happier, and he can't even imagine how much happier he will be when he finally will be able to touch you, to visit your house or to invite you to his house.

Oh, his house.. It's actually a problem. You're a girl, and he have Hifumi in their house that would fall unconscious just by looking at you. Also, he's almost 30, and he still live with his friend. Aren't it will make him look.. unsuccessful? Doppo really try hard to be much cool and prosperous than he actually is with you around, as he wants to look like a solid man to win you over.

Maybe he should rent a room for himself? Just a calm lonely salaryman who's hard worker, not too rich but not too poor, aren't he would look like an ideal type? He also can lie that it's his own flat, not a rented one, yes..! it's also would be much easier to lock you inside if something will go wrong

So he would start to talk with you more, acting more and more soft and gentle around you. Just how precious you are, always smiling at him, listening to his still a little bit trembling voice.. Even when he's not able to play cool, even when he snapped and started rumbling about how creepy and ugly he is, and how much his boss annoy him, and how bad his work, you still wasn't disgusted, asking if he alright or he wants to vent a little bit.. Truly, an angel, an angel that fate give him so he can change!

And he change, he really change.. but did he? Even now, when Doppo's much more confident, when he almost find a new apartments for himself (and for you, of course), he still so.. insecure.. Everytime he see you with others co-workers, its break his heart, and when he see you hanging out with your friends while he stalk you, it's make his soul trembling with anger and jealous... Why are you with them, when he's standing here, hiding in shades?! So unfair, so humiliating...

Yes, he try to be as good as he can, but do he actually deserves you? Everyone here much better than he, and they don't even need to fake something to make you talk with them, to make you interested...! He bite his lip, as he can't stop looking at you laughing face, as one of other male co-workers makes you laugh.

He can't take it anymore. Even with all this lie he still feel that he's not enough, otherwise you wouldn't talk with other people! You would forget about everyone around you as he forgot! But you didn't, and it makes him so hurt and insecure.

But this doesn't matter. You already captured his heart, he's addicted to you and he can't let you go. Even if he actually much worse and creepy than you think, even if he actually don't deserve you in his life, he doesn't care. He will make you his at any cost. He just need you

So Doppo would finally rent this stupid apartments and get up his courage to invite you here, as he already prepare everything that he need. He said he just wants to drink tea together and talk a little, what's can go wrong...?

....

But as soon as you enter his house after long day at work, he would giggle, locking the door behind you. Well, many people lock their door even when they inside their house, it's more safe like that, but.. You feel like something was off.

"S/o.. S/o.." - Doppo mumbles, so weak and shy yet so creepy and obsessive. He slowly get closer, suddenly hugging you tightly as he sniff your hair, your perfume, whining - "Your scent is so good.. A-and you're so soft.... Even softer and warmer than I thought..."

You try to push him away carefully, saying with confused face that that's not really what you expected to get today.

"Oh.. Even when I act like that you keep being such an angel..." - he chuckle. He looks so creepy and yet you still talk with him so softly, apologizing.. How can he let you go, even if you asking about this?!

So, no. His grip so firm, as he just continue to sit with you, his heart beating so fast as he just can't get enough of your warmness, softness, cuteness.. You can hear his trembling breathe as he whisper to you just how much he loves you, how much he ready to do to make you smile, and just how much better his days now, with you around.

Would also apologize so much, as he still think that he's not worthy, but, despite he feel guilty, he will not even think about free you. He can't let other people see you, what if you will throw him away?

Lock all doors, all windows, he's even fork out to buy a sound insulation and smart curtain that always closes when he's on work (oh, they also have remote access within app, so Doppo always can check if you try to open them and ask for help by knocking on windows). Don't worry, as he already know what's your favourite things, he fill your new bedroom with books of your favorite authors, and here's tv so you can watch your favorite shows and films, and here's table with stuff for your hobbies, everything...!

"I'm going to work, darling.." - Doppo smiles softly as he kisses you forehead, ignoring your weak struggles. He know that soonly you will give up - "O-oh, and I will get my salary soon, if you want something new for your hobby just ask me, okay?"

"So.. Have fun, okay? And try not to miss me to much, I promise that I'll rush home after my stupid work as fast as possible... Just to be with you all alone again.. ♡"

[ransprang]

[Ko-Fi Request] Hey there, Thank you very much for your awesome work, it is always appreciated <3 I decided to come back but this time for a chosen character from jjba which is Oingo (also called Zenyatta)

I'm a pretty tall girl, I would also say muscular and fit I have long fuchsia dyed hair, pretty pale skin and brown doe eyes (I also look tired all the time) 

My sense of style is pretty one of a kind,I really like skirts and turtleneck sweaters. I usually wear a lot of jewelry and chains in my outfit and I have a HUGE love for hats, all types of hats.

I may come off as cold and tense at first glance but I'm a big sweetheart which tend to make people confused I'm very shy and hardly open up, I'm also not talkative but a great listener, I love hearing about any types of stories. Still,once I open up and trust someone I would give them the world, I'm a very caring person, always up to cherish the ones I love.

I love animals and nature as well as art and painting which is my favorite hobby but I'm also extremely adventurous, and love traveling and discovering new places. 

Also have a big interest for the unknown, mysteries and out of the common stuff as well as a soft spot for gory stuff sometimes I'm not easy to scare at all, only people can freak me out.

Good luck with it and thank you again for putting so much effort into your work :3

Thank you anon for your support :)

link to our ko-fi for anyone who wants a match up too!

Oingo Match Up

SFW

Oingo Backstory: The Oingo Boingo brothers came from a broken home, like most small-time Jojo villains. Neglected by their parents, Oingo had to grow up early, and be a parental figure for the young Boingo. When Oingo was young, in a bout of teen angst and hatred for his parents, he rejected the names they gave him. Instead, he named himself and his brother from the broken CDs lying around their house. While wearing a tiny hat, he held Boingo’s tiny face and said, “From now on my name is Oingo, and you’re Boingo.” A few months after you start dating, he sometimes calls you Joingo.

How they meet: Oingo and Boingo were browsing a comic book exhibition, a regular pastime due to Boingo's deep interest in comics. The exhibition featured a wide range of art, from major brands to lesser-known indie artists. While walking through the aisles, Oingo noticed a beautiful painting that caught his eye, signed by an artist named "[Your Username]." Loving the name and the art, he decided to purchase it. Meanwhile, you were wandering through the exhibition, when suddenly your phone rang. It was your friend, the one who had a stall open at the exhibition and had begged you to put your art on there. You answer the call and they tell you to run back to the stall. When you reach, you meet a tall, hat-wearing Oingo. Your friend introduces you both to each other and sparks fly.

Since you both have a shared love for hats, he’d be down to go thrifting for some new hats to add to the collection. Matching hats and rings would totally be up his alley too. 

He tells you not to talk to strangers, just like he tells Boingo. He knows with your personality you probably won't anyways. When you’re both at restaurants ordering food he’ll be the one talking. 

He may not be too interested in horror movies, but he’d be down to watch some with you. He’d probably like the ones where there is some amount of strategy being executed by the villains and not brainless slashers.

Oingo will make Boingo use his stand to tell you stories about peoples’ futures. Sort of using Boingo like an entertainment pet. He’ll throw lil snacks at Boingo after every story. If Boingo isn’t around he’ll tell you of his previous adventures.

Sometimes when you get tired, you ride on Oingo’s right leg while Boingo sits on his left leg. You and Boingo chit chat as Oingo walks. Since you’re a lot taller and more muscular than Boingo, one of his legs gets way more buff.

Oingo would introduce you to some of his little hobbies like his small cactus collection and making you listen to some songs on his record player. Get ready to jam out to R&B and EDM.

Since you love adventures, you would never be bored with Oingo, since being stand users they are always attracting all kinds of trouble. 

Oingo would use his stand to disguise himself and rob multi-billion dollar corporations, and bring you little presents and souvenirs. Since robbing the same place multiple times gets boring, you guys would also travel around a lot.

NSFW

As much as he loves your personality, Zenyatta would be drawn to your striking figure and fuschia hair cascading down your back. He can’t help but imagine pulling on your hair while you’re giving him a sucky sucky. 

When you sit on his lap, Zenyatta likes using his big thighs to tease you. He rubs your clit with his leg. As he would use his hands to guide you waist to grind on him. He gets a kick out of it especially in public.

When you kiss Zenyatta he loves it when you suck on his thick lips, he prefers french kissing and when you bite his lower lip.

Zenyatta loves to use his stand by disguising himself in the bedroom, and different role plays turn him on. He likes acting like a biker who dominates you in bed. 

Oingo loves it when you wear skirts, he loves pulling you in to sit on his lap. As he feels your thighs all the way up to your panties, slowly sliding them to the side. His face lights up when you greet him wearing new skirts.

He pulls you closer to him by tugging on your necklaces making your chest touch his. He likes feeling your supple breasts against his muscles. It would get him so hard to feel you breathe against him. 

Zenyatta likes it when you taste his pre cum. He gets hard so easily around you, till he's dripping. “We wouldn't want to waste it now would we?” As he asks you for just a lick.

Zenyatta loves backshots, he would pull on your hair while gently placing his hand on your neck pulling you head back. He likes it rough, and loves fucking in front of a mirror so he can see your beautiful form.

He loves it when you loudly moan, screaming his name. Zenyatta gets super close, heat rises through him, when he knows it's risky and someone might find him pounding you. 

Zenyatta likes experimenting with different items around the room as toys. He loves spanking or tying you down. He also has a collection of handcuffs, and likes it when you whimper beneath him. 

yours boingly,

admins sar, sav & san

[valyalyon]

August 8, 2028 - April 3, 2029

Previous Post | Next Post DIE MASTER LIST OR #LYONDIE DIVIDERS

CW: dead dove do not eat, domestic violence, mentions of drug addiction, dub con, smut, references to pregnancy loss. Explicit language. MDNI. 4.1K words.

August 8, 2028.

My friends hadn’t known that I was pregnant, we hadn’t told anyone, so when they invited Raphael and I to go to dinner with them for my 28th birthday, I agreed for us.

When he got home from work I told him. He wasn’t pleased, but he agreed, and called his mom over to stay in the house while the kids slept.

We arrived to dinner and greeted our friends at the table. Julius took Raphael’s attention away and the two men started to chat, while Natalie and Catalina began to shower me in love and compliments.

“I love that dress on you,” my 6 foot tall Catalina commented, spinning me in a full circle with her hand.

“Look at her ass,” Natalie added in a whisper to Cat.

The dress was skin tight and red. I guess I was lucky I didn’t gain much weight by week 19, most of the pounds had gone to my already fat ass.

I blushed and laughed with them, finally sitting down beside Raphael.

Raphael was wearing some black dress pants and a red button down, with his sleeves rolled up his arms. His muscles were out on display, but Julius was also showing off, instead in light pants and a blue button down.

The waiter came by and took drink orders.

“Whiskey,” Raphael nonchalantly ordered.

“A shot of Vodka, please,” Julius addressed the waiter, then turned his face to Raphael, “like our high school party nights… Back when we were drinking five vodka shots at a time.”

“Actually, let me change that. I’ll take three shots of vodka,” my arrogant husband updated his order.

“A margarita for me, please,” Cat added.

“Um… one long island ice tea,” Nat smiled at the waiter.

“Can I have a Mai Tai, please,” I finished.

We were all IDed with the waiter commenting on my birthday, “Happy birthday, pick a dessert or two and I won’t add it to the tab.”

I thanked him, while he dismissed himself.

Within a few minutes, he was back with all the drinks, interrupting our mindless chit-chatting.

“Birthday girl has to have her drink first,” he commented, placing my drink in front of me, and then passing out the remaining drinks quickly. He was there and gone in less than thirty seconds.

I was sipping my drink with the girls while they did the same, when Raphael and Julius finished their shots.

Again after only a few minutes, the waiter returned to take everyone’s food order. We went through this a bit slower, but he left as soon as his repeat of the order was confirmed by everyone.

Before I could return to my conversation with the girls, a laugh from Raphael caught my attention, I turned my eyes to him, “hm?”

Raphael was leaning into the table so everyone could hear him as he spoke to me, “you never get tired of being the center of attention do you? Especially when men come around.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked him outright, my anger seeping through me.

He just chuckled, and then added, “oh, birthday girl, I’ll do anything for you, birthday girl… And you’re just eating it up, aren’t you?”

The girls were looking back and forth between themselves as I was getting angrier with my husband, “are you seriously starting this in front of our friends?”

“You’re right, we’ll resolve this at home. Sorry to interrupt your girl time,” he rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Julius.

I was annoyed so I turned to the girls and said, “I’m sorry about him, ever since he decided to start mixing speed and alcohol, he gets like this now.”

Raphael turned his attention to me as Catalina started speaking, “you’re joking right?”

I looked into my husband’s black eyes, they were furious and his hand went to my thigh, digging his fingers in.

I turned back to Natalie and Catalina, “yeah. I am.”

“How has our favorite little family been? We haven’t seen any of you since Eden’s birthday in April…” Natalie spoke up, her eyes on mine.

I tore my eyes away from Nat as my husband’s grip on my thigh got tighter, “we’ve been okay… not entirely. Four days ago, I miscarried our son.”

“Dolores!” the girls voices rang out together, snapping me back to them.

Both of them were teary-eyed, reaching their hands across the table for me, Cat went first, “How have you been handling it?”

“I haven’t been,” I told her honestly, and then the waiter came over with all the food.

Dinner was an uneventful blur after that, as I refused to acknowledge my miscarriage anymore. I shut down and participated in vague festivities.

He brought out the dessert with a birthday candle in mine, the staff all sung along with my friends and husband.

I faded into the seat, wanted to cry and disappear, but I kept smiling through it all.

As I blew out my candle, Raphael gave me a kiss on the lips, and I tasted the liquor on his tongue. Why, love? Why?

I drank more that night than I had in years, eventually six glasses sat empty to the side of me.

…

The way the room turned when we got home. The kids weren’t there, sleeping instead at Raphael’s mom’s home.

I’m glad they were.

Because as soon as we got home…

You wanted me sadder.

It all devolved.

“Why do you always start something around my friends? Are you trying to prove something? I just don’t understand your logic,” I told him, when he slammed the door shut behind us.

I crossed my arms as he turned around to face me, he was over a foot taller than me, and he was double my size. He already proved he was able to hurt me, but I didn’t want to believe it. Or maybe, I just wasn’t afraid of the man I loved.

I couldn’t fear him, even when he pushed me against the wall hard enough that the house shook with shock.

“Don’t you fucking break something you fucking druggie!” I slurred my words, unfortunately being drunk didn’t help me make my argument.

“Why would you say that in front of your friends?” He asked heatedly, then he tossed me to the ground.

My hands instinctively went down to catch myself and I was able to stand pretty quickly, but this only made him more angry. He kicked me behind the knee to the ground.

When I landed on my knees he kicked me in the back, pressing his foot and body weight to my lower back.

“Ow!” I whined out, wriggling beneath his weight, “you’re a fucking piece of shit human, Raphael! I hope you know that.”

“Am I?” Raphael asked, with his eyebrows raised, he was getting down onto the ground. He replaced his foot with his knee and knelt on my lower back.

He pulled my dress up over my ass and started to smack it real hard, “you have something in your blood that tells you to disrespect me.”

“Fuck you, are you going to spew on a racist tirade now about how Cubans and Mexicans are too different and I need to be beaten into shape?” I screamed from where I was pinned.

“If so, spare me the fucking speech, my God,” I begged, putting my hands in a prayer position by moving onto my side slightly.

Raphael punched me in the face.

It was one hard punch in the nose, and I felt the blood spilling down my face immediately. The blood exploded onto the floor beneath my face.

I moaned through my pain, complaining out loud, “Raphael, you broke my nose… you broke my nose, you psychopath…”

“It’s not my fault,” Raphael came to my face, his lips pressing to mine.

He flipped me onto my back, he held me down with his body weight on mine, his face pressed to my bloody one, “te adoro, mi tesoro. You know that, you know that I adore you… you’re mine…”

“You fucking broke my nose,” I sobbed, tears streaming down my face, “are you not going to apologize?”

“You know I’m sorry, amor,” Raphael promised, kissing my lips and tears while continuing to invade my mouth.

“I never meant to hurt you, Lola,” Raphael helped me to my feet.

He led me to the bathroom where he cleaned the blood off my face as I continued to cry. When he reached for the first aid kit, I looked at my knees because they were hurting.

Sure enough, my knees were red and starting to bruise from when Raphael pushed me.

Wearing nothing but the summer bruises on my knees…

I started to shake in between sobs, choking out, “why do you do this to me, Raphael? Why? I’m the mother of your children, what is wrong with you?”

His eyes softened as I looked into them, an expression of pain filling his face, “yeah… so much is wrong with me, actually…”

“How long, Raphael?” I cried out, getting on my knees to hug his legs and sob.

He reached down for me, holding onto me as he crouched down. He didn’t kneel all the way down, still towering over me, his hand touching my wet cheeks, “how long what?”

“How long have you been taking speed? I saw you when we came back from the hospital,” my voice trembled as I spoke.

“December 2025 — when we went to the Caribbean. Julius gave me one of his prescription pills and I liked how it made me feel so I started using for parties. I used on and off but stopped for a while after Eden was born and started again for my birthday.”

“You need to stop,” I told him, “you’re not the man I married when you’re on it. You’re violent and cruel.”

“Okay, I will… I hate hurting you, Dolores. I love you,” and he kissed me as he said it, but I felt the blood starting to trickle from my nose again.

I know that we’ve got problems, I plan to address them another day…

December 18, 2028.

For months, he was good on his word and the physical violence during fights almost entirely disappeared. On our four year wedding anniversary, he told me that he had invited friends over for a vow renewal. He asked me to wear my wedding dress.

Somehow, despite years of pregnancies, the dress still fit. I didn’t do much to my hair except make sure that none of my curls looked knotted, and then I applied red lipstick.

Everyone was dressed up in formal dresses or suits, with Natalie and Catalina wearing the same dresses from the wedding.

Once I was standing in front of Raphael, I noticed he had decided to wear the same suit, except this time he had no tie, his jacket was open, and his shirt wasn’t fully buttoned.

I see in technicolor, maybe I’ll take my glasses off so I stop painting red flags green.

He took my hands in his and I fell in love with him even more as he spoke. He had added all three of the kids into his vows, his smile absolutely blowing me away as he promised me the world — much like that winter day four years ago.

I was lost in the heat of the moment, the words escaping me as I read my own vows in front of everyone. Raphael’s smile never wavered, his grip on my hand was tight and warm.

By the end of that, Raphael was kissing me while everyone applauded us and cheered.

We walked together into the group but separated within a few seconds to interact with our friends. I went to my friends, and it was immediately after the girls hugged me that Catalina asked, “Dolores, are you happy?”

I was confused as I looked at my oldest friend, “Of course… why?”

“You don’t look the way you did on your wedding day,” Natalie mentioned, touching my hair, “there’s something in your eyes.”

My friends don’t know how bad it gets, I’m out here…

Raphael came through the crowd, laughing with his friends as he took my arm and pulled me away from the girls. He spun me and brought me into his arms to kiss me in front of everyone.

I smiled up at my husband, trying to forget what my friends had said for a moment.

Raphael was on fire, and when everyone left, he turned and kissed me in the entry way of the house, “Let me take off your wedding dress.”

I nodded my head up at him, kissing him back.

He led me to the bedroom and stood behind me, tossing his jacket down on a seat beside the bed. He started to untie my dress from the back, and his hands were as hot as I loved them.

My body trembled as the dress came off my body and I stood there braless with lacey white panties. He touched my lower body with his burning hands, and then he spanked my ass, bending me over onto the bed.

I moaned and held onto the sheets, as I felt him start to trace his fingers along my panty line. He tugged on them, taking them off my body, then slipping two fingers immediately into my pussy.

“Raphael…” I gasped, my head turning slightly to try and see him.

He held onto my hair and buried my face into the sheets, “shh… don’t make a sound. The kids are asleep…”

“Mmm…” I bit back my moans, my body trembling against his fingers.

Within just a few seconds, he replaced the fingers with his cock. It was rock hard and I was red hot, I felt my world spinning around me as he rammed himself all the way in.

“Fuuuck, Raphael…” it actually hurt a little, I came to realize, but I couldn’t stop moving my ass to meet his thrusts.

He put my legs up on the bed, and continued to thrust into me from a better angle, his hand squeezing onto my hips. He was so angry, all of a sudden — I could feel it. Especially, when his free hand slammed down to spank my ass.

“Aaa,” I felt myself beginning to drool, as the feeling of his power came over me. He was so sexy, even messily dressed like my husband. I love him…

He grabbed all my hair with the same free hand that spanked me, and he pulled it back really hard as he thrusts got harder, “do you like that? Be quiet! Shut it… the kids, Lola… calm it…”

I was breathing out into the sky, my head being pulled back by his strong hand. I reached a hand up to my mouth, covered it up, and moaned, my eyes swooning along.

He let go of my hair and eventually flipped me over onto my back. Still, we were just at the foot of the bed. He stood, and plowed into me, facing me.

He wouldn’t break eye contact as he started another fight.

His thrusts slowed for a second, “Why were you and my boss talking next to the girls? Were you starting something with my boss? It seemed very private.”

“He was congratulating us,” I responded, annoyed, moving my hips along his cock, trying to encourage him, “no one is like you, Raphael… why do you think I’m interested in anyone else?”

“He’s an old man, you’re my gorgeous wife… Screw me for not wanting people like that around you,” Raphael spitefully spoke, but he continued his thrusts, this time though he was hurting me even more.

I didn’t know what to do, I was melting into it, moaning and staring up at him with sweet eyes. “Raphael… why are you so jealous? Why?”

“You’re always ready to be fucked,” he expressed angrily, pinching my nipples even as I tried to push his hands away from them, “you had nothing under your dress. Stupid…”

“Fuuuck, stop! Don’t touch me there… ahhh…” I was trembling, moving along his cock though, my pussy wetter than ever.

“You wanted that? Didn’t you… You wanted to be fucked by somebody else at this party… Who the fuck was it? Who were you naked for, slut?” Raphael started escalating, his voice getting meaner. He slapped my face, very lightly at first.

I didn’t even think he had meant it, I thought he was just joking. So I teased, “who do you think, big guy?”

He slapped me across the face real hard this time, enough to where I called out in surprise, “hey!”

“Fuck as if I know. There were too many men there, and you don’t have a type, you’ll take whatever you can get,” he said it so spitefully, but continued his aggressive thrusts.

Each one was reaching into my stomach, and I was moaning desperately, kissing him and trying to get him to get over it. But his fingers crept up around my neck, and he started to squeeze real hard as he continued to kiss me.

“I could fucking kill you,” he whispered against my lips as his grip got so tight that I thought I was seeing different colors in my vision, “I could fucking kill you… you know that, why?”

His thrusts didn’t stop, not for a second. I was lost in all the pleasure, my eyes dimmed, my skin got light, but I kissed him back every time he kissed me.

When he loosened his grip, I moaned, “Raphael… daddy… please… take it easy on me. You’re being so mean.”

I felt his fingers pull off my neck, and he pulled out. I thought it was over, but he sat down on the love seat by the bed, and he spoke, “come here.”

“What if I don’t? You’re going to hurt me, I know that,” I told him, standing up from the edge of the bed and starting to back up.

Before I could even run, he had me by the arm. I struggled against him, only for him to pull me up off the ground, and onto his hard cock. He slid me down, and I moaned as he walked me over to the love seat.

As I started to struggle again, he quickly took charge and made it clear to me that I wasn’t escaping him until he came. He made himself comfortable in the seat, and started thrusting up to meet me very quickly.

My breasts bounced along with each thrust, and at first he suckled on them happily and gingerly. Then he quickly started to bite a little more, suck and leave hickeys all over them.

I clutched onto him, “stop leaving hickeys…” I tried to pull away, but he pulled me right back on, harshly.

Tell me that nobody else touches you like I do, like I do, oh, tell me that nobody else touches you like me.

“Why? So another man can use your body instead of me? I’m your husband. This is mine,” he touched all over my body, sucking on my breasts and slamming my pussy down on his thrusting cock.

“I’m all yours but I won’t be able to wear tank tops if you leave hickeys all over my breasts,” I explained, riding him and moaning as I did.

“Maybe you shouldn’t even be wearing anything that shows your body,” he finally said, wrapping his hands around my throat as he aggressively thrusted up into me, “have some respect for me… Even your wedding dress… The slit? Off the shoulder? Did you do all of that the first time to seduce Julius?”

He was squeezing too tight for me to respond, so I only moved my hips along with his thrusts. His aggression was hard to match but I wouldn’t be put to shame by him.

He released one hand from the suffocating grip, but this hand smacked my face real hard. He hadn’t hit me that badly since before my birthday.

Finally, he groaned, his thrusts slamming all the way up to my cervix, “fuuuck… I’m cumming, take it, Lola…”

Is it sad that I still came with him? I trembled against my husband as he finished inside my body, I happily took every drop. Even though he had just hit me, I forgave him… I had to…

Undated diary entry, presumed to be between December 2028 and April 2029:

How did I start to forgive him for everything?

He hits me every few days, my kids have heard or caught glances. It’s weird how everything has changed, suddenly.

He says no to therapy, he says no to rehab, he says using doesn’t make him a bad person, he says… so many things. I’m tired of listening to all of it, but I never stop loving him.

I excuse it to myself: he’s never been violent right in front of the kids and they don’t seem to understand.

April 3, 2029.

On this day, they understood.

Eden is two, her hair is curly and goes to her shoulders. Her eyes are dark like her father’s, but she’s got my eye shape. She sits on her own having her dinner, her big brothers sit on either side of her.

I smile when I see them all together, they’re growing up so fast. Theo’s blue eyes meet mine from across the table and he smiles at me. After smiling back at my eldest, I turned my attention to my middle, my honey-eyed Leon.

Our eyes were reflections of each other, we were very similar, but sometimes he was too serious. For him, I made a face, making him laugh quickly.

My eyes went to my youngest again, and her dark eyes were smiling up at me. She had a big grin on her face and was trying to explain that my joke was funny, “mama… Leon…”

That’s when the door opened, and Raphael came storming in. I don’t know, to this day, what he was thinking that day.

“HOLY FUCK!” Raphael screamed at the entry way of the house, followed by slamming the door shut.

The whole house shook, and Eden bounced, her eyes widened. Leon looked startled, but he was protective of his sister and had turned to her instinctively. Theo’s eyes had widened and he turned his attention to the hall, “dad?”

He rushed into view, and when he saw me, his eyes were full of rage. He came at me in front of the kids and next thing I know, I’m on the ground staring up at Raphael.

He punched me in the face multiple times, I don’t know why — I don’t get it to this day. I don’t know if he was planning on stopping, but he only pulled away when Theo rushed behind him.

Theo hit Raphael’s leg multiple times, and Leon screamed from his chair, “GO AWAY DAD!” He was hiding his sister with his little arms.

Theo shoved Raphael away from me, stepping in between us and hugging me tightly, “stop it! If you’re going to hit my mama, you have to hit me first!”

Something must have snapped in Raphael, because he sobered up, apologizing, “I didn’t mean to hit your mama, Theo, I’m sorry.”

“You hit mama a lot!” Theo turned to him so angrily, I’d never seen a five year old so pissed off, especially not my happy-go-lucky Theo, “Look at her! You’re a mean father.”

Raphael, I guess attempting to calm the kids down, went over to Eden and picked her up, “come on, everyone, it’s okay… it wasn’t something you should take seriously.”

Eden hadn’t made a sound since her dad came in, but now — in Raphael’s arms — she started to scream at the top of her lungs. She pushed, cried, and hit him with little balled up fists, “down!”

He listened and put her down in her seat, Eden’s eyes were full of tears and she ran over to hug me. I pulled her into my arms, along with Theo, but Leon was staring at his dad.

Leon’s eyebrows were furrowed angrily and he was just staring at his dad, “don’t touch me. We’re not friends.”

Raphael sighed and walked away to calm down. Leon quickly jumped off the chair and ran over to me once he was gone.

All three of my kids burst into tears and I just held them. Why did he do this?

Stressful day today actually ~ In other news, this post took me soo long to write! Hope everyone enjoyed it <3 I know it ends abruptly but that's fine... The next post will be for (at least) April 4, 2029 and we're going to get a resolution to this last incident.

SONG REFERENCES Fishtail by Lana del Rey Asylum by Elijah Blond Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat by Del Water Gap

[thegreatobsesso]

HELLO I MISS YOU!! Tell me what Callie and Riley and everyone have been up to lately. I need my fix.

I... fffffcuking adore you. ☺️☺️☺️ I miss you too, I think about you and your OCs all the time and I mean to catch up on what you have been up to soon. I've been all over the place lately. 👻

Right now as of where I am in draft two, Callie is at Delaney, helping defeat magical racism and learning how nice it feels to be a part of a group and do good things. She's getting really close to figuring out how to actually belong somewhere and be authentic instead of playing a role she thinks people will find impressive.

Riley is somewhere else, helping the magical racists do terrible science experiments on magicians in the hopes that she can use the results to rid herself of her own magic. Meanwhile, she's also courting their enemies, the magic supremacists, to discover the key to longer life because the fucked up experiments she's doing might just kill her before she manages to discover the secrets she's looking for.

During this phase of the books they only interact twice, both times via the telephone. I'll share the first one because it's a personal favorite. :D

Adding my tag list because I never use it anymore and quite frankly, I don't know why.

@avrablake​ @adie-dee​ @dontjudgemeimawriter​ @ryorine​ @thelaughingstag​ @winterandwords​ @afoolandathief​ @asomeoneperson​ @cedar-west​ @diphthongsfordays​ @lowslore​ @poetinprose​ @cilly-the-writer​​​​​​​​ @harps-for-days

Callie POV

It wasn’t a big deal. It really, honestly wasn’t.

She dialed, and waited. One ring. Two rings. She wasn’t going to answer and hell, that was probably for the best. 

Three rings, four rings. And actually, this was fine, it was- 

“Hello?” 

Fuck, shit, fuck.

She sounded the same. Riley was on the other end of the line sounding the same, the same way she sounded in Callie’s head.

“Hi,” she managed. “It’s... Callie.” 

A pause. “Oh.” 

This was a mistake, a terrible mistake, what was she supposed to- 

“It’s been awhile. Why are you calling?” 

She swallowed the growl in the back of her throat. No need for niceties anyway, she didn’t call to chit-chat and she didn’t need to pretend otherwise, didn’t want to prolong this, so, fine. “I’m calling because I need your help,” she said. 

Silence on the other end of the line except for some distant clicking, metal on glass. “Do you?” 

Two syllables - how could someone inject so much infuriating presumption into two syllables? She could hear one of Riley's eyebrows go up, a perfect inverted V. 

"We do," she modified quickly. “The world's going to shit, and we're trying to..." 

Subvert the government? Fuck the police? How could she convey this without saying it outright? 

“Is this about SISA?” 

“Maybe,” she decided on. She couldn’t tell everything, not over the phone and not to a heartless, manipulative bitch who’d feed her own babies to the wolves. “We're trying to help, and we could use you." She bit her tongue. "Please,” she managed begrudgingly.

"Why me?" Riley asked evenly. “You call me out of the blue when I’m sure Simon Bennett could have a hundred scientists by his side in a second if he asked for them. You’re asking me. Why?” 

Ooh, she hadn’t figured it out - what a wonderful surprise. "Because it's about me," she said, a flutter of pleasure in her stomach at being out ahead for once. "And nobody knows more about how I work than you do." 

Silence, again - pornographically satisfying silence, and she wished so dearly she could see Riley's face, watch her try not to look interested. How strange, that they spent so little time together and still, Riley's micro-expressions were burned into her memory in merciless detail. Even now when she tried to picture Bennett, he came to her like a cartoon. Two-dimensional; heavy lines and exaggerated features. Riley was a living photograph. Why was that? 

“I’m actually intrigued,” she admitted, with an edge to her voice that almost made Callie believe it. “But I can’t.” 

"Why not?" 

"Because I've got a life of my own," Riley said simply. "And as helpful as you were to me in a single point in time, it doesn't revolve around you." 

Her cheeks caught fire. Tears welled up out of nowhere and she blinked furiously, gripping the phone hard enough to snap it in two. 

"Fine," she gulped. "Eat shit and die then, we’ll do it without you.” 

"Callie," Riley said, just as she was about to hang up and possibly throw the phone across the room. "How are you?" 

She misheard - must've. "What?"

"Are you okay?" 

Nothing could've pinned her to the spot quite like that simple question, with seemingly no ulterior motive to fuel it. Was she okay? 

“Y-yeah," she stammered, like a fucking idiot. "I guess so. Um. How are you?" 

A pause. "I'm alright,” Riley said. The sides of her face tingled. "Take care of yourself, Callie." 

The line went dead, but she sat there holding the phone anyway. 

One time at Bible camp, she jumped into a lake from twenty feet up without plugging her nose and she swore water shot straight up into her brain. She surfaced gagging and crying, water and snot streaming down her chin. It burned all the way through her skull, just like this. 

Yikes, Bennett sent across the bridge, even though he wouldn't have really said that word, it was just that sort of feeling, sympathetic surprise. That bad? 

She hung up the phone numbly. Fire-water, all the way up in her brain. 

what is wrong with me, she sent. She felt fucked up. She refused to qualify it any further. 

Bennett, on the other end of the bridge, was busy measuring his words with extraordinary caution. You wouldn’t be the first, he said carefully. 

She wiped at her eyes furiously. first to what. 

To... you know. Fall for somebody that’s bad for you. 

Screeching brakes. Spinning wheels. Her brain flipped off the side of the road. I HAVEN’T I DIDN’T I DON’T I’M NOT-

Okay, okay. Bennet backed away. We’ll figure this out without her, don’t worry. 

She wasn’t worried, not about that. For a hot second she wasn’t even worried about Grace anymore. She was really only worried about how utterly fucked she was and didn’t even know it until just now.

[pocketdragonpub]

Meet the Artist: Rikichi!

The Pocket Dragon Pub is made up of a backstage team of ttrpg lovers and creatives that enjoy telling a good story and making a good show. The artists at the Pub have been creating stellar work for the show since we started, and now its the Pub's turn to let them shine! Our tavern keeper sat down for a little chit chat with the artists at the Pocket Dragon, Rikichi and Bookish. Here's what they said, along with their personal favorite peice that they've made for the Pub!

First up, our wonderful guest artist, Rikichi. She's an incredible individual who's very focused on her art career! Her favorite piece actually comes from our new show, Weal or Woe: A TTRPG Review- specifically, the mouse victory party from The Pocket Dragon's play through of Mausritter!

TK: How did you get into art? Tell us a little about your story as an artist.

Rikichi: I’ve been drawing art since I was very little but didn’t dedicate fully until I was in middle school. The art I did was directionless until I was introduced to anime (specifically, Bleach haha!) at 13 years old and had the “a-ha!” moment of: “I want to write stories like that!” I started doing digital art in 2017 (two years out of high school) and I feel like I’m really behind in my progress compared to others since I’ve been working full time since I was 18 and never had time to fully commit to my hobby/dream. I’ve also never received any formal art training outside of middle and high school but I’m hoping to go to art college someday. I came to the realization that life is short and it’s better late than never! Despite my severe ADHD, I’m now fully dedicating myself to fulfill my dream of writing and publishing my own work of fiction.

TK: What was the most challenging part of illustrating the Mausritter victory party piece?

Rikichi: Making sure the background didn’t distract from the foreground, while also making the background still intelligible. 

TK: What would you say is the most challenging part of creating commission based work?

Rikichi: The most challenging part of creating commission work is constantly wanting to go back and make sure the piece is “perfect”. Artists are their own worst critics. You will always find things that you’ll want to fix even when you should be finished!

TK: What would you say was the most interesting part of creating the Mouse Victory Party?

RIkichi: I wanted to have a “the heroes ride into the sunset” vibe without losing all lighting in the shot, so I thought adding fireflies hanging onto blades of grass to work as “string lights” for the festival would be cute!

TK: Which show/episode of the Pocket Dragon Pub would you recommend watching?

Rikichi: You should watch Weal or Woe, specifically the play throughs of Mausritter and Candela Obscura!!

TK: Are there any personal projects that people should be looking out for? Where can the find you to get updates about your art?

Rikichi: I’m continuing to hone my craft and one day release a D&D fantasy comic and a Sci-Fi Fantasy comic in the future! You can get updates on Tik Tok, YouTube, and Twitch at my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/rikichi

TK: Is there anything else you want to add to this interview?

Rikichi: Thank you for having me!! I’m looking forward to seeing you all again next time~!

[boyswanna-be-her]

Ok phew im pleasantly exhausted with this person, and relieved that there's a limit. I'm still second-guessing myself after manicgate and had been carefully asking myself "am i unnaturally 'funding' energy I don't have because someone is paying attention to me?" but today was a balanced day where I STILL spent ~7 hours with them, in addition to like working on other projects! Spending time alone! Developing my program for Saturday! Got a chip repaired in my car windshield (thanks for nothing louisiana) and went on a walk in a weird park. Took care of all my responsibilities, ate three meals, etc.

My friend slotted nicely into the other things I was doing. We had an extremely chill morning as a duo at the clinic with 3-5 protesters throughout the sessions, all of whom were intimidated enough not to talk to us OR approach any clients, which I've never encountered before. Wonderful. We literally sat in camping chairs with our feet up in my trunk reading for the majority, although I feel like when we both have the energy, we never run out of things to talk about. Then we co-worked this afternoon a few hours after the end of our clinic shift at their favorite spot to work (which I'd never visited before). I came back to the beach and resumed normal life. They pinged me after dinner to ask if I wanted to voice chat (??? idk, that's new) and I said thank you and that I was catching up on TV.

it didn't feel clingy or anything, it feels like when you're a child and your best new friend from class wants you to come over to play and how nice and validating that is. but I'm just like... respectfully, no, I'll be seeing you in person in <12 hours at the clinic again, and then we're coworking (finishing a major project together tomorrow! Phew glad to be done) and then after dinner (where im committed elsewhere), I'm going back to their place again for stronglifts.

I'm enthused that they're enthralled by my... friendship (or whatever??? If it's not something beyond friendship, they're intellectually very down to clown in a way that i've never experienced before without it leading to something distinctly non platonic) and it's nice to be where I'm at in this dynamic (an equal give and take of time and resources, reliance and support, jokes and down to work shit, and reassuringly i'm almost never the one initiating).

Anyway, I'm just like. Okay! I'm sated. We good. Would love to talk to you tonight but I'm also not at that "let's chit chat with irl voices while I'm sleepy" stage yet, although the potential for that is something I would've def hardcore jumped on before I was concentrating on centering and more eager to define things. I don't wanna do the co-dependency thing again any time soon, even when somone has planted many green flags, even with someone my community has verified independently as a good person who isn't just love-bombing me, even with someone cute and smart (and unexpectedly significantly stronger than me? holy shit??). Reaching an organic limit of energy I can set aside for them feels like a really healthy place to be with it right now.

[rkhemlani]

June 20th - Osaka Day Trip (Last Day)

Wow, this is the last blog post and I am definitely in my feels writing this. This past month has been real and it’s definitely going to be hard to say bye to both Japan and the people on this trip. I really hope that we meet up in the fall and do something fun, maybe during sylly week or for Chelsea’s sign-night. This group is definitely a little weird, but I love it. However, I do miss home and all the things that come with that including hooping, going to the beach, playing poker, and spending time with friends and family. Whether it was going to see a kabuki play or sipping a much-needed drink on the top of a gorgeous rooftop bar with beautiful views of the city, this trip has been nothing short of amazing and I am definitely glad that I was able to visit this interesting country with such interesting people. I do hope that my peers feel the same way. I’m going to miss playing Uno and gaslighting people to buy me ice cream the most. Ok, now that the sentimental part is over, time for the actual blog post. Today, I woke up extra early and went to Starbucks (where I didn’t see girl Sam surprisingly) and got a strawberry donut and did some work. I came back and got ready for the day. Today’s lecture really just consisted of our favorite parts of the trip and what we thought the professor could’ve done to improve it. We commenced our Osaka day trip with an hour-long train ride, which we were able to pass the time through a shared music experience through Spotify. Imagine having Apple Music, I feel sorry for you. We got to Osaka, where we immediately split for lunch and our group got cut off from the small group of five that had the best curry on the trip unfortunately. Our katsu was ok. We met with the class again and headed to Osaka castle. We took pics here and it was hot so I kept kidding around by pretending that I was at a prom after-party by unbuttoning all my buttons on my white shirt. You had to be there. Vishnu likes taking strange pics of me when I randomly lick my lips and had my shirt unbuttoned. I also taught the group how to properly griddy here (that’s a dance move mom). I felt cool in the moment because I hit it well and then flipped my fan out at the same time. Afterwards, we hopped on the train again and went to a neighborhood that was supposed to mimic American culture, but other than the McDonald’s, there wasn’t anything distinctly American. Then we kept walking where we eventually split for the last time as a group in the heart of Osaka. I had a strawberry ice cream, thanks to Vishnu. We then did some thrift shopping, but at first I couldn’t find anything. Xander and I also took a break and we got smoothies; I got an acai flavored one that was extremely refreshing. Everyone was buying goods, and my wallet was itching to spend money, because I love shopping but wasn’t finding anything. Eventually, at the last store we went to, I found a lovely Dior sweater that I believe was reasonably priced for what it was. After that, I led the group of Xander, Sebastian, Nico, Aulora, Casey, Chelsea, and Eliza to team-labs Osaka. Vishnu met up with us because he had gone to the Osaka aquarium. It was cool and relaxing to walk through the garden that was decorated with changing lights and interesting designs. Some of us (Xander, Vishnu, Aulora, Chelsea, Casey, and I) headed to a local restaurant, where most of us got pork yakisoba. After that it took us a while to get back to the hotel because there were delays on the train due to a derailment. I showered and got ready to go to bed, but Nico and I went to Family Mart first to get some sweets and have a good chit-chat. We love chit-chatting and talking chisme (gossip). 

Academic Reflection

By the end of this course, it is evident that all of us students have learned so much, even if we haven’t always done the dense readings. We learned about the youth sub-culture of Japan with anime and manga, while also learning about the traditional aspects such as tea ceremonies, history of cities, and Buddhism. I found it incredibly interesting that on one street, one can find beautiful traditional temples with ornate gardens and then several blocks over, the entire street would be adorned with lights, colors, advertisements, and anime characters. 

The previous reading was concerned with the urban organization/planning of Osaka and Kobe (shoutout Vishnu). As Professor Smith explained, Osaka was previously a major merchant city that heavily relied on movement and trading of goods, which fostered a more casual environment and societal structure. In class, we discussed how buildings are constantly being destroyed and taller, more modern buildings are constructed, leading to a constantly new skyline. It also contributes to a decrease in traditional buildings. This method contrasts that of Europe, in which many cities will purposefully place regulations to keep the traditional scenery of the city. Cities in Japan definitely display a greater mix of modern buildings with traditional buildings compared to cities in Europe that typically have separate zones for traditional building areas and modern building areas.