#but calling a high school a brat makes a lot more sense

[lecliss]

Found out through some optional Kuhn dialogue that Haseo is still high school age and uh. I mean him being an edgelord already made sense but now. It makes even more sense. Hes a teen, of course hes like this.

[i-cant-sing]

Saya want know how Qasim look,are you have proposal?(≡・x・≡)

(pics below) Qasim, the brother, is older than reader by 5 years. He has chocolate brown hair, thick messy locks, and green eyes. He's gifted with eiditic/photographic memory which made him excel in school and he obviously had a high IQ as well. Doesnt mean reader thinks he's intelligent. Sure, Qasim is book smart, but he's not- street smart. Y/n has been the one to often make him realise that his friends were taking advantage of him by making him do their homework, or that they were laughing at him not with him because of his intellect. But reader chalks it up to his sweet nature, her goody-two-shoes of a brother who was hafidh (memorised the Quran) would always be the forgiving person. Its not that he was a pushover, he just... preferred to be the bigger person. Always. He'd chuckle and ruffle your hair "so what if I cleaned up their mess? it only took me 5 minutes and the job was done. Its okay, Y/n." He's always so selfless. You used to worry that he'd get hurt because he's too kind, you used to think he couldnt stand up for himself because he just didnt know when to- but no. Qasim was quite protective over you. When he saw you trying to tackle one of his so-called bullies, the boy towering over you (but you dont consider the height advantage, not when youre a raging kitten), Qasim stepped in and landed a single punch that knocked him down. (then big bro had to spend the rest of the day consoling u because you made him fight someone- and in ur head, that was the biggest sin u made him commit).

Qasim in Arabic means "the generous one" or "the one who shares", and being the older bro, he took his name quite literally. You were the younger sibling, the spoiled brat, the princess! But Qasim never had any problems with sharing anything with you, be it materialistic things or advice or even knowledge. You memorised Quran by his help (because u were competitive) and he had the extraordinary patience of a saint. You two would often participate in competitions at the local mosque just to get the cash prize and help your parents a bit (they never took ur guys money, encouraging u to either save it or spend it on something). Since both of your parents worked long hours, you two were left unsupervised for a long time and that only meant genius yet chaotic shenanigans, including prank calls to the pentagon hq.

Qasim grew up to get a lot of full ride scholarships from top colleges, and once he did his masters (a STEM major), he decided to start his own travel agency, surprising everyone because it seemed like something he wouldnt do? Everyone expected him to go into sciences, but he said he liked to travel and see the world, and Qasim told you that he enjoys running his own business, being your own business.

You supposed it made sense because he was a polyglot and he did enjoy learning new things and seeing new places, their history, etc. Due to his job, he would be gone for long months at a time, but he never returned empty handed. His arms full of souvenirs and sweets and BOOKS! Its not that he bought them for u, no. He bought those books for himself, but once he read them- he's already memorised it and he doesnt have anymore space in his home for more books, so he's always dropping them by your place (as kids, u made him memorise the phonebook before hiding the entire neighbourhoods phone books and had people pay to use your brother's memory for contacts, which was a good business until your father busted it down).

Qasim is the softest, kindest, most generous person. Even though he has a busy schedule due to work, he always made time for you. Whenever he came by, especially during your finals season, not only did he help you study, but he would also stock up your fridge and made sure to do some maintenance around your house. Fridge not working? Qasim has the tools, and if you werent so tied up with studying, you wouldve freaked out over him disassembling your fridge like lego. Sink clogged? No need for the plumber, Qasim knows the right potion of chemicals to unclog it. He's always been the one to prefer to do things himself, by his hand rather than relying on help.

what do u guys think???

[mako-neexu]

all guda related stuff in mahoyo collab

summoning as a highly complicated magecraft -> highly intact sense of self, magical energy, magical crest, sheer willpower........you who is light and equally dark....

casual comments/banter to the people they trust

guda getting shocked of all things at a talking bird www

gudako -> young girl that likes to jog every morning

gudao -> brat that likes small time candy store sweets

UGH the further emphasis on Servants being familiars that no one - not anyone should just use (exceptional...)

stressing the role of a 'Master'

'I also make mistakes a lot'

"I still don't see what's so special about summoning."

guda screams during summons? lmao kind of reminds me of mash with lord camelot

the way guda just refers to other people as 'that another human' www (i know 'person' is more accurate but to me it sounds like an alien in disguise calling someone as 'fellow human' ww)

Of COURSE guda knows how to stop their own pulse

disbelief. perhaps gut feeling. guda's perception of death to others. (i guess in the face of unnatural they would doubt it. but considering Id chapter, it would depend on the person and how theyre closest to?)

'more like tobimaru' 'more like soujyuurou' getting angry on behalf of someone without letting it show as well... i Understand.

THE TOPIC OF AGING KILLS ME. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE HESITANT????? dont yokuwakaranaina ME????

Don't face world-ending disasters alone

IM CRYING OH MY GOD IM NOT WELL "did you sleep well?" "i slept peacefully because the night was quiet and nice" AUGH GUDAAAAA😭

probably nothing of note but additional descriptor to guda is that they look like a college student as compared to previous descriptions of being 'high school student'.......

not being good at horror stories 🥹 reminds me of summer 5...

(unwell) i forget about guda's tactical prowess sometimes (lies) + guda's mention of the looking glass reminds me of berkercas valentines...

Subtle but gudao's reaction to beating down kashin is 'exhausted or relieved' meanwhile for dako she has the 'doubt' in her dialogue

subtle again but theres a hesitance to guda when asked about what the future looked like. but their second option is saying "eh there arent any flying cars anyways"

ahh okay now i know the crypto stuff guda said. its from gudao. is this MHX's influence lmao. gudao youre advertising crypto seriously? ww

guda casually joking about the times they astral project out of their body likes its nothing and mash is not normal either of course and treats it as regular occurrences. well, its regular but for a normal average person in the 21st century, it certainly isnt ww

GUDA ONCE AGAIN PROVING that despite being 'camera' for us players, they actively hide information and i am not over that fact. (knowing who the culprit is before most of the rest-)

guda not hesitating at ALL to rayshift back to 1999 where the end of the world was supposed to happen www

Ah!! To encourage kinomi in confessing, guda confessed their own out in the open!!!

A bakery with the one they love / A wish to reach the South Pole

You may not be able to have all of your dreams, your nights be peaceful, but I hope that you will still be rewarded at the end of your journey 😭

[wolfjackle-creates]

Ghost!Robin Part 4

Here's your next part of the Ghost!Robin fic for WIP Wednesday. I'm gonna start putting fic designation in the title field rather than WIP Wednesday because I think it makes it easier to read.

Also, everyone came out in numbers for last week's segment! Damn! Thank you and I'm glad so many of you are enjoying this little fic of mine. We'll probably get one more week of this before I go back to Bring Me Home, but it'll depend what I feel like. I want to rework some of what I have written next.

First, Previous

1.1k words + a 464 word Omake (cut scene)

----------

Tim asked more details on the specs of the PDA which Danny happily answered. The things he built with Tucker were always his favorite inventions.

“So are you in school to become an engineer or something?” asked Dick who’d gotten Damian calmed down and sitting. The boy had gotten his knife back and was spinning it in his hands. Bruce seemed to be fondly exacerbated by the scene. Robin had pulled out a ghostly weapon and was trying to copy Damian’s movements, though he wasn’t quite as adept.

Danny shook his head to Dick’s question. “Nah. Hard to get into engineering school when you fail high school.” Danny narrowed his eyes as Damian’s mouth opened, but Dick whispered in his ear again and the boy didn’t say anything.

“I ended up dropping out of high school and getting a GED,” said Tim. “It can work just as well.”

Robin was nodding along and pointing at himself, too. Had he died before he could complete his schooling, too?

“I’m sure. It’s just not a priority for me right now. I don’t need one for my job and I can’t become an astronaut because of my accident when I was fourteen.”

Dick was nodding, but Tim looked confused and asked, “Fourteen? I thought you had your accident when you were older?”

“Why would you think that?” Had he or Jazz made any reference to when his accident was? “No, it happened when I was fourteen. A few weeks before I started my freshman year of high school.

Before Tim could ask anything else, Steph called out from the other side of the room. “Did you say you wanted to be an astronaut? Totally awesome. What made you pick that?”

“I honestly don’t know why everyone doesn’t want to be astronauts! Space is so cool. We can learn so much about the universe by studying it in closer detail. And with how many aliens are now living at least part time on Earth, it only makes sense to explore and see what else might be out there.”

Bruce nodded at him. “I am sorry you aren’t able to become one.”

Danny just waved a hand in the air. “I came to terms with it a long time ago. And my current job is fine. Might not be what I would’ve chosen, but I’ve made it work for me.” Deciding he should change the subject before someone had the brilliant idea to ask more about his accident or job, he asked, “So what is for dinner, anyway? You’ve all talked about how amazing the food is, but what are we having?”

Someone tried to speak up, but Jason held up a hand. “I’m the one who helped Alfie cook. Demon-brat is vegetarian so we have a vegetarian curry. If you like meat, there’s a prime rib roast. Then a half dozen different sides—vegetables, rice, potatoes. Huge salad with all the fixings and a dozen different dressings to choose from. And dessert after.”

“Damn, that sounds amazing. I haven’t had a good home cooked meal in ages, so I’ve been looking forward to this.”

“Has your Grandpa been keeping you that busy?” asked Jazz.

“That, but also getting things in order to take this evening off. There’s just been a lot. I’m spending the night at yours, by the way.”

“I’d be offended if you didn’t.”

Danny knew he could rely on Jazz.

“Ooh, do you have any good stories about Jazz as a kid?” asked Jason.

Laughing, Danny said, “So many! But I don’t think we’ll be able to get to those tonight. I’ve a feeling you’ll be interested in other things by that point.” At his words, Robin grinned and pointed at himself. Danny gave him a slight nod to confirm that yes, they’d be talking about him.

Before Jason could ask for clarification, Alfred came in to announce dinner was ready.

Robin cheered and flew over to sit on Alfred’s shoulders, hand extended, to lead the way to the dinning room. Danny couldn’t hold back the chuckle and Jazz shot him a look which he ignored.

“There better be a place setting for you, Alfie!” called Jason as they followed.

“You made your opinion quite clear, Master Jason. And as I wish to meet your young lady and her brother as well, I have set myself a plate at the main table.”

Tim leaned over to whisper to Danny. “Alfred considers his role as butler very important. He rarely eats with the rest of us unless we join him in the kitchen.”

Danny nodded to show he understood, but had no idea how to actually reply to that. It seemed needlessly complicated.

Once they made it to the dining room, Danny grinned as Robin did a flip off of Alfred’s shoulders and landed sitting down on one of the place settings facing the associated chair. He bit his cheek to keep from laughing as Jason sat down at that same place. Jazz took a seat next to him and Danny sat to her other side. Dick ended up sitting next to him.

The scents of all the food wafting off the table made his mouth water and he closed his eyes just to breathe it in. “This smells amazing. Thanks Alfred. And Jason.”

Even Robin had moved to look over every dish, reaching out a hand to try and take something and sighing when he just phased through it.

Even Jazz looked a bit overwhelmed at the quantity of food. “This is so much effort. You didn’t have to do all this just for Danny and me.”

Bruce smiled at her. “It is so rare for all of us to be together for dinner so we make a spectacle of it any time it happens. And this is the first time Jason has ever brought anyone with him which makes it an even bigger event.”

Danny nudged her. “So, Jazz, what’s it like living with someone who can cook?”

Jason laughed. “Jazz isn’t allowed in the kitchen. You know, I caught her grabbing my chef’s knife before going into the fridge the other day!”

Danny furrowed his brow. “Of course she did. It’s a fridge.”

“Wait, is that a family trait? Why do you grab a knife to open the fridge? There’s gotta be a good story behind that.”

Before Danny could make the obvious statement regarding attacking food, Jazz elbowed him. “We’ll tell you later. It has to do with our parents and that’s a large topic and not one we should get into now.”

Before Danny could ask any questions about what the big deal was, Dick nudged him. “Which do you want—curry or beef?”

---------

Omake

Ignoring all of it, Danny shook his head and answered Dick. “Nah. Hard to get into college when you fail high school and are legally dead.”

Multiple people, including Jason, exclaimed at that statement and he looked to Jazz.

“Did Jazz not tell you about that? Our parents swear they saw my ghost and had me declared legally dead. I was missing at the time so the coroner agreed. Sighting the ghost of a missing person is all you need to confirm death in Amity.”

Under her breath, Jazz added, “You were only missing because they had you.”

Danny elbowed her and quietly chirped a Safe now.

Bruce was no longer smiling and was looking at Danny with narrowed eyes. “Your parents had you declared dead.”

“Yeah. It’s fine, though. I’ve an amazing doctor if I get into trouble. My grandfather is watching out for me. I’m financially stable. My partners are able to rent an apartment large enough for all three of us. I have other places to stay when I’m traveling. Honestly, it doesn’t impact my life all that much. Just means I’m not gonna go to college. And only reason I wanted to go to college was to be an astronaut, but my health makes that impossible.”

“Hn…” Bruce hummed.

And Danny had no idea what that meant, but Robin was now laughing, and Dick was exchanging grins with Tim, and Steph and Cass were whispering together. Damian was glaring at him even harder, blade hilt gripped in his hand. These people were strange.

Danny looked over at Jazz who shrugged. Jason was glaring at Bruce and said, “Don’t you dare.”

“Look, it’s really not a big deal. I know it’s kinda a messed up situation, but ghosts are generally treated really well in Amity. As well as any living human, at least. So long as you avoid the Guys in White and my parents that is. So outside of interactions with them, nothing has changed.”

“If you are ever in need of a place to stay or a meal or anything, you’ll have a room here,” offered Bruce.

Robin landed on Danny’s shoulders and was sending out happy-celebrate feelings. Steph handed Cass a few bills. Tim and Dick mimed giving each other fist bumps. Jason put his head in his hands and groaned. Duke was grinning at them all.

Damian half stood and said, “Father—!”

But Dick was at his side and pulling him back down to the couch with an arm around his shoulders, hand over his mouth, and whispering into his ear before he could do more than say the one word.

“Seriously, it’s not a big deal.” Trying to think of anyway to change the subject, he asked, “So what’s for dinner, anyway?”

And for the Tag List! (Which absolutely exploded this week. Holy shit.)

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Next

@addie-lover-of-stories, @justwannabecat, @gin2212, @amercurio, @regonold, @overtherose, @readerzj, @sjrose1216, @echoednonny, @deeterzz, @blu-lilac, @number-one-jew, @rowanaway-fromthisbs, @vythika96, @tired-yet-awaken, @themirrorghost, @all-mights-asscheeks, @darkhinauniverse, @blep-23, @phandomhyperfixationblog, @larkcoe1, @thegatorsgoose, @job-ross-the-second, @britcision, @lenacraft, @bubblemixer, @androgynouslordofescapism, @purefrickingspite, @leftmiraclechaos, @lizisipancardo, @starlight-sparks, @miraculousandmore, @gildedphoenix, @sometimesthingsfallapart, @letmesayfuxk, @phoenixcatch7, @skulld3mort-1fan, @abaowo, @dhampir-princess, @idkmrpianoman, @sarina-elais, @ballzfrog-blog, @undead-essence, @spookytragedyshark, @emeraldcorpral

The celebration post for 100 followers will be going out in another day or two! I've just had a really busy few weeks and didn't do as much writing as I was hoping for. But I hope to finish writing today and then I'll just take a few hours to edit.

[all-pacas]

I saw some of your posts saying how observant and clever Chase is,while also being a "dumb whore". I feel like this is the right place to say that I don't find his "ditzy slut" moments funny in isolation,without taking his cunning,calculating traits into account. If Chase is just a "himbo",it takes away the shock value(not to mention I've seen way funnier "simple dumbasses" than "isolated Chase moments"). On the other hand,a guy who can clearly think on his feet making terrible mistakes that could be avoided by a bit of common sense is a recipe for hilarious "wtf?" moments. Like,I've seen you deduce stuff with striking accuracy with minimal information,how did you come with such an inane conclusion? It's what they call "high intelligence,low wisdom".

Also,I saw a post of you saying Foreman is "book-smarter" than Chase,while the latter is more observant and a "people-person",besides having more "improvising" skills. This is certainly interesting,considering their backgrounds(Foreman was raised in the hood,had some involvement with gangs;whereas Chase was a rich brat with many opportunities. One would think their skillsets would be inverted,lol)

Even before I finished reading this comment, I was planning on making a "he's a high in/low wisdom," so thanks for making that joke for me, lol.

The thing is, Chase is legitimately very lazy. Or like. He works hard and he's very good at his job, but I think it's interesting that both his specialties are… obviously to be a doctor you have to be smart, but he has very hands on specialties. His job isn't to memorize and know everything about auto-immune diseases, his job is to be great at cutting people open and fixing them. Again, I am well aware surgeons and intensive care takes a lot of knowledge! But it's interesting to me, you know? He definitely comes off as less cerebral.

And he's deeply unambitious. He spends half the show in a fellowship, a training program, because he's more comfortable there. Cameron and Foreman have a subplot about writing articles; we never hear anything about Chase doing the same. House literally has to fire Chase to get him off the team. Where Foreman is always desperately trying to prove himself and be the best doctor in the room, and where Cameron is honestly also deeply competitive and demands respect, Chase… we joke about him being spineless, he is spineless, but also he never really seems to mind it. He doesn't care. He does not seem offended Foreman keeps getting put in charge, nor does he really want it for himself. He has the most seniority of the fellows, but never plays it up; he's fine where he is. And I think that's where his 'laziness' comes in. He just… doesn't try very hard. Very rich kid of him, tbh. He coasts whenever possible.

Meanwhile Foreman is a huge perfectionist, and has a huge inferiority complex. He is the first to tell everyone he had perfect grades (he tells Chase a time or two), went to top schools, has a perfect resume, because Foreman derives a lot of his self worth from being able to say that: if he's the best, no one can say he doesn't belong. I think it's because of his background that he's like this: he's a Black man from a Bad Neighborhood and has a Record and he's absolutely aware what that makes him in the eyes of others. He can't afford to be like Chase — Chase can get away with being lazy and unambitious because he's a rich, good looking, white guy (and foreign, at that — but the good kind of foreign, who speaks English as a first language and comes from a rich and successful family). If Foreman acted like Chase — like he didn't give a shit about his career, like he was just working for House for the hell of it — it would look different. It would feel different. Foreman is a perfectionist and has an inferiority complex because his whole life the world has told him he's not as good, he's doomed to "turn out" bad, he won't and can't amount to anything because of who he is. Cameron is assertive and ambitious and gets really touchy when people underestimate or overlook her, because she's sensitive and kind and weak (Foreman himself tells Cameron he thinks she needs to "toughen up"), and so she also constantly has to prove herself, and that she can be a Good Doctor And Leader while still being compassionate and soft. Again, Chase doesn't have to worry about any of this. He can be unambitious and easy-going about his career, because it doesn't really matter to him in the same way. He doesn't have to be the best student or get the best marks and have the best record. He has very little to prove.

And in a way, Chase is in the same kind of perception trap as the others. Not to suggest he has it soooo much worse than Foreman, but because he's a Rich Good Looking Dude, you kind of expect him to be a nepobaby. You kind of expect him to be useless and underqualified and shallow. To coast on his looks and to not have brains and have no idea how to manage in the Real World. It's definitely how Foreman sees Chase — he says as much, and lowkey hates him for it, and fair enough — but again what's interesting to me is where it isn't quite true. Chase is brilliant, when he cares enough to try. His apathy is learned, not born from an easy life; he comes off as cool and easy-going but holds grudges and resentments and trauma about two inches down. He's afraid of rejection and trying and failing, and so stays in his comfort zones. But where Foreman spends all his time and energy trying to prove the entire world wrong, to fight every automatic perception of who he is as a person, Chase leans in to his own facade. I actually think that S8 Foreman is a pretty happy person. I think S8 Chase, Chase MD in House's office, is at least 70% miserable.

[jeiku-whalelele]

Bungou Stray Dogs ✦ Normal AU

・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・

⚕ These HCs might not even make sense. EW.

( •̯́ ^ •̯̀) I'm sorry that some of them are super-duper random / confusing.

𓆩♡𓆪 Advice / compliments / comments are appreciated!

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ.

↪ Although I personally love the headcanon of Atsushi and Ryuunosuke being roomates, I feel like the Akutagawa siblings would live together instead (because one of them is an overprotective brat)

↪ Ryuunosuke works in the Port Mafia Studios as a V-Tuber. No one knows of this, except for Gin and the Port Mafia company.

↪ Gin works as a V-Tuber designer for their customisable avatars. Her job is able to grant the two of them a small house near their university.

↪ The siblings go to Yokohama University, the one that most of the cast go to as well.

↪ Atsushi and Kyouka would live together and Kyouka would definitely cook because Atsushi probably has no idea how to / burned the kitchen down before in a pathetic attempt to. Most of the time they just have take-away.

↪ Kyouka loves crepes; every weekend Atsushi takes her to the local crepe café and they get the sweetest things known to humankind. Atsushi always ends up paying, though.

↪ That's also how they met Lucy M. Montgomery, a worker at the café. They find out that Lucy also goes to Kyouka's high school and sometimes, when Atsushi drives Kyouka to school, he picks up Lucy too.

↪ Lucy lives in a small house with Louisa and Poe. They both have important jobs working in the Fitzgerald Policy Bank, which is how they have so much money. However, Lucy wants to be more independent so she also has a job at a café to help pay off the bill as well.

↪ Poe mainly spends most of his time at home, all holed-up in his room, writing horror stories and mystery fanfiction. One time, Ranpo asked him to write a romance story and it actually blew up.

↪ Kouyou owns a small flower shop. Her adoptive son, Chuuya, sometimes helps out when he has time. Dazai, one of Chuuya's school-mates, one which he doesn't particularly like, once came into the shop looking rather lost. Chuuya had helped the brunette find a fitting bouquet of flowers, and they didn't speak of the incidence since.

↪ Kouyou worked at a preschool a long while ago, which is when she had met Kyouka. Other people that went to the preschool include Kenji, Kyouka, Elise, Q and Karma.

↪ Chuuya wants to be an actor and is in the same university as Dazai.

↪ Ango works in the Government and rarely goes home at all, being the workaholic he is, so usually his work college, Mizuki Tsujimura, has to take care of him.

↪ Oda used to own a bookstore called The Flawless Bookshop and had met Poe and Kunikida before through his occupation. They were regular customers who sometimes stopped by to chat with Oda. Now that Oda has passed away, Dazai manages the bookshop whenever he can.

↪ Kunikida would definitely be a maths teacher at a private school who specialises in algebra. He lives alone and his house is probably very organised and tidy.

↪ I feel like Dazai would be his very annoying neighbour that Kunikida tries to avoid at all costs (but obviously fails in).

↪ Dazai majors in Business Studies as well as Economics.

↪ Kenji helps out in An Encouragement of Learning by keeping everyone cheerful and marking the scores. Fukuzawa shows his appreciation by giving the boy glasses of milk whenever he drops by.

↪ Kenji actually lives with Chuuya and Kouyou and helps out with the flower shop whenever possible. Both Chuuya and Kouyou absolutely adore and treasure the blonde.

↪ Tachihara is a famous V-Tuber working under the company Port Mafia Studios. He lives with Higuchi and they go to the same university (Yokohama University).

↪ Usually, they bicker a lot. Tachihara and Higuchi had both had a slight, small (very insignificant) crush on Gin and strangely, they actually bonded over that.

↪ Higuchi likes eating Sakura Mochi and Cherry Blossom Dumplings. They, like Atsushi and Kyoka, go to the local crepe café to get the snacks. Tachihara and Higuchi split the payment are share the food.

↪ Several people have mistaken the pair as a couple, much to their amusement. Tachihara likes to jokingly flirt with Higuchi, and Higuchi likes to shoot pick up lines at the other. However, their relationship is purely platonic.

↪ Kajii is a lab scientist. He's basically the BSD Dottore equivalent. He locks himself in his lab all day to work on his projects and incoming reports. No one really knows much about him, except that he likes to talk really loudly and in complete, utter nonsense. He comes out of his lab-cave at night only to get a hot bowl of Chazuke.

↪ Paul and Arthur live together and both work under Port Mafia Studios. However, Arthur works in the economic part of the company and Paul works in the business part, like a spokesperson / ambassador (public speaking). They play chess on weekends and sometimes volunteer in the schools / community whenever they can.

↪ I don't know why, but I think Yosano would live with Ranpo and Fukuzawa and would be currently studying / getting a doctor degree.

↪ Ranpo and Yosano are seen as a sibling duo to their neighbours!

↪ Fukuzawa works in his office room all day, organising his small business on tutoring (An Encouragement of Learning). Ranpo likes to assist whenever he can by getting small treats for him.

↪ Mori owns the company Port Mafia Studios. He spends lots of money on people who design the avatars. Elise even gets her own avatar because she thought they looked really cool.

↪ Hirotsu works in the Port Mafia Studios, doing most of the paperwork and managing the connections. He thinks it's quite a boring job, but it's nice to see different recruits and get to know them.

↪ Higuchi is almost like a privately hired scout for Port Mafia Studios. She finds people that fit into the requirement for V-Tubers.

↪ The Tanizaki siblings live in the same apartment complex as Fukuzawa, Ranpo and Yosano. Naomi works at the same café as Lucy and I have a feeling Junichirou would work in The Flawless Bookshop. Junichiro also works part-time in a tutoring company called An Encouragement of Learning.

↪ They enjoy going to the local park often together. Sometimes when the evening is warm, the siblings get ice cream together. Naomi's favourite flavour is strawberry or taro and Junichirou likes vanilla or mango best. Sometimes, they even see Kenji, Kyouka, Elise, Q and Karma in the playground and wave to the little group as they pass.

↪ Fyodor, Sigma, Nikolai, Bram and Mushitarou live together. I really like the idea of combining the two groups together and how singularly, their energy is kind of muted, which together, they would all be a chaotic mess.

↪ They all share one house. Their neighbours often file complaints about how much yelling would come from the house on Saturday evenings, when the five would play card games / poker. The complaints got so bad that Kenji had to literally knock onto their door (only to get a goofy clown in his face).

↪ The Hunting Dogs minus Fukuchi and Tachihara (aka Teruko, Jouno and Tecchou) reside on the university campus. They love practicing Martial Arts in their backyard and sometimes they help out with the community. Other times, they go along their street with hand-baked cookies and offering a packet to each household.

↪ Jouno and Tecchou cannot cook nor bake. Teruko enjoys being able to feel helpful and also able teach them something new, as she takes Food Tech and Studies, as well as Maths.

↪ Jouno and Tecchou both take English, although I feel like Jouno would take Geography as well and Tecchou would take History, too.

↪ Aya Koda and Bram randomly met at the local park one fateful evening. It was a rather comical first-impression; Bram was swinging on a kids' playground swing and Aya and Q wanted to go on. The two had an intense staring match with a lot of yelling and Q screaming in the background.

↪ Now, Aya and Bram go to arcades on weekends. Q sometimes tags along with them and they spend all of Fyodor's bank credits on plushies and the like.

↪ There isn't much known about Shibusawa either, like Kajii. The man usually just stays in a university dorm on campus, but he studies Fashion Design Tech and is really good at it, especially the designing part of the criteria.

↪ Dazai claims to see Shibusawa and Fyodor at an ice rink together once. He reckons they were professional skaters and told everyone who would listen that he joined them. Nothing is really known about that recount.

[yetanotherseasonalblog]

finally got around to reading Romantic Killer and have thoughts

saw the trailer on Netflix and figured the manga would be better, so I spent last night reading a bunch of chapters. i like it overall and will try to finish it tonight, but there are some.....issues.

(if you read til the end there’s some recommendations too :3 )

1 the pacing is bad sometimes. like, REALLY bad

nearly two volumes are spent on Anzu and Kazuki exclusively. you’re emotionally invested in them as a couple, the end game is in sight. and just when the plot is entering the “obsessed fangirls find out about their relationship” arc....it’s dropped. they pick THAT moment to introduce a new guy. and not even one that makes sense, like a friend of Kazuki or another student - they go for the “childhood friend” route that’s canonically ripped out of their ass. its insanely disruptive to the story and almost caused me to drop it then & there.

2 if you think about it longer than 10 seconds, it becomes a horror manga

Riri the fairy is genuinely the most evil mascot character since Kyuubei. their antics very quickly stop being funny and start veering into “objectively horrifying”. we have total mind control, brainwashing, driving people into homelessness, and eventually just forcing hot guys to fall in love with Anzu. lives are either up-ended or destroyed, and Riri doesn’t even try to hide the fact that this is for purely personal gain.

3 the root cause of Anzu’s problems is never talked about

i went into this mostly on the curiosity of why Anzu was so against getting a boyfriend. maybe she’d gotten hurt in the past, or her resistance was a mask for low self-esteem? nah, turns out she’s just lazy. Anzu is addicted to sources of instant gratification (video games, junk food, pets) and has no interest in a boyfriend purely because social relationships take work.

in the long run Riri is right to stage an intervention...but it’s undermined by all this romance cliche bullshit. it would’ve been easier (and more impactful to the audience because, let’s be honest, a LOT of us here are Anzu) if they’d just called Anzu out on what a spoiled and lazy brat she is and say they’re doing this before she ruins her own life.

4 its a satire of shoujo romance tropes...but makes fun of the outdated ones while being unironically full of the current ones

this takes decent amount of knowledge of manga history to notice. a lot of the tropes Riri is trying to pull off were common in manga from the 20th century. those were the days of the skinny, princess-like manga heroine who falls for the manly hero who protects her from danger (even when she has g-d superpowers and he doesn’t). a good example would be Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. but, starting in the early 2000s, manga heroines started getting more realistic - more tomboyish, average looks, and simply more independent in general. this describes Romantic Killer to a T.

everything that’s supposed to make Anzu an “anti-shoujo” MC...i’ve seen MCs do in other shoujo. none of them super recent either. in fact, her whole character could accurately be described as just a spicier version of Haruhi Fujioka from OHSHC.

as i mentioned i’m not saying Romantic Killer is bad, it’s just Not Perfect. even with the above issues, it’s still a solid read. other titles you may also enjoy would be Ouran High School Host Club, FIVE, Boku no Orion, and Skip Beat.

[missevelynpierce]

The Brat.

I met him in high school so many years ago. He was popular and was kind of that classic “bad boy” out of an ‘80s movie. Think of James Spader’s character from Pretty In Pink. He was popular and would never be seen with someone like me. I was kind of like Molly Ringwald’s character. A bit nerdy and quirky and definitely not popular. He was kind of a dick, but he was hot - dark hair, dark eyes, and I sensed this other darkness in his energy that ignited something in me. He was in with the theater geeks and he was also a writer; he was the only one I knew that used a refillable Parker pen. I seem to remember these details.

An interlude in college where I got to be a bit of a bitch to him turned the tables and felt good. I was waiting for the bus and he complimented my pedicure. He asked if I had some time to hang out and I essentially rejected him. I still remember the shade of nail polish I was wearing from that day. The whole ride home I was a little flushed. And there’s the almost interlude a few years later when his book was published and I almost went to a reading at a local bookstore. I had my first aura induced migraine on my way there, so I went home. 

A few years later, through the magic of social media, he connected to me as all the high school friends that were long forgotten all washed ashore in the digital realm. 

He sent a message. I was living with an ex at the time in a relationship that was falling apart. He commented on my feet and confessed his years-long crush on me and never had the nerve to say anything about it. This made me really happy, and we continued to talk. The conversations getting increasingly explicit. One day, we made plans to meet up at a local bar and he called me and asked if I could just go up to his apartment so he could suck on my toes. Nope. I wasn’t going to do that. He got pissy and whiny and I was more concerned about safety - I hadn’t actually seen him since college, and it wasn’t my nature to just go to someone’s place. I craved authentic connection and didn’t want to be his kink dispenser. 

I got annoyed and unfriended him. A couple of more years would go by before it would really begin. 

I was in another relationship, and now he moved far away, and we picked right back up. There's something about physical distance that allows one to go harder and deeper when expressing desires. He told me the things that he wanted me to do to him. I told him some early childhood stories that involved feet, and he had similar experiences. We would soon call each other brother and sister. The conversations got even more explicit and I would be getting pedicures weekly, sending him foot pics, buying new shoes and sending video clips of me putting them on. I would get a thrill teasing him relentlessly. I had a boyfriend at the time and mastered the art of discretion and would thrill at rubbing myself thinking of the brat as the boyfriend snored beside me.

Soon, our conversations would run late into the night. He’d soon offer himself as a slave to me and tell me the stories of his earlier experiences as a slave. He had girlfriends who beat him and he loved it, he once had a Domme who was a well-known professor, a few pro-Dommes, and others from the club scene that he was gladly a human carpet for. He told me that it’s very rare to find someone with the raw energy and the natural propensity for kink that I have. That I know it’s not about pure impact; that the power of wordplay and the intuitive understanding of power dynamics and exchange is what makes me authentic. 

And this is what truly set me on my path. 

I would continue playing with the boyfriend I had at the time, and the physical kink that that relationship already had got amplified. I felt myself claim my power and then realized that I deserved a hell of a lot better than someone who was unemployed and who would never satisfy my needs. I dumped him then booked a flight to visit the brat. After 7 years of maintaining an online long distance relationship, I would finally get the nerve to play with him in person. It had to happen. There was no stopping this.

This was my rebirth. 

This was my transformation. 

When he knocked on my door, I hugged him. Tight. And kissed him, long. 

We just talked for hours, reminiscing and actually getting to spend time with each other, because despite all the years, we haven’t had any true conversations. It felt so good to talk and to feel understood. The familiarity and all the connections with people and places we grew up with. It was nice to share stories and connect. 

And once night fell, I would make him clean my sand crusted sandals and would press my feet into his face. He’d get super bratty and I’d slap him and spit on him, and all those things, until I finally sat on his face smothering him, making him eat my ass and my pussy. I was on the verge of climax and then he said:

“I dare you to piss on me.” Something about the dare, just did something to me. I grabbed him, went to the bathroom, commanded him to lay down in the shower, and then released all over him. I felt electricity everywhere out of every nerve ending in my body. It was intense, powerful, and I knew I was never going to be the same. 

This was only the beginning. And nearly 20 years later, he still frustrates the shit out of me, and despite time and distance, he always returns.

[dreamqueenkala]

WHERE SUMMER ENDS, THE HUNT BEGINS

Previous Chapter

Laura Kearney is my best friend and is currently missing.

Max Brinly is my best friend and is currently missing.

Ryan Erzahler is friendly towards me.

Jacob Custos is easily flustered around me.

Abigail Blyg is distasteful of me.

Dylan Lenivy finds me adorable.

Emma Mountebank greatly enjoys my company.

Kaitlyn Ka is entertained by me.

Nicholas Furcillo is protective of me.

Travis Hackett has no relation to me.

Chris Hackett finds me reliable.

I am alive, sane and unharmed.

I have yet to have a clairvoyant vision.

No paths have branched.

|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|

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Viewing Tape #7

Hackett's Quarry Summer Camp Entrance

17:07 August 22–Carter Rhodes

Emma stood in the middle of the dirt road, waving off the bus at it retreated down the trail back towards the interstate. "Bye!" She called, lifting on her toes for a moment with a smile.

Nick, standing on the balcony beside Dylan, smiled slightly with a soft tone to his voice. "Laters!"

Dylan grinned that familiar dopey grin of his, sending the kids off with a salute. "Peace and love!"

Snickering softly, I tossed a peace sign up in the air, wolf whistling playfully. "Adios, little dudes!"

Kaitlyn, perched on the steps with Jacob, folded her arms over her chest. "See ya later, kids!"

"Yeah! Hackett's Quarry forever!" Jacob cheered, arm draped over the shorter girls shoulders. I shook my head, standing beside Emma as she blew a few air kisses after the bus, one final wave on her mind. The blonde, despite being taller than me, had quickly become one of my best friends here at the quarry. She was incredibly outgoing which more than made up for my typically shy nature, and I found myself confiding in her more often than I did the camp owner.

After spending two months here, taking care of much younger kiddos surrounded by nature and rambunctious teens fresh out of high school, I'd grown to miss my home slightly less. It was far more peaceful here than back home, at least, it was for me. I didn't have the best family life, living with a single mother that couldn't stand half of the stuff I was into—supposedly because I was either too much like my dead father or not enough like him. Coming here was my safe haven, rescuing me from a summer that would've been shrouded in storm clouds—ironic because I love thunderstorms.

It would've been better if my two best friends had actually made it, though. We'd planned to work here together this summer, but Max and Laura decided it would be best to head in a day early. I'd told them I'd had a bad feeling about the idea, what with my strong sixth sense and all, but Laura was quick to shoot down my concerns. She claimed it was my social anxiety, and Max and I had no other reason not to believe her. I showed up the day after and unfortunately discovered they hadn't arrived.

According to Chris Hackett, the camp owner, they'd called in and claimed they weren't going to make it. My gut feeling didn't agree with the excuse he gave us, but I didn't pry. It wasn't my place to. Despite the lack of Max and Laura's presence beside me this past summer, I still enjoyed my time here. I was honestly a bit down to be leaving this place.

Branch Selected

Skeptic BFF: Having been best friends with Max and Laura, I knew they weren't okay. With their absence, I grew skeptical of Chris Hackett and his promises.

"Dude, this summer was frickin' epic." I hummed thoughtfully, hands buried in my ripped jean pockets. Emma slung an arm over my shoulder, leaning into my side with a small chuckle, her cocoa eyes wrinkled slightly with her pearly smile.

"Um, duh, because you spent it with me!" I snorted, ruffling my short blonde curls gently as I let my eyes rest for a moment. Deciding to stay kind rather than flirty or cynical, I smiled at her from the corner of my eye.

"Hey, you're pretty damn quick-witted and smart, Emma. Makes being around snot-nosed little brats a helluva lot more tolerable when you're keeping me entertained." I replied, feeling her rest her chin on my shoulder.

Emma is flattered by my response.

"Hm, yeah, I am pretty awesome." Rolling my eyes, I nudged her side gently, coaxing her towards the minivan. "Right, well, why don't you go see if you can find Ryan or something? I'm going to go toy with Jacob before I look for Abi."

"You're tearing his poor heart strings, drama queen." I cooed playfully, grinning as she walked away.

"Yeah yeah. It's just a summer fling." She shrugged, skipping her way towards Jacob and Kaitlyn. Turning on my heel, I proceeded towards the cellar, pleasantly satisfied to find a familiar face leaning against a post with his earbuds in. His eyes were closed as he bobbed his head slightly every so often, most likely listening to his podcast. I made my way to his side and nudged his shoe, causing the guy to tilt his head up to look at me.

I smiled down at him as he removed one earbud, returning the gesture. "Hey, Ryan. Mind if I sit down?" He shook his head and I took my place beside him, legs curled to my chest and head resting on my knees. "So? The podcast?"

His dark eyes lit up almost immediately, lips pulling tight in a genuine, relaxed smile. "Yeah. New episode came out today." I grinned lightly, always warmed when I saw his or the others eyes light up about something they were into. I don't know why, but I'd always found myself with a knack for making others smile.

"That's cool. Been a week, right?" He nodded, and I found myself easily slipping into conversation with him about it. It wasn't hard, actually. I'd always been a pretty charismatic person, finding it incredibly natural for me to come up with things to talk about. To be honest, if I really wanted to I could manipulate people, make them feel or think a certain way. But I wouldn't do that. I wasn't that type of person.

"Yeah. It's a bit of a long one, though, so hopefully it's a really good story." I nodded, closing my eyes. I suppose he took that to mean he could continue listening because after a moment of shuffling, I could barely make out muffled audio from his earbuds. I kept my head buried in my knees for awhile, enjoying the peace and quiet, 'til heavy footsteps made their way over.

Peeking up, I waved at Jacob, whom waved at both myself and Ryan. Ryan, of course, noticed and waved in reply, but didn't do much else. Jacobs eyes flitted between the two of us awkwardly as he shifted his weight before he turned on his heel. I glanced at Ryan and shrugged my shoulders, standing up and dusting my pants off.

Urging myself to follow after Jacob, I trekked up the lodge steps to the front door just as it slammed shut in Jacob's face. "C'mon man!" Jacob huffed, the sound of soft chuckling muffled by the closed wood. Now realizing his predicament, I debated assisting him for a moment. I tapped his shoulder, startling the teddy bear of a guy as he spun on his heel.

"Try the window around the side. Library window is always unlocked." He grinned, ruffling my hair with his large hand, cheeks the slightest tint of pink.

"Thank you, little dude!" I pouted at the nickname he'd never dropped, puffing out my cheeks as he made his way around the side.

"I'm, like, a foot shorter than you, Jacob!"

Jacob is amused by my response.

With a huff, I face the door again, knocking gently. It swung open in seconds, the same dopey grin I'd come to adore greeting me, doe eyes searching my face with glee. "Well, hey there, tiger stripes! Looking to join the cool kids?" I snorted slightly at Dylan's word choice, unable to resist the grin tugging at my lips.

"Oh yeah. Heard the coolest of the cool were here." I decided to play along, hands once again buried in my pockets. "You wouldn't happen to know where I could find them, would ya, kind sir?"

Dylan hummed thoughtfully, placing a hand on his chin dramatically. "Hmm, I dunno. Where could those two super cool dudes be?"

Taking the sight of his much taller frame in, I decided to take a leap of faith. "I've also heard they're the most attractive, if that helps?" His cheeks flushed and his brown eyes flicked back to my grey ones, his smile softer.

Dylan is flustered but pleasantly surprised by my flirtatious reply.

"U-Uh, yeah! Yeah, they're right here, come in, come in!" He stepped to the side, finally allowing me entry. As the door clicked shut behind me, I spotted Nick sitting by the stairs and waved. He smiled back slightly, curling his fingers in a lazy wave just as Jacob entered his line of view. Turning to face Dylan, I found he was already staring at me, my eyes widening for a second at the realization.

"Dyl? Is there something on my face...?" He blinked and flushed again, shaking his head. One of his pale hands scratched the back of his neck whilst the other slipped into his back pocket, chocolate doe eyes flickering away from me awkwardly.

"N-No, sorry. Just got...lost in thought."

"Right..."

"I-I'm gonna go get our phones, so...." Dylan quickly jogged towards Chris' office to gather our phones, disappearing from my sight.

Blinking away the awkward moment, I turned and moved further into the lodge, eying the walls and tables for any random items lying about. It seemed Dylan and Nick did a great job cleaning, though, because I couldn't even find dust under the tables. With a satisfied smile, I perched myself on one of the many benches, fiddling with my long black sleeves as I waited for Dylan to return, suddenly feeling a bit isolated and shy.

Granted, that was my own doing coming in here while the others were busy, but it still agitated me slightly all the same. Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the small rectangular paper piece stuck between the floorboards below me. Furrowing my brows in curiosity, I leaned down and plucked the object up, gazing over it with narrowed grey eyes and parted lips.

It was a tarot card, specifically the Temperance card. What appeared to be an Angel in white with red wings rested on its center, a chalice and wine in her hands. It was old, the corners slightly tattered, and appeared to have been lit aflame recently as it's edges were still a faint orange glow.

My head began to hurt and I winced, placing my free palm against my forehead. My vision swam and my ears pulsed with a sound like rapid water, pressure building in my temples. I groaned, head swaying before I abruptly blacked out.

It was dark, the fire lit before me, my friends surrounding me. Jacob tossed a beer can my way, a pocket knife in his outstretched hand. I debated it for a moment as I caught the beverage, then stood and accepted the blade so I could shotgun the beer, pocketing it afterwards.

I gasped as I came to, forcing myself to open my eyes as my hands shook. I'd somehow fallen from the bench, and just now realized that Nick was leaning over me, his hand hovering over my side. His dark eyes were full of concern, searching my pale face for any signs of discomfort or pain.

"Hey? You okay, Carter?" I blinked a few times and nodded, swallowing thickly as he helped me sit upright, his palm warm and firm on my lower back. I grunted and rubbed my temples, the buzzing of the vision I'd seen leaving my mind scrambled. Glancing down at my left hand, brows furrowing again as nothing but a trace of ash left in my palm. "Carter?"

"Y-Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Just a dizzy spell." Though he seemed reluctant to accept my response, Nick nodded, gently helping me to stand. I grunted and popped my neck, wiping the ash inconspicuously against my white-washed jeans. My skin was paler than normal and coated in a thin sheen of sweat, my pupils dilated.

Nick is concerned for my health.

Nick, noticing how pale I seemed, opened his mouth to speak, his hand gripping my arm slightly to steady me. Before he could, a familiar head of soft brown locks popped into view.

"Yo! Got the phones!" Dylan greeted, grinning as he waved the case with our phones around. I shot the boy a grateful smile, avoiding Nick's gaze as Dylan gently handed me my phone, the familiar black and blue glittery case comfortable in my hands.

"Thanks DJ." I smiled slightly and pressed the power button, watching the apple logo come to life on my screen.

"No prob, Tiger."

"Thanks man."

Unlocking my phone, I huffed, pouting my lip. "Dammit, no bars. 73% though."

Nick messed his for a moment before nodding along. "No bars, 42%."

"Ah, shit, I'm at 6%."

"Should've turned your phone off, dude."

Dylan scoffed at my words, reaching over to ruffle my blonde locks as he stuffed his phone in his pocket. "Zip it, pipsqueak."

"I'm not that short, dammit!"

Nick and Dylan laughed as I whined and complained, fixing my hair as we made our way outside onto the balcony porch. Dylan leaned against the rail on my right, Nick on my left, and I hoisted myself onto the banister, legs over the edge and my arm resting on Dylan's shoulder. Jacob and Kaitlyn stood below us around the minivan, the former having just recently tossed the last bags inside the crammed trunk.

Dylan, having tossed the box, now held an array of phones—most likely belonging to the others—in his pockets. Nick, however, held a familiar black rectangle in his own hands, a mischievous grin growing on his tanned face. He shared a subtle glance with me, reassuring my disapproving look with a shrug as Dylan spoke to the duo.

"Hey Jacob!"

The tall athlete turned to face us, the relaxed expression on his face quickly falling as his gaze caught sight of the object in Nick's grasp. "Dude, no! N-No, c'mon, please! Don't!"

With a chuckle, the lithe Aussie tossed the object into the air, crying, "Go long!" Jacob scrambled to catch it, fumbling it slightly before his fingers managed to find purchase around the slim frame of his phone. He cheered, holding it up with glee before breaking into a very sexual and lewdly inappropriate dance.

"Boo yah! There it is!"

I groaned and scrambled down from the banister, Dylan's palm quickly covering my eyes which elicited a soft giggle from me. Dylan guided me down the stairs as we joined the duo, his hand still covering my sight.

"Good save, man!" Nick's voice cheered, and Jacob's erotic grunting got louder.

"Oh my god, this sounds so much worse when I can't see." Dylan snorted behind me, removing his palm as Jacob finally settled his behavior.

"Ooh, I wish I had some singles." Dylan yelped as my hand met his shoulder harshly, a blush and a glare on my face.

"Freaks. I'm surrounded by freaks." Kaitlyn exclaimed, completely disgusted by Jacob's behavior.

"No, you're just friends with a bunch of horndogs." Kaitlyn scoffed at my reply, but her unamused expression quickly altered to one of delight as Dylan passed her phone over.

"Oh thank God. I get the whole 'no technology' thing, but take me back world!" Her expression fell as she checked her notifications to find nothing, a groan of distaste leaving her lips. "Oh come on! Not one cell tower!?"

As the two conversed I felt something under my shoe and peeked down. Moving my left foot to the side, I found another card buried in the dirt. Picking it up, I gazed over the tattered surface, examining the image framed across the Strength card. A boy in a hood was hobbled over a wolf, his hands drawing its jaws apart.

The buzzing returned and I faltered, staggering slightly. My vision blurred and my ears popped, my head swaying again. The sound was louder than before, louder than buzzing but quieter than a ringing. It made my ears hurt and I covered them, clenching my teeth.

I held my breathe, back pressed to a boulder with Abigail beside me, hands over each other's mouths. A silhouette clambered above the boulder beside us, it's glowing red eyes searching the earth, snarling as it's saliva dripped against my shoulder and made me shudder.

"Woah, woah! Easy there, Tiger." I yelped, stumbling as Dylan steadied me, his hands on my shoulders to hold me upright as my knees buckled. His eyes and Kaitlyn's searched mine carefully, both sharing a worried glance. "You okay?"

"Y-Yeah, dehydrated, maybe. I'll be fine."

Dylan and Kaitlyn were weary but accepting of my reply.

Jacob's voice drew my attention, along with Kaitlyn and Dylan, whom turned to face him in unison. "Man, you would've thought Mr. H could've charged our phones just a little bit."

"Nothing's ever your fault, is it?" Kaitlyn raised a brow, crossing her arms over her chest.

Dylan, deciding to be his usually quippy self, smirked playfully as he spoke. "You know, you should probably just save it for emergencies only. Unless, of course, is being dumped an emergency?"

I winced at the mention, the memory of that encounter still fresh in mind. Emma and Jacob had been in some form of a friends-with-benefits relationship this past summer. I'd caught them going at it on multiple occasions in the bathhouse, and that's probably why Jacob was always so flustered around me. Though, last night Emma broke it off with him, claiming it was just a summer fling and the long distance wouldn't work. I'd come with her to dump him on account of her complaining how 'she needed moral support', but I rather ended up comforting the big teddy bear afterwards.

I'd honestly felt pretty terrible just witnessing the breakup. Especially since, in my blatant opinion, Jacob was one of the sweetest guys I'd ever met. Personally, I'd have taken the chance and tried Long distance just for him. He deserved that kind of happiness.

Nick chuckled, a taunting grin on his lips, one hand set on his hip. "Burn!"

Though his expression fell momentarily at the mention of Emma, he was just as quick to snap back as usual. "Ah, well, at least I had a relationship this summer."

"Damn, now we burned!"

"Shut up, Nick." I snickered, shaking my head. Dylan glanced at me and flushed slightly, bottom lip extended in a partial pout.

"Yeah, well, maybe not everyone is looking for a hookup, okay? So—"

"Okay, okay! Can you guys put your little dicks away and let's get this show on the road, huh?" Kaitlyn intervened quickly, her sensible and reliable self able to just about smell the testosterone boiling between the two tallest people in our group.

Under my breathe, I mumbled. "I know at least one of their dicks ain't little." Nick, having heard me, whipped his head in my direction with wide eyes and I flushed, waving him off shyly. His expression spoke louder words than I did—'We're discussing this later' he mouthed.

"Where's everybody else?" Nick inquired, changing the subject quickly as he surveyed the lodge interest curiously. His gaze settled on Jacob as he spoke, quirking a brow.

"Wha-Why would I know that?" The tall ravenette inquired.

Nick shrugged, hands in his pockets. "I dunno. Sometimes you know stuff I don't."

Jacob blinked incredulously. "I-I...I don't even know how to respond to that."

Nick's quick wit stayed just as strong as both Jacob's and Dylan's. "You say, 'Nick you're way smarter than me and you're a super hot guy who gets all the chicks he wants.'"

"You may be the most attractive in Emma's cabin, but mine would not have agreed with that statement." I quipped, tossing a playful grin his way. The Aussie stuck his tongue out at me in reply, though he no longer had a comeback in mind.

"Keep dreaming, Junior." Jacob huffed, his tone slightly aggressive. I gave him a shy but awkward smile, but for once, he failed to return it, instead redirecting his gaze to his feet. My heart dropped, turning my head to face the area under the lodge.

"Aaaaanyway..." Kaitlyn once again directed our attention elsewhere after a long silence.

"Do we just, like...wait? Or...?" Dylan spoke, tilting his head.

"Yeah."

"Boringggg." I rolled my eyes at the quirky brunettes complaint, stepping closer to him and leaning my head against his left bicep—goddamn, the guy didn't look it but he was toned.

"Yeah, I need to charge my phone. You think Mr. H would let me pop in and give it some juice before we leave?"

Kaitlyn gave him a baffled look, shifting her weight on her feet. "Why didn't you charge it before we got to camp?"

"I dunno. I figured we'd still have them at camp."

"Why would you assume that at a summer camp?"

"Nobody said they would take them!"

"Even I figured that one out, dude." Jacob added, shrugging his shoulders. The two broke into a small argument and I sighed, moving away from Dylan. Making my way to the trunk of the minivan, I dug through my bag—which was thankfully on top of the discombobulated pile—and retrieved my inhaler, along with its backup. Pocketing them, I made my way to Jacob's side as Emma and Abigail came into view.

"Heyyyyy!" Emma called, sidling up to the group with a dejected-looking Abigail behind her.

"Where are your bags?" Nick asked, just as confused as the rest of us over their unsuccessful mission.

"Mr. H locked them in the cabin already."

Jacob scoffed, eying the blonde with the smallest hint of adoration in his eyes. "Why? To keep out bears?"

"...Apparently." She sighed, shaking her head.

Dylan leaned forward a bit, shifting his weight with a curious glint to his eyes. "Well, why didn't you just...break in?"

Abigail scoffed, gesturing between him and Emma as she spoke. "Okay, because Dylan thinks that would've been a good idea, that confirms we did the right thing." Emma waved her off, obviously displeased with the girl.

"Oof, ow. I like my ideas." Dylan took it in stride despite how underhanded the comment was, shrugging slightly. I hummed and pursed my lips, glaring sickeningly sweet towards the artist.

"Sorry not everyone's a picture perfect goody-two-shoes like you, Blyg." I cooed, grinning sarcastically. Abigail grit her teeth and wrinkled her nose but otherwise said nothing.

Abigail was irritated by my smart remark.

It wasn't really a secret that Abigail and I never got along. We just didn't click like the others did. On top of that, she's quite naive and too obtuse during conversation, often saying things without thinking about them first. She took the 'n' of out of fun, leaving 'f u'.

"Hey, has anyone seen Ryan?" Emma inquired, gazing about the group as she realized one of us was still missing.

"Oh yeah, he's probably off being all broody and mysterious and alluring somewhere." Dylan quipped, the faintest pink tint on his cheeks.

"Your dick runs your mouth a lot, doesn't it?" I teased, the brunette flicking me off as his cheeks darkened.

"I'm here." My grey eyes fell on the dark-skinned counselor I'd spent half my summer with when Emma wasn't around, his earbuds now dangling over the collar of his shirt.

"What're you doing under there? A little 'me' party?"

"Uh...I was listening to a podcast, actually." Ryan answers Kaitlyn's question, somewhat reluctant to express his interest with the group. I smiled reassuringly at him, watching his shoulders relax as he caught my gaze.

"Oh, podcast, that...that's cool." Dylan hummed. He wasn't even interested in the topic, his eyes gazing over Ryan's face almost love struck.

"What's it about?"

"Yeah, what's it about? Is it about me?"

Ryan flicked his eyes over to Dylan, brows furrowed as he missed the flirtatious remark. "You...think I was listening to a podcast...about you?"

"Okay, if anyone had a podcast about themselves, it'd be me." Raising her hand slightly, Kaitlyn nonchalantly expressed her affirmation of her awesome personality, earning a chuckle out of me.

"Yeah, if there was a podcast called 'How to look and smell like a butt'."

"Dylan, you're hormones are showing." He stuck his tongue out in my direction, the girls snickering lightly.

"Shut up, Carter." He groaned.

"No, it's—it's a paranormal podcast." Ryan continued, slowly drawing closer to the group, though still outside the circle we'd formed.

"The one about Hackett's Quarry?" I inquired, earning a look of surprise from Nick and Jacob.

"You listen to it, too?" The former asked.

"Nah. I love listening to Ryan talk about it though. He's a really good story teller." The guy in question smiled at my compliment, slightly flustered.

Ryan was grateful for my display of interest in his hobby.

"It's, uh, called 'The Hag of Hackett's Quarry'."

Perking up at the mere sound of it, a slight buzzing formed in my ears, something like a whisper sending a shiver up my spine. "Why does that sound familiar?"

"You've probably heard it before."

"I'm sorry. The what of whosit what now?" Kaitlyn seemed thoroughly confused, lips parted and brows raised.

"You don't know about 'The Hag of Hackett's Quarry'?" Dylan all but gasped, an expression of dramatic shock on his face.

"Would I be asking if I did, dumbass?"

"Tell her about 'The Hag of Hackett's Quarry'."

Catching on to the playfulness Dylan had acquired, the corner of Ryan's lips lifted. "I don't think she wants to know about the Hag of Hackett's Quarry."

"Can we please just stop saying 'The Hag of Hackett's Quarry'?" Kaitlyn snapped, quickly losing her patience with the two. Dylan's mouth snapped shut and Ryan began to explain.

"It's just this campfire story for the kids. It's um... There's supposedly an old woman who died in a fire a few years back. She haunts the woods looking for her lost baby boy." He started, eyes darting between each counselor to gauge their reaction. "There are like reports of whispers, or whatever, and this figure that floats around... You know, textbook ghost stuff. Some people say that if she catches you alone, she'll try to turn you into her son... or kill you or something, I dunno... It's never really been clear. Anyways. 'Hag of Hackett's Quarry'." It was silent for maybe a moment as everyone let his ghost story sink in.

"Y-You made that up." Kaitlyn looked miffed at her stutter, eying Ryan skeptically.

"It's right here in the podcast, man."

Jacob shot the guy a smile, nodding his head along. "Cool story, bro."

"Yeah, Ryan, that's actually pretty sick, man. You amaze me with those stories, dude." I chipped in, earning a delighted smile in reply.

Ryan was reassured and happy with my response.

"You guys should've seen the kids though. Scared them shitless, I swear." I snickered, sharing a grin with Dylan.

"They weren't that bad..." Ryan mumbled halfheartedly.

"Gotta be careful with that stuff, man. That shits true." Dylan's comment seemed to cause Kaitlyn and Jacob some momentary discomfort, as the former shifted her weight and the other snapped frantically.

"C'mon—dude, bullshit!"

"What's the hold up, Hacketteers?" I yelped at the voice overhead, turning my head to face our coffee-loving, shorts-wearing boss, Chris Hackett.

"Heya—ah, we, uh—w-we're almost done, Mr. H!" Jacob stammered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well, hop to it, kiddos! You're wasting daylight."

Emma stepped forward with a scoff, hand on her hip. "Coulda-woulda if our bags weren't locked up."

Narrowing his eyes on her with distaste, he tilted his head. "What's that? Sounded like you said 'of course Mr. H, we're on it, Mr. H!'"

Abigail, sensing our boss's waning patience, stepped in. "Sorry, Mr. Hackett, but our...our bags—"

"Right. Cabin. Huh."

"We're really bustin' our butts here. Well, except Ryan who's trying to scare the pants off our butts with his weird ghost stories." Kaitlyn added, eying the teen as an after thought.

"Okay, okay, enough with all the butts..." An expression of minor disgust crossed the man's wrinkled brow as he waved his hand. "Eh—and what...what's this about ghost stories?"

"The 'H' of 'H's' 'Q'."

Ryan cleared his throat, head bowed slightly. "'The Hag of Hackett's Quarry.' I was just—"

"Oh for Pete's sake, Ryan." Chris scoffed, disappointment heavy in his tone.

"Hey, dude, lay off. He likes his ghost stories, some sissy kids gotta learn to grow up eventually." I snapped, glaring up at the man hovering on the porch. Ryan glanced at me with temporary relief, whilst Mr. Hackett narrowed his eyes down on me with a grunt.

"Hey, uh—" Kaitlyn stepped in again, sensing the growing tension once more. "You still got the van key, Mr. H?"

I rolled my eyes and turned to face the van, leaning against a tree near its hood as I closed my eyes. The buzzing hadn't gone away, and closing my eyes made my head swim. My left hand came up to rub at my temples, a sharp exhale escaping my nose as I rolled my shoulders. I'd been feeling off for the past week—lightheaded, exhausted, weak—but ever since I'd picked up that first tarot card my discomfort had multiplied tenfold.

I'd always been sensitive to the unnatural or spiritual. My dad used to tell me I was gifted with the sight, more commonly known as being a medium or clairvoyant. I had a knack for sensing danger and sometimes seeing things in my dreams that had yet to occur—the same thing that elicited moments of Deja Vu later on. It usually was pretty relaxed, occurring fairy rarely and otherwise leaving my life as normal as it could get. However, since arriving here my clairvoyance had been going off the rails—whether it be that sixth sense kicking in when a tree was going to fall or a kid was going to get themselves hurt half way across camp, or it was a dream three nights early warning me of a bear in the woods or a coyote sneaking into one of the cabins. I hadn't had a full nights sleep since early July.

Grumbling slightly, I straightened up as Mr. H made his way to the minivan with Ryan and Jacob in tow, surprised I'd been out of it for so long. The man tossed the keys to Jacob, an anxious smile spreading across his face.

Dylan, most likely replying to whatever Chris had just said, huffed out desperately. "I try not to dwell on the past, man."

"Good, cause it's time to dwell on the minivan and get on with our respective lives! Move it, let's go!" Chris urged, waving Jacob into the car.

Baffled by Chris' urgency in trying to make us leave, Emma stepped forward. "Hey, what about our bags?!"

"Oh, Emma. I'm gonna have to ship 'em to you tomorrow first thin—" His indifference to her question irritated the blonde, a scowl on her face.

"Hell no! No. I am not leaving without my—"

"Hey! It's the way it's gotta be." Chris snapped, efficiently convincing Emma to shut her mouth.

"Ugh."

"Come on, Jacob! Start 'er up!"

Jacob turned the key in the ignition, though the only response the minivan gave was a sharp squeal and loud sputtering. Confused, I furrowed my brows, leaning closer to the hood to try and make out where the sound was coming from.

"What's the problem?" Chris' voice had grown more urgent, impatiently moving near the hood, as well.

"Ugh... Dude. I don't know. I-I think there's something wrong with the engine, Mr. H." Jacob hummed. His voice took on a lilt that screamed guilty to me, though Chris seemed too anxious to notice.

"Yeah, I can see that."

"Yeah dude, it's just like... kaput!"

"Alright lemme try." Ryan stepped towards the drivers side, peering at Jacob through the open window.

"What? Dude, I'm telling you, alright, it's busted!"

"Well maybe you're doing it wrong—"

"Duh- 'Well maybe you're doing it wrong!'" Jacob's tone baffled me, my eyes shooting up to glare at him through the front windshield.

"The fuck, dude?"

"Enough! Enough, both of you! Shit." He stepped up to the car, opening the drivers door and tugging at Jacob's sleeve. "Come on, come on let's go."

Stumbling, Jacob stepped out of the vehicle, brushing himself off. "Alright dude, chill! Chill dude." As Chris attempted to start the car, smoke began to seep from the lip of the hood, startling me.

"Uh, Mr. H? Pretty sure it's not supposed to do that..." His eyes widened at my words and he jumped out of the car, dragging me away from the tree I was leaning against.

"Holy smokes! Everybody back, now! No, now, now!" He exclaimed, urging the rest of the group backwards. Jacob, however, disregarded Mr. Hackett's warning and moved to the front of the vehicle, popping it open to view the engine. A blaze had formed near the fuel tank, our eyes widening at the sight.

"Jesus Christ!" Jacob exclaimed, skirting the edge of the car.

"J-Jacob, c'mon, get away from it!" I exclaimed, my heart racing in my chest. I hated fire, loathed it, memories I didn't want to recall lingering at the forefront of my brain.

"I-I got this!" He reached into the drivers side, grasping at water bottle. He ran back to the front of the vehicle and I yelped, darting past both Ryan and Chris.

"Jacob, don't—!" The water splashed over the engine just as I curled my fingers around Jacob's wrist. The flames rose and my back and arm, which were facing the hood, were splashed with oil. A scream left me as my skin burned through the fabric, recoiling closer to Jacob and cradling my burnt arm to my chest. "Fuck!"

"Shit, shit! Are you okay? Fuck!" Jacob cradled my arm in his large hands, blowing cool air on the red skin peeking through the freshly singed hole in my sleeve and shoulder, electing a whimper from me. Chris appeared beside us with a fire bucket in hand, dumping the sand in it over the engine and successfully smothering the flames.

With a heavy sigh, he dropped the bucket to the ground, brows furrowed with distress. "This things toast."

"Well, uh- Look it's not that big of a deal, okay, we'll just spend one more night out here." Jacob quipped after a moment, patting my back lightly as I babied my injured arm with a hiss, resting my head against his shoulder.

"No—NO. Just stop. Let me think." Chris snapped, hands running I've this face as he paced for a moment. Chris slammed the hood with an angry yell, startling me and Jacob. "Arrrrghhh! Okay. Dammit. You're right. You're right, yeah. Yeah, you're right."

"What?" Ryan seemed utterly bewildered with Chris' behavior, brows furrowed as he glanced at us. Chris tossed him the keys to the lodge as he walked past, Ryan successfully grasping them midair.

"Hey Ryan. Come here for a sec." Chris waved the boy over as he clambered into his own car, rolling the window down. Jacob guided me away from the cars towards the others, hand on my back.

"Shit, dude, I'm really fucking sorry, I didn't—"

"It's fine. You didn't know. It's cool. It's cool." I huffed, cutting off his apology. I knew he didn't mean to get me hurt, and it was only a second degree burn. With proper treatment I'd be okay. I was more concerned for Jacob's current emotional status—the guy didn't handle pain and sorrow very well.

I smiled up at Jacob to reassure him when words didn't work, nudging his side with my good arm. "Really, bear, I mean it. I'll be okay." He glanced between both of my grey eyes for a moment before relaxing, his lips forming the tiniest smile.

"Okay."

Jacob is reassured by my kindness and empathy.

"So, what was all of that about?" Dylan's voice drew my attention behind me as Ryan rejoined us, Chris and his car out of sight.

"He uh... said to stay inside. That we're not leaving until the morning." Ryan answered in a slow, uncertain tone, eyes lingering on my burn.

"Are... you kidding me?" Emma scoffed, tossing her hands up with irritation.

"Em..."

"Are you kidding me!? What are we supposed to do?"

"Well, we should go inside. Like he said."

Dylan tilted his head side to side, an inquisitive expression crossing his soft features. "We could go inside. Until morning..."

"Yeah—"

Quickly cutting Ryan off, Dylan smiled mischievously. "Or... Or we could do something else."

"What... are you talking about?"

"No Mr. Hackett. No screaming kids. Just a bunch of grown-ass adults ready to cut loose and get down with their animal side." I deadpanned at this, blinking slowly as I attempted to register what the hell he was going on about. Jacob, however, seemed to both understand and become eager for the idea.

"Ohh, hell yeah."

"P. A. R. T... Why the fuck not!? Alright, it seems like the stars have aligned for us. No?" I sighed through my nose, gnawing at my lower lip anxiously, which did not go unnoticed.

"Okay, okay, okay..." Kaitlyn began to nod thoughtfully, contemplating the tall brunettes offer.

"One last epic bonfire blowout for all time."

"Oh, dude. Fuck yes!" Jacob pumped the air, gesturing to the only Aussie in the group. "I'm in. Nick, you're in."

"Yeah I'm in."

"Dylan's in. Obviously. My man. Kaitlyn?"

After some momentary hesitation and a quick glance around the group, the short Asian woman conceded. "I go where my people need me."

"Yeah! Okay... Em, what do you say?"

"Yeah, I'm in." She grinned, hands on her hips.

"Mr. Hackett seemed pretty insistent we stay in the lodge." Abigail suddenly cut in, dampening my mood further with her voice.

"He was just trying to freak us out. You know, like um... Like one of Ryan's stupid ghost stories."

"Why would he want to scare us?"

Probably because he doesn't fucking like you, Abigail. I hissed in my head, scowling at her from under my long black lashes.

Ryan, looking miffed and uncertain, sighed through his nose apprehensively. "I don't think he was trying to freak us out, Jacob. I think he was really freaked out by something."

"Jesus Christ."

"Chris seemed real serious about this, guys."

Dylan slumped slightly, off put by Ryan's mood dampening behavior. "Just say you're in, man. Come on. One last night. Dude. He won't even know."

"Yeah but I promised, I—"

I had to grab Jacob's arm to stop him from stepping forward with his irritation, encouraging him to just speak calmly. "No no nah, dude, dude. It's all good. Alright, we get it, you know. You, uh... You don't wanna disappoint 'daddy'."

Ryan's eyes narrowed on Jacob and his nose wrinkled at the underhanded remark. "Whatever, man."

Dylan stepped in quickly, attempting to keep the conversation calm. "It's gonna be fine, man. Trust me. It's gonna be chill."

"I'm sure he's just looking out for us. No big deal." Ryan muttered this, mostly to reassure himself.

"Alright. Yeah! Party!" Dylan cheered, grins spreading on the rest of their faces.

"No, I didn't mean—"

Dylan put his hand up for a high five, grinning at the deep-toned male with excitement. "High five—Touch my hand, Ryan."

Ryan hesitated, eying the brunette before glancing at me. I nodded hesitantly, worry still on my mind. With a sigh, he lifted his hand and pressed it against Dylan's. "Alright, fine..."

"But I just want to go on record and say that this is a bad idea."

Jacob deadpanned and shook his head. "Oh my God, dude."

"Ugh. It's gonna be fine, man. Trust me. It's gonna be chill." Dylan did his best to reassure the guy he'd been pinning after half the summer.

Excited once again for tonight's plan, Jacob rubbed his hands together. "Alright, alright, alright, Hacketteers! Party planning committee. Let's do this!"

He gestured to Nick and Abigail, tilting his head side to side. "Um, okay. First things first, Nick and Abi... you go get some firewood. Uh... Emma and I will go to the store for some supplies. And, uh, Dylan, you just... I don't know, figure out how to charge the phones or something..." Dylan and Nick shared a thumbs up with the jock before he clapped his hands. "Alright let's do this!"

Hesitating, I glanced among the group and hit my lip, the buzzing behind my ears urging me to speak up. I could tell them what I'd 'seen' so far—knowing they were likely to listen to it as my clairvoyance was well known—but risk dampening the mood. Or I could keep it to myself and hope that everything would be okay. Besides that, who would I join? Abi and Nick? Dylan, Ryan and Kaitlyn? Emma and Jacob? Or should I find something to do alone?

Wha t would you do?

|•|•|•|•|•|•|•|

Laura Kearney is my best friend and is currently missing.

Max Brinly is my best friend and is currently missing.

Ryan Erzahler is appreciative towards me.

Jacob Custos is concerned for my health and attached to me.

Abigail Blyg is distasteful of me.

Dylan Lenivy finds me adorable.

Emma Mountebank greatly enjoys my company.

Kaitlyn Ka is entertained by me.

Nicholas Furcillo is protective of me and concerned for my mental health.

Travis Hackett has no relation to me.

Chris Hackett finds me reliable but aggressive.

I am alive, sane and burned but otherwise healthy.

Tarot Visions:

Temperance

It was dark, the fire lit before me, my friends surrounding me. Jacob tossed a beer can my way, a pocket knife in his outstretched hand. I debated it for a moment as I caught the beverage, then stood and accepted the blade so I could shotgun the beer, pocketing it afterwards.

Strength

I held my breathe, back pressed to a boulder with Abigail beside me, hands over each other's mouths. A silhouette clambered above the boulder beside us, it's glowing red eyes searching the earth, snarling as it's saliva dripped against my shoulder and made me shudder.

Branches:

•Skeptic BFF: Having been best friends with Max and Laura, I knew they weren't okay. With their absence, I grew skeptical of Chris Hackett and his promises.

[amazingdvils]

starter for @wraith-of-christmas-future It was a quiet, peaceful night for Vic McQueen, something that had become a little rarer over the last few months. She sipped her tea as lightning danced across the inky black sky, a low hum of content sounding from the back of her throat as thunder rumbled in the distance. She cherished nights like these, especially when her pain levels were low and her mind was calm. She enjoyed the sense of solitude that had settled over her, knowing that the few people in her life that she cared for were safe in their own pursuits. Even Charlie was out of town and out of her hair for some errand or another, although she wasn’t sure where or what. She found it better for her own peace of mind to just not ask.

She was dozing off when the click of the back door opening jerked her awake. Eyebrows furrowed as she listened, muscles knotting in sudden fear. Had she forgotten to lock the back door again? Her mind quickly went over the logical people that it could be. Maggie was off with her girlfriend on a date night. Wayne and Lou were out of town for a much needed guys trip. And she knew that it wasn’t Charlie because she would have heard the hum of the Wraith’s engine pulling into her driveway, a sound that she’d become intimately familiar with over the last few months.

A shaking hand reached for her cane as she slowly got to her feet, heart pounding. “Who’s there?” she called out, hand tightening around the head of the cane. She could dimly hear low voices, male sounding, but couldn’t make out the words. 

With a sickening jolt, she realized that she was outnumbered. If she was younger, if she wasn’t so damaged from her showdowns with Manx, she would have been more willing to stand her ground and fight. But she knew that if she tried, she would be overpowered quickly. It was no secret to those in town that her leg barely worked, that she was half blind, that she was a lot weaker than most. She was an easier target than she used to be. Fuck.

The Brat tried to ignore the panic that was attempting to well up, quietly turning to try to leave her house from the front door. She could hear Lou’s voice in the back of her mind reminding her that objects were replaceable, but she wasn’t. There was no reason to try and fight back if escape was an option. Besides, she was absolutely sick of hospitals at this point. 

She’d only gotten a few feet of the front door before it burst open and two men dressed in all black with their faces concealed came bursting in, causing her to skitter back. Apparently, Vic had forgotten to lock that door as well. Motherfucker. She screamed, turning to run down the hall. If she could reach her bedroom, she could bar the door long enough to climb out of the window and hide outside long enough for them to leave. 

Her cane was suddenly kicked out from beneath her as she tried to run, causing her to shriek in surprise as she stumbled forward. Vic fell, face slamming into the corner of the wall at the entrance of the hallway. Pain filled her skull and her vision exploded into sparks and stars. The taste of blood and terror filled her mouth as she felt a hand grab her hair and yank it up, pulling a yelp from her. 

“Poor little Victoria McQueen,” sneered a male voice in her ear. “Children’s author, kidnap survivor, crazier than a shit house rat. But hey, even crazy fucks have valuables. Now tell me, where’s yours?”

Despite her terror, the Brat gritted her teeth in defiance. “Go fuck yourself,” she spat. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that it hurt. All she could think of was Wayne and that she would never get to see him graduate high school. She’d never get to see him go to college or, eventually, have a family. She’d never get to have another summer barbecue at the lake with Wayne and Lou and Maggie. Hell, she even felt absolutely heartbroken over the fact that she would never again get to hear Charlie’s voice purring her name in her ear or feel herself get lulled to sleep with her head on his shoulder.

Charlie. Instantly, an idea occurred to her. Some sort of mental bond had been forged between the two of them due to the time that he spent haunting her. The bastard used it to his advantage all the time, often figuring out things that she’d much rather he didn’t have the power to know. But could she use it to her advantage now? Could she somehow reach out to him via this link? Would it work? Hell, even if it did work, was he in a place where he could reach her in time?

Excruciating pain suddenly exploded through her bad leg as a knee was pressed into her, interrupting her line of thought. She screamed and felt another person slap her so hard that she saw stars once again. “I’m not here to play games, bitch. If you want to get out of this alive, tell me where you hide your fuckin’ valuables.”

“I don’t have anything valuable, you dumb fuck,” she snarled. Inwardly, she reached out for whatever tether that tied her and Charlie together and tried to yank on it. Hard. Help! Help! Goddamn it, Manx! HELP ME!

Her face was slammed into the wooden floor before more pressure was put on her bad leg. The pain was so bad that she couldn’t think or even scream. She just groaned, eyes closing as the tears fell, silently screaming for the one figure who even had a chance at helping her. Please, please work. Please, Charlie.

[elennare]

I posted 8,307 times in 2022

36 posts created (0%)

8,271 posts reblogged (100%)

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I tagged 273 of my posts in 2022

#high rollers - 43 posts

#rollonsunday - 37 posts

#lucius virion-elluin elenasto - 18 posts

#qillek ad khollar - 13 posts

#chalet school - 11 posts

#fanfiction - 11 posts

#amazing - 10 posts

#quillucius - 7 posts

#answer - 6 posts

#yes - 6 posts

Longest Tag: 129 characters

#... that said it does make sense quill will consider any and all options to minimise the chance he gets struck by lightning again

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Modern writers: is this name with an allusive meaning too on the nose?

The author of this high school series from the 1910s I'm reading on project Gutenberg: the school dandy is called Prettyman Sweet

11 notes - Posted April 28, 2022

#4

More Chalet School thoughts - I wonder if Joey’s obsession with having ALL the kids* is linked to her having kind of been an only child, in a way? Madge had to be as much mother as sister to her, and I doubt she saw all that much of Dick if he was in India from the start of his career - she’d only have been six when Dick and Madge turned eighteen. Maybe she at least subconsciously wished her parents had had more children in between the twins and her? She definitely goes all in on adopting the Robin as a sister, and Juliet too in the Tirol books at least (poor Juliet gets quite abandoned by EBD after her marriage).

And from an outside-the-books perspective, I was also trying to figure out when EBD’s obsession with large families started - in the Tirol years, I don’t remember more than three or four siblings at most generally (three Mensches, three Burnetts, four von Eschenaus I think?). There are plenty of pairs too (like the Maranis and the Stevenses and the Lecoutiers), and only children - a lot of whom are a problem in some way, like Grizel and Eustacia and Corney, but I don’t recall their problem-ness being linked to their being onlies at all like is often done in the later years with people like Emerence (generally by Joey). I think the large-family-madness might start with the Bettanys, perhaps? And then of course it spread to the Russells and Maynards, and other favourite families like the Lucys and Chesters.

*side thought, what is with EBD/Joey’s insistence on calling them “brats” rather than kids?! Was it actually a thing at the time, or just EBD being weird? It sounds so mean!

12 notes - Posted March 2, 2022

#3

I can’t stop thinking about Lucius’s dream with Siaska, and just the love and care and thought Mark obviously put into it... Under the cut for discussion of Lucius’s suicidal thoughts.

So back in Ep. 116, when Lucius encountered Hadar so directly, we had that discussion from Trott on how at some level, Hadar seemed like an option to Lucius, like giving up would be easier than fighting - and I wonder if Mark’s been waiting ever since for the opportunity to bring it up within the narrative? Or if he just remembered it when planning these dream sequences? Either way, he did it so well, every little detail!

The way at first, only Lucius can see the darkness and the red light, how everyone else is happy but he’s suffering and in pain... How it calls out to him - and Trott was so good here too, with Lucius admitting that it would be easy, but knowing that the void isn’t an answer (I wonder, did Mark have a plan for if Lucius had said yes? Or is this one of those instances of Mark knowing Trott so well he knew he wouldn’t?) - And then! When Lucius rejects it, how he doesn’t have to fight it off alone! The echoes of the Titans in Siaska, his own prismatic magic, and above all his friends, driving it back... How his friends are shining lights holding the darkness away... 

Then there’s Siaska’s speech, which is so so good - Lucius has felt himself less important than his friends with their responsibilities and destinies, but here Siaska (who he’s probably the most devoted to out of the party?) is telling him that every minute he tries is important, that he doesn’t have to be a leader or a warrior, that his artist’s soul, the way he sees beauty, they matter! And his family surrounding him, his father being proud of him...

It was all so perfect and beautiful, and it made me cry, and I love it so much.

24 notes - Posted May 27, 2022

#2

There is no peace in the void. There is no relief for those who are consumed by it. Those are things only the living and the ascended can have.  Battles fought and lost, great accomplishments, grand adventure, jokes with friends, the comfort of a lover, small joys, frivolous pleasures. Every second we live is defiant against the power of time itself. Every minute we say 'I will try' is something to be proud of. We do not need to all be great leaders or warriors, oracles, or scholars; art, words, music, they hold a power all their own. Artists can see the beauty in things others do not. Musicians can change a heart when words and spells cannot. Without these things, the heart of a world is lost.

Mark Hulmes as Siaska, High Rollers: Aerois #147

107 notes - Posted May 23, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

"Characters in Dracula don't know they're in Dracula" actually just statistical error. Most character in Dracula know they are in Dracula. Jonathan Harker, who ignores five hundred warning signs a day, is an outlier and should not have been counted.

470 notes - Posted May 8, 2022

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[vexedsorcreroftheless]

I think I met Ares officially the year before I graduated. I met him while doing cards as he answered the call when I was trying to ask for advice on how to approach Aphrodite since I’ve grown up with women who definitely try their hardest to embody what she represents and teaches to her devotees. I wanted to make sure I had my language correct and everything right so she could have the most pleasant interaction. What lesbian hasn’t had a crush/respect crush on her?? But yeah he found it endearing and appreciated the effort I went through for that. I never followed through with it since I ended up psyching myself out realizing I had internalized misogyny from my youth. I decided that she didn’t deserve me trying to get her attention because I would never let anyone say something misogynistic even unintentionally to the ladies in my life. She deserved proper respect and not me subconsciously second guessing. I ended up talking with Ares more as we connected on opinions about things and he helped me stay strong through high school as I had a strong sense of Justice and fairness that wasn’t appreciated. He stood by me and made sure I wasn’t ever actually alone when I was speeding through my coursework to escape that place of hypocrisy. I eventually opened up about some personal things and he understood that and offered me some insight as I grew up with my dad going overseas in war zones a lot and often would worry about it. He offered me the comfort of if anything happened he’d still be there and would help me be the “father figure” my sister would need even if I blamed him for it. That was what truly won me over I think. Also he finds my pseudo-children to be endearing brats. We still are technically courting I’d call it since I made a vow to my parents when I was like really young to not enter any type of serious romantic relationship until I had a degree or some type of certification under my belt. When informed of this he still was okay with waiting and in everything but name we are godspoused. Surprisingly our favorite thing to is watch SAO:GGO. Which I think is hilarious, but he enjoys it. He’ll listen to me talk about comics and the social commentary even though he honestly could care less about superheroes, but he does enjoy the stimulating conversations about how they related to modern civil rights movements and stuff. Also his absolute favorite thing to do is cuddle and nap. The amount of hours I slept when we first got close was funny. I don’t fall asleep quickly and deeply unless I feel safe. He makes me feel safe and he loves showing that off by putting me to rest. It’s a pain, but he does know my body limits better than me sadly as he knows I’ll just work nonstop. Oop! I wrote a whole lot more than I originally planned, but it happens often when I start talking about him. He never stops it either the show pony he is/j.

Godspouses, otherpartners, and folks in relationships with other entities –  How did you meet your partners? Did you date them first or did you jump headfirst into a partnership? What’s your favorite relationship activity? (Ex. watching movies together, singing, etc) 

[eideticstark]

Federal Gambit- Part Two

Warnings: Minimal swearing, arguing

Pairings: dad!Gibbs x reader, Hotch x reader

A/N: Hello readers, here's the requested part 2! If you haven't read part 1, go back and do so. I've decided that this will be a full story. Currently I'm not sure how many parts it'll take to tell this story. Stick around if you're interested because I have something up my sleeve hehe. With that being said, the title is changed to "Federal Gambit". Originally it was a play on words but I needed it to be more fitting to the story. As always, feel free to critique me and/or leave requests! Thanks for reading! <3

If looks could kill, you easily would have had life in prison. Your icy blues refusing to break eye contact with Aaron who was still currently on the floor. Aaron decided he was tired of your bullshit and rolled his eyes. 

“Looks like another staring contest won y/n/n! I’ve taught you well. Now if only you’d join my team at NCIS already-” 

“Leroy, with the utmost respect please shut the fuck up. I have to diffuse this situation and babysit you two asshats.” 

Aaron was clearly holding a grudge so you approached him and pulled him up only to drop him back onto the floor. 

“Relax, that ought to knock some sense into you. And when you’re ready to have a conversation, feel free to join the adults over here. Ok? Ok.” You finished with a smile.

You were a Gibbs alright. Even though you took your mom’s last name, you were without a doubt Leroy’s kid. Lucky for you, people never thought to connect the dots which you were grateful for. The original Gibbs was a lot to handle but two? A dynamic duo for sure but the world was not prepared. Currently you are enjoying being a civilian. After your last deployment, you decided that you wanted a change of scenery. More importantly, you wanted some time to figure out which federal agency was the perfect fit for you. 

Aaron groaned and pushed himself off the floor. He had a job to do. Ignoring the fact that he just got his ass kicked by an “old” agent, he walked over to you and Leroy and cleared his throat. 

“I have a multitude of questions.” 

“Do they pertain to your case?” Leroy retorted. 

Aaron’s resting face returned and Leroy took that as his answer. 

“You can ask y/n two questions. Rest will wait until you find who’s after her.”

Aaron pondered for a couple minutes and figured out what he wanted to ask. 

“Why do you call him Leroy? No one in any agency calls him that. It’s either ‘Agent Gibbs’ or if one’s close enough, ‘Jethro’.”

“Mom had a special nickname for him. I wanted something that only I was allowed to use so I started calling him Leroy.” You genuinely answered.

Aaron nodded in acknowledgement before proceeding to ask his final personal question. 

“Why’d you take your mom’s last name?”

“Leroy knew he would make a lot of enemies. For my protection, he and my mom agreed that I’d take her last name.” 

There were still many unanswered questions but the three of you knew it was time for business. For heaven’s sake, someone was trying to kill you. First and foremost, the two men started poking around your life. You went to public school, marine brat, and enlisted to the Marine Corps straight out of high school just as Leroy was discharged and took a position at NCIS. Leroy made sure it was nearly impossible to trace you back to him and you made sure of the same thing. You and your dad were high profile. As Leroy and Aaron recounted your past, you quickly grew anxious and made sure not to show it. Granted it was just the basics but still, talking about your past was something you never did. Leroy was the only one who knew some details but was not about to out you unless absolutely necessary. Rule number four.

Aaron had enough of your deafening silence and Leroy's withholding of information and snapped at you. 

“Y/n, can you think of any enemies?” 

“Either dead or classified. Next question.”

“What were your missions when you were deployed?”

“Classified. And your security clearance isn’t high enough. Plus I don’t talk about my past.”

“Damn it y/n. Work with me here.”

“Believe me, I’m trying.”

“Try harder.”

“You don’t think I wanna catch the person behind this? How many times has someone come after you? Like what, once? Twice? People have been coming after me since I was eighteen. Part of the job being a sniper. That’s nearly a decade filled with names you hope to never hear again, relatives you hope to never see again, and time lost while hiding which you hope to never do again.”

Aaron took one step closer to you. Your faces just inches apart and him staring into your y/e/c orbs. 

“The difference between you and I? You don’t have a fucking family. My wife was murdered and my son was next-”

You froze and averted your gaze away from Aaron as he continued to bitterly spew words at you. Glancing behind Aaron to Leroy, you saw that he froze too. Leroy discretely signed, “Did you know?” You shook your head ever so slightly. “Does he know?” Same response. Leroy sighed.

Had you known, you wouldn’t have gone that far. That was a low blow and you knew it. Working up all your courage, while looking down, you whispered, “Stop.” It was of no use. Tears were streaming down your face and when you finally looked up at him, you saw his stone cold face. Aaron made it a point to make you feel worse than you already were feeling. Leroy approached the two of you and gently pulled you away from Aaron. He looked at Aaron and sincerely uttered, “Y/n said ‘stop’.” 

For not letting things affect you, you were shaken up. You needed a break so you went to your kitchen to fetch a glass of water. In the distance, you could hear Aaron and Leroy continue to discuss the case. You firmly gripped the kitchen counter, trying to process everything that was happening. A phone rang in the distance and you assumed it was someone letting Aaron know he had a case even though Leroy had already told him. You finally open your cupboard and was met with a blast. 

Boom. 

part 3

[taekookficrecs]

recent faves!!

hello friends !! it's been a hot second so i thought i'd stop by and drop some of my faves that i've read in the past year. our ask box is overflowing and it's really hard to get to them when we're busy with college but i hope this will suffice!! some are old some are new but i hope you enjoy them all the same :)

cards on the table (we're both showing hearts) - afuzzyowl (( 21/21 | E | 143,829 ))

I want him, Taehyung almost confesses. Jimin makes his life hard like that because he’s sort of soft, gives off this vibe of being welcoming, or accepting, or something. Even if his back muscles are disconcertingly defined.

“Say. What do you think of Jungkook? Just, like. In general.”

Jimin sighs exaggeratedly. “He’s a brat.” Taehyung nods. “Our brat, though. Even though he 'forgets' to call me hyung sometimes. Hmph.”

“He’s so—adorable, Jiminie,” Taehyung mourns, and it takes everything in him not to turn this into a half-hour sob fest about the dreadful consequences of such adorableness, complete with poster presentation and one of those extendable pointer thingies.

On their journey to becoming the number one boy band in the world, Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook fall in love. Based on true BTS events.

nostalgia corrosiva - drawingspaces (( 1/1 | M | 26,500 ))

taehyung and jeongguk are very good at getting other people to talk to each other. they’re not very good at the talking thing themselves.

or: the one in which they run an investigative podcast, don’t psychoanalyze anyone, and the scariest thing isn’t falling off the edge of a waterfall.

forever is a tangent - astringxnt (( 2/2 | M | 9,366 ))

in which Taehyung is a keeper of the past, and Jungkook only chases the future. "I don’t think I will ever find the words to describe the anger, the devastation; it swallowed me up from the inside out, killed me right where I stood as I listened to your breathing slow to naught, until there was only static.

what is lost/what is left behind - tetsurou (( 1/1 | T | 8,392 ))

Taehyung was in an accident. There are a lot of things in his apartment that don't make sense.

(make my heart) a Better Place - HereIGoAgain (( 1/1 | E | 40,809 ))

There’s one other thing that’s not changed. Besides the fact that Taehyung is just as bright, and brave, and beautiful as he was the day they met. That’s just fact. That’s just Taehyung. But it helps explain the other thing.

Being that Jungkook is hopelessly and desperately in love with him.

Always has been.

-

Jungkook has gotten pretty good at the whole tomb raiding gig.

Taehyung complicates things.

i just sorta feel sick without you, baby - glossssy (( 6/6 | N/R | 36,087 ))

“Did I make baby sad?" Taehyung calls as he backs away. "So sad." Jungkook fake pouts, then shoves up a middle finger. "Get lost."

(Jungkook and Taehyung are the lead singers of rival bands.)

Where You Resonate - sunsetskv (( 7/7 | E | 78,892 ))

Jeongguk wants nothing more than for his past to be forgotten—while Taehyung simply wishes to be remembered forever.

glass stars - flowerhours (( 6/6 | M | 6,302 ))

somewhere among the stars in the milky way, an artist falls in love.

Pluto - annangst (( 21/21 | E | 199,119 ))

Kim Taehyung has his life figured out. There's a simple plan to follow, a guaranteed path to a fulfilled life: Graduate high school. Volunteer. Get into the most prestigious university imaginable. Attend church. Never disappoint your parents, never veer off track. Maintain the perfect facade.

Taehyung is really good at following that plan.

Until.

Until, one cruel summer, his best friend drags him along to a sketchy underground club and introduces him to Jeon Jungkook – someone Taehyung vividly remembers riding a skateboard and folding paper airplanes with utmost precision back when they were kids.

And, well, Jungkook kind of fucks his whole plan up.

an echo of you - taecheeks (( 10/10 | E | 66,558 ))

"Where there are shadows, there is light."

Jungkook is the best in the Company. Every hit he's assigned, he does so without question and gets the job done quickly. But when he's assigned to take out the Shadow, a man who has stolen from his boss, he can't bring himself to do it.

Vitrail - Melarose (( 9/9 | M | 164,872 ))

For Jeon Jeongguk, a newly graduated witch hoping to become a powerful mage, the biggest mystery of his life has always been his missing familiar. He prays he’ll be assigned a mentor who will help him find it, eagerly awaiting the chance to prove himself.

Instead, he’s assigned to the infamous Kim Taehyung, the reclusive groundskeeper of the Arboretum who seems to cultivate more secrets than he does plants.

Stars, or Moons, or Something - redpangur (( 11/11 | E | 43,978 ))

When Jungkook was a lot younger, and didn’t know how to wall himself off, or that his body was this inexplicable thing liable to betray him, Hoseok used to joke that Jungkook had a huge crush on Taehyung. He teased Jungkook for his crestfallen looks when Taehyung chose another team, when he wouldn’t come watch Jungkook play video games, when he got the chance to leave practice early and actually did. “Give the poor kid a break,” Yoongi broke in at one point. “He won’t always get one.” Jungkook is older now, much more experienced at self-censorship. Sometimes he even just exists for long stretches of time, doesn’t consciously acknowledge how he’s always, always trying not to think too much about it. And then there are times like today in the recording booth, when he’s weak beneath it again.

Where the Light Shines - moonflower1306 (( 14/14 | E | 135,013 ))

Taehyung takes the role of a servant for a bratty but rich heir named Jungkook in order to seduce and cheat him out of his inheritance.

inure - volataeile (( 7/7 | E | 69,561 ))

Seven years after their breakup, Jeongguk and Taehyung begin to find their way back to each other.

Years ago, that would be the look Jeongguk would yearn for, searching for Taehyung’s eyes in every room he enters, wanting his attention, wanting Taehyung to look at him, to see him. He’d look back at Taehyung with just as much fire in his eyes, letting his gaze tell him everything Jeongguk couldn’t yet. How he's going to give him anything he wants in this world.

Jeongguk was ready to do that until the day it all ended.

Now, Taehyung’s eyes on him feel invasive, having Jeongguk afraid of what they’ll see if they look at him for too long.

sucker for you - anon (( 17/17 | E | 163,574 ))

“Jungkook here doesn’t believe the sun will burn him. Can you please tell him that it does so he doesn’t get hurt and become an even bigger pain in my ass?”

Jungkook pushes against his shoulder. “You were just begging for me to stay because you enjoy my company so much.”

Another questioning look on Jimin’s face makes Taehyung consider going somewhere else for the night so he doesn’t have to hear about it.

“Didn’t beg.” Taehyung fixes his shirt in case his position wrinkled it in any way. “Only said that to make you feel better.”

Jungkook scoffs under his breath. “You lie so much and wonder why I don’t believe you.”

admin nj - i don't think i've rec'ed any of these yet so i hope i've introduced something new to you :) enjoy <3

[queencvbra]

ㅤㅤㅤTHE WORST THING IS THAT PART OF WHAT HE SAYS MAKES SENSE TO HER. You get what you give. Survival of the fittest, that's just how things are. Nothing in life is fair. Some people get things handed to them, and other people have to fight for every scrap. And Tory's fought pretty damn hard to get to the top. At least in a dojo, the fighting can mean something. Everyone starts at the bottom, even the spoiled brats. Maybe that's why karate is the only thing that's ever made her feel like she stands a chance. The alluded lesson is easily recalled. She's no high school academic, but when it comes to karate, Tory always pays attention.

ㅤㅤㅤ❝ There's no one here more dedicated than me. ❞ It's not a hard claim to back up. Between school, working multiple jobs, and caring for her mother and brother, Tory was still the type to show up early and leave late more often than not. Part of it was her aversion to going back to her apartment, admittedly, but for the longest time, Cobra Kai was the only thing she cared about outside of her family. It was her home, her real home. ( It used to be. ) And as angry as she is, it's hard to cut that tether. All she can do is hope that Kreese is right; that they can fix this mess and get everything back to the way it was. ( But part of her wonders if any of this is worth it at all. ) ❝ I've sacrificed a lot for this place. I've stayed loyal even when all my friends turned on me because of it. And I've never asked for anything in return. I just want to get to the top and stay there. ❞

ㅤㅤㅤMiyagi-do is brought up, and Tory sits in silence, hiding the lower half of her face by taking another, much more voracious drink from the glass, emptying it more than halfway. In the past, she would have had no problem talking down about Miyagi-do. Something that doesn't sit so well with her anymore. She knows Mr. Larusso now. He's not at all the kind of guy that Kreese made him out to be. ( Another point against her sensei. ) Her personal problems with his daughter aside, she's come to realize that he's actually a pretty cool dude, and Miyagi-do itself is useful. Ironic how Miyagi-do and its techniques were Cobra Kai's saving grace in the tournament, but no one would ever dare say that. She's certainly not going to, especially not to Silver's face.

ㅤㅤㅤHe calls her an inspiration, and Tory feels ice in her veins. She doesn't feel like that, not at all. She knows what she is. She's a fraud. ❝ Why me? ❞ Her words stumble for a moment, that steel nerve faltering. The stone expression on her face falls away, leaving behind the girl that hid beneath it. She hates the way people have started to look at her. Like she's some great success. Tory doesn't revel in empty praise when she knows she's done no such thing to earn it. She craves realness. Genuine pride. Sure, they may not know the truth when they congratulate her and call her the champion, but she knows. And it's a hard thing to live with. ❝ I mean, I get it. I'm the best you have but ─ ❞ she collects herself, ❝ ─ I'm not exactly a people person. I don't know how to get people to like me; I'm way more likely to make them all hate me, if we're being honest. ❞ Tory stops and takes another drink, this time finishing off the glass. ❝ I don't inspire anything. Except maybe headaches. ❞

ㅤㅤDare he think it, but there’s a scant hint of trepidation in the girl’s demeanour in spite of her frank attitude, a factor that makes Silver’s judgement linger over the possibility that there may be more to this supposed Hail Mary effort to return to the dōjō than meets the eye, silently observing the visual idiosyncrasies that Nichols often presented without means of precaution. The bluntness of her tone gives way for the faint manner in which her casual frame inwardly jostles as she speaks  (  akin to engaging in lifelong combat with herself  ),  minor pauses as if the words emerging are being more carefully chosen regardless of being rooted in authenticity. It isn’t an uncommon practice for some of the students to adopt an air of formality when engaging with the senseis, a distinct boundary created between candour and compliance—  but that isn’t how their Champion usually comports herself - if the girl’s brazen approach had been adopted by some of their newer registrants, it wouldn’t be comparably tolerated, and the fact that it currently is is a boon within its own right.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ“I’m glad we’re seeing eye-to-eye.”  A sly simper curls into place as she takes the bait, lips twisting upwards as the lofty man rewards her with an emphatic nod that’s awash with approval, the kind of gesture and focus provided that would be afforded to those starved of attention.  “As confined of an experience as you think it might be, this dōjō reflects the real world, and it’s my aim to impart that lesson to be carried forwards. We may treat all children with a base level of respect that they rightfully earn, but it’s inevitable that there are those who will surpass their peers. Those who prove themselves deserving of a few perks.”  There’s a cant of Silver’s head, a subtle yet indicative inclination of his forehead tipping in the teen’s direction to address her specifically, an echo of a prior class within crooning words.  “And it’s all down to dedication.”

ㅤㅤThe sensei may have his own motives while running a tight ship, but they frequently conflict with the ideology he conveys, his own thoughts teetering over whether some of the measures that were enacted bordered on being too severe— yet he soundly reasons that they’re for their own benefit, an aggrandised perception of future goals coaxing such hesitance  (  they would thank him & uphold his legacy one day  ).  The man doesn’t partake but merely holds onto the juice while soundlessly watching the blonde, the tension of her wrist against the circumference of the glass possibly denoting a shred of reluctance. He doesn’t express it, a smile in place that’s broad and encouraging.  “That’s what we like to hear. Despite the vaunted holier than thou teachings that Miyagi-Do pass on, it’s outdated and defunct.”  (  Eagle Fang isn’t worthy of a mention  ). 

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ“A cliff that dismissively stands still is eroded by waves until there’s nothing left. That’s what we’re dealing with. LaRusso doesn’t have what it takes to use a relevant approach in-keeping with the times, and it’s time for you to highlight that.”  It’s unclear of whether he’s referring to Samantha or Daniel, but Silver’s salesman patter picks up with the enquiry of the training, a tight grin twitching into place with the thought of their big plans.  “We have some new and improved techniques that we want to deploy, an advanced lesson plan for newer recruits to give them a head-start to catch up to our original class.” He finally takes a sip of the drink, a prominent crease of his brow deepening as steely eyes narrow, placing it down and sliding the glass back across the counter ( not enough pulp ). "You'd be an integral part of this transition to set a new standard. I really think you'd benefit from meeting the other students, you're an inspiration and you should accept that."

[guaxinimraccoon]

ok so i’m not exactly sure what this would be called or how this would even happen given the circumstances of how they met, but what would it be like if a younger brad found younger toby (like ten year old brad, fifteen year old toby, or younger)

Ok lemme say that I fell in LOVE with this scenario like- A LOT

There was a time that I really wanted to make this canon, like, Toby and Brad meeting each other when they were kiddos and re-meeting after years, but I discarded the idea because it didn't fit in the vibe I was heading for them.

But OH BOY do I love g/t tropes where they first meet as kids and re-meet after YEARS and try to regain all that trust that was built years ago, mixed between the nostalgia and good memories and the fear of being again in a complicated and dangerous interaction after so long and where none of them are used to it anymore- it's just- SO HEART WRENCHING AAAAAAAAA

That's why I say-

Let's give this a headcanon shot

Ok so how would this work?

Canonically speaking, Brad lived most of his life in his dad's (who is Alex, let's not forget) home town, close to his grandparents, uncles and aunts. He'd come to live in Alex's old house - in the capital city - after getting into a technical school, where he'd also attend to high school (totally not inspired by a true story). That happened when he was 15.

For this headcanon, Alex wanted to spend the holidays at his old house, maybe for the good memories he built there with Elisa, maybe because it was a bigger city and Brad could enjoy his holiday time better.

BUT LET'S NOT FORGET that Alex's house has an entire forest for a backyard, a forest that attracts his curious, 10 year old son to explore it.

A forest that is also the home for an entire Colony of fairies and imps.

And on that fatidic day, when this innocent lil kid was walking around that new territory, exploring the branches and trees, looking for animals, would be the same day that a pair of teenage imps were training their climbing skills at the forest.

Siri is way more precautious than Toby, so she wouldn't want to take long out in the open and would insist to them to return back to their safe home ASAP. But Toby, as the inconsequent brat he is, would have none of it and would be all about the most dangerouns option.

Siri wasn't going to wait for her idiot friend, so she just returned to the Colony by herself, leaving Toby "the pro climber" alone.

And who could guess he'd get all tangled up and suspended at a branch, perfectly eye leveled with a human if any of them passed by??

Toby freaked at the sight of Brad, of course. He could only scream and threat, yelling at him to stay away from him or he'd curse his next generations or something.

As for Brad, even though he was a curious kid who had never ever seen someone like Toby before, he payed more attention at how scared and frightened that little person was. He couldn't bring himself to ask anything when the lil dude was clearly terrified and stuck, so he focused on helping him and releasing him from his suspended prison, all while trying to calm him down and explain that he was just trying to help.

Toby was VERY confused. Children should be even more dangerous than adults, so why was this human kid gently snapping his thread and speaking at a low tone to try to calm him down? He thought being held by a human was the worst experience that could ever happen to an imp, but he couldn't sense any threat coming from it, it was just careful, warm and... safe?

Brad put Toby down on the ground, whose first action was to run as fast as he could to a hidden, safe place in the nearest bushes. Little Brad noticed he was still scared of him and didn't try to grab Toby, he just gently waved him goodbye, even though he had a lot of questions and was very curious over that little tiny person.

And so was Toby over that big, but kind human.

Brad didn't say anything to his father about his weird encounter with a tiny person in the forest, partly because he wasn't sure if he was real and he was just hallucinating from the loneliness the whole time.

Nevertheless, he returned to that same spot on the forest the other day, in the hopes to find the tiny again and maybe befriending him, he really just wanted to talk and to know more about him.

To his luck, Toby also got very curious. He decided to return to that spot again too and to see if the weird human would appear again.

It'd take him some time and courage, but after awhile watching the kid all by himself, doing nothing harmful and just patiently waiting, he simply revealed himself and decided to give that human a try. He knew that was illogical and against everything he had learned, but how bad could it be? That kid had him in his hands once and did nothing to him, why would he be mean to him now?

Well, none of them regretted their decisions. They both got along and effortless became friends. Toby learned Brad really was trustworhty and safe to be around, probably one of the very few humans like that, and Brad learned Toby was a magical imp who could do lots of amazing stuff he never knew could actually exist.

The two spent an amazing time together, learning about each other and chatting away like good friends, even for their age difference. It was easily the best holidays Brad ever had.

Buuuuuuuuut it didn't last forever.

Brad's vacation time eventually ended and he had to go back to his home and school. He went to the forest one last time to say Toby goodbye and to thank him for the amazing time and moments they spent together.

Toby also got very sad for Brad leaving. He had become one of his very few friends and had teached him so much about the human world. He was sure he’d never find someone else like him. They’d both miss each other deeply.

Brad had other vacations, of course, but he couldn’t tell his father why he wanted so much to spend them at the capital again, he had to keep Toby a secret forever. Maybe Alex would take him back to his old house for the holidays more times, but Brad never managed to find Toby.

As for Toby, he spent weeks returning to their meeting spot, in the faded hope to see Brad again. He knew he could be back in a few months, but his constants outputs in a short period of time started to become suspicious and he was no more allowed to leave the Colony alone. I mean, the Council knew his mother’s reputation with humans, they couldn’t risk that chaos happening one more time.

Like that, Brad and Toby never seen each other again... until Brad moved out to his father’s old house close to the forest.

The same house where a certain imp would be sent to as a punishment for commting a crime in his Colony.

Oh the seconds after that must have been the most wholesome thing ever, but I’ll leave them for your imagination, anon

I can’t express in words how much I love this scenario.