#but god it’s like she was tailor made for what I’ve been looking for

[chibelial]

She’s surreal man, too good to be true. Been led astray by abusers before but this has a whole different feeling idk what to think but if she stabbed me I’d thank her

[shitouttabuck]

the same damn thing that made my heart surrender

buck/eddie | 1.4k | t

It’s quiet and late at the station, so Eddie can very clearly hear Buck dragging his feet across the loft from the kitchen to the couch, the sound such a specific combination of distracted and perturbed he already knows to expect the little crease between his eyebrows when he finally flings himself down beside Eddie.

“Ugh,” he says, frowning at his phone as he scrolls what seems to be Instagram.

Eddie hums indulgently, not taking his eyes off the newspaper crossword he pilfered from Hen earlier.

“Ugh,” Buck says again, much more pointed and with an additional nudge to Eddie’s shoulder.

“I’m listening. What, Buck.”

“Ever since that barbecue at Bobby and Athena’s last weekend I’ve been getting the weirdest targeted ads on my Insta,” he pouts, scrolling some more.

“Weird how?” Five letter word for estrangement, ending with T.

Buck huffs and turns on the couch to face Eddie, lifting one leg up onto the cushion and folding it under himself.

“Well, May was introducing me to her college roommate—who, by the way, was giving off way more than just roommate vibes, did you notice? Like, they were acting real cozy and she kept—never mind, sorry, not the point, what I was saying was she borrowed my phone to look up something in one of those online stores, I don’t know, I guess they’re trying to decorate their apartment with a specific aesthetic? Either way, ever since then the Instagram algorithm seems to think that I want to see—” He stops scrolling, lifting his phone and thrusting it emphatically in Eddie’s face, “—shit like this.”

Eddie blinks at the proximity of the bright screen to his face, putting down his pencil to gently move Buck’s hand back a bit so he can see properly.

On the screen is an ad for… a pale blue babydoll tee with the word BRAT screenprinted across the chest in curly pink letters.

Eddie blinks again, mind blissfully empty of synapses firing until Buck says, “See? Why does my phone think this is something I would be interested in purchasing. I mean, can you imagine?”

Eddie can. Eddie can imagine. But dear God, Eddie does not want to imagine. Because now the synapses are firing like some kind of mental train derailment of catastrophic proportions, and Eddie’s mind is conjuring images of Buck, his best friend Buck, squeezed into this skin-tight cotton tee, already tailored to be snug-fitted on much smaller bodies and so nothing short of straining at every seam when met with the bulge of Buck’s biceps, the graphic logo proclaiming BRAT probably distorted across his broad, meaty chest.

“There’s more,” Buck’s telling him, scrolling again. “Like, look at this.”

He stops on a post that seems to be selling tiny red booty shorts, the words SAVE A HORSE, RIDE A COWBOY emblazoned on the ass.

“I can’t wear shorts this short, my junk would fall out,” Buck grumbles to himself, scrolling once more for probably yet another advertisement whose only targeted goal is to ruin Eddie’s life, selling of wares be damned.

“I’m pretty sure those are women’s shorts,” Eddie says weakly, not thinking about Buck’s perky bubble butt clad in two-inch inseam booty shorts. Definitely not thinking about Buck disgruntledly tucking his dick so not to commit an act of public indecency—more so than the very donning of the shorts would count.

“Well, why doesn’t my algorithm know I’m a dude yet? If I’m being advertised this shit, at least let it be stuff I could plausibly buy for myself, you know?”

Eddie hums, only a little strangled. “So, you’d, uh, buy those shorts if they sold them in men’s sizes?”

Buck ignores him in favour of thrusting his phone at him again. “Look! This one and the next, keep scrolling.”

Eddie takes the phone from him, squinting at it. The first is another skin-tight babydoll tee, with the words GOOD GIRLS printed across the tits and the image of a swooping bird below.

“I don’t get it,” Eddie says, pausing over the post. “Good girls like birdwatching?”

Buck snorts, tips of his ears turning a little pink. “It’s a swallow.”

“Oh,” Eddie says. Then, “Oh.”

He scrolls to the next post as instructed. This one is a white t-shirt that says DON’T BULLY ME, I’LL CUM in red lettering, which—

“I’m either learning some—unforgettable things about you or about May, and honest to God, gun to my head, I don’t know which is worse,” he says faintly, tapping to the next post.

“Shut up, it’s not that fucking literal,” Buck grumbles, settling against the couch cushion more comfortably and watching Eddie scroll. “She was probably looking at some trendy Gen Z homeware or whatever and the algorithm saw the website and ran with it.”

“Mm, and you only started getting these ads after the barbecue? None of this is—your own digital footprint coming back to bite you in the ass?” Eddie grins as he passes a sponsored post for a vibrator brand.

“My digital footprint is not reflective of my sex life,” Buck huffs. “It’s not wrong, but it’s not—why the hell would I buy a tiny woman’s shirt that says BRAT across the chest?”

“Maybe because you—wait, it’s not wrong?” Once again, Eddie’s neurons stutter to an unexpected and horny stop. On the screen of Buck’s phone, his finger has halted over an ad for… jumbo-packs of lube, of all things. Eddie clears his throat. “Ooh, scandalous.”

“What?” Buck makes grabby hands for his phone.

Eddie passes it to him. “May really did mess up your algorithm. Also, I don’t know how I’m gonna look her in the eye at the next party.”

“Oh, uh,” Buck says, looking at the screen before turning off his phone. “No, that’s just. That’s just me, I think.”

Eddie wonders if his brain starting and stopping so frequently can result in permanent brain damage. He’s not sure he cares, because the resulting mental pictures—okay, some of that’s off-limits, always has been. Loving your best friend and respecting your best friend are not mutually exclusive, except, as it turns out, when you’re faced with the reminder that your best friend is having marathon anal sex with his—boyfriend, partner, whatever it is that Tommy is to him. Enough athletic and enthusiastic fucking to be getting ads for bulk-order lube on motherfucking Instagram.

He wonders if Tommy calls him that, calls him a brat and tells him he’s a good girl when he—

Wonders if Buck does like being bullied a little in bed—just teasing, Eddie would never—except it’s not Eddie, Eddie’s not involved in Buck’s love life, and what Eddie does need to do is shut down this line of thought before his strategically placed newspaper fails to hide that he’s half-hard at the thought of Buck in these ridiculously sexual innuendo themed women’s clothes.

“You’re not gonna finish that?” Buck nods to the folded crossword in his lap.

Eddie sucks in a breath through his teeth. “Uh. Sure.” He tilts the paper toward Buck, unwilling to hand it over completely. “Five letter for estrangement, ending in—”

“Split,” Buck says, nodding at the paper. “It’d fit with the P from apprise in ten down.”

“Oh,” Eddie peers at the crossword. “Yeah, it does. Thanks.”

“No problem. I’ve, uh. I’ve been thinking about it.”

“About estrangement?” Eddie asks distractedly, filling in the letters. “Four letter word for just around the corner?”

Buck fidgets beside him. “About—splitting. Specifically—me and Tommy?”

Eddie looks up at him so fast he nearly gets whiplash. His grip on the pencil falters, and it skitters across the loft floor.

“That’s—not true. We’ve already—a week or so ago. We’re still friends, don’t worry,” Buck rushes to tell him. “He just realised, like, with you and me—well, I guess he knew the whole time, but I just realised—the way that you and I—the way that it’s us—c’mon, Eddie.”

“What?” Eddie manages, hoarser than he’s heard himself before.

“Eddie.”

“What’re you saying, Buck?”

“Are you gonna make me spell it out?” Buck sighs. “If I got a pair of red booty shorts that spelled SAVE A FIRE ENGINE, RIDE A FIREFIGHTER across the ass, would that work?”

“Tommy’s a firefighter,” Eddie says weakly.

“Oh, fucking hell,” Buck mutters under his breath. “Fine, if they said SAVE A FIRE ENGINE, RIDE A FIREFIGHTER WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND AND PARTNER, would it work then?”

“That’s a lot of writing,” Eddie says, voice still faint. “You don’t have the real estate in the rear for all that.”

When Buck kisses him, exasperated groan crushed into Eddie’s mouth, Eddie knows this is the rest of it—the rest of knowing him entirely: real, endless, and with a convenient standing order for bulk-packaged lube without involving any nosy algorithms.

“Four letter word for just around the corner. Near. Soon. This.”

[redrose10]

Just something fluffy I’ve been thinking about…

“Oh wow, those are absolutely beautiful!”, you exclaimed setting the grocery bags down on the counter. Walking over to get a better look at the large bouquet of tulips you couldn’t help but smile.

“You made a great choice. Tulips are my favorite flower too.”

Your best friend Yoongi walked over, “Yeah the florist did a great job.”

“So I got all the ingredients for the dinner. Luckily it’s pretty simple to make so we should be done in plenty of time for your date tonight.”, you said as you began pulling out the items.

When your best friend told you that he was planning on asking out this girl he really liked and he really wanted you to help him put together the perfect date you just couldn’t say no. Even if hearing that he was going to ask someone out that wasn’t you did cause your heart to hurt a little.

Yoongi had told you that this mystery girl loved tulips and since your favorite flower also happened to be tulips he had asked you to pick out a bouquet. Which you were happy to do.

Then he asked you to help him cook her favorite dinner for the occasion. You thought it was a little odd that his date also happened to love chicken alfredo and double fudge brownies just like you because what are the odds? You were just glad that it was a dish you were well versed in making so you knew she was going to love it.

The brownies were in the oven and the sauce was coming together so while you had a few minutes you encouraged Yoongi to go get dressed.

As he stood in front of you holding up two shirt options so you can help him pick which one looks best with his black dress pants,

“No I think the black shirt looks better. I’ve always told you that you look great in all black.”, you’d replied not noticing the blush creep up his cheeks.

“Put on some of that cologne you have. You know that really expensive Versace one. It smells so good.”, you shouted as he ran back to his room to finish getting ready.

You were finishing up the table setting when Yoongi finally returned. After setting the last wine glass down you looked up loosing your breath for a moment. Your crush on Yoongi has grown exponentially the last year. You never meant for it to be that way, but some things just happen. Seeing him look this handsome, putting this much effort into a date for another woman pained you, but also made you fall a little more in love with him. But you were determined to pushed that all aside just so he could be happy.

“How do I look?”, he asked spinning to give you a 360 view.

He had been working out more recently and it definitely showed by the way the fabric clung to his torso and biceps. The dress pants were tailored perfectly showing off his slim legs. He’d gotten away from wearing earrings lately but you noticed the two hoops you’d given him for Christmas two years ago. And he did put on a little of that cologne you loved. He looked like the man of your dreams.

“Like a chiseled statue of a Greek God carved by Michelangelo himself.”, you quipped.

“Wow Y/N you’re so weird.”, he snorted.

“But seriously, do you think it’s too much? I want her to like it.”

You put on your best fake smile, “You look great Yoongi. She’s going to think you look very handsome.”

The pasta finished boiling so you added it to the sauce and topped it with a little more cheese. The brownies were cooling on the rack and you reminded Yoongi about the vanilla ice cream in the freezer that you thought would be a nice touch.

“What time is she supposed to get here?”, you asked.

“Umm 7:00.”

You glanced at the clock and noticed it was flashing 6:58.

“Yoongi why didn’t you say something?! She’s gonna be here any minute and I don’t think she’s going to be happy to see me here.”, you said frantically running around trying to grab your things.

As you ran towards the door Yoongi followed close behind.

“Remember not to let the brownies cool in the pan too much or they might sink. And remember the ice cream.”

“Y/N”, he whispered.

“Oh and slice the chicken before adding it to the pasta. It looks nicer and will be easier to eat.”

“Y/N…”

“And show her the flowers when she first gets here. It’ll be a nice surprise. Remember to tell her she looks pretty too.”

“Y/N…”

“And most of all text me afterwards and let me know how it goes.”, you’d said finally getting your shoe on that you had been struggling with.

“Y/N wait!”, Yoongi finally shouted.

Turning around you looked surprised, “What? Yoongi I have to go before she gets here.”

He chuckled to himself, “Y/N, you can’t seriously be this oblivious?”

“What do you mean?”, you asked confused.

He walked over standing just a few inches away from you, “Y/N I had you get tulips that YOU picked out. They’re YOUR favorite flower. I had you help me cook YOUR favorite meal. I bought YOUR favorite bottle of wine. I had you help me pick out an outfit that YOU would like. I wore the cologne YOU like. I mean I thought I was being obvious but I guess not.”

Looking around the room it did kind of make sense. They were all things that were your favorites, but you were so hung up on the fact that you never thought Yoongi would ever like you that way so you really thought he had a date with someone else.”

You chuckled, “I mean I did notice some similarities, but I didn’t think you’d ever actually like me like that so I thought it was all one big coincidence.”

Yoongi took your hands into his. His thumb lightly running over a small burn you got from the brownie pan, “Y/N, I like you a lot. I have for a really long time. I just didn’t know how to tell you. I guess I was just hoping you’d get the hint. I’d really like to ask you to be an official couple.”

“You’re so adorable.”, you chuckled as you watched him nervously stare at the floor.

“Yes, of course. I’d love that.”, you smiled reaching over and placing a kiss on his lips.

As Yoongi served you the dinner you suddenly had a realization, “So you had me plan our first date and also go to the grocery store and help cook and I had to pick out my own flowers?”

Yoongi nervously scratched the back of his neck, “Yeah um both my smartest and dumbest decision. But at least I know you’ll like everything.”

“Wow you’re definitely doing all of the dishes.”, you laughed.

He leaned over giving you another kiss, “Already planned on it babe.”

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

Bosom

Sequel to Bat. Astarion and Agnetha test having him as a bat under her coat so he can go outside when she does chores. SFW.

“This is quite possibly the most comfortable I’ve ever been in my life, darling.” Astarion sighed happily while in bat form. In my beloved future wife’s bosom. She’s taking me outside. I’ll be in the sun…sort of. Safe inside her bust and covered by her coat. I can still see between the buttons and won’t burn. He laid his head against a breast. “The best pillows I’ve ever rested my pretty head on…and so warm.”

Shaking her head, she chuckled. “If I didn’t any know better, Astarion, I’d say you’re a breast man.”

He squeaked indignantly. “How dare you! I’m an Agi man!” The most beautiful person to ever exist. My darling girl. “Though I won’t deny your tits are perfect, sweetness.” Perfect to hold. Perfect to touch. Perfect to suckle from. Perfect to fuck. Perfect to stare at during boring as hell dinner parties at Wildheart Manor.

“You are too much! What am I going to do with you?” Her hand touched the doorknob but did not turn it. “Alright, I’m going to step out. You ready?”

“One small step for you, one large step for me!” Technically, I’ll be in the sun. Just not the way I ideally want but that’s alright.

Agnetha exited their home and locked the door. Glancing down, she tapped her chest, her fingers hitting his head. Ow. “You okay? Light’s hitting me, and I want to make sure—”

She worries too much. “I’m fine, darling! Hmm,” he peeked through the gap between buttons. “It’s looking lovely today.” His nose booped a breast. “But not nearly as much as you, my dear.” He could feel the heat rising in her and fuck me it feels good.

“Oh my gods, you’re too much, love!” She giggled, pulling out a list from her pocket. “Let’s see, first on my list is buying the dyes you want from Master Figaro and then groceries. Wait a second,” she furrowed her brow. “Why did you write in ‘appointment with Mrs. Greenleaf’?”

He rolled his eyes. “Because you obviously have an appointment with Mrs. Greenleaf for a manicure and pedicure, my sweet.”

“Obviously?!”

“Obviously.” He cleared his throat and was glad she could not see his face. Not that I’m crying. No. Definitely not. “Y-you’ve done so much these past few months. Oversaw our home being renovated and decorated. The shop. Managing the shop! Keeping me on time is worthy of so much praise on its own. And you deserve some pampering by a professional. You deserve it all.” I can never give you everything you truly deserve, but I damn well mean to try.

“Please,” she sniffled. “You make it sound like I did it all by myself with one hand tied behind my back. You were as much a part of all that, especially with the shop because it’s your bloody shop—”

“Ours.” As equals. Always.

“Our shop where you’re the one actually tailoring and designing and whatever the fuck else you do.” Agnetha giggled softly, entering Figaro’s. “Hello, Master Figaro…”

***

As much as he acknowledged that grocery shopping was necessary, Astarion hated grocery shopping. Tedious. Boring. Stupid. Why can’t we simply have someone else shop for Agi, bring it home, and put it away? Once that was mercifully done, Agnetha locked the door and made the short walk to Mrs. Greenleaf’s salon.

“Hey, you still alright in there?” She tapped her chest lightly. “Not too warm or cramped?”

She has got to be kidding.

“No, it’s awful. OF COURSE I’M ALRIGHT!” He squeak-screeched at her from under the fabric.

“Okay, okay! No need to yell, love.” She laughed so sweetly. “Silly little bat, I love you.”

I love you more than you will ever know, sweetness. “Love you too, darling. Now, be sure to tell Mrs. Greenleaf to use the Darkened Suite for your treatments.” Mainly used for drow and duegear---there’s no sunlight, only illumination from mushrooms and crystals.

She raised an eyebrow in realization. “Ah, so you can be out of my boobs and be able to move around. Good thinking, love.”

“The only thinking I do, my little butter bun!”

In her most earnest and totally charming way, Agnetha explained to Mrs. Greenleaf that she wanted the Darkened Suite and that she had a pet bat who was in her coat.

“What’s his name?” The older half-elf asked her.

Oh shit.

His fiancée blinked as she sat down for the manicure and placed Astarion next to her on the table. “His name is…” She glanced at him. “Étoile.” Étoile? That means “star” among a certain tribe of elves. My love, you are incredibly thoughtful. “He’s a sweetheart mostly,” she glanced at him with mischief in her brown eyes. “But a little bossy sometimes.”

“Bossy? Me? Perish the thought!” He turned up his nose. “Now, stop chatting with me and start talking to her.”

She scratched his head while rolling her eyes. The manicure was first. She chose a lovely dark green---to contrast with her pale skin and red hair.

Then came the pedicure. Mrs. Greenleaf went to get some more of her very special honey scrub (Halsin would eat it right up) and left the couple alone.

I think I’ve been a very good bat today and deserve more breast time. From a side table, he climbed onto her chest and rested his oh so weary head.

As she leaned down to kiss his head, she whispered, “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I need more titty time.” After all, I didn’t complain once while grocery shopping and normally I express my displeasure constantly.

Her eyes widened. “You can’t just say shit like that in public!” And there’s my kiss! “Alright, you can stay here, but stop saying ‘titty time’ because who knows if anyone’s using Speak to Animals today.” She chuckled a little. “You mad man. I love you.”

“I love you too, my sweet little cinnamon bun. Now, how are you feeling? More relaxed?”

She leaned her head against the cushioned headrest behind her and closed her eyes. “I am. It seems I needed it.” Agnetha began to rub circles onto his furry head. “Thanks love.”

Though he wanted to gloat, he found he could not, given just how bloody sincere she is. I simply cannot tease her when she’s like this. “You are so welcome, darling.” Hearing Mrs. Greenleaf return, he nudged her chest. “She’s coming.”

His fiancée nodded and kissed his head again. Something Mrs. Greenleaf definitely noticed. You wish you had Agi’s full attention on you, dear. It’s sad you’ll never know that level of love, care, and affection. Mine. All mine… Before he realized what was happening, he sank his fangs through the fabric of her dress, startling her. “SHIT!” He squeaked, flapping his wings a little.

“Is everything all right, my lady?”

“It’s okay. Shh, it’s okay.” Agnetha whispered, stroking his back. She looked up at Mrs. Greenleaf apologetically. “Sorry, he…erm, sometimes forgets he needs to behave when he’s out.”

Oh you naughty little thing! Two can play at this game, darling. “This is behaving. You’re lucky I’m not trying to burrow back between your tits.”

Trying (and very much failing) to keep a neutral expression, she closed her eyes as the half-elf began the second treatment.

The things I can say to her to make her crack…

***

Astarion returned to his elf form the second they returned home and began to laugh manically.

Agnetha shook her head, laughing. “I can’t believe all that filth you fucking said to me when I was getting my pedicure! You naughty, naughty man!”

“You must admit that it was hilarious! Each intake of breath, stiffening up like a board,” he mimicked her. “And I bet your face was like this!” He contorted his face into a wide-eyed look of terror. “Ha! You can’t even deny it, can you!”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky I love you, Astarion.” She teased, deliberately shaking those irresistible hips at me as she walks. She knows what she’s doing. She acts like she doesn’t, but she does. My Agi is so delightfully obvious. “Because you can be—”

“A very naughty man, yes yes I’m aware.” He pulled her into a hug, his lithe arms around her waist and hands on her behind. “Now, be a darling and let me make you dinner, hmm?” She taught me to cook, and I guarantee she’s a much better teacher than…Gale. Squeezing her substantial and quite beautiful backside, his lips captured hers in a slow, languid kiss. As much as I enjoy being a bat, this is far better.

She smiled into her kisses; long arms wrapped around his neck. “Together?”

“Because you think I need supervision?” He teased, flashing his fangs.

Agnetha laughed into another kiss, bringing her hands to cup his cool cheeks. “Don’t sell yourself short, love---you haven’t burned a piece of toast in weeks.”

He playfully tapped her behind. “I can do so much more for you than not burn toast, sweetness. How about some of that salmon you bought? With a spiced honey glaze? And you can make a nice little side for yourself. Sound good?”

“Perfect, Star.” No. You are perfect. Perfect in every single way. She gave him one last quick kiss and then left his embrace. As she turned towards the ice box, she gave a thoughtful hum. “I think today’s test was a massive success.”

“Why, I do believe it was, darling.”

Whether in sun or shadow, so long as I have you then I am happy.

[thatonebirdwrites]

This chapter fought me quite a bit, but we're getting closer to when Lena finally caves and just kisses Kara senseless. She's almost there. She's just being stubborn. Kara, of course, is waiting on Lena's lead.

oh, and I guess other plot things are happening.

EXCERPT:

Lena grudgingly goes with Kara to the DEO meeting room using her portal. As the meeting drones on, she learns how utterly annoying and highly inefficient the DEO's meetings are. Alex presides with J’onn as advisor while Brainy gives the run down of what they currently know. Lena taps her pen against her notebook, her eyes narrowed at Brainy’s report of the last few days. 

Specifically the dinosaur attacks. 

“So,” Lena interjects, “You’re saying that an unknown individual is turning animatronics into living creatures?” She can’t help the incredulity in her voice. 

“Yes, indeed that is exactly what I am saying,” Brainy concurs. He tilts his head to study Lena, thoughtfully. “Has your Ireland escapades provided you with the necessary knowledge to utilize your magical ability?” 

“Yes.” If she’s being honest, not really, but between her mother’s grimoire, her newly regained memories, and maybe consulting with Florence, she’s sure she’ll find her footing soon. But no way in hell is she saying that out loud to anyone. 

“Perhaps you’d like to review the remains? If magic is being used, you should be able to detect it.” 

Lena shrugs. "Sure. Tomorrow perhaps." She's far too tired today.

Sam leans forward, her elbows on the table. “Oh my god, yes, please, I can punch it out, but honestly, that doesn’t help stop the dude. Where is he getting all these animatronics anyway?”

J’onn sighs. “I’ve been talking with my networks, and some of them seem to be from the grey market. It would be easier to track had it gone through black market channels. We have more contacts in those.”

“Grey market?” Kara asks. She is wearing the Supergirl suit Lena made her and stands next to Lena’s chair, her injured arm in a sling.

Lena has to admit the pants outfit looks fantastic on her, especially the way it hugs her muscles. No one needs to know how much she appreciates the look, and how half her brain is narrowed in on the movement of Kara’s muscles rather than listening. Nor does anyone need to know how she tailored this outfit specifically to bring out the best of Kara's assets, while still giving her the pants she so needed.

“Grey market is legal items being sold or bartered from one individual to another, where neither hold a selling license,” Brainy defines. “Common in low income areas and among the houseless.”

“Oh. So okay, do you have any other leads?” She frowns. Her uninjured hand hooks her thumb on her belt, and heavens, does that make her look even hotter. 

[milogreer]

Grah (Milo 🥺🥺) ('send me a character' ask game!)

@darlinghowl asked: milo too!

YAAYYY HUSBAND TIME 🩷🩷 ↳ send me a character!

My first impression: i’m being so so serious when i say i had to pause milo’s first audio pretty much immediately after he started talking because his accent made me blush LMFAO it’s like he was built for me in a fuckin lab. werewolf with a ny/nj accent, the cockiness and bitchiness with just that hint of a soft side near the end when he talks about wanting dahlia to stay safe, and the FLIRTINESS my god. and that was ONE AUDIO LMAO that’s not even getting into everything else he has going on that felt tailored to me (*cough*heatingupinthebedroom*cough*) 🫠💖 

My impression now: unchanged baby he has been my number one since day one!!! not that this is surprising to anyone given my blog theme 🤣 i may not talk about him all the time but he’s never losing top spot in my heart. i’ve gotten butterflies from a handful of moments across the redactedverse but nothing that stuck with me as hard as the panic attack audio did, and he still makes me kick my feet and twirl my hair whenever he gets all sweet 💘 he’s truly the redacted love of my life

A favorite thing: as a massive horror media enjoyer, i think it’s so cute that he’s a little scaredy cat when it comes to ghosts and demons. the gameplay vids are super immersive for me bc whenever he jumps at something i start giggling and then he tells sweetheart to shut up for also giggling LMAO 

Least favorite thing: nothing. he’s the most perfect man ever. actually no least favorite thing is that he doesn’t talk abt his family enough !! i wanna know more about his family life so badly after the “worried about you” audio 😫 i wanna know more about marie other than that she likes ghostbusters and nags his ear off when he gets himself hurt and i wanna really dig into his feelings for his previously alcoholic/gambling addict father

Favorite interaction they have with another: AHHH THE ASHER MOUNTAIN INCIDENT. ok ok i’ve talked abt this before but i’m gonna say it again bc it always bears repeating. this was i think the first time we’ve heard about him shifting after regaining the ability post-inversion and it made me actually cry bc it was just two best friends having stupid fun together as shifters 😭😭 like even though milo came out of it injured he still got to wolf out and fuck around with asher and that makes me sooo happy for him after suffering through those 5-6 months being unable to shift

A character that I wish they would interact with more: DARLIN PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE erik i’m on my knees!!! darlin’s gotten audios with david and asher, when will it be milo’s turn!! i’ve thought a lot about them as teens and how they got on and how they navigated being sort of the odd ones out wrt their family dynamics vs david and asher’s + how the pack meeting with darlin went ☹️ i need them to get a one on one audio

A headcanon: aggro is a black cat that milo adopted from a shelter specifically because of the stigma surrounding black cats. people think they’re unlucky or evil or whatever but aggro is the sweetest little thing and he was just a little baby who had been there for probably a month or two and when milo came around, there was an instant connection 🥺 i also think that if he wasn’t already a registered ESA then they definitely would’ve gotten it done post-inversion. milo doesn’t typically take him anywhere but sometimes sweetheart will take him with them to the office; he even has a cute little ESA vest 🥰

A song: this is so hard because i have a handful of good ones… one i don’t think i’ve posted before is just what i needed by the cars! really early relationship vibes, i like it a lot 💕

An unpopular opinion: [looks around cautiously before leaning close to the mic and whispering] i don’t think he’s into being called daddy. MAYBE I’M BIASED because i don’t usually vibe with it myself, but i just don’t see it. however i think if you called him “sir” you’d both be locked up in the bedroom for several hours 🤷🏼‍♀️

[meat-wentz]

hi! I've been watching lots of movies with my sister recently and I can't get her into horror because she dosnt like scary stuff but I was thinking I might try and show her some weird movies instead. you are the God of movies in my head so I was wondering if you have any weird movie recs?

this question is very good because it had me mulling this over all day! i had to sort of question myself on what i would categorize as “weird cinema,” and after much deliberation i’ve come up with a few very subjective definitions:

1) a film with an arthouse or experimental sensibility, often that shifts our world slightly to the left and plays with larger concepts of reality, philosophy, identity, etc by use of dreamlike or psychotropic visual styles, odd imagery, metaphor made literal, surrealism, and slightly “off” performance:

brazil, 3 women, the cook, the thief, his wife and her lover, a zed & two noughts, paprika, the fall, urusei yatsura: beautiful dreamer, wild at heart, daisies, orlando, nowhere, the adjuster, enter the void, teknolust, august in the water, company of wolves* (some scary imagery but peak 80’s fantasy with horror aspects)

2) weirdo cinema, cinema that is by or about weirdos, that no matter how realistically grounded a film may be in its content, that simply being steeped in the world of weirdos is enough to make a film weird:

saved!, election, welcome to the dollhouse, lars and the real girl, problemista, secretary, raising arizona, the king of comedy, moonstruck, vampire’s kiss*, after hours, desperately seeking susan, gates of heaven, tickled, the quiet family*

3) WTF cinema, cinema that often works within genre and plays by genre rules however approaches the material and genre in ways that are unexpected or play out with transgressive results, hard to explain, but often leads to expressions of “wtf,” “this is unhinged,” and “this is fucking wild,” or “holy shit.” often will exaggerate and push genre tropes to their limits:

total recall*, sukiyaki western django, killer joe, tank girl, police story, shaolin soccer, crimes of passion, body double*, cry baby, blood for dracula* (this is sexy camp with blood but also like absurd blood so it’s not so much scary as it is ludicrous :3), phantom of the paradise*, communion*, lisztomania

i hope there’s some stuff in here that you like and these are some of the kinds of movies you’re looking for!!! if you like any of these then lemme know and i can make a more specifically tailored list for you!!! and this is only just a little scratch on the surface of weird cinema, i don’t even know if i wholly agree with these definitions still but damn i do like this selection!!! some of these have horror elements but nothing too intense, i would watch a couple trailers and gauge whether they’re gonna be too scary! i’ll mark them with a * :3

[wellthebardsdead]

Clockwork heart pt31

Part 30 here

———

Wyrm: *in the Radiant Raiment, quietly standing still as the previously short and abrasive Endarie fits him with some clothes and gradually softens towards his naturally sweet and gentle nature* I like this, it doesn’t feel too tight or loose, I can actually move my arm!

Endarie: *outwardly her usual self but inwardly excited for the challenge of fitting around a prosthetic* yes, I can see how less skilled tailors would fail to account for such a complex and delicate system of mechanisms. *slides the robe off of him* and as promised it’s free of charge. It’s the least I can do as an apology for my sisters antics.

Taliesin: *leaning against the wall dressed in a fancy outfit, holding the wabbajack and trying to hide a literal pelvis in his bag* Oh truely it’s no bother. It was certainly worth the trip across town. And Um, I understand. That inquiry might take a little longer than a few days. Correct?

Endarie: yes yes. *helps Wyrm down from the platform she had to raise him up on to meet her height* You’ve given me the measurements I needed however if you don’t have the time to linger around the city and wait for their completion I can have them delivered.

Taliesin: Ah, that would be best given the- uncertainty of what the events of the following weeks might be. Have them sent to Urag Gro Shub at the collage of winterhold.

Wyrm: please?

Endarie: *heart melting at how polite the dunmer is* Very well I’ll have it arranged.

Taliesin: *nods finding it endearing how Wyrm doesn’t fully understand the sharpness and undertones of altmeri conversation, mistaking a statement without without pleasantries or imperial manners as rude or abrasive* Good, we’ll return in a few days. *steps back towards the door and opens it up waiting for Wyrm*

Wyrm: *smiles up at Endarie as he walks by* thank you ma’am! *hurries to taliesins side and walks out with him*

Endarie: hm. What a cute young Mer.

Taarie: His boyfriends not bad looking either~

Endarie: gods there you go trying to wreck another home. *lifts the special request note with measurements out of her pocket* hm. Do we have any silk crescent needles left? It’s been a while since I’ve made ballet slippers.

*meanwhile*

Nerevar: *staring at the note quietly as voryn finalises organising rooms for them* …

Voryn: *walks over to him as he descends the staircase* I saw him.

Nerevar: *pockets the note* Upstairs?

Voryn: balcony. He’s definitely the prince of the dominion but-

Nerevar: but what?

Voryn: he’s… unguarded. Completely unguarded.

Nerevar: what?!

Voryn: I’ve sensed every corner of this entire inn. Not a single trace of a spy, a guard, nothing. And if he does have guards and they’re disguised as the drunks at the bar- *grimaces watching one of said drunks vomit over the floor* they’re- awfully convincing in their act.

Nerevar: *sighs* what should we do?… wait for Wyrm?

Voryn: I… I think we should. He… *steps away from him and slowly glances out up to the balcony to see the high elf seated there still, leg bouncing with visible anxiety* … *walks back to nerevar* I don’t think he’s a threat…

Wyrm: whose a threat?

Voryn: *jumps and spins around to see Wyrm standing behind him* Gods even out of your armour you’re a sneaky little scrib. I’m this close to tying a bell to your braid!

Wyrm: *snickers* sorry.

Nerevar: *chuckles* Our rooms have been organised. I take it everything went well, you look- different.

Taliesin: *hands Wyrm the wabbajack as he tosses the hip bone in the trash* Dont ask.

Nerevar: I- where did you get- and the pelvis-

Wyrm: oh a crazy wood elf gave it to me and asked me to find his master for him, we were already going up there so Tali could show off an outfit for the high elf ladies at the clothing store and we had to sneak into a haunted part of the blue palace and I fell into an oblivion portal and played a few games with sheogorath! He was very nice. Then when I came out I had this cool staff and- *reaches into his bag pulling out a whole wheel of cheese and a strawberry tart* this!

Voryn: I- How did you- you were gone for only a couple hours and-

Nerevar: *grinning past his concern with an amount of pride only he could understand having experienced much the same in his time as the nerevarine* That’s all the time it takes for something interesting to happen. At least neither of you got hurt.

Inigo: Erm- speaking of getting hurt.

Everyone: *turns to see inigo standing there trying not to laugh and beside him, an extremely pissed off swordsman with red splotches all over his face and a swollen eye*

Voryn: WHAT. HAPPENED?!

Kaidan: *points to inigo* Ask. Him.

Inigo: *snickering* he was flirting with the young lady at the potion shop and taking too long. We promised to meet back here in only a couple hours but it’d be all day at the rate he was going. And when he ignored me reminding him I threw a fungal pod at him.

Kaidan: gobshite.

Inigo: horn dog.

Voryn: *sighs and rubs his temples* just- sit down the 3 of you, order some lunch, a drink or just- do something and don’t draw attention to yourselves please. *turns to face wyrm before looking at nerevar* …

Nerevar: *nods and pulls out the note* He’s upstairs… are you sure you want to meet with him?

Wyrm: *takes the letter and looks at it for a moment* has… Delphine’s contact turned up yet?…

Nerevar: *shakes his head* not a wood elf to be seen.

Wyrm: *looks back at the letter before nervously taking taliesins hand* I don’t know… how to address him or what to do?

Taliesin: *smiles and squeezes his hand* I’ll come up with you.

Nerevar: us as well. If he wants to try anything, knowing potential war with morrowind is on the table change his mind…

Wyrm: *nods up at him before letting go of taliesins hand and walking up the stairs, the three following behind him cautious of any potential negative outcomes ahead as he crests the second floor and freezes in place* …Wow.

Caryalind: *glances up from his book, spotting the unusual dunmer first, then the note in his hand second* Ah I see you got my- *pauses watching as Taliesin steps into view, followed by the head of the 6th house now mourned, and the literal king of morrowind* -Letter.

*a few hours later*

Kaidan: *swelling finally gone down enough for him to see out of his eye again* They’re taking too long… this whole situations making me uncomfortable.

Inigo: are you sure it is not the rash that is making you uncomfortable?

Kaidan: I’m being serious inigo. They’re up there with the literal son of the dominions overlord. What if he finds out about the soul of lorkhan? Or the fact he’s sotha sils reincarnation?

Inigo: I… I know my friend im just trying to lighten the mood. Im sure it’ll be okay.

Kaidan: say that to the scars on my bac-

Wyrm: all done! *hops down the steps and bounces over cheerfully* Guys this is Caryalind! He’ll be joining us on our trip!

Kaidan: *looks over and chokes on his ale* fock he’s cute-

Inigo: what was that my friend~?

Caryalind: Ah hello there.

Kaidan: Fock off.

Caryalind: And… off to a great start I see. Great.

Nerevar: Wyrm, he’s here.

Wyrm: *turns around to see nerevar gesturing in the direction of a wood elf in the corner* oh u-um. C-Caryalind?

Caryalind: *looks at him, then at nerevar, then over at the bosmer, then back at him before it suddenly clicks* Oh- were enacting the plan now? Right- yes-. *follows after Wyrm and nerevar, joining them at the bosmers table*

Wyrm: hi um, our mutual contact sent me.

Malborn: I? You. You’re the one she sent? Either of your companions here I can understand but you?

Wyrm: y-yeah I get that often.

Malborn: *sighs* fine just- give me whatever you need to sneak into the party okay?

Wyrm: that’s, kind of the thing though. There’s been a change of plans. I won’t need to sneak anything into the embassy because-

Nerevar: *gestures to Caryalind* Well be the ones sneaking, him, in.

*that evening*

Delphine: I cannot believe you! I cannot believe this is actually happening! You railed me to the ground about how much ‘shame I bring the blades’ and you’re here working with the literal prince of the al- *shuts up as the point of Nerevars blade touches her throat*

Nerevar: At this point Delphine. I trust him more to keep my son alive. Then I do you. One more word out of your mouth in disagreement and we’re leaving. The whole reason we are here is your paranoia, And your paranoia alone. *pulls his blade back, sheathing it and handing it to voryn*

Voryn: *glares at Delphine before pulling nerevar into a soft kiss* Come back safely… I’ll be waiting with the others…

Nerevar: *nods* I’ll bring him back alive… I promise… *turns his gaze back to Delphine for a moment* And for your sake… You’ll want to hope. Wyrm finds something worthy of you wasting our time… *climbs up into the carriage with Caryalind* let’s get going…

Caryalind: *nods and fixes his cape over Wyrm a little more*

Wyrm: *dressed in his guild armour, downing an invisibility potion, ready and praying he’ll survive on his own and wishing Taliesin was with him* teacup…

[agirlandherquill]

the calendar project - day 7

tell you what, never mind autocorrect, my war is now with the save as draft button (yes it probably is my fault for not reading it when i click, instead of checking beforehand, but i was in a rush, on a roll, writing deadlines to meet and whatnot) but here's what i wrote (and thought i posted) yesterday!

daily page count: 3

time spent: 45 mins (squished it in during a busy day, ended up writing more than I expected)

here's todays pages! (this is technically the start of chapter two, so woo, progress)

She was drowning, but unlike a bath, she had no edges to seize, to cling to, to haul herself away from danger, all she had was Reid, but he was nowhere to be found, she clung to her glass of water for dear life, each gasp of air only slightly longer than the last.

Enjoy the party. Reid’s parting words left her wanting to tear her hair out. Her fury turned her mouth dry, she took a sip of her water, making it halfway through ingesting the liquid before a hand settled on her shoulder. Instead of having a coughing fit then and there and making a scene, she willed herself to swallow the rest of the water, breathe, and see who had decided to bother her.

God save me, Danvers.

“I’ve been searching for you half the night Miss Mirenna!” Danvers’ exclamation made her cringe, the copper-haired gentleman beamed at her, his suit was abysmally over-the-top with an eye-watering green jacket, I can’t take my eyes away no matter how much it pains me, my word, who was his tailor? She met his friendly brown eyes with a polite smile. “And luckily for me, you’ve found me.”

Her eyes sought out Reid, Finally, he had stolen her spot from earlier, and from the curious perch he watched her. That smug little- Reid inclined his head and she glared into her glass, fixing her attention on anyone but Danvers.

Let him take the hint, for once. Please. Once.

He took her glass out of her hand, the casual audacity in how he did it made her teeth grind. He appeared not to notice. “What do you say you and I find a place to chat? Somewhere with a little more peace and quiet.” Her spine stiffened as his hand slid from her shoulder to the base of her spine, pressing against her bodice to lead her in a direction she saw fit. He handed her glass to a waiter in passing and she took the opportunity to glare at Reid, but the window was empty. He’s good at disappearing. I don’t like it. But as irritated as she was, a chat was the least of her worries, a chat she could handle. 

Out of the ballroom the courtly chatter died away, leaving her hearing the disturbing rustle of her gown sliding between Danvers’ fingers as they walked, his hand still at her back. She said nothing as he led her to one of the disused studies a short ways up from the ballroom, in the opposite direction to where she would much rather be, at her treasured library.

The study was lit well by a single candle blazing away on the central desk, the shelves on each wall were bare. No ledgers or books to be found here. Nothing but blank wooden shelving for me to stare at, lovely. 

She flinched at the sound of the door closing, the latch slid quietly into place but it rang in the silence, humming in her ears.

“Danvers?” She watched him walk from the door to the desk where she leant, her palms flat against the wood, hoping the coolness of it would soothe her. “I suppose ‘chat’ was the wrong word, but I really was hoping for privacy.”

His long strides caught her too quickly, her neck twinged with the effort of straining back to look him in the eye. She was used to people towering over her, most did, Isolde was not the tallest by any means, but she was less used to being loomed over, which Danvers did, forcing her spine to dig into the edge of the desk to put some distance between them. “Whatever for?”

“I’m the most eligible man out there, and you, you are-”

“Uncomfortable with compliments? Severely.” 

Her curt reply sparked something in his eyes, “You have no need to pretend around me Isolde. I know exactly what you’re thinking.” 

I very sincerely doubt it, but let’s see where this goes. “Oh?”

“What else would it be?” His fingers brushed against her waist and she jolted, her palms forced the desk back and she moved away. “Danvers, you misunderstand. This is-” His fingers wrapped around her throat, making her stumble back against the desk with a thud that sent pain sparking through her hip. “Do not make me out to be a liar Isolde, or a fool,” Danvers’ vicious snarl caught her off-guard, he had always been friendly, over-eager certainly, but nothing like this. “I know! I know you like to pretend, but you like me, you do, I’ve seen the way you look at me.” 

Who does he think he is? I have been polite. I have been cordial as much as I can tolerate to be. I have been nice. And what does it get me?

“Danvers, calm yourself.” She touched his arm, hoping he would heed her touch if not her words. If he keeps this up it will mark, and that is not a conversation I wish to have with anyone. He eyed his hands, then her face, and let go. “Very well, but can’t you see? We’re alone now. You can let yourself have a good time.”

“A good time?” She asked, taking in one breath, then another, “A good time?” She barked out a laugh and headed for the door, her fingers brushed the handle before being ripped away, her other arm leading her in a painful jerk as Danvers pulled her back. Her shoes slid along the smooth study floor and she reacted rashly, almost on impulse, letting her momentum carry her arm to slap him in the face. He staggered, touching his cheek, and reached for her, “Isolde. Please-”

She flung her hands up, halting his approach. “If you so much as look at me again, or even consider bringing a hand anywhere near me, rest assured you will not be keeping it.”

“Isolde, come on. It’s me.” He moved again, He’s lucky that I have restraint, but it’s wearing thin. “Don’t force me Danvers.” She snapped at him. Last chance. His approach continued and his arm for her waist once more. Isolde sighed and caught his hand, gripping his fingers by the knuckles, she twisted herself and applied pressure to her hold, hearing the pop of his knuckles as she dislocated them from the joint, then she let him go. Danvers yelped but still, still, he tried to grab her. She anticipated it, feeling the movement of air along her arm. She twisted and punched him flat in the nose, he cried out, tripping over himself, and she very nearly lost her temper.

“I warned you. Now get out.”

He left, his disgustingly green coattails trailing behind him. 

Her knuckles were warm, distantly aching as she buried her face in her hands. This will not go down well. Her wallowing was reluctant, but necessary. Reluctant, but interrupted.

By a clap.

A loud, continuous sound.

Clapping.

She turned slowly and lifted her face, horror threatening to freeze her body, her hands fell behind her back and she clutched them tightly to keep herself from shaking. 

Standing at a second door to the study, one neither she or Danvers had realised was open, was Reid. 

[melanieph321]

Facundo Pellistri - Strike Again Chapter 1

To my fellow reds. I know I've been making too much content for the City gals and boys (blame Ruben Dias 😅). Either way, this ends now!

This story is for you my fellow Manchester United stans!!

The summer slowly passes and Pellistri returns to school, but things aren't same as before. He is still grieving the death of his father and struggles to fit in with his peers and football...football is the last thing on his mind during this time.

Enjoy!

Facundo Pellistri woke up to the sound of thunder and rain outside of his bedroom window. He lingered in bed, rubbing his tired eyes. After washing up he joined his mother for breakfast downstairs. She tells him that they have errands to run and arrangements to make ahead of his fathers funeral.

"You have to get your suit from the tailor, and the flowers, don't forget about the flowers."

"I know Mama. I won't forget about them."

"I'm sorry." She sighs. There were gray bags underneath her eyes and she's been wearing a robe for the second week in a row. Only Facundo ran errands. His mother didn't go outside, at least not anymore.

"There is a letter for you." She said, gesturing towards the kitchen counter. "It arrived in the mailbox this morning."

"I'll read it on my way out."

The rain had stopped once he got outside. But clouds still roamed the skies as he rode his bike down the hills with the letter in his hand. It was from the Manchester United Football Youth Camp, providing him with their condolences and informing him that a spot would be reserved for him next summer.

Facundo doubted he'd be able to afford the fees for next summer, his parents struggled with getting money for the fee this year. It didn't matter however, Facundo and his mother agreed that the money for this year's summer camp would be spent on arrangements for his father's funeral, like flowers and whatever a new suit would cost him. He entered the tailor's shop set to purchase their cheapest one, but was surprised how much they all cost.

"It's because we only do custom-made." 

Facundo was quick to let go of the price tag as a girl appeared behind his shoulder.

"Blame my dad for wanting this to be a fancy shop." She chuckled.

Facundo recognized her face from school. Perhaps she was a grade below him because he only recognized her face from the hundreds passing him by in the hallway everyday.

"Facundo, right?"

He raised his brow, surprised that she knew his first name, everyone usually called him by his last. 

"It's Pellistri."

"That's a bit odd, no? Wanting to be called by your last name."

"In football it's not."

"Okay, Mr football, what can I do you for?"

"Do me?" He frowned, not sure that he found her as amusing as she thought she was. The purple suit she wore didn't do her any good either. It was purple and she was on the plus size, which made her look like a fat clown. Who wore a purple suit on a day such as this one? Even clowns stayed inside when it rained. Or hid in the drains like Pennywise. His friends had tricked him into thinking IT would be a scary movie. More than anything the movie was depressing, Pellistri thought.

"It's just an expression." She said and gestured for him to follow her towards the dressing rooms in the back.

He pulled the curtains to the dressing room and prayed that the girl wouldn't be the one to do his measurements, but her father or another male employee.

"If I may ask, what do you need the suit for?" She waited with her hands on her hips as Pillistri stepped out of the dressing room wearing only his boxers. Unfortunately his prayers had not been answered. Perhaps because God believed in him as little as he believed in God.

"It's for a funeral." He said.

"Oh, who died?" She stretched him a white shirt to put on. 

"My dad."

She paused the motion of adjusting his collar, her expression stiffening. Pellistri knew what words were coming next.

"I'm sorry." She said.

Everyone was sorry, he thought. But sorry didn't do anything to mend his pain and suffering.

"When did it happen?"

She was one of them, the ones curious to hear the story of the worst day of his life.

"Just before the summer break." He said, watching her circle him like a shark, measuring the wingspan of his arms and the circumference of his pelvis.

"Fuck, that must of been horrible for you and your family. Was he sick?"

"No, it was an accident."

"A car crash?"

He frowned. How much did she want to know? Most people would have reserved themselves to an awkward silence by now.

"Well, he worked for this truck company that makes deliveries to all these different retail companies around Manchester. This time it was that store that sold kitchen supplies downtown."

"Burgins AC and refrigerators?"

Great. She has heard of them.

"Yes, them."

"What happened?" She asked. Either she was a really good listener or eager to know how his dad got crushed by a 600 kilo steel refrigerator.

"A fridge killed him?" She gasped when he told her.

"Yes. The delivery went wrong and he was crushed to death." The paramedics said he died instantly and that there was no suffering, as if that would make his mother weep less. After the death of his father she underwent a week of howling and weeping in her sorrows. It got so bad that one neighbor threatened to call the police unless Pellsitri could silence his dog. The story of how he had to explain that the howling wasn't a dog but his mother, was one he kept to himself.

"I'm so sorry Facundo. I'll ask my dad if the suit can be on the house."

"Why?" He hadn't noticed her finish his measurements. She must be good at her job. "I have the money to pay for it myself."

"It wouldn't be right to take it." She said, looking at him like most people did after hearing of his tragedies. With pity in her eyes.

Pillistri dug the bills out of his pocket and slapped them against the front desk. "Take the money. I'm tired of people feeling sorry for me."

"I…I didn't mean to…" She looked flabbergasted and a little terrified of him. Either way, she accepted the money and Pillistri was out of the shop before she could apologize any further.

"Did you get the flowers cariño?"

"Yes, Mami. I've got them." 

Like his suit, he got the cheapest kind, the kind you picked for free out of the pits in the park.

"Will you put them in some water?"

"Yes, Mama."

She hadn't moved since he left. She was still seated around the kitchen table, dressed in her robe. Rain slapped against the kitchen window where her gaze was set at the horizon.

"It started raining again, so some of the flowers got bent underneath my jacket." He said.

"That's alright cariño. Just make sure that they get in some water okay?"

"I will Mama."

He watched her rise from her chair, giving him a shy smile before she left the kitchen and continued down the hall. There she disappears into his father's study. Pellistri knew what followed. 

Quiet weeping sounds. 

It was better for her to do it in there, he thought. Then the neighbors wouldn't complain.

[afangirlsmuse]

WIP-Wednesday

I didn't want to miss it!

Have some of the next chapter of A Wish Beyond the Witchlight

Some spoilers for the 5e campaign module The Wild Beyond the Witchlight. Follows post-game adventure with Astarion and my Tav, Khinna on a quest to get Astarion back into the sunshine.

Khinna is a multi-class warlock/sorcerer. Her patron is the Archfey Zybilna, by whom she was raised, and considers her mother.

********************************************************************

The ride in the gondola was smooth and pleasant, as Swanah promised them. Astarion kept Khinna tucked in snuggly at his side, relishing in the simple comfort of having her close to him. His fingers traced the embroidery he added to the sleeves of a dress for her. A name-day gift for her while they were staying in the lower city. 

As their boat floated over the river, Astarion tilted his head up, gazing at the motes of light that hung in the air around them. He felt Khinna shift slightly, her head resting on the space between his shoulder and chest as she joined him in marveling at the magical sight.  He turned his head slightly and kissed the top of her head. 

“I love you.” He murmured into her hair. She shifted again, looking up and leaning in to press her lips against his. 

“And I love you.” She returned. He gave her a small smile and pulled her back against him, letting her once again use him as a pillow as they stared at the colored orbs of light dancing in the air. 

The ride lasted little more than an hour, though it could have been mere minutes. Having Khinna close to hold gently, without fear of threats looming large on the horizon or nightmares to chase away was something he was still getting accustomed to. But it was definitely something he wanted to get used to. 

The romantic atmosphere of the ride and merriment of the carnival on their return to the pier clutched on his chest, stealing his breath from just how…sentimental, grateful, loved, and happy he felt. True joy, not the satisfied satiation he felt when she bore her neck to him.  It was all so strange and almost too much. 

 He straightened his posture and tensed his muscles after climbing from the boat, trying to focus on anything but the deluge of emotion crashing through him. A blessedly joyful and overwhelmingly positive deluge, but a deluge nonetheless. His grip on Khinna’s hand must have been a tad too firm as it drew her attention to his expression. She guided him off the pier after thanking their gondola swan to a bench in a small alcove, obviously meant for resting in between carnival attractions. 

“What do you need?” She asked, sitting down, taking both of his hands in hers. He shook his head, closing his eyes. 

“Its all so much. I don’t know!” The brush of her thumb across his knuckles did little to ground him, but it was a start. He let out an almost incredulous breathy laugh, “I’ve never felt so elated,” He shook his head as he tried to parse through everything he felt. It wasn’t the emotions themselves that unsettled him. It was the sheer magnitude of them leaving him feeling out of control. Why could he manipulate and lie his way in and out of almost any situation, and yet, being here at a gods damned carnival of all places, had him feeling like he was spiraling out of control?. 

A slip of control, an errant display of emotion, any emotion that wasn’t tailored to his situation meant consequences. Most of which he wanted to avoid. More lashes, more time in the kennel, a victim escaping him. He had to keep in control, even if what he was feeling was good.  He shook his head like it would rattle his unchecked emotions back in line. 

Khinna stayed silent, her grip firm enough to remind him she was there but gentle enough that he could pull free should he need to. He squeezed her hands as she released one of his, bringing it up to his cheek to wipe away a stray tear. Damn this place for making him so sentimental! He huffed, grateful she had not made a scene of it. The last thing he wanted to was seem more vulnerable in such a public place. 

“The carnival has a way of reflecting and amplifying the emotions of its patrons. It’s part of how Mr. Witch and Mr. Light, in particular, make sure their patrons enjoy themselves.” She kept stroking her thumb over his knuckles, her other hand gently caressing his cheek, which he turned into. “Normally, it’s barely perceptible and only affects the atmosphere of the carnival. I suspect after all you have been through, you are much more aware, consciously or not, of your emotions.” His eyes fluttered closed, and he leaned more into her touch, trying to chase away the feeling of vulnerability the influx of emotion had on him.  

He felt a calm wash over him then, and he exhaled as he opened his eyes. She had activated the warding bond in their rings. The corners of his mouth lifted in a slight grin. Of course, she knew he was distressed, even if it resulted from good emotions. His body relaxed, and he turned his head to kiss Khinna’s palm. “Thank you…” He murmured to her. 

She returned the soft smile with one of her own and a nod. “Do you need anything? More wine? Do you want to feed?” her hand moved from his face to his hands again. 

He shook his head, “I’m alright now.” 

“Should we do something a bit more thrilling then? Get your mind off of all this sappy and romantic nonsense?” She teased gently. 

He gave a good-natured huff. “Please,” He chaffed back at her, untangling himself, and standing up to offer her his arm. 

____________________________________________________________________________

Khinna guided him back the way they came, and to an attraction they passed on the way in. She looked up at him with another one of those smiles that he adored as they approached a pond with the most enormous lily pads he had ever seen. Eight giant dragonflies flew over their heads in the colored orbs of light. 

At the gate, Khinna dropped his arm, running up to the attendant. “Northwind!” 

A treannt sapling with a lush green canopy and golden garland adorning his branches looked up and smiled. “Khinna!” His leaves rattled, and a little red squirrl appeared, running down the treant’s arms. 

“Khinna?! She's come to visit?!” The squirel launched itself from the treant to Khinna’s bosom. She giggled as Astarion caught up to her. 

“She has!” She said back, giving the squirrel a scratch on the head with her finger. Astarion looked from Khinna to the treant, to the squirrel, quirking an eyebrow curiously. 

“A druid?” He asked curiously, with a slight touch of contempt for the tiny creature clinging to her breast. 

“Oh no Red is just a squirrel.” 

“An awakened squirrel thank you very much!” Red protested scampering up to Khinna’s shoulder, tail twitching curiously as he eyed Astarion. 

Astarion’s eyes narrowed just slightly, and a mischievous glint lit up his expression. He flashed the creature a bit of fang. “Oh good. Thinking creatures make much better snacks!” He snapped his teeth in a mock bite at him. 

“Eek!” The squirrel scurried off of Khinna, leaping back over to the safety of the treat’s branches. Astarion replaced the squirrel on Khinna’s shoulder with his arm casually draped over her. Khinna couldn’t help but giggle again. 

“Oh be nice you,” she said while bringing her hand up to lightly hit his chest in delicate chastisement. 

Red poked his head out of Northwind’s branches again. “Khinna’s prince is not very nice! Not very nice at all!”

[recapcrew]

Week 36 Transcript

Video

Intro

Extra extra, read all about it! Welcome to the Empire’s Recap, and today we will be going over the chaos and drama of our (somewhat) respected rulers!

This week we have the long awaited video from Oli TheOrionSound, in which many things happen including meeting the hermits, saying goodbye to the hermits, and realizing parenthood is stressful!

Oli

Our story begins with a quick recap of Oli’s time on the Hermitcraft server, including but not limited to leaving sign graffiti and writing the Christmas song “the real jim sheriff”.

Eventually his travels lead him back to the Olipelago.

In the 4 months Oli has been gone, he gained a lute—

[OLI] –cheek for the journey, goodbye god! …Nooo! No! I’m in Sanctuary! God has pushed me off the stairs! The bloody nerve of these Gods!

[NARRATOR] —Hosted a festival—

[OLI] –pretty penny! We’re rich, boys, we’re rich! Woo! It’s thanks to you, it’s thanks to you, and most of all it’s thanks to me!

[NARRATOR] And dealt with some inter dimensional visitors.

[OLI] What's your sick goal you short charlatan!

[NARRATOR] Who of course couldn’t resist visiting the great Olipelago!

[OLI] Don't read that, don't read that, ey!

[GRIAN] Debt? You're in debt To Gobland? YOU NOW OWE 81 DIAMONDS??

[OLI] Yeah, I've only made two episodes!

[NARRATOR] Also, our sincere apologies to Katherine's tailoring shop for the brief period of “Hermitopia not being in a glass box”… not that it seems to stop anybody.

One of the Hermits, Pearl, who looks incredibly like God who pushed him off a cloud, visits the Olipelago and helps out a bit despite the allegations. Probably having a rough time of it on the road to el dorado.

The Olipelago has expanded tremendously with its incredible second tent solely for beetroot. It is somewhat appropriate that the bard is the only one who lives off beets.

But disaster strikes! The dragon egg is starting to hatch!

[SHELBY MUTTERING] Temperature looks normal…

[OLI] What’s the diagnosis, doc?

[SHELBY] Well, not only am I not a doctor but I have exactly 0 medical training--

[OLI] Mhm mhm

[SHELBY] --but as far as I can tell… it’s a boy!

Pix and Gem reject the idea of having a dragon on the surface and Many an attempt to destroy said egg occurs - because it keeps coming back - before an understanding bridges the gap between Oli and surprise adoption.

To be a good parent you must have somewhere safe for them - so of course Oli builds a tiny Sydney opera house for the child and then goes searching for parenting advice.

[OLI] You’re a pesky little man aren’t you!

[NARRATOR] Lizzie’s parenting advice pretty much amounts to severe paranoia - Oli takes notes.

Pix’s advice is child labour, but considering said child is a copper aging facility he can be forgiven.

Joel, being Hermes’ parent, should have some good advice, but he doesn’t seem to know anything about children despite having several. He recommends… dancing?

Brief interlude for flirting with Sausage's dad, and then we meet the other father of Hermes, who actually gives reasonable advice as they watch the sunset. Before suddenly the egg starts to hatch - too late to back out now!

Sausage and Oli drag the egg to Shelby as she's the only one on this server even vaguely knowledgeable and they take the egg to the sun temple in Sanctuary to keep it warm enough.

[SHELBY] Deep breaths! I don’t—I’ve never—I’m not ready to be a mom, I have student loans—

[OLI] You’re not having the child, no! I’m having the child!

[SHELBY] Oh!

[NARRATOR] They set a fire surrounding the egg, and Oli ends up sitting on it to keep it warm before it starts to float in the air.

Some severe magical stuff is happening on this server, and Oli slips off the egg and his new dragon child lands at his feet.

To be continued…

Jimmy

In other news, Tumble town has been given a very odd copper statue of a cod! The mesa feels like an odd place to put that…

Anyway, to finish the rails to the train station Jimmy needs some iron in bulk supply. Unfortunately he doesn’t have any iron, let alone diamonds to pay False to use her iron farm. That’s an easy fix though, just gotta go mining!

This mining adventure quickly goes wonky however when Jimmy finds a strange old man in a cave. Apparently he used to be the old sheriff before Jimmy rolled into town, and had gotten stuck down the mines while chasing a bandit.

[OLD SHERIFF, ACCUSATORY] Where did you get Wednesday?

[JIMMY] Who—uh, it’s Friday right now. I—I don’t think you—

[OLD SHERIFF] No, I’m not talking about the day, I’m talking about that hat on your head! Where did you get Wednesday?

[JIMMY] No—this is the Sheriffs hat. Take a look, this is the Sheriffs hat, what do you mean?

[OLD SHERIFF] You think I don’t know that, I am the Sheriff!

[JIMMY] …What?

[NARRATOR] This is a prime opportunity to learn how the old sheriff earned his respect - being very short doesn't exactly inspire his fellow rulers to respect him. The Old sheriff agrees on the condition he can see the town again.

Jimmy shows him the outside and learns that apparently before Jimmy got there the town was called Midweek, because of Wednesday the hat of course.

[OLD SHERIFF] I’d be like, “Good morning how you doin’”, I’d tip Wednesday, and they’d say, “Is it midweek?” and I’d say “Everyday is midweek, ‘specially in this town!”

[JIMMY STARTS TO LAUGH]

[OLD SHERIFF] And they would absolutely love it, they’d chant my name, I’d catch them criminals and I’d throw ‘em behind bars!

[NARRATOR] The tall Joel statue does scare the old sheriff but he’s a man of his word, so he takes Jimmy back to the mines and teaches him the meaning of Respect.

Jimmy takes the old sheriff to the saloon and gets a small pep talk before he goes to show his friends and fellow rulers what he’s learnt from the newest - oldest? - Tumble Town resident.

[JIMMY] Okay.

[OLD SHERIFF] And you tip Wednesday and you say, good morning ma’am, good morning sir, good morning they, good morning them, you say good morning to everythin’, you hear me?

[NARRATOR] Jimmy saddles up his horse and rides through the Golden empire to get to the Greatbridge where he meets Gem, Sausage and Fwhip.

The three of them start teasing him over his height - the old sheriff's lessons don’t seem to work no matter how he tries! It’s really hammered home when Gem, one of his only allies that truly respected him, is given Sausages sword and kills him…

He is fed up with this disrespect!

Lizzie

After some reflection, Lizzie and the Critter Council decide to ally with fWhip, after multiple months. But the transport connections between those two empires is quite unsatisfactory… But no worries! Mayor Lizzie will bless anyone departing or arriving Critter City with a much more beautiful tram station and see! There is already some traffic!

[LIZZIE] What is the meaning of this?

[LIZZIE, READING] Dear Mayor of Animalia, come to the Drip Tavern to continue the discussion we had in Tumble Town. Burn this note before you arrive. fWhip of Gobland.

[NARRATOR] After some problems involving 12 gunpowder, three people, and explosives, Lizzie and Fwhip decide to make their own gunpowder farm. They each have their own task, fWhip’s got the beacon and Lizzie’s got the cats.

[FWHIP] Oh no, Lizzie… What efficiency do you have on your tool?

[LIZZIE, OVERLAPPING] I don’t have efficiency 5.

[LIZZIE] Wait, don’t look at me, I’m embarrassed! I’ll be right back!

[NARRATOR] After digging, it’s building time, and the creeper farm is officially done; but creepers are not the only thing falling.

Deciding they’ll meet back in one hour, Lizzie takes advantage of the beacon to finally finish her ores bundle. She digs one massive hole underneath Stratos to find her diamond ores. After multiple bumps along the way, she finds it.

[LIZZIE] Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat, wouldn’t you say my collections complete?

[NARRATOR] Back to the creeper farm and it’s rewarding! Fwhip and Lizzie decide to expand the storage but there is something odd lurking around.

[FWHIP] Can you see that?

[LIZZIE] What is—What is that?

[FWHIP] What is… in there?

[LIZZIE] Oh! Oh my gosh I saw something in there!

Outro

And with that, join us next week for more chaos and shenanigans! Thank you for watching, liking, and subscribing, and thanks to everyone helping with the project, check them all out below!

[skekilla]

https://www.deviantart.com/skekilla/art/Runaway-Train-Act-I-Scene-6-897483852

Sweet freedom, at last!

As he finally made it out of the forested train car, Johnny breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the new one he and Sally found themselves in was completely ordinary. Though he would rather have been off the train all together, the familiar seats and wallpaper was something of a comfort. Better than slogging through all that brush, he thought.

Sally seemed to think the same. “Ugh, finally!” she huffed. She stomped her heels off on the beige carpet, trying desperately to get the dirt off them. “If we ever have to go back there, it’ll be too soon! I’ve had quite my fill of mud and grime.”

“Me too,” Johnny sighed. They shouldn’t have to go back there, he figured. Although… His mind was suddenly clouded with worry at the thought of the woman they’d left behind. “But… w-what about Orla? She’s still back all that way—we ought to go back for her!”

Sally scoffed. She was already making her way down the aisles, not a care keeping her back. “Oh please, don’t even mention her! It's not worth the trouble.” She flicked her gloved hand dismissively.

Though she was nearly half way through the car now, Johnny still found his feet anchored where he was. “B-but…” he stuttered. “But she could be attacked by those things!”

“Oh, can it!” she snapped, whirling around on him. “I’m not in any mood to deal with her, let alone go back through that whole mess to find her. Let’s just keep going, she’ll take care of herself just fine. She seems to be very good at it.” The look in her eye made Johnny swallow his words. Could they really just abandon Orla? They couldn’t, surely, but… if it was between Sally or Orla, he still supposed listening to the former was the smarter thing to do. The thought nagged at him as he walked on, though.

Suddenly, a loud slam sounded from the next car over. Johnny jumped; what in the world—? It sounded like something heavy had been thrown against the wall… or maybe into the wall? Then he realized it; he gasped. He knew exactly what it sounded like: a door slamming shut, and a big metal exterior one, too. A way out! Finally! Hope overwhelmed him. This could be his escape! Finally, he’d make it back home, back to Polly, back to a normal life! Without a word, he broke away from Sally, running to the end of the car and flinging the door open.

“Shit!”

The scene he walked in on was nothing like he expected; he winced at the shouted curse, and his mind filled with fear as he saw where it had come from. On the floor was a man, strong and with a strangely tailored suit jacket, wrestling with a demon about his own size. His breathing quickened. Oh god… A flash of men, his friends and fellow soldiers, writhing on the muddy ground struck him. Their groans and screams mingled with the sounds of struggle, the enraged face of the stranger being replaced by the agonized expressions he’d seen. No… no!

Overcome with the memory, his legs seemed to move on their own, carrying him right to where they struggled. He needed to do something, even if it would be useless. He couldn’t just stand by. However, his prosthetic didn’t get the same idea; as he staggered towards them as fast as he could, that click click started like a ticking clock, counting down to the churck that sent him crashing down. Right into the fight.

In a mess of arms and legs, Johnny, the stranger, and the demon tumbled along the aisle. They’d all been caught off-guard; in the struggle, the man shot a confused and furious glance at Johnny, and the thing made horrible shrieks of surprise. However, the moment didn’t last long; soon enough, the two men found themselves held to the floor by the shadowy creature, staring up at its ferocious eyes. Oh god, oh god, I’m going to die! We’re both going to die! I’m such an idiot, I knew this would go bad!

Cwack!

A brown boot flew right into the demon’s chin, knocking it off of the two in a stunned daze. To Johnny’s surprise and shock, he looked up to see Orla, grinning back at Sally, who stood a little ways down the aisle. “Ha! Who’s not worth the trouble now?” she asked her, smug playfulness glittering in her eyes. “Must be glad I followed you two after all!”

Sally huffed, ignoring her quip. She rushed over to pull Johnny up from the floor, supporting him as usual. “You two should hide,” she said to him and the stranger, her suave smile returning to her face. “I can handle this fella easy.” Though she offered her hand to the man to help him up as well, he swatted her hand away.

The demon groaned, making Johnny’s heart race again. It stood, its eyes flashing, but Orla wasn’t at all afraid. In fact, her grin only widened. “Not if I can handle him first!” With that, she spun into action, parrying the thing’s slashes and striking it with grace. She twirled around and kicked, jumped out of danger—why, she was practically dancing around it! For a moment, Johnny forgot to be afraid as he watched her best the creature so easily.

It was such a wonder to see that Johnny hardly noticed the stranger stand. He scoffed. “Like I’d just let you ladies deal with it,” he muttered, wiping a smear of blood from his lip. The unmistakable click of a pistol made Johnny’s blood freeze. With barely enough time to panickedly turn around to see what was going on, he stalked forward to where Orla was dance-fighting with the demon. And before Johnny could even really get a grip on what the stranger was doing, he sent a left hook barrelling right into its shadowy face. With another screech, it fell down to the floor. Wasting no time, he shot the thing while it was down. Johnny winced at the sound each time it fired. And then finally, all was quiet and still.

“Woah,” Orla said, finally breaking the silence. “Now that’s a fancy flintlock!” Though she was very enthusiastic, Sally wasn’t nearly the same; she stared down at the dead demon with shocked concern. Whatever it was that the other two were thinking, Johnny knew how he was feeling at least; he was absolutely stunned and deeply afraid of this stranger.

Looking over his shoulder with a cold glint in his eyes, the man took them all in. His demeanor was half angry, half weary, sizing them all up with suspicion plainly on his face. “Who are you all?” he demanded. “What is this damned place?”

Orla giggled, apparently immediately smitten with him. “I’ve got a better question, sir: who are you?” she asked, her tone oozing flirtation like honey.

He sighed. “Curtis Holmes,” the rugged man replied. He cocked his pistol again. “Now answer me. Or you’re not gonna like what happens next.”

[flames-memory]

Wednesday

I didn’t get to see BC yesterday, but I did after work. I had to stop at the tailors in the D real quick and ran into Stormy and Aurrius (?) the golden star guy. He’s pretty nice, I think. He was making a hip hop outfit, with gold colors, so I suggested a hoodie. It looked way better than the cornrows he

I met her at her apartment. It was nice to be with her alone for a while. She talked about training and started with.. I guess that was a spanking. It was intense, and it hurt, but it also made me feel strangely safe? My powers keep the pain from getting to be unbearable, and I heal. Guess that says a little about intensity there. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been hit before. Not like this, but speaking out of regular combat, in correction, or for.. whatever it was? Someone else’s fun? It wasn’t often – I’m not stupid, and I generally don’t invite it. Nature of the whole signing contracts, I guess.

After, when I had a little time to think about it, I kind of wondered if there was something wrong with me, but that idea didn’t stick. Whatever might be “wrong”, BC and Max both don’t seem to see me as being broken like that. I don’t feel broken – bruised, maybe. That’s getting better. I’ve been in such a haze of happy, it’s almost a shock when bad thoughts pop back up. I won’t manufacture drama and cling to ideas of being some overwrought victim. I like being happy. I’m glad BC and Max are both so understanding when I have those little shadowy moments, when the past doesn’t seem anywhere near far enough away. And it isn’t, not yet. I know I need to heal and grow here. I need to be careful, and not hurt anyone in the process, too.

It’s not a bad analogy I keep coming back to… Air and Kerosene. Both make me burn bright and make me hungry for more of them. I get selfish, and I just want more.

I’m supposed to think about what she did.. like I can stop.. and think about what I want her to do.. O.o Boggled. How can I answer that? I thought I knew what there was to do, and yet, I don’t even know where to begin. Things that excite me? Ugh. It feels so.. how am I supposed to say it? Why is it so hard? Worse.. which IT am I even trying to say? Oh.. god.. I have the weekend to think about all that. Max give me strength??

Oh, yeah, BC and Eliza are going to Singapore. That’s so cool. BC deserves to have time with those she loves. I’m a greedy child, I’d keep her to myself if I could.. but then, I wouldn’t be able to fit in time with Max, and I don’t like that idea at all. I can’t believe I get to spend so much time with either one of them, I don’t want to monopolize their lives.. but also.. I kinda do.. I want to be selfish and kidnap them both and be.. ridiculously cuddled forever. And you know.. the stuff I don’t know how I’m supposed to say out loud.. heh.

BC woke me up, always the best morning. We headed in, and caught Max in the D. BC fell hard for the Gehenna crier, heheheh.. she dumped all of her lovers and swore her undying allegiance to the crier.. But.. lucky for us, the crier wasn’t interested lol. Max and I headed in, and oh, MY god.. why can I not get over how handsome he looked in that fancy coat. So Faustian and handsome. I opted for “sacrificial virgin” sorta.. lol.. and I got to see BC and Eliza in their Devil and Angel costumes. Kinda figure we had a whole story! Max attempts to sacrifice me to BC for power and Eliza saves me lol Something like that heheh

It was fun – the bar has a COOL aquarium in the floor (apparently, I like fish tanks. I hadn’t seen that many, I guess, never really thought about it, but I keep seeing them, and they are just SO cool)

Only a moment or two I could have skipped. I felt like an idiot, being disturbed by fireball. It reminds me of my attempts to be a person while with the Black Holes. Like.. it has a cute name, but it’s terrible. BC traded me drinks, and I felt bad, cuz the drink looked cool as hell. Her highball was good.

Max had whiskey.. that stuff is evil… but not like you think. I don’t like it.. but it makes his breath smell so good, and he tastes.. yikes. SO good. I’m glad he likes it, but I hardly need more temptation to kiss him. I wonder what BC would taste like after whiskey? Heh, new club experiment. Maybe, instead of points, I’m going to have to keep track of things I like and don’t like.. cuz.. then I have to try, like… everything, right?

We looked out at the nightmare monsters outside the bar.. and I do not like what it made me think of. Why it made me think of THAT, I don’t know. Ew. It wasn’t even what you’d call a good analogy, but.. I suddenly thought of Kass, and her favorite jewelry; Kass, and a cottage and sunburns. I had to stop looking, and that helped. Weirdest part was none of that view bothered me till I heard the word nightmares, and I don’t even think I have nightmares? I don’t remember them.

We went go dance.. and I snagged a hug from Max before we dropped down to the dance floor. He’s so solid and somehow hot and cold at the same time. It helped, and I actually forgot all about it by the time we rejoined BC and Eliza. They do that, BC and Max. Make me forget to remember. That’s the right way to say it. I don’t forget the things I don’t want to think about, but I forget to remember them. Sometimes they take me by surprise, like, how could I get out from under that shadow for even a moment? BC and Max are so bright, the shadow just.. has no power.

Eliza and BC danced all close and sexy with me, making me the second most awesome sandwich yet, heh. Had a chance to snuggle and kiss Max a little before I left, tell him again how sexy that coat made him. I’ll never tell, but I like it way better than the brown leather one but go figure. BC still keeps calling him a silver fox.. I don’t think he minds, despite the difference in his age/hair. They don’t make him look old to me, it’s just.. Max’s hair. I like it.

So.. I went to work.. and I had to leave them. And worse, I forgot to get a picture of all the great costumes. Well, OUR getups anyway. We looked great. And Max promised me a pillow fort at Black Cat Tuesday, so this weekend, when I know BC will be in Singapore, I’m going to make Max stay with me as much as I can. Call me a selfish bitch, I don’t care. I’ll be missing BC, and Max is staying in that Hotel all alone, there’s no reason for him not to. Besides, the bed is huge, so even if we only sleep, there’s plenty of room. He’s got to bring more pillow.

And you better bet I hope we do more than sleep. I don’t want to rush thing in any way, but I do want to show Max how much I care about him. I love BC, I adore BC. Max.. I think he was hurt by someone, and I think he’s protecting himself a little. Being careful. I don’t blame him. I threw my trust in with BC just about as fast as I did.. no. That’s not fair. Whatever this is with BC took a few days to really become what it is, and it grows every day. Not bigger, exactly, it’s already all of me, but evolving. That’s exciting. Max was like.. a nice person to flirt with, then.. a friend that’s safe to cuddle with, and now.. he’s so important to me. I do love him.. but we’re still working up to that. Does he love me? Doesn’t matter. He likes me, he likes being with me, and if he never loves me, that’s ok. I’ll still love him. I’ll be.. very.. very.. very sad. But I need to be able to be on my own. I don’t want to think about that, being without BC or Max, but I know that’s something I need to be able to do. I don’t have to DO it, maybe, because I have them now, and maybe I’ll be lucky to always have someone who cares about me. But if I don’t, I can’t fall apart or make terrible choices. I need to know that what BC has done for me – what Max does for me – wasn’t done in vain, or efforts wasted. I must be able to be a person, for myself and for them.

[orleans-jester]

Thomas was the one who knew the real reason why River stuck around their New Zealand home. Protecting Flotsam, protecting Valerie, just basically protecting all of them, really, from what they couldn’t see on the other side. Thomas knew a lot of Hell. Valerie knew a lot about the nether in general. But there were still things that could not be seen, could not be felt. The door was open but River was acting like the bouncer, kicking out anyone that didn’t belong.

So the fact that River Laveau was here, in Feral, on Halloween night, seemed like a God-send.

There were many here that he was happy to see, especially Brigitte. He had felt her loss geatly, along with Zeke’s - and along with a lot of the wolves that he had called ‘the boys’. The ones that had helped him with building a house for the Trouillefous, working all day, teasing them but also chastizing them for the looks that they’d give Valerie when she would bring out cold drinks to them all. But Brigitte was even more special. She was family.

“I’d hope so - it’s a very special hat,” He grinned. Oh, a gift from Jules. Ever so special because it came from Hell itself, the very tailor to the demons. Despite his own faith, he still took it as a great compliment. It was hypocritical, in a way, but wasn’t life? Nothing in it was perfect, save for his wife of course.

He didn’t mind the closeness - she was very much like a sister to him. A found sister, since he wasn’t close with his blood. He traded them all in for this found family, and hadn’t looked back. He put an arm respectfully around her back, never once even thinking about venturing into dangerous territory. His natural warmth was there to share,like that was exactly what it was made for.

Even if he took Brigitte everywhere in the room, his eyes would always be wandering back to his leading lady, the star of every show, even if he was quite present with Brigitte. He saw that hand coming up for the wave and his body was instantly turned towards her with a ‘look at who I’ve got!’ expression on his face.

Thomas was all ready for this group hug, even beckoning River to come and join it too, since he was solid enough to do it. He might not be running around with his siblings right now, but he was still definitely entitled to a family moment like this.

“And it looks so goddamn good on you, too,” Thomas mumbled admiringly into the shoulder of his love, giving it a light kiss since she was so close. Oh, her in Autumn. He could recite odes, hell, he could even write prose about how this was her season. And she was born it in, her birthday having just past - it was truly meant to be.

Oh. Now there was a voice that he had REALLY been wanting to hear tonight.

If he smiled any bigger, his cheeks would be hurting. As it were, they were turning a rosy shade of pink as if it was Christmastime and Jack Frost had just nipped at his skin.

Keeping his arms around the shoulders of both girls, he looked over to Zeke to catch that point and to laugh because oh, he had a point. Christmas was a big thing in the Laveau household. Even with the people missing, it always felt like home when they had the tree up and the sweaters home. “You’re not fooling us, Zeke,” He called over. “You weren’t forced into those sweaters and you know it.”

Elsa wasn’t quite as pleased. Okay, this was a beautiful night and it was good to see Valerie and River being so happy, and Koda off on adventures with his best friend, and all that. But having a marshmallow thrown at her by a ghost was not what she was hoping to have happen tonight.

While Flotsam roasted his with a quick zap, Elsa froze her so it dropped onto the ground in front of her with a very audible thud. She looked down at it and then up to Zeke. “I think there was a compliment somewhere in there, so thank you?” It still came out sounding more like a question, as if she wasn’t entirely sure.

“About to?” Thomas asked Brigitte. He thought it had been weird the second that they stepped back into their old stomping grounds and found that it had changed in so much more than name. Feral had turned Feral. “I think we’re past that one.”

Cheshire was proving that. The Laveau-Cuddler, as Thomas affectionately thought of her, had come on through, looking like a human disco ball, or some sort of Avatar creature on acid, and shooting marshmallows through her ears. It was weird. But it was also very entertaining, and Thomas shook his head with a chuckle, watching as she left, going to - wherever it was that she was going next, who knows.

Even if he wasn’t in such a good mood himself, Valerie’s would definitely have put him into one. That smile of hers, that excitement, that euphoria was just so goddamn contagious. One day, experts might even say that it was the cure for all sorts of depression, this very smile, right here. He leaned over and he kissed her cheek, absolutely adoring seeing her like this.

“What a night,” He said, shaking his head in awe.

Flotsam believed that quote. Maybe it'd slip into Elsa's life too. It wasn't famous for empty words.

Once Valerie was dancing with her son her attention was all there. Just like Elsa she didn't let the decaying process on his corpse body make her face sneer or nose turn. Always a prince. Her mini-me. That's who River had always been. The little boy with the black hair who wanted to follow in his footsteps with the necromancy obsession no matter how much Flotsam tried to deter him. Not that he deterred him well while teaching him every lesson of how to along the way. They weren't the sort of parent that was going to have their kid sneaking off learning it wrong somewhere else and get themselves hurt. The tilted irony-ish that led River to be dancing in a state like this in their arms did not elude her.

All Valerie could do anymore was smile at life. The secret of life was enjoying the passing of time. Just like the song. Any fool could do it. But, speaking of secrets River's reveal tonight was kept from Valerie too even though he'd been haunting and living in the kiwi house the whole time. All his tangible practicing was done away from the family so that this would be a big deal like "Look Ma, look what I can do." So, Valerie was very proud. Knowing Sparky the way Flotsam had he knew this took Patrick Swayze ghost practice skill. They also knew it meant they might be around more if they were in this state without being told.

So, while Valerie gave her son kudos and all the I'm so proud of yous a person likes to get when they accomplish something new like any mother proud of her son would do, no matter how big or small of an accomplishment it was, there were two others starting their dance.

The smile Thomas served Brigitte when he saw her made her feel like she had warm blood in her veins again. She could almost feel her wolf again. That's how warm the heat was from how kind this feeling was. Brigitte Laveau, daughter of the true infamous namesake their family was trusted with.

Thomas tilted his hat and all she could do was love it.

"I'm sure Pa-Pa is approvin' dat now. Veree dapper."

Dr. Facilier truly was proud of his whole family, living or dead, on every side. Heck, when he sang on the other side now he actually meant the living. Thomas was one of those living friends on the other side now that he resided on the afterlife side. What a world. What a world.

She snuggled in close for her dance with Thomas if only to feel that warmth. It was closer than she might have on normal terms had she been truly alive, but she was feeling it as they swayed. It was in her soul still, the feeling of the wolf. She could feel it in him. Just from her walk across the dance floor she could sense he was different than the others even now in the spiritual form she was in. She'd pull back with a bit of a smile off and on with a feeling that the kindred spirit in them knew what she was doing which only made her smile more. This was turning into a fun surprise, more comforting than she thought for a random whirl around the ballroom.

Zeke had his place too. The Big Bad Wolf was huffing and puffing and blowing down every home that housed a piggie in great big BBQ in the sky. Dale would always say there's no way that man didn't figure out the bacon hook up in Bethlehem. That's why there's no pigs in manger scenes. Zeke up there in heaven smoking 'em all up in the cooker.

Then Valerie went to wave at Thomas wanting to show off dancing with River to her husband when she caught glimpse of her dead sister dancing with him.

If ever she thought she was already filled with all the joy?

River, she knew was a ghost and his appearance had it's moments. He tried to make himself known sometimes. But, Brigitte had crossed over. Her appearance was a complete shock.

"My sister!" She finally called out before power walking over in her heels. Her arms spread out wide and she encircled both Thomas and her sis and just squeezed.

She looked back at River. She could see Jetsam running around with her other children in the streets of Feral through her eyes. Scout was smiling. She was doing a weird three-way dance hug with her sister and Thomas. She just threw back her head and laughed. "I told you fall will always be the best. I fucking love spooky season."

Then a voice came from about 20 feet away by the buffet tables.

"Don't fuck wit me girl. You a Christmasholic and you know it. Don't let her play you like that Thomas. Feeding you lines like that. These girls be forcing me ugly Christmas sweaters before the gravy boat is off the table in November. Don't deny. Now where's the chocolate fountain? I got bacon to dip. I found the toothpicks. Ayyyyyye. We got maple?"

Then he swung his point over to Elsa.

"I'm talking to you too Ice Fest in a Vest. Look at you all out your cardigans tonight. Did you not notice the chocolate fountain? Why you playing over there by yourself like you don't want this? Git over here."

Then Zeke threw a pure white marshmallow at Elsa. Then he threw a second at Valerie. Granted the one that came at Valerie ended up toasted like it'd been on a campfire when her reflex was to zap it. Brigitte looked down at the blackened fluff that landed on floor and shook her head at Thomas. "Dis night tis abouta get weird isntit?"

Cheshire heard the word weird which was akin to nonsense and she walked through everyone that was interacting right there, just walked, hyperactive colors floating across her skin, some of her skin not of even there while her arms were in a 'Walk like an Egyptian' dance pose. She jgrinned, big, wide, toothy, just wanting to be in the middle of it for no reason other than she existed and inserted herself by floating through the scene. She also touched the marshallow with her finger as she went by off Zeke's plate and ate it, before pumping her arm like a railway whistle only for the treat to go shooting out her ear like a pop gun proving all the more she is anything but human, or the most magical person on the planet. Then she just kept going. She walked away like she never entered their space.

It hit Brigitte right in the face and she caught it in her hands. Brigitte held the marshmallow and looked over at Thomas. Laughing she held it up to him. "I dare you to eat it." Having no idea where it'd been after watching whatever Cheshire just did it seemed like a funny thing to say.

Valerie was having the best "heart attack" there was having her family back for Halloween. It was one surprise after another. They were usually lucky if they could get one visit from the other side on the day of the dead and they weren't even using rituals or rites. They were just walking around everywhere! Something was in the air this year and Valerie was loving it.

[sunattacksthemoon]

5, 6, 10, 11, 20, 22 and 25

ask game

5. what would you be a god/goddess of and what would people sacrifice to you?

So I tried asking my my sister and mum bc I had no idea what to answer and that was the most excruciating conversation I have ever had with two people. So I’m on my own for this one. Honestly I’ve got no clue, I’ve thought about this for a good bit and I’ve come up with nothing. I keep coming back to something nature related, idk what but something to do with the forest and trees. For sacrifices or like things to put on my alter ig, I’d say willow tree branches and honeysuckle. Maybe fruits? Plums specifically, anddddd idk play me some music and I’ll be peachy.

6. name five iconic quotes that make you feel things.

I’ve actually got a list of these

“I am very interested and fascinated how everyone loves each other, but no one really likes each other.” The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

“They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” - The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

“Loneliness flays the soul, doesn't it? Strips it piece-by-piece until it feels like there's nothing left to lose, and in a way, reaching that point can seem relieving.” - Best Friends Brother by bizarrestars

“As you wish” - The Princess Bride by William Goldman

“You are beautiful, but you are empty,” he went on. “One could not die for you. To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you—the rose that belongs to me. But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses: because it is she that I have watered; because it is she that I have put under the glass globe; because it is she that I have sheltered behind the screen; because it is for her that I have killed the caterpillars (except the two or three that we saved to become butterflies); because it is she that I have listened to, when she grumbled, or boasted, or ever sometimes when she said nothing. Because she is my rose.” - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

10. describe yourself as if you were a storm.

I’d be a thunderstorm, no lightning and lots of rain. Lotsss of thunder tho. It would last for a good while but would eventually turn into just some light rain. I think I’d be a summer storm, like the ones in the middle of July, where it’s super hot and it’s misty.

11. what type of flower (other than a rose) would you offer someone you were trying to court?

Their favorite flower, idk I’ve never given anyone flowers before, like romantically. Every person I’ve been interested always said they didn’t like flowers. But I’m the type of person that wants people to like their gifts so I’ll just listen to people when they talk and if they mention liking something I’ll take note and get them gifts based off that. I want people to get use out of the things I get them. So gifts are always tailored to the people I give them too. That goes with flowers and other things like playlists.

20. tying your hair up using ribbon, yay or nay?

I wish, I have super thick hair but it’s pin fucking straight so every time I try to but a lil bow or clippy in my hair it falls out. Literal bane of my existence. But ideally in another life I’ll be able to have ribbons in my hair.

22. tell us, in detail, about a curse a witch would put on you.

Hmmmm idk I think it would be based on my fears or faults ig. So I’m thinking they would take my ability to speak. Idk what I did to deserve a curse but y’know shit happens.

25. favorite childhood story? (doesn’t have to be a fairy tale)

Alice in wonderland, I’ve got the white rabbit as a lil charm on my necklace. On the same chain as my moonstone. Both very sentimental things for me. I’d also say Calvin and Hobbes or Pooh bear. Goodnight moon but that was when I was really little, I also remember liking Shel Silverstein as well. Idk I know that a lot of little kids books made me unbelievably anxious. Or overall upset. Like when my mum read me the ugly duckling I was so sad. And Dr. Seuss was my enemy.