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grailfinders · 3 years ago

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Fate and Phantasms #199

Today on Fate and Phantasms we're making the Jotaro Kujo of FGO, Semiramis! (Seriously, how does that cape/hair... thing work? It's wild.) The queen of poisons is a Graviturgy Wizard to make building a floating castle slightly less difficult to make and cooler to live in, plus a Witherbloom Druid for some dove friends and extra poisons. If you've seen our builds for Waver and Edison, you might know already that building things with magic is costly and time-consuming, and for once that is 100% accurate to the character. Get ready, this is gonna be a weird one.

Check out her build breakdown below the cut, or her character sheet over here!

Next up: I'm 40% appendicitis!

Race and Background

Semiramis is technically an aasimar, but she doesn't fly around or heal people, so we can just focus on her human side. .... Oooor we can focus on those ears, because we need to nick some stuff from being an Elf. Specifically, we're going with the Vahadar Elf from Plane Shift Kaladesh, since they've got the ears, the proficiencies we'll need later, and their backstory's still about living in general society, unlike wood elves and other Kaladeshian elves. Thanks to Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, this gives her +2 Intelligence and +1 Wisdom, as well as Darkvision, Fey Ancestry against being charmed, a Trance instead of sleep so she can't be put to sleep, Keen Senses for proficiency in Perception, the Mending cantrip to piece together the castle later, and most importantly Elf Weapon Training. Normally this would give her proficiency with four weapons, but thanks to Tasha's we can swap this out with four tools instead. Carpenter's, Glassblower's, Mason's, and Smith's Tools proficiency should give us everything we need to build a castle later- we'll go into the why when we get there.

Semiramis is also a Noble- grab History, but swap out Persuasion for Deception. Yeah, not even her background can escape how weird this build is.

Ability Scores

Poisoning skills come from Intelligence (I think. WotC are really nonspecific about how to actually fucking make poison), and it's also your main casting modifier: put that first. Second should be your Charisma, nobody drinks poison on purpose, so you'd better get good at lying. After that is Wisdom. If your poisons aren't made with Intelligence it'll definitely be wisdom. That means your Dexterity isn't great- yeah, you fight in a dress, but if you're fighting and not your lackeys, something's gone wrong. We're not dumping Constitution because we're not stupid, so dump Strength instead. You've got minions to carry rocks around for you.

Class Levels

Wizard 1: Starting as a wizard nets you the weakest hit die in the game, but it also gets you proficiency in Intelligence and Wisdom saves, plus the Arcana and Medicine skills. You're half caster, and if you want to ruin someone's bodily functions you have to know what those are first. Starting as a wizard also gets you Spells that you can cast and prepare using your Intelligence. You get six at first level and two each level after. That's a lot, so we're just going to over spells that are important for the build here, though there's a full list of what we'd get in the character sheet. For cantrips, grab Infestation and Poison Spray for poison damage. For once infestation is completely kosher as is, since Semiramis can summon any creature as long as its poisonous. Also, grab Message. Castle halls are big and echo-y, and it's probably not a good idea to shout at people to find out which glass they put the poison in. Aside from that, grab Mage Armor so you die less, Magic Missile for Assassin balls, and Tenser's Floating Disk to carry all the raw materials you'll be using later. Finally, you get an Arcane Recovery once per long rest, letting you recover a couple spell slots on a short rest. The total level you recover is equal to half your wizard level, rounded up.

Wizard 2: Going into second level of wizard gives you a school of magic, and it's hard to lift several tons of stone into the air if you're not into Graviturgy. When you take the subclass, you can Adjust Density as an action, doubling or halving a large or smaller creature/object's weight for up to a minute with concentration. If you reduce a creature's weight it'll increase their speed by 10', double their jump distance, and have disadvantage on strength saves and checks, and vice versa if you increase it. I checked, and stone is roughly 1,000 times denser than air, not 2, so we'll have to do some brewing later to make this work out. Make your strong minions stronger, your fast minions faster, or do the opposite for your enemies.

Wizard 3: Third level wizards get second level spells. You won't get any dragons in this build, sad to say, but you can use Dragon's Breath to turn just about anything into a dragon. They can even spit poison breath, which is really good with the poisoner's feat. Speaking of..

Wizard 4: First Ability Score Improvement of the build, so grab the Poisoner's Feat for more poisony goodness. All poison-based damage rolls you make ignore resistance, you can coat weapons as a bonus action, and you get proficiency in the poisoner's kit. You also learn a special poison that'll force a dc 14 constitution save on the creature you use it on, dealing 2d8 poison damage and poisoning them for a round.

Wizard 5: Fifth level wizards get third level spells. Animate Dead will help you make dragontooth warriors, a.k.a. skeletons. You can make one per casting right now, but you can recast the spell to retain control over up to three skeletons at once. Otherwise they'll be uncontrollable monsters, which is probably less of a goal.

Druid 1: Semiramis might be known for her poisons, but she's really a multifaceted person. Well, not really, but if you want poisons, you're going to get them from animals. If you want animals, you're going to get them from druids. First level druids learn Druidic- it's a language! They also get another set of Spellcasting using their Wisdom to cast and prepare spells. Check the multiclassing table to figure out your spell slots. Grab Guidance and Resistance to be a bit better than everyone else. For first level spells, look for Entangle and Snare to summon chains to slow down enemies, and Speak with Animals to make sure your dovey-woveys know their work is appreciated. We haven't gotten dovey-woveys yet? Don't worry, they're coming.

Druid 2: Second level druids join their circle, and you're so goddamn smart you just joined another school. At the college of Witherbloom, you'll learn how to turn the vitality of nature into deadly poisons. Right off the bat you get circle spells, which are always prepared for you and don't count against how many spells you can prepare. Right now you get the Spare the Dying cantrip as well as Cure and Inflict Wounds. Now you don't literally have to summon a whip every time you want to hit someone. You can also tap in creatures' essences with your Essence Tap. As a bonus action, you empower yourself for 1 minute, gaining one of two options. Overgrowth lets you heal yourself with a hit die each turn as a bonus action, adding your wisdom modifier to the amount healed. Withering Strike lets you change your damage to necrotic when you hit someone with any sort of damage, ignoring resistances to make your poisons even deadlier. You can use this proficiency times per long rest. Most importantly, you gain a Wild Shape / Wild Companion. Both features use the same two charges per short rest. You're limited to what you can turn into based on its CR and movement options, but those limits and how long you can transform/summon a creature for grows as you level up. Currently I'd stick with Wild Companion for dove familiars, but some versions of Semiramis' story include her turning into a dove herself at the end, so Wild Shape isn't out of the question. As long as we sink eight levels into druid, at least.

Druid 3: Third level druids get second level spells, like your freebies Lesser Restoration and Ray of Enfeeblement. Look, if you're going to make poisons it only makes sense that you'd have antidotes on hand. You can also grab spells like Animal Messenger to send your doves out for ingredients, and Locate Animals or Plants to find them yourself.

Wizard 6: Sixth level graviturgists can make a Gravity Well when you cast a spell, moving the target 5 feet in any direction if it is willing or you successfully hit it with the spell. Speaking of spells that push people, Pulse Wave does just that, stepping in for the big stompy dragon animation. Creatures in a 30' cone make a constitution save, and if they fail they'll take force damage and get pushed back 15', or 20' with Gravity Well. You can also pull them, but that's not really stompy at that point. You can also Summon Undead to create a stronger skeleton to lead the others.

Druid 4: At fourth level, druids can transform into swimming creatures, and you also get another ASI. Bump up your Intelligence for stronger spells. Also, grab the Control Fire cantrip, it'll be cold in your castle without it.

Druid 5: Fifth level druids get third level spells, like Revivify and Vampiric Touch. Neither of those are in character, but you can also Conjure Animals (as long as they're poisonous) and Dispel Magic to keep your throne room free of nonsense.

Wizard 7: Seventh level wizard get fourth level spells, including the one we've been working our way up to, Fabricate! As long as you have the raw materials, you can turn them into products of the same material. Since you're working with stone, you're limited to creating Medium objects this way. Just line the outside of the medium objects you make with halves of smaller objects, then mend them together, and eventually you'll have a castle. This will take a while. For a decent-sized castle of 300'x400', you'll be looking at roughly 480 medium-sized blocks per floor. At level 20 you'll have 12 spell slots of fourth level or higher, so you can knock out a floor in roughly 40 days, not including things like doors or other furniture. Also worth noting, you can't make fancy things like glass without proficiency in the tools required to make them normally, hence all the tool proficiencies from your racial bonuses.

Wizard 8: Use your next ASI to bump up your Wisdom for better healing and stronger druid spells. You also learn Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum, so you can prevent creatures from spying into your hanging gardens. Especially useful is the ability to block creatures from teleporting or plane shifting onto your grounds, as that's probably the only way to approach your gardens safely. Or at least it is after you learn Ice Storm, a long range spell that pelts enemies with ice and turns the area into difficult terrain. Of note, it doesn't say the ground, so the entire cylinder will be difficult to fly through. If you want to build giant arcane cannons instead for authenticity, I salute you. Just remember that'll have to come out of your budget.

Wizard 9: Ninth level wizards get fifth level spells, and Wall of Stone will help you speed up construction by making ten 10'x10' panels or ten 10'x20' panels. You can also use this spell to create bridges or the like, and if you hold concentration for 10 minutes the stone remains permanently. If you want to skimp on materials so you can just get this fucking thing in the air already, this'll help with that. You're also learning Geas. If you can't summon a dragon, forcibly controlling a dragon is the next best thing.

Druid 6: Did you think we were done with druid? I said we were stuck here for 8 levels, didn't I? Sixth level witherbloom druids can make a Witherbloom Brew thanks to their new proficiency with Herbalism kits. At the end of a long rest, you can use that kit to make Proficiency brews, which last for 24 hours. A Fortifying brew gives a creature resistance to a damage type chosen at brewing (cold, fire, necrotic, poison, or radiant) for an hour. A Quickening brew heals its drinker, and ends one disease or an effect of charming, frightening, paralyzation, poisoning, or stunning. Again, antidotes might be useful to have on hand, but the real reason we're here is for the Toxifying brew. You can apply the brew to a weapon, and the next time within an hour that weapon hits a creature, they take 2d6 poison damage and have to make a constituiton saving throw (DC 8 + your wisdom modifier + proficiency) or be poisoned for a minute. This is literally so much better than the poisoner feat what the hell.

Druid 7: Seventh level druids get fourth level spells, like Blight and Greater Restoration for stronger poisons and antidotes respectively. You can also Dominate Beast to hold any poisonous critters still while you milk them, or summon Giant Insects instead. They obey you and stay giant until they drop to 0 HP, dismiss the effect, the spell ends.

Druid 8: Our last level of druid finally lets you turn into a dove with a second Wild Shape Improvement. You also get another ASI, so bump up that Wisdom for stronger spells and poisons.

Wizard 10: Tenth level graviturgists can create a Violent Attraction between a creature's face and a weapon, causing a nearby weapon attack to deal an extra 1d10 damage. Alternatively, you can increase the attraction between a creature and the ground, adding 2d10. I doubt your hanging gardens need help making the fall more deadly, but now you can help out of need be. You can do this Intelligence modifier per long rest.

Wizard 11: Eleventh level wizards get sixth level spells, like Guards and Wards. This will make it so much harder for enemies to breach your castle it isn't even funny, if the "hanging out in the stratosphere" thing didn't tip them off already.

Wizard 12: By twentieth level you should have a castle set up, so grab the Lucky feat. Basically, everything that can go right for you does while you're in your castle, so now you get 3 luck points per long rest to make sure that happens, letting you re-roll your attacks, saves, and checks, as well as attacks aimed at you.

So how the fuck do I get a flying castle?

So, admittedly this is up to DM fiat, but let's be real, a flying castle sounds sick as hell and gathering resources is a great reason to go adventuring. If I was your DM, it'd go something like this; After x months of research, you find a way to prepare materials so Adjust Density is permanent on them if you concentrate for the duration. Then you make and fuse together castle chunks as described in level twelve, and eventually you lighten the load on the special rocks so much they're lighter than air. Boom, liftoff, you're fucking awesome now. If you want to go down, just make the float rocks heavier again.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Even if you don't build a giant floating castle in your adventure, that doesn't mean all this prepwork went to waste. You are a master at protecting areas from invasion, so no matter where you lay your head you know it's going to be safe. Not as safe as a floating castle, but still, safe.

By mixing together all your tool proficiencies with Fabricate, you can make pretty much whatever you need from raw materials. No more paying a smithy for fancier armor!

If you do get your castle in the air or you're near a cliff, you are incredibly deadly, with plenty of ways to shove opponents around or otherwise control movement. Slow them down, trip them up, or shove them off a cliff it's so good. Pulse people off the edge of your garden and laugh at them as they fall.

Cons:

There's literally no rules about building your own castles & poisons, so most of this build is entirely dependent on your DM. If you get a cool one, cool! If you don't, this build is pretty much a writeoff.

You need to hide away in your castle and send out minions because you're kind of pathetic in person. With only 14 AC and less than 100 HP, you'll go down faster than Medb if you don't use your Wild Shapes well.

A lot of that can be chalked up to mixing caster classes, meaning we have to spend more ASIs to make both spell modifiers good, and we miss out on higher level spells. Also, spending 8 levels in druid just to turn into a dove isn't that great unless you really want the flavor. I highly recommend skipping out after 6, the last graviturgy effect is great both to knock people out of the sky and make them bow if they get to your throne room.

But, getting to your throne room is 90% of the fight. This build is one that emphasizes patience, and that's what puts you above the common folk. Hang out in the stratosphere, attend social events in style, and let your poisons and skeleton warriors do the fighting for you. Just be glad there aren't any wacky knights riding hippogryphs around.

#fgo #fate grand order #D&D 5e #DND #Semiramis #Wizard #Druid

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tellywoodtrash · 4 years ago

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immj2 29.10.20 lb

dadi getting a lil too intrusive in her confidence in vansh's ability to pyaar, just coz he got his wife’s wrist size right.

appropriate response.

idhar chachi lamenting ki ohnoe i think vansh really loves riddhima now.

yet again, an appropriate response.

but for wrong reason. coz this one's like, look at all the great love stories. the truer the love, the more bitter the ending.

mummy like ughhhh but these two seem annoyingly indestructibleeeee.

aryan is pretty chill. he's like we shall try try againnnnn, mom. till when will she escape and he keep saving her??? at one point or the other he'll be late by 5 min. that day, we'll get her.

time for riddhima to get an angre of her own, methinks.

meanwhile someone's fucking with the mehendi. ofc.

lo. adulterated mehendi has been delivered to correctttttttttttt victim itself. even though there's no name or anything written on the trays.

she's SOOOOOO excited to put mehendi that she's not eaten all day and telling dadi she'll eat after the mehendi is dry. her cheerfulness is annoying me. who would be this happy about a hetero relationship with a man????? wouldn’t be me.

husband has noted the point ki karwa chauth vrat seems to have started a day early.

black string on chachi's shoulder, same as from mehendi-fucker-upper ka blanket thingy. i mean..... i think it's a red herring, coz she and aryan were bitching when the mehendi was being tampered with, but who knows with the timeline of this show anymore.

the stupidest thing here is that only the open mehendi has been fucked with. i wouldn't use that in the first place and just use the cone for sheer convenience and less mess. also KNOWING that everyone in this house wants to kill me???? why the fuckkkk would you use the one in the open container????

ainvayi mein these three are glaring at her. imagine letting someone this stupid live rent-free in your head all day. be better, queens.

hubs is here with khaaana.

dadi has to taang adaaofy some more and force him to feed her. honestly, iss dadi ko bohut zyaada utaavli chadhi hai. calm your tits, woman.

not to nitpick on a nice thing being done, but that dal to rice ratio seems waaaaaaaaay off.

also gross, she eats like a baby. truly incompetent in every single way.

sir what is your face?????? but also yes, simp more for your wifeee!!!!!

ew dal waale haath se hi baal bhi sawaar raha hai.

GODDDDDD, GET A FUCKING ROOM BEFORE DADI POPS IN BETWEEN YOU TWO LIKE

yup. she had to say some nonsense in between and make me die of cringe. i'm fwding the scene coz i realllllly can't handle the second hand embarrassment.

if my cat stepped in mehendi and walked all over my palms, it would look better than this.

DADI IS LITERALLY KILLING HER POTA BY EMBARRASSING HIM TO DEATH. PLS WOMAN, STOP. I CAN'T HANDLE IT.

ishani and mummy being eternal mood.

itch itch itch itch itch.

sensible dude is like just wash it the fuck off you idiot, and she's like noooooooooooooo but the rang!!!!

“tumhe lagta hai mehendi zyaada der tak rakhne se rang gaadha hota hai, ya phir pati ke chaahne se?”

��dono hi samajh lo.”

gotta say, i like flirty riddhima. it's the only time she uses her brain a lil and is tolerable. BUT OH GOD JUST GO WASH YOUR HANDS YOU DUMBASS.

thank god, he insisted and sent her off.

these two's issues i really dgaf about anymore, so fwding. like........ i think angre needs to back the fuck off a little bit. har waqt uske mooh mein ghuske yeh pati waala drama karoge toh kisi ko bhi gussa aana hai.

wonderful. aur rakho itchy mehendi haath pe.

husband ready to burn down mehendi waale ppl's house. totes appropriate reaction.

she's like oh no idc about my sore, bleeding hands, i just feel so bad for dadi. omfg dumbass just get a brown sketch pen from somewhereeee. like the old bat would be able to tell the difference.

“mehendi ka rang aur pati ka pyaar, inn dono mein koi connection nahi hai.”

ex-fucking-actly. i gots no pati and my mehendi comes out DARK AF, every single time. it has to do with body heat more than anything. and since i am a human furnace, i don't need no pati ka pyaar. not only in this area, but in alllllll areas of my life. #aatmanirbhar

“yeh mehendi ka rang humaare rishte ka certificate nahi ban sakta hai; lekin agar tumhe aisa lagta hai, toh mere paas ek solution hai.”

sweet.

ugh i don't caaaaaaaaare about these family waale and their neverending tippaniyaan on these two's marriage. fwding.

anyway pati is here to tell everyone to stfu and gtfo, thank god.

ofc that gets these 3 to turn on laser glare eyes and vow hellfire and brimstone on riddhima.

ishani was mehendi culprit?

here some more bitching and theories ki riddhima ne itna dimaag chalaana kabse shuru kar diya, uski neeyat kyun badal gayi about giving kabir the memory card, blah blah. i'm just here to stare at kabir in all black.

hein? mummy ALSO has the black kambhal???? did alllllll of you bitches add your own own poisons to the mehendi???

oh?????????????????

can't say i wouldn't do the same.

lol she's straight up calling him out for being an asshole when awake.

and now she's imitating him and maarofying all his dialogues, including the "interestingggggggggg.... veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyy interesting." again, this episode is perhaps the firsttttttttt time i've liked riddhima as a character.

ASLKJDLASDLKASJDLKJASLKDJLASKJDLSAJLKDJL I LEGIT SCREAMED

and he's back to growling at her. but good for her, she doesn’t seem intimidated at all.

but april fool! he likes it!

“ek baat boloon?”

“haan bolo.”

“kabhi tumhe aise muskuraate hue nahi dekha. aadat daal lo, achche lagte ho.”

“tum bhi aadat daal lo. mujhe yeh aise achcha lagta hai.”

OH GOD SHE'S GONNA RUIN THE MOMENT BY TELLING HIM ABOUT KABIR. OH GOD. OHHHHHHH GOD. IDK IF IT'S MY PERIOD CRAMPS OR SHEER TERROR, BUT MUMMMMY, MY STOMACH HURTSSSSSSS.

ok phew, she didn't say the R(agini) word. she just says that like you had a story in your past, i have one too....

andddddddd he told her he doesn't care. it's her past. it's done. he only cares about living with her in the present. well dang. such a reasonable response? from this dude???? unexpected.

but also, He Knows right????? He fully Knows already.

is the person writing their scenes on some special drug these days? whatever it is, they should keep doing it. remarkable improvement in romantic scenes. like, crazy amazing improvement.

is it that, or have i developed stockholm syndrome for this show now??????? oh fuck.

early morning sargi blah blah.

ishani like i don't even got no saas, why i gotta be here for thissssss?????

riddhima as usual has to be overrrrrrrrr, and has prepared sargi for ishani and hands it over.

OH GOD DADI IS TELLING HER TO TOUCH RIDDHIMA'S FEET OH GOD DADI WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS YOU JUST WANNA SEE THIS MANSION BURNNNNNN, DON'T YOU

ofc there are promises of soooooot-samedh badla.

aaaaaaaaand mummy purposely messed up riddhima's sargi. ouff. saas bahu politics. idccccccc.

lmaooooooooo i am ishani. i can't help it, i just really am her.

wait mummy is saying shit like “mere bete ka dil todkar, vansh ke liye karwachauth ka vrat rakhne chali hai.........” ARE YOU TELLING ME KABIR REALLY FELL FOR THIS CHICK??????????? IT ISN'T JUST A EGO THING FOR HIM??????? RE DEVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

#ishq mein marjawan 2 #immj2 #immj2 lbs #episode liveblogs

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captain-kingliamsqueen · 5 years ago

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Matter of National Emergency- Liam x MC

Pairing: Liam x Riley

Summary: Liam and Riley are in Isolation in Valtoria...and one of them may succumbed to the almightly Tik Tok! <-- can you tell im bored?

Word Count: 1,667

Masterlist

ASK IF YOU WANT TAGGED! SORRY IF I MISSED ANYONE!

I always notice every single spelling mistake or issue after I’ve posted…so apologies in advance!

Tags aren’t working so I will be tagging in the comments.

Liam sighed as he entered his and rileys quarters at Valtoria, shutting the door behind him. It was just hitting seven o’clock when he returned from his last meeting. Liam and Riley loved coming to stay at Valtoria, it felt more like a home than the palace did, after they got married they stayed at the palace whilst they had some renovations at Valtoria done, they had the royal quarters basically turned into a reasonable sized apartment.

“hey, how was your meeting?” Riley called from the en-suite, she was just coming out as Liam had walked into the bedroom, she made her way over to him, moving to her tiptoes to press a kiss against his lips.

“it was…stressful” He sighed as he placed his hands on her lower back, nuzzling his head into her shoulder

“so…what happened? What’s the decision?”

“Lockdown, as I assumed would be the result, people aren’t listening to how serious this is, they don’t understand that the more they go out, the more people are going to catch this thing and more people are going to die from it, it’s really the only solution if people aren’t going to listen”

“I understand, so when are you announcing it”

“this evening, I’m going to shower and change then head to my office. ive sent everyone home, Bastian insists he is staying in Valtoria with us, so it’s just me, you and Bastian, he is currently setting up the camera for the live feed”

Once he showered, he dressed in a crisp white shirt and black dress pants with a blazer.

“I won’t be long my love” Liam smiled as he kissed Riley then headed out for his office.

Once Liam reached the conference room, he greeted Bastian then sat himself down at his desk across from the big camera sitting in front of the desk.

“is everything set up?”

“yes, your Majesty, you go live in just under a minute, your statement is written out for you, just in case you need it”

“thank you, Bastian,”

“alright, you go live in 10 seconds” Bastian informed him from behind the camera.

Liam quickly fixed his collar then straightened up. as soon as he seen the light change on the camera he began.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of Cordonia. This is an Emergency announcement from your King. As you all know the corona virus is sweeping the nation. last week I gave the orders to self-isolate if you are a vulnerable person, and many people did, but not all, a few days ago, I gave orders to shut all non-essential business’ and to stay home where possible but again not all listened so as your King, as your leader, I have decided that the best course of action is to go into lockdown, you must know, I hate that I have to do this but if people aren’t going to take this seriously then more people will become infected and more people will die. I am going to lay down some rules that every person in Cordonia MUST follow until further notice. Number one…you must only leave your homes if absolutely necessary, this means, if you need supplies such as food, essentials that you most definitely cannot live without! Number two, you may leave your homes for exercise, once a day for one hour! if you need medications, I have organised for all medications to be delivered to homes, if you need to see a doctor…call the helpline that is on the screen right now, you will speak to qualified nurses, if the nurse decides you should be seen in person, you will then be allowed to leave your home and attend a doctors surgery or hospital. All in all this means you should only be leaving your homes if absolutely necessary The sooner the public follow these rules, the sooner this will start to go away, I don’t want to see groups of kids walking around outside, meeting up with their friends, I don’t want to see people joining in groups for any reason what so ever. Queen Riley and myself are self-isolating along with you, we know it’s going to be hard, sitting in your homes, not able to go outside, when it’s lovely and warm or going to see your friends, but spend this time wisely, be with your family’s, spend time with your husbands, your wives, your children and your parents, time that you wouldn’t be able to spend with them if you were out working or at school, we have seen what this virus has done to other countries, please don’t let this vile virus take control, I wish you all the best, stay healthy.”

Once Liam finished, he bid Bastian goodnight then headed back to his and Riley's quarters. Once he entered, he shut the door behind him, making his way towards the kitchen where Riley was getting herself some water. Liam walked in, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

“hey, I was thinking we could go to bed and put a movie on?” she smiled sympathetically as she seen how tired he was.

“you know I think that’s the best idea ive heard all week” he smiled

The two made their way to the bedroom, they done their usual night-time routines of washing their faces, brushing their teeth and such then the two took themselves to bed. it didn’t take long before the two of them were out cold.

Liam woke to a giggle coming from beside him, he opened one of his eyes just enough to see the time on the alarm clock on his bedside table. 3:00 am. He groaned as he turned over to be blinded by the light from Riley's phone.

“what are you laughing at? Its 2am Riley.”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t sleep” she laughed as she carried on watching the video on her phone.

“are going to sleep at all tonight?”

“yeah I’m just putting it down.” Riley pressed the screen off then placed the phone on her bedside table then shuffled over to Liam, she yawned as she cuddled into his chest causing him to instinctively wrap his arms around her. “I’m sorry I woke you up” she whispered before placing a kiss to his skin.

“It’s alright, sweetie” he placed a kiss on top of her head before the two fell into a deep slumber

The next morning Liam awoke to an empty bed, he frowned at the empty space that his wife should have been in, she had no reason so be up this early as the country was currently on lockdown, they had no meetings or obligations, they would have the odd conference call but that was it. He stretched as he removed the duvet and climbed from the bed, pulling a pair of lounge pants on before heading towards out of the bedroom.

“Riley sweetie?” he called when he didn’t see her in the living room.

“I’m in the kitchen”

“Morning beautiful what are you doing up?” Liam asked as he made his way to her wrapping his arms around her from behind as she finished fixing the mugs of tea she was making.

“I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep, I hardly slept a wink all night.”

“oh really?” he asked as he nuzzled his head into the crook of Riley's neck.

“yeah, hey I’m sorry I woke you up this morning, I feel awful.” She sighed as she passed him one of the mugs of tea

“I told you this morning and I’ll tell you again now, it’s fine, don’t worry about it” he replied as he gently pressed a kiss to her lips. “I love you” he added

“I love You too” she smirked, the two made their way into the living room where they curled up on the sofa whilst catching up with the morning news on the television.

“I don’t know who pissed 2020 off but whoever was I hope karma comes around and kicks them in the ass!”

“I’ll toast to that!” Liam chuckled as he tapped his mug against Riley's.

“hey…I heard a joke on tiktok last night, when I couldn’t sleep oh my goodness…what was it again?” Riley went quiet for a minute then started laughing “oh god that was it…”

Liam smirked at how funny she found the joke; he sipped his tea as she went on to tell him.

“so little johnny’s sitting in class and the teacher says she has a math problem for him, she says, if there’s 5 birds sitting on a wire and little johnny shoots one how many’s left? So little johnny says none, the teacher says no, the answers four and johnny says no, the answers none ‘coz If I shot one the rest would fly away, the teacher says, I like the way you think.”

Liam looked at Riley confused but laughing at Riley trying to get her words out in between laughing.

“okay…” he smirked

“little johnny says, I got a question for you, if there’s three women sitting in a store eating ice cream cones and one of them is licking it, one of the is sucking it and the other is biting it, which ones married…so the th-the teacher HAHA the teacher hesitantly replies, well I guess the one sucking it and little johnny…oh my god…” just as Liam took a drink of his tea Riley finished the joke, “little johnny goes no, the one with the wedding ring, but I like the way you think.”

Liam spat his tea out as he went to laugh, he chuckled as he wiped his chin where his tea ended up.

“is that why you were laughing this morning?”

“yeah” she chuckled

“that’s hilarious”

“what times your conference call?” Riley asked him

“1pm”

“okay, do you want to have lunch out on the balcony before your meeting, it’s supposed to be really nice out today”

“I would love to”

By the time half 12 hit Liam and Riley had just finished their lunch and were sitting outside on the balcony, just getting some fresh air.

“y’know even though the reason the countries on lock down is bad, I’m so happy we get to spend some time together and it’s not rushed or last minute, we can just sit and be together” Liam smiled as he took Riley's hand across the table.

“I totally get it, the reason behind it is bad, but the time we’re gonna get to spend together is a blessing and we can’t take it for granted.”

When it was time for Liam to go, they both headed inside, he placed a gentle kiss on Riley's lips then headed down to his office, whilst Liam was at his conference call Riley curled up on the sofa scrolling through her phone.

It was just a short 45 minutes later that Liam returned to the apartment, Riley had fallen asleep on the sofa, with Bash, their protective corgi, curled up sleeping at her feet. Liam decided to get some paperwork out of the way whilst, Riley was sleeping.

It was just after 5 when Riley woke, she heard Liam in the kitchen, so she got up and made her way to him. when she walked in her was stood boiling the kettle to make some tea. Riley approached him from behind wrapping her arms around his torso and cuddling into his back.

“I love you Liam” she whispered tiredly

“I love you too” he smiled as he turned into her hold, placing a kiss on her lips. “do you want a cup of tea?”

“that would be great” she smiled

“did you sleep well?”

“I did! Better than last night anyway”

Once Liam made the tea, he passed Riley one of the mugs then the two sat at the kitchen table with them.

“I found another funny tik tok” Riley grinned

“alright, hit me with it” Liam smirked

“so…there’s a family with a little boy, driving behind a trash truck on the highway, suddenly a vibrator flies out and hits their windshield. To try and save their sons innocence the woman goes, oh that was a huge bug! And the little boy goes, damn mom how does a bug fly with a dick that big!”

Liam nearly choked on his drink; he slapped his hand on the table as he threw his head back laughing. “damn, who do you even follow on this thing” he laughed

Riley climbed out of the shower, wrapping her towel around her, she dried herself off just as she went to lift the nightgown she had brought into the bathroom with her, she remembered she seen a trend of people walking out in front of their wife or husband naked to see what their reactions would be on tik tok, now of course, she wouldn’t be filming it but she knew it would be a lot of fun for the two of them, she smirked knowing what it will result in after Liam sees her. she walked out of the bathroom with her towel around her, she walked out of the bedroom and stood on the other side of the living room, Liam was sitting on the sofa with his back to her just about to finish up his call. Riley smirked as she unwrapped her towel, she slowly walked over towards the kitchen throwing the towel at Liam as she walked causing him to turn around. She smirked as she seen his face go from confused at the towel to his jaw dropping and nearly hitting the floor “damn baby” he mouthed as he watched her bare behind walking into the kitchen. She grabbed a glass of water to quench her thirst then as she turned around she seen Liam leaning over the end of the sofa so that he could see into the kitchen, Riley smirked with a wink as she headed into the room, swaying her hips as she walked past him, Liam stuck his arm out to stop her from going any further, he wrapped his arm around her legs gently pulling her closer to the sofa, he ran his hand up and down her leg.

“i-im…I’m sorry…I have to cut our conversation short” he quickly spoke into the phone. “I know but…it’s a matter of national emergency” he replied as he stood from the sofa, eyeing Riley's chest.

“ok…goodbye” he hung up then flung his phone onto the sofa with a grin on his face.

“are you ready?” he asked putting his hands on her waist as he leaned his head down, placing kisses along her jaw.

“ready for what, baby?” she sighed contently as she ran her fingers through his hair.

“for the wildest night of your life” he smirked as he reached down, hooking his arms at the back of her legs as he lifted her over his shoulder, receiving a happy squeal from her. He gently slapped her backside as he made his way to the bedroom with her.

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max-is-really-okay · 5 years ago

Text

I Just Want Them To Be Happy

When Lex Foster was eight, Hannah was born. She had known that she would get a sibling soon, her ‘uncle’ Gerald had explained it to her a few weeks before he went back to his wife. She didn’t really care at the time. She was so busy with everything going on at home and school. There was nothing to make her care about a living potato that didn’t even exist yet.

Her mom brought her home from the hospital and left the baby on the couch to go and sleep. Lex had picked her up before she could fall. Hannah was her name apparently. Lex remembered that her grandma’s name was Hannah. Something felt right, holding her sister in her arms. She felt like Hannah was more than her sister. She had to be there for her, their mother certainly wouldn’t.

Hannah was so big in her arms, but Lex was small, even for her age. As she looked down upon her little sister, she knew that she would give the world for her. She had the same green eyes as Lex, the only thing Lex could ever thank her mother for.

She held Hannah for hours, not knowing what else to do. She wasn’t as tall as the crib, so she would have to leave Hannah alone to find something to climb on to put her little sister in. She never wanted to leave Hannah alone. She could see everything in the room that could possibly hurt her. Lex couldn’t let anything hurt her little sister, no matter what.

When she finally stood up, Hannah woke up. She didn’t start crying like it showed in all of the movies, she just looked up at Lex with her big eyes. Lex recognized the glow of trust in those eyes, and she held her sister closer.

She walked into their shared room and looked at the old crib her mom had found a few weeks earlier. It was broken down, but Lex had made it as comfortable as possible for her. She had put her favorite soft blanket down so they wouldn’t have to lay her little sister down on just the hard wood. It was worth being cold for a bit if Hannah was comfortable.

“I’m going to set you down on my bed, don’t roll off, okay? I know it’s not comfortable, but it’ll only be for a minute.” She promised the baby. Hannah just cooed.

She sat Hannah on her bed, the baby now laying on her back. Lex walked back to the crib and noticed a drawer at the bottom. She pulled it out and tested stepping on it. The wood groaned in protest, but it wouldn’t break.

Lex walked back to her bed and carefully took Hannah back into her arms. Her little sister looked tired, and Lex couldn’t bring herself to move. She hummed as Hannah slowly started to fall asleep.

It took ten minutes for Lex to talk herself into putting the baby in her crib. She could hold her sister forever. In her arms, Hannah was safe. Lex also felt powerful. Like she could do anything as long as she had her little sister by her side.

When she was finally in her crib, Lex watched her for an hour. She made sure that Hannah was still breathing. When she was sure her sister wouldn’t be going anywhere, she left the small room to get herself something to eat.

Within a year, Lex learned how hard it was to take care of a baby while going to school. She learned how to change diapers, how to mix formula, and how to shelter Hannah from their mother.

It was hard finding someone to watch Hannah while she was at school. She didn’t talk to many adults, or anyone at all, and Hannah would scream and cry every time she left the room. She needed someone who could deal with her little sister without scaring her.

It ended up being a woman from the street across from the trailer park. A newly married woman named Charlotte. She had offered, and Lex hadn’t had any other option. She had cried in relief when she came back after school to see Hannah eating apple sauce and watching the television.

When Lex was thirteen things changed. Hannah was able to go to school, and Lex herself was making money. Her newest ‘uncle’ had made her a deal, and she started selling. Even some high schoolers were buying from her. She had a pile of money under her bed.

Life got harder as well. Her mom drank a bit more, and when it was at its worst it was no longer just protecting Hannah from yelling. She had to use makeup to hide little bruises on her arm.

Hannah was also having trouble in school. Lex was told by Hannah’s teachers that she would throw tantrums and wasn’t socializing with other students. When she talked to her about it, Hannah cried.

One amazing thing happened though, she met Ethan Green.

She was waiting for a buyer at the playground. Hannah was playing with a stuffed spider that she had wanted named ‘Webby’. The transaction went well, and she walked back over to Hannah with fifty dollars in her pocket. Even Hannah had dubbed it a good day.

They walked hand in hand to the Dairy Queen and stood in line. Hannah was staring at the menu, eyes wide. They made it to the front of the line, and Lex ordered herself a dipped ice cream cone and fries while Hannah got a banana split. Hannah smiled when she heard the order.

Lex noticed Hannah getting antsy, messing with the straps on the backpack that was almost the same size as the five year old.

“Why don’t you and Webby go and find us a table?” She asked, smiling down at her little sister. Hannah looked nervous, so she tried to comfort her. “I’ll be right here, and you can quietly play while we wait.”

That seemed to do the trick, as Hannah nodded and rushed off. Lex turned back around and watched as they worked on their order. The small place was a bit busier than normal, but Lex didn’t notice. Until she heard Hannah talking to someone. It wasn’t in the same way as she talked to Webby, but almost like how she talked to her.

She turned around and was met with a sight that was...odd. Hannah was hugging Webby and talking to a squirrelly boy with curly dark brown hair. He had on a leather jacket that was about four sizes too big and a shiner that made anything her mom had done look like nothing. And Hannah was talking to him as if she had known him for years.

She quickly walked over and got between Hannah and the boy. “Who are you?” She asked. Her tone was a bit harsher than she had meant for it to be, but the boy seemed to back down. She counted it as a win.

“I’m Ethan. Ethan Green.” He stated. It was obvious he was trying to be smooth, but his voice cracked as he finished saying his name.

“Okay, Ethan Green, why were you talking to my sister?” She asked, looking back at Hannah to make sure she was okay. She was smiling.

“I saw the kid sitting alone. I wanted to make sure someone was here with her.” He explained to her.

Lex turned sharply and studied him. He didn’t look threatening, and his eyes didn’t have any malice in them. “Okay.” She said. She held out her hand “I’m Lex.”

They shook hands and her order was called. She left and watched as Ethan got in line. She walked back with the ice cream and fries and gave Hannah her share. She smiled as they both ate their ice cream.

“Webby says that Ethan is nice.” Hannah mentioned as she dug into her banana split.

Lex smiled and looked at the line, where he was messing with the cuff of his jacket. “Well if Webby says so I’m sure it’s true.” She smiled at her younger sister and took some of her ice cream.

A few minutes later she heard his voice in a pleading tone, “Come on man...all I have is three bucks. It’s just a dollar difference, no one ‘ll notice.”

“Hey, Banana, can you watch my ice cream for a second while I go do something?” She asked, and the five year old’s eyes widened in glee as she nodded, eyeing the chocolate covering on the ice cream.

Lex got up and walked over, “Hey, you dropped this at our table.” She said, extending a five dollar bill towards Ethan. He looked down at it, then back at her before carefully taking it from her.

“Oh, um, thanks.” he mumbled. Lex nodded once then walked back to her seat with Hannah, who had chocolate all over her face, assuming that was the end of their interaction. It was not. Not even ten minutes later three dollars were put down next to her fries as Ethan sat down next to her.

“I can’t pay you the other two back, but thanks.” He said. And he started eating his burger. She decided not to make him move. For the first time since she saw Hannah on the day she was born, she felt like she was with family.

The first time she kissed Ethan, she was fifteen. They were at a party. Someone had made jello shots and they were all playing seven minutes in heaven- spin the bottle edition. Ethan was across the circle from her, and he was on his third or so shot. They had been keeping up with each other.

They had become close, and they did almost everything together. She came to him when she kissed Deb from their fourth period. And he came to her when he had his first kiss with Zoey. Those two were now in the corner, making out.

Lex watched as the others in the circle stared at her, eyes wide as she spun the bottle. She noticed James from the smoke club staring at her and Joey Richter seemingly praying. She was starting to get nervous.

Slowly, the bottle started to slow down and it came to a stop pointing at Ethan. They both looked up and stared at each other. There were a few ‘oo’s and ‘aa’s as they slowly and shakily got up. They were then pushed into the closet together.

Lex looked up at Ethan, and he looked back down at her. He looked more nervous than she did. “Um...Lexi, we don’t have to do anything in here if you don’t want to. But if you do want to-” She cut him off by giving him a quick peck.

Ethan then pulled her close and the two actually started kissing.

They stayed in the closet for longer than seven minutes.

The dream for California was born when she was sixteen. Mr. Huston had left because his wife died or some shit, and Lex had flunked out of school. Now she was working at ‘Toy Zone’, where dreams went to die and old creeps came to get toy ponies.

They were sitting outside of the trailer sharing a blunt. Lex had called him crying after her mom gave her a black eye, which she was now icing. She had Ethan’s jacket draped over her shoulders, and Hannah was playing with her toy spider.

“I just want to get out of this fucking town…” Lex mumbled, resting her head on Ethan’s shoulder. “I want to take Hannah and never have to see anyone from Hatchet Field again.”

“Well if you don’t love my ugly mug you could’ve just said so.” Ethan joked. He felt fondness rise in his chest as she looked up at him with a smile. He wrapped his arm around her.

“You would come with us. We’d go somewhere happy. Where it never rains and it’s always warm. Where Hannah’s teachers would understand her and I could be an actress.” She mumbled, taking another hit.

“And as final fuck you to our parents” Ethan added, “I’d get my GED. Show them how smart I really am. Maybe even go to college so I could become a doctor or some shit.”

“You are smart. And I’d want Hannah to be happy. I want her to have everything and more. I want her to experience everything. I want her to see things I never got to when I was her age.” Lex told him, something new bubbling in her chest.

“Like what?” Ethan asked, looking down at his girlfriend.

“Like the beach. The closest thing to a beach she’s seen is the shitty lake in Clivesdale.” She explained. The picture from that day was hung on a mirror in her room. Ethan was there, and he’s kissing her in the photo. Hannah is making a sandcastle with Webby on top.

“What about Florida?” Ethan asked after a moment of thinking. Lex looked up at him with her eyes swimming with laughter.

“People from Florida suck. Jamilia from world history is from Florida.” Lex responded, smiling up at him.

“Good point. Hmm...beaches….what about California?” He asked, “Beautiful beaches and Hollywood. I bet they have good schools too. Added benefit, it’s across the country”

“California…” Lex mumbled, and something felt right. “I like it. Me, you, and Hannah. All in California.”

“Hey Banana Split!” Ethan called, the tiny girl looking up at him with her big eyes. “What do you say that one day Me, you, and your sister go to California?” He asked.

Hannah mumbled something to herself or to Webby and looked back, “Webby says California is good.” She smiled.

Lex hit Ethan’s stomach lightly “Don’t get her hopes up for something that won’t happen.”

He looked at her, “Who’s to say it won’t? I’ve got the van, and you’ve got the job. I bet within a year, if we save all of our funds and keep spending to a minimum, we could just go.”

“You’re not fucking with me, are you E?” her voice was filled with doubt and surprise.

“Cross my heart and hope to die. I’ll get us to California.” He told her. Her smile was so bright it could light up the world more than the sun.

She kissed him and he held her. “I’ll get us there Lex. If it’s the last thing I do.” he promised.

Lex is seventeen when her first Black Friday at ‘Toy Zone’ approaches.

She meets with Ethan after she takes the doll and shoves it into her bag. She learns about the change in price, and her world is changed. They have more than enough money to make it now.

Hannah starts to have a panic attack and begs to go home, and Lex looks up at Ethan. “Seven thousand is more than enough for me to leave early.” She smiles down at Hannah, “What do you say we get the fuck out of here tonight?”

Hannah nods and hugs her tighter than ever before.

Her and Ethan leave, not knowing what they had left just in time. Stopping by both of their houses to grab the suitcases packed so long ago and the stashes of money hidden around the trailer. Lex leaves the note for her mom on the coffee table she paid for.

They sell the stupid fucking doll to a man in an alley, who thanks them more than anything. Ethan tells her on the way out just how much he spent on repairs and Lex swears that she wouldn’t leave him even if they didn’t have the extra cash.

They drive for days, hardly stopping. They only stop for gas and bathroom breaks, only stopping at a motel when they’re more than a thousand miles away from Hatchet Field. They get one room with a queen size bed because Hannah still has nightmares when she sleeps alone.

They pile together and fall asleep holding each other close. On the news the next day Lex sees her old teacher holding a woman close as he explains the horror that they faced on Black Friday. He’s also got his son close by and Lex’s heart breaks a little thinking of how she left things.

She shoots him an email, apologizing and wishing him well. She tells him that she’s okay. He replies within the hour, thanking her.

When they all get up, they take turns in the crappy shower. Hannah goes first and comes out in an oversized flannel shirt and jeans, Ethan’s hat firmly planted on her head. Her hair is still wet and she goes to Ethan, who poorly braids it for her.

They drive for another fourteen hours until they reach the state line. Ethan drives them to a motel in one of the bigger areas near the beach. They pay for a room and Lex excitedly pulls Hannah to their room with their bags.

Lex pulled out a bright and new yellow swimming suit for Hannah along with some black shorts. It had little bananas and pineapples all over it. She had bought it for Hannah when she had gotten her first paycheck that would go to their move.

Hannah saw the beach for the first time when she was nine years old. She cried with joy.

They took a picture of them and a picture frame for it is the first thing they buy for themselves in California.

Lex is eighteen when she is once again surprised by Ethan Green. She’s eighteen when she has the best night of her life.

Everything was perfect. They have a two bedroom apartment. Ethan was working at a car shop and Hannah was helping with other kids on the spectrum while Hannah was at school. Hannah still sometimes slept in their bed, but for the first time in her life she had her own room.

She went to auditions in her free time, and Hannah and Ethan were always there when she didn’t get a call back.

Then she gets a call back. She’s surrounded by people who look like her, who sound like her, some who are better than her, but she got a call back. She cries when she’s told. Hannah draws a spider on her arm for luck.

They ask her to sing thirty two bars and perform a monologue. They smile when she sings and nod as she performs. They say to keep her eye on her phone.

She goes home and hugs Hannah and kisses Ethan. Ethan smiles and mentions that he has a surprise for her, one that includes Hannah having a babysitter for the night. Lex laughs and hugs him, kissing his cheek.

She looks in her closet and pulls out a dress she bought for her first audition. Even though she didn’t get a callback, she loved it more than any other outfit she bought. It symbolized something new, a chance.

Ethan refuses to tell her where they’re going. He’s dressed more formally than she’s ever seen him, all formal except for his leather jacket. They drive for less than an hour and she smiles when she sees the beach.

The sun is still up when they get out, and Ethan grabs a picnic basket. She smiles over at him, “This is the cheesiest thing we’ve ever done.”

Ethan just smiles and holds her hand as they walk down, then he lays the blanket over the sand. They sit on the blanket and eat some of Lex’s favorite snacks. She smiles when she notices he’s bought everything he knows she likes.

“This is all very-” She stopped herself and smiled, taking another bite out of a bag of chips he had brought. “Where did you get champagne?” she asked, eyeing the drink. “All of the places around here card you.”

“A friend from work bought it for me” He replies, wiping his palms on his jeans. It’s a nervous habit Lex recognizes from when she first met him.

They finished the food and set it aside to cuddle and watch the sunset. She then noticed Ethan shift, and she sat up completely to look at him.

“So, um, Lexi…” He started. Ethan looked at her, smiling nervously. “I’ve known you for five years. I’ve loved you for five years. And I’ve been willing to do anything for you and Hannah for five years.” He spoke softly, but his voice was still strained and nervous.

“Oh my fucking god…” Lex spoke, her eyes filling with tears.

“I asked Banana about it, and she said that Webby approves. So,” Ethan shifted awkwardly to be on one knee as he pulled out a ring “Lexie, will you-” he was cut off by her kissing him.

When she pulled away he smiled at her, “marry me?” he finished.

“Yes!” She smiled, wiping tears from her cheek. Ethan smiled as he put the ring on her finger. It was a moonstone engagement ring with tiny diamonds on it.

“Holy shit E, how much did you spend on this?!” She asked after inspecting it more. Her smile was still so wide it hurts.

“I’ve been saving up since we moved here, so I spent about six hundred on it.” Ethan told her honestly.

She was too happy to care how much money he had spent.

The same night she got a call saying she got the role. She was going to be an actress.

Lex is twenty when she gets married to Ethan Green.

It took a year and a half of planning, and even longer to put it all together. Ethan is attending the community college nearby, Hannah has been going to extra art classes, and Lex has so many roles now. She’d been cast as a lead in a production of The Addams Family Musical, and more people saw her.

More went into planning a wedding than either had expected. Finding invitations, making reservations, hiring a florist, and more.

Lex took Hannah to help her choose the dresses. They decided on a greyish white flowy dress with flowers for Lex and a blue dress that went just above the knees for Hannah, her maid of honour. They left with the dresses and smiles on their faces.

Ethan had invited a few people from work, some from school, and Henry Hidgens, his uncle from Hatchet Field. Lex had yet to invite anyone.

She took time to decide on who she had wanted to invite, and she made the decision to invite Tom Huston and his family. He checked up on her every week or so, and he was the closest thing she had ever had to a dad.

He RSVPed as soon as he got the invitation. Lex couldn’t stop smiling for a week. He had emailed, asking to bring his new wife and kid.

The day finally arrived, and Lex was in her room, changing into her dress. Hannah had on her favorite flannel over her dress, and she had her hair pinned back with flowers braided in. The sisters sat in the room.

Lex stared into the mirror as she finished with her makeup. She was never one to wear much, so it was taking longer than expected. Hannah’s playing with Webby as she waits for her sister to finish and drive them to the venue.

It takes three hours to do her makeup, but soon Lex is driving herself and Hannah to the venue. Hannah smiles as they arrive. “You look really pretty.” She tells her older sister. It takes everything in Lex to not start crying, so she settles for just hugging her sister.

They head inside and soon everything starts. The audience is small, but in the front sits Tom Huston smiling as he holds the hand of his girlfriend Becky Barns. His son Tim is next to him, smiling at Hannah. Tom’s sister-in-law is next to Tim, holding the hand of a man who looks very uncomfortable.

Ethan walks out and fidgets with the rose pinned to his suit. He looks up as the music starts and people rise.

Hannah and Lex walk down the aisle, and his breath is taken away. Lex is just glowing, and he almost can’t breathe. He can’t imagine how she could look any more beautiful. Hannah gives her away, and they stand, just looking at each other. It’s only when the minister clears his throat does Ethan remember to move the veil.

Ethan says “I do” before the minister is even done talking. He blushes, but Lex can’t stop smiling up at him.

When they kiss, it’s better than any kiss they’ve shared ever before. People cheer but it feels like they’re the only two people in the world.

They pull away and Lex has the biggest smile in the world. They move on to the reception room, where food has been set up for the handful of people around them.

Ethan goes to talk to his uncle, leaving Lex to talk to her old teacher. She walks up to Tom and his family with a nervous smile. Hannah is playing with his son.

“Alexandria!” His eyes light up and he hugs her. She hugs him back and she smiles at the safe feeling she gets from it.

“I still go by Lex Mr. Huston. How’s life?” She asked. She looks at his family. His girlfriend has her bright red hair down, and his sister in law is dancing with the guy she brought. He seems to be calm around her.

“Well my life is pretty good now. I’m finally teaching again.” He smiled. “Jesus Lex, this is amazing. I’ve seen you in those commercials, and in that one movie. You’re our very own Hatchet Field star.”

Lex smiles and nods “Thank you sir.” she still isn’t used to praise from those that she cares about, even though Ethan and Hannah give it out freely.

“I’m real proud of ‘ya Lex. You’ve always been a really good kid.” He tells her. His voice is laced with sincerity, and Lex can’t help but hug him again.

She is introduced to Emma and Paul, who are apparently engaged. Emma smiles kindly at her, as if she recognizes something in Lex. They get a quick congratulations and then time for the first dance.

She walks back up to Ethan who is smiling at her like she’s his entire world. And she knows she’s looking up at him with the same look.

It’s less of a dance and more of them just holding each other and swaying, but it’s perfect.

After an hour people are starting to leave, giving the two their last congratulations. Tom makes sure that he gives her a check as an extra gift, and she cries as she hugs him again.

Tom is also the one watching Hannah for the three days of the honeymoon. They’re staying at Lex and Ethan’s house, which they bought when Ethan turned twenty a few months after she did.

They kiss as they drive off to the first five star hotel either has ever been to.

Lex is twenty-one when she and Ethan assume legal guardianship of Hannah. It takes a lot of paperwork, but the look on Hannah’s face is worth it. They go out for ice cream and Lex can’t help but start crying. It’s the best day of her life.

Lex is twenty-three when her and Ethan start talking. Hannah is fifteen and landing on her own feet as a person, and she has friends and her art. Lex is so proud of her little sister. She feels like Hannah doesn’t need her as much anymore.

Hannah’s out with her group of friends, and Lex and Ethan are sitting on their couch in the front room. They’re holding hands and Ethan is rubbing circles on the back of her hand as they watch a movie.

“Tom is visiting next week. He’s bringing the whole family, even the new baby.” Lex tells him, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Him and Becky finally had a kid, huh?” he asks her, smiling lazily as he looks at her. She nods and he swallows nervously.

“You know, we would be great parents.” Ethan mumbles, kissing her head.

“We would…” Lex replies. Her tone of voice is questioning.

“I was thinking the other day, what if you and I tried to have a little one?” He asks, feeling his confidence returning.

“You wanna have a kid?” She asks. Her voice isn’t terrified, so he continues.

“Yeah. Think about it. You raised Hannah when you were eight years old, and she’s the best person in this fucking world. Imagine what our kid would be like now. We’d be great parents, and we have the money and help.”

“You know, I think you’re right.” She smiles, “I think we should do it. Me and you.” She kisses him and they smile at each other.

Hannah hugs them both for ten minutes when she hears their plan to have a baby.

Lex is twenty-five when she finds out she’s pregnant. Hannah is the first person she tells and the two of them cry.

Ethan comes home to look at his two favorite people in the entire world smiling at him from the couch like maniacs.

“What’s going on here? Banana Split, you look like you’re going to explode.” He smiles nervously.

Lex hugs him tightly “It’s finally happening…” She mumbles as he hugs her back. It takes him a moment to realize what she’s talking about, and when he does he starts crying.

They go out to celebrate. They discuss and decide not to tell anyone until they’re sure and Lex is five months pregnant. Ethan holds her hand throughout dinner and he can’t stop smiling like an idiot.

Hannah talks about possible names as she sorts her food. Her eyes are as bright as they can get as she pictures having a niece or nephew.

They go home full and happy, and Hannah goes to her own room. Her room is full of posters and toys. Her desk is covered in college acceptances, just waiting for her to make her choice. NYU or the University of Denver. Lex told her that she could go to any one and they would make sure she could go. She was hoping for an acceptance from the Pratt Institute of Arts.

Hannah climbed into her bed and held Webby close, falling asleep as she mumbled “Today was a good day.”

Ethan could kill Tom. When he had asked, the older man talked about how wonderful it was to have a pregnant wife. How Becky was just a little tired, but that was as bad as the mood swings got. Tom was a fucking filthy liar.

While Lex was the love of his life and he loved her more than the world and the universe, she was a force to be reckoned with. He couldn’t blame her, as she had a life growing inside of her, but it was hard to be her husband at times.

At five months, they told everyone. Tom had cried and Becky couldn’t stop smiling. They had told them over Skype, and Lex had cried.

At six months they found out that they were going to have a son. Ethan was like a beam of light and Lex couldn’t stop smiling for the next week. Hannah couldn’t stop cheering when she found out.

Hannah left for Pratt when Lex was eight months pregnant. There was a lot of crying at the airport, and Lex couldn’t stop telling her little sister how proud he was of her. Hannah had been through so much, and she was so happy. She had accepted herself and been accepted by those around her. She couldn’t imagine what could’ve happened if she would have stayed in Hatchet Field, surrounded by ignorant fucks.

When Lex went into labor, she was at the beach with Ethan. They were dreadfully unprepared. Lex put on her coverup and they drove to the hospital. Surprisingly, they weren’t the only ones there wearing swimming suits.

It was fifteen hours of hell, for both Lex and Ethan. Lex was in unimaginable pain, and Ethan had to watch the one person in the world who he would give anything for in unimaginable pain. He was there for her as best as he could be though.

The delivery room was filled with Lex’s screams for over an hour. She’s screaming and breaking Ethan’s hand. He stays by her side and doesn’t complain.

Lex is twenty-six when her and Ethan’s son is born.

He’s six pounds and seven ounces. His hair is brown and his eyes are blue like his dad’s. He’s a tiny angry ball, wailing loudly.

Lex holds him and looks down, and she feels the exact same thing that she felt when she held Hannah eighteen years ago. It felt right, holding him in her arms. She loved him just as much as she loved Hannah immediately.

“Hi…” Her voice is raspy. And he looks up with curious and loving eyes. The same eyes that she remembered Hannah looking up at with her.

#black friday #starkid #fanfiction #bf #starkid black friday #the guy who didn't like musicals #tgwdlm

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mimymomo · 5 years ago

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Parrlyn Date AU

Okay so this took me WAY longer than it should’ve taken but I finished it. Sorry it’s really long and kinda bad but it’s the first thing I’ve written for Six (I was originally too scared to write anything cause I thought I’d sound too American). But I tried! Here ParrxBoleyn because they’re too cute.

Anne Boleyn is crushing hard (read: in love with) on Catherine Parr. The only problem is she’s to she’s too scared to do anything about it (not that she ever admit that)

The rest of the girls excluding Parr can all tell and Boleyn’s failed attempts at flirting is DRIVING THE OTHERS INSANE

“I’m gonna kill them, Jane.”

“Catherine of Aragon you will not!”

“I’ll join you. I’ll grab Anne and you get Catherine, she’s smaller and most likely less resistant.”

“Anna of Cleves don’t you dare!”

Anne decides enough is enough and asks the other queens for date ideas

They suggest stuff like: go to the cinema and “Hold hands while reaching for the popcorn!” (Kitty’s idea), go out to eat at a fancy restaurant (Cleves idea), get yourself lost in an escape room forever (Catherine’s idea), get ice cream (Catherine’s 2nd idea after her initial idea was shut down) and take a walk through the park (Jane’s idea)

Anne decides to just do all of them (except the escape room thing).

But she’s still terrified that Catherine doesn’t feel the same way she does

So she decides that she’s not going to ask her out on a date: but stage a fake family outing instead

She enlists the help of the Katherine Howard to help her devise her plan: telling Parr that the group is going out to eat and seeing a movie on their day off but in reality, it’s just gonna be her and Anne

“Okay Kitty, first we’ll tell Catherine that we’re all going out to eat together as a family and seeing a movie afterward. Then I’ll set up the reservation. On the day of you guys tell her that other plans have come up and you can’t make it, so it’ll be just us two alone. Perfect plan!”

“Don’t you think you’re over complicating this? Like this seems kinda sleazy... Why don’t you just ask her out, you know regularly?”

“Because Katherine you never tell a girl you like her, it makes you look like an idiot!” (If you get that reference then gold star!)

They convince the other queens to go along with the scheme but it takes more effort to get some to agree than others, aka Jane and Aragon

(Katherine has to convince Jane by protesting that “its for true love Mum!” And Anne convinces Aragon by promising to stop pranking her for an entire month (she crossed her fingers though))

Anne gets Cleves to tell Parr the plan because she realizes very quickly that Howard is a terrible secret keeper

Cleves and Aragon help Anne pick out a date outfit while Howard and Jane go and help Parr

For Anne, they pick out a long semi see-through white button up shirt that she tucks into a pair of light blues skinny jeans and finishes the look with a black belt and her signature choker.

Anne refuses to button up the shirt any further than the button just below her bra.

Aragon protests this immensely.

Cleves slaps Aragon’s hand every time she tries to button up the shirt

They end up comprising and Anne buttons the shirt so her bra isn’t showing but still plenty of skin is exposed (cue Aragon praying in the corner)

The night arrives and Anne is (freaking out) in the bathroom

She starts to second guess if what she’s doing is really a good idea but it’s time to leave and too late to back out of it now.

Anne fixes her clothes and makeup - trading her signature red lipstick for a more nude pink color, hair still in her normal buns- then heads done the stairs

Anne waits for Catherine to show up and when she does she’s speechless: she’s wearing a dress, something very unusual for the girl who wore pants 90% of the time, the top a white short sleeve button up that’s tied into a bow at the bottom where it met with a long dark skirt with pale pastel pink and cream colored flowers printed on it. Her curly hair down and free instead of up in its usual ponytail.

“Hey, Anne I just got a message from Catherine and Anna saying they're stuck in traffic with Maria and the rest of band and can’t make it-“

“You're wearing a dress!”

“Yeah, Katherine insisted that I wear it. And I’m pretty sure she stole all my hairbands as well.”

“You look really pretty, I mean nice! You look pretty nice...”

Before Anne can embarrass herself any further, Jane comes out as planned and tell them that Katherine caught some kind of bug and is sick and says they’re gonna stay behind as well.

Catherine tries to them that they could reschedule but Jane cuts her off and tells her to go have fun, pushing them out the door (but not before handing them their coats, well at least Parr)

“It’s going to be chilly out tonight Anne!”

“I’ll be fine Jane!”

Anne turns back and sees Katherine standing at the top of the stairs giving her a thumbs up

Anne is now certain the day is gonna end in disaster

When they show up to the restaurant Anne goes up to the hostess and pretend to tell them to change the reservation

(she’s just checking in)

The beginning of the “not date” is kinda awkward as Anne has no fucking clue what to say but Catherine must be able to sense this as she takes over talking for a change

They order and everything is going pretty great until a waiter accidentally slips and spills burning hot food all over Anne’s shirt and chest.

Anne runs to the bathroom and Catherine runs in and helps her try and clean herself up which does entail Catherine wiping the open visible part of Anne’s chest

(Anne is sure she’s about to die a second time)

Anne is fine but the shirt, however, despite the effort, is completely ruined

Catherine runs out to the car and brings back her jacket that Jane had handed to her when they left and hands it to Anne

The jacket is slightly too small but it gets the job done. Plus Anne gets a giddy feeling in her stomach at the idea of walking around in Catherine’s jacket

‘It’s kinda like we’re dating-, nope Anne shut that idea down!’

The staff feels so bad about what happened that they offer to have the meal be free and bring them out a complimentary dessert something Anne is VERY happy about.

Next is the movies.

When they get there the movie they planned to see is sold out so they decide to watch a horror movie instead.

“Are you sure Anne? This one looks pretty scary.”

“Pssh, yeah right. I’ll be fine unless YOU want to go see something else, Catherine. Don’t worry babe, I’ll hold you when you get too scared.”

Anne eats her words.

Not even 30 minutes into the movie and Anne is scared poopless.

Luckily for them, the cinema they are at has reclining chairs and moveable armrests. Catherine reaches over and takes hold of Anne’s hand.

After a few more jump scares, Anne is fully entangled in Catherine’s arms, head tucked in the crook of her neck

“Look who’s holding who? So much for being my protector.”

“Oh shut it Catherine-aaahhhh shit!”

When the movie ends Anne is still shaken up (that thing was wayyy scarier than she could’ve predicted!) so Catherine continues to hold her hand

The night is still young so they stop at an ice cream shop

Anne gets a jumbo-sized cone while Catherine gets a sundae in a cup

They decide to take a walk through the park and of course because the day seems to apparently HATE Anne, she drops her ice cream after tripping over a rock

‘Maybe all this stuff happening to me today is just karma for forcing Catherine for going on this ‘not date’ with me?’

Catherine, the angel that she is, shares her sundae with Anne, each taking turns taking bites

They stop and eat at a park bench in fear of dropping the frozen treat.

When the finish they just sit and enjoy the night, the atmosphere and each other’s presence

“Thanks for doing all this with me Catherine.”

“Yeah, well this has definitely been one of, if not the, most eventful first date I’ve ever had.”

Anne nearly spits out her ice cream

“Wait, first date? You thought this was a date?”

“Was it not one?”

Freaking busted

Anne admits she planned the date from the beginning and had the other queens go along with it

Anne questions how Catherine figured out her plan. Catherine tells her she knew Anne had liked her for a while and that she other heard Anne talking about date ideas

“Plus Katherine and Jane randomly bursting into my room and insisting they should help me pick out my outfit for supposedly just a ‘family outing’ was pretty obvious.”

Catherine asks why Anne didn’t just ask her to go out on a date. Anne tells her that she wanted to make SURE that Catherine had a thing for her first

“For our next date Anne, can you just ask me normally? Please?”

“Ohh, so we’re going on a second date Cathy? I won you over with all my womanly charms?”

Catherine doesn’t dignify Anne with a verbal response instead pulling her in and kissing her

Then, of course, the sprinklers go off- which normally would be fine unless there was a rogue sprinkler spraying freezing cold water right in your direction

The two girls separate and Anne pulls Catherine up and the start dancing and laughing through the sprinkler

Jane at home feels her mom/‘some stupid mischief is happening’ senses go off

“You alright mum?”

“Yes, I just have the feeling Anne is doing something really stupid right now.”

The two girls walk back to the car dripping wet, hand and hand

“So this date wasn’t a complete bomb right?”

Catherine kisses Anne again, “gold star for Anne Boleyn.”

So that’s it!

Boleyn and Parr’s inspired outfits: here

link should be fixed now! Sorry about that

#six the musical #six #six musical #anne boleyn #catherine parr #catherine of aragon #anna of cleves #katherine howard #jane seymour #parrlyn

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beauvoyr · 6 years ago

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My Friend, Mr Noctgar | 3

EPISODE III | vendetta

Pairings: Noctis/Reader vs Ravus/Reader Genre: Romance Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Alpha/Beta/Omega, no beta we die like men, Humour, Angst, Fluff, Size Kink, Size Difference, Short Reader, Self-Indulgent Characters: Older Noctis, Older Chocobros, 30-year-old Ravus Nox Fleuret, Ardyn Izunia, Aranea, Loqi Tummelt, Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, Homeless (?) Noctis Chapter Rating: T Crossposted on: ao3 Summary: Transferring from Gralea to Insomnia’s already hard enough for an Omega like you. Luckily your new friend Mr Noctgar, a homeless Alpha who’s always skulking around Sagefire, is there to brighten your dreary days ahead. And he’s always there to teach you the best spots in Insomnia, among other things.

“—which is why Ghorovas’ Rift is what it is today,” Noctgar ends his tale, flattening the top half of his vanilla soft serve with an agile tongue. At your wide-eyed stare, he swipes a few more licks to the cone, blunt fingernails absently scratching his scruff. “Told you Ifrit was an ass.”

“B-b-but that’s not what the Cosmogonies say?” you sputter, well aware that you sound like an utter imbecile for believing in half the garbage printed. Noctgar regards you with sympathetic understanding how a parent breaks to a child that Shiva Claus isn’t real, and you could only cover your burning cheeks by blaming the dastardly cunning ways of the Insomnian sun. “I mean—they should totally fire their writer for coming up with that fanfic-level stuff and—“

“I don’t get why they tried to make it romantic too,” Noctgar offers his thought, hacking off another solid chunk of vanilla with that sinful muscle of his. “Ifrit’s ego is the size of Ravatogh; unless he apologises to Shiva for messing up Solheim, I don’t think she’s going to lift the curse on Ghorovas. Of course,” his side-glance comes with a playful twinkle, “they tried to tone it down for the kids, I guess. No evil curses, just straight-up romance. Easier for them to digest that stuff.”

Serves you right for being such a gullible child, now Noctgar’s going to think you’re such a baby for believing in that load of junk. When you get back to Gralea, you’re putting up your limited edition copies on nBay. You’re so selling them. Bitterly, too bitterly, you mutter, “Should’ve known Shiva and Ifrit weren’t just Astrals immortalizing their love in Ghorovas. Ice and fire, duh, polar opposites. And polar opposites just don’t get along with each other.”

“Really?” Noctgar bites out a stifled chuckle, now nibbling around the rim of his cone. “Why’d you say that?”

“My superior, Ravus, is what I’d call my polar opposite. The Ghorovas’ Rift to my Leide Desert, if I’m trying to be poetic,” you answer as your thoughts turn to the flaxen-haired prince charming fairing from Tenebrae, substituting black chocobo and polished armour for a Bentley too big in a six-digit suit daily. “He’s a Sonnet 18 kind of guy that could quote ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day’ right down to ‘So long lives this, and this gives life to thee’, and then there’s me, rapping Monster’s ‘You could be the King but watch the Queen conquer.’” You pause at the affable agreement from Noctgar, who’s taking it in with his cream-stained lips twisting into a smile. “See what I mean? We could totally work together but beyond that? Yeah, it’s the original version of Shiva and Ifrit right here, now that I stand corrected—”

The corners of Noctgar’s mouth twitch wider. “Your soft serve’s melting.”

—and you’re flailing at the way vanilla oozes down your flaccid cone, sticky fingers and a veiny trickle down the back of your hand. Any second later and it would’ve stained your cuff. “Oh sh—“ With no napkins left, you lapped at the mess in alternating waves of broad licks, the tip of your tongue erasing all whiteness. You transfer the soft serve to your free hand just so you could suck off all stickiness from your fingers, taking each digit into your mouth and releasing them with a salacious pop, glistening wet yet thankfully free from all stickiness. Thank Astrals for this good head on your shoulders. “There, saved.”

When you turn to Noctgar once more, proudly showing him your handiwork, it is indeed news to you that Noctgar is also susceptible to the ways of the Insomnian sun, despite having lived here for a while.

5.48 p.m. comes as a heady perfume of melancholy and lovesickness. It has Ravus jabbing the keyboard a bit too hard when the scent draws closer and closer, like the metaphorical smog wafting in those inane morning cartoons Luna enjoyed. He knows what this is. Clack, clack, clack goes his keyboard when click click click ends at his doorway, bringing forth a scent that corrupts all Alphas into beasts, a scent that has his jaw set taut, teeth clenched.

“Hey sir,” you chime, your handbag shouldered, eyes a starry concerto when you seek his. By the Gods, he hates that glassy sheen, especially the hint of your teeth hiding behind the pink of your lips. “I’m about to head back.”

So leave already, he wants to snarl.

Get out of my sight, he wants to growl.

“Very well, you may leave,” is what he says, ignoring your questing eyes in favour of the bulleted list he’s been typing since five. Seven pages in, charts and tables drawn, paragraphs elaborated and red-tabbed notes highlighting key points in the report, and yet it is still far from complete to him. From the looks of it, a few more hours will be a worthwhile investment in order to achieve the level of perfection he’s after.

Something must’ve crossed his face when he returned to his work, for your keen eyes are still riveted on him. “You’re…not going home?”

Fingers skating across the keys stop. Your innocent concern is a forgery most Omegas have mastered; a species designed to captivate and fascinate those around them, unhesitant to delve their fingers into the stickiest of pies, only to draw them back, licking and sucking off cherry-reddened digits one by one. Viciously coy to those they want to enrapture, cunningly demure to those they want to seduce, Omegas are disgusting creatures willingly spreading their legs for any and all Alphas to conquer. Once they’ve conquered the body, they will conquer the world. Such is the reality Ravus is acquainted with, considering the multitude of Omegas who have crossed his path and tried to make him theirs.

And you could be one of them.

Another one of them, seeking wealth and riches only a prince could satisfy.

Ravus skips over your gaze, knowing he’ll find nothing. Clack clack clack on his keyboard again, this time in a measured pace. “No.” By right, he could’ve left it at no and watch you leave his room with one of your feigned sympathy, but professionalism has a say over prejudice. Work is work, and you are but an Omega stationed under him. He keys in the last period and skims over the sentence twice more. “I am preparing an outline for tomorrow’s briefing, as we will be hosting a corporate event on C3 involving both CC and NT in the near future.”

“Ohhhh…” You’re nodding—which, in Ravus’ dictionary, is not a good sign. The moment you’re adjusting your shoulder strap absently, Ravus regrets every word leaving your mouth: “Anything I can do to help out?”

This is what he doesn’t need. Help. An excuse following an excuse, Omegas are good at conjuring a thousand and one more excuses to spend more time within the proximity of those they’re trying to capture; How low will they stoop? Low enough until they crawl, Ravus supposes. And crawling is what Omegas do best.

His words are clipped, underlined with brutal intent. “No. Leave.”

Unfortunately, you are dafter than most. Where others would scurry along and never look back at the sight of his darkening expression, your stupidity takes you places others wouldn’t dream of venturing. Now, you are waltzing into the territories of Ravus’ restraint with a quiet, “Aw, c’mon, don’t be like that, let me help you out.” Again, you are the obnoxious Omega pushing every button on the console as if to trigger his wrath, fond eyes juxtaposing narrowed ones. “The sooner we get this done, the faster you can go home, right? So let’s get to it.”

Foolish, selfish Omega.

Fingers lacing together, Ravus leans into his backrest, tipping his chin ever so slightly at the sight of the disobedient Omega toeing his doorway. What do you seek to gain from testing his patience? His affection? Hah, hardly. A one-night stand much like the cheap paperbacks Luna enjoyed? Never in his lifetime. Winning his attention? On the negative spectrum, you will. What about monetary expenses? Surely you’ll benefit from overtime, making the most of your meagre salary to support your luxurious lifestyle. Omegas and their petty needs of pretty collars for every outfit, polished nails done in salons, nauseating perfumes in crystal bottles—everything as an excuse to waste money. Ravus considers this train of thought twice more before he comes to a conclusion.

“You won’t be paid for your overtime,” he breathes his verdict.

It's a variable thrown into the mix for the sake of observing your reaction. If he’s right, he should be receiving the expected reaction right about—

You straighten up, nodding once. “Okay yep, bye.”

Click, click, click is the sound that follows, the very sound of victory proving his statement. Ravus smirks to himself, knowing he is not wrong and he will never be wrong. A typical Omega you are, lured by the lavish prospects of making more money through whatever means you could get. Laughable. Your desperation is disgusting and he detests your very presence. He should be very careful in deflecting any future advances from your end, knowing how adamant Omegas can be once they settle on a target to devour. You may have given up tonight, but you will return sooner or later. With that warning planted in his head, Ravus rests his fingers on his keyboard, gliding over them in ease.

Click, click, click is also the sound of defeat when you backtrack into his doorway again, flashing a cheeky grin that belongs only on primates in zoos. “Just kidding, sir, I’m not that heartless. Back in Gralea, Aranea used to stay back with the rest of the team when we worked on something. And because NTG was extra broke at one point because they keep siphoning the money to different politicians, I’m used to not getting paid by now.” You do a one-shoulder shrug, rattling about a paper bag. “As long as I can trade those OTs for credit leaves, I’m cool with that.”

Foolish, selfish, and annoying Omega.

If Ravus were a slighter man, his door would have answered your statement in seconds. However, he is the Prince of Tenebrae, and so he returns your imprudent gallantry with a frown. More minutes are wasted on entertaining your stupidity, minutes that Ravus could have spent on bettering his outline, minutes that Ravus would have clocked in at least two more pages to his text. Here you stand, awaiting his response, and here he sits, awaiting your departure.

No such luck.

Such trifling matters to be handled; yet it niggles his head all the same. He could only tear his eyes away from your unblinking stare, resuming his work once more. “…do whatever you want.” Yes, you could do whatever you want; after all, you may have won the fight, but you have yet to win the war. Ravus taps away at his keyboard, finding more satisfaction in punching in the alphabets than staring you down. “And while you’re at it, get me some coffee.”

“Great! I still have some bread from Sagefire this afternoon so we can totally share that.” You’re all but bouncing away as your voice drifts from a distance, filling in the click click click of your heels. “Gonna be in the pantry for a sec, ‘scuse me.”

He does not want any bread from Sagefire, not when Scientia owns it. But your return brings two mugs of coffee, setting them with noiseless experience of a waiter on his table. In a creamy caramel colour, Ravus glowers at the consistency of your coffee. “What’s this?”

“Coffee!” you cheer, rolling out a chair to make yourself comfortable as you unpack the paper bag to reveal an assortment of diabetes inducing treats on a ceramic platter. “And here’s some bread too—I totally recommend having their strawberry danish because it’s so good.”

With an upturned nose, Ravus angles his face away from your weak craft. “I only take mine black.”

Your head bobs rapidly like a storm-wrecked buoy, a certain light illuminating your face. “Well! More for me then!” The moment your offending hand begins its advance for his mug, he grits his teeth at your impudence and swats off the intruder. “Ow!” You rub the back of your reddening hand, pouting—Gods, the thing an Omega loves to do most, pouting. “Okay, okay, I get it, sheesh…I’ll make yours black next time.”

Ravus only hikes a brow at your impertinent words and merely answers your sulk with a sip.

It’s not black coffee, but at least you make a decent one for a screw-up.

2.39 a.m.

You could barely even control the yawn escaping your mouth, what more controlling your appearance in front of him. Two mugs, one rimmed in nude lip prints, both equally drained to the dregs. The back of your hand sports a smudge of brown and black, courtesy of an accidental rubbing of your eye to fight your sleep. Roughly thirty minutes earlier, you splashed cold water on your face, effectively erasing every last inch of powder on your haggard face. Only three days in and your superior is already treated to the sight of your bare face, no lipstick, no eyeliner, not even a cushion powder to fix up your appearance. That’s a record, considering how Aranea only saw your pillow face three months in when you first started; now Ravus has seen it all, and you think he’ll start seeing more the longer you work with him.

How could one thing escalate to another, a briefing outline on tomorrow’s meeting turning into an impromptu planning session for NTI’s charity event on C3 grounds anyway?

The answer?

Well, that’s work for you.

With another disgruntled yawn, you rub the bridge of your nose. Only, Ravus looks up from his copy of the document, pen paused. In his normal state, Ravus is considered crabby. Past midnight, stuck here for hours and hours on end with you, he’s the crabbiest ever. You could only manage an apologetic sigh, hoping you don’t add on to his irritation. “Sorry, Ravus…I’m just extra tired lately.”

“Aren’t we all?” is his acerbic response, utterly lacking sympathy.

You don’t expect him to properly channel human emotions since he appears to be a counterpart of Andronicus, but he least he could do is to understand where you’re coming from. You click your pen close, setting it parallel to your lipstick-ridden mug. “Emphasise on the extra tired, sir.” Your lips twitch at his merciless dour. “I didn’t even get to unpack my stuffs yet. So many boxes and so many things are missing in my new apartment. Hooks, locks, curtains, sheets, pillows, everything. I can’t use the stove because I haven’t bought induction pans yet, I haven’t hanged my clothes in the closet because I don’t have time to iron everything, I need to call the landlord to call the plumber to fix the heater because it’s already broken by the time I moved in—Shiva, the best I have is the bed because it’s the only thing I managed to set up. Just throw on my scarf and bundle my sweater and boom, that’s my bedsheet and pillow.”

Of course, you hadn’t intended to shoot him with your rant but it is what it is. While your problems are your own, and a prince wouldn’t necessarily come equipped with generous understanding of how hard moving from one place to another while being dead broke can be, your mild outburst is intended as a plea for him to remove his feet from his fancy, hard leather oxfords for once and slip on your ratty morning office slippers instead. If you had all the money in the world, hiring people to furbish your rented apartment would be as easy as waving your black card on the scanner, go to work in Louboutins while riding a Maserati, and come back to a five-star chef having prepared fresh fish air-flown from Altissia for your dinner. All of that is easily within Ravus’ command if he desires, but you? You’re just an Omega making a measly 3.8k a month and a good chunk of that money is going to your rent, meals, supporting your parents back in Gralea, and public transportation fees.

However, for the strangest moment, Ravus is silent.

When it comes to your sporadic verbal machine gun going rat-tat-tat-tat for a conversation, Ravus keeps to himself most of the time—or downright ignores it. Granted, he could’ve unloaded a scathing bazooka of, “Silence, vermin,” on you, or a derisive variant of, “You asinine whelp,” on your sorry ass just to keep you silenced once more. But this time, there is none of that. Ravus leans into his seat, briskly capping his fountain pen closed. Heterochromatic eyes are back on you again, appraising your paltry worth under fluorescent tubes. Being probed by a man like him, wholly, unabashedly, with lips set in a thin line and eyebrows furrowed, everything just burns an uncomfortable bonfire in your tummy.

‘Oh gods, just stop staring already,’ you internally shake your hands skywards, begging the Astrals on your knees to spare you because Ravus can’t seriously be doing this now.

Your blouse is rumpled from all the active moving you’ve been doing throughout the day, you’re sure you’re shitfaced because your makeup is gone, nada, zilch—and the worst part is, he’s not even saying anything about it! Not even a degrading remark! Comparing your dishevelled self to him, his three-piece suit still remains impeccable even if it had been hours since his arrival at office, his face is a marble statue of cool composure an Alpha commands, and he does not look haggard (unlike you, you weak ass Omega). The longer he stares, the more you feel your cheeks burning with the intensity of a wildfire scorching Leiden desert.

Heck, anyone and everyone getting picked to pieces by a hot guy would probably feel the same way too, just that said hot guy happens to be the punishing Prince of Tenebrae.

And said Prince of Tenebrae so happens to be your superior.

Three seconds later, the Alpha comes to a decision. “Let us stop here for now.”

That’s so unexpected until you blink at the surprise. Did that sympathetic node in his brain finally function?

Apparently, Ravus isn’t finished with his train of thought. “I find that working when one is demotivated is akin to pushing a dead mule. Ineffective and inefficient.” And, for the slightest moment, the edges of his lips curl. “Like you.”

—so maybe you were too hasty in your conclusion.

If it were up to your fighting spirit, you would’ve spat fire in his face, fuelled by your fatigue and fury from his relentless barrage of insults. But, Gods above, this guy’s your superior and you’re going to be stuck with him for a long, long time. It’s only been three days, three days! Biggs and Wedge once tested your patience with repeated pranking in office and you only snapped after finding your car painted in Post-its after the second month. Just because this goddamn Prince of Tenebrae doesn’t understand the hardships a broke ass Omega needs to endure in a new environment, it doesn’t mean he should be getting under your skin this easily—and that doesn’t mean you should jeopardise your sole work source of income thanks to him.

Because, hey, this isn’t a girly manga where the main character quarrels with a filthy hot, fucking rich dude and winds up in a twisted relationship with the man, yeah?

Yeah, so let’s roll with that.

You stomach his insults in hopes you’d digest his assholery and turn it into diarrhoea by tomorrow morning. At least you made some progress into his work and you can’t say you shirked out your duty as a senior exec. The smile on your face is positively simpering. “Thanks, Ravus, I really appreciate it.”

Translation: Go fuck yourself.

Swiftly withdrawing all papers and clutter from his desk to be stuffed into a folder, taking off the mugs and dumping them in the sink for washing tomorrow morning, you return to his room to grab both your handbag and work bag, slinging them over your shoulder once more. In a couple more hours you’d be back in this dreaded place again, enduring yet another hellish torture from 8.00 a.m. to 7 p.m. and you can’t say you’re looking forward to it. A glance to your wristwatch tells you it’s 3.04 a.m. and you’ve got only four hours of sleep maximum if you’re looking to arrive at work on time, but the bigger problem here is this:

“What the fuck.” You blink at your wristwatch’s guiltless face. Then turned to Ravus’ cocked eyebrow at your uncharacteristic cuss. “Sorry about that. I missed the last train.”

If possible, Ravus’ eyebrow climbs higher. One day, you’ll ask him the secret to his condescending eyebrow ascension, but not today. Not when you’re stranded here with nary a cheap cab to haul your pathetic ass home. ‘Great job, (y/n), great job. You done fucked up now.’

The curled edges to Ravus’ lips are still there when he questions, “And where do you live?”

“Somewhere on the – uh,” you squint at the foggy memory of sienna walls and bricked roads, vivid playground and a kindergarten nearby, “I think it’s called Kore? Not sure where that is.” Considering it’s only been four days since you landed in Insomnia, it’s a miracle your overworked brain could recall a fragment of the location. “But it’s got a kindergarten and some swings and it’s a pretty cheap and quiet neighbourhood kind of thing—safe, hopefully.”

“That’s quite some distance from here,” he hums. “I suppose you walk to the train daily then?”

Chatty, isn’t he? You shift your weight on the other foot, rubbing your nape as your head sifts through possibilities of Moogling up a 24-Hour cab service and risk getting conned for thousands of Credits, or grab Uber instead and risk getting into a car with a potentially frisky Alpha. The choices are clearly endless. “Well, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. If I stay close to NTI, I’m gonna be even more broke than I am now. Need to make the best of my pay.” Not that it changes anything in your current situation; you probably should start thinking of alternatives now. Cab it is. “Yeah, anyway, I gotta go now. Gonna call a cab, ‘nite.”

Granite and amethyst are sharply narrowed your way once again, this time with an ever-familiar scowl. “Don’t be asinine—“

You sigh. ‘Yep, there it is, he’s gonna chew me out again for my life decisions. Stay out of my life, dad, I’m an adult.’

“—I’ll send you home,” Ravus finishes, already striding past your stunned figure to switch off the lights to his office. “Come along now, we don’t have all day.”

Your head whips around so fast you could’ve risked cracking your neck.

Holy shit. Did you hear that right?

Is your life really starting to turn into that girly manga route where the cold bastard finally takes an interest in the protagonist and the protagonist falls helplessly in love with him and it culminates into—‘Okay, no, calm down, self, calm down. It’s just Ravus being a sensible guy—he’s a human being and he’s got to have some sort of kind bone in him somewhere. Don’t overthink this and don’t end up making it more awkward than it already is. Ifrit and Shiva, Ifrit and Shiva, gotta remember that.’

That’s your pep talk for the day, but your traitorous heart’s palpitating loud enough for your eardrums to beat along. Tugging your bags closer as you tailed Ravus on your way out, you crane your neck to look up at him in gratitude. Because, seriously, all girly manga clichés aside, he’s the real MVP for wanting to send you back home. “Thanks, Ravus, seriously. I really appreciate this.” And no, not a hint of sarcasm this time. For real. “Seriously seriously. Thanks man.”

Ravus allows himself a sidelong glance at your expectant gaze, almost haughty in his disdain. “If you were to be murdered, I will end up losing more manpower in this office. I simply cannot let that happen.”

Or so he says, yet as your shoulders sag at his incriminating statement, half-lidded eyes are lingering far too long on you.

It is rare occasion for one to find oneself riding his car. It is rarer occasion for one to ride with him twice in a single lifetime.

Strangely, you defy all norms with your brutish pig-headedness, barrelling past all barricades he’s strategically set up to deter those coming his way. Riding in his car twice, and having the gall to fall asleep at that. Foolhardy, insolent, never quick to rise to the baits he dangled right under your nose. There should be a specific category for people like you, those who teeter along the fine line dividing the charlatan and the frank, though he can’t quite find a box befitting your nature. At most, you rebuffed his mockery with a snide smile, knowing your place underneath him, playing by the unspoken political hierarchy in the office.

Chancing a glance at his side rewards him with a vexing view of your lolling head. Shoulders softly rising and falling in tune with your breathing, guiltless in your slumber. Never once stirring from your sleep, hands politely folded over your thighs, both bags sitting by your feet. Street lamps flashing over your skin hardly bothers you, though Ravus supposes sloths are heavy sleepers. While it is indeed a blessing that you are silent for once, it is also infuriating that you dared to sleep in his presence, rendering him akin to your personal driver. An incredibly incensing thought, one that almost makes him want to shake you awake just to see your disgruntled face upon being rudely woken up.

The sooner he deposits you, the better.

A finger to the blinker, he smoothly swerves left and exits the highway.

Stalagmite skyscrapers gradually disappear from the distance, consumed by the miles separating them from the heart of Insomnia as Ravus drives on. Kore, miles from the heart of Insomnia, is a suburb for the penniless. Unfortunately, it’s one of Luna’s favourite spots for her charity charades, or what Ravus thinks it is. Visiting orphanages with trolleys of toys and wheeling around gap-toothed children in wheelchairs, her actions earned the love of locals easily. A gentle beauty who is no stranger to TV shows and radio podcasts, his gentle sister preaches to the masses. What Ravus saw as cunningly crafted manipulation of the media to bolster Niflheim’s extensive efforts in positive politics, Luna would wage a war with words against him—or what she calls pessimistic derision.

Whatever it may be, Ravus isn’t keen on correcting her altruism at the expense of their familial ties; as long as she’s safe, their views may continue to differ, so long as it contributes to the same cause.

His foot eases off the gas pedal as the traffic lights transition from amber to red. The quiet outskirts of the city are obviously dead at this hour with no cars whirring across the road. Waiting for a full minute at the intersection when he’s all alone would’ve sounded ridiculous to many, but rules are not meant to be broken. At the inopportune moment presenting itself, Ravus chances another glimpse at your visage, catching your head still lolling softly as though you are headbanging in your dreams. The sight of your unashamed barefaced slumber whisks an irritation he deems it can be solved once he swats you awake.

Foolish, selfish, annoying, and audacious Omega.

As though the traffic lights sensed his malicious intent, they immediately popped green.

Thus, Ravus is thwarted for the night.

Much later on, miles and miles away from the junction, stopping by the cracked sidewalk leading up to a rundown two-storey apartment with an exposed stairwell and walls as thin as a single brick, he watches as you stumble out of his ride with half a heel worn and the other stuck somewhere underneath the seat. You yawn open-mouthed when you’ve fished the abominable needle-heeled shoe from ruining his ride, slurring a sleepy good night with that idiotic slant slacking your lips to reveal a hint of teeth in a coy smile.

Shutting his door, you totter off into the distance as darkness warps your body until you are no more.

Ravus stares at nothing.

And then he leaves.

8.35 a.m.

Oh shit.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

You’re speed-walking through the thronging crowd at four oh shits per second, in which an interspersed oh fuck gives you an extra boost when you glance at your wristwatch. You are so dead—oh, you wish you were already dead because at least you don’t have to step into office and get physically dismembered by your boss. While you would’ve preferred your phone to be pinging nonstop with a barrage of assaulting messages from Ravus, the eerie silence speaks volumes for your current situation. Nothing’s scarier when a boss says nothing about your tardiness—in which it’s already a code red for your life.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry,” you chant to the crowded escalator as your heart goes oh shit, oh shit, oh shit in tandem, pushing past the slow-motion bystanders—or are you actually on fast-forward? No matter, same difference, just that you need to get the hell out of the station to run to your office.

Emerging from the subway, your heart’s pumping like you’re about to undergo a cardiac arrest as you reorientate yourself with your surroundings. In the distance, NTI gleams like a silver stake ready to be spiked through your body. Just imagining the things Ravus would do to you the moment you step past the office doors gets you doubting yourself for a second there longer—oh Astrals, would it be better if you just stop by a Starbucks somewhere and tender your resignation to HR via email just so you’d spare yourself? Or would it be better if you just hightail it back home and never show up until they just terminate you? Either way, anything sounds like a good choice—far better than going in there unarmed against your boss.

With a nervous twitch, you withdraw your phone to check the notifications.

Nothing.

Not even an insult?

Or even something vaguely derogatory?

Good gods, you’re really done for, aren’t you?

All because you decided to spend your OT in office with him until three in the morning.

‘If anything, he should be grateful to me because I helped him out,’ you huffily try to justify should ragnarok come hurling home. Stuffing your phone once more, it is with a heavy heart and heavier feet that you drag yourself to your office, slowing down to one and a half oh shit at a time. ‘But then again, it’s not like I was helping out much. He got his shit together while I was sitting there like a moron watching him work.’

As a senior executive, whatever your boss tasked you with, you were supposed to execute it with the aid of fellow execs under you. Growing into this new role of yours gets challenging without a guiding hand showing you the ropes—you suppose all you could do is to imitate whatever Aranea had done and replicate it in your own unique way. Just like yesterday, when experience poured from the tip of Ravus’ fountain pen whilst he scribbled ideas on a scrap of paper. Planning charity events requires budgeting; that much you knew from your years with Aranea. NTG had to ration their budget expenditure spread over a financial year and NTI isn’t any different—except, NTI had a wealth of money at their expense, apparently. Ravus had kindly set aside close to a hundred thousand for media buys pertaining to social media ads, and that’s not even including billboards and traditional media. You had dumbly stared at the 1.5 million Credits parked under production costs as you mentally contrasted it with NTG’s measly 30k—to which the prince haughtily declared, “Did you think this will be just like Gralea?”

As snotty as he sounded, you couldn’t admit yes.

The scale of the events NTI organized shouldn’t be a surprise to you; Ravus had shown you that whatever NTG did, NTI would execute it on a grander note. That’s because it’s not for Niflheim anymore; it’ll be the talk of the kingdom if NT scrimped out on their political campaign by delivering less than what is expected. None of them would like to lose face in front of the king, would they? From the guest lists to the caterers, he shared his thoughts and views on contracted vendors and agencies that would be setting up the event site. Coordinating their locations, standardizing the colours, ensuring all corporate identities are prominently displayed via buntings, it’s almost everything you’ve ever done in NTG amplified threefold. With every snip of his tongue lashing, you are forced to reorganize your bearings and fulfil his wishes according to his ideals.

It’s overwhelming. Exhausting. Demanding.

Yet, as you think about your boss’ solemn profile as he worked tirelessly through the night, it pops a funny little bubble in your tummy.

Ravus Nox Fleuret is a pain in the ass, sure, but at least he taught you something.

And how are you supposed to support him as a senior exec if you’re going to get fired today? Well, better get your feet moving faster than one oh shit at a time if you still want a job by tomorrow.

Picking up your speed, you allow the ocean of humans to suck you into waves. Everywhere you looked, the morning zombies of Insomnia were in the same state: Dragging their feet to their workplaces. You can’t say you’re proud to be one of them, especially when your body’s in a state of disarray. That lack of sleep manifests by way of a throbbing headache and tunnel vision as you weave through the crowd, making your way to the stab of silver in the distance. Except, along the way, you didn’t expect a familiarly antique scent to come sidling up your strides.

“Hey, morning,” Noctgar offers a rumbling greeting, scruff twitching along his words.

What could possibly improve your disastrous morning to be better? None other than your favourite homeless Alpha, that’s who.

In all honesty, you wanted to slow down and have a good chat with him before you head to your funeral—but it’s not easy being the star of your own beheading, so you can’t really show up late. Flashing him your most genuine smile, you keep an even pace. And it certainly helps when you’re short, for you would never wind up outpacing him.

“G’morning, Noctgar! So sorry I can’t stop and chat, I actually shouldn’t be alive right now!” you chirp. At his stunned silence welcoming your shocking statement, you laugh a little. “Just kidding—well,” you sober up at the reality of the situation, “half kidding. I’m just really late right now, so I’m trying to make the most of my last moments on Eos before my boss decides how he wants me done today. Grilled, charbroiled, steamed, everything on the menu is possible.”

Even with the bustling Insomnians talking in dissonant murmurs, Noctgar’s low whistle couldn't be missed. “Sounds rough, I’m sorry to hear that, old friend. Take care.”

“Take care!?” you squeak your disbelief, chortling at the way Noctgar’s ever-expressive eyes twinkle with mischief when he knows you hadn’t missed out on the joke. “Such support, much wow. Wait ‘til you receive my e-invite for my funeral today, free lunch provided.”

Noctgar chuckles at your dark humour, easily sidestepping a passing Beta before rejoining your side like velcro. “Yeah, wouldn’t miss out on free lunch. Hope he cooks you good.”

“Me too,” you lightly punch him in the bicep as he returns his revenge by messing up your hair, trading blows.

Somewhere down the street, Starbuck’s open doors wafted bitter notes of coffee among the herd of creamy Omegas, subtle Betas, and masculine Alphas. Cabbies and Ubers are honking at the building traffic, tyres screeching on asphalt. Just like this, it feels good to have someone with you. Walking together through the slow drift of chilly breeze, making jokes over your misfortune when the going gets tough.

Noctgar’s the same as ever, dressed in a humble jacket, hands pocketed in drab jeans. Still looking like he hadn’t a decent night’s sleep, always in need for a good shaver and mirror. Who knows what he’s doing out here anyway? Insomnia’s probably his turf, so it makes sense why he’d just pop up near the subway by accident if he had been napping nearby—and boy, it’s an excellent accident to happen first thing in the morning. Alas, all good things have to come to an end, marked by the way NTI’s glass lobby looms all too soon into view with lively Techies swarming in by the second.

You instinctively slow down, turning to your Alpha friend with a grimace. “Well, we’ve come to the end of the line.”

“Any last words?” Noctgar teases, leaning back with his head tilted aside.

It takes you a moment to search the Merriam-Webster Dictionary preinstalled in your brain when the image just assaults you like this. With creamy light spilling over pale skin, the wild arrangement of tousled hair, sharp Alpha characteristics of a defined jawline following a cocky, self-assured smirk; yeah, this homeless friend of yours is definitely something, why didn’t you realize it earlier? With a little snip of his scruff, a tidying of his locks, and some fitting garment, Astrals, you could’ve transformed him into a model! Or at least you could do a joint venture where you could pitch his existence to modelling agencies as his self-appointed manager and rake in thousands by the end of the month—

—yeah, too bad you have to die today.

“Eh, well,” you do an unenthused shrug, already accepting your inevitable death at the hands of your boss because no amount of active imagination could spare you from Ravus, “thanks for being a pal, Noctgar. You made my short stay in Insomnia a luxury vacation, really. Five stars on TripAdvisor as best tour guide.”

At this, Noctgar’s lips twist oddly—like absent fondness and Something More™, but who knows what Something More™ could mean when you obviously won’t live long enough to find out. “I’ll make sure they bury you with your phone so that you can still text me an invite in the coffin. Can’t miss out free lunch and five stars on TripAdvisor.”

How morbidly charming. You really like this guy. Holding out a fist, you flash him the kind of smile when Brave Legends Go Off To Meet Their Impending Demise. “See you on the other side, pal.”

Noctgar only returns your brofist with unwavering confidence. “Yeah, see you.”

As you heroically march right up the entrance sans epic background music, too lost in the moment where the highlight reel of your life is on playback before your eyes, you’ve most certainly missed out a blurry reflection of Noctgar withdrawing a cellphone from his back pocket, snapping a picture of you.

“Ah, Your Highness, to what do I owe this pleasure of a phone call while I’m in the middle of a meeting with my board members, who are coincidentally very peeved at this ongoing interruption?”

“Sorry, not sorry. Do you wanna owe me something real quick?”

“An intriguing offer! Go on, I’m listening.”

“Great. There’s this girl, (y/n), coming up from NTI’s lobby now. She’s new, Omega, black collar, and reports to Ravus—I’ll send you her pic in a sec. Think you can see that bastard and make up some excuse on why she’s late?”

“Pray tell, what benefits will I reap from this ad hoc liaison?”

“I knew you’d say that.”

“Debt is the slavery of the free, after all.”

“…fine, I’ll go to that damn charity event on C3.”

“What an intriguing offer indeed.”

NOTES:

Thanks for all the support during my absence! Going through a bit of a rough patch in life at the moment, but I'll try my darnest best to keep writing and keep updating! ❤ Stay safe everyone, stay hydrated, and may 2019 go well for all of you!

THE TRAGEDY CONTINUES: Great. Great, great, great, great great great, just great. The way you punched in the fullstop a bit too hard resounds like a bullet through metal before you rise to your feet, already feeling cold sweat collecting under your boobs. Because fuck sweating profusely through your armpits when that’s too mainstream, since the way you’ll get fired is already premium with how Ravus stands before his room like a headmaster catching his students sniffing glue in the school’s backyard. As if things can’t get any worse, everyone within vicinity are pretending they’re focused on their work—but you catch their sneaky eyes hovering above iMacs, ears subtly angled Ravus’ way. Absolutely fabulous, it’s barely your first week here and you’ve already fucked up ten ways up Ravus’ ass, and judging from how hairy things are getting, you suspect he hasn’t shaved his crack for a long, long time.

(Or maybe he’s never shaved at all.)

(But you haven’t considered if he’s naturally hairless, did you?)

#noctis x reader #noctis/reader #Noctis Lucis Caelum #final fantasy xv #final fantasy xv fanfic #ffxv #older noctis #mr noctgar #fanfic #ravus/reader #ravus x reader #i can't believe i forgot to update this here #i'm completely trash #mr noctgar is such a huge thing for me and i forgot about it #smh raon #hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!#and ravus too!

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ultima228 · 6 years ago

Photo

The Elemental Hearts Statted: Kodoushin

Kodoushin

Gargantuan Dragon, Neutral Good, Green Scales with Bronze Underbelly

Armor Class 40 (38 Natural, 2 Dex Modifier)

Hit Points 1,140 (30d20 + 540)

Speed 60 ft Climb 60 ft Fly 80 ft

CR: 30

Str 38 (+14)

Dex 12 (+2)

Con 46 (+18)

Int 35 (+12)

Wis 35 (+12)

Cha 22 (+6)

Saving Throws

Dex (+9)

Con (+25)

Wis (+19)

Cha (+13)

Damage Immunities

Acid and Nature

Senses

Blindsight 40 ft, Darkvision 100 ft, passive Perception of 25

Languages

Common, Draconic, Elven, Old Tongue

Legendary Resistance 3/day

If the dragon fails a save, they can choose to succeed it instead.

Actions

Multiattack

The dragon uses its frightful presence then makes 3 attacks, one bite and two claw attacks

Bite melee weapon attack +24 to hit, reach 20 ft, single target

Hit: 27 (3d10 +14) piercing damage plus 18 acid damage

Claw melee weapon attack +24 to hit, reach 15 ft, single target

Hit: 21 (3d6 +14) slashing damage

Tail melee weapon attack +24 to hit, reach 25 ft, single target

Hit: 24 (3d8 +14) bludgeoning damage

Frightful Presence

Each creature of the dragon's choice that is within 120 feet of the dragon and aware of it must succeed on a DC 21 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the dragon's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Nature Breath (Recharge 7 Rounds)

The dragon unleashes a powerful blast of nature energy in a 200 foot wide cone that is 20 feet long. Every creature within the cone takes 95 acid damage (28d10) and must make a DC 23 Reflex save for half damage. Those who are afflicted with the breath attack must also make a DC 28 Constitution save or suffer 1d6 poison damage to each of their stats.

Legendary Actions:

Detect, the dragon makes a Perception (Wisdom) check

Tail Attack, the dragon makes a tail attack

Wing Attack, The dragon beats its wings.

Each creature within 15 feet of the dragon must succeed on a DC 27 Dexterity saving throw or take 21 (3d6 + 12) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.

Extra Abilities

These are innate spell like abilities that Kodoushin can uniquely use

Shapeshifting:

Kodoushin is capable of using magic to alter her form and can take the form of any creature of the forest. She also commonly uses a tall dark skinned elven woman with dark brown hair as an alternative form.

Tongues of Nature

Kodoushin is able to speak and understand all languages from any natural creature and as such is able to communicate with nearly everything that enters her domain

Blessing of the Forest Queen

Kodoushin is able to do this once per encounter, usually towards the end of the battle. After a short cast time (1 full round) she is able to summon a “healing forest” all around her for up to 5 miles regardless of the terrain type. Every being within this forest will be healed for 20 hp per round the course of 4d8 rounds. All friendly targets are granted “The Forests Blessing” which boosts all stats and resistances by 1d12. This spell also instills a state of calmness upon everyone who enters and those who seek to do harm to the forest or Kodoushin herself must make a DC 30 Wisdom Save in order to no loose the will to fight. After this spell has been cast Kodoushin will seek to discontinue the battle either by dissuading those who seek to do harm or simply by flying away while they are distracted. The forest itself is permanent based on the terrain it was summoned in but the effect does not begin again after it has stopped and it becomes a regular forest.

The Four Claws of the Dragon

Unlike either of her brothers who constantly fight with one and other Kodoushin refused to pick a side. Instead studying the schools of both The Four Runes and The Four Fangs to create her own variation of the style, the Four Claws of the Dragon. Akin to her siblings these Four Claws rely on emotional triggers and can have great power, though not as powerful as the Four Fangs they evade. And though they are less difficult to evade than the Four Runes they have a greater impact to them in terms of the damage they produce

1st Claw: Cut of the Dragon

(Trigger: Kodoushin is at 3/4 Maximum HP)

Kodoushin builds up powerful nature energy into her tail and smashes it on the ground creating a ripple like wave that goes through the earth. This wave can knock foes off balance or slam into them for heavy physical damage, dealing 90 damage (30d6) over a radius of 110 feet wide creating waves of earth upwards of 10 feet tall. All creatures within the effected range must make a DC 28 Dexterity save for half damage and should they fail the save they are also tripped and loose their dexterity bonus to their AC.

2nd Claw: Break of the Dragon

(Trigger: Kodoushin is at 1/2 Maximum HP)

Kodoushin slams her massive tail into the ground shattering it in a 100 foot radius. All those within the initial radius must max a DC 25 Dexterity save or take slight falling damage and become prone. After the initial strike it then rains down a large amount of dirt and clumps of earth (4d12 worth of misc materials) all those who managed their initial dexterity save must make a follow up save of DC 20 for each piece of debris or take up to 80 damage (8d10 damage, varies with size of the piece of debris)

3rd Claw: Stillness of the Dragon

(Trigger: Kodoushin is at 1/4 Maximum HP)

Kodoushin lets out a loud bellow of anger and wrath as she draws upon the energy of the nearby environment and mixes it within herself with her breath weapon as she lets out a powerful blast of pure nature energy dealing 456 damage (76d12 damage) in a 200 foot line that is 7 feet wide. Those within the effected area need to make a DC 38 Dexterity Save for half damage. Should they survive they must also make a DC 38 Fortitude Save or suffer a loss of 1d12 to all their stats from poison damage.

4th Claw: Ending of the Dragon

(Trigger: Kodoushin is near death, and will die within 2 rounds of combat)

Kodoushin builds up the final bits of life energy all around her, drawing it into herself killing everything within the immediate radius of 50 feet of her forcing a DC 30 Fortitude save for all living creatures within range to avoid loosing their life force. From there she lets out a massive burst of energy in a massive 300 foot radius of her body dealing 850 damage (plus her remaining HP until she has 1) to everything within range. Those affected must make a DC 48 Dexterity save for half damage and must make a follow up save of DC 43 or suffer up to 3d12 of poison damage to each of their stats. After this ability is used Kodoushin is exhausted and vulnerable to Sword Sealing as with her brothers. Standardly she turns herself to stone in a form of pseudo self-petrification while she sleeps and recovers her energy. She must sleep for at least 10d12 years.

Sword Sealing

Like her brothers, Kodoushin was once sealed away in a blade and while she does not resent it or hate the one who did it she’s not super fond of being trapped within a weapon. However she is vulnerable to the technique if she is weakened

#D&D #5th edition #Creatures Statted #Elemental hearts statted #Kodoushin #Earth Heart #Queen of the Forest #Dragon Queen #Green Dragon #Forest Dragon

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averil-of-fairlea · 7 years ago

Text

Honor your promise

Based on this from @thorinoakenshieldconfessions: “My new head canon is this: Just before Thorin’s love dies in his arms from a battle wound, she tries to comfort him. With her last bit of strength, she smiles weakly and jokes, “No sulking or frowning, my love, or I shall come back and teach you a lesson.” Then she dies. His heart shattered, from that moment on he often has a dour face, hoping in vain that she will someday make good on her promise.“

And this from @imaginexhobbit: “Imagine making up with Thorin against a tree.”

Notes: Angst, slight NSFW, humor. Flashbacks are in italics. I changed the “battle” in the head canon above to Smaug’s breach of the Lonely Mountain.

Written in loving memory of my husband, who died unexpectedly on August 5, 2017. He was my real-life Thorin, a complete Tolkien nerd who introduced me to “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” He was the absolute love of my life.

It seemed like a lifetime ago when Thorin last cradled your head to his chest under the canopy of a serene oak grove, the scene of so much passion and love, good-natured needling and laughter. But only a little while had passed since that bliss.

Farewell hurdled toward you, between you, as fast as the blood spilled from your body.

“You were supposed to hide.” Thorin didn’t mean for it to sound like a reprimand. You saved his life. Gratitude and a desperate plea rested behind the sharpness of his words.

“You knew I wouldn’t.” You touched his face and found comfort in the softness of his beard. But his heavy, wrinkled brow, falling like an avalanche, broke your slowing heart.

His tears fell onto your chin. He could hardly hear you through the din of sorrow and anguish, echoing inside his heart and all around him, strong as the overwhelming smell of fire and smoke.

“I have a better promise,” you continued through a hoarse whisper.

“Stay.” Thorin touched your cold cheek. “Stay with me.”

You managed a small smile. “No sulking or frowning, my love, or I shall come back and teach you a lesson.”

***

Thorin wakes up with your last words etched on his mind as always, and with a shred of hope in his heart that today will be the day.

As he collects his bedroll, pipe and the excellent pipe weed he stashed for himself, he hears but doesn’t participate in the company’s early morning chatter. Topics of conversation include Beorn’s monster-sized bees, the hearty breakfast the skin changer has prepared, and Dwalin’s nightmarish belches and farts lasting from a bean stew supper two nights ago.

In the midst of it all, Thorin catches chitchat between his nephews about him.

“Best to stay out of his way, Kee. He’s already grim. It’s written all over his face.”

“Of course he is. Mum said ever since his wife -”

“No, no, he smiles every now and again. Remember when Bofur sang in Rivendell?”

Kili nods with a wide grin. “Aye, he was tapping his foot and enjoying his wine, too!” The younger of the princes snaps his fingers, his eyes shining. “And he smiled at Mr. Boggins’ house - right at Mr. Boggins himself!!”

Fili nods, then with caution slides his eyes to Thorin, who does an excellent job feigning oblivion to the talk as he collects his bedroll into an uneven lump with fast, angry folds.

Convinced his uncle isn’t paying him any attention, Fili turns back to Kili and adds: “He had a little chuckle at Bilbo’s expense, too.”

“Didn’t everyone chuckle at Bilbo’s expense?” Kili’s words trip over his giggles.

Fili clearly wants to explode with laughter, but his shaking shoulders and several hard boot stomps on the hay in Beorn’s barn will have to do.

Within seconds, the brothers move onto the next subject - “what are the odds we’ll find a decent tavern during our travels? - while Thorin ponders Fili’s observation: “He smiles every now and again.”

Thorin’s mind moves as quick and as sharp as lightning, his musings piercing his heart.

Perhaps you had planned to fulfill your promise at the very moment his countenance changed from grim to blithe, he thinks. You may have mistaken his expression to mean he has forgotten you. That explains why you haven’t appeared to him as you promised.

“I have failed you,” Thorin mutters under his breath. “Again.”

And with those words filling his head, the memory of his last day with you plays out, as it does every day.

***

“You have failed, Prince Thorin!”

Wrapping your legs tight around his waist, you moved together as one through the last few waves of ecstasy. Thorin’s loosened belt kept his dark trousers from completely revealing his naked backside, but not by much. The rough bark of the oak tree behind you clawed at your hiked frock and scratched your skin, but the slight sting only added to the thrill of your torrid lovemaking.

“Failed?” The smile played on his lips sent you back to the sky. “Your moans tell me differently, amrâlimê.”

Oh, the power the simple act of smiling had on you. Your body quivered as you held each other for dear life, the pleasure between you generating such high heat that you were sure the whole of the Erebor could sense it, two leagues away.

“My turn…for failure…” He grinned that grin again. Your clenches below pulled deep growls and thrusts from him that took you both by surprise with their intensity.

Several minutes later, as you lay under dappled sunlight on a plush gray blanket, surrounded by trees and birdsong, you clarified your earlier statement.

“What I meant was, you failed to take my mind off the fact that we argued yet again about you forbidding me to wield a sword over the next year.”

Stretched beside your body, his arm protectively around your shoulders as you rested your head on his chest, Thorin released a rugged chuckle before answering.

“I would say you wielded my sword very, very well a moment ago.”

Your face hot, you slapped his hand, making him laugh louder. When he settled down, his voice turned low and serious.

“Amrâlimê, please. Isn’t it enough that you still carry it?” He gestured toward your treasured weapon resting in its scabbard against a large rock. “And as I recall, it was not I who forbade you, but your midwife. It’s for the best. It’s for our child.” He patted your slightly rounded belly. You lifted your head to look him in his beautiful blue eyes, the royal tailor’s inspiration for his striking cobalt tunic. It took everything in you not to rekindle passion’s fire.

“Well, if sparring is off limits,” you teased, “surely coupling should be also. Especially against trees.”

Thorin cocked an eyebrow - his “don’t-dare-think-it” look.

“That was no mere coupling, my lady. That was -”

“Magic.” You reached up to give him a gentle peck on the lips, and lay your head back on his chest. “Fine. I’ll follow the midwife’s orders. But I must tell you, I can hardly wait to practice again. I think I have some lessons to teach you.”

He scoffed. “Lessons? Need I remind you that I’ve been through more swords and battles than you’ve seen sunrises?”

“Defending yourself and what you love is not always about experience. It’s about what’s in your heart.”

Thorin groaned. “That sounds like poetry.” He rolled his eyes, taking advantage of your turned head. If you’d caught him, his hand would get slapped again. He sighed and held you closer. “Heart alone doesn’t win battles or save lives.“

“Depends on what’s in the heart, my love.”

Thorin knew you would say that, and he had a response that he hoped would lead to more romance: “You’ll just have to show me.”

But he never got a chance to say it. All at once, a shadow of great and terrifying proportions crossed the sky directly overhead. The beast’s sweltering whoosh swept the forest floor across your embraced bodies.

You both scrambled to your feet and looked up, but the creature had already disappeared from your immediate sight. Its heat lingered, however. You thought you would burst into flames.

“What was that?!” you cried as you shook off the dried leaves, sticks and pine cone bits from your hair and clothes, followed by dousing yourself with what remained in your water skin.

No sooner had you asked the question did you hear a clamor of far-off screams and warning blows through a symphony of horns.

“Dragon!” Thorin stomped into his boots. “It’s headed for the mountain!”

Dragon. The word sent your heart into frenzied pounding. You fumbled into your shoes as Thorin tossed your coat to you. He grabbed your sword and secured it to his side on his belt, next to his own weapon.

“Thorin, give it to me! I’m coming with you!” You dove toward him, but he extended his arm and held his hand against your shoulder, keeping you back.

“You will hide here,” he said. Somehow, the urgency in his voice did not take away from the uncanny calmness in his tone. He sounded kingly, resolute. You’d never heard quite so authoritative a tone from him. He would make a fine king someday, and you, an exquisite queen, you thought. But first, the dragon needed to die. “I will send the first guard I see for you,” Thorin said. “Until then, put the blanket over you and wait quietly in the thicket.”

You reared your head back and widened your eyes. “A blanket?” you shrieked in disbelief. “You would leave me alone and defenseless?”

“I would leave you hidden and alive!” He approached you with fast, determined footfalls. In an instant, he took you into his arms and kissed your mouth hard. You knew what it meant. If his journey home resulted in his death, he wanted to make sure you knew how much he’d loved you. More than anyone. More than his own life.

He placed his hand over your navel, covered by your wrinkled dress.

“Promise me you will -” Thorin began, but another set of distant screams and distress calls interrupted him.

“Go!” You pushed him toward his pony.

He realized halfway to the mountain that you had deftly detached your scabbard from his belt during your embrace.

***

As he pulled his grandfather from the mountain, Thorin heard you shout his name and scream for him to watch out.

“I am dazed…imagining things,” he thought. “She’s in the woods and hidden.”

But Thorin would learn much later from the guard he sent to protect you that you overtook the gentleman’s steed and rushed off toward the Lonely Mountain without him, hollering an apology in your wake.

Thorin heard your voice again: “FIRE!” you yelled that time. The dragon had its eyes fixed on him and his grandfather. An inferno glowed in its chest as the dragon opened its mouth.

Thorin couldn’t move as fast as he wanted, and he couldn’t get to you. He, along with elite fighters and commoners alike, raised swords to fend off the beast.

He didn’t want to believe what he saw next. You, charging. You, roaring. You, screaming, “move!” You, drawing that blasted sword.

But too much rubbish, too many frantic people, and too little foresight got in your way. You lost your footing just after pushing Thorin and Thror out of the direct path of the dragon’s hot fury. You dropped your sword and stumbled in front of it. The blade got wedged in broken stone and sat upright, waiting for a victim.

Thorin lunged toward you just a hair too late. The sword sliced his fingers but slipped from grasp. He could only catch you after the fact.

“You were supposed to hide…”

***

“Where are you? Honor your promise! Show yourself!”

The king’s mighty voice, deep and rough with anguish and madness, bounces off the streaked jade walls inside his reclaimed homeland. Outside, armies surround the mountain. Inside, his relatives and friends wring their hands and gnash their teeth, awaiting word from their troubled king.

He looks around the vast halls for any sign of you. For the shape of you. Your voice. Your smile. Everything tugs at his mad mind, just as your heavy scabbard that he insists on fastening tightly to his belt weighs him down: War. Power. That sneaky, deceitful Hobbit. That conceited Elf. That dull bargeman, his loosing of a black arrow his sole redeeming quality. That daft, pointy-hatted wizard who egged Thorin on in the first place, practically ushering him into this disaster. That panicked Dwalin whimpering about Dain’s forces getting slaughtered instead of worrying about protecting the mountain’s wealth.

But at his core, Thorin wrestles the most with something else.

He remembers Fili’s remark months ago: “He smiles every now and again.” Thorin recalls laughing, merrymaking and feasting over the years, and those memories plague him.

Because as hard as he tried, he failed to stay absolutely solemn all of his days, the very thing that would have summoned you to return and teach him his lesson.

Because as much as he scowled and frowned, something would eventually remind him of life’s goodness: friendships, new and old; the kingly potential in his nephews; loyalty, honor, and a willing heart.

Dejected, he walks away from his fractured throne, off to the Gallery of the Kings and its dazzling gilded floor - yet another memento of his failure, when he led the company in an attempt to kill Smaug by drowning him in molten gold.

At that moment, as his mistakes and voices from his past overlap in his mind, your scabbard crashes beside him, right atop a vision of the dragon swimming beneath the floor, and your sword slides out, as if drawn.

***

Thorin’s injury is grave from his final battle with Azog, but his healers tend to him day and night, cleaning the wound, applying fresh bandages and making sure he has every available remedy and comfort. A touch of Gandalf’s healing power seals his fate: Thorin will live.

The king’s closest friends, including Bilbo, Dwalin, and the rest of the company, bring him regular reports of his nephews’ slow but steady recovery and the rebuilding process. He’s gotten word that his sister and other Dwarves from Ered Luin will soon make the journey to Erebor.

As soon as his caretakers feel he can do it, Thorin takes on a few duties from his sick bed. The plans for a grand front gate and other repairs receive his approval. Along with the recently crowned king of Dale, he proposes new trade agreements and reinstates old ones. The Elven king, not yet a business partner but no longer a foe, has visited once, keeping a chilly distance but unable to conceal the relief on his face that Thorin will survive.

And Thorin’s most formidable enemy lies dead in a lake.

All of this gives the King Under the Mountain a reason to smile; in Thranduil’s case, smirk.

Everything makes sense now. The love and devotion in his heart for his people and his home saved lives, won the mountain once and for all, and delivered him from madness and failure. .

Thorin finally understands what you meant when you said, “it’s about what’s in your heart.”

He still aches for you and the future you didn’t have, the child that never came into the world. He longs for your eventual reunion, many years from now if Mahal allows, to see you in all your beauty, magic and wisdom, just like the last time in the forest.

#thorin fanfiction #thorin fics #the hobbit fanfiction #the hobbit #J.R.R. Tolkien #tolkien

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halsteadproperty · 6 years ago

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Small Business Spotlight Series: Best Ice Cream Shops in the NY Metro Area

Sweltering temperatures, heat vapors rising from the black tar streets, wafts of cool air hitting you as you pass open storefronts; the summer heat in the city can wear you down. Yet, there is always one common treat that will serve as Ol Reliable – and that is the cool taste of ice cream. From gelato to sorbet, sundaes to Italian ice, our agents all around NY, NJ and CT have the best recommendations for your next summer treat.

The Lemon Ice King of Corona

52-02 108th St, Corona, NY 11368

When you want some fun, a change of scenery and the perfect cool treat on the dog days of summer, look no further than The Lemon Ice King of Corona, Queens! “This family owned business with a homemade, secret recipe offers 100 flavors of the best Italian ices in all of New York, dare I say the world!” says agent Maryann Johnson. “On a hot summer night, my girlfriends and I would get in the car and drive on the LIE to 108th Street Corona and order not one, but two or three of the most flavorful, homemade, fresh summer flavors, like lemon, coconut, watermelon, mango and so much more!” The Lemon Ice King has been a unique and colorful dessert destination for over 60 years. Stay and enjoy your ice while watching a traditional and competitive Bocce game in Spaghetti Park, or head over to Citi Field and cheer on the NY Mets.

(Recommended by Maryann Johnson of our Upper West Side office)

Milkcraft

1215 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824

“New technology ice cream with lots of novelty makes Milkcraft a Connecticut staple,” says agent Sheila Higgins. The trendy creamery freezes every scoop to order with food grade Liquid Nitrogen, which creates smaller ice crystals when freezing, and results in the smoothest possible ice cream. Their caramelized Hong Kong style waffles are made from scratch to order and their hot Creamee buns are made fresh daily, along with artisan toppings.

(Recommended by Sheila Higgins of our Wilton office)

Emack and Bolio’s

389 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10026

Emack & Bolio’s is so good that The New York Times called it “an ice cream shop with more than a lick of promise” and Good Housekeeping labeled them as “the best ice cream purveyors in the country.” Talk about a seal of approval. According to agents Keith Marder and Olga Bidun of the OK Team, their best flavors include ice cream based Deep Purple Chip, S’Moreo, salted caramel chocolate pretzel, chunk of funk and grasshopper pie as well as “The Original Oreo.” They also have sorbet and low-fat options. “Most flavors have great texture with the addition of Oreos, chips, pretzels, etc. and for some added crunch you can get a gargantuan waffle cone dipped in things like Nutella, Cookie Krisp cereal, sprinkles and Capt’n Crunch,” says the team.

(Recommended by the Olga and Keith Team of our West Side office)

Sugar Hill Creamery

184 Lenox Ave, New York, NY 10026

An indie ice cream shop in Harlem, this family-owned spot offers scoops (including non-dairy varieties) in both familiar and creative flavors.

“They use really high-end ingredients and have funky, savory flavors. In the summer they need to have an employee making ice cream all night long to keep up with summer demand.” – Jeffrey Green of our Harlem office

“Sugar Hill Creamery has an old-fashioned neighborhood feel with an artsy flair from the mural on the wall to the roasted corn and jalapeno flavors. The owners are there scooping and greeting folks at the door!” - Leanne Stella of our Harlem office

Saugatuck Sweets

575 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880

A unique spot located in the beautiful river-front inlet neighborhood of Saugatuck in Westport, Connecticut. Nothing like a moonlit night sky near the waterfront and an awesome ice cream cone creation of your own making,” says agent Sheila Gallo. Saugatuck Sweets is within walking distance from the train and serves as an easy night out of Manhattan.

(Recommended by Sheila Gallo of our Westport office)

Anopoli Ice Cream Parlor and Family Restaurant

6920 3rd Ave Brooklyn NY, 11209

In an age of trendy ice-cream shops dishing up exotic flavors, agent Shira Rosenhaft always loves to visit this tried and true time capsule of a diner and soda fountain that happens to make their own ice cream, too. It’s like stepping back in time - the Kelly-green booths are the perfect place to enjoy an old-fashioned sundae or a root beer float, and much of the place looks unchanged since the early 1900s. The ice-cream flavors are simple - chocolate, vanilla, pistachio - but delicious. And, its central location amongst the hustle and bustle of Third Avenue’s shops and restaurants in Bay Ridge makes it the perfect spot to stop and cool off.

(Recommended by Shira Rosenhaft of our Global Services office)

Ample Hills Creamery

623 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Extraordinary ice cream is an understatement when it comes to Halstead favorite, Ample Hills Creamery. At one point in time cows grazed on Brooklyn's lush ample hills. Although the cows are gone, and the grassy hills have made way for rows of brownstones, the pastoral small-town spirit of old Brooklyn lives on at our neighborhood ice cream shops and in the playful, nostalgic flavors we create.

“What makes Ample Hills ice cream special is the mix-ins. My personal favorite is the Pistachio Brittle. They make pistachio brittle (think “peanut brittle”) and put large chunks of it in wonderfully flavored pistachio ice cream. The flavors are creative and unique with fun names and again, those mix-ins!” – Jenet Levy of our Park Avenue office

“The Ample Hills Creamery down on Union Street in Gowanus is a favorite stop. Located at the corner of Union and Nevins, it stands out as an oasis in the post-industrial landscape. And of course, the Ice Cream is fantastic.” - Lisa Gaytan of our North Slope office

“Flavors change regularly, and they are currently offering Oooy Gooy Butter Cake and PB Wins the Cup among many others - plain and fancy!” - Perri Defino of our Bed-Stuy office

“Best ice cream by far is Ample Hills. Specifically, the vibe of the Vanderbilt Avenue location. Peppermint Patty with hot fudge is to die for. My boys always go for Chocolate Milk and Cookies and my husband is partial to Salted Crack Caramel. The staff is always full of energy, super nice and the cone size is enormous! Gets my vote for best ice cream in NYC!” - Karen Wolfe of our Park Slope office

Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

1 Water Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

What is better than waterfront ice cream with views of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge? “The Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory is one of Brooklyn’s best ice cream shops,” agent Jared Goodloe says. Whether you are taking the ferry after a long day, walking your dog along the pier, or just out on the town Brookly Ice Cream Factory is the perfect stop. “Due to high demand, the line can be a little long but don’t let that stop you. The factory has a vast assortment of flavors and toppings to fit all your desires,” Goodloe says.

(Recommended by Jared Goodloe of our Park Slope office)

Gofer Ice Cream

1020 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820

Gofer Ice Cream opened in 2004 in the heart of Darien on picturesque main street. People passing by can see families enjoying their unique products like Gofer Lite, Go-Yo, Milk Shakes, Razzles, Gofer Cakes and more. It is a favorite spot for locals to walk or bike into town for a summer treat. The shop features a few small tables inside, but most people prefer to sit out on the patio watching the buzz downtown. They have been so successful that agent Cheryl Williams placed them in a second location in Wilton, CT in 2014 near the Wilton High School, Wilton Deli and adjacent to the football field. You can hear kids across town asking their parents if they can "Go Fer" ice cream tonight!

(Recommended by Cheryl Williams of our Darien office)

UES

1707 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128

This ice cream shop is like no other (keep reading for the secret info!). The large neon cone awning strikes you from a distance along with the typical line of patrons eagerly awaiting entrance, but nothing is what is seems. The vibrant and cozy bubble-gum pink shop offers a unique rotating menu of delicious flavors such as banana brownie, ginger and espresso cookie coupled with chocolate chip and M&M cones. Why is everyone dressed to impress for ice cream? Say the magic words and you are transformed to an elegant 1920s prohibition-style speakeasy behind the mystery door serving decadent cocktails at the large bar or tufted banquets outfitted with chandeliers, exposed brick and other classy homages to Upper East Side culture. Contact Rory for the secret password!

(Recommended by Rory S. Clark of our Village office and Elissa Drassinower of our West Side office)

Sundaes and Cones

95 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

“On East 10th St. in the East Village is the best ice cream shop I have ever encountered,” agent Robert Brody says. Though located on a side street, it still attracts a big following. The scoops can be in a cup or cone. “Though a bit pricey, it is worth the extravagance,” explains Brody.

(Recommended by Robert A. Brody of our East Hampton office)

Fro-Yo

43 S Euclid Ave, Montauk, NY 11954

Katie Haggerty’s favorite spot on Euclid street in Montauk is Fro-Yo & Gelato. “It’s right next to the jitney spot and the minute you arrive to Montauk you are welcomed to the best little ice cream spot,” she explains. The days you leave Montauk you grab your treats at Fro-Yo and back to reality, leaving your happy place in Montauk.

(Recommended by Katie Haggerty of our East Hampton office)

Scoop Du Jour

35 Newtown Ln, East Hampton, NY 11937

Snuggled amidst all the beautiful high-end shops and restaurants is Scoop Du Jour, a tiny shop on Newtown Lane and one of Margaret Turner’s favorite ice cream spots. “When you walk in to the narrow shop you feel like you’re back in the 70's with the dim lighting, the old posters and pictures of earlier times in East Hampton and the old rod iron chairs with lumpy cushions. But you’ll delight on the yummy ice cream in over 15 flavors and tons of different toppings,” says Turner. If you don't feel like ice cream, you can order a good old grill cheese sandwich or burger.

(Recommended by Margaret Turner of our East Hampton office)

Brendan's 101

101 Rowayton Ave, Rowayton, CT 06853

Brendan's has continued its 133-year tradition as the centerpiece of village activity. “Whether a grocery store, library, arts center, lobster house, antique house or the gathering place for the "Rising Sons of Temperance" to keep liquor out of Rowayton, Brendan’s 101 has always been Rowayton's place to meet,” says agent Gwen Alexis. Now open year-round and offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, it's signature all-natural ice cream remains it's heart and soul. Each year at the town's major fund raiser, the River Ramble, Brendan's donates the coveted "Golden Cone," giving the highest bidder an ice cream cone a day for life! To date there are 30 "Golden Cones" in existence.

(Recommended by Gwen Alexis of our Darien office)

Van Leeuwen

48 1/2 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003

The Classic Michel Cluizel chocolate ice cream is to die for! Homemade dark chocolate fudge and chunks of homemade gooey chocolate chip brownies is such a rich treat, no other chocolate ice cream compares! The vegan ice cream in coffee flavor is a winner too! You will be in heaven on earth!” – Roni Pall of our Cobble Hill office

(Recommended by Fern Hammond of our Park Avenue office and Roni Pall of our Cobble Hill office)

Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain

513 Henry St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

“They serve Adirondack Creamery ice cream which is the purest you can get. It was converted from an actual pharmacy and now is set as an old fashioned “soda shoppe.” They have live music and amazing food too.” – Anna Shagalov of our Village office

“This place looks like you walked back in time and the sundaes are unique.” – Marta Quinones

Bischoff's Confectionary

468 Cedar Ln, Teaneck, NJ 07666

The best ice cream in NJ, and in Sabina L. Feiler-Fluger’s opinion, the entire country, is at Bischoff's Confectionary in Teaneck, NJ. Going to Bischoff's was like winning the lottery when she was a kid. “We would select a flavor and sometimes sit at the bar, or at the booths in the back and the ice cream was always served in old school, metal dishes on top of a small white ceramic plate. They still do that today,” explains Sabina. This place is legendary and exactly what you would imagine a traditional ice cream parlor to look like. It opened in 1934, has been family run through generations. It still maintains relics of a 1950's style parlor with wood paneling, an antique mirror with the logo etched on it, two sides to the shop- one with ice cream in a multitude of flavors scooped out of antique metal freezers, and the other side sells candy- chocolates, hard candy, gummies, even toys. “They have the BEST coffee chip ice cream, and all sorts of flavors- basic and unique, even weekly specials,” says Sabina. They have been written up in many publications as one of the top places to go in NJ for ice cream.

(Recommended by Sabina L. Feiler-Fluger of our Hoboken office)

Serendipity 3

225 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022

Divinely decadent and devilishly delectable, Frozen Hot Chocolate is the signature item at Serendipity! In addition, you can find the most outrageous sundaes, milkshakes, cakes, pies, and cookies to satisfy any sweet tooth. “You can’t beat the drugstore sundae at serendipity,” says agent Zoraida Morales.

(Recommended by Zoraida Morales of our Park Avenue office)

Uncle Louie G

157 Prospect Park SW, Brooklyn, NY 11218

From stick ball on the street to sitting on the stoop, out of all the memories, the one treat that made summer what it was, in all its sweet goodness was Italian Ices. Uncle Louie G’s has been a staple in Brooklyn and continues to provide that old-fashioned feeling when you enter. It’s just a great spot on the stroll along the park in Brooklyn.

(Victoria Vinokur of our Park Avenue office)

Dolce Brooklyn

305 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Dolce Brooklyn gelato starts with all natural, award winning milk from the Hudson Valley and only the finest ingredients are added to create our gelato & sorbetto (vegan). Each flavor is made on premise in small batches to ensure freshness. Chef Kristina sources many of the fresh fruits and vegetables from the local farmer's market and other top ingredients from specialty markets. Agent Gerard Splendore recommends the chocolate bourbon gelato!

(Recommended by Gerard Splendore of our Brooklyn Heights office)

L’Albero Dei Gelati

341 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

“They have some of the best gelato that I've eaten outside of Italy. In fact, I like the consistency of the gelato here just a little bit better because it doesn't melt quite as fast.” - Joanna Mayfield Marks

(Recommended by Joanna Mayfield Marks of our Cobble Hill office)

#ice cream #halstead #spotlight series #real estate #NYC #NY #NJ #CT #Ny Metro Area

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betabites · 7 years ago

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Dragons of Tiamat 3: Dooms & Trifles

Doom of Fire From what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire. Benefit: This ability is always on. You deal +30 damage with all fire attacks. You deal triple damage on a critical hit. Drawback: You take double damage from fire, and criticals against you deal triple damage (or have their multiplier increased by 1).

Doom of Ice But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that, for destruction, ice is also great and would suffice. Benefit: If you hit a target with at least two attacks, you can freeze the target in place. It cannot move (including via teleportation), and its AC is reduced by 10. The effect lasts until the end of your next turn. Drawback: If you freeze a target, you are also frozen.

Doom of Entropy Kids! Bringing about Armageddon can be dangerous. Do not attempt in your own home. Benefit: You can activate this ability as a free action during your turn. Once active, the effect persists until the end of the encounter. All combatants take 50 irresistable damage at the start of the round.

Doom of Rage Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Benefit: You can choose to deploy the Escalation Die. It starts at 2, and increases by 2 every round on your turn. The Escalation Die value is added to all attack rolls, damage rolls, and DCs. Drawback: The Escalation Die applies to all combatants, not just allies.

Doom of Spite Do not go gentle into that good night. Benefit: When an opponent damages you, they take damage equal to the damage they dealt to you. Choose whether you are going to use this ability when damaged. If you activate this ability, it functions for the rest of the encounter. Drawback: When you damage an opponent, you take half the damage you deal (per instance of damage, not per opponent).

Doom of Slaughter An axe age, a sword age - shields are riven - a wind age, a wolf age - before the world plunges down. Benefit: If you reduce a creature to -50 hit points, you heal 25 hit points.

Doom of Sloth Somewhere in her mother's pantry, Laurel suspected, was a box of tea that said, "In case of Armageddon, steep three to five minutes." Benefit: If you make no attacks and prompt no saving throws or skill checks on your turn, you receive 2 rerolls that can be spent on any check. These rerolls vanish if not spent before the end of the encounter.

Doom of Knowledge There Malice Striker sucked corpses of the dead,: the wolf tore men. Do you still seek to know? Benefit: You can ask the DM any question about an enemy - current and total HPs, resistances & immunities, what their actions will be next turn (given current crcumstances), etc. Drawback: You take 25 irresistable damage per question.

Doom of Pride Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon. Benefit: You automatically succeed at any one roll, or can maximize any variable effect (such as damage). Drawback: Using an automatic success deals 25 irresistable damage to you. Maximizing an effect deals 50 irresistable damage to you.

Doom of Venom Nine paces fares the son of Kord,/ And, slain by the serpent, fearless he sinks. Benefit: This ability is always on. All your attacks inflict a poison counter. You may call in poison counters to deal extra damage. This damage is poison that ignores any resistances or immunities the foe may have. 1 poison counter -> 5 damage. 3 poison counters -> 25 damage. 5 poison counters -> 50 damage. 13 poison counters -> 250 damage. Drawback: You take double damage.

Trifle - Saved Some Bandits ...front row seats to the apocalypse. Benefit: You have an alternate primary attack action: Soulstones of Lex, Vic & Minny +30/+30/+30 ranged touch (5d6+5) (range: 500ft) As a move action, you can permanently sacrifice one soulstone (and ray attack) to heal 50 hit points, or remove 5 counters.

Trifle - Figurine of Wondrous Power: Obsidian Butterflies Fly, my pretties! Fly! Benefit: You have an alternate breath weapon. It is a 50ft cone of razorwinged obsidian butterflies, dealing 25d6+85 slashing damage. The butterflies remain until they are slain. You may direct their movement as a free action, once per round. You can use this breath weapon once per encounter, in addition to your regular breath weapon. Dragon Rage cannot give you extra uses of this breath weapon.

Swarm of Obsidian Butterflies AC 40; HP 100; Ref +20 (evasion); Immune fire; swarm immunities Speed fly 40ft (perfect); Size 15ft x 15ft; targets starting their turn inside the swarm take 20 slashing damage. All attacks against targets within the swarm deal +10 damage.

Trifle - Last Gasp of A Paladin Talk about creepy ways to remember your exes... Benefit: You have a flask containing Alex's last breath of defiance. You can imbibe it to heal 200 hit points or remove all hostile counters. If you drink it, you take double damage from all sources.

Trifle - The Last Library Knowledge is power. Guard it well. Benefit: You have a portable hole containing an extensive, well-indexed library. It gives you a +10 bonus on all Knowledge checks and lets you exceed 10 on untrained checks. There is also a decent amount of storage space, most of which is filled with unindexed books.

Trifle - Hoardgullet You just feel safer with it on the inside. Benefit: You have your complete hoard with you, safe inside a semi-extradimensional pocket in your stomach. It is valued at 1,000,000gp, more or less. It is very pretty, but not particularly useful in dangerous situations.

Trifle - Heart of the Warpstar I say we take off and astral-nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure. Benefit: Once, in place of your normal damage, roll all dice currently on the table, and total them. Deal that much damage.

Trifle - Mucous of the Newborn Dead God Ewwwwww. Benefit: You have a glob of the most powerful psi-active mucous the world have ever seen or ever will see. It is laden with unspent potential, unfulfilled divinity, and paradox. I'm sure you can think of uses.

Trifle - Touched by an Angle That which is not dead can eternal lie, and with strange aeons, even math may die. Benefit: Roll three twenty-sided dice. Arrange them into a die code (xdy+z). Three times, you can use that die code instead of whatever you are supposed to roll. Example - If you rolled a 3, a 17 and a 13, you could make the die codes 17d3+13, 13d17+3, 3d13+17, etc). I recommend a digital dice roller.

Trifle - Lacrimosa of the Lich Queen How do you even get tears from a lich? Epic level onions? Benefit: You can drink this poition as a move action. It gives you 150 temporary hit points. These hit points are lost first, but do not fade with time.

Trifle - Trifle I'm just here for the wordplay, don't mind me. Benefit: You have a bag of holding type IV full of trifles - trifle cake, served on trifle pewter. You have enough to share with literally everyone still alive - which, admittedly, isn't a lot of people - but it's still a lot of trifle.

Trifle - Last of the Kamikaze Kobolds Who could hate something so adorable and pyromaniacal?...Okay, the giggling can get annoying. Benefit: The last kamikaze kobold has strapped itself to your snout, and chucks explosives at anyone you bite. Increase your bite damage by 5d6 fire.

Trifle - Ate A Very Alarming Portal In retrospect, WHY WOULD YOU EAT THAT? Benefit: You have an alternate breath weapon, a 50ft cone of writhing green worms that dazes and entangles all within the area for 1d4+1 rounds (Reflex DC 34 to negate the daze). You can use this breath weapon once per encounter, in addition to your regular breath weapon. Choose whether Dragon Rage gives you an extra use of this breath weapon or your standard breath weapon.

Trifle - Burned Down Sigil And Dis, and the City of Greyhawk, and Waterdeep, and Evermeet, and Istar, and Barovia, and most of the City of Brass. Benefit: Whenever you deal fire damage (by any means), increase the damage dealt by +25.

#Dragons of Tiamat #D&D 3.5 #Dungeons & Dragons

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ravenclawlitza · 7 years ago

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❛ epiphany akta’iados, the raven queen’s tiefling warlock

original character for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fifth edition

STR 10 / +0 / +0 • DEX 12 / +1 / +1 • CON 12 / +1 / +1 INT 13 / +1 / +1 • WIS 10 / +0 / +2* • CHA 17 / +3 / +5*

HP: 21 • AC: 11 / 14 • LEVEL: 3 • HIT DICE: 3d8 PROFICIENCY: +2 • SPEED: 30ft • SIZE: medium DARKVISION: 60 ft • LANGUAGES: common, infernal, gnomish

skills:

STR: +0 athletics

DEX: +1 acrobatics • +1 sleight of hand • +1 stealth

INT: +1 arcana • +1 history • +3 investigation* • +1 nature • +1 religion

WIS: +0 animal handling • +2 insight* • +0 medicine • +0 perception • +0 survival

CHA: +5 deception* • +3 intimidation • +3 performance • +5 persuasion*

tiefling traits:

DARKVISION: you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. you can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.

HELLISH RESISTANCE: you have resistance to fire damage.

INFERNAL LEGACY: you know the thaumaturgy cantrip. when you reach third level, you can cast hellish rebuke as a second level spell once per day, and when you you reach fifth level, you can cast darkness once per day, using charisma as your spellcasting modifier.

warlock abilities:

SENTINEL RAVEN: you gain the service of a spirit sent by the raven queen to watch over you. the spirit assumes the form and statistics of a raven, and it always obeys your commands, which you can give telepathically while it is within 100 feet of you. while the raven is perched on your shoulder, you gain a bonus to your passive perception and to perception checks equal to your charisma modifier. while perched on your shoulder, the raven can't be targeted by any attack or other harmful effect, only you can cast spells on it, it can't take damage, and it is considered incapacitated. you can see through the raven's eyes and hear what it hears while it is within 100 feet of you. in combat, you roll initiative for the raven and control how it acts. if it is slain by a creature, you gain advantage on all attack rolls against the killer for the next 24 hours. it doesn't require sleep and can awaken you from a sleep as a bonus action if it is within 100 feet of you. the raven vanishes when it dies, if you die, or if the two of you are separated by more than five miles. at the end of a short or long rest, you can call the raven back to you, no matter where it is or whether it died, and it reappears within five feet of you.

PACT OF THE TOME: your patron gives you a grimoire called a book of shadows. choose three cantrips from any class’s spell list. while the book is on your person, you can cast those cantrips at will. they don’t count against your number of cantrips known, and they are warlock spells for you. if you lose your book of shadows, you can perform a one hour ceremony to receive a replacement from your patron. this ceremony can be performed during a short or long rest, and it destroys the previous book. the book turns to ash when you die.

eldritch invocations:

ARMOR OF SHADOWS: you can cast mage armor on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.

RAVEN QUEEN'S BLESSING: when you score a critical hit with eldritch blast, pick yourself or an ally you can see within 30 feet. the chosen creature can immediately expend a hit die to regain hit points equal to the roll plus their constitution modifier, minimum 1 hit point.

spellcasting:

SPELLS: you know 2 cantrips and 4 spells, and have 2 second level spell slots.

RAVEN QUEEN SPELLS: you gain access to false life and sanctuary at first level, silence and spiritual weapon at second level, feign death and speak with dead at third level, ice storm and locate creature at fourth level, and commune and cone of cold at fifth level.

SPELL SAVE DC: 13

SPELL ATTACK MODIFIER: +5

cantrips:

ELDRITCH BLAST: one action, verbal / somatic, 120 foot range, instantaneous. make a ranged spell attack, +5 to hit for 1d10 force damage.

MAGE ARMOR: one action, verbal / somatic, touch, eight hour duration. a willing creature who isn’t wearing armor gains an ac of 13 plus its dexterity modifier.

MAGE HAND: one action, verbal / somatic, 30 foot range, one minute duration. a spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range, vanishing if it is every more than 30 feet away from you. you can use your action to control the hand, using it to manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open container, or pour out the contents of a vial. you can move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it. the hand can’t attack, activate magic items, or carry more than 10 pounds.

MENDING: one minute, verbal / somatic / two lodestones and your tome of shadows, touch, instantaneous. you can repair a single break or tear no larger than one foot in any dimension in an object you touch, leaving no trace of the former damage. you can physically repair a magic item or construct but can’t restore magic to it.

RESISTANCE: one action, verbal / somatic / a miniature cloak and your tome of shadows, touch, concentration up to one minute. once before the spell ends, a willing target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one saving throw of its choice, choosing to roll before or after making the saving throw.

SPARE THE DYING: one action, verbal / somatic / your tome of shadows, touch, instantaneous. you touch a living creature that has 0 hit points and cause it to become stable.

THAUMATURGY: one action, verbal, 30 foot range, up to one minute duration. you manifest a minor supernatural wonder, such as causing your voice to boom up to three times louder, cause flames to dance or change color or brightness, cause harmless tremors in the ground, create an instantaneous sound like thunder or raven caws, cause an unlocked door or window to fly pen or slam shut, or alter the appearance of your eyes. you can have up to three effects active at one time, and can dismiss an effect as an action.

spells:

ARMOR OF AGATHYS: one action, verbal / somatic / a cup of water, self, one hour duration. you gain 10 temporary hit points and deal 10 cold damage to any creature that hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points.

FALSE LIFE: one action, verbal / somatic / a small amount of alcohol of distilled spirits, self, one hour duration. you bolster yourself with a facsimile of life, gaining 1d4+9 temporary hit points for the duration.

HELLISH REBUKE: one reaction when you’re damage by a creature in range that you can see, verbal / somatic, 60 foot range, instantaneous. the targeted creature must make a dexterity saving throw vs 13, taking 3d10 fire damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one. you can cast this spell once per long rest, and don’t expend a spell slot to do so.

INVISIBILITY: one action, verbal / somatic / an eyelash encased in gum arabic, touch, concentration up to one hour. target creature becomes invisible until the spell ends along with anything the target is wearing or carrying. the spell ends for a target that attacks or casts a spell.

MIRROR IMAGE: one action, verbal / somatic, self, one minute duration. three illusory duplicates of yourself appear in your space. until the spell ends, the duplicates move with you and mimic your actions, shifting positions so it’s impossible to track which image is real. you can use your action to dismiss the illusory duplicates. each time a creature targets you with an attack during the spell’s duration, roll a d20 to determine whether the attack instead targets one of your duplicates. if you have three duplicates, you must roll a 6 or higher to change the attack’s target to a duplicate. with two duplicates, you must roll an 8 or higher, and with one duplicate you must roll an 11 or higher. a duplicate’s ac equals 10 plus your dexterity modifier, and the duplicate is destroyed if it is hit with an attack. it ignores all other damage and effects. a creature is unaffected by this spell if it can’t see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as with truesight.

weapons:

ELDRITCH BLAST: +5 to attack, 1d10 force, 1 hd healing on a crit

3 DAGGERS: +3 to attack, 1d4+1 piercing, light, finesse, thrown 20/60

TRIDENT: +0 to attack, 1d6 piercing, 1d8 versatile, thrown 20/60

equipment:

CLOTHING: traveler’s clothes, belt pouch with 3 gold

BACKPACK: backpack, bedroll, mess kit, tinderbox, 10 torches, 10 days rations, waterskin, a book of lore, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, 10 sheets of parchment, a little bag of sand, a small knife, a component pouch, calligrapher’s supplies*, letter of recommendation from a scribe’s guild, 50 feet hempen rope

background:

SCRIBE: your guild is a loose network of artisans working in different villages within a larger realm. you must pay 5 gold in guild dues per months to remain in their good graces and take advantage of guild membership.

PERSONALITY: she is demure, perfectionistic, romantic, and wary of trouble.

IDEAL: she believes people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and believes there is no point in being something she is not. ( neutral good )

BOND: she dreams of one day finding her old family, or making a new family of her own.

FLAW: she secretly believes she is a cut above the common folk.

#epiphany #d&d character #warlock #the raven queen #pact of the tome

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dontshootmespence · 7 years ago

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Becoming Real: First One Up

In this installment of Becoming Real, Diana goes on her first date with Hank two days after Christmas. @coveofmemories @the-slytherin-ice-queen @cosmicjennifer @mxolh @ultrarebelheart @remember-me-forever-silent-angel @tinyplanet-explorers @burnbrightdoll

-----

“I’m a little nervous,” Spencer said to his husband that morning.

Luke pulled Spencer into his chest, confused as to what he was referring to. “About what?”

“Diana’s date with Hank,” he said truthfully. He knew that Morgan, and by extension his son, didn’t have a malicious bone in their bodies; they didn’t seek out to hurt people, but in their days at the Bureau together, Spencer had sent quite a few women away that Morgan had dated and dumped fairly quickly.

Hank was a good kid. Morgan and Savannah had raised him well, but he was 18, just starting college, and wanting to get out into the world. “I don’t think Hank would do anything purposefully to hurt her, but I can’t help that he’s a lot like his father was at that age. I mean Morgan even told me himself that he was a serious player in college. If Hank hurts our baby, I’m gonna...” He trailed off. He didn’t know what he was gonna. But if Hank hurt Diana, Spencer was gonna lose his shit.

As they got up from bed, Luke came around to give Spencer a hug. “I know. But we can’t be there at all times. She and they have to make their own mistakes. If you want, we can playfully threaten him when he comes to pick her up.”

“Okay,” he said, putting his head in his hands. “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

“Me either, babe,” he said, “But we can’t predict the future.”

The doo-weee-ooo of Doctor Who rang through his head, and he pulled away pouting. “I could if I was The Doctor. I could take my magic Tardis and warn her.”

Luke pulled him in and kissed his forehead. “You’re a dork.”

“Your dork.”

-----

At 5 pm sharp, Hank showed up at the door. He wouldn’t tell Diana where they were going, but had told her to dress comfortably and make sure she wore really comfortable sneakers. “Hey Hank,” she said, standing on her tiptoes and giving him a hug. “You gonna tell me where we’re going now?”

“Not a chance,” he laughed, flashing her his brilliant smile.

Spencer and Luke made there way outside, not so conspicuously acting like they’d just wandered outside. Diana reminded herself to tell them that although they made be great profilers, they were not slick at all. “Hey Uncle Spencer,” Hank said, giving his uncle a hug. “Hey Luke.”

“Hey, kiddo,” Spencer replied. “Be careful with her. You may be my namesake, but if you hurt my daughter I’ll have to kill you.”

Hank snorted as he playfully punched him in the shoulder. “Wouldn’t think anything of it,” he said genuinely. “I have a feeling she’d kill me first.”

“Damn straight,” she laughed. Before leaving, she gave both of her dads a hug and then they headed out the door.

Fifteen minutes later, they ended up at some place Diana didn’t recognize. When they went through the building and out back however, she saw a giant set of walls with things jutting out at random sizes and angles. “Rock climbing?!” she said excitedly. “I’ve never been before.”

“Now, I am a traditional man too, so we’re gonna do dinner afterwards, but I figured this would be a different first date.” Hank seemed pretty proud of himself.

They walked over to sign up and get gear. Hank had been to a similar place in Chicago many times before, having had most of his birthdays there. Diana was nervously excited, but by the time they were suited up and ready to go, she was just nervous. “You know, I’d like to think of myself as a badass, but now that I know we’re gonna be that high up, I think I want to pee my pants.”

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “Take a deep breath. Don’t look down, and if you feel the need to look somewhere while we’re up there, look at me.” Hank put his feet in the first couple of footholds and grabbed on, but he waited for Diana to compose herself and join him. “Ready?”

“Yea,” she said, looking up toward the ceiling. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Slowly, very slowly, but surely, Diana made her way up. About halfway, she was convinced she wasn’t going to be able to move in either direction and she’d have to die up there, but Hank talked her through it and she made it to the top. “Oh my god. How do I get down now?”

Hank got her attention and she looked to the side, watching as he slowly lowered himself with the use of a mechanism. Diana followed his lead, but took about half the time getting down as she had getting up. “That was so cool!” she said, pumping her hands up in the air. “Can we do it again? I think I can do it faster this time. Now that I know what to do and am fairly convinced I won’t die.”

“How about we see if you can get up in under five minutes?” he asked.

“What do I get if I win?” Diana replied.

Hank thought about it for a moment before responding. “There is an ice cream place down the street from the restaurant we’re going to, so if you get up there in under five minutes, I’ll buy the ice cream in addition to dinner, and if you take more than five minutes, you buy the ice cream.”

“You’re so on, Morgan,” she said. “Ready...set...go!” This time she was much more sure of her footing and got about halfway up the wall unless than two minutes. Hank was ahead of her, but that wasn’t the deal, plus his limbs were longer. Automatic cheat. For a moment, she made the mistake of looking down and stopped dead in her tracks, but she closed her eyes, took two deep breaths and continued all the way up. “Time! Who’s paying for ice cream?”

Hank had stopped the stopwatch on his phone. “It looks like....I am. Four minutes and 38 seconds.”

“Woo!” Diana screamed, lowering herself down with ease this time. By the time the second run was over, they were both hungry, their stomachs growling louder than a hungry bear.

On their way to the restaurant, the two spoke about college, how they liked high school, their families, how the twins were doing in school. Everything was covered, and even more extensively as the night wore on. They stole each other’s food and by the time the bill came, both were nearly stuffed. “Do we have enough room for ice cream?”

“Well, you’re buying, so of course I do,” Diana laughed. “Ice cream falls between the cracks of all the other food.” Down the block, they both placed their orders. Hank got hard ice cream while Diana got soft serve. Towards the end of the cone, she just couldn’t help herself anymore and shoved the ice cream into his face.

“Your loss, Di,” he said, biting into her ice cream. “Now more for me!” He bit nearly half the cone off and then it dropped on the floor, so she ran after him and made him give her half of his ice cream.

He may have destroyed her ice cream, but all in all, it was a great night. Would Michael be able to beat this?

#otp: it's all good #spencer reid x luke alvez #spencer reid #luke alvez #reidvez #ralvez #dontshootmespence #becoming real

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blushedaesthetic · 7 years ago

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Hey my friend pls do them all!!! Love u

Thank u!! Love u too! This is gonna be so long omg. Here we go.

1: 6 of the songs you listen to most? from the dinning table - harry styles, old school - urban cone, feel it still - portugal. the man, gyalchester - drake, violet - hippo campus, avoiding glances - the manatees2: If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? - harry styles or josh dun3: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17. - “The night grew ever colder, Aragorn and Gimli slept fit-”4: What do you think about most? - money and sex 5: What does your latest text message from someone else say? - uhhh it’s too personal but it’s from monet 6: Do you sleep with or without clothes on? - without 7: What’s your strangest talent? - I have none 8: Girls are beautiful and i love them ; Boys are also beautiful but not 4 me 9: Ever had a poem or song written about you? - no10: When is the last time you played the air guitar? - uhhh yesterday 11: Do you have any strange phobias? - holes lol12: Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose? - yeah to make my nephew laugh13: What’s your religion? - agnostic 14: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing? - walking around or just laying in the grass 15: Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it? - depends 16: Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band? - 1d and top17: What was the last lie you told? - I don’t remember tbh18: Do you believe in karma? - yes19: What does your URL mean? - blushed pink is my aesthetic 20: What is your greatest weakness - I can be really manipulative and fake and selfish; your greatest strength - when i care about someone i’ll do whatever i can for them21: Who is your celebrity crush? - harry styles and emma watson22: Have you ever gone skinny dipping? - yes23: How do you vent your anger? - isolate myself or hit stuff 24: Do you have a collection of anything? - makeup and tiny things 25: Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online? - phone26: Are you happy with the person you’ve become? - eh27: What’s a sound you hate - forks scratching plates; sound you love - harry’s voice and monets giggle 28: What’s your biggest “what if”? - what if I had stayed 10 minutes longer after my second top show and got to meet josh dun 29: Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens? - yes to both30: Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? - lamp Do the same with your left arm. - coffee table 31: Smell the air. What do you smell? -raspberry vinaigrette 32: What’s the worst place you have ever been to? - funerals and hospitals 33: Choose: East Coast or West Coast? - east coast 34: Most attractive singer of your opposite gender? - harry styles or taehyung 35: To you, what is the meaning of life? - beats me; live fast die young lol36: Define Art. - anything that impacts you emotionally 37: Do you believe in luck? - eh38: What’s the weather like right now? - warm and calm39: What time is it? - 2:25 am40: Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed? - yes and no41: What was the last book you read? - me before you42: Do you like the smell of gasoline? - yesss43: Do you have any nicknames? - no44: What was the last film you saw? - keith lol45: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had? - busted jaw, cuts, and road rash when I wrecked my four wheeler 46: Have you ever caught a butterfly? - yea47: Do you have any obsessions right now? - naruto48: What’s your sexual orientation? - gay as fuck 49: Ever had a rumour spread about you? - yes 50: Do you believe in magic? - no :(51: Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong? - yes but i hide it cause in fake 52: What is your astrological sign? - libra 53: Do you save money or spend it? - spend it even when i don’t have it 54: What’s the last thing you purchased? - chicken strip basket from dairy queen55: Love or lust? - love56: In a relationship? - yes!57: How many relationships have you had? - just one 58: Can you touch your nose with your tongue? - no59: Where were you yesterday? - camping with monet60: Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? - monets shirt 61: Are you wearing socks right now? - no62: What’s your favourite animal? - polar bear or pugs63: What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you? - um I’m just nice??64: Where is your best friend? - at home 65: Give me your top 5 favourite blogs on Tumblr. - samraclaus, noshmonet, all my friends 66: What is your heritage? - scottish, irish, english, and native american 67: What were you doing last night at 12AM? - talking to monet or I think68: What do you think is Satan’s last name? - trump69: Biggest turn ons? - smelling good, being funny, soft skin, and being a good kisser70: Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend? - I think so71: You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do? - ummm??? obviously the dog???? what kind of question is this????72: You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? wow um I probably wouldn’t tell anyone so they wouldn’t worry b) What do you do with your remaining days? - spend time with people I love and spend all the money in my savings on things for them c) Would you be afraid? - afraid of what happens after 73: You can only have one of these things; trust or love. - trust. I couldn’t love someone truly if I didn’t trust them so74: What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it? - pimp juice by nelly lol 75: What are the last four digits in your cell phone number? - 928676: In your opinion, what makes a great relationship? - trust, love, mutual respect and communication77: How can I win your heart? - don’t take yourself too seriously, be kind, and validate me 78: Can insanity bring on more creativity? - definitely 79: What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far? - choosing to surround myself with the people I love80: What size shoes do you wear? - 81/2 81: What would you want to be written on your tombstone? - the entire bee movie script 82: What is your favourite word? - fuck83: Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart. - ache (yikes)84: What is a saying you say a lot? - pain is weakness leaving the body 85: What’s the last song you listened to? - new york by urban cone86: Basic question; what’s your favourite colour/colours? - pastel pink87: What is your current desktop picture? - harry styles 88: If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be? - donald trump89: What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on? - anything regarding how I really feel 90: Turn offs? - bad breath, pretentious, rude to waiters, being a boy 91: You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power? - the power to turn anything I want into hundred dollar bills92: where are your parents from? - mom is from ny and dad is from indiana 93: You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? - when my mom left my dad for awhile when I was little or when my dad took too many pain pills and told me I was gonna go to hell 94: You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be? - amber liu95: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go? - somewhere with a beach96: Do you have any relatives in jail? - not currently but I’m not sure tbh. They go in and out lol97: Have you ever thrown up in the car? - yes after I saw 1d at otra I got sick in my dads truck98: Ever been on a plane? - nope99: If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say - being yourself is scary, especially in the world today, but be proud of who you are and always live to spread love not hate. Also fuck trump for leaving the paris accord you’re an idiot and a dick who’s gonna destroy the planet for money!!

#asks #long post

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artificialqueens · 8 years ago

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Read My Mind (Trixya) Chapter 2 - Candy For Children

A/N: Here’s chapter 2! I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I hope you enjoy it! I now have the skeleton of the next few chapters figured out so hopefully I should be updating regularly. Thank you to the person who pointed out my mistakes with the powers! I had just been going off the definitions on the AHS wiki. I will probably keep using the same terms I used in the first chapter for continuities sake, but I really to appreciate it. Happy reading!

Summary: Trixie is a clairvoyant witch, sent to study at Mrs. Charles’s Academy for Gifted Girls, where she meets another young witch named Katya, and sparks fly (no pun intended).

Katya yawned. She tried to pay attention to what Ms. Edwards was saying but instead she yawned again. She hadn’t slept well the night before, and was exhausted. She was sure that on any other day she would be interested in whatever mix of herbs they were putting together to make… what was it, an elixir of truth or something? Well whatever it was Katya was hard pressed to pay attention to it. All she could do was sit at her desk next to Alaska and doodle in her notebook.

She looked over to where Trixie was diligently taking notes. It was always adorable to see new girls so fascinated by it all when they first arrived. Katya had been like that. They all had. Well except maybe Violet. Violet was a nice girl, but she had a cold demeanor and little enthusiasm for anything that life threw her way. Not that anyone could blame her, life had thrown her some shit.

Katya smiled when Trixie sneezed after smelling one of the ingredients Ms. Edwards handed to her. She was cute. And definitely Katya’s type. Blond with blue eyes, large soft lips, and curves that made a girl feel dizzy to look at. All wrapped up in a big pink bow. And the two definitely had chemistry, there had been something there the night before in the other girls room. If Katya hadn’t been talking to Jamie again recently, she would have done more than flirt with the life sized barbie, she would have pursued her in earnest.

But as it was, she had been talking with Jamie again, and Katya had a feeling that this time things would work out.

“Alright girls, we’ll leave these to sit overnight, and in the morning we will try them out. You’re free for the day.” Ms. Edwards dismissed the class. Pearl and Violet were the first one’s out the door, Pearl talking animatedly and walking backwards in front of Violet, who had the whisper of a smile on her face. Next came Max, Fame, and Courtney, who walked in a clump whispering excitedly to each other. As they walked past Katya and Alaska’s table they looked at Katya and giggled.

She looked at Alaska in confusion, who just shrugged and left the room. “What the hell was that about?” Katya asked walking over to the the table where Kim and Trixie were cleaning up their mess.

“I wouldn’t worry about it, just gossip” Kim said looking quickly between Trixie and Katya.

That only served to confuse Katya more, “What gossip could they possibly have about me?” she asked.

“It’s Max.” Naomi said, walking over and resting against the table between Trixie and Kim, “She’s been telling everyone that when she shook hands with Trixie last night she saw the two of you bumping uglies.”

Trixie blushed and didn’t say anything, so Katya jumped in and saved them all mere seconds before an awkward silence, “Didn’t anyone ever tell Max that no one likes a peeping Tammy?”

“You know she can’t help it Kat” replied Naomi, twisting her long silky hair into a bun on the top of her head and sticking one of Kim’s pencils in it to keep it secure.

“Um,” Trixie said finally speaking up, “I’m not a lesbian though?”

Naomi laughed, “Not even a spaghetti lesbian? Straight until hot and wet?”

“Ugh” Katya rolled her eyes, “I hate that term, that’s just called being bisexual.”

“Don’t worry Trixie,” Kim said, “She’s probably just exaggerating what she saw. She’s been known to do that. She’s super sweet, but she’s a little dramatic. She got her accent from living in Newcastle for a year when she was 12.”

Trixie shook her head and laughed, “I’m not worried. Just, confused is all.”

The room was quiet again, except for the sound of Adore’s heavy boots against the hardwood floors as she left.

“Anyway” Naomi said smiling and resting her head in her hands coyly, “I have a tinder date in an hour, and I would love it if my best friend and make up god Kim would help me get ready?” She began to bat her eyelashes comically and Kim rolled her eyes.

“I’ll see what I can do.” she laughed, and turned to Trixie, “I’ll see you at dinner!” They hugged and then she and naomi left the classroom.

Katya watched them leave and then whipped back around to look at Trixie grinning manically, “So we still on to hang out?”

“Of course!” Trixie smiled, “Let me take this stuff to my room and then we can do whatever.”

She began walking and Katya followed after her.

“I can just pop it over there for you.” Katya smiled and reached out for Trixie’s notebook making grabby hands at it.

Trixie laughed, “No thank you. I’ve decided that I’m making my room an official ‘no transmutation’ zone. I don’t even like jump scares in movies, I don’t need them in real life.”

Katya shook her head and tutted her tongue, “Whatever you say Tracy. Your loss.”

The two girls began to walk toward Trixie’s room making chit chat along the way.

Thirty minutes later as they were walking out of the front door and into the bright sunlight Trixie asked, “So what do two magically inclined girls do for fun in this town?” Things had taken a little longer than expected, because once the girl had gotten to her room she decided to freshen up her makeup and change into some clothes that were more appropriate for the weather.

Katya grinned and put on her large tortoiseshell sunglasses “I have a few ideas!”

Katya’s idea had been for them to go see a movie at the small independent theater in town. It was a cute place with no more than thirty seats and old fashioned looking bags to serve the popcorn in. The theater had been playing one of Katya’s favorite movies: “To Wong Foo: Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar” and she had been wanting to go for a while, so this had worked out perfectly. The girls had gotten there early and were basically alone in the theater so they talked until the movie started. They shared their favorite movies (Katya’s was ‘Contact’, of course, and Trixie’s was ‘When Harry met Sally’), and other little things about themselves.

“I think in a past life I was a drag queen.” Katya said smiling as they walked out of the theater. She had always liked the moment you stepped back into the real world after a movie, it made her head spin in a delicious little way that she could appreciate.

“Same!” Trixie smiled and crumpled up her empty popcorn bag.

“Oh honey, with that make up? You’re a drag queen in this life.” Katya cackled and then dodged when Trixie tried to hit her with the balled up bag. When the Barbie began to chase her Katya ran away but was quickly caught and her side was attacked mercilessly..

“Дядя!” Katya shrieked, “дядя!”

“What?” Trixie asked, and kept tickling the other girl.

“Uncle!” Katya yelled, gasping for breath through giggles.

“Oh!” She said, and stopped and took a step back. Katya doubled over onto the ground in an exaggerated coughing fit, and then slumped backwards putting her arm over her forehead and spoke in one of her favorite voices “Go on without me Barbra. The devil has come to take me away from this place.”

“Shut up.” Trixie laughed, pulling her up to her feet, and then to an ice cream shop a few yards away.

Later, after Katya had dragged them out of ice cream shop, the two girls were walking alongside the train tracks eating their ice cream. Katya’s was peanut butter chocolate in a cup, and Trixie was eating bubblegum in a cone (Katya got the feeling that Trixie had mainly gotten the flavor to go along with her aesthetic, because every time the other girl licked her ice cream she wrinkled her nose a little bit at the flavor). Katya took bites out of her’s with the sample spoon giddily, ignoring the regular spoon resting along side her ice cream in the cardboard cup.

“So did you speak russian back there?” Trixie asked suddenly. They had been walking in companionable silence for the past few minutes. Katya had been surprised at how quickly and easily they had become comfortable with each other. Usually people weren’t really sure what to think about her when they first met her, but Trixie seemed to get her almost immediately.

“Yeah!” Katya smiled, “My family is russian. My grandmother moved here when she was 25, 8 months pregnant and not speaking a word of english. She raised me and my younger sister when my mom died. She wouldn’t have been able to live with herself if we couldn’t speak the mother tongue.” Katya smiled when she thought about her babushka. Then she frowned, “She passed away a few months ago.”

“I’m so sorry.” Trixie said, and, to Katya’s surprise, took her hand, stroking her thumb up and down the back of it comfortingly. She squeezed back, enjoying the way their hands fit together.

“Don’t be,” Katya laughed a little, “she was a tough bitch, she always said she wouldn’t die until she was damn good and ready. So she must have been ready. But-” Katya stopped herself.

“But?” Trixie asked.

Katya sighed, their first time hanging out and she was about to air all her dirty laundry, super smooth.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Trixie added quickly, “I didn’t mean to pry.”

“No no, you didn’t. It’s just- Now that my grandma is gone, my little sister has to go live with our Aunt. I keep getting these letters, not emails, letters, because my aunt won’t let her near a computer. It’s just her telling how bad it is, about how mean our uncle is, how much she hates it. I feel like I’ve abandoned her.”

“I’m so sorry Katya.” Trixie said, her eyebrows knitted up in concern.

“It’s fine.” Katya said a little louder than she intended, pulling her hand out of Trixie’s to wipe at her face, she hadn’t cried, but she needed to do something to dispel the energy that had been created by their conversation. “I’ve been working at the pawn shop to try and save up money for a plane ticket for her out here. That’s why I was late yesterday, no one knows I’m working there except Alaska. She won’t be able to stay at the academy until she starts manifesting her powers, but that shouldn’t be too long now. I can get another job and help her to pay for a small place until she does.”

There was silence and Trixie stopped walking.

“What?” Katya asked looking at the other girl.

Trixie was staring at her, kind eyes crinkled in a soft smile, “Nothing, you’re just a really good sister. A good person. I wish I’d had someone like you back in Milwaukee”

“Want to talk about it?” Katya asked, not sure if it was the right thing to do. It was the least she could do though, after Trixie had listened to her sob story.

Trixie smiled, but it didn’t really meet her eyes, “Eh, there’s not much to talk about. My step dad didn’t like me, and had super fun ways of showing it, and my mom didn’t really care.” She kicked a pebble with one of her white pumps and then turned to look Katya in the eyes, her big blue eyes filled with emotion, “I was worried about coming here you know. But I think it’s gonna be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She smiled.

Katya smiled back and then cocked her head to the side, “This is very ‘Stand By Me.’”

“How so?” Trixie laughed, bringing the energy back to a lighter note.

“A couple of youths bearing their souls walking down a dusty train track.”

“I’m not sure I’d call us youths. I’m 20, and you’re so old you look about ready for the crypt, so-”

“You rotted whore!” Katya laughed. “Fine, this is very much like the movie Contact in that-”

Trixie cut her off with a loud exaggerated groan, “Katya I have known you less than two full days, and I have already had it up to here with you referencing that movie.” she moved her hand high above her head as she spoke.

“That’s just because you haven’t seen it.”

“Maybe so, maybe so, but I doubt it.”

They laughed and talked and walked a bit more. It was beginning to get dark when they got to a part of the track Katya was very familiar with. Off to the side was a train car that had fallen off the tracks a few years ago. Katya used to go there with Jamie when they were still together since she couldn’t bring her back to the academy.

“Who’s Jamie?” Trixie asked suddenly as they turned around and began walking home.

This caught Katya off guard, and it took her a second to realize that the other girl had heard her thinking.

“Can you not do that?” She asked, mostly joking.

Trixie frowned apologetically, “No, sorry.”

Katya sighed, “She’s my ex.” Trixie watched her as she picked up a rock with her mind and let it swing back in forth in front of her before letting it fall again. “We dated for a year. Got along like a house on fire. But I had secrets, and she didn’t like that. I couldn’t really tell her what goes on at the Academy, because that’s a major no no, but she thought I just didn’t trust her. It was pretty messy.”

“I’m sorry” Trixie said with a frown.

“Don’t be,” Katya smiled, “I ran into her recently, and we’ve been talking, I think things are going better this time. I really like her you know? And- You can’t tell anyone this alright?”

Trixie held out her pinky and smiled, “Promise.”

Katya cackled, but took her pinky in her own, “You’re a fucking child.”

“Whatever bitch!” Trixie screamed, “Spill unto me your deep dark demented secret.”

Katya laughed but acquiesced, “I showed her my powers.” At Trixie’s worried and surprised look Katya added, “That’s something I had never thought I’d do, but I really trust her Trix. I don’t believe in all that soul mate mumbo jumbo, but I think we’re right together, and I don’t think that happens often.”

Trixie smiled gently, “I won’t tell, I think that’s really sweet. Although I will say it’s a bit hypocritical of you to call anything mumbo jumbo when you regularly light things on fire with your mind, and scatter bones for good luck.”

Katya laughed, “Don’t knock it till you try it Barbie. You know what they say, ‘bones scattered, for a life that mattered, bones encased, and your life is a waste.”

Trixie stopped walking and looked at Katya a little stunned, “Did you just come up with that?”

“I did! I did!” Katya wheezed and flapped her hands around.

“I wish you hadn’t!” Trixie chuckled and shook her head and began walking again.

Katya screeched with laughter and Trixie soon joined in. The rest of their walk home was filled with laughter and playful insults.

–

To say that the day hadn’t gone how Trixie expected would be an understatement. She had expected some fun but slightly forced chit chat, get to know you small talk type stuff. Not tragic backstory time. She couldn’t say she was disappointed though. She liked Katya a lot, and was glad to have someone she could call a friend at the Academy. She had Kim of course, but that was different. She and Kim were in a sort of limbo between knowing each other and not knowing each other. A lot can change in 9 years, and neither of them were the same person they were when they were 11.

She smiled at something funny Katya said as they walked up to the large white academy building. It was somehow less intimidating now that she knew what it was like on the inside. As they stepped up to the gate, a taxi pulled up to the curb and a beautiful middle aged woman with white blond hair stepped out. As soon as Katya noticed her she stood up straighter, and stopped walking. Trixie followed suit, not really knowing why, but getting the feeling she was supposed to.

The woman was elegant, and poised. She wore her hair in a tight french twist, and had a rich mauve lipstick painted on her round lips. Her clothes fit tight to her body, but screamed sophistication, with their rich jewel tones. She held what was either a jacket or cape in one hand and a vintage louis vuitton suitcase in the other. She walked up to the two girls and put her suitcase down on the sidewalk. Smiling, she took off her sunglasses and turned her beautiful pale green eyes onto Katya.

“Miss Zamolodchikova.” The woman smiled.

Katya straightened up even more and smiled brightly, “Hello Ms. Michaels. How was Paris?”

“It was lovely thank you for asking, but I must admit I’m glad to be back.” She suddenly leaned down and picked up her suitcase again, “Now would you do me a favor and take this up to my room for me? I want to have a chat with our new sister.”

Trixie watched as Katya grinned, “Of course!” She took the suitcase from the woman and then turned to Trixie, “I had a lot of fun! I’ll see you at dinner?”

“I assume so!” Trixie laughed weakly, a little unsure of what was going on. Katya smiled, and then turned and walked through the gate and then the front door, leaving Trixie stranded with this highly intimidating woman.

Green eyes suddenly turned to her, “Miss Mattel do you know the last time we had a clairvoyant witch living at the academy?” She asked, and then began to walk through the gate. Trixie quickly followed after her.

“Um, no?”

“Nearly 20 years ago,” She replied as they stepped through the front door, and turned to enter an office that Trixie had noticed in passing, but had paid little mind to until this moment, “A short while before I took over as supreme.” At this point the witch walked around to a large mahogany desk that sat at the center of the room and took a seat, then gestured for Trixie to sit across from her.

The room was painted a crisp white, like the rest of the Academy was, but was smartly decorated in warm woods and leathers, and oil paintings of other sophisticated looking women. Featured most prominently, right behind the desk was a painting of a beautiful dark skinned woman, with tall blond hair. She was statuesque and graceful, and seemed to command power and respect, even in painting form. Beneath the painting was a small golden plaque that read, ‘Founder & Supreme: Rupaul Charles.’

“What I’m trying to say Miss Mattel” Ms. Michaels continued, “Is that the gift that you and I share, is not one that this academy sees often. And it’s one that I believe needs to be nurtured.”

Trixie tore her attention away from the portrait behind the desk, “You and I? You’re clairvoyant too?”

“I am. And during my time at the academy, I was the only girl to have that gift. No one taught me how to deal with it, or how to use it to my advantage. No one showed me how it made me special.”

Trixie nodded, still not entirely understanding, but feeling that what was happening was important.

“I want to teach you Trixie. I know how overwhelming the voices can be. I want to help you learn how to control your gift. To only hear them when you need to, or when you want to.”

Trixie’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t known there even was a way to control her clairvoyance. She had resigned herself to a life of indefinite din. She was overjoyed to know there was another way.

“Here’s what I’m proposing.” Ms. Michaels said, “Two times a week, for two hours before dinner you and I will meet in this office and work. We will meet until I believe that you don’t need to any more. In this room and in this room only I will call you Trixie, and you may call me Chad. For those four hours a week, we will be peers, and I will help you develop into the powerful witch I am sure you’re destined to become.”

‘Chad’ stuck her hand out and Trixie heard her voice silky voice in her head ask Deal?

Trixie smiled and took her hand in her own, Deal. She thought back.

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