#but when presented with all the info we as readers are responsible for the content we consume

[allylikethecat]

i saw you post about ao3 etiquette and i wanna say if anyone has been mean to ally i will fight you

Haha I have been very lucky that for the most part people have been so kind and lovely and wonderful and supportive! ❤️ I did have one experience with an anon (On AO3 and on Tumblr) that wasn't very nice over the summer, but I know their anger was coming from a place of their own personal hurt. While I was upset in the moment I have some very lovely mutuals who were so kind and supportive and encouraging. These days I hope that user is doing better and that they have been able to find their own inner peace. My mom always says that "hurt people, hurt people" and I just really hope they are doing well and wish I could have helped in some way.

BUT I don't think it's a bad idea to remember that we are all doing this for FREE and for FUN and if you come across a fic that you don't agree with, are triggered by, or that contains content you don't enjoy, it is your responsibility as a reader to hit the back button and remove yourself from that situation, especially when tags are used appropriately as well as additional, more detailed warnings in the author's note. Everyone has different life experiences and something that might be triggering and upsetting to one person, could be a way to heal and process for someone else. One person's trauma and life experience is not more valid or more "correct" than someone else's and personally I find it really important that we treat everyone and their experiences with respect. If I'm upset or bothered by something, or even just that I don't really like, I know that I personally will go "hm this fic must not be for me" and then go and find one that is.

And on that note! Thank you so much for the support 🥰 (No need to fight anyone though! We are all here to have a good time and my goal at least here on my blog is to cultivate the happy good vibes!) Thank you for sending in this ask! I'm so happy to hear that you're enjoying my fics and I hope you continue to do so! Happy Monday and have a great week!

❤️Ally

[putschki1969]

Let's address THAT blog

Many of you might have noticed a few blog posts being shared on social media relating to the most recent Kalafina reunion drama. I've had a lot of people send links to me asking for my opinion on the matter so I thought I'd briefly talk about the whole thing myself. For those who don't know, a few days ago, following the release of the Nikkan Sports article and the subsequent official announcements about the upcoming Kalafina Anniversary Live, a Livedoor blog popped up out of nowhere titled "FictionJunction & Kalafina Behind the Scenes". Currently, there are three main blog posts available discussing a variety of topics, namely

① The truth behind Kajiura Yuki's departure from the agency ② The truth behind Kalafina's split and hiatus ③ The activities of the members and Kajiura after Kalafina's hiatus ④ The circumstances that led to Kalafina's reunion and the truth behind Kajiura's anger ⑤ Rights related to Kalafina

The contents of ① and ② are discussed in the first blog post, the second blog post is focusing on the contents of ③ and ④, and the details of ⑤ are presented in the third blog post.

UPDATE: As of October 8, the blog seems to have been deleted so the above links no longer work. If you ask me, this is even more proof that the author cannot be trusted. Thankfully, there are internet archives so nothing has been lost. Archived Post 1 Archived Post 2 Archived Post 3

I am not planning to dissect every little detail of this very long essay but I would like to provide some important context that will surely put things into perspective for many readers. Without further ado, let's get to it〈(•ˇ‿ˇ•)-→

The person who runs the aforementioned blog is the same person behind the sketchy FJS YouTube Channel that uploaded the supposedly unreleased "sprinter" audio. I talked extensively about the matter in THIS as well as THIS post and together with some fellow fans, we were able to debunk that account's claim of authenticity. In an ASK from a couple of days ago, someone actually told me that they had seen weird statements in that account's YouTube Community referring to an extensive plan to summarise all the behind the scenes info of the Yuki Kajiura/Kalafina debacle. Looks like that plan has come to fruition in the past few days because we now have those three ultra-long blog posts floating around all across Twitter.

I'm gonna reiterate what I said in my response to the ASK above. This person is without a doubt a knowledgeable fan. I reckon that they are much more obsessed than a majority of fandom (including little old me) so they've surely memorised/internalised every word written or said on social media platforms, every pamphlet and FC bulletin interview, every tabloid news article, and every other notable statement that has ever been uttered by the involved parties. When it comes to information that has been shared publicly, I doubt there are many casual or even long-term fans who can claim to have such a thorough understanding of all the "facts" as this person does, especially considering that most of the relevant events have taken place over the course of several years. Thanks to the huge amounts of accumulated knowledge, this person is able to make a solid case for themselves, at face value, everything they write sounds legit and professional.

But here is the big issue. They are first and foremost an imposter aiming for attention and clout. How do I know this? Let me explain! Not only did they initially claim to be an "Official FJS" account on YouTube, they also pretended (and are still pretending) to have access to previously restricted content, such as live audio from Sony. None of those things are true of course. The "official" label was removed from the account name and handle rather quickly once people paid closer attention and started questioning the legitimacy of the account and everything it claimed to offer. As mentioned above, the seemingly exclusive "sprinter" recording turned out to be totally fake (although this person is still pretending it is legit).

With their brand new Livedoor blog, this person is going even further. They are claiming to be an "industry insider", someone who has "formerly been affiliated" with Yuki Kajiura and Kalafina. I call bullshit! Based on what we know from their YouTube activities, we have absolutely no reason to believe this person is telling the truth in this matter. That short, little intro in every single blog post is proof enough that everything that follows cannot and should not be taken too seriously. By starting out your essay with a phrase like "whether you believe it or not is up to you" you are basically diminishing the credibility of your work. The author is simply covering their back with the inclusion of this clause because they are very much aware that they are lying and masquerading as someone else. In this first paragraph, there is also talk of "nothing but facts" being included in the essay. Hardly! While I do actually believe that the basic framework is made up of "facts" that have been gathered through a lot of research referring mostly to primary sources (i.e. statements made by the involved people themselves via different media outlets), there is also a frighteningly heavy reliance on information that has only ever been published in tabloid articles so in my opinion, it is not fully trustworthy (particularly true for some of the things discussed in part ① of the essay relating to the management drama that caused YK's departure). Also, this person has the unfortunate tendency to embellish specific situations with their own little headcanons, resulting in an overly dramatic portrayal of things. This not only serves to victimise/infantalises certain involved parties (especially in the case of Keiko), it also leads to a subtle vilification of other involved parties (particularly affecting Wakana). Needless to say, this is not something I approve of because it only creates more confusion and drama among fans.

All right, this is pretty much the gist of the context I wanted to provide for you. I'm not telling you to not read those three blog posts, quite the contrary actually, go ahead and read them, put them through Google Translate if you have to, you should be fine with that. You will get a more or less solid overview of everything that has happened in the past few years (and if you've followed my blog diligently, you'll find that a lot of the things stated in the essay will align with what I've shared). The facts and timeline mostly check out so you can rest assured that you are not being fed straight-up lies (with the exception of the author's background of course). But please, do me a favour and take everything you read in there with a huge grain of salt! This person isn't an insider and they are not privy to any "exclusive" information. They are solely relying on information that is readily available online or in various publications. Also, be aware that the author is actively trying to deceive us by pretending to be someone they are most definitely not. This alone should be cause for suspicion.

I'm not sure what is prompting this person to make such claims. They could just as well admit to being an obsessed fan who has dedicated their whole life to knowing every single detail about their idol and who would even go as far as to create/come up with "new" content/information to appeal to fellow fans. By simply acknowledging that fact, this person would instantly appear to be more authentic. I mean, I know what I am talking about because I myself am very open about those things. I am aware that I am much more invested in Kalafina than your run-of-the-mill casual fan, hence, I have amassed a lot more knowledge than most other people in this fandom. But even if you are this level of hyperfixated and obsessed, it still doesn't give you the right to play pretend. Once fans start to claim that they've some sort of affiliation to their idols which gives them access to insider information, you'll know that in 99,9% of cases, they've become delusional. They get off on being seen as "special" and they know that most casual fans will not fact-check anything they say so they can just continue to expand their little fantasy. This way, they will gain the attention and validation they so desperately seek.

[softxsuki]

Hey there! How are you doing lately, Han? I'd like to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day and place a letter request, please. <3

From: Kazutora (TokyoRev).

To: gn!Reader.

Petnames: none, please.

Relationship Status: not dating, yet. But the feelings are there and are mutual. Kazutora is realising his feelings and the reader isn't focusing on that, but they've had the biggest crush on him for the longest time and never got to confess.

Tone of the Letter: appreciation, gratefulness.

Genre: fluff, maybe some hurt/angst.

Location: idk how prisions work, but the letter is delivered from there to me.

Other Info/details: the letter is sent not so long after he went to jail (second time) and the reader never left his side and tried their best to stick by his side, even when he was trying to push them away. The reader is very comprehensive and optimistic, they’re also loyal and don't hide their feelings, but Kazutora is just very oblivious. The reader likes to give him gifts (anything the system allows Kazutora to have, the reader tries to get him).

I hope this is enough, thanks in advance, take care and stay safe and healthy! I love you and your works and blog!!

Kazutora’s Confession Letter To His Friend

Valentine’s Day Letter Event pt.2 Masterlist (CLOSED)

Pairing: Kazutora x Gn!Reader

Warnings: none

Genre: fluff?, slight angst, kinda friends to lovers

Post-Type: Letter

Word Count: 480

Summary: In which Kazutora sends you a letter from jail, confessing his feelings to you

[A/N: Happy Valentine’s Day! It was my first time writing for Kazutora so I hope he’s in character. Hope you enjoy 💗]

It was a normal day as you walked to collect the mail from your mailbox, something you did every morning.

But that was all about to change thanks to the letter you found addressed to you from Kazutora. He had been locked up not too long ago, accepting his charges and ready to pay for what he did, a heart full of regret. He had spent weeks trying to push you away, but you refused. He knew you liked him, but he’d always brush you away, saying you shouldn’t be with a criminal and that you deserve way more than that.

That was the last time you spoke to him, tired of having your heart broken, but still very much in love with him. Nothing would change that. So seeing a letter from him made time feel like it had stopped. You didn’t even go back into the house before shredding the envelope open and reading it’s contents;

Dear Y/N,

If everything goes as planned, then you’re reading this on Valentine’s Day…

I first want to apologize for pushing you away and treating you so coldly when you’ve stuck by my side through everything. I’ve received all your gifts and letters since the last time I saw you and I’ve come to a decision.

I’ll accept your feelings…because I also like you. I’ve always liked you actually, it was just hard having to accept them knowing what kind of person I am. I didn’t want to drag you through my mess, but I don’t want to hurt you.

It would be an honor to be your Valentine this Valentine’s Day. We can’t see each other due to the limited time I have to see visitors, but if you’re willing to wait for me, we can make it official as soon as I’m out of here.

I’m ready to change for the better, Y/N. I’ll become a man that you’ll be proud to have by your side. Just wait for me, please.

I love you,

Kazutora Hanemiya.xx

P.S: Thank you for not giving up on me. I’m blessed to have your affection.

“Well, it’s about time,” you mumble to yourself, choosing to ignore the flutter in your chest. You hadn’t planned on giving up on your feelings for him anyway.

“Of course I’ll wait for you…” you whisper to yourself, running back into the house to write your response to him.

You’d wait as long as you needed to for him. He was your past, present, and future. You couldn’t wait to make things official as soon as he was released.

You couldn’t help the smile that took over, excited for the years to come. For now though, you could settle on sending each other letters and gifts along with the rare visits you were allowed.

He was yours and you were his–at least that much was true now.

REGULAR REQUESTS ARE OPEN :D

EVENT REQUESTS ARE CLOSED

Posted: 2/14/2023

[1shot-wonder]

5 Times Colin Bridgerton Fell In Love and One Time He Did Something About it (Colin Bridgerton x Fem!OC

(GIF Credit to bridgertonland)

Okay, disclaimer: This is not an x reader. I’m sorry! I just really liked this 5 +1 idea but I couldn’t figure out how to make it work and I really really really just have baby boy on the brain. I will be adding the main three Bridgerton boys to the request list as well, but only for the show. Below the cut will be the summary and more info! Thank you so much for reading!

Masterlist

This fic takes place in the show timeline, not the books, since I am only two books in and also wanted to use the Marina plot. However this is an AU where Penelope is not in love with Colin. Takes place basically when S3 will be, during the marriage season following Kate and Anthony’s wedding.  This will actually be 14 parts. I cranked out a prologue and all six moments for Colin and intend to write the OC POV but it will take a while since I only got this out today bc it’s the holiday and therefore I did not have class.

Summary: After his heartbreak over Marina Thompson and a wonderful trip abroad, Colin Bridgerton is finally starting to get his feet back under him. And when a new lady debuts on the marriage market, he may be ready to give love another chance.

Warnings: One mention of parental death. Spoilers for Bridgerton on Netflix. But other than that, none. Fluffy fluff and just softness all around. I am a Benedict girly at heart (maybe. I say that, but I may be converted) but I do want to offer some love for this sweet boy.

Prologue:

Colin POV: Word Count 288

“Have you all heard the news?”

“Oh no.” Benedict groaned when Riley took his seat with the brothers at White’s. “I do not care about whatever gossip you have heard about the debutantes.”

“Not even that there is a new one?” Riley joked. “Present by one of your acquaintances from what I’ve heard. Sir Henry Granville and his wife’s new ward.” Benedict raised his eyebrow. 

“Alright. I’m listening.”

“Apparently her father was Sir Granville’s cousin, passed away last year. Bad heart.” Riley explained. “And her mother died of consumption when she was young. So they took her in. Her parents had been rearing her for the marriage mart. And now that the grieving period has ended…”

“The girl’s father passed away last year and now she’s being pushed into the marriage mart?” Benedict asked. “That doesn’t sound like the Granville’s.”

“The girl has already pushed her debut back quite a bit. I believe she is twenty.” Riley waved their shock away. “She can’t wait forever.”

“Kate was twenty-two.” Benedict pointed out. 

“Do not patronize me, Bridgerton, I know your brother did not exactly propose.”

“Anthony loves Kate. As do we, so watch your tongue.” Colin snapped. 

“Alright. Alright. The point still stands that twenty is older than average for a debut. Just as twenty-nine is a tad old for a proposal.” Benedict rolled his eyes. That was a no. He was grateful to Granville, but he did not think he could be a member of his family and not let something slip. Colin was the one who actually mustered up a response. 

“Thank you for the information, Riley. If our mother ever runs out of gossip with which to entertain us, we will know just where to go.

Cassidy (OC) POV: Word Count 382

“So.” Lucy smiled at Cassidy as they settled into the parlor. “It is time to discuss your desires before we go to tonight’s ball.”

“What do you mean?”

“I must know what men to steer you towards and away from.” Lucy explained. “So, I suppose my first question is this- do you desire a love match, or would you be content with a marriage of convenience, of friendship.”

“I- I would like to marry for love. If I can.” She admitted. “But why does that matter?”

“There are men who have no interest in such a match, and therefore they are not worth our time. And, of course, some men who can not give you that.” Cassidy nodded in understanding. They had revealed the nature of their marriage to her, not wanting any secrets between them. She had offered more acceptance and grace than they had expected. She was a sweet girl. “So, what sort of man do you wish to marry?” Cassidy tilted her head in thought. 

“That’s a complicated question.”

“I suppose it is.” Lucy laughed. “Then what do you wish to avoid? What is an absolute requirement?”

“Well…he has to love music. Or at the very least like it.” Cassidy stated. “I’ve always imagined myself playing the piano for my husband on quiet nights.” Lucy smiled softly. “And I want him to enjoy being outside. And travel.” She sat up. “I must marry a man who enjoys travel and will take me with him.” Lucy laughed. 

“You seem to know what you want more than you thought.” She observed. “What about his humor?” She asked lightly. “Do you want him to be impertinent and joke like you? Or would you prefer a serious man to balance you out?” 

“Maybe not quite as impertinent.” Cassidy admitted. “But he must be willing to indulge me.” Lucy nodded sagely. 

“It is very important for a husband to indulge his wife.” She agreed. “How else would I have gotten you that beautiful gown for the night?” She giggled. “So. A traveler, who likes music, and nature. And who has a sense of humor that may occasionally offend some of the more stately members of the ‘ton.” Already, a list was forming in her mind. “I believe we can find a man like that.”

I will start posting Colin’s POV’s tomorrow!

[theriantastic]

Welcome to this space, I hope your day is theriantastic!!

BYF:

This blog is proship/freedom of fiction. This blog is inclusive of endogenic systems, contradictory labels, and non-contact paraphilias. This blog is friendly to endels, holotheres, and all nonhuman identities. This blog is opposed to reality checking.

DNI

The mods of this blog do not believe that a "do not interact" statement has any meaningful power to prevent a user from interacting. Therefore this DNI serves as a list of labels to which this space is Unfriendly Towards. These labels are censored to prevent algorithmic sharing and to impede search function. The blog mods will block at their own discretion.

DNI if you're a T*RF/r*dfem/n*zi/r*cist/f*scist/t*nkie/ant*sh*p/z*onist

Blog Info

Request Information 

We accept requests for stimboards, long stimboards, moodboards, gifsets, delta-theta symbol icons, seven point star symbol icons, holothere icons, and general positivity!! 

We will also post asks that are labeled "confession" or "kinfession" without comment and with appropriate tags. 

Accessibility Information 

Visual:

strobe effects and quickly changing colors are tagged as "#flashing"

eye contact from any species is tagged (when clear) as "#scopophobia"

animal injury is tagged as "#animal injury"

animal death and feeder animals are tagged as "#animal death"

injury and attack to animals by animals is tagged as "#hunting"

gore and body horror visuals will be tagged as "#gore" with more specific tags added at mod discretion. we will use tags and language common to the medical disability community, the gore art community, and the fashion industry. please feel free to message a mod if something slipped through the cracks and could use a tag!!

all posts will try to have every species depicted have a tag present. the current tagging format is "#[species common name]kin" and "#[species clade]" and i'm trying to be generous in handing out clades. some families are like jenga towers. idk. anyways

Auditory:

*disclaimer* i do not typically use a screen reader, and as such can be naive in regards to how certain formatting options or emoji usage can affect one. i'm using this blog to learn more about screen reader accessibility specifically, so any advice or information is much appreciated!! 

that being said,

all images posted to this blog will have alt text upon posting. if an upload breaks, please let mod thatch know!!

all reblogged images that do not contain alt text or an added text description will be tagged as "#undescribed"

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Other

food will be tagged as "#food"

all media will be tagged with the media's full common name to allow blacklisting.

the mods will avoid resharing guilt inducing posts

the mods will reshare "rent lowering gunshots" in the form of antifascist rhetoric and positivity for oppressed groups. 

positivity posts will not be consistently tagged so that transmisogynists cannot filter them out

jokes, aesthetics and stories which suggest frightening or unsettling themes which are incompatible with reality will be tagged as "#unreality". this is not expected to be used frequently.

gore will be tagged as "#gore". this will be a catch-all tag that may be added liberally to content.

cutting stims will be tagged as "#cutting"

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the "🚩" will be added as a tag to any post which a mod deems questionable of being harmful or unsafe. ultimately it is the responsibility of the viewer of this blog to refrain from reenacting any harmful behavior. that being said please never ever feed a bear with your bare hands. they barely need it and it bears the danger of unbearable bear attack. 

Mod Info

🧭✨✴️✴︎️✴️✨🧭

Mod Thatch: (xi/xir) Hiya!! I started this blog and I try to add species and clade tags to all the posts!

💙🦴🩵❄️🩵🦴💙

mod sans.: (he/him) heya, i still run @undertalescenery and now i'm participating here. i feel like i'm best at image manips but i'm open to any request, even the weird ones.

🌈🍖✴️💙🦸🏻🌈🍖

Mod MIGHT: (he/him) Hello!! I am HERE to spread positivity and cheer!! Also I make gifs sometimes lol

🫧📺🛼🔧🛼📺🫧

mod 🫧: (it/its) hey you can call me bubble i post stuffs and things. ask me about kin gear and i'll show you something wild!!!

✨🪽✨😇✨💫✨🪽✨🕊️✨

mod ✨: (hy/hym) hihi i'm sonnie! i'm excited to be here

❌✖️❎🔇❎✖️❌

mod x: (he/him)

[mod intro pending...]

[mod intro pending...]

[altagraye]

Time after Time world building notes pt 3

What is asd? how does this affect y/n? how does this affect y/n as an Omega? What challenges would she face in the 1940′s? Where do her Alpha’s (Bucky and Steve) fall in this situation?

Let me make this very clear:

Autism is not a disease, in need of ‘curing’.

Not everyone with ASD experiences the same things, it’s a spectrum and some people may have many or a few, but all are valid.

ASD presents itself very differently in women from men, often it goes overlooked or misdiagnosed.

I am not in any way creating this as a way to make the story interesting, it’s an outlet for me to express myself. If it helps others like me, then great.

I absolutely will not tolerate bullying in response to this fic. If I see ANY of my readers participating in bullying type activities, I will block you/ and will immediately stop writing said fic.

I am going out of my way to explain this to my readers, it’s not a necessity but I'm going to play nice.

People who have Autism, their (our) brains are wired differently. NO one is above the other in any way. Not all of us fit into one stereotype (ain’t this true for everyone?), and not everyone of us are portrayed correctly or incorrectly in the media (see Rainman.) We are all different, have strengths and weaknesses of our own and face daily challenges.

What is ASD? (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Previously named Autism)

info credit: read this if you are interested.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability  that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less.

A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.

Challenges for Y/N and or asd symptoms relating to her:

Stimming: Stimming is a way that people with ASD (although not limited to people with ASD) can stimulate their brains. Some people do it when they are bored, others do it when they feel they need comfort.  Many people do it subconsciously. Some examples include, hand flapping, thumb sucking, continuously stroking soft things such as a satin fabric, constant leg shaking.

Y/N’s stimming: She does these when she is in stressful situations, when she is nervous, but also when she feels content. 

Y/N’s stimming symptoms: Pillow hugging, holding Steve’s hand and or Bucky’s hand- a constant need, stroking bucky’s metal arm- the coolness of the metal feels good, hair twirling and thumb sucking- combo for when she is really thinking about something, is upset.

It is very hard for her to make eye contact with strangers or anyone other than her Alphas or very close confidants.

Basic math skills and cursive writing is a challenge for her.

Often does not know how to say thank you when accepting gifts

Does not know when to apologize

Is semi verbal to mute in public

Soft spoken accompanied with flat speech.

It is hard for her to discern sarcasim and often takes it literally.

Suffers from social anxiety and depression

Often stands behind one or both of her Alphas, grabbing the back of their shirts or stealing their hands, a pinky or an index finger when she is in social situations and feels uneasy.

Good things about y/n:

Is loyal to a fault

Is kind to others even when they might not deserve it- but she is protective over her Alphas.

Is creative and thinks of things that her Alphas don't.

I hope this helps to clear things up. The first chapter will be out soon.

[pinkstarshowers]

Gilded Shadows’ AU

Please read, Notes, Comments:

Gilded Shadows AU story, characters Lore and good stuff is Gilded Shadows.

First: SFW

Cast: Morgan, Van, Ari, Caleb, original character (Lyneia (Lin-NAY-uh) if anyone wants that info)

Second, keep your expectations low, like on the ground, not ground level, but pinned to the ground. If you’re in a multistory building, you probably want to head down to the base level, so the expectations aren’t starting too high.

Started as a Morgan little short that morphed into what it is, because my brain didn’t like the disconnects and gaps that were left to the reader. Think there ended up being too much content, and not enough Ari and Caleb in here, because story without reason doesn’t make sense to the dandelion fluff that lives between my ears. Tried to fix this later but not sure it makes up for the story set up at the beginning. Added an original character for plot and other reasons, so there’s that warning if it’s not your thing.

I think I may have gotten Morgan in and out of character a couple times, but keep in mind her situation is vastly different from what we see in most of GS. I tried desperately to keep the others in character (again vastly different situations), but I don’t think I’ve written anything in a decade, and never used someone else's characters. I know I edged on breaking lore if not broke it entirely, sorry.

Please be aware of minor spoilers probably for most routes (I haven’t done Lance, so guess not that one) and I’m thinking at least some decent spoilers maybe (?). Think I left it pretty interpretable, but it depends on your inspection check and my writing skill (which is 0, I have the writing skill of a horseshoe…not the horse…just the shoe.).

About all I can warn about, I think. I hope some part of it is enjoyable.

Meeting the Guard

Morgan leaned back against the counter, watching Lyneia finish up with a customer. The whole shop smelled of sugar, chocolate and bread. The door chimed and she looked up to see a couple wander in, sighing she shut her eyes trying to remind herself why she found herself in a tourist dome in a bakery essentially doing nothing but holding up a counter as decoration.

Her tests were over for the time being and she'd gotten an invite from a friend to come see their thriving business. It would be fun, relaxing, she wouldn't have to worry about anything, Lyn had a spare room and employees to handle the shop while they "vacationed". All that had lasted a grand total of one day, she had arrived, gotten settled in, been shown the bakery, had a fun time catching up with Lyn over dinner, at a restaurant that she never would have spent so much money in. Then laughing, teasing or getting teased about their shared past and lack of romantic life or in her case much of a life outside of classes.

That morning had brought two sick calls, which left her where she was, hair tied up, leaning against a counter just keeping Lyn company when there was a break in the steady stream of customers. One of the bakers was here, but seemed in his own world in the back, occasionally coming out and handing her something to put in an open spot in one of the cases.

Voices from the back room brought her back to the present. Looking at Lyn she raised a questioning eyebrow, got a smile in return as Lyn returned to the customers she was helping.

"I believe our savior is here." Lyn said, looking at her when the store had cleared out.

A small smile and a raised eyebrow was Morgan's response. 

Lyn abandoning the front of the shop just enough to poke her head in back and excitedly screech out "Nixie my savior!"

"This is basically my shift, you know that right, I'm only like an hour early." They replied

"I know, but you're relieving me to escape! Wait let me introduce Morgan. Come out here."

Morgan stood straighter, put on a friendly face. What was produced to her was a young woman that seemed friendly enough, but like maybe meeting Morgan wasn't why she was there. Morgan kind of understood, it was work and Nixie seemed like she wanted to just get to it.

"Okay Nixie, get the run down from Theo and then it's all yours. Let me know when you guys are squared away.” Lyn walked over to Morgan, smiling “We're almost home free Morgan, it's only noon, we can grab lunch and do some shopping, or a spa, hit the nightlife after! I will make sure this is still a great day!"

"Not the nightlife, we can hit the house life, and watch something or read. I don't remember the last time I read a book that wasn't for school."

The door chimed again, Morgan resigned herself to holding up the counter again, looking at the group that had walked in. She felt Lyn's hand grab her wrist giving it an excited squeeze before she could even mentally chide herself for watching the very attractive group that had come in. The woman seemed so full of life and was smiling happily, the two men with her seemed less interested in being here. 

"How are you today? Help you find anything?" Lyn had turned customer service on as soon as the woman had walked up to the counter.

"Hmm give me a minute."

"Let me know if you have questions or want to try anything."

"Van, just get something. We're not spending half the day here while you pick

something." the man with Dark hair said.

Morgan had noted the second man, had taken a quiet interest in looking around, but said nothing. He had beautiful silver white hair and pale eyes, she watched him as he looked at the case with mild interest. When he looked up, making eye contact, she felt the heat in her cheeks at the same moment she felt Lyn swatting at her hand in an annoying and not subtle way. Morgan looked away, instantly finding the other two interesting enough to listen to.

"You have the rest of your vacation to do stuff." the woman said.

"Just get something you'll like." the man grumbled.

Was the hair due to nanite overgrowth? She knew about the occurrence, that it could cause hair to lighten and pale. He really did have unique features, not that that really mattered.

A whisper in her ear "Why don't you help him, I've got these two."

"What!?" she murmured louder than she intended.

Lyn was gone.. asking the other two what they were looking for exactly or had any narrowing factors in mind...and Morgan's mind was blank...but she caught the look Lyn sent her, there was no escaping her fate here.

She walked up to the counter, put on a smile, tried to keep all other thoughts about payback from her face, asking "Do you have any questions about anything, did you want to sample something?"

The man looked at her steadily with one eyebrow raised. He really did have amazing eyes and she was going to serve payback on a platter just as soon as she got a good chance, this was not her comfort zone.

"You know, like try a bite, to see if you like it, so you can take something home with you."

The man just raised his eyebrow a bit more. 

What was she thinking, of course he knew what she meant the first time not like they were speaking a different language. Why was her brain mush, probably those exams! All thought ground to a halt the second she heard the stifled laugh to her right. Morgan turned to see Lyn covering her face, turned away from her and the woman, Van, she thought her name was leaning over, holding her side and trying not to laugh.

"Maybe just start with your name Morgan, then you can offer to go home with him." Lyn managed to get out through giggles.

There was silence, the whole shop was quiet, it was like the world just stopped existing except the five of them in that room. Lyn had put on a serious face so suddenly it was like flipping a switch. Walking around the counter she stopped between them and put on that customer service smile again.

"I'm sorry that was completely out of line. I tend to get a little silly.” She paused, shaking her head a little, “ I'm the owner, Lyneia, if you guys want anything it's on the house." She shook everyone's hands and had a very informal introduction from everyone, Van, Caleb and Ari.

Van picked out something lovely and decadent and had it customized right there by Lyn before being boxed and paid for. Whatever crisis was boiling up was averted until they were out of the shop. 

Morgan turned on Lyn, "Really! What was that!?"

"Sorry, sorry! I know, mouth ran away with me again. I mean the bright side is that you'll probably not have to see them again right? ha ha ha." 

The nervous laugh was a little satisfactory at least Morgan knew she got her annoyance across.

Lunch was a lovely little family place with local specialties and Lyn insisted that she treat Morgan to a spa treatment for the "teasing".

What’s in a Dance, Nothing!

The morning had been relaxing and they had been able to catch up on all of Morgan’s family and schooling. Morgan smiled to herself, letting her mind wander as she sat on Lyn's bed, mindlessly watching her throw clothes out of the bed into piles of maybe and definitely not. That man from yesterday, Ari, had no right being that handsome. But that was yesterday and she wouldn’t see him again. She knew her head was going in the wrong direction, she refocused on Lyn's room.

How long had they known each other? Most of their lives now? Lyn’s parents knew her father and so Lyn had been in and out of her life for, well almost ever. Lyn knew all about the Trent fiasco and the waiting and the letting go. She hadn't been there physically for her, but she had always been there and this was the first time in a long time they were able to spend real time together. 

Morgan stood up and picked up the first outfit off the maybe pile, looked at it, shrugged and asked "What do you think, this should do for a night out right?"

"Wait…, you're not gonna fight me? No books in, no I'm mad because you embarrassed me in front of the most attractive guy I've seen, maybe ever?"

Morgan frowned, picked up the nearest pillow and threw it. "Fine! Book night IN!"

"NOPE! We are going out and you are not making me drag you."

“But Morgan, just wear what you’re comfortable with.

Morgan dropped the dress she had back onto the bed, “So, no pants?”

“Well that’s your choice, but I’m not going to fend anyone off or explain why you don’t have pants on…..okay I will fend people off, but the explanation is still on you.”

They laughed and teased as they got ready to go out for the evening, it was still early enough that the ‘nightlife’ wasn’t really even possible so Morgan had no idea what the plans were.

When Lyn stopped it was in front of a decent sized entry to a building. Looking at Morgan she exclaimed “We’re here!” taking Morgan by the hand she walked in.

The entry was clean with scarce decorations and a man at a ticket booth. A ticket booth?

“I thought maybe we could catch some of the theatrical skits for the night. It gets us out of the house and it’s relaxing, then we can get dinner and call it quits for our exciting nightlife.”

Morgan smiled “Wow, you’re getting old aren’t you?”

“I’m literally six months older than you! That’s just rude…”

“I was thinking mentally.”

Lyn snorted and asked for two tickets, paid for them, led Morgan to a table inside and left to get a couple of teas or coffees to accompany the show. When Lyn returned she said they had about 15 to 25 minutes to start, depending on how fast the seats fill, and the show would be about an hour.

The skits had been a nice distraction, they had ranged from funny to dramatic and had run a little over their estimated time, but Morgan was still in a good mood as they sat down to eat a light dinner outside. The conversation ranged from the skits to the embarrassment of the morning to Lyn’s crush on Morgan’s brother growing up. A fact that seemed like was less of a way to tease Lyn by the year.

“I need better ammo..” Morgan sighed.

“What?”

“Fuel? Stuff to hold over you. Blackmail!”

“Pfft, why?”

“So we don’t have any repeats of today.”

“Welp sorry. My life is as boring as a…..well something that’s boring. Let’s just get a cab home.”

“Old!”

“I dragged you all over today, I was being nice!” Lyn protested.

Sitting in the back of a cab Morgan asked, “Are you tired?”

“Of course not! I was thinking of your sensitive scholarly feet.”

Rolling her eyes, Morgan tapped the seat in front of her, “You can drop us at that club there.”

Why was this idea hers again? The lights, the sound, it was always way over the top. There’s a reason she preferred a good book. The only shining spot on the map was that it wasn’t over crowded, she could still walk around without bumping into people needlessly every step. She was being escorted to the bar by Lyn and being asked if she planned on a drink tonight.

After their drinks arrived Lyn watched the dance floor, Morgan guessed she was just checking out who was available. “See anyone you like?”

“That is not what I’m doing.”

“Right, okay.” She took a drink scanning the wall behind the bar.

There was a tug on her sleeve followed by a frantic whisper “We should go, like exit stage left. Probably yesterday.”

“What? Why?”

“Yes, what? Why?” a voice teased.

Morgan had heard that voice before. The fact that it was amused didn’t surprise her one bit. Trying to clear whatever thoughts were on her face she turned to address the woman the voice belonged to, “Van wasn’t it?”

“Yep, you remember. Come on.”

Lyn mumbled something unintelligible 

Where had all Lyn’s confidence gone, she was usually not turning for the exit in any situation, least of all one that was simply running into people that had resulted in a seemingly non-event yesterday.

“We all already met, might as well make this a group.” Van smirked.

Led to a table, awkward 'hello's' were passed around on a few member's parts and others just shrugged it off.

Van gave everyone a friendly smile, "Okay everyone up, lets have fun."

“Vanessa, I will stay here and watch our drinks.” Ari said without rising.

“Oh no you don’t, Mara and I return in the morning and you are not going to be a wallflower.”

“We’re not near a wall, Vanessa.”

The small smirk on Caleb’s face had Morgan wondering if this type of conversation happened all the time. She glanced to see Lyn’s reaction only to find her three feet away instead of right next to her. All attention was off Ari in seconds, it made Morgan wonder if Caleb was amused by the conversation of Lyn trying to run away.

Morgan frowned, turning back to the group she offered “Why don’t you guys have fun and I’ll stay here.” Maybe that would teach Lyn to sneak off without her.

There was enough poking that eventually they all ended up under Van’s watchful eye on the dance floor. Thankfully that eye’s attention didn’t last all that long and Morgan was able to quietly excuse herself back to the table only to find Ari had already made his exit long before.

She sighed softly, “Is it always like this?”

She got a raised eyebrow for an answer and tried again. “They seem like they’re enjoying it, which is what matters, just not my thing I guess.”

“Yet you still find yourself here.”

“Don’t let Lyn fool you, this is very much her type of night.” Gesturing toward the dancers she could tell Lyn had let down some of her guard and was in fact enjoying herself even without Morgan for company.

A nod as an answer.

“I’m guessing I don’t need to ask why you’re here.”

Another nod…

Well, this was the most one sided conversation she’d had in a long time, maybe a bathroom break or something. Ari evidently had nothing to say to her, so she could just politely excuse herself.

“If this is not to your liking, what would be?”

The question startled her out of her own thoughts. “Well reading I guess, I tried to get us to stay in tonight, but was overruled. Not that I can complain too much. We went to this little theater that had a show with several skits. It was enjoyable.”

“You went from skits to a club?”

Laughing a little, she replied, “I guess that does seem a little strange.

Another raised eyebrow. Was she getting any expressions out of him? She could tell he was a bit amused by the whole story, maybe she could get somewhere if she told the whole thing.

“I thought we were going out to a club anyway, so when we ended up at a show I was kind of shocked and relieved that Lyn hadn’t dived into the nightlife. I enjoyed the show. It was full of characters and stories and I just got to relax. On the way home I saw the club and just spontaneously thought she should get to have her fun tonight too, not like it’s that late. 

Morgan watched his face as she talked to him, she had almost no idea what he was feeling about anything she said. He was attentive, but it was going to take her a while to read him.

“Skits, what were they about?”

“Oh well, the first one….”

They must have sat there talking about nothing but the skits and books the entire time. Well she talked and Ari would add questions or comments. Occasionally someone would return and join the conversation just to leave again within minutes.

When the three of them returned together, she was sure the night was winding down. Lyn looked tired, but she was still smiling, so Morgan figured it was fine.

“Did you have your fun, are you ready for a nap now?” She teased Lyn. She was sure she saw Ari react if only slightly. “You know… getting old.” She teased.

The look sent Morgan’s way was a very that was totally uncalled for, suppressed smile. “These two have way too much stamina you have no idea.”

“You just need to work out more.” Caleb stated.

“You need to work out less!” She poked his bicep, which earned her a very raised eyebrow from Caleb and a couple laughs from the others in the group. Another very gentle poke, “Okay… maybe not, “Look I just punch and whip stuff.”

Morgan just looked at her evenly, “Right, punch and whip.” Suppressing the giggles she felt.

“I’m a baker, what do you think I do! It’s all punching down dough, breads! And whipping cream, buttercreams and meringues. Nevermind! ... I’m…I’ll wait for you outside…”

That had to be a record for getting Lyn to leave and there was no way Morgan was going to hold back the laughter. Van was quick to join in the merriment, but excused herself with ‘it’s been fun, but I'm heading out style exit. Caleb had wandered off somewhere leaving Ari to straighten a table with multiple glasses and Morgan sitting there trying to force a sentence together that seemed appropriate.“Well…I guess I should collect Lyn and head home. It was…it was nice to get the chance to talk with you.” There, that sounded nice and not weird at all.

“I’ll walk you out.” Ari stood and gestured toward the door.

“Oh.. um.. I’m sure it’s fine. You really don’t have to.

“I don’t mind.”

“.... If you don’t mind.”

“I would not offer if I minded.”

“.. Wait, what about Caleb?”

“He’ll be fine.”

“I mean won't he come here looking for you?”

“I’m only walking you outside. No need to worry.”

Stepping outside into the night air was refreshing. Glancing around Morgan wondered where Lyn had gotten to, when she caught sight of Caleb at a bench, she speculated she had the answer. She paused, looked at Ari briefly, smiling to herself, she thought how long is it polite to wait before interrupting. Ari didn’t seem to have quite the same pause as he stopped several steps in front of her, looking back at her in question.

“Umm.. maybe we should… nevermind.” She murmured.

When they were closer to Lyn and Caleb, Lyn stood and asked if Morgan was ready to go, there was a round of general farewells and just the background sound of club music after the two men walked away. They sat on that bench in silence, Morgan watching a light across the walkway without really seeing it. At least she didn’t have time to think about her test results, she laughed lightly to herself.

“What?”

“Just haven’t thought about my test results today.”

“And now is no time to start. I mean you did have very good distractions. Speaking of….So..” she said, drawing out the word in a decidedly prying way, a distinctively not innocent smile on Lyn’s face.

Morgan just leveled a stare at her.

“I didn’t even say anything.. yet.” Lyn retorted, glancing away innocently.

“You didn’t have to and we’re speaking of nothing but a relaxing night-in tomorrow.”

Sweet Surprises

Morgan snuggled into the warm sheets enjoying the fact that nothing demanded she get up and prepare herself for the day. She was going to have a relaxing bath, take up residence on the couch with a good book, and make sure Lyn knew under no uncertain terms was she going out today.

When she roused herself to make it down to the kitchen she was a little surprised to find herself alone or at least not greeted by the smell of food or questions or both. A box on the counter caught her attention, on top was a note.

M,

Went to work, hopefully be back before you’re up. 

I’ll have earlier relief today only 1 call in. Pastry for you

real food in kitchen

L

A short bath and some breakfast later Morgan was comfortably settled in the corner of the couch with one of Lyn’s books, picked at random. She shuffled the throw pillows round, opened the book and started her new journey with a young woman as her guide. No more than half an hour later she had relocated to her bed, the couch was not as comfortable as it had looked. 

The morning hours were drawing on when Morgan heard the door open. It was only a couple of minutes before she heard a soft knock on the doorframe.

A mildly hesitant, “How’s it going?” preceded Lyn flopping onto the other side of the bed face down.

Morgan patted Lyn on the back, “It can’t be that bad.”

“Too late last night, too early this morning. I think I have marshmallow fluff between my ears today. I need a nap or a vacation.”

“This is supposed to be your vacation.” Morgan smiled sympathetically.

“Well it’s the worst I’ve ever had.” Lyn sat up on the edge of the bed and looked back at Morgan, “Okay not the worst, you came to visit so it’s great. But four hours of sleep is like…well you know what it’s like.”

Morgan closed the book, sitting it to the side, “Pretty sure we’ve all been there, coffee?”

“I had some, but enough of that! Lunch and then something fun!”

“How about Lunch and then you nap.”

“Can’t.”

Morgan was sure the look on her face asked every question she didn’t voice, but just in case.. “Why can’t you exactly..?” She was expecting something she very much didn’t not want to hear.

“Well I made plans for us! There’s an exhibit and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I mean yes there are people but it’s not loud and it’s all art and interpretations of history, what people think, but into a rendition you can visualize with notes and the like.”

“And we can’t do this tomorrow? I mean I’m not leaving for a few more days.”

“Well I kind of told someone we’d be there this afternoon….”

Morgan took a deep breath, a very deep breath. She wasn’t sure if she should describe the look on Lyn’s face as apologetic, guilty or maybe excited. It was probably some combination, which probably should have made Morgan more apprehensive.

Before Morgan could recover Lyn was at the door saying she was going to shower and change and would be ready in an hour. Morgan got up and followed Lyn down the hall to her room, knowing she wasn’t going to get away with being a shut-in for the day.

“Who are we meeting? Am I going to not be happy with you? And why am I not surprised?.”

“Well I think you’ll be happy, but I think it may not be with me. And because you know me, dive right in, think later.”

“Lyneia!” Morgan saw Lyn visible flich, she never called her by her full name, but she just would not stop.

“Okay, sorry. Sorry. Not that it really makes it any better, but I mean i just….wasn’t all just.. I.. I wanted…I….”

There was a long pause before Morgan asked, “Going to finish that thought?”

Lyn gave her a small smile and shook her head. 

Morgan leaned against the doorframe, “You know I have to go back to school right, I’m not really here for some vacation tryst or I don’t know what we’re calling this.”

“I know, just thought that if you didn’t give it any time at all that you would never know. Maybe you guys live far apart, but you can at least get to know each other living apart then it wont be weird when it continues, when you get to move off world. If your whole relationship is built around distance then it can’t end up like…well… like Trent. I mean we’ll see it before it gets serious.”

Lyn sat on the bed, resting her head on her hands and looking at the floor, “I’m being weird over thinking random stuff aren’t I?” She looked up at Morgan, “You spent a bit with him, are you even interested, I can always go and give them the tickets and tell them we can’t make it or something, I mean I do have a bakery.” She laughed pitifully.

Morgan joined Lyn, “I’m not not interested. I can’t say I really know him enough to say more, he’s very kind, and even though he’s quiet he’s really interested. It’s hard to get a read on him, but it’s fun to watch him with people he actually knows.”

Morgan laughed, humorlessly, “How do you start that conversation? Oh hey Ari, I know we met like two days ago and I’m going back to New Albion in four, where I go to school. Which by the way will take up most of my time, but I would really be interested in a relationship that will mostly be long distance because I also plan on leaving the planet for work, is that cool. Can you say no that’s completely out of the realm of going to happen.”

Lyn bubbled up with laughter, begging for no more of Morgan’s glamorous ideas.

“No Morgan I’m betting that would be the worst possible idea.”

“Yeah he would probably run, quickly.”

“Okay but I think better wording is needed. It can start slow, just tell him you want to keep in touch, that’s not that weird especially if you guys have stuff to talk about.”

“Go get ready for this exhibit. Though I’m guessing we’re really only going for Caleb and I’m a secondary excuse just in case I uncover your real masterplan.” Morgan tried to keep the teasing lilt out of her voice, but was sure she failed judging by the playful swipe she narrowly avoided.

“This has nothing to do with me Morgan!”

“Oh right, I see so Caleb’s the bonus here.”

“Exactly. NO! That is not what I meant!....Go to your room!”

Morgan was in pretty high spirits as they got out of the cab. She had time to look into the exhibit and Lyn had been right; it would be something that she would generally find interesting enough to look into on her own. Ari and Caleb were easy to find, Ari was noticeably tall and his pale hair stood out. Morgan tucked her conversation from earlier away, following Lyn up to greet the pair.

“Sorry for making you wait.” Lyn said happily.

“It’s fine. You’re not late, therefore you didn’t make us wait.”

“That’s not really how it works, Ari.” Lyn retorted. “You were in fact waiting for us so therefore we did in fact make you wait.”

Caleb wore a small smile, “Shall we?”

Nodding Morgan followed after Lyn, “I plan to make sure I see everything.” She gave Lyn a nudge to walk faster.

“We’ve got like three hours.”

The four of them stayed mostly together walking through the exhibit, stopping to discuss the pieces that attracted their interests. There was more than one time that they had to drag Morgan away from a particularly fascinating piece, reminding her there were others to see before they closed. Lyn was smarter then she usually let on and it was nice to have in depth talks with her, Caleb had plenty of his own thoughts to add, Ari was slower to warm up and sometimes Morgan wouldn’t get anything but a node or a raised eyebrow, but he seemed to enjoy it well enough.

Stepping out into the early evening it was still bright and comfortable. There were only a few other people leaving the exhibit, Morgan guessed she really did spend too much time on some things. Well it had been worth it, she guessed, even if Lyn had horrible alternative motives.

Lyn had been leading them out and stopped out of the way turning to everyone, “So what are your plans now?”

Morgan shut her eyes, wondering if it would be rude just to send her a message that said NO!

“Not really sure. I wasn’t exactly sure how long we would be here.” Caleb Answered.

“How about dinner?”

Morgan’s eyes flew open gluing themselves to Lyn’s face. Where did Lyn get this confidence, she did not grow up with it that was for sure. Then again, she was also fairly sure that she was not asking Caleb to dinner which is why the question had come out coherently and only slightly rushed.

“Can we talk it through?” Caleb asked, motioning his head toward Ari.

“Yep, we’ll be over here.”

Lyn and Morgan walked away before Lyn put her hands to her face, “What is wrong with me?”

“I ask that every day.” Morgan replied as she gave Lyn a quick side hug. “You are your own worst enemy, you know.”

“I’m gonna keep saying it’s all for you.”

That earned Lyn a playful shove to her arm, “Yep, keep telling yourself that. I’ll just tell you the truth later.”

A voice from behind them had them separating, “What did you have in mind?” Caleb asked.

They both turned quickly, not sure how much of their conversation they inadvertently shared.

“Oh, umm, not really sure. Do you guys have preferences, several places around that are good. Wait, I know! We can stop by the market and use the kitchen at the shop. I’ll make everyone something?”

“It’s a bakery…” Caleb raised his eyebrow.

Ari wore a similar expression.

“It has a full kitchen! I have everything you need!”

Morgan pursed her lips trying to keep the smile off her face, because if there was one thing she was sure of Lyn was a master of, it was saying stupid stuff in from of these two, and she suspected it was really only the one. Shaking her head a bit, she wondered in what world using the shop's kitchen after hours was not weird, especially for essentially using it as a well…dinner date for lack of a better way to phrase it.

“We could just eat out.” Morgan offered.

“Come on it’ll be fun, I don’t think I’ve cooked the entire time you’ve been here. Plus we have fresh bread there and I can make dessert after.”

“Your ideas of fun terrify me.” Morgan stated flatly.

“Let's just see what stands out to us at the market.” Caleb suggested.

The trip to the market was filled with talk about Caleb and Ari’s time in the dome, and generally pretty generic talk from the only native in the group. At some point Morgan had remembered to ask if Van had been able to keep their plans and head home today. She was told ‘Not to worry, it was fine. They were home already.’

Morgan thought about arguing about being able to help with dinner because she figured she would get stuck with cleaning up afterward, but decided she'd just let Lyn and Caleb fight over the spotlight. She helped Ari set up the work table to serve food at and bring some tall stools in from the entry way the staff used as a break room and storage area. She was expecting to hear some squabbling about how stuff was going to work in the kitchen, but they just seemed to split tasks and carry on conversations about whatever Morgan and Ari were doing or discussing.

Lyn had shood everyone back to the table as she cleaned up the dishes after dinner, “What do you guys like for dessert? I pretty much have no limits, well maybe some. Most of my doughs are good to go just from proofing, cakes, tarts, cookies, pastries? Pies take a long time to bake, but I have some that were done earlier today.”

“Why don’t you pick a dessert.” Ari supplied.

Lyn frowned, that was evidently not the response she wanted. “Okay new plan, let me finish this real quick.”

Fifteen minutes later and the group was standing around a table with an array of sweet ingredients. Sprinkles, sanding sugars, whipped cream, cakes, chocolate curls, chocolate drizzle, icing, cookies, fresh fruit, piping bags, decorators tips, you name it it was there. Lyn was the only one comfortable, Ari watched with a steady face, Morgan wondered what happened to the ‘fun’ part of the evening.

Lyn walked over to Morgan “Okay you guys start with these cookies, just do a couple, there’s no way we’re going to eat many and don’t worry about them looking good. Just have fun. When you’re done try this mini tart, there’s a couple fillings mixed in the fridge and you can add whatever fruit you want, cream on top or not. Oh, here let me show you how to use the piping bags.”

Lyn motioned Caleb over, grabbed a cookie and took a bag, cut the end off adding the coupler base, she folded the bag over hand, added the icing to it, finished by adding a tip, coupler ring and sealing the open end. She then showed them how to hold enough icing in the palm of their hands to be comfortable, and then use it to write. Think of it like a child writing, instead of actually how you would normally write with a pen. She wrote her name in flowing script on a cookie, got nods all around and discarded the cookie.

Morgan was trying to judge Ari’s level of willingness to participate in this. He was at least still at the table and seemed to watch the instructions. Lyn returned with several bottles of colored gel and gloves.

“These gels will stain your skin, they do wash out but it takes a bit, but just in case.” She smiled at Ari, then handed him an apron, “This too.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Caleb you’re in charge of that little cake, don’t be fooled the smaller the cake the harder it is to work with sometimes.”

“Why do I get the challenge?”

“You’re the pro in the kitchen, you can handle it.” Lyn patted Caleb on the shoulder as she stepped up next to him. “I’m here to help, not like I’m asking for a display piece. Just make whatever, I have fillings if you want that, oh but first white, chocolate, lemon, strawberry, or marble cake?”

Morgan turned away, looking back at the cookies, and then at Ari. “Ready to give this a go? I mean we could just cover it in chocolate and caramel, call it done.”

Morgan watched Ari, he grabbed gloves, putting them on, he layed a cookie in front of him. 

Studying the cookie for a moment, he said, “I think I would like to try it.”

“Right, want a color or is the white okay?” Morgan asked, as she held up the bad of icing.

“This is fine.”

Ari tested the feel of icing in the palm of his hand, lowering the icing tip to the cookie, ending up with a squiggly line of icing all piled up. He stopped and just looked at it. Morgan glanced away, picking up an icing bag and began to try to recreate what Lyn had done earlier. It only took one failed attempt to get help, which resulted in a few colors being added and a box of jars with edible pearls, beads and boxes of lay-ons for decorating. Lyn stayed long enough to show Ari how to clean icing off with the tip of a small paring knife and then stepped away again.

Morgan decided to just try to ice the whole cookie in white then she could do something over it or something. Shakily outlining the cookie, she began filling in the center, pausing to check what was going on with Caleb’s cake ‘decorating’. Lyn had taken over, saying she would base ice it so he wouldn’t have to fight the crumbs when she turned it over to him. Caleb stood there arms folded wearing a small frown, Morgan just turned back to her cookie hiding a smile.

Cookie iced, she glanced over to check on Ari’s progress, he had a cookie outlined with white icing and was just staring at it.

“You could add chocolate or a different color.” Morgan offered.

Ari looked at her, “I don’t think it needs to be fancy.”

“You could add some of these.” She said as she opened a jar of blue pearls in multiple sizes. “Or maybe just something like these.” She opened the first box of lay-ons, it had small five petal flowers in pastel colors.

He reached over, looking up at her, then back at the box, he picked up a small flower and set it to the side. He then glanced over the box of pearls until he found the color he was looking for.

“Attach these using icing?” He asked.

“Oh yeah, here, let’s see. Do you know where you want the pearls?”

“Here. Probably five and then maybe two or three here.” The cookie was an oval and he had pointed to the lower right for the five and the top left for the two or three.

Morgan nodded, “Take your icing, and pick up your pearl in the other hand. There, use your finger tips, so you can ice the bottom.” 

She took a step around him, sliding her fingers down his hand removing one of his fingers from his hold on the pearl, then slipping her fingers between his two remaining fingers and sliding the pearl to the tips of his grasp.

“Try putting a tiny bit of icing on it and just rolling it to where you want it.” Her mouth was a little dry and she knew she was not going to be looking at him anytime soon.

Ari placed the first pearl, studied it and then placed the second one. Morgan smiled to herself, going back to her cookie, but instead of finishing she watched Ari finish placing the pearls carefully, that earned her more then one raised eyebrow from him.

Ari picked up the flower, “This is done the same way.”

Morgan reached over, took the flower, flipped it over so it was upside down, holding it out to Ari again she placed it in his fingers, “Just use more icing.”

He took the flower, adding a thin layer of icing, and silently asked her what her opinion was.

“More icing probably, if you want it to hold when you pick it up. But I’m just guessing.” Morgan shrugged.

Ari added another layer of icing, then placed it to the upper left just under and to the right of the trio of pearls he’d placed previously.

“It’s very lovely.” Morgan said softly

Ari looked at her, raised an eyebrow and a small smile (?), “Thank you.”

She looked back to her iced cookie, then started grabbing some of the smaller pearls to pair with some pearls she already had pulled out.

In the next second she found herself pulled under the table. Staring at Ari, she reflexively went to stand back up, “Wha..?”

He tugged her back down, “I wouldn’t do that.”

Just then she noticed the rainbow of sprinkles that littered the floor on the other side of them. She laughed lightly, “Maybe we should leave them to clean up their mess.” she motioned to the entryway. “At least maybe not be in the same room. But we need to save your cookie. I’ll get it, just a second.” She began to stand again and had a tug back down.

“I’ll get it.”

“Oh we can put it in this box.” She said, pulling a small box off a stack next to them.

Ari nodded, looking above the table quickly, he looked back at her, “Not yet.” Another check and he took her wrist, stood, grabbed the cookie, and led her outside.

Morgan finally bubbled over with laughs, “That place is going to be a disaster. Want to walk around a bit or just wait out here?” 

She looked up at Ari expectantly. She reached up slowly, gently running her finger along his cheek. If she wasn’t trying to control the butterflies she might have enjoyed the shocked look on his face. As it was she was just trying to keep herself from blushing. She continued with her next finger on the same cheek, then pulled her hand back.

“Icing.” She swallowed dryly. “Think i got it all. Umm But you also…” she motioned him closer “have sprinkles in your hair.”

Morgan tried her best to get it out without actually feeling his hair or thinking about what she was doing, or how close he was. When she stopped, Ari stood straight again.

“I’m sorry.” He said, glancing away from her.

“For what?” she tried to say it plainly.

“I tried to keep you from the chaos, but I seem to not have done a very good job, you have sprinkles as well.” He reached over, gently dragging his fingers along her hair line to the tips of her hair.

Morgan knew she stopped breathing, when she was reminded that she did indeed need air.

“At least you didn’t just save yourself, so Thank you.” She said trying to keep a neutral face and the heat out of her cheeks. She cleared her throat quietly,  “Maybe we should check on them in a minute or two, I mean how much ammo can they have?”

Morgan roamed around a bit in the walkway outside the door just looking up at the evening sky. Neither of them spoke, Ari just stood to the side, like a quiet guardian.

They walked back in to hearing Lyn, “I think you could use a pink streak right here.”

“I don’t think so.” Caleb retorted.

Gingerly Morgan peaked into the backroom, Ari next to her. The scene before Morgan was something she did not want to try to describe with words. It was a rainbow of color and tangled arms and she wasn’t even sure what happened to the actual dessert.

No one was throwing anything anymore, but Lyn had a bottle of icing gel in a hand that Caleb was holding above her head. Lyn’s other hand was in Caleb’s hair. Caleb’s second hand was brushing glitter off Lyn’s bare shoulder.

Morgan’s mouth opened but nothing came out, she just stood there. The rest of the scene fimly planting itself in her mind. The icing on Caleb's cheek, the chocolate on the back of his forearm, the cream starting to melt down Lyn’s temple. Were they both wearing powdered sugar or flour? When did that even come out? Sprinkles littered the table near them, Morgan wondered if the caramel on Lyn’s wrist was from Caleb’s hand or was on Lyn first. She turned, placed both hands on Ari’s chest and pushed him back the way they came, she was not walking in on that. Ari didn’t budge, she looked up at him, after a brief pause he began to give in and turn to leave.

“Morgan!”

She stopped, slowly glancing over her shoulder, shook her head, turning to leave again.

“Traitor! You’re supposed to be my support!”

“So not my battle, Lyn.” She tossed over her shoulder as she let the door shut.

A few minutes passed before Morgan thought she could do anything but shake her head and try to hold in the smile fighting its way onto her face. “Is that something you see a lot?’

“Caleb?”

“Covered in…well…” she gestured to the shop, “dessert? Icing?”

“No, that is probably the only time I’ve seen that.”

The door opened behind them, Lyn coming out with two towels, holding one out to each of them. They were damp and warm.

“Incase you accidently got icing on your hands, I’m going to start cleaning up.” Lyn turned to go back inside, giving Morgan a small embarrassed smile as she went.

Morgan and Ari followed, accessing the ‘battle scene’ it seemed like most of it was contained to the table and the area around where Caleb and Lyn had been ‘working’. Caleb was at a sink with a towel. Lyn had already started on clearing the table, when she went into work mode it was all strategy and efficiency. Ari had started to step forward to wipe off the cleared area.

“I’ve got this, this is literally my job.” Lyn said, stopping him.

“You’re not here for work.”

Lyn smiled, “I know but neither are you kiddo.”

Ari raised an eyebrow, which earned him nothing but a level stare from Lyn before she returned to her task.

Morgan laughed lightly, “Just let us help.”

“You guys literally made no mess at all!”

Ari had started cleaning the table again, Morgan began to hand stuff to Lyn instead of having her walk back and forth. When everything was put back in its home Caleb threw a clean towel at Lyn and took over getting the caramel off the table leg. The whole clean up really didn’t take them that long, Ari was incredibly detailed and Lyn knew in a glace what was clean and what had been missed. In no time they were standing outside the shop in the late evening.

“I feel like I’m still wearing caramel.” Lyn mopped.

“Maybe don’t pick fights you can’t win.” Caleb offered.

Morgan tried to hide her laugh behind her hand, but considering the glare Lyn had directed at Caleb’s swept over to her, she was sure she hadn’t done a good job.

“Well that was fun, oh did you see Ari’s cookie Lyn?”

“No!? Oh the cake!”

Lyn returned to the shop, Caleb rolled his eyes, causing Morgan and Ari to give one another questioning looks. She took a short while to return, when she did she had a small box, which she handed to Caleb.

“It may not really be finished but it’ll taste good, take it with you.”

“Will you two get home okay?” Ari asked.

“Of course, I’m a native remember, do this everyday, well at least multiple times a week. Plus I will totally guard Morgan.”

“Because you totally had everything under control inside.” Morgan added.

“Yes I did, obviously I was waiting to reveal my skills! Good night guys, stay safe!” Lyn took Morgan’s arm looping hers around it.

Morgan laughed, as Lyn turned them for home, she looked back and waved, “Bye.”

When they were around the corner and down the walkway, Morgan looked at Lyn, “Did you make plans for tomorrow again?”

“Nope.” She smiled, “I left my contact in the box.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“It’s out of my hands so I guess it is what it is now, if we hear nothing we move on. Right?” Lyn looked at Morgan with a smile and a nod.

Vacation from the Vacation

Morgan’s day started with the smell of breakfast rousing her from dreamland. She smiled to herself, at least Lyn wouldn’t have to work today. She checked the time, how late was it? They had gotten back fairly early considering, but she had stayed up while Lyn had crashed pretty quickly after showering.

Making her way to the kitchen Morgan chuckled a little to herself, when she sat at the table she wondered out loud, “So, what happened to lead you to being decorated in glitter and sugar?”

Lyn laughed guiltily, “I am not sure that’s breakfast conversation.” Making a silly face.

“Come on, seriously! There is a story here and I want to hear it.”

“Isn’t this like talk for curling up on the couch with cocoa and sharing, when we’re both too tired to realize we’re saying embarrassing things. Also there really isn’t much of a story there.” She shrugged half heartedly at Morgan.

“How old do you think we are? Wait, so it’s embarrassing?” Morgan poked. 

“Here’s breakfast, look I can do more than bake.”

“Yeah, you can avoid the subject.” Morgan smirked.

“So I was thinking stay in, rest up, let you relax with that book.”

“You haven’t received a message yet have you…”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“You’re you, I know you. Let's go for a run or something, then shopping, we can just window shop, grab some coffee.”

“I hate shopping……I don’t want to go for a run.”

“Listen to you, a run and shopping it is!”

They finished breakfast, Morgan helped with the clean up before they left. 

Returning Morgan headed for the kitchen. “Wasn’t so bad right? Feeling better?”

“Better, nothing wrong to start with.”

“Okay, new name for you.” Morgan headed for her room, “Denial.”

“That’s just mean.”

“And true, I’ll be ready in twenty.” Morgan quipped as she headed for her shower. 

She dressed heading back out to the living room, sitting down next to Lyn, she asked, “Ready?”

“Why don’t we stay in and catch up on the family?”

“We did that already, remember.” Morgan laughed lightly, “Come on this is silly it’s been like 3 days since you met him?”

“What! That’s not the point, it’s that I didn’t make an impression in that time, I’m definitely annoyed with myself nothing more.”

“Okay, well we can discuss your impression on the next one while we wander.” Morgan got up, took both of Lyn’s hands and pulled her up to her feet.

The day was bright and clear and while the residential area was quiet, when they made it to the main fare it was busier, the shops were a prime draw for tourists. They spent a couple hours ducking in and out of boutiques, small shops that sold small trinkets and specialty shops. 

Mid afternoon they stopped at a small cafe for a bit of coffee. Lyn finally asked about Morgan’s test score, which hadn’t come in yet. The reassurance talk insued, there was always one constant, Lyn would support whatever Morgan had going on.

Lyn planned a nice dinner and was in a more ‘Lyn mood’ when they reached the house that evening. Morgan had been banned from helping, because she was on ‘vacation’, but required to stick around, for company.

“So how are your parents?” Morgan asked.

“HA, still not talking. Dad’s fine, but you probably had a general idea of that.”

“Yeah.”

“Mom still disagrees so it’s been distant.”

“Your dad and his colleague friend are still taking care of that thing?”

“Well it’s still a thing.”

“Aren’t you worried about what will happen after all this time?”

Lyn shrugged, “It probably already has if it was going to…. Why are we talking about this again?”

“I mean we haven’t talked about it, you knew it would come up.” Morgan glanced down at her hands on the table, then back up, “I mean we can talk about the shop last night if you want.” Morgan teased.

Lyn shot her a glare full of ‘So done with you’ energy, just causing Morgan to laugh in her face. Lyn’s focus shifted, Morgan knew Lyn had gotten a message, she tried to keep her face neutral. Unsure if she wanted it to be from Caleb or if she thought maybe they were both better off not getting involved or even trying to befriend people they may never meet again after they leave. How many more days were they going to be here anyway? Neither of them made any hint about meeting again or staying in touch, so really why even think about this? Great Lyn was contagious, now Morgan was sitting here puzzling through the end of last night. 

Her musing was interrupted by Lyn’s hesitant voice, “So… uh.. funny thing, that shop you know I own.”

“Yes…?”

“I kind of have to go in tomorrow.. Again…. But it’s only for a little, I just need to make sure the order is all set to roll right. We can stop on our way somewhere else or I can go first thing. I’ll be under an hour, depending how many interruptions I get, could be fifteen.”

“It’s fine, feel like I know everything I ever wanted to know about that place now. Do we even have plans tomorrow?”

“There’s a really nice garden, I was thinking about picking up a lunch or packing it, then we could just spend some time among nature. Museum? Live music in the evening? Go to one of those places that serve like ten courses that are one bite per course?”

“Isn’t that reservation only?”

“Don’t know, never wanted to sit there for that long while I waited for ten pieces of food.” She laughed.

“The gardens sound good, we don’t have to keep a schedule then. Maybe a run before you head to work, I’ve got to keep your foul mood in check.” Morgan teased.

“My what?”

Morgan laughed, “You know it helps. Want any help with that?”

“Nah, you can carry these to the table.” She motioned to a serving bowl and a covered platter. “Then the drink can be brought out.”

“So set the table?”

“You asked.”

Dinner was as good as it smelled and Morgan enjoyed the company. She tried to get Lyn to let her clean up, or at least help, but was overruled and relocated to the couch with her borrowed book. Sometime later Lyn joined her, Morgan sat up, closing the book.

“Want to do anything?”

“Hmm, not really.” Lyn replied, “Thinking just respond to a few messages, see what I’ve missed the last couple days.”

“Sulking?”

“No.. Dad sent me a message the day before you got here, he’s gonna be in the area next month. It’s the usual, he’s only passing through, but I need to respond.” She turned from her contemplation of the wall to look at Morgan, “Have you talked to your Mum?”

“Not since telling her I got to your place the first day.”

“Hmm.”

Morgan gave her an exasperated look, shaking her head, causing both of them to giggle.

“Alright, I’m gonna respond, get back to your book.”

The rest of the evening was spent talking aimlessly of the future, the past, the sights they could see tomorrow, what Morgan’s next term of school was going to look like. Lyn eventually bowed out leaving Morgan to retire to her room, book in hand.

Goodbyes Are Best for the End

De’javu hit Morgan. She had stood in this spot before, oh yeah, holding the counter up. Lyn was kneeling on the floor counting boxes or something, Thayn at the counter was helping a man with his purchase. Lyn had told her Thayn was the only employee she’d hired; the rest had been employed here when she started training to take over. He didn’t have a family he talked about, he was reliable without fail, but was almost impossible to call in on his days off. Didn’t seem to bother Lyn, just shrugged it off, saying everyone has a life outside of work. He was very personable and friendly, seemed to keep a steady conversation going with Lyn including Morgan as often as possible while helping wherever he could.

“Oh we’ve got some of those.” He offered, disappearing further inside the shop, returning with a box. “So how are you enjoying your time here?” He turned to Morgan.

“It’s a bit different, but it’s not studying all the time, so it's a refreshing change for the moment.”

“You’re a student?”

“Oh yeah.”

Lyn interrupted, “Do you know if we have any of these left?”

“Nope, that’s the last of them. What are you studying?”

“Archeology.”

“Whoa, that’s got to be an interesting subject. Is it popular? I’ve heard there are ruins under Delphine.”

Lyn stood, “Thayn will you check that top shelf in the break area for more of these? These are starting to look like they need replaced.” picking at the corner of a cling on the window, “that same box should have stands too, actually, if you’ll just get the box down.” She smiled at Thayn, laughing a little.

“Sure, know which one it is? Shall I get them all down?”

“Just the one, should be marked. Thank you Thayn.”

Thayn brushed it off as he left, “No worries.”

Lyn went out to check the front of the displays, finding something to kneel and check again. Morgan shook her head, smiling to herself, this was not going to be fifteen minutes. The door chimed and a young man walked in, slender with dark hair. He spared Lyn a glace, another toward Morgan, who had moved out toward the main part of the shop to observe Lyn.

“Give me just a second, someone should be out to help.” Lyn paused, glancing to the backroom.

Walking up to the case he set himself between Morgan and Lyn. His eyes barely take in the room in front of him before turning to face Morgan. Narrowing his eyes he studied her face quickly, before turning, making to leave, he stopped hand on the door “There are places for you.”

Lyn climbed to her feet, “Umm, what was that?”

“..I have no idea.”

Glancing at the door with a skeptical look, Lyn rounded the counter, “Let me check that box, then we’ll be done.” She motioned with a quick nod for Morgan to come with as she reached the door.

Thayn stopped Lyn just inside with a hand on her shoulder, “ Everything okay?” He asked, looking down at her.

“Yeah,” she smiled, “Just going to check the box and leave you guys to it, unless you need anything.”

“Should be good here, Theo’s headed out in a couple hours, he’s on break now. Should be business as usual.”

“Okay, see you in a few days. Going to try to spend the last couple days Morgan’s here out of the shop.”

Thayn patted Lyn on the shoulder softly, gave Morgan a friendly smile and nod and walked out front.

Morgan watched Lyn paw through a decent sized box set to the side, Lyn paused, Morgan raised an eyebrow questioning the delay. From where she was she really couldn’t see what was going on, other than the digging around had ceased being the focus.

Lyn glanced at Morgan over her shoulder, “So, did you want to change plans?” a small smile playing on her face.

“I don’t know?” making sure to note the confusion and question with the look on her face. Her face relaxed into a smile as she closed her eyes, shaking her head, her brain catching up with the scenario playing out, “You got a message didn’t you.”

“Spoilsport.”

Morgan leaned back against a table, waiting.

“Just said they’re leaving tomorrow basically,” Lyn turned back to the open box in front of her, “ thought maybe we could invite them out to the garden, at least get Ari’s contact.”

“You’re pushy.”

“So yes or ��.?”

“It’s fine, I mean should I grab some icing? Sprinkles? At least it won't be boring watching you today.” Morgan laughed.

“Not even going to acknowledge that with a response.”

“Think you just did.”

Morgan waited while Lyn finished with the box, checked in with Theo and finally got ready to leave. Lyn filled her in on the plan, they were going to meet for a late lunch, picnic style in the garden, after stopping by the house.

Packing prepped veggies in a bag, Morgan asked, “How’s this going to work for you?”

A barely audible, “hmm?”

“You always get interested in those that can’t stay. I mean, why? Not Caleb exactly, I mean why go out with them again, when you know that..” She let the rest of the sentence hang in the air. Turning around, taking the rest of the room in, setting her sights on the table. “I get why you don’t get close to people that stay, but are you going to do the travel thing and make it work or give up? If not, why are we going today?”

The room was silent, Morgan continued, “I mean you could just bow out and send me.”

Lyn interrupted, “It's not like it’s ever my intention to just let my relationships fail, but they are two way and well …. you know the story.”

“Yeah you hold them at arms length, literally.” Morgan turned around, studying Lyn.

Lyn had begun packing everything together, “Trust is a tricky thing.”

“You trust me, there’s always room for another.”

“That was an accident, you’re too smart. I do trust you with everything, I’ll try to trust you on this too. It’s not like I was just going to completely ditch the idea, for the record, I was just prepared.”

“Let’s go get some official contacts. Make it through the let's keep in touch and the goodbyes. See where we stand on all this okay?”

Lyn laughed, “Great pep talk Morgan.”

Accepting a small bag the two of them headed out the door. They rounded the corner near the garden to see Ari and Caleb just arriving. Walking up, Lyn suggested they head further in, stating it gets less crowded the farther from the entrances they get, they can look around on the way out.

It was easy to just enjoy the warmth and the atmosphere. Following the rest of the group, Morgan made a silent decision, she would give Ari her contact, she had school and if they could stay in contact when she had a settled life she would revisit anything more. She enjoyed his company, but what part of her life allowed her the flexibility for a distant relationship, not to mention Ari was polite but not very open.

“Are you alright?”

A voice startled her out of her thoughts, she looked up at Ari, “Oh yeah sorry, lost in my surroundings.”

“We’re over there.” He looked to her right and behind her.

Looking back, realization dawned, she had just been in her own head while they set up some ways away. Lyn waved in the distance, presumably to get them gathered back together.

It was a relatively simple, fresh lunch, enjoyed with a background of light bickering and laughing.

Lyn paused, leaning to see around Morgan, “Is that the..?” Nevermind.” She shook her head lightly, still looking in the same direction.

Morgan turned to try to see what she was seeing, “What?”

“That guy looked like one from the shop earlier, just similar probably, a lot of people in the dome, probably a coincidence.”

“What guy?” Ari asked, quizzically.

“No one.” Morgan shrugged.

“We were at the shop for about half hour today, some guy came in, stared at nothing, stared at Morgan, said something weird about… I don’t even remember. Then he just left. It was weird, but I mean we get some weird customers.” She laughed a little.

“He did nothing else?” Ari questioned

“Nope, it’s not even worth mentioning really, Lyn.”

Ari and Caleb had glanced at each other, then looked in the direction that Lyn had indicated, but said and did nothing more.

“Right, I mean when I met Thayn it was much weirder.” Lyn started trying to move the conversation on, “I was training to take over but it was just before closing so it was just me and the couple that owned the shop and he just stumbled in. Blood all over one shoulder and down his arm and chest, but he wouldn’t talk about it. The couple helped him get on his feet mostly, I just gave him a job.” She shrugged.

“Something you do a lot, take in bleeding strangers off the street?” Caleb chimed in.

“No, and he has excellent customer service skills,” Lyn scoffed, “Of course there’s the older couple that comes in every week to argue about bread, and they don’t even know their arguments are completely wrong.” She laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “See all kinds of silly.”

Lyn got to her feet, Morgan followed, stretching, picking up a few remaining things from lunch.

“Got time to look around? There’s some really pretty stuff further up the way, if you have time then we can make our way to the north entrance.” Lyn asked hopefully.

The two men stood, looking around. Ari nodded, Morgan wasn’t sure if it was to Lyn’s question or Caleb. She shared a concerned questioning look with Lyn, got a single shoulder shrug response.

Ari bent to grab the light cloth they had sat on, folding it.

“Sure, what’s up there?” Caleb responded.

“Stuff!”

Morgan smiled, walking between the two men, she patted both of them on the shoulder and walked ahead. It wasn’t long before she felt Lyn loop arms with her. When they reached the path Lyn let go and slowered her pace to fall in line with the men behind them.

“So… tell us something we don’t already know.” She asked, looking between the two of them. “Talents, special skills, what do you like to do?”

Morgan smiled to herself, Lyn was outgoing in the weirdest ways, with confidence to match sometimes and awkwardness to counter that confidence, but at least that let Morgan be an observer.

“Special skills….” Ari stated.

“Yeah, I can do all that cake stuff, but don’t ask me to paint or about music.”

“I can play a couple instruments, and we play Volitant.”

“That’s not a hobby, that’s a punishment. Morgan, I’m right right?”

Morgan laughed, “I guess, I’m a student, so I’m all about ruins and ancient cultures. I mean if you want to talk about that, I’m all in.”

“UH! We heard all your thoughts in that exhibit.”

“Not all of them….”

“Okay, NEXT! Would you rather have your boss or your parents read your messages?”

“Neither.” Ari and Caleb answered together.

Morgan laughed into her hand, “I mean I guess Mum is fine, I don’t really have a boss so? My teachers are not reading my messages.”

“You two are no fun, I’m my own boss, so I guess I win that one.”

“Your parents then?” Ari supplied.

“No, let’s just say no.”

“I’m the only one that answered that question..” Morgan sighed. “Aright, rather have whatever knowledge you need or power? You may not have the skill to use that knowledge though.”

“Knowledge.” Lyn jumped in almost before the question was finished.

“I would agree.” Ari answered simply.

“There’s a lot of responsibility with both.” Caleb mused.

They came around a thicket of flowering bushes to an observation deck overlooking a small cascading waterfall. There was a woman standing far back to the side, but no one else, Morgan moved up to lean against the railing taking in the misting water around the falls. It was a beautiful sight, the observation deck set off from the path, tucked away and protected by tall flowering bushes. The top of fall has a backdrop of lovely flowering trees, the other side a bright green wall of trees. It’s like a small sanctuary away from the developed world outside. 

Morgan heard rather than saw the others step up near her, She looked down, it was a pretty tall fall, but it didn’t plumet straight down in one go. She sighed peacefully, turning around to gauge reactions, “This is really nice.” 

Caleb was facing away toward where they had come in, watching the woman that was leaving. Ari’s attention was in the same direction but less so. Morgan tilted her head a little and watched the woman as he met up with a pair that had been coming up. She tapped Lyn lightly, Lyn glanced over her shoulder taking in the sight, but saying nothing.

“We shouldn’t stay.” Caleb stated.

Morgan narrowed her eyes, “Why?”

“There’s other places to see right?”

“He’s right.” Ari stated.

Morgan felt a bit like they were being herded, in a I’m being polite but we’re really leaving, kind of way. They continued up and over the top of the falls, but whatever jovial jaunt they were on earlier had dissolved into a quiet walk of intent until they reached the lower part of the garden. The paths in the lower area widened so they could walk next to each other rather than being flanked.

“Going to explain that?” Morgan piped up.

“They were acting suspicious. Best to just move on for the day.” Caleb answered

“They were probably friends meeting up.” Lyn threw out.

They grew silent again, Caleb steering them to the entrance of the garden, seemingly not happy being in it any longer than necessary. They emerged into a plaza area, with a lovely water display, the kind that arcs precise water spouts from one spot to another, like watching water dance.

Lyn wandered up to the edge, watching the large display of leaping water, “It’s better at night, with the lights, but I don’t really get out here often to see it. Though I guess it’s not much different than seeing similar displays anywhere else.” She smiled softly, “Whenever I’m here I think someone just needs to run through it.”

“Go ahead.” Caleb offered.

She just watched the water, shaking her head. 

Caleb reached over, putting a hand on the center of her back, giving a soft push. “We’ll wait here.”

“I’m taking Morgan with me.” Lyn said, latching onto Morgan's forearm and pulling.

Morgan scrambled for something to stabilize herself against Lyn’s sudden force, she found Ari’s arm and wrapped her free arm around his, holding on tight. Lyn let go too easily, laughing and turning back to the water works.

“Sorry.” Morgan offered, letting go.

Ari raised an eyebrow slightly, glancing away at the water before them.

“I think they have one of those market things set up in that square over there we should go there.”

“Market things?” Ari asked.

Lyn faced them, “A little market for handcrafted things, people set up like tables, sometimes there’s games and silly things that make no sense other than… you know tourism and people spending money.”

“That’s after you run though this fountain?” Caleb added.

“Before actually. Come on, I’ll find something you guys will like.”

“Don’t think that’s necessary.” Ari offered.

Morgan laughed lightly, “Maybe not, but this is another one of her ‘fun’ ideas.”

Morgan laughed a little, watching as Lyn rolled her eyes. The rest happened in mere seconds, Lyn took a step backwards to turn and leave, Morgan called out to her as Caleb reached out and pulled her toward him. Lyn stumbled briefly right into Caleb, confusion all over her face.

“I thought you weren’t going through the water before the market.” Caleb said, lifting an eyebrow.

Lyn slowly pulled away, “Ah, Thanks, sorry.” She stepped back, checked her surroundings, and headed toward the market, without a backward glance.

“Come on, who knows what she can find left alone.” Morgan moved to follow.

Morgan caught sight of Lyn walking to a small table with little jewelry pieces on display. Ari and Caleb were next to Morgan, she felt like there was still some sort of tension she couldn’t see. “You know I’m sure they didn’t follow us from the garden, it’s fine.”

“Never hurts to know your surroundings.” Caleb responded.

“Afraid you’re going to be accosted in daylight, in the middle of this public square?”

“I don’t think Caleb is suggesting that, simply that awareness is an ounce of prevention.”

“Come on.” She said, trying to move the subject along.

Lyn turned at their approach, dangly a few bracelets, “Like them?”

Morgan sent her a raised eyebrow and perused the table with mild interest.

“Yeah, okay, no. Moving on, there’s little game things, I’ll win you something.”

Rounding a few more trinket tables and a food stand landed them at a few stands with colorful signs and silly ‘prizes’ displayed behind the game operators.

Walking up to the corner of a stand Lyn clapped her hands together looking at them expectantly. “Okay, who wants to play against me!?”

Morgan rolled her eyes, laughing, “We’re not eighteen.” Looking around she caught sight of a stand, piled with books stacked haphazardly, “Oh, let's go there.”

“Sir, do you think you could grab that for me.” the woman at the game stall called out to them “My husband is usually here to do this stuff, I just can’t reach where he put it.”

Caleb moved past her, “Which one do you need?”

Lyn made shooing motions, “Go, look at your books, we’ll catch up in a minute.”

Ari hesitated, “We should go together.”

Shooing motions continued, “It’s fine, just go.”

Morgan moved away, heard Ari, or she assumed it was Ari, following behind. The books were dusty, taken care of it seemed until they were left to collect dust, among the books was a flat closed box of a decent size. The box was lightly decorated with filigree at the corners and a clasp to hold it shut, but no lock, she reached for it, when a hand stopped her. 

She expected it to be one of her companions, but it was a weathered hand that had seen years of life. He released her hand, reaching for the lid of the box, he pulled something out and held it up to her, it was a dark blue black pendant on a simple ribbon.

“There are stories about gems this color from Earth,” He stepped around to her side, “they say it allows one to reach their full potential.” He stepped close, “Would you like to try it?”

Morgan stepped back into the table, “No thanks, I’m okay.”

The man stepped closer still, reaching out to place the necklace on her. Morgan lifted her hands to stop him, but it wasn’t necessary, Ari had caught one hand, stepping between them, forcing the older man to step back.

“I don’t think she’s interested.” Ari explained with an even voice.

The man gathered the necklace in his hand, smiled softly, nodding. Sweeping a hand toward his table of books, “I have other items if gems don’t interest you.” He walked up to Morgan’s side, slipped a book out and held it up to her, “This? Or I have books on other subjects.”

Lyn’s bubbly voice broke in, “Find anything to take home?”

Morgan smiled at her, “Not yet, give me a few.”

Morgan and Lyn both ended up with a book or a couple in Morgan’s case. The man at the table dusted the books, flipped through them, added a simple ribbon bookmark to each book, telling them not to develop a habit of turning down page corners.

“We should see you home.” Ari offered.

“It’s not that late.” Lyn chided.

“Things are..” Ari continued.

“He’s right.” Caleb interrupted.

“Since we don’t know where you’re staying, you can walk us to the fountain.” Lyn protested.

“No way we’re going to put you out walking you in the wrong direction.” Morgan added.

The walk out of the square was quiet, not heavy over oppressive, it just was. Morgan felt she probably knew what was going on in Lyn’s head, but she was thinking about saying goodbye, without making anything weird, especially with Lyn standing there. Lyn would make stuff weird just to do it, she was unpredictable sometimes.

They stopped, no one said anything for a beat, Morgan took a mentally stabilizing breath.

“We should keep in touch,” Lyn rushed through, “all of us.”

Another breath, “We should,” Morgan paused, “is that okay Ari? I mean I have school so I’m usually very busy.” She looked to the ground before looking at the two of them, “It’s good to keep in contact with friends and if you’re ever in New Albion I will take a small break to guide you around.”

“That would be fine.”

“If you’re ever back here, you know where to find me. Goes for Van too of course. Let me know beforehand and I’ll kidnap Morgan from school for a week.”

“You will not!”

Lyn laughed, stepped up to Ari, taking his hand in both of hers. “It was nice to meet you, you’re very kind. Thank you for letting me drag you guys all over.” She smiled up at him and released his hand. For Ari’s part he just looked away briefly, nodding to her. Which just increased Lyn’s smile.

Morgan watched Lyn approach Caleb, and she stepped closer to Ari. Lyn held her hand out, but didn’t force her handshake like she did with Ari, she waited for Caleb to take it, which he did. They stood there for several seconds, Lyn studying their hands with a small smile, Caleb looking down at her. When she finally looked up at his face, the smile had slipped away, she stood there even longer, just watching his face. 

Her gaze finally fell to his shoulder, “Have a safe trip home.” She said, looking back up, pasting on a smile she pulled her hand away, turning to head home herself.

Morgan watched the exchange, not sure if she was spying or something, or if she should have just spoken up. Putting on a smile, looking up at Ari, “Thank you.” she held her hand out, which he took, only hesitating a split second.

“No reason to thank me.” Ari responded.

“You were my sane company, in some insanity.” She laughed, patting the back of his hand with her free hand,  “Worthy of many thanks. I mean you rescued me from a sprinkle explosion at one point, that’s very virtuous.”

Without letting go of Ari, Morgan turned to Caleb, “Caleb, I can without any hesitation say it was entertaining to say the least.” She finally let go of Ari and held her hand out to Caleb, giving him a quick hand shake.

Morgan joined Lyn in giving them one last quick wave before heading home.

The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

They were nearing home, it was quiet most people were probably already home for the evening. Next to Morgan Lyn rifled through the bag they had stored the books in, pulling one of them out and opening it to bookmark. 

“So what kind of books caught your interest today Morgan? Oh we can go through the alley up ahead, little quicker.” She pulled up short, holding up a pendant on the end of the ribbon, “Umm…?” 

Morgan took it from her, scowling, “That little..” 

“What am I missing?” Lyn asked, resuming their walk home. 

“That man at the table tried to get me to try this on earlier, not sure why he put it in this book.” 

“You attract some weird ones.” Lyn laughed.

“It’s not funny. Next time you come to New Albion, we’ll stay away from tourists.”

Lyn turned them down a small alley that had only light at either end to guide them. They were coming up on a large pillar with a potted plant next to it, when a man walked out in front of them. 

Lyn had taken Morgan’s arm, nudging her to the side, pardoned herself and headed around him. The man didn’t seem to be having any of it, he stepped in front of them again.

“I’m afraid that we’re going to be getting to know each other.”

“And I’m afraid that you’re mistaken.” Morgan offered, moving to walk past him.

Someone had grabbed her arm and pulled her back, she pulled her arm free, turning to send a scowl at whoever had grabbed her. It was a tall woman, she pushed Lyn forward and made to leave again.

“Stop being nice and just subdue them.” A masculine voice from behind them hissed in the darkness.

A shuffle of feet produced several more people, from the shadows of the walls and the pillars. Lyn grabbed Morgan and pulled her close, turning her around, forcing her back the way they had come. Morgan squinted into the dark, as Lyn continued to prod her into moving toward the man standing at the other end.

Lyn whispered, “There’s only one that way, we can make a run for it. Take right.” she turned around to seemingly prepare herself to get at least one of them out of there for help, and stopped, “Thayn?”

Thayn continued to walk toward them, without a word, there were footsteps behind them and then a response from behind them.

“I told you there’s a place for you, you just have to open your eyes.”

Morgan spun around to see the young man from the bakery that afternoon. She should put in a call to the Safety Department.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” the young man said, looking directly at her.

Before she could respond Thayn had her against the wall, hands restrained in his. “You will stay quiet and out of the way.” He spat. “Get her under control.”

Morgan was handed off to two others that she fought with nails and feet. Earned several shoves into the wall before she heard Lyn cry out.

“You can’t take that!” 

Split second later Morgan heard something shatter, the area went silent. The young man turned toward her, her two would-be capturers backed off.

“Will you please stop fighting.” The young man said dryly.

“Oh I’m sorry if I’m being inconvenient.”

His gaze flicked to the planter next to Morgan, she saw the instant before there was an impact and it exploded, Morgan screamed.

“Morgan!?”

“Lyn?” Morgan cried out.

“Damn it, stop. How did you even find out? Thayn why are you mixed up with this?” Morgan could hear the torture in Lyn’s voice.

“You’re trusting and not nearly as careful as you think. But I didn't want to hurt you, just show you there are places where you don’t have to do this.”

“I was happy here! Ahg, what are you doing?”

“Get off!” Morgan yelled, trying to throw the two people that renewed their insistence to restrain her.

“Let her go.” Lyn sobbed.

“Get them out of here.” The young man ordered plainly.

Thayn pulled Lyn to her feet, dragging her over to Morgan. There was a noise Morgan couldn’t Identify at the opposite end of the alley. Thayn pushed Lyn toward Morgan then grabbed both of them, then the scene was gone. Morgan pushed against Thayn’s hold, but got nowhere until he let go.

She stumbled, they were in an empty room, it was dark and colder, but they weren’t alone. Lyn collapsed against her, more pushing her than collapsing, sending her stumbling to the wall.

Lyn kept herself in front of Morgan, “Thayn, what’s the point here? If you know I’m an Esper then you know I wanted a normal life. You’re obviously one, living a normal life like me.”

Thayn looked away, “I wasn’t, I was working, simply looking for others. You, those like you. Who were the two you were with yesterday?”

“What? Why would I tell you anything? You played me.”

He walked up to stand in front of Lyn, Lyn pressed Morgan back into the wall.

“I never meant to deceive you. You were just unfortunately an Esper, never would have come to this if...” He reached for her, then stopped dropping his hand. “What’s your rank?”

“I don’t know. There’s a reason I wear an inhibitor all the time. Just let Morgan go, she doesn’t need to be part of this.”

“So she can get help? Doesn’t matter, we’ll figure it out when we get back.”

Thayn stalked off, three more came and took residence around them, as Morgan coaxed Lyn to sit against the wall with her. They were quiet, but Morgan’s mind was racing, how had a vacation turned into this? How were they going to get out of here? Who were these people? Her mind ran back to Ari and Caleb’s warnings that evening, had they been right? Were they okay, had they been a target just because of their proximity to Lyn. Is this why Lyn kept her distance all the time?

Eventually the trio standing around them, relaxed and began to roam a bit, finally settling in across the room with the other two in the room. Thayn wasn’t in the room. 

Morgan leaned on Lyn’s shoulder, whispering and half mumbling “There’s two doors we’re going to have to try something, anything to get out of here, no one knows we’re here.”

A hand patting her knee was all she got as an answer.

“Together. Don’t look back.” Morgan whispered

Morgan adjusted her position, trying to be able to stand quickly without drawing attention. Sliding her hand into Lyn’s she took a deep breath, she knew Lyn recognized she was getting ready to move by the grip Lyn took on her hand.

She launched herself to her feet, bolting for the door at the corner nearest them, it led to a hall splitting left and straight. She heard the shouts behind her, but she just turned left and kept going. The halls weren’t long, it turned right, she took it, Lyn’s hand still in hers. There were stairs ahead, she slowed, causing Lyn to run into her, Thayn was coming up the stairs. She gripped Lyn’s hand tighter and headed down, they had no safe choice. She aimed to catch Thayn off guard enough that maybe they could get away.

Morgan stumbled on the steps as she was pulled back, she felt Lyn’s hand pull free. Turning she saw Lyn’s hand slam straight into Thayn’s shoulder as she pulled her other free from his grip. Must have caught him off guard, because Lyn was gathering her and they were running the rest of the way down the stairs before he collected himself to appear before them. Lyn pulled Morgan around behind the steps at the bottom into a room. Morgan pulled them over to a window that was broken, but it wouldn’t be a safe exit. Thayn was there again before they had time to alter a plan. Lyn was pushing Morgan toward the window.

“Go, we have no choice.” Lyn yelled.

Morgan held her breath and put her foot on the edge of the ledge, ducking through the opening, she felt the glass that she didn’t really see as she was hurrying through. The palm of her hand caught something, the back of one shoulder, she stumbled out.

Turning, Morgan held a hand out, “Lyn hur…!” She stopped, Lyn was fending off Thayn by any means she had, mostly keeping her hands away from him. “Lyn!” She started for the window.

“NO!” Lyn yelled

Morgan wasn’t sure what she saw, looking back maybe she would have said it was a light, but then there was Ari, Caleb, and Van. Then the room exploded, Thayn made a desperate launch toward Lyn who stepped back trying to avoid him. Caleb reached for Thayn as five people stormed into the room through the door.

“Ari get them to safety.”

Morgan felt the tap on her shoulder only a split second before she screamed, rattling the rest of the window and the ones above her. She jumped, turning and stepping back to find the young man standing there looking at her steadily. Her heart was in her throat.

“Would be so easy.” He reached out for her.

Morgan jerked back, screaming. She felt here grip slip, she wasn’t sure what happened, but the darkness was all consuming, she couldn’t see anything where she was. She stood there, waiting for her eyes to adjust and she saw or felt the same light caught a glimpse of earlier. Then Ari was before her, stepping forward, she stepped back.

“Are you alright?” He asked

“I..I… Don’t know. What happened?” 

He hesitated, then took her hand, pulling her in, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll regroup.” 

He hurried her down several flights of stairs and between a couple buildings, it seemed deserted much like the ones she had found herself in previously. When they stopped she was at the window she started at.

Morgan took quick stock of the room, three of the guards from earlier were on the floor, the young man was gone. Thayn was gathering the remaining two guards and was standing near the door glaring. Caleb and Van were not stopping their advance, but Thayn stepped back, looking at Lyn rather than the two advancing on him.

“You would have been better with me.” Thayn spoke barely audible, then they were gone.

“Get them found.” Caleb commanded, “Ari get them out of here.”

Lyn backed away, “I don’t think..”

Caleb cut her off, “Do you want a repeat? I didn’t think so. Ari!”

Van sighed, “Come on Lyn, we’ll let a doctor look at you two. At least have to figure out who those were and what their gains were.”

Lyn backed up again, “What makes you any different?”

“We already know you’re Espers, both by the looks of it.” He growled.

Morgan pulled away, this was escalating quickly, “I have school to go back to, I can’t just up and go with you.”

“Not really a choice.” He snapped

“Caleb, maybe an explanation.” Ari stated.

Van once again stepped up, “You’re both unregistered, so it is our job to step in here. We’re from Endgame.”Ending Notes:

Yes, I had to give Caleb a romance, because Caleb. 

Think this could have been simplified as one-shots? But I explained why that isn’t the case, because brain needs connecting points, so I chose to have them end up at the same point. I feel Ari's character needs to have that continual interaction leading them back to Endgame.

I imagine Morgan and Ari’s relationship turns out the same. This was just ramblings of things we don’t get to see.

I’m not sure the alley scene would have played out that way either, I could see Caleb and Ari just walking in, but I prefer to think they would be strategic.

Bonus Scene: Lyn’s POV

Lyn left Morgan and Ari to their decorating, she’d given them extra colored icing in piping bags, so they didn’t have to worry about wearing the gel. She grabbed an apron, slid it over her head, and grabbed another, holding it out to Caleb. She tied it off, when Caleb seemed ready she reached over gathering Caleb’s longer sleeves and pulling them up his forearms.

“It’s easier, if you’re not used to paying attention, this way it wont get in the icing.” Morgan may be right, she was her own worst enemy sometimes. “Pick a cake.” She led him over to a walk in with covered racks with a few cakes that hadn’t been used that day.

Caleb picked a simple vanilla cake, “okay?”

“Yep, nice safe option.” She teased, earning her a small glare, “I just mean that it’s more likely everyone will like it.” She laughed.

He led them back to the table, where Lyn handed him a knife.

“I’ll get some fresh fruit, split the cake and add a little whipped cream.” She grabbed a couple mixed berries and began cutting them so they would make a flat layer. 

She glanced at Caleb’s work, he added a bit too much cream, it was over the edge a little. “Okay add the berries, then the cake top.”

“We should of exchanged jobs.”

“Why? I know how to make a cake.” she watched him innocently. “Okay, I’ll do a quick base ice, so you don’t have to fight the crumbs. Then you’ll do the real stuff.” She did a light icing just enough to glue the crumbs down and seal up the side of the cake. 

She filled a piping bag with a large flat tip, held it out to Caleb. “Just get icing on the side and top and I’ll show you the rest.”

“Or I can watch you work.” He said, crossing his arms and settling against the work table.

“How is that any fun!” She sat the icing bag down, reaching over to uncross his arm, looking up to check how far she was going to get. She decided right then that she needed new rules, Caleb was too beautiful by half and she probably should not be this close to him.

He had both eyebrows raised, a mildly amused look on his face. “I don’t see a problem with it.”

She took the bag and dropped it in his hand, “I do.” She stepped back, so she could position the icing in his hand. “Just get a comfortable hold, like I showed you earlier.”

He did as he was instructed.

“Start with the top, it’s easiest and doesn’t matter how much you get on there, just get a feel for how much pressure you need to use.”

Lyn stepped around Caleb, so she could stand on the side he was holding the bag on. He had gotten a bit of a jittery start feeling out the motions needed to make it work smoothly.

“Let me help on the sides. I’ll turn the cake while you ice it, we’ll smooth it out after.”

The first try ended with Lyn taking the collapsing cream off the side. “More pressure, it has to adhere to the cake.”

He scowled

“Let me help,” She pulled out a turntable, set the cake on top, “okay get in position. I’ll guide you.”

She was leaning on the table at his elbow, one arm under his, hand on the turntable the other brought to rest on the back of Calebs.

He looked down at her, a look on his face she was trying not to read.

“Come on,” she tapped the back of his hand, “I’m teaching here.”

Lyn focused on guiding the table and his hand so that they had coverage she could work with. She pulled back when they made it around the cake, leaving for a flat metal icing scraper. She needed a trip into the walkin cooler, mentally shaking her head, she checked to see Ari and Morgan bent over something Ari had been working on. 

Returning she pulled the cake over, “Alright I’m going to do this, but only this.” She glided the scraper over the sides, smoothing it out, then the top. Taking the extra cream off and scraping it into a bowl. 

Caleb had taken to leaning on his elbows with his hands linked together on the table next to her. The first time she accidentally dropped icing on him, she got a raised eyebrow, after which he wiped his hands off on a towel.

“Sorry.” She muttered, his focus was way too close.”

The second time, earned her a scowl and a raised eyebrow, “I thought you were the teacher, you’re supposed to do that?”

“Well we can decorate you.” She grabbed a handful of sprinkles and flung them in the general direction his hands had been, they went much further. She saw Ari and Morgan duck behind the table. 

“You want to start this?” Caleb asked, an intent gaze focused on her, a slight smirk on his lips. He wiped his hands on the towel again.

“I just needed a warm up.” She reached for the second handful, chocolate drizzle in her second hand. She was aiming for his hand, got his forearm, but she threw the sprinkles anyway, more in the air than at him.

“Okay, sorry, sorry.” she laughed.

“Not as much as you should be.”

Caleb grabbed her wrist gently, but enough she knew he had a hold, took the chocolate out of her hand, held her hand to the table and spooned caramel over the back of her wrist.

“Okay, okay, stop! It’s sticky!” She pulled her hand back.

She didn’t even have time to react before she had a dusting of edible glitter applied over her head, shoulders and chest. She gasped.

Taking a step up to him, she put her hand, without the caramel, on his collarbone, fingers sliding up his neck to his cheek, “You are trouble.”

“You started it.”

“Probably expect retaliation.”

Caleb pulled back, just as she placed the icing on her thumb against his cheek.

She stepped back, laughing, “I warned you.”

Caleb reached out, holding her upper arm as he stepped closer. “You should probably expect it two fold.” he said as he swiped two fingers along her temple.

She pushed away from him, laughing. What made her fall into every trap he set, she needed better strategies. She quickly reached for whatever bottle her hand landed on, noted it was icing gel by the color, reaching for Caleb again.

Caleb caught her wrist with the bottle and pulled it over her head holding it there, she stepped closer to him, reaching for his hair.

“I think you could use a pink streak right here.” She said letting a strand slide through her fingers, letting her gaze drop to his face.

“I don’t think so.” Caleb retorted, looking down at her. He reached out his hand sliding up her arm, thumb running over her bare shoulder. He paused, changing to simply brushing the glitter off her shoulder instead.

[friendsim2]

More About Friendsim 2

We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response to this project, and now that our teaser is out and we’re moving into production I’d like to take a minute to say a little bit more about the project!

Who’s Involved?

Friendsim 2 is being produced by Studio June, an independent artists’ collective formed by a group of Homestuck fans and dedicated to creating meaningful, thoughtful content in a post-canon landscape.

Our core creative team consists of the following folks:

Jonaya Riley: Director/Narrative Director ( @transkanayamaryam​ ) A woman who’s written over a million words of Homestuck/Hiveswap-related fiction, including two Hiveswap novels. She’s currently the narrative director for Studio June’s post-canon visual novel, New Game Plus, and has worked on a number of other fan-projects, including the Pesterquest Fan Dub, the Will it Homestuck? podcast, and numerous other projects.

Bucky Grant: Art Director ( @thinglikerbucky ) A long-time Homestuck fan and content creator, Bucky has been involved in a wide range of fan projects. They’re the director for New Game Plus, main host of the Will it Homestuck? podcast, and are prolific writer, artist, and voice actor.

Anna: Voice Director ( @articulately-composed ) Another long-time fan creator, Anna has been heavily involved in the Homestuck music and voice acting scene, and has been responsible for projects such as the Time’s Apprentice musical, the Broadwaystuck 2020 panel, and countless comic dubs and other voice-acting projects. She was a writer for Distantquest, voice-actor for the Pesterquest fan dub, and much more!

In addition to the core team, we’ll be working with a number of writers, artists, musicians, and voice actors from throughout the Homestuck fandom.

When is this coming out?

The game will be released episodically, with the plan being to release the first two routes in the Spring of 2022, with new episodes releasing every few months after that until the game is all done!

What’s the plot?

I don’t want to get too spoiler-y, but the basic plot revolves around MSPA Reader heading back to Alternia to pick up all their friends from Friendsim and take them to safety.

That’s simple, right? Nothing could possibly go wrong with that... right?!

Will this have Xefros and Joey and all them?

No, this is a timeline where the events of Friendsim definitely did take place (which it seems that Hiveswap Act 1 and 2 is not) but Hiveswap Act 1 and 2 definitely did not happen. This will be important for reasons I won’t reveal because they’re major spoilers.

What kind of game is this?

Although this will be a visual novel similar to the original Friendsim in overall presentation, the narrative structure, writing, and stakes will be quite a bit different than the original game.

In addition to the main visual novel gameplay, we’ve got some fun surprises planned for the player!

What makes this special?

Not to brag (okay, maybe to brag just a little bit), but we’ve got some absolutely amazing writers and artists involved in this project. The work being done, even at this early stage, is really highlighting the love and dedication that our creators have for these characters and this world.

Outside of the basic “this is gonna be well-made” thing, we’re planning to introduce a number of things to the Friendsim formula to make a game that’s got some real depth to it.

We’re also planning to record full character voicing (that is, MSPAR and the narration will be un-voiced, but everyone else will talk)! Our team includes not only a voice director who’s written, produced, and recorded an entire Ancestor musical, but several Pesterquest dub voice actors and editors, and we really believe in the added immersion that good voice work can bring to a project.

So... “officially unofficial” what does that mean exactly?!

It means that this is absolutely, definitively not an official project! We have no connection to What Pumpkin or anyone affiliated with What Pumpkin - this project is being produced, written, developed, and financed entirely by the fans.

We’ll definitely be starting from the canon established by Friendsim and Pesterquest, but we’re not beholden to it!

Yeah this sounds pretty dope - how do I get involved?

You can follow Friendsim 2 and Studio June on Twitter, or visit the official Friendsim 2 and Studio June websites for more info! You can also check out our Youtube channel for trailers and teasers!

If you want to be a part of our fan community, check out our Studio June community Discord server where you can chat about Friendsim 2, New Game Plus, or just general Homestuck stuff! Who knows... you might even run into me or some of the other devs on the server!

Also, if you’re interested in a thoughtful, considerate approach to post-canon content, check out New Game Plus, a post-canon visual novel featuring the original Homestuck cast.

Thanks again to all of our followers for your support! Making a project of this scope is always a challenge, and we genuinely appreciate the love and support y’all have shown us!

-Jonaya Riley, Director

[mediaevalmusereads]

A Curious Beginning. By Deanna Raybourn. Avon, 2019.

Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Genre: historical fiction, mystery

Part of a Series? Yes, Veronica Speedwell #1

Summary:  London, 1887. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime. But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.

***Full review under the cut.***

Content Warnings: blood, violence

Overview: I forget how I learned of this book, but the summary made it seem fun, so I gave it a go. Overall, I don’t think it was a bad book - there were some exciting elements and clever plot developments, but as a whole, it just didn’t do things that got me personally excited. Our protagonist, Veronica Speedwell, is a bit too much of a know-it-all and has an attitude that I personally find off-putting. Also, the “mystery” that kicks off the whole plot is pushed to the side rather quickly in favor of some shenanigans such as joining a traveling circus, and while it can be fun for some readers, it just wasn’t what I was looking for. Thus, based on my own subjective tastes, this book only gets 2.5 stars from me.

Writing: This book is written in first person, and if you’ve been reading my reviews, you’ll know how I feel about first person generally. Specific to this book, however, was the lack of giving voice to emotions or inner thoughts to flesh out what was going on in the narrative. I often felt like there would be long stretches where Raybourn/Veronica would simply narrate what actions were happening without giving us Veronica’s emotional response or Veronica’s reflection on what was transpiring. As a result, I didn’t feel like I knew Veronica as a character, and the prose kind of felt matter-of-fact.

I do think, however, that Raybourn does a good job writing dialogue. The snappy banter between Veronica and Stoker was fun to read, and it often got a smile out of me.

Plot: This book follows Veronica Speedwell - a lady adventurer who must figure out who is trying to harm her after a mysterious Baron shows up at her door and tells her she’s in danger. The Baron brings Veronica to the abode of Stoker - a taxidermist with a backlog of secrets - for protection, and the two find themselves unwilling partners in a romp across England.

While this book is billed as a mystery, the mystery doesn’t kick off in earnest until about halfway through the book. The beginning doesn’t do much to help; for the first 20 or so pages, we follow Veronica as she has tea with the vicar and his wife following the death of Veronica’s aunt. Raybourn takes this teatime as an opportunity to dump a bunch of info on the reader about Veronica’s past, and personally, I didn’t find it a compelling way to deliver information. From there, Veronica returns to her cottage only to find someone is there, and though it gives her a bit of a surprise, she brushes it off as a thief just trying to take advantage of an empty house. Even when the Baron shows up, Veronica is adamant that there is no mystery to be solved, and it was a little frustrating to be stuck in the head of a main characters who firmly believes nothing out of the ordinary is happening. As a result, for the first half of the book, the mystery is present, but it’s pushed so far to the background that I often forgot it was there. Even big events - like a character death - happen off page, and the main events are  centered around Veronica having adventures with Stoker.

When the mystery starts picking up, things get a little more interesting, but I still didn’t feel like it was a driving force. Characters would investigate something for a couple pages or something would happen (like a kidnapping) and then there’d be longer interludes of conversations and talking out some ideas - all well and good, but too much talking killed the suspense for me. Big secrets are pieced together rather easily and revealed around the 75% mark, so the mystery in itself is rather small and contained. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that the main draw of this novel, then, is the characters, so if you like the characters, you’ll probably have a good time. As for me personally, I wanted a little more plot, with breadcrumbs throughout the novel that I could solve with the characters.

Characters: Veronica, our heroine and narrator, was at first a character I thought I would like. She’s independent and doesn’t much care for what people think of her, and she’s determined to take care of herself. As time progressed, I liked her less and less. She seemed to know everything about everything and felt more like a caricature than a complex person - she travels widely (to Europe and South America), sleeps with whoever she likes, wears pants, catches butterflies for a living, was taught to fight by a former lover, has tried drugs like opium and smokes cigarillos on occasion, corrects world-renowned specialists on the identification of species she admittedly knows little about, knows about men’s fashion, devises plans to make her male companion look like a buffoon, she never went to school or had a governess yet knows more about things than most people because she was self-taught, performed an amputation one time despite having no training and determining it needed to be done immediately (no time to call for an actual doctor), can make gourmet meals out of water and some old carrots, etc. It was all too much. I also got the sense that Veronica was vaguely misogynistic, as she mentions multiple times that she “abhors weakness” of any kind, she didn’t learn any “feminine” skills like sewing because she has no interest in them, she fights with almost every other female character she meets save for one (not to mention that these characters are portrayed as competitors in some way). I don’t think Raybourn meant to write her this way; Veronica has a few feminist moments where she talks about gender equality and double standards between the sexes, but other than Lady C, she doesn’t seem to get along with many women (at least, not on-page).

Stoker, Veronica’s “protector” and casual love interest, is one of those gruff, rude, bossy types with a traumatic past. While I didn’t outright hate him (and in fact, some of his banter with Veronica was highly entertaining), I didn’t find him all that spectacular, either. Like Veronica, he seems to have a lot of different skills (though to a lesser degree), which isn’t inherently bad, but again, it made him feel like a caricature.

Supporting characters were hit or miss. The Baron was charming but frustratingly opaque, and he didn’t stick around too long. The characters at the traveling circus were somewhat charming, though Salome’s possessiveness of Stoker and antagonism towards Veronica was irritating. “Lady C” and her brother were surprises; I liked their generosity and their general demeanors, and I liked how Lady C and Veronica got along.

TL;DR: While I can understand why some people might like A Curious Beginning, the protagonist and general lack of a suspenseful, driving plot made this book fall flat for me. The ideas are all well and good; I just personally wanted a bit “more.”

[writingfortoomanyfandoms]

For LORS maybe you could do one where they celebrate readers birthday?? Maybe Calum gets her a necklace and it's the first time they say I love you or something like that??

ofc I can my man

Basic Info // Blurb Masterlist

—————————————————

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” Calum’s words were quiet, mumbled against her skin between gentle kisses.

Y/N let out a content sigh and rolled over in his arms, her movements lethargic and slow, everything feeling soft in the morning which surrounded them.

“Morning,” she said, her voice a little raspy from sleep and she smiled when Calum pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“You feel older?”

“Older and wiser,” Y/N mumbled in agreement and Calum chuckled in response, his voice equally hoarse, the tired edge to it making Y/N’s heart flutter.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah - I can prove it because all I want to do today is lie in bed and sleep. That’s what old people want to do on their birthday’s as well,” she said, nuzzling closer to him, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, one hand rested on his chest and she could feel it vibrate as he let out another tired laugh.

“Your roommates aren’t going to let you off having a party tonight, it’s happening and you know it,” Calum reminded her and Y/N huffed.

“Or we could sneak out now, and spend the day sleeping in your bed?” She offered.

“I have to work, sweetheart, remember?” 

“Call in sick?”

“The guys will know that’s bullshit,” Calum chuckled.

There was movement at their feet and moments later, Duke was up in their faces, licking Y/N’s nose and the woman giggled, pushing the dog away from her.

“Duke!” She laughed. Calum had stayed the night at Y/N’s apartment last night and had brought Duke with him, knowing by now that none of her roommates minded the presence of the dog - even Lewis, who was mildly alergic - gladly welcomed his company.

“That’s our cue to get up, birthday girl,” Calum decided, sitting up and stretching, letting out a yawn.

“Nooooo - stay in bed with me, please?” She pleaded, jutting out her bottom lip. 

“I need to leave in half an hour for work, sweetheart. Come on, get up and I’ll get you your present.”

“You didn’t need to get me a present,” Y/N grumbled but sat up in her bed, still pouting at him.

“Of course I did because I love you,” Calum’s heart was beating hard in his chest when he finally let the words which he had been thinking of for months slip out.

“Do you mean that?” Y/N asked after a moment, her voice a little hushed as though not wanting to disturb them.

“Of course i do, sweetheart,” Calum said, turning around once he had found the little wrapped box and he gave her a bashful smile. “I’ve known for a while now.”

The smile that broke across her face was breathtaking and she let out a laugh, puling the pillow Calum had been sleeping on to her chest, hugging it tightly.

“I love you too,” he wasted no time in moving back over to the bed, pressing their lips together in a feverish kiss. “Don’t go starting something you don’t have time to finish, Cal,” she warned him between kisses.

“Sorry,” he muttered, pulling back but the grin on his face told her that he was anything but sorry. “Here,” he held out the box to her and she took it uncertainly.

“You really didn’t have to get me anything, Cal,” she reiterated as her boyfriend flopped down on her bed again, resting his head in her lap.

“I wanted to,” he shrugged. “Now, just open it,” he ordered.

Y/N bit her lip and nodded, tearing off the wrapping paper to discover a black box. She opened it and the breath was stolen from her lungs.

“Fuck - Cal, this is gorgeous.”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

“I can’t accept this,” she insisted, shaking her head.

“Love-”

“No, Cal! It’s too expensive!” She groaned, her brow furrowing in worry, not allowing her to take in the new term of endearment that was sure to make her heart flip and her head spin.

“Sweetheart, you know I make a comfortable amount at Third Eye - I want to spoil my girl... just let me do that?” He asked, sitting up and placing his hands on her cheek, forcing her to look him in the eye.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I am.”

“Fuck - I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

CALM Release Day!!!

[rareandbeautifulthing]

Hey fellow fanpeople! I’m hoping some of you might want to participate in a study about fandoms I’ve gotten the opportunity to do. I’m at Uni to become a high school English teacher, and having been a fanfic reader/writer for years, I’m excited to use it in my classroom. I’m doing a research project about fandoms, so if you’d be willing to participate, the link (and a lot more information) is here: Lessons from Fandom It’s just a questionnaire that mostly asks about your experience in fandoms, and a little bit about your experiences in high school (if you have any). Your responses can’t be traced back to you, so no worries on that end - the IP address tracker on the questionnaire is even disabled - so no one (including me) will know whether or not you participate or what your answers are. 

By the way, minors typically wouldn’t be able to participate in research without parental consent, but since some of us-myself included-are more ourselves online than we can be in person (and because one of the things I love about fandom is that it’s not ageist), I’ve gotten a waiver for this so that anyone who wants to participate can, without having to involve parents. (Though you’re welcome to tell your parents about it, of course!) However, due to Federal Trade Commission regulations, you must be at least 13 years old to participate.

All ages and levels of fandom experience are welcome. The only prerequisite is that you consider yourself to be in a fandom. Since a few of the questions are about high school experiences, experience as a student in a high school classroom will help, but it’s not necessary for participation. 

Like I said, no one (including me) will know whether or not you do it, so no pressure. But I really hope to get enough participants to move forward with my project, so please consider it! I think you’ll find it fun. It’s like a whole string of asks :) 

I’ll post the whole consent document below the cut - it’s also the information you’ll see when you first click on the link to the questionnaire, which is here: Lessons from Fandom 

If you have any questions, DM me or email me or my supervising professor (contact info is in the consent document below). 

Also, if you reblog this I will love you forever. A lot of you have a lot more followers than I do, so it would help me out tremendously. The more participation I have, the better.

Department of Research Compliance

9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC  28223-0001

Consent to be Part of a Research Study

Title of the Project:  Lessons from Fandom

Principal Investigator: Amy Crew, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

Faculty Advisor: JuliAnna Ávila, PhD, University of North Carolina - Charlotte 

You are invited to participate in a research study.  Participation in this research study is voluntary.  The information provided is to help you decide whether or not to participate.  If you have any questions, please ask.  

Important Information You Need to Know

The purpose of this study is to learn how individual participants in online fandoms perceive the power dynamics (i.e. who is in charge/who has the most power?) of those fandoms and in high school classrooms. This study will allow the researchers to gain more clarity into how fandoms operate, how various elements of fandoms are perceived, and which aspects are most significant to participants, which will to guide their conclusions regarding fandom practices being brought into high school classrooms. 

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire which consists of 17 questions that relate to your experiences in fandom and in high school. Most of the questions require written responses. 

If you choose to participate, it will require approximately 30 minutes of your time. It may take you more or less time, depending on how thoroughly you choose to answer the questions.

It is possible you may experience emotional discomfort while completing the questionnaire, especially if you have had negative experiences in either fandoms or high school. Apart from the question asking about your age, you may skip any question that makes you uncomfortable or that you do not wish to answer.

While completing this questionnaire will not provide any direct benefit to you, it could benefit adolescents in the future by encouraging classroom environments which are based on mutual respect and creativity.

If you choose not to participate, you may exit the questionnaire at any time without submitting it. The questionnaire is set up so that there will be no identifying information collected other than age and preferred pronouns (we ask your pronouns so that we can use them correctly if we reference a comment you make in our report on the study). IP addresses will not be tracked, so even a computer expert will not be able to determine that you completed the questionnaire or what your answers are. Neither the investigators nor anyone else will know whether you have completed the questionnaire, or be able to track your responses back to you. 

Please read this information and ask any questions you may have before you decide whether to participate in this research study.  

Why are we doing this study? 

The purpose of this study is to learn more about how fandoms “work” so that aspects of fandom can potentially be applied in high school classrooms. The principal investigator has been an active participant in various fandoms for over ten years, and is a high school educator (currently student teaching). She would like to learn more about how, and whether, some of the practices of fandom could be used in high school classrooms. The results of this research will be analyzed and discussed in a chapter of an upcoming book on critical digital literacy and education. 

Why are you being asked to be in this research study?

You are being asked to be in this study because you are a participant in fandom and (ideally) have had experience in high school. 

What will happen if you take part in this study? 

If you take part in this study, your responses will become a part of the growing body of knowledge about critical digital literacy and participatory (fandom) culture. However, your responses will not be traced back to you. We will not collect any identifying data about you other than your age and preferred pronouns (so that we can use correct pronouns if we reference a comment you make). Your IP address will not be tracked. 

Clause for minors

If you are under the age of consent (which varies depending on location, but is commonly age 18), it is important that you are aware that typically, your parents or guardians would need to provide consent for you to take part in research. However, the investigators understand that many minors take part in fandoms without their parents’ or guardians’ knowledge, and that some of the content of those fandoms or the texts they are based on may not be acceptable to some parents/guardians. For this reason, and because participation in this study is considered “minimal risk” (i.e. it is highly unlikely that answering these questions will cause you any harm), the investigators have obtained a waiver of parental consent. This means that, should you choose to participate, you may do so without your parents’/guardians’ knowledge or consent. If you choose to share your participation with your parents/guardians, that is entirely up to you. To comply with Federal Trade Commission regulations, however, participants must be age 13 or older.

How will my information be protected? 

We plan to publish the results of this study in a book. To protect your privacy we will not include any information that could identify you. The confidentiality of the research data will be maintained because we have disabled IP address tracking in this questionnaire and will not ask you any questions which could identify you other than your age and preferred pronouns. You may choose to indirectly identify yourself (for instance by mentioning the title of a fanfiction piece you have published), but this data will not be included in the publication of the research. (In the example given, the investigators would change the name of your fanfiction piece or reword your statement so that the title is not included.) If you indirectly identify yourself, the principal investigator may recognize your identity through her own participation in fandom; however, this information will not be disclosed to anyone else. 

How will my information be used after the study is over?  

After this study is complete, the information could be used for future research studies or distributed to another investigator for future research studies, or may be used in future publications or presentations, without additional informed consent. Again, there will be no identifying information attached to the information. The data we share will NOT include information that could identify you other than age, country of residence, and your preferred pronouns (for instance, we may say something along the lines of “A nineteen-year-old in the United States who is a participant in a fandom based on a fantasy YA novel said…”).  

Who can profit from this study? 

The investigators may profit financially from the sale of publications which include information from this study.

What are my rights if I take part in this study?  

It is up to you to decide to be in this research study. Participating in this study is voluntary. Even if you decide to be part of the study now, you may change your mind and stop at any time. Other than the question about your age, you do not have to answer any questions you do not want to answer. It is acceptable to submit your questionnaire without answering all the questions. You may exit out of the questionnaire at any time without submitting it. Once you have submitted it, you will not be able to un-submit and we will not be able to withdraw your responses since we will not know who you are. The only way to retract your responses will be to contact the investigators and reveal which responses were yours. Should you do this, your responses will no longer be confidential; however, the investigators will delete the data you have requested to the best of their ability. 

Who can answer my questions about this study and my rights as a participant?

For questions about this research, you may contact the principal investigator Amy Crew at acrew@uncc.edu or via direct message in Tumblr [Tumblr username provided] or Twitter [Twitter username provided], and/or her faculty advisor Dr. JuliAnna Ávila at javila1@uncc.edu.  

If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, or wish to obtain information, ask questions, or discuss any concerns about this study with someone other than the researcher(s), please contact the Office of Research Compliance at 704-687-1871 or uncc-irb@uncc.edu. 

@jsmae @sharkmartini @thehoneyedhufflepuff @pitchonthepitch @pitchpatronus @carryonbazpitch @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @dancingwdinosaurs @manicmagicat @vkelleyart @basic-banshee @simonsrosebud @kinkybazsmolsnow @magicath04 @basilton-tyrannus @krisrix @bazzledazzlepitches @snowbazshipper @moonllotus @one-grimm-bitch @alex-claremont-diaz @ineffablehorsemen @aziraphale-crowley-are-ineffable @pipsqueakparker @angelsfalling16 @penpanoply @neck-mole @the-ronan-cycle @warriorbeeofthesea @dreamkinglynch @sharkandegg 

[mediaeval-muse]

Book Review

Ring Shout. By P. Djèlí Clark. New York: Tor Dot Com, 2020.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Genre: horror, historical fantasy, novella

Part of a Series? No.

Summary: D. W. Griffith is a sorcerer, and The Birth of a Nation is a spell that drew upon the darkest thoughts and wishes from the heart of America. Now, rising in power and prominence, the Klan has a plot to unleash Hell on Earth. Luckily, Maryse Boudreaux has a magic sword and a head full of tales. When she's not running bootleg whiskey through Prohibition Georgia, she's fighting monsters she calls "Ku Kluxes." She's damn good at it, too. But to confront this ongoing evil, she must journey between worlds to face nightmares made flesh--and her own demons. Together with a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter, Maryse sets out to save a world from the hate that would consume it.

***Full review under the cut.***

Content/Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, body horror, torture, sexual content, racism, lynching

Overview: I forget exactly how this book fell under my radar, but the premise intrigued me, so I bought it pretty shortly after it came out. The blend of historical fiction and horror - especially through the eyes of a Black woman with a magic sword - was enough to get me hooked, and I was eager to get my hands on a copy. As I was reading, I definitely encountered things I enjoyed; Clark has a talent for horror, and his descriptions of the monsters were some of the best parts of the book. I also liked the climax of the narrative, when Maryse (our protagonist) faces the Big Bad. Unfortunately, I couldn’t give Ring Shout a full four or five stars because I felt a lot of the elements were underutilized, and the first person narration made the story feel clunky at times (not a fault of Clark specifically - this is a complaint I have of all first person). Still, I liked the monster fights, so this book gets a 3.5 from me.

Writing: Ring Shout is written in first person from Maryse’s point of view. On top of that, it’s also written in African American Vernacular English (or something close to it - I apologize if my terminology is wrong). While I did like the AAVE and it was a good choice for a story told through the eyes of a Black woman, the first person narration made the descriptions of some things feel clunky. As I mentioned earlier, this complaint is one I have of all first person POVs - in first person, characters have to articulate things that people usually aren’t conscious of, or else don’t process in a way that a reader could follow. First person always feels very unnatural to me unless it’s being framed as a witness testimony or reflection - something where a character is relating events after they happened to another person in the form of a written statement or something where it’s self-consciously shaped to make narrative sense (I’m thinking like A Conspiracy of Truths or The Magnus Archives). Clark falls into this trap, making Maryse state something about her emotions or surroundings in a way that felt unnatural, but I can hardly blame him for something that exists across all first person narratives.

I also think Clark could have done more with his prose to make emotional moments feel weightier. Often, the pace of a scene would be so fast that something which was supposed to have an emotional impact felt rushed, and sometimes, the language around the moment felt straightforward to the point where it bordered on telling over showing. I would have liked to see more showing in these moments, creating a more visceral response in the reader.

Plot: The majority of this book follows Maryse and her companions as they prepare to fight a great evil unleashed by the Ku Klux Klan. We learn that Maryse is a “chosen one,” gifted with a magical sword by three otherworldly figures called “Aunties,” and she must use the sword to battle demonic monsters known as “Ku Kluxes,” which feed off the hate generated by the Klansmen. Overall, I found this premise intriguing, and I really liked the way the final showdown between Maryse and the Big Bad touched on themes of hate versus justice.

However, I don’t think Clark did enough to make each scene build on each other, which made the narrative as a whole feel disjointed. Most of the scenes leading up to the final Boss Fight consisted of Maryse talking to people - her companions, the Aunties, a figure named Butcher Clyde - which mainly seemed to be how Clark communicated worldbuilding information. I didn’t get the sense that Maryse was uncovering a grand plot; instead, it felt like I was floating from scene to scene, gathering info that would inform my interpretation of the big showdown.

I also think Clark could have woven his themes into his narrative a bit better. There seem to be running themes of hate vs justice, the power of stories, and others running through his book, but not much is done with them until the final showdown. I would have liked to see more scenes touch on these themes more explicitly, rather than conversations about the N-word or the ethics of socialism, which were important, but not integral to the plot. For example, in the scene where she and her companions go to Frenchy’s (a bar/inn), I would have liked to see Maryse’s interactions with Frenchy (the owner and her love interest) reveal a bit more about her mental state. Maybe they could have talked about how she refuses to open up about her past, or they have a conversation about Maryse’s feelings about white people. Those small changes, I think, could have made the twist in the big showdown feel more weighty. Additionally, I think these changes could have made her strategy with the Night Doctors (another type of otherworldly figure) more interesting.

Characters: Maryse, our protagonist, is likeable in that she’s strong-willed and highly motivated to take on a threat. I liked that she cared about the people around her, and I liked that she had some vulnerability in the form of her traumatic past and the voice of her deceased brother in her head.

Maryse’s companions were also fun. Sadie, a sharpshooter, was full of life and spirit, always wanting to enjoy herself whether she was eating, dancing, or having romantic liaisons. Chef, a former soldier and explosives expert, was also interesting in that a lot of her actions and attitudes are informed by her experience in the war.

Other supporting characters were less well-developed, from the German socialists that seemed to only be present to provoke conversations about politics, to Frenchy, who does little besides be a love interest in danger. Nana Jean, an elderly “Gullah woman” who does magic, could have been more interesting if Maryse’s bootlegging was more consequential to the story, and though I found her dialect hard to understand, I don’t think that’s a knock on Clark (more a knock on me for being less well-read than I should be). The Aunties, while a creative twist on the “three crones” trope, also felt a little useless in that they never gave Maryse direct information that was particularly helpful (or that she couldn’t have gotten on her own). Even Butcher Clyde and Dr. Bisset, two threatening supernatural figures, seemed to be devoid of charisma and were less intimidating than annoyingly chatty. They talked and made threats, more than anything, and while they were appealing visually (or, as visual as you can get in a written work), they didn’t seem to do much other than monologue.

But even so, I think Clark has a real talent for creating monsters that get under the readers’ skin. For all their faults as characters, Butcher Clyde, the Ku Kluxes, Dr. Bisset, the Night Doctors, and the Grand Cyclops were genuinely creepy, and I loved the images that Clark’s prose evoked.

Other: I personally found Clark’s worldbuilding something of a mixed bag. On the one hand, I loved the historical setting; historical horror is a genre I adore, and I love it when authors take on an era other than the Victorian period. I also really liked the idea of Maryse’s magic sword, which derives its power from the memory of the pain of enslaved Black people. On the other hand, I don’t think the way the supernatural world was organized made a lot of coherent sense. While we are told that  D. W. Griffith is a sorcerer and The Birth of a Nation is a spell, neither the man nor the film were really present, and I felt like they could have been removed without much change to the story. To make them feel more integral, I would have liked to see some commentary, perhaps, of the ability of movies or visual media to communicate ideas, and how the mass spread of racism or hate through visual media poses some danger.

I also thought the Aunties were useless, and they, too, could have been removed or their role expanded. Their main purpose seemed to be to drop bits of lore and background information, and they do little to actually help besides tell Maryse to look in her book of folktales. I also found their rationales for things kind of flimsy (”we couldn’t talk to you before because the veil was so thick” and “you can do X by wanting it enough”), and I wish they were more omnipresent, guiding voices than just figures who popped in and out at convenient moments.

TL;DR: Ring Shout is a novella with an intriguing premise and a host of creepy monsters that is sure to satisfy horror-lovers, even if it falls a little flat in narrative construction.

[lisinfleur]

Choices and Chances

The request:

Author’s Notes | I tried to come up with a backstory to give it some linearity, ok? I hope you like it! Universe | Vikings Pairing | Ivar x Reader Info | Modern Age AU, requested by anon for 5CW7 Words | 3253 ⁑ Warnings: Mentions of recent death. Caution is recommended: the following content may be triggering for some audiences.

Family dinners...

Ivar had to say that was one of the reasons why he would probably become like his father and travel the world just to avoid being at the same table with his brothers and his mother. Especially because he knew very well soon there would be wives and children running around. And without it, his brothers were already mocking him for not showing up with a woman around when all of them already had partners with them at least once.

Even Sigurd already had brought a girl to their table - she didn't stay for too long, but he brought. But Ivar had better things to think about other than just focus on pussies and pleasure: he wanted to be great, he wanted to "overthrow" Björn and force him to share the ownership of their company; to show he was able of pretty much more than just sit, watch his older brother ruling everything like an emperor as they were spending his father's money with chicks and drinks.

Yet, there wasn't a single family dinner where his mother wouldn't bring the subject to the table...

"Where is that girlfriend of yours, Ubbe? Margrethe, right?"

And there it was.

"We broke up," Ubbe said, neglectfully, causing Aslaug to sigh disappointed once again.

"You boys are getting old and my grandsons won't be made by themselves!" she started complaining and Ivar rolled his eyes as Sigurd sighed, Ubbe released his fork and Hvitserk exchanged his for the spoon so he could eat more and faster to avoid losing the rest of his food...

That subject would always end up in arguing and whenever it happened, Hvitserk knew there was a risk his mother would expel them from the table - better eat briefly, cause those moods could escalate very quickly!

"You don't look at me with these faces! Ivar should have someone in his life! The rest of you should already be married! Ubbe, you should have children at this point!" she complained.

"I probably already have," Ubbe joked causing Hvitserk to giggle and his mom to furrow her eyebrows.

"Mom, that's so old school," said Sigurd, and for the first time in his life, Ivar had to agree. "We're not in medieval time anymore, you know? We have other things to worry about, like my career, Ivar's obsession to become something into our father's company..." he continued, shushing when Ubbe threw a ball made of a napkin in his forehead.

"And some of us just want to enjoy life," Hvitserk said, eating one more spoon of his food.

"Well, you should take your life more seriously," Björn's voice sounded and they all saw their older brother coming with a woman Ivar suddenly recognized - It was Y/N, an old school colleague he used to like in high school. Some people said she liked him back. He never had bravery enough to take his chance, especially when Sigurd was growing as a musician and calling all the girls' attention around - including hers towards that stupid guitar of his.

However, it wasn't for Sigurd that her eyes went first. Instead, she looked at him and swallowed dry recognizing him as well quite before they all noticed the obvious package she was holding in her arms: a baby...

A newborn.

"At least, some of you will have to really take life more seriously, because it seems your desires became true and you're a grandmother, dear Aslaug." Björn completed, causing Ubbe, Sigurd and Ivar to look straight at Y/N and the baby while Hvitserk started gasping, fighting with a grain of rice that suddenly tried to be sure he wouldn't live to know if he was the fortunate one...

Aslaug got up at the same moment, coming closer to Y/N, looking at the little package in her arms. The child into the white blanket opened beautiful blue eyes who looked straight to Aslaug - a trace very present in Ragnar's descendants for sure...

"So... Who will get up and be a man at once? Uh?" Björn said, causing all his brothers to look at each other.

Sigurd and Ubbe turning their eyes to the obvious "criminal" at the table: Hvitserk was about to swallow himself up when Ivar finally broke the silence.

"Can we have a word, Y/N?"

Everyone around looked at him, especially his mother. That was a surprise for all of them: Ivar, who was never around girls? He could bet this was what everyone was thinking now.

"What in the nine realms can be this private conversation in a moment like this, Ivar?"

"It's just a moment, mother," Ivar asked. "I know Y/N since we were school colleagues," he intentionally mentioned the time, causing Y/N to blush and swallow dry once again.

"I know her sister, Ivar is not lying," Ubbe said, almost like a needle to tease Hvitserk who looked at him with angry stamped in his furrowed brows.

Ubbe knew Y/N's sister and Hvitserk had been together for a long while and not long ago...

"My sister passed away," she announced causing Hvitserk's face to dissolve in a surprised expression once again. "That's why you didn't see me in a while," she completed.

"And I would like to have a private moment with her because we were close friends and we didn't have this chance. Can I, mother?" Ivar insisted, finally getting what he wanted.

"I'm so sorry, sweet one," Aslaug said, "Go, go... Take a moment for the two of you so I can talk to my children."

Her face was turned into the evil itself when she looked to the three older ones. Hvitserk almost shrunk into his chair. He knew he was fucked: it would be an hour of speech! And he would have to admit that child was much probably his own...

But Ivar left to the living room with Y/N and the baby before his mother's speech could start.

"What is it that you want to talk to me so suddenly, Ivar?" she asked, surprised when he touched her shoulder looking into her eyes.

"Tell me... She passed away giving birth to this child, isn't it right?" he asked, looking at her. "It is Hvitserk's, isn't it?"

Her brows furrowed. Gossip? At that moment?

"Ivar, I never thought you were this kind of person!" she started, but he shook his head negatively, looking at her.

"It's not what you're thinking. My brother won't take this responsibility. Hvitserk is too much of a bohemian to really want a child! Even less when he'll have to take care of it all by himself!" he said, causing her frown to change tones, becoming a curious wrinkle.

"It's my nephew, Ivar, I wouldn't leave him alone," she said. "I'm taking care of the child and if he doesn't want to take part in it, I'll legally adopt the baby and that's it... He doesn't have to...".

"I'll take it," Ivar said, causing her to gasp with her words.

"Ivar! This is not a market and my nephew is not any kind of merchandise you can take like a toy doll!"

"Shit, am I always this bad with words when I'm around you?" he said, confusing her even more.

"What are you trying to say, Ivar?" Y/N asked, looking at him without understanding a thing.

It was his chance. Not only to start building the family he wanted but to finally try to earn the heart of the girl he always wanted in school and never thought he could have.

It wasn't time to be weak now...

"Unlike my brother, I want to be a father. I want to have a family, a spouse, a life that he can have and it's rejecting! I want this! Hvitserk will never really want this child. Such as Sigurd never really wanted you... As I do," he completed, trying not to gasp with his words and pull it out.

Y/N's eyes became wider. Speechless, she heard his next words without interrupting.

"I like you since we were in school, Y/N. But I never said because you were always so fascinated by Sigurd's music that I thought the two of you would end up together. And when your sister started dating Hvitserk, you got even more distant and we ended up never speaking about the rumors that you could like me back... Now, I know you will take care of your sister's child as if it was yours. And I know I always wanted you to be by my side. Let's just make it happen. Hvitserk never needs to know. Just let me tell them this child is mine... And yours. My mom will be happy to have a grandson and... I would be happy to have you."

She stood there, looking at him completely surprised. Ivar straightened himself with his crutch, looking at her with firm blues.

"I take it on me," he insisted.

"And... I..." she tried to start a sentence, looking at him. "Why do you wanna do it, Ivar?" Y/N asked, really confused by his actions.

"Because I'm tired of them mocking on me, saying I'll never be able to have what I want. Because there is a chance that I'll never really be able of doing this, I mean, having a child..."

There was so much pain in his voice. And he started gasping with the words again. She could see he was nervous...

"Your condition has nothing to do with your ability to..."

"I don't know, ok?" he said, showing her it was really a sensitive topic for him. "I don't know and I never really had the courage to ask. I don't think I wanna be sure I can't just to kill the curiosity by asking if I can. I just... If it happens... Then fine. But if it never happens, at least I'll have you... and him...".

He was starting to gasp with the words again. Something she always thought was sweet about Ivar: when closer to her, he never seems to really know what to say or how to behave. It was true that Y/N loved to hear his brother singing and playing, but it was never like what he thought. It was his music who attracted her to those circles around him at school, never Sigurd himself.

"It was true," she said, confusing Ivar for a second.

"What?" he asked.

"The rumors," she answered, looking into his eyes. "They were true."

A long moment of silence was made in between them before he then touched her face softly, caressing her cheek with his thick thumb.

"Then let me take this chance," Ivar said. "We tell them he's mine. We tell them you're my girl. We start this now and spare him from being rejected by my brother... I can be a good father. Such... Such as I can be a good man, for you."

Y/N looked at the innocent child in her arms. She knew she was doing everything wrong by taking that suggestion, but her sister's last will was her to take good care of the child and ensure her baby would have a good life. She remembered how her sister begged her to never leave the little one alone. Y/N was sure her sister would forgive her for starting everything from a lie as long as they could give her child a better life.

Y/N nodded, agreeing with Ivar's plan and he came closer, touching his forehead to hers.

"Don't worry, love," he said, calling her that sweet way that melted her heart into her chest. "Everything will be fine."

Y/N lifted her eyes to see his blues looking back at her. Ivar still had that same sweetness hidden inside his eyes, like two orbs of ice protecting a treasure that now she could say was hers.

He softly nuzzled his nose to hers and kissed her lips slowly. A gentle kiss, despite his will to taste more of her flavor. Ivar never was an eager man: it would have plenty of time for him to enjoy her presence, her flavor, her warmth. For now, they still have something to establish together.

Accomplices, the two of them came back to the dining room where Hvitserk was already ready to admit his "guilt". However, standing with his crutch on one of his hands and the other hand over Y/N's shoulders, Ivar looked at everyone, proudly.

"I wouldn't tell it so soon, and we were still dealing with the situations in our relationship... But the truth is that Y/N is with me. And her baby is mine."

It was Sigurd's time to choke with a piece of ice from his drink, coughing out loud to get rid of the block in his throat before gasping a chocked question.

"What???"

Ubbe was too shocked to speak. His wide blues were mutely interrogating Ivar's actions. He knew about everything and Hvitserk's relationship to her deceased sister... Surely that child wasn't his. Why was he doing that?

Björn wasn't dumb. He knew exactly what Ivar was doing and what he was taking from who's shoulders. But it wasn't his business. If his little brother wanted to raise the other's child, it wasn't his responsibility. He wouldn't judge or say anything: he, himself, was raising Guthrum that wasn't a son of his own blood and he knew very well the challenges Ivar was taking over himself. Maybe he was showing himself more mature than the older one who was pretending to be mute in order to avoid the responsibility he knew was his own.

"You're..."

"The father of this beautiful little boy and Y/N's boyfriend," Ivar said, cutting his mother's ask before she even started it. "I mean, Y/N's fiancé... We now have a child and I think it would be good for my son to have a solid family."

"You gonna get married??? To Y/N???" Sigurd gasped almost hysteric again. "What the fuck is going on in this table? Hvitserk, you wouldn't... OUCH!" he yelled when Hvitserk threw the spoon right on Sigurd's nose. "Fuck! Stop it, you... OUCH!!! DAMN!!" he cursed again when Aslaug pinched his arms. "Can the two of you stop trying to see my blood? Jez!"

"Language!" she reprehended, sighing disappointedly. "Why didn't you tell me the two of you were together and facing such a time, Ivar? Nine months of secret? Why this?"

Y/N was ready to gasp, not knowing how to answer, when Ivar just straightened himself.

"As I said we didn't see each other in a while... We had a small broke up. But things are straight once again and I just wanna forget the past and move on with my family." he said, surprising her with the perfect strategy he had in his mind. "I didn't bring her here before because I didn't want you to pressure us, mom. You keep talking about how we should have wives, children... We weren't ready yet. Things happened too fast and I didn't want to bring Y/N to this table and cause her to feel even more pressure."

Ubbe leaned his head: Ivar was using the whole situation to take his mother out of their heels and he knew that. Sure, thing there would be something behind, some charge-back onto this favor.

Hvitserk remained silent. Guilt kicking in too late for him to say anything. To stand and tell the truth now would be nothing but ruining Ivar's new life that was about to sprout out and Hvitserk knew very well about his baby brother's dreams. It was a hard choice to be done at that moment, but well... He could always be Uncle Hvitty, right? Ivar was standing for something he wouldn't be able to carry on by himself and to break it would be almost betraying his brother... Even more after Björn's voice sounded, calling everyone's attention.

"I think you gonna need a job from now on since you gonna have a son." he said, looking at Ivar, "I know you have been studying the company and father told me you were the one from my brothers who wanted to work there with us. You take care of your marriage arrangements and then, we'll talk about a new position at the company for you. Starting from the lower levels, but I'm sure you can raise yourself pretty fast."

Ivar smiled, accepting the chance. It wasn't exactly what he wanted, but it was a good way to start.

The whole dinner swirled around the little child, with his mom spoiling the baby and Y/N by his side. Just the way he always wanted. His brothers silent, no jokes being made. Maybe family dinners would be more comfortable from now on.

With the end of that table, Björn went back to his home and his mother went with Y/N to set a basket where the baby could sleep - because of course, her brand-new-daughter-in-law would stay for the night. Ivar took the chance to reunite his three shocked brothers around the table at the balcony where his mother couldn't hear the conversation they would have.

"I have only one question: why have you done this, Ivar?" Sigurd asked, "We all know that child was her sister's and Hvitserk is the father, despite how irresponsible he wants to be by being quiet about this!"

Hvitserk shrunk a little more.

"I didn't want to ruin everything for Ivar..." he muttered, trying to justify his silence.

"For him nor for you, right?" Sigurd taunted and Ivar growled, silencing them all.

"It doesn't matter!" he started, "You all listen to me closely: what I did took mom out of your heels. She won't disturb you guys for children in a while, I have my sweet Y/N with me, a beautiful child, and a place on our father's company. Things couldn't be better for me and you guys won't ruin everything, did you hear me? Keep your fucking mouth shut! You don't want to be his father, I don't fucking care about what are your reasons, Hvitserk."

Hvitserk sighed, annoyed, before Ivar could continue.

"But I do. I want this family and I want the life that's starting today. So, let's just forget about the past and move on, ok? I have a child and I'll get married." he said, pouring a cup of mead from the amphora Sigurd had brought with them to the balcony, pushing one cup to each one of them, including Hvitserk. "My brothers should be happy for me."

It was a huge theatre, Ubbe, Sigurd, and Hvitserk knew that when they looked at each other.

But Ubbe was the first one to pick up the cup.

A lie, when told many times, will become truth...

"Skål," he said, looking to the other two.

That child would have a good life. All they had to do was agree and keep their mouths shut forever...

Sigurd lift the cup, shrugging.

"If that's what you want, then skål, brother."

The eyes turned upon Hvitserk. It was now, or never.

Then... It would be never.

"Skål," he said, sealing with a toast the silence of their mouths.

Ivar's life was about to bloom and now he had everything he wanted in his hands. He wouldn't ruin everything to his baby brother. Hvitserk could never do this.

Then he would be a good uncle and pray the gods could bless that child and the man who decided to be his father other than him.

Ivar just smiled, drinking from his cup.

Life was about to begin for him.

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[jinxofthedesert]

Hi there!!! It is the same anon that requested some fic recs ☺ Thank you so much! I may give them a read! They look very interesting! But tbh I'm looking for fics that deal with some more in-depth approach to the twins' psychology and character (I don't mind the romance. In fact, I think it's a really interesting plus to the story when handled well).

(Below this is the rest of the messages, put together. Farther down, below the line, are my responses)  

 I’ve usually seen that the twins are portrayed as soft, loving and caring guys with their partners without real motives for such drastic change of dynamics in their twisted personalities. I mean, the usual Valeska centered fic goes like this: they meet the OC in Arkham or during their childhood in the circus and for some reason they reunite in the present, and then it is just the twins somehow falling for them, changing their whole way of being and only wanting to bang the OC the whole time (without taking into account the lack of the OC's inner conflict about loving such twisted men, because these OCs usually are "sane" and good people that somehow are dragged into the twins' world and for some reason they just fall in love with them without questioning it). But for me the least realistic thing about these fics is that the twins become super nice guys all of a sudden. I mean of course there can be character develoment and growth (up to a certain point), but I haven't really found a story that contains such deep explanation. Let's face it, they're still psychos no matter what, even if they have a partner.  In the last season we get a glimpse of how Jeremiah treats Ecco, someone that he used to appreciate and care for deeply, and she still meant little to him. So it doesn't add up to me when the twins are magically turned into these super sweet caring guys while their twisted, evil and manipulative side is completely ignored. I am not saying they can't love, I am just saying that they surely have their own twisted perception of what love is 🤔 Sorry for my rambling, damn, it took soooooo many comments hahaha!!! OMG, Sorry!😂😂 I had a LOT to say 😂😂😂 But I just find these characters very interesting and I would love to read a story with a more realistic approach to the construction of their personalities (and their twisted way of loving too!). Let me know, please, if you happen to know about some fics/authors 😘 thanks again! 

- - - - - - - - -  Hi again, anon! I’m sorry my list of content in the previous ask wasn’t exactly what you were looking/hoping for. As of right now, besides the ones I sent you that may delve a little bit below the surface, I can’t think of a true ‘character study’ type story that I have read so far. But, again, I usually stay in the area of romance so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are such fics out there under a different genre.

I’ll be quite honest, it’s been a very long time since I’ve read any oc/(input character here), including ones with the twins. Normally, I forget they exist until someone brings it up or I stumble across one on Tumblr accidentally. I do agree, the twins suddenly changing for an OC (or anyone) can be a bit unrealistic but from my years of reading and writing, creating stories with such things is a bit of ‘wish fulfillment’ which, to be honest, isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes a reader just needs content that is kind of good-feeling type fic (though not in a sense of how murderous the twins can be but in them getting some kind of positivity in their lives, whether it be through an OC or another character in the universe). When I wrote Oc’s at the beginning, it was either wish fulfillment for me or simply just wanting these characters I adored to finally have some kind of happy ending which they probably did not deserve, at all. 

A reason you might not find such content is also because, character studies are hard. Especially if you don’t have a complete picture of the character. With the twins, a lot is just coming up with stuff, imaging their past and how it still affects them, even if, on the upper layer we’re shown, doesn’t portray those scars left behind. 

With Oc’s, they can usually be pretty hit or miss. It’s not like you’re taking an already known character with known flaws and putting them in your story. Those characters have a foundation already built. For an Oc, the writer has to literally make someone from the ground up, which is equally as hard without making them seem too whiny, too mary-sue like, or just too problematic. This can leave a lot to be desired which can create something unrealistic as well. That’s why I usually only look for content centered around characters from the show, instead of Oc’s; like with Bruce and the twins because canon-wise there is already something there (depending on how you look at it and write it). 

In regard to Ecco: firstly, I think it’s arguable what type of relationship she even has with Jeremiah when we first are introduced to them. We’re shown some concern on his end when she’s clearly been hypnotized but this can be seen as a boss concerned for an employee, an employee who he’s probably had for awhile now and is one of the very rare few who he trusts to an extent. However, we just don’t know much of anything about their relationship or past together. She might have hardly seen him, only contacting him through phone calls and text messages; she may have only brought him supplies through the maze and never was in his inner personal areas. This treatment is all possible given how Jeremiah is quite literally a paranoid mess before the spray, no matter how well put-together he appears. And, if we’re to compare this to his eventual obsession with Bruce Wayne, we can take a guess that Jeremiah and Ecco probably didn’t get very deep with this connection they had. Mainly because with just a few compliments, Jeremiah is invested in Bruce, something we don’t see with Ecco before or after the spray. So we have Bruce enter the picture (someone who has run into his twin on multiple occasions, a fact Jeremiah must know to some extent with his paranoia probably leading him to constantly check newspapers and the news for info on Jerome) and, if you look at things from Jeremiah’s perspective, besides complimenting him, Bruce looks at him and only sees Jeremiah. And this would be baffling to Jeremiah if he knows the affect Jerome has had on Bruce, for him to look at Jeremiah and not see his twin after everything would be just as big a compliment as anything because it’s differentiating him from his twin. Someone who has probably feared being compared to his brother, for people to look at him and only see Jerome (such as what occurs with Jim and Harvey only hours prior). Because of this, when compared to Ecco, we can deduce that either their conversations never went in such a direction, or she hardly had the extended physical contact to ever bring up Jerome or compare or compliment. If so, it’s possible with how Jeremiah is that something similar could have happened with Ecco. And this eventually leads into the spray where his only true attachment is not Ecco but with Bruce, especially, after his initial spray, Jeremiah’s hatred for Jerome is far worse than it had been before, making Bruce’s assessment of Jeremiah simply being himself and not his brother, far more endearing as well. So, in comparison to Bruce, Ecco means absolutely nothing to him, a means to an end. 

I’ll admit, reading content where the twins are somehow in a relationship (with an oc or canon character) while still being rather insane, are quite interesting. However, for stuff like that to work in a compelling and ‘actual’ way, characters like that have to be bent because these characters logistically working in that kind of environment may never be realistic anyways. This can be worked around of course, but it takes so much time and effort; even now, as I write my stories for Gotham, I’m still trying to work around how to make these ships work for the twins because they’re stubborn and although they have obsessions they, at their cores are not good people and while they may try, seriously try to better themselves, there will always be slip-ups.

I do agree, they can love but it would always be twisted in some way or another (look no further than Jeremiah with Bruce). They’re also a lot of fun to take apart and analyze or try and come up with a type of background that works with all the hints we’ve been given. Background-wise, the twins are really something a writer can make their own which is an interesting concept.

This turned more so into a long ramble of writing and Ocs and lots of Gotham lol but anyways, I wish I could give you a story to fit your needs. I quite hate when I have an itch for certain fics and I either can’t find them or the number of fics is so daunting that I don’t dare even try. I would recommend just going through them, possibly looking for complete content first, or ones with high hits or kudos (depending on the site you’re searching on) because I don’t have any at the moment I can suggest. 

(Honestly the ideas for the twins never stop coming lol, perks of their backgrounds and everything else being so hazy.)

I hope some of this message was at least interesting lol and I do wish you luck in finding good twin content that delves into their character or, maybe you’ll get lucky and someone will publish something like that soon! Either way, I hope you find something 😘