#castle audios sweet tea

[rykeiwrites]

And the Thunder Rolls

ꕥ Characters: Liza

ꕥ Genre: fluff, comfort

ꕥ T/W: none i can think of.

ꕥ Words: 543

ꕥ Notes: I am a simple woman who loves a southern MILF.

✧ There was a few downfalls of immortality, sure they were forever young, hot, and strong, but now the super hearing could be troublesome. Off in the distance they could hear the harsh clash of thunder, the sky was a dreary gray with clouds covering everything, and the only reason they could stand in front of a window and not worry about burning to death. They could barely make out the lightning strikes in the far distance. 

They remember when they would seek out Celine and have her calm them when the storms would get bad, but now they were stuck so many miles away and not wanting to bother Liza, who worked a double shift yesterday and needed the sleep. They could deal with this, they were a big vampire. The storm couldn’t hurt them in any way… right?

They jumped as they heard another clap of thunder, closer this time, but still should be faint to human ears. They bit back a small whimper and decided it would be better not to focus on the storm. Taking up their phone and headphones they curled up on the armchair in the living room, away from the window. For a while this works, but as the storm gets closer the harder it is to focus on anything but that. In being consumed by the storm they only notice the human in front of them at the last second.

“What are you doing up Darling?” They ask, taking out their earbud to better hear her.

“Well, I happened to be missing a certain presence lurking in my bed, and wanted to find out where you went. I know you don’t need to sleep but didn’t think I bored you that quickly." She leaned over them and gave them a kiss on the head. “In all seriousness, you alright Sugar? You’re not looking so hot.” They smiled, and before they could lie and say it was fine, right over their head the thunder boomed.

Jumping almost out of their own skin, they stand up, almost knocking Liza over, if they didn’t grab a hold of her to keep her on her feet, a tighter grip then necessary. They tried to smile, but even they knew that their shaking was noticeable. Liza raised an eyebrow at them and they tried to laugh, but it came out as a shaky breath.

“Well, I’ll be fine.” 

“Not what I asked.” Liza sighed and moved so she could sit down in the chair, and tugged on them. “Well come on, get your ass over here.”

“Darling, you should go to bed, you need sleep.” They tried to fight against her, but she pulled harder.  “If you’re going to insist then let's get to bed instead.” They leaned over and kissed her on her head also, and Liza agreed.

In the bedroom Liza pulled Sugar into their arms, covering them in blankets. Laying on her chest, they could hear the heartbeat, and the storm picked up outside. Her hands smoothe out their hair though, rub their back gently. It was when she started to hum though, some inconsequential tune, that drowned out the worst of the thunder. Gently lulled into a semi sleep, they basked in the safety Liza provided them. ✧

[seyvia]

get to know me tag game

ty @jonquilyst for the tag!💕

last song listened to: Hay Love (Jada Facer)

favorite places: Home, the fields, tree stumps, moving water... it can be anywhere when it rains, really.

favorite books: Yotsuba&!, Oh my goddess, and Aria💖(˵•́ ᴗ •̀˵) (those are manga lol🌸 Wasn't much of a reader and I still feel ashamed about it, but I've been able to experience the books I missed out on since I realized audios really work out for me! In my defense to myself, I didn't know I had adhd so stop hating on me, self!)

currently reading: I just finished Howl's moving castle :)

favorite TV show(s): Bee & Puppycat, Psych, only the first 3 seasons of Gilmore girls, New Girl, Over the Garden Wall, Amphibia, Gravity Falls and Dinotopia (2002).

favorite food: Sweet tea's, Ice cream, Savory foods with rice! SOUP! One of my favorites would be Cheesy Broccoli soup with fresh french bread, Stake, Grilled foods, Chicken Marsala, yummm~ (っ˘ڡ˘ς)

Tag your it! And @alicesimblr @aliengirl @somewhereinstrangetown @kissalopa if you wanna or haven't already🫶

[cathartidaestimblog]

update 12/1/23!!: going through and reblogging lots of posts ive had saved for a while. most things will not be tagged. be careful !

info: - i try my best to trigger tag things that may affect people (tagged as simply [tag name], like #flashing) - i may spam reblog - let me know if i reblog the same thing multiple times, i dont like to have duplicates but i am forgetful :>

tagging system under the readmore (for myself mostly, but there is a list of potentially triggering tags that you can avoid if necessary ^^) (not fully accurate, i am constantly working on it :>)

my posts: cat speaks, cat stims, faves from saves ocs: ryuuto, nightstrike (a festival i invented for my oc world), toki, talos convian, kit, jason, ink aesthetics: angels, robotcore, fantasy, dark academia, lovecore, halloween, webcore, kittycore, petcore non-oc characters: hu tao, noelle (both genshin), binah (project moon)

type of post: stimboard, gifset, gif, video, audio, textpost, moodboard, long gifset, imageset, image (i also tag the number of gifs in a post, so #2 or #9 just refers to that ^^)

potential warning tags: flashing, eyestrain, glitch, fast, spinning, bright medical, medcore, gore, blood, needles (includes both sewing and medical), pills sharps, knives, weapons, swords bugs, insects, scorpions, spiders, snakes, moths, bees hands, people, eyes, hair horror, body horror, dolls, abandoned (i think thats the tag?) food, drinks, desserts, sweets, meat, chocolate, fake food crosses (like religious symbol crosses), alcohol, skulls, messy, smoking destruction, makeup destruction, cutting, carving, fire colors: rainbow, black, gray, silver, white, red, orange, gold, yellow, green, mint, teal, blue, lavender, purple, cream, tan, brown, pink

textures (?): bright, clear, dark, fur, glass, glow, holo, leather, lights, metal, metallic, paper, plastic, soft, warm, wood, squishy

studio ghibli: ghibli, ponyo, howls moving castle, totoro, soot sprites, calcifer, kikis delivery service, castle in the sky

video games: video games, minecraft, genshin, honkai star rail, pokemon, kirby

vocaloid (and similar): vocaloid, miku, luka, kaito, rin, len, meiko, teto, vflower, synth v, eleanor forte, ferry, eve, ghost and pals, team 6x111

sanrio: sanrio, cinnamoroll, pompompurin, hello kitty, my melody, kuromi

genshin: genshin, layla, diona, diluc, chongyun, xingqiu, tighnari, hu tao

pokemon: pokemon, vaporeon, sylveon, snom, lurantis, mimikyu, rowlet, polteageist, jolteon, pikachu, gengar, raichu, oshawott, tandemaus, sobble, silvally, furret, clodsire, galarian ponyta

unsorted fandoms: loz, mario, rosalina, cheshire cat, animal crossing, honkai star rail, silver wolf, stardew valley

nature: trees, outdoors, rain, storm, sky, clouds, water, ocean, snow, flowers, grass, ice, moss, leaves, sunset, night, frost, rocks, plants, winter

animals: cats, calico, tigers dogs, german shepherds, shiba inu, pitbulls, foxes birds, corvids, crows, ravens, blue jays, owls, barn owls, woodpeckers, geese, canada geese, macaws, ducks, muscovy ducks, penguins, puffins, mallard ducks, seagulls, doves, magpies moths, atlas moths, cecropia moths, death's head hawkmoths, luna moths, rosy maple moths bears, pandas, polar bears fish, koi, goldfish goats, deer, cows, bunnies, mice, opossums, hyenas, snakes

people (?): people, hands, tattoos, hair, eyes, makeup fursuits, handpaws, scalemail fashion, clothing, shoes, jewelry, gloves, rings, corsets, dresses, ties, earrings, flannel, skirts

food: food, cakes, cookies, pancakes, waffles, chocolate, berries, strawberries, peaches, whipped cream, desserts, sweets, fake food, marshmallows, fruits, candy, bread, peanut butter, cupcakes, oreos, cotton candy, meat

drinks: drinks, milk, coffee, boba, taro, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, soda, ramune

art: drawing, inking, paint, painting, paint mixing, sewing, brushing, brushes, sculptures, architecture, pens, pencils, writing, paper

slime: slime poking, slime stretching, slime squishing, slime pouring clear slime, cloud slime, floam slime, water slime, clay slime (also used for clay cracking)

technology: keyboards, typing, pc, controllers, tech, mech, machinery, machinery, gears, typewriters

fidgets and stimming: fidget toys, fidget spinners, fidget cubes, fidget tangles, body stims

other: city, streetlamps, anime, indoors, character i dont know, xenogenders, figurines, bandaids, powder, carousel, buttons (includes both sewing buttons and mechanical pressing buttons), hearts, golden hour, sparks, books, coins, swords, crystals, tarot, dice, mothman, bath bombs, chains, lava lamps, plague doctors, digital, melting, forging

[another-lost-mc]

For Your Ears Only: When MC sends them audio porn

Featuring: The Dateables + Side Characters (+ bonus Michael and Karasu) x gn!Reader

NSFW // Content: Explicit smut. Sex toys, sexting (audio/pictures/video), demon forms mentioned, penetrative sex and fingering (gn!reader receiving), size kink, breeding kink, creampie, light dom/sub undertones, guided masturbation, orgasm delay/denial, corruption kink if you squint, clothing kink, car sex, oral sex (gn!receiving), implied switch!reader & switch!thirteen, pet names, rough sex. 6.8k words.

For Your Ears Only series: Part I (The Demon Brothers)

DIAVOLO // royal treatment

Diavolo has been in his office all morning. He’s bored out of his mind from signing the endless stacks of paperwork that Barbatos puts in front of him. He would gladly welcome any excuse to escape, and your message gives him something to look forward to. He’s curious about your warning to listen to it alone, so he waits until Barbatos excuses himself from the office to prepare more tea.

Desire pools in his belly when Diavolo finally listens to your recording, and by the time it’s over, he’s gripping the armrest of his chair so hard that it cracks. He holds his D.D.D. to his ear while he storms from the room. He replays the message again because there’s something so alluring about listening to your sweet sounds like this. The desperate, breathy whimpers of his name as you fuck yourself with that inferior toy rile him up even more. He strides through the castle towards his private chambers, ascending the stairs two steps at a time in his haste to see you.

(Diavolo doesn’t even notice that he rushes past a very irate-looking Barbatos. No matter how much he wants to protest, the butler knows better than to get in the prince’s way; Diavolo is radiating power and lust and the need to claim, and trying to stop him now would be a dangerous mistake. Besides, there will be time for lectures about propriety later.)

Diavolo’s true form is completely revealed by the time he enters his bedroom. His blood pumps at the mere sight of finding you naked and waiting for him on his dark silk sheets. Your knees are bent and you part your thighs so invitingly when he kneels on the bed and crawls on top of you. His large hand cups the hot, wet mess between your legs. His fingers stroke you teasingly, and your body shivers with sensitivity from your recent orgasm. He crushes his lips against yours and swipes greedily at the seam of your mouth so he can lick inside and taste you. He teases two fingers into your hole while you're distracted by the kiss, and he stretches you just a little more.

(You buy toys smaller than him on purpose so that no matter how much you might tease yourself with them, they'll never match how thick his cock is, or reach as deep as his rough, powerful strokes do.)

You whimper when he pulls away too soon for your liking, but he bares his fangs in a feral smile and finally sinks his cock inside you. Your back arches against the mattress as he stretches you open, and he pants heavily while he resists the urge to fuck into you like a rabid beast. His thrusts are slow and shallow at first, but your warm, soft body enveloping his cock and your nails digging into his back urge him to move faster, harder, and deeper.

He comes with a roar and you whine at the sensation of his hot release painting your walls and marking you as his. He stares between your bodies and grinds his cock inside you so that he can trap his cum inside you a little longer.

Nothing in this world can fuck you or fill you the way the future demon king can, and he spends the rest of the day proving it to you.

BARBATOS // servant of two, master of one

When you send Barbatos teasing messages, you do so knowing that the likelihood of him being able to come see you anytime soon is slim to none. He's incredibly busy assisting Diavolo and taking care of other important work. Early in your relationship, you both agreed on reasonable expectations that took his many responsibilities into consideration. He doesn’t want to neglect you, but you don’t want to disturb him either.

He cherishes all the photos and videos you send him. They’re sentimental tokens he hoards selfishly for himself; they remind him that you love him and desire him like you've never wanted anyone else. If he’s too busy to call you or visit you, they offer temporary relief for the longing he feels. After he receives the message you sent him today, he has a new treasure to add to his collection.

He listens to your recording when he's completing mundane chores alone in the laundry room. No one else sees the butler’s infallible mask slip: his breath hitches slightly, and the freshly-laundered sheets slip from his fingers when his hands tremble with the sudden need to touch. He grunts and clenches his fists when your breathy crescendo of fuck–fuck–fuck—! ends with a broken cry of his name.

He feels unusually warm when the recording ends and all he hears is his own ragged breathing. His cock stirs in his pants and he takes a few minutes to calm himself and regain his composure. He can't perform his duties with a hard, throbbing cock ruining the crease of his pants. By the time he’s calm and leaves the room, he’s decided how to respond to you.

Barbatos has to prepare the Young Master's lunch next, but he has a bit of time to spare and walks to his bedroom first. He doesn't dare sit on the bed; fond memories of fucking you between his sheets might tempt him to linger. He doesn't call you either, even though he desperately wants to. He records a voice message for you instead, and he carries on with his work once he confirms you’ve received it.

You listen to his message from the comfort of your bed, you can tell right away that he sounds less composed than usual. His voice is a bit rougher, and it makes you giddy knowing you have that impact on him. You smile as you listen to his compliments and praise and he tells you (with explicit details) how lovely your surprise was. He asks for a favour from you, if you’re willing, and he gives you instructions for how he'd like you to use your toy next.

You lay back and let the soothing cadence of his voice guide your actions. You move the toy in and out of your body at the pace he commands. He coaxes you to the edge of pleasure but denies you over and over; despite how close you are, you stop when he tells you to. When he finally asks you to come for him, the breathless, pleading tone of his command shakes you to your core. He anticipates that you need a moment to recover, and the recording is silent until his gritty voice reminds you how good you are for him and how much he loves you.

You feel wonderful knowing that he'll be pleased with your obedience, and you send him the proof he asked for: another recording of yourself, and a picture of the new mess between your legs. Your body trembles slightly as pleasure fades and your body melts into the mattress. You relax in your bed, naked and cum-stained, and when your D.D.D. pings, you read his new message with a smile. He decided to rearrange his schedule after all, and he’s on his way to take care of you himself.

SIMEON // savor the moment

He’s not the most skilled when it comes to technology, but Simeon figures out how to play the recording you sent him. He heeds your warning that he should listen to it in private, and he escapes to the dimly-lit sanctuary of his bedroom and sits on the bed. Sometimes you send him voice messages about your day. Other times, you remind him how much you love him and miss him, and you confess how sinful your thoughts become when you think of him.

He’s shocked when he recognizes the sounds that filter through the speakers of his phone and fill his room. He’s heard them so many times when he makes love to you between his sheets (or yours), or on the sofa in the sitting room, and even once against the front door when he was too impatient to wait—

Whenever Simeon is with you, his carefully made plans to take you apart slowly and lovingly burst at the seams when he finally has his hands on your body. Everything about you is irresistible. He denied temptation for so long that he can’t control the raging passion inside him when he’s with you.

The sounds you make for him on this recording are a bit different though. It’s almost like you’re teasing yourself towards the edge, instead of hurtling towards it with abandon. Your moans and cries become breathier and louder and it’s the most beautiful symphony he’s ever heard.

He senses that you’re basking in the slow, sensual delight of touching yourself, rather than the passionate frenzy that often happens when you’re together. Even as lust stirs inside him and makes his cock swell, he’s stunned by your intimate gift made for him alone.

He loosens his belt and slips his hand inside his pants as he listens to you again. He spreads the pearly-white fluid leaking from the tip of his cock down his shaft. Pleasure blooms within him when the soft, wet glide of his strokes match your rhythm.

He lays back and wonders if you felt tormented by the temptation to move faster like he does now. How did you resist the urge to pump your toy into your greedy hole with desperation as you chased your release? You maintained your slow rhythm until the very end, and he desperately tries to do the same. It feels like you’re leading him to ecstasy; you’re the only person he would ever follow blindly without hesitation or doubt, because he loves you so.

The pleasure that warms his body and makes his limbs tremble feels like a wave cresting upon the shore. Your name falls from his lips in reverent sighs and gentle moans, instead of his usual harsh groans and mumbled curses that he muffles against your skin.

He strokes his cock slowly so he doesn’t come until you do. Despite the gentle pace, his orgasm still causes his back to arch off the bed as a long, whiny moan rips from his throat. He thrusts into his fist and the bed frame creaks slightly underneath him. Ropes of cum cover his belly and part of his chest. He lets go of his cock when he gasps from the sensitivity of wringing the last drops of pleasure from himself.

He catches his breath and sighs tiredly. He feels sticky and needs a shower and clean change of clothes. After he’s tidied up, you send him a message and ask if he wants to come see you. He’s tempted, but he invites you to dinner first; he wants you both to enjoy this slow, sensual seduction a little while longer.

SOLOMON // at your beck and call

Sometimes you forget that there's not much Solomon won't do for you. He's selfish with your time and greedy for your love and affection. He uses his (frighteningly immense) power as he sees fit, and he doesn't mind being irresponsible from time to time if it means giving you what you want.

Your little surprise is a welcome distraction from a boring meeting he was told he couldn’t miss. He excuses himself quietly when his D.D.D. pings, and he holds his phone to his ear and listens to the recording in the hallway outside. His soft smile sharpens into something wicked when he realizes what you sent him.

Anyone that might see him now would notice how his eyes grow darker as his pupils dilate, or that he adjusts himself discretely as his cock hardens in his pants. He doesn’t feel any hesitation or remorse when he abandons the meeting and teleports to his home where he knows you're waiting. (He'll make his apologies and excuses to the Sorcerer's Society later, after he's fucked your brains out.)

He re-appears in his bedroom and he's already unbuttoning his shirt eagerly, but his excitement deflates when he realizes his bed is empty. He knows you must be nearby; the scent of your musky arousal and sweat lingers near the bed. The sheets are still in disarray, and he can even see the small wet spots you made.

The sound of running water catches his attention, and he lets his shirt fall open as he approaches the half-closed door to the en-suite washroom. Your toy is cleaned and dry on the counter, and you splash water on your face with a tired sigh. You jump when you meet his gaze in the mirror, and you smile bashfully at his sudden appearance.

You didn't think he would really come, and he decides to remind you that nothing could possibly keep him away. He steps inside and embraces you properly so he can enjoy the feeling of your warm, bare skin against him. Your legs are still trembling slightly, and your scent is so much stronger now. 

There's so much he wants to say–you're so beautiful, darling or you're a naughty thing, teasing me like that during my meeting–but he kisses you instead.

It's sweet at first, and he pours his love and desire for you into the kiss. Sometimes he wishes he were a more patient man, because your first whimper against his lips reminds him of all the delightfully carnal things he wants to do to you. The kiss becomes heated and passionate as your mouths slot together perfectly, and he matches your delighted noises with soft groans of his own.

His mouth coaxes your lips open, and he curls his tongue with yours as he backs you against the counter. The hands that cradle your face so lovingly slide down your body, and he groans as he explores the familiar dips and curves of your chest and waist. His hands smooth over the swell of your ass and he squeezes. He gropes the soft flesh a little more before grasping the back of your thighs and lifting you up.

You're lost in the loving haze of his kiss and make a startled noise in the back of your throat when he sets you on the edge of the counter. He pulls you flush against his chest and you gasp as the outline of his cock rubs against the wet, sticky space between your legs. The hunger in his eyes mirrors that of your own.

You fumble with his belt and pump his hard, leaking cock while his fingers tease your entrance. He moans at the delicious friction of your hand on him. He breathes out a stuttered sigh when your soft, warm walls welcome his fingers so easily.

You prepared yourself so well for him, and he can’t wait anymore. His hand curls around your hip as he removes his fingers and fucks into you with one deep stroke. He cradles your neck as your head falls back with a choked off moan. He nips at your throat and groans as your body clenches around him. His pace is fast and brutal, and even when you come on his cock and your legs tremble around his waist, you whisper his name over and over again and beg him for more.

My silly darling, he thinks when he carries you to his bed and fucks you again with renewed vigor, how could I ever resist you?

MEPHISTOPHELES // tied up

Mephisto is busy today with Newspaper Club business, but you send him his gift knowing he’ll listen to it eventually. After you catch your breath, you walk gingerly to your ensuite washroom to shower. There's a ping on your D.D.D. while you're stripping the sheets off your bed to wash them.

Mephistopheles: I'll pick you up at 7:00 tonight for dinner.

Mephistopheles: And bring the tie with you.

He doesn't even mention the recording, but his request for the tie makes you feel giddy with mischief. His unique fashion accessories are something you think only he can pull off. He comes across as pretentious, but you understand that the things he wears are a personal choice and not necessarily about his status and wealth. You tease him playfully from time to time about those particular ties he likes to wear, but he knows you like them, no matter how much you deny it.

You slipped one of his ties into your pocket when you were at his home a couple nights ago. You fetched the silky cloth from its hiding place in your dresser earlier; you got a whiff of his expensive cologne and the barest hint of his natural scent underneath.

It's what inspired you to make the recording to begin with.

It was clenched in your hand while you fucked yourself with your toy earlier, and the material is creased and a bit dirty with your cum now too. When you were still catching your breath, you snapped a photo and sent it to him. It was a blurry picture of your arm resting across your waist, but there's no way he could miss the dark, silk tie underneath your glistening fingertips.

His car arrives at seven o'clock sharp, and his driver steps out to open the door for you. You slide into the seat beside Mephisto. His expression is unreadable in the poorly-lit backseat, but he takes off his gloves and pats his thighs invitingly. You straddle his lap and his bare fingers grip your waist. He teases the bare skin just underneath the hem of your shirt.

"You're a terrible distraction, pet," he murmurs, and his voice sounds so rough that you squirm. He’s already hard and he grunts quietly when you rub against him. He glares at the smile blooming across your face, but there's no heat to it.

"I missed you," you say after you lean forward and press a chaste kiss against his mouth.

He licks his lips and hums. "Did you bring it with you?"

"You mean this?" You pull his crumpled tie from your back pocket and dangle it in front of his face. His eyes lock onto it immediately, and if you can smell yourself on it, you know he does too. 

He tries to be discreet when he leans forward so his nose brushes against the fabric, and his eyes flutter slightly. There's a low purr rumbling in his chest and his pupils dilate noticeably even in the dark corner of the car.

His fingers dig into your hips when you lean against his chest. "You should probably remove the stains first before you wear this again," you whisper against his ear.

He groans when he tilts your head and captures your lips in a filthy kiss. There's nothing decent or composed about the way he starts grinding his hips up against you, or how his other hand slides under your shirt and scrapes his nails against your back. 

You scratch lightly against his scalp and tug on his hair, and he breaks the kiss with a growl. He maneuvers you off his lap and pushes you back against the seat. His face hovers above your waist and his hand rubs against you through your pants. He can feel how damp you are already, and he makes quick work of undoing your pants. You lift your hips so he can shimmy them down your thighs.

He's too impatient to undress you properly, but he bends down and licks against the edge of your arousal. He waits until you meet his gaze and then he does it again, and he grins when you whimper his name.

"I thought you wanted to go out for dinner?" you ask breathlessly. This wouldn’t be the first time he's gotten frisky in the car, but you’re worried about being seen like this.

"We’re taking a scenic route," he explains with a groan, “but I want a taste of you first." He leans down with a smirk before he sucks you into his mouth.

RAPHAEL // inevitable defeat

Raphael hesitates only for a moment before he taps Play on the screen and puts his phone to his ear. He closes his eyes at the first soft sigh that escapes you. He swallows around the lump in his throat when you moan, and he bites his lip when he hears the faint sound of the mattress creaking beneath you. His ragged breathing matches the quick pace you use to fuck yourself with your toy. The wet, squelching sounds are obscene, but he's never heard something so sinfully beautiful before.

His body feels overheated, and the first beads of sweat start to roll down the back of his neck. When his name tumbles from your lips as you come, he squeezes the phone so tightly he's worried the case might snap in his fist.

He has responsibilities in the Devildom–tasks assigned to him from Michael, chores he splits with his roommates, the relationships he has to foster with demons as part of his mission. Meeting you was inevitable, and perhaps falling for you was inevitable too. Everything you are and all the things you say and do affect him–and this is no different.

He should be getting ready to leave for a meeting, but he's frozen in place and his body quakes as he tries to smother the lust coursing through his veins. How can he walk to RAD when his cock is hard and aching? How can he think or speak of anything else except how beautiful you are and how badly he wants you? No, it won't do at all–he'll apologize later for shirking his responsibilities.

Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.

He pushes his door closed and leans his forehead against the cool wood while he taps the screen and replays your message. He holds the phone to his ear with one hand while the other reaches into his pants and palms himself, slickened by the copious fluid leaking from the tip of his cock. He's so fucking aroused by you. You make an utter mess of him and you’re not even here. His hand is soaked with his own pre-cum, and the fast strokes of his cock sound as obscene as your noises do.

Sometimes he grunts in unison with you, and other times he echoes your moans with a bitten-off curse of his own. When he closes his eyes, it's so easy to picture you naked and writhing on his bed. He wishes he could smother his sounds against your bare skin as he fucks you. All he can do now is bite his lip so hard that he can taste copper on his tongue.

He comes with a deep groan moments after you do, and his door is painted with the ropes of cum that he can’t catch. He pumps himself through the aftershocks until he winces and his hand falls limply at his side. He pants heavily against the door as he catches his breath; his skin is hot and clammy with sweat, and he'll need to shower again before he goes out.

He glances at the pearly-white mess that coats his fingers and his clothes and the door. If he were a better angel, he would tell himself that poor self-control is responsible for this mess.

But he's not a better angel, because all he can think is, what a waste I couldn't come inside you instead.

THIRTEEN // the wild card

Thirteen’s reactions to your dirty messages are unpredictable, and today you have no idea what to expect once you send her the recording. 

Sometimes when you send her a raunchy text, she sends you back something just as filthy. If you send her photos of your body (with or without clothing), she gushes about how gorgeous you are and how she can’t wait to see you in person. 

There are times when she confesses how lucky feels that she met you. Those are the days when she comes to your bed (or sneaks you off to her cave) and keeps you up all night. She murmurs praise into your ear as she fucks you so slowly, and afterwards she rolls you over and begs for you to fuck her too.

You don’t hear from her by the time you change your bedsheets and clean your toy, and you decide to have a shower and plan the rest of your day. Maybe she’s busy doing reaper things? (She’s a bit tight-lipped about the things she does that she says delicate humans like you don’t need to worry about.) Or maybe she’s trying to prank Solomon again?

You leave your en-suite washroom with damp skin and a towel wrapped around you, and you yelp in surprise when you realize someone is sitting on your bed.

She giggles at your expression. “Aww, did I scare you? I just wanted to surprise you.” She pats her phone that’s next to her on the bedspread. “We’re both full of surprises today,” she murmurs, and you notice the way her eyes roam your nearly-naked body appreciatively. She leans back on her hands and spreads her legs wide so you can stand between them.

“I didn’t hear from you. I figured I’d see you at school,” you admit with a shrug.

She tugs playfully at the knot keeping the towel wrapped around you. “You can’t blame me for being a little late, lovely,” she says teasingly. The towel gives way after another stubborn tug of her wrist, but you don’t bother picking it up. Her eyes are scorching as she drinks in your exposed skin, and her strange eyes are the most striking when she stares at you like this.

“What do you mean?” you ask curiously.

Instead of replying, she leans forward and traces your mouth with her fingertips. You flick your tongue out to tease her, but you nearly moan when you recognize the faded taste of her cum. It’s not like anything you’ve ever tasted–it’s syrupy-sweet unlike anyone else’s you’ve tasted–and you eagerly suck her fingers between your lips.

“Sometimes I can’t wait to be with you either,” she confesses quietly as she watches your lips wrap around her fingers. Her other hand settles on your waist and dances along your hip and over the top of your thigh. “And I have to compete with all those fools for your attention,” she grumbles bitterly, but she leans forward and kisses your belly as her hand seeks out your arousal between your legs.

You gasp as she strokes you, and she pulls her hand away from your mouth so she can hold you steady as your legs start to tremble. Desire blooms inside you all over again. You feel so desperate, and it would be embarrassing how quickly you fall apart for her, if it weren’t for the lovestruck look in her own eyes.

“I only want you,” you whimper as your hips rock against her hand and your fingers wind through her hair.

“I know, lovely,” she coos sweetly, and she coaxes you into her lap as she lays back on your bed. She finally kisses you and curls her tongue with yours as she continues teasing you between your legs. One of her fingers slips inside you, and you both break away from the kiss with a gasp.

“You’re ready for me,” she whispers against your ear while her finger stretches your walls and brushes against the spongy spot instead. “But I’m ready for you too,” she confesses with a breathy laugh.

You reach down between her legs and slide your hand up her thigh. You noticed she was wearing a skirt today, but she’s not wearing any underwear. You moan when you feel her hot, wet heat against your fingertips. You gather some of her slick on your fingers and trace her clit with slow circles.

“Is it greedy of me to want all of you?” you whimper, and she adds a second finger inside you.

“This first,” she suggests as she rolls her hips against your hand and moans quietly, “and then I can fuck you after?”

“I wanna fuck you too,” and you hate how whiny you sound, but nothing would be more perfect than seeing her bouncing above you right now. You saw her bag on the floor near your bed; you know she came prepared for anything you wanted to do.

She crooks her fingers inside you and grins when you start to fall apart around her fingers. “Oh, lovely, I promise we’ll both get to have a little fun.”

MICHAEL // tranquil moments

Michael would love nothing more than to ignore all his duties when you visit him in the Celestial Realm, but sometimes his absence can’t be helped. He left you earlier that morning to meet with some other high-ranking angels, and he promised to return shortly.

He saw your message during the meeting but had to ignore it until now. He puts his phone to his ear so he can listen to the recording on his way to find you. He bites his lip to stop himself from groaning at the sounds you’re making in his ear. He rushes to his room while he tries to ignore his half-hard cock that starts tenting his robes.

He enters his room but he’s surprised (and disappointed) that you’re not there anymore. The bed is still unmade and the stain he touches with his finger is damp. He lowers his nose to the mattress and inhales your sweet, musky scent into his lungs. He doesn’t know where you are, but he knows how to find out. He taps your name on the screen and waits while the dial tone rings.

“Hello, Michael. I’m surprised to hear from you so soon. I thought you might still be busy.”

“Oh, I’m going to be very busy soon. Tell me, little lamb, where are you hiding?”

“It’s not much of a surprise if I tell you, is it?”

He listens to your airy laugh, and he strains to hear the noises around you. He can’t pick up anything at first, but then there’s a hushing noise across your end of the call, almost like a heavy breath, or the wind—

He grins when he glances out the window and sees the trees outside sway gently in the breeze.

“I’ll see you soon, little lamb.”

“I hope so.”

Michael finds you lying underneath the willow tree in his private garden. Your teasing smile widens when he shrugs off his robes and lets them fall onto the grass. The sight of his broad, naked body is enough to leave you breathless.

He kneels between your legs and braces himself above you. He holds himself steady on one arm while the other dips into your pants and he groans when he feels how messy you are. Two fingers slip inside you easily when he presses them against your entrance.

“You brought the Archangel to his knees in less than two minutes,” he mutters under his breath. His eyes glance down between your bodies as your hips rock against his hand.

“I want you so badly,” you whine quietly, and his throat feels thick with emotion when he swallows.

“Let me take care of you, little lamb,” he whispers before he kisses you. He peels your clothes off until you’re bare and trembling underneath him. Your thighs rest against his hips, and he distracts you with another deep kiss as he replaces his fingers with his cock.

He fucks you until your voice grows hoarse. He moans his pleasure into the crook of your neck when he comes shortly after, and he doesn’t think anything can feel more perfect than this: the sun shining on his back, a gentle breeze cooling the glistening sweat on his skin, and your body clenching around his cock while you moan his name like a prayer.

KARASU // new experiences

Karasu is too busy to notice the notification of your incoming message on his D.D.D., but his computer terminal alerts him so that he never misses something you send him. He can play the recording through his computer, but he raises his eyebrows at your warning to listen to the audio file in private. He slips on his headset and continues debugging some new code after he hits Play.

His fingers hover frozen over the keys when he hears the first soft sigh in his ears. By the time he’s listened to the entire thing—barely two minutes later—he’s breathing heavily and his fingers are digging into his thighs. His cock is hard against his zipper and he’s leaking in his underwear.

He plays the recording again and turns up the volume so he can hear you over the sound of his heavy, ragged breathing. Your moans and cries fill his body with hot, raw desire; the wet, rhythmic sounds of the toy you're fucking yourself with make him feel desperate.

He knows he can satisfy you better than that toy can. He can fuck you as hard as you want, as much as you want. Is that really what you want from him? He’s all you need. He tosses the headset aside and pushes away from his desk so he can prove it to you. 

He shrugs on his coat to hide his erection and strides out of his office towards the elevator. He sends his assistant a message that he’s going to be off-site for a private matter and he shouldn’t be disturbed. As soon as he’s outside the building he works in, he unfurls his wings and takes off in a running jump.

You put on a bathrobe and start tidying up the bedroom after your morning activities. You haven’t heard from Karasu yet, but you hope he liked your little surprise. It’s the first time you’ve sent him something like that, but hopefully it gives him something to look forward to when he gets home.

You’re pulling the sheets off the bed to wash them when you hear a thud on the roof. You glance at the ceiling and shrug when silence follows. It's less than a minute later when you jump as the front door opens and slams closed. You hear loud, heavy footfalls of someone striding down the hall.

You recognize Karasu when he suddenly appears in the doorway, but the demon standing in front of you is different from the one you said goodbye to earlier that morning.

The air thrums with the power of his aura, and you realize you’ve never seen his true form before, not entirely. His wingspan is too wide for the doorway and he looks large in the cramped space. His suit is gone, and he’s wearing a sleeveless black muscle shirt and leather pants. He’s breathing so heavily that you think he might be hurt, but his eyes are blazing with something more intense than pain. You glance down and notice the outline of his cock straining against his pants.

It suddenly dawns on you why he’s here looking this way, and you feel bashful and flattered and a little confused that he left work in the middle of the day to see you. He doesn’t say anything, but there’s a quiet rattling noise emanating from his chest.

“I take it you got my message?” you ask awkwardly. He’s still staring at you with those glowing red eyes, and the rattling noise in his chest is louder now. “Did you…did you like it?”

He crosses the room faster than you can blink and he reaches for you. When he pulls you into his arms, he crushes his lips against yours with a deep groan. You wrap your arms around his neck and press even closer to him.

His hands fumble with your robe until he loosens the belt and slides it off you. His hands roam eagerly across your bare skin, and he walks you back towards the bed. He kisses you with a desperation you’ve never seen before, and you break the kiss with a huff of amusement. “The sheets are in the laundry,” you tell him with a glance towards the bare mattress.

“Don’t need ‘em,” he mutters in a rough voice, and suddenly his hands are on your hips and spinning you around. He pushes you forward and you balance your hands against the mattress.

His fingers are cool against your skin, and you shudder when he pushes your back into a deeper arch. He teases your entrance and moans when he feels how wet you still are and how easily his fingers slip inside you. He pumps his fingers a few times before he removes them just as quickly, and you gasp as the sudden emptiness. There’s a clink of metal sliding against metal behind you, and you groan when his cock slides between your ass cheeks and brushes against your hole.

“Tell me what you want,” he snarls against your ear when he leans over you and presses his chest against your back.

“You, I want you—“ your voice breaks into a cry when he sheathes himself to the hilt in one deep stroke.

His pace is fast and punishing, and the harsh sounds of his skin slapping against yours fill the room. He’s panting loudly against your shoulder and his grunts are punctuated by curses and the odd, animalistic noises he makes when words seem to fail him.

Karasu usually prefers to be face-to-face when he’s inside you, and he’s usually soft and almost hesitant when he explores your body. He never fucks you like this, but you’ve never felt so utterly consumed by someone before and you love it. 

You can see glimpses of his fluttering wings from the corner of your eyes. One of his hands is curled around your hip, and the other is laced on top of yours on the mattress. Your breath hitches when you realize sharp talons have replaced his long, nimble fingers. He’s careful not to hurt you, but with every sharp snap of his hips, his talons dig long scratches into the plush mattress covering. You should be terrified that those same talons are wrapped around your hip to keep you still beneath him, but it only arouses you more.

Everything he’s doing to you sends you spiraling towards oblivion. You're so close to coming already; his cock grinds inside you so perfectly and his relentless pace makes you dizzy with pleasure. His rhythm is starting to falter, and you realize he won’t last long either. “Wanna come with you,” you whimper, and you feel his head nodding against yours.

“Fucking hell,” he groans. His thrusts seem almost desperate, and you can tell he’s trying to delay his own pleasure until you find yours first. “Touch yourself,” he grits out between clenched teeth. “I can’t—please—!”

It only takes a few strokes between your legs before you fall apart with his name spilling from his lips in a loud, shuddering cry. He gasps when your body tightens around his cock and he comes too. The noise that rips from his throat is like nothing you’ve ever heard before. He moans as he pumps his cock inside you until he’s completely spent, and there’s so much—you can feel his cum trickle down your thigh.

His cock softens and slips out of you, and his demon form fades away. He guides you down onto the mattress with him so you can both catch your breath. He holds you against his chest and peppers the top of your head with kisses. “Dear one?”

You glance at his face when you hear his hesitant tone. “Are you okay?”

He sniffs and your heart clenches when you notice how embarrassed he looks. “I should be asking you that. I was overcome, I don’t—I’ve never been like this before.” He looks away nervously. “With anyone.”

You cup his cheek softly and turn his face so he looks at you again. “It was unexpected, but I liked it.” 

He wraps his arms around you and sighs. “I’m sorry if I startled you, but I’m glad you found it enjoyable.” He clears his throat. “And I would be agreeable to doing this again in the future, if you want.”

You laugh. “What, me sending you dirty messages at work, or you coming home from work so you can fuck me like this?”

Karasu’s nervous smile curls into a teasing smirk. “Both.”

Read more: Obey Me! Masterlist

[imissthembutitwasntadisaster]

Types of people: random disciplines edition

Anthropology: watchful eyes, up for anything, “hey did you know...”, talks about running away a lot, new book smell, libraries, obscure tea, portable speakers, secretly introverted, good listeners, people watching in the early afternoon, audio dramas, fresh pastries, questioning authority, steady shoulders, can never fall asleep immediately, can’t dance but loves doing it, tells the best stories, unable to hide their emotions, quick tongue, knows never to leave people lonely. 

Psychology: quiet courage, open heart, over-analysing, midnight with all the lights on, potted plants they somehow manage to keep alive, loves the cold, bright hard colours, could be wicked but chooses not to, 2000s detective shows, photographs pinned to the walls, stage magic, loud heels, knows their limits, will never tell anyone what they are, Korean food, city lover, pointy elbows, soft arms, healthy smooties, secretly a Romantic. 

Linguistics: long conversations, warm fires, un-self conscious, Lord of the Rings enthusiast, autumn supporter, travels a lot, loves a good romcom, can swear very effectively, pottery, epics and sagas, binge watching tv, sweet and savoury pies, won’t stop talking, believes we’ll be ok, smiles when they see yellow, long capes, hidey-holes, sleeping in a cold room under a warm blanket, totally random taste in books. 

Philosophy: actually runs away, is impossible to get in contact with, knows all the best restaurants and museums, phones you at three in the morning with an Adventure, somehow not insufferable, isn’t afraid of ghosts, laughs a lot, would die for siblings would also kill siblings depending, loves Christmas, sporadically artistic, best hypeman, thinks about things too hard and starts staring into the middle distance, if you come to town will always welcome you with open arms.

Theology: a comfort, dependable, flaming swords or at least a sword, strong opinions, climbing mountains, kind is not weak, strong coffee, unfazed by monsters, flowers at the window, would shield you with their body were you their love interest in a show, stays up too late, tries to follow a routine, gives good advice they themselves don’t follow, doesn’t really understand a lot of new memes, loves all the seasons, extends hands even when they don’t have to. 

Biomed: hair scraped back into a bun that somehow looks amazing, to-do lists, leftovers in the fridge, always messy, 90s music, smart but dumb, video calling friends, arriving just on time, road trips, going to the movies, post-it notes, pastel colours or neon, no inbetween, loves Spring, wishes they could fly, will take the train whenever possible to get anywhere, can’t sit normally, did All the clubs as a kid, never treats you like you’re stupid. 

Ancient History: thick socks, vintage clothes, buys flowers for themselves, terrible gossip but with no malice, treats historical figures like old friends, castles, stargazing, swapping stories, eating fish and chips on the cold beach looking at the sea, obscure languages, lots of bubble bath, slow wide laugh, old town weekend trips, constantly in touch with their family, the best hugger, classic romance literature, heater alway on, can turn any room into a home. 

[dark-frosted-heart]

Team Cool Princes

Discuss! Cool ways to block an escape route

What is this story...it's like I'm getting situation CDs without any audio.

It's the day after the "Day of the Beloved". MC's enjoying a tea party with Licht and Keith one early afternoon. They talk about the roses they received the day before and the two princes have a banter.

After a while, Sariel approaches, documents in hand, and says it's unusual to see the three of them have a tea party without Yves. Licht explains that Yves was originally going to join them but something came up. MC asks why Sariel's here and he gestures to the papers, saying he's delivering them to Chevalier. Keith says the prince isn't around though. They follow after Sariel as he heads behind the bushes and are shocked to see Chevalier there sitting on a bench and reading. Sariel calmly asks him to look over the documents.

MC can't believe she didn't notice him at all. Especially since he has to go past them to get to the bench. Has he been there since before the start of the tea party? MC apologizes for disturbing him in any way. Chevalier says he doesn’t care and goes over the documents. MC realizes that if he did care, he would have left a long time ago and breathes a sigh of relief. But know that she's aware of Chevalier's presence, she's hesitant about continuing the tea party. She's wondering what to do when Keith proposes that the five of them have a tea party together.

And now all 5 of them sit in silence. Yes, Chevalier joined them. And he continues to read the romance book from Jade that MC had borrowed from Keith. Sariel turns to MC and talks about how the castle's become more crowded this year because of #1 Prince competition. MC says she saw everyone be given roses several times that day, Sariel included. He's happy to receive so many roses, he says, but he's not a prince so he's a bit troubled. That aside, he asks MC if she knows who she's going to give her rose to. Nope. Everyone's so different, it's hard to decide who's the most prince-like. She'd love to give everyone one if she could. Sariel tells her that she doesn't have to think about it too hard since this day comes every year. Licht nods in agreement. He then lists out examples for reasons why people would give a rose: liking Yves sweets, liking Nokto's face, liking the beautiful curvature of Sariel's glasses. Says that the reasons don't have to be serious, at least that’s what Jin told him. Sariel is somewhat offended by his example. Well, whatever. He then suggests MC give out her rose for a lighthearted reason as well.

MC's brings up something she overheard from some maids a few days ago. They were talking about a romance book where a popular prince smoothly kabedons women. Sariel explains what a kabedon is to Keith and Licht. There's not much response to it and she deflates. But Sariel asks if she's thinking about giving a rose to someone that kabedons her like the prince. MC says she isn't but thought it'd be a reason to give a rose. The beautiful curvature of Sariel's glasses shine suspiciously. Even though the sun had nothing to do with it, MC thinks. Sariel continues and asks who she'd give the rose to, if it was for that reason. She regrets bringing up the kabedon book but there's no turning back. She tries to picture it. And continues trying. But says that while she can see them all perform a kabedon, she can't picture the situation for it. So she asks them all in what situations would they perform a kabedon. MC volunteers Keith to go first.

~~~Keith Scenario~~~

You and Keith are one your way home after a night out in town when it starts to rain.

Keith: "Oh, it's starting to rain. Let's find shelter for a bit." "I hope it stops soon." "Are you cold? The rain's gotten worse." "Um...if you don't mind, I could stand closer?" "Reason? Uh, well..."

Keith timidly places his hand on the wall, closing the distance to the point your breaths touch. Golden eyes peer through his wet hair, looking down at you with worry.

Keith: "I thought I could protect you from the wind and rain for a bit like this." "Sorry, I got too close. Your face's red."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Something like that?", Keith asks. He hopes she doesn't think he lacks imagination. MC thinks it was a gentle kabedon, much unlike the kind the maids were raving about. Just thinking about it makes her heart race. Sariel thinks it's an appealing situation with the benefit of the guy being worried about you. MC says it's great because he's tall. He thanks them and is glad that his needlessly large stature is useful for something. Keith then asks Licht what he'd do. Licht's just like "do I have to..." Sariel wants to know. Keith and MC agree. Chevalier's still there reading.

~~~Licht Scenario~~~

One evening when you're sluggishly walking down a hallway, Licht calls out to you.

Licht: "You're not feeling well, are you? You look like you're about to collapse with how pale you are." "Are you alright- You still have work?"

As you try to move past him, he places his hand on the wall and blocks your path.

Licht: "Where do you think you're going? I'm not done talking yet."

You try to go back the way you came, but his other hand blocks your way. Trapped between his arms, his red eyes look at you.

Licht: "I'm not going to let you go." "I'm not worried. It's just be troublesome if you collapsed." "Also, you should take better care of yourself."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keith calls him the assertive type. Sariel says that since Licht's a kind person, he becomes pushy when worried. Licht didn't ask for their reactions. He tells Sariel that he's next. Doesn't matter if he's not a prince, he's the one that got them into this situation so he can't avoid it.

~~~Sariel Scenario~~~

Having been so immersed in your studies, you forgot about the "promise" you made to Sariel.

Sariel: "You know why you're here. "You made a promise this morning to not lose sleep over studying." "Heh, it's good to apologize sincerely without excuses." "I forgive you for breaking your promise."

You try to leave the room after Sariel says that, but...

Sariel: "However..."

He closes the door and places his hand on it to keep it closed. He leans next to your ear.

Sariel: "The lecture's not over yet."

He wraps his other hand around yours that was holding the doorknob.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keith can feel his heart pounding at the scenario and asks if Licht agrees. Licht asks why Keith is asking him to. MC agrees with Keith though. It was a mature kabedon. At that, Licht wonders if there's such thing as mature and childish kabedons. Sariel suggests putting scenario into practice one day since she has a habit of overworking herself. MC says she'll be mindful. Then remembers being recently told not to overdo it. She wonders if it was a warning.

All that's left is Chevalier. He continues to read despite everyone's stares. MC knows he's just here to read so she doesn't know why she got her hopes up. Taking a sip of tea, she wonders what a Chevalier kabedon scenario would be like. She starts to picture it...

~~~Chevalier Scenario~~~

I was reading with Chevalier.

MC: (Did I fall asleep?)

I look up and see Chevalier leaning against a bookshelf, reading.

MC: (You definitely noticed that I dozed off.) "I'll just excuse myself..."

When I stood up to quickly leave the room in embarrassment-

Chevalier: "Wait."

MC: (Eh?)

Chevalier stood before me and placed his hand on the bookshelf, closing the distance between us. Icy blue eyes looked down at me and I felt myself getting hot. It was like I was entranced and couldn't look away.

MC: "Whaa!?"

Suddenly, Chevalier trips me and I fall back into the chair.

MC: (What the heck...)

I felt something fall slip off my lap and I caught it as quickly as I could.

MC: (This is...)

It was the book I was reading before I fell asleep.

MC: (Did you do this because the book was about to fall?)

When I give Chevalier a look in question, he smirks.

Chevalier: "What were you expecting, simpleton?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back to reality, MC's surprised that the last line was from the real Chevalier. He laughs scornfully and closes his book. And with a plop, places it on her head, telling her that it's a book she'd like. She's surprised that he's finished already. Chevalier gets up and leaves dashingly. That laugh of his earlier...MC wonders if it was because Chevalier knew she was imagining his kabedon. He's able to read her mind so easily, she can't believe it.

Keith comments on Chevalier being at the tea party just to read, and Licht says that he's the #1 book lover in the country. Keith might just have to bring more books from Jade among other things then. Sariel's sure that Chevalier will be pleased and that surprises Keith. Chevalier? Pleased?

Anyway, even though they didn't hear Chevalier's kabedon scenario, he asks if MC's decided on who she'd give her rose to. She'd completely forgotten the reason for the scenarios. She thinks for a while but the scenario she imagined with Chevalier sticks to the front of her mind. Sariel, with a smile, points out that she's turning red. Licht questions if it's getting hotter and Keith hands her water with lemon to combat the heat.

MC doesn't think she can choose one winner and now understands why the maids were so excited. If she's getting this hot from imagination alone, what would if be like to experience it in real life? She continues to sip the water but fails to cool down.

[hibiscuswrites]

So your beautiful wife did a Bre’s boys thing to how they would respond to the tik tok prank “ay shawty your man still around?” And I was wondering if you could do one for Ray and Frank’s reaction to it? 😂😂-🌺

He’s concerned at first, of course 

Looking over at you with furrowed brows 

Wondering who is on the phone 

Wondering who would care if he were around or not 

Wondering who is going to be the next one he has to teach a lesson to 

But as you laugh, so does he, understanding that it’s a joke now 

He’s taking the phone from you with a shake of his head, looking at the screen 

“You recording me?”

Your smile is still bright as you nod, explaining the prank to him 

“Just wanted to see your reaction.” 

His grin is mischievous then as he looks at you, the wheels in his own brain already spinning 

“Looks like I’m gonna have to get you back then, huh?”

He’s not amused 

In the slightest 

He turns his head first, so he can hear better, trying to recognize the voice so he knows who to go after

And then his body follows slowly 

Turning around ever so slowly in his chair until his eyes are on you 

You laugh, cutting off the audio now that you’ve successfully completed the prank 

In your eyes at least 

His movements are still slow as he stands from the chair he had been sitting on, all of his attention now on you 

“You think that’s funny?”

Your nod and genuine “Mhmm” don’t do you any favors and he’s stalking toward you now 

Your smile falters and you shrink down into the couch more and more the closer he gets 

Forgetting to pause the recording as he gets closer 

His eyes dark as he looks at you like prey 

By the time he gets to you, you’re practically one with the sofa cushions, his nose brushing yours as he leans down

Hands propped on either side of you, locking you in 

“You think it’s funny to tease me like that?” 

He chuckles on his own and you know well enough that he ain’t laughing with you

His left hand leaves the edge of the couch and instead comes up to take your chin in his grip, 

“As if anyone was gonna be able to give it to you better than I do.” 

He scoffs and shakes it head at you, pushing his lips closer and closer to yours, the heat from him radiating 

And then just like that, he’s standing back up and heading back to his chair to finish some paperwork, ignoring your pout and clowning on you as he does 

“Look at you. Wipe your mouth, you’re drooling. A quick couple touches and you’re already needy.” 

General taglist

@a-dorky-book-keeper  @jigsawlover10  @titty-teetee @my-rosegold-soul  @felicity-x0 @vibranium-soul @ateliefloresdaprimavera @preciousbarakat @elcococruz @glimmerglittergirl @hatterripper31 @lilac-tea-time @krysiewithak

Rio taglist

@belle82devart @existentialvacuum @hermionetriskatniss @thickemadame @aria725 @glimmerglittergirl @juul4jesus @tashawar @issa-lici-kuwonu @tcailin-00 @gemini0410 @sweet-babyangel @feelingsandemotionsnotexplored @uhlxis @redcup90 @smoooore @asapkyndall @icyyy-diorr @woahitslucyylu @darklingveracruz @browngirldominion @hopefuloperaangelnerd @lillict @namjoonwatcheshentai @sesamepancakes @shaelivia

Frank Castle taglist

@tcailin-00 @veracruz-djarin @sesamepancakes

[legendofeliselozau]

LoZ Next Gen AU OC Legend of Elise Bio: Remi

Name: Remi

Age: 5

Birthday: May 23 (Gemini)

Height: 4’6”

Weight: 57.2 lbs.

Sex/Gender: Cis Male (He/him)

Race: Hylian

Social Class: High Class

Character Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Current Residence (Hometown): Hyrule Castle/Castle Town

Occupation: Third-in-Line to the throne of Hyrule

Hobbies: Reading and playing the piano

Powers & Abilities: Remi has great magical potential. Remi has pyrokinesis allowing him to conger up and manipulates fire. Remi also has audio premonitions, herring sounds, and conversations from the future in his sleep.

Weakness: Remi has born completely blinded, as such he needs some assistance in daily life.

Fighting Stats: (10: Godlike, 8-9: Excellent, 6-7: Good, 4-5: Mediocre, 1-3: Terrible)

Power:8/10

Speed:4/10

Endurance:1/10

Technique:7/10

Cooperativeness:3/10

Rival: Taffy

Pet: Sky (Seeing eye dog, old English sheepdog)

Friend: Sunny (Crush)

Allies: Mark, Sakura, and Robin

Family: Zelda, (Mother) Link, (Father), Taffy, (Fraternal Twin Sister) Elise (Big Sister), and Alfon (Great-Uncle)

Personality: Remi is a very cold, quiet, and reserved person. Remi is typically very annoyed and aggressive. He is an extreme introvert that perforces to keep to himself. Remi often comes across as very mean and bitter, pushing others away from him. Remi is very insecure about his disability, he is aware of how other people treat him differently, constantly reminding Remi of how 'helpless' he is, reminding him of his limitations. Remi desires independence in contrast to how others view him.

Likes: Sweets, tea, and reading

Dislikes: Crowds of people, sudden loud noises, and belittling behavior

Backstory: Remi and his twin sister, Taffy are the second-born children of Queen Zelda and King Link of Hyrule; born eleven years after their first-born Princess Elise. While Taffy was born perfectly healthy and able-bodied Remi was born completely blind. Despite Remi’s disability both Link, Zelda, and Elise love him dearly. Even though men are typically given priority over women for line-to the throne, Rauru suggested Zelda give Taffy and Elise further in line over Remi due to his disability. Rarur argued that his disability made him unable to perform many of the necessary tasks for a king. Zelda argued with him at first but eventually relented. Early on Remi started to show magical potential, beginning with his audio premonitions, and later developing his pyrokinesis.

Early on Link bought Remi a seeing-eye dog named Sky. Sky and Remi quickly became the best of friends. Sky gives Remi more freedom and space on his own and Sky’s playful, friendly personality cheers Remi up when he was feeling blue. Remi’s relationship with his sister Taffy is very strained. She means well but, she often babies and belittles him for his disability and treats him like he is completely helpless.

Extra Trivia:

. Out of Universe Creation Notes: Each of the Zelink kids represents a different piece of the triforce in their personalities; Elise is courage, Taffy is wisdom, and Remi is power. Remi is meant to be a character who could turn evil at any time.

[itsmyturntobeme]

Unreleased Taylor Swift Songs (my list)

List under the break. I’m not super strict about 1:1 trading but it would be nice if I could acquire stuff I don’t have.

Ach/ting Like a Boy

Beautiful Day

Bother Me

Boys and Love

Brought Up That Way (Acoustic)

Brought Up That Way (S V2)

Castles Crumbling

Don’t You

Drama Queen

His Lies

Foolish One

I’m Looking Out For You

I Bet You Think About Me

I Can See You

Kid in the Crowd

Mr. Perfectly Fine

Nashville (A)

Never Mind (A)

Scream

Someone Just Told Me

Someone Loves You

This One’s Different

Timeless

Too Beautiful

This Is Really Happening (S V2)

Wait For Me (S V2)

Who I’ve Always Been (A)

Wonderful Things

(Demos)

Cold As You (Piano)

Cold As You (Studio Version 1)

Come In With The Rain (Acoustic)

Oh My My My (Acoustic) and Studio HQ

Stay Beautiful (Acoustic)

Stay Beautiful (Studio)

Teardrops On My Guitar (Acoustic)

Teardrops On My Guitar (Studio)

The Other Side of the Door (Studio)

Tied Together With A Smile (Studio)

White Horse (Acoustic)

What I Have:

All Night Diner (A)

American Boy (SA)

Am I Ready for Love (S)

Angelina (SA)

Being With My Baby (A&SA)

Better Off (S)

Brand New World (A)

Brought Up That Way (S V1)

By the Way (A)

Can I Go With You (S)

Check Out This View (A)

Closest To a Cowboy (SA)

Cross My Heart (SA)

Dark Blue Tennessee (S V1 & V2)    

Diary of Me (S)

Didn’t They (A)

Don’t Hate Me For Loving You (SA)

Down Came the Rain (SA)

Fall Back On You (A)

Firefly (SA)

For You (SA)

Honey Baby (SA)

Gracie (A)

Her (A)

I’d Lie (S)

I Know What I Want (S)

I Used to Fly (SA)

I Wished On a Plane (SA)

In the Pouring Rain (SA)

Just South of Knowing Why/Drive All Night (S)

Let’s Go/Battle (S)

Live For the Little Things (SA)

Look At You Like That (A)

Long Time Going (S)

Love They Haven’t Thought Of Yet (A)

Love To Lose (A)

Lucky You (S V1 & V2)

Made Up You (A)

Making Up For Lost Love (S)

Mandolin (SA)

Matches (A)

Me and Britney (SA)

My Cure (SA&S)

My Turn to Be Me (SA)

Need You Now (S)

Never Fade (SA)

Never Mind (S V1 & V2)

One Thing (S)

Perfect Have I Loved (A)

Permanent Marker (S)

Point of View (SA)

R-E-V-E-N-G-E (S)

Rain Song (A)

Same Girl (SA)

Smokey Black Nights (S V1 & V2)

Songs About You (S)

Spinning Around (SA)

Stupid Boy (A)

Sugar (SA)

Sweet Tea & God’s Graces (A&S)

Tell Me (A&S)

Ten Dollars and a Six-Pack (A&SA)

Tennessee (SA)

That’s Life (SA)

That’s When (A)

Thinkin’ Bout You (P)

Thirteen Blocks (S)

This Here Guitar (SA)

This Is Really Happening (S V1)

Til Brad Pitt Comes Along (SA)

Under My Head (SA)

Wait For Me (S)

We Were Happy (S)

We Were Happy (Piano)

Welcome Distraction (S)

What Do You Say (S)

What to Wear (S)

You All Over Me (S)

You Don’t Have to Call

You Do (A)

Your Anything (Live audio only)

Your Face (S)

(Demos)

A Place In This World (Studio)

Beautiful Eyes (Studio)

Cold As You (Studio Version 2)

Come In With the Rain (Studio)

Crazier (ALT)

Crazier (Studio)

Fearless (Acoustic)

I Heart ? (Studio)

I’m Only Me When I’m With You (Studio)

Invisible (Studio)

Oh My My My (Studio – LQ)

Our Song (Acoustic)

Perfectly Good Heart (Studio)

Picture to Burn (Acoustic/War Cry)

Picture To Burn (Studio/War Cry)

Superstar (Acoustic)

Superstar (Studio)

Teardrops On My Guitar (Studio No Drew)

The Outside (Studio)

Tied Together With A Smile (Acoustic)

Tim McGraw (Acoustic Demo)

When You Think Tim McGraw (Piano Demo)

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers Para-Selene Vol. 12 Mukami Ruki [TRACK 5]

Original title: 再逢の夜明け

Source: Diabolik Lovers Para-Selene Vol. 12 Mukami Ruki [CD not owned by me]

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Takahiro Sakurai

Translator’s note: Guys I may have gotten diabetes from this CD like GODDAMN. I’m a sucker for fluff and cute stuff, but what happened to the concept of sadistic Vampires? xD Ruki’s such a sweatheart in this, I feel like my image of men is forever ruined now and I’m never gonna find a guy who is this much of a gentleman in real life. Oh well, guess I’ll just marry my 2D husbands instead. 

Track 1 ll Track 2 ll Track 3 ll Track 4 ll Track 5

Track 5: The Dawn of the Reunion

“Nn...Ah? Where are...? The castle’s kitchen again, huh? The dizzy spells and headache have magically disappeared though...”

You wake up.

“You’ve awakened as well. ...You remember? You mean...You’ve regained your memories!? No way...I can’t believe it...How!? This seems too sudden...! No, nevermind. That doesn’t matter. ...You know who I am, right?”

You nod. 

“In that case, please...say my name.”

You call his name.

“Ah...Haah...I’ve been dying to see that smile of yours...”

Ruki embraces you.

“...I had mentally prepared myself, to never hear my name fall from your lips ever again.”

You say sorry.

“Apologies again? Honestly, you’re so...That’s unnecessary right now. If I could, I wish I could open up my chest, to show you just how fulfilled my heart feels right now.”

You smile.

“I’d love to hold you close (1), but I want to take a good look at your face as well. It’s a shame I can’t accomplish both at the same time.”

You agree.

“I see. So you feel the same? Even though you were by my side this whole time, it feels as if we were apart for a long time. I’m sure this sounds strange but...I missed (2) you.”

You tell him everything will be okay now.

“Yeah. I’m so glad you were able to come back.”

Ruki gazes out of the window.

“...Oh? Take a look. The sun is rising. Every night comes to an end. (3) It’s a cliched metaphor,  but I believe there isn’t a more adequate saying to describe this current moment. Furthermore, this might be the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful dawn...”

The two of you stare at the daybreak.

*TIMESKIP*

*Cling*

“This sweet fragrance...The dessert you mentioned before? Come to think of it, we never got a chance to eat it back then. You went through the trouble to make it, so let me have a taste.”

*Nom nom*

“Mm...! It’s rather delicious. It definitely goes well with the tea. Several days have passed since then, but how are you feeling?”

You tell him you’re fine.

“I see. I’m glad you don’t seem to be experiencing any after-effects.”

You take a seat.

“We’re having a beautiful moon tonight. How about we step outside on the terrace?”

You seem reluctant.

“No need to be afraid. Tonight’s moon is not a paraselene. That being said, after everything that happened, I suppose I can’t blame you. Everything is my fault for failing to judge the situation adequately.”

You shake your head.

“No. That was my blunder. That day, I failed to recognize the paraselene from behind the window. And so, you ended up falling ill.”

You tell him everything turned out fine in the end. 

“Yes, it truly is a blessing you were able to recover. I looked at the written records once again and just as I expected, there is no guaranteed, effective treatment for the paraselene syndrome yet. 

I believe that your personal strength is what allowed you to overcome the disease in such a short period of time. Despite having lost your memories, you grasped the situation adequately, overcame your fear and even accepted me. I’m sure that this mental strength of yours, refusing to crumble even underneath the disease, is what eventually crushed the syndrome.”

You disagree. 

“Heh? Then how do you think you overcame the syndrome?”

You explain.

“In that case, it would mean the paraselene syndrome is nothing to be afraid of. Even if you were unable to retrieve your memories and continued to fear me, my feelings towards you would have not changed one bit.”

Ruki scoots closer.

“I was once again reminded of how much you mean to me. (4) No matter what happens, I will never be able to give you up. In that regard, I may have let my emotions sway my decisions. I deeply regret that. I was convinced you would fear me if I told you that I’m a Vampire. However, looking back at it now, I was the one who was the most afraid. I did not want you to look at me with fear-filled eyes. I was terrified of being rejected by you. I was...unable to control the fear within my own heart, and tried to make myself believe I was doing it for your sake instead, making a huge blunder. If it wasn’t for your strength, we might have still been wandering inside that illusion right now.”

You offer your own insights. 

“Our mutual feelings...defeated the disease, you say? ...Let’s leave it at that. Nobody knows the truth, but that way makes me feel better as well.”

*Smooch*

“Well then...”

He leans in.

“We’ve finished our dessert, so you don’t mind if I continue where we left things off, right?”

You frown.

“I won’t let you say you forgot. How this soft neck of yours...accepted my fangs that day. I only put it on hold because you wanted to have dessert so badly. We had to take quite the detour to get to this point, but I believe your wish has been granted now?”

You nod. 

“Honestly...Why do you always react in these unexpected ways? No matter how much time passed...Even if you were to forget everything, you never change. I love that strength and stability of yours from the bottom of my heart.”

You say his name.

“What a sweet voice...Do you really think I’d be able to hold back if you call my name so lovingly? ...Come on, give in already and accept my love.”

Ruki bites you.

*Gulp*

“Mm...”

*Smooch*

“The more I tease you...The sweeter it tastes...”

You get flustered.

“Hmph. Seems like you feel quite good as well. If I get to see this kind of expression from you, I suppose keeping you waiting every once in a while might be worth it. 

...Well then, I’ll suck from the other side next.”

He bites you again.

*Sluuuuurp*

“Mmh...Haah...Not a bad reaction. Give me more...I want more of you. ...The scent of your blood suddenly got stronger. What’s the matter? I have not done anything yet. What were you imagining?”

You refuse to say.

“If it’s too embarrassing, want to stop here?”

You shake your head. 

“Heh. You don’t want to embarrass yourself, but you don’t want to stop either? What a selfish little princess. However, I must be seriously ill as well, finding pleasure in being pushed around by your selfishness.”

You beg for more. 

“Yeah...Rest assured. Just as you wish, I’ll give you more. I won’t let you go tonight. I’ll teach you thoroughly that you belong to me and at the same time...I’ll be reminded that I am yours as well. My one and only...beloved Eve.”

*Smooch*

ーー THE END ーー

Translation notes

(1) Literally he says ‘I want to touch you without leaving any gaps/space in between (our bodies)’. 

(2) The phrase 会いたかった or ‘aitakatta’ which literally means ‘I wanted to see/meet you’ is often translates as ‘I missed you’ in English instead. 

(3) In Japanese, the phrase 明けない夜はない or ‘akenai yoru wa nai’ is often used as a way to install hope. It means that no matter how bad the situation may seem, there is always some hope left. 

(4) Literally he says ‘how deeply obsessed I am with you’ but that sounded a little creepy rather than romantic, so I went with a softer translation. 

[tarry-a-lot]

French Musical Recommendations?/review (Part 3)

This is a mix between recommendations and shows I don’t like and shows I just know exist but don't know a lot about. Even if I’m not too much a fan of some of the show I would still check these shows out for the fun of it, maybe its not my cup of tea but it is for someone else. Again my French is lacking so if the lyrics aren’t great I wouldn’t really know unless I sat down and read them which I didn’t do.

Robin des Bois (2013): 

what to say about this show... I’ll start with the summary: Robin Hood and Marianne break up pre-show and have their own groups going on. Marianne also has a son with robin but robin has no idea about him. Sheriff of Nottingham starts attacking so Marianne asks robin for help. Also the sheriff figures out about robin’s son and so he imprisons the kid and surprise! there a romance between Nottingham’s daughter and Robin Hood’s son. 

Yep, haven’t seen the show, really don’t mind the plot sounds interesting enough. I’ve only listened to the soundtrack once and all I got to say is that it’s not great. The cast is lovely and look really sweet and friendly with each other, but all the songs really just sound like basic pop. To be clear without understanding the lyrics and just listening to it with not visuals, I found the soundtrack quite boring, so maybe I’m just missing something. My favourite songs are “Le flèche et la cible,” (the piano makes it sound like an anime opening or something, liked the drums too, and the vocals are nice) and “On est là” (it’s a really weird one, I couldn’t put my finger on it but after playing it for someone I got the decisive answer of it is very 80′s, the instrumentals really threw me off but hey it’s catchy). Also some songs had a bass line that also threw me off, just wasn’t expecting it. like the one in “la Providence,” maybe it’s just me. And one last thing about the songs, what the hell is ”Notting hill Nottingham” like that title is also the chorus and I’m just?? maybe if I understood the rest of the lyrics it would make sense? aside from the debatable chorus line, the drums are a blast in this song. Clips and music videos available on YouTube along with a behind the scenes two part video on the official musical’s channel.

Non-Music: well the costumes are ok, don’t love them but don’t hate them either, though friar tuck’s is debatable, from the bits I’ve seen most of the background is done with a screen which is fine, it’s more of a concert style show anyway, I’m a big fan of the ladder trees though, the dancing and acrobatics is probably the highlight of the show (again only saw bits but it looks good)

Dracula l'amour plus fort que la mort (2012): This is different from the Frank Wildhorn Dracula musical, Dracula: A chamber Musical and the Swedish Dracula musical. Unsurprisingly this musical is based on Stoker Dracula telling which I never read so I don’t know how much it follows that text. It was also inspired by the 1992 Coppola film (which again I have never watched). I won’t be too helpful about plot summary but it follows the general novel plot with Jonathan Harker engaged with Mina Murray goes off to Dracula’s castle for work. Things happen, the issue with Lucy occurs then Mina is targeted by Dracula and Harker with the Dr. Seward and Helsing go to kill Dracula to save Mina. There also seems to be a subplot where Mina was Dracula’s lover in a past life, which is shown through dance sequences throughout the show.Music wise it’s mainly rock pop which is up my alley. Personally, just based on music and not lyrics I like “Encore”, “Elles”, “ Le Ciel et l'Enfer” “ La Dernière danse” and maybe “L'Amour et son Contraire”.  The full show is available on YouTube.

Non-music: This show goes hard on edgy imagery. I personally quite liked the general over the top modernish gothic vibe. The dancers are great and quite liked some of the limited palette scene. The opening shadow puppet scene was cool. The only part I really had issue with is maybe the CGI 3d video scene. It was cool at times but the CGI is not great which is not their fault, but kind of distracted me. Also if you watch it there is this scene where Harker is laying in a large Pieta statue (minus the Jesus) and it’s just great. Like edgy church imagery with vampires? sign me up. There’s also this Vampire dream sequence in a bed because of course every vampire musical needs one (Tanz der Vampire if you know what I mean). Harker is in bed and vampire women come out from the bed (the bed itself is a hollow prop where dancers are hiding within and pop out from the holes hidden by the puffy bedding), the bed itself could have been more decorative with posts (like tanz) but still a really cool scene, Almost forgot, Mina and Dracula are played by dancers so they don’t really sing, especially Dracula he does not speak at all. Costumes are fun to look at, some are the best but I appreciated the general look of the show so I’m not that bothered. I strangely grew to like the spiney Dracula costumes, I think the fact he didn’t talk and just danced helped me like the costume more.

Overall, fun show so if pop rock is your vibe this show you should check it out.

Cindy Cendrillion (2002): This show is not good, but I had a blast laughing about it as I watched it so I recommend it. Let me clarify, my dislike is not due to the cast, in general I thought singing and dancing and all that were really good, what gets me is how dated it is now (it is really early 2000’s vibes and some of the plot is debatable). Show is available split into two acts on YouTube.

So the plot is pretty much a retelling of the Cinderella story in a modern early 2000′s setting. Cindy (Cinderella) is the daughter of an recently disappeared Irish pilot. and she lives with her step mother and sisters who are mean to her. She has a passion for dancing the jig, I’m assuming they are referencing Irish step to a certain degree. She goes out in night to dance but her step-mother threatens to kick her out if she doesn’t come home before midnight. A super star named Ricky (Prince Charming) has a Birthday ball and sees Cindy and falls in love. Also Ricky had a model Fiancée Judy who he breaks it off with to pursue Cindy. Spoilers now... Ricky writes a song where one can dance “the jig” to so they hold a competition to find a dancer for it, guess who wins? Cindy.. they fall in love... but Judy realises it’s all over for her and Ricky ands faxes him so mean message then commits suicide by overdosing on drugs. Cindy gets scared and leaves Ricky to Ireland. Ricky tracks her down and they fly away in a spaceship?! honestly this plot is just sure something.

Okay.... um if you read the spoiler section of the summary you’ll know how wild this show is. For those who haven’t warning there is an suicide by overdosing on drugs in the show. Music wise it’s alright, I watched the show but all the songs are quite forgettable because I was so distracted by the plot. Again the vocals are nice so perhaps I just need to listen to audio only, though I’m unsure about some of the lyrics. 

Non-Music: I have so much to rant about this show. First off it’s just weird that her Irish pilot dad keeps appearing in like spiritual form. Also Cindy is not spectacular at dancing, which is hilarious during the jig dancing competition you have actual dancer ensemble members doing cool moves and in general good dancing but at the end Cindy comes stepping around and twirling a bit, the same choreography she does every time she danced the jug in the show and then wins the competition. Honestly, they should of just done full Irish step dancing and had the actress trained in it or to be more practical had a double for Cindy that was obscured to trick the audience into thinking this double was Cindy. The actress was lovely and maybe she can dance but “the jig” choreography was so pathetic compared to the ensemble’s part, even the ensemble part was weird.. maybe I just don’t understand what “jig” dancing is. Also the ending was so random to me, maybe it’s because of my lacking French, I get there were references to space throughout the show but WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ENDING. Well stage wise it was interesting at parts. I like the large center column piece that had platforms on it that moved around the pillar. Cindy’s love song to Ricky with her in front of a large Ricky Magazine and two screens showing zoom ups on Ricky was weird. Finally, costumes, really dated and tacky but I think they were quite fun. The only complaint I really have is Ricky, he wears this half tank top half leather jacket look, and it’s really a single tiddy out look.

Starmania (1979): Let me start by saying I DON’T hate this show I just know little about it. I’ve watched bits a few years ago and only really recall one song. It’s one of THE French musicals, I mean I wouldn’t know for certain but you’ll see it’s quite popular and covered by newer musicals cast member (like Mozart L’Opera Rock). The photo is from a more recent production which is different from the original costumes. As a show it’s set in a futuristic society so there is some surreal techno outfits and set pieces, which are actually quite cool. It’s pretty much about a gang called the Black Stars who are trying to rebel against a billionaire turned politician Zéro Janvier. There is romance plots, the wiki has more info on that. In general, the singing is great and from the parts I’ve seen it looks interesting despite the show aesthetic being really not my thing. Full versions of the show are available on YouTube, the production done in English is also posted on YouTube. I would say if you are trying to get into French Musicals this is a good one to listen to as well as it’s kind of a classic but I hesitate as the visuals look a bit weird due to the futuristic element (kind of remind me if starlight Express when it comes to costume) but if this isn’t you cup of tea there are plenty of other shows as well.

Résiste (2015): It’s a French Jukebox Musical. It’s one of those one artist jukebox musicals, so all the songs were originally sung by France Gall and written by Michel Berger. It’s about five friends (I think they’re friends), two of whom are sisters. The sisters work with their dad at the family bar/night club. The plot revolves around something tragic happening and the five friends trying to deal and grow from it? (probably something to do with the night club)I haven't seen it so I have no idea what the tragic event is. I didn’t know any of the songs before this musical but it’s quite catchy and fun. Clips of the show and songs are available on YouTube.

[momtaku]

from your recent eruri ask, you said: And if you take the smartpass stories as canon, Levi is absolutely the person Erwin was closest to. Which smartpass stories are best for this :D?

:DDDDDD

AU Smartpass Closeup Interview: part one and part twoThe banter in part two is especially cute. They talk about their future. Levi tells Erwin he’d have ugly kids. Erwin teases back. This is my favorite of the smartpass content featuring the two of them.

AU Smartpass: Crumbled Castle Gate This one reads like a fan fiction. Erwin is alone on the wall above a crumbled castle gate being moody. Levi comes looking for him. Serious talk but also teasing banter. It ends with “two great men of the Survey Corps wait for the rain to stop. The wings of freedom on their backs are drenched, and appear to shine even brighter.” I think this one helps me appreciate how much Erwin needs Levi to keep perspective.

AU Smartpass: Corps Tea Time IncidentLevi finds an illegal shipment of luxury goods smuggled by the MPs. He leaves it in Erwin’s hands. Erwin uses it was an opportunity to blackmail the MPs into getting regular shipments of fine black tea for Levi. 

A few more: Erwin’s Taking Shelter from the Rain Story talks about Erwin’s bond with Levi, Hange and Mike. It’s very sweet. It confirms how much he struggles internally with feelings of worthlessness, but can’t help but care for his friends. Also Levi’s closeup reports part one and part two. The last question asked in part one is ... yeah. Good luck answering that Levi.

I think what I appreciate most in the smartpass content is the casual comfort and friendliness that exists between the two. In every smartpass content featuring Levi or Erwin, the other is present or mentioned. Erwin never fails to smile appreciatively  at Levi, Levi always find an opportunity to admire Erwin. They feel so human in these stories. 

 Aside from the smartpass content, there are magazine articles, interviews audio cd’s and events that discuss their relationship. If you are curious, there exists an eruri receipts post that was written in 2016 that covers much of it.

[idratherstayslytherin]

My Drarry Fics Rec (Bc Why Not)

So I though I share with you (all my lovely followers) my favourite Drarry fics/fics that I really enjoyed. Gosh, I’d love to record a podfic of one of those, but like idk. Also, I might make another one of this kind of post. ENJOY. 

Lost Children   by  gracie137 

Summary: There's a lot of things Harry doesn't expect to happen after the War but Narcissa Malfoy invoking his life debt to her and asking him to save her son is top of the list.

My review: OMG! This fic has become literally one of my favourites since I finished reading it few days ago. There is everything you need even if you never knew you needed it. There is broken Draco, who is still the Draco we know from the end of the war. He is not at his best as he is almost a dead man. There is Harry who is SO WELL WRITTEN (as is everybody else), He is so cold toward Narcissas’ demand , but then he softens a little while spending time with Draco. Yet he still stays true to his book character, he doesn’t just forgive Draco, he doesn’t try to pretend like things Draco did were okay, and his cowardness doesn’t excuse what he did. The falling in love part is so beautiful, YOU WILL CRY. There is a lot of Lucius hate which I love, Narcissa is also not as nice as people sometimes paint her in her fics. She’s slightly better than Lucius, but still kind of bitch. It’s bc she loves Draco though. AND GET THIS, there is also Blaise and Pansy which are so fucking supportive, sassy, and geniuely good friends. I totally love tchem here. There is also amazing Ron and Hermione. NO GINNY BASHING and beautiful Linny . Draco and muggle things, Draco being responsible for his dark past. THERE IS GORG DRACOS’ REDEMPTION. READ IT.

YOU WILL CRY. DON’T DENY IT. GET A LOT OF TISSUES.

The Sleeping Beauty Curse   by  who_la_hoop 

Summary: When Draco Malfoy falls into a cursed sleep and can only be woken – at least, according to the Daily Prophet, that impeccable source of truth – by ‘true love’s kiss’, Harry Potter knows there’s no way on earth he’s the answer to this particular riddle. Is he . . .?

My review: FUUUUUUCK! If you’re into fake/pretend relationship, a lot of angst, jealousy, humor, redemption and whole lot of wanking then this is fic for you. Harry truly hates Draco at the beggining of this fic and gives no fucks about the Malfoys. CHARACTERS ARE SO FUCKING WELL WRITTEN I CAN”T EVEN. 

Draco has a huge heart, but is also a fucking idiot and definitely not a saint. He knows what are his mistakes and he tries to be better. His road to become decent human being and change his views on muggle borns, pure bloods, half-bloods. He pays for his mistakes. He struggles a lot, okay? He just wants to be loved and give love. He is sweet without being sweet, if you know what I mean. He just loves Harry so much and Harry is oblivious af. Harry is pinning really hard, at some point your heart breaks for both of tchem bc there is so much pinning, so many emotions flowing. SO MUCH “COMFORTING” and whole lot of not so phisical comforting. Their relationship is beautiful.This fic destroyed me in a good way. I don’t want to say more bc it ruins all the suprises.  

YOU WILL CRY. 

No Shadow Taller Than Our Souls by khasael

HEY LOOK THERE IS ALSO A PODFIC OF THAT AND I’M TOTAL SLUT FOR IT BC I LOVE PODFICS AND I LISTENED TO THIS ONE. JUST DONT FORGET TO LEEAVE KUDOS ON THE PODFIC AND WRITTER FIC. 

Summary: Auror Potter and Unspeakable Malfoy team up to investigate a series of missing persons, and it soon becomes apparent that Dementors are involved. Despite their initial misgivings, Harry and Draco find that they need each other's help, in more ways than one.

My review: This also may be one of my favourite fics! It’s so gorg I can’t ven describe it. I love Unspeakable Draco and Auror Harry teaming up and working on a case together while they talk about their past and try to understand one another . I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS DYNAMIC SO MUCH. I don’t want to spoil anything , but I’ll just say that the case is pretty interesting and Drarry’s relationship development will make you cry and you’ll feel this h=fic Warming your heart. 

All Life is Yours to Miss by Saras_Girl. 

PODFIC

Summary: Professor Malfoy's world is contained, controlled, and as solitary as he can make it, but when an act of petty revenge goes horribly awry, he and his trusty six-legged friend are thrown into Hogwarts life at the deep end and must learn to live, love and let go.

My review: IF YOU DON”T ALREADY KNOW WHO IS Saras_Girl THEN ARE YOU EVEN A DRARRY SHIPPER?! I’M A HUGE SLUT FOR ALL OF HER WORKS. This one gave me so many feels I don’t know if I can process it. 

This fic will forever stay in my heart. It starts off by usual Draco/Harry kind of childish rivalry, but when Harry is rushed into the hospital bc of SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS., Draco is there by his side. He feelsso much guilt, but also so much hate, but then something that isn’t hate at all. I love how sweet yet still Dracoish Draco is. He has grown up and you can definitely see that. There is still old Draco inside him. Harry is so in love it hurts, Draco’ s heart might explode from loving Harry. You can feel all the feels. I LOVE DRARRY TALKS IN HERE AND DRACO’S PET. I just love everything about this fic. GO READ or LISTEN TO IT NOW.

House Proud by astolat.

 PODFIC BC YES I’M STILL A SLUT FOR THEM 

Summary: His house liked Draco Malfoy more than him.

My review: Let’s keep it short. Harry is confused, angry, sassy, annoyed, Draco is annoyed, sassy, kind of a tosser and definitely super duper into scarhead. He doesn’t want to help Harry, but he is forced to, right? That’s why he stays with him for so long. I love their dynamic here. 

And an Owl Named Romeo by Rickey

GUESS WHAT? PODFIC

Summary: Draco breeds owls, Harry's an Auror, and an owl named Romeo is going to bring them together.

My review: Um. I totally love “cold” and “totally not interested and annoyed Draco” and Harry who just “wants to know more about breading owls”. I’ll let you figure out why I love this fic so much. ( a little help: PINNING, LATE NIGHT TALKS, FORGIVNESS)

Stately Homes of Wiltshire by waspabi

well… YOU KNOW WHAT

Summary: Malfoy Manor has mould, dry rot and an infestation of unusually historical poltergeists. Harry Potter is on the case.

My review: Sooooooo, I read that a while ago, but I remember crying and my heart breaking. There is so much humor in here as well if I remember well. So it’s a good fic! 

Reparatio by astolat

A little AUDIO as you of course need it

Summary: Draco snorted. “I’m not reduced to penury. I want something considerably beyond money, and I rather think you’re the only one can give it to me.”“You want the Invisibility Cloak,” Harry said, flatly. He’d half expected as much; it was the only thing he had that Draco could want—“Don’t be stupid, Potter,” Draco said. “I want my reputation back.”

My review: Draco is really a little shit here. He is so arogant and he is using Harry for his publicity after the war (well kind of himself too) has taken that away from him. You won’t like him here instantly, but you’ll grow to love him, I promise you. The end is just PERFECT. 

Landslide by Libby Drew

by this point you should know what is HERE

Summary: Harry Potter disappears, taking a sick Teddy Lupin with him. While everyone searches for their missing hero, Draco's life continues as it always has. Rumors of curses and kidnapping don't interest him. As Hogwarts' guardian, he has only one concern: the strange, miraculous events occurring on the cliffs outside the castle walls.

My review: I’ll just say that Drarry with Teddy is my weakness and I cried through that fic a lot. So just, BE READY TO FEEL YOUR HEART BREAK AT ANY TIME. It’s such a sweet, sad and healing fic. You really should listen to the recording, (BUT LEAVE KUDOS UNDER THE WRITTEN VERSION TOO).

What We Pretend We Can't See    by   gyzym 

for HEADPHONERS (it’s like 12-13 hours, so make some tea, draw, and listen)

Summary: Set 7 years after the Battle of Hogwarts: Auror Potter is summoned to a break-in at a rather eccentric little museum in the house he used to own

My review: THIS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE FIC (well one of tchem, but you get me). evrything is so fucking well written, you feel all the emotions, characters stay true to their bookselves. You will: smile a lot, cry a lot and possibly experience heartbreak, but hey! It’s all fun and games, right? 

Burning Day: A Tale Of Rebirth by tealeaf523 (ConstantComment)

You guessed it - PODFIC

Summary: Looking for a bit of solitude over his winter holiday, Harry Potter rents a home in Scotland, only to end up in the middle of adventure amongst the snow-blanketed hills. There is a local in Castle Valley who looks uncannily like his Hogwarts school rival, but he has no memory of meeting Harry in the past. However, Harry is determined to find out what happened to Draco Malfoy between his disappearance and finding his new identity as a charming unicorn trainer at the Scotland Unicorn Reservation for Lost Youths.

My review: SO MANY EMOTIONS. A LOT OF FLUFF, BUT THEN ANGST, AND HEARTBREAK, SO MUCH LOVE YOU’LL DIE. Harry is so in love and you’d be like ewejgihwebfhdijwerufyugfuiwrejflkwejrf2q3fuhjefiofc. Draco is pinning hard as well. Harry is confused af here. 

Seeing Draco Malfoy by khalulu

If you’d rather listen THEn THERE YOU GO , podfic sluts unite

Summary: It's a few years after the war, Harry is an Auror, Ginny's broken up with him, and Draco runs a "Magical Repairs and Reparations" service. And then there’s Ignatius – devastatingly good-looking, temperamental, and addicted to gingernut biscuits. When Harry loses his glasses in a fight and learns that they’ve landed in Draco’s hands, he’s suspicious. But soon after that, life starts looking up.

My review: Honestly this fic is just Harry finding excuses to visit Draco again and again and I’m in love. I love this Draco so SO MUCH. Give it a read, or a listen if you are AMAZING. 

The Moon Looks Lovely Tonight by Omi_Ohmy

🎧

Summary: When Harry moves into the damp and empty Black house, it doesn’t quite feel like home. And then the first owl moves in. After that, it’s a steep slope leading to bed-sharing, more owls, assorted housemates, strange potions experiments, and terrible cooking. And a bit of waltzing, too.

My review: It was one of the first Drarry fics I read (listened, but shhhh) and it holds special place in my heart. I love their road to falling in love. Harry is so sweet I cry everytime I remember how awkward/pinning/caring/sweet he is. Draco is a little shit, but he loves Harry so much. There is Ron and Hermione, Luna and Goyle and they all live at Grimmauld Place with Harry. Honestly, by the end you’ll be sobbing and you’ll feel all the feels, bc our two idiots in love are so in love. 

Because Potter Is Allergic to Poppies by Lomonaaeren

🎧

Summary: Auror Harry Potter is in hospital being treated for a curse when someone tries to kill him. Obviously it is up to bored, trapped Apprentice Healer Draco, who was only admitted to the Healer Program in the first place to do the menial work, to find out who did it. Because then they will promote him. No, it’s for no other reason, thanks.

My review: MY HEART CLENCHES EVERYDAMN TIME THEY ARE PROTECTIVE OF EACH OTHER AND DON’T TAKE ANYONE’S BULLSHIT. THEY ARE SO IN LOVE - YOU MIGHT DIE FROM THE FEELINGS. THE CASE ITSELF IS SO INTERESTING YOU WON’T WANT TO PUT THIS FIC AWAY. 

Redemption by khasael

🎧

Summary: When Draco runs into Harry Potter in Muggle London, he has no idea how much the chance encounter will change his way of life. How much is he willing to learn about forgiveness?

My review: I listened that a looooooooong time ago, but I loved it and I know that bc hello I made few sketches of our boys just bc I was listening to it. It inspired me to start my art. 

The Owl Who Came for Christmas by dracogotgame

🎧

Summary: Draco has a debt to pay off, no matter what Potter thinks. And he has a Very Good Idea to go along with it. Things don't go as planned.

My review: MY TOP FAV!! It’s so fluffy and so funny. Their relationship development is truly a gift to this world. Its such a good ’Eight Year Fic. Definitely fel good fic. 

Liar   by   jad        

Summary: Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy always preferred the worst of each other; unfortunately, they had better halves.

My review: THIS HURTS LIKE A BUTT CHEEK ON THE STICK . YOU’LL SOB. ((Infidelity - H/G D/A))

Right Hand Red   by   lq_traintracks (lumosed_quill) 

HOW IS THERE NOT PODFIC OF THAT?!?!?!!??!!?

Summary: Harry felt Malfoy's breath on his lips as they came together over the bottle, hands firmly planted on the floor as though they each needed their familiar soil, refusing to cross into enemy territory.  Except that Malfoy no longer felt like his enemy.  Malfoy felt inevitable. 

My review: GOSH. It’s such a hot, but also fluffy, angsty and feel good fic, if you like party games then you’ll love it! 

One Night at the Leaky   by   birdsofshore 

Summary: Harry should have known better than to accept a drunken dare. Especially when Malfoy was sitting right there, looking like that and wearing those bloody tight trousers.

My review: SO MUCH PASSION, SO MUCH ATTRACTION, SO MUCH WANT. Harry might just have a little crush. Seamus is a wanker. All of Harry’s friends know he really has it bad when it comes to Draco Malfoy. 

Good Company  by Greenflares 

🎧

Summary: With Hermione and Ron always together, Harry's return to Hogwarts to complete his education isn't exactly fun. Somehow, it's his unlikely friendship with Malfoy that keeps him sane.

My review: long time no read, but I remember it being fluffy, feel good fic, with a bit of an angst, maybe. I liked it. 

Moments Like These      by  charmed310 

Summary: For years Draco and Harry have met twice a month in posh Muggle hotels to engage in a little extra-marital fun, no strings attached. Things take a turn when Draco admits his true feelings for Harry.

My review: OH GOD. YOU WILL BE SO ANGRY. YOU WILL FEEL SO FLUSTRATED, SO SAD. Maybe a little satified. Honestly I don’t remember if this ends well :))))))

(INFIDELITY H/G)

Where Your Treasure Lies      by    Queenie_Mab 

🎧

Summary:  Harry and Draco meet again through a journal created by the Department of Mysteries. They face many trials in life together and eventually discover that a love like they have is a force not even death can break.

My review: It’s really healing my heart a little. Okay, maybe a LOT.

Collect Your Courage by mervab

Summary: Potter needs control; Draco needs forgiveness. They shag; Lavender gives advice; they yell; Seamus makes muffins; they fight; and everyone else drinks far too much coffee for their own wellbeing.

My review: LOVELOVELOVETHISSOMUCH. Seamus is such an amazing character here, just like Lavender. They are great friends to Draco.  Everything is complicated and they are both oblivious idiots. 

[necrokittytales]

Necrokitty Tales: Trouble in Inkwell Isle (Chapter 18)

Authors’ note: Necrida’s writing will be in italics and SPKC’s writing with be regular font.If you have no idea what this roleplaying thing is, you can start from the beginning here.

——- The carnival was soon upon the residents of the Inkwell Isles.

Hopus made sure to have Harvey practice over and over again. When it was finally time to go, Harvey managed to make a tea cup disappear, only for it to reappear an inch away, usually falling off the table and cracking, much to his mother’s chagrin. But Hopus was proud nevertheless. Mrs. Hare finished putting a sweater on Hanna. “Now, Hanna, I want you to stay with Harvey and not to leave his side,” the rabbit mother ordered, messing with her fur, making the rabbit squeal as the overbearing mother readjusted her daughter’s red bow tie. “What if he has to poop?” Hanna asked. “You’ll wait outside for him,” her mother insisted. “Wait if I have to poop?” “Then he’ll wait for you.”

Harvey tucked the small wand into his jacket as Hopus finished explaining to the young rabbit. “And lastly, don’t use it on anyone unless you’re sure you can bring them back safely,” Hopus advised, “no making someone appear on the edge of the cliff or on top of the ferris wheel or nuthin.” “Got it, thanks dad,” Harvey thanked. “Great! You might see a couple of your sisters there,” Mrs. Hare mentioned, “But no dumping your little sister on them, got it?” “I won’t!” Harvey insisted as Hanna walked over and hugged him. “Alright be safe! Your father will pick you up tonight.” Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Really?” His father did not go to the carnival or really much of anywhere when he came to visit. “Yes, I figure I’ll need to stretch my legs after your mother and I…catch up on some things.” The two adults shared a wink, making Harvey confused but he didn’t question it. “Oh, okay. Well, good bye. We love you,” the two children said before bolting out the door and down the path toward the second Inkwell Isle, looking forward to what would be a night of carnival games and excitement. – Goopy Le Grande hopped up to Isabella’s home and knocked on the door. “Hello, it’s Le Grande,” he called, remembering the woman was still vision limited so the extra audio cue might be nice.

Upon hearing the arrival of the visitor, Mina grew very excited. “Finally!” Mina jumped from her chair and opened the door. “Let’s go, lets go, lets go!” She shouted at the grinning goop. “Mina…” Her mother called. “But I really have to go! They’re waiting for me!” The b-cat insisted. “It doesn’t mean you have to lose all your manners.” The little girl knew her mother was right. She lowered her ears and extended an inviting hand towards her home. “Hello, Mr Le Grande. Would you like something to drink before we go?” She said in a much more calmed tone.

Goopy smiled at the politeness. “No, but thank you. It sounds like we are very eager to go.” He looked toward Isabella. “Is there anything else you remembered you want to tell me before we head out?”

Isabella took a moment to think. “Yes! Whatever you do, under ANY circumstances, don’t let her have cotton candy.” Mina rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as her mother continued. “Also, here are a copy of the house keys,” the mother remembered, leaving a set of keys on the table. "I should be back from work around 3 or 4 in the morning, so make yourself at home.”

“No cotton candy, got it,” Goopy repeated. He looked at the little bat. “Ready to go?”

The little girl smiled at Goopy and nodded “Yeap!” She wiggled her little kitten tail happily and hugged her mother “Break a leg, mama!” Isabella smiled and hugged her back. “Thank you, my little fur ball.” She tenderly kissed her forehead. “Have fun, and listen to Monsieur Le Grande!” “Yes, mama…” the b-cat answered, tired of her mother repeating herself, and walked outside of the house. “Te iubesc foarte mult” She heard her mother call from the house. “I love you too, mama!” Mina called back before following Goopy down the path.

–

Harvey was surprised to see Spike already waiting at the entrance of the carnival when he and his sister arrived. He didn’t think the pup would actually show up, or rather, he was really hoping he wasn’t going to show up. Spike spotted him and gave a curt nod in his direction. “Surprised you decided to show up, dummy,” Spike huffed. He spotted Hanna and raised an eyebrow. “Who’s the shrimp?” Hanna puffed out her chest. “I am a rabbit not a shrimp and my name is Hanna and I am 6 years old and I make quilts and even though you are mean, I will make you a quilt so you better be nice to my brother because he knows magic now too!” Spike rubbed his ears. “I didn’t get any of that. Was that even English?” Harvey sighed. “She says she’s gonna make you a quilt.” “I don’t want a dumb quilt,” Spike grumbled. “She wasn’t asking. She was telling you,” Harvey explained. Spike grumbled and looked away. “So where’s the vampire? She decide to be a chicken and stay home?”

Just as he finished speaking, Mina and Goopy arrived at the carnival. Mina spotted her friend Harvey accompanied by little Hanna and… Spike. “That’s Spike, the little dog,” she whispered to Goopy, “and the bunnies are Harvey and one of his sisters, Hanna.” On their way to the carnival, Mina had taken the chance to explain her brilliant plan to turn Spike from a bully to a buddy.

Goopy rubbed his chin thoughtfully upon seeing the pup that Mina had been talking about. “Well, I think that’s a very noble attempt at keeping the peace. I’m quite the peace mediator myself, but I suppose you kids have got to figure it out. Although nothing settles a disagreement like a good brawl, in my opinion,” Goopy added as they approached the children. Harvey waved at Mina and Goopy. “Hello, Mr. Le Grande,” he greeted pleasantly. “Well, hello Harvey. Is this your little sister? I don’t think I’ve seen her since she was a bunny,” Goopy greeted, tipping his top at the little rabbit. She smiled and curtsied politely. Spike scoffed. “Really? You brought an adult? You guys must be more scared than I thought.” Goopy eyed him. “Hello there, Spike, I’ve been sent to accompany Ms Mina, but by no means am I going to be following her around all the time.” Goopy gave her a nod. “If you run ahead, just make sure to eventually come back, got it?”

Mina smiled and nodded at Goopy. She then turned to Spike, crossing her arms. “So what would you like to start with?” She asked defiantly, grinning at the pup.

“Why don’t you ride the roller coaster ride first?” Goopy suggested when the puppy didn’t speak.

Hanna pouted. “I don’t think I’m big enough for that. How about the merry go round?���

Spike shook his head. “That stuff is for babies.” Harvey bristled at that.

Goopy scoped the park so more. “Did you want to do carnival games?”

Harvey did but he wanted a chance to do it without Hanna in case he could win her something. “Not now, maybe later?”

Spike crossed his arms and pointed at Mina. “If you’re really serious about having this scare off, we should started with the least scary places and keep going to scarier stuff until you give up.”

“You’re right, Spike. Perhaps you’re not as dumb as you look!” Mina smiled at him and looked around. “We can go on the wheel, unless you’re afraid of heights?”  The little bat suggested. She figured they could enjoy a bit of calm with Hanna before they screaming really started.

Spike crossed his arms even tighter. “I’m not scared of heights. Let’s do it!” The dog ran off before any of the kids knew what was up, forcing them to run after him toward the ferris wheel, leaving Goopy to slowly hop from behind.

–

The Baroness’ eyes couldn’t help but pop at all the lights of the carnival. “Goodness, Beppi really has put in a lot of effort to make things look good this time,” the woman noted to Grim. The two had walked from her castle to the carnival entrance and just paid the fare to enter.

“Yes… he d-did a great job…” the dragon agreed, admiring Baroness Von Bon Bon’s outfit. She looked absolutely ravishing tonight.

Bon Bon looked over at the dragon, unaware of the dragon’s interest in her outfit. “Do you see any rides you’d like to try first?” She asked.

The dragon couldn’t stop thinking about how much he enjoyed her company, her sweet smell, her delightful voice…But at the sound of her question, he snapped out of his thoughts.

“Uh… how about the ferris wheel? Or the b-bumper cars?” he considered.

“Let’s do the bumper cars,” Baroness decided, a malicious grin alighting on her face at the suggestion. “I think the cars have Beppi’s face on them and nothing would be more satisfying than to smash them into each other,” she added.

Grim chuckled and followed her to the bumper cars. When it was their turn to ride, the dragon realised he was slightly too big for just one car. But he was determined to ride anyway. Ignoring the technician, he took two cars and used them as if they were roller skates.

“I’m r-ready!” He smiled at the Baroness and give her a daring stare.

The Baroness laughed at the bravado. “Better clench your claws, Grim, I don’t hold back!” At the sound of the buzzer, all the bumper cars started to jerk and move around, fueling Bon Bon’s somewhat macabre desire to hurt things as she gleefully rammed and collided with other cars.

Grim skated towards Bon Bon, but a car bumped him, making him lose his balance and fall. He growled angrily and tried to look who it was but there were so many people he couldn’t be sure who did it.

He was standing up when another car ran over his tail, making him roar in pain. This time he stood up quickly and recognised Cuphead smiling victorious before he got bumped by another car who nearly made him get out of his own.

Grim smiled, showing his fangs as he slipped back into his roller cars. This was going to be fun!

The Baroness was having so much fun, especially crashing into Cuphead that she didn’t notice  a certain clown approaching the controls of the bumper cars.

Beppi eyed Bon Bon and Grim having a wonderful time. “Let’s make this ride a lot more interesting,” he chuckled, pressing a few buttons and raising the speed of the bumper cars.

Bon Bon didn’t realize the speed increase at first. It was only when she was T-boned and actually jostled a bit more did she realize the cars were hitting with more force. Not enough to hurt, but definitely enough to rattle someone. Especially someone balanced on two cars.

Cuphead took advantage of the increasing speed and kept bumping against Grim, laughing out loud as he did. The dragon kept losing his balance and ridiculously wiggled his limbs to keep himself from falling, only to end up falling anyway with a heavy thud.

It was annoying for Grim (and a little painful) but he was still having fun. He loved the crazy look of the Baroness when she fiercely succeeded in bumping someone. Especially when that someone was the little annoying cup.

And speaking of the cup… Grim was near BonBon now, he looked at her with a grin and wanted to bumped her softly. Before he could do this, Cuphead gave a particularly hard charge to one of his feet. The unexpected impact made Grim lose his balance again and sent him spiraling down once more. Only this time, it was toward the Baroness.

The woman saw the shadow over her and realized she was in imminent danger of being squashed. She jumped out of the moving bumper car quickly and rolled to safely just as poor Grim landed right where she had been moments before.

The bumper cars were quickly halted as she stood up and dusted herself off. She swore she could someone loudly giggling, “TIMBER!” and she looked around for the source. That almost sounded like Beppi. She scowled but softened when she saw Grim lying on the ground with a groan. She walked over to him carefully. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?” She asked carefully, placing a hand on his shoulder.

‘You almost crushed her…’ Grim thought to himself, 'You almost CRUSHED her!’ He felt terrible. He could have hurt Bon Bon so badly. He looked at her full of guilt and sadness, thinking about the horrible thing it could have happened.

Cuphead got out of his car alarmed “Grim! You ok?!” The little cup immediately stepped back when the dragon blew warm smoke at him with an angry growl.

“I could have KILLED her!” he roared standing threarning on all fours.

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to… ” Cuphead slowly backed up.

The Baroness recognized an angry dragon when she saw one. “Grim Matchstick!” She yelled sharply, hopefully getting the dragon’s attention.

Grim’s ears backed down and he slowly looked at Von Bon Bon. The little cup took the chance to run away from the dragon.

Grim was so ashamed, not only did he almost crush her but he just lost his temper towards a kid. This night was going to be memorable alright, but not the way he hoped it would.

The Baroness saw how distraught the dragon looked and sighed. “Oh, Grim,” she coaxed, taking the dragon’s claw and leading him off the bumper car track, “you can’t just go burning people all willy nilly,” She explained, picking up a wrench and looking toward the individual by the controls. “You got to disable your target first,” she added darkly and fiercely chucked the wrench in that direction.

She smiled sweetly at Grim before leading him toward the ferris wheel. “Do you understand?”

The dragon allowed BonBon to lead him away from the bumper cars but was rather confused by her throwing that tool. He didn’t really understand what she meant by all of this, but he was just glad she didn’t leave him.

“I-I-I’m sorry, baroness… ” he said embarrassed and unaware of the cluster gathered around the control box.

–

A couple of carnival attendees stood over a fallen clown, with a wrench shaped dent in his head. Beppi was rubbing his head. “Ow…clearly I need to up my game a bit,” he groaned.

–

While Grim and Baroness left the bumper cars, another couple was just entering the park.

Amber walked toward the entrance of the carnival apprehensively and was concerned when Sullivan was already there, waiting for her. Her eyes narrowed. Had the salamander already scoped the place out? Did he know all the secret places a girl could get dragged to? Would he try anything? She shifted, feeling the small concealed weapon under her clothes rub against her soft fur and smiled. He would very quickly learn a painful lesson if he tried.

She plastered on an enthusiastic smile and waved at him. "Hello, Sully!” She greeted cheerfully.

Sullivan’s eyes brightened at the sight of Amber. “H-hi! ” he waved,“How have you been?” He smiled shyly, hiding an arm behind his back.

Amber did not like the fact that she could not see Sully’s other arm. Still, she managed to keep a playful smile on. “I’m good. It’s so nice to see you. What happened with your arm? Did you get hurt?” She asked, attempting to peek behind him to see what type of weapon he could have.

'Hurt with Cupid’s love arrows,’ the salamander told himself.

“Hehe… No.. it’s… ” he showed his arm holding a small black box. “I got you a little something…” he blushed and opened the box in front of her. It was a thin silver bracelet with delicate flower and leaves carvings. He looked at her to see her reaction.

Amber’s eyes open wide at the gift. 'Ooh, a shiny,’ her mind thought automatically. She liked shinies. She took it carefully and placed it on her own wrist. “Sully, this is beautiful! Thank you!” She thanked, planting a tiny peck on his cheek.

Psycho killer or not, the salamander had taste. Amber had to make sure she stole something extra nice for him tonight. Or at least stole enough cash to win him something.

Sullivan blushed and caressed the kissed cheek. “I’m so glad you like it!” It took him so long to decide what to get her… He knew Amber was a more sophisticated woman, and that only showing off physical strength wouldn’t suffice to conquer her heart.

He offered his arm to her like a gentleman. “Ready to have some fun, m'lady?” He said, smiling at the feline.

Amber took his arm. “Of course!” Her ears perked up at the sound of an announcer declaring the bumper cars were starting up again after a temporary pause and she grinned.

“Let’s do the bumper cars!!” She squealed, “I wanna hit something!” And with that, she dragged Sullivan into the park with a purr.

Sullivan let her drag him still smiling. The evening looked promising!

There was a lot of people starting to wait in line but thanks to Amber they were one of the firsts.

On the side of the tracks they saw one.of the cars all smashed. “Wow! Somebody had an extrabumpy ride…” the salamander said starting to worry for Amber.

Amber blanched. “Huh. That’s uh… different,” she admitted. Still, she did just pick pocket about 3 people in this line. It would look suspicious if she just left after coming all the way here. “Well I know which car we’re not taking,” she joked.

—

“You call that scary? I was falling asleep on that ride!” Spike laughed, as the children walked away from one of the rides.

The scare contest was still on amongst Mina and Spike. It took them a while to see which ride they would start with, mostly because they needed to find a ride that Hanna could also ride since she was so short. They had finally found a scary ride and although Harvey was a bit spooked, it looked like it hadn’t left much of an impression on Spike.

“That was kind of scary,” Harvey admitted.

Hanna patted his paw. “Don’t worry, the monsters in that one were all fake. They’re not real.”

Spike continue to laugh at poor Harvey who pouted. He turned toward Mina. “You’re going to find a real scary ride now or what?”

Mina was with Spike. So far the rides didn’t made them scream so much but she didn’t want make Harvey feel bad.

“Well, at least they were fun,” she smiled. “And that face you made when we were up high in the air? That was priceless, Spike” She chuckled.

She looked around and saw the perfect ride to go on next.

“I guess it’s time for the real scary stuff.” She pointed at the haunted house, grinning maliciously.

Harvey didn’t like that ride one bit. “That’s the really spooky one,” he mumbled.

Goopy patted him on the back. “Now, now, kiddo, just remember it’s just all smoke and mirrors. No actual monsters and spooks.”

They started to walk over to the ride only for Harvey to catch sight of one of the carnival games. He wondered if he could find sewing needles for Hanna in there. Maybe he could check after the ride if he didn’t run out screaming.

The carnival attraction looked harmless enough at first glance. Just a large dark looking mansion. Yet the closer the children got to it, the more menancing it became. The windows open and shut on their own. The sounds of groans and chains rattling grew louder with each step. And by the time Mina and her friends had reached a certain point in the line, they could hear the screams of the attendees who had gone before them.

Harvey was seriously spooked despite the fact that Hanna was still giggling about the whole thing. “I wonder if I can make the ghosts some quilts.”

“Hanna, there’s no such things as ghosts. Skeletal horses, yes, but not ghosts.”

“Ooh! Actually, there are!” Goopy prompted. “They run a train on the third isle.”

Spike gaped at the blob. “Nu uh. No way.”

“Mmhmm.”

They were waiting in line for a while. It seemed there were a lot of people waiting in line for the attraction. It looked like they were having patrons go in as small groups, rather than by themselves. Mina was disappointed with this information. It probably wouldn’t be as fun if they had to go with some other folks. Especially if these folks weren’t scared easily. So she looked around to check if there were people who looked easily spooked…or someone who looked like a spook.

She spotted a salamander who didn’t look very brave next to… the freelancer! It would be fun to ride with them!

–

Sullivan was delighted they were going to the Haunted Manor. He was tired trying to win prizes for Amber testing his very little strength. But this, didn’t took any skill to walk around holding  and reassuring his beloved lady.

“I was a little kid since the last time I went in there.  I wonder if they changed the ghost sheets,” he chuckled.

Amber had no interest in a spooky haunted mansion. Initially. She hadn’t been too impressed with Sully’s attempts to win her stuff and she had to resist the urge to win her own prizes. So when he suggested the spooky mansion walk, she was about to shoot it down. But when she read the little pamphlet on it claiming that the ghostly spectres haunting the mansion came from a solid gold artifact, she was much more on board.

Even if the gold thing wasn’t true, there were still plenty of incentive to walk through a dark mansion. The darkness could provide cover for her to frisk a few patrons, especially if they were traveling with a group. Sully had been rather talkative up until this point, talking about how this mansion had been up for ages, ever since he was a boy.

Amber was fairly sure by his nonchalance that he didn’t believe in the spooks, especially by the way he almost put his arm around her a couple times. Even if he might be a psycho killer, she did admit it was kind of cute watching him try so hard.

She for sure thought they were going to be part of the group in front of them going in, only to be stopped just before they could step in by a bedraggled looking clown. “That’s it for now, gonna have to wait for the other group to leave before you guys can go in,” he explained.

She felt something approaching her and glanced up to see…holy shit, a dragon. Her eyes widened at his appearance. It was a dragon…in an oversized coat. Huh. That’s new. Probably shouldn’t try to take anything from him. Fur was flammable.

Sullivan noticed Amber getting nervous at the dragon. “Oh, him? Don’t worry! He’s a very nice dragon, his name is Grim Matchstick, he lives in that big tower over there.” He pointed to the silhouette of the old white structure illuminated by the dim lights of the night, giving it a mysterious look.

He also noticed the person next to him. “Oh gosh! The Baroness Von Bon Bon… now THAT one you can fear….”

Amber observed the Baroness and scratched herself dismissively. “I don’t see why she’s scary. She’s just a princess, isn’t she?”

“She’s the Baroness of Sugarland. She had a bit of a temper… you should stay on her good side or she will take your head. Literally!” Sullivan explained to his lovely companion.

–

Mina made a motion to approach the freelancer and the salamander only to stop in her tracks when a giant green lizard stepped between them. She poked at Goopy excitedly.

“Is that what I think it is?” She smiled, not believing her own eyes.

Goopy turned to see what Mina was was pointing at and grinned instead. “Oh, Grim! Why hello there!” He greeted, tipping his tip at the dragon.

–

Grim was a bit nervous. After the fiasco at the bumper cars he didn’t have the courage to get on another ride… but he still had to make the Baroness scared so she would ask him to stay in her castle.

He looked up at the scary facade of the Haunted Manor and gulped. He was probably more scared than Bon Bon. He looked down to her. “T-t-hey say it’s really scary… A-are you going to be ok?”

The Baroness smiled at Grim’s sincere question. “There are very few things that scare me, Grim. But I’d like to see what Beppi has in store for the average patron. Who knows, maybe he’ll get lucky and make me laugh,” she chuckled, gently tapping the dragon on his arm.

Why did she tap him? The Baroness glanced away so he didn’t see the faint trace of red on her cheeks. She didn’t know why, but she really wanted to keep touching Grim tonight. Maybe it was because he was wearing a darling coat? Or had actually worked up the courage to ask her out? She knew deep down he was a very nervous dragon so the fact that he was willing to go to a haunted ride just for her sake was endearing.

Grim blushed at the touch of the Baroness and smiled shyly. He was about to talk when he recognised a voice behind him.

“Oh! G-g-goopy! How have you b-been?” He noticed the bunch of kids around him and smiled, showing a little too much teeth. “W-well you are in good company.”

Mina couldn’t help but stare at the dragon with wide, admiring eyes. That made Grim feel a bit uncomfortable.

“I am doing well, old sport! How about yourself?” Goopy greeted. He spotted the Baroness and his smile widened. He gently nudged the dragon with his elbow. “And I see you have the most lovely Baroness as your companion for the night?”

The Baroness smiled disarmingly at the goop. “Good evening, Le Grande…Flattery will not make me forget that you spilled punch on me the last time we were all out,” she spoke cooly.

Goopy chortled. “Yes, yes, I remember. No need to lose your head about it.”

“And more importantly, yours,” she dangerously reminded him, still smiling, unaware of the cat behind her now watching her much more warily than she had just a few seconds ago. She looked at the small bat like creature next to him. “You have a child?”

Goopy gestured to Mina. “Oh, this here is Mina. She and her mother recently moved to the first isle and she’s working tonight, so I offered to accompany the little rascal and her friends to the carnival,” Goopy explained. He gave Mina a little push toward the couple. “Mina, this is Grim Matchstick and Baroness Von Bon Bon. I believe they are on a date.”

If the woman was phased, she did not show it. She knelt down and extended a hand to the little girl. “Hello, Mina. How are you?”

The dragon blushed even more at the blue goop’s remark but cooled down when Bon Bon talked, full of confidence. She was so lovely when she threatened people. He shyly waved at Mina who kept staring at him weirdly. Kids made him nervous. He couldn’t predict when they were about to start crying, or yelling, or laughing in volumes that would burst anyone’s ear drums.

The little b-cat stopped staring at the dragon and now looked at the woman kneeling in front of her. She smelled like sweet delicious candy! And she was a Baroness? Looked more like a princess to her.

“H-hi! Eh…” she tried to remember the correct way to greet  nobility. She decided to go the 'knight’ way and put a fist on her chest, lowered her head, and bowed as far as she could go. “It’s an honor to meet you, your highness!.” She looked up at her with an eyebrow raised and spoke softly so only Bon Bon could hear. “Are you made out of candy?”

The Barones smirked at Mina. “My dress is,” she explained to the small child. Mina looked at the dress with a mix of admiration and hunger. Bon Bon looked behind her at Harvey, Hanna and Spike. “Are these your friends?”

“Oh! Yes! These are my friends, Harvey, his little sister Hanna and Spike” she introduced them to the odd couple.

“Nice t-t-to meet you all” Grim waved at the children.

“Are you kidding? It’s nice to meet YOU! I mean, you’re a dragon! There is nothing in this world more awesome than a dragon!” She turned to Harvey all excited “Man I love this place!”

Grim couldn’t help but feel a bit proud and chuckled. “Oh, wow. I guess I’m t-the first dragon you’ve ever seen, uh?”

“THERE ARE MORE?” Mina yelled eyes wide open.

–

The salamander noticed Goopy talking to Grim and BonBon. He didn’t wanted to interrupt , so he waited for Goopy to glance at his direction and waved hello at him.

Amber continued to observe her surroundings, unaware that Sullivan was actively trying to draw attention to them. She checked out behind the Baroness to see a large blue slime and some familiar looking kids. Oh, she knew those two. Hopefully…they wouldn’t notice her. Or at the very least, wouldn’t out her to the rest of the group.

Eventually Sullivan was successful at waving at the blue slime ball and the ball took that as an invitation to approach. “Hello, Sullivan! I almost didn’t recognize you out here!” He greeted. He turned to Amber. “And who is your companion?”

“I’m Amber,” Amber greeted, shaking the hand that sprouted from the goop.

“Hello, Amber, I’m Goopy Le Grande. Is Sullivan behaving himself with you? He’s not getting too handsy, is he?” He teased, elbowing Sullivan now.

Amber smiled and almost said, ‘that he wouldn’t last too long if he did,’ but decided against it. Instead, she giggled. “No, he’s been quite the gentleman, actually.”

Sullivan blushed, embarrassed, but kept his smile. He would love to get handsy with Amber, but not before proving his worth and winning her heart.

“W-what about you? What you doing with a bunch of kids?“ He asked curiously, getting a better view of the children in front of the dragon and the Baroness. "You don’t fight today?”

Goopy shook his head. “Not tonight. Later next week. Should be an exciting one if I don’t say so myself. I could score you an extra ticket if this evening goes well?” He offered with a wink. “And as for the children, I’m watching them for the night. Mina and her mother recently moved to the Isle and she’s working tonight at the bar.”

Sulivan laughed nervously “ Eeh… y-yeah, we’ll see about that ticket.” He looked at Amber. “It might not spook us but I’m sure those kids will create the ambiance for us,” he chuckled. “After this we can go have a drink or something… i-if you like.”

Amber perked up at Sullivan’s words. “A drink, eh? Now that would be a great way to end the night. Well, almost the best way to end the night,” she purred, letting herself rub up against him suggestively when he got a bit closer to the dragon.

Goopy chuckled to Amber. “Well, we gotta let the kiddies have their fun first. The kids have a little wager going right now, a scare competition. Whoever is the last one to get scared wins. I really hope they updated the spooks in here otherwise these tykes are going to be a bit disappointed.”

Amber sighed. “Yeah, Sully was mentioning the “spooks”. Do you think we should even bother with going in?” She asked, jutting a thumb at the exit.

–

The Baroness smiled at the enthusiasm the children showed. It was nice to meet young ones who weren’t afraid of Grim. She often felt a mix of rage and sadness when Grim met with fear from the various island inhabitants. He had been here for years and he was still always worried that someone might start screaming when he would go to get groceries.

She gently waited for the dragon to answer the excited little girl.

Grim got startled by the child’s sudden yelling and chuckled when he realised she wasn’t yelling of fear. “Well yeah, there’s a whole Island full of them.”

Mina pulled at her ears “Oh.My.God. Mr Matchstc- Mutchstruc, Mr. Dragon, can we please meet tomorrow after my flying lessons? I want to note EVERYTHING in my adventure journal!.”

A silly smile got stuck in the dragon’s face.  "F-f-flying lessons uh? That s-sounds fun. How about we meet then? I c-c-could show you a trick or two….“ He spread his wings, almost hitting people around him, including Amber, Sullivan and Goopy.

"Hey! Careful, Matchstick,” Sullivan said, protecting Amber with his body.

“Oh! Sorry! I g-g-got a bit carried away…” his confidence fell to the ground and he tried to make himself small retracting his wings.

Mina noticed the change of humor in the dragon and cocked her head wondering why he didn’t eat their heads. She got closer to Grim. “Sir, it would be great to see you tomorrow!” Grim smiled at her and nodded. “Oh and you’re also welcome to join, your majesty,” Mina bowed again to Bon Bon. Grim looked at the baroness with puppy eyes, hoping she would agree to come.

The Baroness nodded. That would be quite amusing to see Grim teaching someone to fly. “I would actually look forward to that very much,” she agreed, trying to mask her excitement at watching Grim flap around like a dragonling again.

—

“Harvey, do you really not wanna go?” Hanna asked her brother as the adults talked, “You can stay outside if you like?”

Harvey shook his head. “No, mom and dad said I’ve got to stay with you. I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t be such a baby,” Spike teased, “If some girly princess can go in there, you can go in there,” he pointed to the Baroness.

Harvey wasn’t feeling like a very brave bunny and his sister gave him a quick hug. “Don’t worry! If any ghosts come by to scare you, I’ll scare them so hard, they will disappear!”

Harvey was about to ask why ghosts would be scared by a baby bunny when he felt something hard press into his ribs during the hug. His sister pulled away to look eagerly ahead and he reached into his jacket. His paws touched a stick and he realized he still had the training wand. His eyes widened and he looked around, but no one spotted him. He smiled a little and took his paw out. If a fake ghost really did spook him, maybe Harvey could make it disappear after all.

Harvey spotted Amber and his ears perked up. “Hi, Amber!” He greeted cheerfully. Seeing the “freelancer” did make him feel a little bit better. He wasn’t sure how much of a fighter she was, but between her, his wand, the baroness and a big dragon, he felt a bit safer going into the spooky mansion.

The cat looked worriedly at who was calling her name and relaxed when she realized it was Harvey and not some disgruntled victim. “Hey, long ears,” she greeted, “You going in here too?”

“Yeah, with Mina, Spike and my sister,” he explained. At the mention of herself, Hanna edged closer to look at the cat. Harvey looked at her. “This is my sister, Hanna.”

Amber extended a paw to shake Hanna’s. “Are you a goody two shoe like your brother?”

“I make quilts,” Hanna proudly exclaimed. She oohed at the feeling of her paw. “Your fur is so soft!!!”

The cat puffed out her chest with pride. “I take a bath everyday,” she winked.

“Can I brush you sometime?”

“…I like you, kid. You ever think about being a freelancer?” She suggested with a wink. Harvey crossed his arms and she laughed. “Kidding, kidding…although-” She was interrupted by a bull dog pup pushing past them and stomping up to the carnival employee managing the line.

“I’m tired of waiting for this dumb ride!” Spike barked at the employee, “everyone has to be gone by now!”

The carnival employee shrugged. “Unexpected delay. One of the guests passed out so we’re having to carry them out the back. Hopefully shouldn’t be too much longer.”

Amber blinked in surprise and glanced at Sullivan. “I didn’t realize sheets were THAT scary.”

Spike growled. “I wanna go on now!”

“Eager little puppy, ain’t cha?” A giggling voice called out. The pup turned to see a red and white bouncy clown skipping toward them. The clown patted the employee on the back. “I think I’ll take over from here, thank you.”

Spike raised his ears. “You’re that weird clown, Beppi, huh?”

Beppi nodded and smiled at the group. “Oh yes, I’m Beppi! Owner of the circus! And what a ride I have in store for all of you! Especially you, Baroness,” he winked, enjoying the scowl on her face and the nervous expression on the dragon. He leaned forward. “Who here wants to get scared?” he chuckled.

There was an uneasy response from the group. Beppi was smiling but there was a weird vibe about his whole introduction. The clown looked even more pleased. “Wonderful, just WONDERFUL!” He cheered, “Very well! Please, go on ahead. And enjoy yourselves! And remember, the last one who screams wins!” He chortled before opening the door and stepping back.

Spike started to walk toward the door, before glancing at the clown. “How ya know about our competition?” He asked.

Beppi cackled. “I know EVERYTHING that goes on in my park! Now, get along now, little doggies!” He waited for everyone to move forward.

Mina was intrigued by the clown and she marched out in front of the group. Following closely after her was Spike, also eager to see what all the fuss was about..but more importantly, to win the challenge.

Right behind them followed Harvey with Hanna, holding hands to make sure she wouldn’t run off and try to make quilts for spooks. Goopy, Sullivan and Amber were next. Bon Bon and Grim finally followed. Grim was fairly nervous already. Beppi seemed to be very happy they were here. A little too happy.

They all stepped into the manor, and the doors slammed behind them, leaving them in a room with dim light. And maniacal laughter.

–

Another individual was also going through his own sense of foreboding and despair. And although this one wasn’t related to spooks in the slightest, it was still rather terrifying.

It was date night with Hilda.

Cagney looked at the setting sun as he walked toward the club. It was still early but he wanted to make sure he showed up early, especially if he could scope out the spots and escape routes if necessary. Tonight, this was practically terrifying on its own, without the possibility of death by sky witch. And to try to get her to let him spend the night? A week ago, he would have had a chance even as a friendly sleepover, but now, after everything, he thought it was a snowball’s chance in hell.

He finally reached the club doors as the sun finally finished setting and gave a rap on the wood. The doors parted to reveal a tiny mole man. “Good evening, sir, do you have a reservation?” “Yeah, uh, for Cagney,” he explained. “I see. The reservation says it’s for two,” the mole read off his list. “Yeah, she’s not here yet?” “No, sir.” “Good, good. Okay, yeah, her name is Hilda. I guess she’ll be here soon,” he added hopefully, walking past the mole. “Very good, sir. I’ll go ahead and take you to your table.” The carnation was instantly hit with the loud music and chatter of bar patrons. He followed the mole to a table. “Might I suggest a drink sir from the bar?” The mole inquired. Cagney eyed him warily. “What? Why?” “You look very nervous, sir. And you’re tearing a hole in the tablecloth.” He looked down to see that he had actually ripped part of the tablecloth from pulling too hard. “Ah, uh, yeah, maybe,” he admitted. “Excellent, I’ll send over your waiter and he’ll get you started on something.” The waiter stepped up as if right on cue and suggested something that Cagney had no idea what it was, but it sounded harmless enough so he ordered that. As the waiter left, Cagney couldn’t help but eye the front door worriedly. He was all worried about what she would do to him when she showed up, but what would he do if she didn’t show at all. That would truly mean the end of the relationship as he knew it. He found himself tearing another hole in the tablecloth, only stopping when the drink came to him. He tapped his foot anxiously instead, continuing to eye the door.

—

Even though she was ready way before the time, Hilda thought it would be fun to make the flower break a sweat and arrived a few minutes late at the Night Owl club.

The mole greeted her and started to lead her to Cagney’s table, but she froze before she could take another step inside.

'C'mon! You can’t bail now!’ Sagittarius tried to encourage her. 'You already made him wait… he must be in a worst state than you.’ Hilda mentally agreed, the flower wasn’t very good at stress managing.

“Problem, mis? ” the mole asked interrupting her thoughts.

Hilda shook her head “No! I’m good.. I just… thought I forgot something…” she made sure her dress was perfect and followed him inside.

It was crowded tonight but there was a good ambiance. Jazzy tunes filling the air as people relaxed, chatted and danced. Hilda could feel her shoulders untense at the scene. She was glad they both agreed on coming here.

Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Cagney at the table. She was so happy to see him, and he was all dressed and everything. Scorpio’s note had a stronger effect than what she thought.

As they closed in, she tried to stop herself from smiling at her friend and focused on showing a hard look.

—

Cagney was panicking. He kept an eye on the clock behind the bar and when it was a minute after 7, he really did start freaking out. Holy shit she wasn’t coming after all. Had she faked a story about buying a dress and bribed the saleslady into convincing him she was going? How would she have known what store they were going to if she did that? Oh man, was Grim on it too?!

No, that was just him being paranoid, right? No, there’s no way Hilda would do something that cruel…then again he did nearly kill her so maybe this was a possibility after all. He grabbed the tablecloth subconsciously.

It was 3 minutes after. Shit, she wasn’t coming. Maybe she was outside looking in through a window, laughing at him. He looked around quickly. There were no windows in this place. He spotted Hilda briefly, looked away and then realized that that actually was Hilda and holy shit she was absolutely stunning. And she looked pissed.

His arms dropped but too late he forgot to let go of the table cloth. The force of his arms dropping led to him accidentally yanking off the entire table setting with a clatter to the ground. He was absolutely mortified.

Hilda had to cover her mouth to prevent herself from roaring in laughter, her chest hurting when she did. People stared at the flower for a moment, chuckling and whispering, before they returned to their business. A few waiters came quickly to clean the mess.

Hilda got to the table without any trace of that hard look. “Gee Cags, you really now how to get a girl’s attention,” she smirked.

When Hilda’s first words were not a swear at him, Cagney froze and his mind went blank. And then his brain screamed at him to say something because she just said words and that probably warranted a response of some kind.

He swallowed hard and then gave a weak smile. “Well, you’re here, so I guess it worked?” That was the dumbest line he could have said. He tried not to glare at the people around him who were still chuckling at him.

'Yes. Yes it did.’ Gemini intruded, giggling and admiring the carnation’s effort to dress elegantly

Hilda noticed the awkwardness in her friend and realized she had the upper hand. It was lovely to see her giant, intimidating, grumpy friend shivering at her presence.

After the staff set the table again she took a seat like she practiced at the joint, sensually crossing her legs, only this time her shoe stayed in place. She wasn’t sure what to say so she decided to torture him a bit more by remaining silent and just looking at him.

Why wasn’t she yelling at him? Was she messing with him? Should he call her out on it? What if she wasn’t messing with him and she just got madder. Maybe, he could just start with asking how she was doing?

“Soooo….crazy weather huh?”

He could have slapped himself. That was not what he meant to say at all. Holy crap. He just called her crazy.

'Did he just called us crazy?!’ Tauros demanded, making Hilda’s eye twitch.

“Yeah,” she said, her tone angry but still calm,  "Glad to see it didn’t drown you.“

"Yeah, glad about that….I think.” If he had been drowned, he wouldn’t have had this conversation right now. But still, he had to say something.

“You look nice,” he finally managed. She still looked pissed. If he wanted any shot of staying the night, he was gonna have to start by apologizing. “Listen, about the other night…I just wanna say I didn’t mean to break your dome.”

Hilda’s stare softened a little. Finally! A chance to clear things up. “I know… ” she said softly. “And.. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you….” She cleared her throat and hardened her voice again. “Anything ELSE you would like to apologize from that night?” The sky witch asked, crossing her arms roughly against her chest and releasing a soft painful groan.

Cagney heard the groan and remembered that Hilda had been stuck like a pin cushion when he accidentally attempted to crush her.

“I’m sorry I nearly killed you,” he finally managed, “and I’m sorry I couldn’t get all the thorns out,” he added turning a bit red.

“Yeah… ” Hilda couldn’t help but blush as well. “Next time, please wait for me to be conscious.” She showed a small smile.  

“Cags… ” she took a deep breath and leaned in over the table. “I apologize too… I should learn to better manage my anger. But…what happened? I mean, the things you said? The way you looked at me?” she hold her arms and looked at her friend worried. “It sounded like you meant it.”

Cagney buried his head in his leaves. “Ugh, Hilda, no I didn’t mean it. I was just so tired and angry and hurt and when I turn into…well, THAT, I just say a lot of things. A lot of dumb hurtful things.”

The second drink had loosened his tongue significantly and he groaned. “This is so hard for me right now to try to explain but I missed you. Like a bunch.”

Those last words melted the woman’s heart. She looked at him with a sad mile. She wanted to jump up and hug him tight, but she remained in control and stayed in her seat.

'What are you waiting for? Go for it!  For the love of God! Hug him, you crazy witch!’ Gemini was tried to convince Hilda.

'Hell no! You should kick him under the table! And then drag him outside and kick him some more!’ Tauros spoke.

'No! Let him talk! Look at him, he feels terrible… ’ It was starting to get crowded.

The woman shook her head to try to focus. “I don’t know If I want to hug or beat the life out of you.”

"You can do both if you want. I think it would be worth it and I might deserve it.” Cagney helpfully offered. He looked at how beautiful Hilda looked and his mind was starting to swim. She was even more beautiful than she was earlier this week when she showed up at his field, drunk and with…a different guy.

He cleared his throat. “Uh, before you do either, can you tell me something? Who is Carl?”

'CaAAarl’ she couldn’t help repeat in her mind. She had a choice to make here: be childish and pretend this guy was going to be her best friend, OR, be mature about it and tell him that it was just somebody she met with the sole purpose of making Cagney jealous.

“Oh, Carl…He’s a … He’s a friend. We met at the Joint and uh… sorry we woke you up.” She hid her face behind her drink, hoping there wouldn’t be more follow up questions.

The fact that she got fidgety with the question made Cagney’s stomach twist. “Didn’t realize you frequented the Joint.” He managed, trying to keep any spite out of his voice/

He had been on his third drink now and his mind swam with thoughts that hurt his chest. She met a guy at a bar and what, was she planning on bringing him back to her place? Technically, Cagney’s field was on the way if you were walking and with Hilda being unable to fly, it was feasible.

He tried not to pull at the tablecloth. Had there been other guys and he just managed to sleep through her bringing them back? That thought hurt a lot. Had she been living a double life and lovesick Cagney had been too dumb to see it until now?

“A friend, huh? What type of friend?” He asked, keeping his voice calm.

'Of course there was going to be follow up questions! What did you expect!’ Sagittarius scowled.

“Well, I have a life, Cags. You probably hang out with other people I don’t know about… Don’t you?” She asked really curious and kept drinking.

Cagney really didn’t have anyone. At least not anyone that Hilda didn’t already know. Admitting that would have just made him sound more a stupid loser. He tried to think what to say but only could manage a “Not really…” before the he was interrupted.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” A well dressed rooster announced from the stage. “Put your hands together and give a round for our newest, lovely siren, Miss Bella Bechstein!”

Hilda’s eyes widened and choked on her drink and coughed.

At the sound of the familiar name, he turned to see Isabella on stage. She was quite breathtaking to be sure and you could hardly tell she was blind by the way she handled that microphone. “Huh,” he observed, “I didn’t know Isabella worked here.”

Hilda glared at Cagney. “You know her?” She asked, already knowing the answer.

The crowd applauded as Isabella entered the stage, accompanied by one of the lizard musicians, and got to the microphone. “Good evening everybody! I sincerely hope your night is going well,” she charmingly spoke as the rooster and lizard left the stage.

Cagney nodded. “Yeah, I accid-” he stopped mid-speech. He was about to admit to Hilda that he attacked a small child in a drugged stupor. That would probably not go over very well. It’s not like Hilda had strong maternal instincts, but at the same time, kids were kids and attacking them (Cuphead and Mugman being the exception) made you look like a monster.

So he bent the truth. “I acc-actually ran into her and her kid by my field. She’s new to the isle, did you meet her?”

“I-I met her too… she and Goopy helped me clean up the dome mess…”

"They did? Dammit.” Now he really felt bad. He should have been the one helping her clean up. Now if only he knew how to fix it. “She’s got quite the mouth on her,“ Cagney remembered with a chuckle, thinking about she swore him out just a few days ago

'Quite the mouth on her?!’ Gemini bursted in jealousy. 'I knew it! They have something!’. Hilda looked at him alarmed.

“W-wh-what do you mean about the mouth thing?” the sky witch mumbled scared of the answer, trying to sound as if she didn’t really cared.

The music started playing and Isabella talked in her sweet tone.

“You know folks, I like games. And there’s one in particular that used to play with a that special friend…”. And at her cue she started singing “I double dare you’.

Hilda’s next question made him pause. Cagney didn’t have a lot of insight into the female mind but he suddenly had the inkling that maybe he should choose his next words carefully. He pointed a thumb at the bat on stage. "Well, I mean, she’s a pretty good singer, right? She’s keeping with the band pretty well. It’s probably something that could be danced to, ya know, if you felt like dancing at all…” He felt like a kid asking a girl to a school dance.

'OH MY GOD! Forget what I said! Go dance with him!’ Gemini yelled with excitement.

'Yaah! Dance with him!’

'And step on his feet!’

The constellations in her head all yelled, encouraging her to go have some fun with her friend. She wasn’t very good at dancing, but Cagney was. She just had to let him lead and not step on his leaves.  Plus dancing was really fun and she really enjoy it.

She smiled shyly “Sure. I’ll try to step on you as much as I can,” she chuckled, standing up from her seat.

“Fair enough,” and with that, he led her to the dance floor.

Isabella finished her song and people clapped. “Thank you.” She kept smiling sweetly. “And after all this playing, I used to go dancing. I loove dancing, folks, but the music has to be… zazzie”  she shook her shoulders “You know what I mean? It’s gotta have that special thing that makes you want to shake it.” And so, she started singing. 

Cagney had danced since he was a sprout. Actual dancing did not spook him. Dancing in front of a crowd could give him the jitterbugs but that was okay because the jitterbug was still an acceptable dance style. But with Hilda, they had done some casual swing goofing around but this definitely had a different feel to it. Maybe it was because they were in nice clothes. At least that’s what he was telling himself.

There were other couples already on the floor and he blended in as best as a large plant could. Then again, he wasn’t the only non human so it wasn’t that off. He led her into dance as best as he could, and although yes, she did step on his leaves every now and then, for the most part she followed pretty well.

He was starting to feel more confident and soon they were both snorting and breaking out into quiet snorts and laughter.

Being so close to Cagney without the intention of smacking him made Hilda feel a bit awkward. But the more they danced, the more fun she had, and the more she realised this felt really nice, just her and him, shaking their bodies together. She almost forgot why they fought and felt sorry when she accidentally (most of the times) stepped on him.

“I can’t believe how bad you are at walking and how good you are at this.” She said, laughing and trying to keep up with his rhythm and this time avoiding his feet.

Cagney held Hilda tightly and was relieved when she stopped stepping on him. Heels beat stems any day, no matter how thorny the stem was. He was actually surprised his thorns hadn’t popped out already but realized that he wasn’t freaking out anymore. This was his zone, his expertise. Well other than extreme pollination and total domination.

He felt himself heat up at that thought. Shoot, wasn’t he thinking a few days ago that he and Hilda might actually head in that direction? And now he was here, with her slender body rubbing up against his, that dress flattering not just for her sharp personality but her rather attractive body. He swallowed. He still couldn’t believe he wrote that stupid letter.

But if he was telling the truth, it had been something he had daydreamed for a while now. And now he was trying to see if he could spend the night. He wasn’t sure if this made him a bad flower because he was trying to do this, or a good flower to save his friend from seeing the stuff he wrote about her. Or did that make him bad too?

A few minutes later as the song reached its end with an applause from the public, Hilda couldn’t help but feel really sad. She didn’t wanted to go back to talking! She wanted to be near him, laugh with him…maybe step on his toes again.

“Thank you! Thank you again!” Isabella started talking. “And at the end of the night, after all day laughing and having fun with my dear special friend…” she sighed “….there was always this moment where another gal came in and took him away from me,” she said angrily, a sad smile on her lips. She placed a hand on her hips. “And I never could tell him how I really felt…”. And with that, she began to sing a slow song.

Hilda looked at Cagney with a shy smile hoping they would keep dancing.

The song changed to a slow one and he realized he couldn’t keep just salsing to it. No, this one required…focus. Maybe he should sit this one out. He glanced down at Hilda and noticed she was smiling at him shyly. Was she feeling as awkward as he was? Somehow that made him feel better and he slowed his tempo down, trying to enjoy the moment, despite the sad undertones of the song playing.

Hilda danced close to him, appreciating the change in tone. She had been holding on to him tightly without realising it and leaned her head against his chest. The bat lady may rub the woman the wrong way, but Hilda had to admit her music was delightful (and strangely appropriate). It was setting a romantic mood between them, making her remember how she felt a few nights ago, under the stars.

He looked at Hilda. “Listen, Hilda, I want to apologize, ya know, for all the stupid shit I’ve done, that I’ve been doing and will probably do in the the future.”

She chuckled at Cagney. “Well, I will accept your apologies for what have you done, I’m not sure if I accept whatever you have been doing, aaand… I’m keeping my options open for what you may do in the future. Dancing on your leaves is kinda fun.”

He winced “Yeah, I’ve noticed. Think you could not use the heel so much when you stomp on them?” He chided, glad the woman was in a better mood.

He wondered how Hilda was doing. He had been drinking before she showed up and was starting to feel a bit light-headed from the latent effects of those alcoholic beverages. Part of him wanted to sleep, ideally at Hilda’s place.

Shoot, he still had to see about spending the night before the alcohol really hit. But another quick observation of Hilda made him hesitate. She looked like she was having fun. He decided to enjoy the closeness for now. He could ask after this song.

“You know, I only wear high heels when I know I might end up dancing with you,” Hilda smirked, interrupting the flower’s thoughts. They kept dancing, bodies pressing together, moving softly to the rhythm. Hilda’s bruises hurt a little with the closeness, but she felt the pain was worth it. Or maybe the alcohol was starting to numb her a little.

She faced Cagney. looking him straight in his eyes, full of alcoholic confidence. She was about to lean towards his lips, but the sound of applause brought her back from her thoughts.

“Thanks, everybody! We’re going to take a break to freshen up a little, but we’ll be back with more jazzy tunes to accompany your memorable evening!” Isabella called from the stage, blowing a kiss, and the rooster from before accompanied her offstage.

Hilda looked around to hide the fact she was as red as a tomato and cleared her throat. “W-we should go back.”

Hilda’s discomfort immediately jarred him from the spell of the singing and he nodded. “Yeah, I could use the break from being trampled,” he attempted to joke, trying not to show that he was starting to get nervous without the music before heading back to the table.

–

During her time on stage, Isabella caught the memorable scent of the carnation but she wasn’t certain. When the rooster helped her down, she decided ask to be sure.

“Say, is there a giant flower among the public tonight? A carnation?” She asked in her notorious sweet tone.

The rooster took a quick look and it didn’t took him long to spot Cagney. It was rare to see any flowers at the club this time of the evening.

“Well, yes there is. Doesn’t look much of a carnation, but it’s the only flower I see,” the rooster answered. “Want me to take you to him?”.

“Oh, that’s very sweet of you, darling. But I can find my way,” she smiled and walked slowly, avoiding any obstacles as she followed the smell of the giant flower.

–

As the two sat down, Cagney remembered the plan. Right. He had to retrieve that letter. “Hey, Hilda, I was thinking, about the other night…do you think you’d want to still do that, you know, have a sleepover or something?” He tried to suggest. He paused, “Ya know, with like sleeping bags or something,” he added quickly, not wanting her to think he was directly asking to sleep with her…not that he would be totally averse to that, mind you.

The constellation’s inside Hilda’s head were still going wild from the dance!

'Why didn’t you kiss him?’

'It’s alright! Just take your time, we don’t want to rush this!’

'You barely stepped on him!’

'It was perfect!’

'Not quite… it’s full of people in her~ ’

But at the question, all the voices stopped before screeching in unison: 'He wants to stay over?!’

Hilda took a looong sip from her glass and the voices grew silent. That felt good. She really needed to think this through. He made it sound like an innocent sleepover among friends, but after their slow dance, she wasn’t so sure.  She had to ask him and clear the air once and for all.

“Cagney~?”

“Well, hello there, Mr. Flower,” a familiar sweet voice interrupted her. “Didn’t know hippies like to swing,” Isabella chuckled. Hilda glared at the bat and gulped down the rest of her half full glass, turning her cheeks a bit more red.

His petals flared instinctively at the voice. There was only one person who called him a hippie. He turned around to see Isabella standing, looking even better up close. How did someone blind know how to dress up so well? Or maybe she was just good looking in general and everything looked good on her?

He was starting to think it was the latter. He recovered and smirked. “That was some good singing, Isabella. I didn’t know you were working here.”

“Aw! thank you, darling,” the bat blushed. “I started yesterday, actually. Your friend Goopy helped me get the job!” Isabella gushed.

Hilda stared at both of them, trying to hide the fact she was really pissed for being interrupted AND ignored.

“Cool. Cool. Looks like that pompous ball has some talent after all.” Cagney was aware of Hilda being strangely quiet. “Hilda, you’ve met Isabella, right?” He prompted.

“Yeah, we have…” Hilda forced a smile and gestured to a waiter to bring her another drink.

“Dumnezeule! I’m so sorry, I didn’t hear you there!” Isabella said, wiggling her ears towards Hilda. “Am I interrupting?” She asked innocently, assuming from what she talked with Goopy that they were talking about the dome incident.

“We’re just hanging out,” Cagney attempted to explain, still not 100% sure they were on a date. “We might be going soon though?” His statement came out more as question, looking toward Hilda for any affirmation of this.

Hilda looked at Cagney a bit surprised, she was hoping to dance a few more songs, but then again,they were here to talk about their friendship. This wasn’t a date. It might look like one. It certainly felt like one. But it wasn’t.

Was it?

She though it might be better to talk about it on their way to… her place, maybe. “Eh…yeah, I guess we should be go~.”

“Oh no! I was hoping to get to dance with Cagney.” Isabella regrettably admitted. She didn’t get close just to get some juice for her gossip, but also wanted to test her tour guide’s dancing skills.

“Just one! Please?” She begged, using her enticing voice. Even Hilda looked at her a bit saddened for a moment, until she remember why she made a storm the other day and decided to focus on her new drink.

An evil smirked appeared on her face. The bat was blind, that wasn’t a problem for singing, but dancing? She could already see Isabella making a fool of herself, stepping clumsily on Cagney’s already sensitive leaves.

“I know exactly what we can dance to, I just have to tell the band real quick! Please?” The singer insisted, getting closer to him. Hilda didn’t like that gesture, but decided to encourage Cagney anyway.

“Aww… c'mon Cags! Show her what you got!” She couldn’t contain her devilish smile.

Cagney was definitely surprised by Hilda’s change in tone. He could have sworn she was a bit reserved about the bat but by the way she was goading them on, he must have been mistaken. Maybe after this, then they could talk a bit more about where they saw this going.

Now with Hilda’s insistence, he smiled craftily. “Alright, I better hope your dancing is as good as your singing cause I’m not gonna hold back on you.” He offered a bat a leaf to go to the floor so she could tell them her song selection

Seeing Cagney all confident made Hilda grin even more. This was going to be fun to watch!

Isabella held on to the flower’s arm and told the band she wanted to dance to ’Tom Tom Swing Combo’.The musicians waited for the dancers to get in place before they started playing.

Isabella decided to let Cagney lead so she could measure his level.

Cagney heard the boom and bang on the instruments and his eyes lit up. He bumped and grooved to the beat, maneuvering Isabella through sways and turns, expecting any second for the bat to step on his feet like Hilda had.

Hilda kept smiling and enjoyed seeing the giant flower shaking it to the rhythm of the beat. He sure knew what he was doing… and apparently so did the bat!

At first, Isabella was letting herself get dragged by the carnation but soon enough she picked up the pace and started to accompany and accentuate Cagney’s movements to the point where it actually looked like a rehearsed dance.

Isabella was having so much fun. Every time Cagney made her do something, she managed to embellish the pose: if he made her turn, she would do extra turns positioning her free wing in diagonal so it would look like a spiral going up her body; if he toss her on a side, still holding her hand, she would spread her wing at the right moment to make it look more impressive.

Cagney’s cautious attitude had turned to one of bemusement as the bat managed to keep rhythm and time. As the dance continued, he couldn’t help but feel legitimately surprised when she even added her own flair to each move he threw at her.

When they were close, Cagney could hear a very soft chirping coming from his partner. She was using her echolocation to measure the distance between them and, therefore, avoid crashing into him.

Hilda couldn’t believe her eyes. At some point they were so coordinated they even managed a tandem charleston. There was no trace of that evil grin anymore. This plan really backfired.

With they finally finished what was probably one of Cagney’s more demanding performances, the club broke into thunderous applause. He couldn’t help but grin a bit goofily, the alcohol making him somewhat impervious to any weird giddiness from performing in front of an audience of unknowns.

Hilda decided she needed some air and stepped outside the club before the dancers returned to the table.

“Alright, you did good, kid,” he admitted to Isabella, “And that chirping thing you were doing, that was like echolocation or something? That was pretty cool.” Hilda was a fan of science shit and that would probably be pretty cool. “Man, Hilda would get a kick out of that. Let me just…just…” He looked toward the table and froze when he saw it was an empty.

“I haven’t danced like that in years!” Isabella said, recovering her breath.

Hilda was gone. When had she left? Had he done something wrong? Was this whole night a bust? Maybe she had gone to the restroom? No, all her stuff was gone. Why did she leave? He couldn’t figure it out even as he continued holding Isabella’s claws.

Wait.

His eyes apprehensively widened. Here he was, holding another woman’s hand in a bar. Hilda hadn’t thought he was into the bat, did she? Isabella was really pretty and sassy, sure, but Hilda was the ultimate woman he really wanted to put his leaves around.

“Shit,” he quickly swore, giving Isabella’s claw a hurried pat before letting go, “I’ll be right back.” He dropped some coins on the table before darting outside.

Suddenly her partner patted her hand and left in a rush. “Wha~ wait!” She called but it was too late, Cagney had rushed out of the club.

The singer’s ears drooped in disappointment, hoping that he would return to explain. Although, she suspected it might have something to do with her….

Outside, Hilda was sitting on a big branch of a nearby tree. She had her arms crossed and was looking at her stars. She noticed some mistakes in her star placement which only made her feel worse about herself.

Cagney glanced around outside but didn’t see her. “Hilda?” He called.

Cagney’s voice interrupted her thoughts and she looked down. Man, he looked good in that outfit. She cleared her throat (and mind) and waved at him.

“Hey! Up here, Romeo. What happened with Juliet?” The woman said, annoyed by how badly this night was turning.

Shit. It WAS related to Isabella. Which he was probably gonna have to go explain things to after this. But hadn’t Hilda pushed him to go dance with her in the first place?

He crossed his arms, slightly irritated. “We finished our dance and then you took off. Why’d you tell me to go dance with her if you weren’t going to stick around?”

He bristled slightly at a new thought but kept it to himself for now. He waited to hear Hilda’s response

“I saw your dance, you pea brain…. it was pretty impressive,” She hated to admit, “I just needed some air.” She turned to look at the stars again, hiding her guilt. It was her fault they danced and that was eating her up.

Cagney huffed, “Alright, well I gotta go back and explain why I just left Isabella in the middle of the dance floor. Are you gonna disappear or are you going to stay here?”

He watched her carefully, the thought really eating at him now to see how she’d answer. He had a feeling she wasn’t telling the truth but he wasn’t sure about what. His initial thought of it being jealousy had been pushed aside when he remembered she had told him to do it in the first place. Jealous people didn’t do things like that, right? No, they didn’t. He thought.

He was getting deceived in some way though. Had she told Cagney to go dance so she could leave and meet up with someone else, hoping he would remain distracted. Was it Carl? She answered quite evasively about him before.

“Yeah sure, I’ll wait here,” Hilda sighed. “Oh! Shit! I forgot to pay~ no, you know what? You pay. Least you can do for breaking my dome”.

She would have punched herself right in the mouth if she could. She was just mad at herself but, somehow, she wanted to release it all on Cagney. Maybe she wanted Cagney to be mad at her so she had a reason to be mad at him, and therefore justify her being angry at herself?

She had to take a few minutes to understand what she just thought.

“Fine!” Cagney agreed and walked back inside.

—

Isabella decided to wait at the bar and refresh herself with a lemonade when Cagney reentered the club.

He flagged the waiter and paid the rest of the tab. He caught sight of Isabella at the bar. He groaned, and approached her, taking a seat next to her. “Hey, it’s me, Cagney. Sorry about vanishing on you. Hilda up and disappeared, and I, well, she’s doing okay, just cooling off. I guess it’s too warm in here or something. Can I get you something?” He offered

Isabella smiled tenderly and raised her glass “I’m good.” She took a sip “I… I apologize for interrupting your date,” she said sweetly.

At the mention of the date, Cagney rolled his eyes. He looked to the bartender, “Hey, bartender, can you get me a whiskey shooter or something?”

As the bartender made up the drink, the flower sighed. “Yeah, I’m not sure if that is what it is at the moment…”

“Oh, c'mon.” She softly punched his arm “The small fights just makes the making up sweeter,” she smiled, not understanding that they weren’t officially dating. “As Annette Hanshaw used to sing 'happiness comes double, after a little pain… ” Isabella sang sweetly the verses “…If you want the rainbow, you must have the rain”.

“I broke her observatory. So it’s not just the rain, it might as well hail.” He pulled his petals. “That dome cost a fortune to replace. And I definitely don’t have anywhere close to fixing it.”

“Sorry, all we got is honey whiskey, is that gonna work for you?” The bartender asked, setting a glass down.

“Yeah, that’s fine.” Cagney chuckled picking up the glass. “I didn’t know Rumor was branching out into the liquor business. Then again, she got the resources for it. Probably the only one on the Isles who’d have the cash to fix the dome too,” he mused, thinking more about this than he normally would.

He chugged the liquor and coughed, his thoughts interrupted by the fact that this was a lot more powerful than he thought.

Isabella listened to Cagney choke, a bit surprised to hear him being so open to her. The alcohol must have loosened his tongue. She’d have to remember to ask more about that Rumor character…

So much gossip! But no! This wasn’t the time to think about that. This looked more than just a simple fight. “If you can’t afford to pay for it, at least assist her into getting one. You have any contacts? Somebody who might know somebody?”

“Maybe,” he admitted, “Djimmi and Rumor might…” He blinked. “Wait, shit, Hilda’s still outside,” he realized. Oh crap he probably should get going to her before she thought he was ditching her and not the other way around. He got up unsteadily. “It was nice seeing you again,” he said, holding out an unsteady hand.

The bat noticed the flower standing up with some trouble as she heard his stool scrape along the floor. “You need help getting to the door?” She chuckled, not realising he extended his hand to her.

Cagney remembered that Isabella was blind. “I think I’m good, just gotta not lose my feet…” He mumbled, pulling his hand back and pointing down at his feet.

Isabella listened to the carnation walk away, taking his flowery scent with him. She turn to her drink and sighed. Last time she danced like that was with Mina’s father, long time ago. “Waiter, put some of that honey liquor in here, please…”

–

Carl was not having any luck this evening. He was really hoping there’d be one lonely lady here in the club tonight but so far no such luck. He had been hanging near the sides, away from the dance floor, feeling a bit sorry for himself before he finally decided to try the bar again.

This time he was in luck. It was the singer from earlier this evening! Sitting alone and looking rather melancholy. Carl puffed up his chest. That’s because she had never met Carl before. Every lady felt better when they met Carl. He sauntered over to the empty seat next to the bat. “Miss,” he greeted, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I wanted to tell you that you have the voice of an angel!”

The bat turned her head towards his direction. “Aw, thank you, darling. You’re enjoying your evening so far?” She said sweetly taking a sip of her drink.

Carl blushed at being called darling. “I most certainly am now that you’ve shown up. I was worried it was going to be a regular night but you’ve brought some life into this place with your charm,” he sweet talked, motioning the bartender to bring him something.

Isabella chuckled, still sitting at the bar, “Well aren’t you the sweet talker. Your companion must be so happy with you”.

“Oh! You flatter me so! I’m afraid I don’t have a companion with me this evening. I realize that might be quite the shocker for a bug of my type,” he 'humbly’ explained, taking advantage of the fact that she was blind by glancing at her legs.

–

Hilda hopped down from the branch with the help of her cloud and was now leaning against the tree with her arms crossed, waiting for him to return. She managed to calm herself down, only to get pissed again thinking of the reasons why Cagney was taking so long.

–

Cagney got to the door before he stopped. Shit, had he paid the bartender? Last thing he needed was to get banned from a place because he didn’t remember to pay. He started walking back, having to touch the wall to balance himself every now and then.

Cagney approached the bar and blinked. Huh, Isabella was still there. Maybe she was getting another drink? He glanced to the side and did a double take. “What the hell?” He muttered.

It was Carl. The stupid caterpillar he should have beaten the pulp out of a few days ago. His eyes widened. Oh man, those thoughts earlier of Hilda distracting him…were those true?! She must have planned on meeting up with this idiot when he was on the floor with Isabella.

He watched the bug check out the bat lewdly and his eyes narrowed. Yeah, no, this was not going to work for him. He walked toward them, realizing he was about to cause a problem.

Carl was unaware of the danger. He looked up from his incredibly long look. “A lovely woman such as yourself, surely you’re not alone here?”

Isabella realised she was dealing with a narcissistic Casanova, it wasn’t the first and would probably not be the last.

She got the scent of the carnation again and wiggled her ears to try to identify where was he coming from. She smiled at the caterpillar. “I’m not anymore.” And she turned toward Cagney’s direction. “Forgot something, partner?”

Carl blinked in surprise as she looked away. He could have sworn she was blind. He turned to greet her friend only to pale. “Oh…nut berries,” he managed before Cagney slammed a hand down next to the caterpillar.

“Hope you got a good look, Carl, because that might be the last thing you see when I’m through with you,” Cagney snarled, holding back the urge in him to drive his hands through the floor and transform.

“I, oh, just this is all just a misunderstanding,” Carl babbled.

Cagney loomed dangerously over the caterpillar. “So, you and Hilda planning on meeting up here together to make an idiot out of me, is that the misunderstanding?” He growled, slamming his hand next to the bug again.

The bat got startled by the noise and decided it was better to move away from it, so she slid to the seat next to her. Cagney sounded really angry, she thought would be best not to say anything and hear how this plays out.

Oh man! She had so much to tell Goopy tomorrow.

Carl had no idea what the carnation was talking about. “Hilda? Who’s Hilda? You mean the woman from the Clip Joint?”

“Hey!” The rooster approached them. “You got a problem, take it outside,” he pointed toward the door with his feathery thumb.

Isabella wasn’t sure what to do, but she did have similar experiences in the past so she kept her distance. “ Eh.. Cagney, maybe you should go 'talk’ outside…”

–

Hilda was livid “How long does it take to pay a tab! Is he washing the dishes or something?” She yelled and walked towards the club.

–

Cagney stared down at the insect, ignoring the bat. “Really? Cause she said you two were good friends!” He argued.

Carl shook his head. “No, no! I hardly know her!”

Cagney blinked. “What? Why were you with her then?”

“She was just some drunk, dumb girl!”

Cagney leered. “She’s not dumb, say that again and I’ll turn you into fertilizer.”

“She wanted me to come back to her place to make her friend jealous!” He confessed, doing his best to look small.

Cagney snorted. “What friend? All you did was come by my…field…” He stopped. Wait a second. Things were starting to click into place. Had Hilda tried to make him jealous? Why the hell would she be trying to make him jealous unless…she liked him.

Carl took advantage of the hesitation to discreetly use one of his many hands to reach behind him to grab a glass to chuck at the very confused carnation. “Yes, all her idea! Not mine at all! I was just planning on walking her back to her place! I definitely wasn’t going to spend the night!” He stalled, his fingers wrapping around the glass. He would claim self defense even though Cagney hadn’t actually touched him yet.

--

Hilda entered the club and looked around for the giant flower. She frowned to see him at the bar with Isabella and… was that Carl? Looked like Cagney was threatening him, and everybody was starting to stare at them. She rushed towards them. “Cagney!”

Cagney turned at the sound of Hilda’s voice and was about to ask her what the hell was going on between her and Carl when something hard broke against the back of his head and he fell to his knees.

Carl stood behind him triumphantly, dropping the broken bottle at his feet. “Ha! Who’s the idiot now?!” He yelled.

The bartender glanced over the counter. “You…just broke a bottle of 30 year old Scotch,” he mentioned.

The mole owner, who had been watching from the sidelines anxiously, nearly passed out in horror.

Carl froze. “Uh…”

The bat covered her mouth in surprise, not daring to move. Hilda’s jaw dropped and looked at Cagney on the floor starting to bleed, or… the equivalent of bleeding for a plant.

Her eyes lit up and she glared angrily at Carl. “You son of a bitch,” she said softly, covering herself in thick mist and letting Taurus take over. “YOU’RE DEAD!” Her voice sounded like thunder all over the club.

The rooster got to Isabella and quickly guided her to the exit. “No! Wait! I want to know how it ends!” The singer said trying to remain where she was, but the rooster saw the bull was thrusting towards the bar and pulled Isabella away with him.

Carl didn’t think this was how his day was going to go. He woke up this morning, did his morning routine of stretches and yoga with the girls, then went for a stroll around the meadows. He had planned on cocooning soon and wanted to come out to celebrate, and possibly bring back a lucky lady he could boast to. He thought for sure his news would just draw women to him.

Having Hilda charge him as a bull was not what he had in mind and he jumped over the bar with a scream.

Cagney was seeing stars on the ground and could feel something trickling off of him. Was that his blood? Or was that the Scotch? He had no idea but was too dizzy to check. He could hear Hilda yelling and he was really really hoping she wasn’t going for him because there’s not much he could have done about it.

Taurus destroyed half of the bar with one powerful thrust, sending shards of wood and glass everywhere. People screamed and ran towards the exits. “Stop hiding, you worm!” The constellation yelled, “This is how you go! I’ve seen it in the stars! Hahaha!” The bull said with a manic laugh.

Carl was not a fighter. He felt like one when he knocked the flower down but now this was definitely out of hand. He made a dash for the door as Cagney finally recovered, pulling himself back up with a groan and a swear.

Hilda, well, Taurus noticed the caterpillar making a run for the door and saw Cagney standing up. He was afraid he would trample over his friend if he tried to charge again.

“Hey, giant dandelion! He’s getting away!” He said, hoping the flower was still aware of what was going on.

Cagney looked toward Tauros very confusedly. “What?” His words sunk in and the carnation looked to see Carl bolting. He tried to plant his arms but they hit the wood floor and he hissed in pain. “Ow, ow!” He groaned.

Guess he was running it then. He chased after Carl and managed to snag the bug outside of the club, right next to the tree Hilda had been on before.

Carl squeaked. “Wait, wait, don’t hurt me!”

The carnation huffed angrily. “Think just cuz someone can’t see, you can pull those stunts?”

Perfect! They were outside the club. Taurus followed them making the clouds that formed him more dense until it covered his entire body. Once outside, the cloud revealed a handsome centaur already pointing his arrow at the caterpillar. “Goodbye, CaaAAaarl!” he mocked, and with another terrifying laugh, he shot his arrow.

Unfortunately, Hilda was a bit intoxicated, so his arrow missed the target and pinned the caterpillar to the tree by his clothes.

“Oh, shucks… I was aiming for the head!” Sagittarius lamented, not realizing that both men froze at the thudding of the arrow by their heads.

Carl freaked out. “No! My mom is gonna kill me if I wreck this suit!” He lamented.

Cagney, leaned against the tree next to the caterpillar, trying to look both cool and to keep himself standing despite the fact that Sagittarius’ arrow nearly scared the sap out of him too. “You’re worried about your MOM killing you? I’d worry more about your friend here murdering you with arrows,” Cagney spat.

Carl shook his head. “Definitely not my friend! I hardly know her!”

Cagney blinked. Oh yeah. Carl was blabbering about this in the bar. He turned on Sagittarius with a hard look. “So, Carl and I were having a friendly chat in the club-”

“Friendly?! You were slamming the-” Carl protested but a glance at the arrow pinning his suit to the tree kept him quiet.

Cagney continued. “And he says you’re not his friend and that night you guys went by my field was del-delib- on purpose!” He stuttered, alcohol making his word choice difficult.

He pointed to the caterpillar. “But maybe he’s lying. Why don’t you prove me wrong and tell me what his favorite color is? Or how about his last name?”

The centaur rolled his eyes. “Oh! Enough with the charades! Hilda is in loaaAAAh ..” Sagittarius held his head in pain and white smoke started to cover his body again. When the cloud dispersed, Hilda was standing there with her hands on her head, breathing heavily.

“Cagney! He broke a God damn bottle on your head! Why isn’t he dead already?!” She yelled, hoping the carnation would focus on hurting the caterpillar instead of interrogating him.

Cagney pointed at the caterpillar still. “What’s his last name, Hilda?”

Hilda cringed feeling how her cheeks turned redder than usual. “It’s… hmmrrrssss…. Smith. He’s Carl Smith,” she decided to go with what she thought was a very common last name.

Carl gaped at her. “What? Smith?! What type of name is Smith?! You don’t even know my last name and you invited me over to sleep with you?!”

Cagney slammed the tree and the caterpillar squeaked into silence. Shit, he was really hoping the caterpillar was lying. But judging by how red Hilda’s face was, he didn’t think so. His chest ached at the thought. “You were going to sleep with him?” He asked, looking more hurt than upset.

“WHAT?!” She was livid now and got closer until she was facing Carl “The fuck are you saying?!” She yelled angrily “I never said I was going to sleep with you! You filthy worm!”

She poked him hard on his chest. “I just wanted THIS idiot to be jealous!” She pointed at Cagney with her thumb and turned to him still blushing. “There! I said it! I wanted to make YOU jealous! Happy now?! Can we go back being friends again?!” Her eyes were starting to get wet. “Please…” she said softly. This sentimental stuff really wasn’t her thing.

Cagney was taken aback by Hilda’s outburst. Carl might have been talking but he wasn’t listening. So it was true. Hilda was trying to make him jealous. Because maybe she liked him as much as he liked her?

But that last line, that emotional one from the normally smart mouthed woman really nailed him in the chest and his plant heart hurt. “Can I do one thing first before we go back to being friends?” He asked.

“Wha~… yeah?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, thanks,” he mumbled, walking over to her. He swallowed hard and before Hilda could say anything more, he grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a rough kiss.

The woman didn’t dare move. Her eyes went wide open and her heart skipped a beat. The constellations in her head were as shocked as her and remained silent.

Cagney finally broke from the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. He opened his mouth to say something only to stop and hold up a finger. “Gimme a sec,” he managed. He stumbled away from her and threw up behind the tree.

Hilda was still paralyzed and just stood there, looking at the carnation emptying his stomach. A shy silly smile drew on her face and she completely forgot about Carl, Isabella, and the whole mess which made them get angry to begin with.

“I’m- I’m not throwing up cause of the kiss!” Cagney protested, climbing back to his feet unsteadily, gesturing to the club. “Alcohol doesn’t go well with being a plant.”

Carl just stared at the scene in front of him. This was how he was going to die, watching a murderous flower getting rejected by a murderous sky witch. There was no way any girl was gonna come back from that (he knows, he tried it before many times with women he just met)

Hilda’s smile grew bigger. She was about to make witty comment but was interrupted by the sound of police sirens getting closer. Reality brought back the woman from her happy cloud and made her realise they had to get out of there if they didn’t want to get in more trouble.

“Shit!” She cast a cloud big enough for the both of them. “Cagney, we gotta go! Hop on!” She extended her hand to help him get up.

“Aw man, not the cloud,” Cagney groaned, but he knew the last thing he needed was to spend a night in jail so he grabbed her hand and climbed onto the cloud.

She got closer to the caterpillar. “And YOU better keep your mouth SHUT!” She grabbed the arrow and waved it in front of him “Or next time I WON’T miss,” her bracelet glowed and the arrow disappeared in a puff.

Carl nodded hurriedly.

“Hold on tight!” Hilda waved her hands and the cloud flew towards the observatory.

Carl waited for the police to come. He glanced at the time. “Ah gee, my mom is gonna be so mad I missed curfew…”

———–

CHAPTER 01,  CHAPTER 02,  CHAPTER 03,  CHAPTER 04,  CHAPTER 05, CHAPTER 06,  CHAPTER 07,  CHAPTER 08,  CHAPTER 09,  CHAPTER 10; CHAPTER 11; CHAPTER 12 ; CHAPTER 13 ; CHAPTER 14  ; CHAPTER 15; CHAPTER 16 ; CHAPTER 17 ; CHAPTER 18 (You are here)

[greenbagjosh]

Monday 31 December 2001 - The Mozart Houses across the Salzach - View from the Castle - Ride to Parsch - the new coins and bills - long walk back

Hi everyone!  Grüezi mitenand!   Hallo allerseits!   Üdv mindenkinek!   Ahoj všetci!

Twenty years ago today, was the last day that the Euro was only a concept of the member states of the European Union and would be available as a hard physical currency a day later.  I wanted to visit Salzburg that day and evening.  

I woke up about 7:30 AM, went to breakfast and had some coffee, bread rolls, cheese and sliced meats.  The "orange juice" tasted more like apricot as it was too clear to be orange.  I went upstairs to take a shower.  Before that, I took out my Peter Kraus CD and portable CD player, and hooked it up to the camera's sound input.  I recorded the snowfall outside my window while playing "Sugarbaby" as in the title song for the 1985 film by Percy Adlon starring Marianne Sägebrecht.  About 8:30 AM I walked to the Egger-Lienz-Straße bus stop (officially called “Herrnau”) to take bus line 51 into downtown.  The ticket machine was still quoting fares in Austrian Schilling.  A day pass for Salzburg itself cost ATS 40.00, which was about 5.60 D-Mark or 2.80 Euro.  I already had a Salzburg-Card, so buying a new ticket would have been superfluous.

The bus took me to Mozartsteg where I crossed the Salzach, walked along Rathausplatz to the Getreidegasse, and the familiar yellow house that clearly stated "Mozarts Geburtshaus", or Mozart's Birth House.  It was open that day since 9 AM so I went inside.  My Salzburg Card allowed me a free entry - per https://mozarteum.at/museums/mozarts-geburtshaus/: "Hier wird die Salzburg Card akzeptiert.".  Flash photography was not allowed, neither was videotaping:  "Fotografieren ist nur OHNE BLITZ erlaubt, Filmen ist NICHT erlaubt.".  Too bad my cellphone at the time, a Siemens S40, did not have a camera.  The house was six stories high on top of a grocery store (latest Google Maps image shows that it is a Spar grocery store).  Access to the paying public is available only for four of those floors.  Inside the house were many rooms with family portraits, some instruments and many stories of the family and Salzburg in the 18th century AD.  On the fourth floor, there are mentions of Mozart after he was married and started his own family.  There was another house that the Mozarts occupied, formerly referred to as the "Tanzmeisterhaus", and that was across the Salzach at Markatplatz, only one street away from the current location of the Salzburg location of the Hotel Sacher.  Admission was complimentary with the Salzburg Card but an audio guide rental cost 30 Schilling / 2.20 Euro or so.  The house was shorter but wider.  This was the Mozart family's second home in 1773 after moving out of the older house at Getreidegasse, when Mozart was employed as a court musician by Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo, noted as the last Prince-Archbishop when the bishopric became secularized.  It seemed that only the third floor was accessible, the others were part of the museum's administrative office complex.  Much of the house exhibits focused on Mozart's father Leopold and older sister Nannerl.  There was not much to the Tanzmeisterhaus as I had hoped.  So I crossed the Marko-Feingold-Steg to downtown and buy some groceries to make a sandwich.

It was a good thing that I went to the grocery store, namely the Billa store at Griesgasse 19 which was open until 8 PM, and the next day it would be closed until Wednesday about 6 AM.  I was able to buy some bread, some cheese and sliced meat like mortadella with mushrooms, as well as some Almdudler that tasted like sweet carbonated green tea, the same that I enjoyed in Summer 1998 when visiting a few times before.  After having lunch, I walked around the Domquartier and Mozartplatz along to Festungsgasse.  With my Salzburg Card, I took the Festungsbahn cable car for free to the top of the Festung Hohensalzburg castle.  There are a few towers on the castle, and I would make a counterclockwise walk starting with the Geyerturm that faces the south, then Trompeterturm, St. Georgs Kirche and the Glockenturm.  At the Geyerturm, I was able to observe the traffic at the Erzabt-Klotz-Straße and Petersbrunnstraße, even seeing the signal aspects.  I did not stay long.  I moved on to the Trompeterturm, passed the St. Georgs Kirche and spent a few minutes looking westward across the Salzach, I think it was 3 PM by then.  Much of Salzburg was covered in snow, and I was thinking about a few time zones farther east, for example Hong Kong and Japan, which might already be celebrating the new year.  It had started to snow very lightly so I took the cable car back down - that ride was complimentary with the Salzburg card.

After the Festungsbahn ride, I walked to Rudolfskai and boarded a bus line 6 to go to Parsch.  For some reason, since June 1997, I always enjoyed the ride to Parsch above anything else on the Salzburg trolleybus network.   To be specific, the terminus is at Ludwig-Schmederer-Platz where there is a loop for the bus to turn around on Gaisbergstraße, as opposed to the commuter railway station Parsch.  I walked a few streets from the Ludwig-Schmederer-Platz to Maria-Cebotari-Straße and then Joseph-Messner-Straße.  I sat down and watched the snow fall, and gather on my jacket sleeve.  I could see the snowflake pattern about a quarter inch long, around 7 mm.  Each one was different.  I took the bus back to Mozartsteg and Rudolfskai to connect with line 51 and return to the hostel.  I needed to rest before supper and the New Years Eve celebrations at Mozartplatz.

About 6:30 PM I woke up from my nap.  I had to make sure my camera batteries were fully charged.  After supper I took the bus 51 from Egger-Lienz-Straße to Mozartsteg.  I walked through the old town along Getreidegasse and back by Universitätsplatz.  Although there was a kiosk that would sell Euro coins, they would not be able to open until 10 PM that night.  I had to stand outside for a few hours and enjoy the ice skating at Mozartplatz, either that or walk up the Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse and back.  I found also another street to walk along, across the Staatsbrücke to Platzl, Linzer Gasse and Franz-Josef-Straße.  Then I went back to Mozartplatz about 11 PM, had some Glühwein and watched the nice animated graphics on the Dom zu Salzburg prior to the fireworks going off at midnight.  Along the way I was able to buy a starter kit of Euro coins, for 200 Schilling, worth a total of 14.54 Euro.  It had samples of all the Austrian Euro coins, from the 1 cent to the 2 Euro coin.  1 Euro was worth 13.76 legally.  The coins would be a better deal than the notes, coins being at the rate of 13.76 Schilling, and the notes at 14.28 Schilling.  The notes could not be bought until after midnight anyway.

About 11:59 PM the countdown started to New Years' Day.  Mozartplatz and Residenzplatz were full of people, some drinking Glühwein, others drinking coffee, cocoa or hot tea, anxious to get their hands on the new currency.  The clock struck midnight and the crowd cheered, and many fireworks were lit up.  About ten minutes later the kiosks opened up again to sell the 500 Schilling starter kit for the banknotes, just a five, a ten and a twenty Euro in each kit.  I was really happy to at least see the notes.  The notes in 2022 have since been reissued as more countries joined the Eurozone, but for their time, they were quite advanced.  And immediately they could be used as cash payment.  What would happen to the older currencies that preceded the Euro?  There would be a month transition.  Certain machines that took coins as payment would take some time to change from the older currencies to Euro.  

I guess I missed the last bus to the Egger-Lienz-Straße / Herrnau stop from Rudolfskai, either that or there would not be another one for another hour.  It was very cold so I decided to walk the entire distance from Rudolfskai past the state court buildings on to Alpenstraße and follow the trolleybus line that way, and turn whenever I see the Julius Meinl coffee shop.  I must have returned to the hostel about 3 AM.  I was too tired to celebrate anymore, so I went to bed.  And I had maybe 49.54 Euro in cash, not a bad start to the year.

Tomorrow, I end up as the first and maybe only person to arrive in time for breakfast, take my first journey of the year on ÖBB to Linz, buy a tram ticket in Euro, relax at Maxglan, walk across the Salzach, ride the Salzburg Lokalbahn and have supper at the hostel.

Hope you will join in tomorrow’s adventure!

Ich hoffe, Ihr nehmt am morgigen Abenteuer teil!

Remélem, csatlakozol a holnapi kalandhoz!

Dúfam, že sa zapojíte do zajtrajšieho dobrodružstva!

[tamboradventure]

The 13 Best Things to See and Do in Taipei

Posted: 5/30/2020 | May 30th, 2020

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan and its most populous city, is the epicenter of tourism for the country (though most people just come for a short layover as it’s a major air hub for Asia).

And while there is plenty to do elsewhere in Taiwan, even if you don’t leave Taipei, you can still find lots of things to see and do in the area to fill close to a week!

I love Taipei. I lived here in 2010 while I taught English and built this website. It was a wonderful experience that helped me grow as a person. A decade later, I finally made it back to the city I loved so much and it was remarkable to see that so much of what I loved was still there: the endless gigantic food markets serving some of the best food in the world, a wild nightlife, spacious parks, interesting and quirky museums, and nearby mountains that call to you with easy and accessible hikes.

Taipei (like Taiwan as a whole) is a hugely underrated destination and I can’t urge you enough to visit. It combines culture, nature, wonderful people, and affordability. I don’t understand why more people don’t visit but make their loss, your gain!

To help you plan your trip, here are my top 13 things to do while in Taipei:  

1. Take a Free Walking Tour

One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new destination is to take a free walking tour. They show you the lay of the land and help you see a place’s highlights while learning a little about its history and culture. Plus, you get access to a local who can answer any and all of your questions.

Like It Formosa offers free daily walking tours around Taipei. Their tours focus more on cultural history than their competitor, Tour Me Away, which also offers free walking tours geared towards the backpacker crowd (Tour Me Away also runs pub crawls).  

2. Visit the National Palace Museum

The National Palace Museum has over 70,000 artifacts from Imperial China, most of which were brought to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War (1929–1947). In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are also rotating exhibits throughout the year as well as a section for children. There are free daily tours in English too. If you can’t get on the tour, get the audio guide. While the descriptions on the artifacts are pretty detailed, the audio tour goes into even more depth and gives you deeper insight into what you are seeing and the time period it is from.

221, Sec 2, Zhi Shan Road, +886 2 2881 2021, npm.gov.tw. Open Sunday–Thursday 8:30am–6:30pm and Friday–Saturday 8:30am–9pm. Admission is 350 NT$ ($11.65 USD) (470 NT$ ($15.65 USD) with an audio guide).  

3. Soak in the Hot Springs

The Beitou Hot Springs area is a popular destination since it’s on the MRT (metro system) and only 30 minutes from downtown. There are lots of resorts, spas, and inns in the area where you can enjoy a dip in a hot spring. Be sure to also visit the Hot Springs Museum (housed in an old bathhouse from 1913), the Xinbeitou Historic Station (a heritage train station from 1916), and Thermal Valley (a sulfurous lake nearby that has walking trails).

Admission to most hot springs starts around 40 NT$ ($1.33 USD) per person, making it a very affordable getaway for anyone looking for some R&R.

Hot Springs Museum: No. 2, Zhongshan Road, +886 2 2893 9981, hotspringmuseum.taipei. Open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is free.

Xinbeitou Historic Station: 1 Qixing St., +886 2 2891 5558, xbths.taipei. Open Tuesday-Thursday from 10am-6pm and Friday-Sunday from 10am-8:30pm (closed Mondays). Admission is free.  

4. Take a Cooking Class

Taiwan is a foodie’s dream! You got noodle soups, incredible rice dishes, amazing buns, dumplings, scallion pancakes, and so much more. The food in the country is world-class. While cooking classes here are a little pricey, they do take you through the local markets and teach you about local ingredients and how to make some traditional dishes. I always found Taiwanese food intimidating so it was nice to have someone help me understand the local food. It made me more adventurous in the night markets.

Some cooking classes worth checking out are:

Ivy’s Kitchen

CookInn Taiwan

Make My Day Cooking Lab

Expect to pay around 2,000 NT$ ($67 USD) for a class.  

5. Visit the Museums

Taipei has a lot of museums. Given its size, I was surprised by how many actually they had, especially since the city isn’t known as being a center for museums. Here are some of my favorites:

National Taiwan Museum – This is the oldest museum in Taiwan and covers its history from a variety of different scientific perspectives, such as anthropology, earth sciences, zoology, and botany. It’s really basic and best if you go with kids. Admission is 30 NT$ ($1 USD).

Miniatures Museum of Taipei – Opened in 1997, this museum is home to over 200 architectural miniatures, including castles, replica towns and streets, and even a 1/12 scale model of Buckingham Palace. It’s a weird museum but pretty cool. Admission is 180 NT$ ($6 USD).

Museum of Contemporary Arts – I’m not a fan of contemporary art myself, but if you are, then don’t miss this museum. It has a rotating collection of exhibits, so there is always something new on display. Admission is 50 NT$ ($1.66 USD).

Taipei Astronomical Museum – A fun and educational museum with exhibitions on ancient astronomy, technology, telescopes, the solar system, and much more. Admission is 60 NT$ ($2 USD).

Taipei Fine Art Museum – Opened in 1983, this was the first art museum in Taiwan. It’s home to a wide variety of works from both international and Taiwanese artists and hosts rotating exhibitions too. Admission is 30 NT$ ($1 USD).

National 228 Memorial Museum – This museum is dedicated to the tragic events that began on February 28, 1947, when an uprising against the Chinese government started following World War II. Admission is 20 NT$ ($0.67 USD).

  6. Go Hiking

Taipei has plenty of hiking trails just outside town that are easily accessible. There are easy, moderate, and challenging trails, as well as both short and full-day hikes. Here are a few worth checking out:

Xiangshan Trail – An easy 45-minute hike that offers nice views of Taipei. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the Xiangshan MRT station.

Bitoujiao Trail – Located one hour from town by car, this moderate hike takes you along the coast. The trail is in the Ruifeng District 11km east of Jiufen. The hike takes 2-3 hours.

Jinmianshan Trail – An easy 1.5-hour hike in Yangmingshan National Park. The trail starts a 10-minute walk from the Xihu MRT station.

Huang Didian Trail – A challenging ridge hike that takes around five hours. From Muzha Station, board the bus to Huafan University and get off at Huangdi Temple. From there, the trail is 25 minutes away on foot.

Pingxi Crag Trail – A moderate 2-3-hour hike with lots of steep sections. For experienced hikers only. The trail begins just five minutes away from Pingxi station.

  7. Take a Day Trip to Jiufen

Jiufen is one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist destinations. First, because it’s incorrectly believed to be the origin of the film Spirited Away, so people come for that. Second, it’s famous for being a historic gold-mining town with it’s preserved old streets. And, third, it’s famous for its traditional teahouses.

Jiufen is tiny. You can walk around in about 30 minutes. The center of the city and its historic streets and buildings are all preserved as they looked 100 years ago so walking around here is a cool experience. Be sure to come early (like first thing in the morning) to beat the crowds because, by midday, the streets are wall-to-wall people. If you stay the night, you’ll also get the city to yourself once the crowds leave around 4pm.

As a tea lover, this is one of my favorite places in Taiwan because it’s home to some beautiful teahouses in the most stunning settings. It also overlooks a bay in the distance, and there are lots of lookouts.

Some teahouses not to miss are:

Siidcha Tea House

Skyline Tea House

Amei Tea House

Taro of Sweet

Jiufen Tea House

Additionally, there are a few museums highlighting the town’s gold mining past, lots of parks and lookouts, and some nearby hiking trails. (If you want to hike, spend the night as you’ll need the extra time.) Like It Formosa does a free walking tour here too (for this one, you need to sign up in advance because they only do it when people register).

The trip will take around 1-1.5 hours by train and bus. Take the train from Songshan Station (in Taipei) to Ruifang Station. From there you can take a bus straight to Jiufen. Expect to spend around 100 NT$ ($3.33 USD) for your round-trip ticket. There are also tourist buses with organized day trips; these usually cost around 475 NT$ ($16 USD).  

8. See the Temples

Taipei brilliantly mixes the old and the new. Almost 90% of Taiwan identifies as either Buddhist or Taoist, and that is reflected in Taipei’s temples. Here are some of the most popular and ornate temples:

Longshan Temple – Built in 1738, this temple was built to honor the goddess of mercy, Guanyin. There are also statues worshipping 100 other Chinese folk deities here as well. The temple has been damaged or destroyed numerous times by earthquakes or military conflicts, but it is always rebuilt by the locals who still visit and worship at it. No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District.

Bao-an Temple – Dalongdong Baoan Temple (Bao-an for short) is a Taiwanese folk religion temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It dates to the mid-18th century and is home to two dragon columns that are over two centuries old. It looks particularly amazing lit up at night. No. 61, Hami Street, Datong District.

Confucius Temple – Located near the Bao-an temple, this simple temple is dedicated to the famous philosopher Confucius, whose teachings are part of the cultural backbone of both Taiwan and mainland China. It’s modeled after the original Confucius Temple in Qufu, the hometown of Confucius in mainland China. No. 275, Dalong Street, Datong District.

  9. Enjoy the View from Taipei 101

For the best views in Taipei, visit Taipei 101. Opened in 2004, this was the tallest building in the world until 2010 (when the Burj Khalifa took its place). Standing 508m (1,667 feet) tall, it towers over Taipei.

Even though I hate heights, you can’t visit Taipei without seeing it from the top of this building. There is an observation platform on the 89th floor that is absolutely breathtaking. You can also go up to the 91st floor and step outside if you want to really get your blood pumping (don’t worry, there are bars so you can’t fall).

Additionally, go to Morton’s Steakhouse for happy hour. Not only do they have super cheap drink specials but their patio provides some extraordinary views of Taipei 101 itself.

No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, taipei-101.com.tw/en/observatory. Open daily 11am–9pm. Admission is 600 NT$ ($20 USD).  

10. See the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Officially known as Liberty Square, this national monument was built in 1976 in honor of Chiang Kai-shek, former president of the Republic of China. He ruled mainland China from 1928 to 1949, and then in Taiwan from 1949 until his death in 1975.

In addition to his monument, which is over 75m (250 feet) tall, there is also a massive open square where rallies and protests have been held over the years (hence its renaming as Liberty Square). The memorial also houses a library and a museum that documents Chiang Kai-shek’s life and career. It also has exhibits on Taiwan’s history and how the country evolved throughout the years.

No. 21, Zhongshan South Road, Zhongzheng District, +886-2-2343-1100, cksmh.gov.tw. Open daily from 9am-6pm. Admission is free.  

11. Ride the Maokong Gondola

Take a ride on the Maokong Gondola, which was built in 2007, and get some great views of the city and surrounding forests. The route stretches over 4km (2.5 miles) and includes several stations between the Taipei Zoo and Maokong.

Spend some time exploring Maokong as it was once the prime tea-growing area of Taiwan. There are lots of winding footpaths you can wander, teahouses and cafes (the area still produces a lot of tea), and stunning views of Taipei (especially at night when the city is all lit up). It’s a popular spot on the weekend so visit during the week to avoid the crowds.

Stations at Taipei Zoo (2), Zhinan Temple, and Maokong. Open Monday–Friday 9am–9pm (10pm on Fridays), Saturdays 8:30am–10pm, and Sundays 8:30am–9pm. Tickets start at 70 NT$ ($2.33 USD).  

12. Explore the Night Markets

Taipei is home to dozens of night markets — and most of them have tons of delicious food stalls. Here are a few worth checking out:

Shulin Night Market – This is the biggest night market in Taiwan. Opened in 2017, it is home to over 400 vendors and covers a massive 12 acres. It’s full of delicious (and cheap) street food, as well as clothing, electronics, and all sorts of souvenirs and other goods.

Raohe Night Market – The second most popular night market. Be sure to try the black pepper buns while you’re here. There’s also a Michelin-recognized food stall that you shouldn’t miss called Chen Dong Ribs Stewed in Medicinal Herbs.

Tonghua Night Market – This night market is popular with locals, as it has a ton of delicious places to eat. It’s essentially a food market more than anything else. Be sure to try the stinky tofu!

Snake Alley – Located in the former red-light district, it gets its name from the fact that many tourists used to come here to eat snake meat. While I wouldn’t recommend that, there’s a tasty Michelin-recognized stall that’s worth sampling called Hsiao Wang Steamed Minced Pork with Pickles in Broth.

Ningxia Night Market – This is one of the smaller night markets, so it’s easy to explore (though it does get crowded). There are lots of delicious oyster stalls here.

  13. See the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

Sun Yat-sen was a politician, physician, and philosopher, as well as the first president of Taiwan. This memorial was built in 1972 to honor Doctor Sun Yat-sen. He’s considered “the Father of the Nation,” and the memorial hall is home to items from his personal and professional life. He’s one of the few figures beloved in both mainland China and Taiwan, as he was instrumental in the overthrow of China’s last imperial dynasty.

In addition to the hall’s museumesque displays of Sun’s possessions, it also serves as a meeting place, educational center, and cultural center.

No. 505, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, (02) 27588008 #546, yatsen.gov.tw. Open daily 9am–6pm. Admission is free.

***

From the food to museums to natural beauty, Taipei is a world-class city that I don’t think people appreciate enough. It needs to be on people’s radar more. I loved my time living there and coming back to visit just reminded me how marvelous (and affordable) the city is!

Make visiting Taipei a priority. With so much to see and do, you’re guaranteed to have an outstanding visit.

Book Your Trip to Taipei: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay in Taipei are:

Star Hostel

Homey Hostel

Flip Flop Hostel

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Taiwan? For more tips about visiting Taiwan, check out my introduction to Taiwan for more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: 1 – Heikki Holstila, 2, 3 – Caitriana Nicholson, 4 – familyfriends754, 6 – Guillaume Paumier, 14 – Ilee_wu

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