#choose your own adventure!! tell me where we're going with this and i'll write it for ya

[thecollectionsof]

On the bakery AU for the hell of it...

Crystal loves the Wednesday special, and it's always something she looks forward to after a long day of lectures.

Gigi doesn't work Wednesdays that often, so she's caught off guard by Crystal seemingly being a regular that's got a particular order that gets started the moment the door chimes from her arrival. Crystal doesn't mind the waiting though, happy to tell Gigi of the genius modifications she's made to the special (it's chocolate syrup).

i got through one ask of yours where i didn't write a full fic and i count that as a win!!! we're back to normal though. so here's gigi and crystal meeting in the bakery au. what happens next?

The bell chimes at 4:40pm, and Gigi takes the time to brush the front of her apron off roughly with her hands before turning to look at the customer. 

She’s met by a girl wearing the busiest outfit she’s seen all day, but miraculously she’s able to make it work. A patterned pink shirt that’s obviously merch for something was tucked into a pair of pants with flower patches traveling up one leg and fringe sticking out at odd angles, and this girl has an actual, real, goddamned mullet. 

She also has one of the prettiest smiles that Gigi’s ever seen, but that's besides the point.

Gigi only realizes she’s taken too long to greet this colorful customer when she cocks her head, polite but questioning. 

“Hi, um, what do you want?” she starts, then cringes. “I mean—sorry that came out wrong, I’m just really scatterbrained today”—right now, because she can’t stop looking at this girl, but whatever—“hi, welcome to Jackie’s! What can I get for you today?”

The other girl laughs, and it’s small and polite but it’s also adorable and lights up her face. Gigi wants to make her laugh again.

“I haven’t seen you here before, you must be new! Hi, I’m Crystal, and it’s a Wednesday so gimme what you got.” Crystal heaves a painted messenger bag onto a chair at the bar and fixes Gigi with another smile. 

And she thought the only customer that made her feel butterflies was Nicky. Crystal seemed intent on proving that wrong, and her little innocent smile proves that she doesn’t even know what she’s doing.

“I don’t have anything waiting for a Crystal, should I just make you a Wednesday special?” The fact that they had never given it a name was always dumb to her, but according to Jackie there was a regular who thought it was funny. Gigi can see why she wouldn’t change it, if this was the person she was talking about.

“Yeah, and! Add some chocolate syrup to it, please.” She smiles again, and Gigi smiles back.

“Okay! One Wednesday special with chocolate syrup, anything else?” 

“Uhhh…” she trails off, looking down at the pastries. Her eyes eventually settle on a cookie that Gigi had set out not even 15 minutes ago, one that looks like a cat wearing glasses. (Jackie was allowing her more creative freedom with the cookies, and she thought it would be fun.) “Wait, this one is so cute!” 

Gigi can feel herself start to blush, so she ducks her head a bit, pretending to be very intently entering something on the screen in front of her. 

“Thanks, I, uh, I made that one. I thought he would be cute, and I’m glad you like him. It. I’m glad you like it. The cookie.”

Smooth, Gigi. At this point you should’ve just told her that you name them.

“He’s very cute! I’d like him too, please.”

Don’t say his name is Wilbur. Don’t say his name is Wilbur. Whatever you do, don’t say his name is—

“—Wilbur.”

Okay, sure. Fucking hell.

Crystal cocks her head to the side once again, letting out another little laugh. It’s tinged with confusion, and Gigi knows that her face has gone bright red. At this point, though, she’s more focused on trying to suppress the embarrassed tears that are threatening to gather. This is why she doesn’t talk to pretty girls. She only just got okay at talking to Nicky, and then of course another pretty girl has to walk in and ruin all of her progress. Ugh.

“My name’s Crystal?”

God fucking—

“No, that’s—Wilbur’s, um… I name the cookies. And that’s… Wilbur. Sorry, I didn’t mean to—it just slipped out. Yeah.”

“Oh!” Crystal’s smile grows wider. “Then I’ll have one Wilbur, please!”

And of course this girl was still so nice even after she messed up the conversation in fifty different ways. 

“Okay, uh, that’ll be $6.50, please.” Gigi watches her pay, and then watches her drop a few dollars in the tip jar. She didn’t know why she was tipping her after all of this, but she wouldn’t say no to a nice tip.

“Okay, perfect, I’ll get that for you in a sec.”

Crystal slides into the stool that previously held her bag, her eyes still resting on Gigi. “The Wednesday special is my favorite, I always come get it after classes,” she starts, and Gigi can hear the rhythmic thumping of her feet kicking against the wood of the bar. “It tastes so much better with chocolate syrup, though, and I’ve been trying to get Jackie to change it to have the chocolate syrup in it already for like, forever, but she keeps saying no.” Crystal pouts a little but, and Gigi suddenly feels like maybe she should talk to Jackie. And just ask. It’s the nice thing to do.

“Yeah?” she prompts, half focusing on making the drink in front of her. “It seems really sweet.”

“It is! But it’s really good!” Crystal says, before rummaging around in the bag again. She pulls out five dollars and slides it over the bar towards her. “I don’t know if you get free drinks, but here. Try it and tell me if you liked it next time, okay?” 

Gigi doesn’t take it. “You don’t have to—”

“Either I’m paying for you to try it so you don’t spend your own money, or I'm just paying you to try it, but either way this is for you. Take it!” She picks up the bill and wiggles it towards her enticingly. She takes it with a smile that feels too fond and familiar for just having met this girl, but she doesn't care to stifle it.

“Okay, okay, I will! I promise.” She reaches up and grabs the bill, tucking it into the pocket of her apron. “So, you come in every Wednesday?” she asks, sliding Wilbur across the bar on a little plate before returning her focus to getting the chocolate drizzle on top to look perfect.

Crystal breaks off one of Wilbur’s legs and pops it into her mouth. “Mhm!” she starts, then chews for a second and swallows. “Can’t stay away. I swear, Jackie has to beat me out of here with a stick for ‘distracting the customers’ sometimes, but. I’m a customer too, I’m allowed!” She has a shit-eating grin, and Gigi sighs in secondary exasperation, but she can’t fight the smile off her face. 

“Oh, so you’re a troublemaker?” Gigi quirks an eyebrow, and they make eye contact over the decorations Jackie had put in front of the various machines to make it feel more homey. 

“Only when I want to be,” she replies with a wink. She breaks off Wilbur’s head and pops it into her mouth, making a little happy noise as she does so.

Maybe Gigi should pick up more Wednesday shifts. 

They chat aimlessly for a while longer, but eventually both the mug and the plate are empty. Crystal packs up the sketchbook she had been doodling in when Gigi had to actually do her job, and as she slides off the stool she flashes Gigi one last bright grin over her shoulder.

“Try the coffee. You’ll like it, trust me, Gigi!”

And she walks out, just like that. Gigi tries to pretend like her heart doesn’t pick up at the sound of her name falling from Crystal’s lips for a moment, but she eventually gives in, letting herself feel giddy. It’s nice to have a little crush sometimes, something which she’s reminded of when she sees Nicky every morning.

Gigi hesitates for only a second before she grabs another cup, pushing away the little voice in her head that says that it was stupid. She looks down at it, then grabs the chocolate syrup. 

“What the fuck, why not?” she whispers to herself, then prepares a second Wednesday special, Crystal style.

She takes a moment when it’s finished to look around, as if someone would catch her and think it’s weird, but naturally, no one does. She takes a small sip, ready to see what Crystal was so proud of creating. 

Her nose scrunches up, and she puts the cup back down. It’s way too sweet.

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Hello, it me :D

Idk how you want to structure this or how it's gonna sound when I try to type out what's in my brain rn, I do know that I want this to be a full hc tho

Ok. So. I've seen some art here & there of some of the M6 with their own children; mostly just babies but there are a couple older kids in the mix as well. This is where things in my head get weird so bear with me:

I'm thinking this ask could go three ways (I also don't know if Nadia & Portia will be able to fit in to this ask but it is what it is), and you can do just one of the options or all of them, I'll let you choose:

A. M6 reacting to MC telling them they're pregnant

B. M6 & MC mid-pregnancy preparing for the baby

Or C. M6 getting to hold their kid for the first time

Hopefully this makes sense I think it provides an opportunity for incredible wholesomeness whatever you decide :)

The Arcana HCs: M6 during MC's pregnancy

~ ohoho, now this, this is the kind of prompt that makes my heart sing! @themushroomgoesyeet I hope you're ready because I'm doing all three of those suggestions in here, just you wait >:3 - brainrot ~

Other baby-related hcs: M6 when someone hands them a baby

The M6 when the child they have with you is an exact carbon copy of them

-- for the purpose of these headcanons and because I write for a gender-neutral reader, MC is pregnant with a baby that is equal parts their and their LI's DNA. This could have happened the traditional way (depending on how you envision your MC or if you headcanon your LI as trans), or simply by magical means. For my fellow trans men, seahorse dads are still dads! And to my fellow AO3 readers, mpreg is possible. Always. O.O --

Julian

For the first time in his life, he was well and truly speechless

And delighted. In fact, his speechlessness was because of the unforeseen tidal wave of joy that crashed over him as soon as you told him and it knocked all the air out of his lungs

Pulling you into an embrace as soon as he can move again and trembling with excitement: "Really? You're going to have my baby? We're going to be parents? I'm going to be a father? Haha!"

If he was bad about hovering before he's terrible about it now

Detailed research on all potential issues (which leads to him having crippling spirals over all the ways this could go wrong)

Auntie Pasha and Great-Grandma Mazelinka are here for it and so overwhelmingly supportive. It's hard to resist Julian's regular suggestions of bed rest because they make it so feasible

Mazelinka's soup was heavenly for your morning sickness

Julian collected at least three different remedies for every single pregnancy symptom you had and filled multiple notebooks with doctor's observations. Even down to tracking your sleep cycle

He also called in several favors to make sure that at least two other doctors would be available leading up to your due date - one for you and one for the baby. (he still insisted on being the main one)

He managed the birth impressively well - years of medical expertise kicked in and he went full "doctor" mode, keeping a cool head and open communication and anticipating every need

Until he held his child for the first time and had to sit down because his knees gave out. He has a whole new reason to live well

Asra

You know that panicked blushy face they make? Yeah, that was it

You briefly mistook it for horror - you know he likes surprises, but this is something else - but it was really his own panic at suddenly being plunged into a whole new world of emotion and instincts

Their first motion was to reach out and place their hand over your heart to confirm it through your bond, if only because they couldn't get their words to work and they needed that grounding touch

Once he's collected himself, he's over the moon. Is it terrifying? Sure, but it's also going to be the adventure of a lifetime, and it means building a new future and family with you! As parents!

They want to tell Aisha and Salim about it as soon as you're comfortable because they've done this before, they can help. And also because they’re going to be grandparents

Covers you with enchantments to keep you and the baby safe and happy and keeps a growing list of the most unhinged baby names to make you laugh. Faust likes to gently squeeze your bump

Makes every pregnancy craving you have and tries it with you, no matter how weird. He's got three years of practice being your caregiver and his patience for the mood swings is unending

Spends an hour every night with an ear against your baby bump, listening to them grow and thrive

Offers you every type of pain relief they can find. If not for your sake, then for theirs, because seeing you hurt makes them panic

Holds you the whole way through childbirth, no matter how messy, and stays so reassuring and supportive

Scared to hold the baby at first because he's so shaky from emotions. Won't put it down once he does

Nadia

The news is so unexpected that she just can't believe it at first

As in, her brain is genuinely incapable of immediately processing what you've just told her, so she just finishes her task before running it through her head a second time before it sinks in

The loudest gasp you've ever heard, you see her drop her teacup as her hands fly to cover her mouth and she stares at you in surprise

So happy. So, so, so very happy

She was never going to pressure you into having children. Between her driven nature and her ongoing loneliness, she'd resigned herself to never being a mother after marrying Lucio

But oh my! What a wonderful surprise! There's so much to do, she's slightly worried that nine months isn't going to be enough time

She sends for multiple physicians and invites several of them to live in the Palace through the pregnancy, and begins the interview process for your baby's pediatrician as well. She wants you healthy

Has the time of her life decorating the baby's future room and ends up getting so emotional looking at all the tiny clothes and shoes

Refuses to let you sleep by yourself. She doesn't want you to feel limited on a day-to-day basis at all, but she doesn't like you being alone for too long, especially during such quiet and precious hours

Prefers to hold off on giving her family any news or updates until she's had at least a few days to let it sink it. Each update she does send provokes a tidal wave of letters and advice and offers, not to mention Grandpa Namar's tear-stained letters of excitement

Has to hide sobs when she holds her child and announces its name

Muriel

Straight up disassociates. Not due to any fault of yours, it's just a lot. Especially given his own context for parenting (or lack thereof)

"Muriel, I'm pregnant." soul gets yoinked through the stratosphere

You know him well enough to expect him to need a moment, so you're not surprised when he shakily nods, takes a deep breath, and tells you he'll be back before dark before walking off into the trees

Deeply apologetic once he gets back because in hindsight ghosting you might not have been the most appropriate response

He's happy, if not deeply anxious, but he gets more and more excited with every pregnancy update

He makes the baby's crib himself, seeking out the tree with the best wood, chopping it up, designing and cutting the pieces, carving and sanding and painting them with the utmost care

As your due date gets closer he starts reverting to an old habit of his, waking up several times through the night with a need to keep watch for any dangers or discomforts and make sure you're warm

You wake up to this sometimes, with him sitting quietly next to you in bed, one large hand resting protectively on your belly, a quiet smile on his face as he stares at the cradle on the other side of the room and counts every tiny kick the baby lands on his warm palm

He doesn't hesitate to tell Asra, Nadia, (and yes, Julian) about your pregnancy, because he knows they'll be able to help you in ways he can't. Watching you in pain during birth is almost traumatic for him

Doesn't say a word when you hand him his baby, just looks back and forth between you and them in delight and awestruck joy

Portia

Screams. Legitimate, jaw dropped, lung-deep screaming

Yes it's because she's excited!!! You're pregnant! That's amazing!!

Funnily enough, she doesn't bring up telling anybody else until several weeks have gone by or until you suggest it. She's used to keeping secrets and this is so special she's still finding words for it

She's also more familiar with what pregnancy can look like, and she doesn't want to make any big announcements with you too early

Borderline obsessive about making sure that you're properly fed and cared for. She keeps every snack stocked, gives you massages every night, asks you about any symptoms and offers relief

She ends up inviting everyone over for dinner so you two can break the news to them together, and if one Devorak wasn't loud and emotional enough, two of them are almost too much for the roof

Mazelinka is quick to offer her services, whether that be bringing soup, taking you two (three?!) to Nevivon so the grandmas can help, grabbing one of the grandmas and bringing them here, etc

Pepi develops a new habit of bringing you stolen fish at least once a day to make sure your growing kitten is properly nourished. the smell doesn't help your morning sickness but you appreciate it

Portia cries every time she sits down to work on another onesie or baby blanket or cloth diaper, which is several times a day

When it's time for you to give birth, she holds your hands as tightly as you hold hers and nearly knocks a doctor out of the way to catch the baby

Full-on happy sobbing when she holds them. Gets jealous anytime someone besides you gets to hold them longer than her

Lucio

Assumes you're joking until you tell him otherwise because what

It's not that he's against it, but realistically speaking he knows that one of him is already a lot to handle. And you're cooking another??

Once you convince him, his exuberant yells startle flocks of birds from the treetops in a half-mile radius. Speaking of trees ...

You two are journeymen. Where are you going to settle down?

You end up picking a spot close enough to Vesuvia for your old friends to be able to help, in a town where you know you'll have a fresh start. Buying a cottage is hard when you're used to a palace

Lucio occasionally remembers his mother's comments about how her pregnancy with him made the Red Plague seem like a summer cold, and then he panics about how much pain you must be in

Sits bolt-upright in bed four months in to your pregnancy in a cold sweat because it just hit him that your belly bump is actually an entire tiny human that's half him and half you and it's miraculous

Starts talking to your bump almost constantly after that

Everything from what the dogs are doing, to the right way to start a fire, to the best types of cookies - he's telling it all to the bump

Does he know, logically, that your baby isn't likely to be born missing an arm because of his amputation? Yes. Does he still have an irrational fear of that happening? Also yes.

Has such a hard time controlling his frustration during the birth when you're in pain and there's nothing he can do about it

Wraps his golden arm in a baby blanket and doesn't care about the mess the first time he holds them and presses a kiss to their head

[mayalaen]

20 questions for fic writers

Thanks to @hullosweetpea for tagging me!

First, my AO3

How many works do you have on AO3?

186

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

2,072,229 words (don't ask the count for fics NOT posted 😱)

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Supernatural, Stranger Things, Fargo, Stargate 'verse, Hannibal, The Blacklist, Dickensian, Angel+Buffyverse and more

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Alpha House 'Verse, Resonance, Best Brother Ever, CONventional Psychopathy Part 1: Primary Deviance, and Try on for Size - all SPN fics

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do, but I get into weird moods where it's hard to do it, so I'll go for a while without responding and then do a bunch to catch up.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably Inside (SPN). It's short but gory and really not a happy ending.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I tend to leave things on a good feeling but I think the one that has the most whiplash type of oh shit this is bad to oh wow we're all good is Rewritten in the Stars.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

In comments and in anon messages sent on Tumblr, but I delete immediately because I refuse to feed trolls. For the most part readers are SUPER awesome and I really appreciate them!

9. Do you write smut?

Tons!

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Open Sesame Street Walker is by far the wackiest one. It's a choose your own adventure but every choice leads to insanity 😂

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yup. I wouldn't have minded any other fic being stolen because it's all fanfic, but this person managed to grab the ONE fic I'm also writing as original fic and it's a world that's been living in my head since I was like 9 years old. It means a lot to me, so to have someone take it and make money off it with the possibility of fucking up a future book deal sucks. Every time I get it taken down, she puts it back up a few weeks later.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I think there's at least one, possibly two fics translated.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I wrote one crackfic, but I'd love to write more with somebody. I think it would be fun.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

I can't say I have a favorite. I'm too much of a multishipper to pin down one in any fandom. The closest I can get is the OT3 of Leverage, Eliot/Hardison/Parker.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I really think I'm gonna finish all my WIPs. Might be delusional, but oh well.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialog. It's harder for me to put in a lot of description on surroundings because I always think it's going to be boring to the reader, which is silly.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Keeping it short and to the point. The only short fics I've written were crackfic.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

The closest I came to this is Castiel's noises in Resonance 'Verse. It's just animal noises. I don't think I'll ever attempt to actually write in another language. The most I would do is italics so it tells the reader it's spoken in another language.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Stargate SG1

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

It changes depending on mood, but right now it's Caging the Mongoose. It's not popular at all, but it's a Blacklist/SPN crossover and it's got all the things I love plus Dean is schizophrenic in it.

tagging (with no pressure or obligation): @actualalligator @unforth @ltleflrt @whataboutthefish @wheels-of-despair @peachonified @kallisto-k @lochnesswriter and anybody else who wants to play! Please tag me so I can see your stuff 💜

[chronically-ghosted]

We're here? 500 followers? We did this? I'm not dreaming? Feels weird, fam! First things first, I'd like to thank @gasolinerainbowpuddles for the GORGEOUS and heart-breakingly-sweet gif she made for me to celebrate this milestone. You are incredible and amazing and you rock my world. And second, I'd like to thank all of you! I've been in fandom for a few years now, but this is the first time I've really found a community I love being a part of. From every reblog, comment, and anon, every day I'm so grateful to be a part of the ppcu, and that you, at some point, clicked that little follow button. The new year is just around the corner and I can't wait to see what you and your devilishly brilliant minds will create!

Now, on to the games! 🎮👻

Per your request, we're celebrating with a Choose Your Own Adventure fic! Starting next Wednesday, I'll be posting one poll a day where you will be able to vote on:

the Pedro boy I'll focus on

the type of pairing of the fic (i.e friends to lovers, exes, forbidden love, etc)

what trope the fic will be the guiding force of the fic (i.e sharing a bed, fake dating/marriage, etc)

what kink will be explored

the vibes of the fic (i.e hurt, comfort, humor)

the ending of the fic

At the end of the six weeks, I'll write a fic with all the top choices mixed into it. So, for example, we could have a comfort fic where Frankie is the love of your life but you worry it might be unrequited until you're snowed in a cabin and you find out all too late you have a raging hand kink when he holds yours to keep you warm -- but because it's a happy ending, everything works out okay!

This Choose Your Own Adventure fic comes from the idea of those old children's books where your choices affected the outcome, so get as wild as you want!

👻🌟The first poll goes live Wednesday, December 6th at 7:30AM (GMT-6)🌟👻

Every poll will run for one week. I'll be updating this post with every poll so if you'd like to vote or see what won, you can check in here!

Poll #1: Pick a Pedro Boy [Ends Wednesday 13th] Poll #2: Pick the type of pairing [Ends Thursday 14th] Poll #3: Pick the trope [Ends Friday 15th] Poll #4: Pick the kink [Ends Saturday 16th] Poll #5: Pick the vibe [Ends Sunday 17th] Poll #6: Pick the ending [Ends Monday 18th]

if you'd like clarification on any of the polls or have any questions, my ask box is wide open. if you'd just like to say hi and tell me all about your favorite Pedro boy, my ask box is wide open. if you'd like to know extremely personal and embarrassing facts about me, my ask box is wide open.

This is going to be the most engagement-dependent post I've ever made so I'm a little nervous! 😬 Being here has been some of the best fun I've had in a while and I'm so excited to see what comes next!

[terrainofheartfelt]

"It's been more like a 'Choose Your Own Adventure'!" A Rufly Playlist

Finally, a use for my Dad(™) music taste! I threw in a few live recordings/rough sessions because that’s rock and roll, babey. YouTube link here

image sources: (x) (x) (x)

American Girl - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

If you think this isn’t a rufly song, then idk what to tell you.

And for one desperate moment there / He crept back in her memory / God, it's so painful when something that is so close / Is still so far out of reach

Light My Fire - The Doors

Making this playlist was fun because I got to imagine a lot of precanon Rufus/Lily, and how they came to be. And like, I can see Rufus covering a LOT of these, yk?

The time to hesitate is through / No time to wallow in the mire

Funny Feelin’ - Langhorne Slim

I can also see Rufus actually writing some of these. Like this one!

Well, I got my eye on you, baby / And I know I ain't the only one / But if you just say maybe / My lonely days would be done

Superstar - tswift

If you don’t project onto at least one tswift song can you even call it a ship playlist?

And I knew from the first note played / I'd be breaking all my rules to see you / You smile that beautiful smile and all the girls in the front row / Scream your name

Lay, Lady, Lay - Bob Dylan

Tour life vibes

His clothes are dirty but his, his hands are clean / And you’re the best thing that he’s ever seen

Fire - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Your kisses they burn / But your heart stays cool

Fooled Around and Fell in Love - as performed by Morgan James

Because Lily Rhodes really did fuck around and find out.

Free, on my own is the way I used to be / Ah, but since I met you baby, love's got a hold on me

Don’t Let Me Down - The Beatles

Nothing says Lily & Rufus like a Beatles deep cut.

I'm in love for the first time / Don't you know it's gonna last

Shadows of the Night - Pat Benatar

80s rock vibes, babe!

You can cry tough baby, it's all right / You can let me down easy, but not tonight

She - as performed by She & Him

She may be the love that cannot hope to last / May come to me from shadows of the past

Can’t Buy Me Love - The Beatles

Tell me that you want the kind of things / That money just can't buy / I don't care too much for money / Money can't buy me love

Second Hand News - Fleetwood Mac

It’s breakup chapter time, y’all

I know there's nothing to say / Someone has taken my place

Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen

I met her in a Kingstown bar / We fell in love I knew it had to end / We took what we had and we ripped it apart / Now here I am down in Kingstown again

Piece of My Heart - as performed by Big Brother and the Holding Company

Have another little piece of my heart now, baby / Well, you know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good

Love Really Hurts Without You - Billy Ocean

In my head, this is the “Lily and her cavalcade of failed relationships post-Rufus” montage song

You walk like a dream and you make like you're queen of the action

Halls - Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

This is the “Rufus touring post-Lily” montage song

Thought a broken heart could write a perfect song / And it did and I was right so now you're gone

Mulholland Drive - The Gaslight Anthem

Okay so we all know about the Dair & Rufly parallels, and this song nearly ended up on that playlist, but the vibe didn’t quite fit. And I think, in my heart of hearts, that this song (though probs more punk than Lincoln Hawk sounds) reads like Rufus could have written it. And there are lines that are so evocative of both Dair & Rufly like I still remember holding you, just out of sight of her - like! That’s Valentine’s day 2012 amirite??? And: But it scared you, love, to need someone, so you killed it all instead. And the imagery of Mulholland Drive with Lily being from LA...Anyways this song is one of my all time favorites.

Would you miss me if I was gone and all the simple things were lost? / Would you ever wait on me to say / Oh that I’d just die if you ever took your love away

Malibu 1922 - COIN

You're some old man's new trophy / Locked up in some house in New Jersey / Now money's not a problem / But 20 years it seems you've forgotten

How’s the World Treating You - Elvis Presley

Pilot Rufly vibes, but sad!

Every sweet thing that mattered / Has been broken in two / And I'm asking you, darling / How's the world treating you?

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues - The Gaslight Anthem

Pilot Rufly vibes, but sexy!

Can I get a witness, pretty baby? / I still love Tom Petty songs and drivin' old men crazy

It Ain’t Me Babe - Bob Dylan

“You made a choice to be Lily Bass, and we both need you to go do that.”

Go lightly from the ledge, babe / Go lightly on the ground / I’m not the one you want, babe / I will only let you down

Harvest Moon - Neil Young

It’s about the lovers to strangers to hostile acquaintances to friends to lovers again.

When we were strangers / I watched you from afar / When we were lovers / I loved you with all my heart

Home From Home - Roo Panes

“Well, it’s Thanksgiving, and I couldn’t think of another place that felt more like home.”

Because I'm starting to realise the question worth asking is, who? / I'm starting to realize the question worth answering is you

You Got Lucky - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

I mean. I mean they do fight a lot.

If you don't feel complete / If I don't take you all the way / Then go

Are We Free? - Mick Flannery and Susan O’Neill

I like how this whole song is a dialogue, but always comes together at the chorus

Are we free to understand / or bound to repeat again / all the wars of before?

The Bones feat. Hozier - Maren Morris

“The king and queen of reconciliation” - Dan Humphrey

No, it won't always go the way we planned it / But the wolves came and went and we're still standing

Songbird - Fleetwood Mac

They didn’t break up, what are you talking about?

And I love you, I love you, I love you / Like never before

Beginning to Feel the Years - Brandi Carlile

And I'm beginning to feel the years / But I'm going to be okay / As long as you're beside me--along the way

Call on Me - Big Brother and the Holding Company

Baby, when you're down and feel so blue / Well, no, you won't drown, honey, I'll be there too

Lily - Benjamin Gibbard

It was too perfect. I had no choice.

Lily is a big brass band who fills the air with song / Lily is a destination and she's where my arms belong

Hard Feelings - Brian Fallon

And the time used to stop in her hands / I could feel it go hesitant / When it rained in Manhattan / We took shelter in the spare room at the Grand

[a-man-for-hire-and-his-archives]

Big thanks to wonderful Brazilian friend, Isa for helping me to translate. Here's full translation from interview last night or early this morning.

Fabio: Hello guys, today i brought an interview with the author Luke Arnold, who wrote The Last Smile in Sunder City. Hello Mr. Arnold. Thank you so much for accepting answering this interview. I normally start asking the interviewed introduce themselves. Could you speak to us a little about you?

LA: Hello Fabio and everyone in Brazil! Until some years ago, my main profession was acting. always balanced that with writing and movie production, but I officially became an author last year. The Last Smile in Sunder City is my first romance of a detective series ongoing that follows Fetch Phillips, a [i really forgot this word but i'll edit in a sec] in a fantasy world where magic has died.

Fabio (Q1): I imagine that many authors influenced you during a long time, right? Could you tell us if there was an specific author that "caught" you to the fantasy world and influenced [your] writing?

LA: Most of what i "digested"[?] as kid came more from movies and video games, than books. i think i had some mismatches [?] with fantasy stories that seemed unreachable [?], until i found Terry Pratchett. The book series "Discworld" were a perfect mix of comedy, adventure and heart to invite me to the gender and made me search for me.

Fabio (Q3): The majority of people that I know here in Brazil, know you especially for your role in Black Sails (an excellent TV show). Besides actor, director, script writer, now you are an author. Do you believe that this previous jobs made easier when to write "The Last Smile in Sunder City?" (in the sense of world-building, creativity, script, etc)?

LA: There's many abilities that you need to be an actor, but a comprehension of the story and the character is essential, be you working in a quite easy job or a great epic like Black Sails, you need to know how tear apart a script, understand its place in history and make clear and specific choices. I worked in many excellent and terrible projects and read thousands of incredible and terrible scripts, in which probably helped me to prepare to write my own stories.

Fabio (Q4): And speaking of Black Sails, it's impossible to not make some connections when reading. Fetch is an ironic character, with a past that torments him, and others characteristics. When reading, i constantly compared him to Long John Silver. So the question is... had Long John Silver an influence in the creation of Fetch Phillips?

LA: I started to write "The Last Smile in Sunder City" when I was working on Black Sails, so I'm sure there was some elements that appeared [not voluntarily?]. Naturally, there'll be a little of me in both characters. People certainly will find some parallels, even thought it isn't intentional. To me, Silver knew the world he lived was unfair, so he was capable of not being guilty and do what needed to save himself. he put his past by side with the objective of going ahead. fetch is linked to his past - obsessed by it- and being smashed by the weight of his own fault. I think Fetch could learn a little from Silver.

Fabio (Q5): One of the main characteristics of this first book is the world-building. You created a fantastic world. It was hard to imagine it, or there was parts more difficult to create?

LA: Having ideas is the easy part, but to choose the scenario that better adapts to the characters and themes can be more difficult. I can always imagine Fetch wandering on Sunder's streets, finding in various ex-magical creatures, but I try to present him to the enemies and allies that will bring up his internal conflict. Sometimes, I have to resist in rushing some new creation, if that isn't going to add nothing to add to Fetch's journey at that moment.

Fabio (Q6:) Despite being a world with magical creatures, much can be associated with human problems. Do you believe that we can associate the end of magic with what human beings are doing to the earth itself in real life?

LA: There are definite parallels with climate change, but I have always seen the death of magic as something more personal and internal. I think the world (our world) is a really magical place. We all see this when we're younger, but then we make certain choices, we're led down certain paths, and we're often removed from that magic in adulthood. There is more than one theme at stake in these books, but Fetch's struggle to open up, forgive himself, be part of his community and find happiness is reflected in the world without magic more than any comment on industrialization.

Fabio (Q7): Another association I couldn't stop to do was imagine a book adaptation, with you playing Fetch. There's any possibility of having the book being adapted in the future?

LA: I would love to see these stories adapted in the movies and TV. At the moment, I'm focusing more in the books, trying to put the maximum of story on the paper before that happens, but would be a dream to see Sunder City come to life in the screen.

Fabio (Q8): This is your first book here in Brazil, but the sequel was already released. What we can expect from this sequel?

LA: In the first part, Fetch is fight to survive every day, oppressed by guilty, addiction and lack of hope. In "Dead Man a Ditch", Fetch is hired to investigate a murder that seemed to happen with magic. knowing that magic disappeared six years ago, he's forced to question himself if this darkness could have some secrets.

Fabio (Q9): Another thing I would like to ask is about the future works. Recently I saw that you were finishing the third book of Fetch's series, right? For what I searched before, it would be two books, but this third book appeared. It was already planned, or it appeared with time? Do you have other works, Fetch's or different others in mind?

LA: These are the histories of a detective, instead of parts of a traditional fantasy series. Each book is built around a case which Fetch is hired to investigate. I always planned to write a lot of books, each one like a auto-contained [translation: CSI episodes?], built in search of a final epic fantasy that will come when the time comes.

Fabio (Q10): To end, I would like to thank you again for accepting to answer, congratulate you for the book and I would like to know if you could leave a word to all your readers and fans from Brazil?

LA: Thank you for your fantastic questions, Fabio. I thank all my fans from Brazil. Thanks from supporting my career so much and my first book! i was planning to go to Brazil before COVID-19 changed everything. But i'm hoping for the that I'll finally can visit your beautiful country.

Source: Fabio Pedreira

[alexandria-selina]

Into the App

(This is a Mystic Messenger AU thank decided to write. Hope everyone like it!)

"…and after all the hard ships, they all lived happy lives," a woman, Alex, finished typing on her laptop. "I guess that's the end of It, huh? Looks like I can write them all a happy ending, even after giving them hardships to face!"

After figuratively patting herself on the back for writing her Mystic Messenger fanfic, Alex how late it was on her clock and had a protein shake before bed. Making herself comfortable under the covers, Alex closed her eyes and slipped into a dream.

"You think you made yourself a wonderful world inspired by mine? How would you like to live in the world you've created," a smooth, disembodied voice asked. "You might have to give something up for it though…"

"The one where everyone has a happy ending? I don't think I'd mind," Alex answered without hesitation. "Do I get to choose what I have to give up?"

"How about your memories of your life here? But, if you forget who you were to become the woman, Kia, you wrote about in your story, you might have an empty feeling inside of you," the voice warned. "A hole in your heart that will never be truly filled… A happy ending for all but you will never fully be. Are you prepared for that?"

"I'm definitely prepared for that if I get to live in a world where I know there will be a happy ending. I'm prepared to have a hole in my heart and I will make sure it doesn't drive me into sadness. I promise, I will gladly exchange my memories to switch places with Kia."

"So be it… I will give you your wish, but remember that it was your choice."

Alex wakes up to see a notification on her phone from the app at simply said, "We have good news!"

She opens the app to see a note:

Due to your wish to find the best possible ending and even writing about it yourself. The Wizard has granted you the power to make a world in your own image to have these characters. Though there will be a feeling of emptiness in your heart from the loss of your past life's memories, you will have your happiest ending. This honor is only awarded to certain people, so will you seize the opportunity?

And there were two options:

"I would, but I can't leave my life... So, I'm saying no."

Or

"Yes, I will accept the consequences. I'll leave my life behind."

Alex chooses the second answer, having forgotten about her dream, she thought it meant she'd get her own DLC, but as soon as she tapped the option, Alex blacked out.

She woke up to her name being called, by an excited voice:

"Kia, hey! Kia! Rika to my daydreaming friend Kia!"

Snapping out of her thoughts about the photograph in front of her, Kia turns to the bubbly blonde next to her and grabs her by the collar. With venom in her voice, the short haired blonde speaks:

"How dare you address me like we're friends, you crazy, sociopathic bitch?! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Kia, it's me, Rika," the long-haired blonde said while struggling to get out of the grasp. "I was just trying to give you your coffee."

"Oh, shit, I'm so sorry about that, Rika," Kia said immediately releasing her good friend. "I need to stop watching psychological horror before my pistachio-rose latte with 3 shots of espresso," she admits, taking a sip of her drink and turning her attention back to the photo.

"Otherwise, might you might accidentally kill me," Rika added.

"Yeah, that's why... Not cuz I would be arrested and definitely not get into a good school if I committed murder," Kia said with a nonchalant glance away from the photograph in front of her.

"You scare me sometimes..."

"Good, it teaches you to be nicer to me and take me seriously," she said jokingly. "Why don't we get sone lunch?" As Kia finished her question, a man with Turquoise hair walked up to the two women.

"Hello there Miss, I noticed you've staring at this piece for quite a long time. Would you mind if we talk about it further over lunch," he asked in a suave, confident tone.

"Well, I wouldn't mind at all Mr. Kim, but my friend and I are actually-" Kia began to say before turning to find Rika wasn't beside her anymore.

"Wait, where did she go?"

"Where did who go?"

"My friend, she was right here..." As Kia trailed off, her phone chirped and she saw a text from Rika to have fun on her date. "Actually, it looks like I'm free right now. I'd love to take that offer."

"Your phone is set to chirp for notifications, Miss? That's really cute," Mr. Kim complimented with a chuckle.

"Thanks, but you don't have to keep calling me Miss. I'm Kia Barker," she said, giving her hand for him to shake.

"My name is Jihyun Kim, but you already knew that," he introduced as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand.

"Oh, of course, I know what the famous V's real name is. I simply adore your work," she assured with a small blush.

"You seem to love this photograph quite a bit more than the others. What drew you to it?"

"I feel like it's a piece that captures the essence of determination and willingness to brave the harshest of conditions to survive. A bright light shines upon the violet flowers as they stick together through the harsh wind that threatens to blow them apart. Supporting each other against the odds to grow beautifully, with vibrant and healthy color."

"That's quite the analysis. Why don't we continue it once we're seated at the restaurant around the corner?"

"I don't see why not. I'd love to continue this conversation," Kia said, giving V the okay to lead the way to the restaurant.

Kia and V were seated rather quickly, at a nice table for two. The server took thier drink order and brought bread for the table. The pair began dicudssing thier order, V saying that he would pay for everything, so they agreed on a 3 course dinner for two and then went on to dicuss more with each other.

The conversation began with Kia telling V how much she loved his photos and why she enjoyed them so much. Then, they moved on to talking more personal subjects. The usual, 'where are you from', 'how old are you', turned into 'there was this funny thing that happended to me when I was a kid'. By the end of the meal, they were laughing happily with full stomachs and bright smiling faces. V paid for the meal and the two walked out the restaurant holding hands. Kai was the first to speek after they left:

"Wow, it's already 3 o'clock," she noticed looking at her watch. "We sat in there for a good 3 hours."

"We definintely had pleanty to talk to each other about. Especially with those stories of you and your brother," V chuckled as he recalled Kia's childhood stories.

"Your adventures with Jumin were actually rather interesting. I never thought the two of you would get into trouble like that. How cute," Kia commented.

"So, what's the plan now?"

"I'd love to stay and talk somemore, but I should get home so I can read up for my class tomorrow."

"That's right, you're studying to be a councelor and Professor, aren't you?"

"And for that exact reason, I need to make sure I don't fall behind. Maybe we can meet up later, how does that sound?"

"I have a photo shoot this weekend. I don't see why you and your friend couldn't join me on sight. My friend Jumin's going tot be there so I don't see why I can't invite two more. Bringing her might help make up for her leaving so we can enjoy ourselves?"

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea. Here, let me give you my number and you can text me the location of the shoot. I'm sure my friend Rika won't mind coming with me and properly meeting you and Jumin."

V and Kia exchanged numbers and V offered to walk her home. Kia appreciated the offer, but she had her car to drive and Rika to find and take home. V then offered to walk her to the car and she agreed, and they walked hand in hand to Kia's car. V made sure Kia and Rika were safe and he watched them dirve off, happy to know he'd be seeing Kia again soon.

(This is Kia)