#coming out of the dryer vent by my open bedroom window

[mumblelard]

i went for a walk with my mom this morning. she told me stories about the tornado that tore up dunwoody twenty five years ago and how every guy in a twenty mile radius with a chainsaw drove over there and went ham on fallen trees for a week like it was some kind of theme park for frustrated suburban lumberjacks

[pbandjesse]

I am very excited that we have the ac off and the windows open. It is so beautiful out right now. It is basically feeling like fall and I'm so excited about that. I know we will probably still have more got days, but wearing a hoodie for a lot of the day heals me.

And thankfully I didn't feel sick for a lot of the day! Like yeah it wasn't perfect, I'm exhausted at every little thing. But today was a lot easier. I ate better. Things were good.

I slept alright. I only woke up once. Smells were really bothering me last night. My own deodorant scent made me feel unwell. I had to get a different scent from my storage today. When I woke up I struggled to get up. James came and sat with me and we hugged for a bit. They were getting ready to leave, but I would be staying here until the appliances were delivered. And thankfully that would actually happen today!

James would head out once I came downstairs. I would get some cereal and bring Crabcake outside. Sweetp was fast asleep upstairs but would eventually come down and joined us.

I was just enjoying laying out in the porch swing. I really wanted to do stuff today but it just wasn't going to happen. Best I could do was move the furniture in the studio so that the delivery people could easily access the basement. And after that I was just exhausted and had to lay down on the couch.

I would heat up the last couple pieces of pizza from last night. And was texting with James. It was a nice and cool morning and even though I was exhausted, I was in a good mood.

James would let me know when the truck was about 20 minutes away. So I moved to the studio so I could watch for the truck. And when I finally saw it pull up I scooped up Sweetp and ran him upstairs to put him in the bedroom.

The delivery men were very nice. They were very concerned that I was going to be upset that the washer and dryer didn't match. I told them it was fine. I didn't realize the washer was going to be shorter then the dryer but I knew they weren't the same brand. It doesn't bother me. We're going to put the laundry basket on top of it anyway.

They had a strap system to help them carry the things. I stayed out of the way best I could but also our basement door swings the wrong way for being out of the way. So I would get the door when I could.

They were very quick. The only issues was that we didn't have a vent for the dryer (I would end up finding it, but we need a longer tube) and thr outlet for the washer wasnt working?? So weird. I said it was fine and we would figure it out. I signed off for the delivery and said goodbye to the nice men.

I wanted to figure out the outlet. I looked at the circuit breaker but everything looked right. So I was like. I'll try and extension cord. But the dryer still wasn't turning on?? I was worried we got something defective. And was even more worried when I tried plugging in something else to the original outlet and it worked right away??? So I texted James in a panic. But I took a breath and looked at the manual and all I had to do was hold the button for 3 seconds. Came right on. Sang a little song even! I was very happy. And James would be too.

I would gather everything and put things away. Brought Crabcake inside. Took a few minutes to rest my brain. But I knew I needed to go to work.

I brought my tablet with me. And I'm so glad I did. I got so much done on my tablet and that just felt really good.

I would t go straight to camp though. I decided to go to McDonald's. I went to the one in Hunt Valley. And I was being so silly and on the drive there I was like. I should get two larges!!! But I did not do that. I got one large and a diet coke.

I ate in the parking lot. And it was honestly great. By the end of the fries I was like. I could have gotten a medium. And laughed at myself about the double large dream. I would finish my fries (with the bottle of ketchup I brought firm home) and headed to camp.

I would get very very emotional about a song on the way there. Just heaving sobs. The hormones got me. And then I embarrassingly had to explain why I was red faced when I got to the office.

I would have a nice time at camp. 4 hours is a pretty good shift for me I guess. Especially when I actually had things to do. I would do some actual camp stuff. But once we started our staff meeting I would just fully jump into working on my commission. Working while people talk always helps me focus and makes me work better. I don't know why that it but it has been true for a long time.

And I'm super excited for how the commission is coming. There's only a little more for me to do. I'm honestly thrilled.

And the meeting was pretty productive. Going over the calendar and upcoming stuff. Like tree planting and more info for the indoor riding ring that they are going to build in the next year or so. Hopefully. I honestly really like meetings. At least they feel like we are moving towards goals.

After the meeting I would make a small poster for a wedding this weekend at camp. And went over to the trading post to sweep. I will sweep outside tomorrow too.

I would also work on a training for spotting child abuse. And while I did that I worked on making a flat lay for the stickers. I reached back out to Chris to ask about a reference for the painting of Mary's uncle. I was sure his name was flowers but I couldn't find him online. And Chris was so fast to get me the reference and I made my little drawing and played with tints to make it look less crisp. And I have a small plan about making a design your own scene. But because the flag drawing was so large I need to draw some other options. Like a folded flag, some fabric scraps, ECT. That's what I'm going to focus on tomorrow while I finish the training.

I would pack up and on my way out I showed Heather and Alexi my drawing and they loved it. Alexi asked if we could make a camp themed one to sell in the trading post and I was like. Yes!! I'm going to work on that next. I want them to let me do more graphic design stuff and let me design more things for the trading post and merch in general. So this is a very positive turn of events.

I headed straight home. While the 4 hours wasn't so bad I was on the verge of not feeling amazing. And I was really excited when I was about to turn into our street and James was there waiting to cross. So I let them cross first and followed them.

I got an excellent parking space. Ms Washington was outside and had protected our mail. I had three packages today! It was very exciting.

I followed James inside and was very happy to see them. Gave them a smooch and went to open my packages. Was interesting to see that Crabcake was awake and eating a pepper. He's usually asleep around 430 but he finished his pepper and went right to sleep. Such a cutie.

I got my new orange dress I have wanted for months. I plan on wearing it for a wedding next month but also for other things. Halloween color. And my snood for my renfair costume. Which lead to James telling me about when they worked at the Franklin Fountain all the girls had to wear snoods and one girl could make them so the bosses commissioned her to make a bunch. That's really neat. And the last package was my sunflower shirt I got from depop. I will probably wear that tomorrow. Very excited about that.

I would go upstairs and laid down. I would spend most of the evening just resting. I took a shower. And discussed with James about our next construction project. Planning space for baby. And I would do my cuticles and made them all nice.

Mostly though I've been hanging out. Watching videos. Enjoying my evening. James made me veggie nuggets for dinner. And then went to play DND with their friends.

I am very tired though. I am going to brush my teeth and get ready to sleep. I am hoping tomorrow feels as productive and good. Fingers crossed.

I hope you all have a great night. I love you all. Goodnight.

[calleo-bricriu]

Me: Has drafts. Also me: Has replies already written in my head. ALSO ME: “Typing is hard...”

In my defense, I’m in the home stretch of closing on a house and have to start actually working out and executing the steps to get all my shit packed up and moved from this place--I still have shit from when we bought the house in 2004 that STILL ISN’T UNPACKED, it’s mostly old computer games and I’ll probably just leave it to be finally trashed, but there’s like 5 huge boxes of it in the closet.

The house in question is an amazing little thing built in 1879 and the most work I’ll have to do on it:

1. Wait for squirrel in the garage soffits to have her babies grow up and leave, then seal the hole.

2. Strip the goddamned white paint off of all the interior wood trim; it’s the original wood trim, there’s a place for parlor doors (though they’re long gone). I just...the original woodwork is gorgeous, the exterior facing parts of the doors still have it, they’d a deep mahogany with wonderful grain. They’re the original doors from 1879 that have just been fitted with more modern deadbolts but still have the original knobs with skeleton key holes (long since blocked off because security).

3. P A I N T. I hate neutrals. I hate neutrals and, of course, when people flip a house they try to paint it in neutrals so it has a broader appeal and so potential buyers can more easily see their stuff in there, but the only thing worse than rental beige is rental tan. Gotta get some damn color in there. It might not be a big old Victorian house but it’s a Victorian house. The interior and exterior should be as obnoxiously bright as possible.

4. Get the roof redone because I know I have the money for it not, I don’t know that I’ll have it in 5-7 years.

5. Consider residing; it has white vinyl, and vinyl can be painted but it doesn’t last terribly long. Might just have it painted though. I don’t want a boring ass white house when the big rental next door is bright blue. Another roof situation, I have the money now.

6. Fix the garage door opener; it works but the chain is off the track so it doesn’t actually lift the door. 7. Probably replace the furnace and water heater; there’s nothing wrong with them but they are  from 1996, and new ones would be way more efficient.

8. Uh...furniture. All I’m taking with me is the stuff in my office and the bed I sleep in. Probably gonna need more than that.

9. Make the call on whether I want to have an electrician put in 220 volt stuff for an electric dryer or be okay with using the as feed up to that little room. Probably will just use the gas feed as it’s there. Discovered the unplugged thing on the floor in that room goes to underfloor heating meant to be used in the winter as it’s just a 3 season porch so it gets cold.

10. Be forever amazed that the original electrical wiring is still present (though largely spliced into modern wiring save for the light coming down from the ceiling in the closet--you can see the original, still insulated cord clearly--and into dining room which will be probably filled with reptiles, AND that it works and has been inspected by an actual electrician and deemed safe. 100amp breaker, but that’s not so bad, it’s a 150 breaker here and nothing ever blows.

11. ...smoke alarms and a CO alarm, as there are none, which is fine, nobody has been living there for the two-ish years the guy was rennovating it.

12. Fix the one glass pane that’s missing in the bedroom; storm window is still present and not broken/cracked but one really should have double panes windows here.

13. Oh yeah, and curtains.

14. Getting the second door that’s painted shut opened back up, the stupid white paint stripped form it, and getting a modern deadbolt put in so it’s a usable, safe door to be able to open. It’s the side door to what was the parlor and is now the living room.

15. Possibly look at where the parlor door was after having the paint stripped and see if the pockets are still present; if they are, see about getting replica doors to match the existing ones put in. Who wouldn’t want to be able to dramatically open parlor doors or tell someone to step into their parlor?

Now you get pics I took while I was there for the home inspection!

The new LED lightbulb put into a fixture from 1879:

Big kitchen, fuckton of storage, two flour bins by the stove; I love flour bins, the house I grew up in had them as did my grandparents’ houses. As long as you clean them out thoroughly when they’re empty they’re great!

📷

The exterior of the side parlor door that's painted shut.

The front door (the interior side is painted white). Original knob and skeleton key lock from when the house was built.

This house survived being a cheap, rundown student rental for nearly 40 years and it still has so much of its original stuff.

The stairs to the basement and crawlspace that looks like something out of a horror movie, so naturally I love it.

This is directly inside the crawlspace. It's absolutely perfect for storing potatoes, root vegetables, and squash--and for putting jars of stuff to ferment. It's a good 10 degrees colder than the rest of the area and is meant to be used for exactly what I just mentioned. I love that it's still there.

Also here's the entrance to the crawlspace.

...and the crawlspace. The tiny 'basement' is just a room with a few shelves I need to replace as they were using untreated plywood in the metal frame and most of it is moldy or starting to rot because untreated. Otherwise all that's in there is the furnace and water heater. The furnace has some open drain ports and I may put a humidifier down there to run 24/7 because it is, as most basements that aren't fully finished around here, a bit damp.

TL;DR: I may be largely MIA or not as quick to respond as I usually am because I’ll be legit running around like a lunatic moving all my stuff, setting up my new old house (MINE, ONLY MINE, no ex, no other people, JUST. ME. I loved living alone before I got married, and always thought I’d be happier still living alone even while married, which may be a sign that it was a bad decision, but I really just like living alone with a bunch of animals.

Also I've never seen a house that has an attic only accessible from the outside and using a ladder but that's what we have here; there's a big panel that I thought was just a vent that's really a...door.

The back yard is huge, already fenced, has a fire pit, has no fucking grass either, it's all native wild plants with some grape vines in a few areas; big mature ones too.

The front yard also has no grass, which, again, great, I'd planned to tear out any lawn at the house I got anyway. Front yard is still a bit bare so I may just coat it with clover. The only thing I'll have to mow is the boulevard and I can do that with a manual mower or be the extra strange neighbor and use a scythe--and yes I have one, I took it from my grandpa's barn after he died. They also planted a ton of ferns in the front yard for some reason, but I like ferns so they can stay. Oh and there's an entire workshop behind the garage which means I still will have an inside place to keep making wands.

[pandemiclaughter]

Rambling about MIL her anxiety, parkinson’s

Some of the most frustrating conversations are with those who are in the very beginning stages of dementia, super stubborn, riddled with anxiety, angry, and sprinkled with some passive aggressiveness on top for extra fun.   Then I’m going to make this communication even more difficult by letting my rambilng ADD tell you about these difficult encounters. 

(warning---you may just want to skip this one---if you do, but want to have an idea of what this is about here’s the basics of the post:  

The basic facts from this crazy non-linear explosion of words is my MIL believes she truly is going to run out of oxygen to breathe in the air. And how she went from telling me she has never had anxiety to she has lived with anxiety her whole life.)

MIL (in her 80s with Parkinson’s) does not have good balance, she can not stand for many seconds without support. She is always freezing.  When we first moved in here she would run blow dryers on her bed all night. She said it was to keep her warm. But now through much more dedection---they were also white noise to help with her anxiety. 

So we have moved to no longer using the bed as potential kindle.  It took her a few months to learn to use an app for white noise sound (damn when they upgrade the app---she stopped using it and went back to a CD--but was mad because it was a different CD player). We got google dot to work for a bit, but then she would tell it to play things with a limited time.  She also refuses ocean sounds--because ocean sounds make you pee.  (I get how the sound of a trickling stream may make you want to pee--but crashing waves---dear God, how forceful is your urine?)

So back to her freezing.  We got a nice little heater in there, with a thermostat and a timer.  Hubby went and turned “off” the vents--(these vents are from the 70s and they do not really close). One vent under the bed, the other behind the dresser.  Both I would have a really hard time getting to. 

Hubby and I came in the other night to help her with her sleep sounds again.  And he notices her vents are open full.  

First we asked her how---because with her balance---(We’ve had one fall since we’ve been Coronateened--thank GOD she didn’t hurt herself). So she’s like, of course I opened them---I didn’t have enough oxygen in here. 

Wait---her room is the largest room in the house---master bedroom with a door to the outside, windows, regardless--run out of oxygen--how do you run out of oxygen---she’s not in a sealed box. She continues to tell us that the oxygen runs out at night and she can’t breathe.  Hubby and I try not to laugh--explain she will never run out of oxygen in the air--and the air conditioner is not bringing in more oxygen. We ask her please, if she wants her vents opened or closed to come get us--because we really don’t want her falling.  (I still can’t figure out how she got them opened.)  This is the same woman who refuses to walk on grass--because she will fall and refuses to walk down the driveway--without someone watching her.  She’s riddled with these weird beliefs (it runs in the family--hubby’s sister is afraid to eat meat if the white and the dark meat have visibly touched).

Later, another time, I try to talk to her about her episodes at night and in the conversation explain they might be anxiety attacks she is feeling.  I ask her what has worked for her in the past for her anxiety attacks. Now this is the same woman who usually gets excited about being ill--but she hates that I use the word anxiety. 

MIL: I have never had an anxiety attack. I don’t have anxiety. 

Me: Ok, but didn’t you used to take Xanax daily? 

MIL: Yes. 

Me: Ok, why did you take Xanax daily?

MIL: That’s because I taught school and kids are stressful. 

Me: Ok, but didn’t your doctor just recently stop filling your prescription? Just in the last year?  (she’s in her 80s)

MIL: That’s because he said it’s not good for my health and I could fall.   (ok--I know kids are stressfull--but I’m pretty certain that you weren’t still stressed years after teaching---but I don’t go there.)

Me;  So was there anything else that you did to help when you were more stressed out?  I mention how she was doing well after starting Zoloft, but over the last couple of weeks she hasn’t been sleeping, she seems on edge,  maybe wanted to talk to the doctor about upping the dose.  (What I really want to tell her is I need you to get your anxiety in check, because it’s starting to set off my anxiety something awful.  We have had conversations about my anxiety it has helped opened up some discussion--and also that her 3 children all have it too.  i know some of this is people just didn’t talk about anxiety before---or I guess she didn’t?)

(this is the sweet lady that only gets mad at me---well and her oldest daughter. Before we moved in, I had never heard a harsh word--I knew she got mad at her oldest daughter, but since I have moved in---she really saves getting mad for me instead of her oldest daughter. her relationship has gotten better with her oldest---and I try to remember that when she gets mad---I would love for someone to be the buffer between me and my Mom, if this was my Mom, so I could enjoy having a better relationship.  My husband---the baby of the family and only son of an Italian family---he can do no wrong---still to this day.  If she is even slightly upset with him---she will still direct it towards me or his sisters)  I digress.  

MIL:   SHAUNA--- I HAVE HAD ANXIETY MY WHOLE LIFE, I just live with it. And I never needed more than under a mg of xanax---i’m already on 50 mg and that’s just too much medicine.  And I’ve never had an anxiety attack.  (ok---at least we have moved from never having anxiety---that was quick) 

(all who have known her feel like she took xanax more than once a day---she used to be zoned out and chill a lot--we have really wanted to see if edibles could help--I know I’ve seen some great things with the parkinson’s too---and if I am right---it could be a mixed bag with anxiety--becuase it can increase the paranoia---but maybe that’s a full edibile?---maybe the CBD only stuff?  I need to look into it more---we still live in the most strict---weed is bad state). But willing to help her too--if it will help. 

Me:  (I give up even trying to compare/contrast Xanax to Zoloft dosages.) Have you ever thought of deep breathing when you feel like there is no oxygen in the room?

MIL: That won’t work.

As this cycle of conversation contitued she opened up to hearing about breathing exercises, tells me about how she has used them before and used to have a CD on them,  and then was shocked again about the fact they could be on youtube.  

She’s always shocked we tell her she can find things on youtube.  We possibly always take it a bit too far hubby tells her how she can learn to make a pipe bomb or find naked old men to watch, if she wanted.  I can’t think of all the crazy things hubby tells her she could do on youtube. I’m surprised we haven’t had a visit from the governement. 

 She has learned to do her daily Parkinson’s workouts and other therapy through youtube. I also connected her with a therapist online (she swore she didn’t need one of those--but thank goodness for them.).  I will have to remember their name--great company and really reaching out to the elderly during this pandemic time.  But they seemed like a good company before this time---I’m glad. They also check in with the patient’s family members to see how they are doing and relay things back and forth and also help the children with their aging parent. 

Then we are back to square one---she doesn’t want help with anything---so showing her these breathing videos---that takes a couple more days. 

I forget how much time she takes.  And sometimes I just need a break, so me needing a break extends some of this time too. And how did you teach school, but also believe you can run out of oxygen in a large, ventilated room?  I get these worries aren’t logical---but sometimes they just hurt my brain. 

Rambling end for now. 

[noona-clock]

One of Those Days

Genre: AU/Fluff

Pairing: Yunhyeong x You

Warnings: None

Words: 2,282

It had just been one of those days.

Well, actually, it had all started last night.

When you’d gone to bed last night, you had connected your phone to the charging cable as you always did. You had set your phone on your nightstand as you always did. You turned the lamp off as you always did. And then you turned over to kiss your fiancé goodnight before snuggling against his chest to go to sleep.

So, on the surface, everything was the same as any other night.

The only difference was that the charging cord had been wiggled free from the plug, and your phone hadn’t charged all night.

You hadn’t noticed until you got to work, though, which would have been fine... if you hadn’t taken your charging cord home for Yunhyeong, your fiancé, to borrow just two days ago.

So, now you were stuck with a phone at 5% battery and no charging cable.

And to make things even worse, your boss asked you to meet with some of your co-workers at a different location, so you wouldn’t be able to access your email. Basically, you would be cut off from digitally communicating with anyone until you got home that evening.

As you rode on the subway to your assigned site for the day, you suddenly realized you hadn’t yet told Yunhyeong your phone was practically dead, so he wasn’t going to hear from you until later. The guy was a total worrywart, so you knew he would notice when you didn’t answer any of his texts throughout the day.

You slid your phone out of your pocket and navigated to your messages, quickly typing one to Yunhyeong to let him know that your phone was almost out of battery, and you would be away from your desk all day so there was no need to worry about you not replying to his messages.

A sigh of relief escaped your lips when you pressed send. You were now on 2% battery, so you had made it just in time.

But instead of the message showing up as delivered, a red exclamation mark appeared next to it.

Not Delivered, it read.

Not delivered.

Your eyes flitted up to the corner of your screen, and your heart sank. You should’ve known.

You were on the subway! Underground!

No service.

You kept trying, hoping maybe you would hit a pocket or something. But nothing. Every time you tried to re-send it, that red exclamation mark would pop up again.

Not Delivered.

The second the train saw the light of day, you rapidly pressed the Send button again... But it was too late.

Your screen went blank before your thumb had a chance to connect with it.

Oh, great.

Okay, hold on. Not all hope was lost just yet. You could use one of the office phones to call Yunhyeong and let him know --

Wait, never mind. You didn’t have his phone number memorized.

You let out a sigh as the subway train slowed to a stop; you knew Yunhyeong would worry, but... what could you do? You would just have to try not to think about it, though spending the day at another site would probably help with that. You had a lot to get done today, according to your boss, so... maybe your phone dying was really a blessing in disguise.

Maybe your phone dying was a blessing in disguise for you, but for Yunhyeong?

It was the opposite.

He first tried to text you around 9:30 that morning, which was pretty typical. He liked to send you little messages throughout the day letting you know he was thinking about you and he loved you. Sometimes you simply sent back some heart emojis (if you were pretty busy) and sometimes it spurred on a whole conversation about whatever was on your mind.

Today, he sent you a message saying Hope you have a good day, my love 💘 I can’t wait to see you when you get home!

Yunhyeong let out a soft, happy sigh after he pressed ‘Send,’ leaning back against the couch in your shared apartment. Since he was a cooking instructor/YouTuber (with his own cooking channel, of course), he got to spend quite a bit of time at home. He only taught a few classes a week, and he only filmed for his channel when he was making something delicious for you.

Usually, you replied back pretty quickly. Most of the time, you were just sitting at your desk, so your phone was right on hand. Every once in a while, you wouldn’t respond for about an hour, but you would always apologize profusely and tell him your boss had you running errands or something of the sort.

After about ten minutes, Yunhyeong figured today was one of those days. You hadn’t responded back or even read his message, so obviously, your boss was sending you all over the office to get things done.

So, he set his phone down on the coffee table and decided to get some cleaning done. By the time he was finished vacuuming the entire place, you would’ve responded.

Yunhyeong pushed himself off the couch and headed over toward the hall closet to retrieve the vacuum -- his precious, lovely vacuum. You’d given it to him for Christmas the first year after you’d moved in together, and that’s when Yunhyeong had officially, truly, absolutely, without a doubt known you were The One.

After he made his way through every room in the apartment, Yunhyeong turned the vacuum off and put it back in its home. He whistled quietly as he strolled back toward the living area, and when he reached the coffee table, he bent to pick up his phone.

When he turned it over... his brow furrowed. There was no reply from you. And when he navigated to his conversation with you, you still hadn’t even read it.

It was a bit odd, but he would try not to worry just yet...

Instead of worrying when there was probably no need, he decided to give the kitchen a good scrub down. He used it so much, he cleaned the place at least once a week, and now was as good a time as any for a proper, deep clean.

If anything, it would help keep his mind off of the fact you hadn’t yet read his message.

Once again, he set his phone down on the coffee table before turning and heading to the kitchen.

Over the next two hours, Yunhyeong cleaned just about every single inch of the entire kitchen. He mopped the floor, wiped down the counters, scrubbed the tile, de-greased the oven, dusted the cabinets, shined the cabinet handles, and he even cleaned out the fridge, freezer, and pantry.

It was bruising but satisfying work. And it had also successfully kept his mind off your absence...

Until now.

Yunhyeong brought one arm up and wiped his brow with his sleeve before shuffling back out to the living area. He could just picture picking his phone up and seeing at least five messages from you. His eyes would light up and a warm smile would tug at his lips when he read them.

He actually held his breath when he got to the coffee table, and he reached out for his phone. He almost hesitated to pick it up, but he knew you would’ve replied by now, so he went ahead and did it. He picked it up, brought it up to his face, and --

Still no message from you.

And, opening up the conversation, you still hadn’t even read his text.

Okay. It had been over three hours now. Something was wrong.

He knew it was totally fine for somebody to not respond to your texts right away, but... with you, it was a cause for concern. You always answered him within an hour, especially when you were at work. You always read his texts, and you always replied, even if you were mad at him for some reason. That’s just what your relationship was like. You genuinely liked talking to each other, in person or through text message, and if you just didn’t feel like reading or responding to his message... Well, it would be a first.

Yunhyeong couldn’t help but worry now.

He inhaled sharply before tapping on the screen and typing another message to you.

Everything okay, baby? Busy day at work?

He decided not to let you know he was already getting worried because it wouldn’t make you read his message any faster, would it?

With a sputtering sigh, Yunhyeong put his phone back down and...

Well, what else could he do? He decided to deep clean your bedroom.

He washed and changed the bedding, decluttered his closet, tidied up your vanity, wiped away the dust bunnies under the bed, cleaned the windows, straightened the pictures, and even dusted the blades on the ceiling fan.

Still no response from you.

Where are you? Did I do something to upset you? Please, just let me know you’re all right.

He scrubbed the bathtub, took a toothbrush to the grout, rearranged all of his skin and hair products under the sink, cleaned the mirror, washed the towels.

Still nothing.

He called you this time, his heart pausing when it went straight to voicemail.

“Hey, I’m getting really worried. I just need to know that nothing’s wrong. Please answer me back as soon as you can.”

Yunhyeong dusted the air vents, used a dryer sheet to clean the baseboards, steamed the couch cushions. He baked chocolate cupcakes, cooked up a pot of chili, brewed some coffee.

He did everything he could think of to take his mind off this. 

But then he realized... the whole apartment was clean. Dinner (and dessert) were ready for tonight. There was nothing more he could do... except wait.

It was now a little past the time you usually got home, which made Yunhyeong worry even more. What if you’d gotten into an accident on your way into work? Surely, he would’ve gotten a call from the police or the hospital, though, right?

What was going on, then?! Why hadn’t you read his messages or called him back all day?!

To be honest, by the time you arrived at your apartment door that evening (later than usual since you weren’t coming from your normal office building), you had kind of completely forgotten about the death of your phone?

But then you got out your key and remembered.

Yunhyeong was going to be a mess.

You quickly unlocked the door, swinging it open as your brow furrowed deeply in preparation for your lengthy and emphatic apology.

Unsurprisingly, Yunhyeong was pacing around the living area, clutching his phone in his hands. He paused when you entered, and the expression on his face immediately morphed into one of total and utter relief.

“Oh, my god,” he breathed as you hurried over to him.

“I’m so sorry,” you said, walking into his embrace and burying your face in his neck. “My phone died this morning, it didn’t charge last night, and my boss sent me to another location so I couldn’t email, and I don’t know your phone number so I couldn’t call, and I was so busy.”

Yunhyeong simply clutched you tightly to his chest, his hands gripping the fabric of your shirt.

“I’m sorry,” you repeated, hoping his silence wasn’t the beginning of a Silent Treatment.

“It’s okay,” he replied softly before moving to press his lips to your temple. “It’s not your fault. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

It was a relief to hear his voice, to hear he wasn’t angry. But, still, you knew you’d caused him a lot of grief today.

You pulled away slightly, reaching up and taking his face in your hands. You pressed your lips to his, and you almost immediately felt the desperation in his kiss.

“I’m okay,” you assured him, whispering against his lips. “I’m sorry, and I’m okay.”

Yunhyeong leaned his forehead against yours and let out a very deep sigh, his breath fanning over your lips and chin. “I wasn’t,” he replied. “But I am now.”

“I know, I’m so sorry. I knew you would be worried, and I tried to text you on the subway, but I didn’t have service and then my phone died before I got a chance. When I plug it in, I’ll show you -- the message I was trying to send is probably still there in the text box,” you told him, blindly reaching into your bag to retrieve your phone.

Your  fiancé quickly put his hand on your wrist to stop you.

“Don’t worry about it now,” he whispered. “You don’t need to prove anything. I’m just -- I’m glad you’re all right. That’s what matters most.”

You stood on your toes and kissed him once more, your brow furrowed deeply. You tried to convey just how much you loved him in your kiss, and Yunhyeong responded by holding you tightly, his thumb gently caressing the small of your back.

...But then you realized you smelled chili.

“Did you make dinner already?”

A slight flush colored Yunhyeong’s cheeks, and he smiled bashfully. “Yeah. You know I cook when I’m stressed.”

“And when you’re happy or sad or scared or angry or --”

“I made chocolate cupcakes, too!” he interrupted.

You gasped softly, your eyes widening as you grasped Yunhyeong’s arms. “Really?!”

“Really. You hungry?”

You didn’t even answer him. You simply grabbed his hand and dashed to the kitchen to fill up a bowl with his delicious chili.

...And get a cupcake for an appetizer.

[prorevenge]

Insult my girlfriend and refuse to pay your bills? Kick me out of my house? Hope y'all like fish!

So this happened a few years ago when I was just finishing my second year of university. I had an international student for a housemate who was a member of a load of different societies, we both worked to help pay for things. The way the bills worked was they sent me money every month and i'd pay the bills.

For about 3 or 4 months before the end of term HM (housemate) was trying to save up for a field trip to Tanzania, so he was working all sorts of overtime, he went there for like 2 months and didn't actually pay me any money at all from April - July.

I was working overtime whenever I could get it, but I was also going out a lot, in hindsight I probably could have been more careful with my money but If I wasn't being screwed left, right and center I would have been okay. He kept promising to pay his bills but every time I asked for the money he didn't have it. It was annoying as the bills had to be paid, so I just paid them, he promised to give me the money later on. In total he owed me about £300-400.

Around this time our previous landlord sold the house to LL (the new landlord), who was foreign and had very little idea of how UK tenancy law works, he would show up at the house at random times throughout the day to organise viewings, often showing up at 10pm or later without any notice. When he tried to get the tenancy agreement switched over he required another deposit, that I didn't have as I hadn't received my deposit back from the old landlord yet (I got the full amount) as well as having to pay my housemates bills on top of my own, and basically going out too much. I didn't feel bad about spending so much on nights out, I worked a lot on top of studying so I earnt the right.

I tried to explain to the landlord that I couldn't just come up with that kind of money on top of everything else, the academic year was winding down so all of my colleagues who were also students had lots of free time, and it was difficult to get a lot of overtime, I explained that I would have to wait to get my old deposit back before signing the new agreement (apparently you had to pay when you signed), which he agreed to. During this time he started letting the spare rooms out to his employees, and lo and behold he decided he wanted me out, giving me 10 days to vacate the property (Illegal, but whatever). My HM was friendly with the landlord (thanks to having enough money thanks to having rich parents to pay the deposit straight away, they would pay for anything directly related to housing like rent and deposits and I think a little bit to live on, but he had to work for anything else)

On a side note, the house was a state, we had an archaic heating system that pumped heated air through vents in the house and you had to punch the boiler to get it to actually turn on, the bathroom door handle was broken so you would often get locked in (The same thing happened in my bedroom early on in my tenancy when everyone else was out and I had to kick the door down to get out, which I reluctantly paid for) really dangerous shit like that.

I asked my housemate to give me the money for the final bill as I was moving out, and he hit the roof, he called me and my girlfriend fat, told us we were dirty etc, told me he was never going to give me the money. He went ballistic.

On top of this I had the utility companies breathing down my neck, as I said at this point in the year overtime was hard to get and I was only contracted to work 8 hours a week, On top of this most students went home during summer break but I didn't have contact with my parents so had no choice but to stay in the house over summer, meaning things were pretty tight to say the least (I worked in a cheap clothing store, in a town with several universities, so when 95% of students went home over summer the overtime would really dry up.

The atmosphere inside the house was extremely frosty for the last week or so of my tenancy, with HM and LL both acting like a pair of entitled bitches I decided I wanted to get some revenge.

On my way home from work I bought 3 whole fish from the reduced section at the local supermarket, as well as a couple of tins of sardines (in spring water for extra rot), and decided to get to work. I think I spent about £2 in total. I put fish in all sorts of places:

-Outside HMs bedroom window -In the loft hatch -Underneath the fridge -Hidden in the back of a cupboard, inside an old disused bread bin. -On top of a kitchen cupboard -Screwed the grill off the heating vent in my room and chucked one in there.

I tried to get them spread fairly evenly throughout the house so as to create a nice even stench.

And to top it off I unscrewed the dryer door switch, HM broke it because he used to kick the door closed and I ordered a new one from amazon months ago, I had no use for it but fuck him, it was mine. I still have it somewhere.

The day I vacated the house I was gathering up my stuff from the kitchen when I decided to see how the fish was getting on, so I simply opened the cupboard door.

sweet jesus how it stank It was eye wateringly bad, I could feel it in my throat.

I quickly closed the cupboard door and opened the back door and windows to get rid of the smell so I wouldn't be prematurely rumbled, finished packing and got the fuck out.

I never found out what happened or whether they even found all of the fish, I would assume that within another couple of days the house would have been absolutely stinking, but without any sort of formal tenancy agreement or contact details LL couldn't chase me up for it, his bad. I hope it was expensive to fix.

I like to think that every time they found a fish they would think they had solved the problem of the awful smell, only to have it remain and slowly get worse. HM only ever contacted me in relation to the dryer door, I told him to go fuck himself.

I had to pay some of the left over bills myself, but the electric company were the only ones willing to chase him up for the money, so he had to pay that too!

TL;DR piss me off, get fish

(source) story by (/u/AngryBipolar)

[the-gunslock]

Hiver 4 - North, part 2

This is the second of a 3-part story about Amanda and I. This one is about how one dinner changed my life.

The shipwright waits patiently for her friend, observing the multicolored dusk sky passing by. Her work for the day is done, her back and shoulders are sore, and she would like nothing more than to take a shower and spent a whole day off, being lazy. Which, well, she managed to schedule for the next one. The Hangar won’t implode because of her taking a day to herself. 

She hopes.

As she massages her thigh where her prosthetic leg connects, she hears steps frantically tapping the metal staircase above. She guesses it’s Hiver and beams at the excitement she always carries herself with. It’s kind of adorable, if she had to admit it.

It’s...

“‘S she like this with everyone?” Amanda thought to herself, realizing how busy she has always been to meet Hiver’s clan and friends.

Her question is left unanswered at the Warlock launches herself down into the metallic beam, barely bothering to hover down. She hits it with a CLANG, waving delightedly and jogging to Amanda’s position. She’s practically bouncing as she greets her crush.

“Ay Hiver. What crazy contraption d’you have for me to see?”

“None!”

“Oh, you found a good hand cannon you want to talk about? That’s fine too.”

“Wrong.”

“...Want me to hug you while you vent about horrible Crucible matches?”

“Three strikes, you’re out! No, I want you to come with me, Amanda.”

Amanda is out of ideas for answers. “Alright then”, she says, putting her palms up in ‘defeat’.

She gets up and holds on to the Warlock, who floats them out of the isolated metal beam. She is curious but at least Hiver’s body language shows it’s not something threatening. As they take the elevator from the Tower down to the city, she ponders over her friend.

It’s funny -- how genuine she was, specially for a Warlock. Most were methodical, or cynical. Rahool, Ikora, Asher Mir, all of them acted in such a way that it made her feel so small in comparison.

Sure, it caused conflicts between themselves too, but people who carried the task of guarding and acquiring knowledge had a way to make civilians (and sometimes even other Guardians) feel so belittled, even if they didn’t mean to. It kind of made them hard to hold a conversation, and the feeling of having to shut up and listen is incredibly frustrating.

Hiver, though... She was intelligent, yes. But also… approachable? Charming? Humane?

The human looked sideways at Hiver standing next to her in the Tower elevator. She had an innocent smile on her face and was bobbing her head side-to-side to some song she probably got stuck in her head.

Tender. Yes. Tender was the word Amanda looked for. A quality that made her a friend first and a Warlock second, in her heart. It was less about teacher and disciple, or Guardian and shipwright, and more about Hiver caring for her, and her helping Hiver. It wasn’t totally like helping other Guardians, though -- Hiver appeared to be going the extra mile to make sure she was doing okay, in between missions to save humanity from obliteration.

“Amanda? Let’s go.” Hiver says as the elevator doors open, summoning her sparrow and climbing on. Amanda holds on to her waist and they blaze into the illuminated streets of the City.

“Hiver, you never really told me where we’re going.”

“It’s a surprise. Hold on a little while longer.”

The ride is calm as Hiver takes care not to go too fast or crash into anything. Amanda takes this rare moment where she is on the backseat to appreciate the view of the people around living their lives, the many now-lively buildings that were rebuilt after the Red War, and the street lights passing them by. After a while, she just closes her eyes and buries her face on Hiver’s back, waiting for them to arrive at their destination.

They stop in front of a grassy plaza with artificial lakes, and Hiver pulls up to the opposite sidewalk.

“Amanda? We’re here.”

“Well, anytime ya want to tell me where “here” is and what we’re doing, feel free.” She says, both of them getting off of the Sparrow, leaving it to transmat away. Hiver motions for her to follow. They enter a building with a large, marble-stone lobby. Warm lights bring life to the place, the walls’ corners are lined with lively plants inside long wooden planters.

To the right are a bunch of couches and tables where people are going about their business, talking to each other, reading, eating a meal or working on their holo-tablets. To the left, a balcony with two frames, elegant black shells with white details and trimming. Behind them, intricate, gold and silver metal letters spelling “Luminosity Heights” in a cursive, fancy font.

“Greetings, Ms. Hiver! Welcome back!” One of them says from behind the reception desk.

“Hello, Siegfried, Roy! Authorize a guest, please.”

They quickly update some data on their workstations, and give both of them clearance. Hiver goes up to one of many turnstile doors containing an energy barrier and removes her gauntlets to place her hand on some sort of biometric panel. Once she is confirmed, she motions towards it in a “ladies first” manner and lets Amanda through.

Amanda starts to understand where they are. After the door they reach the vacant elevators and Hiver types the floor number. As they ascend, Amanda leans back against the opposite wall and takes in all of the luxurious, yet somewhat rustic scenery they just went through. The Warlock is straining to contain her excitement, but she just eyes her crush and smiles at her.

The elevator stops, its doors opening. They are now in a smaller room, with an intricate white vase containing a beautiful bouquet of white and blue flowers, sitting atop a black table with silver details. 

Hiver goes left and places her hand at another biometric scanner. “Ms. Holliday?” Hiver says, anxious for her reaction.

“It’s… Amanda, Hiver. What is it? What is this place anyway?” She says, a bit impatient from her tiredness.

The door to the apartment opens, letting the moonlight in from the windows at the end of the living room. The white lights turn on soon after the door is open.

“Welcome home.”

Amanda steps in, and takes off her boots. She is in awe of the cleanliness and the decoration Hiver picked for her place. It felt cozy, and peaceful. A nice place to come back to.

“Ahaha! This’s a fine place. It’s -- it’s awesome!”

“Trinity, play Pale Rider, please.” The Ghost obeys, counting “one, two” and starting to play old guitar chords. “Amanda, you can make yourself at home. I’ll take a bath, and then grab you a towel so you can shower.” Hiver says, before entering her bedroom and closing the door.

“Got it, girl.” Amanda answers, giving her a thumbs-up. She rests her body on the couch, spreading her tired legs and enjoying the western-like music Trinity is playing.

She is sitting on a brown, suede-ish couch with three seats with a tree-like floor lamp beside it. In the middle of this room is another black end table in the same style of the one in the lobby. Below the tabletop, many books about various subjects -- fictional stories, archives, journals -- are arranged, some of them untouched, others in a deplorable state; she imagines Hiver didn’t dare damage them further.

The walls are a clean white, adorned with some pictures neatly lined together; mostly simple paintings of plants, and some delicately made drawings of exotic revolvers framed behind anti reflective glass, including the currently lost Hawkmoon and First Curse.

As the song ends, Trinity goes to rest in a little red pillow Hiver got her.

On the wooden television stand, was a wide TV and what seemed to be a game console. Above it, she put up a shelf that displays miscellaneous sculptures of Guardians and enemy units -- particularly the Vex. Amanda remembers Hiver saying she was very afraid of Vex, even though she likes their aesthetics. Levitating on display were coin-like artifacts said to honor the Iron Lords, and two porcelain vases with devil’s ivy creeping down their sides.

Looking at the window on the left side, she sees a small reading nook by the three windows. It was a raised wooden section full of and moss green and beige cushions, easily accessible drawers under it. The walls above have some macrame vases hanging from them. It was big enough to fit two people, or three if they were sitting. Thin, linen curtains separated it from the rest of the living room, and the windows -- as Amanda went to inspect -- gave them a good view of the Last Safe City.

The apartment was not too high, but not too low either. Walking back to the couch, she spotted a marble-top island with chairs, and behind it was the kitchen part of the place. Amanda considers asking Hiver to make dinner. The last time she ate was over four hours ago.

After a while of hearing a hair dryer sound, she sits back on the couch and Hiver announces her presence again. “Back I am!” She says, carrying a towel for the shipwright, who took a moment to appreciate her outfit.

The Guardian had changed out of her robes and was now wearing a thin, white blouse with a black peter pan collar that exposed her slender shoulders with a little bow knot neatly tied under it. On her lower half was a deep blue, ankle-length skirt that shaped well to her hips and waved elegantly as she walked. She had traded her Annealed Shaper boots for much more comfortable black tights.

“Hey, looking good! You warlocks sure know how to be fashionable.” Amanda commented playfully, taking the towel in her hands. Hiver chuckles nervously and blushes.

“I-it’s nothing special. See, my bedroom is at the end of the hallway. There’s a shower there, right next to the door. If you want to borrow some clothes from my closet, you can do it too. They should fit and... I can wash your coveralls as well.”

Amanda throws the towel over her shoulder. “Alright, thanks! Listen, don’t wanna be a prick, but… can I eat something after I’m done? ‘S been some hours since I last ate.”

“Of course! I was planning on making us dinner anyway. No need to rush and, if you need anything else, all you have to do is ask.” Hiver answers happily before disappearing into the kitchen to look for ingredients. Amanda rolls her eyes and smiled at to the Awoken’s housewife-like behavior and wanders to the bathroom.

Everything there was also clean, but made from a grey granite to contrast with the whiteness of the other rooms. The mirror was relatively large and plain, and on the corner of the bathroom was a bluish stained glass shower box with a tub if she so chose to use it.

Amanda stripped herself off her clothes and tools, leaving them on top of the toilet seat to collect later. Locating Hiver’s care products to use, she also spots a small sliding window with three very small vases on them, waiting to be occupied. One of them housed a small sapling; Amanda turned on the shower and smiled, reminding herself to ask Hiver to show what grows from it.

After a much-needed cleansing of her pale, greased skin (Made much more satisfactory by the ludicrous amount of skincare products Hiver has) and some massaging to help her soreness, the human stepped out of the shower and, while she dried off, she had to pick something to wear.

Not wanting to think too much about it, she picked out a random black set from Hiver’s underwear drawer and put it on quickly. Surprisingly, they don’t differ much in bra size. She considers it lucky.

Now, for clothes, she examined every piece carefully, time and again taking them for a closer look. The guardian appeared to prefer comfortable and clean-looking clothes, probably a byproduct of her wearing armored robes and trench coats all the time.

As the shipwright tries on a red sweater that falls off her shoulders, she feels a smell coming from the kitchen. ‘Tomato?’ she guesses, which caused her stomach to express its anger even more. She chose a pair of white cottony pants to go with the sweater and grabbed her things from the bathroom, bringing them to Hiver.

Getting to the island, she sees a plate with steaming hot… toast? Covered with layers of tomato, then melted cheese, and… some herb? Probably a spice… Amanda has never seen something like this.

“Hey Amanda.” Hiver says, not taking her eyes off the kitchen counter. “Help yourself. I’m almost done.”

“Wait, done with what?”

“Dinner.” The warlock responds, shrugging and smiling smugly at her confusion.

“Isn’t this dinner?”

“That’s an appetizer. Or… an entrée, as Ada would say.” She sprinkles grated parmesan cheese over the meal she’s making. Amanda sits down, setting her clothes aside and taking one of the toasts, biting into it and closing her eyes to analyze the taste better. It’s…

“Delicious...” She blurts out without thinking, eyes shining. The Awoken girl smiles in pride while putting the main course in the pre-heated oven, then walking over, juice jar in hand, to take a seat next to her crush. It’s been forever since she’s had a meal with someone.

She picks up a Bruschetta. She doesn’t know the name of it, just the recipe, but she was determined to find out. “We Warlocks don’t just search for Golden Age relics, you know?” She takes a bite out of it, enjoying its salty flavor. She could tell she had done it just right and was happy about it.

“So…” Amanda starts, in the middle of her second Bruschetta. “When did you get this place?” Hiver pours them both a cup of juice.

“This morning, after some days of dealing with bureaucracy and killing stuff to get Glimmer. I got it with most of the furniture, so the price got a little… saltier.” She looks at her kitchen, happy to have a place to call hers. “Still, beats living out of my ship or in Old Earth’s cold, dead debris.”

Amanda nods, mid-chewing a half of the bread, and then swallows. “I’m happy you got it, Hiver. It’s pretty cozy, and… very you, if that makes sense. It’s not bland, but it’s not super fancy-pantsy either. It has a nice feeling to it.” She continues eating the other half as she recalls the sense of style of other Warlocks she met.

Particularly Brother Vance.

“I did my best in making this place presentable to you… but this is not all I have to show, though.”

“My, my, aren’t we full o’ surprises today?”

They hear a ding coming from the counter, conveniently, as the bruschettas are almost over. Hiver’s kitchen counter, shaped like a chicken that she painted a little spades symbol on, has gone off indicating the meal is ready.

“Just be patient.” Hiver says while putting on oven mitts and pulling it out of the oven. Amanda notes that it looks like a… tomato sauce mess. Putting it on their plates, they get to eating.

“Boy, do you like tomato. Not that I’m complaining.” The freckled girl pushes the sauce away from her food, revealing pasta and fried steak.

“Villages around found a way to grow them… really fast. And they’re healthy. You say to-may-to, I say make sauce with it. And everyone’s happy.” Hiver replies with a smile, garnering a laugh from her human friend. They eat the rest of it in silence.

After the main course, Amanda is still curious to see what Hiver has to show her, hurrying her up in an almost coquettish way. Hiver goes to her storage and pulls out one of the Dragon Fruits she was given in the Old Texas frontier.

“Amanda… is this here familiar to you?” She says, bringing it back to Amanda. She gasps, her expression changing completely; Her face is one of shock, her eyes widening immediately. She presses her lips together and takes the pink, prickly fruit in her hands with utmost care, examining it thoroughly, as if it were some sort of jewel. Hiver could sense some change, but not identify if it was good or bad.

The Awoken silently motions to have it back, grabbing a knife from her utensil drawer and opening the fruit to expose its white flesh. She proceeds to cut and push cubes out of the flesh so that she may serve it and give them to Amanda, who is visibly trying to hold herself together, hands with fingers intertwined pressing against her forehead and her thumbs supporting her brow ridge.

“Amanda?” Hiver says, pushing a plate of pitaya towards her. She picks a cube of the fruit and, as soon as she slowly finishes eating it, tears start rolling down her face uncontrollably. She then downs another. And another, and another, each of them bringing a stronger wave of emotion than the last.

Hiver watches silently, holding back her impulse to hold the woman and never let go. She had made it. It was the fruit. And more than that, a part of Amanda’s childhood.

She finishes the fruit, pushing away the plate, and lowering her head to continue sobbing. Hiver starts rubbing her back in an attempt to give her some comfort.

“Do you want a hug?” She offers.

Amanda silently gets up and quickly holds her friend, crying as quietly as she can -- which isn’t much -- on her shoulder. Hiver hugs her back, rubbing the back of her head, and they stay like this for some full minutes, before Amanda regains some of her composure and manages to stumble towards the couch, wiping her tears away.

“How…” She hiccups.

“Eva’s book.”

She turns to look at Hiver. “And… and where did you…”

“Let me grab you some water, this is gonna take a while.”

Hiver then proceeds to wipe Amanda’s tears off and explain her expedition to Old Texas.

“I see…” Amanda says, starting to feel better. Hiver reaches over and softly wipes away her tear trails. “Thank you.”

“I figured it would make you happy.” Hiver says, smiling shyly.

“It did. More than ya know.” The blonde is finally back to smiling, and leans her head on Hiver’s shoulder, sending her into a flustered panic. She can’t let it show. “Sorry Hiver… it’s… it’s late. All that cryin’s made me pretty tired.”

“Want to sleep here?”

“Been too much of a pain already. I should go.”

Hiver sighs. “Amanda, it’s more than a pleasure to be around you. Don’t think you’re bothering me, especially because I was the one who brought you here and did everything I could to make you feel welcome. D’you like this place? Do you want to stay?”

Amanda is a bit taken aback by her friend’s seriousness. “Yeah… it’s good to have someone other than me at home, if I’m being honest.”

“Then please,” Hiver wraps an arm around Amanda’s shoulder, holding her close. “Stay.”

The shipwright revels in the warmth of her friend’s embrace, slowly letting go of the half-painful nostalgia the felt earlier, and smiling softly as she started to doze off. She feels relieved. Before wandering off, the human girl manages to mutter one last sentence, giving Hiver just as much happiness as she caresses her crush’s shoulder with her fingertips.

“‘Kay. I’m stayin’.”

She feels at home.

[hazzasgayvodka]

7 * PUZZLE PIECES * 7

Impact: Chapter 7

Chapter title song: Puzzle Pieces - Saint Motel

HARRY

I wake up to the light pouring in the curtains and look beside myself to see her thoroughly cuddled into my side. It got cold last night which prompted me to grab her an extra blanket from the linen closet in the bathroom around three in the morning when she shook me awake to complain. Of course I suggested that she just snuggle up to me but she only rolled her eyes and stuffed another pillow between us. Now, her legs are intertwined with my own and her cheek is resting against my chest, her arm lazily draped across my stomach.

Her hair is nearly golden in the light, the usual dark red color nowhere to be seen due to the sun already high in the sky, beating down on us. She stirs in her sleep with her eyebrows furrowed together, mumbling something about sweating to death.

"Jesus Christ it's hot in here, did you turn the heat up to ninety?" She complains, turning over on top of me and suddenly coming within two inches of my face.

Her eyes open and adjust to the scene in front of her. The horrified look on her face when she realizes she's been sleeping on top of me feels like a punch in the gut. She scoots away from me completely, stuffing the forgotten pillows back between us before getting up and shoving on her slippers. She's already shivering as she walks to the door and I realize I must radiate some serious heat if she was complaining about being hot two minutes ago.

"Morning to you too." I huff, getting out of bed and shoving my legs through a pair of cotton pants.

I follow her out to the kitchen where Louis and Sam are already cuddling on the couch with bowls of cereal in their hands, laughing at some reality TV show nearly blaring this early in the morning. She meets Niall in the kitchen and asks where the cereal is so she can pour herself a bowl and I shove past her to the coffee pot to pour myself a cup.

She won't even meet my eyes as she stands there shivering, taking the box of cocoa pebbles from Niall and dumping them into a bowl.

"Well I'm glad someone else in this house has a brain in their head," Niall laughs, "Those two over there said they hated cocoa pebbles and opted for cheerios. Who the fuck eats cheerios?"

"I do, Nate." I laugh, grabbing the cheerios and pouring myself a bowl before cutting up a banana to put on top.

Jess takes a seat at the breakfast bar, shivering as she stuffs her mouth with cereal. I sigh and walk around the corner to the thermostat and bump it up a few degrees. I grab my cereal and elect to stand and eat it while I drink my coffee, knowing that if I sit next to her she'll start an argument.

"So, what's the plan today roomie, we've got literature in an hour." I smile, leaning against the cabinet behind me.

"I guess you're driving." She sighs, nodding her head towards the windows in the living room.

I glance outside to see everything covered in a thin veil of ice. October seems to be a little early for snow, but it looks like it's only a dusting of snow on the ground, not nearly enough to hinder any driving. It'll probably melt by noon.

"Sounds good to me," I shrug, putting my empty cereal bowl in the sink, "what class do you have after literature?"

"Government." She answers through a mouthful of cocoa pebbles.

"What time does that get out, so I can drive you home?"

"Three thirty," She mumbles, "but you don't have to pick me up, I can get Jace or-"

"I'll be there."

I finish off my coffee and put my mug in the sink, electing to grab a shower before someone else occupies the bathroom. I close the door behind me, setting my clothes on the counter and grab my toothbrush from the cup with hers. I brush my teeth without paying much mind, moving her face wash and makeup remover out of the way so they don't get toothpaste on them.

I start up the shower and step inside, welcoming the hot water when I hear the door open. I'm mid washing my hair when the sound of a blow dryer starts up and scares me half to death.

"Jess is that you?" I ask, peeking my head out of the shower.

"Yeah, we've got class in an hour I have to get ready. I was trying to be polite and let you have the bathroom but you're taking too damn long." She shrugs, turning back to the mirror as she straightens her hair.

"What are you doing that for? Your hair looked fine."

"No it didn't, it was a frizzy mess from your two-in-one shampoo monstrosity." She huffs, finishing the top layer of her hair with the flat iron.

I roll my eyes and duck back into the shower, rinsing my hair. I'm ready to turn the shower off and she's still in here. I lean back out of the shower curtain to see her carefully putting mascara on.

"Alright you gotta go, I'm done." I huff, turning off the water.

"Just wrap up before you get out." She groans, tossing me my towel, "I'm in the middle of doing my eyeliner."

I sigh and put the towel over my head, drying my hair before giving my whole body a once over and wrapping the towel around my waist.

"Toss me my tshirt." I say, pointing to the black shirt on the counter.

She laughs, picking it up and handing it to me, "What is it? Worried I won't be impressed?" She mocks.

"Actually, it's fucking cold." I huff, snatching it from her hand and tossing it over my head before stepping out of the shower and grabbing my shit on the way to my bedroom.

I sit in my bedroom waiting for her to come out of the bathroom for what feels like an eternity. She finally appears in jeans and a maroon sweater that nearly matches her hair. She passes me to her suitcase to grab her boots and shove them on her feet.

"Ready?" She asks, looking up from smoothing her shirt.

"I am, you're not. Where's your jacket?" I ask, gesturing to her outfit.

"I only brought hoodies."

"So, put one on." I shrug.

"They're like pajamas I don't wear them out places." She whines as if it's a common fact.

"Fine, grab one out of my closet and let's go." I say, standing from my bed.

"I'm not wearing one of your jackets." She complains.

"Well you're not gonna freeze your ass off and then beg me for mine later." I huff from the doorway.

She rolls her eyes as she shuffles through my closet and grabs my favorite black leather. She slides it over her shoulders and it fits her in the best ways. I have to pull my eyes away from her as she zips it up to her chin and pulls her jeans up on her hips before meeting me in the doorway.

"Come on, loser." She groans, grabbing my hand and dragging me behind her.

As soon as we're outside she's back to shivering and begging me to unlock the car so she can get in. I laugh as I press the unlock button and she climbs inside less than gracefully. She turns the heat on full blast and angles all of the vents towards herself.

"And you weren't going to put on a jacket." I tease her, and I see her glare at me out of the corner of my eye.

She shakes her head at me and I decide to turn up the radio to drown out the silence between us. She seems to appreciate this and heaves out a sigh of relief when the music floods the speakers in the car. I pull into the parking in front of the literature hall and she's shoving the car door open before I've barely had a chance to turn off the engine.

God she's impossible.

I'm starting to regret offering to pick her up from her next class as I follow her into the building and enter the lecture hall. I nod to Jason at the front of the classroom and he smiles, raising his eyebrows at me and Jess. I shake my head, rolling my eyes at his obvious assumptions and take the seat next to her.

Jason calls me down to him and I tell Jess I'll be right back to which she waves me off and mumbles a 'whatever'. I stand from my seat and join him at the front of the hall, leaning on his desk. He's smirking at me, looking between me and Jess who's still sat a few rows up.

"What?" I groan.

"Nothing." He laughs, shaking his head.

"Come on mate, spit it out." I huff, growing impatient with his bullshit this early.

"Who is she?" He asks, nodding to Jess who averts her eyes from us as soon as I look up to see her.

"She's uh," I wonder aloud, my eyes staying glued to her, "she's just a girl, a friend." I correct myself.

"A friend?" He asks incredulously.

"Yes, I have friends Jason." I laugh.

"Just a friend who happens to be very obviously wearing your jacket." He smirks, eyeing me.

"She was cold." I sigh defensively.

"Cold getting off your couch this morning?"

I turn back around to look at him, his eyebrows raised in anticipation for my response, but I only shake my head and laugh.

"My bed," I correct him, "but all we did was sleep, we're friends Jason."

"Harrison Styles is friends with a woman?" He ponders aloud, "That's a first."

JESS

I try to force my eyes to drift elsewhere but somehow, they always land on him and his stupid head of unruly hair. Jason's nearly matches but it's blonder and straighter, reaching all the way down to his collar bones. He's much more handsome than the average literature professor with his dark brown eyes and tan skin; the girls eat it up.

"Alright everyone, take your seats, take your seats." Jason says as he makes his way back to the front of the room and takes a seat on the edge of his desk again. I spot Harry making his way to his seat next to me, but I make an effort to pay him no mind.

Jason grabs a yellow scrunchie off the corner of his desk and ties his hair up in a bun. I realize more about him the longer I look at him. His cream-colored button up shirt is wrinkled and his black jeans are much too skinny for a college professor. His converse are grey but I can tell that they used to be white. There's even a small silver stud through his lip. Since when do esteemed colleges like Easton let guys like this teach majoring classes?

"Alright everyone, let's get started on explaining this course," He smiles, "This is Literary Arts, not English. We are here to learn about literature and the devices that make up the greatest works in history. We will be studying famous literature in many languages, across many cultures, all across the world. I want to broaden your horizons and truly make you feel something. I hope that by the end of this class you will have your favorite literary work that truly resonates something within you. It doesn't matter the language it's in or the culture it represents, all that matters is how it makes you feel."

He goes on to tell as that we will be keeping a journal that helps us write out our thoughts, especially when we're analyzing literature, so we can truly dissect it and what it means to us. The journal itself is fifty percent of our grade which makes me and nearly everyone else in the room almost choke on the air for a second.

Jason laughs and decides to stand, grabbing a clipboard off his desk and turning back to us. I can tell he has something up his sleeve for the first day when I notice the devious smirk on his face.

"Alright, one last thing and then you'll all be free to go," He smiles, looking up from scribbling something on his clipboard, "you will all have a semester project and it starts today. Each of you will have a partner and it is your job to get to know your partner as much as you possibly can. After you get to know them, you will create a presentation to describe your partner to the class in any way you see fit."

At this, the class begins to bustle with chatter about ideas for projects and partners. Jason calms the class back down with a chuckle, "Oh, and one more thing, I've already assigned the partners."

The class goes silent after a chorus of sighs and Jason delightfully begins reading the partner assignments. I listen intently for my name as people sigh heavily, roll their eyes, and make their way to the door in disappointment. Soon, the class is nearly empty and I'm looking between the two girls also sat in my row and the son of a bitch sitting right next to me.

"Kasey and Emily, and finally, Jess and Harry." Jason smiles profoundly, finally looking up from the clipboard to meet my eyes and then to Harry to see him already standing from his chair.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." Harry groans as he walks to the front of the desk.

My heart sinks in my chest knowing that I'll be spending the first semester of my favorite class trying to understand exactly who Harry Styles is. But even more maddening is his sudden distaste for me after arguing over picking me up from my next class. I don't understand how he can go completely 180 in a matter of seconds.

"Oh, Jess, did you need something?" Jason asks looking over to me, standing perfectly still in thought on the stairs.

"Oh I, um, no." I stutter, continuing down the stairs and trying not to trip over my dazed feet.

"Alright, I'll see you later then." Jason smiles.

I turn around one last time before walking out the door to see him looking right at me with that stupid lip ring pulled between his teeth. My eyes divert to the clipboard held in Jasons hands as he turns to talk to Harry. My eyes narrow in on the last set of names, Jess and Harry, scratched down in pencil rather than neatly printed like the rest of the names. Further up the page I see two other names scribbled out and the names across from them circled. He put us together on purpose.  

I turn back around quickly, not daring to look at him again but instead wondering why on Earth Jason would think putting me and Harry together was such a great idea.

HARRY

At three twenty-seven I'm sitting outside the social studies building in my car waiting for her walk outside. As soon as the flood of students starts to appear from around the corner I pull up next to the sidewalk and unlock my car doors. I blast the heat on seeing her shivering her way over here hoping the car is warm enough despite me starting to sweat.

She sees me and I stupidly wave, making her roll her eyes and say goodbye to her friends, probably complaining about our project together or just me in general.

She opens the door and climbs inside, dropping her bag in the floor board. She's not even buckled before I'm pulling away from the curb to get home.

"What's up with you today?" She asks, looking up to meet my face but I don't take my eyes off the road.

"Nothing, you?" I say plainly.

"Oh, shut up, you're pissed, why?" She huffs.

"I'm just fucking peachy, dollface."

I feel her eyes on me as she glares, folding her arms across her chest in defiance of my nickname for her. Who would've thought that dollface would be the one to stick?

"That's exactly what I'm talking about-"

"Okay, fine, you want to know what's wrong? I'm bending over backwards for your bullshit, driving you places and letting you stay at my place and eat my food and you can't even be civil with me." I shout, turning to gauge her reaction as I come to a stop at a red light.

She looks like a dear in the headlights, clearly taken aback by my sudden outburst. I know what I said was harsh and as I think about it, I wonder if it's what I truly wanted to say or if it's more than that.

"I'm sorry," She mutters, "I guess I just get defensive around you, you have to admit you haven't been completely civil with me either."

"It's fine-"

"How about we just start over?" She suggests, cutting me off, "Maybe try to be friends?"

"What?"

I turn to look at her to see her sat with her hand outstretched, gesturing for me to shake it. I sigh and take it in my own, shaking it gingerly.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Jess Lawson, and you are?" She says overly politely.

"Harry Styles, it's been a pleasure dollface." I smirk, taking my hand away from hers.

She scowls at the nickname, rolling her eyes as she sits back against her chair and turns up the radio to fill the newly silent air between us.

"I really need to call Jace and make sure we're okay." She thinks aloud, running her hand through her curly hair.

"Oh, come on, that twat?" I huff, looking over to see her glaring at me, "I thought I just assumed his old position as your best friend." I tease her, hoping to recover from my previous comment.

She laughs, grinning up at me before slumping back in her seat. She takes out her phone and scrolls through her contacts, landing on his before turning her phone back off and putting it away.

"What do new friends do with each other?" She sighs, looking over at me.

"Hmm," I think aloud, "coffee? Share secrets? Oh, I've got it, braiding each other's hair."

"Cute," She quips sarcastically, "but really, we're supposed to get to know each other for this project."

"That project isn't due for half a year." I groan.

"You're supposed to track changes in character, it's not really a 'cram it together in one night' kind of presentation, Styles." She laughs, letting her head lay back against the seat.

"I don't think I could put together a project in one night with the information I've already gathered, I'm going to need every day he's given us, you're a walking jigsaw puzzle, dollface."

[sfgooglebooks]

The Sergeant's Christmas Mission by Joanna Sims

"Do I need to sign a new lease or are you giving me notice?" Shane asked. His previous landlady, Ginny Martin, had passed away and his lease had expired while her will was in probate. There was a shortage of housing in Bozeman, Montana; if he got kicked out of his apartment, he would most likely have to return to Sugar Creek Ranch, his family's cattle spread.

Rebecca, who held her body stiffly and had an anxious, worried look hovering in her eyes, glanced over her shoulder at her two boys before answering.

"I'm not here to kick you out," she told him. "I thought we'd see how it goes until the end of the month. Aunt Ginny always spoke so highly of you."

"All right." Shane nodded with a deadpan expression that didn't reflect his relief. It looked like, at least for now, Ginny was still looking out for him.

"I have to get my boys to school." She glanced at her phone to check the time. "We're running late. As usual."

"Okay. Well. Nice meetin' ya." Shane opened his door, about to walk back inside and get back to the business of finding a beer and lying back down on the couch, when Rebecca stopped him.

"Wait." She waved her hand at him. "This wasn't a social call."

Rebecca jogged over to the spot where her sons had been waiting for her, picked up the squirming kitten, and headed his way with her two boys following along behind her.

Great, Shane thought. I threw one back and four jumped into the boat.

"We found this poor little kitten under the front porch this morning." Rebecca held up the wiggly, bedraggled kitten for him to see. "Is it yours?"

Shane got within three feet of the scraggly black-and-white kitten and started to sneeze.

"No." He shook his head. He had always been highly allergic.

"Then we can keep him," the younger of the two boys said to his mom.

"I'm sorry, Caleb," Rebecca said in a soft, but firm, tone. "We can't.”

She handed the older boy the keys to the car. "Carson, you and your brother wait for me in the car. I'll be right there."

The kitten was making a high-pitched cry and Shane had a feeling the little creature was hungry, thirsty, and missing its mom.

"I'm not sure what to do with him." Rebecca tried, unsuccessfully, to soothe the kitten. "I can't just lock him up in the house. I don't have a kitty box or food. Is there a shelter in town? Do you know?"

She talked so fast that Shane couldn't figure out when he was supposed to respond. That high-pitched crying noise was making his headache worse. While he was trying to figure out a solution to the problem, the kitten finally managed to twist out of Rebecca's hands; the moment it hit the ground, the kitten bolted through the crack in his front door, into his house.

"Oh!" Rebecca exclaimed. "I'm so sorry! I'll go get him."

The last thing he wanted was for his new landlady, who held the fate of his address in her hands, to venture into his dungeon. No one went in there and that's how he liked it.

"No." Shane blocked her path. "You're late. Get your boys to school. I'll catch the kitten."

"Catch?" She had turned away, paused and turned halfway back to him, the expression on her face concerned.

"Not in a mean way. I'm allergic." He tried to reassure her. "But I love all animals."

Rebecca hesitated for a moment longer, appearing to be conflicted. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." He frowned at her, not liking how distrustful she was of him. "I've got this."

She thanked him, seemingly relieved to have a solution for the kitten, and without glancing back at him, jogged toward the carport on the other side of the house.

Shane scratched his long beard with a yawn as he shut the front door of his house.

"Damn." The soldier stood in his galley kitchen, noticing, as if for the first time, how truly messy his small garage apartment had become. It was a dump. And it smelled.

On his way to the living room, Shane picked up the clothing and trash on the floor. If the kitten wanted to remain hidden in this disaster zone, he could do it. The first thing he really needed to do was get some light into the place. So Shane did something that he hadn't done in months - he opened the curtains and let the sunlight in.

Balls of dust were kicked up into the air when he yanked open the curtains. Coughing, Shane waved the air in front of his face. Dust was going up his nose and into his throat. After he got his coughing under control, Shane began the task of finding the kitten.

He'd always had horrible allergies, and now, with the dust stirred up and a kitten on the loose, he was sneezing one sneeze after another.

"Quit it!" Shane snapped, frustrated at his own nose. He grabbed a roll of toilet paper out of the bathroom, knowing that a box of tissues hadn't entered his apartment ever, and blew his nose every couple of minutes while he tried to find the kitten.

He searched the living room, picked up the trash as he went. The kitten wasn't there. Shane made a second cursory inspection of the tiny bathroom before he headed into his cramped bedroom. He tried to flip on the single overhead light, but then realized that the bulb had burned out sometime last month. Or maybe it was the month before that.

"Recon." He spoke to his companion. "You haven't seen a renegade kitten, have you?"

Shane tried to open the curtain covering the window in the bedroom. When it didn't move, he yanked a little too hard and the entire structure, curtain and curtain rod, crashed onto the ground at his feet.

More dust sprayed into the air, making Shane cough and sputter. "Damn it!"

This day was not going according to his usual plan. He should still be sleeping off his hangover, not worrying about a stowaway kitten.

Shane used a dirty T-shirt he found on the floor to wipe his eyes and his face. Then he balled up the T-shirt and threw it back down on the floor. Recon had lifted his head and was watching him curiously. That was when Shane noticed that his canine companion was harboring the kitten.

"Recon." The ex-soldier walked over to the side of the bed he rarely used. "Didn't I just ask you about this kitten?"

The kitten was curled up tightly in a ball between Recon's legs. The only way the kitten could have gotten up onto the bed was if Recon had put the kitten in his mouth like a chew toy and lifted him.

"Look, buddy. Don't get attached. You hear me?" Shane stared at the odd pair. "That kitten's not staying."

But, when he reached his hands out to take the kitten from the safe haven, Recon growled. Recon never growled at him.

"What was that?" Shane asked, surprised. He pulled his hands back.

Recon rested his head on his paws, providing complete cover for the sleeping kitten.

The soldier stood by the bed, stumped by his dog's behavior. Recon was acting as if he was protecting a favored toy. Recon had always been friendly to cats and kids; he looked big and scary, but he was a sweet dog. But he'd never adopted a kitten before.

"Listen to me, Recon. I'm going to clean up and then I'm coming back for that kitten. So be prepared." Shane pointed his finger at Recon with a sneeze. "You can't keep him."

"I really appreciate you trying to fix this for me," Rebecca said. "My sons make a ton of laundry."

"Boys tend to do that." Shane pulled the dryer from the wall.

"Yes, they do."

Before he opened the back of the dryer, Shane pulled the discharge line - the large silver tube hooking the dryer to the vent - out of the wall. "Well, here's some of the problem."

"Oh, my gosh." Rebecca peeked over his shoulder. "Is that all lint in there?"

"It's packed." Shane began to pull the tightly packed lint out of the line.

"You know, I had a brand-new front-loading washer and dryer, but I sold them because there was a washer and dryer listed in the will. I had no idea that they were the same washer and dryer that Aunt Ginny had when I was a kid."

"Your aunt liked to hang on to things, that's for sure." The memory of Ginny brought a brief smile to his face.

Shane sneezed several times, and once the discharge line was unclogged, he pulled some tissues out of his pants pocket and blew his nose. He was still sneezing from Top and his eyes were driving him nuts because they were so itchy.

"Is that from the lint or the kitten?"

He sneezed again. "I've never been allergic to lint."

"Shane."

"Yeah?"

"Have you seen your eyes?"

"No." He blew his nose again. "But they itch like crazy."

"They are swollen. And red."

"That explains it, then." Shane pushed the dryer sideways so he could remove the back.

"I'm going to get you some over-the-counter allergy medicine. I always have some on hand because of Carson."

"No need to bother." He knelt down by the dryer. Rebecca heard him, but ignored him. She disappeared into the house while he unscrewed the back of the dryer.

Once the back was off, Shane was sure he'd found a second cause of the problem. He had cleaned a large ball of lint out of the discharge line connection that was located inside of the dryer when Rebecca returned.

"That's disgusting," she exclaimed. "How has this dryer not caught on fire?"

"Luck."

"Here - take these. Generic Benadryl."

Shane decided to just go along with Rebecca; she had that motherly look on her face and he knew better than to fight those instincts.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Hi."

Shane was in the middle of a sneezing fit when Rebecca showed up at his door. Top had been home for a couple of weeks and one of her favorite places to sleep was curled up in the space between his shoulder and neck. He tried many different sleeping configurations - Recon and the kitten in the living room and him in the bed, or Recon with him in the bed - but nothing worked. Someone was unhappy unless they were all together. So Shane had given up and given in, and the kitten got to sleep where she wished. And he just dealt with the sneezing and swollen, itchy eyes. It wasn't the worst thing he'd ever dealt with in his life.

"Hi." He sneezed again.

"Bless you."

"Thank you."

“Kitten?"

He nodded as he blew his nose.

Rebecca showed him a pile of papers in her hand. "I have the new lease for you to review and sign."

He nodded. "Come on in. I'll look it over and sign it now."

Rebecca handed him the papers and immediately dropped to the ground on her knees to show Recon and the kitten some attention. Shane sat down on a bar stool at the small kitchen bar and began to read over the lease. It was standard - no real surprises. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Top turn upside down in front of Rebecca, her black-and-pink paw pads up in the air, batting a feather toy the landlady was holding.

"Top! You've already gotten so big!"

Shane hadn't expected it to happen so quickly, but he had fallen in love with that little rascal of a kitten. Yes, he had to load up on boxes of tissues and allergy medicine, but he didn't mind. Top was the funniest, sweetest little soul he'd ever encountered. And Recon and the kitten were best friends.

[x123456789b]

I have just this minute received this letter. The Council claim £1266pm from the social fund for the property. I have no control over it. I think this is one of those where they can evict you within 30 days. I think Sarah Miran might be the most appropriate person to send this to. The Council's offices are still closed to the best of my knowledge. I think it would be preferable to deal with the Mafia.

Dear M (letter that I referred to)

Thank you for the information. I spoke to the estate agents who control these properties and the girl I spoke to confirmed two criminal offences in a two minute telephone conversation. I pressed redial to get her back and the line went dead. I have never experienced anything Lewisham Council does not to be a scam, illegal or criminal. This is a matter for the minister.

I received a phone call from Willow, the agents responsible for this property, on Monday. We made an appointment for somebody to come and look at the damage that I reported for 4o'clock Tuesday. There wasn't any actual damage to the property though the handle of the door appears loose. She said that if I wasn't in they had a key. I was here all afternoon and nobody came. She said they had and they had knocked on the door but there was nobody in. I found my front door unlocked and my tiny window beside it open when I'd locked it. They are very welcome to say they attempted to enter the property illegally. She asked me when they could come again and not to worry if I couldn't be here because they have a key. I am painfully aware that they have a key because I keep finding my door unlocked. That is why I padlock it. I need to discuss with the ombudsman or the arbitration this issue because, not only are they unlawful but we're living in a pandemic and I never know who's been in my premises or for what purpose. I reported that my chronic fatigue is pretty bad and I couldn't give her a date and she said she'd call back Friday. She said they hadn't received my letter with my receipts. Funny how they never lose the things which they find useful.

I reported that there was damp in the property when I moved in as well as mice which come in from the cooker vent outside and since the fire in the adjoining building there was extra damp in areas where it was clear before. The whole of the downstairs needs doing and that's not going to happen with me here. They promissed to move me to permanent accommodation within 56 days of me being here, then went back on the promise claiming that I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress but on 28 October, they produced a document denying that I suffer from post traumatic stress. I tried to recoup the money which I spent on electricity since I have been here which now comes to £310. The council sent me a letter stating that it is illegal for them to charge me for utilities or council tax, in temporary accommodation and when I spoke to Andy, he said that if I sent the receipts in I would be reimbursed. I sent the receipts to Willow, a couple of months ago and they claim they never received them. I am guessing they intend to keep this game going indefenitely. The Ombudsman ordered them to pay me £100 for claiming they didn't receive my correspondence that I produced receipts for, by 20 May and they haven't done that either. I signed for two grants in 2019, one of them for £300 which everybody gets when they leave supported accommodation, the other one is discretionary. When I came here, Andy told me to buy a heater because the ones in the house are ultra expensive to run. I also bought a clothes airer, curtains, a vacuum cleaner, mop bucket and pan and brush, kettle, etc. I replaced a window lock that desintegrated out of my own pocket and bought 20 padlocks and 5 sets of chains to protect the front door and windows because people will try to get in the minute I go out. 2 lamps because the lights in my bedroom total 250 watts, 200 in the kitchen 150 in the hall and 50 in the toilet. 2 Sundays ago, I only went to the newsagents and came back to find that somebody had been in and left me a present, which I have now passed to the authorities, in addition to the other one they left me last week. I would like you to pass this to the person who emailed you along with the receipts. You will also find a copy of the electricity bill which states that the average bill is £60 but the council only put in a £40 allowance. If you don't pay, the lights go out. In order to stay within the £60, I can't turn on the heating or the lights, the dryer or washing machine or oven. Ideally, they should take out the smart meter that cuts off the electricity because it's not exactly legal, is it? I only had the van for 1 hour when I cleared my room in Breakspears Road, leaving behind a brand new and unopened kettle, iron and cuttlery set that I'd bought in 2019. I know they don't dispose of them but rather share them out amongst themselves and I would like them back or their value. They sent me pictures, I left my room in a mess but they asked me to clear it not to clean it and they normally throw all the rubbish out and decorate. I would like a copy of your email please and I would like them to pass a copy of yours to whoever raised the complaint because I certainly will. In my head, I am thinking of the only two familiar options that I am familiar with. One that it's another scam. Two, that I never hear from her.

[castorre]

Garlean Housing Ideas

I keep getting this amazing image in my mind of what Garlean apartments, flats and houses could be like. So, here is how I like to think of the technologically advanced homes these guys live in.

I like to imagine Garlean houses are very open. There are few doorways with the exception of private rooms such as bedrooms, baths and studies. Electricity is obvious, as is plumbing and tech of convenience that you would not see in other places.

There are panels in the walls that slide out to store your coat, shoes, hat, purse, etc as you come home. There are options for higher ranking individuals to have chutes for both garbage and laundry. For those rank praefectus and above, perhaps they get free laundered garments and trash disposal. The panels slide back in and appear to be just another part of the wall when not in use.

Art and music are an integral part of Garlean culture. Owning art is a necessity if you’re a high ranking officer. When you invite your mates over, you absolutely have to be able to point out to your paintings, which are provided built in shadowboxes and lighting by more adjustable panels in the walls. The art is very colorful and bright compared to the silvers, greys and blacks of Garlean homes.

The lines are very sharp. Fireplaces have stainless steel mantels and framing. There’s a high-heat resistance vacuum for removing the burned bits after a fire is extinguished by either the owner or a timed sensor.

Sensors and smart elements are integral to the home. There are trail lights at the bottom of the molding in ever room. When the sensors pick up that you’re walking at night, they light up to lead you to wherever you’re going via predictive learning.

The kitchen is home to wonderful tech Eorzeans would be jealous of. The smart ice box, no longer just for keeping things cold, also has a more powerful function, allowing for freezing of goods. There is a terminal on the front that one can request a meal from one of the many restaurants or cafes located in the surrounding 5 malm radius. The oven is self-cleaning and is able to broil, bake and has a switch setting to convection. Both the ice box and ovens are built into the walls for a clean look. A coffee bar is often placed for convenience and allows two-to-three seats depending on size of the flat or home. A programmable machine brews coffee to perfection every time and even has attachments for making lattes and teas. Under the coffee bar’s top is a built in wine or liquor chiller with pull out drawers for strainers, zesters, glasses and anything else one may need for cocktails or mixed drinks.  The sharp lines of the kitchen, silvers and stainless steel make for a very professional feel in even the most comfortable of places. A sensor ensures that the temperature of the area stays at the resident’s preferred number all year, especially when the oven is active.

A grease drain separates fat solids from liquids and allows the safe disposal of all kinds of oils without harming any inner pipes or workings. A food composter sits under the large two bay sink. The composter is completely hands safe and is able to tell food from finger via small bursts of imaging. The composter also saves data from foods and other items that have been composted to tell you the ph balance and moisture content of your fertilizer. If you enjoy indoor gardening, it is useful to use the scraps from inside the composter rather than purchasing them. Indoor gardening is a very popular hobby in Garlemald, as the landscape itself is rarely suitable for farming. A recent poll suggested that at least sixty-percent of all Garleans have some form of indoor plant, and at least forty-percent of that number are citizens growing their own vegetables or herbs! Every window can be outfitted with a self grooming gardening or flower bed. Simply mention to your HOA which you plan to take up and they can help arrange a delivery of seeds and soil for a very small deduction from your upcoming pay cheque.

Beyond the beautiful lines and clean sophistication of Garlean living areas, are the bathrooms. For Praefectus and above ranks, the bathrooms of each apartment are a luxury afforded no where else on Hydaelyn. The toilet seat is heated during the coldest months of the year, or year round if specified. A set of tall, thin vents in the wall blow warm air immediately after it senses you’ve exited the shower or bath. The hair dryer, flat iron and other bath room accessories are kept in yet another pull out panel in the wall. All toiletries are kept in their own separate panel that is lined with an anti-microbial vinyl that protects them from any bacteria that may travel in the air via the toilet flushing. Which, we might mention, is also automated. There is a motion sensor hand washing unit that not only dispenses water, but also foaming soap, warm or cold air and lotion. Top it all off with a beautiful marble finish on the countertops, glass above-counter sink bowl, tiled shower, claw-footed porcelain jet tub and freshly laundered and folded towels via a magitek automaton every single day.

The study is a highly customizeable area of your home! Choose from templates for a library, office, media room, theater, gaming area or craft room. Or speak with your HOA and design your own room with their guidance! All templates come with a choice from either hardwood or steel fixtures for desks, chairs, side tables, built-in cabinets and book shelves. Crafting rooms can either be a single focus room for mixed media, painting, sculpting or a combination of any choices. Special order looms, easels and other built-ins are available at an extra cost. Theaters come with a year’s subscription to Garlemald’s current leading entertainment provider. Whether you’re interested in current films, the performing arts, concerts or live shows, your comfort and entertainment are sure to be met!

Some homes are equipped with a second story to provide more rooms for either growing families or for guests! The sleek and refined finish of the stairs will impress anyone as your guest ascend to the next floor on hovering stairs. The illusion of no rails and glass walls plus the inflection of light make an optical trick that makes the stairs appear to float with no support. As always, tracked lighting on the stairs lead you safely to your destination every time. The landing pad at either side of the stairs feature a pull out safety wall to keep pets or small children from falling down or climbing up the stairs. All outlets in the home are also equipped with child safety guards. The outlet covers will only allow plugs to enter the electrical current, by reading the pulses of ceruleum emitted by the power cables to every device. Now would also be a good time to mention that Cerluem Blue provides free wireless connectivity to the intranet for one year after your purchase of a home. Any object that runs off of the intranet, including ice boxes, coffeemakers, vacuums, toilets and other devices can freely communicate with your smart terminal, free of charge.

Your terminal can be placed in either your bedroom or your office. It is a sleek and thin screen with a pullout keyboard. You can control the lighting, heat and air, humidity, air filters and schedule the automated cleaning services of your roombatek, composter, garden and even your entertainment terminals! You can choose from varying builds that can function as gaming terminals, as well.

Finally, there is the master bedroom! Only the finest in quality and modern convenience emerge as emperor here. Featuring your choice of platform, cabinet, raised or canopy bed in any size from Princess to Garlean Emperor. Your purchase comes with two sets of ultra-luxe fine woven magithread sheets. If you’ve not tried the soft and supple rabbit skin comforters from magithread, we highly recommend them during the winter, along with their thick woven deep pocket winterized sheets.

Either carpeting or hardwood is available in the master suite. A bay window frames a built-in bench surrounded by book shelves. Any lover of books in your life would be thrilled to sit among the floating clouds as they enjoy their next fantasy!

The master closet is impressive! Boasting an organizational system with lights and enough space to hold nearly one hundred pairs of shoes, plus fifty purses or twenty-five briefcases, one hundred dresses or tuxedos and even containing hidden room for a safe, hat boxes, purse boxes and canes!

You’re sure to love your modern Garlean home that is as special as you are! Apply now for Praefectus pricing on the ultra-luxe flat! Payable weekly, bi-weekly or monthly automatically from your pay cheque! Every service and room listed herein comes to the final cost of:

Apartment - 100,000,000 gil (equivalent)

Services - 25,000 gil/week (equivalent)

Upgraded devices and furnishings - 125,000,000 gil (equivalent)

For a very affordable total of 225,000,000 spread out over the course of your life span. Please peruse our financial aid services to ascertain your qualifications. Apply now and move in within a moon!    

[sanm]

Let it Snow

Part of the SFW Bangtan Network Christmas Collab: Cold Hands Warm Hearts! 

Length: 2,807 words

Prompts: 

"You’re cute when you’re freezing.” 

“Why is it so damn cold?” 

“Come out in the snow with me!”

Disclaimer: I do not know BTS personally nor do I believe they are actually as I portray them. I am simply using them as characters in a plot of my own. 

To say that you were a bit of a grump when you were cold is an understatement. It’s one of the reasons you hate winter so much. Once you get cold, it's almost impossible to get warm again. That's why you prefer to spend your winters inside, snuggled up in a blanket and fuzzy socks, and drinking a cup of tea while reading a well-loved novel. Unfortunately, your boyfriend, Park Jimin, loved everything to do with winter - Christmas trees, gingerbread cookies, and the dreaded white dandruff from the sky: snow.

It's not that you necessarily hate snow. It is pretty to look at. But it brings with it the horrible, awful memories of your childhood. With this in mind, the morning of Christmas Eve dawned cold and very, very white. With a groan of exasperation, you pulled your covers back over your head in an attempt to drown out the brighter-than-normal morning light. Your reprieve was short-lived, however, as your boyfriend bounded into the bedroom and ripped the covers off your head. "___, wake up! It's snowing!" "I know, I can see the light reflection," you mumbled into your pillow. "Come on, come out in the snow with me!" Rolling over onto your side, you cracked an eye open to give Jimin the most annoyed look you could muster at 9:00 a.m. "Jimin, we've been dating three years. Surely you know by now that I don't really do snow." Jimin, who was hovering over by your closet at this point looking for a sweater for you to wear, turned to face you. "But, ___, it's almost Christmas..." "Yes?" "Don't you want to make me happy for Christmas?" His lower lip jutted out into a pout, and his eyes widened so that he looked a bit like a kicked puppy dog. Sitting up and running a hand through your messy bed-head, you sighed. "Jimin, of course I want to make you happy, but I just, well, I just can't really do snow. It brings back bad memories." Abandoning his search for a sweater, Jimin crossed to sit at the foot of the bed. "What bad memories?" You dropped your gaze to your hands, watching them twist the blanket over and over. "Just, things that I don't want to remember, ok?" Jimin gave you a long look then stood up. He turned on his heel and walked out into the main area of your shared apartment without a word. “Jimin? Babe? You ok?” You called for him when he didn’t return after a few minutes. Waiting a minute more, you really started to get worried. Throwing back the covers, you swung your legs over the side of the bed and shoved your feet into your slippers. You grabbed the comforter off the bed and wrapped yourself in it before venturing out in search of your boyfriend. The bathroom door stood open, so you knew it was vacant. You shuffled out into the open living room and kitchen, both void of your currently blonde haired boyfriend. "Jimin?" You tried calling again. You turned back towards your shared bedroom, thinking to check the hall bathroom more thoroughly, however, the sound of the balcony door sliding open distracted you. Before you could fully turn, something wet and cold and about the size of your fist had landed smack in the middle of your back. You shrieked and dropped the comforter, only to have another, slightly smaller ball hit your back. "PARK JIMIN STOP IT RIGHT NOW!" At this point, you were near tears, and you dropped to the ground to hug your knees. "Babe?" Jimin's dulcet tone rang out. “BABE!” Jimin dropped his other two frozen projectiles and hurried over to your side. Your breath was coming in short pants, black dots dancing across your vision, and you could barely feel Jimin’s warm hands shaking your shoulders. It wasn’t until he sandwiched your face between his heated hands and forced you to make eye contact that you began to come back to your body. "Babe, what happened, are you ok?" Jimin queried, still concerned about how dilated your pupils were. "Panic attack," you gasped out. "Panic attack? Over what?" "The snow, Jimin, the snow." "Why are you afraid of it?" "I'm not afraid of it, it's just, help me up, this isn't a conversation I want to have sitting in the hallway." Your sweet, caring boyfriend needed no further encouragement to scoop you up into his arms, comforter and all, and deposit you on the couch in the living room. He bustled into the kitchen to put the kettle on, and began to make you a cup of tea, sensing you needed something warm to calm your nerves for the talk ahead. You observed his movements in silence, noticing how the man who had once abhorred tea and had never drunk a cup in his life now brewed you a perfect cup of loose-leaf tea, and added two packets of sugar, just how you liked it. If that wasn't love, you weren't sure what was. He brought you the steaming mug, and you gratefully accepted it, warming your hands on the smooth ceramic surface. "Babe, we need to talk about this." You nodded once, and staring into the swirling eddies of your tea, you took a deep breath and began your story. "When I was younger, about seven, we had the first snow of the year the week before Christmas. I was so excited, I wanted to go out and play, even though it was getting dark and close to my bedtime. I knew my parents wouldn't let me go out that night, so I waited until they put me to bed, and then I snuck out.

It was magical, I made a snowman, snow angels, had a snowball fight with a tree -" Jimin snickered "hey, don't laugh, I was alone and creative. But, after an hour or so, I was cold and wet and wanted to go inside. I went back to the door that I had left cracked open only to find that it was firmly shut and I was locked out.

I pounded on the door, but my parent's room was at the opposite end of the house on the second floor and they were asleep and couldn't hear me. I tried yelling, throwing pebbles at their windows, everything, but no one came to the door. By this point, I was freezing and there was nothing I could really do about it. I walked around the house until I found the vent where the heat from the clothes dryer let out, and I huddled around it for the night. I remember it was just after sunrise when the dryer stopped and I lost my heat source.

I tried once again to wake up my parents, pounding on the door until my hands bled, but still no answer. I remember being so so cold, and so sleepy. I was just starting to drift off to sleep when my dad opened the door to go outside and get the newspaper and found me on the doorstep. He panicked, woke up my mom, took me to the hospital, and apparently I was like this close -" you gestured, placing your thumb and index finger a mere centimeter apart - "from getting frostbite and hypothermia. The doctors said if I had been out there another hour I could have died. So, yeah, that's why I don't like snow anymore." You finished your monologue with a shrug of your shoulders, your mug of tea long since abandoned for you to twist your hands in the comforter as you spoke. Jimin was silent for a moment. Then to your surprise, he pulled you into a bone-crushing hug. You tried to bring your arms up to hug him back, but he pulled you even closer. "I'm so sorry, ___. If I'd have known, I never would have -" "Jimin," you soothed, "it's ok, you didn't know." "No, but __, I should have just listened to you, it was wrong of me to push this. Because of me being stupid, you almost got hurt." To your consternation, you felt your hair dampen ever so slightly as Jimin sniffled, his tears showing you more than his words just how concerned he really was. "Babe, don't cry..." "Sorry, I can't help it...." You gently pulled yourself out of his arms, only for your heart to break at the look on his face. His nose was red, his cheeks puffy and tearstained, and his eyes bloodshot. softening your gaze, you cupped the back of his head and pulled him down to your breast, gently stroking your head as you hummed. "I'm here now Jimin, and that's all that really matters." "You're right," he mumbled into your chest. ----- The next few hours passed in relative silence, and you hated it. Jimin seemed to be going out of his way to avoid you, and you couldn't figure out a way to stop it. The normally cheerful boy that you fell in love with was nowhere to be seen. To say you were worried was an understatement. You stumbled across your boyfriend a few hours after The Incident, as you had come to think of it, gently plunking away at his keyboard in the corner of the living room, a melancholic melody drifting from the speakers. Deciding to surprise him, you quietly crept up behind him before flinging your arms over his shoulders and kissing his cheek. Normally, Jimin would giggle cutely and tug your arms closer around himself. He claimed that your hugs were an epicurean cure-all for everything from writer's block to the common cold. So it was highly unusual that he merely stiffened in your embrace before gently unwinding your arms from around himself. He turned to face you, gave you a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes, and then stood to move past you and go into the bedroom. You froze, rooted in place, unable to believe what had just happened. Jimin never turned down one of your hugs. Ever. Tears began to well up in your eyes as you thought of the implications of what had just happened. Maybe what had happened early today was too much. Maybe you were too broken for Jimin. If you were being honest with yourself, you weren’t really sure why he liked you in the first place. You were perfectly average in almost every way that you could think of. To think that someone like Jimin, from BTS, would like you in the first place was laughable. If the two of you hadn’t run into each other in a coffee shop three years ago and you hadn’t doused him with your scalding hot cup of tea, there never would have been any reason for the two of you to interact.

Your musings were interrupted when Jimin reemerged from the bedroom, dressed in a coat, scarf, mask, sunglasses, and hat. “You going out babe?” You questioned, proud that your voice barely shook. “Yeah, Yoongi needed me to come do a quick vocal guide track. I swear he never stops recording, even the day before Christmas.” The line fell easily from his lips, carelessly. Jimin laced up his brown Timberlands, grabbed his keys from the dish by the door, and waved at you over his shoulder before stepping out of your shared apartment. “I should be back in time for dinner!” He called over his shoulder as he pulled the door shut behind him. It closed with a firm snap, and you felt the first tear make its way down the curve of your cheek. You allowed yourself to collapse on the couch and sobbed into a nearby pillow, cocooning yourself in the duvet from earlier. The blanket still carried Jimin’s scent, a combination of fresh pine and sandalwood and something that was distinctly Jimin. The smell made you cry all the harder. You allowed yourself to mope for almost an hour, thoughts whirling through your head as you contemplated where you had gone wrong and what you could do to fix your relationship. Finally, you grew frustrated at your self-pity, realizing that inaction was not helping you in any way. What you needed was a way to apologize to jimin and make up for all the trouble you had caused this morning. But what would make him feel better? You knew he blamed himself for your panic attack from earlier, but it wasn’t his fault. You blamed yourself because you should have told him earlier about the traumatic experience you had had when you were younger but somehow the time never was quite right. The worst part of the entire ordeal was that Jimin absolutely loved the snow. It was one of the guaranteed things that could make him happy. However, he was usually on tour when it was snowing. He’d video chat you, and you could see his eyes crinkle with excitement, his voice would rise in pitch, and he’d let out an airy laugh every few minutes as his friends and bandmates Jungkook and Taehyung would inevitably come to drag him out to play. With a start, you realized that you loved the happiness that Jimin felt and expressed enough that you were willing to try and overcome your fear. With that resolve burning in your heart, you marched back to the bedroom, changed into a sweater, coat, jeans, and boots, and then went over to the balcony. You let out a long exhale and then stepped out into the cold. “Why is it so damn cold,” you muttered to yourself as your breath immediately formed icy crystals in the air. However, the cold wasn’t the real reason you were here. No, the reason you were here was the fluffy white stuff that was accumulating ever higher on the balcony railing. “Here goes nothing,” you said, and like ripping off a band-aid you plunged your hands into the snow in front of you. Instantly you felt the clawing panic begin to consume you as your breath began to come in short pants, but you grit your teeth and forced the panic back as much as you could by thinking of Jimin’s radiant face when he put the star on top of the tree this year. After a minute, you pulled your hands back out from the snow, idly noticing how red they were, but pleased that you hadn’t had a panic attack. You repeated the process a few more times, each iteration becoming easier and easier. Your balcony overlooked the parking lot, so an hour later you were able to see Jimin’s car pull up. Excited to surprise him, you pressed yourself against the wall of the balcony, hoping to hide until he was upstairs and in the building.

----- Jimin was holding several bags and had difficulty opening the door to your shared apartment. “Babe? I’m home!” He called. However, your normally cheerful voice was not there to greet him. “Babe?” He called again as he dropped the bags on the living room coffee table. Growing concerned, he turned to go back towards the bedroom when he heard the balcony door open. Relieved, he turned to face you. “Babe, what were you doing out-“ his words were cut off by a snowball to the face. Jimin froze, his only movement his eyelids blinking in disbelief. Peals of laughter rang out from where you stood at the look on his face. “Sorry babe,” you spluttered “but look, I managed to get over my fear!” “What?” Jimin asked as he lifted the hem of his shirt to wipe the melted snow off his face, “I spent most of the time while you were gone getting over my fear through exposure therapy. It worked!” “But, why?” “Well,” you started, “the snow makes you so happy so I want to make you happy too.” Letting out a breathy laugh, Jimin smiled. “Babe, you make me happy, with or without snow.” “I know, but you were so upset earlier... I just didn’t want to cause you to feel like that ever again.” “Well, unless your hiding any other childhood traumas, I think we’re ok,” he said with a smile. “Nope, we’re good,” you chimed in. “Good, now get inside, I brought home your favorite for dinner as an apology for earlier,” Jimin ordered. Happy to comply, you walked inside and shut the balcony door, shivering at the temperature change from cold to warm. “You know,” Jimin started lazily from where he had perched on the couch, “you’re cute when you’re freezing.” You threw a pillow at him as you settled down to dinner, the two of you warm under the glow of the lights from the Christmas tree and neither of you afraid of the softly falling snow outside of the window.

[lgbtloudhouse]

I'm bored as hell so why don't I just post the entire Back in Black Script?? . . . . in: The Loud House Encyclopedia 

The following is a transcript for "Back in Black".

Script . . [The episode begins with Lincoln finishing his model of solar system for a science project]

Lincoln: There you go, Mars. Right next to your buddy, Earth. [starts rotating the project] Oh, watch out for Jupiter. He's full of gas.

Lucy: [holding a container of fake blood] Hey, Lincoln.

[Lincoln gets startled by his sister's appearance and falls off the chair. Fake blood splatters on his project. He then gets up.]

Lincoln: Lucy, you got blood all over my school project!

Lucy: Relax, it's fake. Sigh. Unfortunately.

[Later, Lucy is mopping the fake blood while Lincoln uses a blow dryer on the book's pages]

Lucy: [noticing her fake blood's viscosity] Hmm, needs more molasses. That'll give it just the right amount of ooze. [She walks off] [The doorbell rings]

Lincoln: [Opens the door] Hey, Rusty.

Rusty: [Fists bumps him] Hey, Lincoln. My parents are both at work so I have to bring my little bro.

[His identical brother comes in] Lincoln: No problem. Hey, Rocky. Make yourself at home.

Rocky: [Fist bumps him] Thanks, man.

Lincoln: [To Rusty] Did you bring Uranus?

Rusty: Never leave home without it.

[Later, Rusty and Lincoln are finishing their science project. Rocky is seen playing with his baseball. Lucy walks out of the kitchen and sees Rocky.]

Lucy: Gasp. [starts to flirt with Rocky] Oh... [Spills the maple syrup she is holding]

[Lincoln, Rusty, and Rocky hear Lucy. However, she disappears, leaving footsteps of maple syrup into the living room.]

Lincoln: What the?

[Rocky is playing on his video game portable on the living room couch]

Lucy: [Sticks her head out of the fireplace] Sigh.

[Rocky puts down the game portable. However, Lucy disappears again.]

Rocky: I gotta pee.

Lincoln: Bathroom's upstairs and down the hall to the left.

[As Rocky goes to the bathroom, Lucy hangs upside down from the vent]

Lucy: Sigh.

[As Rocky turns around, Lucy disappeared]

Rocky: [confused] Hello?

[Outside, as Rocky plays soccer, Lucy sticks her head out of Charles' doghouse]

Lucy: Sigh.

[As Rocky turns around, Lucy disappeared again and Charles shows up instead as he drags his butt to leave]

Lucy: Sigh. [Cut to Lucy's bedroom] I know he's not really my type. But he's so- [looks out of the window] what's the word my sisters use? Cute. [Carries Edwin] Don't worry, Edwin. You'll always be my undead soul mate. But until we're united, it'd be cool to have someone to hang with. [Edwin just sits there] You think I should just talk to him? [Pats Edwin] I knew you'd understand.

[In the kitchen, Rocky opens the refrigerator door. He spots Lucy's container of fake blood. From that, he takes it. Then he closes the refrigerator door.]

Lucy: I see you found my blood.

[Rocky gets startled, making him jump and throw the container. The fake blood splatters on him.]

Lucy: It's my new recipe. Beet juice, molasses, and cocoa powder. Hmm. [Pulls Rocky's shirt.] Now it's got the ooze but not the splatter. [Holds out her hand] Hi, I'm Lucy.

[Rocky freezes for a moment, then runs away. He walks out of the bathroom.]

Lucy: [Holding one of Lincoln's shirts on a hanger] Thought you might want a clean shirt. [Rocky stops himself into a halt.] Just to be clear, it's my brother's. [Rocky backs away] I would never wear something so offensively cheerful. 

Rocky: [Starts falling down the stairs.] Ah! [Rocky lands, gets up uninjured, and runs out of the door. Lincoln and Rusty take a peek out of the dining room.]

Rusty: Was that Rocky? Sorry, Lincoln, you'll have to finish the project. [Opens and closes the door to go after his brother]

Lincoln: [Walks to Lucy, who is sitting on the couch] What happened?

Lucy: I keep trying to talk to Rocky but every time he runs away from me. [curls herself up] What am I doing wrong?

Lincoln: Well, what are you talking to him about?

Lucy: The usual stuff. Blood, bruises. [Lucy's bats fly onto her head] I didn't even get a chance to show him my new embalming kit.

Lincoln: You know, maybe he's just not into that kind of stuff.

Lucy: Then, what is he into?

Lincoln: I don't know him very well but he just seems like a regular, normal kid.

Lucy: Regular and normal. Hmm... [Walks up the stairs] Regular and normal...

[It is nighttime in the house.]

Lori: Lola! Did you take my Red Riot lipstick again?!

Lola: [Opens her bedroom door] No, but someone took my perfume. I bet it was Leni!

[The door to the bathroom opens, where Leni is seen inside.]

Leni: Was not! But I'd like to know who took my pink chiffon dress, Lori!

[Lori, Leni, and Lola start arguing] Leni: Where do you get off?!

Lori: You are literally the one always stretching out my sweaters every time you borrow them!

Leni: Fess up!

Lola: That's my scent! I can't let people associate it with you!

Lori: We can do this the hard way-

Lola: [turns around] Hang on, I smell my perfume! [Sniffs up the pink scent leading her to Lynn and Lucy's room.] LYNN! You'd better not be using my perfume to cover the stink of your hockey pads!

[The three sisters gasp and it pans to show Lucy using Lola's perfume, Lori's lipstick and wearing Leni's dress]

Lori: [curious] What are you doing?

Lucy: I-I-I...I thought if I'd be regular and normal, Rusty's brother Rocky would like me. Sorry I took your stuff. I understand if you're mad.

Lori: [stomps her feet] You're darn right we're mad! [Lucy is down; excited]  Mad you didn't let us help!

Leni: Yeah, we've been wanting to give you a makeover since like, birth!

Lola: [comes in with a big cardboard collage of fashion models with Lucy's face plastered all over their own] I've been working on this Lucy vision board for years! Until now, it was just a fantasy.

Lori: [calls her other sisters] GUYS! IT'S LITERALLY HAPPENING! LUCY'S FINALLY READY!

[The others get out their beauty gear]

Lucy: Will this hurt?

[The girls all start giving her a makeover. This results in Lucy looking like a cheerleader]

Sisters: Too peppy.

[They give her another makeover and this time, the result is Lucy as an 80's diva]

Sisters: Too poofy.

[They try again and this time, Lucy looks like a fancy princess]

Sisters: Too princess-y.

[One more makeover results in Lucy wearing hot pink and having blonde hair]

Sisters: Too...PERFECT!!!

Lucy: [examines her new look with her pet bat perching on her head] Hmm...I can live with this. What do you think, Fangs?

Lola: [shoos Fangs away] Eww, eww! No more bats!

Luna: Yeah, and do not talk about mortality.

Leni: Or death.

Lana: Or ask him his blood type.

Lori: Or suggest a cemetery for a date.

Luan: And make sure you laugh at all of his jokes. Like this. [laughs heartily]

Lucy: [not even trying] Ha ha. Ha. Ha ha.

Lynn: Oh, and talk about sports. Guys really dig that.

Lisa: If all else fails, try a little of my patented pizza spray, scientifically proven to attract eight-year-old boys. [Lisa sprays some on Lucy while the other sisters cough in disgust]

Lucy: Gag.

Lisa: Note to self: go lighter on the anchovies.

[Cliff suddenly attacks Lucy due to the spray and she nonchalantly screams at this attack and runs out of her room while passing Lincoln with his completed project. Fangs comes flying out and almost hits Lincoln and his project]

Lincoln: [confused] Who was that?

Lori: The new and improved, regular and normal Lucy!

Leni: AKA the future Mrs. Rocky!

Lincoln: So, that's how you're helping Lucy? I don't know, guys. That seems like a really-

Lisa: Oh, please. As if a male would have any insight into matters of the heart.

Luna: You just get Rocky back here, bro.

Lincoln: How am I supposed to do that?

Luan: Get Rusty to bring him. Don't you guys have more work to do on your project?

Lincoln: Nope. All finished.

Lynn: [smashes the project with her hockey stick] Not anymore.

[Lincoln and Rocky are fixing up the damage Lynn caused to the project]

Rusty: [suspicious] So, the dog did this?

Lincoln: Uh, yup. [feigning discipline] Bad Charles!

[Charles whimpers and drags his butt across the carpet in frustration. Lucy is coming down the stairs. She slips in her new shoes but quickly regains her balance and poses for Rocky. The other girls are looking toward this eagerly, but Rocky doesn't seem to notice Lucy. Leni signals Lucy to flip her hair at him]

Lucy: [flipping hair] OMG, Rocky. It's totes great to see you.

Rocky: Um...who are you?

Lucy: I'm Lucy.

Rocky: Oh. Uh...I didn't recognize you. [Enter Lori dragging Bobby into the house while pretending to be on a call on her phone]

Lori: [acting] You can't make it to mini-golf? But we already bought four tickets!

[Bobby looks at Lucy in perplexity over her new look and Lori nudges him for his cue]

Bobby: [reading something on his arm] Oh, um, right! Um, maybe we should...invite two other people to come.

Lori: [gasping and acting] What a great idea! Anyone? Lucy?

Lucy: [acting] I'm supposed to meet my girlfriends at the mall, but...YOLO.

[Lori nudges Bobby for his cue again]

Bobby: Oh! [reading his arm script] If only there was another guy to round out the foursome.

Lori: You're free, right, Rocky? [grabs his arm] Great!

[Lori and Lucy eagerly leave with their confused dates while the other sisters grin with hope]

Rusty: [hits on them] Any of you other ladies looking for a date?

[They all just back away upstairs after hearing that]

[Hole-In-Onederland. The dates are playing a game.]

Lori: Just follow my lead, and remember, regular and normal.

[Lucy nods. Lori swings and misses her ball]

Lori: [acting] Oops! [giggles] Boo Boo Bear, what am I doing wrong? Can you help me?

Bobby: [oblivious] But, Babe, you're on the Varsity Golf-[Lori hits him with her putter] OW! I mean, sure, Babe. I'll help you. [shows her] Okay, just square your shoulders and follow through.

[They putt together. Lucy tries doing what Lori did and hits Rocky in his knee]

Lucy: Oops. [tosses her putter]

Rocky: Ow! What was that for?

Lucy: I thought uh, um, uh, how about that Baseball team that played the other night? [nervously grins as Rocky looks on confused]

[The next hole, Bobby putts his ball through the windmill and sinks it]

Lori: Ooh. [chuckles and claps] Great shot, Boo Boo Bear. [giggles]

Bobby: That one's for you, babe. [pokes her nose]

Lori: Aw! [giggles]

[Rocky steps up to the putting position and hits his ball, making it fly everywhere in the course]

Lucy: Ooh, great shot, Rocky Bear.

Rocky: What? I totally shanked it! My ball went down a rain gutter.

Lucy: Ha ha. Ha ha. You're so funny. [pushes him]

Rocky: Ah! [falls into the water hazard]

[On the haunted hole, Rocky sinks his ball into the cup]

Bobby: Good shot, bro. [fist bumps Rocky]

Lori: [feigning fear] Ooh, this hole is creepy! Right, Lucy?

[Lucy is admiring a casket]

Lucy: Whoa. The Freilich 2000 with crushed velvet interior. I've only seen these in catalogues. [opens it up and prepares to get in]

Lori: [pulling her sister back] Lucy, no no no! [whispering] Regular and normal!

[When Lori pulls Lucy free, she accidentally hits Rocky who lands inside a coffin screaming all the way]

[Back at the Loud House, the other girls are waiting around for Lori and Lucy to get back. Lola is pacing the floor, Lana is adding her booger to Lisa's chemical, Lynn is tossing a baseball up in the air bored, Luna is playing a ditty on her acoustic guitar, Luan is reading a book, and Leni is playing with Lily. Soon, their dating sisters get back and they're eager to hear what happened]

Lola: TELL ME EVERYTHING! TELL ME EVERYTHING!

Leni: Are you totes in love?

Lucy: [taking her pink shoes off; depressed] No. We are totes not.

Lori: Lucy, wait. We're sorry we pushed you so hard.

Sisters: Sorry.

Lori: We got a little too excited when you said you wanted to be normal and regular, like us. But you're not those things. You're Lucy Loud. You're perfect just the way you are. And we love you.

Lucy: Sigh. There's no need to apologize. I know you were just trying to help, and I thank you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in the dark. That always cheers me up. [heads upstairs]

Lori: Well, lesson learned: you can take the girl out of the coffin, but you can't take the coffin out of the girl.

[Lincoln has just finished his project again and hears Lucy]

Lucy: Well, Edwin, Rocky doesn't like me as myself, he doesn't like me as a regular, normal girl, he just doesn't like me. [takes off her accessories] Sigh. I was a fool to ever think it could work with a mortal being. [pulls out her coffin and sits in it in despondence]

Lincoln: Poor kid.

Lucy: Fangs, bedtime.

[Fangs comes swooping by and knocks Lincoln's project out of his hand, thus destroying it]

Lincoln: Dang it.

[The next day at Rusty's house. Lincoln and Rusty have finished the project yet again.]

Rusty: There we go. Now, as long as we keep it far away from your house, we should be done.

[Rocky comes walking by covered in some red substance]

Rusty: [panicking] AH! ROCKY! YOU'RE BLEEDING! [gasps and faints] [Lincoln looks over his project partner's state]

Rocky: Don't worry, man. Rusty faints all the time.

Lincoln: Yeah, but are you alright?

Rocky: Oh, yeah. This is fake blood.

Lincoln: Why would you have fake blood?

Rocky: I saw Lucy making it at your house, and it seemed kinda cool, so I thought I'd give it a try. Anyway...[walks off]

[Lincoln gets an idea and bumps the project off the table with his butt]

Lincoln: [feigning] Oops.

Rusty: [coming to] Wha...what happened?

Lincoln: Uh...you fainted and broke our solar system.

Rusty: Aw, man!

Lincoln: That's okay. We can fix it at my house. I have an extra Jupiter.

Rusty: [unsure] Your house?

Lincoln: Well, our project isn't any safer here.

Rusty: I guess you're right. Come on, Rock! Let's roll!

[The Loud House. Rusty and Lincoln are once again repairing their project while Rocky is playing video games]

Rusty: Done! Form a protective perimeter.

[He and Lincoln surround their solar system with their arms. While that's going on, Lincoln notices Lucy coming into the kitchen, back to her usual goth self while trying to avoid Rocky]

Lincoln: Hey, Rocky, grab us some sodas from the kitchen, will ya?

[Rocky shrugs and goes to the kitchen. Lucy puts in some more fake blood and just as she closes the door, Rocky's shown to be behind it and for once, she's the one who gets startled]

Lucy: Ah! [calm] Oh. Hi.

Rocky: [with sodas] Uh, hi. You changed your hair back.

Lucy: Yeah, the blonde wasn't really me. I was trying to be regular and normal, but I think I'm just gonna be myself.

Rocky: I'm really glad to hear that.

Lucy: Thanks. Well, see you later. [realizes] Wait. You are? But when we first met, you kept running away. I thought I freaked you out.

Rocky: To be honest, I thought you were too cool for me, and I couldn't think of anything to say, so I just ran.

[The two realize they have more in common and blush]

Lucy: Hey, uh, my coffin collection's in the basement. Wanna check it out?

Rocky: Sure. They'd be really fun. As long as I don't have to get in one.

Lucy: Deal.

[Lucy turns to Lincoln and gives him a thumbs-up as thanks]

Rusty: [exhausted from their protecting their project] Can we stop? I'm feeling faint.

[The next day at school, Lincoln and Rusty are carefully bringing their project to avoid having it get ruined at the last second]

Rusty: Easy. Ah! Watch the pothole!

Lincoln: It's okay, Rusty. We spent all weekend on this, we're not gonna drop it now.

[Rocky and Lucy are right behind them with a container of fake blood]

Lucy and Rocky: Hey, guys.

[Both Lincoln and Rusty leap in the air and yelp while still holding onto their project]

Rusty: Phew. Good save, man! [highfives Lincoln]

Lucy: Sorry we scared you.

Rocky: We just wanted to tell you we nailed the fake blood recipe.

Lucy: We also threw in a few popcorn kernels for brain matter. [adds kernels]

[The sight of this makes Rusty pass out and drop the project, destroying it one last time]

Lincoln: [exasperated] Dang it.

[andylocksmithtipsntricks]

December Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

Smart homeowners know that December is about more than just decking the halls. You’re also preparing your home for cold temperatures, holiday guests, and a whole lot of cooking. Nothing dampens the spirit of the season like an unexpected home repair or skyrocketing energy bills. Our room-by-room December home maintenance checklist outlines easy tasks that save you money and prevent potentially damaging holiday disasters like exploding pipes, gutter waterfalls, and pyrotechnic presents.

December Room-by-Room Home Maintenance Checklist

Kitchen

Bedrooms and Living Areas

Attics and Basements

Bathrooms

Hallways

Outside

Kitchen

Inspect Your Oven and Range

When it comes to your oven and range, there’s no rest for the weary this time of year. To protect against fires and other risks, check your oven seal for cracks and wear, inspect your oven’s heating element for problems, and clean the filter on your range hood.

Sharpen Knives 

If you value your fingers, don’t try cutting a tomato with a dull knife. Save your fingers by sharpening your knives before holiday cooking commences. On the flip side of the coin, invest in knife-blade covers for safe storage—especially if there are little ones running around.

Check Hoses 

If it uses water, it’s a leak risk. Check the hoses on your dishwasher, refrigerator, and clothes washer to ensure the water stays where it belongs.

Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak & Freeze Detector

DIY installation

Text and email alerts

4-foot cable sensor

View on Amazon

Bedrooms and Living Areas

Clean Your Chimney and Fireplace 

Unless you’re itching to scale your roof, we recommend leaving chimney sweeping to the experts. But you can extend the time between chimney cleanings by removing ashes and other debris from the fireplace after every fire. 

Water Your Christmas Tree 

When you don’t water your Christmas tree, you’re putting your family—not to mention your gifts—at risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a dry Christmas tree can be completely engulfed in flames in less than a minute. If you have a live tree, water it daily. 

Pro Tip

To remember to water your tree, use the reminder feature on your smart home assistant or set a recurring timer on your phone. While you’re at it, set a reminder to blow out that candle and unplug the space heater too.

Set Light Timers

It gets dark early in December, and leaving a dark house when you’re away from home is an open invitation to burglars. Smart plugs are easy to install and give you control over your lights from anywhere via smartphone app.

Attics and Basements

Seal Cracks

Warm attics offer cozy hibernation real estate for wild critters and pests, so caulk any cracks to keep out uninvited holiday guests. While you’re up there, check your roof for leaks to prevent water damage.

Bundle Up Pipes 

Frozen pipes = broken pipes. Use pipe insulation to wrap up any exposed pipes in your crawlspace or basement. 

M-D Building Products Pipe Installation

Slit for easy installation

Prevents condensation on pipes

Doubles as weatherstripping for doors

View on Amazon

Practice Storage Safety 

‘Tis the season to injure yourself while fetching things from high shelves. Keep stable step stools accessible in storage areas and avoid injury by splitting up large hauls into multiple trips.

Change Your Furnace Filter 

Now that you’re spending more time indoors, you’ll want to breathe clean indoor air. Change out your furnace air filter every three months so you and your family can breathe easily. 

Bathrooms

Install Non-Slip Mats 

If older guests are staying with you for the holidays, non-slip bathroom mats can help prevent serious injuries from falls.

Restock First Aid Kits 

Speaking of injuries, when was the last time you checked the bandage count in your first aid kit? Maintaining a well-stocked first aid kit in the bathroom keeps you prepared to handle any minor cuts and burns.

Clean Shower Curtains 

It’s in the shower with you–shouldn’t the shower curtain already be clean? Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. December is a great time to clean or replace shower curtains.

Hallways

Change Detector Batteries 

Heaters and candles and fire hazards, oh my! Test the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re in good working order. If you don’t have detectors, now is a good time to invest.

Repair Steps and Banisters 

Step to it! Check banisters and stairs to make sure everything is tight and sturdy.

Add All-Weather Mats 

Everyone likes to make an entrance, but slipping and falling on a wet floor is a painful way to do it. Put mats in place for wiping feet and use boot trays to contain puddles of melted snow.

Pro Tip

Use adhesive carpet tape to keep mats and rugs from sliding on hardwood and tile floors. This boosts safety in high-traffic areas and also protects against active kiddos and pets inadvertently rearranging your floor decor.

Outside

Clear the Snow and Ice 

We’re not just talking about driveways and walkways (although those are important). Use a roof rake to remove snow and ice from your roof, tree branches, and gutters to relieve them of potentially damaging weight. 

If you’ll be out of town, hiring a snow-removal service to prevent snow and ice buildup can keep your house from looking vacant.

Add Cameras or a Doorbell Cam 

As you’re ordering holiday gifts this month, thwart porch pirates with an outdoor video camera or video doorbell. 

Install Reflective Markers 

If you get a lot of snow where you live, strategically placed reflective markers can help keep snowplows (and other vehicles) from accidentally veering toward your mailbox or driving across your lawn.

Ring Doorbell 2

DIY installation

Battery operated

Remote two-way audio

Visit Ring

FAQs

What if I didn’t do any preventive home maintenance in November?

You’ll have just a few extra maintenance tasks to add to your December home maintenance list. Check seals on exterior doors and windows, clean debris from window wells, and drain your garden hose and outdoor faucets. 

Clean attic vents and dryer vents as well, and clean your refrigerator coils to make your fridge more energy efficient.

What else can I do to protect my home against burglars during the holidays?

A home security system offers great protection against burglars. You can also place shades on windows, add exterior lighting, and factor theft-prevention into your foliage choices. Keep landscaping trimmed to prevent an air of vacancy, and consider introducing thorny bushes under windows as burglar deterrents.

What are the safest holiday lights to use?

We recommend LED holiday lights because they emit less heat than traditional bulbs. No matter what lights you use, be sure to inspect the wires for fraying before hanging them.

Related Pages on SafeWise

November Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

January Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

Best Home Security Systems

The Best Video Doorbell Cameras

Best Water Leak Sensors

The Best Smart Plugs and Outlets for Your Home

Sources:

National Fire Protection Association, “Christmas Tree Fires Can Turn Devastating and Deadly Within Seconds”

The post December Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist appeared first on SafeWise.

Article source here: December Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

[joesbrownusa]

Houses For Sale in Greensburg, LA

4 acres in Greensburg priced to sell. No value given to home.

A great hunting tract in a good location with a gated entrance, food plots in place, a creek running through the property, and plenty of deer, turkey and small game.

Rae and Ronnie Bardwell are selling their home because we have bought another home where my wife was reared. We designed this one and half floor 2500 sq. ft. living area home on eight acres located in the city limits of Greensburg, La. The room upstairs is 500 sq. ft. There is a 8’ X 50’ front porch and a total storage rooms of 6’ X 16’. Total square feet under roof is 3517. There are no dormers or air turbines located on our 26 gauge grey metal roof that has a continuous ridge vent and aerated soffit under the eve. The roof above the main house is 8 on 12 and over t he front porch is 4 on 12. We planted a few live oaks a few years ago and they have developed into beautiful shade trees, Our home is located on a high hill for this area and the total acreage is new fenced and is located on a dead end blacktopped road. This home has a closed loop heating and cooling system with over 900 ft. of water source pipe under ground with a 80 gallon water heater with a recovery system built in. A four ton Water Furnace heat pump system was installed about 20 months ago. Total electric home with an open vaulted room of 1000 sq. ft. that combines the living, dining, and kitchen. Our average electric bill per month since we built has been approximately $100. The three bedrooms have three baths with one of each upstairs. We are the ONLY two that has lived here for 30 years. Our floor plan is quite unique because you can walk throughout our home without ever back tracking and because the washer/dryer is one step from the Master bath. There is a separate tub and shower. The back door is ONLY one step from the washer/dryer. The Master bedroom is quite roomy with a fair size (8’ x 10’) walk in closet. We do have a traditional fireplace to enjoy on a cold wintery day but not for heating. It has an outside clean out. The almost maintenance outside is covered with yellow vinyl siding and Old Chicago brick. There are no windows on the bottom floor on the West end of our home, but all bedrooms, including upstairs, have at least one window. As you leave the kitchen island that has a Jenn air stove and extra outlets through the French doors, you can enjoy our backyard patio with a breathe taking view. One of the live oaks provide the shade. The driveway is asphalt with turn around as you come into a double car porch (22’ x22’). Two good size storage rooms are adjoining; one is 6’ x16’ and the other is 6’ x6’(lawnmower). The front porch is 8’ x 50’, elevated about a foot with fiberglass posts across the front and the car porch. Out back is an equipment and hay barn, 54’ x 40'with a moderate size cattle corral that holds about 30 head. There are many shade trees with an open bermudagrass pastures. Our house is located 7 miles of I-55 at the Greensburg/Fluker exit and exactly 100 miles from New Orleans, La. and Jackson, Miss. We are 55 miles from Tiger Stadium. This home is open to APPOINTMENTS ONL

This three bedroom/two bath home is situated on two acres and has been well maintained. Living room and bedrooms boast hardwood flooring, other rooms have knotty pine walls. Western cedar frame, storm windows and more! Range oven and dishwasher are brand new. Central heat and air. Two additional living areas could be used as a guest suite or a large master suite. The possibilities are endless. Make this house your home today.

46.27 acres for sale in St. Helena Parish.

An awesome hunting and investment tract near Baton Rouge with food plots, timber, a good campsite location, and plenty of deer.

This Single-Family Home is located at 62 West A Cox Street, Greensburg, LA. 62 W A Cox St is in the 70441 ZIP code in Greensburg, LA. The average listing price for ZIP code 70441 is $163,266. 62 W A Cox St has 3 beds, 2 baths, and approximately 1,664 square feet

Come to the country to view this spacious home. Large rooms and great closets. The family room has beautiful wood floors with a wood burning fireplace. Gorgeous sunroom with brick floors and a wall of windows with views of the landscaping. The beautiful wood floors flow down the hall and into the bedrooms. The A/C was upgraded 3 years ago and roof is 5 years old. Owner will separate and sell 5.5 acres for $25,000.

Located minutes from downtown Greensburg sitting on a 2 acre lot with trees throughout. Perfect home for first-time homebuyer or investor.

Quaint country cottage located in the heart of town. Nice lot that backs up to woods and on a dead end street. Fireplace and wood floors give it the original feel of the home. Bath has been updated with jet tub and vanity. Could be used as an office since its walking distance to the Courthouse. French doors adorn the living room to separate the den area for privacy. One of a kind!

from Houses For Sale – The OC Home Search http://www.theochomesearch.com/houses-for-sale-in-greensburg-la-2/ from OC Home Search https://theochomesearch.tumblr.com/post/157932188665