#ephe writes

[purroowl]

"hey, are those my sweats?"

the pixels of bokuto's face fizzle clearly to life on screen, his eyes squinted and inquisitive. kuroo pulls his phone closer from where he'd had it propped up against his water bottle, letting bokuto in to a close-up view of his slight smirk.

"you clothes thief!" the accusation comes after barely a second, and kuroo chortles.

"why, don't like seeing me in your clothes?" he says, smirk growing wider at the feeling of triumph in his chest. he's been quick with his retorts today, managing to stun even tsukki into silence when he popped by the joint karasuno-nekoma training camp earlier. victory tastes especially sweet when it's against tsukishima, but bokuto is a close second contender.

it's quiet for a moment, a moment that stretches a little long and prompts kuroo to focus back on the call. he's puzzled by the strangeness he sees in bokuto's gaze, visible even through the video feed.

"bo?"

"... if you're gonna steal, put your whole back into it, kuroo. wear one of my hoodies too next time."

oh.

huh?

"uh... kuroo?" bokuto's voice trickles in again, "hey... your video just cut off?"

"oh. oh, yeah, i think my connection's not too good over here, haha—"

"wait a minute! are you... are you flustered? did i fluster you?"

"no! also why do you sound so pleased?"

kuroo pointedly ignores the way his ears burn, the same way he ignores toggling his video back on.

———————————————————————————

two days later, kuroo schedules another visit to the training camp, and gets promptly obliterated by tsukishima asking "why do you smell like bokuto-san all over?"

kuroo curses bokuto in his mind even as his face heats up, remembering the way he'd pulled on another pair of bokuto's slacks and one of bokuto's many hoodies. the memory of bokuto wrapping his strong arms around him and nosing at his neck, muttering things like "you smell good" and "you look good in my stuff" into his ear.

kuroo catches kenma's withering, judgmental stare and ends up almost disintegrating on the spot.

[ro-sham-no]

@wincestwednesdays | july 24th: sunshine / rock and a hard place

ephelides, a poem by me.

[thetwilightroadtonightfall]

pre-Objects of Affection scene :)

[eunoiastarz]

i love u all

[asmo-cosmetics]

solostans am i just psychotic or did anyone else think solomon commanding barbatos to obey was extremely hot

[wearily-confused]

So apparently sloths are good swimmers, poop once a week- a third of their weight, can starve on a full stomach, have good defecation habits and can apparently cure cancer..?

[roxasthatisastick]

thinking about player kingdom hearts today.

you know, its probably because of player that the book of prophecies and MoM's plan didn't come to pass? if it weren't for player, the team couldn't have bought enough time for ventus to seal darkness.

after that, maybe things would have developed as he predicted. the unity broken, by grief if nothing else, the union leaders would have been easy targets for darkness.

but instead, skuld and ephemera went back to save a single life. and player saved them back.

[theinfinitedivides]

no fr patty, bash and taj all had something going on amongst them in Fighter

hrithik playing vague bisexuals, always here for it

worse part is they even shoved him partially back in the closet. he was more bi in War than he was here and yet i bend down to lick up the crumbs and savor what could have been OT4 fix-it fic when

[gltownsend]

Mine turned out super long because I cut it off where it felt natural and made sense for context D: I wasn't sure whether I should put it under a cut but eventually I figured anyone who's botheredd by long posts had the long post setting on anyway.

(Also, I couldn't reblog every snip on this post because it would overwhelm my blog massively but there are so many super cool ones in the reblogs and in the sipofsnips tag that I love! If you haven't seen them go look, some of these are absolutely amazing (feeling a little embarrassed about my stupid little conversations now). I've just followed probably 10 new people hahaha)

- (Tijil perspective)

Nikora was—almost predictably at that point—mostly undressed on the floor of their room. His nose was bleeding again.

He was conscious and upright—though—and he did not look unwell or in pain, so Tijil found it safe to say– "Nikora. Would it be within your abilities to not bleed on our floor in your underwear?"

Nikora looked down as if he had not noticed. This closer alignment to gravity—of course—accelerated the flow and increased the volume of blood on the floor, which was the opposite of what Tijil had wanted. He sighed and went to his drawers for his last remaining face cloth.

"Probably not, at this point," Nikora said.

Tijil went to the bathroom and wet the cloth. He wrung it out into the sink and watched the cool water drip back—too loudly—into the dark metal. He stood there for a brief amount of time longer than he needed to.

He brought the cloth back to their room and gave it to Nikora.

"It would be preferable if you were to refrain from any further bleeding," he said, "as that is my last face cloth."

"I don't own any face cloths," Nikora said, muffled into it. His blood seeped pink around the edges of the damp fabric. This nosebleed was not as bad, or perhaps it had not been going for as long a time.

Tijil did not believe Nikora had heard him correctly– and he was not certain why owning face cloths was something that earned such disparaging a tone. He ignored it. "Which is why it would be preferable for this to end now. I would rather not start using shirts."

Nikora laughed and then gurgled– his head was too far back in the way that sends blood down the throat. Tijil's jaw tensed involuntarily—unhelpfully—and he put his hand on the back of Nikora's head and tilted it forward abruptly—much more helpfully.

Nikora tried to snap his head back but Tijil held it still. There was some muttered sound of complaint that Tijil could not parse.

"Please stop trying to choke yourself," Tijil said flatly.

This noise was more resigned.

Daily Sip 1/7

You can reblog this post.

You can make your own post.

You reblog someone else's snip!

Just tag it sipofsnips so everyone can find each other. ^.-

[copperbadge]

The Adventures Of Joe Superfly

I haven't been able to work on Chicken Salad War much recently -- it's less writer's block and more a confluence of issues that mean when I have the time I'm too tired for something novel-sized. It's temporary, but when I don't get to write I do start to get restless.

So the other night as I was doing dishes I circled around to a small issue that keeps nipping at me, which is Ephraim. He's got the most normal name of any of the Ramblers, which is uncharacteristic of Ceece and Tully. Well, I thought, maybe they let Eddie name him, but why would they let Eddie, the oldest, name the youngest, and not the THREE OTHERS inbetween? And why would Eddie pick Ephraim?

I decided to do up a little story about Eph, how he came by his name and what his life experiences have been. Much of it's a spoiler that needs a content warning but I figured I'd share a brief fun scene. Also it's good practice for writing Eph's somewhat elliptical style of speech; he is a man who gives no unnecessary context, and sometimes no necessary context. (All the context you all need to know is that Ephraim's parents wanted to name him Cherry Windward and instead Eddie named him Ephraim Prunus.)

Noah was on dishes duty with Joan, Ed's newly adopted eldest daughter, the evening that Ephraim found Ed on the porch of the royal fishing lodge. He sat next to him companionably, rocking on the porch swing and looking out at the lake.

"How many different names do you think you'll have in your life?" he asked without preamble. Ed laughed.

"I don't know. I think once you become a king the name locks in place," he said. "I've been Theophile and Ted and Ed and Eddie, and now back around to Theophile, at least in public. And then there's 'Dad' too. Why do you ask?"

Ephraim shrugged. "Monday was telling Jes about you naming me. Got to thinking about it."

"Well, you did return the favor eventually," Ed said. "Ed has suited me. Thinking of changing your name?"

"I was thinking of going by Prunus," Ephraim said, with such a deadpan expression that Ed hesitated, then burst out laughing when Eph smiled.

"Punk," he said, shoving Ephraim gently. "I only gave you that one to make mom and dad feel better about you having a normal-ass name. Man, you could see Dad's gears turning. We can always call him Pru."

Ephraim cackled. "Pru! Funny. I guess just…thanks."

"For what, big guy?" Ed asked.

"I didn't think I'd ever see Europe. Didn't think anyone outside Santa Luna would understand," Ephraim said. "But you went all over the world and found somewhere just like home. And I get to be here too. Which means maybe…I can be other places as well."

"There will always be a place for you, anywhere I am," Ed said seriously.

"Yes but also. They get it." Ephraim put on a lilting Shivadh accent. "That's Ephraim, he's King Theophile's brother, he doesn't say much but he's a good lad. No, you let Mr. Rambler alone, he's just shy. Hello young Ephraim, point out what you want to order when you're ready." He looked back out at the lake. "They're kind. I could thrive here."

"But not just yet, huh?" Ed asked. "Not with Noah leaving soon. He's going to Aotearoa and then coming to California, where you'll be."

"Yes."

"And after he graduates?" Ed asked delicately. "Maybe both of you back here?"

Ephraim turned to him. "I don't have a five year plan," he said witheringly, and this time Ed knew he was teasing.

"You son of a -- how dare you accuse me of asking you for a five year plan! Like I'm some kind of responsible adult? Roasted by my own blood!"

"You need it, Your Majesty," Ephraim said, then sobered. "I don't know yet. We'll figure it out."

"I'm sure you will."

"If you were going to name me again, what would you pick?"

Ed tousled his hair. "Buddy, you are now and forever Ephraim to me unless someday you tell me otherwise. I can't name you again. I don't think you need it, you're only just growing into that one. But if you did want a new name, I think you'd have to come up with it yourself -- or ask Noah."

Ephraim nodded thoughtfully. "I'm okay. Just curious."

"I think if you do you should move even more towards the extremes, though. From Cherry Windward to Ephraim Prunus to, I dunno, Joe Superfly."

"Joe Superfly!" Ephraim crowed. "Joe Superfly Rambler!"

"The twins should be glad we named them Edward and Miranda," Ed mused.

"Edward Superfly," Ephraim gasped.

"It's a great movie!"

"Miranda Shaft!" Ephraim blurted, and both brothers laughed until they cried.

[purroowl]

thinking about bokuroo in their thirties, reminiscing all the good times they've had so far and the memories they've created over the years, which eventually leads to bokuto saying, "but i still want to make more memories with you, kuroo. i bet even when we're old and grey we'd be the most fun to be around!" with a large beaming grin.

kuroo raises an eyebrow at him, caught off guard yet quickly hiding his surprise, "careful, bo, it kinda sounds like you're saying you want to be with me forever." at this point they've only just gotten together after a long time of pining and their relationship is still very fresh — maybe even too fresh.

but bokuto shrugs easily and he frowns a little. "yeah, that's exactly what i'm saying?" he looks puzzled by kuroo's response, until his eyes alight with something like realisation, a tinge of doubt shining through. his voice softens considerably then, "... am i the only one who's thinking that?"

the straightforwardness of it is what gets to kuroo as he coughs and rubs at the back of his neck, feeling the warmth that's blooming inside him spread everywhere. he can't meet bokuto's gaze, and in his typical roundabout way, he says: "no, it just sounded a little like a proposal. you've gotta pick your words better, bo."

he peeks at bokuto from his peripherals and it seems like bokuto gets it, his entire expression lighting up once more as he laughs joyously. chest puffing out the way it does when bokuto's feeling particularly proud or exuberant. "don't worry, kuroo! you'll know for sure when it's actually meant to be a proposal. it'll be obvious."

he says it like that's obvious, as if a proposal is actually something that will happen in the future. like kuroo shouldn't doubt that it's in the cards. it's a little staggering if he lets himself think of how serious bokuto actually is about them, but kuroo does mirror the sentiment of wanting to grow old together. he just didn't think bokuto would be on the same page. at least, not so soon.

though, they are in their thirties. maybe they've both waited long enough.

kuroo grins, a mixture of sly, teasing and affectionate as he tugs bokuto closer in one quick manoeuvre. his heart beats against his chest as he mutters against bokuto's lips, sealing the deal like a promise, "not if i beat you to it first."

[goldensunset]

i’m thinking thinking how like… it’s sad how so little information about daybreak town, the foretellers, the keyblade war, and the dandelions has survived to this day. it’s probably bc there were just so few people left immediately following daybreak’s destruction who would’ve possibly known anything that could be passed on. i mean ephemer basically had to take care of refounding a society and passing on precepts singlehandedly

and like while it could just be that a lot of historical information was lost over the generations in scala, i also feel like when the entire society basically worships ephemer, they’re gonna take good care to keep tabs on everything he says and writes. so did he just not say a lot? was he uncomfortable with going into detail about the truth of the war and daybreak’s destruction? the friends he once knew? was he trying to bury his pain and let his memories be lost to history?

point is like there should be an easy way for ventus, skuld (if she is subject x), lauriam and elrena (if she doesn’t already know lol) to remember who they are. like it should be as simple as finding some historical records somewhere. but either ephemer like took his painful secrets and memories to his grave, the worlds are so scattered and broken up that that information simply isn’t present anymore. either that or a whole lot of modern-day people are gatekeeping the knowledge from others for dubious purposes (like xemnas, xigbar, possibly eraqus himself)

plus, it’s not entirely just ephemer who would’ve known things. brain shows up a few centuries later with information from the age of fairytales fresh in his mind since no time has passed for him. and luxu of course has surely been hanging around the entire time, but i’m guessing wouldn’t want to share much information with anyone on purpose

however, there is surviving information in the modern day about the age of fairytales that almost certainly could’ve only come from luxu. such as the lost masters allegedly having crossed over into unreality (<- what yen sid says in melody of memory) or the concept of the ‘true darknesses’ that overtook them (<- what odin says to vidar) ephemer might have figured out the concept of ‘true darkness’ based on the ending of ux but he wouldn’t have been able to determine anything about the numbers, nor would he know that that’s what happened to the foretellers.

so! luxu might have told all that stuff to someone himself in scala (including eph himself) or he might’ve told brain back in daybreak town. but for sure he played a hand in passing down select relevant information. but not all of it. quite interesting

[dracoqueen22]

My boy. The handsome. Staring thoughtfully into the golden morning. <3

Thinking of what's been and will never be again

[thetwilightroadtonightfall]

speaking of Charis actually, [3rd fic in the Overmorrow series that doesn’t have a name yet] has like an entire page, probably more, dedicated to Ephemer being disgustingly in love with her. And that’s just in his own thoughts, not even taking the rest of the fic (10k words or so, we’ll see) into account. I’m truly standing in the depths of my own gooberization now.…

so yeah that’s how that’s going ☺️

[walkswithmyfather]

[New Year is a great time for new beginnings!]

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:16‭-‬18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬). “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”

“Grace and New Beginnings” By In Touch Ministries:

“Because of the immeasurable grace of God, it’s never too late for a new life.”

“After a long winter, cherry blossoms emerge in splendor, signaling the arrival of spring and new life. Visitors travel great distances to experience the glorious spectacle in cities like Tokyo and Washington, D.C.

God’s grace, like the cherry blossom, brings beautiful new beginnings through faith in Jesus (Eph. 2:8). The gift of salvation is a gentle reminder that our past doesn’t define our future. The Lord, in His infinite wisdom and love, invites us to release yesterday’s burdens and embrace the promise of tomorrow.

In this season of newness, God’s grace urges us to look ahead for what is to come—though He never changes, He’s always doing a new thing. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that just as the cherry blossom signals renewal, God is continually working to bring new vitality and purpose into our life. “Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past,” he writes. “Behold, I am going to do something new, now it will spring up ... I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isa. 43:18-19).

Is your heart open to the transformative work of God? He can bring renewal and hope to your life, creating paths in desolate places where you may have felt lost or abandoned. God is a trustworthy guide. Follow Him.”

[Photo by Ian Schneider at Unsplash]

[owl-bones]

Ephi's horse took a liking to your sona and decided to just pick them up and bring them home like a kitten? xD Omg

yup skfhfkfh

my sona had been bribing his horse with sugar cubes for weeks so that they could get close and spy on him (my sona was a journalist who didn't have enough to write about in a tiny old western town so he picked up baking. still nosy tho)

unfortunately that means eph (nightmare) notices that his horse isn't trying to bite my sona's head off and thinks that's interesting. he'll take my sona back to his ranch to ask a few questions (and maybe hire him to work in the stable so killer can stop almost getting eaten by his horse)