#every halloween as a kid it was too cold and rainy to wear anything that didnt double as a coat

[lightnersdream]

i didn't understand peoples obsession with fall until i moved slightly further south like just a couple hours (i used to live in the coldest area in the state) because to me it just meant 30 degree weather and raining/frosting every day. everything died off in mid september its miserable

[kinetic-elaboration]

October 31: Halloween

I had quite a good Halloween today, everything considered, though I am now absolutely exhausted and a little overwhelmed. And my feet hurt a lot.

I went into work in the morning: very cloudy, rainy/drizzly, cold, atmosphere. Extremely Halloween-like weather, I’ll be honest. I got my backlog of work done, and I stopped in at the registrar for warm apple cider and cookies. I mentioned this event to the library and got some, like, insulted responses, like, how dare they hone in on our event but I have to say… chill out. If they were also doing hot dogs, or even another lunch food, I’d say that’s insulting, but their event really didn’t compete. Also since the event email was nuked because it’s too expensive or whatever, no one knows anything about what’s happening, and I barely even heard this was a thing. They were not our competition. So. I don’t know, the cookie and cider were good and the office was made up in a very spooky manner and all I needed was to engage in some awkward conversation.

There were some nice costumes and make up, people in holiday sweaters or with cute earrings, one co-worker with Halloween makeup and one in a full Halloween get-up, with makeup, and a matching clown mask that she did not wear but kept at the desk to disturb people. She didn’t know where it was from, just found it in her closet, so… I presume it’s cursed. There were also some dressed up students, including, most notably, Sexy Pennywise with some red balloons. One of the housekeepers is afraid of clowns and I felt bad: dude was not having a good time.

Then there was Halloweenies itself. It was drizzly and cold, so we had to separate our grill from our actual food stations: grill outside, stations under the overhang. It actually was not too chilly in my little, dark corner lol. Much more lowkey than other years, not a lot of people just hanging out outside with their food, but we were still very popular and saw a lot of people come by. We ran out of ready beef hotdogs pretty fast, within my shift, and we kept having to tell people we didn’t have any, which kind of sucked. One kid, I felt bad for him, he said he’d be back in 15 minutes, and in that time we got another batch out and then every single one was taken, and then just as the last one was given away, he came back and we still had none. I hope he got one eventually. Anyway, it’s always an enjoyable event. We had a couple medium sized inflated ducks and a large cardboard duck that was positioned to be staring right at me, in honor of the whole duck thing that’s still limping along.

I had a 45 minute shift but stayed a little longer because I didn’t want to have to do any more work before I went home and also I wanted one of the hot dogs. I got one eventually, found a ring pop in the candy bowl. Talked a bit to A about the situation at Circ, still not resolving itself, possibly heading for disaster. Then I left at around quarter to 1.

My plan had been to get some lunch, sit outside, write a little in my notebook but it was too cold and everything was covered in water from the rain. So I took an impulse walk into the historic area instead. There weren’t many people, and it was overcast and rainy and leaf-strewn, so even though they’ve totally given up on Halloween decorations (a big L, in my opinion), the area itself was done up in a spooky way by nature itself. I felt like I kept seeing haunted places, in some way that’s hard to describe. I took a lot of photos.

I walked way longer and farther than I had I intended to, and then I was exhausted and cold. So I went to a coffee shop, which wasn’t crowded for once because it was the middle of the day, got a brown sugar pecan latte, and sat inside for a little bit, writing up notes. Not very useful notes, but that’s okay. Then I headed home.

I had a quick lunch, posted my ficlet, stuff like that, and then I roused myself to make an apple crisp, which I’ve been meaning to do for ages, and also change the sheets on my bed and do some other chores. I also watched Halloweentown because even though it was not part of my childhood, I thought it looked adorable and like something in-season that wasn’t yet more horror. It was good background noise. Then I got a quick dinner. At this point I’m very tired and my feet hurt terribly. Whenever I’m productive, I always end up becoming very anxious in the evening: thinking about what I didn’t do and what I need to do next and what I need to do in the coming days, weeks, months, aaaaah! And of course it’s not a good feeling, so then I feel later like it’s not even worth being productive, because all I get is anxiety. I’m trying, as I head into the end of the year hoping to build better habits, to manage this feeling, to learn, as I think I was once able to do, to shut off the anxiety and just rest in the accomplishment. I did a lot today. I did essentially everything I had set out to do. Now if I hope to do anything tomorrow—starting with a full work day—I need to rest and get some good sleep.

So, overall, I am ready to transition out of the Halloween era, but I do think the day was successful!

[yourholidaymom]

Your Holiday Mom: Mama Ro

I am SO excited to have you with us for the holidays. We celebrate anything and everything here at the House of Creative Mayhem. You’ll be joining me, Ro, a purple-haired mama, and two of my three kids. Connor is 20, spends a lot of time playing video games, and is absolutely hilarious. He is on the autism spectrum, and sees things a little differently than everybody else, which makes him a wonderful person to know. He says if you like to game, you can play Team Fortress 2 with him, but if you don’t want to talk, he understands. My middle child, Ron, (24) is gender queer, and will be bringing their partner, Greg to dinner. They’re both gamers, too. And vegans,, which means I have to get creative with my cooking. I still make turkey, but I get creative with the side dishes and make a field roast for them, which is a vegan thing made from mushrooms and stuff. My oldest son lives in a nearby city with my granddaughter, but they are busy and probably won’t be able to make it. Could be a surprise visit, though, so prepare to hang out with a four-year-old. She and I will probably put on our matching tutus that I made for us. If you want one, I’ll make one for you, too. Or not. Your choice, of course.

I hope you love dogs, because I have a rescue pit bull named Lord Jasper Bighead, Earl of Fartsalot. I’ve had him for about 2 and a half years now, and he’s the love of my life. Nobody knows where he came from or how old he is, but this is his home for life now. I take him with me everywhere I can. Dogs are good company. They just give out love, and take as much love as you give them. And believe me, I can give a LOT of love. He also loves food. I’ll give you treats to give him and he will adore you.

So my birthday is right before the winter Solstice, and we’ll celebrate that with me taking everyone out to dinner. We’ll have to figure out someplace that has food we all love. I am wondering about your favorite foods and how to make sure you get them. Let’s sit in front of the fire and talk about it. While we talk, I’ll make art. I create weird things out of stuff other people throw away. Sometimes I call myself the Queen of the Trash Fairies. I also take in people who have no where to go, like my friend Chuck, who has been homeless for decades. He camps in my yard now, so criminals and homeless sweeps can’t disrupt his life. And of course I will be inviting all kinds of friends over for dinners throughout the winter months. It’s fun to gather in the warmth and light of home when it’s cold and rainy outside, isn’t it?

I’m really hoping you will spend some time making art with me. I have a gazillion different supplies. I’ve got paints, collage stuff, sharpies, jewelry-making supplies, clay, several guitars (I write protest songs, among other things. I’m what you’d call a social justice warrior and I will never understand why some people consider that an insult. Silly.) and of course, lots of journals and pens, because I’m also a writer. So, you know, whatever you like to do creatively, I bet we can do a lot of it while you’re here.

Can we have a serious talk about something? Being the parent of two queer kids, and being queer myself, I know full well how hard it can be. I spent a loooooot of years trying to fit in and be like everybody else. (news flash, it didn’t work!) Now that I’m older, I don’t even try to hide who I am, and I have found SO many people who love me exactly as I am. My friends celebrate my weirdness, which includes a love of puns, wearing dresses (never pants, ever), studying sword fighting, building an art studio in my yard that is made out of tires, custom painting my shoes… the people I know LOVE these things about me. And they love me even when my depression and anxiety keep me from being in contact very often. They just love **me,** exactly as I am, and exactly as I am not. I am sure that if you haven’t found your people yet, that you will. Just keep shining your bright self and the right people will come to you. Like me and my family. We’re your people! You’re our people. Isn’t that glorious?

Oh, I forgot to mention the house… I ilve in a pink house. The inside is painted just about every color you can imagine. There’s not a beige wall anywhere, so I hope you’re ready to experience a lot of color, because that is exactly what we have here!

What do you want to do while you’re here? We can play games. I have a bunch of fun ones, Cards Against Humanity, of course, Pictionary, Scattergories, the kind of games that rely on thinking outside the box. Or even thinking like you never believed there was a box to begin with! Or we can go for a walk with the dog at the lake nearby. Or we can go downtown and check out the holiday decorations. They have a lot of brass bands and carolers. We could join in the carols if you want. (I will want to, guaranteed. I love to sing. I’m not very good, but I have fun. Of course, I wouldn’t insist that you do anything you don’t want to) Oh, that has me thinking about popcorn. I don’t know why. I want popcorn with tons of butter, while we’re in front of the fire talking. You get to pick the music. I wonder what we’ll listen to first. I bet you’ll introduce me to things I’ve never heard before, too, won’t you?

Listen to me, you precious, wonderful being… I love you and I am so glad you’re here with us. You make everything more fun,more meaningful. This is the best year ever, because you’re here. Now, what do you want to do first?

Love your face, Mama Ro

PS OMG, I completely forgot about baking. There will be sooooo much baking. What’s your favorite cookie? Do you want to learn to bake bread? Make pies?

PSS This silly picture of me is my Halloween costume, Steampunk Peacock. What should I be next year?

** This year we are reprising your favorite letters. The original post date of this letter was Dec 08, 2019.

Your Holiday Mom: Mama Ro was originally published on Your Holiday Mom

[themightyboosh]

autumnal asks 🌙

tagged by my penguin @wldstdream​ who took matters into her own hands and decided to make this a tag game and who am i to disagree. probably some of you have done this as an ask game already lmaoo BUT oh wellzies

i tag @rchtzr​, @blueeyedrichie​, @datingdonovan​, @ughkaspbrak​ & literally anybody who loves the most wonderful time of the year 🎃👻

1. what is your favorite autumn scent? the smell in the air at night in october. no i will not explain. if you know, you just know

2. would you rather go through a corn maze or go pumpkin picking? i live in a corn maze. i’m isaac, child of the corn. look at my stupid hat 👒

3. what is your favorite halloween candy? take 5s bitch (aka the god of all candies)

4. favorite autumn holiday? .....................wtf do you think i’m gonna say here, LABOR DAY????? COLUMBUS DAY?? GIVE URSELF A STOMACHACHE DAY?? frig off randy there is only one correct answer to this question and you know what it is

5. rainy, foggy autumn days or cold, sunny autumn days? um....... neither 👿 i want cold, foggy, and NO rain.

6. favorite horror movie to watch on halloween? halloween... duh. the one and only time of year i will allow michael myers: the (bitch ass) killer the gift and grace of my presence

7. do you like raking leaves? no i don’t like exerting physical energy ever <3

8. do you have any special autumn traditions? me and my family go apple picking every year at the orchard near my house that you can drive your car through and then we eat apple cider donuts and jump on hay bales

9. do you like carving pumpkins? no i don’t but yes i do 🧡 here’s my portfolio:

10. combat boots or cardigans? why is this an autumn question i wear both of them all year bro

11. yellows, reds and browns or purples, blacks and oranges? 💜🖤🧡

12. favorite autumn drink? honestly i do not drink anything different lmao i’ll still just be sipping my daily berry hibiscus lemonade and my daily sodie and maybe if i’m feeling very 2017 me i’ll drink a razzleberry peace tea but probably not

13. do you like pumpkin spice flavored things? no but i wish i did ;/

14. favorite type of pie? apl.de.ap baby 🍎

15. do you have any special halloween traditions? what are they? yes i watch hocus pocus approximately 666 times, eat my weight in candy, and then save halloweentown from the evil annoying sorcerer son of my mom’s evil annoying ex-boyfriend who is trying to turn everything into a depressing black and white movie because he’s bitter that he doesn’t have the vernacular that he thinks he possesses and that somebody LIED to him several times and told him that he was fly, hot, and sexy, and beautiful, and he’s nothing like that. he’s nothing of the sort.

16. halloween parties or giving out candy to trick or treaters? parties baby, *winnie sanderson voice* dance dance dance until you dieeeeee!!!!!

17. hayrides or campfires? how about campfires ON a hayride. fire hazard who?

18. describe your ideal autumn day? mid-october when it’s cloudy out and the weather is not really cold but is cold enough to wear a sweatshirt and all the leaves are pretty as can be in full foliage :’)

19. coffee or hot chocolate? hot chocolate <33333

20. alcoholic or non alcoholic apple cider? non alcoholic cuz. that alcohol intolerance bullshit my body decided to bless me with 🤟🏻💀

21. what is your go to autumn outfit(s)? anything you see a kid wearing in a 90s halloween-themed movie. for example every outfit that adam, my og KING, rocks in absolutely legendary dcom mom’s got a date with a vampire:

22. do you wear scarves? i have one long black scarf and i wear it when i don’t feel good in the fall/winter and what is the correlation there? i do not know

23. describe your dream autumn date? ok picture this. we go to an abandoned summer camp in the middle of the woods and get murdered by a silent, undead, machete wielding freak with mommy issues in a hockey mask and it’s all because we’re too out of shape to outrun somebody who ONLY walks. so sweet and romantic 😍💖

24. scary stories around a camp fire or getting lost in a corn maze with someone? WHAT did i JUST say before 🌽🔪

25. black cats or bats? BOTH. i’m loyal to black cats because of owner of halloween thackery binx and i’m loyal to bats because it’s frickin bats. i love halloween

26. do you decorate for autumn? my mom literally has 12 boxes of halloween decorations in the attic. i don’t even need to go to a haunted house my house becomes one baby 💅

27. vampires or witches? you can go fuck yourself miss questionnaire how about that because you and i and everybody knows that i would never be able to choose. i love both and i want to be both and i invite any and all vampires and witches to come bite me and bewitch me please and thank you.

28. do you collect crystals? no i have enough random shit in my room, i do NOT need more

29. do you like cold weather? yes until it freezes my car door shut and i have to run an extension cord outside and use a blow dryer to melt it and get it open just so that i can get to work and then i hunt the snow miser down and kill him with the icicle hanging off his own nose

30. what was your favorite autumn activity as a kid? TRICK OR TREATING!!!!!!!!!! my costume game went hard, my scopin for neighborhoods that gave out king size candy bars went hard, my candy trade game to maximize the amount of reeses i got went hard. time machine me back right now jack skellington *eddie kaspbrak voice* i’m SERIOUS.

[szopenhauer]

Has anybody ever told you that you’re too young to be in love? from what I remember that could happen

Did you learn anything from the last BIG mistake you made? no comment...

Do you have a favorite brand of shoes?   nah

Do you like rollercoasters with big drops? I don’t do rollercoasters 

Do you have any inside jokes with your parents? yes

Did you ever want a pony for a gift as a kid? nope

Do you know who your mom’s favorite singer is?   she doesn’t really have one because she doesn’t listen to music tbh except what I blast 

Have you ever gone to a school that made you wear uniforms?   middle school

Have you ever tried to surf? nooo

Do you want to learn? absolutely not

Did you pick out the furniture in your bedroom? I wish...

Yes or no: Apple pie? yes

Yes or no: Candy apples?   no

Are you a heavy sleeper?   not anymore

Honestly, have you ever re-gifted something? What was it? plenty of stuff

How many months away is your birthday? 1-2

Is the closet in your bedroom a walk-in closet? I’d love to have one like this :3

Do you enjoy cooking? I do not

Which one of your family members do you wish you could see more often? grandma... and aunt Alice

Have you ever (accidentally or not) set off a car alarm? just by walking by 

Do you call it sitting “criss-cross” or “Indian-style”? criss-cross is less offensive

Do you have dimples when you smile?   I do indeed

Do you find graveyards scary? Jack kinda does

Have you ever carved anything into a tree? don’t do that :(

Do you give or get advice more often? give

If you have caffeine late in the day, does it cause you to struggle with your sleep? no idea, I don’t drink coffee

If you have a pet, have they ever embarrassed you in public or in front of friends or family members? What happened? sigh...

Do you leave the house every single day? almost

Would you rather spend the day at the beach, or a day in the snow in the mountains? beach

Do you prefer tops that are plain, or ones with patterns/logos/slogans? plain are lame

Do you enjoy buying gifts for other people, or do you never know what to buy them? it’s complicated

What book do you wish they’d make into a film or TV series? few of my favorites 

Do you prefer zip-up or overheard hoodies? overheard, I hate zippers in clothes

When was the last time you stayed overnight away from home? Was this with friends, family or in a hotel somewhere? What was the occasion? recently, my partner[s] apartment, no occasion

Would you ever be interested in seeing a live magic show? I already did but I don’t remember anything 

What’s your favourite period to learn about in history? What got you interested in this particular era? I liked interesting facts no matter of the period, I hated dates and names

Do you still use or carry cash, or do you pay for everything via card? cash forever

Are there any TV shows that remind you of your grandparents for some reason? Moda na sukces głównie

Do you know how to tie a tie without looking it up? Did you have tie in school (uniform)? maybe, we didn’t

Do you prefer having carpets or hardwood floors? hardwood

When was the last time you took a bath? Is this something you do often or do you prefer taking showers? last night and gonna have one now

What’s your opinion on clothes for dogs? If you have a dog, have you ever bought any clothing items for them? cute but my dog doesn’t wear any

What will you be doing once you finish this survey? What were you doing before you started taking it? I will go to sleep, I’m also playing Choices 

When was the last time you played a game of Monopoly? Did you play until the end or did everyone get fed up and start arguing? this year, we don’t argue about it which is weird because we often argue in general

Do you have anything fun or exciting planned for tomorrow? I hope I will meet with Slytherin system

Don’t you love it when you meet a dog or cat and they instantly love you, especially when the owner says “they normally hate strangers!”? awww sounds like Nat don’t ya think? :P

Would you rather do a wordsearch or a crossword? Word Search but sudoku is cooler

Do you prefer multi coloured or plain white fairy lights? good question

Do you have a favourite TV detective (eg. Sherlock, Poirot)?  Poirot <3  and Don Matteo

Do you hear any animals right now? not even kotszop 

Is your trashcan full? it’s small so it’s almost always full

Are you hungry? am not

Is it rainy where you’re at right now? not tonight

Is your dishwasher full? we don’t own a dishwasher

Do you like to wear gloves? not really

Are you wearing anything pink right now? nothing

What is the creepiest bug you’ve ever saw? maggots are

Do you chew on your lip? might

Are you afraid of needles? I’m not

Do you like Batman? mhm

Can you see a star shape in the room you are in? I can

Do you use hand sanitizer? obvi

Are you in any kind of club or group that is trying to save animals? I’ve been signing petitions 

Where were you two hours after you got up, and what were you doing there? dentist...

Have you ever played fetch with a dog? it didn’t listen XD

Do you use Netflix? if I only had an account...

Do you play games on your computer? when I’m in the mood

Did you have anything bad happen to you today? ...

Do you use the term “lol” if you don’t have anything to say? not when I have nothing to say wtf

Should you be sleeping right now instead of taking this survey? yup :x

Do you currently have any blemishes on your face? yep

Do you use smileys often in text convos? maybe

Would you ever consider being a cannibal? hell no

Did you forget something important in the past week? yeah

Are the floors in your house creaky? there are creaky places and I love it

Do you fear death? sorta

Is your mouth dry? it’s complicated

Do you have any scars from an animal? weirdly no

When was the last time it snowed where you live? Do you like snowy weather or is it just a pain? this week, it’s pain!

9 - When was the last time you got off work early? What was the reason? I don’t have a job

What time did you wake up this morning? Did you get out of bed right away? 8 and had to

Do you ever watch movies or TV shows that require you to read subtitles? why not?

When was the last time you had a haircut? When was the last time you dyed your hair (if you ever have)? Nat is gonna kill me for this bangs, I dyed my hair over 5 years ago

Do you prefer wearing tight-fitting or loose-fitting clothes? loose

What was the last piece of good news you received? Was it expected? pfft

What time of year do you start listening to Christmas music? after Halloween

Are there any names you can think of that just go well together? where should I start...

Do you enjoy museums? whatever

Do you have a username you use for everything? Or does it change each site? it changes but not for EACH

Do you have any disorders or disabilities? what I DON’T have...

Do you ever watch How To videos? in my whole life like a few

Did you have a tree house when you were a kid? If so, did you ever fall from it? I wanted to but never did

Do you enjoy designing things? Anything? I sure do

Do you know what a raincheck at stores is? I know

Can you learn the lyrics of a song by ear, or do you have to search them up? I never remember even the titles...

Do you like the name Amy? Amy Anya :(

Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? Are you close to that person at all? I called my dad but he couldn’t talk so... he’s my friend

Do you enjoy watching bloopers or outtakes from TV shows?  could

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own shop? What kind of thing would you like to sell? antiques and such

Are you a twin? If not, would you ever want to be a twin? If you are a twin, do you ever wish you weren’t? ;)

Would you ever want to go and visit the moon? it’s bought by Tom Cruise, no thx

Does anything on your body hurt or ache right now? shut up...

When was the last time you struggled to get to sleep? Was there was a specific reason for that? constantly

When was the last time you had a cold? With everything going on in the news, did you worry that it was COVID? my dad had a cold

Do you think people should have to pass a test in order to own pets? it’s not the worst idea

When was the last time you fell asleep/had a nap during the day? Is this something that happens often? it happens very rarely

so how are you today? bad

have you ever been to London? in the past life lmfao

do you enjoy going to the library? heh...

what’s the last movie you watched? we rewatched Asterix and Obelix 

[purplesurveys]

659

Mosquitoes find you particularly delicious. The rainy season where I live is essentially equivalent to mosquito season, so there is definitely a certain period in a year where they are more than usual; and because I like having just my windows open when I sleep (I find the aircon too cold most of the time), the mosquitoes find their way to my room and so there’d be days I’d wake up filled with new bites. I’m lucky enough to have never had dengue. You cheated on Heads Up 7 Up in elementary school. We don’t play that here. We do have a game called 7 Up and it *may* be a variation of that, but 7 Up involves running and chasing haha. You had a favorite Spice Girl. I’m definitely not old enough to have reached Spice Girls’ peak, and out of all of them I only know Victoria Beckham. You remember watching the first episode of SpongeBob when it came out. I was only a year old when Spongebob first came out, so I didn’t watch it by then. I do know what episode you’re talking about, though – Spongebob was pretty much all I ever watched as a kid. You like to draw. I was never any good at drawing, so I hate every bit of it.

You wish you had a car. Sort of? I have my own car bought by my parents, but I am aiming to get my own car when I could afford it. My dream car is the Mini Cooper Clubman. You used to want to be a model. I’m embarrassed by it now, but it was a legitimate dream of mine before, so much so that I let my dad know of my intention (then) of becoming a runway model. Idk, I had a past friend who was into VS models and reblogged them all the time, so her interest rubbed off on me and I wanted to be like them as well. I cringe every time I remember, lmao. You wanted to be on the show All That. I wanted to be on all the Nickelodeon shows that had the same theme as All That. You enjoy public speaking. I’m good at it and can enjoy it on a good day, but sometimes I’ll get anxious. You have witnessed something supernatural. Nope. I’ve had friends tell me their stories and I believe them, but I can’t say the same for myself. You believe in the supernatural. Just ghosts. I don’t believe in folk creatures, like the ones we have in our native culture. You aren't heterosexual. My survey answers in the last six or so years have made this very blatant. You think the whole transgender thing is stupid. That’s twisted and sad and pitiful. You own a dreamcatcher. Two – one mini dreamcatcher and another giant one. I’ve had an attachment to them since seeing New Moon of the Twilight Saga – there’s a part where Jacob gives Bella her own dreamcatcher at a time when she got depressed and was having nightmares every night, and I know there had been many times when I was like Bella, so I wanted one for myself as well. You'd want a boho wedding. So not my style. My wedding’s going to be minimalist and at most, pastel-themed. You think pink is the best color for cars. Not for me, no. Simple is better; I like my cars white. You've been called a free spirit. Nope, and rightfully so. I wouldn’t call myself a free spirit either. I like trying out new things, but I also like having security blankets and safety nets around. You're the same height as your mom. Yeah pretty much. She’s just a tiny bit taller. You grew up watching Nickelodean. I grew up watching Nickelodeon*, but this works too. My cousins and I just flipped among three channels – Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network.

You have a sibling who looks like you. Nah we all have our own distinct looks. There are angles and expressions wherein we look more similar, but generally it’s easy to tell us apart. You like to write in a journal. This account is pretty much like my journal, and I love using this blog for my thoughts and ramblings. You're tired. It’s Friday, it’s the end of the week, and I’m so, so, SO tired. And of course I’m celebrating by drinking two cups of coffee and staying up as late as I want, lol. You felt sick today. The last time this happened was late last year. I felt feverish while I was out for dinner with Gab, but the weird thing about it was that I felt better and as if nothing happened literally a half hour later. You're very creative. That is the LAST word I would use to describe myself. You can be disorganized. I’m organized about a lot of things, but I’m also disorganized about a lot of things. I could never maintain my closet no matter how much I put an effort to fold everything neatly and start from square one. You have a fever right now. Nope.

You've enjoyed babysitting. We never explicitly used this term but I was always the go-to elder kid to look out for my baby cousins, especially when we still lived under the same roof as an extended family, and I loved every bit of it. I was okay with being the motherly figure while everyone else played games or with toys. You want to go to New York City to visit. Yeah. I like bustling cities, so I feel like NYC would be right up my alley. I don’t care much for Times Square though and I would probably spend most of my time going to their museums. You love tea. I’m not obsessed with it; I can take it or leave it. And I don’t like the teas that come with a teabag; I drink either the traditional Chinese tea or just sweet, unhealthy iced tea altogether. You don't play an instrument. Yeah and I get sad about this like two times a day lmao. I wish I could play just a tiny bit of piano and/or violin. You used to want Taylor Swift's hair. I never actively wanted to be anything like her.  You enjoyed High School Musical. Of course. I was THERE when it came out, and I stayed for every bit of the first film, High School Musical 2, and High School Musical 3. I was right smack in the middle of the HSM frenzy and it’s one of the more cherishable moments of my childhood haha. Everybody knew the songs, the steps to We’re All In This Together, and had HSM shirts, bags, pencil cases, and notebooks. You watched The Rugrats Movie in the theater. I barely remember that it had a movie, and I don’t think I ever saw it. Definitely not in the cinemas. You've performed on stage in a musical. I’ve performed on stage (as part of a big group) for annual school productions, but I think they were all plays. Hated every second of it. You've had the lead role in a musical. Certainly not. You've had cramps so bad you threw up. No, but close. A few weeks ago I had a headache SO bad I actually had to run to the toilet only to dry heave. It’s never happened to me before so I got scared and I just slept it off to see what happened the next day. You've never had Nutella. 2010 Tumblr pressured everybody to get Nutella because it was all the rage at the time and all the cool kids were having it, so I also did at some point. You have a favorite blanket. The one Gabie gave me two Christmases ago is my favorite. You own family heirlooms. I’m sure we have some but they haven’t been passed on to me yet.

You have carved and painted pumpkins before. No, pumpkins aren’t really a thing here. As far as I know, coloring/painting on Easter eggs is a more common activity. You have colored Easter eggs. Yes, I used to do this with my (second) cousins when they were younger.

You've walked through a haunted house. I always say I’m into horror stuff, but tbh I think horror movies are the furthest I can go HAHAHA. I’ve never been in a haunted house whether day or night, and I think the only time you’d get me to do it is if I got paid for it. You've dressed up on Halloween. Plenty times. I was Dora the Explorer last year :D :D You've tried to kill yourself. You've had a false rumor spread about you. In Grade 6 I had a rumor come back to me saying I was bi and was seeing my friend Andi (who, to be fair, I had a crush on at the time but I didn’t realize it yet). I just found it cool at all that I had a rumor about me considering I wasn’t a popular kid and had literally 2 friends, so I didn’t let it bother me haaaaah. You've been kicked out of a store (whether for a good or bad reason.) It was at a McDonald’s lmao.  My friends were playing a card game and were yelling every five seconds; I knew people were going to get pissed so I distanced myself as much as possible even though I was at the same table jkfghdgh. Eventually an old man had had enough and asked us to leave, which I was GLAD to do. You have a favorite stove burner that you always use. I don’t have a favorite...the one I use often just happens to be my regular one. You enjoy eating at fast food restaurants. I find them dirty and nasty so I only eat there if I absolutely have to, but I do like getting takeout and enjoy fast food in general. You like arrows and feathers and peace signs. Ugh cringe, this SCREAMS 2010 Tumblr hahahahaha. I mean I liked all of these at some point, but not now. You want to wear a flower crown for your wedding. Hell no. It was cute for a while, but not anymore. You have signed someone else's yearbook. We don’t do that here. We pay tons of money for our yearbooks that it’s practically destroying them if we ever wrote on them lmao. You were shy in high school. For the first half, I was shy and pretty unpopular. By the latter part of high school I managed to gain friends and end up in the ~popular~ circle, but I was still shy compared to my peers. I didn’t take up a lot of extracurriculars (which is what the popu kids tended to do) but I managed to stay within the circle until the end of it. You're shy when first getting to know someone. Of course, as most would be I would imagine. I can warm up fast, though. You've gotten all A's in a class before. In high school, this was me with English and history. In college, this would be me with my history electives.

You had a favorite class and a favorite teacher in high school. Sure! Our biology teacher in sophomore year was evvvvverybody’s crush. She was so pretty and kind and smart; when we went to a beach for our field trip, I tried getting stung by a jellyfish just so she’d treat the bite on my leg cos she was one out of two faculty members who knew how to treat stings HAHAHAH. I didn’t get the highest marks in her class, but I enjoyed nonetheless. You were a teacher's favorite. BY NO MEANS. Gabie was, though. We were total polar opposites when it came to how we acted in class. You've won a costume contest. I...don’t think I ever did, but my mom did go all out when it came to coming up with our costumes as kids. You have a favorite Disney princess. It used to be Ariel, then I found her annoying. My present favorite is Rapunzel. You get carsick. Only if I excessively do something while in a moving vehicle, like text or read. You've flown first class. Never have. You hate inequality and wish life were more fair. Don’t we all? You've had a bad neighbor. They weren’t bad per se. Just a bit chaotic and the kids (a little older than I was at the time) clearly had behavioral issues. I was so relieved when they moved out. You've done a cannonball. I don’t think so. You have fallen and hit your head. Nope, and that sounds like the literal worst thing. You like sunflowers. Sure! It’s a popular UP symbol – every year, a few weeks before the university-wide graduation, they’d plant huuundreds of sunflowers to line up the entire road leading to my school :) We usually refer to sunflowers as a sign of encouragement to keep on keeping on, so that one day the sunflowers will bloom for us as well. You like the name Skylar. It’s alright. I like it because it’s the name of the badass mom in Breaking Bad, but otherwise it’s nothing too special for me. You've had a friend named Sarah. I have acquaintances with the name Sarah but they’re not my friends. You have an Aunt Robin. Nope. I would end up being the Aunt Robyn in a few years, hahahaha. You have an Uncle Rick. I’ve never heard of an Uncle/Tito Rick, but with how big Filipino families are I wouldn’t be surprised if I turned out to have one. You have a cousin Annabelle. No, but close. I have an Auntie Bel whose whole name is Amabel. You think flying a kite is boring. I never had fun doing it, or whenever we had to do it as a school activity. You were born in the year of the Dragon. Tiger, yo. You like your Chinese zodiac sign better than your American one. I don’t care for either. Your laptop has shut off because it got too hot. It’s never done this before, thank goodness. I try not to overwork it either. You've accidentally caught something on fire. Nope, I don’t think this has happened to me before. You make your bed every day. Aside from my mom requires me to, a neat bed makes the entire room feel much cleaner so I do it anyway. You wear a digital watch. I have a bad record of losing watches, so I never like wearing them. You have a favorite park. We don’t have a lot of parks here to even pick favorites from to begin with, which is a shame. You've hiked a mountain. I want to sooooo bad. It’s just never happened before/yet. You want to hike a mountain again. ^ You've been a slave. What the fuck. You feel like you've had your free will stolen from you. My parents were quite strict before but it never felt this bad. You speak in tongues. If you mean I can speak more than one language, then sure. You enjoy medieval festivals. Never been interested in anything medieval. Your favorite fair ride is the pirate ship. I don’t ride rides. Cotton candy isn't that good. It’s a cute concept but I wouldn’t always pay for it.  Men look good in pink. Men – and anybody – would look good in any color so long as they’re comfortable with it lol. You went to youth group. Hell no. I’m glad my mom never forced me either. You were baptized in a lake. No. Just in a church. You were on Color Guard. I have no idea what this means. You went to your senior prom. We had a junior prom that I went to, and that was it for my school; but I was also asked to go to a senior ball of another school. Your first kiss was just an experiment. No, it was a legit kiss. You dated a guy you didn't like. Almost did, though. You have fallen asleep in class. Never. I never want this to happen, either. You have won an award. A few times. You type fast. Yeah, you get used to it through the years. You have a lot of dreams for your future. I still want to do a lot, yes. You've gone camping in the woods. Never, but it’d be a cool experience. I wouldn’t want to be alone though. You love to sleep under the stars. I don’t get to do this but it sounds like a lovely time. You've gone camping in the fall. I haven’t gone camping at allllllll. You own a pair of slipper socks. That sounds way too hot for where I live lmao.

[leejeongz]

Fall/Autumn with Stray Kids

🍂aww this is such a cute request, thank you Hun I hope you like it! I tried to post this before Halloween but that didn’t seem to work lol🍂

🕸this is very British I’m sorry if you don’t understand everything I wrote here such as the bonfire night thing, just ask and I’ll explain🕸

Bang Chan:

All you wanted to do this cold autumn evening was cuddle with your boyfriend Chris, so that’s what you did. In the background Halloweentown was playing quietly, one of yours and his favourite films. It made cuddle time that little bit more sentimental. You weren’t exactly watching it this time but that was okay since you’d seen it about 50 times before. Instead this time you were watching Chan’s chest rise and fall slowly as he gently drifted to sleep. His arms were wrapped around you, his fingers tapping your back, sending you into a sleepy trance too. Every so often you’d hear a snore shortly followed by a laugh trying to play off him falling asleep. But nothing got passed you.

“Nooo I wasn’t sleeping no no no that doesn’t sound like me baby”

Woojin:

This year was your first autumn with Woojin and you were super excited to introduce him to one of your favourite family traditions, a pumpkin carving competition. The idea was each member of your family carved a pumpkin and then on October 31st everyone voted for their favourite that wasn’t their own of course. Woojin showed up at your house with two huge pumpkins and some carving equipment. He was so ready to get involved, especially since it was something so important to you. While you carved your pumpkins Woojin would ask a lot of questions about the voting process like it was super important and like he’d get killed or something if he didn’t win this year. He also explained one of his autumn family traditions which you also gladly took part in.

“What if your family don’t like me because I’m not good at carving? I’m sorry I’m not trained at carving y/n ahh I’m stressed”

Lee Know:

A lazy day with Minho was exactly what you needed after a long few weeks at school/work. You went over to the dorms in your favourite snuggly hoodie and some leggings, not caring that it was pouring down and getting you completely soaked. When you reached the dorms Minho took one look at you and pulled him into his shared room. He threw a pile of his clothes at you and sent you to their bathroom to get changed. When you returned, without thinking he placed your wet clothes onto the radiator and turned back to grab your hand to lead you into his little den when he caught a glimpse of you. Wearing his clothes made you look 10x cuter. Minho wasn’t that much bigger than you but the fact that they were his clothes was what made him the softest.

“And to think I was gonna roast you for your messy hair. How can I do that when you look like a sack of cutiepie potatoes?”

Changbin:

Your younger cousin had joined you this Halloween meaning you could go trick or treating with her so of course you invited Changbin along too. Changbin showed up in a werewolf costume and a black thick coat since it was especially cold tonight. He greeted you with a hug, looking around for your younger cousin as he did so. When he saw her he immediately went over and introduced himself. You’d only gotten to the top of your street when your cousin complained that she was cold so changbin gave her his coat. After that at of kindness, your cousin clung to him, holding his hand while trick or treating. It was pathetic to say you were jealous of her yet the truth was that you were but all that envy went away when it struck you what a great father Changbin would be.

“”Beware of dog”, awe don’t worry my darlings I’ll protect you both”

(Ignore Jisung or at least try to I know it’s hard)

Hyunjin:

His favourite thing to do in the autumn would be to walk his dog and now he has an s/o, that walk became more special to him. He’d ask you to accompany him on his walk with Kkami (I literally spell his dog’s name differently every time I write it I’m sorry) to which you gladly accepted. It was cold enough for gloves to be accepted by the public so you slipped on yours and forced Hyunjin to wear his. He put a little dog coat onto Kkami and attached the lead to his collar. You stepped onto the street, leaves crunching beneath your feet as you did so. Hyunjin’s hand was immediately in yours and his head turned to look at you. The smile on your face was huge and so was his. This was about to be the best walk of his life.

“I have plenty of poop bags we could stay out here for hours”

Han:

Halloween was just around the corner and you were both SUPER excited. You weren’t doing anything special, just the same as usual, decorating the house so the trick or treaters know they can knock on your door for sweets. You started up the Halloween playlist Jisung had made for you and Jisung walked into the living room in orange fluffy socks carry a box of scary decorations. There was no plan, just grab and throw was your motto. The house ended up looking a mess, but it was acceptable, it looked like a Halloween themed crime scene and both of your were evidently proud of it. There was just one thing left to do, open the sweets and tip them into the jar. Jisung jumped at the idea so you let him do it which was a mistake since there was barely any Haribos left for the kids.

“Let’s stick this tape here and oh the candy wait the skeletons Y/N THE SKELETONS”

(This is the cutest gif to ever exist thank you to the creator ahshsh)

Felix:

Felix still wasn’t used to fall being cold and rainy so when he stepped outside in just a tshirt on the first day of October he got a very big shock. You told him it was gonna be cold but no, Aussie boy Felix knew better. Nevertheless he struggled on throughout the day, exclaiming every time you asked or offered your coat that he wasn’t cold at all. The next day poor Felix fell sick, just like you told him he would. He made you stay with him all day, wrapped up in the covers. He made sure that he wouldn’t make you sick too and would try his hardest to get better, trying whatever remedies google told him. Although you had NO sympathy for the stupid boy, you couldn’t help but feel sad when you left him that night to go back home, hoping he’d be feeling better by the morning.

“Y/n I promise you I’ll be fine! Now go home and text me when you get there so I know you’re safe”

Seungmin:

Hahaha haunted house time... your favourite, not. Seungmin saw it from across the carnival and dragged you over to it while you protested. He held your hand as your went through the entrance, creepy nursery rhymes playing as you did so. As much as you said you wanted to leave Seungmin took you further and further in, laughing at your reactions and calling you cute every time you screamed. Not once did he let go of your hand though. You could soon see the exit and this time it was your turn to drag him but that didn’t go to plan: seungmin had stopped dead in his tracks. You turned around and walked towards him, afraid you upset him since it was something he really wanted to do. To your surprise he kissed you there on the spot. When the kiss ended he let go of your hand and quickly walked down the dark corridor and it of the house. Your first kiss was definitely one to remember.

“Because it was dark and you couldn’t see my blush okay and neither could anyone for that matter”

I.N:

One of your favourite nights of the year was bonfire night, all the pretty fireworks, the warm bonfires, the smell of smoke filling the air. It was truly the best night of the year in your opinion. This year you decided to take Jeongin to your local bonfire which he gladly agreed to for two reasons. One out of pure curiosity and two because it was with you so of course he was going to go. You both stood around the fire surrounded by lots of other couples who were all close to each other. Jeongin looked around and saw a figure being carried towards the fire and shook you so hard until you listened to his genuine concern. It was so cute that he was so concerned for a stuffed pillow but nevertheless you explained the whole 5th of November story to him. He didn’t really understand but pretended to just for you.

“He tried to do what? So why do you celebrate it then?”

Gifs aren’t mine

[a-million-usernames]

50+ Fall Questions Tag

I’ll be posting the questions and my answers in under a ‘Read More’ so as not to clog up the timeline. Feel free to play along if you’re so inclined. Tagging: Anyone who wishes to participate. Credit to the original poster: http://www.tagquestionss.com/fall-tag-questions/

Describe your feelings of fall rain in three words. Peaceful. Cozy. Relaxed.

Which two things tell you that the fall season has begun? The stores have begun to fill up with everything pumpkin spice. The changing of the leaves’ colors.

What are your plans for this fall season? I will be traveling to Wisconsin in September. Aside from that, I plan on watching all the horror movies my brain can handle, and enjoying every rainy day and colored leaf that the season can give me.

Silent nights or windy ones? What do you love more about the falls? I really love windy nights because I love the sound the wind makes against the house. The ONLY negative to it being windy, is that it always knocks out our power.

Cold rain or heavy fog. What do you enjoy more? Cold rain.

What three things you love about the season? The changing colors of the leaves. The constant rain. All the horror movies on television.

What three things you hate about the season? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. How dare you.

Share your best memory for the autumn season? There’s far too many to name. I really just going to the autumn festival with my husband.

What is your favorite scent for the fall season? There used to be an autumn scented candle from Yankee Candle that was blue. I wish I could remember the name of it, but I don’t believe that they carry it any more. It was my all time favorite. If I would have known they were going to discontinue it, I would have bought it in bulk.

What is your favorite autumn movie? If it has to be related to autumn, then Hocus Pocus. But if it can just be horror in general, then The Shining.

What’s the most beautiful thing about the fallen leaves? The crunch beneath my boots.

Do you enjoy movies in the bed or near the fire? In bed.

In the autumn, what do you enjoy most with your partner? We enjoy going to a near by farm to pick apples and pick up apple cider, and also celebrating the autumn festival at the farm.

Do you ever go for the hiking in autumn? If yes, how was the experience? I have not gone hiking in autumn, but I probably should.

Have you ever gone for apple picking? Yes. Every fall.

What is the best way to enjoy the rain of fall season? Open up your windows, turn down the volume of your tv and just listen to it pour.

Describe the romantic nature of the fall season in one sentence. I can’t. It deserves a whole book.

Watching TV or Racking leaves? What do you prefer in the autumn? Watching tv.

What is your favorite fall color? Orange.

Autumn or winter? What do you like the most? Autumn.

Autumn or spring. In your opinion, what’s more romantic? Autumn.

What is your favorite dress code for the fall season? Oversized hoodies/sweatshirts, skinny jeans, and boots.

Share your worst memory related to the autumn season. I don’t have one.

Do you believe that autumn fall season should be the wedding season? YES. It’s the time of year that I got married!

What are your most likes drink in the fall season? Tea with milk and sugar. Pumpkin spice latte. 

What could be a perfect date for the autumn season? Going to the farm to pick apples or pumpkins, and to get cider.

Fall day or fall night. Which one looks more beautiful to you? Fall day. You can’t see anything at night! For me, a fall night is better for listening to the sounds of the season.

The smell of pumpkin guts or rotting leaves. What do you love? Pumpkin guts.

Have you ever tried pumpkin carving? If yes, so how was the experience? Yes. I’m okay at it.

What is your movie scene related to the autumn? “Another glorious morning. MAKES ME SICK.”

Which fashion trend you often prefer in the fall season? Oversized hoodies, skinny jeans, and boots.

What type of music do you like in the fall season? Alternative/indie/pop/folk.

Hat or cap? What do you prefer in the autumns? Neither. I’m a hoodie type of woman.

Haunted house, haunted food ride, or haunted corn maze? What do you like in the autumn season? All of those things give me anxiety BUT I have agreed to go to a haunted escape room this year, so that’ll be interesting.

Share your feelings when you see the birds migrating? I like to see them flocking together to migrate. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.

Do you like baking in the autumn season? Heck yes.

Racking leaves or climbing trees. What’s your favorite in the autumn season? Raking leaves.

What types of music do you love to listen in the fall season? I love listening to alternative/indie/pop/folk. There’s some really good fall playlists out there on youtube.

When you go outside, do you love to experience your blowing breaths? Sometimes!

Which song you often sing in the autumn? There’s way too many to name.

What is your favorite meat food in the fall? Sauerbraten.

What is your favorite food in the fall season? Sauerbraten.

What is your favorite thrifty activity in the fall? I don’t know if this is even considered ‘thrifty’, but I like to draw a lot in the fall.

Halloween or Thanksgiving. Which one is your favorite day? (For the people in UK, you can change thanksgiving with the Harvest Festival) Halloween.

Wool or knit sweaters? What do you like to wear in the fall season? Ooooooooof. Tough one! I really do like a good knit sweater.

Sweet or salty pumpkin seeds. Tell your favorite one for the autumn season? Not a fan of pumpkin seeds, so neither. 

Do you like to explore haunted places in the falls? I did a few times in my life, but I haven’t done that in quite some time. I think the last time I did was in 2013, when I did a ghost hunt in Gettysburg. That was a wild one.

Tell the best eternal feeling you have in the falls? Fall just gives me such a feeling of peace and calm. The best way that I can describe it is that fall just feels like home to me.

Which place do you love to visit in the autumn season? I know this is going to be such an off the wall choice, but it’s 100% New Orleans.

Which place you wish to visit in the fall season? I would LOVE to visit New England in the fall. More specifically, Vermont or New Hampshire.

Fairy lights or candles? What is your choice in the fall? Candles!

How do decorate your room in the falls? I don’t. I decorate my living room and the exterior of my home/yard.

Do you love raking the leaves on the lawn or do you leave them where they fall? I leave them where they fall.

What comes in your mind when you see the leaves fallen down? I enjoy watching them fall, but once all the trees are bare, it makes me sad because I know the season is almost over.

What three things you love to keep in your room for the falls? I always have a small autumn leaf bowl that I got from Michael’s on my night stand. Other than that, I don’t really keep anything fall related in the bedroom. All that stays out in the living room or outside.

What is your favorite teas flavor in the falls? My go-to year round is black tea with a little sugar and milk. But every now and again I’ll reach for an apple spiced tea.

Do you ever change your way to run through the autumn leaves? Not that I’ve noticed!

In your opinion, which leaves have the best color in the fall season? I have a Japanese maple in my front yard that turns a MAGNIFICENT fire color. It varies from yellows to oranges to deep reds. I’m all about those colors. If I HAVE to choose a color, I’d say the deep reds are my favorite.

Have you ever experienced pumpkin picking in the falls? I have a long, long time ago when I was little. I’d like to do it this fall, though. That’s on my ‘to do’ list for sure.

Which is your most loved pumpkin-based food? Pumpkin bread. I bake that every fall, and not only does it taste good, but it makes the whole house smell so good.

Which moisturizer is your favorite in the autumn season? My all time favorite to use all year round is the L’Occitane Almond Milk Veil. Smells SO good and is super moisturizing.

Which lipstick color you love in the falls? My absolute favorite is Pumpkin by Kylie Cosmetics.

Apple pie or Pumpkin Pie. What’s your favorite? Pumpkin pie.

October or November? What’s your favorite month in the autumns? October, because the leaves are still vibrant and (for the most part) the trees have yet to go bare. Plus we get Halloween, my favorite holiday.

Do you enjoy feeling the cold air, or do you wrap up warm? I wrap up warm, but that’s exactly why I love when it gets chilly.

How much do you love to enjoy the fire in the fall season? I used to go to bonfires when I was in high school. Now that I’m older, I don’t really have the time for it any more, which is sad. Usually, all the neighbors (us included) will pull out our fire pits and sit out at the bottom of our driveways on Halloween while we pass out candy to the kids. It’s kind of like a street of just bonfires and a beautiful sense of community. I love that night most of all.

In the falls, do you love traveling or enjoying the season at home? I always take my vacations from work in the fall. The weather’s better, you’re not going somewhere else and then sweating all day. Flights and hotels are generally less expensive. It’s the perfect time for travel.

Are you more energetic during the autumn season, or more laid back? I’m far more energetic. I’ve always kind of likened it to a reverse seasonal depression. I’m so sluggish and just...bleh during the spring and summer months, but OH BOY, when Autumn hits, LOOK OUT. I’m ready to go!

Do you have any specific traditions to celebrate the fall season? Celebrating Thanksgiving with my family is always the biggest tradition that I enjoy having. Aside from that, I always put out my fall decorations on the last day of Autumn. Got to welcome in the season on the very first day of September!

Name a person whom you loved and really miss in the fall season. Well, I miss my best friend all the time, as we live in separate states, however, I really miss her in the fall. I loved going to the orchards with her and her little one to go apple picking.

What do you feel at the end of fall season? Sad. I long for Autumn, and it almost always passes by far too quickly. So when it’s over, I get a very deep sense of longing for the season to begin again.

Share your favorite quote related to the autumn. “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

[jilyyall]

Animal Magnetism - Ch 7.

Edward Cullen was not a normal teenager; of that I was certain. But knowing that did nothing to stop the pull I felt towards him. And if what he was saying was any indication, he felt some strange pull towards me, too. It was like we were magnets struggling against hope to stay apart. I only wondered what would happen when we inevitably collided.

Chapter 7. Out of the Dark. Fanfiction.net / AO3 Intro/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/

If anyone would have asked me two months ago if I would ever do something more difficult than leave all of my friends, my entire life in Phoenix, and move to small, rainy, dreary Forks, Washington, I would have thought they were insane. But here I was, sitting in a dark movie theatre between my average friends and a boy who I was certain was not human, trying to pretend I was paying attention to the movie Mike had wanted to watch.

It didn't help matters any that Mike had convinced everyone to see The Lost Boys, an old vampire movie the theatre was showing as part of a pre-Halloween blast from the past. Edward had stood near me, a respectable few feet between us, in amused silence during the debate, and followed us into the theatre without comment.

I wasn't afraid to be sitting next to him – and wasn't that insane? I was pretty sure he was a vampire and I wasn't afraid of him at all. I just wanted nothing more than to be able to talk to him, to tell him my theory, ask him my questions, and demand he tell me the truth. If we were going to be friends, he owed me that much. And if he wasn't going to be my friend, was just going to disappear and pretend nothing ever happened? Well, he still owed me.

That, and sitting next to him in the dark, surrounded by couples and people who would soon become couples … I wanted to touch him. I wanted him to touch me. I wanted to feel his cold skin against mine like I had when he'd brushed my hair out of my face last week and when he'd saved my life when Tyler's van seemed bent on ending it. My hands were clenched into fists so tight by my thighs that I feared my nails may cut into my flesh any minute, but that would probably not be a good thing if my theory was correct, so I slowly relaxed my hands.

Edward was in the aisle seat as no one had seemed particularly eager to sit next to him but me. I could see out of the corner of my eye that he looked just as tense as me. He was leaning heavily against the armrest farther away from me, his arms crossed against his chest so tightly I could see the bands of lean muscles straining under the flesh. His gaze was slanted in my direction as well so that when our eyes met, he flashed me a tense smile that I reciprocated as best I could.

It was that magnetism all over again. It was all I could do to keep my distance. I just wanted to be closer to him. I wondered briefly if this was one of the theatres with the seats that had armrests you could raise for optimal cuddling on date nights. The thought made me flush, and I looked away from him when his gaze flickered to my warm cheeks as if he sensed my reaction. He probably did.

I caught Mike's eye. He was sitting toward the middle of the row, next to Jessica. Thankfully, she hadn't yet noticed that he wasn't paying attention to the movie he had chosen, or to her. She, too, was sneaking curious glances my way. I rolled my eyes and leaned in close to Angela, who was sitting next to me.

"I have to get out of here," I whispered just as David tricked Michael into drinking out of a bottle full of vampire blood.

"Okay," she whispered back, a suspicious smile playing on her lips.

I stood up and moved past Edward, who sat up straight, facing the screen, arms still banded across his chest. His eyes were on me, though.

"Walk with me," I murmured. I didn't lean in so he could hear me like I would have for any of my other friends; I knew he had ridiculously good hearing even if he wasn't a vampire.

I walked away before he moved to follow. I was the only reason he was here; I knew he would come with me just as certainly as I knew that most of the people I had come here with were watching us leave together, jumping to their own conclusions about what we were doing.

Huffing out a shaky breath, I hurried out of the theatre, to the lobby, and then out into the fresh air. I didn't turn to look at him until I had made it halfway down the block. He had pulled his jacket back on and was, as predicted, right behind me, a wary look in his eyes.

Night had truly fallen by now, and the temperature had dropped several degrees since we'd gone into the theatre. The wind ripped through my thin white sweater, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Afraid of vampires, Bella?" he asked with a mischievous smile.

I choked on a laugh and had to turn around when he froze, worry flashing to life behind his eyes. Worry over my sanity? Worry that he had said far too much already? Both valid concerns. I walked to the end of the block and sat on a bench under a dim streetlight.

"I thought you wanted to walk," Edward said, stopping several feet away.

I turned my head to look up at him. He looked almost like a figment of my imagination; he was beautiful under the horrible school fluorescents, but here in the night with me under the moon and the hazy streetlight, he was ethereal. His skin seemed to glow and his teeth gleamed impossibly bright as he spoke.

"We walked to the corner, didn't we?" I said, gesturing to the theatre down the block. He just stood there apart from me until I sighed. "Will you please sit down, Edward?"

He did, but he sat as far away from me as he could on the narrow bench. There were only maybe eight inches between us, but it may as well have been a mile. I itched to close the gap between us, but I was pretty sure he would be uncomfortable if I did.

Edward didn't say anything, and I knew it was going to be on me to start the conversation. I weighed my options carefully before I spoke, trying to decide on the best way to get into it.

"Did you have a good time with your family this weekend?" I finally said, deciding it was a safe start.

He looked at me and smiled, dipping his head. "Yes, Bella. It was a very fulfilling trip. Thank you for asking."

"That's good," I said, and I felt my pulse skitter as I worked my way closer to what I really want to talk about. "What are you doing here, Edward?"

"You invited me," he said.

"Not really," I said without thinking, and then rushed to explain myself, not having meant to be rude. "I mean, I'm glad you came! I was really happy to see you, but I didn't invite you. I was trying to get under your skin with the La Push comment because I was annoyed with you and you know that. So, please, what are you really doing here?"

"I wanted to know how your morning went, and it seemed like torture to have wait until tomorrow." His honesty surprised me; I was used to him evading all of my questions by now, and I just stared at him for a few seconds. "Well? Did you get your answers?"

"Just one," I whispered, watching his face carefully. He looked cautious, and curious on top of it. "What does the name Ephraim Black mean to you?"

The only change in his expression was the barest upward tic of his eyebrow. Was he surprised to hear a name he recognized from so long ago?

"And the term cold ones," I continued when he didn't speak.

"Where did you hear that name? And that term?" he said when he finally did speak.

"I flirted with a fifteen year-old Quileute boy," I said in a rush, surprising a real, bold laugh out of him. "It was easier than I thought it would be," I admitted with an embarrassed smile.

"Of course it was," Edward said once he'd stopped laughing. "You don't realize the effect you have on people."

"Do I have an effect on you?" I asked.

"You have no idea," he said, suddenly serious. Then, on a sigh, "The Quileutes have a long memory."

"You're not going to deny it?" I asked, disbelief warring with utter relief in my chest. "You're just… just like that… you're just going to admit it."

"What would be the point in denying it? You won't give this up," Edward pointed out. "And, besides, I'd already decided to tell you the truth anyway. I thought it would be safer for all involved if you weren't asking anyone and everyone probing questions about my family. I expected you to reach a dead end in La Push, honestly. Part of our agreement was that they wouldn't speak our secret if we did as they asked."

"He's just a kid," I said quickly, suddenly worried for Jacob's safety. I hadn't told Edward who I talked to today, but he had heard me mention a family friend to Mike and Jessica on Thursday; it wouldn't be all that difficult for him to figure it out. "He doesn't even believe the stories. He was joking about it all afterward."

"I'm not upset," Edward assured me, waving away my concern. "As long as he doesn't make a habit of telling every pretty girl who flirts with him."

"Don't worry," I said, blushing at the compliment. "I'm starting to believe you when you say that no one else is quite as… interested… in you as I am."

"Yes, well it's about time you start listening to me," he said, eyes narrowing when I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered again. "You didn't bring a thicker jacket?"

"I did, but it's in Mike's car."

"Here," he said, taking off his supple tan leather jacket.

"Won't you be cold?" I asked as he draped it over my shoulders.

"We don't really experience temperature extremes," he said softly, watching closely for my reaction, but I wasn't that surprised. His hands were so cold the few times he'd touched me.

"Jackets are merely fashion statements to you?" I said, sliding my arms into the sleeves and pulling the material tighter around me. The inside of the jacket felt cold and unworn, and not at all as if a boy had just been wearing it for hours. It smelled incredible. I only just managed to resist taking a nice long whiff of it, of him.

He smiled tentatively. "That, and it helps us fit in better if we dress to match everyone else."

"I hate to tell you this, Edward," I said slowly, " but I don't think many guys in Forks are wearing Belstaff jackets."

I sent him a shy, teasing smile, and he laughed, nodding in acknowledgement. "I suppose that would be where the fashion statement comes in to play."

A car drove past us just then, the headlights washing over us and illuminating us for a moment.

"Your eyes…" I said, unable to look away now that I had noticed. They were the lightest I had ever seen them. "I have a theory about your eyes."

"Another theory, Bella? I've already confirmed the most important one. You can just ask your questions. I'll answer them," he promised. "I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"I enjoy theorizing," I told him with a small shrug and ducked my head to hide my blush at the intensity of his gaze. "You can confirm or deny."

He smiled and shook his head. "What's your theory?"

"I think… that your eye color depends on how … hungry you are. Or is it thirsty?" I shook my head, losing some confidence with the confusion.

"Whichever you prefer," he said gently. "It doesn't make a difference to me."

"Okay, let's just call it hungry, then," I said, relieved that he didn't seem to take pleasure in my momentary struggle.

"As you like," he allowed with a deep bow of his head.

"So, my theory is that the longer it's been since you've … eaten?" I rolled my eyes, annoyed with myself, and hurried on, "…the darker your eyes and the circles beneath them, and the grumpier you are. But the more recently you've eaten, the lighter they are, and the more likely you are to joke around with me."

Edward looked pleasantly surprised, shaking his head at me. "Bella, I'm afraid I owe you another apology." He smiled when I tilted my head towards him, confused. "I've called you unobservant several times now, and here I come to find you're actually incredibly perceptive."

I smiled at him and continued on, bolstered. "And you only hunt animals? That's what Ja… the boy said."

"Yes, we… resist our nature." At my inquisitive look, he explained. "We aren't like most of our kind. It's in our nature to hunt humans; most would never even think of living the way we do."

"Is that what you were doing?" I asked; part of me felt like his openness wasn't going to last, so I wanted to make sure I got as many answers as I could before he inevitably grew closed off again. I really hoped I was wrong and he would remain an open book to me. "This weekend, with your family. You said you were camping in the nice weather, but were you hunting? I've never seen your eyes so light. You must have eaten recently."

He sent me a crooked smile, sighing again. "Yes, we were hunting. I came here straight after we finished."

"Edward, that day… my first day at school… in the cafeteria," I said slowly, watching him carefully. His eyes tightened at the memory. "Your eyes were black. I'd never seen anything darker in my life. You must have been starving."

"Ah, yes, it had been too long since I had last hunted, but that… was something else altogether," he said, something not unlike a grimace creeping onto his face.

"I thought you were going to kill me," I admitted, biting my lip and twisting my fingers together, anxious again at the mere memory. "If Emmett weren't holding you in place, I was sure…"

"I very nearly did," he whispered, leaning towards me so that I could see the sincerity on his face. "Bella, you have to understand something about me. I have been… what I am… living the way we do… longer than any in my family, save Carlisle… and I have never wanted a human's blood as desperately as I needed yours. Not even when I was new to this second life, when the blood calls the loudest."

"So, what? I smell… really good?" I said, trying to make a joke out of something that was clearly a very serious matter.

"Well, yes," he admitted. "But that's trivializing it in the extreme. Humans in general smell good to us. Your blood… it's a siren's call to me. I have never known temptation like it in my many years."

"Is it like that for your whole family?" I asked, chilled by the idea of all seven of them wanting me dead. "Do I tempt them all?"

"You do smell better than the average human to them. But in the way it is for me? No," he said slowly. "It's just me. It's been known to happen. Occasionally, one of our kind will come across a human whose blood is more alluring than any other's. I've never experienced it before, myself."

I frowned. "It must be very hard on you, to be near me."

Edward laughed, shaking his head at me in disbelief. "Bella, I tell you that I want nothing more than to kill you and feast on your blood, and your concern is for me?"

"Well, clearly you want something more, or we wouldn't be here right now," I said with more confidence than I felt.

"Perhaps you're right," he murmured.

"So, is it?" I asked when he went silent, looking thoughtful.

"What?"

"It is very difficult? For you to be here with me," I said.

"It's like having a white-hot iron rammed down my throat," he said, and I heard the sincerity in his voice.

"Should I leave?" I asked him, but he was the one who came here to see me, who followed me out of the theatre. If it was too difficult, too painful, for him to be around me, then he wouldn't be here, would he?

"If you like, but I won't ever hurt you, Bella," he assured me.

I believed him.

"That wasn't my concern," I told him. "I just don't want you to be in pain."

"It's bearable," he said softly, and reached out and stroked the side of my face with his hand, let it come to a rest feather-light on my throat at the base of my neck. He was so cold, but it wasn't at all unpleasant. My pulse quickened and I wondered if he could feel the way it thrummed beneath his hand. I wondered if he could hear it. I wondered if it made the scent that much stronger. "Easier and more bearable every day."

"It is easier after you've just eaten?" I whispered.

"Yes, it is. Very much so," he said, and then he laughed again. I stared, mesmerized by the gleam of his teeth in the night. "You're so unpredictable, Bella."

"I have a theory about that, too," I said. But before we got into that… "How is that much pain bearable? How can you willingly put yourself through it?"

"Bella… I feel… very strongly… about you." A thrill ran through me at his careful words. "And I find the reward to be worth the torment."

"What's the reward?" I wondered aloud.

"A glimpse into your mind," he told me with a tortured smile. "You had another theory?"

"Yes. Speaking of minds, actually," I said haltingly. He smiled at me, and I knew that he suspected what was coming, and I knew that I was right. "You can read minds."

"That is neither a theory nor a question," he said. "But I'll allow it. Yes. What did I do that gave it away?"

I shrugged. "Um. A lot of little things, actually. You seemed to know what Mike was doing before he actually did it. That day he asked me to ask him to the dance. Actually, that whole day. You waited at the door for Eric to ask me because you knew he was going to and you wanted to see my reaction. And then the whole shitstorm with Tyler… which, by the way, you owe me big time for that. Did you know he's now telling everyone that he's taking me to prom? Me! At prom! With him! And it's all your fault."

"I was simply giving the boy his chance," Edward said, but his mouth was quirked up at the corners and I strongly suspected he wanted to laugh. When I continued to glare at him, he smiled indulgently. "Would you like me to make it up to you? I could frame him for cheating on a test and have him banned from prom."

He was obviously joking, so I didn't allow myself more than a moment of horror at the thought of him potentially ruining Tyler's future. "I was thinking of totaling his car tomorrow, myself. Hey, you could probably do that with your bare hands and my poor, innocent truck wouldn't have to suffer another needless cosmetic scratch."

"I could," he said with a slow smile. "But it would be very painful for me."

"Painful?" He'd been so unaffected by the whole accident that I was under the impression he couldn't really get hurt.

"Yes, Bella," he said seriously. "I love cars. It would cause me great pain to have to hurt his car."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Of course you love cars. That shouldn't surprise me."

He smiled at me again – I swore, he was smiling more during this one conversation than he had since I'd met him. I wondered if he was enjoying the freedom of his own honesty. I certainly was.

"Thank you," I said.

"Whatever for?" he said, surprise as clear in his voice as it was on his face.

"For not denying it. For not trying to make me feel crazy," I said. I had been prepared for him to avoid my questions like he usually did. The fact that he was speaking so freely with me filled me with a strong sense of relief.

Edward frowned and slowly pulled his hand from my throat. That wary look worked its way back into his expression. "I don't have the will to deny you anymore."

"Works out nicely for me," I said, trying for a lofty tone, but the thrill his words sent through me may have added some weight to my words.

"Edward, can you read my mind?" I didn't think he could – he was always so frustrated and remarked on how unpredictable I was – but the mere possibility filled me with dread when I realized that my thoughts tonight had been very damning so far. I was at least trying to play it cool tonight, and if he could read my thoughts, they would certainly have given me away.

"No," he said. "Though not for lack of trying, believe me."

"I do." I laughed, relieved. "Sometimes, when you look at me, I can just see you trying to get inside my head."

"I'm sorry about that, Bella," he said with another sardonic smile. "It's just very frustrating to me sometimes that the one person I can't read is the most interesting human I've ever come across."

"The one person?" I asked. I blushed at the most interesting human comment, and his gaze fell on my cheeks again. I hurried on. "I'm the only person whose mind you can't read?"

"Yes." He met my eyes again. "You have no idea how vexing it was when we first met. The mystery has gotten more tolerable. Marginally."

"Well, I'm sorry you find it so frustrating," I said, and it was time for some honesty of my own, "but it's a huge relief to me that you can't read my mind."

He smiled at me. "I understand what you mean."

"Can I…." I stopped mid-thought, embarrassed. Just because he was being so open with me tonight didn't mean I could just say anything and everything that came to mind.

"Can you what?" he asked immediately and I realized my sudden silence was probably as frustrating to him as all of his non-answers had been to me in our past conversations. More, even, because he was used to knowing what everyone was thinking at all times.

"Can I move closer to you?" I finished, biting my lip. His gaze darted to my cheeks again and I didn't need the sudden, intense flash of heat to know that I had flushed scarlet. "Or would that be… a bad idea?"

"It's always a bad idea for you to be anywhere near me, Bella," Edward said solemnly. "But I meant what I said. I won't ever hurt you. You can do as you wish."

I closed the gap between us then, practically pressed myself up against his side. Peering up at him uncertainly, I asked in a very small voice, "Is this okay?"

"Yes, Bella. You're safe with me, and from me."

I wasn't worried that he would want me in the way a vampire wanted a human; I was afraid that he wouldn't want me the way a boy might want a girl, but I wasn't going to tell him that. He lifted his arm and wrapped it around me, and pulled me closer to his chest. The move surprised me so much that I forgot to breathe for a moment. When I did, it was an utter pleasure. He smelled so good. Like cinnamon, honey, and lilac.

"I want to do something now," he said very quietly. "Do you trust me?"

He was looking at me, his eyes impossibly soft mere inches from mine. He didn't move another muscle until I nodded dumbly. Then he dipped his head so that his nose was running along my jawline, and I both felt and heard him take a deep, slow breath. My breath caught in my throat and my mind went fuzzy; I felt like my body was giving out on me. I bit my lip, terrified that I would whimper, and clutched my hands together tightly in my lap.

"Are you afraid? Your heart is racing," he murmured, his lips so close to my throat that I could feel the whisper of movement on my flesh. I swallowed thickly.

"No," I breathed. "It's not fear."

"Ah," he said, lifting his head so that we were again staring into each other's eyes. I saw the understanding there, but I wasn't ashamed. "This is wrong."

"I don't care," I said, and leaned in.

ffn / AO3

[dave-meowstaine]

All of the asks ! !

Should have seen this coming!

1. You woke up naked next to the last person you texted, what would you say? - I would be super happy and excited seeing as the last person I texted was Lizzie. I would probably be like “OH MY GOD BABY!!!!!” and then cuddle and kiss the shit out of her

2. What’s going on between you and the last person you kissed? - Lizzie is my girlfriend

3. If your boyfriend or girlfriend was into drugs, would you care? - Depends what it is. Weed and hallucinogens are chill but anything hard like coke or heroin and shit could potentially be a deal breaker (if they didn’t get off it)

4. Is your last name longer than six letters? - My last name is double barrelled so… yes?

5. Was your last kiss drunk or sober? - It was sober

6. Have you ever wanted to have someone but you messed it up? - I mean, kinda? I did want her, but at the time I didn’t, and then when we got back together it wasn’t the same so… I don’t really know haha

7. What does your last received text say? - “I love you!!!”

8. How many times have you kissed the last person you kissed? - Too many to count yet not enough!!!

9. Where was your last kiss at? - It was at Heathrow airport in London. Lizzie was going back to America… :(

10. When is the last time you saw your sister? - About 5 minutes ago

11. What do you drink in the morning?- I always have a cup of tea and a glass of water

12. Where did you sleep last night? - In my bed

13. Do you think relationships are hard? - If they are hard, then you’re probably not doing it right. A proper good relationship should feel like the most effortless thing in the world. That’s how I feel with Lizzie

14. If you could go back and change something in the past 5 months, would you? - Not at all

15. You’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, any problems? - Hell no! Maybe noise complaints but no real problems hahaha

16. Would you rather it be sunny or rainy? - Sunny, to be honest. Unless I’m snuggled up in bed. Then definitely rainy!

17. Do you know anyone with the same middle name as you? - My middle name is my dad’s first name

18. Are you wearing jeans,sweatpants,or pajama pants? - Jeans

19. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 years from now? - Definitely still be with Lizzie

20. Does anyone like you? - Obviously Lizzie haha

21. Have you ever kissed someone with a name that starts with an S? - Nope

22. Is the last person you kissed gay? - Lizzie is bi

23. Is there a person you CANNOT stand? - Yeah, I can think of a couple of people

24. Have you ever considered getting a tattoo? - Yes! I want to be covered. I’m thinking of getting one really soon, actually. Just after christmas

25. In the past week have you cried? - I cried last night

26. What breed was the last dog you saw? - Jesse is… um… we have no idea what my dog is. Some sort of Terrier haha

27. Do you dry off in the shower or out of the shower? - Out of it

28. Have you ever kissed a football player? - Nope

29. Do you think you’re old? - I know I’m not because I’m 19. Then I remember that kids born in 2000 will be able to get into clubs next year and…

30. Do you like text messaging? - Depends who it is I’m texting

31. What type of day are you having? - It’s alright. Been working out and skateboarding all day

32. Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced? - I have septum pierced. I’ve thought about getting the side of my nose pierced but I don’t think I would

33. Do you prefer warm or cold weather? - Warm weather so I can go out and do stuff

34. Is there a person of the opposite sex who means a lot to you? - Lizzieeee

35. Would you prefer a relationship or a fling? - Definitely a relationship. I’ve had flings, but they just aren’t my sort of thing

36. Are you a simple or complicated person? - Depends on how you see it. I like to think I’m a simple person. What you see is what you get with me, there is no hidden agenda or anything

37. What song are you listening to? - Nothing at the moment, but I have Lil Peep stuck in my head

38. When you say you’re sorry do you mean it? - Of course! I would never say sorry unless I meant it39. Is there a girl that knows everything or almost everything about you? - Lizzie literally knows me inside and out40. What made you start liking the person you like now? - Just so kind and caring and passionate and funny and beautiful. Looking back I think I fell in love with Lizzie as soon as we started talking. It was like meeting the part of me that was always missing41. When did you last receive a text message? - About 7am this morning42. What is wrong with you right now? - I really want Lizzie and I miss her so much and that makes me sad and not motivated to do anything43. How well do you know the last female you texted? - Lizzie has literally told me everything about herself. There isn’t a single thing I don’t know about that woman44. Does anyone disgust you? - Maybe people’s attitudes and the way they see things, but I wouldn’t say a person as a whole disgusts me45. Would you date someone right now if they asked? - No, I’m dating Lizzie46. Are you in a good mood right now? - I’m in a fairly good mood. Kinda frustrated because I’ve been skateboarding and am really close to landing a new trick but I can’t quite get it right, so I’m taking a break and answering these!47. Who was the last person you talked to in person? - My dad48. What color shirt are you wearing? - It’s plain dark green49. Has someone recently told you something you didn’t want to hear? - Ummm not recent recent but about a month ago50. Anyone you’re giving up on? - Not that I’m aware of51. Do you hate the person you fell hardest for? - Definitely not! I’m head over heels in love with Lizzie!

52. Have you ever thought about giving up on someone but couldn’t? - Nope53. Do you like rain? - I love the rain! Especially when I’m snuggled up in bed54. Do you care if your boyfriend/girlfriend drinks? - Not at all! When Lizzie was here, we went to the pub a couple of times with my friends and my sister and one night we got completely wasted hahaha55. Have you ever liked somebody and never told them? - No, actually. I’ve actively pursued every crush I’ve had. Some worked, some didn’t. That’s just life. You never know unless you give it a go56. Do you like to cuddle? - I fucking love cuddles!57. Are you shy? - Kinda when you first meet me. More awkward than shy. But as soon as we’re acquainted and we know each other, I’m no where near shy 58. Do you get along with girls? - I do59. Have you dated the person you texted last? - I am currently dating Lizzie60. What do you carry with you at all times? - My phone and my headphones61. If you were paid 1 million dollars to spend the night in a supposed haunted house, would you? - I live in it if it meant I got $1 million! Would be pretty interesting to see if anything spooky happens62. Do you think you can last in a relationship for five months? - Lizzie and I will have been together for 5 months and known each other for 6 in 10 days so… 63. Think back to October, were you in a relationship? - I was. In fact, Lizzie was here in England for half of October, including Halloween!64. The person you like kisses you on the forehead, do you find this cute? - Omg yes please65. Did anything “cute” happen in the last week? - Lizzie told her parents about me and we’re finally free to be together 100% and tag each other in shit on Facebook and post about each other on social media and that made me super happy!

66. How old are the last three people you kissed? - 19, 18, and 21 (Lizzie is the 21 year old, fyi)

67. Would you rather pay to get your nails done or do them yourself? - I wouldn’t get my nails done (unless Lizzie wanted me to for fun haha) but probably professional. Unless it was Lizzie messing around and just painting my nails, then that would be adorble    68. Which do you like better- Zebra print or leopard print? - Neither. Both are pretty tacky, if you ask me. But hey, you like what you like!   69. Do you have any stickers on your car? - Nope   70. Would you rather listen to Luke Bryan or Lil Wayne? - I don’t know who Luke Bryan is but I think I would rather put my dick in a blender than listen to Lil Wayne so I guess Luke Bryan…?71. Blackberry, Anroid, or iPhone? - Android   72. When’s the last time you had pizza from Pizza Hut? - 25 days ago. The day before Lizzie went back to America, we went on a date and we went bowling and then had a proper meal at Pizza Hut   73. Do you like diet soda? - I prefer regular but yeah   74. What color are the walls in your room? - White except one which is light blue    75. Are you 16 or older? - I’m 19   76. Do you watch Pretty Little Liars? - Nope, never have and probably never will    77. Do you have a job? - Not at the moment. College is taking up all of my time so I’m focusing on doing the absolute best I can in that  78. What are your initials? - T.A.W-P    79. Did you ever have braces? - Nope. My dentist said I could have gotten them but my teeth weren’t fucked up enough so we would have to have paid a lot    80. Are you from the south? - South East London   

81. What does your last status on facebook say? - I haven’t posted a status on Facebook in literally years! The last post on there is me changing my profile picture to a picture of Lizzie and I    82. Do you still talk to the first person you ever kissed? - No, I do not    83. Are you closer to your mom or your dad? - I’m equally as close to both of them, but I feel like I can talk to my mum more    84. Have you ever done cheerleading or gymnastics? - Gymnastics but that was because we all had to do it back in school    85. What’s the last movie you saw in theaters? - I think it was a film called Allied with Brad Pitt. My best friend, Ed, and I went to see it and then went to Costa Coffee afterwards. Great night out    86. Do you smoke? - Occasionally. More social than not     87. Would you rather wear heels or flip flops? - Neither, but I guess flip flops. Although I do rock a mean pair of heels   88. Is your phone touch screen? - It is    89. Do you normally wear your hair straight or curly? - Lol good luck getting my hair straight without a pair of straighteners and a lot of hairspray    90. Have you ever snuck out of your house? - Not really. I have crept out of the house to go for a cigarette in the early hours of the morning, but that because I don’t want to wake anyone up   91. Would you rather swim in a river, lake, or pool? - I’ve never swam in a river or lake so I can’t really say    92. Have you ever made out in a car? - I have   93. …Had sex in a car? - I haven’t outright had sex, but I have done stuff   94. Are you single or in a relationship? - In a relationship   95. What were you doing last night at midnight? - Reading my book in bed and texting Lizzie    96. When’s the last time you saw fireworks? - 5th of November on bonfire night with Lizzie    97. Do you like the camera on your phone? - Yeah, it takes pretty good photos so I can’t complain   98. Have you ever had a friend with benefits? - I have, more than once, and it actually sucked    99. Have you ever passed out from drinking? - Many times    100. Are you friends with people on facebook that you actually hate? - I wouldn’t say I really HATE anyone, but definitely people I dislike101. Have you ever had a pregnancy scare? - Not me personally, yeah I thought I got someone pregnant. Wasn’t scared though   102. Name your favorite Kesha song - The only Kesha song I know is Tick Tock and to be fair that is a banger hahaha    103. Do you have any tan lines right now? - Nope    104. Would you ever wear cowboy boots with shorts? - I don’t think I would ever wear cowboy boots to begin with

Thank you!!! :D   

[gradencetrickortreat]

The Gradence Trick or Treat Halloween Fest prompts are out! See the ‘Trick’ prompts under the cut (and read the claiming guidelines here):

Anonymous prompters submitted:

Prompt: With the Obscurus somehow removed, Credence is slowly finding his footing in the wizarding world thanks to the help of the Goldsteins and/or Newt. He’s harboring an intense curiosity and fascination for the man whose face and life Grindelwald stole, but the most he can do is watch from a distance and quietly gather what bits of information he can from conversations and rumors. It’s not until MACUSA holds a masquerade ball on Halloween that a masked and costumed Credence is able to bring himself to actually hold an actual conversation with the real Mr. Graves, but instead of sating his curiosity the encounter only makes it worse.

Squicks: No victim-blaming of the real Mr. Graves from Seraphina or the rest of MACUSA please. Also Credence is no longer under threat from the Aurors because the Obscurus is gone.

Maximum Rating: Any rating up to Explicit

Claim number to submit: Trick 1 (2 claims)

Mod note: we now have two claims for fic for this prompt. One more claim for another medium will be accepted, but no more fic claims will be allowed. Thank-you!

Prompt: A newly-rescued Credence is employed at the MACUSA as a consultant - due to his still strong connection with dark powers and his new ability to perceive black magic interferences. On Halloween, he’s sent with a recovering Percival to investigate strange occurrences in a small, suitably creepy town. While there, the boys face fears and feelings.

Squicks: porn, sub!Credence

Maximum Rating: R

Claim number to submit: Trick 2 (1 claim)

Prompt: Aphrodisiac candy. Who makes it? Who (wittingly or unwittingly) eats it? What happens next?

Squicks: Painplay, abuse within the pairing

Maximum Rating: NC-17

Claim number to submit: Trick 3 (1 claim)

@almost-annette​ submitted:

Prompt: Credence is desperate enough to try a supposedly magical ritual he’s heard of (a bit like those “stand in front of the mirror and chant Bloody Mary three times”-rituals) and on Hallowe'en, he does the ritual and asks for help. He’s very surprised when the ritual works and summons a magical being in the form of a very handsome man!

Squicks: De-Aging, Mpreg

Maximum Rating: E

Claim number to submit: Trick 4 (1 claim)

@bundigadi submitted:

Prompt: Dystopian Zombie Apocalypse. Takes place in the future, maybe 2030. Graves lost his daughter when the Virus took over because he failed to make the right decision in time. Bitter and hopeless he fights his way through dystopian Pittsburgh filled with groups of violent survivors and zombies who try to kill him. He is a lone fighter. Suspicious of everyone who comes too close he nearly loses himself in order to survive. He does not share, nor does he help someone. He tries his best to survive but he is in such a bad place that he wouldn’t mind for it all to end. One day after barely escaping a group of zombies, he finds a wounded and malnourished Credence hiding between the debris. He can’t walk (due to a banister rail which pierced his leg) and in panic begs Percival not to leave him alone with the zombies.

Not wanting to leave an other soul who relies on him to die, Percival picks Credence up and brings him to his makeshift shelter in the outskirts of the city. At first he regrets his decision, snaps easily and feels angry that he needs to feed two people now.  As they carry on to make their way to Colorado, he warms up to Credence’s childlike awe for the world. Whereas he has been feeling dead inside for years, Credence still finds joy in life which sets off all of Percival’s protective instincts. The plot twist happens when Credence saves Percival’s life when he is heavily wounded in a shooting. Credence never leaves his side and goes hunting himself until Percival is on his feet again. Before Percival even realises it, he grew too fond of Credence to let him fend for himself and subconsciously sees it is his responsibility to guarantee for Credence’s survival.

Add. them finding out the virus was let loose on purpose

Squicks: No underage, no verbal- physical- or emotional abuse between Percival and Credence, no penetrative sex

Maximum Rating: R

Claim number to submit: Trick 5 (0 claims)

@clockhearted-crocodile submitted:

Prompt: The VVitch AU. Credence as the teenage son of Mary Lou’s Barebone’s witch-fearing Puritan family and Graves as the Devil / a black goat animagus?

Squicks: Er, not much I don’t think. I’m not big on body modification but other than that.

Maximum Rating: Any rating is fine.

Claim number to submit: Trick 6 (3 claims)

Mod note: all spots for this prompt now filled! We won’t be accepting any further claims on this prompt. Thank-you. :)

Prompt: The first signs of obscurial activity start around Halloween. Graves has enough paperwork to deal with, what with all the heightened magical activity in the city thanks to kids home from Ilvermorny overdoing it on the trick-or-treating. At first he thinks the obscurial sightings are just some trick gone mad, until he meets the one responsible.

Squicks: Nothing in particular.

Maximum Rating: Any rating you want, go crazy.

Claim number to submit: Trick 7 (0 claims)

@dailandin submitted:

Prompt: True Blood!AU Credence, a member of the anti-vampire hate group Sons of Salem, unwittingly catches the eye of Percival Graves, the vampire sheriff of Manhattan.

Basically, use this image post as inspiration, although it doesn’t need to be as specific: https://dailandin.tumblr.com/post/157836719085/true-bloodau-the-one-in-which-credence-a-member

Squicks: Underage, water sports

Maximum Rating: Anything goes ;)

Claim number to submit: Trick 8 (1 claim)

@gaskells submitted:

Prompt: Rocky Horror/Fantastic Beasts fusion; It’s a cold and rainy night when newly engaged couple Jacob and Queen find themselves with a flat tire. At around the same time, a leather jacket wearing biker Percival is trying to get a tap dancing Credence out of Dr. Grindelwald’s castle. (preferably with a happy ending, rest of the characters’ counterparts are up to the writer)

Squicks: Anything goes

Maximum Rating: G to NC-17 / Explicit.

Claim number to submit: Trick 9 (1 claim)

@johnnythirteenguns​ submitted:

Prompt: Credence has been suffering from headaches that keep worsening. Graves is the barber who’s been bleeding him every so often to try and treat them. When all of the available treatments fail to have any long-standing positive effect Mary Lou becomes convinced that Credence’s debilitating headaches are being caused by a demon. Credence is maybe also convinced of this.

Squicks: I’d prefer not to have really obvious, really awful and annoying power play between Graves and Credence, and no D/s

Maximum Rating: Honestly, if it’s gore and horror, there’s no upper limit. If it’s sex, unless it’s like… there’s only one writer whose sex scenes I like. Just keep sexual activity to a G or PG description.

Claim number to submit: Trick 10 (0 claims)

@meremeduse submitted:

Prompt: Percival Graves is a serial killer who picks up “teenage” runaway Credence Barebone thinking of him as an easy pickings. But Credence isn’t a teen and he’s not running from his family — he’s running from the law after killing his mother, his sister, and maybe a couple other people who got in his way.

Squicks: n/a — go nuts if you want!

Maximum Rating: NC-17

Claim number to submit: Trick 11 (2 claims)

Mod note: we now have two claims for fic for this prompt. One more claim for another medium will be accepted, but no more fic claims will be allowed. Thank-you!

Prompt: Credence and Graves meet at a masquerade party and though neither recognizes the other with their masks in place, they feel drawn together — even connected.

Squicks: Please don’t make Credence under the age of 20 and don’t make him cry or bleed (more than a papercut). And please no Grindelwald!

Maximum Rating: You can go full NC-17 if you want.

Claim number to submit: Trick 12 (2 claims)

Mod note: we now have two claims for fic for this prompt. One more claim for another medium will be accepted, but no more fic claims will be allowed. Thank-you!

Prompt: Credence Barebone is a cursed man. He only has a human form during Samhain, when the season shifts into dark times, and spends the rest of his days as a horrible monster made of darkness and smoke. But this year, while he has a man’s body, Credence meets someone: Percival Graves.

Squicks: Man, don’t let me hold you back.

Maximum Rating: Go as explicit as you want.

Claim number to submit: Trick 13 (1 claim)

@nettlekettle submitted:

Prompt: Credence dresses up as someone entirely different to himself for Hallowe'en (drag optional). The freedom of being someone else allows him to finally act on his desires for Graves - but Graves just wants Credence as Credence.

Squicks: Any case of mistaken identity? I’d like Graves to know that it’s Credence in a costume who’s approaching him. Any acts of physical violence, that kinda thing…Credence under 21.

Maximum Rating: G to NC-17.

Claim number to submit: Trick 14 (1 claim)

Prompt: Following the events of Fantastic Beasts, one of the pair is dead (Graves or Credence - it’s up to you!) and one is alive, slowly recovering & readjusting to the world (again, up to you who!). The living wizard (Credence or Graves) and the ghost (Credence or Graves) meet and fall in love with each other. (Tingly ghostly kisses encouraged! <3) On Hallowe'en - when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest - the ghost becomes corporeal again for one night…

Squicks: Suicide/suicidal thoughts, self-harm, Credence under 20 years of age, ABO dynamics, incest, pregnancy, toys, ZOMBIES (no zombies or rotting bodies plz!)

Maximum Rating: G to NC-17.

Claim number to submit: Trick 15 (2 claims)

Mod note: we now have two claims for fic for this prompt. One more claim for another medium will be accepted, but no more fic claims will be allowed. Thank-you!

@pineapplebread​ submitted:

Prompt: Southwestern Gothic AU. Witchboy!Credence and Preacher!Graves

Graves is a small town preacher who doesn’t believe in God anymore after a demon wore his face and massacred his congregation. The only thing that keeps him going is the thought of revenge and salvation when he goes on a cross-country hunt to find and slay the demon that took everything away from him. Somewhere along the borders of Mississippi and Louisiana, he finds a boy whose family was slaughtered by that same demon, the only survivor of his small town. Graves doesn’t know why the demon spared Credence, nor does he know why Credence now bears the marks of the creature on his skin, but there’s clearly more to the boy than meets the eye.

Squicks: watersports, scat, BDSM, dubcon, bottom Graves

Maximum Rating: NC-17. Go crazy! I’m all here for gore and porn (please!!!)

Claim number to submit: Trick 16 (1 claim)

@soughs​ submitted:

Prompt: Modern AU. Credence moves into a house in the province (with or w/o his family). He likes how peaceful the place is, but something seems to be off about the yew tree outside his window. Step by step, through old letters and photographs and some research in the local library, he gets to know the story of the man who lived there before. The day he finds out the name of the previous house owner, Percival’s ghost appears in his room. They fall for each other even though they both know it’s an impossible love.

Squicks: -

Maximum Rating: NC-17/Explicit

Claim number to submit: Trick 17 (1 claim)

@sozdanie-gryazi-eternal submitted:

Prompt: Stranger Things AU

however you may like it, but there could easily be an ensemble version with the main 4 as Tina, Queenie, Percy, Newt, and our ‘11′ Credence. Jacob owns the diner with the waffles, and the sheriff is Dumbledore. The scientists are Grindelwald and Piquery is the director of the experiments, with the sheriff having a past history with Grindelwald, naturally, anything could happen. the kids stick together and protect their own, and there’s all sorts of shenanigans.

Squicks: violence/gore (and your mods gently remind no characters under 16 in sexual situations)

Maximum rating: T probably

Claim number to submit: Trick 18 (0 claims)

Prompt: Professor Graves and Undergrad Credence, meet (outside the classroom, and sparks fly) at a Halloween party which Cre’s reluctantly snuck into, on a dare. Professor Graves is not a costume person, so he went with the minimal effort, fake fangs and a smudge of ketchup on his chin for blood. Cre has to wear a mask. everything else up to the writer!

Squicks: the usual.

Maximum Rating: NC-17

Claim number to submit: Trick 19 (1 claim)

Prompt: San Junipero Halloween Party AU

Credence has been attending parties through the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, before he spots the handsome man playing DJ at the 80’s disco club, dressed like a stuffy businessman. He’s not usually one to approach anyone, but he’s also never spoken to anyone since his wife died ten years back (in the real world). when they finally make contact, its a magical night, and he doesn’t see Graves again for about 5 weeks. In the real world, Graves has been paralyzed since being shot in the line of duty (as a cop) and was given the option to join San Junipero upon recommendation as an award for services rendered. whereas Credence got married out of law school, and ended up retiring and choosing it, since he’d not gotten a chance to go with his wife, angst and hes sad until he’d met Graves. etc, eventually Credence has to propose, to save Graves from losing out, when the funding for his ‘retirement’ runs out. his medical care is also part of whats so expensive. etc etc happy ending!

Squicks:  knifeplay/violence

Maximum Rating: NC-17

Claim number to submit: Trick 20 (0 claims)

Prompt: after seeing some amazing gifs from the upcoming movie, and remembering it takes place in the fall, I’d love to see a wrinkle in time AU, maybe with the whole gang around the same age, up to things, with the 3 witches anyone who would work.

Squicks: n/a

Maximum Rating: T likely

Claim number to submit: Trick 21 (0 claims)

Prompt: Crimson Peak AU w/a twist

Lord Barebone is quiet, shy and of a gentle demeanor, but writes dark horror mysteries in his spare time. Hoping to get a publisher for his book and a chance at escaping his awful home, he accepts a spur of the moment offer to wed the mysterious Mr. Graves, who lives in a home perched atop blood red clay, and is rumored to have killed his wife.

Squicks: actual bloodplay/knifeplay, violence/gore

Maximum Rating: NC-17 (this is me, c'mon hah)

Claim number to submit: Trick 22a (0 claims)

Coincidentally, an Anonymous prompter also submitted:

Prompt: a Crimson Peak AU (I know it’s not really a halloween movie but it has halloween vibes & aesthetic) where Graves is Thomas Sharpe and Credence is Edith, and the plot is basiclly like in the movie, and Grindenwald is Lucille Sharpe. Of course you can adapt the plot and everything to suit the characters, you can do whatever you like with this prompt :)

Squicks: please don’t focus too much on the grindenwald/graves part, I’d like to keep it only as a past relationship (or only implied, like in the film) since the main focus is graves/credence. Or if you like you can decide not to include it at all, it’s up to you

Maximum rating: anything from G to M

Claim number to submit: Trick 22b (0 claims)

Mods would accept fillers amalgamating these prompts! Please specify in your submission form if you are/aren’t!

@unicornmagic submitted:

Prompt: What if Credence didn’t survive the Aurors’ attack at the end of the film, but comes back as a ghost due to “unfinished business”? And Graves, now freed from Grindelwald’s captivity, finds himself literally haunted? (“Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.”)

Squicks: Noncon, painplay, abuse within the main pairing.

Maximum Rating: NC-17. By all means do what feels right for the work.

Claim number to submit: Trick 23 (0 claims)

@wanderingnork submitted:

Prompt: For a “trick”, a thoughtless wizard sets a boggart loose at the MACUSA Halloween Masquerade. It’s almost impossible to catch as it changes its shape amid the nightmarish costumes thronging the halls. Though the task of hunting it down falls to Graves, Credence is not just going to let him run off alone. But both men have an awful lot of fears in their past, and if there’s one thing that lays such secrets bare, it’s a boggart…

Squicks: None.

Maximum Rating: M.

Claim number to submit: Trick 24 (1 claim)

Prompt: Cursed supernatural artifacts–mirrors, dolls, videotapes, and so on–are staples of horror fiction. The leading men encounter one such object and suffer the consequences.

Squicks: None.

Maximum Rating: M.

Claim number to submit: Trick 25 (1 claim)

@wintergravebone submitted:

Prompt: Credence is a troubled highschool student trying to fit in with the alt kids by tagging along on Halloween, terrorizing the neighborhood and getting trashed. They have the misfortune of targeting Graves’ house, get caught, and bail–leaving Credence behind, intoxicated and terribly vulnerable/obnoxiously uninhibited. Graves is not great with teenagers.

Squicks: watersports, bottom Graves

Maximum Rating: NC-17

Claim number to submit: Trick 26 (0 claims) 

Prompt: anonymous sex at a Halloween masquerade party. Surprise incest optional.

Squicks: bottom Percival Graves

Maximum Rating: NC17

Claim number to submit: Trick 27 (0 claims)

Prompt: Credence goes to a rave on Halloween and runs into Graves, a dealer. Shortly after, Credence is rolling hard (on whatever) and everything feels good and Graves is the kindest, funniest, most beautiful person he has ever met and he cant get enough of his big hands or his mouth or his teeth. Credence gets a little sloppy and dehydrated and overheated while dancing and the costumes start to freak him out; Graves finds him after making his rounds, they go home, and Graves very sweetly helps him come down, feeding him ice chips, letting him chew them and suck them from his fingers, pushing them in his hole one after the other, and touches every inch of his body he can reach, inside and out. Technically dubcon for altered state vs ability to consent.

Squicks: none

Maximum Rating: NC17

Claim number to submit: Trick 28 (1 claim)

Prompt: Graves and Credence can only see each other on Halloween each year, when the portal between the world of the living and the dead opens for one night and ghosts can move freely back and forth. They’ve had an ongoing date in the years since they joined different worlds and each year, one gets older, changing in increments, while the other stays the same. Why do they keep doing this? What is there to do about it? When will it stop (because it must eventually)?

Squick: none

Max rating: M

Claim number to submit: Trick 29 (0 claims)

Prompt: Graves rents out his pet once a year, letting men with masks queue up to fuck him bareback in every hole. After they’re done, he clears the room and fucks their cum out of him, reclaiming his precious little pet, telling him he did so well and watching mesmerized as Credence’s sloppy gaping hole gets semen all over his dick.

Squick: none

Max rating: NC17

Claim number to submit: Trick 30 (1 claim)

Your mod @gothyringwald would humbly like to add:

Prompt: spending the night in a haunted house

Squicks: daddy kink, feminisation, watersports/scat, ABO, mpreg, underage, bottom Graves, incest, unhappy endings

Maximum Rating: Explicit/NC-17

Claim number to submit: Trick 31 (1 claim)

Prompt: Victorian AU. Credence is a medium/spiritualist. Graves is a sceptic.

Squicks: daddy kink, feminisation, watersports/scat, ABO, mpreg, underage, bottom Graves, incest, unhappy endings

Maximum Rating: Explicit/NC-17

Claim number to submit: Trick 32 (2 claims)

[alotta-lovin]

You and your greaser fish boyfriend for the fall asks please!

vSure thing! you didn’t specify how many so i just kinda went ham on this XD

Who gets excited about Halloween in July:

We honestly both do? like..One of us will get Hyped for Halloween and then it just hypes up the other and its great

Who starts wearing sweaters and scarves on the first day of September and completely overheats:

I do, i wear sweaters all year long but right around the 1st of september i start wearing my bulky sweaters and though he tells i should maybe not wear em’, me being the hard headed stubborn person i am with my sweaters i tell him no and go about my day only to have him carry me around for the rest of the day if we are in public and admit my faults and say ill listen next time though i know i wont and he knows that too.

Who thrives in Fall/Who prefers Summer and warm weather:

Honestly, like im the type of person i adore fall. if i had to pick a season to live in for the rest of my life it would be fall. and Cronus doesn’t mind either or. but he does enjoy the heat far-more than i do? but he also is the type of person when i wanna sit on the porch and cuddle with him watching the leaves fall under a blanket to drag me outside and walk around in the leaves when all i wanna do is cuddle— plus he likes being able to wear his Jackets more in the fall since he wont die of heat in them.

Who thinks the other looks so cute when they’re cold and trying to fight it with 50 sweaters:

Cronus. he is the one to tell me i look cute when my nose, cheeks and ears turn red from the cold and though im wearing a heavy sweater i still chitter cause i have no fucking body heat whats so ever? but honestly he’s so cute when cold. his fins start to noticeably shiver and sinks into his Scarf if he’s wearing one.(Does this answer this part of the question?)

Who offers the other their jacket:

Cronus will offer me his jacket more often than not, but if im wearing like— 3 sweaters like i do when im hella cold and i see that he is freezing his ass off for the sake of being cool ill take off one and throw it at him and if he doesnt take it then i just sorta take it back and throw it at him again until he puts it on???

Who doesn’t want to get out of bed in the morning because it’s too cold and has to run from the warm covers to the shower:

I do– i have no body heat. so when its freezing and our place is almost just as cold as it is outside im the one submerged under all the blankets i pile on the bed. then either i have to run and take a warm shower or Cronus will make me some tea and let me sit in bed and drink it while he crawls back in and cuddles me o v o

Who touches the other with their freezing cold feet at night:

Meee! my feet are fucking ice cubes. you have no idea how many times he’s jumped up from being scared from my cold ass feet only to them turn around and cuddle me so that i warm up so it doesnt happen again.That or he goes and gets a pair of socks and puts them on me and i somehow manage in my sleep to slide them off???

Who makes the hot cider to snuggle under a blanket and drink:

Cronus oddly enough if its Cider. but if its tea then its me.

Who loves carving pumpkins and buys about 300:

….We both do– cause then it results in more house Deco for a lil while if not carved and if we do carve a few to put out on occasion if we wanna we’ll throw the pumpkin guts at the other if we are done and we picked out all the seeds for me to Roast after cleaning. (p.s. im the one that starts the pumpkin gut throwing fights each time.)

Who is terrible at carving pumpkins:

i am– not gonna lie i am. as he’s doing cute lil things over there and is almost done and im still gutting or trying to cut out one eye. This is why im the one who guts them or we both gut them first and then i let him go to town on the pumpkin carving.

Who thinks pulling the pumpkin guts out with their hands is icky:

Cronus honestly– he wears rubber gloves while im the one pulling them out– Why else do you think i start the pumpkin gut fights? its cute to see the shocked look on his face when he realizes what it is.

What is their favourite Fall activity:

Cronus favourite fall activity huh..hmm…Long walks on the rainy days in fall around the Neighborhood or going to a coffee shop with me and sitting by a big window talking among ourselves while watching the leaves and the people walk past from time to time. Both of those or the fact that it’s okay to just stay inside at home and cuddle while watching movies or shows we like.

Who gets scared when they watch Horror movies:

I fukin do. no joke im the one hugging him and hiding my face in his neck as he’s either enjoying the movie or he put it on on purpose for that damn reason so i’d cling to him.

Who hands out candy to trick-or-treaters:

We both do. its a matter of taking turns for us.

Who accidentally scares the kids:

Cronus…he sometimes doesn’t look out the window before opening the door and just kinda scares em on accident.

Who suggested the couples costume:

He does– this motherfucker. omfg. yall know this thing ?? he’s suggested it so much and im just sorta..standing there face palming.

What is their couples costume:

This fucking thing. every time.

What is the best Halloween they ever had:

According to him– it was the first year he was with me. saying that “It wvas honestly the best Hallowveen i’ve evwer had since i wvasn’t  alone and just sitting at home…Plus i had something to look forwvard to. Seeing you.” it was the cheesiest thing ever and it was adorable and i loved it.

What is the worst Halloween they ever had:

He– wont go into it i guess? but i wont push on it if he doesn't wanna talk about it then he doesn't wanna talk about it. and if at some point he does wanna talk about it i’m all ears.

Who eats too much candy and ends up sick the next day:

Cronus. he eats so much candy– and its mostly from the trick-or-treaters bowl too. and its always the chocolate. or some sour candies…

Thank you so much for asking laissezbeean ♥ feel free to ask anything again~!

[yourholidaymom]

Your Holiday Mom: Mama Ro

I am SO excited to have you with us for the holidays. We celebrate anything and everything here at the House of Creative Mayhem. You’ll be joining me, Ro, a purple-haired mama, and two of my three kids. Connor is 20, spends a lot of time playing video games, and is absolutely hilarious. He is on the autism spectrum, and sees things a little differently than everybody else, which makes him a wonderful person to know. He says if you like to game, you can play Team Fortress 2 with him, but if you don’t want to talk, he understands. My middle child, Ron, (24) is gender queer, and will be bringing their partner, Greg to dinner. They’re both gamers, too. And vegans,, which means I have to get creative with my cooking. I still make turkey, but I get creative with the side dishes and make a field roast for them, which is a vegan thing made from mushrooms and stuff. My oldest son lives in a nearby city with my granddaughter, but they are busy and probably won’t be able to make it. Could be a surprise visit, though, so prepare to hang out with a four-year-old. She and I will probably put on our matching tutus that I made for us. If you want one, I’ll make one for you, too. Or not. Your choice, of course.

I hope you love dogs, because I have a rescue pit bull named Lord Jasper Bighead, Earl of Fartsalot. I’ve had him for about 2 and a half years now, and he’s the love of my life. Nobody knows where he came from or how old he is, but this is his home for life now. I take him with me everywhere I can. Dogs are good company. They just give out love, and take as much love as you give them. And believe me, I can give a LOT of love. He also loves food. I’ll give you treats to give him and he will adore you.

So my birthday is right before the winter Solstice, and we’ll celebrate that with me taking everyone out to dinner. We’ll have to figure out someplace that has food we all love. I am wondering about your favorite foods and how to make sure you get them. Let’s sit in front of the fire and talk about it. While we talk, I’ll make art. I create weird things out of stuff other people throw away. Sometimes I call myself the Queen of the Trash Fairies. I also take in people who have no where to go, like my friend Chuck, who has been homeless for decades. He camps in my yard now, so criminals and homeless sweeps can’t disrupt his life. And of course I will be inviting all kinds of friends over for dinners throughout the winter months. It’s fun to gather in the warmth and light of home when it’s cold and rainy outside, isn’t it?

I’m really hoping you will spend some time making art with me. I have a gazillion different supplies. I’ve got paints, collage stuff, sharpies, jewelry-making supplies, clay, several guitars (I write protest songs, among other things. I’m what you’d call a social justice warrior and I will never understand why some people consider that an insult. Silly.) and of course, lots of journals and pens, because I’m also a writer. So, you know, whatever you like to do creatively, I bet we can do a lot of it while you’re here.

Can we have a serious talk about something? Being the parent of two queer kids, and being queer myself, I know full well how hard it can be. I spent a loooooot of years trying to fit in and be like everybody else. (news flash, it didn’t work!) Now that I’m older, I don’t even try to hide who I am, and I have found SO many people who love me exactly as I am. My friends celebrate my weirdness, which includes a love of puns, wearing dresses (never pants, ever), studying sword fighting, building an art studio in my yard that is made out of tires, custom painting my shoes… the people I know LOVE these things about me. And they love me even when my depression and anxiety keep me from being in contact very often. They just love **me,** exactly as I am, and exactly as I am not. I am sure that if you haven’t found your people yet, that you will. Just keep shining your bright self and the right people will come to you. Like me and my family. We’re your people! You’re our people. Isn’t that glorious?

Oh, I forgot to mention the house… I ilve in a pink house. The inside is painted just about every color you can imagine. There’s not a beige wall anywhere, so I hope you’re ready to experience a lot of color, because that is exactly what we have here!

What do you want to do while you’re here? We can play games. I have a bunch of fun ones, Cards Against Humanity, of course, Pictionary, Scattergories, the kind of games that rely on thinking outside the box. Or even thinking like you never believed there was a box to begin with! Or we can go for a walk with the dog at the lake nearby. Or we can go downtown and check out the holiday decorations. They have a lot of brass bands and carolers. We could join in the carols if you want. (I will want to, guaranteed. I love to sing. I’m not very good, but I have fun. Of course, I wouldn’t insist that you do anything you don’t want to) Oh, that has me thinking about popcorn. I don’t know why. I want popcorn with tons of butter, while we’re in front of the fire talking. You get to pick the music. I wonder what we’ll listen to first. I bet you’ll introduce me to things I’ve never heard before, too, won’t you?

Listen to me, you precious, wonderful being… I love you and I am so glad you’re here with us. You make everything more fun,more meaningful. This is the best year ever, because you’re here. Now, what do you want to do first?

Love your face, Mama Ro

PS OMG, I completely forgot about baking. There will be sooooo much baking. What’s your favorite cookie? Do you want to learn to bake bread? Make pies?

PSS This silly picture of me is my Halloween costume, Steampunk Peacock. What should I be next year?

** This year we are reprising your favorite letters. The original post date of this letter was Dec 08, 2019.

Your Holiday Mom: Mama Ro was originally published on Your Holiday Mom

[bullesdesavonpetillantes]

dont ask me anything again

only doing this because someone wanted me to and i’m taking a little break from reading 

1. You woke up naked next to the last person you texted, what would you say?

- well that would be my girlfriend so idk i would probably just kiss her :)

2. What’s going on between you and the last person you kissed?

- we’re dating wow

3. If your boyfriend or girlfriend was into drugs, would you care?

- i mean ?? i do

4. Is your last name longer than six letters?

- yes it is

5. Was your last kiss drunk or sober?

- sober

6. Have you ever wanted to have someone but you messed it up?

- nope

7. What does your last received text say?

- it says “yay” with some hearts and kisses

8. How many times have you kissed the last person you kissed?

- …i honestly don’t know but not enough

9. Where was your last kiss at?

- uh it was in the car

10. When is the last time you saw your sister?

- i guess i saw her in the summer but she didn’t wanna know me, other than that probably 3-4 years ago

11. What do you drink in the morning?

- they say you should drink water but ??? no i drink juice, sometimes (very rarely) coffee

12. Where did you sleep last night?

- in my bed, missing my gf

13. Do you think relationships are hard?

- yes, life is hard too

14. If you could go back and change something in the past 5 months, would you?

- actually the past 5 months have been the best i have ever had so not really

15. You’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, any problems?

- well i would love to be locked in a room with my girlfriend so no ;)

16. Would you rather it be sunny or rainy?

- rainy if i’m just at home, sunny if i gotta do something outside

17. Do you know anyone with the same middle name as you?

- i don’t

18. Are you wearing jeans,sweatpants,or pajama pants?

- pajama pants

19. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 years from now?

- yes

20. Does anyone like you?

- i mean it would be quite awkward if my girlfriend didn’t like me (but actually she loves me so)

21. Have you ever kissed someone with a name that starts with an S?

- does my dog count? probably not bc ‘someone’, but well i guess i have kissed my cousin on the cheek - does that count?

22. Is the last person you kissed gay?

- super gay

23. Is there a person you CANNOT stand?

- yes, many

24. Have you ever considered getting a tattoo?

- yesyes but i just can’t decide what kind of tattoo i would like

25. In the past week have you cried?

- uhm’m yes

26. What breed was the last dog you saw?

- bichon frisé

27. Do you dry off in the shower or out of the shower?

- ?? i find it so hard to dry off in our shower but i mean i never leave the toilet wet so out of the shower

28. Have you ever kissed a football player?

- my little brother played football when he was younger so lmao yes

29. Do you think you’re old?

- nah but my body thinks so

30. Do you like text messaging?

- that’s all i do honestly (even though i’m the slowest ever)

31. What type of day are you having?

- kinda tiring but i also laughed a lot today

32. Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced?

- when i was younger yes

33. Do you prefer warm or cold weather?

- cool

34. Is there a person of the opposite sex who means a lot to you?

- yes 

35. Would you prefer a relationship or a fling?

- a relationship

36. Are you a simple or complicated person?

- very complicated 

37. What song are you listening to?

- p!nk’s what about us

38. When you say you’re sorry do you mean it?

- if i’m like actually apologizing then yes, but i mean i often start my sentences with a ‘sorry but’ and no i don’t really mean that 39. Is there a girl that knows everything or almost everything about you?

- yes me myself and i, no but my gf knows alot 40. What made you start liking the person you like now?

- g osh her mind, her presence and the feeling i got around her (later on just everything) 41. When did you last receive a text message?

- today at 8.06 pm, exactly 3 hours ago 42. What is wrong with you right now?

- what is this question, there’s so much wrong with me so bye 43. How well do you know the last female you texted?

- quite well but i wanna know so so much more 44. Does anyone disgust you?

- probably 45. Would you date someone right now if they asked?

- i’m dating so nope (but if my gf wants to ask that then ????) 46. Are you in a good mood right now?

- actually yes, i just miss my baby 47. Who was the last person you talked to in person?

- my little brother 48. What color shirt are you wearing?

- white with a pink gaga  49. Has someone recently told you something you didn’t want to hear?

- i guess not 50. Anyone you’re giving up on?

- myself 51. Do you hate the person you fell hardest for?

- i love her

52. Have you ever thought about giving up on someone but couldn’t?

- yes, the most toxic shit ever 53. Do you like rain?

- love it 54. Do you care if your boyfriend/girlfriend drinks?

- of course i do, especially if she’s drinking alone i get so worried 55. Have you ever liked somebody and never told them?

- well i liked someone for almost a year before telling them  56. Do you like to cuddle?

- with my girlfriend yes!! 57. Are you shy?

- people say that, i was shy when i was a little kid i guess but now i just think that i’m anxious but idk 58. Do you get along with girls?

- i only get along with my girl 59. Have you dated the person you texted last?

- yes we’re dating rn 60. What do you carry with you at all times?

- my necklace  61. If you were paid 1 million dollars to spend the night in a supposed haunted house, would you?

- yes and i would take my gf with me 62. Do you think you can last in a relationship for five months?

- well it’s gonna be six months this month so yea 63. Think back to October, were you in a relationship?

- nope 64. The person you like kisses you on the forehead, do you find this cute?

- adorable, i always melt 65. Did anything “cute” happen in the last week?

- yes, many times

66. How old are the last three people you kissed?

- ??? the last three people?? i have only kissed one person (if you don’t count all the kisses on the cheeks) but well she’s 19

67. Would you rather pay to get your nails done or do them yourself?    

- if i had money then yes always pay 68. Which do you like better- Zebra print or leopard print?

- leopard     69. Do you have any stickers on your car? 

- nope    70. Would you rather listen to Luke Bryan or Lil Wayne?   

- neither  71. Blackberry, Anroid, or iPhone?    

- iphone 72. When’s the last time you had pizza from Pizza Hut?    

- probably when i was a kid, but my little brother gave me a tiny piece of his pizza slice this week and it was from pizza hut so 73. Do you like diet soda?    

- ew 74. What color are the walls in your room?    

- white and one pink 75. Are you 16 or older?    

- older 76. Do you watch Pretty Little Liars?    

- no, and never have 77. Do you have a job?    

- boi i don’t   78. What are your initials?    

- AL 79. Did you ever have braces?    

- nope 80. Are you from the south?   

-  no

81. What does your last status on facebook say?    

- i shared a post about dolphins 82. Do you still talk to the first person you ever kissed?    

- every day 83. Are you closer to your mom or your dad?    

- my mom 84. Have you ever done cheerleading or gymnastics?    

- eh no 85. What’s the last movie you saw in theaters?    

- pirates of the caribbean 5 86. Do you smoke?    

- i don’t 87. Would you rather wear heels or flip flops?    

- heels 88. Is your phone touch screen?    

- yes 89. Do you normally wear your hair straight or curly?    

- curly but i’ve been too tired to curl it lately 90. Have you ever snuck out of your house?   

- probably not

91. Would you rather swim in a river, lake, or pool?    

- lake 92. Have you ever made out in a car?  

- i wish   93. …Had sex in a car?    

- i don’t wish 94. Are you single or in a relationship?  

- .. you’re just now asking that um 95. What were you doing last night at midnight?  

- listening to music, trying not to fall asleep but failed   96. When’s the last time you saw fireworks?    

- when i was at the guns n’ roses concert in the summer 97. Do you like the camera on your phone?    

- nah 98. Have you ever had a friend with benefits?    

- nope 99. Have you ever passed out from drinking?    

- actually never (or have i??), maybe this should be my goal for halloween 100. Are you friends with people on facebook that you actually hate?    

- yes, also hate is such a strong word huh 101. Have you ever had a pregnancy scare?    

- no 102. Name your favorite Kesha song:   

- atm praying probably  103. Do you have any tan lines right now?    

- nope 104. Would you ever wear cowboy boots with shorts?    

- sure

[szopenhauer]

Think of a movie and now give me that movie title: random Elvira: Mistress of the Dark 

Quote a line from that movie:

Name a song: random MARUV & Boosin — I Want You 

What’s a line from that song? Baby turn me, turn me on All night long What’s the last word spelled backwords of that line? GNOL XD Whats the relationship between you and the last person you texted? my fiancee What would your name be if you replaced T’s with S’s & A’s with E’s? Zuzenne Would you ever legally change you name to that? nah Your boyfriend/girlfriend say they can’t hang out & it’s been two weeks. You? ok How often do you think about death? all the time Where were you when you had your first sleepover? Your house or a friends’? friend’s - P.W.

Are you hungry?: thirsty

What did you buy last time you went to the store?: food? bread not food? trinkets - for example - two books and a tiny stuffed dog

Do you think stained glass windows are pretty?: I don’t know tbh

Are you a chocoholic?: not at all

Have you ever been carded when buying something? : not even when I was buying cigarettes

Do you have a favorite highlighter color?: yellow

Do you have a flashlight?: I do

Do you like watermelon?: nah

Has anyone ever walked in on you while you were on the toilet?: obvi, many times but usually just family members

Do you like a lot of ice in your drinks?: noooo

Have you ever painted a room?: bathroom Have you ever petted a donkey? from what I remember

Out of all 24 hours, which one is your favourite? hmm... Have you ever been in a lighthouse? nope

What time are you planning on going to bed tonight? no idea Have you ever been bit by an animal? yeah Did it rain today? kinda What was the name of the last dog you pet? it was my dog - Łasuch Do you find that you have a certain meal you eat every time you go to certain restaurants? sure Are you constantly judging people? could say so Have you ever had anything stolen from you? sorta Which would you rather, a snowy day, sunny day, rainy day or cloudy day?: cloudy or sunny maybe rainy but definitely not snowy How long have you ever spent away from home? month? Has your luggage ever been lost at the airport? Did you get it back? - About how many times during the night do you wake up from your sleep? few Are there any air fresheners in your house? What kinds? no What scent of candle do you burn the most? we don’t For what reason did you last cry? ugh... What kind of surveys do you wish there were more of? deep

Last time you were attacked by an animal? this summer? Are you paranoid all the time or just during the night? more often during the day actually  Have you ever dated someone without knowing their name? last name, not first, I was a stupid kid and was dating a guy online once and several boys at camp just to show off somebody likes me that way even tho I wasn’t really interested nor knew anything about those matters

If you go to an all-you-can-eat buffet, how much do you really eat? a tiny bit If you need to ask a question in class do you raise your hand? of course How many times have you been engaged (if any at all)? once, currently Do you have to see something to really believe it? jak niewierny Tomasz - często Have you ever gotten so dehydrated that you passed out? I’m surprised that I didn’t :x If your friend was being cheated on, would you tell them? absolutely Do you always assume the worst? that me indeed Are you sick and tired of life? sadly Have you ever been busted for under age drinking? I wasn’t drinking underage, I still don’t drink  Do you have a picture of you and your lover kissing? 1 and a tik tok Have you witnessed a fight at school? bunch

What is your favorite time of day to run? when I’m late for the bus lmfao

When was the last time you talked to your mom? recently Do your parents crush your dreams? sometimes Did you sleep in today? I didn’t Do you hate sleeping in? I love sleeping in  How late do you consider too late to sleep in? noon, 11am is already late  How long have you had a smartphone? less than 5 years Do you keep lists of names that you like? even tho I don’t want kids :P Have you ever butt-dialed someone? it happened

First letter of the names of everyone you have kissed, like *that*; M.

Do you like going to school sports games? eww, boring Have you ever worn your boyfriend’s clothes? guy from camp gave me his cap for a day Have you ever stolen your sibling’s clothes? I had to wear them when she was growing up, gross Have you ever loved someone and HATED it? later? Do you like Starbucks or would you rather just have water or something? just water lol Have you ever walked into a door before? po maturze zapomniałam, że woźny zamknął drzwi, które się same otwierały i walnęłam w nie, raz przytrzepałam sie w futrynę bo za szybko skręciłam w nocy do pokoju, mama uderzyła mnie drzwiami jak byłam mała i stałam za blisko wejścia dzwoniąc do domu więc spadłam ze schodów, a ojciec stuknął mnie tymi dworcowymi przy wiadukcie i wylałam na siebie sok - to chyba wszystkie przypadki Do you know anyone who’s like, psycho-religious? fanatic? my uncle is one of those Have you ever been stuck on a ski lift? luckily never been there to begin with Do you know who Nancy Sinatra is? ain’t this the gal who sings “those boots were made for walking” or smth like that? Have you ever bought anything from an airport? I wasn’t there so... If I asked you who you were gonna marry a year ago, you would say; omg Do you snore, talk, sleepwalk, or drool? drool at times, sorry also roll/kick around and fart ^^” When you woke up this morning, what was your first thought? I was wondering why Nat fronted If you could start completely over knowing what you do now, would you? possibly

If you drink coffee, do you have a favorite flavor & brand? If so, what? not applicable Have you ever personally known a pair of Conjoined twins? woah What is your first thought when you see people kissing in public? "get a room” Would you ever consider being a professional stunt-person? I have no abilities/skills/health etc for that kind of job and it’s really sad actors get prizes for stunt-ppl’s work

How about a Mailman? my father was and that ruined his body so I doubt it (Besides Hello kitty) Do you have a favorite Sanrio character? If so, Who? Hello Kitty is evil Do you flinch when strangers touch you? don’t touch me! Can you remember the first time you went to a movie theater? I believe Is there something in particular you like to look at photos of? What is it? I have strange interests... Do you actually like the taste of Diet Soda? didn’t try and don’t plan to What brand of toliet paper do you normally use? I don’t give a shit ;) Do the Charmin bears make you feel uncomfortable? xD fact that they’re red makes me uneasy On average, how many cans of soda would you say you drink daily? zero Did/do you ever stick your chewed -up gum under tables? I spat it on grass when I was younger and had stuck it in my hair years before as well but every other gum I trashed properly Can you remember the last thing you watched on the news that upset you? that’s why I avoid news How do you feel about red lipstick, is it whorish? it’s my fav but I no longer use makeup What is your definition of feminism? fighting for equal rights between women and men like pay in workplaces Are you comfortable in shorts? am not So, have you watched that Bob’s Burgers show? Do you like it? fragments 

Do you ever get the feeling you dont belong? always Do you believe actions speak louder than words? good actors will use both ways to lie

If your friend tried to commit suicide infront of you how would you react? how, why, who, when etc. Ever had a rumour spread about you? plenty Have you ever tried to impress someone before? majority of my life and I hate myself for that If someone jumped on your back what would you do? die? If you had a child and they turned out just like you would you be happy? poor kid... If you could choose the gender of your child what gender would you choose? not that I want kids but girl

Name three people you want to meet in Heaven. from those who died or are alive rn?

What could be the theme song of your life? I was taking a quiz today and they gave me Kero Kero Bonito - I'd Rather Sleep

Do you have any embarrassing health issues? :( Who do you wish you could talk to? grandma and/or brother Do you lose or misplace things a lot? very rarely lose, misplace more often but still usually same item like my scissors What was the name of the street you grew up on (if you don’t live there now) I live here! Does it still feel like summer where you live? it’s too cold for that Do you have a Paypal account? I wish Have you ever had a brand or company reach out to you on Instagram? polyvore What is the last thing you purchased from Etsy? I have no bank account to be able to buy stuff there Do you sell on Etsy? I’d like to someday Do you have a favorite aunt, and if so, who is it? aunt Alice Who is your favorite cousin? no one Have you bought next year’s calendar yet? yup What year did/will you turn 30? 2022 What’s a food that you like, but it makes you feel sick? no comment Do you like the name Addison? sounds like a shoe Is there anything that you regret getting rid of? ... Have you ever stood up to a bully? couple of times Do you own striped tights? nude and transparent Have you ever made your own Halloween costume out of clothes from ur closet? yep When was the last time you received a hug? this day Do you have anyone who hugs you regularly? dad? Would you rather have the bottom bunk or top bunk? bottom Window seat or aisle seat? window, aisle if in church  Have you ever thrown up on an airplane? that’s one of the reasons I won’t fly Have you ever seen anyone else throw up on an airplane? that’s another... Have you ever gotten sick in the car? almost Do you still wear clothes from the children’s section? whoops you got me What color is your watch? I need to buy watch for Nat... What color was the last pair of flip-flops you wore? last time I was wearing flip flops was before middle school and they were pink I suppose Were you born in your favorite season? in the worst! Have you eaten oatmeal lately? regularly... Do you enjoy editing photos? if not a snapchat filter selfie then I prefer them “natural” What is your favorite app on your phone? Choices forever! lately I begun playing The arcana and it’s pretty good, Lisa downloaded Addams family mystery mansion or smth but it’s not that cool and I used to play the detective story which was awesome <3  Do you answer your phone every time it rings? hell no Do you like to decoupage things? scrapbooks/collages are way better How many tabs are open on your browser right now? 9 with this one but I forgot to close the background music 

How many times have you had sex within the past two years? Guesstimate? personal How many times in a month do you go to the movies? How much do you spend? not at all

When was the last time you heard thunder? Where were you at anyway? this month? home When was the last time you were in trouble with your parents? If so. it’s complicated Do you know anyone who claims to have the ability to see the future? I have dreams that come true and my parents do, also my gf When you go to the movies, do you actually watch the movies or not? ... what else would I do in the cinema? oh, you mean kiss and such? waste of money Do you love or loathe the Eurovision? I don’t mind it Have you ever wielded a sword? wanna try :D If you were famous would you want a statue or a building names after you? what for Can you erect a tent? hope I didn’t forgot How tall is the tallest person you know? didn’t ask Have you ever ridden a camel? might try What’s your opinion on rats? cute

[theonyxpath]

The Primordial Feast

This week we dine on Trinkets, a story by Lauren M. Roy from The Primordial Feast, a fiction anthology for Beast: The Primordial.

“This place is a shithole.”

“A townie shithole.”

Dav and Galen aren’t wrong. The place in question is a townie bar, run by three generations of Stowes, frequented by three generations of Colebridge residents. Usually, we’d drink over at Jana’s place, or bring our booze to the park, but she’d wanted to come out tonight and this is where the cheap drinks are. That, and Jana’s hungry. She’s kicked back in her chair, eyeing the regulars at the bar the way some people eye a dessert tray. When she shifts, I feel her shoulder brush mine, even though we’re a foot apart.

Jason sits hunched over his beer, trying to make himself small as possible next to Jana’s bulk. He didn’t want to come out tonight, though I know he has to be hungry. Every time Jana’s laughter booms out across the bar, he ?inches. Her laugh draws attention, and even though Jason and I are technically townies, too, he doesn’t want to be spotted. His family and mine have lived here a good three-quarters of a century, but small town bullshit means some last names are more important than others.

High school was more than ten years gone, but that’s easy to forget in a town no one ever leaves.

It doesn’t take long for the elbowing and nudging to start. It gets more exaggerated with every round, until one of the former running backs comes over and leans down next to me. “Miranda. I thought you’d dropped off the planet.” He speaks to me but the gaze and the smirk are directed at Jason.

I want to send him packing, say something that’ll make him wet his pants and run back to his frat bro friends, but this isn’t the place for it. To a point, it’d be shitting where we eat and Jana frowns on that. Instead I clap a hand on his shoulder, turn him so he has to look me in the eye. “I haven’t yet. Shane, right?”

“Yeah.”

“My friends and I are having a conversation, but maybe I can catch you later?” The odds of him taking the hint and walking away are lousy, but it’s worth a try.

He doesn’t take it, shifts his gaze past me. “Hey, Jason,” he says, that syrupy,drawn-out, fake friendliness made worse by his drunken slur. “Hey, buddy. How are you? How’ve you been?”

Shane was huge in high school. He graduated and went straight to work for his dad’s landscaping company, so even though he got a little thicker around the middle in the intervening years, he’s still muscle under the pudge. Jason looks like a reed next to him.

But that’s why we’ve got Jana. My hand’s still on Shane’s right shoulder when hers comes clamping down on his left with a meaty smack. He lets out an urk at the force of it, and turns to peer at her. His muscles tense beneath my fingers as he gets ready for a brawl, then loosen when he realizes the dude who just dared lay a hand on him isn’t a dude at all, and he dismisses her as a threat.

That’s a mistake.

“What my friend is too polite to say,” Jana rumbles, “is fuck. Off.”

His mouth ?aps a second while his brain catches up. Jana leans forward a little, looming even more, and it’s suddenly very crowded at our table. Shane trips his way back to his feet and stumbles over to his bros. By the time he gets to them, he’s all eye-rolling and shrugs and pretending he didn’t nearly scream like a little girl. But I saw the way he waddled, like it took all his control not to let his bowels loose right then and there.

Dav snickers. He’s never been Jason’s biggest fan, but if nothing else, Jason makes good bait. And in the end, he’s family. None of us would let anything happen to him.

Jana swigs down her beer and orders another. “So, that’s dinner sorted,” she says.

She doesn’t mean it, not literally, but Jason looks like he’s about to throw up anyway.

• • •

I like it better when I can plan ahead, but it’s been a lean few weeks. The last few nights, my own Lair’s been trembling as Jana’s Horror stomps around hers. Her footsteps reverberate through the Burrows, setting the leaves of my trees shaking, sending ripples across the water of Jason’s pond. I imagine even the shadows in Dav and Galen’s shared Chambers shiver. It’s a small damned town, and there’s nothing bigger in it than Jana. For a while, that was what kept her fed. Even a town like ours has its bad neighborhoods, and she lorded over the down-and-out, told the gangs what to do, how to commit their crimes in a way that kept people afraid.

Until, that is, the new police chief got sworn in. Jana’s been laying low for a month, playing it careful while she figures out what to do about Chief Bessette’s pledge to straighten out the criminal element or send them packing. It was fine at first; she went with Dav and Galen when they raised hell in the posh section of town. Break-ins that never tripped alarms, smashed windows that had the selectmen investing in baseball bats and Maglites — not that they’d have done any good. It got the focus off Jana, but not her people, and the three of them backed off before someone got too brave and decided to play hero. But she’s still not sure whether the Chief can be bribed or manipulated or just plain needs to be run out of town himself, and it’s made her growly. Both her attitude and her stomach.

So now it’s my turn to feed us, and Shane’s the best candidate. I time my bathroom break to one of his; seems our little chat made him have to go, and once you break the seal, well. You could’ve set a watch by his bladder after that first trip to the can. Now he’s drunk enough, and arrogant enough, and questioning the size of his balls just enough that when I plant a hand on his chest, he’s ready to try again.

I don’t let him do much more than leer. My fingers play with the pendant around his neck, one of those thin, twisting cornicellos. Back in high school, he called it his Italian horny charm, and pointed it at whatever girl he was scoping out that lunch period. It’s supposed to ward off evil, but if I count, nothing’s happening. “I need some air,” I say. “How about you?”

He doesn’t even wave goodbye to his bros.

The park’s only a five-minute walk from the bar, across one busy street and down a much quieter one. We go in the back way, down the trail that leads to the row of log cabins the day camp meets in on rainy days. The park’s empty this time of year, just past Halloween. Once school starts back up, the novelty of trespassing after hours wears off quick. By the time fall nights get their bitter, first taste of winter chill, the kids have discovered much warmer places to loiter.

He’s sobered up a little as we walked, enough for a touch of common sense to creep in, for his lizard-brain to wake up from its beer-drenched nap and remind him that walking off into the woods late at night is a bad idea.

Which, hey, good for him. Except we’ve already stepped into the inky shadows that mark the edge of Dav’s Lair, and there’s no way Shane knows how to get out again. I lead him in farther, let branches brush at his face and roots make him stumble.

Part of me almost feels bad for him. Shane was loud and obnoxious back in school, sure, and if he ever gave me the time of day, I don’t remember it, but ignoring someone isn’t a crime. Then I think about the way he zeroed in on Jason, the cruel glee that crept into his voice as he said hey, buddy, and whatever fucks I was starting to give about Shane evaporate.

He’s getting nervous now. His breath comes in ragged gasps. In what little light Dav and Galen are letting through, I can see how wide his eyes are, how they roll towards every snapped twig and half-heard rustle. When I reach for his hand, his skin is clammy. I don’t hold it for long.

I know the twists of this maze, but Shane doesn’t, and losing him is only a matter of ducking behind a gnarled and twisted old oak and letting him stumble past, calling my name. I don’t answer. Why would I?

The hunt is on.

It’s for Jana more than any of us, and even though we’re chasing Shane through Dav and Galen’s nightmare woods, conjuring roots to send him sprawling, whispering in his ear, tracing icy fingers down his spine, we’re driving him inexorably towards her. She’s a dark shape through the trees, and when her Horror plucks him from the ground, lifts him up and up and up so he can look her in her red, red eyes, I can’t help but be in awe.

Shane shrieks. Dav and Galen echo it, mocking him with his own fear. Moonlight breaks through the clouds, but it brings him no comfort. Part of me is up there in the sky, my shadow skimming over the lake, dark wings beating in his ear, a talon grazing across his cheek. Above us all, Jana laughs.

He blacks out before she can lift him to her mouth, but that’s fine. Like I said, she wasn’t really going to eat him.

We leave him on the beach in the real world, roll him out of the Lair and close the path. Tomorrow he’ll wake up cold and hungover and more than a little ashamed.

I take the charm from around his neck, and realize Jason is nowhere nearby. I haven’t seen him since I left the bar.

Found out what happens to Shane, and what happened to Jason, in The Primordial Feast, now available from DriveThruFiction in ebook and print.