#ghost trick rocker

[ghost-on-my-trick-till-i]

Ghost Trick: Small Difference

Chapter Five

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fic below the cut

8:34 PM

Riding the red phone line, I wonder how it's come to this.

I don't know much about the police, or any part of the government, but I don't think it's very acceptable to spy on prisoners, even if I'm just checking on their wellbeing. 

However, this is the only lead I have left to follow, and I hope that somewhere along the line I'll be able to reunite with Yomiel.

Arriving at my destination, I am able to get a better look at this office-like space. The room is small and only has two officers occupying it, the one who was talking on the phone and another one off to the right. The phone officer is sitting up impossibly straight, to the point where his back is curving inwards. The second officer is the opposite, sitting in the world's worst slouch.

“So how are the preparations coming along?” The hunchback officer asks his colleague. 

“I think they're taking care of them right now.” The other replies.

“Yeah? Man… I'm not looking forward to this…” The slouch sighs.

“That kind of surprises me, coming from you. I didn't know you thought about such things.” He pauses. “By the way, that was me being sarcastic. Just in case you didn't catch that…”

“Two and a half more hours… and then it will be time.” The hunchback sighs.

“I guess we should just get back to work.”

“Yeah, I guess you're right.”

The two officers turn their chairs around to face their desks, and the straight-back officer pins a note to his board.

The atmosphere sure seems tense… I guess I'll get back to my work as well. Alma has asked me to check on prisoner D99 for whatever reason. However, I am unsure where the prisoner is kept, and how to get there.

It'd be best to try and get some information first.

In the ghost world, there's only a few things within my reach. Two notes attached to the wall, and a monitor hung on the ceiling. There's another monitor to my right but it's just out of reach.

The monitor is untrickable, so I return to one of the notes on the wall, the one that the officer had just hung up a few moments ago. I trick the note and it falls off the wall. The hunchback notices its fall and turns his chair around to catch it midair.

The officer waves the paper in his hand. “Hey, Bailey.” He calls out.

The other officer, Bailey, turns around to face his colleague.

“Try pinning up your memos a little better next time.” The slouch says. “Lemme see this thing… “Inspection, prisoner C74””

“Oh it's almost time for that. I better prepare.”

“Prisoner C74, eh?” The slouch ponders. “What did that big whale do anyway?”

“You don't know? About the “Metro Police Department Siege” case?” Bailey asks.

“Metro who-what?”

“C74 barricaded himself into the Metro Police Department and took siege of the place.” Bailey explains. “He even pointed a huge flamethrower at the chief commissioner.”

“Why the heck did he do all that?”

“That's what the detectives that surrounded him asked, too. “What are your demands?!”, they asked.” Bailey answers.

“And..?”

“The guy was unable to answer, he just stood there completely paralysed. He apparently had a very shocked and confused look on his face.” Bailey explains.

“He didn't say anything? Was that all he did?”

“Unfortunately, no. after a few minutes of holding him hostage…” Bailey pauses. “He touched the commissioner's office. With the flamethrower. Touched it good. Important documents, and the commissioner's moustache, were destroyed by the flames.”

“What the heck did he do all that for?!”

“Just like before, when he was questioned he gave no answer.” Bailey says.

“Huh, is the guy just crazy or something?”

“Nobody truly knows, but the case sent shockwaves throughout the country.” Bailey continues.

“But that doesn't make any sense! In the first place…” The slouch pauses. “How did a huge, armed guy make it to the commissioners office alone?”

“It's a complete mystery.”

“What?! Why don't they just ask C74 himself?!”

“Maybe they did, but they haven't released anything about it.” Bailey pauses. “Apparently, it's all a matter of national secrecy…”

The slouch grumbles, before crumpling the memo and throwing it across the room into Baileys trash can.

Bailey yells in annoyance and spins around in his chair dramatically. He then hops out of his chair and clenches his fists. “Will you quit throwing my important duty memos away?!”

The slouch doesn't reply, instead spinning his chair around to face his desk, Bailey soon does the same.

Hmm, what an interesting case. A big guy took siege of a police department without anyone knowing how, and when asked for demands he doesn't answer and torches the place anyway? It's incredibly strange.

I move from out of the trash can and on to the other memo Bailey has hung up, and release it. The paper falls and the slouch catches it again.

“Hey, Bailey.”

Bailey swings his chair around again.

“Whatsa matter, you can't even pin up a memo properly?” The hunchback looks at the paper. “Lemme see this thing… “Take prisoner C38 to the telephone room”.”

“Yes he made a request to use the phone a little while ago.” Bailey clarifies.

“You already told me that earlier.” He pauses. “C38, eh? What did that punk do, anyway?”

“You've never heard the story? About the “Secret Rendezvous” case?” Bailey asks.

“Secret who-what?”

“C38 was a singer in a band. His group was playing at a concert that was being broadcast all over the country live. And right in the middle of their encore there was a “huge incident”.”

“A “Huge Incident”? What was it, a murder or something?”

“Almost, When C38 was singing his song, Secret Rendezvous, he suddenly stopped before the final chorus when something strange occurred.” Bailey starts.

“Something strange?”

“A gun dropped from above the stage and C38 started shooting up the crowd.”

“What?! Did anyone die?”

“Miraculously there were no deaths.” Bailey says. “Witnesses say that paranormal-like activity saved many people that night.”

“What paranormal activity?! That doesn't make any sense!” The slouch huffs. “Why didn't his band-mates do anything?!”

“They tried, but apparently he was abnormally strong and they couldn't stop him.” Bailey pauses. “They claimed to have even teamed up all together to stop him but even that wasn't enough against his abnormal strength.”

“How could he fight off his entire band?! Where'd that gun come from anyway?!”

“We don't know, the guards backstage claimed that no one went above the stage during the performance.”

“Why the hell would he even do it?!”

“After the gun ran out of bullets his band-mates started demanding why he had just done a thing, but he gave no response.”

“Seriously?!”

“Apparently, all he had to give them was a scared and confused look on his face.” Bailey explains.

“But that doesn't make any sense! Where'd that gun come from and how was the crowd saved?!”

“No one knows, If anyone had figured it out they hadn't released anything about it.” Bailey pauses. “Apparently, it's all a matter of national secrecy…”

The slouch grumbles, before crumpling the memo and throwing it across the room into Baileys trash can.

Bailey yells in annoyance and spins around in his chair dramatically. He then hops out of his chair and clenches his fists. “Will you quit throwing my important duty memos away?!”

The slouch doesn't reply, instead spinning his chair around to face his desk, Bailey soon does the same.

Now this case really does interest me. “Paranormal activity”? Is it possible that a ghost was there that day? But that doesn't explain how he got so “Abnormally strong”.

Not a moment later, Bailey stands up to hang another memo on his board.

I wonder what kind of info I'll get from this one.

I remove myself from the trashcan once more and insert myself into the hanging note. I manipulate the memo into falling down, and just like before the slouch notices and catches it midair.

“Hey, Bailey”

Bailey turns around in his chair again.

“Lemme see this thing… “Bring Dinner To prisoner D99”.” The slouch reads.

“The chef is preparing it for him right now.”

“Ooh, how fancy.” The slouch pauses. “D99, eh? Even i know about this one.”

“Yeah..?” Bailey sighs. “Such a sad case… hard for us, too…”

“He shot his fellow detective, didn't he? Right outside in the courtyard?”

Bailey stays silent.

“It's just awful! Why in the world did he do it?!” The slouch winces. “Why would he of all people do that, and why would he shoot him out of all people?!”

“The motive, everything, all a complete mystery.”

“It's just ridiculous! It doesn't make sense that he would do anything like that!” The slouch yells.

“I don't know the details, but apparently…” Bailey pauses. “This case is a matter of national secrecy as well…”

“I don't get it! None of it makes any sense!”

“You do know what kind of prison this is, don't you?” Bailey asks. “It's a special prison, built for these special cases…”

“D99… I wonder if he thought he could just breeze past the consequences like that flowy coat of his breezes in the wind.” The slouch grumbles. “I don't like any of it. I knew I couldn't take my job seriously without it getting to me.”

So the prisoner I'm looking for, D99, was convicted of murder, eh? And apparently he wears a flowy coat…

The slouch grumbles, before crumpling the memo and throwing it across the room into Baileys trash can.

Bailey yells in annoyance and spins around in his chair dramatically. He then hops out of his chair and clenches his fists. “Will you quit throwing my important duty memos away?!”

The slouch doesn't reply, instead spinning his chair around to face his desk, Bailey soon does the same.

Bailey hangs up another memo, but before I'm able to get up there, the slouch gasps a little.

“It's time.” He reminds Bailey.

In the room beside me I can hear a door open as two pairs of feet walk in. Along with the footsteps I hear an awful screeching noise. Thankfully, the noise stops pretty quickly and the room goes mostly silent.

Back in the room I'm in, I see the hunchback officer finish making a tower of cards, and gently puts a fancy glass filled with red juice on top.

“There! It's done!” He says proudly.

I remove myself from the trash can and enter the new memo. I don't think I can get any more information out of these two, but the people next door feel like they can be my lead to where the prisoners are held.

I free the note and let it fall, where the slouch catches it like usual. I quickly move to a nearby switch before listening to their conversation.

“Hey, Bailey. Would you quit sending these memos over here?”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“Not until I figure out how you always know the exact instant a memo starts falling…” Bailey pauses dramatically. “Not until I solve that mystery!”

The slouch doesn't say anything else, before crumpling the memo and throwing it across the room into Baileys trash can.

Bailey yells in annoyance and spins around in his chair dramatically. He then hops out of his chair and clenches his fists. “Next time! I will find the answer next time!”

As I thought, these two don't have anything else important to say.

Looking around, there's nowhere else to go from this switch. The only thing I can do at this point is flip it, so I do exactly that.

Suddenly an alarm starts blaring in the room, red lights above start flashing, and a cabinet in the centre of the room opens up to reveal all sorts of weaponry.

Bailey yells in frustration while spinning his chair to face his coworker. He hops out of his chair. “There you go again! Fooling around with that thing!”

The slouch turns around in his chair with a grumble. “It wasn't me.”

“Don't lie! You know you love to see me jump up and prepare for an emergency!” Bailey exclaims.

“Oh, yeah, sure. Way back when I first got this job. But I've had enough of that now. Besides, you always react the same way.”

Bailey grumbles.

“The emergency switch is probably just loose. Probably because I fooled around with it too much…”

“Well, it's for emergencies! Don't play with it!”

“Anyways, it wasn't me. Maybe you oughta get it repaired, huh?”

“Well, close it back up! It's making me feel on edge.” Bailey says.

“Nah, too much of a pain.”

“A pain?!” Bailey exclaims. “Proper emergency procedures are “a pain” to you?! What a sad, sad state of affairs…”

Bailey doesn't sit back down, and the hunchback just ignores his nervous head looking back and forth.

I use this as an opportunity to leave the room, with the switch in a higher position I am able to climb up to the glass of juice onto a monitor onto a camera in the next room.

In the room there's a guard and one of the prisoners. The prisoner has spiky pink hair and a strange looking toy is sat beside him. That must be the noisemaker I heard earlier.

I move down from the camera onto a button, beside me in the door handle. I press the button to see what it does and the door beside me opens. The guard standing nearby notices that the door is now ajar and presses the button to close it again.

I press the button again, but I move from the button to the door handle before it gets out of my reach, then I quickly move from the door to the noisemaker before the guard can close it.

If I had to guess, this prisoner is the rock star that shot up a crowd. Not who I'm looking for.

I sit in the noisemaker for a moment, waiting for the rocker to be done. He'll carry this thing back to his cell and hopefully that'll bring me closer to the prisoner I seek.

“Peace out!” The rocker speaks into the phone before returning it to its home. “I'm done.” He alerts the guard.

The guard opens the door then marches over to the prisoner. “All right, C38! Back to your cell!”

“Hey, guard man, how about given’ me a little bit of space?” the rocker chuckles. “That craaazy walk of yours is dangerous, man!”

The guard backs up a few steps. “A proper walk for a properly led life! Now, let's go!”

“Yo! No lectures, man… I walk my own path, my own way, to my own music!” 

The rocker picks up the noisemaker and begins to play it as the guard leads the rocker out of the room, carrying me with him. Hopefully the walk isn't that long, I don't know how much more of this noise I can take…

After a thankfully short walk later, I'm taken to where the prisoners are held. The guard places the rocker back in his cell before marching off.

So I finally made it. Now to find prisoner D99 and check up on him, and hopefully find something out about everything happening tonight.

Inside the cell, the rocker continues to make his awful noise. “Damn!” He exclaims. “Don't think I can take another second in this stinkin’ pit!” The rocker checks his nearby surroundings. “Looks like guard man is gone.” He rips a piece of paper with an “O” on it from the wall, scrunches it up, and throws it in the nearby toilet. “All this waitin’ is wipin’ me out! I hope this one’ll finally do it.” He walks over to the toilet and flushes it. “Go, go, go!” he exclaims as the paper gets sent down through the pipes below. “C’mon Sausage Head!”

That looks like my exit. I just have to figure out how to make him do that again. I move from the noisemaker to the two stacks of paper hung up on the wall. One is all marked with “O”s and the other is marked with “X”s. They are symbols of some sort but I can't for the life of me remember what they mean.

From the papers I move to the toilet and from the toilet I notice a phone just outside the cell. Nice! Phones are always nice to have nearby. I enter the phone and notice something odd about it. It seems this phone only connects to other phones in the prison, so far that's only the guards office i was in earlier but if i find other phones then i can move to them, but not outside of that.

Above the phone is an emergency switch. I can already feel myself getting a little trigger happy just looking at it. Unable to resist the urge, I move to the emergency switch and pull it.

Immediately alarms begin to blare throughout the building, and guards come from all over to inspect the area. Sweat begins to build on the rockers face as he quickly moves over to the papers on the wall.

This might be my chance! I move from the switch to the papers with “X”s. I'm not completely sure which of the two papers he'll flush this time but I'm hoping it's this one.

To my luck, the rocker rips off a paper with an “X” and quickly flushes it down the toilet. “Go, go, go!”

Now, I'm not the happiest about being flushed down a toilet, but if it's my only way down then I guess I don't have much of a choice.

Riding down the pipes, I realise I have no idea where I'm going, hopefully somewhere productive. After the short journey a hook grabs onto the paper and I hear the sound of a bell ringing above me. The sounds of odd shuffling can also be heard before the rope starts to pull me up.

A prisoner pulls the paper off of the hook and I'm able to get a good look at him, but I do regret it. The man is large and is wearing a bib on top of his prison uniform. Most disturbingly is his head, as it is too long and wobbles about uncomfortably. I understand why the rocker called him sausage head.

Sausage head crumples up the paper and drops it in a nearby trash can. He then takes the back of the toilet and moves it to cover a large hole in the wall.

Just what is going on in this strange prison?

Sausage man then hops onto his bed, and a strange device attaches to his head. It makes me unimaginably uncomfortable.

I would like to get out of here as soon as possible.

From the lack of flowy coat, and the largeness of this man, I deduce that this must be the guy from the police department siege case. In other words, not the guy I'm looking for.

From the trash bin I can reach the back of the toilet, the bell above, a blackboard hung on the wall, and the light on the ceiling. The blackboard doesn't interest me and the light above does lead anywhere so instead I turn my attention to the bell, as it's the only interactable thing in the room.

I ring the bell and sausage head gets up from his bed, and grabs a spoon sitting beside him. I move from the bell to the light on the ceiling, and as sausage head picks up the spoon I enter it. It's the only thing here that i haven't been in so it must be my way out of this awful room.

Sausage head carries the spoon over to the toilet, and pulls the rope up like he did before. He gives a confused look as he sees nothing on the hook but doesnt think about it much, and throws the spoon back to the cup on his bedside. Directly to my left is another phone.

Finally! My exit! I excitedly exit the spoon and move to the phone. This phone, like the last one, only connects to other phones in the prison, but now at least I have an easier method of going up and down.

To the left of the phone is the toilet of another cell, hopefully inside this one is the man I'm looking for. I move from the phone to the toilet in great anticipation.

The man in the next cell is pacing his room back and forth. He has a few papers in his hands and is reading over them intensely. The man himself has a defined jaw and nose, with sideburns and greying hair. The walls of the cell are covered in similar papers covered in tiny scribbles. However, to my delight, the man is wearing a long, flowy coat.

This must be who I'm looking for, and from the looks of things, he isn't doing well.

“Come on, baby, there has to be a connection somewhere…” The man speaks to himself.

The guards from before mentioned that this man was once a detective, I wonder if these papers are for an investigation. I wonder if his investigation somehow relates to what's happening tonight.

Many of the papers have cores, so I quickly move to the closest one to read it.

…

Tonight, I have lost a lot of things, my life, my memory…

But there is a certain skill that I have apparently lost, too…

I can't read!

I can see that there is some kind of writing on the paper…

But I have absolutely no idea what it means!

I stare dumbfounded at the paper in front of me. How have I managed to lose the ability to read?! These papers could have been important towards my investigation!

I move my attention from my illiteracy to the pacing man in the cell. According to the guards this man had shot another detective. I can't imagine why he'd do something like that, and I also can't imagine what seems to be worrying him so much.

The man continues to pace anxiously around the room, reading his notes. Occasionally he'll stop pacing to read something on the walls, but then will continue his march.

“There isn't much time leeeft, I gotta figure this out now.” He speaks to himself.

Unfortunately for Alma, the man she's worried about seems to have been driven insane. The anxious pacing, the mumbles to himself, the walls covered in nothing but notes, it all comes together to create a creepy vibe that I am not enjoying. 

I'd hate to bring Alma bad news but it's very clear that this man is not okay, but there's nothing I can do about this. 

I move from the paper on the wall back to the toilet, but just as I get there I hear a voice call out.

“D99, dinner!” The voice yells. D99 puts down the papers he was holding and pulls out a small table and chair from beneath his bed. A guard walks in, holding a large chicken. The guard places the chicken on the table and D99 sits himself down.

“Weeell, won't you look at this.” D99 says, eyeing the chicken. “I'm getting spoooiled rotten tonight.”

The guard stares intently at the prisoner.

“Oh,” D99 sighs. “It's cold though, what a shame!”

The guard continues to stare. “D99..?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Know it's kinda pointless to ask now, but…” The guard pauses. “But just the same, I want to know. Why did you do it?!”

D99 pauses before letting out a forced chuckle. “You know you won’t like the answer I'll give, it's the same one I always give, baby.”

The guard pauses. “Detective Cabanela…”

“Why don't you leave me to eat in peace? Wouldn't want to disturb this moment would you, baby?”

The guard stays silent as D99, Cabanela, moves more papers off of the small table. After a few moments the guard speaks. “There's one more thing I've been wondering for a long time.”

Cabanela turns his head towards the guard. “And what's that, baby?”

“What are you writing in all these papers?”

Cabanela shuffles the papers in his hands before putting down all but one. “Even with how long I've been here, I can't just stop my investigations. I'm a detective at heart and no time in the slammer is taking that away from me.” Cabanela begins while grabbing a thumb tack from a desk.

“But how could you possibly be investigating in here?”

“You underestimate me, baby.” Cabanela slams the paper against the wall with one hand, completely covering whatever's on it. “Just because I don't have my freedom doesn't mean I don't have what I need to investigate.”

“Just what exactly are you investigating anyway?”

Cabanela tacks the paper to the wall. “Just two suspicious folk.” Cabanela lets go of the paper, letting it hang on the wall and relieving the contents on it.

I move closer to the paper, I may not be able to read but from what I could see from the distance I don't think that'll be a problem.

Just like I suspected, the paper's contents is not scribbled writing like every other paper in this room, but a drawing. While Cabanelas drawing isn't perfect, it's easy to understand.

A man with hair slicked back to one point wearing sunglasses and a suit. A woman with two cone shaped hair buns with a triangular bang and an impractical outfit.

This is…

Yomiel and Sissel?!

“I don't understand, why are you investigating these two?” The guard asks, inspecting the drawing.

“It's not anything you need to be worried about, baby.” Cabanela turns to face the guard. “Now why won't you let a man eat in peace?”

“Okay, sure. Sorry to bother you.” The guard says before leaving the cell.

What in the world..? What in the world could this mean..? Why is there a drawing of Yomiel and Sissel in this man's cell?

Who exactly is this prisoner? The man that Alma expressed great worry about is a detective investigating Yomiel and Sissel!

I have to find Yomiel and Sissel again. Everything that's been happening tonight has all somehow connected back to them, there has to be more that they aren't telling me.

Eventually this all will connect back to me, right?

I leave the cell and travel through the phone line to the guards office as soon as I can. From here I can go wherever I want.

When I reach the guard room the phone is ringing. Bailey stops whatever he’s writing to pick up the phone.

On the other side of the phone I see a man with a moustache and a large chin.

“This is headquarters. What's the status over there?”

“Oh, Chief! it's you!” Bailey gasps. “They're making preparations now. No problems, sir!”

“How much longer, then?” The chief asks.

“One more hour, sir.” Bailey replies.

“I see, carry on then.” The chief pauses for a brief moment. “Oh, one more thing. I have a special request from the inspector.”

“What is it sir?”

“She wants you to report any suspicious activity at all, anything that seems at all unusual is to be reported directly to her or me.” 

“Understood sir.” Bailey says before hanging up the phone.

“What was that about?” The hunchback guard asks Bailey.

“Just the chief checking in on preparations.” Bailey answers. “And I was given a special request from the inspector to report anything odd.”

“The chief and the inspector, huh?” The slouch sighs. “Everyones on edge today.”

“Of course they are, this is the most important day the industry has had in decades.”

“It is, isn't it?” the slouch pauses. “Really makes you think if it's the right thing to do.”

“It was what was decided by the justice minister, there's no point thinking about that now.”

“I know, it's just…” The slouch grumbles and slams his fist against his desk, knocking down his tower of cards and the glass on top of it.

“What's wrong?” Bailey asks his coworker.

“Jowd was my hero, y’know. I wanted to be a detective because of him.”

Jowd? That's not a name I've heard before.

“But look at me! Rottin’ away in a place like this! And I can't help but wonder if that this is what he would've wanted.” the slouch exclaims.

“Detective Jowd and Detective Cabanela had always been great friends.” Bailey begins. “They were two of the best in the industry…”

“Then Cabanela just had to go and shoot him, ruining both of their futures and the future of the industry.” the slouch groans. “Nothings been the same since then.”

Jowd must be the name of the detective that Cabanela shot, and apparently they were good friends.

“Things have been rather difficult since then, huh?”

“Detective Jowd was such a nice guy… I bet that even though Cabanela shot him for no apparent reason that he wouldn't want this to happen.”

Bailey stays silent. 

“What's really even the point of this anymore? What am I doing with my life!”

“Th-This new side of you is kind of… endearing…” Bailey stutters.

The hunchback remains silent.

“Anyway, the thing to do is work at fixing what you can, little by little. Like, for example, your house of cards. It collapsed, you know.”

The slouch groans and Baileys turns back around in his chair.

I should probably return to Alma's place, I don't have any reason to be here any longer.

And I would like to ask her some questions if possible.

I trick the phone and ride the phone line back to Alma's apartment.

When I return, Alma isn't there.

I guess that makes sense, I did tell her to get some rest.

Thankfully, Missile is there.

I follow a path down to where Missile is asleep and enter his core.

“Hey, Missile.” I call out to the little doggie.

“You're back!” Missile exclaims. “Welcome back!”

“Hopefully I wasn't gone for too long.”

“You were! It felt like forever since I've seen you!”

I chuckle at the dramatic little doggie. “Could you go get Alma for me? I need to ask her a few things.”

“Sure thing!” Missile exclaims before running off to retrieve his mistress. It makes me a little jealous that I don't have legs to run around with.

In the distance, I can hear excited barking as Missile jumps around, trying to convince Alma to go to the living room.

After a few minutes, an excited Missile and a tired Alma enter the area, and Missile leads her to the couch.

“What's up with you, boy?” Alma asks the dog.

I decide to answer the question for her, by entering her core.

“Ah!” Alma exclaims. “You're back!”

“Yeah, sorry about Missile. It was the only way I could think of to get you back here.”

“So that's what got you so excited, huh, Missile?”

“Sorry I woke you up Miss Alma, I had too!”

Alma laughs. “All is forgiven.”

“Now we can move onto why I'm back.” I start.

“You checked on him?” Alma asks.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“He didn't look like he was doing well. His cell was covered in papers and he spent a lot of time reading over them while pacing around.” I explain.

Alma deflates. “I expected as much but I was hoping it wouldn't be the case.”

“Could I ask you a few questions? A lot is going on and you're the only person I'm able to ask.”

Alma pauses to think. “There's no harm I suppose. What do you want to know?”

“I'm mostly confused about the relationship between you, Cabanela, and…” I hesitate. “Jowd.”

Alma winces at the name. “You've learned quite a bit since we last spoke, huh?”

“I've just picked up some things from the people around me.”

“Well, um” Alma begins. “Me and Cabanela have been good friends for a long time, and I met Jowd through him because they both joined the industry on the same day and quickly became friends.”

“So you've known Cabanela for a long time, and I'm assuming that Jowd was also a friend of yours.” I say.

“Jowd…” Alma pauses. “Jowd was my husband.”

Oh shoot, I wasn't expecting that.

“O-Oh, I'm sorry.” I stutter a bit pathetically.

“It's alright, it has been five years.”

“Okay,” I should change the conversation. “Can you think of any reason that Cabanela would find Yomiel and Sissel suspicious?”

“...What?”

“When i was checking out his cell every possible surface was covered in papers, when a guard asked Cabanela what they were for he said he was investigating two suspicious individuals.” I say. “When the guard asked who they were he showed him a drawing that was clearly of Yomiel and Sissel.”

“Cabanela is investigating them, how?” Alma asks.

“All he said about that was to “Not underestimate him”” I answer.

“Leave it to Cabanela to be confidently cryptic.” Alma pauses. “But to answer your question, no.” She thinks for a moment. “Well, maybe Sissel.”

“Explain?”

“Ever since that incident five years ago, Cabanela has been claiming that it was like he was being controlled, when he shot Jowd.” Alma begins to explain. “Obviously that's not believable, but he's been confident that's what happened at the time.”

“And what does this have to do with Sissel?” I ask.

“Sissel was nearby, when it happened.”

“Nearby? How close?”

“For some reason she was at the station, and just randomly passed out in the courtyard. Jowd rushed over to her to check if she was alright, and he was directly above her when he… died.” Alma explains.

I'll have to ask Yomiel about that when I get the chance. “Is that the only connection you can think of?”

“Well it's clear that Cabanela… isn't doing well, and that might be the connection he could come up with, but that doesn't really involve Yomiel at all. Other than the fact that they are married.”

“Well thank you for giving the best answers you can. It's pretty clear that I need to find Yomiel and get the answers straight from his mouth.” I say.

“Yes, you said you had lost him. How did that happen?” Alma asks.

“Simple, he just went to a place where I was unable to follow.”

“Do you know where he went? Maybe I can help.”

“He said that he was going to someplace called “The Chicken Kitchen”, but I have no idea what that even is.”

“The Chicken Kitchen? This late?” Alma questions. “Bit odd.”

“He said he was going to meet Sissel there.”

“All you need is a call to be able to go to a new location, right?” Alma asks.

“Yup.”

“Then I'll call the Chicken Kitchen, I owe you one anyway.”

“You can just call?” I say, for some reason that hadn't crossed my mind.

“Yup, then hopefully you'll be able to reunite with Yomiel.”

“That'll be fantastic!”

“Let me call then.” Alma says as I'm pushed out of the ghost world. I'm a little embarrassed that the solution is so simple but I'm not here to complain, as long as I can get to where I need to be I'm happy.

Alma stands up from the couch and walks over to the phone, immediately dialling a number.

I move from my spot over to the phone.

Alma picks up the phone and holds it to her ear.

“Hello? This is The Chicken Kitchen” a strange looking man in chef attire answers on the other side of the phone.

Alma doesn't say anything, but holds the phone for a little while before hanging up.

“Hope that helps.” She says.

It does, a lot. I trick the phone and ride the phone line to my next destination, The Chicken Kitchen.

[voltronisanobsession]

You know what, I’m going to warn you from now, you’re going to get a lot of Percy x reader requests form me (not that I can blame myself) so without further ado… Can I request a Percy x Melinoe!reader?

Everyone knows how Nico is the ghost king, but can you imagine Percy meeting and falling head over heels for a daughter of Melinoe? She may as well be a living ghost queen because of her control over ghosts.

I imagine she shows her love for him in strange ways since regular lovers give each other flowers and chocolate, what the reader does? She shows up in his nightmares and battles off any monsters giving him trouble. She also did something weird for Valentine’s Day, but I’ll leave that up to your imagination 😉

Maybe she even has magic, to smaller extent to the Hecate cabin? (Blame Hades II and my love for magic for that idea), I don’t know, I can just see her having a lot of tricks up her sleeves.

(I’m sorry for making this so long.)

Percy with a Child of Melinoe

I’m always ready for these Percy jackson requests, keep them coming😻😻😻 you literally be dropping the most COOLEST REQUEST LIKE DDAAMMMNNN I LOVE UR BRAIN

Also I’m so SORRY it’s super long, always write too much but I can’t help it😭😭 for some reason I need to have some loose story when writing anything😭😭😭

Ok so I headcanon any child related to any underworld gods/goddesses usually have like dark eyebags, so Percy meeting Reader for the first time kinda freaks him out. A lot.

Reader just emerges from the darkness of the forest with shadowy figures following close behind, bro really believes that his soul was chosen to be reaped because the way they would look at him with dead eyes LMAO💀💀

But you were just walking around. In the dark. Lowkey talking to yourself until you saw Percy

I think Percy would find reader very odd at first, considering all the other people he’s met

Their dark eyebags and dull appearing skin makes them look like a walking corpse, and the way that they would just be lurking in the shadows, kinda talking to themselves would make him raise an eyebrow

But he didn’t know that you were just talking to the ghosts surrounding you, all of them yapping about ‘unfinished business’ they have

Reader would often be seen around camp looking a bit jittery, almost like they’re hiding from something but you’re just trying to avoid the ghosts that won’t leave you alone

“Shh shh, fine I’ll help you Jonathan. But later, people are looking at me again. Now leave me alone, oh gods Percy is walking over, leave leave!”

Since no one can seem these ghosts reader can see, Percy genuinely thinks you’re just off your rockers

Until you reveal how you’re mother is Melinoe, goddess of ghosts (he would be confused at first since he probably had no idea who that was💀💔)

OMG WAIT

Imagine Melinoe!Reader can like allow people to see ghosts if they’re touching them in some way!!! So to show the poor boy that you’re not crazy, your cold ass hands touch his arm and BOOM! Percy cannot believe all these ghosts just SURROUNDING reader

After that the rest is history

They both would grow so much closer since Reader finally chooses to fully trust in Percy as he accepted them and all their weird and scary abilities!!

Percy starts tagging along with reader when they go to take ghosts to the underworld, though Hades isn’t happy to see him most of the time

“It’s fine uncle, Percy’s just helping me.”

“How can he help you if he can’t even see the ghosts grabbing him?”

“Wait they’re grabbing me?!”

“He’s messing with you Percy.”

Reader and Nico would also be pretty close too

Since they’re able to summon ghosts, Nico sometimes asks if he can see Bianca, and they all sort of just have random get togethers in the middle of the night

Family reunions we love ‘em😍😍

Nico and Reader also shadow travel together whenever he needs someone to talk to

Melinoe!Reader would be a BIG gift giver, but they aren’t the most conventional gifts 💀

While some would gift flowers or plushies, reader would probably give him like wilted flowers and trinkets they claim would ward off unwanted spirits, and maybe even an authentic dreamcatcher too!!!!

Reader might even give him bones of small dead animals, which he accepts with a grimace on his face

“Wow ok! Um where did you find these exactly haha!”

“Oh you know, I was walking around the forest and began finding these small bones! Then I went further and found larger ones and then even larger ones! I would’ve taken one but it was too heavy, so you get the small ones.”

He would keep them in a glass jar that’s next to his bed though because it’s the thought that counts <3

He would also bring you SHELLS he finds whenever he’s by the the beach, sometimes even going to deeper waters to find the prettiest ones for your own collection🐚

Percy definitely carries a bag so you and him could put bones and shells in it to take home if you’re out of camp

I also would think that sleeping around reader would give anyone in their vicinity nightmares so they usually appear in Percy’s dreams to fight off any nightmarish monsters

At first he thinks he’s going crazy that he keeps seeing you in his nightmares until you explain that you can travel through dreams, hence why you’re basically in his brain now

Totally normal😁

AND FOR THAT VALENTINES DAY THOUGHT

I think Reader would think a good idea date for both of them would try summoning some kind of powerful ghost during the night for fun😭

Like at first Percy thought it was a cute picnic date and was like aww they’re so cute🥰 until he sees the ritual circle and is like what😀

He’s like super worried that your soul is gonna get possessed or something so he just keeps holding your hands to keep you grounded to the living world while you continue chanting and smiling

This dude can’t catch a break with you

During battles is when everyone around experiences what readers true power and magic is

While they may appear weird on the outside, them summoning ghost after ghost and making them solid life forms sends shivers and chills throughout every living persons body

It’s a really unsettling feeling tbh

So while Nico can summon the undead, you’re able to summon ghosts which makes you guys the perfect duo when fighting together

And they’re able to make their opponent hear the whispering voices of the ghosts around them which usually drives the fear factor up by a LOT

They could also sap any energy in their opponents body but they need to be touching the person which involves fighting in close range

I think Reader could also possibly drag out the soul of a living persons body, but it’s a theory since they haven’t fully tried going through with it

Also random thought but Melinoe!Reader loves going underwater with Percy because it’s the one place ghosts can’t follow them

So it’s just like, they can finally breath and not have a million voices demanding things from them

Percy is just super happy to help them in way he can

Plus it means he gets to spend more one on one time with you without having to worry about any ghosts watching their every move

Reader and Percy have matching rings that ward off any evil and vengeful ghosts

OH ANOTHER THOUGHT TO FINISH THIS OFF

Readers hands are super cold and I like to think Percy’s hands are super warm, so whenever they hold hands it’s like a clash that they both like

And when they hold hands, Percy is able to the world through Readers eyes

Which means that Percy kinda bullies the ghosts into leaving Reader alone for a while and getting some kind of privacy💀😻😻

Percy is super in love with this reader despite the unsettling vibes they can sometimes radiate

Reader is just happily digging up more bones to add to Percy’s growing collection :D

[samgirl98]

Mending a Family 9/?

Prev | Next

Dick knows I know about you. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, but I don’t think they’ll ever give up.

Jason put away his phone; he would think about that later. Right now, he wanted to give Jazz all his attention and know what happened to make Danny a cute five-year-old.

“I don’t know how much you know about Danny’s and mine biological parents,” she trailed off while rocking Ellie.

“I heard enough,” Jason answered while Danny said, “Almost everything. Except how I got de-aged ‘cuz even I don’t know or the few days leading up to that.”

Jazz nodded, “good, that’ll make things easier.”

Jazz put a now asleep Ellie on the rocker and looked at Jason and Danny. They were sitting in their new living room. Jason had chosen a little house with the closest neighbor two miles away. They were still in the woods but twenty minutes from a little town with schools, a library, and a general store. Would it be easier to disappear in a city? Maybe. But Danny wouldn’t be able to use his powers as well in the city.

Plus, it’d be easier to avoid Oracle, too.

“Mom and dad were supposed to be out of the house that weekend. They were going to test a new invention. The Fenton Demoleculizer. It was supposed to tear ghosts apart ‘molecule by molecule,’ as they liked to say. It didn’t work that way.”

“Things rarely do,” Danny chirped.

Jazz sighed.

“Ellie had come that weekend to visit. They both took down a ghost and returned them to the Ghost Zone.”

“Stupid Skulker,” Danny added.

“Mom and dad caught them both transforming. They didn’t hesitate; they shot Danny first. Thankfully, I had come down the basement when mom shot Danny. If it had been dad, well, let’s say he’s a horrible shot. Thankfully, the Demoleculizer didn’t work how it was supposed to and only de-aged Danny.”

Jazz sighed and rubbed her eye.

“I was able to get Danny and throw him through the portal, which is how I assume he ended up with you. Mom and dad were furious and thought I was overshadowed. They were ranting about how they didn’t notice their baby boy was dead and were tricked by a filthy ghost. There was no talking to them.”

“In the chaos, Ellie got hit with the Demoleculizer, too. I knew there was no going back at that point, so I got her and went through the portal. Those few minutes must’ve been days here, though, because, well, you know, we didn’t land at the same place or time that Danny had.”

Silence reigned as they all digested what Jazz had said. Jason couldn’t believe any parent would turn against their child that way.

But then again, Sheila did the same to me, he thought.

“So now what,” Jazz asked, “we can’t mooch off you forever, Jason. As much as I appreciate what you’ve done, it isn’t fair that you have to feed three extra mouths now and leave your old haunt for Danny.”

“Whoa, hey, it’s no trouble to me at all. Besides, I already think of Danny as my kid, and parents are there to care for their kids.”

Jason took a deep breath, “Besides, I wasn’t in a good place before Danny. I won’t lie to you guys; I’m not a good guy. I’ve—I’ve killed before; I’ve hurt my family. If anything, I would understand if you guys don’t want to be around me.”

“When you said you’ve killed, have you ever killed innocent people or…?” Jazz left the question hanging.

Jason shook his head and told his story of how he had been killed and returned to life. The Lazarus Pit and League of Assassins were hard to get through, but Danny and Jazz deserved the truth. He told them about his return to Gotham and how he set up a criminal empire. (One that he abandoned for Danny.) He mentioned Titan Towers and his so-called revenge against Tim. He told them all his sins.

Jason turned to Danny, “Do you understand now, Danny-lad, I deserve their anger.”

Danny got up and hugged Jason tight, “You came back angry. It’s not your fault, either.”

“While I’m not too glad to hear about the killings, I understand why you did it. Besides, you’ve left that behind, and you’re taking care of Danny. I’m not here to judge but to take care of my baby brother and sister. And you, Jason, have taken in Danny and protected him. Not many people would do that. So, for that, I thank you.”

Jason almost felt like crying. The Fentons didn’t judge him, and they didn’t refuse to give him their love and forgiveness. Jason felt like he belonged to a family for the first time in a long time.

“Now, it’s time we redecorated. Isn’t that right, big brother?” Jazz asked with a smile.

____

Tim had been able to follow the cold anomaly north. It had disappeared somewhere in Vermont.

“What do you think it is,” Tim asked Barbara.

“I don’t know, but do you think it’s related to Jason disappearing?”

“It’s too much of a coincidence for it not to be.”

“Hmm,” Barbara hummed, “I’m going to set it up for the program to look for this anomaly in Canada. It has disappeared in the continental US; Canada is the only logical conclusion.”

“Should I tell Bruce?”

Barbara sighed, “Let’s give it a few more days and see if anything new comes up. If it doesn’t, we will have to tell him about it, but let him come up with his conclusions. If anything new shows up and leads to Jason, I suggest we observe him first instead of getting the whole family descending on him.”

“What, why?” Tim asked incredulously.

There was silence on the other side.

“Why, Barbara?”

“Tim, Jason left for a reason. There are no signs of struggles, and he took everything he had; he doesn’t want to be found by us. Shouldn’t we honor his wishes?”

“But everyone misses him. Bruce is going crazy looking for him.”

“I love Bruce, but he’s a hypocrite. He ignored Jason when he was right next door, and now that he’s gone, he wants him back. It sounds like he just wants some control, like usual,” Barbara said angrily.

“But Dick is also,” Barbara interrupted him.

“Dick isn’t much better. Look, I love everyone, but how we’ve treated Jason,” she sighed. “If he’s just living his life and not killing people, then I see no reason to make him miserable.”

“If that’s how you feel, why are you helping me look for him?” Tim couldn’t help but ask.

“Because I’m a hypocrite, too.”

Then she hung up.

Dick knows I know about you. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, but I don’t think they’ll ever give up.

Jason put away his phone; he would think about that later. Right now, he wanted to give Jazz all his attention and know what happened to make Danny a cute five-year-old.

“I don’t know how much you know about Danny’s and mine biological parents,” she trailed off while rocking Ellie.

“I heard enough,” Jason answered while Danny said, “Almost everything. Except how I got de-aged ‘cuz even I don’t know or the few days leading up to that.”

Jazz nodded, “good, that’ll make things easier.”

Jazz put a now asleep Ellie on the rocker and looked at Jason and Danny. They were sitting in their new living room. Jason had chosen a little house with the closest neighbor two miles away. They were still in the woods but twenty minutes from a little town with schools, a library, and a general store. Would it be easier to disappear in a city? Maybe. But Danny wouldn’t be able to use his powers as well in the city.

Plus, it’d be easier to avoid Oracle, too.

“Mom and dad were supposed to be out of the house that weekend. They were going to test a new invention. The Fenton Demoleculizer. It was supposed to tear ghosts apart ‘molecule by molecule,’ as they liked to say. It didn’t work that way.”

“Things rarely do,” Danny chirped.

Jazz sighed.

“Ellie had come that weekend to visit. They both took down a ghost and returned them to the Ghost Zone.”

“Stupid Skulker,” Danny added.

“Mom and dad caught them both transforming. They didn’t hesitate; they shot Danny first. Thankfully, I had come down the basement when mom shot Danny. If it had been dad, well, let’s say he’s a horrible shot. Thankfully, the Demoleculizer didn’t work how it was supposed to and only de-aged Danny.”

Jazz sighed and rubbed her eye.

“I was able to get Danny and throw him through the portal, which is how I assume he ended up with you. Mom and dad were furious and thought I was overshadowed. They were ranting about how they didn’t notice their baby boy was dead and were tricked by a filthy ghost. There was no talking to them.”

“In the chaos, Ellie got hit with the Demoleculizer, too. I knew there was no going back at that point, so I got her and went through the portal. Those few minutes must’ve been days here, though, because, well, you know, we didn’t land at the same place or time that Danny had.”

Silence reigned as they all digested what Jazz had said. Jason couldn’t believe any parent would turn against their child that way.

But then again, Sheila did the same to me, he thought.

“So now what,” Jazz asked, “we can’t mooch off you forever, Jason. As much as I appreciate what you’ve done, it isn’t fair that you have to feed three extra mouths now and leave your old haunt for Danny.”

“Whoa, hey, it’s no trouble to me at all. Besides, I already think of Danny as my kid, and parents are there to care for their kids.”

Jason took a deep breath, “Besides, I wasn’t in a good place before Danny. I won’t lie to you guys; I’m not a good guy. I’ve—I’ve killed before; I’ve hurt my family. If anything, I would understand if you guys don’t want to be around me.”

“When you said you’ve killed, have you ever killed innocent people or…?” Jazz left the question hanging.

Jason shook his head and told his story of how he had been killed and returned to life. The Lazarus Pit and League of Assassins were hard to get through, but Danny and Jazz deserved the truth. He told them about his return to Gotham and how he set up a criminal empire. (One that he abandoned for Danny.) He mentioned Titan Towers and his so-called revenge against Tim. He told them all his sins.

Jason turned to Danny, “Do you understand now, Danny-lad, I deserve their anger.”

Danny got up and hugged Jason tight, “You came back angry. It’s not your fault, either.”

“While I’m not too glad to hear about the killings, I understand why you did it. Besides, you’ve left that behind, and you’re taking care of Danny. I’m not here to judge but to take care of my baby brother and sister. And you, Jason, have taken in Danny and protected him. Not many people would do that. So, for that, I thank you.”

Jason almost felt like crying. The Fentons didn’t judge him, and they didn’t refuse to give him their love and forgiveness. Jason felt like he belonged to a family for the first time in a long time.

“Now, it’s time we redecorated. Isn’t that right, big brother?” Jazz asked with a smile.

____

Tim had been able to follow the cold anomaly north. It had disappeared somewhere in Vermont.

“What do you think it is,” Tim asked Barbara.

“I don’t know, but do you think it’s related to Jason disappearing?”

“It’s too much of a coincidence for it not to be.”

“Hmm,” Barbara hummed, “I’m going to set it up for the program to look for this anomaly in Canada. It has disappeared in the continental US; Canada is the only logical conclusion.”

“Should I tell Bruce?”

Barbara sighed, “Let’s give it a few more days and see if anything new comes up. If it doesn’t, we will have to tell him about it, but let him come up with his conclusions. If anything new shows up and leads to Jason, I suggest we observe him first instead of getting the whole family descending on him.”

“What, why?” Tim asked incredulously.

There was silence on the other side.

“Why, Barbara?”

“Tim, Jason left for a reason. There are no signs of struggles, and he took everything he had; he doesn’t want to be found by us. Shouldn’t we honor his wishes?”

“But everyone misses him. Bruce is going crazy looking for him.”

“I love Bruce, but he’s a hypocrite. He ignored Jason when he was right next door, and now that he’s gone, he wants him back. It sounds like he just wants some control, like usual,” Barbara said angrily.

“But Dick is also,” Barbara interrupted him.

“Dick isn’t much better. Look, I love everyone, but how we’ve treated Jason,” she sighed. “If he’s just living his life and not killing people, then I see no reason to make him miserable.”

“If that’s how you feel, why are you helping me look for him?” Tim couldn’t help but ask.

“Because I’m a hypocrite, too.”

Then she hung up.

Dick knows I know about you. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, but I don’t think they’ll ever give up.

Jason put away his phone; he would think about that later. Right now, he wanted to give Jazz all his attention and know what happened to make Danny a cute five-year-old.

“I don’t know how much you know about Danny’s and mine biological parents,” she trailed off while rocking Ellie.

“I heard enough,” Jason answered while Danny said, “Almost everything. Except how I got de-aged ‘cuz even I don’t know or the few days leading up to that.”

Jazz nodded, “good, that’ll make things easier.”

Jazz put a now asleep Ellie on the rocker and looked at Jason and Danny. They were sitting in their new living room. Jason had chosen a little house with the closest neighbor two miles away. They were still in the woods but twenty minutes from a little town with schools, a library, and a general store. Would it be easier to disappear in a city? Maybe. But Danny wouldn’t be able to use his powers as well in the city.

Plus, it’d be easier to avoid Oracle, too.

“Mom and dad were supposed to be out of the house that weekend. They were going to test a new invention. The Fenton Demoleculizer. It was supposed to tear ghosts apart ‘molecule by molecule,’ as they liked to say. It didn’t work that way.”

“Things rarely do,” Danny chirped.

Jazz sighed.

“Ellie had come that weekend to visit. They both took down a ghost and returned them to the Ghost Zone.”

“Stupid Skulker,” Danny added.

“Mom and dad caught them both transforming. They didn’t hesitate; they shot Danny first. Thankfully, I had come down the basement when mom shot Danny. If it had been dad, well, let’s say he’s a horrible shot. Thankfully, the Demoleculizer didn’t work how it was supposed to and only de-aged Danny.”

Jazz sighed and rubbed her eye.

“I was able to get Danny and throw him through the portal, which is how I assume he ended up with you. Mom and dad were furious and thought I was overshadowed. They were ranting about how they didn’t notice their baby boy was dead and were tricked by a filthy ghost. There was no talking to them.”

“In the chaos, Ellie got hit with the Demoleculizer, too. I knew there was no going back at that point, so I got her and went through the portal. Those few minutes must’ve been days here, though, because, well, you know, we didn’t land at the same place or time that Danny had.”

Silence reigned as they all digested what Jazz had said. Jason couldn’t believe any parent would turn against their child that way.

But then again, Sheila did the same to me, he thought.

“So now what,” Jazz asked, “we can’t mooch off you forever, Jason. As much as I appreciate what you’ve done, it isn’t fair that you have to feed three extra mouths now and leave your old haunt for Danny.”

“Whoa, hey, it’s no trouble to me at all. Besides, I already think of Danny as my kid, and parents are there to care for their kids.”

Jason took a deep breath, “Besides, I wasn’t in a good place before Danny. I won’t lie to you guys; I’m not a good guy. I’ve—I’ve killed before; I’ve hurt my family. If anything, I would understand if you guys don’t want to be around me.”

“When you said you’ve killed, have you ever killed innocent people or…?” Jazz left the question hanging.

Jason shook his head and told his story of how he had been killed and returned to life. The Lazarus Pit and League of Assassins were hard to get through, but Danny and Jazz deserved the truth. He told them about his return to Gotham and how he set up a criminal empire. (One that he abandoned for Danny.) He mentioned Titan Towers and his so-called revenge against Tim. He told them all his sins.

Jason turned to Danny, “Do you understand now, Danny-lad, I deserve their anger.”

Danny got up and hugged Jason tight, “You came back angry. It’s not your fault, either.”

“While I’m not too glad to hear about the killings, I understand why you did it. Besides, you’ve left that behind, and you’re taking care of Danny. I’m not here to judge but to take care of my baby brother and sister. And you, Jason, have taken in Danny and protected him. Not many people would do that. So, for that, I thank you.”

Jason almost felt like crying. The Fentons didn’t judge him, and they didn’t refuse to give him their love and forgiveness. Jason felt like he belonged to a family for the first time in a long time.

“Now, it’s time we redecorated. Isn’t that right, big brother?” Jazz asked with a smile.

____

Tim had been able to follow the cold anomaly north. It had disappeared somewhere in Vermont.

“What do you think it is,” Tim asked Barbara.

“I don’t know, but do you think it’s related to Jason disappearing?”

“It’s too much of a coincidence for it not to be.”

“Hmm,” Barbara hummed, “I’m going to set it up for the program to look for this anomaly in Canada. It has disappeared in the continental US; Canada is the only logical conclusion.”

“Should I tell Bruce?”

Barbara sighed, “Let’s give it a few more days and see if anything new comes up. If it doesn’t, we will have to tell him about it, but let him come up with his conclusions. If anything new shows up and leads to Jason, I suggest we observe him first instead of getting the whole family descending on him.”

“What, why?” Tim asked incredulously.

There was silence on the other side.

“Why, Barbara?”

“Tim, Jason left for a reason. There are no signs of struggles, and he took everything he had; he doesn’t want to be found by us. Shouldn’t we honor his wishes?”

“But everyone misses him. Bruce is going crazy looking for him.”

“I love Bruce, but he’s a hypocrite. He ignored Jason when he was right next door, and now that he’s gone, he wants him back. It sounds like he just wants some control, like usual,” Barbara said angrily.

“But Dick is also,” Barbara interrupted him.

“Dick isn’t much better. Look, I love everyone, but how we’ve treated Jason,” she sighed. “If he’s just living his life and not killing people, then I see no reason to make him miserable.”

“If that’s how you feel, why are you helping me look for him?” Tim couldn’t help but ask.

“Because I’m a hypocrite, too.”

Then she hung up.

So I don't know yet if I'm going to make that Barbara would help Jason from time to time and actually talked to him (kind of like how she helped him during the Cheers story line) or if she should also be one of the ones who ignored Jason. I'll think it through.

@idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit @skulld3mort-1fan @theauthorandtheartist @emergentpanda-blog @jaggedheart11 @fisticuffsatapplebees @booberrylizard @fantasticbluebirdfan @thegatorsgooseoose @cyrwrites @kjoboo91 @crystallicedart @amaramizuki666 @spekulatiusmuffin @meira-3919 @kilasmess @bubblemixer @lexdamo @wonderland-daisy @mj-arts-n-stuff @amyheart19 @dolfay @the-church-grimm @undead-essence @aph-mable @lizisipancardo @purrloin77 @writer-extraodinaire @charlietheepic7 @sinfulloccultist @nootherusernameworked @coruscateselene @chaoticchange @itsberrydreemurstuff @gmkelz11 @feral-bunny31 @paroovian @thatonegaybitch68 @d4ydr34min9 @overtherose @fandomwandererer @vipower001 @thordottir45 @blackrabbitt3t @rosecinnamonbun @bianca-hooks123 @epilepticnerd @dat1angel @consouling @flamingenchiladadragon

[danphanwritingprompts]

Ember makes the mistake of repeating an old trick, and Danny thinks fast. If not fast enough to consider what might happen if Ember was hit with her own “fall in love” song. Now Danny’s got a brainwashed and very clingy ghost rocker following him around like a lovesick puppy, and considering Ember’s temper anything capable of being upsetting enough to be a shock to her system is also likely to be upsetting enough to send her on a rampage…

[colourstreakgryffin]

Hiya!! I was wondering if I could request a Hex Girl! Like reader (Hex girls from scooby doo, particularly the main one, Thorn) with Yan!Giyuu and Yan!Sanemi, also, I saw that you wrote for JJK, so i was wondering if you could also do Yan!Naoya and Yan!Toji if thats okay-! Thank you for your time💗💗 -💗💗 anon

Oh! I’ll have to do some research since I’m not that familiar with the Hex Girls! But I’ll try! And yes, I do JJK too since JJK rocks! First ever JJK request, thank lord! Somewhat Modern AU if you don’t mind!

KNY

Yandere! Tomioka Giyuu

He finds your whole demeanour, gentle goth style and passionate musical taste very cute and intriguing. Only a pure bean like you could can mix dark and light for something so amazing

Giyuu doesn’t mind trying to help you with your supernatural investigations. He finds them interesting as the tales of ghosts aren rarely spoken off back in his hometown

Giyuu is defensive over your fashion sense and gets hyper aggressive over your tastes. You can do whatever you want and he’ll happily silence whoever tries to harm you, in anyway. Because you’re his! And nobody else’s

Yandere! Shinazugawa Sanemi

He originally thought all goths were bland, boring walking depression pods but you’re so much different that he has fallen off his rockers for you in a instant. A beautiful case of polite and mysterious

To Sanemi, your whole mystery is so fascinating. He wants to know more about you so he tries his best to sly pry information out of you, only to fail. He doesn’t mind, being around you is a blessing

Sanemi will slice open necks if needed. People trying to hurt your cause for protecting nature will have him hunting down his newfound enemies and disposing off them so he can better help you. That way you’ll become his

JJK

Yandere! Zen'in Naoya

Normally, women are absolutely despised by this young Zen'in for their incompetence but you are the black sheep of them all. The interesting and the different one, one that makes his eyes pop out in surprise

Naoya is very manipulative and twists your words and ideals onto their heads so you’ll simply agree with him and listen to him blindly. It’s cruel to you, he knows but the best way for him to make you leave your friends behind is to bend your point of view

Naoya’s limits are basically nonexistent. He doesn’t mind threatening and/or harming anybody that comes into your way, that tries to break down your confidence or your courage. Those make you you and he won’t lose that

Yandere! Fushiguro Toji

Immature is his middle name. Any pranks or tricks you try on him is thrown back in your face as he can always sense where you are and what you have. You’re immature nature underneath all that dark makeup is something he loves

Toji has always been a fan of rock-punk so he shows up to each of your gigs and rewards you for your performance with gifts and flowers. To him, you deserve to be spoiled and he’ll run to the end of the earth to get what you want

Toji is definitely not above murder, it’s his job as a assassin after all. So if anybody merely touches you, he’ll take the time to throw their bodies off the cliff and bring back something they own you’d like as a gift

[frobin]

HALLOWEEN 🎃 👻

How would FRobin celebrate it? Any headcannons?

Thank you for the ask anon!

That is such an open question because personally I don't celebrate halloween (I'm from central europe). So I never really thought about those headcanons...

Also I don't think Halloween is a normal tradition in the world of One Piece. I think there are islands that celebrate it. The world is so vast you can use any tradition/celebration you enjoy and let the Strawhats expierence it. I go wild under the cut so let me put some general points here

Franky and Robin love Halloween and celebrate it whenever it makes sense.

They love to dress up in creepy costumes

They love to provided haunted expierences

They love to give out candy

They love to watch "their own children" go "Trick Or Treat"-ing

More under the cut:

Okay, so let's imagine the crew coming to an island that celebrates Halloween.

The crew would dress up so fast!

Brook taking care of the outfits (he is the one with the best taste right after Nami)

Franky would be a Robot & Robin a demon bc I like couple costumes but also those are simple costumes

As soon as the crew learns about trick and treat Usopp/Luffy/Chopper are up to get as many treats as possible. But in the end Usopp stays at the ship and Zoro tags along. Maybe he can get some free booze.

Robin would tag along to keep an eye on them but also to suggest the most weird "tricks" when people are even slightly impolite, especially to Chopper. (Imagine Robin just TP-ing a house by herself but ehen also pouring water over it or something).

Robin would also be very delighted about all the creepy costumes.

Nami wants to earn some money so everyone not "Trick Or Treat"-ing has to help.

Franky is changing Sunny into a Ghost-Ship with the help of everyone who stayed back.

Sanji is preparing snacks and drinks that look creepy after talking with some nice ladies and gentlemen about traditional foods that night.

So, Sunny is now a ghost ship. The aquarium is a creepy under water room and Brook is in the library as the main attraction and there are gimmicks all over the place. At the end visitors can get a photo with Brook or Jinbe (for a little fee) and get snacks and drinks.

When Robin returns with the "Trick Or Treat"-ers they all instantly join in to help make the Ghost ship even creepier.

The people love it

Later they go to a bar to celebrate, play games and drink, Robin tells a lot of creepy stories while sitting beside Franky, holding hands.

Modern AU and let's set it to America because I guess it makes sense.

Their house would be one of the creepiest in the whole street (side note, they also always have the most impressive christmas decoration)

Some years they make a haunted house too but sometimes Franky and Robin just help out when it's the neighbours turn

They love to give out treats to children.

Robin always dresses up as some mythical monster from different nations - most of the time variations of witches

Franky is mostly a variation of Frankensteins Monster, Rocker/Rockabilly Dude, Robot and of course Gomez if Robin dresses up as Morticia.

Their children (if we want to add in any variation possible) go "Trick Or Treat"-ing and always have the most amazing costume.

Franky and Robin will also volunteer if their children have some event at school. The halloween school parties are legendary. (It also helps that grandpa Brook is a famous rock star and uncle Sanji is the owner of an amazing restaurant).

Anyway Halloween is one of thei favorite holidays. Even if they don't feel like really celebrating, they will still have a nice evening on the couch, watching creepy movies.

[hoodoo12]

Jobby

Seeing the tour sparked an idea . . .

NSFW, mostly PWP. Beetlejuice x Dewey Finn x gen neutral reader! Established throuple.

Both the Bman and Dewey are Collette-flavored.

Enjoy!

You’d gotten used to lots of loud noises in the apartment: guitar (played pretty well), drums (played poorly but with enthusiasm), video games of mostly the first-person shooter type, and the occasional “discussions” that were “passionate.” And snoring. All of that was a typical day in a household with a rocker who had a part time job as a teacher and a ghost who had a full time job (he said) as a bio-exorcist.

You had no idea what a bio-exorcist’s job actually entailed, since Beetlejuice mostly seemed to hang out at Dewey’s place.

But that was neither here nor there at the moment. Silence in the apartment didn’t necessarily mean peaceful, especially if the two of them were giving each other the old passive-aggressive ignoring each other like they were five year olds throwing a combined tantrum.

It could mean Dewey was asleep and Beetlejuice was leaving him alone, however. So instead of calling for either of them, you moved quietly from the door down the hallway, where it opened up into the living room. 

Dewey was on the couch but most definitely not sleeping. On the floor in front of him, on his knees, kneeled the ghost. While Beetlejuice had discarded his jacket and his suspenders had been pushed off his shoulders, every other piece of his standard ensemble was present. Dewey’s t-shirt, however, was rucked high on his chest, all the way up to his collar bones. Even from across the room you could tell his nipples had had attention; they were darker than normal and still pebbled. His pants were turned inside out with his underwear caught inside; all of that mass of clothing happened to still be attached to one ankle.

Neither noticed you spying. Eyes closed, Dewey’s head tipped back to the cushion behind him. His free hand splayed on his own bare thigh, his fingers leaving indents in the flesh; the other had threaded into the mess of Beetlejuice’s hair. Beetlejuice himself had both arms under Dewey’s thighs, wrapped around his legs, hoisting his hips slightly upward. It was a position designed to give him better access; you knew that because the specter had wrapped you up in the same hold when he used his mouth on you. Dewey had managed to lift one leg over Beetlejuice’s shoulder. From past experience you also knew that was a common trick Dewey did to keep his lover close while being sucked off.

Soft wet sounds matched the smooth bobbing of Beetlejuice’s head. Dewey matched them with moans, a combination that could have been obscenely lewd if the two of them weren’t so obviously enjoying themselves.

To see Dewey, someone who hid his low self-esteem with a sour-grapes mentality like he didn’t actually care, simply allowing this to happen was a big step. Typically he’d insist on something mutual; his self-worth could be tied to making sure he gave, even if giving went against his own wants and needs. For him to sit back and relish the attention made you smile.  

Minutely, Dewey relaxed. His hand gave a little push downward on Beetlejuice’s head, and the specter began blowing him again.

And for Beetlejuice, as crude and as demanding as the ghost could be, for him to be so attentive without immediate satisfaction was a big step forward too. From the flush that had bloomed on Dewey’s chest, he’d been going down on him for a while, not a speedy wham-bam-thank-you-man-now-it’s-my-turn kind of ambush. Slow and deliberate, his head moved steadily and you could only imagine the amount of spit that pooled under Dewey’s legs. At least they put a blanket down first.

It wasn’t often sex in the household was a twosome. Even if it started between just two, the third party would be welcomed in. You found that being able to watch, however, gave you vicarious arousal in the pit of your stomach. To see the Dewey and Beetlejuice so soft, so intimate, was a special treat. Even if your hand did wander down between your legs.

Dewey gasped a little louder and dropped his head. “Oh, I-I’m gonna come!” he said in a strained voice.

Beetlejuice paused at the top of his motion, giving Dewey a moment to collect himself. Although you were across the room, you knew the feeling of his cock throbbing in your mouth, seconds away from ejaculation. You knew that even though he stopped, Beetlejuice couldn’t hold completely still; his tongue was most likely flicking the head of the cock between his lips. You didn’t know if Dewey was so far gone that minor licking stimulation would be enough to send him over the edge--

fin--

You wasted the opportunity to step back, out of sight, during those seconds. Since you’d held your breath in anticipation and didn’t, when Dewey opened his eyes he saw you standing there.

Instead of acting embarrassed or ashamed they’d be caught, he stretched out the hand not tangled in Beetlejuice’s hair to you. Quickly, you crossed the room and settled beside him on the couch. Your arousal increased as though the carnal activity of the two of them fed you.

Beetlejuice’s eyes had been closed too, but at the shifting of the cushions he lifted them to yours. His typically smokey blue eyes were almost completely eclipsed by his pupils, showcasing his own lust as well. If you turned to look at Dewey, you knew his eyes would look the same. You’d marveled before how their eyes matched. But you couldn’t draw your gaze away from Beetlejuice; his lips formed a perfect seal around Dewey’s cock and, as you’d expected, his lower jaw and Dewey’s pubic hair were shiny and soaked with excess spit. As the specter continued with his eyes locked on yours, his cheeks hollowed and relaxed during various parts of his up-and-down cycle.

“He looks so good, sucking you off,” you said, reaching forward to push your hand through the the rat’s nest that was Beetlejuice’s hair as well.

“Mmm-hmm,” Dewey agreed. Apparently those four stuttered words he’d uttered were the last he could string together.

Beetlejuice hummed too. You’d have expected him to throw his voice or switch to a hand--not one holding Dewey’s legs, of course! Just a third hand from out of wherever!--on Dewey’s cock so he could answer you properly. He didn’t. For him to be so intently focused at the task at hand, er, in mouth made you smile at the two of them again.

You hadn’t meant to interrupt and didn’t want to distract. Still, you put your head down on Dewey’s chest, your ear over his heart, and watched. Beetlejuice didn’t drop his gaze, keeping it firmly on yours even as his pace increased. With Dewey’s heart rate matching the suck and pull at his cock, even though literally nothing was happening to you the sound in your ear and the ghost’s direct stare made your lower stomach and groin tingle. You wouldn’t have ever thought you had a voyeuristic bent, but you couldn’t deny how much you liked it.

This time when Dewey announced he was going to come, Beetlejuice didn’t stop. Finally breaking eye contact with you, he took Dewey all the way to his balls and held there. If you’d had your hand under his jaw you were sure you’d have felt him still moving his tongue against the cock buried in his mouth, but you stayed as still as the other two.

After a moment when everything was completely still, Dewey groaned loudly as every muscle tensed. Beetlejuice remained frozen, you didn’t move, both of you allowing Dewey to enjoy his orgasm to the fullest. Only after he began to relax again did the specter gently back off his cock.

Shiny and throbbing in time with his heartbeat, Dewey’s cock fell back to his dripping pubic hair. Knowing he could be extra sensitive after he came, you made a mental note to get up to retrieve a tissue in a moment. Before then, you moved your hand from the side of Beetlejuice’s head and brought your fingers down along his jawline. It was slick with spit.

Beetlejuice grinned and kissed your palm, then made a show of wiping his beard in your hand.

“Gimme a kiss, baby? For a job well done?”

You leaned forward to give him his reward. Just before your lips met his, however, he said,

“I meant Dewey. But you’ll do.”

You rolled your eyes and kissed him anyway, dipping your tongue between his lips to savor the earthy flavor combination of him and Dewey mixed together.

“I bet Dewey’ll kiss you if you get a Kleenex,” you suggested.

Beetlejuice sighed, “I have to do everything around here,” but there was no irritation behind it. He pushed away from the couch and went to find a box.

Splayed and mostly undressed, Dewey hadn’t opened his eyes yet. His cock had started becoming softer, with a thin line of post-climax come oozing from the tip.

“Gonna take a nap, Finn?”

“Sounds good,” he murmured.

“Well, clean up first and then you can snooze. I’ll wake you for dinner.”

Sleepily he asked, “Is it my birthday?”

“Nope. Just happy Dewey Finn day.”

He cracked open his eyelids just enough to see you, smiled and nodded.

nope

(that would be the end, except Beetlejuice overheard the whole, “happy Dewey Finn day” and shouts from the other room, “What about me?!” So you agree to take care of his “needs”--which is always the same thing, a little suck, a little fuck, a little desperate discussion as to if he should come inside you or on you--while Dewey naps. Then later in the evening, both of them ambush  you and give you the best spiritual rogering you’ve ever had.)

[dullahandyke]

Ghost trick is fun as long as u ignore that they very much Are Cops 😔 also as soon as I learned abt rocker boy in the prison I was struck down by how unfathomably based he was, interrupting a concert to expose federal corruption by singing government secrets instesd of the lyrics <3 direct action

[metalleafy]

I’m everything OSC Twitter hates.

I don’t like Knife///case, Light///brush, Fan///tube, Silver///candle, I’m only lukewarm about Fireafy, I don’t like Ghost Bow, Taco having to move on from Pickle, the Box and Suitcase sibling hc, pre-split, BFB 30, Four’s behavior in pre-split, how Fireafy was treated in post-split, Lollipop being slapped for some pretty tame flirting with Bubble, Gelatin being easily forgiven, people assuming the worst of One, Bell rejecting Taco just to avoid hurting her pride, Charlotte Stern bashing, Jaiden haters (DC), Bridgette being demonized for cheating when Geoff forgave her (TDI), the cold side of pillows, Trophy having to have a flat chest in humie versions, the "party rockers in the house tonight" meme, when bi4bi couples are called straight, exclusive yumeing (for myself), that PDA short, Pink Triangle and Why Bother by Weezer, Dammit by Blink 182, Nothing Better (especially the goalie line) by The Postal Service, Juno and Slim Pickens by Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Idea Right by Olivia Rodrigo, Casual/Good Luck Babe/the "mom" parts of Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan, One Piece, JJK, Luma being inseparable from Rosalina in Smash, complaining about Jaderosemary in the epilogues, Eridan defense, people who dump on aesthetic-based ships, alphabet soup, tax evasion, anti-shaving even for autistic people who get itchy, trick birthday candles, being told “excuse me”, anyone (left or right) who says being very sexual makes you less Christian or religious in general, the "less is more" ideology (whether it's for food, music, dress, or anything creative really), or receding hairline shaming.

[paulisded]

The Ledge #639: Annual Halloween Spooktacular!

The annual Halloween show is yet another Ledge tradition. Every year I gather up whatever new scary tunes have been released, and fill up whatever time is left with tracks I call "new to me". Thanks to a plethora of subissions this year, I didn't have to do a lot of searching. It's great that so many artists, labels, and/or PR companies think that this show is a worthwhile outlet to get the word out about new releases!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SHOW! 

1. T.S.O.L. - Sweet Transvestite (Remaster) (feat. Keith Morris)

2. The On and Ons - (Scare Me) Outta My Mind

3. Nervous Eaters - Vampire

4. White Rose Motor Oil - Werewolves of London

5. Numb Surprise - Monster Mash

6. Norcos Y Horchata - Count Watkins Presents: The Morning After the Monster Mash

7. The Fleshtones - You Say You Don't Mind It

8. The Spackles - Spy in the House of Frankenstein

9. The Jack Rubies - Phantom

10. The Strongest Tool - The Witch!

11. Vista Blue - Haunted House on My Street

12. Vista Blue - Every Day Is Halloween (Ministry)

13. The Goldstars - Stroll In Hell

14. The Bama Lamas - Hungry Teenage Wolfman

15. Guided By Choices - Ghosts Of A Different Dream

16. Brian Kroll - Everyday Is Halloween (In My World

17. The Butts - Zombies Ate My Girlfriend

18. Pixies - Jane (The Night the Zombies Came)

19. Zombina & The Skeletones - Cemetery World

20. Zombina & The Skeletones - Don't Kick My Coffin

21. Groovy Ghoulies - (She's My) Vampire Girl

22. Groovy Ghoulies - Trick Or Treat (Chuck Berry Cover)

23. UK Subs - I Walked With A Zombie

24. 999 - Everyday Is Like Halloween

25. The Members - Jack The Ripper

26. The Vibrators - Creatures Of The Night

27. Bamboozle - Red Right Hand

28. Christian D & The Hangovers - Vampire Rocker

29. The B Movie Monsters - Lil' Red Riding Hood

30. The Coffinshakers - Return Of the Vampire

31. The Go-Go Killers - Werewolves In Heels

32. The Jack O'Bones - Do You Believe In Werewolves

33. The Griswalds - Zombie War

34. Psycho Devilles - Night Prowler

35. The Tomb Of Nick Cage - Pet Sematary

[bounty-bazaar]

Rock On Skeleton Halloween T-Shirt & Hoodie for Kids: A Perfect Mix of Spooky & Cool

Looking for a Halloween costume that screams "cool" while keeping the spooky factor intact? The Rock On Skeleton Showing Tongue Wearing Cap T-Shirt & Hoodie is the ultimate choice for kids who want to stand out. This Halloween apparel combines the edgy rocker vibe with a spooky skeleton design, making it a favorite for Halloween parties, school events, or trick-or-treating.

Visit Shop now

Design

The Rock On Skeleton design is perfect for kids who love a bit of attitude in their Halloween outfits. Featuring a skeleton showing its tongue, wearing a backward cap, and throwing up the iconic "rocker hand" sign, this t-shirt and hoodie blend Halloween spookiness with rocker coolness. It's ideal for kids who want something more unique than the typical Halloween pumpkin or ghost prints.

The detailed skull graphic and rebellious hand gesture will make your child feel like a rockstar while still staying festive for the holiday.

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Comfort & Material

The t-shirt and hoodie are crafted from soft, breathable cotton, ensuring all-day comfort for kids whether they're running around trick-or-treating or rocking out at a Halloween party. The fabric is lightweight enough for indoor events yet durable for outdoor Halloween fun. The hoodie version adds a cozy layer for cooler October nights, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor Halloween festivities.

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Versatility

This skeleton-themed attire isn’t just for Halloween. With its cool rocker skeleton design, it can be worn year-round, especially for kids who love music, skulls, or edgy streetwear. The t-shirt is great for casual wear, while the hoodie provides extra warmth for those chillier fall evenings.

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Perfect for Various Occasions:

Halloween Parties: This outfit is sure to grab attention with its unique design.

School Events: It's a fun, school-appropriate option for Halloween-themed days.

Trick-or-Treating: Pair it with a pair of jeans and sneakers for a cool, comfy Halloween night.

Music Festivals or Concerts: The rocker hand and skeleton design make this a year-round hit fo r young music lovers.

Size & Fit

The Rock On Skeleton T-Shirt & Hoodie comes in a variety of sizes to fit kids of all ages. With an easy, relaxed fit, it provides ample room for movement, ensuring comfort while your child enjoys the Halloween fun.

Durability

This Halloween-themed t-shirt and hoodie are designed with high-quality printing that won't fade or peel, even after multiple washes. It's a long-lasting addition to your child’s wardrobe, making it a great investment for Halloween and beyond.

Affordable Style Visit Shop now

For parents seeking an affordable, stylish Halloween costume without the hassle of complicated accessories, the Rock On Skeleton T-Shirt & Hoodie is a budget-friendly option. It's versatile enough to be worn even after Halloween, giving you more value for your money.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for a Halloween outfit that’s as cool as it is spooky, the Rock On Skeleton Showing Tongue T-Shirt & Hoodie is the perfect choice for kids. With its bold design, comfortable fit, and year-round appeal, this outfit offers the best of both worlds: a standout Halloween costume and a cool piece of everyday clothing.

[inkrediblezstore]

(via "Rock the Boo - Halloween Skeleton Guitar Design"  for Sale by InkredibleZ)

[yogamathappiness]

Hamlet by Ronnie Barker

In olden Scandinavia when standards of behaviour Were rather lax and Income Tax was tuppence in the ducat Denmark's democratic king one day became a static king. He went to rest, became non est, in fact he kicked the bucket.

He had, it seems, been victimised. The reason for his quick demise Developed from a charming trick of brother Claud, the thug. Who, while the king was sleeping sound, came silently a-creeping round And dropped a deadly poison in the royal Danish lug.

Then to the Queen, a flirty gal, he whispered: 'Listen, Gertie gal, Now I'm the king and everything we might as well be one. So, when we've had the funeral, or even rather sooner'll Just suit me fine, oh Gert be mine.' Gert said: 'It might be fun.'

The former king had had a lad, called Hamlet, and a sadder lad You never saw, a royal bore, an autocratic dope. In introspective reverie, he'd spend his day forever. 'e Could ask for nothing better than to sit around and mope.

One night upon the battlement, or so the tittle-tattle went, A ghost was seen in shades of green a-frightening the warders. The sergeant, one Sebastian, said: 'Blimey, 'ere's a nasty 'un. Go fetch the prince, this 'ere's against the current Standing Orders.'

When Hamlet came the fear he'd had all vanished as his eerie dad Told how he'd died. young Hamlet cried, and not without a wince, 'He poisoned up your ear'ole Dad? Then I'll avenge you, dear old Dad.' 'Thank you kindly,' cried the phantom. 'Not at all,' replied the prince.

'I'll sham,' he said, 'delirium, and worry 'em and weary 'em, Produce a play, and in this way suspicion I'll dispel. He went too far, as soon as he decided on this lunacy The things he did quite soon got rid of half the personnel.

While in a boudoir chatting there, he said he heard a rat in there. Ignoring the demean-our of the queen and looking on, He shouted, 'For a duck it's dead.' right through the arras bucketed And stuck a yard of rapier through his mother's best cretonne.

His statement was eroneous; he'd done for poor Polonius, Who, embarrassed, from the arras tottered out and sadly said: 'As to make a rat o' me, then puncture my anatomy, Call this a lark?' With which remark, he hit the carpet, dead.

Polonius a daughter had, who reckoned that she oughter had Ha' wed the prince some ages since, but all he did was mock 'er, By saying, 'Dear Ophelia, I really feel you merely are A silly slut.' - a cruel cut, which sent her off her rocker.

She chanted snatches sundry, sighed, went out into the countryside, And climbed some trees, still chanting glees, a little off the key. Alas an envious slither there dropped her into the river there And, quite serene, she last was seen, a-heading out to sea.

Her brother, name of Laertes, imagined he could slay at ease Young Hamlet with a poisoned sword which Uncle Claud had lent him. But Hamlet soon discerned the trick, plugged Laertes and turned the trick Then made a spring right at the King and rather badly bent him.

Meanwhile a jug of lemonade the King had with some venom made Caught Gertie's eye, and feeling dry, she drained the poisoned jug. While Hamlet, still rhetorical, got rather allegorical, Some phrases coined, then quietly joined his mother on the rug.

And while the bodies dropped around, Horatio, who'd popped around, To see the end, and superintend, came through the palace doorway. With Fortinbras and legions of hairy great Norwegians, Who trampled in with pomp and din and seized the throne for Norway.

The moral of this story, boys, is don't be Death or Glory Boys, Don't try to rule, or maybe you'll find you are apt to bungle. Don't bother with detection, lads. Just stick to introspection, lads, Be kind, be good, and if you would, try not to stab your ungle.

The End

[azurefishnets]

Curry Covenant (Minovember)

AO3: AzureFishnets Fandom: Ghost Trick Summary: Sissel meets two people her fiancé wronged; although she doesn't know them in this timeline or any other she feels oddly moved to make reparations of a kind. Word Count: 1616

Sissel swung her legs out of the car and walked briskly up the street, pulling her coat around her in the light but chilly autumn rain. The clouds were dark and heavy, promising more rain coming, or possibly even snow; Sissel hoped that her plan to pick up some takeaway before going to visit Yomiel wouldn’t be much delayed by the weather. She wondered if the prison would let her bring some to her fiancé; he ate everything with such enjoyment now that it seemed a shame to deny him this small pleasure. She would try, anyway.

The restaurant was new, but the smell of curry, delicious and savory, already permeated the air for a block around. The place was already developing a reputation for its all-you-can-eat curry buffet on Thursday evenings and the live music on Wednesdays; Sissel had thus made her plans for a Tuesday, hoping to avoid a crowd. Maybe someday she could come back with Yomiel on a date.

Keep Reading on AO3

[puppys-rhythm-heaven]

anyways i just played battle of the bands and like. have i ever talked about how much i love battle of the bands??? cuz like. i love it a lot, like, it's just really fun for some reason, idk why.

[neon-green-reagent]

Yet Another 50 Underrated Horror Films

I guess most people would want to talk about the best movies they watched in the past year, but I thought this would be a more fun way of ending 2022. Let me give you some links to other lists before I get started, in case you are into this and just cannot get enough. Well, allow me to be of service.  

The First 50 

The Second 50 

UFO Movies 

Mad Science Movies 

Aquatic Movies

Found Footage Movies 

Heavy Metal Movies 

Werewolf Movies 

Eyes of Fire : Back in old timey pioneer days, a group of people get cast out from their community because their preacher is a sex fiend. So they find their own place. That is full of evil fae magic and ghosts and stuff, and things get wonderfully weird. 

Highway To Hell : It’s Orpheus but full of puns and dumb jokes and incredible special effects. My favorite bit is about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. Also, Adam Storke is in this... You know, Larry from the 90s Stand miniseries. That guy. He’s great here. 

Shallow Ground : Ghosts. But so so so much cooler than just that. I don’t want to say too much. This one is all about the reveal. This teenager shows up naked and covered in blood, and everyone goes what the hell happened to him? And shit gets STRANGE.

Nightflyers : Adaptation of a George R.R. Martin short story that really needs a blu-ray release, like, yesterday. Beautifully 80s SF horror film full of weird, futuristic bullshit that I can’t get enough of. 

Beyond Dream's Door : What if A Nightmare On Elm Street were made on $3 and a ton of LSD? Take this trip, no pun intended. 

Night Vision : A guy that literally just fell off the turnip truck decides to be a writer in in THE BIG CITY. Which supernaturally chews him up and spits him back out. A cool, low budget time.

The Murder Mansion : Giallo! Two rather attractive people meet, fall in love instantly, and then get trapped in a murder mansion. That’s all you need for a giallo masterpiece really. 

Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell : An alien invasion that goes super hard. A plane crashes due to alien interference, and the survivors are faced with just... the scariest alien invasion of all time. This movie fucks. 

Island of Terror : Lil goo monster that kills you the moment it touches you. It feels like they were trying to do a Lovecraft thing, and it’s quaint and British with Peter Cushing. 

The Majorettes : One of those late 80s slashers that just keeps on giving. The first fifteen minutes were hilarious enough, and then the third act happens. There’s a siege? On a trailer park? In my slasher? 

Sometimes They Come Back... Again : Alexis Arquette (RIP) gives the performance of a lifetime as an undead thug who will fuck your daughter and your dad. Watch it for her. 

Sweet Home : Nothing is quite like a Japanese ghost story. This one throws some slasher tropes in there, too, with very over-the-top kills. Then it lands the dismount. Give me a blu-ray now please. 

Creature : Alien rip-off! Now hear me out. I am a sucker for those, but this is probably the best one in existence. Watch The Titan Find cut, as it’s the director’s preferred version, and I think it slaps. 

Candy Corn : Why isn’t this a Halloween classic? It’s like Trick r Treat meets Dark Night of the Scarecrow. If you don���t know what I’m talking about, that’s an incredibly good thing. Also, the kills are brutal. 

Auntie Lee's Meat Pies : Auntie Lee has lots of BEAUTIFUL nieces who attract dumb men that she puts into delicious meat pies. Good for her, right? Some rockers in bad wigs show up and... predictably become pies. 

Skinned Deep : If Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 had no limiters on. If they were ALL off. All of them. I mean, just all of them. Warwick Davis is having the time of his life here. And Surgeon General’s mask is made out of what you ask? Boyfriend material. 

Werewolves on Wheels : A biker gang stumbles across a cult having a ritual. This makes them become werewolves. And that’s awesome. 

Distortions : Olivia Hussey and Piper Laurie attempt to out act one another while both going completely out of their minds. Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. 

Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge : When you’re such a simp for The Phantom you’ll watch a hunky version kick ass underground in a mall. Also, it’s a good slasher. With Pauly Shore being... actually a fun character. 

The Marsh : A children’s book writer moves to the country to rest and get inspired. Then ghost shit starts happening. Trust me, this movie goes around some bends I didn’t expect, and it’s really worth taking the ride. We love a good ghost mystery in this house.

Dead and Buried : The story kicks off with a photographer getting set on fire at the beach by an angry mob. And it doesn’t get less weird. Definitely more weird. It blew my mind, and I didn’t think that was possible after all I’ve seen. With Robert Englund before he was Freddy. 

Clearcut : Native American horror. This one is all about Graham Greene playing Arthur, a gleefully violent fellow with a lot of secrets. I kept thinking of Severen in Near Dark. The performance is that good, yes. 

Satan's Triangle : Made for TV movie about the Bermuda Triangle. But also the devil. With an ending that I’ll never stop thinking about. 

Night Shadow : A werewolf movie! Where the werewolf and some lady have a psychic connection. I think. I mean, I guess. And her brother knows kung-fu, but doesn’t use it to fight the werewolf. Some bad choices were made, but ultimately it’s a good-bad time. 

Tales from the QuadeaD Zone : From the maker of Black Devil Doll From Hell comes... this! A horror blaxploitation anthology that really... It really is real. Also, what’s a QuadeaD? Dunno. And that’s not a typo. That’s how it’s spelled. Watch this. You’ll thank me. Or hunt me down, not sure which.

Alien Predators : A horror comedy that is heavy on the goofball antics and low on the scares. But damn if those antics aren’t cuter because it’s Dennis Christopher partaking in them! 

Too Beautiful To Die : A late 80s giallo full of fucked up shit, a crazy murder weapon, and giallo’s favorite victim: fashion models. And I need to say 80s one more time to emphasize the true magic of this film. Okay, one more time: 80s!

All-American Murder : Christopher Walken. Ahem. Oh, you needed me to say something else? Well, murders. And lots of silly, silly, silly dialogue. And Walken gets to say a lot of it, too. 

The Killer Is Still Among Us : Another giallo. This one is all about the ending. I find a lack of resolution to be one of the scariest thing a horror film can do. Very effective. 

Slime City : A man has to eat people to keep from melting. It’s a tale as old as time. He goes full goblin mode by the end. Good old-fashioned melt movie. 

Flesheater : Directed by the guy who played the first zombie in Night of the Living Dead. The cemetery one. Not sure why that made him qualified to direct a film, and when you watch it, you’ll see that it didn’t. But that’s why it’s good. Because it’s amazingly bad. Also, directed The Majorettes from up there, if that’s any indication of what you’re getting into. 

All About Evil : Directed by Peaches Christ, this is an absolute love letter to horror cinema. Right down to the very theaters the movies play in. Cassandra Peterson stares at an Elvira poster. It’s that kind of movie. 

I, Madman : There need to be more movies like this. About the power of stories to come alive. One minute you’re reading a book. The next minute, the book is happening to you. Stars Jenny Wright, who deserved a better career. 

Grotesque : Linda Blair versus a gang of punks. Oh, excuse me. Punkers. That was one of my favorite parts, that they insisted on calling them punkers. Home invasion that goes completely WTF by the end. WTF endings are a theme with me. 

Hell High : A group of high school outcasts decide to terrorize their teacher. Not realizing a nudge will make her go postal. This movie is way better than it has any right to be, quite frankly. 

The Untamed : A Mexican SF horror film that is all about sex. It’s not SEXY. It’s ABOUT sex. And the need for it, the way it wrecks relationships, addiction to it, cheating, not being able to be true to yourself about your own identity or needs. It’s a lot. I love it. 

Death To Metal : I love to see heavy metal horror alive and well. An evil priest gets a toxic waste makeover and decides to take out his religious frustrations in a local dive hosting a rock concert. It’s low budget and full of love. 

Tropic of Cancer : Giallo! Again! With voodoo. Not accurate voodoo, don’t ever look for that in a horror film. But with magic and antics is what I really mean. And those antics are quite wild and fun. 

Final Judgment : Brad Dourif as a priest with a gun trying to catch a serial killer. Also, lots of strippers. If nothing about that makes you want to watch it, may I check your temperature? 

The Mangler : One of those bottom-of-the-barrel Stephen King adaptations with so much to give. Directed (well, in part, it sounds complicated) by Tobe Hooper. Starring Ted Levine. With an absolutely gigantic, evil, designed-by-Dracula laundry press.

Deep Blood : I haven’t seen every Jaws ripoff known to man. But why do I have the feeling this is the worst? If you want to relax with friends and laugh heartily over a multitude of poor choices and production mistakes, have I got the movie for you. 

Identity : How unknown is this? I mean, it has John Cusack and Ray Liotta in it. But I still feel like no one talks about it. Still needs way more love. And Then There Were None, but twists galore. And lots of great, fun performances. 

Retribution : A man attempts suicide right as a murder is taking place. The soul of the victim enters him and uses his body to exact vengeance. With a fantastic performance from Dennis Lipscomb and a lot of heart. 

The Devil's Men : Priest Donald Pleasence versus cult leader Peter Cushing. In a fight to the death. With a minotaur there as well. Place your bets!

The Stone Tape : Do you like Halloween III? The same guy wrote this. It has a similar blending of technology and the supernatural. And the supernatural tends to win in those scenarios... 

Benny Loves You : This is a flawed movie, but one thing is for certain: Benny is perfect. Benny loves us, and you’ll love him, too. A killer toy movie that’s a cut above the rest. 

It! (1967) : Of course, I had to include the year, because, no, I’m not talking about one of the most popular horror stories of all time. I’m talking about Roddy McDowall (doing a Psycho) and a golem. And murderous hijinks! 

Wind Chill : I know Christmas is over at the time of writing this, but this was a fantastic, underrated Christmas horror. A guy and a girl drive home from college in the snow and get stuck. Where a lot of people have gotten stuck before. And died. 

The Shuttered Room : We’re in Lovecraft country here. Yog Sothoth doesn’t show up, but a lot of other gothic trappings sure do. People locked up in attics. Getting harassed by locals who are itching to say YOU AIN’T FROM AROUND HERE, ARE YA? Covered in a layer of creepy sweat. With Oliver Reed! 

The Dead Hate The Living : Gotta end on a total banger. An independent film crew gets a little too zealous in making their horror flick and unleashes zombies upon themselves. With a ton of shoutouts and horror nerding, enough even for little old me. 

That does it! These are always a labor of love for me, and I hope there are those of you out there that get some mileage out of this.