#hmm I should probably break into a store and take him

[wakanai]

Hdgsjshshsj look at this Nikolai plush I found

Heugh. Beautiful. Nothing wrong with him all Idk what you mean-

The only thing wrong with him is that he isn't in my house :)

[joelswritingmistress]

You Scare Me, Professor: Chapter 29

Summary: The reader is taking graduate classes at a local university in the wooded upstate New York. She is drawn to her professor, Dr. Joel Miller, though she is also inherently aware that he has something dark about him that she can't quite put her finger on. As the reader's attraction grows deeper, she has to decide whether to endure the danger or run away as fast as possible.

Pairing: Professor Joel Miller x f!reader

Tori and I met up on my lunch break the following afternoon. I filled her in about the mishap with James the night before and she visibly cringed.

“Ouch.” She made a face. “That was a bold way to shoot his shot.”

“I felt so bad,” I admitted, “I still feel bad.” I twirled a French fry in ketchup and popped it into my mouth.

“Did you tell Joel?”

I nodded. “The night before I had gotten a card that was left on my car with no name. I thought it was this creepy guy Trevor from class.”

“Who’s creepy Trevor?”

“He's just this brown noser type of guy. I saw him lurking behind the building one night when I left and then he, like, popped out of the library stacks at me out of the blue.”

“Red flag, red flag.” Tori made invisible check marks in the air with her finger. “What if he's the lady killer?” That's what the papers and news outlets had branded the person responsible for the two dead women.

“Lately, I think everyone is the lady killer.” I huffed a laugh and shook my head. I changed the subject. “Are you and Derek doing anything for Valentine's Day tonight?”

“We’re going to see an early movie and then going out for cocktails and some apps.”

“Sounds fun.”

“Where’s Mr. Gold Coins taking you?” She asked with a laugh as she forked a bite of chicken from her salad, “Paris?”

I laughed. “We’re going to a place called Lake Kora.”

“Where's that?”

I shrugged and reached for the second half of my turkey wrap and took a hearty bite.

“You didn't Google it?”

I shook my head and continued to chew.

“Do I have to teach you everything?” Tori eyed me and began typing away on her phone. “How do you spell it?”

“L-a-k-e,” I began, smirking at her as she flicked my hand.

“Smartass, I know how to spell ‘lake'. What about the second part?”

“K-o-r-a.”

Tori eyed her tiny screen and began flicking her finger until she seemed satisfied. “Hmm..”

“What?” I arched my neck and she turned her phone part way.

“Looks nice.” She scrolled through photos. “Is he going to put, like, rose petals all over the bed? Feed you chocolate covered strawberries?”

I nearly spit the bite of my sandwich out and the two of us began laughing, drawing looks from other customers in the little sandwich shop.

“Sorry,” Tori whispered with a hand up, still chuckling as she took a sip of her iced tea to compose herself.

“Maybe we can double date some time soon,” I suggested.

“I gotta get a feel for this guy,” she nodded in agreement and poked around through her lettuce in search of a crouton. “What's going on next weekend?”

“His sister is getting married. We’re going to Vermont for the long weekend.”

Tori raised her eyebrows. “Wow.”

I nodded. “I was nervous to go but I met her recently and we hit it off, so..” I shrugged.

My friend pointed her fork in my direction. “If this guy ends up breaking your heart, I'll break his neck.” Tori paused, “Well, I’ll get someone to do it because I probably wouldn't be able to.”

I have a closed-mouth smile. “I hope this is all what it seems; because I'm totally caught up.”

“I know you are.” She nodded, “I've never seen you like this.”

“I know.” I ate another French fry and sipped on my Diet Dr. Pepper. “It's a little scary.”

Tori gave a genuine smile. “I guess life should be about taking chances.. and following your heart.” She raised her styrofoam cup, “To the next step?”

I tapped my cup against hers. “To the next step.”

The ride to ‘up-upstate’ with Dr. Miller late that afternoon had me excited for the weekend ahead. We took the truck, loaded up with snacks and even stopped at a little hockey store to purchase two pairs of ice skates. I couldn’t wait to go ice skating. It had been so long since I’d been but I was sure I’d pick it up again - like second nature.

“Want a coffee?” Dr. Miller motioned to a little shop beside the hockey store, “Or hot chocolate?” He grinned and took my hand when I nodded. We wandered into the shop and the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans hit me like a wave.

My eyes scanned a chalkboard with an endless array of choices. There were your typical French Vanilla flavors and Hazelnuts. And then the list trickled down to pistachio, white chocolate almond, blueberry and peppermint mocha.

“I’ll do a medium black coffee with a shot of espresso,” Dr. Miller ordered. “And a package of the chocolate covered espresso beans.”

When I spotted a banana mocha chocolate espresso, I was sold. Half hot chocolate, half coffee with the sweetness of the banana. Sign me up.

Dr. Miller smiled at me and gently squeezed the back of my neck as I ordered. I leaned into him and our hands found one another’s again after getting our orders and walking out.

“I can’t wait to get up there,” I told him when we got back in the car. I sipped my drink after giving the entrance to the cup a gentle blow and then set it in the cup holder. When Dr. Miller reached for my hand again, I squeezed his. I loved how he had to touch me at all times - whether holding my hand, squeezing my neck, or resting a hand on my knee as he drove.

He popped open the little bag of espresso beans and then reached over, prepared to place one in mouth.

I accepted, purposely sucking the pad of thumb for an extra second and Dr. Miller smiled at me. I almost giggled, thinking about Tori’s comment about the chocolate covered strawberries but I just grinned and looked out the window, relinking my hand with his.

Honestly, I didn't want the car ride to end. Until it did, and the A-frame lake house we would be staying in came into view.

Okay, I'm ready for the car ride to end.

The frozen lake stretched out, what looked like, for miles as he pulled down the long, rocky driveway.

Dr. Miller pulled the truck up beside the house and I got a glimpse of a hot tub on the front deck. He turned to glance at me and I couldn't help but smile.

“Come on.” He nodded his head toward the cabin and opened his door.

I eagerly trailed him up to the rental property. Neither of us bothered to grab our belongings yet. The sting of the cold weather felt refreshing on my cheeks on the short walk to the front door.

Dr. Miller punched a code into a little black box beside the door and a silver key popped out as the front of it opened.

“Do you own this house, too?” I had to ask, but he smiled and shook his head.

“I know as much about it as you do.” He slipped the key into the lock and opened the door, pulling me inside by the hand as he flipped on the main lights. It was like something from Pinterest or “hashtag cabin” on any number of social media outlets.

An oversized television sat above a stone fireplace to the right. A small collection of couches and chairs faced it, only split up by a shag throw rug. Above it hung a giant rustic chandelier. Overlooking the living room area was a loft that was accessible by a winding staircase and beneath the loft, straight ahead, was a cozy, modern kitchen with low ceilings.

“What do you think?” Dr. Miller put his hands on my shoulders from behind, and I reached up and placed one hand over his.

“I think we should stay here for a week.”

“Or two,” he added.

“Or two.” I nodded in agreement and looked over my shoulder at him. “Thank you. This is amazing.. again.”

“Let's get our bags.”

I followed him back to the car and he carried as much as he could, leaving me with just the ice skates that I set down on the couch in the living room area. We unloaded the little bit of food we’d brought up for the short stay and then towed the suitcases up the windy stairs to the lofty bedroom.

“Feel like some dusk ice skating?” Dr. Miller asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

“Is it safe?”

“I've been checking the weather all week,” he explained, “It's been in the teens and twenties.” Dr. Miller nodded, “There were some people out there when we drove up. Should be frozen solid.”

“Well, then, I can't wait.” My hands fell down into his and I bent at the hip to kiss him firmly on the lips. When I slowly dropped to my knees in front of him, working at the buckle of his belt, Dr. Miller looked down at me with a half, closed-mouth grin.

He sighed and arched his hips so I could shove his pants down to his ankles before closing his eyes as he stood back up. “Alright,” he agreed with a second deep breath.

“Unless you want to get right out onto the ice..” I teased.

Dr. Miller opened his eyes again and looked down at me. “It'll still be there in five minutes.”

“Five?” My hand wrapped around him now and I took him partway into my mouth. I guessed longer.

He groaned and smiled with his eyes closed. “Maybe three.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER

@untamedheart81 @suttonspuds @cesspitoflove @michilandcof @grogusmum @morallyinept @akah565 @brittmb115 @magpiepills @poodlebae @gobaaby-blog-blog @mermaidgirl30 @mandijo17 @shotgun-shelby @itscatrodriguez-thepearl @macaroni676 @acciowolfstar1 @smolbeanzzz @sarcasm-theotherwhitemeat @bandluvr97

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Francis Drake Main Story

This is simply a fan translation and is not intended as a replacement for the game.

This is a rough translation, so expect several inaccuracies and mistakes. I'll add the screenshots later.

After that, the seasons changed, and a year had passed.

Mitsuki: "Phew, what do you think, Mozart?"

Jean: "Are you satisfied with how it turned out?"

Mozart: "Hmm."

Mozart smiled at Jean and looked around the beautifully polished music room.

Mozart: "It looks like you cleaned every detail meticulously. Not bad."

Mozart: "I appreciate your help. Thank you, Jean, Mitsuki."

Mitsuki: "Hehe, yay! It's nice to be praised by a clean freak like you, Mozart."

Mitsuki: "Well then, I'll go clean the other rooms."

Carrying the cleaning tools, Mitsuki left the music room with a smile.

Jean: "........."

Mozart: "Jean, is something wrong?"

Jean: "Mitsuki still occasionally cleans Drake's room, right? I wonder if, deep down, she's still waiting for him to return."

Mozart: "Could be."

As the two contemplated, Shakespeare appeared.

Shakespeare: "A year has passed since then. Sir Drake was quite the stormy character."

Shakespeare: "He was like the Flying Dutchman, endlessly sailing while wishing for destruction."

Shakespeare: "Forgive me for overhearing your conversation."

Jean: "What's this 'Flying Dutchman' you’re talking about?"

Mozart: "It's a ghost ship legend among sailors. There are operas based on it."

Mozart lightly recounted the story, and Jean nodded slightly, perhaps reminiscing about a year ago.

Jean: "I see. It's just like him to leave after causing a commotion."

Shakespeare: "In opera, the Dutchman sailed alone, and the maiden threw herself into the sea to show her love."

Mozart: "Shakespeare. You're not wishing for Mitsuki to have a tragic story like that, are you?"

Shakespeare: "Of course not. But it was a bit insensitive to compare them."

Shakespeare: "Will Mitsuki's story return to normal, or is there still a climax waiting ahead in the future?"

(The cleaning was finished in no time.)

The room, which will probably never be used again, was always tidy because I occasionally cleaned it.

I sat on the bed, lost in thought.

(A year has passed since then.)

My life returned to normal after Drake disappeared.

The only thing that changed was that Karen later started working in a nearby store. They hired her because they were short-staffed, even though she's just a child.

------------Flashback-----------

Karen: "They treat me like family."

Mitsuki: "I'm glad you found someone you can rely on."

Mitsuki: "If you ever need help, just let me know."

Karen: "Thank you, sis. I won't do anything bad anymore. I won't lie or break promises. I'll live a proper life so that people can trust me."

She said that and smiled.

---------Flashback Ends--------

I still frequently ran into her as she moved on with her life.

While thinking of her, I suddenly look back at myself.

(The people in the mansion aren't saying anything, but I'm sure they're worried about me.)

(Karen is taking a new step forward, but I...)

I'd been standing still because I didn't want to forget my love for Drake.

(Drake still has my heart.)

In loving him, I experienced sparkling excitement, sadness, and even pain that could shatter a heart.

Through the suffering of love, I found the strength to believe.

No other love has ever hit me with such full force.

Maybe I stepped into this room to retrace those marks left by that love, but...

(This love will never start again.)

(I have to keep these feelings in my heart and live without Drake.)

In that way, I would be able to step into the future without causing worry to everyone. However, I feel like I am betraying both my feelings and Drake.

------------Flashback-----------

Drake: "If it's really important, even if you're apart and even if you can't meet, those feelings won't change and will remain just as strong."

Drake: "You should be proud that you have many important and irreplaceable things."

Drake: "It's your life. No matter how you choose to live, it won't be a betrayal."

---------Flashback Ends--------

(----!)

Those were the words he gave me when I revealed my guilt about returning to my world.

Even now, his words and smile still reach me.

Mitsuki: "You're right, Drake."

(These feelings won't disappear. They won't betray me.)

(Rather than being consumed by guilt, I will cherish these feelings.)

I will keep my feelings for you in my heart.

Mitsuki: "I won't betray this love."

A few days later, I remembered what Drake had said when I came to the Seine River.

------------Flashback-----------

Drake: "I just had an idea. Why don't we throw some bottled messages in the ocean next time?"

Mitsuki: "A message in a bottle? The one where you put a letter in a bottle and throw it into the ocean?"

---------Flashback Ends--------

I smiled back at Drake in my memory and took a bottle from my bag.

(Even though this isn't the sea, this place is the most memorable one for me.)

Inside the clear bottle was a letter I wrote to Drake.

(Even if we never see each other again, I hope my unchanging love will reach you someday.)

As I was about to throw the bottle with my endless wish—

???: "Heh, a message in a bottle? I've received something similar before."

(Huh?)

Someone smoothly snatched the bottle from my hand and chuckled.

Startled by the familiar voice, I turned around in disbelief.

Drake: "Look, a palm-sized ocean given to me by a cute little fawn. Beautiful, isn't it?"

Mitsuki: "Drake!"

Drake was smiling as he held the letter and bottle I had given him.

Mitsuki: "Drake? Is that really you?"

Drake: "Haha! The one and only Captain Drake."

Drake: "Believe me, Mitsuki."

Mitsuki: ".........."

Happiness and the desire to meet again flooded over me, and I jumped into his arms.

Mitsuki: "I believe you, I believe you. It's really you!"

Mitsuki: "I've wanted to see you for so long."

Drake: "Yeah, me too, fawn."

When I raised my head, beyond my teary vision, Drake's aquamarine eyes reflected me.

The longing that had filled my chest was replaced by an overwhelming sense of happiness, and my world lit up again.

Mitsuki: "I never thought you would come back."

Drake: "Ah, about that..."

Drake: "Well, I was left behind in a stupid way."

------------Flashback-----------

Galileo: "It looks like you found a place to stay other than this trip."

Galileo: "I'm going on ahead alone. You can dream for a while until I destroy this world."

Galileo: "Francis Drake, the pirate who moved the world. If you want something, steal it."

---------Flashback Ends--------

After leaving through that door a year ago, Drake and Galileo seemed to have continued their journey. However, after returning to their hideout, Galileo left Drake behind and closed that heavy door.

(Galileo brought Drake back?)

Drake: "It's a bit annoying to be set up like that, but I didn't back down."

Drake: "Pirates take everything they want. That's what we do."

Drake: "That's why it wasn't like me to not lay a hand on the most wanted treasure."

Drake lightly shrugged his shoulders and cupped my face, looking at me with intense, piercing eyes.

Drake: "You're the one I want the most. I want to obtain you as much as I want to destroy the world. You're my ultimate desire."

Drake: "That’s why I came to steal you."

Mitsuki: "Drake."

Drake: "I love you, Mitsuki."

(Ah, I can't resist him anymore.)

Even though he left behind this love in me, he appeared again and stirred my heart.

I love him, even though he's cruel.

Mitsuki: "Yeah, steal me, Drake. I love you too."

(I could finally express the words I never had someone to tell.)

(To Drake...)

Drake: "Mitsuki."

His face slowly moved closer to mine, and our lips touched, overflowing with emotions beyond words.

I hugged Drake's chest again, and his arms embraced me in return with a force that felt like I might truly be taken away.

Drake: "By the way, little fawn. Who is this message in a bottle for?"

Mitsuki: "Fufu. Well, he already received it."

Mitsuki: "To my beloved pirate, the only one in the endless sea."

With my luggage in my arms, I turned around at the gate and looked at the mansion.

Parting is always bittersweet, so I decided to bid farewell at the entrance.

(I came to the mansion from the Louvre Museum in the 21st century and met everyone.)

(I'm here right now, thanks to everyone's support.)

I cannot thank each and every one of them enough for understanding my feelings and decisions.

(Okay, Mitsuki, don't cry.)

I blinked my eyes to stop the tears and put on a smile.

Mitsuki: "I'm off."

With these words, I bid farewell to the many memories I had made here and turned my back on the mansion.

Then, before I knew it, the person of my chosen destiny stood before me.

Drake: "I'm here to pick you up, Fawn."

Mitsuki: "Drake."

Drake: "Did you forget something at the mansion? Anything unfinished or left undone?"

Mitsuki: "I'm fine. I'm just feeling a little sad."

Drake: "That's understandable."

Drake: "Should I give you a hug? Don't worry, I'll take care of you in their place."

Mitsuki: "I'll pass for now."

Drake: "You sure? Well, maybe later then."

(He says such things so casually.)

I took a deep breath and quietly suppressed my racing heart.

He looked at me for a moment and then extended his hand, just like before.

Drake: "Miss, how about a boat date with me before we leave?"

Drake's boat glided gracefully along the beautiful Seine River.

I couldn't help but gaze at him as the wind mischievously tousled his tied-up hair.

Drake: "Honestly, I thought you might hesitate about betraying everyone in the mansion."

Mitsuki: "The old me might have felt that."

Mitsuki: "But now, even if we're apart, I know my feelings for them won't disappear, so I'm okay."

(He made me realize this.)

I left the mansion to set off on a journey with him.

I've decided to follow him through that door and into a world I have yet to see.

------------Flashback-----------

Drake: "I want to live in this world with you and make you happy, Mitsuki."

Drake: "I want to make you happy with my own hands because that's what matters most when I think of you."

Drake: "But..."

(He's hesitating.)

Mitsuki: "You're concerned about leaving Galileo alone, aren't you?"

Drake: "..........."

Drake: "Man, you're pretty sharp."

Drake looked slightly embarrassed and sighed.

Drake: "Galileo's got his own thoughts, and he left me behind."

Drake: "Thanks to that, I reunited with you. But it's not a fair deal if I'm the only one benefiting."

He lowered his gaze for a moment before looking at me directly.

Feeling a bit nervous, I returned his gaze.

Drake: "I don't want to owe anyone anything. If someone does something to me, I'll do it back to them."

Drake: "Pirates get everything they want; that's our way of life."

(Yeah, that's who you are.)

He was the kind of person who would boldly set sail into the endless sea.

Drake: "I said I'd go with him on his journey, and now I've betrayed him."

Drake: "I'm planning to go against Galileo's intentions and chase after him through that door."

Mitsuki: "Okay."

Drake: "And you, Mitsuki. You're coming with me."

(Huh?)

I stopped thinking for a moment after hearing the exact opposite of what I was prepared to hear.

(Is he saying he won't let me go?)

I stared at him blankly, and Drake, who had a faint smile on his lips, quickly turned serious again.

Drake: "What Galileo and I are doing—our desires—might contradict the hopes you believe in, but..."

Drake: "Even if you say you don't want to, I'll still take you away."

Drake: "A year apart was enough to make me ache with longing. I don't want to let you go anymore."

Drake: "You can blame me if you want. Just think that being loved by me is the end of your luck, and let yourself be stolen."

(Drake...)

I couldn't simply be happy with the fact that he wanted me.

(If Galileo, like Drake, has time-traveled with despair in his heart, then the two of them may be plotting something that will drastically change the future of this world.)

If that happens, what will I do?

Mitsuki: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you wherever you go."

Drake: "Mitsuki."

Mitsuki: "And I'll see with my own eyes what the two of you are thinking and what you're trying to do."

Mitsuki: "I'll choose the path I believe in."

(I might end up facing Drake again at that time.)

(Still, by confronting him head-on, I will uphold my feelings for him.)

A love without lies or deception.

Drake: "Ah, as expected."

Mitsuki: "As expected?"

Drake: "You're still going to chase after me."

Drake: "I believed you would say that, Mitsuki."

(Believed me?)

Drake's word "believe" resonated in my heart as strongly as the words "I love you."

He smiled at me defiantly, almost provocatively.

Drake: "Mitsuki, shall we continue the bet from that day?"

Mitsuki: "Sure."

I nodded without hesitation anymore.

---------Flashback Ends--------

Drake: "What are you thinking, Fawn?"

Mitsuki: "Huh?"

Drake: "You were looking a bit distant."

Mitsuki: "I was just thinking about when I decided to go with you and our endless journey."

Mitsuki: "And also the outcome of our bet."

At the end of this journey, we might see countless futures of destruction, but among them, we might find even just one hopeful future.

(Even if we don't know what the outcome will be, this bet is a promise that we will be together forever.)

Holding onto the promise of no betrayal, I smiled and looked at him.

Then he squinted his eyes as if reflecting my feelings in a mirror.

Drake: "Hey, Mitsuki."

Mitsuki: "Yeah?"

Drake: "In our bet, I wish for the world to be destroyed, but..."

Drake: "I'm starting to think it wouldn't be so bad if you won."

(Does that mean...?)

Even Drake, who once wished for despair and the world's destruction, is showing a glimmer of hope.

Mitsuki: "Yeah. Even if I win, I'm sure there's a future you'll like waiting for you."

Drake: "I hope so."

In the depths of Drake's heart, there is still a dark, frozen sea.

(I will continue to shine the light by your side.)

Until the end of our never-ending journey.

Drake: "Hey, but that doesn't mean I'll give up halfway, okay?"

Mitsuki: "Hehe, I know. Both the bet and the journey are far from over."

Mitsuki: "So, will you steal me all the way to the ends of the sea, Mr. Pirate?"

Drake: "----!"

Drake: "Ah, geez, if you're going to say such cute things out of the blue, then I'll have to retaliate."

Mitsuki: "Huh? Kyaa!"

Just as I thought he was only putting a hat on me, I felt my body lift as the boat rocked.

Draco: "Captain! Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"

Draco, flying in from somewhere, chirped overhead as if cheering.

With me on his lap, Drake flashed a mischievous smile.

Drake: "Yes, Your Majesty. As you wish, I will steal you to the ends of the earth."

Drake: "You're the woman of my destiny. The greatest treasure I found while I was wandering endlessly."

Drake's eyes shone like a clear sea filled with radiance.

At this moment, there was no shadow of a despairing sailor, only eternal love.

Mitsuki: "I will follow you from now until forever. No matter what happens, I won't betray you."

Drake: "Yeah, I believe you won't betray me."

Drake: "You make me believe that."

Drake: "I love you. Even if the world falls apart someday, I want to see the future you believe in."

Mitsuki: "Hehe, isn't that contradictory?"

Drake: "Yeah."

We playfully touched noses and laughed together.

Drake: "Well then, shall we go? To the beginning of our grand voyage."

Nobody knows what lies ahead on this journey.

Still, I'll go anywhere as long as it's with you.

(We embraced, believed, and endured love even when betrayed.)

(You are my destiny.)

Previous Part ╎ Masterlist ╎ Romantic End

[hoshibatake]

FREEDOM – Reality and Freedom/Chapter 2

Previous chapter

<Several days later. In the fictitious city “FREEDOM”, Hokuto’s district>

Mao: “This place is so calming. There’s lots of empty space～. Though, there’s still a bunch of talking dinosaurs wandering around.”

Mao: “In any case, it’s the perfect spot to escape reality for a while...♪”

Hokuto: “What are you talking about? This is not the time to be loafing around.”

Subaru: “That’s right! Our fans are waiting for us!”

Subaru: “It’s time for a concert! Concert, concert, concert～☆”

Mao: “Calm down, will you? Listen. We’re running on fumes here.”

Mao: “It’s been one calamity after another, so we should take a rest for now…”

Hokuto: “Just think of it as a trial to overcome. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.”

Subaru: “Yeah, yeah! We can’t just stand here doing nothing, or we might worry the fans by making them think we’re going on a break.”

Hokuto: “Exactly. And we have to make up for Yuuki’s absence too.”

Mao: “That’s true, but～…”

Mao: “*sigh* Can we really go on like this?”

Mao: No, it’s a truly impossible situation.

Subaru: Nice one. You replied to your own question☆

Hokuto: Can you really say that he replied to his own question, given that it was posed by his avatar, who is practically a separate person?

Subaru: I think so. Their data was based on us, after all.

Subaru: Hmm. But since they do have their own will, does that make them separate people after all?

Subaru: What is your verdict, Isara Mao-sa～n who is in charge of explaining stuff?

Mao: Does it matter? What’s more important right now is the problem that the virtual Trickstar is facing.

Mao: Lately, their efforts have been leading them nowhere.

Mao: Fires have been breaking out during their concerts, and their concerts are attracting fewer and fewer people, outside of their core fanbase. Ever since Makoto left, they’ve been handling things in a sloppy way.

Mao: Honestly though, I never would’ve thought Makoto would suddenly decide to go solo.

Mao: Even if it was caused by a bug, I was convinced he'd have rejoined right away. And he’s been coming by Trickstudio noticeably less as well.

Mao: I wonder where he’s holed up and what he’s doing～

Subaru: Don’t you think Ukki～’s probably got some kind of plan?

Mao: I’d like to hope so…

Mao: Looking at our avatars reminds me of the way we used to be, though. Back when we were a bunch of nobodies at Yumenosaki who no one was paying attention to.

Subaru: Oh, yeah… I remember Ukki～ doing a bunch of things to help us.

Subaru: Like using his internet skills to pull our background music from the school server when it wouldn’t play on its own. Or making sure everything was in order for our concerts, or helping in setting up the stage.

Subaru: And the fans loved the way he always seemed to break the tension. Because of Ukki～, we were able to hold concerts without worrying about things going wrong.

Hokuto: That’s right. And when Isara was unable to attend because he was too busy with his Student Council work, he would function as an emergency brake for Akehoshi, since he’s prone to recklessness.

Mao: I feel like you’re just as likely to act recklessly, though.

Subaru: Exactly. Ukki～ is my and Hokke’s emergency brake☆

Subaru: I’m so used to having him around, that now that I’m watching the virtual Trickstar perform without him, it makes me a little sad.

Mao: Yeah. It makes me realize all over again that we really need all of us.

Mao: Only all four of us together are Trickstar, after all.

<The next day. Shopping center>

Subaru: ...Mom, why are you stopping in front of the general store?

Subaru: They’re selling clothes for dogs? Hmm～, but I feel like Daikichi doesn’t really like wearing stuff like this.

Subaru: Plus, it’s kinda manly to walk around in the rain without a raincoat.

Subaru: You found something that’s perfect for him, you say? Let’s see…

Subaru: Ahaha. What’s this? It looks like the kinda bib Kintarou¹ wears. It has “Daikichi²” written on it. It looks so cool～

Subaru: Even if he doesn’t wanna wear it out on walks, he might put up with it if it’s just for a photo. It’s half price too, so let’s get it♪

Subaru: While I was in school, you were busy too, so we didn’t get to go out together like this a lot. I’m happy we can go shopping together on weekdays now.

Subaru: It’s quiet everywhere, so we can take our time looking around the shops. The privileges of being an adult～☆

Subaru: ...Huh? Over there, isn’t that…?

Subaru: Wait a sec, Mom! I see a friend of mine!

Subaru: He～y, Ukki～!

Makoto: Whoa, Akehoshi-kun…

Subaru: I’ve finally run into you. I feel like I haven’t seen your face in ages.

Subaru: Uhm… That lady standing next to you must be your mom, right? Your eyes look almost identical.

Subaru: Thanks for always taking such good care of our Ukki～☆

Makoto: Ahaha… I think that’s my mom’s line.

Subaru: Hmm, what’s up, Mom? ...Those cleaning supplies?

Subaru: Oh, you’re right. Hey, Ukki～’s mom! It’s probably better not to buy that cleaning brush!

Subaru: They’ll tell you it cleans really well, but the maintenance of the brush itself is a pain in the rump, so you’ll have to buy a new one in no time flat.

Makoto: I see. You’re pretty well-informed, huh?

Subaru: Heheh. Actually, my mom bought it once after falling for their slogan: “Even the most stubborn dirt will vanish before your eyes.”

Makoto: I see. Thanks for that helpful information. Both me and my mom lack a lot of life skills.

Makoto: ...Hm? You want to chat a while with Akehoshi-kun’s mom, Mom?

Subaru: Oh, right. The two of you have never properly met before, have you?

Subaru: Of course, of course. Me and Ukki～ will go wait on that couch over there.

Subaru: Later, Mom. Take your time chatting with Ukki～’s mom☆

Makoto: ...They seem like they’re having fun chatting.

Subaru: Yeah. It’s a little strange～. We’ve known each other for so long, but our parents have hardly even met before.

Subaru: Though I guess it’s no wonder, since my mom has distanced herself from the world of idols.

Makoto: Akehoshi-kun…

Makoto: ...But that might change in the future, right? She didn’t seem bothered about talking to me, after all.

Makoto: And she’s laughing with my mom as well. Maybe they’ll hit it off and become friends as moms.

Makoto: That would actually be a relief. Even to this day, I still worry sometimes about whether she’s actually managing to live well now she’s on her own.

Subaru: Ahaha. Ukki～, you’re such a worrywart☆

Subaru: I’m actually more worried about you, though.

Makoto: …?

TL notes:

Kintarou is a figure from Japanese folklore. He looks like this.

大吉 Daikichi’s name means “great fortune/excellent luck”. 

Translated by me, proofread by Altea (@icaruswasthesun on Twitter)

Next chapter

[h-didanart]

So, they were lost.

Probably?

Maybe.

Yeah, they were lost… Probably.

Hunter stared at the people walking by and at the buildings.

They were not anywhere near a town last they remembered. Then again they did kinda play tag a couple minutes ago. But then again he was pretty sure they had just been going in circles around the campsite. But but then again—

“We are lost, end of story,” Harvest cut through his thoughts and doubts, “but believe me I understand your worry,” she nuzzled against his faceplate.

Hunted grumbled, glaring at the building right in front of the bush they were hiding at.

They didn’t even know which town this was! None of the buildings were familiar, and its location in the forest just didn’t make and damn sense! None of it made sense!

He hid his face in his hands as he whined. Harvest sighed in sympathy, snake form coiling around his scarf in comfort.

It was a few more minutes of back and forth reassurances before Bloodmoon left the bush. They’d need to find a map and from there estimate the distance to their camp.

Easy.

Easy.

Town maps were easy to spot, it wouldn’t take them— Hunter stopped walking.

He was staring at a building. It was a store, and the store had a window, and the window had shiny rocks.

Both twins stared at the rocks, looking at all the pretty colors that they had. Purples, and oranges, and browns, and- ew- green, and red… so many reds… He looked at the reds, capturated by the prettiness.

And was startled when they bonked their head against the glass. Stupid glass. They should break it. No wait, they were banned from breaking glass for a week. Wait didn’t they need to do something first anyways?

Harvest cut through his thoughts again, helpful as always, “Find the town map, locate this odd trap”

“Yes,” Hunter nodded, looking down at his hands, “map, find,” he nodded in determination, “got it!”

And so they turned to run in a random direction, looking down alleys and dodging the people around.

It didn’t take long for them to come to halt again, however; though this time at Harvest’s petition.

Hunter looked down at her, confusedly watching her slither out of his hood and shift to her form that looked like him.

She stared down a side street before looking at him, “do you smell that?”

He tilted his head, sniffing at the air, it smelled slightly like food.

“It smells like food,” they crossed their arms. Harvest took ahold of their shoulders.

“Not just any food, but sugary treats”

Ohhhh, candy?

The younger nodded, “only candy smells as good,” they shook him slightly, “we can indulge in… uh,” they frowned trying to think of how to rhyme, they shook their head after a moment, “eat sugar, let’s go!”

Well… hmm, candy did sound good at the moment, and Father wasn’t around to scold them for going against their current punishment.

Hunter looked back at Harvest who was humming eagerly and looking at him with a smile.

Eh, screw it. They weren’t in a rush, besides he too missed the taste of sugar in his systems.

He smiled back at his twin, whose expression brightened even more.

They both ran down the side street, giggling mischievously. This was gonna be fun.

[sakumz]

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ. [ s. ritsu x gn reader ] ft. rei

warning❗: slight ooc

genre 𑁍 : fluff

____________________________________________

" rei-chan? " upon hearing his childhood nickname, he turns to the source of the sound, that means you.

currently holding a basket of grocery in your hands. rei had to turn to try and spot ritsu, who's currently at the candy aisle, probably picking out candies or hiding from him. rei gave you a sheepish smile. thank goodness the queue is still long, ritsu can take his time so rei doesn't have to stand like an idiot at the cash register as he waits for his brother to come.

" grocery shopping in the morning I see? " rei starts, trying to make a conversation as he prays for ritsu to come back sooner.

" yeah! mom forced me out with a list... you're not out here alone, are you? "

" I'm with ritsu. "

ritsu... the younger sakuma brother, you couldn't help but let a smile come up to your face as you recalled the last time you two hung out. it was at the school library when you tried to study with him, only for him to knock out the moment he sat down.

" speaking of which, do you mind bringing him back here? he's taking a tad bit too long picking out candies. " hearing the request, of course you agreed.

going from aisle to aisle, finding the candy category. there you spot the raven haird boy, crouched down, humming to himself.

" ah, y/n. what a coincidence, shopping for candies too? " ritsu says as he turns to look at you, his hands full of sweets.

" that's a lot of candies no? and no I'm not here for candies, I got my own errands to run. "

" it's not all for me, gonna give some to suu-chan for being so kind to me and mikarin. restocking our secret candy stash, you know. "

letting out giggles from his response, he couldn't help but smile too.

" we should go back to rei-chan. " pulling the boy from his position and taking him to his brother, ritsu wants to scream when he spots his brother.

" say, can we walk y/n to their house? I don't think I can survive a long 30 minutes with just you, " ritsu says to rei as rei let's out a sigh.

it's a dream come true that his brother even came with him all the way to the grocery store, they haven't spoken alot besides the exchange of good mornings. well at least walking you back to your house and then their dorms take at least ten minutes, he still has time to talk to ritsu a bit at least.

" yeah sure, " rei replies, looking over you as you paid your grocery.

ritsu quickly takes a bag from you, since they're gonna send you home, might as well help carry you and he doesn't have much to carry. rei offering to take your other bag so now you're walking with the sakuma brothers, side by side and you're holding nothing but your phone and wallet.

" come on, not talking to each other again? what happened? " you tried to break the silence, ad you three continued your walk home.

" anija. "

" hmm rei-chan? he did something? "

" no, wait... you've been calling him that since childhood, and you've never given me a nickname like maakun. he used to call me ricchan. "

" is that why you're not talking to rei? "

" there's favouritism here and I hate it. "

rei laughs upon hearing his brother's statement, making the two of you turn to look back at him.

" ah that was good, if ritsu doesn't love his big brother anymore its good to know there's his favourite person loving me more. "

" that's not quite true, " you say as ritsu pouts.

" so you prefer him over me? I thought I was your favourite, " ritsu fake cries as he shook your shoulders.

" well if you asked who I'd rather marry, it'll be ritsu. thought rei might be better for domestic purposes. "

" gasp, I can cook... "

" yeah your food does taste great but the appearances... what if one day I mistake your great cooking for garbage on a plate? "

" stop bullying me, anija back me up! "

" hahaha, whatever you say ritsu. "

as the three stop by your house, wave you goodbye and its just the sakuma brothers walking back. ritsu looks over to rei and sees the smile that never seem to go away eversince they exited the dorms together.

" why are you so happy? " ritsu asked.

" I got to spend a little time with you. "

" even if we never talked till y/n came? "

" seeing you, is enough for me. well its good you're still working hard and you're healthy, you've made plenty of good friends, people you can rely on. but don't push yourself too hard, if you ever need a hand to hold, I'll give you mine. "

" nah, there's still y/n's hand that I can hold in moments like those. "

" are you two lovers or something? " rei stares at ritsu as ritsu winks at him.

" that's a secret, " little did rei know, they're not lovers.

[cuzisaidso]

The Mistake Pt.1

Series: 1/? (Add when series complete)

(Don’t own the art! Got it from Pinterest, wonderful drawing )

Huggy Wuggy!FEM!READER!

Warning: swearing

Light blue- narrative/dialogue

Purple-A/N(me)

Summary: You and your friends decide to visit that run down old toy factory. Not knowing what lies inside. You deeply regret your decision soon as you step in and face the consequences.

Pt.1

Walking up to the multi-colored factory, shifting my backpack on my shoulders, I look back at the dumbasses who dragged me here in the first place. Tyler, Donnie, Shaggy, and Cheryl the four dumbass musketeers doing stupid shit on a daily basis.

This is probably one of their biggest dimwitted ideas so far, and sadly I'm a part of the group. Tyler is the player of the group, being almost six foot, with dirty blond hair and blue eyes, lean and kinda muscular body. Basically the stereotypical rich boy.

Having nothing better to do with his life but raise hell, he decided that breaking an entering is more fun than smoking weed and playing video games with Shaggy.

Donnie being the second tallest of the group is highly nonchalant, and I don’t think he gives a fuck what we do, just as long as his shoes stay clean and his hair stays cut, he tags along.

Cheryl is Tyler's girlfriend. I don’t like her much but he likes her so she is a part of the group… until he gets tired and she gets replaced.

Cheryl is what you call a “pick me girl,” she feels everyone, and everything should be about her. Especially when it comes to Tyler, he gotta be giving her that monster dick the way she’s always up on him.

Shaggy… well he’s Shaggy, the pot head of the group. Not going to lie, what he brings calms my nerves especially when Tylers lil girlfriend or whatever tags along with us, she’s soooo fucking annoying.

Stopping at the entrance of the building. Tyler blinks confused. “Hmm, that’s weird” I look at him “what you mean?” He opens the door “last time I checked this place the doors were locked” I look confused “and?” He sighs and shakes his head “never mind let’s go” Tyler walks in. We follow.

“I think we should turn back….this place looks hella creepy” Tyler rolls his eyes at my response.

“You can go home y/n, but me and the others are going in. I always knew you were the pussy of the group” I glare

“Hey, let’s get this straight. I ain’t no pussy. And I’ll never will be one.” Tyler smirks

“Only pussies say they aren’t pussies” I take a slow inhale of air.

“Okay” I step forward purposefully bumping into Tyler in the way in. Shoving the door open. I walk in and down the dimly lit hallway.

The others follow behind me as we all look around the dark, dirty, and musty place. “Definitely a kids place for sure” grumbles Donnie.

“Heh, looks kinda dope” replies Shaggy. “Only you’ll think this place is dope shags, are you on shrooms again?” Shag smiles suspiciously “probably “

Cheryl Grimaces as her high platform flip flops sticks to the floor as we walk. “Baby, it’s all nasty in here” she whines. Tyler wraps his arm around her waist kissing her head.

“You will be fine, we are going to look around for a bit, turn around and go home” Cheryl doesn’t look convinced but nods along to what he says.

As we walk farther into the building, we stop. “Poppy playtime co?” I repeat as I read the sign.

“Oh! I know this place! Daddy got me a little toy kitty cat that was a bee. Hmmm what was it named…oh! a cat-bee it was soooo adorable” squeals Cheryl.

Of course the rich bitch will know what this place is, if I was lucky, what I got from the store that was probably the most expensive is Walmart. Cheapest is the dollar store. And that was the usual go to.

My mother will always say “I ain’t spending my money on unnecessary shit you only gone play with for a week than get tired and ask for more.” Most of the toys I did have were pass me downs from my older siblings anyway.

Below the sign is a board, I walk over and look down at the board. One side is a blue circle as the other is a red circle. The sign is worn down and most of the words are dusted over. “Hmm, it’s says…Huggy Wuggy, no… oh…His name is Huggy, Huggy Wuggy when he hugs he will never stop Your friend Huggy, Huggy Wuggy He'll squeeze you until you pop” Donnie chuckles

“Isn’t that cute” I frown “more like weird. I look at the empty space in front of the board.

“Isn’t there supposed to be like a…uh…whatever it is in front of the board? Since it says the name of what the toy is?” Ask shaggy

I shrug my shoulders “probably”

Tyler kicks one of the alphabet blocks, it doesn’t budge. “I knew it was glued down” grumbles Tyler.

“I always knew you was low key slow Ty” I say as he glares at me.

“Haha so funny” he growls. I smile and walk toward the gift shop.

“Y’all think it still has shit inside?” Shaggy shrugs “probably” Cheryl looks over. “Y’all should go in” I roll my eyes at her and push open the doors.

Nothing much can be seen, discarded broken toys lays on the floor. Along with other stuff. I hum as I walk around the room. Stopping and picking up a flyer. It shows a tall blue mascot, will I think it is. “That’s huggy” I jerk and turn around.

Cheryl smiles, I glare “you lucky you ain’t no random bitch from the street, your ass would have gotten knocked, don’t pop up behind people. That’s how you get hit”

She giggles “sorry Y/n. But for real. That’s huggy. I had the mini version of him back home”

“Uhuh, did you have all the damn dolls than?” She shakes her head.

“No, some of the dolls I wasn't allowed to get, like Poppy. I always wanted Poppy, she was cute and small. Perfect for tea parties”

“Ok…um..did your dad work here or something?” She nods “yeah, daddy was in charge of something. I don’t remember. But he will bring back toys. They were all so cute”

Cheryl giggles “I had things the other girls couldn’t get, it was so fun.” And there goes the conversation. Out the window.

I walk around her and out of the shop, Tyler walks down some hallway. Looks like the door was unlocked and open.

Donnie and Shaggy follows him. I tag along as well.

“Sooooo…what are we going to do since we are here?” Questions Donnie. “I don’t know, look around. Find shit we want. Take it. Than leave”

“So we're stealing? Not only this is breaking and entering but stealing as well” Tyler stops and turns around glaring at me “if you have such a problem. You can leave. No one forced you to come” I nod

“No one did, but I ain’t gon let this be on my conscience if something happens” he groans rubbing his hands on his face. “Y/N, nothing is going to happ-“ i high pitch screech can be heard.

We look up at the vents, thunks and bangs can be heard. “What the hell…” exclaims Donnie.

“Probably the building creaking. It’s old” I look at Tyler not convinced “old enough to make sounds like that?”

“Yes, now let’s go. I want to see the toy making machine” I blink slowly as Tyler walks the rest of the way. Donnie, Shaggy, and Cheryl follows.

“This is some mad sketchy shit man.”

“Oh, shut up Y/n” I glare at Tyler.

A/N:Hello, I decided to make a series of Huggy Wuggy. Mostly likely talking to myself at this point. But I saw that there isn’t a lot of Huggy Wuggy fics. So. I decided to make one for myself and others who will like to read this. Yes I know it starts off slow. But it will get better. I did do some research, I’m still researching so please point out any mistakes I have made during this series. Along with grammar mistakes as well. It will help me.

[landofzero-archive]

Nagisa Ran - A Nice Day to Have Every Once in a While Chapter 1

Writer: Yuumasu

Season: Winter

(Location: Arcade game center)

Nagisa: …… This is the game center?

Jun: That’s right~. Isn’t it lively?

Nagisa: …… On stage, I’m often exposed to loud noises and bright lights but…

…… This feels different. It’s like I’m drowning in waves of electronics.

Jun: Hmm. Are you getting overwhelmed? Do you need to take a breather?

Nagisa: …… No. I was just overwhelmed by experiencing such an environment for the first time.

…… I’ve gotten used to it, so I’m fine now.

Jun: If you say so. If you start feeling bad, don’t hesitate to tell me okay~? If something happened to you I’d get put six feet under.

Nagisa: …… Of course. It would be sad if Jun died. I’d be sad… as would Hiyori-kun and Ibara.

Jun: Haha, what about those two~? Well, I’ll be stubborn and keep living. There’s still a lot I wanna do.

…… Hm? Could that be Anzu-san?

Nagisa: …… Makoto-kun’s here as well. …… Ah, they noticed us.

…… Anzu-san, Makoto-kun. Good afternoon.

Makoto: Good afternoon~. You’re with Nagisa-san today aren’t you, Sazanami-kun?

Jun: Yep. That one next to you… Heeh, it’s just you and Anzu-san, huh?

So I guess that means you two are on a date this time♪

Makoto: Huh?! A date?!

Nagisa: …… Jun, what do you mean “this time?”

Jun: I’ve happened to witness Anzu-san and Yuuki-san walking with each other a few times—

At some point I overheard Trickstar say they’d take turns walking Anzu-san home.

But this location? And it’s just the two of you? …… You see what I mean?

Nagisa: …… I understand what you’re saying.

Makoto: I-It’s nothing like that! Nagisa-san, please don’t look so convinced with a smile like that!

We were on set together today and decided to hang out and have some fun afterwards~

Jun: Ahaha, I’m kidding♪ Thank you for your hard work.

Nagisa: …… Anzu-san, is something wrong? Is there a game you want to play with the four of us?

Makoto: Ahh. The dance game back there in the corner seems to be two v two.

I talked a bit about playing it with everyone the next time we all went to the arcade. If it’s okay with you guys, why don’t we play it together?

Jun: Sounds good~, I’m in! What about you, Nagi-senpai?

Nagisa: …… A dance game? I’d like to try.

…… I’d also like to team up with Anzu-san.

Makoto: With Anzu-chan?

Nagisa: …… Yes, if that’s alright with Makoto-kun. Jun and I already dance together frequently.

Jun: Even if we danced together, it wouldn’t be anything new. What do you think, Anzu-san?

Nagisa: …… You’re nervous that since I’m your partner you’d only drag me down?

…… It’s fine if you do. That’s why I’ll be there to support you. Isn’t that what cooperation is about?

Jun: Wow, you always say the coolest lines.

Let’s work together and do our best, Yuuki-san.

Makoto: Yep! Let’s do our best, Sazanami-kun!

(1 hour later)

Nagisa: …… This is the first time I’ve played something like this, but it’s very fun.

…… Most importantly, Anzu-san seemed like she was enjoying herself despite being nervous at first.

Makoto: Haah, I’m tired… Nagisa-san is so impressive, you didn’t even break a sweat.

Jun: For that guy, this kind of exercise is like a warm-up for his shoulders.

It sucks to end with a loss so why don’t we find another game and wrap things up on a high note?

Makoto: I agree. But what to do next…

…… Speaking of, Eden did a collab with a fighting game didn’t they? Why don’t we play that?

Jun: Ah! I completely forgot, that game was the reason we came here in the first place.

I was so busy that I procrastinated on checking it out and time passed so quickly… Then when I told Nagi-senpai that we should check it out soon—

He said he’d never played at an arcade here before, so I took him here.

Nagi-senpai, what do you wanna do? Are fighting games alright?

Nagisa: …… I’d rather not. I want to look around the arcade some more.

…… Anzu-san, can you accompany me? It’s a large store so I’d probably get lost easily without help. Hm?

…… In the meantime, you want to take a picture of me looking around the arcade for the Feature Live?

…… Alright. Do as you please.

(10 minutes later)

Nagisa: …… This floor is full of glass cases with stuffed animals trapped inside.

…… Anzu-san, are these “crane games?”

…… I knew it. In the past Hiyori-kun had given me a stuffed animal before saying “I got it from a crane game.”

…… I see. This is…

………

…… I also want to get Hiyori-kun a present, but I don’t know how to play this. Do you know how to, Anzu-san?

…… Could you play as an example? Thank you– I’ll observe it as a point of reference.

…… Hm. So the arm moves once horizontally and once vertically, and you can use this button to decide the position.

……? The position was correct, so why didn’t it lift up a stuffed animal?

…… Hmm. So there are tricks depending on the prize, just aiming straight above won’t guarantee you’ll grab the prize.

…… I understand the gist of it, so let me try now.

………

…… I was able to grab the stuffed animal, but it fell along the way. The claw couldn’t bear the weight…

…… It’s more complex than I initially thought. How interesting.

(A while later)

Nagisa: …… I got two stuffed animals with chains at once. I didn’t know that could happen.

…… Alright. I’ve played all the crane games around here, let’s see what other prizes there are…

…… Huh? Ibara?

Directory | Next

[floofweaver]

Mismatched, Misunderstood

I don't know if I'll finish this in time before the event ends because my muse is fighting me and motivation is saying no, but I'm posting what I have done so far in case anyone is interested. If I do end up finishing the fic, I'll delete this post.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ugh, definitely not him. Swipe left. Ooh, this guy’s cute. Swipe right. Nope, not another jock. Swipe left. Cute, but doubt he’ll match back. Swipe right. Not a football fan. Swipe left. Hmm, cute blonde dude. Damn, look at those muscles. Must be a bodybuilder of some kind. Swipe right. Swipe left.

Placing your phone down with a sigh, you take a sip of your coffee and relax as the warm, sugar-filled drink fills your mouth. It’d been nearly six months since your break-up with Orion. Dating for you had been rough; as had life in general. Certain textures on your tongue or your hands could lead to feeling nauseous. Too many sounds overlapping each other or loud noises all at once could lead to headaches. Socializing was made difficult by many aspects. Like the fact anything you enjoyed usually stuck around tenfold. Some people would watch a show and then move on when it ended. But for you, some shows or movies stuck with you. They became part of you. It was hard finding other people like that to make friends with, let alone dating.

Orion had felt like the perfect match. He showed interest in your artwork, your favourite media, and even indulged in your plushie hoard. Anytime he saw you eyeing a plushie while the two of you were out and about, he’d nudge you or tease you about it. You’d act like you didn’t know what he was talking about, of course, but later on in the day when the two of you returned home; you would then burst out in glee with your feet tippy-tapping away while you held your latest plush to your chest he just gifted you. The exact same plush you were eyeing in the stores earlier.

Little did you know that the gifts were almost always well-timed; meant to distract you from finding the truth. The truth that you discovered months ago that led to the breakup. It was a simple accident, really, but everything fell apart that day. You and Orion were just doing typical apartment cleaning on the weekend, like always, when he suggested you pull up your music playlist on his phone; which was connected to the apartment living room speakers. 

You pulled up YouTube and navigated to your profile, where you had your playlists set up and organized. Today felt like a “✨Hype Up!✨” kind of day, so that was the playlist you went with. Upbeat tunes were always perfect for cleaning. Or rather, dancing while cleaning. And singing. While cleaning… You were just about to press play when the message came through. 

Your heart stopped and you froze. Layla. Layla was messaging Orion again? You felt like you had just been punched in the gut. Layla had been Orion’s ex-fiancee and they hadn’t seen each other in years. Or… so you had thought. Several minutes of silence went by and when Orion finally noticed you hadn’t moved or started the music, that’s when he had come into the living room. You had anxiously asked him if it was a mistake, and that’s when the truth spilled. You were a “terrible lay” and he only tolerated you out of pity. In fact, if it weren’t for him, you probably would’ve killed yourself after Riley’s death, right?

It’s not Orion’s fault that he cheated on you. With his ex-fiance. And a co-worker. And… a married woman. Honestly, you should feel so lucky he chose you. So lucky, in fact, that he started throwing things at you. And yelling at you. At first you were frozen, overwhelmed by emotions and the fact that your relationship that you loved so much was founded on lies. The specifics are a blur, too painful to remember every detail. But at some point during that day, you packed what you could into your car and broke up with Orion. Left him right then and there at the apartment you two previously shared. You ended up staying with a close friend for awhile. It was meant to be temporary, but Sam didn’t have any complaints about hosting you.

Your thoughts about the past were interrupted and you were promptly brought back to the present by the sound of your phone going off. Fly Like An Eagle was playing and you immediately knew it was Sam Wilson. Good ol’ Sam. Thanks to your brother Riley, you had gotten to know Sam. You met Sam through the Department of Veterans Affairs when showing up to volunteer to help war vets with trying to integrate back into society. Sam was a bit of a tough love kind of guy but he was there for you when Riley didn’t come home and he was there for you during your breakup with Orion.

“Hey Sam. What’s up, birdbrain?”

“Ohhh, so it’s like that, is it? Where you at, songbird?”

“Avoiding your dumb face by sipping coffee at The Compass Cafe.”

“Yeah, well this dumb face is missing you down at the centre. Could use your help with today’s luncheon if you’re up for it.”

“Hmm…. Nah, I think I’ll mope here for a few more hours. Maybe they could use my broken heart for a new recipe.”

You were trying to be sarcastic, but Sam could read you well even over the phone. You heard him sigh and let out a soft chuckle. 

“I think they’ve got coffee darker than that, doubt they need your broken heart for any of it. How ‘bout you come down here and tell me about this whole Tinder thing you’re trying out? Then we can go out for burgers and watch TV til we pass out?”

A soft smile was brought to your lips at Sam’s offer. Always the good bro, just like Riley. Oh, he’d let you mope, but not for very long. And not without threats of taking you out on his morning jogs.

“Okay, okay fine. I’ll meet you there, but promise me no morning jogs? I’m okay, Sam, I promise. Just feeling a bit skeptical about the Tinder app and dating in general. Riley had it easy because women would just fawn all over him, but his weirdo sister with a plushie pile rarely gets guys to look twice at her.”

“Alright, Eeyore. Just get your butt down here or I’ll find a way to steal a pair of Falcon Wings to come get you myself.”

You laugh at Sam’s response and end the call, promising you’d be at the centre soon. Tossing your trash on the way out the door, you left the café and crossed the parking lot. Once in your car, you started playing your latest playlist - “☀Hope☀”. It was the playlist you listened to in order to boost your mood and keep your head out of the clouds. As the music started to play, you pulled out of your parking spot and headed out of the parking lot to head for the Veteran Supplement Support Center.

[twilightmalachite]

Timbres of Heaven - Two For One 1

Characters: Hinata

Translator: Mika Enstars

JP Proofreader: ksts

"—Huh? Father’s calling me…"

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Spring

Location: Stairwell

Halfway through the next week, noontime. Inside the ES building’s emergency stairwell…

Hinata: —Huh? Father’s calling me…

Hello, what is it? …I’m doing well~. ‘Cause I’m all done with work today! ♪

And you? …I see, on lunch break, huh?

Ooh. So have you seen Yuuta-kun’s sunscreen ad?

…I see. The reason you called me was because you had a message for Yuuta-kun, huh?

Yuuta-kun doesn’t reply to you, right? Though if it’s marked as read, he probably has read it~.

So, what do you need me to tell him?

…Ahaha, it impressed you so much you bought the sunscreen? You must’ve visited a bunch of stores to collect all the novelty items that came with the products.

But you’re holed up in an office all day, aren’t you, Father? What use do you even have buying so much sunscreen if you can’t even get a tan~?

I know. That’s just how happy it made you, huh? ♪

Hinata: …

Umm… Father. Um, this is just between you and me, but…

The person there in the ad actually isn’t Yuuta-kun.

…Yeah, it was me pretending to be Yuuta-kun.

Ah, you don’t have to apologize! “I apologize for still not being able to tell you two apart”… Come on, don’t beat yourself up over it.

I mean, it would be bad if you could tell us two apart. The advertisement here is supposed to promote Yuuta-kun, after all! ♪

…Yep. Both the agency and the client agreed to it. And Yuuta-kun too, of course.

It’s risky to talk about it like this, since nobody but those involved know of it, but…

Even so, I wanted to tell you the truth, Father.

Since if Yuuta-kun heard your praise, he’d probably just sulk and go, “See? He can’t tell us apart~.”

…And, I wanted you to know that I’m doing my best, too, in my own way.

Ah, please don’t post anything on social media or mention it anywhere, got it!! It’s a promise between men!

Hm, what about me? …”Thanks for taking care of Yuuta for me”?

Hinata: “You both are doing so well”… You move me to tears, sniffle, sob!

Just kidding, that’s a fake cry, but ♪ …Thanks, Father.

…Ah, yeah! Thanks for going out of your way to reach out to me!

I’ll see ya, byebye~!

Hinata: (…Aaa~h, I told him.)

(Even though I knew I would just put a damper on Father’s happy feelings.)

(But, I’m glad I told him the truth. I want Father to know who we are now.)

(Aaalright! I’m gonna practice for Timbres of Heaven so I can have good results!)

(Today… Should I go over this page? A scene where Amane monologues his feelings for the heroine—)

“…You’ve been following us around, ever since you were little.”

“You back then were so cute and adorable. I wanted to protect that smile of yours.”

“But, it’s different now. It pains me… to see you smile at others.”

“I’m greedy. I can’t bear seeing the smile I had wanted to protect being shown to someone else.”

"Because, to me, you are someone special.”

…Hmm, something like that? I tried adding in some melancholy like Yuuta-kun suggested. These types of dramas are tough…

Oh, it’s Anzu-san. Hello~!

I did well? Thanks~! ♪

Wait, Anzu-san?! H-How long have you been standing there?

…You were going down the emergency staircase as exercise when you heard my voice? So you were quiet so you wouldn’t interrupt my performance?

You’re over considerate as usual… But, thank you for being thoughtful.

…Why am I practicing here? Well, it’s quiet here, so I’m able to concentrate~!

I have the dialogue with Yuuta-kun part down pat, but… I’m not confident yet in my monologue, or the conversation scene I have with the heroine.

So I practice here whenever I’ve got the time. I don’t wanna hold him back at the audition after all!

But, since I don’t have an actual partner to practice with, it’s hard to get the timing down right. It’s like shadow boxing~.

…Hm? You’ll help me practice?

I see! You have the script data, huh? Thank you, it’s a great help~! ♪

Which scene should we have a go at… Here, how about this one! The scene where Amane draws close to the heroine!

Are you ready? 3, 2, 1… Action! ☆

“…What do you think about Neiro?”

“An ill-tempered cute little brother you just can’t hate? Fufu, that’s how I feel as well.”

Hinata: “Well then, let me ask you… Between me and Neiro, who do you like?”

“…You can’t say “both”. I’m begging you, be honest with me… Don’t dodge my question.”

“Him or me. Who do you choose? —Tell me, Anzu.”

Hehe, Did your heart skip a beat hearing me use your name? Well it’s boring to just call you "heroine" as scripted, isn’t it? ♪

Come on, come on, focus~. You’re gonna help me out ‘til the end of this scene, right?

[ ☆ ]

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[unclewaynemunson]

Hmm. So you picture Nancy staring at Robin in her Scoops outfit hmm?

Obvious prompt is Obvious then. Nancy and Robin go to the back room for some inappropriate use of ice cream toppings. ;)

Oooohh i like this one a lot, thank you for sending it in!! I do have to admit I'm not very comfortable writing anything too explicit on here so I kiiinda cheated a little bit, but I hope you still like it anyway!

~

'Seriously, again?' Robin says when the doorbell chimes and she turns around to see Eddie Munson stroll into the ice cream parlor. 'No one can need that much ice cream, Munson.'

'Two scoops of banana, please, Buckley,' is the only thing he says in reply.

'I know why you're here,' Robin says in a low voice, leaning over the counter to make sure he can still hear her. 'You can only sit snuggled up in a booth sharing banana splits with Nancy Wheeler so many times before the whole town catches up to what's going on between the two of you. I have to admit, I did not expect you to be into girls like Nancy Wheeler, but congrats, I guess.' She tries her best not to sound too jealous about it; they make a cute couple. It doesn't matter that Robin's heart basically leaps out of its chest every time Nancy shows up in the store. It doesn't matter that Robin thinks about her every night before she falls asleep. Right?

But to her surprise, Eddie doesn't get flustered one bit at her comment. Instead, he bursts out in loud laughter, throwing his head back and slapping his hand onto the counter.

'What's so funny?'

'You are embarrassingly wrong, Buckley. Wheeler's not here for me,' he says, with a strangely intense glance at her.

Robin gasps. 'She's still into Steve?' she asks. She doesn't know why that surprises her; it wouldn't be the first time Steve effortlessly captures the attention of the girl Robin is pining for, anyway.

But Eddie groans, then dramatically ducks down to bury his head in his arms on the counter.

'Jesus, Robin, can you get any more dense? You seriously haven't noticed the heart eyes she's making at you all the time?'

Robin stares at him, lost for words for a good few seconds – something that doesn't happen often. 'At... me?'

'Yeah, you idiot. I thought you knew and were just waiting for the right moment to make your move. I've seen the way you look at her, you're not exactly subtle about it. Nancy and me, we bonded over our shared love for Scoops Ahoy employees in weird sailor outfits that accentuate thighs unfairly well and losing our gay little minds over that.'

Robin squints at him. This is too much new information at once; she feels like her head is going to explode. 'Are you saying you're into Steve?'

Eddie holds her gaze for a couple of seconds, but doesn't say anything.

'You know what,' he eventually breaks the silence, 'Keep your banana ice cream. Nancy should be here any moment, I'll just... give you girls some privacy.' He winks and starts walking backwards to the door. He's probably going for smooth, but blindly bumps into one too many tables to succeed at that. He waves at her from the doorway, then disappears into the crowds of people walking around the mall.

🍨

Only a few minutes later, Nancy shows up, looking pretty as ever, with her hair perfectly styled and a pastel pink dress that highlights her waist in a truly unfair way and shows more skin of her legs than Robin can handle.

'Can I have some strawberry, please?' she politely asks Robin.

Robin trusts Eddie: she knows he would never play a cruel prank with her feelings. So now she just has to be brave.

She takes a deep breath, then leans over the counter like she did with Eddie before. But this time, she also grazes her hand over Nancy's arm. Her skin feels warm and smooth under her fingertips

'A little birdie told me you're not actually here for ice cream, Nance,' she says in a soft voice.

Nancy's cheeks immediately turn an adorable shade of red.

'I –'

'Don't worry,' Robin says with a wink, her heart losing all its sense of rhythm completely, but trying not to let her nervousness show. 'We got some special flavors in the back. You wanna try them out?'

Before Nancy can say anything, Robin opens the window behind her.

'Steve!' she yells. 'Your turn to scoop. I need a break.'

He frowns as she guides Nancy with her to the back, but doesn't say anything and takes his place behind the counter.

'Special flavors, huh?' Nancy asks her. A shy smile is playing around her lips, as if she knows exactly what Robin is up to.

'Yeah,' Robin whispers. She hardly recognizes herself. When did she get this brave? Was there something in the chocolate chip ice cream she ate before her shift started? 'Wanna taste?'

Nancy leans into her; Robin feels how her hands find their way to Robin's waist, gently tugging her closer.

Nancy's lips are soft and they taste like the strawberry ice cream she hasn't even eaten yet. Robin can't help the surprised sound that escapes from her mouth, causing Nancy to pull her even closer, hungrily licking into her mouth. Robin is swaying on her feet, but Nancy pulls back before they can lose themselves into their kiss completely.

'Tastes good,' she whispers against the skin of Robin's throat. 'I think I tasted some chocolate chip. But I might have to check, just to make sure.'

Robin immediately pulls her in for another kiss; Nancy's right hand wanders over the edge of Robin's sailor shirt, just a gentle teasing of fingers over skin, driving Robin completely crazy already.

'Nance,' she whispers into Nancy's mouth, not entirely wanting to let go, but still knowing that there's a whole legion of customers just on the other side of the window.

'Hm?'

'It's, like, half an hour before closing time. How about I get you that strawberry ice cream and you wait till I'm done? We can hang out back here, maybe try out some of the toppings...' She pauses, letting a suggestive silence fill the air between them.

Nancy nods eagerly. She has a dazed look in her eyes that Robin has never seen there before and that's kind of making her lose her mind.

'I'd like that,' she says.

'Good.' Robin pulls her in for a final kiss, with the promise of what will happen after her shift already tasting sweet on her lips.

[yesyourstalker]

Neta: mahi can I ask you a favor?

Mahi: yeah?

Neta: tomorrow before you come in to work can you walk my daughter to the train station?

Mahi: no

Neta: please

Mahi: noooo I'm sorry your daughter is mean and I have to open tomorrow I don't want to wake up even earlier than I have to. Why can't you do it?

Neta: I have to head over to the other store to check up on the baristas. I have to wake up early and I have no time to walk my daughter to school and I don't want her to walk alone because there's weirdos around here.

Mahi: can't you get Baja to do it. she likes Baja.

Neta: I thought about asking him, but no.... she'd probably convinced him to let her skip school. I can't have that

Mahi: *sigh* I'll do it for 50 bucks and 30 minutes added on to my hour lunch

Neta: fine. Just make sure she makes it safe for school, make sure she gets on the train. Don't let her skip, She will try to convince you to do it The train station is only like 45 minutes away. Here's an extra 20 bucks for the train and breakfast, buy some donuts Candi has been craving donuts for the past week.

Mahi:*sigh* if she makes fun of me once I'm leaving her

_______________________________________________

Neta: ..*snoring*......*snoring*........

Alarm: BEEP BEEP BEEP

Neta: uhhh fuck....*sniff*.......

Text

Neta: hey Stefan, I'll be there by 9am

Stefan: I'll see you there

Neta: hmmm *yawn*....*huff*

Ikkan: You're up early..... It's 5:00 a.m.

Neta: yeah I have to head up to the other mall. I have to be there for barista training..... Sorry for waking you up

Ikkan: it's fine I have to leave in an hour anyway, I might study some more.

Neta: ok.....[kiss] good luck on your final exam babe I know you'll pass

Ikkan: hmm

Neta: crab cakes you up?

Cirrina: *sleeping*....hmm what? what is it?

Neta: Mahi is going to walk you to school they'll be there at 6:30 ok?

Cirrina: nooooo I can't let everyone see me with them! I can go by myself I'm not a baby anymore

Neta: Be nice. I know you're not cici but I don't feel comfortable with you walking out when it's still dark out alright. I worry.

Cirrina: fine.... If they try to talk to me I'm ditching them

Neta: Don't be difficult crab cakes. Get ready for school.

Cirrina: *humpf*

Text

Cici: change of plans

Maria: wht? We're not ditching?

Cici: we are I will explain it to you when we meet up. Just wear your uniform and pack your other clothes in your weapons bag.

_______________________________________________

Mahi: *yawn*.....*huff*........ .

Baja: morning Mahi You're up early. Don't you have to go work at 7:00?

Mahi: I have to do this stupid thing for my boss. Why are you up?

Baja: I'm always up at this time. I usually just go jogging. You want to join me sometime maybe. it's good for you

Mahi:.......no......

Baja: oh.....ok.... Well if you ever up to it I'm always up at 6:00 every day except Saturday. That's my break day

Mahi: yeah yeah I get it. You live a healthier lifestyle than me. I get it bye a

_______________________________________________

Neta: hello?

Stefan: are you here yet? I'm here. My apprentice is here. My other employee just showed up

Neta: You hired another employee?? We just needed one

Stefan: technically she is not an employee. She is my assistant but she will be supervising the shop as well

Neta: well the store is a couple ways away. It should take me around 4 hours since there's no traffic so you're just going to have to wait

Stefan: very well I suppose I can wait............*sigh*............ Toguni......

Toguni: Yes sir

Stefan: Make me a flat white please

Toguni: Yes sir with almond milk?

Stefan: Yes, of course. Take a note When you start to recognize regulars I would advise you to remember their orders. Not only does it save time, but it also builds a relationship between you and your customers.

Toguni: yes sir

Stefan: uh hmm... Pacifica

Pacifica: Yes sir?

Stefan: I want you to set a reminder for the of construction of the lounge area I'm tied between modern rustic or brutalism? What do you think?

Pacifica: I'm more of a brutalism type it person

Stefan: Toguni... What do you think?

Toguni uhhhhh..... I like the wood finish it would go well with the concrete walls and floor...... Maybe add some plants. It would be good like instead of just brutalism and they could be eco brutalism

Stefan:. ............*inhale*...............................*exhale*.............................*sip*.............*sip*........hmm

Toguni: did I-.......... Did I say something wrong?......

Stefan: It's perfect, genius, amazing. Pacifica!

Pacifica: I put it in order for wood panels and several tubs of concrete sir.

_______________________________________________

Mahi: *sigh*........ Cirrina!! Come on! Hurry up I don't have all morning!

Cirrina: I'm right here Cod!

Mahi: ...... ....... what's that thing?

Cirrina: it's a cello I have orchestra this week

Mahi: All right, whatever let's go

Cirrina: yeah do you mind walking behind me? I don't want people to think I'm with you or anything

Mahi: nope. I'm standing right next to you like my boss wants me to do

Cirrina: *ugh* ....*huff* what ever...... Just leave when I'm at the train station

Mahi: Neta said I can't leave until I see you get on the train so.....

Cirrina: well I can just tell him that you did. You don't need to be with me!

Mahi: hmmmmmm nah I need to make sure you're safe

Cirrina: You're only doing this to annoy me

Mahi: am I? I can't tell

Cirrina: Ugggg fuck off!

Mahi: hehehehehe Cirrina! You can't go ahead of me. I have to keep my eyes on you just in case.

Cirrina:....*huff*.............hey guys

Friend 1 (Pinta) : hey Cirrina.......is that the cute Tetra you were talking about?

Cirrina: obviously not, look at them.

Mahi: .........................

Friend 2 (Nina): how come your dad isn't here. Isn't it his turn to stay at the train station hehehe

Cirrina: ew Nina, stop. He's literally old, He has some stupid word thing. he has his employee walking us today.

Friend 3 (Maria): so what's the plan we can't get on the train?

Cirrina: instead of the train station we go to the manhole. We tell them that we go to underground school and we go through the manhole and wait till they're gone.

Friend 1: That's the plan?

Friend 2: You think that's a good idea?

Cirrina: I think so

Mahi: what are you guys whispering about

Cirrina: we're talking about our bra sizes. Why are you so invested Weirdo?

Mahi: *eh*.... alright......sorry

Cirrina: alright we're at the train station. See ya

Mahi: now I just need to wait for the train

Friend 1: yeah the train is underground

Mahi: huh?

Friend 2: yeah the train is underground.... We don't go to school with a surface dwellers

Friend 3: could you imagine. *Ugh*

Cirrina: You're doing too much Maria ........yep! So you can go now. Bye. We're heading out to school

Mahi: alright, Open the hatch.

Cirrina: what?

Mahi: Open the hatch so I can climb down with you guys and make sure you get on the train?

Cirrina:(glaring)........................................................ fine

_______________________________________________

Stefan: what would you do if I give you a work uniform

Toguni: uhhhh Wear it.......

Stefan: what would you wear?

Toguni: ...................... What you give me?

Stefan: ..... What do you wear on a regular basis?

Toguni: black shirt, a jacket........some jeans and...... shoes

Stefan: would you be able to pull off corset?

Toguni:uhhhhh

Stefan: Pacifica put in an order for a male corset what is your size?

Toguni: I usually wear a medium for space but I can fit in a small......

Stefan: what is your shoe size?

Toguni: 7.......

Stefan:.............. Take off your jacket............. Okay turn around do a spin full 180........ok.......ok..... I can work with this. Pacifica put it in order for 3 blazers, 3 vests, 4 blouses and 2 pairs of slacks and 4 pairs of dress shoes all in the color scheme we addressed earlier.

Pacifica: right away sir they will be arriving in an hour. Do you still want me to order the corset

Stefan: order 5

Toguni:.hmmmmm

_______________________________________________

Friend 1: Cirrina

Cirrina: we'll hang around in octavo valley for a while. Their turf maps open around 8:00 so we can stay there and then head up after

Friend 2: *ugh* we can't go around octavo valley

Cirrina: what's wrong with octavo valley?

Friend 2: oh my god don't be like that.....you know exactly what I meant. We had plans and everything we were going to wahoo world first

Friend 3: we also wanted to go to mahi-mahi we bought our bathing suits and everything

Cirrina: All right! Okay, let's just get on the train and we'll figure it out! I know my way around this place. You guys are being such surface dwellers

Mahi: so when's the train showing up?

Cirrina: it shows up when it shows up *pff*

Mahi: ok..... It's weird because the only school in this area down here is a cuddleton high. Last time I checked you girls aren't in high school

Friend 1: why are you so invested in what school we go to? Are you going to follow us or something? Don't you have like a job or a life?

Mahi: listen I'm just doing what my boss tells me . I'm not trying to get fired because I lost his daughter all right.

Cirrina: You don't give a shit. You're just doing this to be an assho-.........…hi daddy!

Neta: hi crab cakes! I'm just calling in. Did you make it on the train safely?

Carrie: yeah I'm on the train right now heading to school and everything. How are you? Are you at the mall yet?

Neta: yeah I made it here quicker than I thought. Have fun at school okay? Please don't get into another fight

Cirrina: I won't.

Neta: alright sweet heart.

Cirrina: ok love you bye daddy!!

Neta: bye. I love you too carb cakes

_______________________________________________

Neta: alright... she's safe........so........... Why am I here?

Stefan: well first I need a consultation about the lounge area

Neta: well uhhhhh I was planning on just making it look like the bottom floor you know just.... With couches and chairs and tables and stuff.

Stefan: what do you think of an eco brutalist design?

Neta: oh........uhhhh I mean the lounge is a loft area. It's not a separate room entirely..... so it still kind of has to flow with the original design of the store but.................uh..........

Stefan:..........................................

Neta: ................... do you have any reference photos of what you have in mind?

Stefan: certainly of course. Pacifica!

Pacifica: here you go

Neta: thank you.... Pacifica..........ehhhhhh oh...um ............. Make the wood a bit darker and the concrete black........ with.....warmer lighting. The pictures you're showing me look pretty.............. Sterile.. .

Stefan: hmmm............ I guess you're right........ Pacifica.

Pacifica: editing the order now sir

Neta: is this why you called me here? I thought I was going to train Toguni. Also, I hired an interior designer. Aren't they supposed to be here too?

Stefan: I got rid of them. I told him they're only allowed to work downstairs. They're not working up here.....*heh*.... No.......This is my vision!...........This is my space!!

Neta: I understand that, but you know it doesn't hurt for them to help

Stefan: no!

Neta: ok.

Stefan:............. Thank You for your understanding..............*sigh*........... Anyway.............. I'm so sorry. Do you want coffee? So rude of me to not ask you that. Hahah

Neta: No, I'm fine I-

Stefan: Toguni make me a vanilla macchiato! Sugar free!

Toguni: Yes sir!

Neta: ok.........I guess I'll have one cup coffee

Stefan: yeah about that....... We need to go over the menu. I would love if you sampled some of our pics

Neta: just give me one second... I need to make a call

_______________________________________________

Cirrina: welp We already missed the train to school anyway so you can go now bye ......

Mahi: I could go but I could also call your dad and tell him the truth........... Looks like I don't have to call him. He's calling me

Cirrina: shit

Mahi: hey Neta

Neta: hey Mahi Cirrina's on the train right?

Mahi: uh... what?..... I'm sorry shitty signal. I can't hear you..... You're breaking up! Sorry......................so..... How much are you going to pay me for not snitching?

Cirrina: .... I'm not paying you anything!!

Mahi: All right, I guess I'll just call your dad back and I'll let him know that you and your little friends never got on the train and you're planning on ditching school so........

Cirrina: Cod fine. ................I only have 15 bucks

Mahi: 15?.........hmmmm..... I don't know.... Doesn't seem like a lot

Cirrina: 20... That's all I'm willing to give

Mahi: ... ..............nah ... Taking money from 15-year-old girl doesn't seem right.....

Cirrina: then what the fuck do you want-

Mahi: hold up..... Hello

Neta: can you hear me now?

Mahi: yeah, I can hear you

Neta: You walked her the train station?

Mahi: yep, they're on the train and they're at school. I'm heading off to work right now

Neta: All right good. Thanks for doing this for me Mahi glad I can trust you with this

Mahi: all right......... I decided not to snitch so I guess you owe me now.

Cirrina: what do you want?

Mahi: The tidal wave music festival is coming up in the summer. I need two all access passes for 1 day......... You think you can convince your dad to give you two of them for free? I know I can get them with a big discount and everything but you know it's still expensive and I have bills to pay....

Cirrina:............... fine.... I can see what I can do........

Mahi: alright.... I guess we have a deal

Cirrina: All right, how about this? I can give you two access pass for 2 days and you walk us to the train stop every Friday for a months so we can ditch school.

Mahi: ..........alright fine.

Cirrina: Good.

_______________________________________________

Stefan: okay, so this is our mint mocha iced cappuccino. Really taking that flavor of mint. I feel like this is going to be a great seller during the summer. Ironic because this was our holiday blend.

Neta: ok.....sip.... it's good it tastes like mint

Stefan: Great! Now I want you to sample caramel latte and salted caramel latte. This menu is going to be all specialty drinks some come from my holiday menus and the others were limited time releases. Caramel latte is the standard, but the salted caramel was only served during the fall via 2017.

Toguni: here you go sir.............. I'm so sorry

Neta: It's fine. It's not your fault.............sip...........sip......... Yeah..... I like both of them. They're very good. Very caramel flavor. Yep

Stefan: All right. Perfect Pacifica

Pacifica: adding that to the menu sir

Neta: I'm heading to the bathroom

Stefan: This is your 3rd trip! we haven't tried the apple crisp macchiato that was a on our fall collection for 2019 that was a big hit.

Neta: You've already given me 20 cups of coffee and several varieties of creamer that is the equivalent to 5 jugs of water and 4 laxatives for me. Let me go Okay Let me go to the bathroom Cod damn Feels like I'm being tortured

Stefan: very well I guess we have to wait another 15 minutes...... I don't understand what his problem is. We've been drinking the same amount of coffee and we're perfectly fine. Right Toguni?

Tonugi: uh huh We really are sir......(Discreetly pouring two cups of coffee down the sink)

Stefan: some people just don't appreciate this art form. .......hmmm ..... Pacifica remind me to order a commission with that one artist who painted a mural for my house. Toguni would you be able to stand still for a portrait?

Toguni: uhhhhh I-I don't know

Neta:.ok I'm all better for now why don't we take a break from coffee sampling Toguni Do you know how to use the register?

Toguni: yes sir.

Neta: All right did you watch all the videos about sanitation?

Toguni: yes

Neta:safety?

Toguni: yes

Neta: and your benefits?

Toguni: Yes sir I did

Neta: all right You don't need to call me sir by the way just call me neta (clap) I think I think we're done for the day. I'm going home This has been *burp* excuse me An experience I gonna go to the bathroom

Stefan: Wait, I need your opinion about uniform

Neta: just give him everything and he can pick and choose what he wants to wear that day Oh my COD can I go now I feel like I'm going to be sick Again

Stefan: fine. What do you think?

Toguni: I think that would be fun to do. Different look every day...... free clothes is a perk too

Stefan:..... Great! At least someone is being optimistic thank you Toguni.

Toguni: is he going to be okay?

Stefan: he's just being dramatic

_______________________________________________

Mahi: Good morning!

Candi: You're an hour late what were you doing that was so important!! It's literally a Friday!!! This is our busiest day! What kind of manager is fucking late while everyone else is here on time?!?!

Mahi: hi Candi... You want a donut? I got one with the dried shrimp on it just for you.

Candi:...................................... thank you *eating*

Mahi: You're welcome! Here I got you one too Vinny hope you like strawberry

Vinny: I do actually. thanks

Mahi: All right, let's start the day

Text

Mahi: Im planning to go to the tidal wave music festival you want in?

Umishi: I don't have the money for that :(

Mahi: it's fine I can get you in. I'm blackmailing a 15-year-old

Umishi: I have several questions

Mahi: too bad

_______________________________________________

Ikkan: hey I passed my exam I'm going to be graduating next month. My parents and Noji are going to be staying over at my place You need to help me set up the guest bedroom.

Neta: That's great honey, I'm so happy for you [kisskisskisskisskisskisskisskisskisskiss]

Ikkan: hehehehehe ok...ok....I also bought you ginger soda and Pepto pill like you asked you okay?

Neta: yeah..... just.... Just a little stomach ache is all come here sit with me on the couch for a while Maybe celebrate later with some takeout

Ikkan: Neta you're shaking. Are you okay what's your glucose level?

Neta: 60 I checked I'm great fine I'm amazing I feel fantastic. I just had really really strong coffee and several cups a lot of cups of coffee I only had one panic attack and I only threw up twice so I'm fine I'm fine I'm good i'm amazing

Cirrina: Hi Dad, I'm back from school. My friends are here, put some pants on.

Neta: i never took them off

Friend 2: hiiiiii Mr V.

Cirrina: Nina I swear to Cod

Ikkan: hey cici

Cirrina: hi ikkan

Ikkan: wait Cirrina why are you wearing your swim top? Where's your uniform?

Cirrina:..................... Well.....

Friend 1: we finished our rehearsal early so mr. Luminelli let us leave early. I got our mom to pick us up and take us to mahi-mahi

Neta: oh that's nice of Mr. Luminelli Tell your mom I said thank you

Cirrina: alright.......... I just came here to get an extra set of clothes I'm staying over at pintas for a slumber party

Neta: okay sweetheart. Have fun.

Cirrina: bye love you

Neta:bye sweetie they definitely skip school

Ikkan: You're going to ground her?

Neta: no let her have her fun I've skipped school before and I turned out fine

Ikkan: your heartbeat hasn't slowed down for the past 15 minutes......*sigh*..... Let's just have a quick visit to emergency

Neta: noooo I'm fine I'm just anxious. It's just anxious and I'm fine. I just had a little too much to drink

Ikkan: It's just a quick visit just to make sure you're actually okay

Neta:................

Ikkan: we can get takeout after

Neta:.................ok....... Can I have the bathroom first?

_______________________________________________

Mahi is also blackmailing @fish-at-fish-fish-resort

Toguni was found in a box by @conkreetmonkey

Umishi is still concerned about the concerning text @catastropic

[omegasmileyface]

The Forest, the Trees, the Fire I: CATALYST

Chapter 2

Here's chapter 2! Most updates will be Tuesdays and Fridays, this one wasn't late on purpose hehe. Authors: @attackradish, @ectolemonades, me. Artist: @/crunchysart

For the full characters list, word count, content warning, and a directory to all the currently available chapters and related content, see the Table of Contents!

full summary: The world outside of Amity Park has learned about the existence of ghosts, and the time for first impressions has arrived. The delicate public consciousness could be disrupted by the slightest ripple. Danny Fenton is being ripped apart from all sides, and when he finally breaks, the ripples will be very big indeed.

warnings: none for this chapter

words: 2121

AO3 link

first chapter

next chapter

===

October 2, 2006

Tucker was already on his PDA— Florence— by the time Danny sat down for lunch. "It looks like the outside world is finally getting with the program on the whole 'ghosts existing' thing. I'm seeing ecto opinion pieces now that don't even spend half their length shouting about how they're not crazy!"

"Ooh, fun!" Sam unzipped her lunchbox to reveal it was full of crackers and some kind of fruit spread. Tucker dipped a finger in the spread to taste it and his face immediately scrunched up. Sam ignored this. "Maybe we'll see some new forms of Evangelism come out of all this. Mix up the American Christian playing field a little."

(Danny tried a taste too. It tasted sort of like blueberry, but way more bitter. The kind of stuff that grew in nature preserves and wasn’t sold in stores. Not bad.)

"Eh," said Tucker after a hearty swig of soda, "if they do appear, they'll just stick to one tiny area like every other Bold New Jesus Cult that's popped up in the last few decades. I've been thinking we should make some kind of blog about ghosts. We're experts! The rest of the world is gonna want to hear from us." He swooned in his spot at the lunch table. "Maybe we could even sell merch…"

"Hmm. Well, I think it could be good! No, not your newest business model. Calm down, Henry Ford."

Tucker pouted.

"The whole… public getting used to ghosts thing. I mean, it's gonna be a sensitive time for the public consciousness, since what people hear now is going to shape how they feel about ghosts forever, but… the more people hear about the dirty details, the harder it will be to hide stuff like the torture devices and whatnot." Sam hummed. "Though, it hasn't stopped the CIA before…"

"Oh! Conspiracy jar." Tucker held out his hand.

Sam rolled her eyes and handed him two quarters. "It's true, though."

Danny started tapping his foot. "What if it ends up being a bad thing?"

"Oh, so you were on earth for the conversation! Glad to see you, space cadet."

"Yeah, whatever." Danny took a bite just because he knew talking with his mouth full would annoy Sam. "Honestly, I was pretty cool with the thing we had going on where ghost things stayed in ghost land and the only people who bothered to interfere were the Guys in White. And UW Madison, I guess. What if it gets all… publicized? What if there becomes some kind of ghost fighting bureaucracy?"

The ghosts didn't even have a bureaucracy for themselves. Danny would know! Not that he could tell his friends about his involvement in ghost politics.

Tucker shrugged. "We might get money or college credit or something for our ghost fighting, then. Health insurance, even."

"No, Tuck, we're high schoolers. They'd probably just make us stop doing it."

"Oh," said Sam, "I thought you wanted to not have to be responsible for keeping the town safe."

"Duh!" Danny leaned onto the table. "But it's not that simple. It's like when you don't want to do the dishes, but you can't just let somebody else do them because they won't clean them correctly and that's just not worth it."

"Can't relate."

"No idea what you're talking about."

Danny huffed. "They'll probably do it wrong. Professional ghost fighters might try to take ghosts into custody instead of sending them back, or completely ignore why the ghosts came in the first place, or not understand what kinds of fighting are cool and what kinds are just straight-up evil."

Tucker smiled. "Ahh, you're afraid the humans will fight like humans."

"No! …Yes. I guess. And while help would be nice… I just feel like it wouldn't be worth the scrutiny. Generally speaking, the dead don't want to hear the living's opinion on them."

"Well, it's a good thing a lot of ghosts aren't dead, then," Sam said.

Tucker put Florence back in his bag. "You've both got points. From what I've been reading, there are people who are trying to push for ghost laws in other states, using the Dairy King thing as some kind of warning. 'They're already hiding among us! Quick, invent new kinds of bigotry, before it's too late!'"

Ew. Couldn't get one news story without it making things harder for him, huh?

Sam growled. Like, genuinely growled, as much her human throat could. "Well, if that's the case, maybe we couldn't trust America with such important knowledge of life and death just yet."

Danny rolled his eyes.

"Tucker," she continued, "maybe your info blog idea wasn't so bad."

Tucker reached out for a fist bump. Danny obliged.

"Hey, losers!"

And right on queue, it was time for Act II of lunch.

"Good evening, Dash," Tucker and Sam said in unison. Clearly, they'd been rehearsing that. Dash was taken aback for a second. He shook it off.

"You're all gonna be on my team in laser tag, right?"

Great, another permission slip Danny had missed. "Laser tag?"

"Yeah. On Friday. Keep up, Fen-fun-in-the-sun."

Sam tilted her head. "Dash, no offense, buddy, but if you don't like us, don't you want us on the opposite team? Not yours?"

"There is no opposite team. It's ghost laser tag. It's, like, a sponsored field trip by the GIW or something. Either way, students won't be targets. If I want an opportunity to tackle you when nobody's watching, I need you on my team."

Ghost laser tag? What did that even mean? Would they have ecto-weaponry? That couldn't be safe. Danny hoped he could skip out by getting detention or something.

"What a tantalizing offer. I bet teams are randomly assigned anyway."

"You'd better hope they are!" Dash turned his gaze directly onto Danny before backing away dramatically. "I'll see YOU on the field, Fenton. Better catch you carrying on the family legacy."

Tucker took his head out of his bag once it was safe. "…What did he even mean by that?"

Danny just sighed. That said it all, really.

===

"Ghost child, did you really not think to get me a gift for my birthday?"

"Skulker, you don't have a birthday."

Skulker ignored him. "Well, you're lucky that I got something for myself!" He brought out some absolute doohickey of a weapon, gleaming chrome in the turquoise moonlight. Those tubes couldn't serve any logical purpose, could they?

While Danny was questioning his understanding of Euclidean space, Skulker lunged forward and a part of the weapon flew off, angled right for his head.

Danny just barely swirled his body out of the way in time. "Hey!"

Skulker dove. Danny fled. The chase was on.

"What could you possibly want from me this time?"

"What do you think? I want my prize!"

Danny shouted to be heard over a swarm of missiles. "Oh, so we're back to hunting me for sport, then? Maybe stop trying so hard to damage the goods!" He spun around and aimed some sticky ectoplasm in Skulker's general direction.

"Nonsense!" Skulker turned his suit invisible. "If you can't avoid these attacks, your pelt's no good anyway."

Danny concentrated on his ghost sense and dodged a grapple from his left just in time. "Y'know, maybe it's for the best. If I'm hung up in your lair somewhere, I don't have to go to laser tag!"

Skulker halted his onslaught and smiled. "Laser tag?"

Danny huffed. "Yeah, my class is doing this ghost laser tag thing on Friday. My parents heard about it somehow, and they won't let me miss it. They think it'll help me 'prepare myself to join the family business!' or whatever."

Skulker continued to smile.

"Um. Sorry. So, laser tag is like a—"

"I know what laser tag is! As a matter of fact, ghost child, I'm a big fan of laser tag."

Danny sighed. "Of course you are."

"It is a shame that I cannot join you. But since I cannot, you are going to be my laser tag champion this Friday."

"Your what? Oh my God."

"If you will be representing me on the battlefield, you're going to need to have some skill! Beginning shooting practice!"

"No—" Danny caught a small ecto-gun automatically. "Huh. I didn't even know these came off your suit." He was shot in the side.

"Get gunning, boy!"

Just after Danny tore off invisibly to find somewhere to trap Skulker, one of the shots hit an apartment building and an alarm started blaring.

Danny returned to visibility to check it out. Why would an alarm go off from some brick siding getting shot with a low power ectoblast? Was somebody hurt somehow? There weren't any windows or anything there. Could it have ricocheted and hit someone?

Then a van screeched to a stop in the parking lot, and it all made sense.

Just like always, when the GIW filed out of their clown car, they aimed at Danny first. He shielded against most of them, but when one shot went a little wide, it hit the same building and exploded on impact, weakening a couple of the bricks. These blasts were much stronger than the shots he and Skulker had been playing with.

First things first, he darted back over to Skulker to capture him. The ghost didn't complain. Better to get captured for now than to have to put up with a government chase all the way back to the portal.

Danny dared to look back at the hunters below him. "There! Fight's done. That means you don't have to shoot anymore, right?"

They continued shooting. Wow, just like his parents!

Danny tried to go for an escape through the ground, where they couldn't see him or reach him, but they managed to aim for him anyway. When he came back up, the ground was full of new potholes. Even one of the manhole covers was ruined. Did they even think at all before firing?

So he took to the skies instead, hoping that there would at least be less collateral that way. Sure, he got shot in the foot (ow) and in the shoulder (ow) and almost got locked into one of those stupid ectophobic nets, but he made it home nonetheless.

The alarm was still audible, and Hemlock Ave. probably had a few thousand dollars in repairs. He couldn't wait to hear at school tomorrow how this was his fault for playing tag.

===

Spooky, Scary, and Scientific: What do Ghosts Mean for Me?

4 Oct. at 11:00 AM

This time last month, you were thinking about what to cook for dinner and when to go return that DVD. But now ectology has entered the mainstream, and the same thing is on your mind as everyone else's: death!

Well, not the sad, existential kind of death thoughts. More like… "Is anybody I used to know a ghost now?" "Would I still recognize them?" "Was everybody wrong about Heaven?" "Will I become a ghost when I die?" It just feels like we all know so little about ghosts.

But I've gathered as much research as I could find from the top ectologists, and I'm going to help you make sense of it too. If you want philosophy, this isn't the blog for you. But hopefully, going in with the right scientific knowledge will make the emotional parts easier!

Let's start with a pretty fundamental one:

Are these ghosts really the spirits of the dead?

Interestingly, as much as a lot of them look like they could have been human once, we don't have any proof that humanoid "ghosts" come from the souls or identities of real humans. In fact, it's looking more like ghosts, which form out of invisible concentrations of ectoplasm in the air and ground, just take after humans because they're the best source of emotional energy.

That's right, emotional energy is a real thing! Since our brains work via patterns of electric pulses, those pulses can imprint the same patterns into ectoplasm and cause it to act in ways it normally can't. See Fenton 2003 for more info on that.

Ghosts are just functional forms of ectoplasm, and have no ability to relate to humanity or have emotions of their own, so it seems they take forms like ours to gain more access to human emotional energy. I wouldn't say they do this on purpose, but then, it's tough to say ghosts do anything "on purpose", since they just automatically work toward their goal. It's just how they function!

Some are capable of doing this in really complex ways, actually. It's very interesting! So let's talk about…

How many kinds of ghosts are there?

[read the rest of the post on kristenscorner.blog]

[bacchicly]

19 (or more) Kisses Deep

For @darcyfangirlsfrequently

Ship: Garvez (of course)

Summary: It's Luke's Birthday and surprises are in store...a sweet little ficlet for an amazing Garvez writer and all round awesome Darcy! Happy Birthday, Eh?

Words: 1400ish (not all mine - some belong to Leonard Cohen)

🎵🎶…takes you down….to her place by the river…🎶🎵

"So just so I understand, son…" Rossi's eyes twinkle as he raises both his eyebrows and his glass in a mock toast. "...you are doing all this as a surprise for Penelope to celebrate YOUR birthday? I am not criticising - but I have never seen anyone concentrate so hard on making crustless cucumber sandwiches in my life." 

At the mention of Penelope, Luke can't help but break into a sheepish goofy grin. Rossi is right - it is crazy.

🎵🎶…and you know that she's half-crazy but that's why you want to be there 🎶🎵

Luke wipes his hands on the "Kiss the cook twice - I'm Italian!" apron the older agent passed to him wordlessly about an hour ago when he first invaded Rossi's kitchen with a large cardboard box of groceries, a "Best of Leonard Cohen" CD, and a "thank you" bottle of scotch. 

🎵🎶 And just when you mean to tell her that you have no love to give her - 🎶🎵

The lyric seeps its meaning into Luke's brain - dissolving his smile - and prompting him to grab his beer and take a long pull… no wonder he can't convince Penny he honestly loves her.  Poets. Bah.  Always making things so complicated.  Give him the Beatles any day over this dross "With a love like that you know you should be glad." Simple.  To the point.  Poetry. Why does she adore this dumb Canadian crooner anyways?  

"Hey.  Watch your mouth you chuckle-head, no speaking ill of the Lord Byron of Rock'n'Roll. We had some very interesting conversations in '77, I'll have you know."

Luke didn't even realise he had spoken aloud.  

🎵🎶 Then she gets you on her wavelength...And she lets the river answer that you've always been her lover 🎶🎵

"Sorry.  I didn't know you knew him personally."

"Don't worry about it.  What you should worry about is those scones - they are smelling like they might be just about done."

Luke's eyes widen in slight panic, sets down his bottle with a thunk, and spins to check on the oven where his strawberry streusel scones have been cheerfully baking for the last 19 minutes. He sighs with relief when, after yanking open the oven, it's clear from the delicious smell, the perfectly browned tops, and Rossi's chuckles - they are perfect.  

"Use the oven mitts!" says Rossi as he tosses a red quilted pair at Luke - who naturally grabs them out of the air and tugs them on grinning.  

"Yes, sir!"

Luke pulls the pan of scones out of the oven.  Breathing in deeply and he grins like an idiot to himself as he carefully moves the toothsome wedges to the cooling wrack.  He even starts to hum…

🎵🎶And you want to travel with her, and you want to travel blind, And then you know that you can trust her...For she's touched your perfect body with her mind 🎶🎵

Hmm maybe there is a reason why Penelope likes this guy so much…

The song ends and another starts - low and slow - and Luke turns back to the cucumber sandwiches.  He'll finish them and then start on the pinwheels - cream cheese and maraschino cherry - and then do some apricot chickpea curry endive boats to round out the table.  

🎵🎶 If you want a lover -I'll do anything you ask me to 🎶

He should probably pre-boil the water too so that he can warm the tea pot just before she arrives too.  

🎶🎵…If you want a partner, take my hand, or If you want to strike me down in anger…🎶🎵

Ok...yes. Maybe...maybe... this guy does know a thing or two….chuckling over the memory of Penelope storming at him over something or other.

🎵🎶 Here I stand. I'm your man. 🎶🎵

Luke's hands still as the next lines wash over him.

🎵🎶 If you want a boxer...I will step into the ring for you 🎶🎵

Yep.  Definitely knows a thing or maybe nineteen.

🎵🎶 And if you want a doctor...I'll examine every inch of you...If you want a driver, climb inside...Or if you want to take me for a ride...You know you can! I'm your man. 🎶🎵

He shivers at the thought of examining every inch of her…of insides… of rides…

This had better work.  It's his last Hail Mary.  If, after today, Penelope is not willing to give him a chance… a real chance this time....

…well, that will truly be the end of it, won't it? 

His heart rebels at the thought and the song echos the frustrating truth: for him? There will never be an end.

🎵🎶…And I'd howl at your beauty...like a dog in heat...and I'd claw at your heart...and I'd tear at your sheet...I'd say please (Please)...I'm your man 🎶🎵

His hand tightens around the handle of the knife he was using to slice off the last cucumber sandwich crusts.  Why doesn't she get that this is it for him?  That she's it for him.  That he's…he's…her man?

🎵🎶 If you want a father for your child...or only want to walk with me a while across the sand - I'm your man 🎶🎵

Oh Hell.  True.  All true.  All desperately outrageously frustratingly gloriously true.

The song pulses under his ruminations - pulsing and pleading - begging for any crumb… weirdly strong in it's subservience…

🎵🎶 I'm your man 🎶🎵 

The final cords swell and ebb away… and in the beat between tracks he-

"Newb-Luke-Birthday Boy???  What are you doing here?"

Luke's head snaps up and he stares.

It's like thinking of her has summoned her.  

She is wearing the outfit she was wearing the day she met Roxy - all oranges and yellow sunshine  …the day he knew he was a goner….. and just like she always crashes into his life - awkwardly sweetly infuriatingly - she is here early and is carrying some giant box of something or other.  And as usual… he's not ready - caught off guard - consumed…but can't help but grin like an idiot as his heart starts to do it's joyful Penelope-wiggle-of-joy.  

Damn.  I'm HER man.

"What am I doing here?  What are you doing here?  ROSSI?!?!?"

The older agent appears behind a sputtering Penelope and then with a too-innocent too-indulgent too-self-sastified curl of his lips - the pompous ass that is David Rossi shugs into his coat, turns on his heel, and jangles his car keys in the universal sign of "I'm going out".

Penelope is now the one spinning on her heel - echoing Luke's "Rossi!" but her boss cuts her off.

"You're both very welcome.  Now be good, kids. Help yourself to anything you can find. I'll be back at midnight.  Lock up when you leave and don't turn into any pumpkins!"

The next song is well begun now and they watch helpless as Unit Chief David Rossi literally waltzes out on them - shamelessly adding his baritone to Cohen's bass… "...take this waltz, take this waltz! With its very own breath of brandy and death!"

Penelope spins back to Luke - but slowly - gathering her thoughts. 

Why is he here? He wasn't supposed to arrive until much later.  She was supposed to decorate and everyone was supposed to arrive and then Matt was supposed to swing by with him on the way home from a birthday dinner with "Uncle Luke" and they were all going to jump out and yell surprise and Emily had ordered a cake and…. Well apparently something else is happening… those Sneaky Mc Sneakertons!

"Luke?  What's going on?"

"I…I…I think…"

🎵🎶 There's a concert hall in Vienna...Where your mouth had a thousand reviews 🎶🎵

"...I think…I think our team is as tired as I am of waiting." 

And with that Luke puts down the knife, pushes himself away from the counter, crosses to his bambi-eyed love, takes the box and set it on the floor, and then draws her into his arms, their eyes lock, their hands clasp, and their lips tingle as they sway into a kitchen waltz.

🎵🎶 And I'll dance with you in Vienna...I'll be wearing a river's disguise...The hyacinth wild on my shoulder...my mouth on the dew of your thighs 🎶🎵

They move as though they have always danced…always will dance…close and smiling…Penelope tilting to smile up at him…Luke tilting his head to breath her in…

🎵🎶 Oh my love, oh my love...Take this waltz, take this waltz...It's yours now, it's all that there is 🎶🎵

And they come to a stop and finally finally their lips meet in a slow deep kiss filled with promise. 

When they part - Penelope's eyes are closed and she is so so still…

"Pen?"

And with that Penelope can't help but twinkle up at him and lean in to whisper…

"Apparently you're Italian and I am supposed to kiss you twice."

And so…she does.  

…although they hardly stop at two.

🎵🎶 There ain’t no cure…there ain’t no cure… there ain’t no cure for love. 🎶🎵

[quillyfied]

Things I’m noticing on this rewatch, which I’m hoping to take slow and ponder on but we will see how it goes, PART ONE (obviously major Good Omens season 2 spoilers throughout, specifically for S2E1):

- Angel Crowley’s hair is so bright and curly! The shade feels more like his new post-apocalypse ‘do, which I find curious. New hair is obviously still much darker but it’s that more unnatural shade of red that could be very bright indeed under the right lighting.

- Aziraphale trying to soften angel Crowley up for his warning by complimenting the colors of the nebula first. People pleaser already, I see.

- The opening: that bit where they separate. They’re on the wrong sides. Then they move past each other to the right sides. Then they separate backwards to the wrong sides again, and that’s when the bridge between planets behind them breaks apart. Pretty obvious visual representation of where they end the season, but I do have to wonder about the emerging “they swapped again” theory and if this back and forth motion could be pointing to that.

- Initial analysis about Maggie: cute as a button, blonde, runs a shop of antiques not particularly useful or lucrative in the modern world, formal style of writing, accommodating to the people around her (perhaps to excess), vintage aesthetic all the way around: immediate thought is that of course she’s a mirror to Aziraphale the same way Newton Pulsifer is. Let’s see where it goes.

- I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THIS SPY EXCHANGE ON THE BENCH BEFORE SHAX SHOWS UP. Also why aren’t we talking about Shax more??? She’s a delight! The way she’s absolutely befuddled by how humans outdo her at her own job, the weird strained but sort of mentor/mentoree and also informant relationship she has with Crowley, how she is also probably one of the best dressed in Hell without the smell and blemishes and obvious animal aspect…she’s fascinating and I can’t wrap my head around her. Is she supposed to be a dragon? I could deffo see dragon.

- “What’s the point of it all?” Oh Crowley. So correct.

- His hair matches her dress. Significant that they match??

- Half rations of what???

- The correction of the peas. I weep. Has the air of all the times Neil has probably been corrected about it on tumblr and elsewhere for the bread in the book XD

- There are a lot of Statues of Liberty in Nina’s coffee shop. Why??

- Initial analysis about Nina: cool, collected, blunt, friendly but not familiar, hipster vibes, popular store and business model without being a model business owner, seems like she has it all together but has a pretty big lingering anxiety in the form of a controlling relationship: perfectly fine mirror for Crowley, like Anathema Device. Continuing to see where it goes.

- John Hamm’s befuddled face is the highlight of his performance for me, bc he has such a commanding gregarious menace for playing Gabriel and it’s weird to see it replaced for just…gregarious :P

- I know this is a horrifying moment but can we take a moment to just appreciate the comedy of Aziraphale seeing Gabriel’s whole bare bottom before realizing whose bottom it is? Gosh and the hug. So awkward. (THE JIGGLE)

- John Finnemore also excels at writing idiots. Jimbriel has John’s fingerprints all over it. The conversation is golden.

- This conversation with Michael makes much more sense now tbh but. Want to talk about it in full later, when we have all the information.

- I’ve noticed it since we got promos but: Jimbriel using the angel wing mug and Aziraphale using the blue teacups just…strikes me. Could be because he’s having tea and not cocoa. But still. Hmm. Interesting.

- Aziraphale’s immediate panic over knowing what it’s like to be close to a person. Hmm. Yes. Quite. (And a moment to enjoy Gabriel, even in some pretty extreme amnesia, knowing Aziraphale is safe and will help him. Not so much warm fuzzies over GABRIEL knowing that as it is Aziraphale getting to HEAR that from someone who should by all accounts not feel safe with him at all. Guardian instincts being validated. This won’t backfire.)

- Listen maybe it’s just because I watched the Barbie movie the night before I watched GO2 but all I’m thinking when seeing Jimbriel is that his Kenergy is off the charts. And I know that basically just means he’s at peak himbo performance but Kenergy feels more appropriate right now. More introspections there later, I think.

- Formulating a thought about the box, about how it has very prominent double red arrows and “this way up” on it…and the instructions were on the bottom. Something something Heaven/Hell Gabriel/Beelzebub symbolism?? Foreshadowing for The Final Fifteen Minutes, maybe for season 3 itself????

- “You’re funny. I love you.” UH HEY JIMBRIEL. JIM CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT. GUYS CAN WE JUST. DISCUSS THE LAYERS OF THAT. Not here, obviously, but at some point.

- The thing about writing an idiot is that they have exactly the wrong intelligence for the situation at hand. It makes them very funny. Even more so when their intelligence actually happens to be helpful.

- THE FLYYYYYYY

- Muriel!

- Oof. Sexy Bentley animations.

- “Now that I’m not reporting to Heaven” INGRAINED BEHAVIORS THAT NEED ADDRESSING, PERHAPS?

- I feel like we don’t talk about “six shots of espresso” enough. I realize it’s been like two days and there’s a lot going on but SIX. SHOTS. OF. ESPRESSO. CROWLEY. It expressly does not calm him down. Oh hey instrumental Bohemian Rhapsody!

- I paused just to fully take in the affronted look on Crowley’s face at “naked man friend” XD

- Crowley downs six shots of espresso in one go and then comes face to face with the exact being of his worst nightmare. No wonder he blows a literal lightning gasket.

- Aziraphale knows about Shax. Interesting.

- Ask him properly? Interesting turn of phrase. And Crowley leaps in immediately between them. Of course he does. Ask him properly meaning be threatening about it this time, I suppose?

- I. AM. DUSTING. ITS YELLOW. HHHHHGK.

- Crowley solution: get rid of the problem, run from it. Get away from it. Aziraphale solution: confront the problem, solve the problem, go charging into the helping of the problem. Hmm. Interesting.

- The whole “our exactlies are not the same exactly” IIIIINTERESTING.

- “I thought we carved it out for OURselves.” “SO DID I.” Y’all I cannot WAIT for the parallel gif sets. This conversation, the bandstand, the sidewalk, and The Final Fifteen Minutes. Phew. Knockout parallels.

- That was a surprisingly petulant lightning strike tbh

- Michael and Uriel sniping at each other. Somehow love it. BUT ALSO. This conversation has so many damn LAYERS now!! Heck!!!

- The floating armchair. Heck yeah.

- The distance between Muriel and the archangels, the way they talk down to her so thoroughly…heck.

- Like how the Resurrectionist matchbox has the skull and crossbones but also the Bible verse on the side. The two halves of the sign, brought together.

- MORE FLIESSSSSS

- Beelzebub’s tactic for trying to get Crowley to help find Gabriel is…interesting. I might have to make a whole separate post to analyze this scene. The matching chairs, the determined way Beelzebub’s pursuit of the hunt isn’t immediately suspicious, the flattery, but most importantly, it’s getting its own bullet point:

- The way Beelzebub shares the bit about Extreme Sanctions and how that is enough to flip Crowley’s Protect Aziraphale switch. He’s on the hook, because now there are actual stakes.

- I wonder, though, at how I didn’t immediately catch that Michael saying “anyone found HELPING him” was said. Anyone caught helping Gabriel. Why would helping an archangel be cause for Extreme Sanctions?? Surely it would be a good thing for anyone, even Aziraphale, to have kept a vulnerable Gabriel safe all this time. I’m chalking it up to first time watching excitement and sleep deprivation but huh. HUH.

- Anyway, back to Beelzebub; they immediately offer a reward to Crowley, a carrot instead of the stick. And Duke of Hell is on the table. Interesting. Weird. And their wording is anyone “involved in the affair.” Very slightly different context. Wouldn’t give away that Heaven is indeed on a manhunt (angel hunt?), but not for the exact reason you would expect.

- I wonder about the temporal implications of being erased from existence. And how this very serious and apparently mythological mode of punishment is coming back in season 3. Hmm. Hmm hmm hmm.

- Also Beelzebub’s “report to me first” I SEE YOU NOW

- Nina and Maggie’s lock-in is…hmm. The “no judgement” about drinking thing strikes me as something someone with a very religious upbringing would say to a friend who drinks. Bit clunky, lot condescending. Interesting way to get to a segue.

- Good old fashioned lover boy better have an amazing comeback next season XD

- LOVE seeing the onscreen effects for the text messages, love the way they’re like crumpled up notes, love the immediate energy that brings to this already suspicious relationship. Sigh.

- I knew “I’m back” had petty marital bickering energy from the trailer but I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH.

- Also brief moment of real sadness for how this is a rehash of “angel, I’m sorry, whatever I said, I didn’t mean it. Good? Yes? Get in the car.” Just smoothing over the rough patch so they can move on rather than. Yknow. Talking about it and fixing it.

- Also notice how the apology dance doesn’t actually involve saying “I’m sorry.” It’s more an admission of the other person’s intellectual or moral superiority. Which is. Funny! But also. Sad!

- Jim. Jim you were just outside earlier. Jim please.

- I notice the “little” miracle is done over the portal to heaven. Hmm. I thought at first maybe Jimbriel’s latent archangel abilities were at play but I much prefer the “together Crowley and Aziraphale are super powerful without meaning to be” interpretation, because it makes The Final Fifteen Minutes make SO much more sense.

- The miraculous plume is pink <33333

- The inherent comedy of “nobody will notice a thing!” *BLARING ALARMS* XD reminds me of “he’ll have an enormous hellhound with him! He’ll be easy to spot!” *cut to Dog* from season 1 :P

- Okay, final thoughts on this first rewatch: yeah the foreshadowing and scene-setting is impeccable. Great energy. Loving it! Picking up on so much more tiny hints and clues! Missing God’s narration but it really says a lot, actually, that She isn’t there anymore. No Agnes Nutter book for guidance, no scriptural references to necessitate God’s voice being present…different flavor.

Okay! Might do episode 2 tonight, as well, but I have Things to do first! We will see!

[clothyume]

Astraea's Atelier: Ally of Justice Part Four

Ally of Justice: Part 4 

Summer 

(10 minutes later, Shu’s Atelier) 

Shu: We’re here. 

This is the atelier the owner of my boarding house lent me.

It seems the owner was originally using this as a clothing store office, so unfortunately the workspace isn’t very wide. 

Kurou: Honestly, you’d complain about anything. This place is super extravagant and beautiful, are you using it by yourself? 

Shu: Is there a problem with that? 

Kurou: No, yeah. I completely forgot, you’re the son of a wealthy family. In an environment like this, it’s just not enough. 

This atelier alone is way bigger than the room at my parent’s shabby apartment. It’s so amazing I almost can’t feel the difference in economic power. 

Chiaki: Ooh! This is awesome, Itsuki! Like a secret base! Is there anything up these stairs? 

Hoho, this is probably where we can hold a strategy meeting or something! 

Shu: Don’t run around. Are you a small child? 

Chiaki: But exploring a big, cluttered building like this is fun! It reminds me of when I went to a ninja house with Sengoku! 

It’s a shame there aren’t any ninjas in France. 

Shu: Anyway, we aren’t here for me to boast about my atelier, I have something to show you. 

Chiaki: Yep! We’re here to investigate your supernatural phenomenon! 

Kurou: Haha. I probably shouldn’t find it interesting, but I’m starting to get pumped up. 

Maybe I should ask someone to take pictures and follow the case until it’s solved. 

The content of the travel programme is still lukewarm, so we can make it about exorcising evil spirits or something. 

That way even if we don’t wander aimlessly, we can still just talk about this place. 

Chiaki: You’re only saying that because you don’t like riding in vehicles, Kiryu… Hmm, exterminating ghosts is more of a Ryuseitai thing to do. 

And ghosts are scary… Wait, no, it’s completely off topic for a travel programme. 

Kurou: It’s always been common to make TV shows travelling to different haunted spots. 

Shu: Hmph. It’s great that you have business spirit, but don’t tie everything to your work. 

That’s related to your idol activities, and this is my private issue. 

Chiaki: Yup! We don’t plan to poke fun at your troubles, so don’t worry! 

Kurou: Haha. That’s true. Morisawa is desperately trying to deflect the fact that he’s freaked out by the paranormal. 

Chiaki: Th-That’s just not true! I can take on anything! I’m Chiaki Morisawa with a flaming heart! I won’t run and hide from anything! 

Leo: Roar! You guys, let's make it into aaaaaaart☆

Chiaki: KYAAAAAAAAAA!? 

Kurou: Huh, Tsukinaga!? What the hell are you doing here? 

Leo: Wahaha☆ I thought something was lively and I saw familiar faces! What kinda situation is this? Ah wait, don’t tell me! I’ll guess! 

Shu: …You just enter at your own convenience don’t you, Tsukinaga. 

Kurou: Eh? He comes here often? What is he, a stray cat? 

Shu: …He’s tried to break in plenty of times, and each time he physically pried open the window or broke the door. 

It would be a problem if he destroyed everything, and I don’t really want to involve the police, so I gave him a duplicate key to my atelier. 

It seems he uses it come and go as he pleases. 

Which is all well and good, but he has a habit of not locking the door… 

Because he leaves the doors wide open, anyone and everyone can come in from outside, which is a problem. 

Leo: Wahaha! I get a lot of work from around the world these days, that’s why whenever I come to France I pay Shu a visit! 

And it's comfortable here! 

Shu’s creations are always strewn about here and there, so whenever I see them I get inspired! The inspiration just flows…☆

…Recently, the number of un-Shu-like works has been increasing.

Chiaki: W-What do you mean? Umm, Tsukinaga…? 

Leo: Huh? Are you okay! Why did you fall down, are you sick!? Should I call an ambulance? 

Shu: This situation is becoming rather chaotic… As is always the case with the three of you. 

Alas, even though I moved to this country to be free from such troubles and work on my art in peace. I suppose that’s life, it can’t be helped.