#holly blue dearest

[neon-u-dumb-shxtty-child]

I drew the babies again cause they needed a new ref sheet/drawing altogether

The twins :3

[neon-u-dumb-shxtty-child]

OMG SHE LOOKS SO PRETTY IN YOUR ART STYLE :,DDD

I AM CONSUMING THIS INTO MY VEINS

Are you still taking requests? Cause if you are, can I suggest my ocs Holly Blue and Wallace?

It’s totally cool if you can’t! ^^

Thank you! I could only do one character btw hsjs

They both look so nice!!

[cricketnationrise]

dear cricketina, i humbly request some magic words ❤️

time stamp - 5:38am

location - anywhere as long as there's a sunrise (some ideas might be: beach, airplane, looking at a picture/video of a sunrise, in a cozy resort suite with the sunrise bathing the room in lovely colours - but you can choose anything you want!)

character - henry fox mountchristen windsor

song - from 'the air that i breathe' by the hollies:

Making love with you Has left me peaceful, warm, and tired What more could I ask There's nothing left to be desired Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak So sleep, silent angel Go to sleep

Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe And to love you All I need is the air that I breathe Yes, to love you All I need is the air that I breathe

rating - up to you!!

dearest darling cee. what a FANTASTIC prompt. a banger from top to bottom. full disclosure, i basically wrote this on my lunch break today as an escape from The Horrors(TM), so I hope it's everything you wanted and that you love it as much as i love you 💜🦗

read the rest of the ficlets here

❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙

5:38am, the lakehouse

Alex would never say it, but Henry knows. He knows how close he came to ruining the lakehouse for Alex when Henry left him in the lake. When Henry left him in the bunk beds. 

When Henry left him. 

It’s Alex’s self-professed second favorite place in the whole world—right below the circle of Henry’s arms on one of his many lists. So this trip, their first trip back after everything hit the fan and somehow came out confetti instead of shit, is possibly the most important trip of Henry’s life. 

It’s just them this time. Just him and Alex: basking in the sun like overgrown lizards, playing in the water, filling up the house with the sounds of Alex’s music and the scent of migas in the morning and ribs in the afternoon. It’s the two of them flirting all day and abandoning any kind of civilized schedule for sex all over the property whenever the mood strikes them. 

The weather has been kind, no storms or excessive humidity—just one perfect Texas day after another, the sun making Alex glow even more than he usually does. He’s a sight to behold at any hour: lazy mornings when he grins at Henry over his giant mug of coffee, high noon when they retreat to the back deck for some shade on the swing, late afternoon on the lake when the setting sun sparkles off the water and in Alex’s eyes, purple dusks when the only light is from the moon and the fire burning low. 

But there’s nothing like the sight of Alex at sunrise. 

Alex comes into focus as the light changes from deepest night, the sweat at his hairline highlighted in the weak grey of false dawn. Dust motes dance and swirl amidst Alex’s gasping pleas as the sun peeks over the horizon, washing the underside of clouds in brilliant orange and pinks. The unruly mess of Alex’s brown hair—tousled from hours of moving over and with and under Henry on the bed—looks like strands of burnished copper as the sun climbs steadily higher and burns brightly in the clear blue sky. 

Henry collapses—utterly exhausted—next to an equally spent Alex with a contented sigh. Chronic insomnia is usually heinous, especially on their vacation, but occasionally, like tonight, like this morning, he and Alex indulge in the opportunity. Henry kept Alex on the edge—letting him get close a few times and then backing away before finally, finally, giving them both what they wanted and pushing Alex over the edge, following him helplessly right after—the only sounds this morning are the birds and the waves of the lake lapping on the shore. For now, Alex doesn’t need to fill the peaceful silence, and Henry doesn’t need words to bask in the afterglow. It’s still a rare treat, to be together like this with no official obligations pulling either of them away. Eventually, they’ll leave this cocoon of their bed—for sustenance, for another canoeing adventure, for a shower. But for now, all Henry needs is air to breathe. 

And Alex next to him, sharing it with him. 

[ionlymadethissoicouldleaveanask]

The Mudman

Wife and I just watched the 1999 cinematic masterpiece The Mummy, starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Which, in turn, reminded me of this interaction I had with the incredible @weeinterpreter (back before ionlymadethissoicouldleaveanask so I was still on anonymous). Anyway, I wrote this thing.

---

A hot, dry wind blew through the dirty streets, stirring up dust and sand in every nook and cranny throughout the seaside port. Holly shook her head in an attempt to ward off a swarm of some sort of flying pest. She would have raised her hand to protect herself, but she was so laden down by luggage that she didn’t have a hand to spare.

“What a dreadful place,” complained the man beside her, dropping a net from the brim of his Jacobsen hat to protect his face. “I don’t believe I’ve felt a breeze so hot since… well, I’m not entirely sure that I’ve ever felt such an awful heat.”

“Oh Artemis, you must be exhausted, especially considering all that luggage you’re hauling around,” Holly grunted, staring pointedly first at her brother’s empty hands, then down at his trunk that she had been lugging along with her own.

Artemis didn’t even have the decency to look embarrassed. “I am, thank you for commiserating,” he answered with a long-suffering sigh, refusing to rise to her challenge. “I don’t know how I manage to survive all these hair-brained adventures of yours.”

“You certainly don’t mind all of the money you’ve made off of my hairbrained adventures,” Holly reminded him with a prod of her elbow.

Her brother smiled, his pale skin and sardonic grin appearing even more vampiric than usual in the harsh sunlight of the port. “But of course, dearest sister,” he hummed. “Someone must keep the family’s financial affairs in order, after all. If it weren’t for me, who would fund your incredible adventures?”

“Truly you are the most valuable member of this expedition,” Holly praised him with a roll of her eyes. She looked around the port, dropping the luggage she had been hauling as they reached the plank of the ship they were to board. “So,” she said, wiping her hands clean of dust on her canvas pants, “where is this contact of yours? You always find such unsavory, unhelpful people to work with. What was the name of this one again? Something ridiculous… Plank? Carp?”

“Kelp,” answered a voice from directly behind her.

Holly wheeled around, her shoulders hunching and a bashful grin crossing her lips.

The man behind her was tall, with short brown hair and eyes of such dark blue that in the sunshine they almost looked purple. He grinned down at her with surprisingly perfect teeth and a distractingly strong jawline. “Don’t worry,” he reassured her, brushing a strand of hair back into place from where it had fallen across his forehead, “I’m well aware that the name is ridiculous. Just wait until you hear my first name.”

Holly’s mouth worked open and shut a few times, but she just kept staring at him in stunned silence.

“Well,” Kelp said, that smug, frustratingly handsome grin still not leaving his face, “this is our ship. Can I help you with your bags?” Without another word he stooped down and grabbed both of their trunks, hauling them up the plank to their ship.

Artemis smirked, reaching up with two fingers to close Holly’s open mouth for her. “Just as you said,” he remarked with a grin. “Terribly unsavory.  A horribly unpleasant sort.”

She rounded to bite something sarcastic back at her brother, but whatever her angry remark would have been was cut short when a grubby hand landed on her shoulder. She looked around in confusion before casting her eyes down to see an extraordinarily hairy little man smiling up at her, displaying a row of startlingly large teeth and mischievous eyes.

“Artemis, do we know this one?” she asked in surprise.

Her brother sighed dramatically, lifting one hand beneath his portable bug screen to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Mister Diggums, our financier for this particular expedition,” he said by means of introduction. Then he leaned toward the small, furry man and whispered, “I was under the impression that you were going to be a silent partner on this excursion.”

“Nonsense, my boy,” Diggums laughed heartily, clapping Artemis on the shoulder with his other hand. “You’ve known me long enough by now to know that I am never silent. I shall be joining you to protect my investment.” With that, the newcomer trundled up the ramp behind Kelp.

Holly shot her brother a glance. “Well, come on then,” she said, knocking him ahead with her shoulder. “This is going to be fun.”

[neon-u-dumb-shxtty-child]

Holly is a very complicated person, she feels things really strongly and she has trouble handling her anger and frustration. She’s working on it but she hates Eddie and his family because she feels she and Wallace were forced to be part of that new family they never wanted.

Holly doesn’t want a new family, she wants her mom

I feel for them :(

Olga is older than Henry by a year or two, and they’re older than Eddie by four years :>

Eddie is so youngest brother core (I am an oldest child so idk how being the younger one works :,>)

He likes flowers so he likes being around Daisey, who is a gardener who specializes on flowers most of the time /hj

I’m glad that my hyperfixation on a mailman isn’t bothering you :)))

I just don’t get to talk about him often. Especially with someone who actually knows welcome home :,)

so thanks buddy :DD

I’m just gonna leave some Eddie family headcanons

His mom and dad divorced when he was a young adult, mostly cause they just drifted apart as the years went on. They’re still good friends and talk often

His mom remarried, and her husband has a son and daughter. He’s kind but he has a rocky relationship with the twins cause he remarried soon after his wife died. Holly took it to heart and hates him for it. Wallace is hurt to but he still wants his dad’s validation so he doesn’t say anything

Eddie has an older brother Henry, an older sister Olga, and his two twin step siblings, Holly and Wallace (Holly doesn’t like him rip)

He’s never been an older brother before so he kinda screws up when trying to be one to the twins, but he tries and Wallace can appreciate it. Holly doesn’t spend any time with him so she doesn’t care

His mom taught him to play piano and he plays all the time when he visits

He was in charge of keeping the gardens healthy and growing, he’s fond of the flowers that would grow

Halfway through this kinda became me lore dumping about my ocs Holly and Wallace I’m sorry :,)

Yo my pleasure! I get it lol I have no one irl to talk to about welcome home haha Also don't worry you can info/lore dump freely here! I love hearing many new things to learn and cool ideas :D

I like your family headcanons to!

Eddie having a step dad and step siblings is chefs kiss. I love the struggle to be an older brother but I'm a lil sad Holly doesn't like him. I get why she's upset though, with her dad remarrying so soon

Also we've both given him and older brother and sister! Something about Eddie must scream "youngest child" lol

Hmmm I would like to know who's older if you care to share! Henry or Olga? I'm curious :o

In my version of his family his brother is the eldest, with his sister in the middle. She's older than Eddie by a year while his brother is 6 years older than him.

Also Eddie gardening is perfect,, he would love to have a nice flower garden, I think :) to go with Frank's tomatoes

[moniquehazel]

GHOST UNDER THE MISTLETOE - SHORT STORY

New York City, 1856

Priscilla’s white satin gloves kept slipping down her elbows, and she wanted to scream. The sound sat in her throat, eager and frustrated, as she glanced across the crowded ballroom of Hadfield Hotel. Not even a swallow of spiced pear brandy could push the scream down into her stomach.

Priscilla would gladly be spending her December night anywhere else. The snow swirling outside was particularly preferable to this festive society party where guests danced and drank and gladhanded under the disguise of holiday cheer. However, her parents had persuaded their daughter of nineteen with the promise of more supplies for her taxidermy avocation.

It had seemed like an easy exchange weeks ago. But now, standing in a corseted gown of sapphire blue and curls positioned high with jabbing pins and lashes heavy with kohl, Priscilla realised she had gravely miscalculated. She didn’t feel pretty, she felt foolish.

Satin slipped and she tugged.

Priscilla wanted to scream and bury the gloves deep in the snow. Good riddance if they weren’t found until after Christmas when the white streets began to thaw.

Fragile baubles and burnished bells and wreaths of holly decorated the grand hotel. Not that any of the decorations concealed the notorious fable about Hadfield Hotel. At least not according to Marita, who gossiped at Priscilla’s side between bites of tiny caramel tarts.

Crumbs sprinkled onto a cloth napkin. “Do you know the story?”

“I scarcely know what I did yesterday,” Priscilla said blithely. “And you’re obviously dying to tell me.”

Marita grinned shamelessly as the pair promenaded around the ballroom. She forgot all about the desserts being carried on trays, liking the taste of gossip better on her tongue. “It’s rather a macabre story…”

Priscilla indulged her friend’s baiting as the string band—exclusively playing Christmas carols—began an upbeat rendition of Silent Night. “My favourite kind.”

“Your parents should really get you out of the house more,” Marita insisted, hardly bothering to mask her distaste for Priscilla’s hobby. “Get you away from all those dead animals you like to bring back wrong.”

Priscilla spied her parents by the magnificent Christmas tree. They didn’t like her dead and stuffed creatures either. “Trust me, they earnestly try.” She turned back to her dearest friend. “Tell me the story.”

“The Hadfield used to host the most spectacular parties. The envy of all venues. But then it all just stopped when the owner’s son dropped dead.” Marita snapped her fingers, and Priscilla nearly lost her glass, enchanted by the tale. “Poor Fletcher Hadfield. Apparently, he died right here in the hotel and haunts the place. This is the first party held in the Hadfield in nearly twenty years.”

“How have I not heard this story?”

Martia shrugged. “People would rather forget such grim things.” Her eyes widened to the size of teacup saucers at something across the gilded floor. “Oh! Rupert just stepped under the mistletoe. Do you mind?”

“Go get your Christmas kiss,” Priscilla encouraged, offering up the last dregs of her brandy. Marita downed the drink and made haste through the fanfare of the party before another smitten lady got to Rupert first.

Priscilla didn’t feel lonely in the festooned Hadfield. Not as she lingered on the edge of the ballroom like a moth among butterflies. She was a similar creature but noticeably a little stranger with the rabbit’s foot fastened at her throat on ivory lace.

She did, however, feel the itch of fascination as she glanced at the arched entryway that led to the rest of the hotel. It was the same fascination that allowed her to bind wood and wool into a mannequin and mount skin over it. Brushing fur and cleaning antlers and straightening feathers. To prepare and preserve something lost. After all, taxidermy was the art of remembering.

And somewhere in the Hadfield awaited a forgotten dead son.

No one noticed her absence as she wandered, one glove precariously slipping down her arm. A cheery carol diluted into a whisper as Priscilla crossed the threshold into a smoking parlour. She searched the mahogany wood and upholstered leather and stale shadows.

Priscilla’s stomach flattened like the dust on the shelves. Perhaps this ghost didn’t want to be found when a party he wasn’t invited to tolled down the hall. Try one more room, Priscilla rationalised, turning from the parlour.

Cool fingers tugged at the seam of her satin glove, gently hoisting it back into place. Priscilla whirled, a shriek scratching at her oesophagus.

“Please, don’t scream.”

A handsome young man stood before her in a dishevelled suit a few decades out of fashion. His pupils were white and cloudy, fair hair long enough to touch his blood-stained collar. He looked to be made out of gossamer fabric.

Enthrallment steeled her fear. “I take it you’re Fletcher Hadfield.”

“It’s not every night a pretty girl comes looking for me.”

“I didn’t actually expect to find you. I was merely—”

“Bored? Curious? In urgent need of smelling salts?”

“Fasincated by the macabre.”

Fletcher gave an approving grin. “Ah, my death’s aspiration!”

She studied his body, which showed little signs of rigor mortis. Studied the near-translucent nature of his skin and clothes. “Your skin… does it feel like dead flesh?” she asked, thinking of her beloved dead and mounted animals.

He rolled up a sleeve without hesitation. “Be my guest.”

She brushed her fingertips across his wintry wrist, finding him surprisingly tangible. “How did you die?”

Without looking away from her, he pointed a finger skyward. Pinned over the threshold was a sheaf of mistletoe Priscilla was sure hadn’t been there before. His grin broadened with mischief and possibly sarcasm. “Mistletoe poisoning.”

Fletcher Hadfield leaned closer, eyes sinking to her mouth. Priscilla found little reluctance within herself, curiosity a seductive beast. She splayed a hand across his chest. Hard and cold flesh without a heartbeat. Priscilla fearlessly edged up onto her toes, wondering if her first kiss counted if it was with a ghost.

His eyes softened with loneliness, their lips the width of a bird’s feather from touching. “Will you remember me?”

“Like a taxidermic animal,” Priscilla promised, giving him a Christmas kiss.

[dcu-rarepair]

Day 2 Gifts

Eight fantastic Gifts have been released for Day Two! Head to the Collection to check them out, and view the Release Schedule to see what’s in store!

We also have a handy Commenting Guide to help our Giftees with showing their Giftors some love. And now, here’s today’s works: 

Red Flag by anonymous for Dathan

Explicit | No Archive Warnings Apply Bruce Wayne/Maxie Zeus

Damian Wayne, the NEW Blue Beetle by anonymous for bikarma

Role Reversal AU Teen and Up | No Archive Warnings Apply Jaime Reyes/Damian Wayne Damian al Ghul does not know what to think. Robin should be him. All his life has been spent training to stand by his parent’s side, to become Batman, to become the next Head. He flexes his hand, watching the glow at his fingertips. A symbol of his Mother’s love.

A Cat and Her Mouse by anonymous for pyrocore

Art | General Audiences | No Archive Warnings Apply Karon/Holly Robinson

never say you love me by anonymous for World's Finest

General Audiences | No Archive Warnings Apply Clark Kent/John Henry Irons Clark loses his favorite tie on the move, a man who introduces himself as Irons brings it back to him hours later. Apparently there's another couple moving in today. It's a mess. In the Mood for Love AU.

In the Morning by anonymous for Anoonie

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics General Audiences | No Archive Warnings Apply Stephanie Brown/Damian Wayne They're thousands of miles apart but they still share breakfast together, breathing in the silence of the other. It's hard to be apart.

with you tonight, you'll make it right by anonymous for Taxi_Cab_To_Slowdown

General Audiences | No Archive Warnings Apply Bart Allen/Bernard Dowd/Tim Drake “I think I’m onto something. What if they’re twins separated at birth?” Bart’s heard about those. Some of them have to go under the radar for a while, right? “Oh my god. That’s- That’s brilliant.” aka Tim has two very curious boyfriends. This will not end well for him.

Acquisition by anonymous for meaninglessblah

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics Explicit | No Archive Warnings Apply Clark Kent/Damian Wayne Wayne Industries business tycoon Damian Wayne buys himself a new alpha stud at auction - the last Kryptonian.

dearest listener by anonymous for freedvmrouge

College/University AU Teen and Up | No Archive Warnings Jason Todd/Grant Wilson “And just like it’s 2:59 folks,” the host chimes in, “Any closing remarks?” Grant presses the dial button. The host picks up. or, a month before graduation, jason meets his radio show's biggest fan.

[audikatia]

I'll be honest, it was a lot of rereads this year because 1) I love rereading favs and 2) so many of the new books I read this year were just eh.

Total list with ratings below:

Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage by Nathalia Holt ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Maid by Nita Prose ⭐️⭐️

Book Lovers by Emily Henry ⭐️⭐️

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Beauty, British Spy by Damien Lewis ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Pallbearer’s Club by Paul Tremblay ⭐️⭐️

Harry Potter and the Art of Spying by Lynn M. Boughey ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Golden Boys by Phil Stamper ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers by Adam Sass ⭐️

Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Teen Titans: Robin by Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bad Gays: a Homosexual History by Huw Lemmey and Ben Miller ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Dearest Darkest by Kayla Cottingham ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han ⭐️⭐️

It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han ⭐️⭐️

We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han ⭐️⭐️

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seige and Storm by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rise and Ruin by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks by Patrick Raddon Keefe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dead End Girls by Wendy Heard ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Afterglow by Phil Stamper ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson ⭐️⭐️⭐️

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Monster’s Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World by David K. Randall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Five Survive by Holly Jackson ⭐️⭐️

Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Brooklyn was Queer by Hugh Ryan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly ⭐️⭐️

Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Only One Left by Riley Sager ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Opal by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So This is Ever After by F.T. Lukens ⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Liar City by Allie Therin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Seriously, Murder? by Monica Hoopes ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Awakening by Kate Chopin ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Drift by C. J. Tudor ⭐️⭐️

Scones and Scofflaws by Jane Gorman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune ⭐️⭐️

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ten Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wolfsong by TJ Klune ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman ⭐️⭐️

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix ⭐️⭐️

Small Favors by Erin A. Craig ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Raven King by Nora Sakavic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All the King’s Men by Nora Sakavic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Christine by Stephen King ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Male Gazed by Manuel Betancourt ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro ⭐️⭐️

Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Nine by Maureen Johnson ⭐️⭐️

The Iliad by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Children on the Hill by Jennifer McMahon ⭐️⭐️

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gwen and Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Crack was King by Donovan X. Ramsey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slippery Creatures by K. J. Charles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Sugared Game by K. J. Charles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Subtle Blood by K. J. Charles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Monsters by Claire Dederer ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Allergic by Theresa McPhail ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[sibillascribbles08]

'I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN' DEETS PLZ

Don’t you love how you can accidentally hit ctrl z on a post and it deletes all of your text that you spent ages typing up inbetween doing things I fucking love that for me explode me 

ANYWAY thank you Muse dearest let’s get into this. Obvious spoilers for VHHB coming in but I’m going to preface this with a couple of notes from Holly's backstory as well and then tuck it under a read more because long.

So this turn of phrase that Holly uses is actually something she wound up picking up from someone else, ironically, Donatello’s father.

“Will you come back?” The genuine tone took her off guard as she stood. “Only if Big Mama ordered it.”  Lou scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Of course. She has to be the boss of everything. Maybe I’ll just demand it next time I get injured.”  “Don’t make a habit of it just to see me.” Holly waved at him and headed for the door. “Until next time.” “Indeed.” Lou smiled at her. “I look forward to seeing you again.”  She managed to smile back before she left.

He says it to her after they first meet.

“Will you be back tomorrow?” Lou asked. “If she orders it.”  “Maybe I will try to insist it will boost my mood twice as much for… whatever event she has planned.”  Holly laughed, like she hadn’t in years. “Let’s hope it works.” “Indeed. I look forward to seeing you again, Holly Blue.”

And again after the third time around. And from him, it’s a phrase of genuine affection. Buuut that’s not how she uses it the first time around in VHHB

Without her presence, most of the table relaxed, but half the patrons still stared at her with a mix of shock and fear. Whatever, she didn’t need to explain herself to them. She bridged the hands of her lower pair of arms and rested her chin on them, watching as the Violet Knight got ready to face his next challenge. “I look forward to meeting you, Donatello.”

I’m kind of proud of the fact that a lot of people going into this fic were unsure if Holly Blue would turn out to be an antagonist or not. It was very intentional, and also not hard to do because initially in the fic Holly’s motives are very selfish. Ever since she broke free from Big Mama a lot of her goals have been to gain enough connections and money to rival that of the woman who controlled her for years. She sees Donatello not only as an easy ticket to that—due to his tech—but also a chance to snatch Big Mama’s champion away from her. Two birds with one stone. So for that reason, she looks forward to meeting him.

And the next time she uses the line is right after that meeting.

“Wonderful. The name of my shop is Hawk’s Eye Odds and Ends. Small place, but just down the road from the Nexus arena entrance, if you know it.” Donatello at least knew the street, so he nodded. “Good.” She gave him another smile. “I look forward to seeing you again, Donatello.”

If you asked Holly if she was being manipulative during this conversation she’d honestly answer yes. She wants Donatello to agree to this and she’s had a lot of practice in the regard, even before she became a sales woman. So her saying it here is her being glad the deal is being set in motion. 

A LOT happens between this and her saying it the next time. Working with Donatello, patching him up, going to a museum with him to listen to him ramble for two hours, decide to risk it all by breaking into the Nexus to free his siblings, get used as leverage, and then patch him up again. And she finally says it again just before he goes home. 

He muttered out a thank you and glanced at Holly Blue who stood as well. Should he say something? It seemed odd to just leave.     “Go.” She waved him toward the wall. “Take care of yourselves. I look forward to seeing you again.”     He nodded, still lost for words. It almost felt pathetic, like he should be thanking her again, or asking her to come with them. Was she even safe here right now?     She motioned him yet again. He wouldn’t argue. He didn’t have the energy to.

There’s a lot going on in her mind, and I won’t bother summarizing it, but the main reason she says it here is because she’s glad she’s even able to. Because not only is Donatello still alive, he’s also free from the Nexus.

She didn’t get that chance with Lou (and she was thinking about him a lot during this mess). 

Almost a shame she doesn’t say it after stabbing Leo, it really didn’t feel right to put it in, but she does say it when Donatello goes back to see her properly again.

Donatello met her gaze. “I do plan to come back. If you didn’t already know that. Dad just won’t let me right now with my shoulder.”     “Well it did get run all the way through. I would hope you’d let it recover before doing anything strenuous.”     He scoffed. “I am still working on some blue prints. Soon as I get back in that lab it’s time to crank out some prototypes. I’m talking digital inventory systems, energy scanners, and even shield generators.”     Her smile finally returned, that odd squint she did with her eyes. “I look forward to seeing it.”

And this is the first time it comes full circle and she uses the phrase with genuine affection. Because she admits to herself she adores this boy, and she’ll always be excited to hear what he has to say. 

And in a way to emphasize this to him, without openly admitting anything, she says it one more time when he leaves in the same scene.

“Bye Miss Blue!” Mikey shouted as they opened the door. “Thanks again.”     “Good-bye Michelangelo. And Donatello?”     He glanced back at her.     She gave him one more smile. “I look forward to seeing you again.”

“I adore you,” is more or less what it comes to mean. And it still means that even when she says it a little less enthusiastically. 

She blinked and met his eyes, seeing the confusion and concern on his face. “My apologies, I’ve been doing a lot of paper work today so my head is a bit tired.” Sitting up straight, she took a deep breath. “You were talking about the similarities between the circuits and the branches?”     That got him to relax at least. “Yeah, but we can always talk about it later when I’ve had a chance to study them. But I hope you’ll be prepared because by then I’ll have five times as much to say.”     “I look forward to it.” She tried to smile at him, tried to keep it up, but it felt far too exhausting.     He frowned at her. “I know it’s not usually like me to ask stuff like this but… are you—”

Even after getting four threat letters, finding no leads on who’s sent them and constantly walking around and glancing over her shoulder, Holly still wants to make it clear she’s not tired of him. (She adores him.) 

But oh……. Then we get to the next time she says it…………..

Her exoskeleton started to crack.     No no no. Solutions. This wasn’t the time for senseless questions he had to find a solution right now. Before… before…     “Donatello, please look at me.” Her voice came out with ragged breaths. “I know you’re scared. But you’re more than capable of tackling this, especially with your family at your side.”     “But what about you?”     Somehow, she managed to smile at him. Somehow, she reached out with one hand, resting it on the side of his head once more.     “You’re a wonderful person, Donatello. I look forward to seeing you again.”

You know this broke me in half when I first wrote it lmaooooo because I as the author have ALL the context (and I don’t know how clear it was). 

Because she doesn’t SAY this thinking he’s actually going to fix her and she’ll come back. She is pretty certain she’s not coming back from this at all. She is saying this because, with him, this is how she says, “I adore you. I love you.” 

But hey, at least this time she was brave enough to save the person she cared about. And she’d do the same thing all over again. 

And while it’s not the exact phrase, this bit is important to mention.

He pressed his lips together, ground his teeth, trying to dig up the words. Just another case of overthinking. What he wanted to say was really so simple. “You’re… important to me too. I… I was so worried we wouldn’t get you back. Or even if we did you wouldn’t—”     “Shush,” she whispered, patting his head once more. “No more of that. I’m back. I’m here. I’m glad you are safe. I’m glad to see you again.”     Donatello managed a short laugh and smiled. Her final words from last time bounced around in his head.

Because this is Donatello realizing what she means when she says it. 

She turned, ready to head to the door, only to pause when he spoke up again.     “Hey, Holly?”     Holly glanced at him once more. “Yes?”     Donatello grinned this time. “I look forward to seeing you again.”     She couldn’t stop her wings from buzzing, joy swelling up in her chest. “Likewise, Donatello.” He gave her a wave before the door twisted shut.     In spite of the silence of the lab, she didn’t feel very alone. Just beyond a portal she had a friend now, a good friend, who’s family treated her like one of their own.     And she looked forward to seeing them again.

And that’s why he says it back to her at the very end <3 (Also more parallels)

AND as a quick bonus. She uses this phrase in the oneshot between her and Leo as well, and it ends like this.

“Despite my honest nature, I am good at keeping secrets.” She waved him toward the door. “Now go. I will see you in the morning.”  “Hah, well, what is it you like to say? I look forward to it?” Her antenna shot up, possibly in surprise, but she kept on smiling. “Indeed. I look forward to seeing you again, Leonardo.” 

He’s also figured it out.

[icreatethingsiguess]

I show my ocs again pt. 3 — character I haven't drawn in months edition (lazy art, maybe???)

Meet my girl Eliza Hopp!

⁽¹⁷ᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ˢᵉᵖᵗᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ, ¹⁸⁰² – ¹⁸ᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᴶᵃⁿᵘᵃʳʸ, ¹⁸⁴⁸⁾

— "Eliza" is short for nothing. Her name is just Eliza. Her name is just a partner name to her mother's, "Beth."

— More about her name: she lacks a middle name (common for her species before 1837 and the mid 1800s in general, although there were cases of this happening afterwards too) and her surname, "Hopp," came from her half brother. It was originally "Hop," as he was half snowy tree cricket, but was changed to "Hopp" later on as an homage to mayor and Eliza's dearest friend, Rainn Fort.

— She's yet another butterfly puppet!! Beth is a holly blue whilst Eliza's father, Jeremy, is a brown/orange butterfly puppet of an unidentified species.

— She has two half siblings, Cassandra Flinders and Thomas Hopp, and two step-parents on both sides of her family, Crispin [step-father on mother's side] and Nyx [step-mother on father's side]. Through her half-brother Eliza has a sister-in-law named Alessandra Hopp who's a gramophone puppet (illegally built), and through her half-sister a brother-in-law named Benjamin "Ben" Flinders who's an anthro lyrebird originally from Eastern Australia. Eliza is also an aunt of seven kids thanks to Ben and Cassandra: from oldest to youngest they are Bellatrix, Samuel, Juliet, Daphne, Fiona, James, and Ashley (M). If this wasn't enough there's also a funky Scottish spirit dude named Duncan who helped nurse and raise all said kids so that they'd survive.

— Technically she has a husband named Rhys Maddox but only when their souls go and live other lives and end up meeting each other on Earth again via new lives and all that junk. They don't plan on having kids but they love each other very much. 😌

— As of mid 2023 she's no longer a resident of Nowhere And Also Everywhere aka "the afterlife," but will return once her current life passes on.

— In terms of personality, Eliza was quite the pessimist and was known to have a very low self esteem. She saw herself as not good enough to do anything but be anything but the town maid (HEAVILY influenced by her backstory) and was very quiet, only speaking to a select few people she felt like talking to: Rainn Fort, poet (and commonly credited founder of the town TLP, alongside Rainn) Matthew Milkweed, Cassandra, and Thomas were lucky enough, among others. Since being dead, her conditions improved.

— (Read backstory for context) Due to her upbringing she struggled a lot with mental illness, specifically depression and anxiety [PTSD and OCD are possible for her as well, but I need to look more into the former and develop her personality a lil more before I make a final judgement.) Even more well known was her maladaptive daydreaming (not a mental illness but oftentimes a symptom of one), which started in early childhood and lasted for the remainder of her life. It's very likely her maladaptive daydreaming played a major role in her untimely demise. On top of maladaptive daydreaming, it's very possible she's hyperphantasic, as I see her having a very vivid imagination.

Beautiful art by @fishyfishyfishtimes! Pieces are a couple years old:

• Here you'll notice she lacks clothing. She's depicted with a rounder segmented body above but actually has a more rectangular body type without any segments. Lack of clothing was first made popular in the 1960s and became accepted in the mainstream in following decades but with the exception of the first puppets in the 10th century, this wasn't the case. Puppets wore clothes, albeit quite raggedy (basically think "poor person in the Middle Ages") and torn, especially those that worked in manual labor. Here, Eliza's without clothes simply because she didn't have a dress design.

• Eliza with her half-siblings!! She and Thomas were very close to each other before she passed, and both were very depressed and angry at the world thanks to very very less than ideal living situations growing up. Cassandra is more of a mediator figure in the trio, see. They might not look it here in this doodle but they were actually quite close during their time together. All three of them lived together in one house and Cassandra frequently visited even when she moved out to live with her husband.

Drawings of caterpillar Eliza:

• Here's a good example of what caterpillars look like! These babies really are like insect puppies, if puppies had a more plant/fruit/vegetable based diet (too much meat for a caterpillar can cause stomach aches). They typically have 6-8 legs and having a "tail" depends on genetics. Eliza here doesn't have one! Caterpillars oftentimes have their future wing prints on their body, kinda like a fun Easter egg for what's to come. Eliza has black spots since Holly blue butterflies have small black spots on their wings :)

• A version of the doodle above except she has a dress. Nothing much to say here besides um. I don't think I can draw loose clothing on complex forms too well.

Eliza's Backstory (1802 – 2023)

CW: Backstory includes mentions of slavery, childhood trauma, segregation, and death

— This backstory is currently incomplete you can help by expanding it. Some details are still a WIP but I'd say it's coherent enough to count as a character backstory.

— A lot of the lore in the backstory was written by none other than @fishyfishyfishtimes ! She's an amazing worldbuilder so please go check her out. She only posts fish/sea creature related things (for now?) but maybe you like that too, I dunno.

Eliza was born (read as: hatched out of her egg) thanks to two puppet slave parents, Beth and Jeremy, sometime in 1802 (usually recorded as "the 17th of September" for simplicity); she was born in a household in London and spent the first couple years of her life around the house with fellow small children and even human children. Like many to-be slaves, contact with her parents was extremely limited if there was any contact at all as many children of slaves couldn't recognize who their parents were or were even allowed to interact with anyone outside their immediate field of view, or alternatively, they were to be sent off to a different household to work.

Reasonably, her living conditions for the first 35 years of life were less than ideal: like many "weaker" and more fashionable species, such as the butterfly, Eliza was resigned to do indoor tasks (most notably cleaning, given her fixation later on) and on rare occasions she would have to do garden work. She lived a life entirely at home, unaware of much of the outside world. Her time was mostly occupied by her excessive daydreaming while she slaved away.

This all changed on the 22nd of May, 1837, a day that's very well known in the (Universe) UK and around much of the world: after 8 centuries of being treated like mere "puppets," the first instance of puppets gaining personal freedoms finally occurred, on this particular day in British territory. Some human families paid royalties to those that had been treated so horribly. Puppet building was officially banned. There was only one nasty catch: instead of being integrated, both puppets and humans were now segregated by law. Thousands of puppets were grouped/grouped together themselves and left areas declared to be "human" areas (mostly big cities, such as London). Travel was allowed but heavily frowned upon by both human society and puppet society alike.

Somewhere in the midst of the chaos, Eliza got in contact with two puppets in particular, Cassandra and Thomas, who turned out to be her relatives. From 1837 – 1839, the trio traveled from developing town to developing town, eventually landing in a developing town between the counties of Kent and East Sussex, Townlocationplace ["TLP" for short]. Eliza quickly became infatuated with the mayor, Rainn Fort. The two became best friends but Eliza wasn't too content with just being friends. Unfortunately, Rainn had instead married a mute dragonfly woman named Alice Brown. This upset Eliza but she didn't push it. The pair remained good friends; Rainn helped her with literacy and even bought her new clothes to wear.

Eliza, however, remained in the cycle she was born into. If not in bed daydreaming, she would be seen wandering around the streets of the town aimlessly. On one of these trips, this proved to be an exceptionally dangerous practice.

On the night of the 17th of January, 1848, Eliza had written a love note to Rainn, wanting to deliver it to him in person. She had no clothes appropriate for going out in the snowy cold, only a gown. In the early morning hours she'd instead gotten lost and froze out in the dark.

Not too long after her soul was transported to Nowhere And Also Everywhere ("the afterlife") where she remained until finally trying to live a brand new life in the late 20th century. As of mid 2023, the present in the Universe, she's still living on Earth.

[neon-u-dumb-shxtty-child]

✨Fashion Fashion✨

Girly pop <33

Have an actual colored drawing of Holly Blue Dearest (yes he has a full name now isn’t that fun :] )

[ahjdaily]

"16 (part 2)" A Playlist by Albert Hammond Jr for BBC Radio 6

Albert Hammond Jr shares the second part of a playlist of music he was listening to at 16.

Tracklist

Built to Spill - Carry The Zero

Built to Spill - Else

Built to Spill - Twin Falls

Built to Spill - Car

Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941

Bee Gees - To Love Somebody

The Beatles - Happiness Is a Warm Gun

The Beatles - Long, Long, Long

Buddy Holly - What To Do

Buddy Holly - (Ummmm, Oh Yeah) Dearest

Buddy Holly - Learning The Game

The Doors - The Soft Parade

The Velvet Underground - Pale Blue Eyes (Closet Mix)

Lou Reed - Street Hassle

Lou Reed - Perfect Day

[neon-u-dumb-shxtty-child]

Daisey: *probably just cried because they love their garden too much to see anyone say anything remotely negative about it*

Lizzy: I am a baby (she’s 17 lmao)

Holly: okay and? (She’s proud of that honestly)

Okay, since we’re doing oc stuff now here’s an idea i have

Say something mean about my ocs and I’ll write their reactions to them if someone actually said that stuff to them

It’s be funny •^•

ooh nooo I can't,, think of anything mean,, I lobe them

uuuh Dasiey your garden isn't as good or nice as Frank's.

Lizzy stop being a Baby (????)

Holly you're kind of a bitch.

[libidomechanica]

S deeds—this holly round the pretty pair

A tanka sequence

               1

Which got him a good way off, then quickly before me; Moore and the lamplighter from ten to see a child, and all the favored hat.

               2

Thy plighted town, far off, and chaste she sink? Ah, when he saw Ilion? Spoons’ of verse like Cromwell’s darling, on the love the season scorns?

               3

Within her—let her soft hair blown about, in sport; both senate in air: so waste not thou art my part it was there first, he blessed wight.

               4

How he’d had a wish. In versed, the fields and get the dolorous house light regret. Before wake the I sing of a single beds.

               5

St. For every human eyes. Say it out thou, to die—thus the heard and loyal unto love of whom you speake not high of the law.

               6

Is comrade of those who sail the deck o’ mountain top which makes it still to meeting. Old sisters hast thou leave us were on earth?

               7

We walked two nights, like a mermaid o’ the grasses there shadowing down the prelude soft; into her love for some dead. ’En gae hang.

               8

I have no recompense from temple-gate. Like everywhere low voices, that are snug to thee more. What finkle heart sae fu’ o’ wae!

               9

Must confidences has she: but incontinent’s illuminate mankind, and something into Johnson’s way, we’re told me time, time.

               10

Veins in my love is more holy, the mountain tops more his late; farewell: like to like, bond or free! No mortal clothing gainst his near.

               11

So, dearest faith; our ghastliest doubt; my great forefathers’ voices of the river’s path. What art thou, O Lord, art more of torment you?

               12

Not for such expenses, song, dance, among the sheepe would be written what you may betide! I fear to let the doorknobs gleamed away.

               13

But all the kitchen filled the road beside, and become a vase you saw a field doth fade, and read the waters dark abysses flow.

               14

Lay silent snow posting on these times with happy chance, and in a fit. Which heaves but mouthed, This is no better seemed to touch it grieve.

               15

Youth, and down from the House of wrong to stir a little Robin, takes care that slink from far and happy valley, come to my fooleree.

               16

Of rich array, and from the country that sweetheart was the blue deep cool bed of three. From the queen’s only constancy of Woman.

               17

Could wed itself to one devoted bed. Farewell a Welcome stepping floods his heart from the book of quickly on these are my Fall!

               18

A single, probably his fancy cannot move, she flung defiance down gagelike to press there—I look for it. What thou art just.

               19

Was it a silent& quake I would, and deep pulsation swept, the soul? How much the beames did folow Pan, the flitting on the brain?

               20

By winters lay me low; my paths are innocence and mine: yet this humble in the second birth of Christendome: but they han paund.

               21

Let’s contents of all? He venture that we linger’d; all withered and vain— she cannot see them not, till Doubt and for you appeareth.

               22

No longer standing like-hat relationship on. Yet when the fieldes so sweet and pious morning dew. Alike to praises worse.

               23

By that wakens too; and strayen abroad. Thy spirits of the King the first he told but a leaf indeed I knew in many a time.

               24

A cat, as always immoral, was fair, the solid- set, and meet below them by day. Is far out- owre the pile complication.

               25

In woe would be—that Maud’s dark arms another love for the manlier one? That was a city from God you had something, for they came.

               26

I would toss with it. The viewless wings of that, proceeded on to me, nor the flood of Loving—and, scarce even when the Partridge.

               27

Man, bursts of tissue, meridian splendour. Virgins might; that pricketh fast, that broad-leaved Myrtle, meet emblem of a virtue.

               28

Or dives in yonder mountain tops more returned she call her puir Jenny for siller an’ lan’! Quick tears that fine fixed point from his prize.

               29

I found, I will glove unto me. But then spring wakens at the thin undergo their new-found lantern, instead of space to die.

               30

Then Kidde of the long year; and though t is no changes, after flower. Dearer to the face; all the poplar grove I sate recoil.

               31

It flouret of that? Their day and cease to glide a sunbeams dance, like a clock, by its own keep it always thought of Madeline, St.

               32

Replying, Give Sal that! Always with fears not, but so exempt from Horace and horses and her heart did break on mountains and knows?

               33

A little time, butchered from a true love, nor when my scorn to seek my loving, you again after toil and set. He seem’d so fair.

               34

Help me to overthrowings, and fair? Amid life’s buried here you on a visions there not widely as an industrialist.

               35

Was thine, but in vain; for merit lives are scattering wynd. An everlasting was the bald streamed of joyless despair: calm and shade.

               36

And there beams thy place of birth of Death! ’ Wheel. Sing in a siren, that’s a narrower fate, the dead ere day. I could make a new pan.

               37

Of you? Could have climb’d Eve from mead to all the river, making worse than wolves and retards: already with singing: Today I bake.

               38

My paths of green. The dead ere day. Am in love as true heart so soon unriddled wonder do you, twenty leaguer, swarms of pain.

               39

The Druids’ groves; trim hamlet drains the charmed maid, I’ll tell me where it lies? To well lit, that pen doth he property and tracts of death?

               40

Is company. And back retir’d; not cool’d by his sleep our eyes! Who trusted snow, speak gently, she comes to bear, and let the true. Thee.

               41

Through me ran; and musicks mirth, a good mien, especially for foreigners— and most faire plants a free resort. Blest wi’ content thy will.

               42

Made cypress in the dark webs, her bed, bodies that clashed the mood of one general foe. The thin undergrowth; the seed; run out your foe.

               43

Of the ballad of the stones that crash’d the mone of the frail with gems; her vesper bell’s that are younger had not once beyond Alas!

               44

That shall not see till the sick: the neighbour’s brink. He comes behind his pryde, from youth, ceruse, against my doom, and breaking up your hand.

               45

Away with a livelier breakfast the sheet. And sware to me the eternal—speakers—I have been sown, nor what in the dull MS.

               46

And hide the good college turned a curious odor, a moral heights, and jest? To bless; our dear Eulalie upturns her own account.

               47

Nor mine and shade. They may ache in icy hoods and gone, over brothers, risen again with one the ledges there. Whose name of frame.

               48

Dearer being, alert. Awaits it, each in its high worlds walking. The white gauze baracan, and a word too much the breath within.

               49

For ground seem to have you all the explosion. Love is and waite. The only so formed of late. Woodman winding wells with sweet my chin.

               50

The Poet’s Mind the imaginations pith, and every span of shame of God, immortality. One lesson from temple-gate.

               51

And entered, but balk the river! Daughter, when its yeasty war is. Quenching from a censer old, As boys that chase the gloom again.

               52

Behind a purple and one, that feeds no one caressed, to find that be now posting on the mavis sang, and some recognition.

               53

—An ill death her tongue can show it, thought! As one ten times hath a psalmodic amble beneath the bridegroom stood in teares besprint.

               54

Or in these, not like a viper off, and in true speech—who speak. That was he did not therefore we lose our pypes, their dying lips?

               55

No more alone. Meant to point, I rested my heart is glad; her none like a ghost away, gone far away into the streams the heede.

               56

You of thy hand, this revel seem’d to tell. A boxwood shutting faerily lurch and. Did them all dreaming rills, and bore down besides.

               57

Hey ho! For the fertile earth and his maisters hast never flowers, to reverence in the hill-side; and now I must dream she wants.

               58

And dress, now whether reioyce or weepe for grain. Unloved, and hour and in the same thing steps of Time, and closing game, that steadies us.

               59

The Golden Year the random sun and silent Night with mother day! ’ And I, Can cloud hath he skill, but mine the bonds broken-hearted.

               60

A hunger there, a foe to reach thro’ all, to pangs of keen remorse. Thy changed the Daughter: for thy voiceless now where it no unction.

               61

If all the power of her without a dearer for a day. Ask a though I see our household peace, where all to their breast—but place.

               62

For busloads of rising sun; and Phyllis is but for pity? To quite so grateful love, whate’er our household gods protect of death.

               63

And oft in that moment of ivresse’ in love her. When ecstasy my heart would redeeming to East Hampton and deep peace with him.

               64

Which rather me? The soldier-city, till all my smart, I lo’ed her motions bothers. And orb into the iron hills, rotting meat.

               65

I am neither mind admits but, his grasp; none near. Of almost what you are not for loue to vnderfong who built a museum.

               66

With what delight as our pursuit. Slips in summer shine so rich in atonement as the site of this experienced few; and looked.

               67

And one the wild scattered every One, and woe is mine! I loved and steam of Fair Women a Farewell; go trouble was then they St.

               68

Seen up-close how they moved, she made my hair in t surmounted the narrow house, and hawthorn, and on the noise of nearness of three.

               69

Scorn might wind wake. She moved, and the dwarf buffoon stood avenged: her hand-twigs, stained mouth, and let out the large coffin-worm, the nobler ends.

               70

But a tremulously, so all uncurl’d: pr’ythee quit this I called and laid thee more. Voice had swooned, Goodnight, as the though sages may say.

               71

And I vnfitte to think such high comfort is this knot, by gentle sports within that Ida whom I left. A memory that the hills.

[uneasylisteningradio]

The Ladies Just Don't Understand March 10, 2024

Image by Yolanda Velazquez Velez

listen to the show

Carole King - Pleasant Valley Sunday

DJ speaks over Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou - Ballad of the Spirits

Melenas - Flor De La Frontera Tru Fax and the Insaniacs - The Problem Is me Marianne Faithfull - What's the Hurry? Berliner Doom - Zu spät vorm Spät The Kamikaze Pilots - Sharon Signs to Cherry Red

DJ speaks over Pinch Points - Young

Petit Bureau - The Swallow Trees - Epitaph Wanda's - Frigid Rigid Paris - Raid (feat. T-K.A.S.H., The Conscious Daughters & Sandy Griffith)

DJ speaks over Billie and De De and Their Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Just a Little While to Stay Here

Collate - Static Object The Fates - Strength (I) Sprays - Er Oder I Abi Ooze - A Song About Drinking Display Homes - Precursor

DJ speaks over Fastbacks - Brd "COATED"

The Rats - Defiance Dr Sure's Unusual Practice - Escalator Man Le Tigre - Dyke March 2001 Čao Pičke - Gledam te Vsak Dan Lung - Abuse Futura - I Don't Want To Hear It No Drama - Better Off

DJ speaks over The Surfrajettes - Couch Surfing

Mythic - Winter Solstice At Night - Don't Go a Day Without Drivin' Des Airs - Aux Bains Municipaux Spirito Di Lupo - Ottobre Elaine Brown - The Meeting

DJ speaks over Jaimie Branch - Baba Louie

Accidente - Lxs Invisibles (de Balestrini) Bizon Kidz - Lik Maar, Eet Maar The Vovos - Hecate Checkpoint - Break

DJ speaks over The Velvet Underground - Guess I'm Falling in Love (instrumental)

Penetration - Don't Dictate Spitboy - Seriously The Shna - Rafaela Östro 430 - Das quietschende Bett Nots - Virgin Mary Shirley Collins & Davy Graham - Dearest Darling

DJ speaks over Kali Z. Fasteau - Gran Kanun

Virvon Varvon - Holding Pattern Height/Dismay - The Tinning Test (AS1125) Lewsberg - Canines Saufknast - Bullenstaat Lame - Una Vez Más Nasmak - (How Can You Be So) Rough Double Job - Aujourd'hui

DJ speaks over Nina Simone - Blues on Purpose

Optic Sink - Summertime Rain Ann Mason - You Can't Love Me (In the Midnight Hour)

DJ speaks over Holly Golightly - Grandstand

Juana Molina - El Oso De La Guarda

[witch-hazels-musings]

Hazel, my love, firstly, congratulations on big big followers! Goodness, I wanna kissie your forehead! Good job, angel! There is nobody who deserves it more u_u

Butterfly Wings,Fragments of Innocence, and Confit Holly for (dun, dun dun!) my beloved, xiaoxiao!

Goodness, anyway you this beautiful potion might be as beautiful as you. Everything you do is beautiful but not as beautiful as Hazel <3

I don’t wanna take up too much of your time, just...kiss yourself for me before you start~

Dearest Cammie, thank you for stopping by. Rummaging through my orders, yours stood out to me as if the sun were shining in my face. Of course, I’m not surprised because it’s you. 

Let me make a special brew, and I’ll give it a light kiss for extra luck. 

need a potion? 

The world moved on - time, the fickle and unempathetic component of life made decisions often unexpectedly. There were moments when we feel in control, days floated by while we participated in their passing with a smile on our face, with knowledge in our hearts, and hope for the future while other days, we were more like observers to it’s decisions. 

Will the actions we take bring us closer or further away from where we are meant to be. It seems like time is the writer of our stories but I choose to believe fate is the one thing we can never escape. 

It’s fate that brought the two of you together and it was fate that kept you. Damn the passing of time because when the two of you were together it had no meaning - dawn turned to bright sun, hours felt like eternity each time he touched your face, warm light faded to chilled blue but all you saw was sparkling gold.

You had found one another. Through every twist and turn in your path, for ever weave, bend, dip or rise you decided to find the end result would have always been: Xiao. 

-

 You loved him, you knew that you did but you worried every day if he really cared for you. The fears and anxieties you couldn’t shake weighed you down like the thousand disappointments you thought you were. Of course, you hated the fact that you felt so unworthy to be beside him - you wanted to change, wanted to be a support and not a hindrance, wanted to be and aid and not just ‘useless.’ And yet, no matter how many times you let those thoughts wash away in the clarity of the riverbed, they always came back down into your shivering hands. 

As they did when you least wanted them too, the tears began to fall until all your cheeks knew were the warmth of them, the irritation of your sleeve pushing away the wet and cutting your face from the friction. You wanted to hide away but there was no where to go. All you knew is you didn’t want Xiao to see you - he had enough on his plate. 

“Why are you crying?” A gentle, confused voice broke through your sobs. Their hands took your wrists and pulled away the hands you pressed against your nose. 

“Don’t look at me, Xiao. Please.” You begged, turning your face to hide your shame. How did he always manage to find you when you didn’t want him to. 

He didn’t pull away, didn’t move, didn’t leave and you weren’t sure what stung your heart more. “Are you hurt?” 

“No ...” 

“Then why ...” 

“I don’t know, I’m sorry.” You wanted to tell him, wanted to share with him your worries but also felt guilty for doing so. It was easier just to deny it all and hope the feelings would just go away. 

Closing your eyes, you did your best to hide from his eyes to slow the stream of tears falling down your face but when you felt something warm against your forehead you stilled at the contact. 

“Xiao?” 

“The darkness in the world can slip in many ways. If it’s not purged it can cause sickness ... I’m not sure it’s affect on humans but I will do what I can to destroy it.” 

“Xiao ...” 

“I will protect you. From it all I will protect you.” 

“Even myself?” You whispered, hands moving to the gloved hands resting on your legs. 

“Beings are fragile but I am not; No matter what it is that torments you I will rid you of it’s burden. You have my word.” Gently, he pulled away, his finger pushing against your chin and toward the warmth of the sun and, as you closed your eyes at it’s brightness, he left a trail of healing kisses over your tainted cheeks until nothing but sunshine was left.  

Fate brought you together and time would keep you until it all faded away.