#honestly the only thing keeping me going is the hopes ill move out next year

[vent-talks]

*scrolls thru posts* yeesh

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

Wrapped Around My Finger

Fandom: American Actor, Elvis Presley Musician, Elvis Movie RPF, RPF

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Female Reader

Characters: Elvis Presley, Female Reader, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Vernon Presley, Dee Presley, Jesse Presley, Baby

Word Count: 3492 // Rating: Teen & Up

Summary: Reader has some news that will bring some changes to Graceland

Tags/ Warnings: Babies, Pregnancies, Pregnancy Announcements, Christmas, Christmas at Graceland, Graceland, Step Parents, Reader and Cilla are good friends, Co-Parenting, Insecurities, Kissing, Hugs, Fluff, Worries, Established Relationship, Marriage, Married Couple, Mentions of Illness, Baby Presley, We’re In Big Daddy Elvis territory, Or DILF era

Notes: im clinging onto christmas and the idea that Cilla and a new wife would be besties lol

‘‘Daddy no!’ Lisa squealed as Elvis held her doll above her head. She jumped, reaching for it as Elvis chuckled, holding it just out of reach. He lowered it a little, allowing her to have a hint of hope before he pulled it back dashing her chances.

‘Oh stop being mean,’ Priscilla said with a giggle. Elvis made an exaggerated roll of his eyes before he put the doll within her reach and allowed Lisa to grab it out of his hands. As soon as she did he enveloped his arms around her pulling her towards him and kissing her cheeks as he tickled her. ‘Daddy!’ she giggled struggling to get away.

I watched them from the doorway, a smile on my face. It was the day after Christmas and while our holiday had been filled with family and friends it was now only a few of us. A fact I was happy for. I loved Christmas at Graceland, truly, but it was exhausting. From the moment we woke up to the moment we went to sleep it was all systems go and that was on a normal holiday. This year was a little different, not that anyone knew that yet. No, at the moment it was just me fatigued and plagued by the secret I was keeping from view.

A secret which meant that as I watched them I could feel my heart hammering a little in my chest and tears prick at my eyes. I moved away from the living room, heading into the kitchen to get a soda from the fridge as I tried to calm myself down. Though as I shut the fridge door I heard a cough from beside me which almost made me jump out of my skin, standing there, watching me closely was Priscilla.

‘Jeez, Cilla you scared the crap outta me!’ I said holding my chest. ‘Sorry,’ she giggled, ‘just came to check you were alright.’ ‘I’m fine,’ I lied. ‘Are you sure?’ she asked, raising an eyebrow, ‘because you seem lost in your thoughts today…and I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve not touched a drop of champagne all day.’ ‘You clocked that huh?’ I said with a sigh as I rested against the counter. ‘You forget in a house full of guys that women notice more,’ she chuckled, coming to stand beside me. ‘Yeah,’ I said nervously, my hand instinctively resting on my stomach. ‘So…how long?’ she said. ‘I don’t know,’ I said, biting my lip, ‘we’ve been so busy I’ve not really paid much attention.’ ‘Are you excited?’ she said. I looked at her, peering into her kind eyes as they looked back at me with no expectation just awaiting my answer. ‘Honestly? I don’t know,’ I said. ‘How come?’ ‘Our life?’ I smirked, ‘he’s done this before and I’ve not? I mean what if we have this baby and he-‘

I paused, realizing the words I was going to say were harsher than I intended them to be. He had done this before and whilst he loved Lisa and Priscilla it hadn’t been enough to keep them together. What if I was destined to be the next ex-wife? Our future Christmases split between three families instead of the two they were already?

‘He loses all interest?’ Priscilla said. I dropped my gaze shyly, ‘honey we didn’t split up because we had kids.’ ‘I know that,’ I said. ‘So you know having Lisa wasn’t some horrible thing. He just wasn’t ready,’ she said softly. ‘That’s what I’m scared of. What if he’s never ready? What if he decides we’re not what he wants either?’ ‘I can’t speak for him. But he’s a good dad to Lisa. And on the whole, he’s a good man. In fact, he’s better than he was. You make him better.’ ‘Cilla,’ I said quietly, feeling my cheeks getting warmer. ‘I mean it. He’s different with you. He’s a better husband. Like this time was meant to be.’ ‘But didn’t you think that?’ I asked, biting my lip. She smiled softly. ‘Yeah, but we thought a lot of things. You never know what’s gonna happen before it does. I can’t promise this will work out but I can tell you it’s better than before. For all of us. I mean not many women want to hang out with their husband’s new wife,’ she chuckled, ‘and even if we weren’t friends I wouldn’t be able to fault the way you are with Lisa. You’re so important to her.’ ‘She’s a credit to the pair of you,’ I said with a smile. ‘Thank you,’ she said, ‘but you’re just as involved… so I don’t know why you’re worrying. You’re already a mother. Have been for a while.’ ‘I assume you mean Lisa but with Elvis and the boys I can’t be too sure,’ I smiled. Priscilla chuckled and threw her arm around me, ‘you’re right. You’ve been parenting twenty grown men for a good few years now you’re sure to be an old hat.’ ‘Speaking of its awful quiet in there should we be worried?’ I said pulling out of her grasp and heading to the door with her trailing behind, ‘oh definitely.’

When we came back into the living room fortunately not much had changed. Elvis was sitting on the floor with Lisa in between his legs, laying against him looking distinctly more tired than before as she twirled her hair between her fingers. They were watching TV now, all quiet and observant. Priscilla slipped into the armchair by the door whilst I sat down behind Elvis on the sofa, smiling as he placed his hand on my knee. We stayed like that for a couple more hours, the evening accepting its natural plateau as the past couple of days started catching up on us all.

‘Gosh,’ Priscilla said with a yawn, ‘I think it’s time to hit the hay.’ ‘Yeah you might be right,’ Vernon said, shuffling out of his seat. Elvis manoeuvred Lisa, who was now asleep, onto my lap for a moment whilst he stood and saw his Daddy and Dee out. When he returned Lisa stirred. ‘Come on baby,’ Priscilla said, coming to lean down in front of me, ‘time for bed.’ ‘I’ll give you a hand,’ Elvis said, picking her up and popping her on his hip. ‘It’s okay. I got her,’ she said, throwing me a look. I dropped my gaze to my lap. ‘You sure? She ain’t as light as she used to be,’ Elvis chuckled shuffling Lisa into her arms. Priscilla buckled a little under Lisa’s weight but she smiled through it. ‘Let him take her up,’ I said, ‘you’ll do yourself a mischief.’

Priscilla nodded and allowed Elvis to take her back into his arms and I watched as the pair of them headed to the staircase. As he disappeared up the stairs Priscilla threw me another ‘tell him’ look and I nodded. Once everyone was gone I tidied away some of the plates and glasses that littered the surfaces of the room. I straightened up the couch and grabbed the box of three pregnancy tests I had stashed in my purse just as he was coming down the stairs. I sat back down on the sofa, acting as casually as I could, as he came into the room and sat down beside me.

‘She go down alright?’ I asked as he settled beside me, placing his hand on my thigh. ‘Fine,’ he smiled, ‘all tuckered out.’ ‘Yeah from all your teasin’,’ I giggled. ‘Hey it’s like a right of passage as a dad,’ he chuckled leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek, ‘are you okay?’ ‘Fine,’ I said with a small smile. ‘You sure?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow, ‘because I don’t know if it’s my imagination but you and Cilla seemed het up about something.’ ‘It’s nothing,’ I said, making his eyes narrow, ‘it’s…girl stuff.’ ‘Should I be worried?’ he chuckled, squeezing my thigh. ‘Nah, we were just comparing notes,’ I said giggling as he leaned in and kissed me, moving his lips down my neck. ‘Oh yeah?’ he smirked. ‘Yeah, I’m a lot more complimentary by the way,’ I giggled. ‘Good to know,’ he chuckled, pulling away. I sighed and looked at his adoring blue eyes.

‘You sure you’re okay?’ he asked. ‘Yeah…it’s just complicated, ‘I said. ‘Well whatever it is we can figure it out,’ he said, placing his thumb and forefinger on my chin and tilting my face towards him. ‘I have something to tell you,’ I said, pulling back and biting my lip. He didn’t say anything, instead, he just peered at me with those gorgeous baby blue eyes as if he was waiting for me to continue, ‘oh God I don’t know how to say this.’ ‘Doll you’re kinda scaring me,’ he said with a furrow in his brow. ‘It’s nothing bad,’ I said quickly, ‘well at least I hope it’s not.’

As he looked at me perplexed I shuffled so I could pull the box of tests out from under me. I passed it to him and he took it, eyeing the plain box curiously for a moment before he unlatched the end and tipped the contents into his hand. Three white plastic sticks fell into his large palm and I watched as his face went from confused to a beaming smile as he clocked the two lines on each of them.

‘Doll,’ he said in barely more than a breath. He looked at me as if waiting for me to confirm which I did with a tiny nod. Then he dropped the sticks into his lap and pulled me in for a bear hug, pressing me against his warm body for a moment before he leant down to kiss me. When he pulled away I spoke.

‘Are you okay with this?’ I asked, biting the inside of my cheek. ‘Darlin’ I’m thrilled!’ ‘You’re sure?’ I said the nerves from before were still bouncing around in my mind. ‘Why wouldn’t I be? Hell, is this what you’ve been chatting about with Cilla?’ he asked. I nodded trying to ignore the hurt behind his eyes as I did. ‘I didn’t mean to,’ I said, biting my lip, ‘she just sorta noticed I wasn’t myself and put two and two together.’ ‘Not yourself? Wait, were you scared to tell me?’ he asked. ‘No! Not scared, just a little… nervous,’ I said truthfully. ‘Why? Honey this is the best Christmas present I could’ve got,’ he smiled. ‘I guess I was just worried,’ I said meekly, ‘I mean you’ve done this before.’ ‘That doesn’t make it any less special,’ he said. ‘I know I guess I was just worried…you’ve told me how much having Lisa changed everything,’ I admitted. ‘And you think that’s gonna happen to us?’ he asked. ‘No,’ I said quickly before I dropped my gaze and said, ‘maybe.’

‘I won’t pretend that having Lisa didn’t change our marriage but it didn’t make it worse. And I’m happy I have her,’ he said, earning a nod from me in return, ‘I just…I wasn’t ready. For any of it. I was happy with Cilla as it was but then people started getting preoccupied with how it looked. More than how we felt about it, so, we got married and Lisa came along and it just spiralled into something I hadn’t planned for. I wasn’t ready for that. In fact, I only knew I was ready when…well the day I met you.’ ‘E,’ I said shyly. ‘I mean it,’ he said, holding my hand to his lips and kissing my knuckles gently, ‘I was just off the back of a divorce. I didn’t know how I was gonna handle my half of raisin’ Lisa and then you come along. Perfect and just what I needed. I told Joe the day we met I was gonna marry ya.’ ‘He tell you you were crazy?’ I giggled. ‘Amongst other things,’ Elvis smiled, ‘I was right though.’ ‘And babies?’ I said quietly. ‘I figured we’d head down that road at some point,’ he shrugged, ‘you’re already such a good mama I thought it was inevitable.’ ‘I guess we’ve just been content with how life’s been going recently, we’ve not had to think about it,’ I said. ‘And now we have? Are you excited?’ he said, watching me closely. ‘Yeah I think I am,’ I said. He smiled and placed his hand on my belly.

‘I am too,’ he said quietly before adding, ‘I can’t believe there’s a baby in there.’ ‘Me either,’ I sighed happily. ‘Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?’ he said excitedly, his eyes lighting up as he looked at me. ‘I don’t know. I guess I don’t mind either way. I love Lisa, I do, I guess this one just feels a little different you know. Like it’s our first,’ I said. ‘I know what you mean,’ he smiled, ‘I think I’d like a boy.’ ‘Oh yeah?’ I giggled as he pulled me into him, his arm slipping around my waist as we snuggled together watching the fire crackle in front of us. ‘Yeah,’ he said, ‘I mean I know I got the guys but let’s face it I’m drowning in women here.’ ‘You and your daddy are outnumbered,’ I smiled. ‘Yeah you gotta give me a boy,’ he smirked, ‘even the playing field. Or at least someone who can’t wrap me around their little finger.’ ‘You wouldn’t have it any other way,’ I giggled, placing my hand on his chest. He took a hold of it but didn’t move it off so I could feel his heart beating underneath my palm, his warm hand over mine. ‘Not at all,’ he sighed.

✵✵✵

‘I get to open it!’ Lisa squealed, running to the present in front of her Daddy. ‘Hey, you’ve got your own. This is for Jess,’ Elvis said. ‘Daddy Jesse can’t open his presents yet,’ she said, rolling her eyes. I chuckled to myself as I watched her, determined not to go without opening her brother’s presents. She sat in front of the neatly wrapped present, Elvis on its other side watching her as if in a standoff. ‘Well what if I wanna open it for him,’ he challenged, making her pout as she geared up to retaliate. ‘I think Jess would love it if his big sister open his presents for him,’ I said looking at the baby beside me in his bouncy chair who seemed unphased by this family squabble. She smiled at me and then stuck her tongue out at her Daddy before she started tearing the wrapping paper off. Elvis rolled his eyes and looked at me mouthing, ‘push over.’

I smiled back at him and then I went back to watching Lisa tear her way through the present. Maybe I was a bit of a pushover. Maybe he was just a big kid.

‘What is it Lis?’ I asked, peering at the box she was holding up. ‘A walker,’ she said, showing me and then showing Jesse who ogled his big sister with a one-toothed grin. ‘Who’s it off?’ Elvis said, fishing the tag out of the pile of wrapping, ‘Dodger.’ ‘Well I’m sure he’ll love it,’ I said as Lisa placed it down in front of his bounce chair and moved to open another one of his. We stayed like that for another twenty minutes or so. We’d all opened our presents and then realised there were several parcels left under the tree which, much to Lisa’s disappointment, belonged to her baby brother.

Once everything was unwrapped I started collecting bits of paper for a trash bag whilst Lisa and Elvis started putting together some of her toys. She played for all of five minutes and then I felt her come up beside me, her arms wrapping around my hips as she waited for my attention to fall on her 

‘Yeah, baby?’ I asked looking down on her.

‘Can I call mama yet?’ she asked with pleading eyes. I glanced at Elvis and found him looking at me too, with glee that he didn’t have to be the party pooper. Priscilla wasn’t here for Christmas this year. Her mother had taken ill and she hadn’t wanted Lisa to have to spend the holiday away from us and her new baby brother so had sent her to us alone. ‘Not yet it’s only,’ I said checking my watch, ‘six thirty. Your mama won’t be up for at least another hour or so.’ ‘Yeah buttonhead, your mama is on west coast time remember,’ Elvis said watching her fallen face. ‘How about you take your toys upstairs, we’ll have some breakfast and then we’ll give your mama a call?’ I said stroking her hair gently. Though she seemed disappointed she smiled and nodded before she dropped her arms from around me and grabbed her things so she could head upstairs. I watched her go with a sad smile.

Then Jesse started to fuss so I sat down beside him, leaning over and unlatching him from his bouncy chair so I could cuddle him to me. He settled almost immediately, seemingly just feeling left out of the action.

‘Ah, you’re just feeling left out huh bud? How about we get you that new teething ring?’ I said fishing around on the floor for one of his discarded presents. I pulled it out of the packaging and held it up to him, allowing him to take it in his chubby little fist. I pressed a kiss to his forehead as he took it off me, immediately sticking it in his mouth. When I looked up Elvis was watching me with a small smile.

'What?’ I asked bashfully. 'Nuthin’,’ he smiled, 'you’re a good mom you know that right?’ 'Why because I remembered to buy him something to chew on instead of letting him chew on Lisa’s doll heads again?’ I giggled making Elvis laugh. He moved closer to me, so he was sitting inches from me, as he stroked Jesse’s cheek gently. 'I mean it,’ he said looking into my eyes, 'the way you handled Lisa just then. The way you are with Jess. You’re amazing.’ 'You’re pretty good yourself handsome,’ I said with a smile before it faded a little. Elvis noted the change in my face and frowned, 'what is it?’ 'Nothing,’ I said, an unsure feeling coming into the pit of my stomach. Elvis raised an eyebrow, 'I was gonna wait until after Christmas.’ 'Wait for what honey?’ he asked. 'Well, you know how you said I’m a good mom?’ I asked, receiving a nod in return, 'well I’m gonna need to be…if I’m gonna have three to contend with.’

Elvis looked at me, the words processing in his mind before his mouth fell into a perfect O shape. I bit my lip as I waited for him to say something. This year had been amazing. He’d been so helpful and kind throughout my pregnancy and now we had a beautiful six-month-old that he was so good with. The last thing on my mind had been another baby. Which explained why we hadn’t really given birth control much thought.

'You mean?’ he said after a long pause. I nodded. 'I’ve only done one test,’ I said, 'there weren’t a lot of options on Christmas Eve but-’ he cut me off as he buried us both in a hug before moving back so he could kiss me. I melted into him so much that when I pulled back I was breathless. He smirked at me, a twinkle in his blue eyes. 'So you’re happy I take it?’ I asked with a giggle. 'Baby I’m more than happy,’ he said with a smile, 'it might not be what we planned…’ 'We didn’t plan for Jess,’ I giggled. 'True,’ he chuckled looking at Jesse who was watching us both as he quietly slobbered all over his teething ring, 'but that worked out pretty well wouldn’t you say?' 'The best,’ I said with a smile. He moved my hair off my face and leaned in to give me another kiss.

'I will say one thing though,’ he said as he pulled back. 'What’s that baby?’ I asked. 'You’ve repeated your gift for two Christmases on the trot now,’ he chuckled. 'Oh don’t worry, I’ve got next year’s present sorted,’ I said. 'Yeah?’ he said with a puzzled look. 'Yeah,’ I said, 'you’re booking in for a vasectomy.’ 'Like hell,’ he said with a laugh. Jesse giggled along with him. Elvis took him off me and tucked him into his arms where he sat happily.

'It’s only fair,’ I said, 'I got you what you wanted for Christmas, you should do the same for me.’ 'You hear this Jess?’ he said, nudging Jesse’s plump cheek with his knuckle, 'your Mama’s ganging up on me.’ 'And here you were thinking you’d get your way with another boy in the house,’ I giggled, kissing his cheek. 'Nah I knew I never had a hope with you,’ he said with a soft smile, 'you’ve all got me wrapped around your little fingers.’ 'You love it,’ I smiled. 'More than anything,’ he nodded.

[shiraishi--kanade]

i hope ur not still flaring up, but if youre up for it i would like to hear ab the chronic pain mfy headcanons :)

Hi! I was hesitant to answer this because I had a very severe case of internalised ableism today for some reason but don't worry I think I shooed it away. Headcanons under the cut!

By the way did you know that childhood abuse increases the chance of being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition later in life? Now you do. I think about this in the context of chronic pain Mafuyu a lot.

So... It started around Junior High graduation. Nothing major, really. Sometime Mafuyu would overdo it and her hands would cramp, or it would be raining and something was picking on her knees. It's normal, honestly. It's probably what most people experience, no? Mafuyu doesn't really know.

She doesn't keep track of it, so she doesn't really notice when it gets worse, only that it does - she's in pain more often and for longer. She writes it off for soreness after the archery club (she knows it doesn't feel the same, but she doesn't have the time to worry about it), or, on the opposite side, being too sedentary. She flares after the mock exams and fights with her mother, but that's just... She doesn't know, really. She's exhausted, but it would make sense she would be, right? It feels connected to her "true self" somehow in a way Mafuyu can't quite piece together, but it still falls in the static behind her because of everything else.

She doesn't consider she might be sick, not really. It doesn't feel like when she was sick, on Kanade's bed or a long time ago in the childhood, and Mafuyu doesn't really register it might be a different kind if illness; she knows about them on periphery but she's... Not supposed to be. She eats healthy and exercises a lot, so why would she be sick? It's probably just sleep deprivation. Or physical strain. Or something.

Then, when she moves in with Kanade, after she works things out with her dad, it hits. Everything that was keeping her afloat, that constant fight or flight response her body was grasping at like a lifeline, sensing a slightest bit of relief, crumbles and can't hold her up anymore, and suddenly Mafuyu finds herself unable to sleep and feeling like someone is pushing needles between her bones.

She knows she's in pain, but even still, she doesn't really have the idea of what is different and what isn't, her pain not quite bringing new feelings out but pooling on those that already were there. The line between "normal" and "not normal" is thin, and Mafuyu already can barely thread it, so whatever this new thing is, she pushes it aside.

Surprisingly, the first one to notice it isn't Kanade - her line between pain and no pain is blurry as well (I also hc Kanade as disabled, sue me), it's Shizuku. She notices how her friend's shoulders seem more slouched than normal, a little uneven in a subconscious attempt to find a position where it hurts least, and the way her usually steady hands tremble when she aims the arrow.

Mafuyu doesn't open up when Shizuku asks if she's okay, not yet; but it does give her the idea to bring it up to N25.

"Wait, how long have you been like this?"

"I don't know. About a year?"

"What do you mean about a year?! And you didn't even mention it?!"

...Yeah, at this point they know Mafuyu too well to actually be surprised.

They figure it out from there. They're still not quite sure what to do, or what is it, but they take care of Mafuyu when it gets bad enough; Ena shares her gloves and Honami figures out what foods make Mafuyu feel worse or better the next day, and Kanade is careful to not let Mafuyu do any chores in her stead when she's feeling better and dead set on overworking herself out of habit. Mizuki jokes about how ironic it is for the future nurse to get sick herself, then offers to alter Mafuyu's clothes so they feel better against her painful spots, then gets her in touch with Saki-

And Mafuyu is still in pain, and she still has to act like she isn't, to go to archery club and school and pretend like everything is normal, and she still isn't sure how she feels about it, but she knows she much prefers to be in pain right now than how she was at her own house.

[witchywriter18]

Sebastian and the Graphorn

This going to tie back to my "Beast loving Hufflepuff" headcannons. I haven't quite figured out links yet but you should be able to find it on my page fairly quickly. Also, this will be F!MC

Sebastian was reading a book on curses in the little reading spot MC had made for him. Said Hufflepuff was tending to her Graphorn at the moment. Sebastian had already assisted in caring for the smaller critters. He was still a little wary around that beast.

"Sebastian, I need you!" MC called from the upper part of the room.

Picking up on the distressed tone of voice, Sebastian snapped his book shut and raced up the steps.

"What happened?!" he asked, looking around in a panic.

"Up here, quick!" MC called from the balcony near the coastal vivarium.

"Would you mind informing me of what's going on?" Sebastian asked while he followed her through the opening.

He was met with the Graphorn his beloved was ever so fond of laying on the ground, panting.

"I'm not sure. I came in here to feed and brush him and saw him like this. I didn't think beasts could get ill in these vivariums," she explained while kneeling on the ground next to the beast, petting his head.

"Alright, what am I supposed to do?" Sebastian asked.

It may have sounded harsher then he ment it to. Sebastian of course didn't want to wish ill on the Graphorn but he still wasn't sure what in Merlin's name he was supposed to do.

"I just need you to stay with Snuffles and keep an eye on him while get some tonic or something from Hogsmead. I just hope it'll be enough to help him," she said, cooing over the panting beast.

While Sebastian was still a little nervous being around the creature, his lover's happiness was more important then his feeling of unease.

"Very well. I'll make sure 'Snuffles' is in good company until you return," he said.

"Thank you! I'll be back as soon as I can!"

She pressed a quick kiss on Sebastian's cheek before rushing off to the floo flame conveniently in the Room of Requirement.

Sebastian sighed while glancing down at the Graphorn his girlfriend had so lovingly named Snuffles.

"Think you'll be alright for a moment while I grab a book?" Sebastian asked.

The Graphorn let out a huff which Sebastian took as a 'yes'. Instead of treaking downstairs to his reading corner, he glanced over the bookcase right next to the vivarium. One title caught his eye.

"Haven't read this in a while," he muttered to himself, snatching it off the shelf and walking back inside the vivarium.

The Graphorn was still in the same place, still looking miserable. Sebastian couldn't help but feel bad for the poor thing. This mighty, powerful, majestic creature reduced to a sickly state for some unknown reason.

"Don't worry buddy, she'll return shortly, I'm sure. How about a story while we wait?" Sebastian offered, giving the beast a comforting scratch on its head.

The Graphorn let out a 'chuff' sound.

"I have a hunch you haven't heard the Tales of Beedle and Bard. I myself have but not for a while. Not since me and my sister were kids," he told the beast, a sad smile on his face.

After the incident with the relic and murdering his uncle, Anne had moved away somewhere else. He had only received a single letter saying she was safe but not where she was exactly. That was back at the end of 5th year. It was the middle of 6th year and he hadn't heard from Anne since.

If it hadn't been for MC staying with him over the summer, Sebastian wasn't sure if he would have made it.

So keeping her Graphorn company while she looked for a possible solution was the least he could do for his loyal Hufflepuff.

.

.

.

"I'm back!" MC's voice rang from the doorway.

Both Sebastian and the Graphorn looked up to see her trotting down the slight slope with a bag from the beast shop clutched in her hand.

It was honestly such a sweet sight that greeted her. Sebastian leaning against the Graphorn's side while Snuffles curled around him slightly.

"Good timing, we just finished reading about The Deathly Hallows," Sebastian said, closing the book.

"You were reading to him?" MC asked, sitting on the ground next to him to dig through the bag.

"Yeah. I remembered that whenever I felt poorly, my parents read to me. So I figured Snuffles here wouldn't mind a story," he explained, patting the Graphorn on the head. A purr resonated from the gentle giant.

"Well he seems to be looking a lot better then when I left. Still, better safe then sorry. Open wide buddy," she said, holding up the vial of tonic to the Graphorn's mouth.

The Graphorn shook his head and made grunts of disgust after the liquid went down its throat.

"Yeah, medicine isn't the best big guy, but it's better then you getting ill again," Sebastian said in sympathy.

"I'm glad to see you finally warming up to him. Does this mean you guys are best friends now?" MC asked while giving Snuffles some chin scratches.

"I suppose. Seems like he enjoys being read to. So I figured I can come read to him from time to time. Ya know, keep him company while you run about the Scottish Highlands," Sebastian said, bringing her close to him.

"Sometimes I bring him with me. I need to take him on walks every now and again. Charge down some REAL Dark Wizards instead of that toy dummy he plays with," MC giggled.

"Wait, he has a toy dark wizard to play with? Why didn't you tell me?! I would have loved to see that!" Sebastian exclaimed.

"Well, if Snuffles feels well enough to play, we could bring it out?" MC said, glancing at Snuffles whose tail started to wag.

"Something tells me he's well enough. Bring on the dummy!" Sebastian cheered, standing up.

The rest of the day was spent with Sebastian ridding Snuffles's back, charging at the Dark Wizard dummy while MC moved it around to make it more challenging.

Nothing like watching a boy and his new Graphorn friend play.

So this was slightly inspired by the time my pet rabbit seemed like he was a little sick so I sat and read to him. He wasn't actually sick, just being a stinker and decided to scare us a little. Honestly, I loved writing this like it's so cute 🥺

[webbywatcheshorror]

Webby Reviews Horror: Cube (1997)

Another old fave, Cube is a movie about a group of people who wake up in a strange facility full of traps. No, not Saw 2, I said Cube. This one predates Saw, actually, which makes me wonder if it played any part in the inspiration for my other favorite trapped room related movie. If I somehow ever meet James Wan or Leigh Whannell then I’ll ask. Right after I pick my jaw off the floor.

Anywho, beasties and ghouls, let’s get to it- Review (and SPOILERS) under the cut!

I have no idea how old I was when I first saw this one, but I’m reasonably sure it was sometime in my last year as a teen or in my early twenties, so right around the time I was finally able to start dipping my toes into the world of horror. I have no doubt that if I’d seen this any younger it would have been on that list of movies that altered my brain chemistry.

This one’s a lot more psychological than Saw, in my opinion, as it’s less about seeing people mutilate themselves and more about seeing people break down to their most fundamental selves in the face of terror and paranoia. It’s the kind that sticks with me for a long time afterwards, making me wonder at who I’d become if I were stuck in The Cube.

The First Kill, played by the delightful Julian Richings, in this one is super effective at showing us what the cast will be dealing with, and as others before me have noticed, there are similar scenes in later movies (the first Resident Evil, for example) that seem to be inspired by it. If the strangeness of the opening room hadn’t already hooked me, this kill would have. Dude fell apart so fast. (ha ha because he got chopped into pieces by some kind of insanely sharp wires ha ha I’m funny)

The setting is simple: you’ve got a group of strangers in a square shaped room with six doors, one on each side, and each door leads to another room that only differs in color. And if you go in the wrong one, you die. How can you tell which one’s the wrong one? Well, probably because you’re about to die, because there’s no obvious tell.

Our cast starts out with five people- Quenten, a cop who skeeves me out in like the first few minutes of his introduction; Holloway, a doctor who is also a conspiracy nut; Leaven, a college? girl who understands numbers in a way I could never dream of; Worth, a self-described ‘just some guy’; and Rennes, a French escape artist who is taken from us far too soon. Later we get Kazan, a man with an unspecified mental illness that makes him difficult to communicate with and prone to unpredictable behavior, but has the superhuman abilities that media loves to give mentally disabled people, in the form of being even better at numbers than Leaven. (Astronomical!)

Rennes is my favorite but he has the least amount of screentime, since he gets to be The Example. He’s escaped multiple prisons, and knows what to look for. He gives the crew hope that they can beat this thing, and figure a way out, tells them to stop overthinking it and just keep moving, makes a joke about being ‘Harry fuckin’ Houdini’, then he fucking DIES. Acid to the face by a sensor he couldn’t detect. Oops! Morale obliterated.

Leaven is my next favorite, because I love when girl geniuses. She starts out delighting in the attention she gets from Quenten for figuring out a way to find out which rooms are trapped, based on numbers assigned to each room; she is, however, still a kid, so I can’t really fault her for trusting him to start with. I don’t understand math well enough to know if her reasoning is sound, but honestly, I don’t care if it is. She deserved to make it out.

Holloway is an older woman, age not provided, but she’s equal parts likeable and irritating to me personally. She’s a doctor at a free clinic and the first and only one to treat Kazan with any decency. She’s also a mega conspiracy theorist and enjoys blaming Big Government for running and ruining the world. She holds the group together for quite a while, maybe because she’s not afraid to call Quenten and Worth out on their bullshit. I respect that.

Kazan is, if you don’t consider the sequel movies, the saddest character. Why in the hell would you put someone like him in a death maze. What kind of evil do you have to possess to think ‘yeah I’ll put a mentally handicapped person in a confusing trap filled prison with strangers, at least one of which is violent when pressured’. What the fuck. This is a movie from the 90s so I’m not gonna say it’s like, good rep or anything; what is accurate is how he gets treated by everyone but Holloway. He’s an obstacle, he’s a liability, he’s not even considered a person. I’m so glad they didn’t kill him. (If you do consider the sequels, however, the way you view his character is completely different, since it’s implied that his brain has been surgically altered to make him this way. it’s a whole thing.)

Worth is also one of my favorites, but doesn’t start out that way. He’s unhelpful, snarky, and seems about ready to just give up at any given moment. When he confesses that he had a hand in making this Minecraftian nightmare, it’s understandable why. Trapped in the very thing you helped create, even if you didn’t realize what it is you were actually making. Makes a good punching bag, apparently. When push comes to shove, though, he steps up and that’s when he becomes the version of himself I like. And then of course he dies, because every character I like dies.

Which just leaves Quenten. He’s... a cop. He starts out obnoxious and overly aggressive, but that could be attributed to waking up in a weird dangerous place with unknown people; when Leaven’s number system fails and he gets hurt, his attitude changes real fast, and he’s outright hostile to everyone from that point on rather than just pushy and bossy. He treats everyone like shit unless he deems them useful, and at his core is violent and controlling. He kills Holloway for daring to accuse him of hitting his kids (guess she hit a nerve), then kills Leaven and Worth just as they reached the exit. There was no reason for this other than the fact that he clearly lost it. Also, attempted to seduce Leaven, an established minor. Absolute garbage person. (I’m not really qualified to dissect it, but it rubs me the wrong way that the one black character is an aggressive, violent psycho...)

Cube touches on one of my fears: the unpredictability of other people. There is no provable way to tell what someone really feels or what they’ll do. Everyone is different, and what indicates something like, say, rising anger in one person, could only be a sign of mild irritation in another. Being in a situation where your survival is reliant on strangers, especially when the environment is designed to stress you out and break you down, is absolutely terrifying to me.

Something I really like about Cube (again, only if you don’t consider the sequels) is that it doesn’t explain SHIT. Why was this place built? Why were these people chosen? What was the point of any of it? Cube says it’s not important. In a way this movie feels a bit like watching an ant farm, observing the way people change when they’re pushed to their mental limits. Why they’re there in the first place isn’t the point.

The end is both triumphant and depressing- While our last living protags are (for some reason???) staring out the door to their freedom, which is only available for a short time, Quenten catches back up to them and murders two of them, with only Kazan escaping. The cop at least gets what he deserves- the red smear on the inside of the Cube’s shell is a nice touch. As is his leg just sticking into frame as the camera shows Worth and Leaven, being shuttled back down into the maze.

There’s two moments that are similar to one another that I enjoy- when they realize they’re back in the room where Rennes died, and it breaks them. Worth is hysterically giggling, Leaven is in despair, and Quenten slips further into his breakdown. The second is when Leaven figures out that she’d been right the whole time- they should have stayed in the first room they gathered in, as it would have eventually been the room that led to the exit.

All that pain and death and anguish, only to wind up back at square one. I wonder if they wrote it that way for the pun, or if it’s just one of those coincidences? Speaking of puns, I give this one three squared outta ten ghosts (that is in fact nine. I had to make sure before i committed to the bit. I’m serious when I say I’m terrible at numbers.) It’s not a perfect movie, as one of my pet peeves is when characters decide to celebrate before actually confirming victory. Had Leaven, Worth, and Kazan simply left the cube the minute they knew it was the exit, they would have all survived.

Though it likely would have deprived me of that satisfying blood streak. Unacceptable.

[acefaun]

Voodoo

Synopsis: Being a practitioner voodoo, it’s natural for the gods to suspect dark magic out of such unfamiliar powers. Unfortunately, they placed a little too much trust in your motives as King of the Mardi Gras parade, resulting in an unnecessarily risky battle for your soul.

✨Masterlist✨ Female goldfish! A/n: Happy Mardi Gras from your lovely cajun-creator! Not everyone outside of Louisiana celebrates Mardi Gras, so I figured the gods wouldn't know much about Louisiana stuff either… But Louisiana-native or not, most people know what voodoo is: scary bayou magic. ✨ So this is a story about a Voodoo practitioner. Also, it's that time of year to watch Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. 🐸 Yes, I reference my favorite Disney villain: Dr. Facilier, THE SHADOW MAN. Honestly… I think I was losing brain cells halfway through this. I might rewrite it next year. XP Could’ve been because I was trying to finish it this morning and then had to go to the emergency room… so… now I’m finishing it at the last minute of Mardi Gras night! Ah, hope it's worth reading!

–Word Count: 10,478–

The room was dimly lit by candles. Looking closely enough, one could swear there was an eerie smoke that was meant to conceal the secrets within. The masks that hung along the walls were enough to make one feel unsettled without the need for smoke. 

There were many shelves along the walls, some holding books and others showcasing weird talismans. The foreboding thing about this was that Ichthys was being led deeper into the room where there was a lone table surrounded by three chairs. It was the only place in the room that was easy to see. 

“Take a seat.” My voice made Ichthys flinch despite the distance he was keeping between us in the room. Meeting my oddly glowing gaze, he quickly took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs. I circled around the table like a predator observing its prey before I finally leaned over the table with a smile. “So, I have just the thing for you. Only, it wouldn’t be a fair exchange if I just let you off with my potions, now would it?”

He visibly shrunk at what my words could imply. “What do you need from me?”

“Not much, if I’m being honest,” I shrugged slightly, my eyes trailing over to my shelves. “What I need from you is hair from each of the zodiac gods. You can manage that much, can’t you? And I’ll give you a fool-proof way to prank your unprank-able lion.”

“A hair,” he paused. “From each of the gods?”

My eyes glowed excitedly as he repeated my request. “A fair trade in exchange for targeting the next King of the Heavens, no?”

He stared at the table, a look of discomfort etched on his face as he contemplated his choices. I was the only way he could get to Leon. No one else was willing to help him with his pranks and he had seen me do funny pranks on humans before. Recruiting me was a sure way to get to Leon, especially since the other gods liked me. Immediately, he plucked a hair from his own head, placing it on the table. Giving a firm nod, he said, “I’ll do it.”

I slunk over to his side of the table with a mischievous grin, holding my hand out to him. “We have a deal.” Immediately, he took hold of my hand to shake on our verbal contract. “As soon as you give me everything I need, I’ll have your potion ready.” 

Ichthys was relieved when he finally left my room—I could see it in the way his shoulders relaxed. As much as the gods liked me, they still considered me ‘odd’. My teacher would have been proud if he could see the way I wrapped gods around my finger. It wasn’t that I had any ill-intent toward the Zodiac gods, I actually liked them very much. I was an outcast from normal human society but these gods didn’t seem to have a problem with my quirky abilities so I naturally wriggled my way into their lives after they recruited me to help them get home. 

Currently, however, we had a unique situation on our hands. I moved into the mansion thanks to these ‘dark gods’ who were after me. Though, their presence seemed awfully familiar to me—not unlike my friends on the other side. Though, I didn’t view this as a threat. It even gave me time to bond with my close zodiacs. 

As a good friend would do, I was in the kitchen, preparing what I would need for Ichthys’ prank. I sighed after failing to find what I was looking for in the cabinets. “They’re out of tomato sauce… He’s been eating too many meatballs.” 

“There you are.” Huedhaut’s voice called me from the cabinet and I found him standing near the counter, flipping through a book. Noticing my attention was on him, he closed the cover, displaying it to me. “I found the book you were looking for. Was there a specific reason you wanted to read about the under realm?”

I shrugged casually as if it weren’t a big deal for a human to be interested in that kind of stuff. “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. I figured I’d be better prepared if I knew what was threatening me. Not to mention…” There was a chance these dark beings were already familiar with me. Were they the ones responsible for the disappearance of my teacher? It was something I was secretly investigating.

“(Name)?” 

“Nothing,” I abruptly responded, snapping out of my thoughts. “Thanks.” I quickly took the book from his offered hand, flipping through the pages to get an overview of what I’d be looking at. “I was also wondering if we could go out for a bit. There are a few things I need.

Before I could make my way to the door, Huedhaut was already redirecting me away from the exit. “Hold on, it's still too dangerous for you to be going out. If you really refuse to let us use our powers for food, then let one of us go to the store for you.” 

I crossed my arms in annoyance. “Fine. I'll write down what I want. But if something's missing from my list, then I'm going to the store myself!” 

I huffed as he ruffled my hair and agreed. “Deal.”

***

The little dolls I had made were nothing impressive. They had little button eyes, and they were obviously stitched together by hand. Regardless of their quality, they were actually something quite special. Thanks to Ichthys’ hard work in getting hair from each of the gods, I could finally awaken them. My hands hovered over the table where the twelve dolls lay still. My eyes glowed a deep purple color, the talisman floating around my neck for a moment as I inserted my power into the dolls. 

This kind of voodoo should have been simple, but it was more complex than I’d imagined without the guidance of my teacher. To mock the life force of another living being was complicated and took my utmost focus. But I flinched back as one doll moved. “Ah! They- They’re alive?” I frantically searched for my book, snatching it off of my carpeted floor and holding it up to the candlelight. “No, that’s not right.” I rubbed my forehead. “Is it because they’re gods?” I grabbed one of the wiggling dolls on the desk, holding it up to the masks that were hanging on the walls and the other little voodoo dolls I had collected on my shelves. “Hey, friends, what do you think of these?”

The eyes on the masks flew open in glowing colors, all peeled on what I had created. Even the little voodoo dolls stood up to witness my creations. Their grins were enough to tell me they were pleased with my use of magic. 

I grinned at my accomplishment—I rarely made work as impressive as Dr. Facilier. “They’re alive too, like real voodoo dolls! It was a bit of an accident, but that’s what happens when you combine voodoo with divine powers. No bother to me though. Now, I can make more.”

I froze in place as my door was flung into the wall, making a loud crash. “Where the hell are they?! What happened?!” 

I turned away from my wall, finding Scorpio standing at my door with an angry expression. I tilted my head in confusion. “Is something wrong?”

His eyes landed on me, and they narrowed. “I sensed dark energy. What happened?”

I hummed and shrugged my shoulders. “Anyway, now that you're here, you can see what I made.” My thumb and middle finger held under its arms while my index finger held its head upright. “It's a voodoo doll of you.”

“What the hell…” He grumbled, his face scrunching up as he looked at the little plush version of him. He didn't care how talented I was at making little dolls, he thought it was weird. Scorpio crossed his arms, acting indifferent. “You could be less creepy. It's weird enough ya gotta have those masks all over your room. Are you trying to invite dark energy into the mansion?”

I hummed, not receiving the insults from his harsh words. “That's not what I wanted to do.” I pulled my hand back, looking at the little Scorpio in my hands. “I'll try better next time.” The gods didn’t like my friends on the other side, I knew that much. Maybe it would have been best to leave all of my magical items back in Dr. Facilier’s business—then the gods wouldn’t worry so much. 

Scorpio sighed at seeing how disheartened his words got me. “Whatever. It’s fine. Just stop doing whatever you were doing. It felt… dark.” 

He closed the door as he left, but I understood what he was talking about. My powers weren’t divine like theirs so they could probably feel that difference. Even Dr. Facilier told me my power was different—stronger. That was the reason I wore a talisman around my neck. It snuffed my powers to a bare minimum, but it also helped me wield them better. 

Placing my voodoo doll of Scorpio on the table, I grabbed a bowl that was sitting on a shelf. It was time to repay Ichthys for his hard work. 

***

“(Name)!” I glanced at Ichthys as I walked into the living room. We locked eyes, and he instantly paused. “Is that…” 

“Not for you,” I replied quickly, placing the bowl on the table. “I almost don’t want to give these to Leo. He’s been eating all my meatballs, so I had to send Hue out to get some more ingredients.” 

Leon scoffed as he walked into the room. “You’re complaining about me?” Before he could sit in his chair he was left staring at the bowl of meatballs on the table. Only, he didn’t pounce on them like usual. He stared at them with wide eyes for a moment before questioning, “Why does this have… an aura?” 

Even Ichthys looked put off by the bowl of food. “Yeah… that looks a little gross.” 

“I… What?” I looked between the two gods and the bowl of meatballs. “What are you talking about? Are you saying you won’t eat it? I made it just for you.” Were gods able to visibly see my magic? Maybe helping Ichthys out was going to be harder than I thought. “Look, they taste just fine,” I took one meatball and innocently ate it in front of him before he could reach out and stop my reckless action. “See? Delicious meatballs. I don’t taste an aura. All I taste is yummy tomato sauce.” Of course, I tasted nothing abnormal. That was the thing about voodoo, I couldn’t do a thing for myself. 

Leon regarded me suspiciously waiting for any kind of change to take place, but if nothing happened to a goldfish, then the meatballs must have been safe for consumption. He shrugged off his worries, taking the bowl from me. I grinned behind his back, turning to look at Ichthys who was looking anxious where he stood. As if sensing the dangerous energy in the room, he called out, “Wait! This feels sketchy.”  

My eyes widened at his sudden disapproval of what was happening. Leon paused and glared between us. The room was silent, but the stare-down was understood. “Bold of you to disrespect me, Ichthys. You forget, you shook my hand. You’re in my world now, not your world…” I snapped my fingers causing the room to darken, suddenly it seemed similar to my room, and the masks were hanging about the walls. “And I’ve got friends on the other side!” 

“They’ve got friends on the other side.” 

Ichthys flinched at the extra voices in the room, but he knew those masks were just talking. His concerned eyes flew to me, but Leon beat him to the punch by asking, “Are you using dark magic?”

“Dark magic? Hardly.” I questioned with a tilted head. Voodoo wasn’t the same magic the gods used, that was for sure. Still, it amused me they were wary of my powers. That’s what happens when someone tries to break a deal with me. “That was just an echo, gentlemen. Just a little something we have here in Louisiana. A little parlor trick, don’t worry.” I waved my hand for them to sit, but seeing as they weren’t budging, my shadow saw fit to trip them. “Have a seat, get comfortable; put your mind at ease. If you relax, it will enable me to do anything I please.”

“(Name)-” 

My shadow stopped Leon from snapping his fingers. “I’d prefer if you didn’t, thanks. I have a misunderstanding to clear up. Ichthys,” I addressed him, making Ichthys freeze up on the sofa.

“Hang on a second, what exactly are you planning on doing here?” His gaze was hard, but my confused expression couldn’t leave him angry for long. He was a punishments god, but what exactly was he supposed to be doing when I had even Leon at my mercy? Or was it just the fact that neither of them wanted to do anything to hurt me? That was it. He knew I couldn’t hurt them just as I knew they wouldn't hurt me. “I know what I said, but you’re taking this prank too far.” 

“We made a deal. You held up your end, and I’m just paying you back. It would’ve gone so much smoother if you hadn’t made him all suspicious.” I huffed, turning away from Ichthys. “Now I had to get my friends involved because you ruined my side of the deal. This will be better if you cooperate!” 

Dark tendrils from the masks on the walls swooped down, surrounding the two gods and thoroughly startling them. Leon pulled away from my shadow, snapping his fingers. The darkness in the room seemed to shudder before growing denser around us. Leon snarled. “Now I see where that aura came from. Still, there isn’t any ill-intent in your soul. How…” 

“Because I’m not here with ill intentions,” I pouted, crossing my arms. “I- Okay, let me explain. I do voodoo, a type of magic common where I’m from—I say common, but… everyone thinks it’s creepy. It’s not ‘dark’ necessarily. It depends on how it’s used. My teacher taught me how to use voodoo to make deals with people, it's how we work, and I made a deal with Ichthys! We shook on it. Do you want me to get punished for going back on my word?”

The energy in the room seemed to deflate after my bland explanation. Still, Leon seemed very aggravated to be tied up in all of this. “What the hell does this have to do with me?”

“Pfft,” I snickered at his question. It should have been obvious what he had to do with any of this. “It wouldn’t be much of a prank if I told you. Now, where were we? Friends?” I called out for my magical helpers and Leon was begrudgingly pulled back onto the sofa, his fingers stuck together so he couldn’t snap his way out again. 

Armed only with one meatball in my hand, I was ready to finish my end of the deal with Ichthys. Only, Ichthys ended up stopping me yet again. His arms flung around me, yanking me back away from Leon. He shouted, “I can’t let you do this, (Name)! I thought you were just going to do a little prank. But these dark powers… I don’t trust them. I’m sorry!” He tried to apologize to keep me from fighting him, but I wriggled in his arms, anyway. 

“Ichthys, let go! This isn’t fair.” After a few silent minutes of struggling, I finally suggested, “Okay, what about a new deal? I won’t do a thing to Leon and you’re going to let me go. Try to stop me again and I’ll- I’ll turn you into a frog!” 

“A frog?” Ichthys’ eyebrows furrowed. “What kind of threat is that?”

“What?” I glanced at him with a daring smirk. “Don’t think you can hold up your end of the deal? Just shake my hand.” I held my hand up with a coy smile. “Come on, Ichthys. Won’t you shake a poor sinner's hand?” 

Ichthys grumbled quietly for a moment before releasing me. He let out a sigh before admitting, “Fine. But we’re talking to Zyglavis after this. I bet you haven’t told him a thing about this voodoo stuff and he’s going to be pretty mad about it.” 

Taking my hand in his, he didn’t quite realize the trap he walked into until I laughed. “Yes!” Turning my gaze back to where Leon was sitting, he was struggling with my newly made voodoo dolls of the gods. “Are you ready?!” I bounced excitedly on my feet as he was finally forced to eat one of the meatballs I made.

“Hey, you said you wouldn’t do anything to him,” Ichthys shouted, upset that I went through with my plans. I shrugged my shoulders lightly, growing eager at the green light that was suddenly illuminating the living room. “(Name)!” The minute Ichthys laid a hand on me the green illuminated liquid surrounded him as well. 

I tapped my chin with interest as I watched both of them struggling with my magic. “What did I tell you? You’d be transformed into a frog if you tried to stop me. Can you feel it? You’re changing alright!”

A bang rang out from the living room door. I knew it was only a matter of time before another god showed up to the living room, only to find the door locked. Based on what Leon and Ichthys said, my magic also had an aura that unsettled them. The god outside the living room door must be panicking. 

The masks on the walls were already vanishing back to my room along with my voodoo dolls. It was just in time for the door to unlock and Karno to rush in followed by Zyglavis—the original two gods who were supposed to guard me from the dark king. Karno’s eyes flitted across the room. “(Name)! What- Where’s Leo?”

“You accursed goldfish!” Leon shouted at me, though it didn’t phase me since he was a frog. I definitely made the right choice.

“He’s fine,” I replied smugly, turning my attention to where Ichthys was frozen on the floor, “Are you satisfied Ichthys? You know you can’t blame me right? You’re the one who made two deals with me—you can blame both yourself and my friends on the other side.” 

“I can't… snap. Argh! My fingers are too gross and slimy!” I flinched back as Leon leaped at me and face planted into my lap. “Change me back right now! Karno! Change me back!” 

I covered my mouth, hiding a chuckle. “It's not slime, it's mucus.” 

Karno’s eyes were wide as he took in the scene. Obviously, the frog on my lap was Leon and the frog on the floor that I was talking to must have been Ichthys. “What… happened?”

Zyglavis sighed, more exhausted than pleased that Leon was turned into a frog. “Let me guess, this is Ichthys’ doing?”

“Bingo,” I replied, leaning back on the sofa. “He was playing with magic he shouldn’t have been messing with.” 

“Dark magic?” Karno questioned, having felt the same thing everyone else felt. 

I huffed, glancing away from them. “It wasn’t dark magic.” I wish they’d stop calling it that. It had a proper term. “It’s called voodoo. Don’t any of you gods know anything about human magic?” Without waiting for a response, I cupped Leon into my hands and lifted him up with a shit-eating grin. “Alright! My deal’s done. I can tell you how to change back.” 

“Spill,” Leon said seriously.

“Hold on,” Karno interrupted, pulling Leon into his own hands. Leon’s frog legs were left dangling awkwardly with how Karno was holding him. “Is anyone going to explain what happened?”

“No,” Leon grumbled, not wanting to talk about his reluctant fight against a goldfish.

“I can explain,” I said jovially. 

“No.” Leon wasn’t having any arguments. It seemed I would need to tell Karno when Leon wasn’t there. “You’re supposed to be telling me how to change back. Talk.” 

“Okay, okay,” I relented with my hands up. Now, even Ichthys was listening to me for an answer. “It’s not that big of a secret and usually it entails you hopping around the bayou trying to find the King of the Mardi Gras parade so you can kiss his daughter who would be a princess for the night.” 

“WHAT-” 

“But luckily,” I interrupted him with a proud grin. “You have your very own local prince! Though… I could have you go kiss the King of the Heavens… That would be hilarious! Do you think he would do it?!” 

Zyglavis’ gaze darkened. “What on Earth are you suggesting about the King?” Evidently he wasn’t familiar with the story.

Still, his harsh stare was sending shivers down my spine. “Okay, okay. The only way to break the spell is to kiss a royal—in your case, a prince. Aren’t you just looking forward to kissing Partheno to turn back?”

Ichthys hopped up onto my lap. “Partheno?” 

I hummed affirmatively with a nod. “Partheno is the son of a king, making him a prince. I can give you the book later if you want, but that’s the only way for you two to turn back, so you better hop to it.” I covered my mouth, holding back laughter from my own joke. “See what I did there? ‘Hop’ to it? Man, I’m a riot.” 

While Karno took care of bringing Ichthys and Leon to get the help they needed, I was stuck in the living room with Zyglavis who was keeping a stern eye on me. Immediately, he wanted answers I wasn’t sure I could really give him and he seemed displeased with my lack of cooperation. “I don’t think you understand the position you’re in. I only want a brief explanation about your powers—the truth.” 

I tapped my fingers together awkwardly, a little voodoo doll of Ichthys sitting on my lap. “I can do magic called voodoo, a lot of humans call it shadow magic. My powers as a reborn goddess started it all. When Dr. Facilier first started teaching me he gave me this talisman; I wear it to help me focus my magic. You can imagine the trouble of a human having an abundance of magical energy with nothing to channel it through—this helps me use magic like you guys do.”

Zyglavis blinked and slowly repeated, “Dr. Facilier?” 

“You sound familiar,” I beamed, leaning forward in excitement. “Is that how you got your shadow powers? We voodoo kings and queens have our own detachable shadows. You have potential, Ziggy.”

“No,” he bluntly answered, his eyes trailing across my shadow on the floor that waved to him as if it were its own being. “We’re familiar with the name… as he appeared on our punishments lists multiple times in the past before he was… disposed of by his own ‘friends.’”

“I… They couldn’t have…” I trailed off, my eyes glued to the floor before me as I aimlessly rubbed the head of my mini-Ichthys. “So… my mentor really isn’t coming back then. He wasn’t useful enough to them.”

“Useful?” Zyglavis repeated.

“Yeah,” I muttered, still too shocked to wrap my head around what could have happened. “Usually… Those who dabble in voodoo receive help from our friends, those on the other side. They communicate with us through magical talismans and the dolls we can create. They help us achieve our goals, essentially making deals with us for whatever they desire.”

Zyglavis hummed, not entirely following my train of thought. “And what is your goal?” 

I sighed, my gaze falling to the floor. “I wanted to become as good in the voodoo arts as my teacher. But… I’ll never find him now. My friends could always teach me but… they’re not that great at communicating unless they have something for me to do. And you guys don’t know anything about voodoo.” My eyes slowly wandered up to meet Zyglavis’s. “I… don’t have a goal anymore.”

Things were silent for a moment as Zyglavis allowed me to ponder in silence. Though, no later was he asking, “What do you intend to do?”

I sighed, shrugging my shoulders. “I think… I need a little more time to think. I'll be in my room… If Leo or Ichthys have any trouble, just let me know.”

He didn't stop me, telling me he understood my predicament. Well, he understood how lost I was, at least.

***

Questioning my friends on the other side about the fate of my mentor, I received no response on the subject. Though, I knew they acknowledged me with the way they were staring at me. Sighing, I sat cross-legged before them. “I don't have a goal anymore. Whatever happened to Dr. Facilier, he's not here. I… need a new goal. You took my goal,” I accused, though their glares made me rethink my wording. “I need something… You have to help me.”

The larger mask before me dipped lower, a strange mist coming from it. Before me, the city of New Orleans came into sight. It looked like Mari Gras night. Furrowing my eyebrows, I questioned, “You… want me to join the Mardi Gras parade?” Zooming in I watched an image of the most important float appear. “King of the Mardi Gras parade? That's a tall order… I probably could, given we manipulate the right people. But what do you need me to do that for?” 

Their goals were always the same… They wanted the souls of the people of New Orleans. Similarly to how the Dark Gods wanted my soul to revive their Dark King. Pursing my lips, I struck a deal, “I'll do it under one condition… If I succeed, you'll return my mentor. You'll have more than enough power to do that much with all the souls gathered in the city.”

Now they were grinning, signifying that this was a deal they would not pass up. Now I needed to get to work. If I researched who was in charge of the parade and who was supposed to be the King of the parade, then I'd be able to give them a friendly suggestion on who the real Mardi Gras King should be. For now, I had a plan good enough for them. My only future problems would come with the gods in my way. But… I'd deal with that when the time came.

I only had a week to prepare, but I wouldn't rush myself and make any mistakes. I patiently waited for my friends to get the hairs that I needed in accordance with the voodoo dolls that I was making. After my successful attempt with the zodiac dolls I made, then I should have no trouble succeeding with these humans. Still, there were a few things I needed to test out…

“I haven’t had a single trace on those dark gods since we took (Name) to the mansion. I think they’re waiting for us to give them an opening,” Karno deliberated on my situation with Zyglavis and Tauxolouve. They were only three out of the six that were given the job to protect me, but it was understandable given that they were expected to continue their Punishment and Wishes jobs at the same time. “Huedhaut, how are things coming along with Leo’s search?”

“Not any more productive than yours,” Huedhaut replied, on the team of six gods who were actively searching for the dark gods. “They aren’t showing themselves just yet.”

Dui huffed with a nod. “It’s like they’re not taking any chances—I didn’t know they were crafty enough to wait for an opening. And it’s not like we can just take a chance and use (Name) as bait to draw them out.”

Huedhaut’s lips turned upward in amusement. “Yes, I’m sure she wouldn’t appreciate us using her like that.” His head bobbed forward, his eyes widening. Turning to face Tauxolouve, his eyes narrowed. Tauxolouve didn’t seem like he moved a muscle. Still… he pursed his lips. “Lou… did you…”

Tauxolouve lifted an eyebrow at Huedhaut’s baffled expression. “What’s wrong?”

My fingers rubbed against the head of the little doll in my hand. Huedhaut clearly thought that Tauxolouve just bonked him in the back of the head for laughing at me. So, these live voodoo dolls still worked the same as any other doll I could make. This was good. 

With my eyes glued onto Huedhaut, my finger jabbed into the doll’s chest, sending Huedhaut stumbling as he clutched his chest. Maybe that was a little too much force… The gods panicked more than I wanted them to. Karno was on his feet in an instant. “Huedhaut?”

They were confused, and Huedhaut was desperately trying to understand what was going on with him. Though, his eyes too quickly flickered across the room where I was sitting on the sofa. My knees were drawn up, a book blocking whatever I was playing with. 

“(Name)!” My alert eyes darted up, being glared at by Huedhaut. “What are you doing?”

Uh-oh! He was way too perceptive! I should’ve picked another god! At his quick approach, I sat up straight, tucking the little voodoo doll behind me. “I- Ah- I’m studying! Just reading! I’m working- doing… I’m doing to a new–” I faltered, my words tangling up in my mouth as I tried to deceive a highly intelligent god.

“What’s that?” His eyes locked on the spot behind me and I warily glanced beside me. For a moment I forgot it was alive, and I winced at finding the little Huedhaut waddling around. “Honestly, what on Earth are you up to?”

Groaning, I quietly explained, “I was just testing my new project… It's not like I meant to hurt anyone.” 

Huedhaut sighed at my forlorn expression. “I know you're probably bored and keeping yourself occupied, but please consider that we're working. Not to mention this is your safety we're talking about.”

Dui glanced between us in confusion. “Did (Name) do something?”

I averted my gaze awkwardly. “I jabbed him a little too hard…” 

 “Huh?” This time it was Dui’s turn to look baffled, though the other gods looked confused as well. They didn't seem to understand the purpose of a voodoo doll. 

Grabbing the little Huedhaut doll beside me, I displayed it to them. “I've been experimenting with my magic. I wanted to see if I could make voodoo dolls… but they ended up coming to life. I've been wondering if it's because you're gods or not. So, I had to make sure they work the same as a normal voodoo doll.”

Tauxolouve winced at the sight of the little being wriggling around in my hand. “What is it supposed to do, exactly?”

Glancing back at Huedhaut, we stared at each other for a minute, silently challenging each other—really, he was challenging me to do it again and see the results of his ire. The minute he tried to snatch the doll from my hands, my fight-or-flight instincts kicked in. I jabbed my finger into the doll’s forehead, making Huedhaut reel back and fall on the floor. 

Panicked at having struck a god, I immediately apologized, “I’m sorry! You were coming at me and you freaked me out! Here, just take it!” I dropped the little doll onto his chest, too panicked to stick around for very long. Though, my apologies and surrendering of the doll didn’t save me from him in the long run. 

I was pretty sure he was more-so irritated at the fact that the little doll somehow escaped him and found its way back into my room where he was not about to barge in. Still, Huedhaut wasn’t the only god I experimented on. I wanted to know if non-physical external forces could affect them if I focused my magic. Though I expected my experiments to fail, they ended up working.

Placing the voodoo Krioff doll in the freezer, all I heard was Krioff complaining about how cold it suddenly was on Earth. On the other hand, Partheno was complaining about how hot it was, going as far as removing his clothes, much to the dismay of the other gods. I tried the same thing with water, but Ichthys only complained about the sensation of being cold—it made sense that water couldn’t physically drench the person. All they could feel were the sensations—but at least Ichthys was feeling more hydrated than usual.

Considering how well the water worked, I had a new plan up my sleeve. Knocking at Huedhaut’s door, I waited patiently for him to answer before requesting, “Do you think I can have some of your wine?” His eyebrows furrowed and immediately I knew what was going through his head. “It’s not for me to drink! It’s for my studies. I need alcohol to see if I can make a new reaction. You understand, don’t you?”

Huedhaut sighed, rubbing his temple. “Should I even ask what you’re doing this time that you need my spirits for this?”

I shrugged my shoulders with a grin. “I mean… probably not. But if it makes you feel better, I don’t need it for consumption purposes, and I’m not going to be smacking anyone around. So you don’t have to give me your best creation or anything. It just has to be enough to be considered alcohol.”

He was extremely reluctant to give me a bottle of wine, but if I wouldn’t drink it then what was actually the harm in giving it to me? Unless, of course, it was actually going to another crafty god that used me to get a bottle out of him. Tilting his head, he suggested, “If you won’t drink it, then can I expect it to be returned when you’re finished?”

“Not… really,” I hesitantly answered. It wouldn’t have been a problem for me to return it… only, I was sure he wouldn’t want contaminated wine. “I’m going to be putting something in the wine, so… I’m not so sure it’ll be drinkable after. But if you want it back that badly, I’ll return it.”

His eyebrows furrowed once again, reluctantly allowing me to keep the bottle. He wasn’t sure what I was doing with it, but after his experience of being knocked around like a doll, it was probably best not to pry. 

Next, I had to address my target. There was no point in experimenting on him if he was going to be consuming alcohol. The whole point of my experiment was to have my subject in a controlled environment. 

Walking into the living room, Karno was sitting on the sofa addressing a few members of the Department of Wishes. So, they could do work outside of protecting me. I always wondered when they had time to address their normal work but it seemed they were doing a good job of balancing everything. 

“(Name)?” Aigonorus tilted his head, his gaze focusing on the bottle in my hands. “Are you here to drink with us? How’d you get that from Hue?”

“Oh…” I faltered, glancing down at the bottle in my hands. I suppose I should have visited my room before coming straight to find Karno. Well, this wouldn’t tamper with my goals. “No, no. This isn’t to drink. This is for that project I’m working on. I needed to borrow some wine. Karno, I actually had a request for you too.”

Karno hummed, surprised that I needed his help with anything. “Can I get you something to go with your wine?”

I covered up a snicker. “Well, I suppose you could. I was wondering… do you have any alcohol in your system?”

He blinked, his face scrunching up in confusion. “You’re asking me if I’m drunk? No… Do I give that impression?”

“Not at all,” I shook my head with a sheepish smile. This conversation was probably getting on the weird side of things. “I was only asking because I need you to avoid alcohol at all costs tomorrow. I’d rather you not even do so much as sniff anything alcohol related. I’d rather have you avoid being inebriated at all.”

It was a fairly blunt order, but as confusing as it was to hear, the gods looked surprised that I had such a request. Still, out of all the reasons Karno could think of, he couldn’t imagine why I’d be asking him to do something like that. Sighing, he asked, “Not that I had the intention of getting inebriated while protecting you… but why are you so concerned that I’ll be near alcohol when you’re here holding a bottle of Hue’s wine?”

Nodding my head, I sated his curiosity with an answer. After all, knowing what was going on wouldn’t exactly harm the experiment. “Well, I guess since I’m using you like this I can let you in on what I’m doing. Truthfully, you’re my experimental subject. I can’t have a good experiment if my subject is going off and interacting with substances that affect normal bodily function.” A quiet ‘tinking’ noise trickled through the air as my nails tapped along the bottle. “It’s sort of like what I previously did with Huedhaut. Only, I’ll come find you around this time tomorrow, okay? That way I can make sure you’re not doing anything you’re not supposed to do.”

Karno already looked tired of my antics. Sighing heavily, he asked, “This won’t have anything to do with me being knocked around with one of your little dolls, is it?”

“No way,” I immediately defended myself. “I’m not even going to touch my little Karno. You trust me to keep my word, don’t you? Making deals is my livelihood. So… how about this? I don’t touch mini-Karno and you don’t touch alcohol.” Holding my hand out for him, I smiled convincingly. “Care to shake on it?”

He was extremely wary of shaking my hand, but if his only rule was to stay away from alcohol then how difficult could this be? Besides, from the sound of it, I was doing more observation than actual experimentation. “Fine,” he relented, taking my hand in his own to seal the deal. The gods were truthfully getting pretty used to my use of magic to make deals and create odd items. In all, it wasn’t anything they could label as harmful. 

With my deal with Karno made, the only preparation I had to do was all in my room. Pouring a glass of wine, I set the glass beside a stack of books. Glancing at my voodoo gods, I smirked. I wouldn’t have to touch mini-Karno at all since he could move just fine on his own. 

Bending down beside the table where they were sitting, I asked, “I need a favor, mini-Karno. I’m not allowed to touch you for the next twenty-four hours. All I need… is for you to walk up these books for me and hop on into this glass of wine and stay there until I pull you out. I’ll repeat these instructions again at lunch tomorrow, okay?” Receiving tiny nods from the voodoo gods I couldn’t help but smile. They were so much more compliant than the real gods. 

***

I set the table for the few gods who wanted to join me for lunch. Of course, I made sure there would be no alcohol since Karno still had to keep his promise. It was fine since I spent all morning making a gumbo for everyone. They were so used to the normal food I would make for them. I’d never spent an entire morning preparing a special meal that they’d never eaten before. I was sure Karno would like it, at least, since it had a bit of a spicy cajun kick to it. At least I was kind enough to set the table and serve their bowls for them to join me when they got there. 

Steadily, I was joined for the new and unfamiliar meal, though I patiently waited for Karno to show up. He was the one I wanted to see most of all. I wondered if Huedhaut’s alcohol had taken any effect yet. When the god I was waiting for finally showed up, I was a little disappointed that he didn’t look even slightly tipsy. Maybe as a god it would just take longer for the magic to kick in. I was lucky that no one suspected a thing, however.

“(Name)...” Hearing Karno slur my name from across the table, my eyes flickered up to him. His cheeks looked redder than they were five minutes ago. “What’d you put in this…?”

Innocently, I tilted my head, leaning my cheek on the palm of my hand. “What’s wrong? You don’t like the gumbo? I thought it’d be more to your taste. Should I add more spice to yours, then?”

He paused, the room falling silent for a moment as everyone awaited Karno’s next words. Clearly there was something on his mind—though, no one was expecting him to outright complain about my cooking. Slowly, he shook his head. “That’s…” He paused. “What did you do with that wine from Hue?”

I hummed, trying to play off his suspicions that I might’ve added some to the gumbo. “Well, I haven’t touched it since last night. I’ve been cooking all morning. Honestly, I didn’t really take you for the type to drink during a casual lunch. I’d go get it for you, but… I already promised Huedhaut that the bottle he gave me wasn’t for consumption. You should try asking another god for alcohol.”

Still, Karno was looking uncertainly at his bowl of gumbo. Determining that I had to be telling the truth, he continued eating. It didn’t stop Tauxolouve from continuously side-eyeing him before he spoke up to ask, “Karno, how are you feeling today?”

Karno sighed, rubbing his forehead before glancing at the god beside him. Eagerly I watched him as he replied, “Mm… head is dizzy…” 

“Karno,” I huffed, acting like I was peeved with him. “I thought I told you not to touch any alcohol today.” 

His face immediately fell as if getting fussed at by me was the end of the world. “I didn’t,” he tried to argue, unconvincingly. I knew he was a lightweight. If he was reacting like this to having his voodoo-self floating in a glass of wine, then those humans would be putty in my hands. He whined, “(Name), d’n’t look a’me like that… M’sorry.” 

“Wow,” I snorted, unable to help myself. “You’re seriously drunk right now.”

Tauxolouve wasn’t the only surprised god. Even Dui, Krioff, and Partheno were surprised at Karno’s state. Dui carefully asked, “Karno, is protecting (Name) stressing you out so much that you… turned to drinking?”

“Noooo,” Karno cried, taking my arm and tugging me onto his lap. He was the drunk one yet my cheeks felt like they were on fire as his head nuzzled into my neck, holding me protectively against him. “N’thin’s gonna happen to my (N’me)...” But… I felt cool drops falling onto my neck and I turned my head slightly to see what the heck he was doing. Was he… crying? “My- My poor (N’me)! Bein’ hunted by …dark gods. I’d never forgiven myself, puttin’ my (Naaaame) in danger.”

“Karno,” I called his name, but he didn’t respond.

Krioff’s eyebrows furrowed in frustration as he huffed, “Hey, what the heck are you doing? You’re making (Name) uncomfortable!”

Partheno chuckled, never having seen Karno act so affectionately with me before. “Did you slip something in his food so we’d have a meal and a show today?”

“No,” I gave my shoulders a shrug to hint my uncertainty. “I mean… I might’ve been wishing a little too hard for Karno to relax. He seemed tense these past few days.”

“Well,” Dui winced, his eyes trailing over the way Karno was desperately holding onto me as if I might be taken away at any moment. “He seems more relaxed, at least. I guess he granted your wish.” 

I hummed, my lips pursing together as I pat Karno’s hand comfortingly. “Yeah… I guess he did. Maybe we should just let him sober up.”

I was fortunate enough to escape with the help of the other gods who were trying to keep Karno from latching onto me. This only made it necessary for me to leave the dining room. I really wanted to see Leon’s reaction to a drunk Karno at this time of day when he’s supposed to be on guard duty. It was a peak contradiction. How unfortunate that I had to return to my room and remove the voodoo-Karno from the glass of wine. Everything went smoothly in my testing. If I could get Karno to be putty in my hands, then two humans would be nothing! 

I hummed quietly to myself as I began setting up for the next stage of my work. Experimenting on the gods was over. Now that I knew what worked and what didn’t work, I’d be King of the Mardi Gras parade in no time.

***

“King…?” Zyglavis tilted his head, genuinely believing that I was just messing with them. He shook his head. “First, Ichthys and Leon are stuck as frogs—a situation you need to fix before we can allow you to do anything extra. Second, Karno was very intoxicated after a lunch that you made—I refuse to place my suspicions anywhere else, contrary to Huedhaut’s firm belief that you did not share his wine. Now you approach me asking to go to a parade because you, a woman, are the King of this parade?”

“Are you… pushing gender norms on me now?” I winked, inclining my head so he would stop looking down on me. “It’s the biggest New Orleans celebration of the year! I’ve never been King before; it’s an honor. Besides, if I’m crowned King then I’ll personally be able to kiss Leon and Ichthys—that way Partheno doesn't have to get his precious lips covered in frog. I’ll solve all your problems in one night and one night only.”

His eyebrows furrowed—I wasn’t aware his face could look that upset. That had to be a record for ‘how disapproving can my face look?’ He then had a continuation of his lecture, “Do you have any idea how many humans are going to be present? Not only will they all be in danger, but they will all be witness to any happenings that night. It would be extremely tedious to clean up any mishaps—especially if those dark gods show themselves.”

“That’s another thing I’d be helping you with,” I pointed out excitedly. I sort of doubted those two dark gods would show up—as far as I was concerned… I suspected my friends on the other side to have some kind of connection to them. As far as they were concerned, they didn’t need those two dark gods interfering with my big plans for Mardi Gras night. Still, I couldn’t explain this to Zyglavis. So, I had to convince him in another fashion. “I’m literally live bait. Those two will fall into your open palms. Nothing can go wrong between my voodoo and your powers.” Peering hopefully at him, I nodded my head expectantly for him to agree. “Everything sounds perfect, doesn’t it?”

His eyes narrowed. “Most things that are too good to be true are usually too good to be true. Something is bound to go wrong. You should decline this invitation.”

“And if I don’t?”

He sighed. “You’re intent on making more trouble for us than necessary?” I firmly nodded. There was no way I could back out of this now. “I’ll inform the others of your reckless plans. You’ll need more than one guard, your highness.”

***

Originally it was just supposed to be my six assigned body-guards… but somehow it turned into the whole pantheon. I assume it had something to do with the fact that Leon refused to allow my safety to be solely in the hands of those guys, followed by Scorpio who refused to let Leon guard me if he wouldn’t be there. If there was one thing that didn’t change about Leon, it was his confidence in his own powers.

Not that their presence bothered me—they wouldn’t be able to stop anything that I was planning., regardless The way I rigged the float with my powers made it so that no outside magic wcould nterfere. Not to mention the crown at the top of the float was to serve as an amplifier to attract the souls of all present in New Orleans; but that waouldn’thappen right away. I needed to make sure the gods weren’t touching the float before I could really start up the excitement. 

I think most of the suspicion arose when I sat cross-legged on the float rather than stand and wave as I was previously doing. Little portals allowed me to summon my friends and little voodoo doll creations. The scene was exciting to most spectators, but it alarmed my gods enough for Teorus to settle with freezing time around us—which was probably a smart move to avoid future problems with the present humans. It would be bad if we exposed them to magic—what a ruckus that would cause in the normal human world. 

They assumed they could control the situation, but they assumed far too much when they realized they couldn’t actually get to me. The fact that Teorus froze time was probably more helpful to me. 

I bowed my head. The talisman around my neck floated beside my head, thrumming with my power. “Our deal is sealed… These little souls are yours if you bring him back.” 

“Him…?” Karno mimicked, his eyes locked onto me. “Who are you bargaining for? What are you doing? Stop this now and we won't need to take drastic measures.” They wouldn't understand, they were just gods. They'd never understand the pain of losing someone! 

“The fact that we had to step in at all was a drastic measure,” Zyglavis corrected, his eyes on me. He, of all gods, knew exactly who I was trying to get back, though he didn't expect it to come to this. “He won't be returned to you. He's gone, consumed by magic. One cannot-”

“What?” I interrupted Zyglavis—though I wasn't interrupting him. I was interrupting the masks that dwindled in the surrounding air. I scoffed in disbelief. “That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard all day. Even if I wanted to, their Divine power surpasses mine. Your request for me to get rid of these Zodiac gods is in vain. I'm not here to be your puppet!” If I was being honest with myself, I would have taken on the challenge of defeating the 12 zodiac gods. The only barrier I ran into… was that I cared for them. I wouldn’t fight them for my friends on the other side.

Of course, I knew the only condition of getting my mentor back was by allowing my friends to feast on the souls that resided in New Orleans. Then they'd have more than enough power to get what I wanted. 

Only… I faltered as Scorpio shouted at me, “Those bastards can't get you what you want, god dammit! You let those things loose and they'll take all the souls in this city and then yours. Think, stupid woman! These human souls won't sustain them like yours.” 

Same as my faithful teacher, I was serving my friends for a purpose, but Scorpio’s words rang true. At this point, who didn't want my soul for some ulterior purpose? My friends wanted my soul to become all powerful; the dark gods wanted my soul to resurrect the Dark King. Was evil all my soul was good for? 

I forced out a terse laugh, rising back to my feet. “My existence is only here to fuel evil then?”

“You're not!” Huedhaut wasn't hesitant to argue for me. He would know since he was most familiar with this soul. “You decide what you do with your soul; in the end, it's our responsibility to protect you.” 

These friends of mine weren't any better than the dark king. Neither side respected my decisions. When it came down to it, the only ones who hadn't tried to actively use me were the gods. My powers flared up around me at the thought of such a bitter betrayal. “My mentor cowered before you and did everything to please you… But not me. I don't know if you've realized what you were training.” 

Before I could rip the talisman from my neck, a harsh tug on my shadow sent me falling to the lower section of the float. My hands balled into fists as various voodoo dolls that were infused with darker power pinned me down. My eyes narrowed as I observed this magic—it wasn’t the kind I was used to seeing. It made me wonder if they linked their powers to the Under Realm. Whether or not that was the case, that they were using such dark magic meant that they were trying to ensure for things to end up in their favor. 

Angling my head up, my eyes widened at how serious the gods had become. If I didn’t take control of this situation soon, there would be an enormous mess on our hands. If they broke the shields—or if I released the shields—that I’d put up around the float then these normal humans would be exposed to unnecessary danger. More importantly… the gods would be exposed to the unnecessary danger that I had caused.

“Wait!” I shouted, making the gods pause. I knew they didn’t really have a valid reason to trust me after the way I betrayed their trust, but I needed them to give me a chance. The situation could be salvaged if I could handle these evil voodoo entities. “Wait…” I repeated. “I can do this.” At the very least, I was confident in myself. I just needed a few minutes. 

It disappointed me when Leon immediately denied me. “We don’t have time to waste. Do you want to die and give them your soul?”

My pleading eyes were failing to convince him otherwise. Thankfully, I had at least one person on my side. Karno agreed, “You only have a few minutes to fix this or we’re going to take matters into our own hands. We can’t afford to put you in unnecessary danger.” Leon glared at his vice minister, but it didn’t sway him from his choice.

That was fine; if they were arguing amongst themselves, then that would keep them occupied for a few minutes. 

My eyes flickered back to the floating masks that were summoning their magic through my created portals. After all, they were too weak to steal my soul as they were. Directing my restricted powers at them, I threatened, “Listen, friends, you underestimated my power before… You couldn’t control me so you had my mentor fit me with a talisman to ‘control’ my powers. Do you realize now? I’m a reborn goddess and my creations were bound with divine power!”

My eyes flickered back to the floating masks that were summoning their magic through my created portals. After all, they were too weak to steal my soul as they were. Directing my powers at them, I threatened, “Listen, friends, you underestimated my power before… You couldn’t control me so you had my mentor fit me with a talisman to ‘control’ my powers. Do you realize now? I’m a reborn goddess and my creations were bound with divine power!”

The voodoo dolls I created with the added powers of the gods were still under my control and my shadow was still beside me. With the aid of my voodoo gods, they ripped the talisman from my neck, discarding it onto the ground. With my ‘friends’ being panicked at my newfound magical freedom, it was nothing for me to break loose, using my shadow to shatter the talisman. Without their dark magic constricting my powers, my voodoo powers were exuding out of me, my shadow growing frighteningly large behind me as I grinned. 

“Woah,” Aigonorus muttered, making me glance back at the gods who thankfully no longer looked like they were ready to level the entire city just to finish these evil voodoo entities. Tilting his head, Aigonorus commented, “Maybe we didn’t need to come guard her…”

Humming, I commented lightly, “You know, Carnival Season is fun and all with music and costumes… but the best thing to do with a mask that’s served its purpose… is break it.” Without a cap on my powers, they were relentless against the frantically put together powers of the voodoo masks that couldn’t fight against me. What made it easier was the help my voodoo-gods provided. Taking down the shields I erected, the gods provided minimal assistance—I say minimal because I did most of the hard work. 

Though, the action of the night was enough to drain me. I was sitting on the edge of the float, leaning against the upper layer as I waited for them to wrap things up. 

“That was pretty cool,” Ichthys beamed, joining me at ground-level. “I wish you’d have told us you had this awesome prank planned out though. I’d have wanted to be in on it.”

“It wasn’t a prank,” Dui corrected with a frown on his face. He didn’t like the emotional mess I made of him and Shadow Dui. “I really thought you were ready to betray us. But… we’re not finished yet, are we?”

I averted my gaze, shaking my head. Time was still frozen for the moment, but I knew this float would be empty and abandoned when time started up again… So much for being King of the Mardi Gras parade. “There’s actually one more place that needs cleaning of dark magic. Otherwise we’ll have Dark Gods coming after us soon. I’ll be honest, I’m not disappointed by the way things turned out here tonight. I… found their ‘jobs’ were getting sketchy since I moved into the mansion. It was only a matter of time before this happened.”

“You knew?!” Dui shouted, making me flinch. I hadn’t expected a big reaction out of him. Usually he was so calm as to keep Shadow Dui in check. “Why didn’t you tell anyone? We could’ve helped you! They- They pinned you down and almost took your soul and you didn’t say anything about suspecting their ulterior motives!”

Ah, so that’s what he was so excited about. Tilting my head, I explained, “Zyglavis never would have let me go through with something as risky as that. In fact… that would have caused a big fight in the mansion since… I technically willingly invited evil beings. Besides, things ended very well, didn’t they? I’m free now. Teacherless… but free.”

Things fell silent for a moment as they noticed my solemn expression. Just because we won didn’t mean there wasn’t a loss. Ichthys quietly asked, “You… were actually holding out to try to get your mentor back, weren’t you? Why’d you risk so much for him? Wasn’t he the one who got you into this voodoo mess?”

I hummed, nodding my head. Though I wasn’t exactly ready to talk about it, I commented, “My powers were out of control and he was the only one who could help me. He was a mentor and a father-figure and he was being used too. So… I didn’t exactly get what I wanted tonight. Though… being King is pretty cool, I guess. It’s not everyday you get crowned as the ‘Monarch of Merriment’.” 

Ichthys glanced at Dui before eagerly saying, “Wait here.” 

Dui didn’t seem to have any answers for me as Ichthys suddenly rushed off. To our surprise, he somehow convinced Zyglavis to allow us to finish the parade route before retracing our steps to the Voodoo Emporium where we would seal off that dark magic once and for all. I had to admit; it was pretty cute watching the gods with their mini-voodoo selves sitting on their shoulders.

I knew they’d joined the parade for my sake, and I tried to enjoy what I could of the remaining few hours of Mardi Gras. After all… there was still work to be done afterwards and I was going to be in for a looooong lecture once we returned to the mansion.

***

Fortunately, the ‘cleanup’ business that had to be taken care of afterwards was nothing for a group of gods. Though they immediately wanted to return to the mansion after our outstanding adventure, I was still intent on prolonging our journey. I wasn’t in the mood to return to the mansion for hours of lectures just yet. Eagerly I tried to redirect us. “I’m pretty hungry after all this magic-use… and I know the perfect place we can go to celebrate! There’s a restaurant on the bank of the Mississippi River called Tiana’s Place and the banana foster dessert they serve is amazing! Krioff, I think you’d love it, it has ice cream in it and yummy warm fruit.”

Scorpio scowled at me. “This your attempt at avoiding punishment?”

I grinned. “It sure is. But you can’t punish me on an empty stomach, can you? There’s king cake with apple filling…?” Lifting my eyebrows, Scorpio grumbled as he reluctantly agreed to my suggestion. Our Mardi Gras party was a little last minute, but there was food suiting everyone’s taste at a popular restaurant like this in New Orleans. Maybe I’d have to bribe them with food more often to get out of trouble…

[system-of-a-feather]

Fuck studying Imma ramble cause I'm over it. The first midterm for birds class and ID is supposed to be relatively easy and if it is fuck it I don't need to study, if its not, then fuck it this was the "hardest part of birds" for me so I'll just do better on the next one. My levels of shits has gone down so much with how over school I am and since working with the subsystem and realizing everyone is really over it. I have ONE last class and I can not be asked (technically two but I'm taking the other P/NP so I don't have to worry about the grade so long as I get a C- which is easy)

But honestly, our system has spent the first twenty-two years of our life being put on high pressure to keep everything perfect of the capitalistic grindset with a metaphorical knife to our throat if we so much as slip up. And this is not meant to be a brag, because I say this with exhaustion due to just how much mental illness, splitting, and pain we put into this, but we have actually managed to keep a REALLY clean and perfect track record. We have over a year of formal research experience, two years worth between two seperate labs. We have a year of clinical experience. We've maintained a perfectly clean record in terms of legal shit. We've maintained off of all addictive substances (save for caffeine). We've "gotten a good grade in healing and recovery". We've built so many skills and properly learned to self care some. We make money. We have a really good healthy long term relationship. We have some really strong healthy stable friends. We have healthy positively fulfilling hobbies. We are on our way to a career path we love and we are a very strong candidate for our ideal career.

We have worked so fucking endlessly and tore ourselves apart regularly (literally I guess) to keep this up because we could never get ourselves to fucking stop and we are so so so close to what our whole system thinks is the first time in our entire lives that we can actually take a breather and fucking just LIVE.

Running the mid to late December we are finally graduated with our Bachelors degree and we can join the work force and spend two years just fucking living before going into gradschool. I've had some classmates give me a weird look and judge cause my "gap year" is still me fully working a full time job and that is "self care" but it really really really fucking is for us.

Now that I'm writing this I'm definitely blurred, possibly temp-fused with Data - actually almost certainly temp-fused with Data. But we are so so so so so fucking just hoping that we are right that this is finally fucking live and not be in this fucking hellhole of a miserable life.

Like I (Data side) would be so fucking happy to just let this all fucking go and just fuse into the rest of the subsystem properly because we really really don't need to be holding onto our life with as tight of a grip as I / we do but until we finish this last quarter, this last year, it was absolutely non negotiable. I'm praying to whatever god I don't believe in that I am right and that my brain will let us just have two fucking seconds of life.

I don't really even know what that would look like - WE don't even know what that would look like. Having two years where the only thing on our "progress list" is just working and not having to worry about tests or skill building. There's even a chance we might end up moving across the country and live near our best bro and bring our fiance over when he can make it.

It's so incomprehensible to actually be able to just do things without it having to be a check mark in a grand miserable scheme of making sure everything is perfect and done right and that we have entire control and awareness over our progress win life. It's so incomprehensible to have so few variables to keep track of to make sure we won't be miserable the rest of our lives. It's so incomprehensible to actually be able to live and ugh.

I'm so fucking tired and burnt out on living like this. It's been 22 years. We've given enough and once we secure a job for those two years, we have officially reached the bare minimum stability that our brain can finally permit us to have the first breather we had since we came out of the fucking womb right?

My "book" says in theory yes and I pray that it is not a false hope and a lie. I've been trudging through this past month or two with the energy given from the idea that if I get this last bit done right, I can theoretically be fucking free because I succeeded. If I do, then I will cry and be more than glad to fuse which is hopefully the plan.

("also lol Riku -> Data-Riku temp-fuse -> Data caught live in ramble" -Riku back there)

I'm exhausted as shit but currently it's optimistic and hopeful positive exhaustion. I hope in the next half year that I'm not an isolated part and our system has healed enough that I don't have to be a seperate part and we (as a whole) do not have to feel the need to have someone as chronically obsessive-compulsive driven. I'd love that, both for myself (since I would have achieved the ability to let some of it go) and for the whole.

Crossing my fingers.

-Data / Riku / Data-Riku Fusion

[kidkintsugi]

stuff happened again over the course of the last few months and theres nothing I can do. I might just do it after all.

Friend i made over the last year dropped me and had me blocked on every account he owns because we had an argument. I even tried apologizing to him but by that time he already had me blocked everywhere. I regret sending that apology; i was also hurt. He didnt even try to apologize, and the way hes now trying to brutally distance himself giving me no chance to even contact him shows me that maybe hes only been using me for my money and help after all. The guy who apparently he crushed hard on broke his heart twice, yet he kept on crawling back to him. I have an argument with him once and he drops me like its nothing. I suspect this is also a way for him to avoid giving me back the money he owes? Maybe i wasnt that important to him after all, its almost laughable. Im not even trying to say i did everything right because i didnt, but again, in his own words, he doesnt even care. He'll be retaking the semester, i suspect he'll be spending his last days in my class online (if he id attending classes at all) so he doesnt even have to see anyone.

My best friend since birth who is essentially like a sister to me confessed to her mother that she fears for our friendship because I seem distant. It breaks my heart honestly, and with all of the other shit that has gone down, this was the last thing i needed. I cried for the first time in months. Shes everything to me, id rip off my arm if it made her happy, i couldnt even be angry at her if i tried, yet shes upset because i didnt have it in me to reach out. I hate myself, i really do. I make so much time for homework; ive been working non stop all over my christmas break, its a whole buttload of shit that i have to work at all over christmas, yet i couldnt find the time to talk to her. I want to rip my skin off, the urge to hurt myself is so bad as im writing this. Im an idiot. I wish i could be a better friend but after this much work and other emotional turmoil going on around me, daily classes until 4pm with homework directly afterwards until 8pm, i barely have the energy to even leave my bed, much less to initiate conversation.

My family feels like its falling apart as well ever since my uncle died. We already pretty much never talk to one pair of aunt and uncle because theyre not the nicest and like to stirr up trouble because my grandpa doesnt give them money (? lol) but now my other aunt, that used to be married to my now dead uncle, found new love. Within half of a year. Shes now also distancing herself, moving to a city an hour away from our own. We dont even know her new lover. She'll be moved to the other city by the start of next year. This only leaves me and my parents with my cousin, who developed depression because her partner doesnt care for her or her child (my grandcousin!!!! Hes so funny he can barely talk because hes so young!!!) and my other cousin who is, apparently, in an incestuous relationship with his half brother (THIS IS SO WEIRD TO WRITE???? WHAT HAPPENED THERE). We arent many people left but we still care for eachother, or at least i hope so.

Honestly, it just all looks like it wont get better in the future. Ill always be like this. Ill always struggle with emotion. I genuinely believe its for the better when im just dead. Theres only very few things keeping me from doing it. I hope next year gets better; ive been promised ill have less homework in my 5th and 6th semester, but my school rarely keeps up with promises. My hopes arent high.

[rippeds0cks]

10/31/2023

Alright the day is past and nothing bad happened. Granted I did everything to make sure nothing bad could. I just sat in my room all day watching movies. I made a letterboxd mainly just to keep track of what movies I’ve watched cause my memory is fading. Anyways onto emotional shit. Ive got to move on and wash my hands of my emotions towards my ex. I cant keep hoping and dreaming of a future where things work/worked out. The chances of that happening are next to 0. I dont say 0 cause its all on her shoulders. As you can tell by all my posts id kill to just have a conversation with her again. So while yeah id fall in love again just seeing her in person it will most likely never happen. And while it sucks and makes me really sad its just how it is. I have to live with it i cant avoid it. My door will always be open for her but its a door that will never be used and thats somethin i gotta get used to. I should already be used to it but im sentimental and stuff. I���ll always love her but its just life yknow? She’ll always be someone magical to me. Never in my life has anyone evoked emotion out of me like she did. Honestly up until her i just viewed other people as something less than me that i never had to care about. She was supposed to be someone i just used to comfort but when i met her for the first time i fell in love and proceeded to ruin everything over the years. Ill never forget the gut feeling i got every time i saw her. Ill never forget the fact i never genuinely smile but around her i could only genuinely smile cause of how happy i was just to be in her presence. It truly does pain me that i ruined all that cause i was a hurt little boy who had no clue how to properly connect with others. And yeah i could always blame how i was raised or the stuff i was going through at the time but i wont. It wouldnt be right to say anything wasnt my fault. But its just something i have to live with. The one that got away n all i guess. Im gonna just focus on the steps i gotta keep taking to firefight so i can make some use of my life. Might get a job at a local book store cause ive been enjoying reading. Who knows. Could be cool. Anyways

[not-where-im-supposed-be]

Well... Hello, i guess.

Im not really sure what im doing with this tbh. My therapist suggested i start journaling some time ago. Ive never been good at writing my feelings, but seeing as i wont be able to afford her soon.. I guess i ought to start and try to make something of it.

My name is-...I probably should have come up with one before this. But then i likely would have never started. Lets go with Pip, for now.. Maybe ill change it later. (I hope i change it later.)

Anyway, im 29 this year. I just left my fiance.. Well, actually i just moved away. We're still in contact. Its complicated. Idk where that relationship sits right now. I dont have any friends to speak of, apart from my cat, Freyja.

(heres a picture of my sweet small lady)

(shes so beautiful 😭)

Yeah, i know.. 'whos only friend is a cat? Thats pitiful.'

Im not a super social person, ok? I like the quiet. And I have a very low social battery to begin with. That's not to say i don't want friends. I actually.. Really do. Im lonely. But im awkward and don't know how to start conversations, let alone keep them going. I also don't have a vehicle, and my city is not walkable, meaning I cant just... Go out and meet people at events or anything. (Honestly I dont know if I would be brave enough to go alone anyhow.)

I currently live with my mom, brother and step-father. Also complicated relationships. Mostly on my end. We get along but I feel a bit like a stranger most days.

I also work at a rinky-dink shop nearby. Itll probably go under with the new take-over and price-hikes. I don't really like it there but, hey, gotta afford cat food somehow.

So after 5 years of an admittedly unhealthy relationship and with an excessive amount of time to myself... I will now be trying to learn who i am. Took long enough, right?

Some things i know i like are:

Cats

Video games (i am terrible. But i enjoy them anyway- mostly for the story)

Anime and Manga

Reading- mostly fantasy and romance

Fuzzy blankets- or really anything cozy

Art- both making and appreciating

Baked goods

Sleeping. A lot.

Plants (i cannot keep them alive, however)

I guess thats it, really. Not sure what im doing with this, or what to post next time, but i guess we'll see what happens. Im not even sure anyone will wanna read this.

Maybe someone will relate. Maybe ill make some friends. Idk. In any case, this is the end of my first post. Heres hoping future me can look back on this and find herself in a far better place, both mentally and physically.

[escape-rock-bottom]

Journal #27 - No, I Don't Know What I'm Doing (Discomfort Challenge Journal)

A lot of my life, much like everyone else entering the young adult stage of life, is just me running around like a headless chicken trying to grasp a sense of purpose and autonomy. People like me tend to take longer or not even be capable of figuring all that out as quickly as most would.

Right out of high school, I knew I was expected to go to college. I didn't have a life calling or career interest whatsoever. All I could think about was my spiraling and out of control state of being. Regardless, I enrolled in the only degree program I was interested in. 

From a young age, I've wanted to start a business. I didn't know what kind or what I'd do to start one, but the idea sounded cool and right in my range of interest. I hated the idea of jobs from the instant I learned what they were. Eeeew, I have to do pointless things to get paid by someone? Gross. I'd rather get paid by providing something people value. This aspiration died out in the onset of the mental illness crisis once I hit 9th grade, but I never forgot I wanted it. So, I chose business as my major with a minor in art. 

After high school, various ideas for businesses came about but I either took action then abandoned it (due to a variety of factors) or never took action because I couldn't think through how or was just not that into it to start. Regardless, it's been 6 or so years since I really began playing around with the ideas and I'm still not the Cool Business Owner I dreamed of being. 

While I was thinking of my discomfort challenge list, I remembered this along with my newfound drive to get outta rock bottom financially. I told myself that by the end of this challenge, I will have started a business of some sort. Apparently, you can go from idea to reality in less than a week with some business models. So, there I went, spending my time and energy doing just that.

I take a little longer than most to put things together. Realistically, I am limited by my schedule and variable mental clarity conditions and energy levels, so I knew a month would be just the right timeframe for me. 

Turns out I was right. In the first week, I combed through every possible business model and idea I had. The next two were setting up the business itself - planning, figuring out my brand and niche, designing, and preparing to launch - and the final is dedicated to actually launching and refining. 

Yeah. I have an actual existing business now. It's a newborn, but it's there which is better than nothing. My next moves are to set up a growth and management plan for next month and start to get traction by leveraging my (honestly expansive) range of social media accounts and trying some advertising and optimization. While I can't say I'm an expert, I know enough about the niche and internet/social media stuff to understand what people are more interested in. 

I also can't say my product is the coolest and best thing ever in the world. My hopes for that are to just get traction then improve quality as my budget grows, but for now, it's a simple print-on-demand store using my handmade designs. As I create more designs, I'll definitely get more expertise doing as such.

To get to this point, it took a lot of mental work and blind risk taking and running through countless different ideas. Not only did I have to think through everything and create the designs and whatever for the store and products, but I had to actively reframe my thinking to keep myself in action. I couldn't let myself second guess and plan out every single detail or I'd never actually launch within the month, and I couldn't allow self doubt to sink its teeth into me. I just had to do enough planning to know my next step then take action.

The coolest thing is the fact that I have a few people saying they are interested in the design itself. I also personally know people in the niche I'm targeting that I can draw future inspiration and ideas from (or even have help advertise to their much much larger networks). I just have to put myself out there and manage my little newborn business and grow it to something.

I also have to remind myself that failure is eminent, I may come into some product issues or site issues or sales issues, but I can't let myself give up on the idea I'm truly excited for. Not only would that be lame but I'd also never see where my idea would potentially go or what I can accomplished.

If I'm faced with failure or other issues with the business, I need to remember: 

Try to figure out a way to improve aspects that are considered "weak links" 

Remove what doesn't work, keep and/or optimize what does

Pivot. Sometimes it's a matter of a moving market or interest

Expand my reach and solidify my brand. This can help drive sales and uphold my business' reputation 

Expand my product variety if I see the problem is due to that

Communication with my audience to discover any new angles

Seek a business advisor/coach for advice

Recover and rebuild if the issue results in loss 

Be transparent. People like to know that they are seen and heard, and people love when others hold themselves accountable

Keep moving forward. Running around while everything's crashing and burning is not productive or helpful

It's okay to feel frustrated or distressed when initially met with failure. It's how you react and move on afterwards that matters

Failure is a normal human experience. It's an event, not a personality trait 

Learn from your failures

I'm excited for where I could be in a year. I'm even more excited for the journey and the learning and the freedom I can get from it. Most of all, I'm excited to share the things I created with the world. It's all I've longed for, and I will do my best to grow this little business into something impressive by my own standards of achievement. 

Lastly, it's not that scary now that I launched it. I just had to do it. Things are usually not as terrifying as you make them out to be.

[remcycl333]

Void/LOA success by 💇‍♀️anon

This post is gonna be a bit lengthy , blunt and unbelievable 😭 also very sloppily written cause i’m havijh so much fun. i really have got out of my comfort zone and I’m so happy i did. No you do not have to follow every step I did! This is simply for motives and inspo.

So, yeah it's obvious i was one who struggled with void and loa blah blah blah for a LONG TIME! I was a hardcore druggie, physical and mentally abused all my life, had a very rare illness and so much more. But who gaf ab the old story. ☠️

So after a day of sending that cringe ass message to u i ended up prioritizing myself. It’s clear I was idolizing void and I’ve been doubting in LOA too like ??? So in the 3D i moved in with my one and only friend, got a job at a fastfood place (pls this is sorta embarrassing), and decided homeschool was much better for me. Also between that time I learned how to correctly manifest and shiz by you and @theandreiaeffect<3. And girlllll literally less than the next week I manifested perfect mental and physical health, my dream job, desired appearance, and 7,000,000$ with a 15,000,000$ home me and my bestie now live in. I was already so happy how it was. Yet after that crazy ass week passed by i woke up in the fucking void. I have no clue how but i did.

Now for what I manifested in void.

- ‘i heard a rumor’ power - a power of this girl from a netflix show. basically you say ‘i heard a rumor ____’ and it happens. its like a brainwash power? its simple to explain but idk. (If u watch that show my fav character is klaus whats urs?)

- Time travel(?) - so when i got in void it was prolly like september 11th 2022. i just said in the void ‘it is August 30th’ and when i woke up it was august 30th as you can tell so now I’m just relapsing my days but in a goodway.

- changed family - my bestie is like family and i changed her appearance to her desired appearance, more cousins, siblings, aunts etc. my dad being a famous nfl star.

- Revenge - basically just fucking with my abusers life the same way they fucked with mine. I have no regrets so🤷‍♀️

- Name and age revision - I always hated my full name so i changed it. I was 17 and just revised that i’m 21. yeah it was a big gap but idc it was worth it for me honestly. i also manifested i’m not gonna die till like 90 and age like wine so.

- a bf- oh let me tell u. i’ve always had a crush on ralph macchio. and now i have a boyfriend who is his twin but even more attractive. his personality and the way he showers me with love is mwah.

- Removing phobias - i’ve always been scared of animals🤦‍♀️ not anymore tho now i have 2 cute lil puppies and a parrot:)

- Vegan restaurants and shops opening up close to me - I’ve been vegan since the beginning of the year due to animal cruelty and just not enjoying meat.

- Immune from getting preggo til 25 - its self explanatory what i be doing but i’m not ready for a baby yet so🤫

- Being protected and safe 24/7 - anyone around me also is aswell its like a invisible barrier to danger

Now those are just a handful of what I manifested. I literally manifested sooooo many other priv things. Just get ur shit together. I have nothing else to tell u. Honestly idk how LOA coaches don’t get fed up with y’all constantly crying ab how u dont got ur shit when u are the reason why. U have a cheatcode to life. Not many people are spiritually awoken. Do you know how fortunate you are to have discover LOA???? Keep this in mind and maybe ya know manifest ur dream life. To Rem, I thought I’d be on tumblr way longer as your anon, but I’d rather go live my life to the fullest for a while. I hope my story leaves an imprint on the LOA community. Andreia, you have also really inspired me. I’m so fucking happy I made a whole 180 with my life. Rem and Andreia, i will NEVER forget what you have done for me. Thank you so much really. I love u guys so much🥲🥲

yesss im so proud of u!!! when u said u traveled back in time from september i got the chills! and baby go live your life and enjoy it, you deserve it!!! come back whenever u want and update us <3

[cafedanslanuit]

♡   —   pairing: eren x reader

♡   —   tags/warnings: mentions of cheating and alcohol. side aruani and yumihisu. honestly just a feel-good fic, with humour and fluff <3

♡   —   a/n:  honestly, this is the most “romantic comedy” fic i’ve ever written and i love it <3 shout out to @ofoceansandtombstones​ that beta read this one mwah thank u

♡   —   masterlist

There was an ill taste in your mouth that wouldn’t go away, no matter how many drinks you had. And you already had more than a few. From your spot on the table, you could see your friends dancing and having the time of their lives. You really wished you could join them. Nevertheless, you had wasted all your energy forcing a smile and clapping along during the ceremony. Once you had arrived at the hotel reception with the rest of the guests, you had slid a bill to a kind waitress and told her to keep the drinks coming. 

Ymir and Historia were dancing in front of you. Stoic, sour-faced Ymir couldn’t help but smile as her sweet girlfriend twirled and giggled, her cheeks red and eyes just the tiniest bit unfocused. Next to them, Sasha, Jean and Connie were owning the dance floor, moving in sync to the happy music. A grin formed on your face as you saw Connie lifting Sasha up and her almost falling to the floor. Jean was holding his stomach as he laughed loudly.

On a nearby table, Mikasa looked over at them, a small smile on his lips. She was sitting next to her girlfriend, who was holding her hand as they watched their friends dance. You saw her girlfriend leaning over to her and whispering something in her ear, to which she chuckled. It was so strange -and so beautiful- to see Mikasa laugh that it took you aback. And apparently, also the girl she was with, because her lips slightly parted as she watched her in awe.

“How’s the party animal doing?”

You looked up and saw Eren staring down at you with a funny expression. He was wearing black dress pants and a white shirt. The first two buttons were undone, and he was carrying his suit jacket over his shoulder and a beer on his other hand.

“Someone’s gotta keep an eye out for everyone,” you replied with a shrug. Eren scoffed and took the seat next to you on the empty table, leaving his jacket on the nearest chair.

“I mean, I know attending your ex’s wedding isn’t bound to be a good time, but you’d think you would try to put on a happy face.”

You rolled your eyes. “Hey, at least I’m here.”

“After Mikasa tried her best to convince you during a whole week,” he said. You turned your head to Eren, eyes wide open. “What? Of course she told me.”

“That little… That’s it, I’m going to tell her girlfriend about that one time Mikasa got drunk with us,” you muttered angrily, standing up. Eren was quicker and pulled you back to your seat.

“You and Armin broke up a year ago. Why are you so upset he’s moving on?”

Before you could answer, the music stopped and the dance floor erupted in applause. Eren and you watched as Armin and Annie walked in between their guests, greeting everyone as they made their way to the bride and groom table, covered with a pearl cloth and decorated with the finest flowers. Every detail screamed elegance and you knew Armin had been the one to decide most of it. It had his taste written in every napkin and strategically placed flower.

Armin’s smile was almost too big for his face and if you had to guess, those small red marks on the external corner of his eyes meant he had been crying just a few minutes ago. You rolled your eyes. So sentimental. On the other hand, Annie’s smile was far less noticeable, but for someone who always repressed her public displays of emotions as much, that little smile must have felt heavenly to her new husband.

Husband. You took a big gulp of your drink.

“I’m telling you this because I care for you,” Eren said, redirecting your attention to him. “You’re looking like a petty ex.”

“Rather be petty than a cheater,” you shrugged, finishing your drink. You gestured to the waitress and she immediately walked to you, handing you a full glass. Thanking her, you wasted no time in taking a sip.

Eren’s eyebrows were deeply furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Armin never told you why we broke up, right?”

Eren scooted his chair closer to you and you bit back a laugh.

“He said you just weren’t good together,” he said, trying to remember his friend’s words. “And you said something similar when I asked you back then. Where does this ‘cheating’ thing come from?”

You let out a long sigh. “Maybe it wasn’t cheating. Not by definition, at least. But when your boyfriend starts dating someone else a week after you broke up a two-year-long relationship and he gets engaged four months later… you draw your own conclusions,” you explained, taking another sip of your drink and making a grimace. “Fuck, this one’s strong.”

After not getting a response from Eren for a long moment, you finally turned to look for his emerald eyes. You could almost see the numbers flying around his mind, trying to make sense of everything you had just told him. It was endearing.

“Wait, no-- wait,” Eren gestured at you with his hand. He stopped himself again and took a sip of his beer. “The first time Armin told me about Annie was in February. I remember it clearly. We were shopping for Mikasa’s birthday gift and then he went to pick something for Annie. And you guys broke up around Halloween, that’s the time I found you crying-- in Jean's backyard during our costume party.”

“We had a big fight at that party. We hadn’t broken up,” you clarified with a smirk. “He broke up with me after Mikasa’s birthday party. The same party he convinced me not to attend.”

Eren’s face dropped once all the pieces clicked together. He turned his body to look at the bride and groom table, where Armin and Annie were taking a sip of their champagne glasses and talking to each other enthusiastically, while the rest of their guests kept dancing.

“That son of a bitch,” he breathed out. You burst out laughing at his reaction. “No, I mean it! I really thought you had broken up during that Halloween party! You didn’t upload any more photos together, I don’t even remember even seeing you together--”

“I told you, we were fighting and… not in the mood for photos or public dates. Most of those months were spent at his apartment, fighting over really, really stupid things or just not texting each other for days,” you explained. “Honestly, when he broke up with me he made the decision I was too afraid to take. He was right, we weren’t good for each other anymore. But... fuck,” you chuckled icily. “I wish he would have broken up with me before getting with Annie.”

Eren listened in silence, his eyes still on his friend. You gave him time as you kept drinking, your gaze drifting to your friends again. You really wished you could have the energy to join them and forget Armin and Annie. It was true you didn’t love him anymore, yet seeing them together only made you remember how you had been fooled by someone you thought loved you the most.

You had had many dates ever since, but no one ever stuck. It was fun, getting someone’s attention for a couple of weeks, but then you couldn’t help but ghost them, putting up shitty excuses like wanting to focus on yourself and not having enough time to spare with them. You had lost so many amazing opportunities with both boys and girls that a couple of months ago you had decided to stop dating at all. It was lonely for sure, but at least you didn’t find yourself feeling guilty for not being able to open yourself up emotionally for someone else.

“Want to get back at him?”

You turned to Eren so fast you almost hurt your neck.

“What?”

“I have an idea. Just play along,” he explained, standing up.

“Eren, hey, what are you--”

“Everybody! If you could give me a minute please!”

You watched horrified as your friends started turning to you and Eren, confused at the commotion. Eren kept waving his hand, gathering more and more people’s attention, Armin and Annie included. He even gestured to the DJ to lower the music and she complied. In a few seconds, all the guests of the party were looking at you, who was still sitting down with a confused expression, a drink in your hand. Once he deemed enough people were looking at him, you saw him fumbling with his hands nervously.

“Eren,” you called for him again in a whisper, but all he did was take the drink you had in your hands and put it on the table.

“Sorry for interrupting, I know a lot of you were having a lot of fun dancing. But all I’m asking is one minute of your time. I hope that’s okay with you guys,” he grinned back to the bride and groom table, where they were as confused as all the guests around. “I have something really important to say.”

“Eren, no, you can’t tell them about--”

“No, no, give me a moment,” he hushed you again. The DJ walked to both of you and handed an inalambric microphone to Eren.

You didn’t like how devilish his smile turned.

“Great, thanks, this is much better,” he told the DJ, who just kindly smiled at him. “Anyway, I don’t want to take much of the bride and groom’s time, so I’ll try to be concise. The thing is…” he said, turning to face you. “I love you.”

Your mouth flew open as you heard multiple gasps coming from the guests. Yet, you couldn’t bother with looking anywhere but Eren’s eyes. What was he doing? Since when did he have feelings for you? If he wanted to say something, he could have easily said something a few minutes ago, when--

Just play along.

Oh.

Your questioning glare turned into a big smile and you noticed Eren softly nodding at you.

“You already know how much I love you. Honestly, I never get tired of telling you so. And hiding our love from our friends has probably been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Sorry about that, Mikasa,” he said, gesturing to the woman.

You could imagine your friend’s dumbfounded face, but you knew better than to turn and check for yourself. You knew you wouldn’t be able to hold in your laughter.

“So I’m here in front of all our friends and some other guests I don’t know to ask a simple question.”

In a swift movement, Eren got down on one knee. Your hand flew to cover your mouth, trying your best to hide any trace of laughing on your face. The flash of the cameras startled you for a moment, but that only meant Eren’s plan was working. The excited murmurs and squeals only fueled Eren, as he pulled up a ring and showed it to you. You immediately recognized it as one of the rings he had been wearing a few moments ago. 

“Would you marry me?”

A huge, honest grin made its way to your face and you nodded quickly. You grabbed the microphone Eren was holding and spoke right into it.

“Yes, I’ll marry you!”

You hadn’t listened to a crowd erupting in applause and cheers as loud as the guests at Armin’s wedding when Eren slid his ring on your finger. Once again, the flash of the cameras were right into the both of you as you leaped into his arms. He stood up while holding your body close to him, even giving you a small spin and you buried your face in the crook of his neck.

When he finally put you down, the music resumed and all your friends began running to the both of you.

“You’re fucking crazy,” you whispered to Eren, holding his face between your hands. He laughed.

“Kinda ruined the reception, huh?”

“When the fuck did this happen?” Jean inquired as soon as he reached you.

“Dude, why didn’t you tell us?” Sasha whined, with a small pout. “But congratulations!” she quickly followed, hugging you tightly. As you hugged her back, you felt someone taking the hand that was now wearing Eren’s ring.

“This is one of your rings,” she noted, shooting Eren a dirty glance. He lifted his hands in surrender.

“Hey, I didn’t plan this! But I will get her a prettier one soon,” he said, winking at you. You laughed and shook your head.

“Nah, I like this one,” you replied. You shared a knowing grin and soon it was Connie’s turn to hug you.

While you were hugging your friend back, you saw in the corner of your eye Armin getting up from the table and starting to walk to both of you. Your smile immediately vanished from your face and once Eren caught it and followed your eye trail, he understood the reason why. You heard him mutter a curse before he pulled you from Connie’s embrace.

“Well, we’d love to stay, but my fiancée and I want some time alone.”

“C’mon, you haven’t told us yet how you got together!” Sasha complained.

“Next time, we promise,” you hurriedly assured her.

Eren picked his suit jacket from the table and before Armin could reach your group, you quickly walked away, exiting the hotel. Eren whistled to a taxi and you jumped inside, telling the man behind the wheel to drive. Loud laughter filled the vehicle as soon as it began moving.

“How-- how did you even have this idea?” you asked him, holding your stomach as you laughed. “Dude, Armin looked so upset, we totally stole his thunder.”

“That was the plan,” Eren shrugged, a winning smirk on his lips. “Knowing the gang, everybody’s going to be talking about us and the engagement for the rest of the party.”

“Remind me to never have you as an enemy,” you chuckled, leaning back on the car seat. Letting out a long sigh, you took off Eren’s ring and handed it to him.

He shook his head. “Nah, keep it. As a souvenir of today,” he winked.

“Thank you,” you smiled. You put the ring on your thumb this time, since it was too big for your ring finger anyway. “You didn’t have to do this at all, and yet--”

“It’s okay,” he assured you.

“No, really. It’s just-- I’ve been having a tough time since the breakup,” you admitted. “To have you doing this for me means a lot. Makes me feel someone really cares for me. I never said anything to anyone back then because Annie is also a part of the group and I thought…”

Eren leaned his head towards you.

“You thought…?”

“I thought you would pick her too. It’s stupid, I know,” you shrugged, turning your head to Eren. “But Armin had just broken up with me and a week later he was already in public with Annie. Back then, I thought everyone knew we had just broken up and if no one had said anything was because they didn’t care. So I just… stopped hanging out with all of you as much as I did before.”

“Yeah, I noticed that,” he muttered.

“You did?”

Eren nodded. “That’s why I asked Mikasa to pressure you into coming to the wedding. I hadn’t seen you in a while.”

“You could have just asked me to hang out, you know,” you teased him. Eren chuckled, pushing some of his loose hairs behind his ear.

“I think we know by now I don’t take the conventional route.”

“Yeah, all of the guests know that too,” you quipped, making both of you laugh.

This time, when the laughter came to an end, you realized how close your faces were. Your noses were almost brushing as you both were lying your heads on the back of the car seat. You looked into Eren’s emerald eyes and noticed he wasn’t looking away from yours either. Was it the alcohol that made his cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink? If it was, then you could say the warmth crawling up your face was its fault too. It had to be the alcohol, or else, you would have to also ponder about the reason your heart was beating out of your chest at having your friend so close to you. He was handsome, he had always been and you knew this. But why were you losing all your composure just now?

A brief look at Eren's lips gave your thoughts away and, in less than two seconds, he was pressing his lips against yours.

For a spur-of-the-moment kiss, as you thought this one was, it was rather soft. Eren kissed you as if he thought you were the most expensive and fragile thing he had ever seen. But of course, this was just a product of the adrenaline and the fact that -as far as you knew- he hadn’t been dating anyone as well, right?

Your small theory crashed and burnt when you felt his hand softly cradling the side of your face. No. This wasn’t an adrenaline kiss, neither one that you gave without a thought. Maybe it had been unprompted and maybe you hadn’t seen it coming, but it sure as hell seemed he did. Eren’s lips gilded against your with ease, revealing a soft tenderness you didn’t know he possessed. You kissed him back, matching his rhythm as you softly pressed your hand against his chest.

Eren pulled away from you softly, and if his longing eyes were any indicator, a bit reluctantly.

“Hi,” he breathed out, making you grin widely.

“Hi,” you replied. You gently caressed his cheek with the knuckles of the hand that was previously resting on his chest. Eren took it and kissed your palm, making your heart flutter.

“Sorry to interrupt kids, but where are we heading?”

The voice of the taxi driver startled you, making you pull away from Eren. He chuckled at your reaction and then looked back at the man.

“Take us to that pizza place near the central park. Gotta have a celebratory dinner with my fiancée,” he said cheekily, taking your hand into his. You squeezed his hand back, his ring digging a little on your skin.

“So young and engaged already? Congrats!” the driver said, turning left and heading towards the direction Eren had given him.

“Thank you!” you smiled brightly at Eren while he took your joint hands to his mouth and placed a kiss on your knuckles.

A part of you knew you weren’t taking that ring off anytime soon.

[tarosin]

the great adventures of y/n, tommy, wilbur and phil

requested: yes/no

an: part 7 of the great adventures series - a rollercoaster of emotions

warnings: cursing, jokes about death (like the vlog) , didn’t proof read as its 6am sorry for any mistakes

it had been around a week since you last spoke to tubbo, the pair of you got into a heated argument and honestly you didn’t want to be anywhere near the boy. no one heard from you since you and tubbo blocked each other, ranboo would talk to you about how you need to forgive and forget and Tommy would do the same to tubbo eventually you unblocked each other however apart from that it was pretty much useless neither of you were willing to talk to the other person, it was just one of those things that needed time, soon enough you’d be friends again. at least you hoped that would be the case. later that day Wilbur sent you a message asking what time he should pick you up tomorrow not wanting to argue you let him know a time and went off to get ready for the night.

The car ride to Alton towers was pretty quiet the majority of the ride was spent playing random car games like eye spy or singing along to the radio as there was no traffic you got there rather quickly giving you longer in the park. you loved theme parks and Tommy knew this so he took the opportunity to invite you and get you out of the house, he also knew he would need the support. Phil began recording as you all made your way through the park the sky car was first so you could get to the other half of the park Tommy made it pretty clear he wasn’t the biggest fan of this and you and Wilbur didn’t help his cause by discussing the recent crash in Italy that killed a group of people, you pointed out all the rides you passed teasing Tommy whilst Wilbur interviewed him on why he wanted to hit 10 million subs, as soon as Tommy mentioned the girl from college your eyes widened and you sat trying not to laugh as Wilbur and Phil sat telling him to call her. Tommy looked at you trying to get back up but you responded by telling him you want to speak to her.

once off the sky car you stood with an arm around Tommy's shoulders as Wilbur spoke to the girl who you’re hoping is in on it and that they’re not calling up the poor girl unexpectedly. as soon as you were informed that her favourite ride was the smiler Tommy pulled you into a hug hiding his face in the crook of your neck

“Are you serious”

“you’ll be fine it’s the safest ride here...if you ignore the crash”

“y/nnnnn”

the four of you walked around the park looking for an easy rollercoaster as you make your way up to the smiler, the blade caught Wilbur's eye so the three of you made your way whilst Phil decided to stay back to record, you sat next to Tommy reassuring him that he’s going to be fine and how it can’t be that bad as a family with a young child got on the ride after you.

“if I pee myself will you laugh at me”

“yes..actually that’ll make it easier for me”

“Please don’t do that Wilbur”

“only for you y/n”

the ride started slowly however the speed soon picked up you sat laughing as Tommy went on to make references about technoblade and how he’s never going to die. soon enough the three of you began ‘singing’ the lyrics to road trip in an attempt to calm down a little bit. was it working? no. a few minutes later the ride came to an end as you made your way off of the ride you heard a child screaming about how fun it was

“awe”

“how is that six-year-old shouting I loved it”

“are we cowards”

“yes, yes you are”

you made it to Phil first and rambled on about how fun it was before Wilbur and Tommy made it to you both wanting to go home

on your journey to the next ride, Tommy pointed out claw machines and dragged you to them, Phil had a go first and didn’t win the dog Tommy wanted, you had a go determined to win however like Phil you didn’t win

“This is bullshit ill buy you a toy dog”

“Why are you never satisfied”

“Good question”

you walked away from the machines with the others Tommy complained that he was being forced to go on the rides, you pointed at the smiler and Wilbur announced you could all go on that now, the rest of the walk was pretty quiet after that. soon enough you were in the queue to go on duel, you were walking with Phil not realising that Wilbur was currently telling your best friend that he was going to die, the only reason you found out was because Tommy ran up to you asking if he was going to die

“Tommy, no who told you that... Wilbur stop laughing it’s not- it’s not funny”

“y/n you’re quite literally laughing”

you put your finger on your lips and walked off. you sat with Phil so you could have a break from Tommy screaming in your ear as soon as Tommy yelled there were guns the ride began, you weren’t the best at this ride you missed the target a few too many times than you’d like to admit, once the ride was over Tommy made the mistake of laughing about how low your score was you made eye contact with Tommy and placed your hand on his shoulder

“Tommy... you screamed at everything the entire way around. if that ride was any longer i’m afraid I’d lose my hearing”

“didn’t you also do shit Tommy”

“fuck off”

and with that you left the ride walking through the gift shop, you and Tommy were like little children picking up anything that was covered in bright colours, you and Tommy found a squishy monster and named it Clarence you ended up getting attached and Wilbur stayed with you as you paid for it whilst Phil and Tommy were leaving the shop

“Phil we lost y/n and Wilbur”

“sorry y/n got distracted”

you all continued walking to the next ride Tommy instantly got distracted by the dryer outside of the river rapids ride and spent a good few minutes asking to go into the dryer. at this point, you noticed another toy shop and ran off to that one whilst they argued with Tommy about the dryer a few minutes later you met up with them again as you began making your way to the next ride

“what I hate the most about Phil is his kindness”

“wasn’t kind enough to let me win on duel”

“I pray on his downfall”

Phil turned to you only to be met with you nodding as Tommy goes on to talk about hating his generosity

“Phil I've been thinking about you... it’s ruined my day”

“mine was ruined by Tommy screaming at stupid o clock in the morning”

“y/n it’s 12 pm”

“okay and I usually wake up at 3 pm this is early for me”

you stood in the queue for river rapids, as much as you wanted to make Tommy calm down you hated this ride and Wilbur saying there was a chance of drowning made you hate it even more

“y/n will we be fine”

“no this is horrifying I remember the incident where someone was dragged under a ride like this”

“Y/N”

“what are you two thinking about then”

“I’m thinking about the beyond”

“I’m thinking about the sweet release of death”

“you might be going there”

“no, we won’t”

you and Tommy began to panic as you got closer to the ride, Tommy announced the floor was moving which tricked your brain into believing that the floor was moving, Wilbur was still talking about you all dying in a few minutes whilst laughing at Phil trying to make him stop despite the fact he was clearly laughing. Tommy got on first as you were making your way to a seat Tommy pulled you over to him so you were sat together. a worker came over and told you all to keep your seat during the ride

“can I get off”

as soon as you finished your sentence the ride began to move making the others laugh

“ill take that as a no”

a few minutes later you forgot you were scared as you were too busy laughing about the fact that so far out of the four of you the only person getting drenched in water was Phil. this newfound confidence didn't last long the ride began going faster and you and Tommy got drenched in water

“We made it through the second most dangerous part”

“heh...”

you looked at Phil tilting your head waiting for him to confirm that Wilbur was just trying to scare you again. your thoughts were interrupted by Wilbur beginning to speak to the camera

“Alton towers is a very safe and risk-free theme park fun for all the family”

he flipped the camera so the three of you could be seen Phil was laughing Tommy had his head in his hands and you were sat with your hood over your head hiding your face so you couldn’t see what was going to happen. Phil told you to hold on but he was interrupted by Wilbur using the camera to record the four of you together again it was clear you and Tommy were not having the most fun on the ride compared to the others. the ride crashed into the small wall next to the ride causing it to jerk forward making the four of you hit your leg

“my fucking thigh”

“y/n there are children nearby”

“y/n, Tommy you two are lucky to be alive”

you and Tommy turned to face each other then looked back at Wilbur who was continuing to chant that you’re lucky to be alive clearly ignoring Phil who was telling him to stop. eventually, the ride came to an end and you all got off, Phil helped you walk around for a minute as your legs felt extremely weak after that ride

“you okay now y/n”

“yeah yeah thank you, Phil. I'm never going on that ride again”

you all made your way to the centre of the park Wilbur disappeared as you and Tommy stood begging Phil for cotton candy, your only argument being that you really wanted it

“please Phil”

“We can have a little”

“we’re growing Phil we need more than a little”

“it’s diabetes in a box”

“it’s pure joy”

“yeah it’s fun in a box let us get some”

“stop being a dick”

Wilbur came running out of a shop carrying as much cotton candy as he could shouting for you and Tommy to take some and run which you gladly did. the pair of you sat on the grass eating as much cotton candy as you could

“ITS BLUEBERRY”

“that is so sugary”

you and Tommy both grabbed a fistful of cotton candy waving it at the two adults in front of you both, resulting in Phil calling you both goblins, they both walked away leaving you two to enjoy each other’s company for a little while whilst they had a break from the pair of you screaming.

“that’s..that's Tommy and y/n”

it was almost time to face the smiler but before that, you had to conquer oblivion again this was another ride that terrified you but Tommy's reaction to the ride made you laugh for a good few minutes until you realised you were in the queue

“oh fuck. we are going to die”

“you’ll impress the girl and y/n you’ll impress tubbo”

“ill buy her flowers”

“This is a death trap” you went on first and sat a few seats away from the middle Tommy not far behind you

“if we die ill never forgive you”

“you’ll be fine”

“will we though”

“I mean”

“Tommy she was hesitant to answer that get me off this ride”

just like last time the ride started just as you finished trying to get off the ride

“y/n you really need to stop asking to get off the rides it makes them start earlier”

the way to the top of the ride was mainly just you and Tommy yelling curse words trying to stay calm

“Phil do we have to”

“Why could I not stay with Wilbur”

“awe look at the view”

“can we just stay up here- oh shit don’t look down”

“any last words”

“lovely knowing you all”

just before the ride was about to go down the drop Tommy grabbed your hand only letting go for a minute whilst you got off of the ride, as soon as you were making your way to Wilbur so you could all go on the spinball wizard ride he held your hand again keeping you close. your way to the ride was a range of Wilbur telling you all about the smiler or Tommy telling you all he was worried he was going to piss

“what the fuck is yours and Wilburs obsession with announcing you might piss on the ride”

you sat with Wilbur for this ride as he was the only person you hadn’t sat with yet and Tommy sat behind you both, you and Wilbur spent the ride screaming, yelling song lyrics or saying your goodbyes

“for lmanburg”

“Should I be worried.. you did you know create an explosion”

you spent the rest of the ride laughing before it came to an end. you all made your way to the smiler making jokes about how it’s all the girl from college wants to see him on.

“you ready Tommy”

“let’s go home”

“no”

“y/n you’re supposed to be on my team”

the four of you made your way through the gates ignoring Tommy who was yelling about it being a prison simulator, you sat at the end next to Tommy

“so this is safe”

“apart from the crashes yeah”

“y/n? is it safe?”

“it’s safe Tommy I can see you’re genuinely scared I wouldn’t lie in a time like this..maybe”

you and Wilbur agreed to become his wingmen and a few seconds later the ride began, you spent the ride laughing quietly as Tommy began confessing his love

“POGCHAMP”

“I WISH I SAT SOMEWHERE ELSE”

as soon as the ride ended you stood as a group again and called the girl from college, Wilbur practically yelled about how Tommy went on the smiler only for the girl to ask who Tommy was and how she wasn’t friends with him

“it’s okay mate”

“you okay Tommy”

you and Wilbur pulled Tommy into a hug.

a few minutes later you all made your way back to the car park as it was getting late. once in the car you handed Tommy the squishy monster you both named Clarence, Tommy screamed whilst pulling you into a hug before asking you how and when you were able to buy it. when you were halfway home you began to get a migraine Tommy pulled you into a side hug so you could rest your head on his shoulder and have a nap for the rest of the journey back home.

a few days late you received a message

tubbo: I miss you

y/n: I suppose I miss you too

tubbo: that’s good because I’m outside please let me inside

y/n: on it!!

taglist:

@l0ver0fj0y @etheriaaly @xx-smiley-xx @hawarun @c1loudee

[masterthespianduchovny]

I’m curious as to how Nate’s redemption arc will be handled, esp because I often see him compared to Rebecca and what she did.

For a while I tried to understand why this comparison fell flat for me. Why, despite disliking what Rebecca was doing and wanting her to fail, I wasn’t as bothered by her actions than I am Nate’s.

Don’t get me wrong, what Rebecca did was fucked up. She hired Ted under false pretenses and undermined him every step of the way. However, it wasn’t personal. Well, not to those employed by or connected to the club. Her actions was very much about hurting Rupert. Again, not to say that that isn’t fucked up and even some would argue that’s worse. However, despite her ill intent, Rebecca didn’t actively berate or threaten anyone under her outside of Higgins. This is why players and other people feel comfortable around her, she was nice to them, listened, and helped when she could, despite it being all to maintain her image initially.

Despite Higgins being employed by her and her wielding that power, that dynamic is vastly different. They were friends of sorts for years and he had standing lunches with her, which he knew and may have even been instructed to set those up so Rupert could cheat. Rebecca thought she was laughing and smiling with a friend who enjoyed her, he was and he did, who was helping her husband cheat even though it was under threat.

Part of the reason Higgins endures that is because he genuinely cared for Rebecca and he felt guilty about what he helped put her through.

During this entire time, Rebecca isn’t rude, abusive, or threatens any under her. Even when she’s negatively reacting to something they’re doing, she pauses and finds a productive way to address the issue or ignores it.

Hell, she even brushes off Nate insulting her to her face and, in the second season, when Will grabs the boots without saying excuse me, she just moves and looks at him funny.

So even when Rebecca was at her lowest, she wasn’t being a raging asshole to everyone despite her act. And we see that her not mistreating those under her is on brand for her because 2. No one notes the change in behavior from one season to the next 2. How she treats others doesn’t change because she largely treated them well on a person to person basis.

Where as even before Nate got power, he was quick to yell at, put down, or insult people who he deemed as beneath him. Or, when he was especially angry, insulted his boss directly to her face because he thought she fired him. Keep in mind, Rebecca didn’t disrespect Nate at all AND he didn’t know about her scheme. So why was his first reaction to be rude? And he switched up so quickly as well? He didn’t even wait to see what was going on, just jumped to conclusions and immediately attacked.

We remember how he treated Ted and Beard before he found out who they were. Again, rude and to complete strangers at that.

Before Nate became a coach, it wasn’t that he was nice, he wasn’t. Nate was meek because he was beaten down, however, in a situation where he felt he had power, he was and an asshole. It’s not that Nate finally wants power over those who harmed him, he wants to wield power and it may not simply be because he’s always been powerless. To treat strangers how Nate did, to lash out at someone who has never harmed him, despite her power over him?

So when you get to the second season and see Nate being an asshole because he can? Being a complete and utter dick? Like, it would be easier to swallow if he was only rude to those who bullied him. We can get that. But those aren’t his only casualties in his mission for power and dominance. Even then, before beard spoke to him, he targeted players he felt he could get away with making rude comments to. He wouldn’t have ever said that shit to Jamie or Roy if he was still a player. Nate only respects people just as powerful or more powerful than him and that’s not okay.

The way Nate is behaving is antithetical to not only their current clubhouse culture, but also how ted coaches. He’s completely undermining Ted and the growth the players and team has made at large.

And it’s what makes his treatment of Will esp gross. Will is the most powerless person there and Nate knows that. The power imbalance is even more skewed than when Jamie and the others were bullying him. Nate is constantly on will’s ass about the smallest things, perceived or real, and treating him lack complete shit. He’s even gone so far as flat out ignoring him because he’s just the kitman. Will delivers the pens Nate orders and Nate does not acknowledge his presence, and then Colin walks in and Nate acknowledges his presence.

Will does a nice thing for Nate and because someone called him a loser online, he verbally abuses Will and threatens him. That’s fucking wild.

Again, outside of Higgins which is a different story, who has Rebecca treated like that? I’d even argue that Rebecca treated Higgins better than Nate is treating Will and others in general.

Rebecca did learn Nate’s name (or already knew it), supported his promotion, and participated in the surprise announcement. She never treated him or others like they were less than because she owns the club.

Even when you consider his relationship with his dad and how he’s treated, the bullying, and other shit, although those things adds context, it doesn’t explain all of his behavior nor does it erase the active harm he’s doing.

Because what I struggle with is: did Nate mean his apology?

No.

Nate didn’t apologize due to remorse, he apologized because he got caught and is learned how to be a better bully and silence his victim from getting help. Admittedly, part of this falls on ted, beard, and now roy, however, this is largely on Nate.

Nate didn’t suddenly become power hunger and an asshole, he always was. He just didn’t have the power.

Although I do believe he’ll get a redemption arc, I honestly hope they nail this. Because what he’s doing won’t be solved with a “do better” and apology. He also needs therapy, maybe to be demoted for a while, and some other shit I can’t think of.

I also think the other difference between Rebecca and Nate is that she did feel guilt. And I’m not saying guilt is enough to excuse fucked up shit, but it makes a difference when one feels remorse and the other doesn’t.

So you have Rebecca who wasn’t mistreating her subordinates, forming relationships with them, felt remorse, and became accountable when called out (other things happened too). Nate is mistreating his subordinates, not forming relationships with anyone, doesn’t feel remorse, and isn’t accountable when called out. I’ll admit, his story is in progress, however, we’ve seen glimpses of the nasty side of Nate even before he became a coach.

Because of this, we’re reassessing everything we thought we knew about him because most of his behavior isn’t new. He just now how power to wield, which plays into why we’re so unsettled by his development and some actively dislike him.

[multific]

Solve a Murder

Sherlock Holmes x Reader

Summary: You were desperate. You needed help and so, you turned to the one man in London who would be able to help.

“Mr. Holmes, I’m here to hire you to solve a murder.”

“And who’s murder would that be?”

“Mine.”

“Pardon?” asked Dr. Watson.

“It’s my step-sister. I suspect she and her husband want me dead. You see, I inherited my father’s land when she thought she would be the one to get it. And now, just the way she looks at me. She offers me drinks, way too often, I suspect she is trying to poison me. I fear for my life, and lately I haven’t been feeling well. You need to help me. Find evidence that she is plotting my death so I can go to the police.”

The two men looked at each other. 

“I knew I shouldn’t have come.” you said as you stood up, they made you feel like you were a fool, but then the Doctor spoke up making you look back at him.

“How long have you been suspecting that she is trying to poison you?”

“About a month. My dad died five months ago, I lost my mum when I was little, so he married another woman who gave him my step sister. My step mum died two years ago, or rather disappeared. Dad left everything to me in his will. And my sister was fuming, saying that she was the one to deserve it. Back that I was so sad, I didn’t even realize she said that. During the four months I was grieving, but then I started to notice things.”

“Things like?”

“Her servants bringing me food and tea, which is a nice gesture but...it’s usually after I already ate. And then I started to get sick a lot more often. I’m not one to fall sick easily. The doctor said it was just a cold, but...I know she did something. The look on her face said it all. She looked happy when I was in bed for a week. I tried asking for help, but everyone thinks I’m paranoid.”

“I believe you.” said Watson as he looked back at Sherlock who only rolled his eyes.

“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s clearly only the mind of a woman, making up scenarios. Why are you really here? You are wasting my time.” his words were harsh. And they hurt. Just as the nice Doctor turned to scold his friend, you spoke up, tear running down your face.

“I hope Mr. Holmes, that you will visit my grave one day. I just wish to see your face when you realize that you were wrong.” you said as you stormed out of the house.

You felt so silly. And to think that you were extremely nervous when you decided to seek for his help. You didn’t even realize that you left your scarf at the house. 

***

You were truly helpless, you didn’t have any friends to talk to, your maids were fired by her, leaving only her trusted ones behind. You were trapped in your own house.

And you didn’t have evidence to go to the police either. Although you looked everywhere in the house for signs. But you were unable to find anything, no bottles, no poison, nothing.

The worst however was that you were gradually falling more ill, day after day.

It felt like you were dying from the inside. So, you called the doctor over.

The doctor said that your illness was due to the loss of your father. The doctor blamed depression, but you knew it wasn’t that. Not with the way your sister was smirking and smiling when she thought you weren’t watching.

One day, you felt so terrible, you couldn’t even get out of the bed. 

And from that day on, you didn’t.

You were so ill, the sun hurt your eyes and you felt useless. You just laid in bed, you weren’t even sure for how long.

You had barely any appetite. And you wondered how many days have passed.

***

“Miss Y/L/N, two gentlemen are here to talk to you. They said they brought your scarf back.” one of the maid’s said before they left, leaving the door open to let the two men in. You tried to sit up, look at least presentable, but you were too weak.

“Miss Y/L/N,” you recognized that voice, that calm and kind voice.

“Dr. Watson,” you said smiling at the man, not noticing that Sherlock was also in the room.

“You left your scarf. Don’t get me wrong, My Lady, but you look very ill.” said the doctor as he placed the cloth by your hand. You grabbed it and thanked him.

“The doctor was just here, yesterday I think. Said it’s only depression.” you said letting out a long sigh. 

“That’s ridiculous. I saw people looking more heathy on their death bed. May I examine you?” you gave him a weak nod, then you turned to Sherlock who was standing on the other side of your bed.

“Will you take my case now, or in a few days when I’m gone?” you asked looking at Sherlock. His eyes met yours.

***

Dr. Watson determined that you needed immediate care in a hospital. Although your sister argued with him, telling him that you already are in the care of a doctor. 

That day, Sherlock took your case. He clearly noticed something which he didn’t’t share at the time.

You were in the hospital for three days, and you already felt better. Every day Dr Watson would come over to talk about the case or ask questions. Although you were sure Sherlock was already close to finding evidence.

***

One day, you were finally better, so you could walk around a little. You were sitting outside, reading a book under a tree when you noticed Mr Holmes making his way over to you. 

“It was the food and the water and the tea and the cookies and everything.” said Sherlock as he sat down beside you. “You were poisoned gradually, small portions on everything you ate, and drank. The maid did it, because your sister ordered her to. Both are in custody as we speak for attempted murder.” he said, but even with your suspicions being right, you didn’t feel better.

“Thank you Mr. Holmes. I will pay you as soon as I get out of here.” you said before turning to look up the tree, watching a little bird hop from one branch to the other.

“Hmm.” you didn’t notice the look Sherlock gave you. But he noticed just how much livelier you looked. Your eyes shined, your skin shimmered in the light. You looked a lot better. “So, as I observed, you are not married. Neither am I.” he said.

You had to admit this was the worst possible way someone tried to court you. You looked at him, eyes wide.

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying that I find you quite beautiful and I would like to know you better.”

“Oh.” 

“Oh? That’s it?”

“Don’t get me wrong Mr. Holmes, I appreciate the compliment, it’s just... Your timing, Sir. I am still in hospital because my sister tried to poison me, my brother-in-law is still out there, possibly stealing everything that he can move from my home. And you are...handsome.” 

“Then, I will be back with the same proposition in a few weeks. Ms Y/L/N.” he said as he stood up and left.

You laughed a little, thinking that he was joking.

After all, what could a man like him possibly want from you?

***

It had been almost a month since you left the hospital.

You were half right about your brother-in-law. He did steal a couple of items when he left, but luckily they didn’t mean anything to you, so you were just happy that he was gone. 

You hired new staff and fired everyone. You were not sure who you could trust.

You also made sure that every food and drink was thrown out or went down the sink. You were not taking any chances. 

The fact that you only had 2 members of staff made you do some work you were not used to. You were no brat and you didn’t mind getting your hands dirty, so you helped with the cleaning where you could. 

You were working in the kitchen, cleaning the cupboards when a voice behind you made you startled. You nearly fell off the furniture as you were cleaning the very top shelves.

“Miss, Mr. Holmes is here.” 

“Thank you, Tina! Let him in, please.”

“He is here, Miss.”

This is when you finally turned around and noticed the man smiling up at you. Tina already left to get back to her duties.

“Nice to see you again, Miss Y/L/N. I must admit, every time we meet I can see a different side of yours. I have never seen a lady on the sink, cleaning the shelves.”

“Well, someone has to do it.” you said slowly climbing down. Sherlock helped you, making sure you won’t fall. “I assume you came for your payment. Give me a moment. I put it in an envelope in the library.”

You said washing your hands before heading into the library. You pulled the drawer of your father’s desk out and pulled the envelope out.

“For your speedy resolution, and for Dr. Watson’s help regarding my health, I added a bit extra. Thank you very much.” you said handing him the payment.

“I actually didn’t come for the payment, Ms. Y/L/N.” he said but you watched as he reached out to take the payment from you and slipped in into his pocket. “I’m here to keep my word. What I said in the hospital, I wish to get to know you better. You seem like a very interesting and smart woman. You realized that your sister was bad, even when everyone, including me, thought that you were delusional. I apologize for that.” you honestly didn’t know what to say. You thought he was a man who wouldn’t see you in a romantic matter. But then again, he just mentioned getting to know you.

“Maybe, you can stay over for lunch? I will cook up something nice.”

“You?”

“Yes, I am yet to hire a new cook, and in the meantime I do the cooking, my old nanny taught me a few recipes.”

“Sounds nice.”

And so, he stayed for lunch, dinner and the next day he came over again and every single day after.

He was charming, and the two of you could speak for hours about everything and anything.

Before you knew it, months, and years passed.

You certainly didn’t think that when you decided to go to Baker Street 221B to ask for help, you would find your future husband.

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