#hoping to have a grand reopening soon

[uhohdad]

Liebe are you alive?? we miss you :c

hi liebe <3 alive and missing y’all too. sorry i haven’t been writing lately :( hoping to get back to it soon

[sweethoneyrose83]

Escape the Hotel Writing Prompts:

The Grand Reopening: The hotel has been abandoned for decades, yet one night, you receive an invitation to its grand reopening. The catch? Once you check in, you realize all the exits have mysteriously disappeared, and there are no other guests. Now, you must navigate the eerie halls, solve riddles, and avoid the hotel’s dark history that’s seemingly alive in every corner.

Room 999: You enter a luxurious hotel only to be assigned to Room 999—a room that supposedly doesn’t exist. After a series of strange events, you try to leave, but each hallway somehow leads back to that same room. Trapped in a never-ending loop, you must find hidden clues in the room’s decor to unlock a way out.

Locked Floors: This hotel has certain floors restricted to guests, locked by ancient keycards. However, when the elevator malfunctions, it takes you to one of these forbidden floors. The shadows seem to move on their own, and cryptic messages are scrawled on the walls. Can you navigate the haunting labyrinth and find your way back?

The Infinite Hotel: In this hotel, there’s no end in sight. Hallways stretch out infinitely, and each door opens to a new, impossible landscape. Some rooms contain clues, while others contain horrors beyond your wildest imagination. The only way to escape is to find an object hidden in one of the rooms that will teleport you back to the real world.

Clockwork Escape: At midnight, all doors in the hotel lock for exactly one hour. During this time, strange mechanical creatures roam the halls. As you explore the hotel, you uncover hints that these creatures may have a pattern. Can you figure out the timing of their movements and escape before the hour ends?

The Wedding Party: You attend a wedding at the hotel, but as the night progresses, you notice everyone slowly disappearing. Soon, you’re the only one left, and the hotel starts transforming, morphing into a twisted version of itself. Your only chance of escape is to find the bride’s missing necklace, which supposedly has the power to undo the curse.

The Elevator Game: Following an internet urban legend, you play the "elevator game" at a deserted hotel, hoping to reach an alternate dimension. But once there, you realize there’s no way back. The alternate hotel is decayed and haunted, and the only way out is to complete a series of tasks assigned by the eerie “guests” you meet along the way.

Phantom Staff: You’re the new night shift employee at the hotel, with an easy job—except that no one warned you about the phantom staff. Each ghostly employee has a task for you to complete, and each task brings you closer to uncovering the hotel's sinister past. Fail, and you risk becoming one of them.

The Basement Exit: A blackout leaves you stranded in the hotel, with only one exit route—the basement. As you descend, each floor holds secrets the hotel never wanted revealed. The further you go, the more you realize this isn’t just an escape; it’s a journey through the twisted history of everyone who’s stayed here.

The Last Guest’s Notebook: Left in your room is a notebook filled with entries from a previous guest detailing a failed escape attempt. They wrote about strange symbols, hidden keys, and codes scattered across the hotel. Using their clues, you have one night to finish what they started before you meet the same fate.

[giamee]

CHAPTER VI! just like in the movies

<- prev masterlist next ->

the feeling of a finger poking at your cheek is what made your eyes finally reopen on the flight. the first thing you saw was dehya, leaning slightly over you with a grin on her face as you batted away her hand groggily.

"morning, sunshine. it's time to get up," she cooed, and you did a quick stretch before unbuckling your belt. peering out of the window next to you, nothing really seemed different to sumeru yet. but then again, this was an airport.

the blur of getting your luggage sorted and going through security went by surprisingly quick, and you said a what you hoped was sweet "thank you" to the man who had stamped your passport. he wore a metal chestplate of armour, your first real indication that mondstadt was different to where you lived. you vaguely recalled thoma telling you about the favonius knights who patrolled the main city - where you would be headed for the first few days of the trip.

getting a bus wasn't too hard, and neither was getting your luggage into your room after checking in to the hostel room you would all be sharing (cyno had taken the heavy bag from you without a word, not giving any room for you to oppose).

even though it was evening, the city still seemed to be bustling with life, a fact that had you fighting the urge to whip out your phone and start taking pictures like a damn tourist instead of focusing on getting yourself to the hostel and then being able to sightsee.

the room itself wasn't bad, with the beds piled up on each opposing wall and a narrow path set out between them. since there were so many of you there weren't any spare beds, effectively making the room your own.

kaveh was quick to call dibs on one of the beds closest to the door, with alhaitham taking the other, flopping down before anybody else had the chance. it wasn't lost on you that cyno took the bed directly across from alhaitham's. you, on the other hand, noticed the large window at the end of the room, opting to pick a bed closer to that.

and before you even had a chance to open your suitcase, kveh was clapping his hands together with glee, asking if anyone else wanted to go out for a drink.

it was a fairly unanimous decision made by the group, you included, that left only tighnari, layla, and nilou to rest in the room as you all began a search for the nearest bar.

the goth grand hotel was placed a convenient few minutes away from a local tavern, one that the sign outside assured was "mondstadt's finest" considering the fact that you had spent all of two hours in the city, you weren't exactly qualified to be the judge of that.

but if the warm bustling atmosphere as soon as you stepped through the doors was anything to go off of, maybe the sign was right. you managed to snag an empty table near the back of the tavern, before leaving to go to the bar and order some drinks.

you had decided to go for one of the local specials, some flavourful dandelion wine that you had remembered thoma recommended to you. dehya decided to join you in drink choice, though the guys had all opted for a round of shots.

a bad choice on kaveh's part, you thought to yourself. it would be entertaining, however, to see just how tipsy the resident lightweight would get over the course of the night.

sinking back down into your seat had never felt so good, and you couldn't help the little sigh as you felt yourself truly start to relax after the plane landing.

"here's to having a good summer, guys," kaveh grins, raising his shot glass brimming with liquid. you laugh at his antics, raising your own glass to tap against his and everyone else's, before you all drink. you don't miss the way kaveh winces at the spirit, though you and dehya both hummed in approval at the dandelion wine.

you turned to alhaitham who was sat on your other side, offering him a sip of the wine. he eyed it warily like you were making an attempt on his life, before gingerly taking the glass and trying some.

his nose wrinkled in a sinilar fashion to kaveh's earlier, muttering how it was "way too sweet," making you roll your eyes at the man.

you turned back to face everyone else, surprised to see a pair of carnelian eyes already trained of you, a hint of a frown on his face. you let your gaze sweep past cyno, instead laughing at the joke dehya just told, jumping at the wheeze kaveh let out as he hit the table, cheeks already dusted pink. a bad choice on his part, indeed.

and of course, it wasn't too many more drinks between the table before the resident lightweight was nearing a state where he had to be helped back to the hotel room. dehya, arguably the most sober out of everyone, stood up and wrapped one of kaveh's arms around her shoulders.

"guys, i know i'm strong but kaveh's a lot heavier than he looks," dehya huffed, looking expectantly at the three of you. you paused to look at alhaitham and cyno, both were definitely stronger than you, and if the way your head spun when you stood were to get any worse, you would probably have to get carried home by someone as well.

there was a moment of silence before cyno volunteered, slipping kaveh's other arm around his own shoulders before glancing back at you and alhaitham.

"are you two gonna be okay on your own?" even in your less than sober state, you could see just how hesitant cyno was to leave with dehya and kaveh. but in your mind, there was no worse pairing to be wandering around drunk with than your ex and your friend who looked a little too good, so you waved off cyno, insisting that you'd be fine.

the man still didn't look convinced, but an assured "they'll be fine" from dehya and a sly wink thrown your way told you all that you needed to know about her half-baked plan.

you didn't immediately turn to alhaitham after they left the bar, only risking a glance at the man after he cleared his throat a little awkwardly.

"should we go as well?" you let your head rest against your palm as you pretended to deliberate his question.

"and where exactly are we going to go, haitham?" his already pink cheeks seemed to darken a touch at the nickname, but his eyes didn't shy away from yours.

"you wanted to sightsee, didn't you? we might as well." you hummed in agreement, taking a moment to finish your third? fifth? drink before leaving the tavern finally.

some time had passed by now, with the sky no longer bearing the warmth of a sunset, but giving way to the clear and bright moonlight and its accompanying stars. you let your head tip back to admire them, and how they looked so different compared to sumeru, with the clouds often remaining too thick for you to properly stargaze like this.

you felt the familiar giddy headrush as you faced forward again, almost stumbling if it weren't for alhaitham's hand shooting out to grab your arm, steadying you.

"you should be more careful. you're clumsy when you're drunk." you roll your eyes at him, shrugging off his grip and spinning on your heel to point at him.

"i'm not drunk." alhaitham looks unconvinced, and you point accusatorily at his flushed cheeks. "if either of us can't handle their alcohol, it's you."

you ignored his scoff, instead focusing on the decorations that were up. you vaguely recalled layla mentioning how you were coming to mondstadt near the end of their summer festival, and you beamed at the colourful balloons that were strung so neatly along the main street.

there was no particular direction that you and alhaitham took, mostly you wandering off and alhaitham following closely behind, and you marvelled at the city in the privacy that the empty streets offered late at night.

every time that you turned to look back at alhaitham, he seemed to be paying no mind to mondstadt like you were doing, instead focusing on you with his pink-tainted face that your tipsy brain thought was pretty.

at some point, him following you had turned into you clutching his arm for support as you got wobblier, though the way he stayed closer to your side than was necessary made you think that he didn't mind this all too much.

you seemed to be full of good ideas tonight, and when you rounded the corner to see a large square with a centerpiece fountain and accompanying sprinklers, you looked at alhaitham with a gleam of mischief.

"want to run through them?"

alhaitham sighed, though you didn't miss the slight quirk of his lips at the suggestion.

"if you insist..."

you let your hand slip from his, dashing ahead of him to let the cool water spray against you and your clothes, a giddy laugh erupting from your lips as it cooled you down from the warm summer air.

alhaitham wasn't so far behind either, in pursuit of the warmth of you that had been ripped so suddenly from his skin, grimacing at the cold sensation that met him instead.

but no matter, as he was by your side again soon enough.

now dripping wet, you and alhaitham flopped down onto a nearby bench, both of your chests still heaving from the laughter lingering on your lips and the shock of the cold.

your head spun as you let yourself fall backwards, your head ending up flopping onto alhaitham's lap. he was surprisingly warm, even through the later of his wet clothes, and you felt yourself quiet down as you stared up at him and the stars above.

he has gone quiet too, you didn't fail to notice, and you forced yourself to look past his eyes so intently staring at you, and focusing on the beautifully clear mondstadt night sky.

"hey, haitham, the moon looks pretty from here."

he's still silent, unmoving, something churning behind his pretty eyes. you pause now too, focus back on the man you were lying on. you weren't sure what to say, if you should say anything at all and break this moment, but any words died on your tongue as he shifted forwards, quicker than your tipsy self could comprehend, and brushed his lips against yours.

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ trivia :: as the notorious lightweight of the group, kaveh was tipsy off of only one full glass of mondstadt's dandelion wine after having that first shot

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ gia's notes :: a little gift of plot progression to say thanks for waiting for this series to continue!! even tho this chapter is kinda dookie cos i was forcing myself back into the rhythm of writing this series oop

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ taglist :: @makimakimi @aeongiies @sukunasrealgf @ssoliva @sakiimeo @eggn0gcookie @yxcade @fiona782 @heartswonder @eunchaeluvr @clumsyphuq @pinksodacan @aelxr @themusingsofmany @obervation-subject-753 @kittycasie @aimno256 @maxineshearts @mafuyuslover @meigalaxy @mintydump @v4lerixxq @artwitchh @geo-hew-hew @imkaaayy @c4tsfr0mh3ll @kokoscutie @erzarq @eu-la @ddiluc @ichikaisflowers @rahhhmen @esmetrees @rain-and-a-nice-nap ( let me know if you would like to be added / your username has changed !! )

[crisiscutie]

Yahallo! I'm not sure if your requests are open, but I was wondering if you could do something where y/n was Sephiroth's wife or lover, and they have a run in with the remnants of him? Like, maybe they mistake one of them as him from behind at first? And maybe they take y/n along when they encounter Cloud and Kadaj becomes Sephiroth? And maybe, just maybe, y/n has refused to be with anyone else since Sephiroth went AWOL because they're still deeply in love with him? It's a weird scenario that I've had playing in my head for awhile, but I haven't been able to do anything with it. lolol Please and thank you ღ´͈ ᵕ `͈ )

I like your writing a lot, by the way. You're a sweet ray of sunshine. ପ(๑ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ଓ

Okay, this is really more specific than what I normally do, so I will mostly focus on the reader's encounter with the Remnants.

Pairing: AC Sephiroth/Remnants x Darling

Content Warning: None, just angst.

You broke off contact with Cloud and co. around a year ago. Being around them reopened wounds you were not ready to confront.

There were no hard feelings between you and them, but maybe some distance will help you heal.

...Or so you thought. The visions of Sephiroth whispering to you began not too long ago. At times, he would sound like his old self, calling out to you with happiness, asking when you would join him in the Lifestream.

Yet there were moments when he became angry, mocking your weakened state and accusing you of betrayal.

You were unsure of what was triggering these awful visions. You desperately searched for anything to rid of them and the strange stubborn black splotches on your skin gave you no relief.

As you were losing hope, three men with silver hair showed up at your door one day, offering you respite if you joined them.

Their honeyed words felt off to you, but yet you still agreed to follow them.

It wasn't that they resembled Sephiroth, or had aspects of him. No, definitely not.

They promised a remedy for your disease and you're going to get it.

The boys put on a facade of coolness when you were around, but as time passed, their true, childlike selves couldn't be concealed.

As soon as you gave one boy a head pat, the other two would start pouting and making a fuss until they got attention, too.

They spared no effort in trying to outdo each other, putting on a grand display just to impress you.

Kadaj reminded you of young Sephiroth. Though he's not polite, he exuded the same confidence as he asserted himself as the leader of the group despite being the youngest.

Whenever Loz wanted to show his affection, he would effortlessly pick you up, his cheek against yours, as he softly spoke of his emotions, just as Sephiroth did in his tender moments.

With the gift of his charm, Yazoo was skilled at pushing your buttons, much like Sephiroth, making you blush and stumble over your words whenever he directed a friendly flirt your way.

The boys gave you a haunting reminder of what could have been had Sephiroth not succumbed to darkness.

When they left you alone, you imagined more into that second life.. where he left Shinra with you and you two lived in a peaceful village. In that life, these three would have been the living embodiment of your love with him.

But reality was a cruel mistress... Still, you came to love each one equally. They're like the remnants of a shattered dream, the life with Sephiroth you'll never have.

So you'll cherish every moment spent with them, and hoped that somehow, in their innocent existence, you could find solace for what was lost...

[she-posts-nerdy-stuff]

Daughter of the Rain and Snow

Concept: Around ten years after the events of Crooked Kingdom, 25-year-old Captain Inej Ghafa frees Maya Olsen from a pleasure house in Ketterdam. Maya is looking for revenge against the man who put her in her position, a man who she knows nothing about except his name: Kaz Brekker.

Tags: @wraith--2 @lunarthecorvus @just2bubbly @real-fragments7 @cartoon-clifford @origami-butterfly @lady-a-stuff @thelibraryofalexandriastillburns @inej-ghafa-deserves-the-world @thatdelusionalnerd

If anyone wants to be added let me know :)

Content Warnings: in more general terms I want to remind people to be aware of the nature of Kaz and Inej's experiences and relationship since even if I'm not directly addressing these things they tend to be implicit in any writing about them, but specifically to this chapter there's ptsd references, anxiety, violence references, blood, wounds, and fear of losing loved ones

Note: Oh my goodness we only have the epilogue left to go... this is insane I can't believe we've reached the end

AO3 link: Daughter of the Rain and Snow - Chapter 145 - She_posts_nerdy_stuff - Six of Crows Series - Leigh Bardugo [Archive of Our Own]

Chapter 144 - Kaz

At least the Crow Club was back in working order. Beyond that things weren’t looking at their best. Kaz knew from Anika and Pim’s reports that the damage was mostly repaired and they’d reopened the closed wing a few months ago, but he also knew from the income reports Yara had been sending him  that they’d taken a hit. Her projections looked sunnier for next month, but Kaz wasn’t feeling particularly confident. There was a nervous energy about the Slat when he walked in, still as rowdy as it usually was in these early hours of the morning but with a slightly frantic edge. Kaz had known his extended absence would take a toll, but he’d tried to keep in control of what he could. 

“I assume there are rumours going round about -”

“Your mysterious disappearance? Yeah,” said Anika, “We’re treading water trynna cover up for you being missing,”

“Anyone get wise?”

“To the fact you weren’t here or to what you were actually up to?”

Kaz shot her an unamused glare. Clearly he needed to stop telling Anika up to 50% of the truth, because she was getting too good at picking up what the rest of it was. 

“I don’t think so,” she said, “Not with any proof you weren’t around. Few people here and there are convinced you’re dead,”

That didn’t particularly surprise him.

“Any attempts at territory grabs since you last wrote?”

“Liddies are still riled up, but nothing new except a pretty hollow looking threat from Black Tips,”

Kaz sighed. They weren’t staying in Ketterdam for long, he’d have to get through work quickly and make a few choice appearances if he could spare the time.

As far as Kaz and Inej knew, the plan was for them to drop in on Jesper and Wylan for the afternoon, then go to the house overnight whilst Nina stayed on the Geldstradt. They didn’t have the space to have her at the house by the harbour - especially when Alyssa was staying with them too - and anyway she would only be kept up all night by Sadja. But apparently Jesper and Wylan had other plans, as soon as they were through the door it was all but a demand they at least stay there the first night. They’d even set up a room for Alyssa upstairs, so she was close if Inej or Sadja needed her.

“How are you feeling?” Kaz had asked, watching Inej’s hand find the railing on the porch of the Hendriks house.

“I’m fine,”

Kaz shook his head, looking down at Sadja.

“Once you can talk I’m going to teach you to shout at your Mama every time she says that,” he told her, gently readjusting the sling in hopes of helping her settle.

Nina laughed.

Sadja had done well on the boat, Kaz thought, for a stubborn two month old who had never travelled further than the Grand Palace until a couple of weeks ago, but she hadn’t slept well last night and still didn’t seem to be interested in sleeping now.

“Kaz, really,” said Inej, shaking her head, “I’m okay. I’m just tired,”

Kaz nodded, but he and Nina had shared a brief glance. Inej rang the doorbell and Sadja immediately jutted out her bottom lip in indignation; for a moment Kaz thought she was going to cry but she settled again, still looking a little grumpy. He readjusted his cane so that he could remain balanced whilst he offered her his finger, and once she’d acknowledged it he gently rubbed his hand up and down her tiny tummy.

“Do you not like doorbells, Sadja?”

“I think it’s quite normal for babies not to like loud noises, Kaz,” said Nina, peering over the sling, “You’re okay, aren’t you Sadja? You’re a brave little muffin,”

“Brave little muffin?” asked Kaz.

“Hey, that is just about the highest compliment I’ve ever given anyone,”

“Well, you are brave aren’t you Sadja? You’re just like your Mama,”

She wriggled a little in the sling, as though she was trying to look up at him properly, and smiled. Kaz glowed. 

The door had barely been opened when they were met by the practically shouted words:

“Where’s my niece?”

“Well, hello to you too, Jesper,” said Inej, sharing his soft laugh.

She leaned into the arm he offered and he kissed her on the cheek, ushering her over the doorstep. Kaz followed, nodding at Jesper.

“Saints, I’ve missed you,” said Jesper, hugging Inej again.

“Oh, I’ve missed you too,”

Nina cleared her throat, glaring teasingly at Jesper. He threw an arm around her shoulders.

“I’ve missed you too, darling, obviously. And I guess I missed you Kaz,”

“Always with the compliments,”

Where’s Wylan?” asked Inej.

“Couldn’t get out of a meeting,” Jesper replied, shaking his head, “He won’t be long. Now, where’s this little Sadja you’ve been withholding from me?”

“Withholding-? She’s only been alive two months - and you were in Novyi Zem for one and a half of them,”

“Withholding,” Jesper repeated

Inej laughed. Kaz gently scooped Sadja out of her sling and into his arms, rocking her for a moment before he passed her to Inej so Jesper could lean over and greet her. He looked like he was about to burst with glee.

“Oh my goodness, you two she’s so beautiful. Aren’t you? Yes you are, yes you are,”

Jesper looked up at Kaz and Inej, grinning.

“She’s wonderful,”

“She most certainly is,” Kaz smiled, pushing the door to behind him before they walked together towards the living room, “It’s good to see you, Jes,”

“You too. And honestly you with a baby is quite possibly both the funniest and cutest thing I have ever seen, so thank you for that,”

Nina snorted. Kaz glared at them both. 

“And how are you?” Jesper had asked Inej, as they sat on the sofa together.

It was about twenty minutes later and Wylan had just got back, all apologies for being late and overjoyed to see them all again. He was now sitting in between Inej and Kiada with Sadja in his arms, smiling.

“Well, I haven’t slept in about two months,” Inej smiled, leaning her head onto Jesper’s shoulder, “But other than that I’m doing pretty well. How are you? - How was Novyi Zem?”

“I’m good, we’re all pretty good at the minute, actually. And Novyi Zem was lovely, good to see my Da, and everyone did a very good job,” he squeezed Aimee’s hand lightly, from where she was perching on the arm of the sofa next to him, “There were a few moments where we thought we’d have to come home early - that was always in the plan as an option, if anyone needed it - but we ended up staying the whole time,”

“How’s Colm?” asked Nina, leaning forwards to pick her coffee up from the table.

The conversation floated on, and Kaz had drifted in and out of paying attention to it as he kept his eyes on Sadja. She started wriggling uncomfortably and Wylan passed her back to Inej, then a moment passed before she started crying. 

“Is she alright?” asked Kaz.

“She’s just hungry,” said Inej, looking at Kaz in a way that meant calm down, she’s a baby, she’s going to cry, you do not need to worry as she stood up and gently rocked Sadja against her chest, whispering to her in Suli, “I’ll take her upstairs,”

At some point, Kaz wasn’t exactly sure how long it had been, it was only him, Nina, and Jesper still sitting in the living room. Focus had switched freely: the trip to Novyi Zem - two weeks with Colm followed by a month and a half through in Weddle and Shriftport, then another two weeks with Colm - Kiada had struggled with the boat, Aimee had struggled on the farm, Kiada has struggled in Weddle; news on the Ravkans and their new little prince and princess, twins about three months older than Sadja; Clemmie Boscht had started renting an apartment in the city and came to the house to share roast dinner with the family once a month; updates on something Kaz had forgotten to pay attention to as he was wondering how long Inej and Sadja had been gone and if he should go upstairs to find them. Now Nina was asking about wedding plans - the original date should have been last month, but it hadn’t been set in stone when Kaz and Inej first went to Ravka so Jesper and Wylan had decided to postpone and visit Jesper’s father instead of him coming out to them. 

“Doesn’t matter,” Jesper was saying, “Nothing will ever make up for the fact that Kaz Brekker got married before I did,”

Nina flopped against the back cushions of the sofa.

“Yeah, it’s a real blow to the ego isn’t it?”

“Aren’t you two just the height of comedy?” said Kaz drily.

“To be fair, Jes,” Nina added, “I think we were all surprised you weren’t the first to get married. I mean how long had you two known each other before you moved in, two months?”

“No, well I really only joke,” said Jesper, glancing briefly at the door and lowering his voice, “Wylan told me ages ago he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to get married, after everything with his parents he just kinda… lost faith in it,”

Jesper had told Kaz about it at the time. It was years ago, around the time of the Van Eck trial, and Wylan was having an unsurprisingly bad time of it. He said he’d burst into tears and told Jesper that it had been evil of him to trap him in a relationship that would never go anywhere, and that he could leave if he wanted to and Wylan would understand. Apparently Jesper had stared at him for almost a full minute, and then said:

“Wy, you’re seventeen,”

“Well, clearly,” Kaz had said, “You handled that well,”

“I helped him afterwards!” Jepser had cried defensively, “That was just my first thought,”

Now Kaz sat behind his desk at the Slat, flicking through the endless pile of papers laying in wait and watching the hands move on his timepiece. Almost five bells. He wanted to be back by six.

Sadja had woken up not long before three bells, screaming loud enough to bring the entire house down. Kaz fumbled in the dark, searching for his cane, before Inej turned on the gas lights and handed it to him, smiling and shaking her head. They sat next to each other on the side of the mattress as Sadja nursed, and for about half an hour afterwards Kaz was still rocking her slowly whilst Inej lowered the lights and lay back down. Sadja seemed on the verge of settling back to sleep and Kaz stood to return her to the cradle next to the bed, only for her to immediately start wailing again.

“Well I hope you’re not still hungry,” he said softly in Suli, giving her a gente bounce “I think Mama’s asleep,”

She flailed one of her tiny fists into the air and it whacked lightly against Kaz’s chest.

“Not bad form,” he told her, “But you need more strength behind it if you want to do real damage. We’ll work on that when you’re older. What can we do to help you sleep now though, hm?”

Sadja wriggled in his arm and Kaz moved to sit on one of the armchairs so he could set down his cane and support her more comfortably. 

“I don’t have anything new to read to you,” he said, “But I could tell you a story if you’d like,”

There was a pause broken only by Sadja’s impatient cries, before Inej’s soft voice came from the darkness on the other side of the room:

“You know the whole idea of us using one language each with her whilst she's still learning kind of depends on you speaking to her in Kerch, right?”

Kaz looked up.

“Inej? I thought you were asleep,”

“Kaz, if you think anyone could fall asleep through this then I have serious concerns about your hearing. And, again, you’re supposed to speak in Kerch,”

“I’m still not convinced that’s going to work,” he replied, “Isn’t she just going to hear us using both with each other anyway?”

Inej groaned.

“It’s three in the morning, Kaz, can we talk about this later?”

He laughed softly, nodding though he wasn’t sure if she’d see in the dark. He’d known that he needed to go to the Slat - the last word from Anika and Pim had been concerningly vague -  but he could stay here a little while yet, couldn’t he? What harm would it do, just to stay here for a little longer? He sighed.

“You need to go, don’t you?”

He didn’t know how she did that.

“It can wait until tomorrow,”

“You can’t,” said Inej, quietly, “Go on. I’ll get her settled, just don’t be long, okay?”

“Never,”

He really needed to stop watching the clock, or he wouldn’t get anything done and have to bully himself into staying longer. It was a good while past five bells when he left, ignoring the shouts for attention that followed him from the crowd. The Hendriks house was mostly still sleeping, though Wylan was unsurprisingly up and in the kitchen making coffee by the time Kaz arrived at six bells. Inej was awake but she was still upstairs, not long dressed and part way through brushing her hair when Kaz knocked softly on the door. She opened it slowly, pressing a finger to her lips as he slipped inside.

“Sadja’s asleep,”

Kaz stood over the cradle for a moment, watching her. She really was perfect. Inej appeared next to him, her arm slipping around his waist once he’d nodded confirmation. She leaned her head against his shoulder.

“She already looks like you,” she whispered.

Kaz shook his head.

“She’s beautiful. That’s all you,”

Inej shook her head then, her hand finding his and slipping beneath the rim so her fingers brushed his wrist. Kaz’s heart leapt, thinking of holding her on the floor almost a year ago, a knife in her gut and her blood soaking over both of them. He swallowed and she felt him tense, starting to pull away to give him space. His fingers tightened over hers, holding her to him. 

“We’ve not…” she hesitated, “We’ve not talked about a plan for where to live. For what to do next,”

Kaz had been avoiding the conversation, because he didn’t actually know what he was going to say. But it was a year ago when he couldn’t tell her everything he’d thought he should be able to say by now - 

Their happiness, together. In Kerch, in Ravka, they could move to the permafrost in Fjerda for all he cared. He would carve a life for her in the face of a mountain, if that was what she wanted.

- and so much had changed since then. He should be able to tell her that now. And he did.

Inej turned and leaned her face up towards his, glowing in the soft dancing light of dawn leaking through the window, her dark eyes shimmering. She lifted a hand up to cup his cheek, and slowly they leaned into each other. Their foreheads pressed against each other, Kaz’s hand slipped down Inej’s back, and their lips met in the warmth of spring and joy and a family that for so long Kaz had convinced himself he didn’t want, because he never thought he’d be able to find it. 

The entire world was golden.

[blankjournal]

GRAND REOPENING, COMING SOON . . .

For your patience and understanding during our network's hiatus, we would like to thank you all very much! Alas, the time has come and BJNET will be returning to your service once again on Monday, 1st of July!

Along with our regular activities of weekly themes, which we will be picking back up right where it has come to a halt, and sharing our members' new works, we will be introducing a new format to the network. An updated post will be shared on the day of the grand reopening, so spread the word, dear readers!

Membership applications have been opened for a week until the 30th of June, 10PM CET. We hope to see new members joining our growing community of passionate writers, no matter how experienced!

BLANK JOURNAL's mission is to provide an empty space for readers to come and fill up with their favourite works of fiction, creating an extensive catalogue where everyone can come and find exactly the kind of story they would like to read at that moment! Like droplets of water forming lakes and oceans, we hope that each recommendation and "donation" from our readers and writers fill up our online library, which you may access through our desktop website or our mobile masterlists.

More to come on the day of the reopening! Sit tight and stay healthy.

— BJNET ADMINS

[darexirepublic]

Welcome back to another episode of Republic News Update! I am your host Paxlo an I am deeply glad that we are back. I do apologize for our absence - things have been undergoing system upgrades and renovations here so that we are better able to support the upwards of five billion active listeners and watchers!

So! First and foremost is the exciting full operation of the capital's new expansion. Things are already in full swing there, with the newly expanded embassies being taken up by several nations, including the @goganworlds and @gopnuiirevs , who have now been allocated more district embassy space at their request.

The @guildsre Commerce Association now has well over 500 shops operating in the new districts, and there are plans, as per a Guilds spokesbeing, to "expand the horizons to at least another five hundred more by years end". Exciting for all of you galactic buyers out there! I love their Friendship Furnishings collection myself.

Also, the Ministry of Science announced today that the first 50 fossils from AR-1127 have been catalogued, studied and will now be copied so that the public may enjoy these works! The originals are, sadly, far too sensitive to display in a museum setting, so the Ministry will see to their care in our Artifact and Fossil Storage Vaults, with @elepharchy science minds carefully supervising the preservation process.

Expect the displays to go live within one solar week!

Diplomatic news! The Republic Embassy on @evroncia has formally petitioned His Majesty King Yonwa X to attend the grand re opening of the nation's parliament after a recess period owing to some galactic instability in the Kingdom. Republic politicians have been watching the situation with concern, and have offered aid several times but so far the Kingdom has politely turned down our efforts.

"We remain hopeful that the King will allow us to attend this reopening and that we can demonstrate our own presence as a galactic chain of peace, and friendship, between our long standing peoples." Ambassador Baxl said today from the Kingdom. We hope for the same here, Ambassador!

That is all for today, friends! Stay tuned, for in a few hours, our Trends Correspondent Gelthogg will be reporting on some new trends popular among today's young people across the Galaxy, including the soon-to-be announced Youth Friendship Jamborees!

I have been your host, Paxlo, and this has been Republic News Update. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend wherever you are!

[jadededge]

Tear You Apart | Ch.2

Pairing:  GOT7 x OC

Genre: Demon/Mafia AU, Romance, Smut

Rating: M

Summary: Jaebeom and Yugyeom are "running an errand" when the most delectable scent that he ever smelled hit Yugyeom like a ton of bricks. Yugyeom stops JayB and soon he smells it. They look across the street and see the her. They stalk her for awhile and finally get the chance to manufacture a meet with her.

Wattpad | AO3    (will likely always update these 2 places first)  

Navigation: Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

The next week, one of their men reported back to provide all information collected on her. It really was a test for them to not take matters into their own hands following the discovery of their girl. Luckily for them,  work was quite busy so they had other things to occupy their minds. But now they could focus on her. 

Profile Summary

Name: Selah Stone Age: 28 Occupation: Graphic artist Address: Midtown Lofts, Apt 32 Bank information: Aura Credit Union, Acct #78934 Medical records: Section D Family history: Section E Relationship history: Section F

And so on and so forth.

Got7's reach was far and wide. They were able to learn everything about her. Where she ate, where she got groceries, what bars she frequented. It appears she has no family in this city but quite a few friends, including an ex-boyfriend.

Jaebeom growls handing off the only copy of the file to Jinyoung. "What is it?" Jinyoung questions, opening the file.

"You'll see."

The maknaes gather around Jinyoung to see what has their leader perturbed.

"Ex-boyfriend? No problem, we'll just kill him." BamBam brushes it off.

Youngjae rolls his eyes, "no. Remember what happened before? And hyung just said-"

BamBam cuts him off "I know, I know. We play nice this time." He huffs and walks to sit down "but that's so boring and it takes too long."

He's right, it does take too long but we have to be better. Jaebeom thought. "I need to think before we do anything. And we still have problems to work out with the nightclub acquisition. Is Otto still giving us trouble? We've already started the transition and we have the grand reopening on Friday." He looks to his right hand, Jinyoung.

"He's still being a prick, stalling unnecessarily. Mark and Jackson are at a meeting there now, they should be back soon."

"Send them to my office when they return." He walks away.

"Can I see the file now hyung?" Yugyeom pouts.

"No. I need to dig into this. I'll be in my office." Jinyoung leaves the maknes alone.

Mischief plays in BamBam's eyes. "Want to see her ourselves? I saw where she goes for lunch during work."

"Lets go!" Yugyeom. 

Youngjae looks a bit apprehensive. Disobeying Jaebeom was not something he made a habit of but he wanted to see their new mate. "Okay let's go but we only look from a distance."

-----------------------

A knock on the door brings Jaebeom out of his thoughts. "Come in"

Jackson and Mark walk in. "You wanted to see us?" Mark questions taking a seat at one of the chairs in front of Jaebeom's desk.

"Yes. How did the meeting go?"

Jackson scoffs, "it went." Smirking towards Mark. "Things should go smoothly from now on."

Jaebeom chuckles. "I take it he pissed Mark off."

"And did. He's lucky he's in a partnership with our brother legion." Mark's eyes darken.

"So he beat the shit out of him instead of killing him." Jackson laughs.

Mark was always level headed in discussions but he had a nasty temper when pushed too far. They had recently started the process of acquiring a series of nightclubs. They owned just a few already but they needed new spots to do business among other things. Otto, the owner of the nightclubs and member of another legion, didn't want to sell. His constant meddling and procrastination had reached a boiling point at today's meeting.

"I'm sure I'll hear about that from the other leaders. But otherwise good work."

"So about our girl..." Mark trails off.

Jaebeom hands him the file and begins to rattle off his plan.

"I was hoping the acquisition would go smoothly because one of the places she frequents will now be under our empire. Jackson..."

Jackson perks up at the mention of her name.

"I want you to lure her in." Jaebeom orders.

Jackson smirks, "with pleasure."

_________________________

Across town Selah was stepping into the café near her job that she frequented on her breaks. It wasn't huge but still had plenty of space for people to enjoy their food, or work.

Settling at a table in the corner, she feels like she's being watched again but a quick casual glance around doesn't provide any answers. Maybe i'm being paranoid.

"Dude stop." Yugyeom nudges Youngjae with a whisper yell. "You're going to scare her."

Youngjae shoves him off, "shut up, she can't tell its us."

BamBam chuckles, "and you didn't even want to come. God she's beautiful." The other two hum in agreeance. "I'm going to talk to her." He gets up.

The others hum again then they realize what he's doing, trying to stop him in hushed whispers. "Bammie wait-"

"Hi." Bam appears in front of Selah flashing his most charming smile.

Selah looks up and her heart stops. "Oh, um, hi!"

"I'm sorry to disturb your lunch but I saw you when I walked in and I'd regret it the rest of my days if I didn't at least introduce myself." He holds his hand out. "I'm BamBam."

"I'm Selah." She smiles mesmerized. "You're not disturbing me. Please have a seat"

After chatting for awhile, asking the basic 'get to know you' questions, Bam says, "I hate that to cut this short but I should get going. Can I get your number?" ____________________________

Back at the table. "You know, Jaebeomie-hyung is going to throttle him." Yugyeom says to Youngjae.

"Absolutely. But... we came with him." He sighs.

Yugyeom looks at his watch. "Yeah... we're in for it. We should head back."

"But we cant just yank him up from the table."

After what felt like forever, BamBam comes striding back over with a huge smile. The boys exit the café and get in the car to head back home.

"So what happened??" Yugyeom questions from the backseat.

"What's she like??" Youngjae adds in enthusiastically looking to Bam in the passenger seat.. All thoughts of what awaits when their older brothers find out are gone.

"She's perfect. I got her number." He giggles.

Yugy slaps his arm. "Bammie. You are in deep shit. You know that right?" He laughs.

"How are they going to know?"

"I'm not saying anything." Youngjae immediately responds. "Jaebeomie-hyung is already going to strangle me for coming along."

BamBam rolls his eyes, "no he won't. You're his precious baby." Bam pinches YJ's cheek. "You'll be okay. I, on the other hand may be banished."

Pulling up to the house they see Jackson coming out as they walk up.

"Where have you 3 been?" He questions.

Yugy quickly answers, "he had to collect from one of the groups on Canal. They gave one of our guys some problems, so we showed up together."

Jackson eyes them suspiciously as the maknaes try to keep their expressions neutral. "Hm. Okay. Well I'm off to get our girl. Jay B gave me the okay." He beams and walks away before they could say anything.

"Okay yeah. We might all die." Bam says with a 'yikes-my bad' expression. ____________________________________

Later that afternoon, Selah is shopping for dinner at her usual grocery store. She gets the feeling she's being watched again. "Ugh. Seriously whats wrong with me?" She says quietly to herself.

She continues her shopping thinking of her meeting with BamBam earlier. He was really nice, and very handsome. If he does text her, she was resolved to be open to getting to know him. He was intriguing and it had been sometime since she had met someone new that was interesting to her. Just as she rounds the corner she bumps into someone.

"Oop. I'm sorry!" She gains her balance dropping a couple of items out of her basket.

The stranger is already bending down to gather the lost items. "Oh no, its my fault. I'm sorry." He stands and places the items in her basket.

She finally gets a good look at him and Selah is stunned. How was she able to meet two hot guys in one day. "I'm Jackson."

She caught herself staring. "Oh- uh- I'm Selah." She extends her hand.

"Wow. If I knew I would bump into such gorgeous people, I would've tried this store out sooner."

She blushes. Hard. Trying to deflect the attention from herself she asks, "oh are you new to the area?"

"A bit. I don't live here but I just bought a business in the neighborhood, so I've been around. Figured I try it since its close." Placing the items back in her basket. "Making pasta for dinner?"

She chuckles nervously. "Yeah. It's quick and easy. Long day today."

"I'm sorry, I'm keeping you from finishing your shopping." He chuckles nervously and goes to move.

"Oh it's okay!" I wish we weren't awkwardly in a grocery aisle. She smiles.

"My business is actually a club. We're opening this weekend. It's called Se7en. You should come."

____________

Note: it took me forever to write this and it kinda sucks and went all over the place lol to be honest I've been in a slump especially with this story. I just needed to get over this hump in the plot. I'll do better. Hope you enjoyed :)

[sprnklersplashes]

a laugh I could recognise anywhere (ao3)

inej comes home

He’s kept the window open.

It was easier to justify months ago, when summer had finally blessed Ketterdam. Back then, he could respond with “it’s hot”-not a truth but not a lie- and pretend not to see Jesper’s raised eyebrows or the way Wylan’s lips pressed together in a thin line. They saw right through him but never said a word, out of kindness or self-preservation. And while he can’t show it, he’s grateful for that.

To their credit, they still haven’t said a word, even though summer heat has come and gone and now the sky is grey and the pavement speckled with rain. The occasional Dreg has commented on it, normally the younger ones with something to prove or the older ones who want to show they still “have it”. In those moments, Kaz sees that Dirtyhands still has his uses. One glance from him would banish that topic from the conversation, more often than not replacing it with bumbling apologies. And so the fact of his window becomes a quiet, unspoken and accepted truth. Everyone knows it, but no-one wants to be the first to say it.

Kaz Brekker has left his window open for six months, two weeks and three days. He doesn’t know if he’s the only one counting.

He shakes his head free of the thought and turns his attention to the papers in front of him. The past few weeks may have been kind to the Crow Club upon its grand reopening, the city eager to try their luck once more, but that doesn’t mean they can afford to relax. It took work, more work than setting it up in the first place did, to coax tourists into the Barrel in the first place and then into the soon-to-be-bustling gambling hall again. Kaz looks over the numbers and scribbles down some notes beside them and writes up the rota for the next fortnight’s steerers. The main competition might have taken enough hits to run Rollins out of town (for now), but this city thrives on challenges. New clubs sprouted up like daisies after the quarantine ended, eager to fill the void Rollins’ clubs left. Kaz appreciates the sentiment more than they know, but that doesn’t mean he is ready to sit back just yet. Let those newcomers scrap with him first, then he can pick through what’s left.

Satisfied with the rota, he then pulls that week’s inventory toward him. The tapping of his pen against the table fills the silence, much like he wishes his mind would fill with wine orders and table repairs. Rather than the damned window, the curtain falling out to the other side and likely being soaked by the rain. If the past few days are anything to go by, the rain is only going to get heavier, and if the wind follows suit he might have to replace that curtain altogether-

The side of his hand hits the table, and as he looks down at it, he slowly notices the burst of ink across his glove. He mutters a curse under his breath, then another as he notices the blotch staining the page. His breath rushes out as he dabs the page with his sleeves, hoping to get the worst of it out, while his broken pen leaks ink against the wood of his desk.

He’s pulling open his drawer to grab a new pen when he hears it. The one sound that could cut through him like a knife could, possibly better. A sound that he’d said he’d die to hear again, that if it weren’t for the Club and his Crows and his damned reputation, he might have tried crawling across the sea just to hear again.

He thought, with her gone for so long, he’d forget it. It’s just one sound after all, one inconsequential noise in this world of guns and gambling halls. No-one would blame him, not even her, if he did.

But he didn’t, because Inej Ghafa’s laugh is reverberating through his floorboards, and the world has tilted on its axis.

She’s back, he thinks. It sounds like a grateful prayer in his mind, although who he’d pray to he still doesn’t know.

One shaking hand pushes the drawer, the other reaches for his cane. He rises slowly, the bones in his body creaking like a door on old hinges. His hand tightens around the crow’s head on his cane, the one companion that has served him as much as his real Crows. As the cane makes its first step towards the door, he hears it again, quieter this time. That laugh, fluttering up from three flights of stairs to his office. He hears it, and the cane almost snaps.

He takes his time with the stairs. His cane thumps in a steady rhythm against the wood, as if it can make his heart follow suit. His free hand is shoved into his pocket, his teeth pressed together to stop them from chattering. Everything about him is tight, tight jaw, tight spine, tight hands, the months of anticipation wrapping like a coil around him.

His knuckles almost burst through the gloves as he descends the last flight of stairs. As he does, the quiet murmurings solidify into words and the words into sentences. As the final few stairs come before him, he can hear Jesper filling Inej in on the Van Eck mansion, giving her more detail than he thought possible on the colour of curtains he and Wylan had chosen for the main parlour.

“Jesper Llewellyn Fahey, domesticated at last.” He freezes, his breath trapped in his lungs. All those months looking at maps, wondering where she is, and now he doesn't have to wonder. She travelled farther than any merchant or sailor ever did, and then she came back to the Barrel.

(Back to him, he thinks selfishly).

He lowers himself from the last step and slides into the patch of shadow beside the stairs, his side pressed to the wall. He’s keenly aware of the strange role-reversal taking place; spying on his best spy.

From his vantage point, he sees her, perched on a round table with her feet on the chair. Her hair is braided loosely and falling down her back, a glass held between her hands. Her elbows resting on her knees and her back curved as she leans forward to tease Jesper some more. Her nose scrunches and her eyes crinkle, and for a moment, she looks too good for the knives strapped to her legs. But then she downs her drink. The tilt of her chin is proud as she does so and the square of her shoulders strong. A smile flashes across Kaz’s face. She glows with her power and freedom and purpose , and it's a light that even the Sun Summoner would be put to shame by.

Then she laughs, again, this time at Wylan’s blushing face, and he hides his mouth behind his hand.

He had played that sound over and over in his head, committing it to memory the way Wylan would his sheet music. It was most often at night, laying in his single bed in his attic room, playing it the way one would tell a story to a child. He did wonder recently if this meant he was going mad, becoming so enamoured with a single sound. But he’s had worse experiences with madness. They’re old friends, madness and him, yet madness wishes it had the effect on him that she does.

He looks down, his black-clad legs disappearing into the shadow surrounding him. His hand flexes inside its glove, the feeling both comforting and disconcerting. Six months is a long time for both of them, but it seems to have done more for her than it did him. He’s tried to pull himself out of the grave he dug himself, to find the brighter future Inej believes they can have. To pull himself back into the world, even if it’s a world of smoke and shade and half-dealings. To not shed his past entirely, but to hold onto it as he builds something, real and good and maybe even permanent, from its ashes.  

Even if he believed he’s made progress, he would know it’s not enough.

But Kaz is nothing if not determined, and as he watches her smile light up her profile, he knows he won’t give up. Even if it takes him a year to make a real step forward, to be something resembling what she needs, he’ll try.

His cane hits the ground again, and slowly he steps out from the shadow and rounds the corner. Three heads look up, but he only has eyes for one. He watches her eyes widen as he gets closer, listens to the blood rushing through his ears. Goosebumps rise beneath his shirt, cold sweat trickles down his back. This could be a dream, something whispers to him, and he could wake up in the small hours of the morning, alone and safe in his office. Nothing changed, for better or for worse.

He doesn’t though. Instead he stops just steps away from her table and her expectant gaze. His tongue is pressed to the roof of his mouth, his breath so shallow he could be mistaken for a corpse.

It occurs to him then, that maybe she’s waited for this as much as he has. The thought shakes something inside of him, dusting the cobwebs away from something he thought he’d left behind.

“Hello Inej,” he tells her. The words roll off his tongue, grateful to finally be spoken. He holds his breath, the way only she can make him do. She pulls herself off the table and steps closer, not closing the gap between them entirely. But she’s close enough that they could reach out to each other. She’s close enough for their fingertips to touch, if they wanted.

His chest tightens at the thought, and he doesn’t know if it's out of revulsion or something else entirely.

Maybe later, he’ll test it, and see if holding her that day on the docks was a fluke or proof that something had indeed changed.

But for now, he watches her smile, a soft, “hello Kaz” coming as her reply. And if Jesper or Wylan notice the tears momentarily gleaming in his eye, they don’t say anything.

Neither does Inej, but why would she, when twin tears glisten in her own eyes?

“Welcome back.”

[notalwayslate]

There Can Only Ever Be

My Rumbelle Secret Santa gift for eirian-houpe.tumblr.com/

Prompt: There can only ever be

I hope you enjoy!

Summary: Over the years he stays in the shadows watching over her in case she needs him, but he soon realizes he needs her even more.

AO3: There Can Only Ever Be... - notalwayslate - Once Upon a Time (TV) [Archive of Our Own]

There can only ever be…protection.

Rumford Gold slipped into the pawnshop as his ankle throbbed from the harsh February snowfall. He was so tired that he almost missed the envelope that lay near his feet. Crouching down he snatched it from the floor. It was the wrong size to be any official city document, and too light to be a rent payment.

Curiously, he slid a finger under the flap gently tugging it open. He was surprised to pull out a pressed red rose with a small blue ribbon tied to the stem, along with a small handwritten note.

For your kindness

Belle

He stared at the note with a mixture of surprise and awe before making his way to the back of the store. He reached for the unbleached muslin fabric, a luxury he reserved for the shop’s most valuable treasures, placing a yard of it down on his desk. With trembling hands, he gently placed the pressed rose onto the fabric, along with her note.

Kindness was a gentler emotion that had long fallen by the wayside over the years, a casualty in his rise of becoming the town monster…or so he had thought. When he had seen the girl outside his shop a few days prior selling roses on Valentine’s Day in the blistering cold he felt an unwavering connection to her.

He had no doubt her father, Moe French was warmly tucked away at the Rabbit’s Hole, in a drunken haze, as his daughter tried to make ends meet for that month. He knew all too well a life with a father who shirked his responsibilities in preference for a carefree alcohol induced neverland.  It had made him the cold ruthless man he was today.

He did not want the same outcome for her. She was pure hearted, and he wanted to protect the light within her before life snuffed it out.   

With an overcoming surge of protectiveness, he had gone to her, buying the entire stock of flowers for double the asking price, wanting desperately to get her out of the cold.

Having not thought his plan out thoroughly, he refused to take the dozens of roses he had just purchased drawing a quizzical look.

“Give them to any desperate soul you see fit, and go get yourself warm, Ms. French,” he had instructed leaving her without a second glance.

It was not until the next day, when he entered Granny’s for a cup of coffee, did he learn the town was abuzz with chatter over his generous flower donation to Storybrooke hospital. It appeared that Ms. French was not aware that such an act of kindness did not match his monstrous reputation, or perphaps she saw something within him that others did not.

That evening as he climbed the wide grand staircase of his pink Victorian home with a heavy step, he could not help but think of Belle French. At merely twenty years old with her petite frame and twinkling innocent eyes it was hard for his desperate soul not to be drawn to her.

  Her simple words of his kindness sparked a flame that burned away the cobwebs wrapped around his bitter heart. In that moment, he made a deal with himself. He would protect her from the darkness of this world and give her the freedom to escape the mundane life that awaited no matter the cost.  

There can only ever be…distance.

It was not the responsibility nor cost of his decision that scared him, but the careless misjudgments she would face, if anyone ever learned he was helping her. He had to be meticulous, every plan, every action needed to be guarded with strict anonymity.  

He acted quickly, crossing every T and dotting every I to get the historical Storybrooke nonprofit up and running. Months later it was announced during the city council meeting that an anonymous donation had been given for the renovation and reopening of the Storybrooke public library, along with a two-year scholarship for a future librarian.  

He could not contain his sheer joy when a few weeks later his foundation received her application and personal essay for the scholarship. He knew the girl who always had a book in hand could not resist such an opportunity. He had hoped she would apply, but if not, he would have produced a thousand and one different opportunities for her until he found the right one.

A knot formed in his throat as he read the words of the vibrant beauty whose life was darkened by the silent tribulations of her mother’s passing, and her father’s addictions. Her love of books is evident as she speaks of their power and wonderment carrying her through a life of loneliness and heartbreak.

Images of her flicker through his mind, her on a park bench, her at granny’s, every time he pulls up another memory, he realizes she is always alone. He admires her isolation. His own has made him hard as a rock, but hers is more of a closed book, waiting for another to open it.

He wastes no time in selecting her for the scholarship.  Knowing she will need to start classes in the fall, he uses his contacts in the restaurant and hotel industry to keep her father’s flower shop in high demand for the foreseeable future. No longer would she need to stand on the corner selling roses, as there would be an abundance of income for her father to squander away while still maintaining the bills. In two years, the library renovation would be complete, she would graduate, and he would be there to see it all from the shadows.

There can only ever be…crippling desire.

He was a monster. As hard as he tried, he could not quench the pangs of lust and desire that filled his mind and loins as he vigorously sought his own satisfaction alone in his bed. Every time he swore it would be the last, but visions of Belle’s long pale legs, and crystal blue eyes chipped away at his sanity leaving him in a sticky mess.

In hopes of tampering down his degenerative thoughts, he tries desperately to ignore her presence whenever she is near, but he cannot help but notice how her eyes light up, and a rare smile graces her lips when she sees him.  He knows that she purposefully awaits his arrival Saturday mornings at Granny’s, waiting till he sits at the counter for his cup of coffee, to place down her beloved book and update Granny on her schooling so that he may hear it as well.

She is a clever girl, and he knows if anyone could dig through the mountains of paperwork to discover the identity of the anonymous donor, it would be her.

 More than once he caught himself staring at her lips, wondering what her mouth tasted like. Emotionally drained from fighting his primal desires, he had no choice but to close himself off from the temptation of her. He stopped frequenting Granny’s, spending his days and nights in solitude feeling excruciatingly tired and old.

He had gone seven months without a glimpse of her until the night he heard a scuffle coming from the alleyway near the back of the pawnshop. When he went to investigate a blinding fury rushed his veins as he saw Belle struggling to break free of the grasp of Keith Nottingham. The drunken creep was no match for the ferocity of his cane, as he pummeled him blow after blow. He does not stop until he catches her frightened face out of the corner of his eye. His focus turns to her, allowing Keith to scurry away in a bloody heap.

 Without warning she embraces him, and he in return wraps his arms protectively around her shoulders, ensuring her that she is safe now. He moves to pull back so he can see her face, but she squeezes him tighter to her. He can feel each of her fingers pressed tightly into the muscles of his back, as he leans his temple on the top of her head, murmuring comforting words into her hair.  He does not let go until she releases him first. He takes a moment to scan over her for injuries and lets out a relieved sigh when he does not see any.

Blood roars in the hollows of his chest as he listens to her recount how she was on her way to the Rabbit Hole to check on her father, when Keith had approached her in search of a good time.

The muscle in his cheekbone twitches as he dreams of all the ways he is going to make that bastard pay for ever laying a finger on her. So consumed in his thoughts of vengeance, he is startled as her warm hand slips into his own.

“But I’m okay,” she reassures him clearly sensing the frenzied tension radiating from him. “Thanks to you.”

Gazing upon her heavenly face, guilt seeps into his bones. It was his job to protect her, but how could he do so efficiently when he also had to protect her from himself.

“You need not worry about your father. Leroy knows to contact me if Moe gets…” his words tamper on his lips, as her brows furrow together in confusion from the revelation. Tilting his head to the sky, he looks toward the stars, cursing his loose tongue. He never wanted her to know that to ease her burden, he had a set ears and eyes on her father’s indiscretions.  

“Can you call Leroy and see if he is, okay? It is just…,” he watches her chew on her bottom lip struggling to continue. “It’s the 10th anniversary of my mother’s death, and I know how hard it can be for him.”

Closing his eyes he nods silently, relieved that she did not immediately hurl disgust and accusations upon him for his stalker intrusion into her family life. Pulling out his flip phone, he calls Leroy.

“Where is he?” he asks acutely aware of her worried gaze upon him. He can hear the low murmurs of the bar in the background, as Leroy provides an update. Hanging up, he informs her that her father will be home shortly, safe and in one piece.

 He could sense her mind was flickering with so many questions, but she gave not one a voice. Instead, he found himself in her arms of gratitude once more. The hairs on the back of his neck stand upright and his heart races at the feel of her pressed tightly against him. It is he who pulls back from her this time, wrestling for self-control.

 She had just experienced a traumatic event and was merely looking to him for comfort, and here he was trying to tame the growing erection in his pants. He could feel his resolve crumbling, and knew he had to get her home safely before he or his tented crotch revealed his true feelings for her.  

He would have gladly walked behind her giving her a wide enough berth as to not taint her reputation, however she chose to walk along side of him.

His mouth forms a small sheepish smile as he watches their shadows move together in time along the pavement. It had been so long since he heard her voice that his ears soaked up every syllable as she mutters of her upcoming graduation, and the library’s opening.

All too soon they reach her home above the flower shop. With a sigh he runs his hand through his hair forcing a painful smile, knowing that his time with her has come to an end. 

There is a curious note to her voice, a barely hidden hope lingering beneath, when she asks,

“Mr. Gold…would you...” her words are cut off by slurred hooting and laughter in the distance.

Turning his head, he could make out Leroy’s small figure holding up a clearly inebriated Moe French. The sight soothes his worry that she will not venture out again that night in search of her father.   With a curt bow, he bids her farewell, pretending not to see her eyes, searching his own with his fleeting glance.

That night as he lay in his bed, his mind pondered what it was she was going to ask him. He thought of her rosy, red cheeks, and the adoring innocent gleam of something more in her eyes when she had gazed upon him that night. As much as his heart dreaded it, he knew what needed to be done.

There can only ever be…goodbye.

He was there when she graduated. A silent shadow in the stands mixed among a hundred other faces. He watched in awe as she took her first step towards a new life with her diploma in hand. Her father and others gathered around her in congratulations after the ceremony, but he kept his distance.

It was a month later that the tiny town of Storybrooke gathered around Main Street in anticipation of the grand opening of the Storybrooke Library. Mayor Mills was there of course, forever camera ready to cut the ribbon and take credit for the entire project that he had funded. He did not care really, he did not do it for the spotlight, he had done it for Belle.

Peeking through the blinds, he could see her, in a dress of blue standing on the stage with the mayor. Although she was smiling, he could see a gleam of sadness in her eyes, as she scanned the crowd. His breath hitched at the sight, and deep in his heart he knew she was searching for him.

He cast his eyes downward ashamed that he was too much of a coward to attend. Turning, he shuffled to the backroom, where balls of crumpled paper lay littered across the floor. Running a hand down his face, he tried in vain to wipe away his fatigue. He had stayed up much of the previous night, putting pen to paper, searching for the right words to let her go. He had given her his kindness, and protection, and now it was time to give her freedom.  

Sitting back down at his desk, he was lost as the faint scratch of his pen against the paper consumed him for the next hour or so. He growled in frustration, and he waded up his latest feeble attempt, tossing it to the floor, before slamming his head down to rest atop his arms in exhaustion. He hears the bell ring above his shop door, and the click of heels approaching. He snaps his head up, just in time to see Belle pulling back the curtain.

“Mr. Gold?” she calls for him, her voice laced in concern.

He ungracefully flounders in his chair before stumbling up to stand.

Her eyes gaze around the disheveled state of the room, before landing on him.

“I’m sorry,” is all he can think of saying.

“No, I should be the one who’s sorry, I didn’t mean to just burst in here, but it’s just you weren’t at the dedication today, and” she pauses a moment before her doleful eyes bore into his. “You weren’t there.”

His heart yearns to go to her, show her the briefest bit of comfort. It was clear by the look on her face, how hurt she was by his absence. This had gone too far. Despite his best wishes he had distorted her sweet soul into believing he was anything worthy of her time and affection. He had to end this now. He swallowed the bile in his throat, looking down, as he did not have the resolve to face her.

“Oh, was that today,” he waves his hand as though it was inconsequential, “Dearie, I find it wholly inappropriate that you…”

“Mr. Gold?” she gasps, cutting off his cruelty.

He looks up, to see her gaping in astonishment, at the pressed rose and handwritten note, displayed on a pedestal in the corner of the room.

Closing his eyes, he shook his head knowing he was exposed.

“You��,” he can hear her voice crack with emotion but still cannot force himself to look up. “You still have it.”

He shakes his head dumbly. “Yes, and now you must go.”

“Why?” she asks, her voice raw with emotion.

 He turns from her with a thousand excuses to her question at the tip of his tongue, but he settles for the truth.

“Because I am a monster.”

He felt the weight of her hand on his shoulder, coaxing him to face her. With great reluctance he turns as a ripple of warmth courses through him as her lips find his in a soft feathery kiss.

As she pulls back, he feels the tears rolling down his cheek.

“You don’t owe me anything Belle.”

Her long and delicate fingers trace the lines and angles of his face, as her radiant smile captivates him.

“I know.”

It was a foreign feeling to be looked upon with such an adoring gaze. He had fought pulling her into his world for so long, that he never considered she would pull him into hers.

He reaches up cupping the back of her neck with his hand as she willingly moves forward locking her lips to his.

There can only ever be…her.

Clutching the small velvet box he tiptoes across the cabin floor, kneeling at her bedside. He gingerly reaches his knuckles out to caress her cheek. She stirs as the blanket shifts down her naked form. He holds a breath of anticipation as her glistening blue eyes lazily flutter open, as she greets his presence with a warm smile.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart,” he whispers, plucking a kiss from her pink lips.

He still cannot believe any of this is real. Ever since that night at his pawn shop 8 months ago, they have been inseparable. Although her father, along with most of the town, granted them no acceptance, they found a peaceful solace in each other’s arms.

Night after night, with her head nestled beneath his chin, her heartbeat drowned out all the inner turmoil that once plagued his sleep. His thoughts are now consumed only by her, and the future he craves, more than his next breath.

Hands shaking, he places the box on the mattress, as her startled eyes gaze upon it. He has practiced the words for weeks but in the moment, as he gazes into the blue eyes that have become his home, he cannot wait a second more to utter those four words.

“Will you marry me?”

His question was instantly answered as her yes echoed in his ears filling him with the warmth of a thousand suns. He had only a moment to slip the ring on her finger, before she was entangled in his arms. He feels her pulse drumming beneath her skin, her heartbeat against his ribs. His hands rake over her naked body with an eager hungriness.  

Her mouth is on his, as their bodies tumble backwards onto the bed. Entwined and locked together her moans are echoed by his own. Begs of harder and faster fill his ears, a need that he devotedly complies with.

Her fingers entangled in his hair, her new ring digging into the back of his head, the new sensation bringing him closer to the edge. With one last thrust he falls into a sensation of unrivalled euphoria as she reaches her own bliss.

Panting he moves to her side, his arms wrapped protectively around her as she snuggles into his chest. No words are spoken as she raises her hand gazing at the ring. His heart swells with emotion, and he cannot wait for her claim to be on his finger soon.

From this moment on, there can only ever be forever.

[squolivegardenog]

i miss squolive garden every day. will you offer your squeadstick deal again this pride month. i have many squips at home to feed </3 and this is the only place that sells food.

Hello! I miss it just as much, but we still haven't rebuilt yet. Soon though... I'm working to rebuild and relocate the official Squolive Garden building. It should hopefully be finished by pride month (so in a couple days).

I understand though! Of course we'll have the Squeadstick pride month deal!

I love you all, I hope to see you back at our grand reopening.

-Will, CEO and Co-Founder of Squolive Garden

[inquisitorismone]

narrative reasons why cured tranquils should be immune to possession

ignoring magical canon because 1) it's extremely inconsistent and 2) bioware just retcons it whenever they need to. but NARRATIVELY, there are compelling reasons why a cured tranquil should be immune to possession/becoming an abomination:

seekers are. seekers are immune from possession! all seekers! they have other talents, like the same abilities as templars to control magic, but because those abilities can also be generated via lyrium consumption that's likely just something to do with opening up one's connection to the fade. the unique power is a resistance to possession, since we know for a fact that templars can be possessed. where does that come from? if it were connection to the fade, then templars or mages might have found the same ability. the unique difference in seeker training is the vigil of tranquility - and its reversal. idk what the justification is, maybe it's like closing a steel trap to the fade then reopening it gives the person more control over what can come through inside of them, but either way - there's narrative precedence.

it builds upon the theme of corruption/control within the chantry. we KNOW that the chantry failed the circles; that was the point of da2, regardless of how you feel about anders's actions. this was reiterated in inquisition: the chantry failed to bring a peace between mages and templars, failed to act in a moment of crisis, and fell apart when challenged by the inquisition. the book of secrets cassandra gets from the lord seeker is a chantry book, and reveals that the chantry knew how to reverse tranquility all along (i mean the institution of the chantry, not necessarily every member or even grand cleric). the chantry keeps its grip on mages/the circle because it's convinced a whole lot of them that they need the circle. vivienne is the perfect example of this, but pro-circle mages can be found everywhere. it is the safest place; mages can learn with other mages how to avoid possession, and they can be watched over by templars in case they do become abominations. so imagine a world in which the threat of becoming an abomination no longer exists. what hold does the chantry have over mages? what justification for the circle do they have? i don't mean to imply that the modern chantry withholds the tranquil cure for purposes of control, because the modern chantry already thinks it has full control. but a long time ago, some divine and her seekers chose to ensure that mages needed circles, and needed templars. possibly this was around the height of the tevinter imperium, when it was decided that mages untethered would break that principle rule: "magic exists to serve man, not to rule over him"

it complicates the divine's decisions. whether your divine is leliana, cassandra, or vivienne, they likely all know about the cure. there is a chance vivienne might not know, but that would make the consequences of it coming out even juicer if leliana knows about the tranquil cure, and knows that it can make a mage immune to possession, then her decision to disband the circles makes sense. she may not really know yet how to phrase "hey everyone, go get voluntarily tranquiled and then when we cure you it'll be great," but there's reason to believe that she dreams of a world where mages are free not only from the circle but also from the threat of abominations cassandra most certainly knows, and yet she retains the status quo. why? is she hoping to deploy the tranquil cure in circles? is she expecting to keep it a secret? because as soon as someone finds out the divine knew it was possible to cure not only tranquility but also make mages immune to possession, shit's going to hit the fan. without a resolution in inquisition (even though cassandra CLEARLY SAID she would work on it) there's no way to know if her choice is out of caution or malice

[hell-hotel-mkg]

Prologue Start

°||° New York City, New York, U.S.A...

Autumn. The sun begins to set, and crows haunt the painted skies. There is always much hustle and bustle across New York City, someplace acclaimed for its nightlife, but tonight is a night of particular import.

Tonight, The Belrose Hotel reopens.

A celebratory gala is to be thrown for hotel guests and interested members of the elite. While some hundreds will be in attendance, only a select few have been granted the opportunity for an extended stay; nineteen lucky guests will call the Belrose home for two weeks.

Your plane tickets, your luggage, your living arrangements, everything has been taken care of ahead of time by the Belrose Foundation. Tomorrow, you’re expected to wake up bright and early for tours and events, but tonight, the only thing that matters is music and dancing. Live large! Live grand! Live like those before you once lived, the old guests of the old society.

°||° Now, however, just a half-hour prior to the start...

For your safety (and to keep a proper head-count), you’ve been herded into different limousines for your arrival.

You can feel as your limousines pull themselves to a stop. Though the windows are one-way, meaning the outside can't see in, the inside certainly can see out, and it is crowded. But, you've been warned. You hear the chauffeur dismount, then watch as the limousine doors slide open.

What greets you is...

(Banner assets by Percy!)

Music. Dancing. Talking. Eating. The gala is dazzling, rich, and seems bathed in a golden light. Celebrities of ranging fame litter the room, as well as heads of charities, boards, and businesses.

Just before you’re released into the hall, however, a member of staff whispers quietly in your ear: “Mr. Belrose will be speaking soon.”

°||° And, as the too-full room gets fuller...

Someone clears their throat into a microphone.

“Good evening, everyone.”

From across the grand hall, a man’s voice is heard, loud and clear. The music quiets to make way for his words. If you are not close enough to see the sternness in his expression, you can hear it in his voice. This is Mr. Henry Belrose, owner of the Belrose Estate and head of its Foundation. He is the great-grandson of the original founder of the hotel, the esteemed Delilah Belrose, and carries with him all of the grandiose of said status.

“I hope tonight finds you all well. The Foundation has put plenty of work into renovating the Belrose as a modern establishment, while still maintaining its antiquated charms. There could be no parallel to its splendor back in its heyday, and we aim that there will be no parallel today.”

He pauses.

“As you all may be aware, this hotel has been both a blessing and a bane upon my family’s name. It has brought us great fortune, yet no one can deny the tragedy of such a respectable enterprise sinking to rumour and gossip. I am beyond pleased to announce that, in this modern age, we claim no ties to such nonsense. The Belrose Hotel reopens today as a glimpse to the past keeping in mind the future.”

A member of staff offers him a tray with a glass on it. He accepts the glass without hesitation.

“All that being said, I’ll delay the gala no longer. Enjoy your night.”

(Lines by Beth, Colors + Rendering by Lumi!)

With that, he hands the microphone to an attendant, and busies himself with other things.

[cagliostrohq]

Hello to our sweet members, both current and future !! (((o(°▽°)o)))  As we're only FOUR days away from our grand reopening on Friday, June 16th!  Can you believe it's happening so soon? June is going by so quick! ✨

We'd like to make the exciting announcement that faceclaim reserves and applications are officially open! Meaning that anyone is free to reserve the faceclaims they'd like, as well as apply for their characters, and acceptances will go up on our opening day! We'll frequently update the main with our reserves list, so you guys won't have to fret about checking who's already been reserved!

As for our skeletons, we'd like to give everyone a fair shot at checking out all of our new additions and planning to apply! Reserves for skeletons will open on Thursday, at 5PM (EST), and skeleton reserves will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis! 

To keep things fair, we're also implementing a rule that if you already have two skeletons in your roster, you must clear 3 weeks of consecutive activity on all of your characters before you may reserve a new skeleton. You can find our list of skeletons this page. 

We're so incredibly excited to see your reserves and apps, and we hope that you love all of the new skeletons! Our local Admin Akkey has worked tirelessly and so hard to make them special! 💕

[twistedtummies2]

Jan. & Feb., 2023 - COMMISSIONS (CLOSED)

CLOSING TIIIIIME.

JANUARY

1. lionkinglover12 (FA)

2.  Kangarooboi-7 (FA)

3.  VideltheWusky (FA)

4.  @askbloatedbellyblog

5.  Umbreonhyper (FA)

6.  Destroyer9987 (FA)

7.  Peacekeepper2600 (FA)

FEBRUARY

1. @norman6321ify

2.  Grimsaurus (FA)

3.  @2shytosaytummy

4.  @pickingpixel

5.  theillusiveman13 (FA)

6.  @belliesburpsgalore

7.  DevilTrigger99 (FA)

THERE ARE SOME RESERVED SLOTS FOR MARCH AND APRIL. I will announce how many and who has them at a future date. I am still sorting that business out. And before you ask, NO. I AM NOT ACCEPTING FURTHER RESERVATIONS. XD Basically, these reserved slots are for people who were just a bit too late with this round. If any of them have to cancel at any point, I will obviously reopen those slots. The number of slots remaining for each month will be revealed after I deal with this business.

HAVING SAID THAT...I want to thank everybody who sent in a request, and if you did not get your shot this round, please don't be discouraged. There will be other chances, I promise you. I will get back to everyone who got a commission very soon to start sorting out details. I mean it sincerely when I say that the continued patronage of yourselves and all my other readers and customers is greatly, GREATLY appreciated. You guys mean more to me than you probably often realize. Each and every one of you. Truly. Commissions will reopen March 15th. I will begin work on January Comms, if all goes according to plan, starting on the 23rd of this month; I will let February commissioners know when they need to pay and when their stories will be worked on ASAP. Here's hoping the ideas for the next round will be just as grand as this one!

[kelleah-meah]

My NYC Bucket List

OK. So this August will be my 8th anniversary living on the East Coast in the U.S. During that time, a lot has happened (to say the least). But it occurred to me that despite all the life changes, growing pains, and never-saw-coming absurdities that is my existence, I've managed to do some pretty cool things since I've moved to the tri-state area.

So with that revelation, a part of me felt the need to write down all the things I've done that might fall in the "tourist-y" category over the past 7.5 years. Which then led to me thinking about all of the tourist-y things I've yet to do.

And here we are.

Below is a list of 80 (so far) things I've either done or hope to do while living on the East Coast of the U.S. You'll notice that I don't have some popular things on the list like "visit the Top of the Rock" or "visit the top of the Empire State Building." That's because I don't care for heights that much, so that's not something I would ever want to do. With that said, if my NYC Bucket List inspires you and you want to add more vertical activities to your own list, I say go for it!

Before we dive in, please keep in mind that I'm an arts & culture geek and lifelong literature & history nerd. So if most of this seems boring to you, well ... I guess I'm just a really boring person.

Now without further ado ...

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge ✅

Visit Chinatown and the Lower East Side ✅

Watch the NYC Pride parade during Pride weekend ✅

Eat at Sylvia's in Harlem

Drive across the George Washington Bridge ✅

Enjoy a show at Lincoln Center

Walk around Central Park ✅

Visit the Flatiron Building (outside or inside) ✅

Eat a slice at a pizzeria ✅

See a play during Shakespeare in the Park

Go on a walking tour of Greenwich Village ✅

Visit the Coney Island boardwalk ✅

Enjoy a stand-up show at a comedy club

Eat at a hot dog cart ✅

Hike in the woods at the New York Botanical Garden

Do a walking tour of Harlem ✅

See a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse ✅

Try an egg cream ✅

Enjoy a drag performance ✅

Visit that famous site-seeing spot in Dumbo near the Manhattan Bridge ✅

Take a tour of Grand Central Station

Enjoy a Broadway play ✅

Go to a NBA Knicks or Nets game

Eat at Sardi's

Drive across the Verrazano Bridge ✅

See an improv show at UCB (currently closed, but it's under new management so it may reopen soon) ✅

Visit the Statue of Liberty

Walk along 5th Avenue at Christmas time to see the department store windows ✅

Eat and people watch at Caffe Reggio ✅

Attend an art gallery opening ✅

See a show at Radio City Music Hall

Take the Staten Island Ferry

Be a part of a studio audience (ex: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Daily Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, etc.)

Go thrift shopping or vinyl records shopping in the East Village ✅

Eat at Carnegie Deli or Katz's Deli (the former is now closed though) ✅ Carnegie only

Visit the Guggenheim, the Met, the Whitney or the MoCA ✅ Guggenheim only

Attend a performance of the New York City Ballet, the American Ballet Theater, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and/or the Dance Theatre of Harlem

Grab a drink at the Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel ✅

Visit the Bronx Zoo

Eat a black and white cookie ✅

Enjoy an Off-Broadway play ✅

Read a book in Bryant Park in the summer

Take a dance class at Steps on Broadway ✅

Watch the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center or Wollman Rink in Central Park (and go ice skating if you can) ✅ Watching only

Visit Little Italy in the Bronx

Go to a NHL Rangers or Islanders game

See a show at the Beacon Theatre ✅

Visit Tiffany's (and buy something small if you can afford it)

Enjoy High Tea at the Plaza

Attend the AfroPunk music festival ✅

Buy a book or two at the Strand ✅

Take a tour of the Apollo Theater

Ride in a NYC yellow taxi ✅

See a concert or show at Madison Square Garden ✅

Eat at Junior's after a Broadway show ✅

Attend a lecture or talk at the 92nd Street Y ✅

Visit the Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Read or write in the Rose Reading Room at the New York Public Library's main branch ✅

See a movie at the Roxy Cinema ✅

Enjoy a drink at the bar in the Hotel Chelsea

Get a playbill signed at the stage door after a play ✅

Go to a late night jazz concert at the Blue Note

Visit Washington Square Park ✅

Attend an event on the Columbia University or NYU campus ✅ Both Columbia and NYU

Grab a sweet at Magnolia Bakery

Buy a book or two at Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn ✅

See a concert or show at Carnegie Hall

Go to a MLB Mets or Yankees game

Have a drink at the historic Stonewall Inn ✅

Visit Prospect Park

Attend a film screening at the Tribeca Film Festival ✅

Buy a book or two at the McNally Jackson flagship store in Soho ✅

Dine at the Algonquin Hotel ✅

Go to a late night jazz concert or show at Birdland

See a play at the historic Cherry Lane Theatre

Enjoy a fancy milkshake at Black Tap

Visit the main branch of the Brooklyn Library ✅

Grab a bite or a drink at the White Horse Tavern ✅

See a burlesque show at the House of Yes

Visit the Albertine Bookstore on the Upper East Side

Take the ferry from New Jersey (Hoboken) to NYC

Believe it or not, I was hoping to come up with 100 items for the list, but I've run out of things to add. If anyone has any other ideas they'd like to suggest to help me get closer to 100, I'm all ears.

You'll probably notice that I have very little on the list for the outer boroughs, so I'd be especially interested in suggestions for Queens, Staten Island, BK or BX.

Oh, and I should also mention that I'm not really interested in visiting the High Line or anything happening at the Piers. They're just not my thing.

Of course, this list is for inspiration and gratitude purposes only. It's not meant to make me or anyone feel less than. I'm simply capturing what I've done so I can look at it when I'm feeling sorry for myself in the future about how poor I am.

But it's also a lovely reminder of what else I have left to check out when money and time are on my side. ☺️