#i changed it last night and I've had trouble with it sticking before.

[cometcrystal]

Did my mobile header magically change itself back to the rainbow schroeder pic or is it still the sparkly flynn fletcher sibs

[locke-esque-monster]

I finished Umbrella Academy last night. The further I got into the season the messier the writing seemed to get. I've seen a few things pointed out already: like Lila totally wore bracelets before, why did Luther go chimp again, Five said Lila wasn't his type etc.. Here's a list I was compiling while I watched of things that didn't sit right or made no goddamn sense. It is by no means exhaustive (meaning that it's definitely not every issue, but definitely exhausting to write).

The whole reason Ben was killed was because he touched Jennifer. But Luther and Victor both touch "The Cleanse" during the department store scene. Luther gets stuck, but all it takes is Victor & Lila to get them out. Victor is pushed away by Ben just before he's shot. Were they both also infected and it didn't have time to stick? Or did the writers truly forget this was a plot point partway into the finale?

Quinn came in on the second meeting with Klaus's client Loretta saying "that was fast". They didn't call for him. They didn't give any indication they were done or that he should interrupt. So for all he knows, he should be walking in on them having sex. So is this poor writing in that they put in a statement that makes zero sense? Or poor writing in that they were watching Klaus "work" with surveillance camera and they just never explained that? (Which for the record that's even more screwed up.)

Speaking of which, did we just forget that Klaus has real issues with consent of his body (see season 2) and locked in small spaces with the dead (see season 1)? Or do the writers just not care and played it for laughs?

So we're down 4 episodes, but we're going to introduce 2 love triangles no one asked for (Sy, Jean, and Gene and Diego, Lila, Five)? Cool, that seems like a smart use of time.

After all the trouble Five has gone through, he's suddenly cool with changing the original timeline? Like no notes, no calculations - just down to mess things up by letting Ben live? Who are you Five? (The only calculations we saw from Five this season were a notebook he found another Five wrote - blasphemy.)

So Five is just going to conveniently find a notebook with a way out and we're never going to explain that?

Lila and Five spend 6 1/2 years searching for a way home, but Five's sad Lila picked Diego and he immediately stumbles into a Deli straight off an exit with all the Fives? And somehow that's not something he or Lila ever found?

Do the writers know how being buried alive works? Because first Klaus opened the coffin easily and then managed to accidentally fall in it and get it so stuck he couldn't get it open again. Incredibly implausible. But then wouldn't he run out of air eventually? Seems like he should have in the half a day he was in there. And I can't imagine the lighter would have been good for that situation (I'm not an expert, but any gas release, does it use air, etc.)

So Lila's family is cool with them missing for days? Claire too? I saw little to no attempt to check in, until it was convenient for the plot for Claire to say Klaus upset her when Allison calls. And multiple days seem to pass, but other than Klaus in his coffin and Ben in the hotel, there's no explanation where they slept, or that they really should be in contact with their families. And at least 2 nights pass for Ben (fight at the barn, hotel).

Ben kind of just turns into OG timeline! Ben around Jennifer. There's no explanation for his change in personality, even just that he was lonely without his family. But other than some vague "I can't stop thinking of her" there's no explanation of why they're so connected and Ben had a personality re-write. It gives us "magic made us fall in love" vibes.

I'm fully convinced that the elevator fight with Luther is a call back to CA:WS but TUA did not have either the money or the motivation to choreograph and film the fight scene, so they just waved their hands and said "close enough".

So we're just not going to explain how Five, who ostensibly is physically about 19 per canon, joined the CIA? And on top of that Five, arguably the sharpest, most paranoid character who took down the Commission in a single day in season 1, never checked into his boss or got suspicious about the CIA?

It's a 13 hour drive, but Klaus just magically got back to town on his own after ditching his family and it's never addressed? We've neither seen him drive and he doesn't seem to have a job to pay for a ride home, so I'm at a loss here. Admittedly, I'm not entirely clear how Allison got back to confront Klaus, unless she rode with Diego and Luther before their CIA trip? Though they also seems to have walked back from the CIA so I'm not sure how they got there either?

Okay, so I'll admit that Ben wouldn't necessarily know Reginald shot him. And I'm guessing Reginald wiped their memories quickly. And Ben's bullet would is less obvious in the back of the head. But you're telling me in the 15-ish years of hanging out together as each others' primary companion (12 in original timeline, 3 in the 60s), Klaus never made a dig about Ben's death? Ben never said something and Klaus repeated that weird statement from Reginald? Neither of them said anything weird about it the other one questioned? I swear that's why Klaus was written a whole separate plot with being kidnapped, so he specifically wasn't around for that scene to question or react to it. Also I'm pissed that it's very likely Klaus never knew how Ben died before he also died.

So after multiple episodes of (completely awful) jokes about Diego getting fat, you're going to actually make the character shirtless for no reason and him look exactly as he did before. I just...really?

Claire makes a comment when Allison first returns like "Why are you saving someone whose immortal?" Like what? First, okay let's assume Claire heard this about Klaus at some point (weird, but not impossible). Allison has been back for 5 minutes from the mission where Klaus got his powers back. Klaus didn't tell her. Allison didn't tell her on the phone call we saw or when she walked in. There is exactly zero reason Claire should have this information again.

Claire and Allison interrogate Quinn and all he tells them is pet cemetery. I'm concerned they don't know it's a dog or the dog's name, but I let it slide. Maybe they'll look for freshly dug holes. They're looking and they hear a dog bark to get them closer and they're like "OMG Thunderbolt". Like they're relieved they found the correct dog's grave when they have not actually been told that name before.

I'm not even going to unpack the mess that is Lila and Five here. Going to have to be a separate post.

(I will add that I'm not contesting the ending being on 8/8/24 when it should be 2025/2026 because if they've reset the timeline, the ending can really be whenever they feel like it. So I guess 1 point in the writers favor to the dozen and a half points I listed against them.)

[its-dean]

It's a BareBones Brigade Halloween!

I'm sad that I don't have something new to post for this year's leadup to halloween, but this is an illustration from last year that's still very close to my heart. Everyone on Caliosteo is here celebrating together, the patrol team, the former commanders of the BB Brigade, and even Joe Wildwest himself. What's more, it seems they all decided to collaborate and dress up with some BB Brigade flare (maybe it reminds them all of the good old days).

I remember working tirelessly on this one for a near month, and it was honestly a really fun project in hindsight that I wish I could replicate. I have the distinct memory of staying up all the way until Halloween morning making sure that it was perfect, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Since the image is a bit widely cropped and not the most "mobile friendly," here are some close-ups on the batches of characters scattered around Ribular Isle. Dina and Rupert sticking close together (as usual), Cole lashing out at Lester after finding out that he stole some of his hair dye (as usual), and Pauleen's Amargo acting snarky, Todd getting himself into trouble (as usual).

Here are also some WIPs from this one. This was the beginning of the phase where I started refining my sketch lining rather than doing a whole separate layer of lineart on top of an original sketch. It's honestly super satisfying, and I recommend anyone who likes drawing to try it out!

As for the lighting, when I do a shading layer I like to change everything underneath to be a solid white, it makes it easier for me to create realistic lighting in a 3D sense, almost as if I'm forming the shape of a sculpture. Plus, when it comes out like this before adding in color everyone here looks like a ghost >< (how appropriate)

One more thing, I made these little pfp icons to go with the Halloween vibe, also making one for Kris (one of the characters from my own Fossil Fighters sequel story). All of their last names are purely headcannons of mine, but there's still a bit of meaning behind all of them.

Being that I'm half Greek, I've always seen Dino and Dina as being short for Κωνσταντίνος and Κωνσταντίνα respectively (also because that happens to be my Greek name, where Dean comes from ><) so I think it makes sense to give them a Greek last name that may or may not also connect to something in my own story.

As for Rupert (still going with my own headcannons), both he and Kris originally hail from Bockland, a European-based Fossil Park that's just as big as Vivosaur Island/Caliosteo. Both of them act so posh and well-mannered, and I'd love to come up with a reason for imagining Rupert with a slight British accent. Kris's story comes a good 9 years after the events of the first 2 games, but she shares a lot in common with Rupert back when he was her age, much more than just being from Bockland.

Thanks if you read this far. I'm both happy and sad to be able to share and talk about this illustration again. If there's anyone here on Tumblr seeing this for the first time, then I'm very happy I can share with you.

I hope you all have a happy week leading up to Halloween night!

[shrenvents]

Miracle Aligner

Alex Turner Series

Series Masterlist

Summary: Who knew Alex Turner, frontman to one of the greatest bands of this generation had the worst luck in love. As a romantic who's quite familiar with heartbreak, Turner's grown sick of looking for a spark that will eventually burn him. So, while visiting a local pub, how was he supposed to know that a drunken Tuesday night, would change his sombre tune forever?

Inspired by the album Everything You've Come To Expect. Mature content (sexual acts, language) Original character.

Chapter one:

Aviation

Toronto, November 15, 2015

5:57 pm

Alex's POV

"That's enough Turner!" Zach yells over the various clamouring instruments. "You've been working on these songs for weeks and this was the best you got mate?" Jaime continues with a snort. "Yeah?" I huff, rolling my eyes.

Jaime and Zach exchange a knowing look before Zach pipes up again. "You know what Al? Why don't you call it a night, maybe go out, meet a few girls, have fun." He then glances to my right. "Miles you stay and finish your set."

"What's this?" I jest, bewildered by my bandmates.

"Sorry Al, the songs you've been writing these days just aren't the Shadow Puppets brand," Jaime trails off, looking more empathetic than his counterpart. My brows crease further into my eyelids and I dully unclasp the guitar strap from my shoulder. "My songs don't fit the 'brand' of my band?" I glare at them in disbelief as the two share another look.

"Sorry Al, but your material has been all doom and gloom these days." Miles now exclaims while avoiding my troubled expression. He pauses before continuing. "Your greatest hits are love songs, passionate shite." Miles's eyes then connect with my own, and I finally understand what he's implying. "It's been a while mate." His last statement was the final blow.

That's right, I haven't been with anyone for months, romantically, physically, and everybody knows it. These days I just find romance to be tiresome. Even a shag doesn't seem to excite me much anymore. I've simply gone mad, that's what it is.

Though they seem to have me all figured out, I refuse to give in to their remarks. "You lot have lost it. I'll come back when you've come to your senses!" I bark out while snatching up my guitar and jacket. The boy's faint snickers fill the room as I take off towards the door. "Aw c'mon, Al!" Jaime carries out, stifling his laughter. I slam the door behind me with unnecessary force, utterly infuriated.

Instantly after leaving the studio, I feel the blistering Canadian winter encase my narrow frame. "Bugger," I snit before whipping out my phone, in hopes an Uber would usher me away from this frost. To my dismay, because of the excessive snowfall, transport was either delayed or unavailable, and I had no interest in sticking around roadside. So, I switched to searching for a local pub, racing out of the cold.

...

After a numbing 10-minute journey, I reached a pub called Les Cactus and ripped open its wooden entrance, embracing its heat. Whilst I take a seat on the nearest bar stool, a flash of red catches the corner of my eyes. A waitress with her back turned serves drinks to a group of men who gawk at her with an unreserved fancy. Momentarily, I admire her long, fiery hair that flows down her fit backside. Fortunately, the incoming bartender removes me from my fairly pervy thoughts. "What can I get for ya buddy?" The bartender ranks down my features, odd excitement filling his own. "You got any Bulleit?" He smirks.

"Sure thing." He spins away from me, before quickly rotating back and whispering for my ears only, "Big fan by the way." I smile politely with a nod as he disappears into the bar to prepare my drink. My gaze returns to the space where the redhead once stood, which is now vacant. "Here ya go. Let me know if you need anything else!" The bartender ponders shortly before speaking, "My name's Mickey by the way." He places my bourbon down with an oddly suggestive wink.

8:24 pm

"Maybe consider spacing out your next drink Alex. I get you're a millionaire and money ain't a thing," Mickey bobs his head, taking note of appearance, "but you're kinda overdoing it buddy," he finishes. I scoff at his smirk and slap a bill on the countertop. "Another." My face and tone drop in an attempt to be taken seriously, but my drunken command doesn't detour Mickey's delight.

"You're the boss."

"Uh-uh, that's at least his sixth drink this hour M." An unfamiliar feminine voice pitches in. It's husky and demanding, and so, I intend to listen. Curiously turning to look, my vision is consumed by that recognizable carrot-like head. If I was captivated before seeing her face, I was surely a goner now.

Mickey ceases his actions while she stares between us with scrutiny. I'm gobsmacked and she clearly takes my silence as a sort of confirmation. "Right, no more for him. Okay M?" Mickey nods sternly, face falling moderately as her tone leaves no room for opposition. "Alexander!" I practically cry out before Red gets the chance to leave. Smooth Turner.

"Excuse me?"

"I-uh, name's Alex..." Yeah, very smooth.

"Jennie." She states curtly, evidently bemused. She then moves swiftly on her heel towards the kitchen. Straight away I grimace, pulling a hand to my forehead, rubbing its lines harshly. "Not a word." Mickey chuckles quietly and goes back to his work.

9:41 pm

"Still here, Alexander?" My head shoots up, startled by Red. When did I even fall asleep-

"Yes?" She snorts at my jumbled reply.

"Want me to call you a cab? A shrink perhaps?"

"M' sorry?" I question clumsily.

"Oh? I just thought you may need one, after hearing what you told to Mickey." Her sultry voice echoes out her rather devious grin. "God." My eyes widen in horror which aids her impending elation. "What have I said?"

"Nothing really, just that..." She starts counting her digits absentmindedly. "You've got no luck writing your music, no love life. Oh, and you have no sex life!" She proclaims the last part with glee. Jesus, please end this nightmare.

"I did not."

"Did too."

"I've had too much drink."

"Drunken words are sober thoughts." Jennie carries on smiling at my trepidation. Maybe I'd find her charming if her jokes weren't at my expense. "That's it, I'm not tipping." I declare pathetically. Her devilish smirk doesn't falter. "Seriously? Things can't be that bad! Mickey tells me you're actually a successful musician."

"That you've obviously never heard of." I roll my eyes at the absurdity of our conversation. She laughs aloud at my response, which I admit, brought a genuine smile to my face. It really has been a while. Her face then goes blank. "Alexander."

"Alex."

"Alex. You're young." She pauses, her gaze sweeps my shaggy appearance. "Ish"

"Ouch." I flinch jokingly, earning myself another gorgeous laugh and playful swat.

"Hey! And you're good-looking."

"Ish." I interrupt again with a chuckle and her smile grows.

"No!" She more or less shouts, "You have a lot to work with, trust me." Her hands gesture nimbly. "The only thing standing in the way of you getting laid is yourself." A surprise roar of laughter leaves my lips shortly and I shake my head in disbelief.

"You're selling yourself short here Alexander," Red concludes. "Alex-"

"You're wasting your youth-ish," she interrupts me once again and a sliver of silence washes over us. It's as if we're the only ones in this packed pub, eyes locked on one another, communicating beyond words. Her deep hazel orbs focus on my brown ones. "What do you suggest I do then, Jennie?" Lightly raising a brow, my words dare her while her lovely name rolls off my tongue. I can't help but revel in how it sounds. Then something flashes in her fixated stare.

"Let's get out of here."

Chapter two

[avianyuh]

I'll call you; Jaehyun

Summary: idolreader x jaehyun.

You and Jaehyun have had a secretive on and off again relationship for a few years. After a nasty fight and assumed break-up, you anticipate he'll be back at your door within a few weeks. When word gets back to you that he's been seeing Winter from aespa, you're angry, confused, but mostly hurt. Is Jaehyun done with you or is there more to the story?

Part one of two.

I closed the door behind me as I entered my dorm. My group mate waved to me and I gave an exhausted greeting back. I was so tired after spending four hours practicing in the dance studio. We've been preparing for the group comeback and I've been having some trouble with the choreography so I decided to practice some more with the instructor alone. To be completely honest, my focus has been off for quite sometime. I've been feeling extra lonely since my fight with Jaehyun. He was never my boyfriend, we both agreed we were both too busy to be in a serious relationship. But we had agreed we were only seeing each other.

That agreement had been made 3 years ago and it worked had been working out pretty well. Whenever we both had free time we'd see each other. But when we were both busy, it was radio silence. Deep down, a part of me hated that. I wished we could've been a bit more committed. But at this point I don't think it matters.

A few days ago, Jaehyun had been over at my dorm. He had spent the night and was packing his things to leave that morning. So there I was laying in my bed in my dorm room staring at him as I watched him pick up his discarded shirt from the night before and put it back on. And I don't know where the confidence came from but I stupidly opened my big fat mouth and asked him if he could stay a little longer.

Now for some context, up until that point like I already said, the 'relationship' was very non-commital, very on again off again, you know...'I'll see you when I see you'.

So when I asked him if he could stick around longer, I swear you could see the gears turning in his head. Him interpreting and thinking about what I had just asked him to do.

For a second, I swear I saw a smile creep onto his face. But like I said, that was only for a second and then his face dropped as he turned to face me, his eyebrows lowering as his face began to look more and more disappointed.

"I thought what we had going on was enough? Now you want more? I mean...what the fuck Y/n? You spring this on me now. What do you expect me to say?", he yelled, venom laced in his voice. I felt the tears well up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall in front of him. I felt so stupid. To be fair, he told me when we first met that he had commitment issues, but so did I. That's what attracted me to him in the first place, but over time, my feelings changed. I guess his didn't.

"Jaehyun, just forget I said anything. It was just a suggestion", I whispered the last part as I looked down at the floor wishing the soft bed would allow me to sink into the mattress and disappear.

"But now I feel like you want more from me. You know Y/n I just think we need a break for awhile okay, I'm busy with work right now anyways so i'll call you in a few weeks", he said as he grabbed his phone and keys, signaling that he was ready to go.

"I'll let you go but can I just say one thing", I stood up before continuing. He looked at me expectantly. "If you would give me a bit more to work with, I wouldn't have asked in the first place, because I would've known you were busy. I had no idea you were preoccupied with work because you never tell me about any of that. Plus I thought the deal was that we only see each other when we're both not busy?",I finished my rant and crossed my arms over my chest. It was sort of like a checkmate moment, a way to get him back for making me feel like shit moments earlier.

He looked taken aback for a moment before he started speaking again. "Oh, so now you're trying to twist my words. Like I said, I'll call you in a few weeks." And with that he was out of the door.

So that brings me back to present day. It's been a month and I've heard nothing. Either he actually is busy or he's done with me. I hope it's the first possibility and not the ladder.

As I made it to my bedroom, I closed the door behind me and jumped on my bed, glad to be home so I could rest. But just as soon as I started to drift off, I heard a soft knock on my door. I looked up to see my group mate Yura slightly opening my door softly asking if she could come in. I answered 'Of course' as I patted on the spot next to me and sat up.

She sat down and we made small talk for a few minutes, which isn't normally like us to do since we're really close. So I flat out asked her, "What's wrong, you seem like you want to tell me something?", I asked. Honestly I thought maybe I had eaten manager's yogurt or something and our manager was going to send me out to by him a new one, but I could tell that it was something bad since her eyes seemed very worried.

"So...I went to the studio today for a recording session and I ran into some people and uh...we were talking and somebody mentioned Jaehyun.", the moment I heard his name my heart skipped a beat and I subconsciously sat up straighter.

"What about Jaehyun", I questioned.

"Apparently he's seeing someone." Yura said, looking away from me. "Uh, that girl from aespa, there's rumors all over the internet and one of the girls I was talking to said she saw them out together at a cafe."

As she explained the situation to me I could feel my heart sinking. So that's why he hasn't called, he moved on, I thought. Unlike the day of our fight, when I felt the tears well up, I didn't fight them, all I could do was let them fall and let Yura comfort me.

____

A/n: hellooooo, my writers block is gone and btw, HAPPY NEW YEAR BABES. Decided to make a fic for my first post of 2024 since I like these more then reactions.

Two things I wanted to clarify. Okay so I know his name is technically Yunoh, but this is fiction soooo he's Jaehyun in this :)*

And secondly, I am not and never have been a shipper, just in case anyone thinks this as they read. I know there were some 'rumors' regarding frat boy Jeffrey and winter, but 1. I don't believe it, shopping bags are not proof of a relationship lmao and 2. Even if it was true, it's none of my beeswax and I don't really care, everything I write is fictional. I just used her as the 'other woman' trope for my fic since this was about Jaehyun and I thought it would make some good angst. So don't take this too seriously.

I think the next part will be from Jaehyun's point of view since this was a two parter.

Love ya💋💅

[mageofseven]

MC's Bra Game: The UnDateables

I still don't know what I'm supposed to call these guys 😅

I mean, I've seen some people use the term side characters, but that's including the three characters I can't write for yet because I've never gotten to read the story when they were added (Raph, Thirteen, Mephisto). So I guess I'll just stick to this name until I learn a better one.

But anyway! Time for Dia, Barb, Soli, and Simeon to play the Bra Game~ 😁

And honestly, I think this came out better than the Brothers' did~

•▪︎▪︎◇°●♡●°◇▪︎▪︎•

Diavolo:

Oh how this man loves this game!

Not in any pervy way; MC only plays it with their boyfriend when he's buried under work and super stressed

And unlike Lucifer, this prince welcomes the distraction graciously

Or like, any distraction from his work, if he's honest.

Unfortunately, that meant the game would end too quickly for the couple so MC had to add extra rules.

The human would sit on their boyfriend's lap and have him close his eyes.

Sometimes MC would bring items with them and other times, they would just take things off the prince's desk.

Eyes still closed, Dia would feel for the object and guess what his Queen nestled between their boobs.

The demon would purposely give incorrect answers just to make the human laugh

And of course, the game would be paused every now and then between kisses.

Barb always has to stop in and gently, but firmly remind his master about his deadlines

Causing the game to die down a bit till the couple gives each other just one last kiss and MC leaves their now less stressed boyfriend to his work.

Barbatos:

It's hard to get Barb to play with them 😔

But this man has a bountiful amount of patience with his Dear so he never gets frustrated with them.

MC will show up out of no where while he's working with the same smirk on their face; Barb always knows they want to play when they have that smirk.

No matter what object the human would stick in their bra, the butler always had a spare, and I mean always.

Like, how many feather dusters do you have, man???

AND THE PENS!!! MC could steal 20 off this man and he's suddenly have 50 more to use.

Like dear devil! Did you steal all the pens from Walmart's shelves before you started work this morning???

It's funny how this starts because MC wants to play their own game but then unknowingly starts playing one of Barb's.

Once the human's mood changes from amazement to discouragement though, that's when the man calls it quits.

"I'm sorry, my Pet, but I really need to trouble with some other business." He'd lean in and kiss them before whispering in their ear. "I'll see you later to night."

And with that, the butler would walk away.

It takes a moment for MC to realize that whatever they stuck in their bra is now gone and in the hands of the walking figure in front of them.

Now grinning, the human can't wait for later that night~

Solomon:

This was a game that Soli was all too comfortable playing.

Like, MC started it because they wanted to see their boyfriend blush, but in truth, the man was as composed as ever.

No red face, no sign of being uncomfortable.

He just slid his wand out of their partner's bra as if he was releasing it from it's usual holder.

Suddenly, the sorcerer noticed MC deflate. That silly mood they were just in took a 180.

"Am I not playing this right? What's wrong?" He frowned

"You're not reacting..." They mumbled. "Most guys blush or get embarrassed, but you treat this like I asked you to clean up your room..."

The non-immortal just felt...so unattractive. Is their body really so boring to him?

Soli raised an eyebrow.

"Little Minx, why should I be embarrassed to touch what's mine?" He asked, looking genuinely confused.

"You freely give yourself me. So if you ask me to touch your chest, I will." He raised his hand up to their hair. "If you ask me to stroke your hair, I will."

The wizard took a finger and traced down their head, passed their shoulder, down their arm, to their waist, and curved in towards their inner thigh.

"And if you ask me to give your attention else where, I will." He said with his usually smirk. "Why should I be uncomfortable with what you give me? Especially when I love every inch of it. Every inch of you."

Now it was MC who was blushing. They went to cover their face with their hands, but Solomon took them both and held them between his own.

"Now that's what I like to see. Are you feeling better now, Little Minx?"

MC gave a shy nod.

Soli chuckled before leaning into them, resting his head against theirs.

"Good."

Simeon ft. Luke:

This is not a game the two can play often.

I mean, their relationship is suppose to be a secret

And people would definitely start asking questions if they saw the angel's hand over the human's boobs.

The couple can't even imagine how they'd talk themselves out of that one.

Luckily, MC is allowed to have sleepovers at Purgatory Hall occasionally.

The human joins the three guys for dinner, plays board games with them, bakes, those sort of things.

The brothers think MC does this for Luke and in truth, they do somewhat.

During the evening, MC is at this sweet boy's beck and call; whatever he wants to play, they're down for.

But once the sun goes down and the clock strikes 9:30pm (21:30), the little boy is led to bed by Simeon (his bedtime is usually 9pm (21:00), but Simeon let's him stay up just a little longer when MC sleeps over).

That's when Solomon retreats into his room with that all knowing look in his eye and tell MC that he hopes 'you two have fun'.

Sometimes though, Luke will fight going to sleep so he could spend more time with MC.

To make it easier on their boyfriend and the younger angel, MC will join them to get Luke tucked in, make sure theres a glass of water by his bed, and even tell him a story if he asks for one.

Any outsider would see this scene as two parents cajoling their child to sleep

...If only that could be true.

On a more positive note, when the small angel falls asleep, the couple will tiptoe out of his room and head back to the living room to enjoy their alone time, something very rare and precious to them.

In the other timelines where they date the other Boys, I see their MCs as this chaotic and loving force, one who would definitely do this bra game with their guys.

It's harder for me to imagine Simeon's MC trying to play this game though. Maybe it's because of how their relationship is, but I see his MC as a very gentle, more subdued sort of person.

Still, if they did somehow wanna play...

"M-My feather..." Simeon stuttered, face red.

And no, this was not said as his usual endearment to the love of his life

But was referring to his actual feather

Which MC nestled between their boobs.

Simeon occasionally loses feathers when in his celestial form.

MC has made a habit of collecting them when they fall.

They've said they find it comforting to have a piece of him with them, even when Simeon cannot.

The angel found these words very sweet and keep them close to his heart

But he never imagined his Feather would put one of his feathers...so close their heart. Literally.

"Want...want it back?" MC asked softly, a blushing forming on their cheeks.

"That's--no, I'm fine, my Lamb." Simeon gave an awkward laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck.

MC leaned in closer to their boyfriend.

"Love...please."

With their cute face pleading him, the angel struggled to refuse.

It's just like he's always said: he wants to give them everything and deny them nothing

And these words rang in his head as he slowly reached in to pull out the feather, careful not to touch their boobs

Which in truth, the human found funny. After all, his lips had no issues being there last weekend, but now suddenly he feels that his hand grazing their boob would be the ultimate taboo?

Still, they kept in their laughter, even as the feather gently tickled their boobs as the angel pulled it out.

Once out, MC couldn't help laughing at the red-faced man.

A small smile broke out on his face as well.

"You never fail to surprise me, my Feather."

[zenonaa]

idk if anyone has noticed the number of tofu fics (or fics in general) that i write/post has gone down in the past few years, but i want to kind of talk about that. i love togafuka. i love writing. my love for them has not diminished.

in early 2022, my mother was hospitalised and soon diagnosed with cancer. she came to live with me for the next 5-6 months during her chemo treatment and such. as well as helping look after her (and seeing her ups and downs) i was working a full-time job and looking after my younger brother a lot who is autistic and epileptic (the latter was diagnosed this year). my father worked and helped how he could, my sister helped my mum a lot but my sister and younger brother were in their early twenties at the time so i felt like a lot of the responsibility fell on me.

i appreciate the time i spent with my mother in that time, i would not change that, but it was very traumatic for me. my relationship with her wasn't always the best growing up, and i think she had mental issues that she refused to get help for that caused a lot of it (and i was a troubled kid too, well-behaved but depressed/socially anxious. also prob have autism). everyday i would see my mother get stronger, or weaker. i remember one night, my brother woke up crying (mum was in my bed, i was downstairs on a sofa bed and bro was on a beanbag bed) saying he was scared she'd never get better. i had to comfort him and support him a lot, all the while trying to be optimistic and keep myself together.

she was meant to have surgery to try to remove the cancer in october 2022, but it was cancelled due to her thyroid. in early december 2022, she went to have fluids drained and i went too. a nurse told her in front of me how they wouldn't resuscitate her which wasn't... great. anyway, she had to be moved to the hospital because she wasn't draining, and a bit before christmas, she told us that she was terminal. on my last visit to her (23rd), i forced myself not to cry and as i left, i said i loved her and i'd see her on xmas.

on xmas day, she passed away. the hospital had lost our phone number, so we found out when a friend who had been with her phoned us. can't describe how surreal that day was. she was supposed to come home after the hospital stay. she told me to make her bed at home. we were going to visit her on xmas. she was going to have chemo again in january. who's going to eat all her favourite foods in my fridge? what do i do with this walking stick? her clothes? her medications? how could i have saved her? why didn't i realise she was sick and get her checked out earlier? why couldn't i have been a better daughter? why must the radio sing christmas songs about this being the most wonderful time of the year, why must people get excited for this one day when my mother died? then i had to help with the funeral, choosing her flowers, choosing what she was going to wear when she was cremated. she won't see me get married (assuming i do) or her first grandchild. it's... a lot to process.

i've had other life events happen after this. i broke up with my ex after 7 years. i was ousted from my job and got a new one. i've resumed driving lessons, even managed to get the same instructor my mother found me 10 years ago when i first tried driving and stopped. so yeah. busy.

also i have been working on a novel. my mother when she was still alive was my biggest fan, she would sit with me and we'd go through editing together. my novel has changed a lot since she was alive, as my writing has improved etc. i've recently been considering self-publishing it. which is daunting because i have the charisma of a potato but i believe in this novel and most importantly my mother believed in it, even in its early stages. but that costs money - i should be getting a pay rise from work soon, but i might open writing commissions again to help fund this as it's not cheap lmao.

soooo my fic writing has gone down because i'm usually exhausted, busy with work and irl stuff, and still recovering mentally from life events. i still need to write my last tofu week fic, which will either be a mastermind au or little sequel story to elusive/mermaid au.

i don't really talk about my personal life here, but even if no one reads this, it was therapeutic to write at least haha.

[austinslounge]

This may be a wild take but I kinda feel from last night, these two are already broken up. I think this was just a ploy to get the media off their backs about their break up. It's giving JLO and Ben Affleck. A ploy to buy some time.

I mean, how convenient that after not seeing them together for over a month and everyone speculating. Speculation that Kaia herself started with her actions. Page 6 (of all sources) says "there is no trouble in paradise" and then BAM! A paparazzi walk. Paparazzi that was called specifically by someone's PR team to make sure these two were seen together. No one else was at that show. Paul and Gracie are the new Austin and Kaia. And there were no pics of them leaving. It was Gracie's concert and nothing.

They don't look any different than they have all summer. But the fact Austin came straight from set to stand around at the concert. A concert he would never go to willingly. He only went to be seen with Kaia after the show. It's all to planned for it to not be on purpose.

I still think these two are done and a break up announcement will come in the coming months. Nothing about last night changed anyone's mind. Other then some of Austin's fans side eye him for still doing this with Kaia. Which I understand their frustration. I love Austin and I'm not going anywhere. But I can understand why people may need a small break. It is disappointing.

This may be a wild take but I kinda feel from last night, these two are already broken up. I think this was just a ploy to get the media off their backs about their break up. It's giving JLO and Ben Affleck. A ploy to buy some time.

This. ☝

I'm sorry, but Austin and Kaia aren't fooling anyone anymore. They certainly aren't fooling me. I can make excuses or suspend disbelief for a little while, but when I see a consistent pattern like I've been seeing this year, I'm sorry, but I can't ignore the fact that they haven't looked happy together in almost a year.

Nobody is buying it anymore:

Not only is it giving Ben & JLo, but it's giving Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart. Idk if anyone else out there was a huge Twi-hard like me back in the day lol, but I used to follow Rob and Kristen's relationship back then because I loved the Twilight films and I was a fan. I didn't ship them, but I just liked them as actors and followed their relationship.

Well, after the affair that Kristen had with her Snow White director (Rupert Sanders) in July 2012, she and Rob stuck it out for almost nearly a year, and even still did pap strolls together looking miserable until they finally called it quits in May of 2013.

Look at how they were still getting papped though in late April right before their breakup:

Look at the caption for the Daily mail. Sound familiar?? 😏

I'm saying all of this to say, that these celeb breakups may take longer to be official, or may take a while to get formally announced to the public.

Many times, there's always the denial of breakup rumors or several pap strolls of the couple together showing a united front before the actual breakup. Look at Ben and Jen.

I still think these two are done and a break up announcement will come in the coming months. Nothing about last night changed anyone's mind.

Oh a breakup is definitely coming. We just don't know when. But I totally agree w/you.

I love Austin and I'm not going anywhere. But I can understand why people may need a small break. It is disappointing.

I truly do love Austin too. 😩 That's the only reason why I'm even trying to understand this. It really hurts my heart that he almost seems depressed in this situationship that he has going on with Kaia rn. Even in pictures taken by locals he looks depressed with her. No excitement or joy whatsoever.

I'm not going anywhere either girl, I'm going to still stick it out with Austin, but I really do understand why some fans have chosen to check out of the fandom, or are disappointed in Austin. I get it. It's definitely frustrating. Especially when we know he can do so much better. 😔

[emmatriarchy]

Witches Unleashed - 11 to 15

Change pronouns, names, etc as you need. (other memes)

"I hate sleep, too many memories await me there." "Are you asking me to dance, or did you need something?" "Come on now, spit it out." "I'm sorry! Forget I said that. You're safe with me." "I'll forgive you this time." "Sometimes the boys can get a little aggressive, you know?" "It's ever so reassuring to know you're here to keep me safe." "If anybody gives you guff, you ask for me." "We don't tolerate that kind of thing here." "You're looking good, daughter." "He lied like some people breathed." "Whatever you want, the answer is no." "I'd rather stick my head in that blender over there." "The brave knight comes to the rescue? How delightful!" "He's not worth it. If you toss him out, he'll just make more trouble." "You don't have to put up with this garbage, you know?" "Son, this pretty little girl could rip your head off. I think your chivalry is a bit misplaced." "I've always had a bit of the devil in me." "What will it take to make you go away for another five years? Or ten? Can we go for ten this time?" "Honestly, our family is so dysfunctional. I think we ought to try therapy." "Honestly, that's the worst plan I've ever heard. What are you thinking?" "It's not my call." "I ought to hunt them down and give them a lecture." "They don't like you any better than I do." "That's your game? You're losing touch, old man." "Running is going to get you killed." "I do wish you'd let me help." "You're going to do that out of the goodness of your heart? I don't buy that for a second." "I wouldn't insult you by pretending that my concern is anything but self-serving." "You've got nothing to offer that I want." "Long ago, I stopped wishing for your approval or affection." "I spent years trying to please everyone but myself." "Sounds like last night was wild, even for you." "I'd like to hit the road before the traffic gets bad." "What I have to say might change those plans." "I'm so glad you're here to explain these things to me." "Does anyone really know the difference between a second cousin and a third cousin?" "I'm pretty sure that question was rhetorical." "If we leave, it doesn't matter whether X is on our side or not." "You remember what happened the last time it got out." "Never trust a big butt and a smile." "I wouldn't trust X to babysit a pet rock, but he can be counted on to do what's best for him." "I can't help if you leave me behind." "Cracking jokes and keeping secrets isn't going to get the job done." "How stupid do you think I am?" "you want to charge in blindly without admitting that you're afraid in the first place." "It's my job to protect you from things like this." "So, what's the plan?" "I can't decide if I'm excited or terrified, to be honest." "Remember, I'm an idiot." "He doesn't look like the kind of man you'd want to tangle with in a dark alley." "You want this, don't you? Come and get it then." "In the Olympics fo pain, I'm a gold medalist. Is that the best you got?" "Now I don't want to tick you off." "If I have to sacrifice my own happiness to save them, so be it." "Just what do you think you're doing? You can't abandon us like this." "This isn't what it looks like!" "You're underestimating us!" "I knew you'd be too stubborn to listen, so I snuck off." "I don't expect you to understand." "I've known that since the beginning, but I don't hold it against you. It is what it is." "Let me go. It's the only way to save you." "I like him. I'm gonna send him a nice fruit basket." "I'm not leaving because I don't care. Quite the opposite, in fact." "I don't even know if I wanted to do half of the horrible things I've done." "I'm not apologizing for that again. Honestly, are you gonna bring it up every time we argue?" "Quit stalling, or we'll end up getting arrested." "If you leave, I won't be able to hold it together." "I'll die someday anyway. I rather do it when I actually like myself." "You don't ever do half measures, do you? You just go for the throat." "Variety is a good thing."

[aishangotome]

Main Story Chapter 16-11: Before the Storm (暴雨來臨前) | Light  and Night 光與夜之戀

Chapter 16-09

♡———♡

It was another hot and long summer.

I walked into Wan Zhen and happened to run into the administrative woman explaining the precautions to a group of new interns. She introduced me to them as the person in charge of Pristine.

"Hello, senior!" I don't know who in the crowd took the lead and shouted, and the rest of the people followed suit, unable to hide the longing and shyness on their faces.

I smiled and nodded at them. "Senior", this feeling is really wonderful. it should have been a year ago that I stepped into Wan Zhen like them, uneasy and full of longing for the future.

Time passed so quickly, the girl who first arrived and was a little reckless and curious about everything became a lot more relaxed and comfortable.

The people around me stop and go, come and go, some will never see each other again - the constant is always change. I don't know where I will be in the future?

I turned around and walked towards the office.

-

Pristine's production has come to an end and has entered the new stage.

Just after its launch, the main model was sold out of stock. Not only did it have a high degree of discussion on various platforms, but its first-day sales even directly rushed to the first place in the fast-selling category.

The company held a grand celebration banquet for our project team, and the atmosphere of joy filled the A group office every day.

However, the success of this season means that the pressure of the next season will be greater. After a short break, all of us put our energy into the design of the next season's new products.

Everything was progressing smoothly, and in a blink of an eye it was time for the weekly regular report.

Because the design center is now directly under Evan, I have to have a weekly meeting with him.

I clicked on the work software, and I was about to confirm the time of the regular meeting when I suddenly saw Evan's message.

Evan's Message: I have something to do today and I won't come to the company, so the regular meeting will be postponed.

His words, concise and to the point businesslike. I froze for a moment before I hurriedly replied "Okay."

Since I rejected Evan's offer to take me home last time, I have been trying to stick to the plan of not having any unnecessary contact with him outside of work.

And Evan, as if he had a good understanding of me, did not ask a word more than work, and became polite and unfamiliar. Later, he became busier and busier, and he basically didn't even show up for regular meetings.

It seems that we have really become the most ordinary of employees.

At the same time as I breathed a sigh of relief, my heart seemed to be empty.

Did he understand my thoughts and cooperate with me? Or did he also feel that getting along with me would bring him extra trouble, so he went with the flow and avoided it?

I don't know the answer, I only know that because of the sudden distance between us, the speculation about our relationship on the company forum gradually disappeared.

I see him less and less in the company, and the news about him comes from hearsay. I heard that he won a new cooperation project, heard that he was absent from work these days because of illness, heard...

Pristine's results are bright, Lu Ting has not taken any action recently, and under several factors, Evan's support rate in the company has climbed steadily.

This seems to be the best situation. As long as we continue to maintain the status quo, the election will most likely be successful.

But why don't I seem to be happy? Instead, I was occupied by a sourness. Isn't this the result I want to see?

My thoughts were stuck, and I couldn't draw the feeling I wanted. I put down my pen, and my thoughts gradually drifted away.

Mao Ge: Why are you so distracted?

Returning to the present, Mao Ge was looking at me worriedly.

Mao Ge: Have you had too much pressure recently?

You: Maybe.

Mao Ge: I've been drawing from last week until now, and my brain will explode if it keeps running for so long.

Mao Ge: It's better to change your mindset and find some physical work to do.

It's true. Even if I continued to think about it, I won't be able to keep focusing on drawing. Instead, my mood will just become more irritable. It would be best to find something else to do to get away from this stubbornness.

Just in time for this season, several sample clothes have arrived, and there will be a meeting with the marketing department in the afternoon to discuss the marketing direction, so let's send them over first.

-

Physical labor is best for stress-relieving, so I ran back and forth a few times and helped with transferring the items. Although I was not tired, I did sweat a little.

Mao Ge: Why don't I get the biggest one? Although it's not too heavy, the shelf may be too tall for you.

I picked up the box and tried it, and the highest point was just below the line of sight. I made an OK mouth shape to Mao Ge and walked towards the elevator.

-

Ding—the door opened.

When I saw who was standing inside, my feet froze, and I suddenly felt like I was being played by God. The person I thought I wouldn't see just appeared before my eyes.

You: .. Mr. Lu?

The man glanced at me, not surprised, and just stepped back to make room.

Evan: What floor are you going to?

He asked politely, his expression indifferent.

You: 12th floor, thank you.

I hesitated for a moment, but still walked in.

Didn't you say you weren't coming to the office? How could I run into him…. Did he lie to me?

My chest felt like it was blocked by something.

Don't think too much, maybe he just finished his work quickly and came back. Don't ask unnecessary questions, I told myself.

The elevator doors slowly closed in front of us.

I've never felt time move so slowly.

From the 36th floor to the 12th floor, it should only take a few seconds. But at this moment, two people, a small space, time seemed to suddenly freeze.

I tried to think about the unfinished design draft from earlier to get through this long silence.

However, God seemed to think that teasing me once wasn't enough, the elevator car suddenly shook and stopped, and the two numbers "20" on the display kept flashing.

You: ....!

The all-too-familiar scene made my body react before my brain could catch up. When I came to my senses, my hand was tightly gripping Evan's sleeve, and the suitcase had long since fallen to the ground.

I looked up in a panic, wanting to ask him if he was experiencing the same thing as a year ago. I remembered him telling me later that the elevator had been deliberately sabotaged.

However, I was met with a smile that was both unfamiliar and distant.

Evan glanced at the sleeve I was clutching, seeming to hesitate, but in the end, he didn't say anything. He simply used his other hand to press the call button on the wall.

With a buzz, the light on the intercom turned on.

Intercom: Sorry for the inconvenience, the elevator just experienced a brief interruption and is now back to normal.

The numbers on the display resumed scrolling, and the elevator smoothly descends.

Evan: The elevator is fine now, so you can let go now, right?

Though a smile remained on their face, their voice was flat and emotionless. That complete indifference made my heart sink.

I moved my lips, taking a while to find my voice.

You: "Um, sorry."

He shook his head without speaking, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the distance. Clearly, he didn't care about what just happened.

-

Finally, the elevator stopped. The doors had only opened halfway when I couldn't wait to get out. I can't explain why, but I felt extremely embarrassed.

However, maybe because I was rushing, I slipped as soon as I stepped out of the elevator.

You: Ah!

Luckily, the box cushioned my fall. In the split second before I fell, I braced myself with my hands and managed to keep my balance. But even though I didn't fall, my knee still hit the ground.

Thud! Even through the fabric, it still hurt. I endured the pain for a while, trying to figure out how to get up, when I suddenly felt someone watching me from the corner of my eye.

I turned my head. The elevator doors hadn't closed yet. Evan was standing to the side, his eyes fixed on me.

☼ Light: Ask for help

☾ Night: Don't ask for help

☼ [Light: Ask for help]

I don't know if I had a look of asking for help, I guess I must have.

But all around was silence. There were no footsteps, no sighs, no voices, none of the sounds I expected. He remained standing there, his expression unchanged.

Evan: Can you stand up?

I was stunned for a moment, then realized he was talking to me. Of course, there was no one else here. But a dull ache suddenly rose in my chest, as if I had finally received the delayed pain signal from my knee.

You: Yes.

Kneeling for too long had made my legs numb, but nothing made me feel as bad as this sentence. I gritted my teeth, braced myself with my hands, rolled over, and slowly stood up.

Evan: Good.

Evan nodded and pressed the elevator button.

Evan: I have something to do, I'll go first.

I didn't even see his face, only his back disappearing behind the elevator doors.

☼

☾ [Night: Don't ask for help]

I opened my mouth, but quickly turned my head away.

Forget it, it's not a big deal. I've persisted for so long before, there's no need to look for him for this trivial matter now.

However, even though I thought so, there was a hint of anticipation in my heart that I couldn't ignore.

At this moment, the sound of cloth rubbing sounded in the silent corridor. I was stunned for a moment and turned my head to find that Evan had put the clothes that fell out back into the box.

Evan: If there's nothing else, I'll go first.

The elevator door closed slowly, I looked at the clothes in the box, lowered my head, the boredom and sadness in my heart almost overwhelmed the pain from my knees.

Finally, I supported the ground with my hands and stood up little by little.

☾

-

Back in the office, I sat down and found that my knee was scraped. I pressed on the bone and it didn't hurt, so it shouldn't be anything serious.

But the dull ache in my heart wouldn't go away.

I couldn't tell when it started, but the "distancing" act between Evan and me had unknowingly become real.

He didn't actually care about distancing himself from me.

I shook my head with a bitter smile and limped slowly to get some medicine.

-

Bad luck never comes alone. The place where the first aid kit was usually kept was crammed with junk. I couldn't find it after searching everywhere.

I leaned on the cabinet, lost in thought for a while. When I snapped out of it, I didn't know what I was thinking about, maybe nothing at all.

I opened the food delivery app, about to place an order, when Mao Ge suddenly walked in, holding the missing first aid kit.

You: You took the first aid kit?!

Mao Ge: Yeah, admin told us to restock some medicines. And Jiang Lai got a cold recently, right? What's wrong?

You: I fell down.

Mao Ge: Don't move, don't move. Let me help you to your seat.

Mao Ge: I told you I'd carry the box, but you insisted. Do you need to go to the hospital?

You: It's not a big deal, just need some medicine.

After helping me to my chair, Mao Ge suddenly remembered something.

Mao Ge: Should I say you're unlucky or lucky?

Mao Ge: The medicine admin restock happens to be iodine, gauze, and bruise spray.

Mao Ge: It's like they knew you fell.

I opened the first aid kit, but Evan's indifferent face uncontrollably appeared before my eyes.

You: I guess I'm just... unlucky.

-

The noon bell tolled over the city.

Lu Ting sat in the car heading towards Wan Zhen, his face livid as he stared at the astronomical figure on the fabric purchase contract in his hand.

He had assumed that Evan, for the sake of the brand's reputation and support rate, would definitely be willing to swallow the cost of that batch of fabric, so he planned to make him bleed.

And indeed, he did so, relentlessly raising the price against him in the auction.

But unexpectedly, at the last moment, after he had raised the price tenfold, Evan gave up and somehow managed to get ready-made fabric from somewhere else.

He actually spent a fortune on a pile of scrap metal!

Recently, there was also a company of unknown origin acquiring Wan Zhen's shares. Everything was going wrong, and Lu Ting angrily kicked the back of the front seat.

The driver slammed on the brakes, fearfully lowering his head, waiting for Lu Ting's instructions.

In the deathly silence, a monotonous sound came from overhead. Lu Ting rolled down the window and listened to the last two tolls, like a countdown to a death knell, gradually calming him down.

So what if he won this round? Evan didn't know yet that he had already suggested to the head of the family to use Y/N's body as the new vessel.

He guessed that the head of the family had already had this idea, and all he did was add fuel to the fire.

Lu Ting: Return to the Lu family castle.

Let's start with what he cares about most now. After so many years, he seems to have forgotten the taste of loss.

-

When Evan arrived at the Lu family castle's basement, it was already past one o'clock. He remembered the last time he was here was years ago, when the head of the family changed bodies.

The stairs extended downwards, seemingly endless. Step by step, he moved away from the world of light.

The inability to walk was a sign that the vessel was collapsing. It seemed the head of the family had a new plan. This time, he was called here, probably for this matter... Suddenly, Evan stopped in his tracks.

A strong sense of foreboding made him immediately look up. The entrance closed shut at that moment, with a loud bang.

There was no turning back.

Statues lined both sides of the path, their eyes open, glaring angrily. The blue light shone down on them, as if they were about to come alive at any moment.

The thicker the fog, the stronger the smell of blood.

Evan saw the old man sitting in the leather chair ahead. He respectfully lowered his head.

???: You're getting later and later.

Evan: I had some personal matters to attend to, which caused a delay.

???: You should always remember your duty.

???: You've done well from childhood to adulthood. What's the reason for your recent repeated mistakes?

Evan: It won't happen again.

Evan's expression remained indifferent.

???: I called you here today because I have a task for you.

???: I've found a suitable vessel. All you need to do is bring her here.

Evan: It sounds like I know this new vessel.

???: Y/N. Of course you know her.

Evan was taken aback, a clear hesitation on his face. The old man recalled what Lu Ting had told him earlier, the rumors about Evan and Y/N having a close relationship at the company. This displeased him greatly.

???: Or, can't you do it?

Evan: No, as long as you need her, I will definitely bring her to you.

Evan: But... Uncle must have found many suitable vessels for the head of the family. Why are you particularly interested in her?

???: You've spent too much energy on the company. It's time to learn about the blood clan's past.

???: Do you remember how the blood clan left the seabed?

Evan: You said that most of the gods suppressed under the sea left by voluntarily accepting divine punishment.

Evan: They are the ancestors of the blood clan.

Evan: And those gods who refused to accept divine punishment are still imprisoned there.

???: But there's one more thing I didn't tell you.

???: The power of the seabed barrier is weakening. A tsunami twenty-three years ago further loosened the barrier.

???: At that time, some gods escaped to the human world.

???: And Y/N, she possesses the power to destroy the blood clan's self-healing ability. This is the power of the gods.

Evan: Are you saying she's a god? But from my interactions with her, I don't think she knows about this.

???: It is indeed strange. Gods don't lose their memories when they come to the human world.

???: And from the looks of it, it seems like she only recently acquired that power and doesn't know how to control it.

Evan: Do you need to arrange for someone to investigate?

???: No need. Whether it's the spirit clan or the blood clan, there are very few left who know about these things.

The old man let out a long sigh.

???: No matter what secrets she has, as long as she possesses the power of the gods, she will be a perfect vessel for the blood clan.

Evan finally seemed to understand and nodded.

Evan: I understand.

Evan: However, you may need to give me some time.

Evan: Before bringing her here, I will first extract her soul while she is unguarded, so as not to damage the vessel and affect your subsequent use.

The old man was extremely satisfied with Evan's obedience and humility.

???: I'll give you two weeks. Don't disappoint me.

Outside the door, Lu Ting heard everything. He turned and left thoughtfully. By the time Evan came out, there was no one in sight.

-

The car drove along Huinan Road towards the suburbs. As the traffic light changed, Zhou Yan stepped on the brakes.

He glanced at the rearview mirror. Evan's brow had been furrowed since they left the castle. He figured the old head of the family had given his young master a task that was both impossible to refuse and extremely cruel.

Zhou Yan had seen this expression many times. In fact, this expression had been on the young master's face since he was very young, and there was even a time when he lost all other expressions.

But as he grew older, such occurrences became less frequent, and in recent years, they had almost disappeared.

Besides, having followed the young master all these years and seen him do all sorts of cruel things, what else could make him like this?

Zhou Yan couldn't find the answer, and he didn't know how to ask. Suddenly, he saw Evan in the mirror smile slightly.

That smile instantly transported him back many, many years ago, to the time when the young master first volunteered for the trial.

When he arrived, corpses were scattered everywhere.

The sun was about to set, losing its daytime ferocity. The blood-red light made it look particularly gentle. The young master stood before the setting sun, staring at his palm, lost in thought.

He cried out in fear, and the young master turned around. A smile slowly spread across his clean face. He didn't understand, but a smile meant happiness, so he smiled along with him.

In Zhou Yan's memory, the young master was happy that night.

But was he really happy? He suddenly felt that his memories had deceived him, and the words he wanted to ask became awkward. Zhou Yan tried many times, but in the end, he changed the subject.

Zhou Yan: Boss, the fabric incident this time dealt a heavy blow to Lu Ting.

Zhou Yan: Currently, the total share acquisition is 9.65%, 0.95% higher than Lu Ting's.

Zhou Yan: Your reputation and support rate in the company have also surpassed his.

But he soon realized that Evan was just staring absentmindedly out the window. He didn't care about these things.

Zhou Yan: By the way, the iodine and other things you asked me to prepare earlier have been delivered to the administration department.

Zhou Yan: The design center has also been notified to pick them up.

Evan: Hmm.

A very soft reply, but Zhou Yan knew that Evan was listening to him attentively.

Zhou Yan: The stock price rose by 3.98% in a single day. I think Pristine played a big role in that.

Zhou Yan: Miss Y/N contributed greatly to this season's success. You always have the best eye for people.

Zhou Yan: Sometimes, looking at Miss Y/N, I even feel like I'm seeing the young master from the past.

Evan, who was flipping through financial reports, looked at Zhou Yan in surprise. Zhou Yan immediately realized that he had almost lost his composure.

Zhou Yan: I apologize, I shouldn't have said that.

Evan: Why?

However, Evan didn't ignore it as he usually did. Instead, he asked him very seriously, even a bit confused, why.

Evan: Why do you think she's like me?

Zhou Yan: You once said that she was being followed at the café in the beginning, similar to what happened to you back then.

Evan: So that's it.

Evan chuckled, but Zhou Yan inexplicably felt that he was actually sad.

Zhou Yan: Miss Y/N is very insightful. She seems gentle and soft, but she's actually very determined.

Zhou Yan recalled his few interactions with Y/N, carefully counting them. He didn't notice that Evan's hand, which was turning pages behind him, had stopped.

Zhou Yan: She has a clear goal, and once she sets her mind on a path, she'll follow it through. There's nothing that can sway her.

Zhou Yan: If there's anything else--

The light turned green, and the car could have easily made it through the intersection, but Zhou Yan stopped for no apparent reason. He looked troubled, as if something was on his mind but he couldn't quite articulate it.

Zhou Yan: Y/N, she...

The sentence trailed off, and Zhou Yan eventually shook his head, unable to find the right words.

Zhou Yan: Sorry, Boss, I can't quite explain it. I just feel like there's more to it.

Evan: It's okay.

The green light saved Zhou Yan from further explanation. He breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at the rearview mirror again, only to see Evan engrossed in some documents, as if nothing had happened.

-

The car pulled over at the alleyway of Huinan Road. Zhou Yan hurriedly got out, only to find that the familiar shop was gone.

Zhou Yan: Young Master, Zhou Weicheng is missing.

Evan: Have you been in contact since your last meeting?

Zhou Yan: No. He was sent away by my grandfather when he was very young, and we don't have a close relationship.

Zhou Yan: We only met again when he became that person's assistant.

Zhou Yan: Maybe my father knows his whereabouts.

Evan: Be sure to find him.

Evan: He should be able to tell me about the "God."

Zhou Yan: Yes. Shall we return to Wan Zhen now?

Evan nodded, but as he opened the car door, he suddenly realized he had overlooked something. There had always been a man with a blurred face standing between him and Zhou Weicheng.

Even though they weren't close.

He didn't deliberately try to forget, he genuinely couldn't remember.

Evan: Let's not go to Wan Zhen yet. Head back to the Lu family castle.

A sudden, inexplicable anticipation rose within Evan. He thought, perhaps that person could give him an answer that satisfies both sides.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 16-13

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[glacialswordsman-a]

"Kaaaaaaaeya! Kaeya, hey!"

The young master is positively beaming. Rosy-cheeked, and with hair sticking to his forehead with sweat, Diluc scurries through the vineyard as though his life depended upon it, desperate to rejoin his sibling.

A toothy grin spreads across a rounded, chubby little face (a face that still clings onto bits of baby fat in his boyhood) and he practically skids onto his knees, scraping them on the dusty ground. But he doesn't care none about the sting of the pebbles cutting into his skin, far too excited to share ... whatever it was that he had grasped between his hands.

"Look what I've got. Are you ready?"

He knows exactly what will cheer up his little brother from his gloom -- and opens his palms to reveal a glimmering anemo crystalfly that flutters on up, up, up... And then disappears into the warm, summer wind.

"What the...? Hey! Come back!"

Somewhere in the vineyards of the Dawn Winery sat a boy with midnight locks beneath the grape leaves. He was curled up tightly into himself, his small head buried into his thin arms that rested on his bony knees, sinking into himself and attempting to keep the world out. He was silent as he was still, refusing to make a sound as his starry eye welled over with tears that refused to spill.

He had been lightly scolded over something inconsequential, such as getting his hand much too close to the burning stove. It was such a gentle admonishment, yet one that still set the boy off and made him profusely apologize, saying that he would never do it again.

Anything that could keep him from being abandoned again.

Though, hearing the familiar call from the boy with flaming hair, Kaeya tensed up and blinked his tears away, slowly lifting his head from the barrier of his arms. “Lulu?” he called out oh-so-softly, wary and surprised that he was being searched for so soon. Aren’t they all mad at him right now?

Seeing Diluc come into view, the smaller of the two gave a few owlish blinks as he skid on his knees to a stop right before him. At the question, he nodded his head meekly, his eye big and wide and curious.

As the other opened his hands to show off his catch, Kaeya’s eye shimmered from the gentle glow of the anemo crystalfly. His tension began to leave him as he watched the creature begin to fly, fly away from the two boys that had been so curious over its mere existence. It was only when Diluc called out for it again that Kaeya blinked a few more times before looking back at the boy before him for a few moments until an amused smile broke out as he giggled at the sight of his brother annoyed that his prized catch had gone and left.

Already, his troubles have been forgotten.

He laughed and laughed, his body unwinding from its tight coil as his eye shaped into a crescent that had brilliantly lit, his shoulders shaking just a bit from the force of his laughter. Only after a while did he calm down, reaching out to Diluc afterwards and gently grabbing his hand, holding it within his own. “Where’d you find it?” he asked, his voice a little rough from laughing while a strange accent still lingered in his Mondstadtian. “Let’s go find some more!”

⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

Staring down at his empty glass, Kaeya’s eye shifted minutely before he came back to himself, his star dilating into a diamond for just a moment as he recalled where he was.

The Angel’s Share.

Looking up, he gazed at the man with flaming hair silently. With a faint, somewhat strained smile that tugged at a corner of his lips before forcing it a bit bigger, he tapped the bar with his knuckle once before slowly standing up.

“I believe that will be my last drink for the night, Master Diluc. As always, you know exactly how to make it to my tastes. Thank you.”

… Kaeya, cutting himself off for the night, rather than by the rigid bartender before him? Well, perhaps this would be a welcome change for the man he always caused so much grief, even if for just tonight.

[askthechronoverse]

Last Chapter •||• Next Chapter

Kit was awoken by the sound of boots above her head. Blinking sleep out of her eyes, she floated toward the sound. Just beyond her bedroom door, a trapdoor was open in the ceiling with a ladder that led up to an attic. She climbed the ladder silently, the scene that revealed itself at the top keeping her to the spot.

"... 'll go with you on the whole 'change my appearance when I die' thing. But how is he back? I thought you sealed him away in a pocket dimension?" The only person Kit could see was Lucy, but it was clear the boots wouldn't have come from her. A woman's voice clumsily followed up on the question, though it did sound very confident and draped with an accent Kit had never heard before.

"Well, I wouldn't say he's back, exactly. This doesn't quite feel like what happened last time. All I know is that I've been getting multiple signals from multiple universes crying for help because they were attacked by someone with a big glowy stick. Now, I know many people with big glowy sticks but everything else seems to add up to deja vu all over again." The woman's voice was highly energetic now and going at a speed Kit could barely follow. "I tried to get the rest of the gang back together, but Batman is having issues with the Joker that he can't stray away from and a Gandalf with a far brighter looking outfit needs to ensure that Middle Earth is safe and refuses to leave. What about you, WyldStyle? Shall we team up one last time for a multiversal adventure?"

"Normally, I'd jump at the chance to go kick some butt, especially now that we've been at peace here for decades now. It's just… You came at a really bad time. One of my closest friends is probably going to prison and if what you're saying is true, I need to stay here to make sure that everything I've built doesn't come crashing down. I'm sorry. You need to find someone else." There was a longing hidden among those words like a neon light in a dark room.

"You don't sound terribly certain. But I do understand your reasoning. I do. I see you have my number right there. That number hasn't changed, even though I have. If you do feel the need to reach me, just call that number and Bob's your uncle, I will be right by your side with my TARDIS, ready to whisk you away to adventure." The boots thudded energetically against the floor, but the sound left the air far too quickly for her to have left by normal means. The sound that came next hurt her ears, like a machine ripping through something unrippable. Kit slid down the ladder and headed back to bed.

Lucy was already out the door by the time Kit had woken up the next morning. She floated to the kitchen and saw her name written on a note on the refrigerator. She read it without taking it off of the fridge:

Charmy,

I had to leave early for work because of an emergency. Please make sure you keep Kit, Vito, and Bellamy out of trouble.

Mom

Kit looked around for some toaster waffles and, after successfully finding some, threw them in the toaster. The voice from last night echoed in her mind. Something was happening. Was it the same something that scared her father?

Her mind didn't register the transition between going to the kitchen and heading up the ladder to the attic. She also couldn't register Vito's cries to climb down and his calls for his sister. The attic was full of all kinds of weapons and wanted posters for various criminals that were perforated with holes. At the center of everything was a corkboard. At the center of that was a note with a phone number and "The Doctor" written in Lucy's handwriting. She took a picture of the note with the camera of her father's phone.

"What are you do… Huh? What is all this?" Charmy picked up a shield made out of an ancient stop sign.

"I don't know. But I think Aunt Lucy knows something. Also, this … doctor." Kit pointed to the note. "You know what ? I think I'm going to give the doctor a call."

"No. Whatever… this… is has to do with Mom. I say you talk to her before you call random doctors." Charmy stated pointedly, though it wasn't clear to Kit how much of this was an act or a serious suggestion.

"No. If this doctor has answers-!" Kit's voice was more urgent now, but Charmy cut her off.

"What are you gonna tell them, Kit? 'Hi, I found your number in my aunt's secret weapon storage'? No. Talk to Mom. She wouldn't keep something big from us." Charmy kept her cool, not seeing the flash of pain behind Kit's eyes when she mentioned secrets.

"I think she is. It sounds like she knows something that she thinks she needs to protect us from. Charmy, I'm not sure she's going to tell us."

"Come on. She told me she'll be home soon. Wait for her, OK? If she says nothing useful… then we can call this doctor." Kit seemed to slump, knowing she had lost this argument, though a glint in Charmy's eyes cast doubt on the older teen's intentions. "Now, let's get out of the forbidden attic arsenal." She practically pushed Kit out of the attic and to the living room, where the others waited for Kit and Charmy to return.

“Let’s go outside, Char.” Vito gestured to the door. “I don’t wanna waste our summer vacation in the house.”

“Sounds good to me!” Charmy clapped her hands together. “There's no sense waiting here for Mom! Let's go to the park!” At least part of this was aimed at Kit, who gripped her bag with understanding.

The four friends left the house and began heading for the local park. Kit and Bellamy were floored with how same feeling all of the streets and buildings they passed were. The occasional billboard showed advertisements for doctor's offices and other boring businesses. Some did slow their stride to watch Kit, most of the people around town seemed to keep to themselves as they moved around on their way. At an intersection, Bellamy tried to cross the street but had to tumble quickly to avoid a line of cars rushing past with no regard for pedestrian welfare. Vito cleared his throat and jabbed a knit covered finger up at the crosswalk light, which had only just signaled that they could walk across the street.

The group eventually found themselves walking through the iron threshold of a small park. The sign above the gate proclaimed that the park was called Sunrise Park from in front of an ornate iron made sun. Kit scanned her surroundings and shook her head in absolute disbelief. The park was pretty, she had to concede. But it wasn't as beautiful as Flowery Park. Instead of being a sea of flowers, this park was mostly grass with the occasional shrub, tree, and flower combination. Before them was a statue of an angel spilling a jar of water into a pool surrounding her. Benches surrounded this water fixture and a few older minidolls and minifigures fed the pigeons around them. Charmy trotted a few yards behind the statue where some other kids were playing kickball. After talking to the oldest in the group, she gestured for the other three to come over and join the game. She introduced Kit and Bellamy to each kid and the four split up into opposing teams. Some of the minidoll and minifigure kids did eye Kit’s cowlick and her floating with curiosity, but they ultimately didn't pass judgment on her as they played. Kit found that her worries about her dad vanished as the game progressed.

The kids played until around noon, when the neighborhood kids began to filter out to get lunch. Some of the parents who noticed Kit ushered their children out of the park quickly. She could hear these parents whisper, debating among themselves, wondering how close this child looked to her infamous father. Some of the more brazen minifigures and mini dolls pulled out their phones and compared what they saw on the screen to her face. She threw the hood of her hoodie over her head, using the drawstring to pull it tight.

The four friends walked back home, talking more animatedly about what summer vacation was going to look like now that the two Unikingdomers were there. Once they got home, Vito turned the TV on to the local news.

After a weather report that forecasted the rest of the week to be damp and misty, the news spoke of a parade happening over the weekend to honor the career of General Sweet Mayhem, which the impossibly pretty newscaster hoped wouldn't be postponed because of the rain. It quickly moved on to other topics that seemed to interest the hosts more.

“And now we turn to the main story. Rex Dangervest’s trial has been set to start in just a few hours and will be the first one held at the Awntawp Correctional Center by Unitron's top brass and the Queen's appointed judge. Since it's being held out there, we probably aren't going to see the trial live, though Chief Starhawk does want to make this trial an example for other space criminals who think they can get away from the law.” Her cohost chuckled in a way that made Kit’s stomach churn.

“I wonder if Queen Unikitty is going to be taken in as well. You heard the chief yesterday: she was harboring that evil man for decades! Can you believe how-!” Kit quickly snatched the remote and turned the TV off, face turning red.

As if the TV had sent a special signal crying for help, Lucy came through the front door with a loud thud. Charmy ran to her mother, stopping just short of a foot or so when she noticed how the light in her mother's eyes was dim.

"Are you okay?" The question tumbled from the young adult's lips as she moved aside to let her mother flop down on the couch's lower level.

"I'm just tired. Sometimes, I wonder why the Assembly is full of so many stubborn men. Can you do me a favor and make something for lunch for everybody?" Charmy gave her mother a quick nod and rushed into the kitchen to see what ingredients they had left in the pantry. Lucy looked over to Kit, who was staring at her expectantly. "Is there something you need, kiddo?" The nickname made Kit waver for just a moment. While she took a second to gather her thoughts again, Lucy turned on the TV and, when Rex’s name was mentioned, changed the channel to a cooking show. While the chef, a tan skinned creature with thick light brown eyebrows and a similarly thick mustache speaking with an accent that was barely understandable, danced around his kitchen to poppy electronic music, Kit found her voice.

"Who is the doctor?" The question made Lucy almost choke.

"Where did you hear that name?” Lucy’s reaction came strong and explosive, punctuated with a long, rough sigh. “They are a very mysterious person that you really shouldn't know anything about." She stretched her arms behind her back before continuing. "Why do you ask?"

"I just heard Dad mention the name once.” Kit paused, choosing what she wanted to reveal carefully. “He was talking to Uncle Emmet about somebody attacking his raptors before we left. He said he saw portals on security camera footage." Kit surprised herself at how well she was able to hide how she was feeling as she spoke.

"Portals?" Lucy was also keeping a decent poker face. If she knew anything, Kit couldn't see it on her face. "That could be anything. Your father has a lot of enemies, enemies with super advanced technology."

"Does that include this doctor?"

"That I don't know. What I do know is that you probably should go find your cousin and your friend and tell them both that lunch should be ready soon." Lucy turned back to the TV, finalizing the end of the conversation. Kit turned the TV off and Lucy gave her a stern look.

"My dad was scared, Aunt Lucy. I need to know what's going on." Kit was firm.

"You are just like him. Definitely your father's daughter. If he wanted to tell you more, he would have."

"He didn't know! He had to call Uncle Emmet about it!" Her voice was raised in exasperation.

"Neither of them would know! Emmet was barely involved! It's something only me and MetalBeard know anything about!" The words were in the air before Lucy realized what she said and hung for a while, thick and heavy. She quickly recovered from the shock and turned the TV back on. "Go find Vito and Bellamy. I'm sure your fathers give me full permission to ground you if you keep this up." Kit started her search in the kitchen with an angry aura.

"I heard Mom yelling. I assume that didn't go well?" Charmy stirred a pot full of mac and cheese as Kit shook her head. "Guess you have to give it up." She winked. "If you have to make a call, use your dad's phone outside. Bellamy is out there meditating anyway." Kit nodded wordlessly and headed for the backyard. She sat on the double decker porch swing and pulled her dad’s phone out of her bag, punching in what she thought was the passcode. After trying Richard's birthday and failing, she was able to get in with hers. She found the photo of the mysterious phone number and dialed it carefully. The women's voice from the previous night answered after several impossibly long rings.

"It's about time I heard back from you. Do you know how hard it is to find another type 40 to swap with the one you stole behind my back? Now I know you're not calling me to apologize… Unless… What year is it for you? Have you settled down in the Unikingdom yet? I'm fairly certain that is the timeline I'm currently in. It has to be if you're calling me. You can't exactly call me from non-existence." The voice didn't seem to take a single breath. “Congratulations on the whole settling down thing, by the way! You made a good move doing that instead of -!”

"Are you a doctor?" The woman paused when the voice she heard didn't match the voice she was expecting. Kit could almost hear the gears whirling in the woman's head.

"OH! I know what part of the timeline you're in! I was always expecting this number to call me, but I was hoping it would be from someone else. Is he still in possession of that type 40?" This voice talked so fast, it was hard for the teenager to interject. "I suppose it doesn't matter at this point. The poor girl served a purpose and I have heard he's been doing some good things with the gift he was given. A shame he had to play the part he played before he could do that, but we all have our roles to play at the end of the day. Oh right! You asked me a very good question. The answer is yes, sort of. I am The Doctor. The definitive article, you might say.”

"How do you know so much about my dad?" Kit scratched her head. She looked over to Bellamy, who was deep within meditation.

"He had a child as well! Brilliant! Responsibility. I am a little curious how you got this number. Don't think this would be something Mr. No One I Can Trust But Me would have programmed in his phone."

"I found it when I was exploring my aunt's house. I took a picture with my dad's phone." The poor girl was surprised to be able to get a word in edgewise.

"For a man who chooses the most convoluted way to solve his problems, he knows how to raise a very clever girl! I know you know your father's a time traveler, so this question won't seem strange: what year is this? What important things are going on around you?"

"It’s… the 25th year of the Unikittiean Era. My dad's in jail, about to stand trial. Something attacked his raptors and tore apart his office, something that came in a portal."

"I see. That is very helpful. I believe I know fully what part of the timeline we're in now, and it's good that you called. Because I know I'm going to need some help and I have a feeling the daughter of a time traveler would be just the sort of companion I need for this adventure. Can you meet me at the old brickyard in a place called Morph's Landing? You can bring your friends if you'd like. The more the merrier I say! But I would like you to meet me after dark. If you can't come, just give me another call. I'm hoping I can convince you to come, but maybe you take after your other parent a little bit more than you take after your rebellious father." And with that, the line went silent and disconnected.

"Who were ya talkin' to, Kit?" Bellamy got up from their seat on the grass. It wasn't clear to Kit how long her self-proclaimed bodyguard was listening.

"I'll talk about it later. I'm supposed to tell you that we have lunch ready. I need to make another call, though." When Bellamy left, she looked through the contacts. She didn't have to go far to find what she needed. After half a ring, someone picked up.

"Hello?" The familiar monotone was comforting. "Is this Catherine?"

“Hey, Papa! How is Dad holding up?" Kit's voice shook, barely able to control or contain her emotions.

"Your father is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. They currently have him held in a holding cell on Awntawp. Unfortunately, that's where I am as well. Not in the holding cell, mind you. On this miserable little planet. Unitron needs a better decorator." Kit chuckled. It was good to see that her father was able to make a joke despite how stressed out he sounded. "I needed to hear you laugh more than you would know. Your father is constantly thinking about you. As am I."

"Is Dad coming home anytime soon?"

"I doubt it. It seems like Unitron wants a long and messy trial, judging by how they speak to us. There are a lot of people on your father's side that are willing to stake their reputation on defending him, so I don't believe-" his words are cut off by something Kit couldn't hear. The response to this interruption was muffled, but Kit could make out "Catherine" and "my Beloved". After a little while, Richard returned fully to the phone line. "Your father says hello and not to worry about him. He loves you very much. It's against the rules of the prison for me to give the phone to him." Kit could hear a muffled version of her father's voice shout "I love you, Kitten!"

"Tell Dad I love him too. I'm still going to worry though. The way things have been sounding on the news, they want to…" Kit took a breath to hold back tears.

"I know. Your father isn't popular around here. It's made a lot worse by how antagonistic people have been around him. Maybe this is why he never took us to Syspocalypstar." Richard sighed, though the sound could only just be heard. "I'm going to be here for a while as part of your father's legal defense. Lucy already knows this. Please be good. I know this is going to sound unfair, but you are your father's best foot forward right now. Maybe if they see that he did a good job raising you, people will be kinder."

"I'll try, Papa. Love you." Kit tried not to let her heartbreak show her voice, but the way her hand held her bag and the tears forming in the corners of her eyes called her bluff.

"I love you too, my lucky charm. I'll call when I'm able. I am so glad your father had the foresight to give you his phone. Goodbye." When the phone disconnected this time, Kit was left staring at the home screen, the wallpaper now another photo of her riding a carousel at a carnival when she was practically a baby. She pushed the phone into her bag and walked inside where everyone in the house was sitting at the kitchen table with bowls of steaming hot mac and cheese.

"Who were you talking to?" Lucy asked, patting the seat next to her. Her face was unreadable as Kit sat down and grabbed a ketchup bottle to slather the contents over the top of the noodles.

"Papa. I miss them, Aunt Lucy." Kit began to pick at her food.

"I'm sure your father was happy to hear from you. Did he say anything about…" Lucy let herself trail off.

"Yeah. He said that Dad missed me."

"Of course he does. He loves you so much." Lucy ate a heaping spoonful of food before glancing back at Kit. "Sorry for yelling at you earlier. I'm under a lot of stress. I know you are too. None of this is easy for anyone here." Kit nodded.

"It's OK, Aunt Lucy." The five ate in relative silence for a while. After what felt like a lifetime, Lucy spoke up again.

"I have to leave after this to do some work. Charmy, I'm going to be super late. Please don't wait for me to put everyone to bed.” The oldest of the children nodded a short nod. Conversation turned to something a bit less pressing after this. Almost immediately after the empty bowls were taken away and put in the sink, Lucy took her leave and left for parts unknown. Bellamy waited for the sound of Lucy's car to leave the driveway before speaking.

"You weren't just talkin' to Regent B, Kit. Who was that?" Bellamy got up first and started to do the dishes. "Come on. Help me dry." Kit grabbed a towel and stood next to her friend. Vito and Charmy remained in their seats, but turned to the two with focused interest.

"I found an armory Aunt Lucy has in the attic last night. She was talking to a lady, this Doctor. The Doctor knows Dad and asked me to meet her at a brickyard at some place called Morph's Landing." Kit opened her mouth to continue, but Charmy replied to her cousin with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Morph's Landing is the historical district. Some of the buildings there are dated from all the way back when the Realms were separate." Charmy tapped her chin. "What could be all the way out there in an old brickyard?"

"That's what I want to find out. I'm going to do it. She said my friends could come too, so I guess she's expecting all of us?"

"No way are we going." Vito waved a hand in horizontal cutting motion. "Mom's going to wonder where we snuck off to. Charmy, remember when you tried to sneak into that Fifth Harmeowny concert?"

"Yeah… but come on! Staying here would be like Dad reporting Mom when they first met: the boring option! This could be a call to adventure! The quest I've been waiting all my life for!" Her eyes were still shining, still gleaming with a light that was hard to look at head on.

"If Kit is going, I need to as well. I have my orders and those orders are to guard her body." Bellamy finished the last bowl and passed it to Kit. “I don't care what the rest of you do.”

"Looks like you're outnumbered, little bro." Charmy sang out. "Come on! Mom's gonna be gone a while and I have enough money for a taxi!" Charmy ran upstairs.

"How is she older than me?" Vito got up from his chair. He walked to the fridge and flipped the long irrelevant note over, writing a note of his own.

Mom

Went to show Kit around Morph's Landing.

We might be late. Love you

Charmy.

"It amazes me how you can do that." Kit glanced at the note and whistled.

"Yeah. Charmy's handwriting isn't hard to copy." He shrugged and dug through some cabinets. His search was successful, as he came back with granola bars. He shoved them in Kit's bag as Charmy passed.

"Alright, gang! Let's get to Morph's Landing!" She was out the front door before the sentence was finished. A taxi was waiting for them on the side of the road, possibly having been called in Charmy's frantic state. The four piled into the back and the taxi sped away.

The taxi pulled in front of a large iron gate in almost no time at all. Kit honestly wondered if it would have been cheaper to walk for how fast the ride was, but figured something in Charmy's head was prioritizing their safety over the quickly darkening world around them. When they got out, Kit surveyed the gate in full. On the top in the middle of an iron arch was a faded and rusting sign that had a fluffy and blue cat in a construction hat giving a wave in one paw and holding a sledgehammer over his shoulder in the other. She could barely make out the words 'Morph's Landing Construction and Supply. Octan's only approved construction contractor'. The iron arch made Kit feel like she could get tetanus just by looking at it wrong, but there was something intricate and beautiful about its construction despite this.

"Alright. Let's do this." Kit took a mitten out of her bag, put it on, and pushed the ironwork door. She headed for a nondescript gray brick building, walls covered in English ivy and its dingy windows miraculously managing to bathe the wild, weed infested grass under them in a blue light.

[of-teeth-and-tenderness]

Hey! Popping in! I hope you are doing well! I've been following you for a bit and you mentioned that you weren't doing so well for the last bit of time, I can't really say anything new aside from, I'm glad you pulled through! It's rough being around when times get hard. But you did it! YAY! I hope the hard times have passed!

I had a question about callum, he's my favorite wolf OC on this site. (^o^)

I saw someone sent in an ask about him with a vampire s/o. What would happen if his s/o was turned into a vampire when he wasn't around, or of he hadn't found them in time to stop it. Vampires are well, dead. So would he sense when his mate dies? And would he assume they are, just dead?

Imagine him being "haunted" by them after the that! He tries to find their body but can't. They don't really have a smell, at least not like before, so he can't pin point where exactly they are, but he gets a sense they are around based on weird happenings and encounters with them. ESPECIALLY at night! Ooooooo! Drama!!

Also, consider when they reunite ( 〃▽〃) it's sweet, but vampire kind of need blood to survive, would he let them feed off him? Would the biting action bring back bad memories from when he changed himself? How would wolf callum feel about that? ALSO CONSIDER! they revenge aspect you could take this from, His mate was changed, probably against their will. And now they are a monster!! Killed and given new life but at the cost of their past life! Would he take revenge on the person/people behind it?!

Many shenanigans! Imagine the trouble him and his mate would get into, though. Vampires usually terrorize villages. Wolves do the same. I don't think they'd happen together, more one after the other. But man, those poor villagers. Can't catch a break. One night, there's a rabbid monster killing all the live stock and destroying things. The next night, the town baker got drained of blood

Hello, beautiful angel, thank you for sticking around this long and coming back to check on me 😭

Thank you for your kind words! I am doing a lot better, mentally. I promise I’m still (very, very slowly) working on Chapter Two. The words just don’t want to come! There’s a lot of angst and exposition which, admittedly, is not my favorite thing to write, but it’s necessary for this story! So I’m powering through. Spring is also a very busy time in my personal life so I haven’t had much time to write even if I wanted to!

Your question is intriguing! I would assume Callum would feel the change, in some way. It would be odd, I think, not quite like the feeling would be if they died for real, but close. They would indeed smell different. He would have trouble finding them, as you said!

I love the scenario you’ve created. And now I’m imagining vampire reader feeding off Callum 🔥 He would absolutely let them. He would still do anything for them, even if they’ve changed. Deep down, they are still his mate. The connection has not been severed completely.

Revenge, tasty revenge. I love that idea. He’s gonna track down the vampire that turned his mate even if it kills him.

And that poor town 😂😭 What a nightmare for them! I imagine all that activity would attract the attention of some werewolf and vampire hunters….

[jayde-jots]

Okay, so my favorite concept from the rottmnt fandom is future Leo, I just love the idea of a future version of a character just stuck in the present of the show. And goddam it, I freaking loved his short dynamic we see with him and Casey, the poor boy just lost his dad right in front of his eyes before seeing a younger version of him and have the literal fate of the world on his shoulders. I've been reading a lot of @somerandomdudelmao and @threestripeslider 's fanfics and comics and I just freaking die of cuteness whenever I see Casey and dada Leo together. So I had an idea... ....What if Casey was mutated into a slider like Leo? Hears how I imagen a story going down- It's a few years before the resistance is wiped out, Casey I think was 17 in the movie? So let's make him 16 by the time of his mutation. Casey and a scouting group are digging through the old former subway systems of New York for metal and wires as well as the old sewers for bunkers or hideouts, Casey walks further down an old tunnel and thinks he notices a pocket that he could crawl through, he uses his hockey stick to knock it down a bit when a swarm of ooze-squito's come flying out. Case swats most of them away which tend to ignore him until the last few come lazily hovering out. Case had never seen these bugs before so he thought nothing of them and walked back to the group, unbeknownst to him however, one of the last weaker bugs crawls under his cape to keep warm, having been in hibernation from the previous winter. Later that night, Casey is fast asleep when he wakes up to a sharp pain in his neck. He swats at the pain thinking a rat maybe bite him when he checks his palm to see a squished bug smeared on it. He wipes away the gunk but has trouble falling back asleep as he feels really hot and like his skin and chest are on fire. So he gets up and gets his sensei. Future Leo is rather concerned since even without a thermometer Casey was boiling to the touch, so he sits him down on a bed and gets a few ice packs for the boy, but as Leo is gone Casey starts to feel worse, breathing heavily and beginning to get all sorts of aches everywhere. When the old turtle comes back he sees Casey lying on his back rasping for air and starting to well tears up. Leo goes into full "figure this kid out right the f now" mode and strips him of his armor and clothing, he's worried to see Casey's whole body burning up and his body trembling from pain. Leo sets up a tub of cool water and sets Case into it and slowly adds ice to it as he calls Mikey and Donnie to get to him now. When they both get there Donnie is instantly on it trying to scan Casey and see what is wrong. The soft shell is both amazed and mortified when he reads the results. Casey has such a small amount of mutagen in his system that instead of transforming him instantly, he's transforming very, very slowly, so that's why he's burning up and having so much pain. Donnie figures out the source when he finds half of an ooze-squito's needle in the boy's neck, he concludes Casey must have smacked the bug before it could finish injecting him. But that now leaves the poor boy in a lot of pain and in for a very rough night. The group at least knew what Casey should be turning into since Leo was the last person he touched. The rest of the night Leo stayed up to keep an eye on Case as the kid slipped in and out of sleep and went from hot sweats to cold sweats like the flip of a switch, things especially got agonizing as the shell grew in. Spine curling and ripping away from muscle and skin as organs shifted under expanding ribs and growing plastron. When the day finally broke, Casey woke up to find himself on a bed resting in his sensei's lap wrapped in a towel. The young new mutant instantly felt cold and his shivers are what woke Leo up. Leo was relieved to see the change seemed finally over and Case wasn't in pain anymore, but he did seem to be cold. So with a hushed aura around the room, Leo got up and took the damp towel away from the younger slider, giving Casey a chance to see his new body.

Casey was surprised to see he had green hardened skin with yellow stripes everywhere, three-fingered hands, two-toed feet, and a very heavy shell. He managed to swing his legs over the bed and tried to lean forward to shimmy off the bed but he instantly came off balance and nearly fell forward if it wasn't for Leo quickly catching him in a fluffy blanket. Case was draped with a blanket over his back as Leo helped him to his feet and steadied him, hugging him to his side as they walked out to see the others. Draxum gave Casey a mystic yokai charm to disguise him as human should he want it, Case took it for the time being so he could still get some work done without having his balance thrown off, but Leo didn't let him get away with not practicing how to be a turtle. Cut to the time portal time, and as a quick reflex, Casey takes off his charm and quickly yanks his sensei through the time portal with him as they're sent to the future. Case's charm is lost in the future, unfortunately, but after the whole Kraang situation, I imagen Draxum makes him a new one.

[bikepackinguk]

Day Twenty-seven

Well that's been a very soggy day!

Woke up on a nice soft mossy ground amidst some pine trees a little outside of Portgordon, before loading up on a good breakfast and coffee for the miles ahead.

Onwards! A loop around some industrial areas before dropping onto the old rail line again and crossing the River Spey at Garnouth across an impressive old bridge.

The line carries on through the very pretty areas around Elgin, with a stop off for water and taking in the cathedral.

It's not long before we depart the old track and stick a little closer to the shore, with some more country lanes before hitting Kinloss.

The wind has been getting up but some good patches of trees past town make a natural windbreak to allow rustling up a solid lunch. The forecast has a lot of rain heading over and I feel it'll likely be a while before it'll be convenient to get more calories in and take advantage of the lull.

Sure enough, as I'm packing back up the rains start to arrive, so it's time to throw on the waterproofs and get going.

Unlike the previous day, this is some gentle but relentless drizzle that the skies will be able to keep pouring out for hours on end, and soon the entire sky is a solid grey from horizon to horizon.

Good riding weather for keeping the heat off! Alas the run hits some trouble here, as whilst I usually avoid big puddles due to what they may be hiding, the narrow country lanes and needing to pass an oncoming car near Brodie Castle mean dipping into one, which was hiding a missing patch of road.

Flying into the rut, there's not much time to react before I'm thrown from the saddle to fly into a nice thorny hedge of gorse, with the bike crashing beneath me.

After the initial shock wore off, it's time to take stock. For myself, there's plenty of bruising and a good amount of thorns pincushioning various parts, but thankfully nothing seems too seriously amiss.

A cursory check of the bike, however, produces a lot of grinding noises, so it's time to break out the toolkit and check the damage.

I've had this bike, a Fuji Tourer, for over seven years now, and I continue to be impressed by what an absolute tank it is. One handlebar is slightly twisted which is quickly remedied, and the front brakes are readjusted as they'd taken a knock and were pushing against the wheel. That was all that was required to be rolling once more, despite impacting the road with a fair weight of luggage and speed.

I've seen it advertised at times as an "entry level" touring bike, but damn it's awesome, and the mechanical reliability in it alone is worth it's weight. The Sam Vimes Boots Theory of Economics in action.

Still, I'm rather sore at this point and there's a lot of miles to go! Things will likely start seizing up in the legs if a break is taken, and the rain is still coming down, so it's back in the saddle and onwards once more.

NCN 1 has been excellently signposted for a good while now, but alas that changes once entering Nairn and with the rain now in its fourth hour of coming down solidly, I'm unable to check my electronics easily to remedy the route, so a quick ride down the seafront leads to a nice warm little cafe called Strathnairn where I'm able to dry off a little, treat myself to a latte and millionaire shortbread, and take stock of what's ahead.

Whilst I've had a rest day for the legs very recently, I'm feeling quite battered now, and I'd like an opportunity to have a proper look at the bike for issues, as well as get the brakes tightened up. And with Inverness coming up, the last bigger place I'll be seeing for quite a long time, it makes sense to find a hostel and check in for a couple of nights to get some needed chores and healing done.

However, there are still a good few miles between Nairn and Inverness! So with the clock hitting half four, it's time for the road once more.

We're through Moray and into The Highlands, and the route lets us know by immediately throwing a vicious ascent the likes of which I've nit had to tackle since the Yorkshire Moors.

Route 1 takes us high up into the hills above the Moray Firth, and does at least reward the tough climbing with some great views across the landscape. The ghostly hills we saw yesterday are now very solid and wreathed with clouds and mist. we'll be round to them in a few days!

A nice long gradual descent allows taking a break whilst gliding downwards past some gorgeous forest with carpets of moss, before another couple of steep climbs are tackled, and yhe path finally runs down to the outskirts of Inverness.

The route into the city centre itself is pretty well signposted from here and it's not too much trouble to follow right in to arrive at 8pm, to be greeted by a full marching band of bekilted Scots with bagpipes blaring.

A couple of minutes later and the hostel is reached, with a very needed hit shower, soke free shortbread, and as much te and coffee as I like.

An eventful day indeed! Tomorrow will be spent getting soke laundry done, checking over the bike, and getting some healing done. We'll be back on Thursday!

[stillmind2]

The Mystery of The Coral Castle

Lately, I've been fascinated with Telekinesis. The ability to move far away objects, regardless of the size or weight 

If I could travel to the past once, I'd have trouble making a choice, but sticking to this subject, it'd have to be Edgar Cayce. 

Or Edward Leedskalnin…

Let me go with the latter first. Cayce would take me days to write about.

What this guy accomplished should blow your mind. Let me explain.

Being in love could inspire a corpse. Most people who have had that magical experience could confirm it.

But when I was in love (or was it lust?) I had an average experience. Nothing extraordinary happened besides the spectacular heart-brain-hormones connection. 

But I couldn't lift 10-pound stones even if I had two nuclear-powered cranes at my disposal. Well, maybe with those I could. 

Ed Leedskalnin was onto something in 1923 when he managed to achieve such a feat. Without any cranes. And devastated by a love gone wrong.

I don't know, but when I'm out of love for whatever reason, my mood is so dark, the last thing I want to do is move stones or do construction.

This beautiful young lady he was to marry, named Agnes Skuvst just told him off, presumably because she changed her mind. 

Not only was this man horribly dumped, he was supposed to get married in just one more day. 

Someone once said, if you want to understand women, you better read the Encyclopedia (several volumes).

Instead of trying to figure out why his beloved bride changed her mind at the last minute, this man rolled his sleeves and built her a castle. 

At 5 feet tall, 26 y/old, and weighing just 100 pounds, we are supposed to believe (like the pyramids) that the deed was of human-construct. 

That this man, working alone, only at night and in complete secrecy (hence the night labor), managed to produce a castle of such magnitude that today, no one has figured out how he could have possibly managed.

The numbers are insane. 1100 tons of oolite limestone rock moved through the air like helium balloons and placed perfectly in place without even a mark from the pulleys or chains. Not once, but twice. The largest stone weighed 27 tons.

But the man couldn't catch a break. Right after he was near completion of the toughest part of the job, moving the heavier stones, he got terrible news.

Next to it, in Florida City, the town council decided to build a community center. Which meant he no longer could maintain the solitude he needed to accomplish his task. 

Yes, he was a 'slightly' complicated person, but aren't most geniuses? If you are a genius, I'm sure you'll agree.

What to do, what to do? 

Well, put everything on a truck, of course, and get out of Dodge.

And that's exactly what he did.

Incredibly, he moved it all on that truck with the help of one person. One. A living witness of the action. We got the receipts.

Ten miles up the road, he made sure this time nobody was going to interfere with his project. Obviously, he wanted it to be done before his bride turned 90, so I can't say I blame him for the effort and the urgency.

He bought 20 acres in Homestead, just in case he needed more than 2 for extra space, and restarted his operation.

An operation which he had to begin from scratch, without having put on any weight or built any kind of muscle. 

The same frail frame, doing it all over again, for a woman thousands of miles away who probably couldn't drink enough vodka to try to erase him from her mind. And from the guilt.

"Now we're talking," he probably thought to himself. "Now catch me if you can."

One thing that was highly peculiar was a small box that he named "Perpetual Motion Holder", for which he was trying to obtain a patent, but was ultimately denied.

Another little setback, nothing to write home about. He must have figured if it happened to Tesla, why wouldn't it happen to me? He was more right than he would ever know. 

At least, they didn't confiscate the thing. Even better, they didn't burn him at the stake for heresy. It's kind of hard to build a castle when you're smoldering from a burn.

"All hands on deck," He must have said. "I got my life, I got my limestone, and I got my box." 

It took him some time to finish his coral castle, which still stands today, drawing tourists from all over. 

This super impressive structure might have been a sight to see when it was done. My premise for dreaming of going back to visit it, and to meet him, if Quantum physics would hurry up and make it possible.

It was documented that a child could push an 8ft tall, 8.2-ton gate so perfectly centered on its axes with a single push of a finger and it would swing in the intended direction. 

There's something very strange going on here, that unfortunately, we, of this generation will never know. Who knows when, if ever, the technique (or the Juju inside that box) would be revealed. But I have a feeling this man's knowledge was not to be told casually to anyone, much less the public, for reasons that don't take a brain surgeon to guess.

Something so fascinating and advanced that who knows, (not me, said the little red hen) where it could lead the human race. 

Hello! Did I mention Tesla already? Ring any bells? 

This is a perfect example of Life imitating art. It could easily be an episode of The Outer Limits or such fictional show, and yet, here it is, this happened. 

He wasn't a greedy man. Like most geniuses, he didn't think much about money. As a matter of fact, he only charged an unbelievable ¢10 per person to enter that atrium made out of love. And for his love. 

He could have used an agent. 

One sunny day just like any other in Leisure City, FL, he didn't feel right. A practical man, he closed the shop for the day leaving a simple note on the front gate with the words "Gone to the hospital". 

His work done on this Earth, this magnificently brilliant man died three days later on Dec, 7th, 1951. He was 64 years old.

To this day, his secrets remain one of the biggest puzzles in the world of science.