#i could go visit my cousins in canada so i only have to pay the flight and whatever i do there

[aspeckof-stardust]

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[1358456]

Hmm... Ehh...

I haven’t seen Pokemon Special stuff since... um... when did I make that SS arc thing? Where I saw Team whatever-it’s-called-this-time-around with the giant clothes pin stuck on the uniform, and I was like “what the hell is this thing?”

So at this point, whatever official thing that may or may not happen, I just don’t really care anymore.

Well, my dad’s fine. We’re sure he has diabetes, but also... not really. I don’t know. He’s eating whatever the hell he wants to eat, and... he’s fine. So... I don’t know what’s going on.

... The thing that happened while I was in rehab that still breaks my stitched up heart is... that my grandfather had suddenly passed away back in February. It was so sudden that I just couldn’t believe it. He was fine. One day, he asks me about how my rehab is going. And then... suddenly passed away. We still don’t know why.

When I was living in Korea, I grew up with my grandparents since both of my parents were at work. I pretty much lived with them during the daytime, and only going back home once my mom came back at 5 pm. I was the only one who did that among all the other grandchildren. Our bond was special, to the point where my grandparents moved away after I moved to Canada because the neighborhood suddenly felt so empty and lonely. So hearing that my grandfather just passed away… it was… so surreal. Out of the nine grandchildren, I’m the one who would be affected the most. And sure enough, even to this day, 11 months later, even just thinking about it…

Of course at the time of the passing, I couldn’t go anywhere. Even if I could, the world plague was still ongoing, so… can’t leave the country. Even my mom couldn’t leave. As a result, we missed the funeral. … My relatives in Korea would’ve felt a lot more from the sudden loss, since they’re right there. But we now have a permanent regret in that we couldn’t even attend the funeral. I still don’t know when the hell I can go visit the grave. … You know, if I had just died in February, I would not have had to say goodbye. … Of course, on the flip side of that, if I did die, then my mom would’ve lost her father and her only daughter at the same time… so… yeah. That would’ve been absolutely terrible. So good thing I lived... for her.

And my younger cousin works as an intern in the hospital that I was admitted to, and she ended up taking care of me before and after the surgery. She said that our grandfather was okay, but that he should start paying attention to his health not long before. And then he suddenly passed away, so that hit her hard. And on top of that, imagine if I died while in her care. Man, would that have been devastating. So... good thing I survived... for her. Heh. Like I said. My survival kind of sucked for me, but was great for everyone else.

In short, my dad is fine somehow. My mom is happy. We have a gravesite to visit... eventually. My cousin is miserable (hospital intern + world plague = 30 hour shift during her birthday), my grandmother is feeling lonely and free at the same time, and... everyone else is normal.

[colour-outside-the-liness]

Oh Disneyland Paris sounds fun yeah! Were you and your roommate already close then? I went to Walt Disney's world with my aunt and cousin when I was like 11 but it would've been way more fun if I could've taken my best friend with me for sure. Maybe we can go to the one in Paris now that she lives just 3h away from me! Oh I see, sounds like LA was really fun for you yeah! your roommate didn't mind third wheeling tho? Hahaha

Yeah Canada is beautiful but what I liked about it the most was the massive improvement in quality of life I had compared to where I was living before and just being able to be who I am and people accepting me for it. Not being worried about violence 24/7 felt pretty fucking great too. So yeah I highly recommend living there if you ever get a chance. But I am loving Portugal so far, people are a bit more judgemental here tho but I like that it's easier to travel to a lot of countries I've always wanted to go to. Everywhere you go there are pros and cons tho so sorting out priorities is key. But Toronto is my favourite of all the places I've been, before living there for a year I had already been two times!

Jesus 50 states, sometimes I forget how big the US is. And you can totally do it if you plan it out! After watching Bly Manor tho I really want to go to Vermont especially during autumn season looks really pretty! There's this fic I love (only the sun by prestonarchives) where Dani and Jamie go on a road trip from Vermont to Maine and I did their entire journey on Google maps street view bc I was so obsessed with this one chapter fanfic I had to immerse myself entirety in it hahaha. So now I want to go there irl. Here's the link if you haven't read it before!

https://bit.ly/3BLy4WR

Omg I totally remember reading that on CBML and being a bit confused bc I was like why would she think you can't see the moon from the great wall of China HAHAHA but I thought it was really funny and endearing yeah it's even funnier now that I know you said it irl haha.

Oh so ENFP-T means extraverted, intuitive, feeling and prospecting personality with a bit of turbulence. Which just means you're curious, perceptive, enthusiastic, an excellent communicator, festive and good-natured. On the other hand you can be disorganized, unfucosed, a people pleaser, overcommitted, too optimistic and restless.

I wonder what Jamies and Danis mbti are as well as their zodiac signs 🤔 I think Jamie might be an ISTP-A bc she's definitely an introvert, very practical, stubborn, assertive, layed back and energetic at the same time. And Dani is either an ENFP-T like you or an ESFJ-T with the whole selfless thing going on.

AE already made it canon that Jamie's an aries (and it makes sense) but I can't figure Dani out. I've thought about her being a leo ♌ bc she's generous, passionate, warm-harted and dominant in her own way and THE HAIR haha. But she's got some pisces ♓ vibes going on too...idk. aaand I'm back at it again with the astrology signs haha.

To be fair your recent drunken exp it was dark and at least you didn't think the road sign was a bear or something (don't know what kind of wild animals you've got over there) that you wrestled with and ended up in a ditch and your best friend let you believe that happened for 3 years up until recently haha. 😂 but yeah some things happen for a reason, having life threatening health issues doesn't sound great tho, but I guess it's a good thing it stops you from drinking too much and making dumb decisions. And hey maybe I secretly want that to happen again idk maybe moving countries is not exciting enough, I have to go out and make a complete drunken fool out of myself in a completely foreign place hahaha. I guess that did kinda happen last month when my best friend came to visit me from Spain and we got drunk on wine, I got lost on the way back home and it was way past curfew. 🤔 shit I'm 29 will I ever learn...

Episode 9 is 😢😍🥰😰😭🤬☠️ just the worst roller-coaster I didn't even know I was on. Haha I was more pissed off than heartbroken the first time I watched it ngl.

Well then maybe the way you do accents is friendly and funny so people can't really get mad at you haha. Like Dani! Oh so that's called a Geordie accent! I see, it's really really cool. AE said Jamie is from Lancashire but that's a whole county isn't it? Idk if there's a specific accent to this region. Knowing you speak kinda like Jamie is something else tho, I think if anyone who spoke like her ever talked to me irl I wouldn't be able to pay attention to what they were saying 😂 just the accent haha.

Oh so you already have 4k something words for it nice. I'm kinda starting to feel an obsession with this medieval AU growing in me, I made a Pinterest board just for it ngl hahaha but I'm still resisting creating anything for it, I did a face study yesterday for Dani and Jamie to see if I finally pick up the idea and just do it but my brain was still like "I don't want to do this rn" and was just being a little bitch about it so I'll just let it cook for longer see if we can reach an agreement eventually (if ever) haha.

Glad to hear you had a good weekend! Even if it left you feeling exhausted in the end. And yeah it makes sense for you to say you don't have favourites haha! Have a great week Colour, take care! 👋✨

Yeah me and my roommate have been friends since we were like 14 so when we went to Disney Land we asked if we could be roomed together because we've been best friends for that long now... been best friends since school and now we live together. She's seen me at my best, my worst, has seen me in all my stages in life and has been there for a lot of the rough stuff I've been through and I've been there for all the stuff she's been through!! Nah she didn't mind at all we had some moments where me and my ex would just go and be a couple and have dates but my ex didn't want me travelling that far alone so invited my roommate too because she didn't like the thought of me flying 11hours alone or being in airports alone so my roommate came with me and we had a great time Awwh good I'm glad it was such a nice place and that you didn't worry about violence all the time but I'm so sorry you ever had to worry about that anyway that can't be easy. I would honestly love to live in Canada I really hope I get chance one day... I'm glad you're loving Portugal but sorry people are judgemental there but I am glad it's easy for you to travel around to other places... oh yeah every place has it's pros and cons I mean England has some pros but it sure has a lot of cons too so I know all about that Yeah America is SO big but I do want to get around all 50 states at some point and I am stubborn enough and determined enough to make it happen eventually even if I don't get around them all until I'm like 70 I'll make it happen haha!! No I haven't read that fic but it sounds amazing so I'll definitely check it out thank you for sending me the link Yeah... that really happened to me and it was just a dumb moment where I had this momentary lapse of knowledge in my brain and now I look back at that question and I'm just like... "you idiot" and this is why people are shocked when I get questions in quizzes right because I have said some really dumb stuff but I'm glad people found it funny and endearing... and I'm glad it makes it better to know I really said that haha Oooo I didn't know that, I like that and I think it's definitely fitting for me!! I think from what you've said about what ENFP-T means Dani could easily be that too and I don't know anything about the other one but I will take your word for it matching Dani because you know way more about this stuff than I do. I have no idea for Jamie though. And with zodiac signs I love that Amelia looked at Jamie and thought she was an Aries, as for Dani I have NO idea what her zodiac would be... in CBML she's a Leo but in MoU with what I have planned for her birthday she'd be a virgo but I don't know anything about zodiacs... all I know is all the pieces I've ever met have been the opposite of what Dani is so maybe that has something to do with their whole charts but I know a lot of other people always make her a Pieces and I trust what other people say about zodiacs more than what I know about them because I really know NOTHING about them haha Nah I knew it was a road sign because of how heavy and hard it was- nah we have no bears where I live... I don't think we have many dangerous animals where I live... got a couple of badgers that can be pretty aggressive but that's about it we don't have much that is scary here or at least not in the little part of England I live. Having life threatening health issues has been hard and since having my spleen removed in January (that was the surgery I needed to try and fix the issue I had) things are even harder now because I have to take antibiotics for the rest of my life to stop me getting any infections because if I ever get a chest infection now or a really bad cold it can be really dangerous but I take it all in my stride and not drinking is just a way to make sure the antibiotics actually work properly and to make sure nothing happens to me... and like you said, means I don't do anything dumb too... haha drunken stories are the best I have been lost a few times when I've been drunk... and I don't think you do learn, I have siblings that are

like 40 and still do dumb shit... I know at 27 I am still doing dumb shit too I don't think I'll ever learn haha 😂 Its such an emotional roller coaster and honestly I was just devastated the first time I watched it... no TV show or movie has ever made me cry the way Bly Manor did when I first saw it and it still makes me cry now. I can cry just thinking about that last episode. I definitely mean it in a friendly way so I hope it comes across like that. Yeah the accent in Billy Elliot is a Geordie accent and its my favourite accent there are other accents around the north that are called different things. Yeah Lancashire is a county and again in Lancashire there are loads of different accents I can't really pinpoint Jamie's down to a city I just know it's Northern. I'm from Yorkshire but don't have a strong Yorkshire accent I just have a Northern accent, like people never believe I'm from the place I'm from because I don't sound like I am but you can definitely tell I'm northern... honestly there are so many accents in England... you can drive for two hours in any direction in England and the accent will change like two times at least it's insane... see a lot of people say that but I am not a HUGE fan of the northern accent and I think it's because I grew up there. I much prefer Dani's accent to Jamie's but like I said to me, Jamie just talks normal there is no accent really haha Yeah 4k words for it but it's all jumbled up it's not like a chronological story yet it's just all over the place haha but I hope I can get it all structured properly soon!! Awwh good I'm glad you're already interested in this medieval AU!! That makes sense you're resisting creating for it but I think it's so cool you did a face study for Dani and Jamie even if you didn't wanna finish it I think letting things cook for a while is always a good idea if you're not in the right headspace right away I had such a good weekend but I am so tired and today I had a busy day too celebrating my roommate's boyfriend's birthday so I've had so many days that have been so busy and right now I am just really to sleep haha!! Yeah definitely don't have favourites but I have spent more time with one of my nieces than the others simply because I always look after her if her mum and dad are working and I'm not... like until I start this new job I am looking after her for an hour every day after school while she waits for her mum and dad to finish work but I don't have favourites haha!! Thank you so much I hope you had a great weekend and that you have a great week too!!

[big-bad-ulf]

It’s All Fun and Games || Ulfric & Tasmyn

Timing: Sunday 28th of June Parties: @tasmyn-pearce, @big-bad-ulf Summary: Ulf and Taz go to the carnival. Strength is tested. Prizes are won. The mythical dog lion is found.  Warnings: None guys everything’s fine! 

Ulfric could hardly believe he had set foot on the carnival grounds again, but as he’d emerged through the ever-present fog and stepped across the threshold this time, he’d found the pressing desire to leave immediately that had come over him before wasn’t there. In fact, the flashing lights seemed less glaring and the screams of the patrons less grating than they had during his last visit, despite both his vision and hearing having sharpened since then with the waxing of the moon. A small part of that had to do with the fact he’d remembered to wear dark tinted glasses to help with the light problem, but he suspected the larger part of it had to do with the reason for this visit. Rather than attending out of obligation, like he had with Orobas, he was there this time by his own choice simply because he enjoyed Tasmyn’s company.

It had been so long since he’d gotten the chance to spend time with anyone for that reason that the occasion necessitated a special effort. Which was why he’d showered in an actual shower for the first time in weeks in preparation (though, he thought, in his own defense, when eyeballs had been trickling out of people's plumbing the mountain stream on his property had seemed the more hygienic option) and why he’d arrived early to purchase a greeting gift before he headed to their agreed-upon meeting spot. “It’s good to see you again, Tasmyn” He greeted her warmly when he got there, carrying a stick of cotton candy bigger than his head. “I must confess, I did already have to pay the carnival a visit, though purely for business reasons.” Or in the interest of the pack, anyway, which was close enough. “I used my familiarity with the venue to get you this though.” He offered the humongous confection cloud to her, almost in apology for not being able to enjoy this experience with her completely unspoiled, before adding as an explanation for its sheer volume, “The person at the stall insisted on giving me the ‘for two’ size when I said I’d be bringing it to someone else.”  

Tasmyn usually tried not to make friends when she moved to new places. She had no real intentions of staying in White Crest for long when she had first arrived, but between the fae presence and the constant strange occurrences, and well… the people, she’d come to enjoy living here in a very short amount of time. So what was supposed to be her first stop in America had turned into a place she wasn’t quite ready to leave. And while she didn’t really know the implications of it all just yet, Ulfric was a surprisingly big part of that desire to stay. Which is why she was so thrilled that he was willing to accompany her to the carnival. It had been ages since she had been to one. 

She was a little late to the meeting place they agreed on. Or maybe she was right on time? She couldn’t quite remember what they had agreed on. As Tasmyn saw Ulfric approaching, her eyes widened a bit - far more focused on the cotton candy in his hand than anything else. “Oh my goodness that thing is massive!” She exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face. Humans always did do the strangest things with food. “Oh, sorry. It’s really lovely to see you again too.” She said, turning her attention properly to Ulfric. “That’s okay! You can use your past visit to steer us away from things that aren’t worthwhile!” As she spoke, she reached over and pulled a clump of cotton candy from the stick, then began to eat it piece by piece. “Wow! This is fantastic. I’m glad the person gave you a ton of it.”

“It’s fine, that’s the response I was going for,” Ulfric laughed at Tasmyn’s reception towards the giant treat, surprised at how much his mood seemed to instantly improve in her presence. Maybe she wasn’t merely human after all, but some kind of… reverse empath? No, he was fairly certain such a thing didn’t exist, and it would’ve been foolish for him to hold out hope that she was more than human when she’d given him no concrete evidence to the contrary. Better to just enjoy this night for what it was instead of pondering what-ifs. Her request had him scratching his beard though, uncertain how to proceed, all of entertainment seemed worthwhile now if it meant prolonging their time together, but none of it had seemed so before. Well, except one thing, he remembered. “I never did find the dog lion. In fact, I’m beginning to think it’s just a myth they spread to lure people in here,” He informed her, caving to curiosity and trying some of the cotton candy himself. It was about as sugary as he expected, but he found himself liking it, nonetheless. For someone who was a natural carnivore, he had recently begun to develop an unexpected appreciation for sweet things. “But if you’re up for hunting a mythical creature,” Ulfric continued, carefully adhering to the human etiquette of swallowing his food before talking for her sake. “It might give us a chance to get to know each other better while we look for it?” 

Tasmyn laughed softly, remembering the dog-lion they had talked about earlier. “Well, I don’t know if I’d call a dog in a wig ‘mythical’, but should be a fun hunt regardless! Let’s do it.” Even having only been there for a few minutes, Tasmyn could already feel the energy and admittedly the chaos of the festivities pulsing through her. She could even catch the faintest reading of a fae, no multiple fae nearby. Unfortunately, she knew it wasn't Ulfric since she hadn’t sensed anything last time they were together. What a shame too- he’d be a great fae. After she grabbed another chunk of cotton candy, she started off in a random direction, not really sure where they would keep a dion? log? Dog-lion. “Get to know each other better, right, of course.” She echoed, trying to keep her enthusiastic tone despite the fact that the idea of opening up to someone else terrified her to her core. Especially when it was someone new and she didn’t know how they felt about fae, about spriggans. “So, uh, how long ago did you move to town?”

Ulfric immediately found himself regretting his suggestion as soon as he heard her question. His move and the events that had led him to it weren’t things he wanted to talk about, not if he couldn't be honest about it. Being inauthentic quickly became exhausting and he tended to say what he was thinking too quickly to be a very effective liar in person anyway. That was why he usually let his natural intimidation ward off curious humans and save him the trouble of having to deceive them, but she waited for his invitation to ask, so he’d try and give as honest an answer as he could. “Sixteen years ago, or thereabouts. I left Norway at 19 and traveled around Europe visiting a few family friends before I got my papers together to come in here. I’ve got a few —distant cousins in town,” the werewolf quickly caught himself before saying human cousins. “They assisted me in finding me my first job at a tattoo parlor.” He followed the trajectory in which Tasmyn took off until he spotted the familiar row of gaming stalls, remembering that the Museum of Monstrosities booth and other ‘attractions’ were supposed to be on the other side, a likely location for the elusive dog lion. “Let’s try this way,” He urged, gently grasping her elbow to steer her in that direction. “How about you? I don’t think I’ve ever asked what you do for work. It must be exciting if it took you all the way to Canada for—” At that moment, Ulfric was interrupted by an overeager hawker wearing what looked to be traditional ringleader garb. “Care to try the strength tester?” The young man waved a prop hammer in his face emphatically, gesturing towards an old-fashioned seeming game with a sign that read, ‘Find out what your strength is worth!’. “Prizes awaited only the most fortified among us,” the vendor continued, “And you look like a strong candidate, pun intended. It’s sure to impress your lady friend!” He looked between Ulfric and Tasmyn. Ulfric had only paused to avoid being hit with the flailing hammer, but the hawker’s insistence he replied, “I’m sure she’s impressed by much more worthwhile things,” meaning for that to be the end of it and resume his quest for the dog lion, but finding himself glancing over at her, unsure how she’d want to proceed. 

Almost immediately Tasmyn could sense that her question had struck a nerve. She normally tried to avoid questions that dug in too deeply to someone's past, so maybe that wasn’t the right thing to be asking. But he did say that he wanted them to get to know each other better. Isn’t this how humans did that? Maybe she was wrong. As they moved about the carnival, Tasmyn listened to his story about moving here, nodding along and shoving the sweet cotton candy into her mouth. When she felt his hand on her shoulder, she was surprised at the fact that she didn’t tense up or recoil like she usually did when people she didn’t know very well touched her. She didn’t have much time to think about why that was as Ulfric turned the questions back to her now. It was not an easy question to answer. She had been up in Canada selling some names to a contact she had. But that had nothing to do with her actual job at The Codfather. A human could twist words into half-truths and lie their way out of the situation, but she was not graced with such an option. “Well, I work at The Codfather as a hostess.” Taking a moment to choose the right words she wanted to use, “The Canada thing was more like … a favor. For an old friend. More like running an errand, really.” She was thankful that their conversation got cut off by one of the over-enthusiastic carnies. Ulfric was right, she really wasn’t the type to be impressed by brute strength, but when she caught his eye she saw a bit of an opportunity to put a full-stop to this Canada/job conversation. “I dunno, it might be fun!” She said, looking at the prizes in the booth, pointing over to a strange-looking green creature, noticing that none of the prizes resembled real animals, “Besides, that thing’s kinda cute.” She added, looking over to him with a shrug and a smile, leaving it up to him but tipping the scales slightly to change the conversation at the very least. 

Ulfric wanted to ask her more about the fish restaurant, find out if she could maybe point him towards a wholesaler who could give him a discount on herring. It had been so long since he had spare to pickle with multiple plagues that had sullied the town’s waterways. But the vendor was still staring at them with urgency, and she hadn’t given him the easy out he’d expected. “Oh, well, sure, In that case…” he stalled for a moment, but hadn’t he said the goal of this outing was to make her happy? If taking a moment to play this game would achieve that, then he wouldn’t turn down the simple request. “Alright I’ll give it a shot,” He relented, giving Tasmyn a small smile but fixing the vendor with a glare as he passed him and slipped him a dollar to play. “You’ll be needing this,” the young man tapped him on the shoulder, waving the hammer at him again. The werewolf took what he offered, barely putting any effort into his swing as he brought it down on the target. Nonetheless, the indicator on the strength meter whizzed to the top with a flurry of lights and clanging bells. “Congratulations, we have a winner!” the vendor called out to the crowd over a megaphone, and despite the ringing in his ears and the ridiculousness of the situation, Ulfric’s inner competitive streak was satisfied with the victor and he broke into a genuine grin. “Here you go!” He plucked the stuffed ‘animal’ Tasmyn had wanted from the display, and presented it to her triumphantly. “I suppose it is sort of charming, in an unconventional way,” he said of the large, oddly shaped creature. It also felt surprisingly heavy, like they sewed a few weights inside it to prevent patrons who lost from running away with it, but he didn’t mention that part. 

For a moment, Tasmyn felt a pang of guilt for encouraging Ulfric to participate in this game. Especially since it was becoming apparent that most of the vendors were fae. Traveling fae in a traveling carnival probably meant trouble of some sort. But this was just a silly game, even with Ulfric being human, or at the very least non-fae, a few moments playing the game then moving on couldn’t be much trouble. Could it? Before she could change her mind and suggest they move on, Ulfric had the hammer in his hands and was slamming it down on the machine with a sort of ease. Her face lit up when all the bells and lights began and she instinctively clapped. See?, she thought to herself, harmless. A feeling of happiness swelled over her when she saw him smile - there was a good chance that was the happiest she had seen him look. “Unconventional charm is the best kind there is!” She stated as she accepted the strange green stuffed creature from him. “Thank you for this.” Tasmyn looked up at him with a smile, then leaned in and wrapped her arms around him in a quick hug. She’d never known a stranger to be this kind to her for no real reason. “So… off to find this mystical dog now, huh?” she asked as she started to make her way in the direction they were headed before they got distracted by the game. 

Ulfric was caught off guard by the unexpected hug. Physical affection had been fairly common amongst his old pack, wolves were social creatures by nature after all, but since he’d been forced into exile he had gotten used to being isolated in all ways. The only other person who’d hugged him in years was Ari, and he couldn’t remember ever allowing a human to come in such close contact with him outside of a fight, but he had to admit it wasn’t unwelcome. “Don’t mention it,” He shrugged, pulling back and hoping Tasmyn would interpret any hesitation from him as just the awkwardness of having to maneuver around both the giant stuffed animal and half-eaten cotton candy to return her embrace. “Yes, I will not be discouraged in my search this time,” He agreed, taking after her. They passed the Museum of Monstrosities with its display of various pickled specimens in jars, some possibly supernatural others clearly pieces of mundane animals sewn together. Eventually, he spotted a podium, with an attendant standing on top of it dressed as a lion tamer, complete with plastic whip and next to him was a golden retriever in a messy blonde wig.

“There you are!” The werewolf climbed the podium to pet the dog, which nuzzled into his hand eagerly, recognizing the kinship between them. “Uh, Sir? If you want a photo with our lion it’ll cost you five bucks,” the attendant protested half-heartedly, clearly reluctant to start a conflict with a man of his stature and determination. Ulfric had to tamp down on a small growl before it escaped his throat. The kid was only doing his job, but the exploitation of noble creatures for profit was one of the worst aspects of humanity. Instead, he leaned down quickly, looked the golden retriever in the eyes and stated, “I will make sure these people don’t mistreat you,” vowing to himself that he’d return to check on it before the carnival left town. “My apologies, humans don’t deserve dogs,” He said to Tasmyn as he jumped back down from the platform, huffing a little from the exertion. Which might have struck him as strange except, he couldn’t really think about much else in the presence of such a spectacular beast. “Isn’t he magnificent though? Thank you for indulging me.” 

Tasmyn was mystified by everything she was passing by on their search for the lion/dog. There was just so much energy radiating off of everyone around her. She had spent a lot of her time over the past few decades alone, but not really isolated. She was used to feeling alone while surrounded by crowds of people, and while she had convinced herself a long time ago that she preferred it that way, being here and enjoying these festivities with someone else was truly refreshing. “By the way,” Tasmyn started as she less-than-gracefully finished eating the last bit of the sugary treat Ulfric had given her, “What is this called again?” After spending years both hating and fearing humans, it was nice to be near one who she felt some sort of security around. 

As they rounded a corner Tasmyn was so captivated by all the foods she was smelling that she almost didn’t realize Ulf run off towards the dog. It didn’t take her long to follow him over to the podium though, laughing heartily when she saw both how enthusiastic Ulfric was and how bewildered the attendant was. She was still smiling widely when he left the dog and came back over to her. However, she wasn’t too caught up in the moment to notice his phrasing. ‘Humans’ don’t deserve dogs. Was he … not human? That’d have to be a question for another day, perhaps. “Truly magnificent! I’m so glad we got to see him. He seemed to really like you, ya know humans say that if a dog likes you that means you're a good person.” 

“Do people say that?” Ulfric carefully used ‘people’ this time to counteract his earlier slip-up. Having to close the shop for the duration of the eyeball plague had left him sorely needing to brush up on his mundane conversational skills. “I don’t know how true that is,” he mulled over the statement. He’d always tried to follow the teachings of his pack elders and do what was right for his community, but he’d never really thought of himself as good, more as someone willing to make the hard decisions necessary to keep people better than he was safe. At times, he thought he was more shield than man… But now he’d remained silent for far too long after what was clearly just meant to be a polite compliment. “I’m glad I can at least do something good,” he shrugged and gave her a small smile, trying to dissolve the awkwardness. “Show you a good time.” At that, he stopped and turned back to her fully, suddenly unsure. “Are you having a good time?”

Tasmyn got a bit worried at his question, maybe they didn’t really say that? Maybe she just heard one human say it once and presumed it was a common saying? “That, uh, might just be an English saying.” She added, hoping that would cover her tracks. But his silence made her wary, maybe she had let too many weird things slip… maybe he was putting the pieces together. Finally, he spoke, and she relaxed slightly. His words made her blush ever so softly. She smiled softly and nodded, “I’m having a very good time so far. I got to eat a fluffy sweet candy, you won me this,” she continued, lifting the stuffed creature up a bit more prominently, “and you looked so happy when you got to see that dog! So a great time, really. Are you having a good time?” 

“Yes, surprisingly so,” Ulfric laughed as Tasmyn held up the odd stuffed creature again, before quickly adding, “not that I didn’t expect to…” in case she thought he meant he wasn’t expecting to have a good time with her. He had a wonderful time at their first meeting, even with the whole smoke monster debacle. The memory of it had been one of the few things to elicit a smile from him in the disastrous weeks that followed. “Good times have just been hard to come by lately.” He explained and then found himself asking without giving it too much thought, “Would you mind if I saw you again sometime now that you’re back in town? It would be nice to know I’ve got another good time waiting for me if I ever need it.” It was a small defiance of the natural cycles that guided his destiny, to try and line up another pleasant moment and keep it stashed away for a rainy day. But after weathering all the foul things the winds of fate had sent his way recently, he was willing to cop whatever punishment they’d dole out for the minor infraction if it meant he had something to look forward to. 

Tasmyn had been expecting to find a fae community in this new town, she had not been expecting to find such a sweet and lovely maybe-human though. Her smile widened and the soft flush on her cheeks reddened at his question. “I’m sorry you haven’t been having many good times recently… though admittedly I do know what that’s like.” For so much of her life, Tasmyn had needed to live from moment to moment. She rarely made plans because plans just make disappointments. However, here in the moment with him it felt foolish not to make plans. Save when she thought her husband was trying to kill them with a smoke monster - every moment spent talking with him and spending time had been the highlights of her time here in White Crest. “I’d love it if we could get to see each other again. The sooner the better in my book. You’re really my first… well, only friend in town. And I always seem to be smiling when we spend time together.” 

Her only friend. Ulfric could count the number of humans who genuinely considered him their friend on one hand, and all of them had ties to the mystical world in some way. He normally tried to keep a polite, civil distance from the rest of them as a species, partly because they just didn’t seem to get him and partly because his family would have objected. The former hadn’t proved a problem where Tasmyn was concerned so far, and the latter? Well, he’d finally made the long-overdue decision to stay and build his life in White Crest, hadn’t he? The half-finished cabin in the outskirts was a testament to that. Though his family’s approval still weighed heavily on his mind, earning his place back wasn’t his goal anymore, so it reasonably followed that he was no longer bound to follow their rules to the letter. “It’s a deal then. We’ll see each other soon,” He nodded, the affirmation a measured deliberate choice. There remained limits to how far this companionship could go, considering the danger both of them could be in if his true nature were revealed, but he didn’t see the harm in playing the part of this good man she thought he was, if it was bringing her joy as well. To that effect he added the caveat, “And as your friend, I give you permission to throw rocks at me again if I do anything to make you stop smiling.” 

Tasmyn grew up being told there was a hierarchy to the types of beings in the world. Spriggans, all other fae, witches, other supernatural beings, humans, then wardens dead last. But ever since she moved away from her village, she very quickly began to realize how untrue that all is. Spending time with Ulfric continued to prove that to her. He was kind, understanding, and gentle with her - things she used to think were impossible for humans. She laughed when he told her she could throw rocks at him. “I’ll keep that in mind. But I do seem to always be smiling when I’m talking with you.” She took a little look around, taking in the last few seconds of this evening. “Well, I look forward to seeing you again.” As she said that, she got on her tippie toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. When she returned her feet firmly to the ground, she looked up to him and smiled before pivoting and making her way towards the exit.

[kshitij1997]

Welcome back!

In the last chapter, I just included a bunch of original characters without commenting anything whatsoever. Talk about being modest :P

Oh well, great ready, because the sisters will arrive in this chapter and the next! And one of them is an OC!

As for the historic events, most are true, but some of them have been invented or moved around in in the European historic timeline to keep the dramatic states high, and to show how vast, small and dangerous this universe is all at the same time. I swear all the ‘world-building’ will make sense as we move forward :D.

All frozen characters belong to Disney, all I own is this head-cannon and the original characters.

On with the story :D

Chapter 4: The birth of someone magical, and the disappearance of another

In the first few months of their marriages, the lives of the royal couple of Arendelle and Corona were good and full of hope, despite whatever happened in the rest of Europe and the world. The British had had enough of their mentally ill monarch, who was on his way out. The loss of the thirteen colonies still cut deep to the British, and when the Confederacy had decided to further challenge the them in Canada, the British proceeded to burn Washington to the ground, even going so far as to provoke the Native Americans to fight on the side of the British. The Confederacy turned to Arendelle for help, which resulted in Arendelle with its considerable naval forces confronting the formidable navy of the British. The duke of Weselton had a vested interest in the transatlantic trade, and so joined on the side of Arendelle. The three naval superpowers fought and ground the war to a stalemate by taking the war to the sea away from the shores of North America. With peace ensured by the Confederacy agreeing to leave Canada be, the British bought influence in Africa filling up the duke’s coffers. And with peace made on good terms with the confederacy thanks to Arendellian diplomacy, Arendelle now found a powerful new ally in Great Britain, moving away from the French. Furthermore, the confederacy was grateful, and called for further imports from Arendelle.

All this happened while the Corsican madlad was subdued in Elba, which was a good thing as when he showed up again to be finally defeated in Waterloo, the Arendelle crown was well backed by Great Britain into a powerful negotiating position regarding the fate of the fallen dictator. As a result, king Agnarr and queen Iduna found ample time to bring long-lost prosperity back to Arendelle. The days of Agnarr being a ditherer desperate to please everyone were long gone; here he was, with the love of his life beside him, ready to take on the world.

However, there was a bout of tragedy in his friend’s life, as King Reginald and Queen Sophia’s first child due in the spring of 1815 turned out to be a stillborn, despite the painstaking efforts of some of the best doctors in Europe. The whole ordeal of a painful birth and the dead infant took a heavy toll on the Queen, who was emotionally broken from the experience. The palace servants found it increasingly common to hear the queen screaming into the night in self-pity and self-loathing, turning to alcohol to ease the pain, and having shouting matches with the king. It was one of those times, when things came to a head.

“It was unfortunate what happened, but we are young and healthy, we can try again.” The king reasoned, holding on to his own stoicism lest he crumble too.

“You don’t get it do you?! It came out of me, lifeless and stiff! HOW COULD I EVER EXPECT TO TRY AGAIN! Who’s to say it won’t happen again?!” Shrieked the queen, weeping tears full of rage.

“So, he’s already an ‘it’, isn’t he?” the king asked with a woebegone face.

“Listen to yourself Reggie, it’s been buried in the ground for almost a month, and you are the one who wants to move on from ‘him’?” the queen sobbed.

“I have been seeing you for that entire time, you think I haven’t tried to move on? I have tried to weave myself through all false sympathies, hoping that maybe I could have my wife for comfort by my side. But now, I can’t even talk to her anymore. All I can sense are the alcohol talking, and a woman who’s admitting defeat. I can’t recognize my wife at all in you right now, Sophie” The king said quietly, with the tears starting to flow from his eyes as well.

The queen fell silent at this. She observed her husband for a good long moment; the loss was acute for him as well. Reginald was always sensitive about those he loved and cared for, and overtly emotional. She may have lost an infant, but both their futures were in jeopardy in the moment, and ultimately, for now she had to think like a queen first, motherhood could come later.

“You’re right. We must think about our futures too, we can’t stay in this quagmire forever. I have been selfish in my sorrow and have left you alone out in the cold to fend for yourself, for that I’m truly sorry. You know what Reggie, let’s regain our strength, and try again after some time. I’m sure we’ll make it. And if I must give up drinking, so be it.” Sophia declared as things became clear to her.

“Yes, we will make it. Hang in there Sophie.” “You too Reggie.” The royal pair told each other as they held on to each other, their hearts placated.

Throughout this time, king Agnarr had provided all the help that he could to his dear friend, and the morbid incident was the talk of the Arendellian royal household.

“I hope they recover from this soon, they deserve a lot better.” Iduna mused during one such conversation.

“I hope so as well, I can’t bear watching Reginald like this, and poor Sophia too” Agnarr said.

“I think there’s a lesson here” “What?” “I think they were not ready for a child yet, they were not serious enough about it. I knew back then that was a mistake. I tried warning the both of them, but they were too excited to listen.” Iduna observed as her husband agreed.

“Who’s to say we are ready ourselves?” Agnarr inquired expectantly.

“Only time will tell; I think we should wait to be better prepared.” Iduna answered.

And so, the royal couple decided to wait. Just as well, as the British and the Russians were twisting Agnarr’s arm to intervene in the Balkans. That was the thing with the British, while the rest of Europe was looking at Africa and Asia, they had their eyes set on the whole world. Anyway, at Sophia’s request, Iduna convinced Agnarr to send a team of diplomats to the region, getting the local leaders to pledge fealty to central Europe, while the British proceeded to wrest control of Egypt from the Ottomans, rendering it a vassal state to the Ottomans to keep them from corpsing and leaving the region unpredictable. The Russians on their part, help instigate a popular uprising against the Sultan and his Janissaries in the fall of 1817. Nasty business, the Arendelle Monarch thought, but at least it would keep his staunchest allies secure. The king of Corona was saddled with enough worries as it was at the time, being nervous about his wife’s second pregnancy, and tried his hardest to keep all stress away from her. But even he couldn’t have guessed what could happen.

The Habsburgs of Austria-Hungary, the Russians and the Ottomans had always seen the Balkans as the buffer that kept everything in check. The day that powder keg blew up, all three would go down. While the Habsburgs had family in the Balkans, particularly in Serbia, which was unsurprising at this point, both the Ottomans and the Russians claimed to be the protector of all Christians in the region. In a surprising and morbid turn of events, the Ottoman Sultan, seething at such an open blow to his power, moved first, and sent in his special troops/assassins to storm the imperial palace of the king and queen of Serbia, shot them multiple times at point blank range, and destroyed their bodies by chopping them to pieces and throwing them into the palace moat. The sheer audacity of the event, not to mention the horrific assassination and the barefaced flexing of the Sultan’s powers, sent Europe by storm, but none more than the queen of Corona, who was the second cousin of the king of Serbia.

The shock made Sophia faint when she heard the news, which unfortunately led to a miscarriage.

The king was beside himself with grief, and the queen was inconsolable. The event affected them so much that they cancelled the thanksgiving service that year, and the queen sunk into depression as rumours started circulating about queen Sophia being victim to the Habsburg curse of madness and melancholy. But the queen asserted herself to the public by putting those rumours to rest. In an unprecedented move for the time, she made a speech to the public, addressing that while the loss of a potential heir and family was tragic, it was not doomsday for the country or Europe yet as they were still led by a courageous and wise monarchy and a common belief of maintaining peace after the fall of Napoleon, and they would weather these storms, as they had done before.

While the public’s beliefs may have been restored, only Iduna learnt the true sorrow that hounded Sophia about the whole affair when she visited:

“I swear I’m fucking cursed” cried Sophia. “That’s silly, Sophia” Said Iduna, as she tried to calm her down.

“Is it really? I lost a second cousin and a child in the span of 48 hours. I honestly believe the forces of nature are out to make me miserable. Various forces at play to ruin my life.” Sophia continued sadly.

“Look, those animals who caused this anguish to you will pay; that does not mean you stop living and give up-” Iduna began but was cut off by Sophia.

“First of all, I know I can handle it, nevertheless by accepting that bleak truth, I would stop being caught fucking unawares whenever such a thing happens.” Sophia claimed.

“That’s a bizarre argument, woman. By that rationale, I’m also cursed, as I lost my entire family in a battle my late father-in law waged. Agnarr should also be cursed, as he also lost his father in said battle. It’s a bone-headed way of thinking, and it leads us nowhere.” Iduna proceeded to coach the aggrieved queen, “What happened was life itself, and it is seldom under our control. Everyone’s surroundings affect them. No one could imagine those killers could stoop to this action, and no one could have known what would happen afterwards. All we can do is to do the next right thing when facing such darkness.” Iduna finished.

“The next right thing? What do you think that should be?” Sophia asked.

“For you, it should be to stand beside your husband in this time, he shouldn’t suffer separately and alone.” Iduna advised. “As married people, we find our strength in our better halves, you know.”

“You’re right. To take a step and step again indeed.” Sophia rose up to embrace the queen of Arendelle.

“Stay strong, Sophie.” “You too, Iduna.”

The British saw this event as an excuse to be the moral voice of the situation, in comparison to king Reginald and the aging monarch of Austria-Hungary, who also happened to be the maternal grandfather of Queen Sophia, who threatened invasion and war. The British struck first by trapping the Ottomans in an embargo that blocked them from the west Mediterranean Sea. The Russians, on the other hand forced them into a crippling treaty that made Greece independent; further reducing the European holdings of the Sultan.

Agnarr on his part, wanted nothing to do with the Balkans or the Ottomans, focusing instead on efforts to pacify king Reginald and observing The Southern Isles. King Christian’s latest wife, his fifth, a princess of Greek origin, had been blessed with triplets, so if there was anyone truly fertile in the continent, it was the king of The Southern Isles. Now a proud father of twelve, the king was well and truly ensured his succession and the crisis that would precede it. Not that it bothered the aging king; he was raised to get what he wanted, by god if he wanted a private army of his own kids, he would get it.

Agnarr mused, that man has clearly nothing else left in his life except an illusion of health and merry. Any romantic dreams that he had died with his second wife, every other lady he courted after became a brood mare. When it came out that his latest wife was involved in an affair, he proceeded to divorce her summarily within the next twenty-four hours, seized all her possessions, and left her destitute and ruined. Agnarr was generally put off by his careless hounding attitude towards everything but was truly disgusted to find out that he had married a sixth time, this time to a rumoured Polish noblewoman in the beginning of 1819.

A fine set of examples the royal couple of Arendelle had around them; the Tsar who was childless, and his younger brothers weren’t too keen to succeed him. Then there was Corona, where queen Sophia had gotten pregnant for a third time, against all odds. Finally, there was king Christian who had already consummated the marriage with his Polish wife, and a rumoured thirteenth kid was on the way. However, the king of The Southern Isles narrowly survived a heart attack during said consummation and decided that even by his standards, he was done.

Well, speaking of pregnancies, Iduna had broken the happy news to Agnarr in the April of 1819, and the kingdom was in celebration. 1819 was an important year in this respect; a lot of future monarchs were born in this year, not that anyone could say for sure at that time. As the summer solstice drew near, queen Sophia started experiencing complications in her pregnancy and panicked, sending king Reginald into a frenzy, calling up all the physicians, doctors and midwives available. As Sophia’s situation grew worse, king Agnarr sent his personal doctor, Dr. Klaus. If anyone had consummate knowledge in medicine and lifesaving, it was this guy.

Dr Klaus took one look at the queen and gave his verdict; if they were to save the queen and the baby, they needed an exotic herb made from a plant called the sun-mirror, a variety of lettuce whose luminous flowers had the rumoured quality of giving eternal life and healing all predicaments. However, it was extremely rare and was critically endangered as a plant, only growing naturally on the island of Cyprus, unfortunately controlled by the Ottomans. The Ottomans found the opportunity to weasel out a deal with Russia in exchange for safe passage to Cyprus for Reginald’s troops, and since king Reginald threatened to blockade the Baltic with Arendelle’s backing if Russia didn’t abide, the Tsar was forced to give up the southern ports of the Black Sea, exposing Crimea to the Ottomans.

However, no harm was done, as the plant was found, brought back to Corona, crushed into herbs and medicine and fed to the queen. The result could not have been better, as the queen had a surprisingly easy birth, becoming the mother to a lovely, adorable, healthy and lively baby girl on the eve of the Summer Solstice. King Reginald was overcome with joy and emotion as he hugged his baby girl and spread the happy news throughout Europe. The baby princess had a full head of blonde hair long enough to cover her whole body, like the golden stocks of the sun-mirror lettuce. She was officially christened as princess Eva Rapunzel, but the king and queen endearingly called her Rapunzel or Punzie. At that point Dr. Klaus took his leave, to care for queen Iduna’s pregnancy.

Arendelle waited with bated breath as Iduna faced a complication of her own by contracting hypothermia; her situation grew serious as her body fell colder and colder, and all the nutrition, medicine, hot coalbeds and blankets couldn’t keep her warm. Moreover, the queen’s eyes had begun to glow with a pale ice-blue glow, and the queen had begun to enter trances, where she would sing in kulning for hours on end. King Agnarr grew desperate; asking Dr. Klaus for any cure or treatment, maybe another sun-mirror herb. Dr Klaus declined; the flower bloomed once in 75 years, and the latest bloom had saved princess Eva Rapunzel. As the king dreaded the worst, Dr Klaus gave some hope:

“Send for Grand Pabbie.”

Said creature was a curious one; a being made of half rock, half human flesh, with leaves and wines for hair. This self-sustaining being used to meditate for six months of the year, and had a massive following of similar beings, living on the borders of the impenetrable mist separating Arendelle from the North, surviving various disasters throughout history by blending into mountainous rocks. It was a testament to Dr. Klaus’ knowhow and network that he knew of this mystical being and his tribe.

The king in his desperation personally went with Dr. Klaus and his royal guard to fetch the rock hermit from the wilderness. At first, Grand Pabbie refused; he had greater responsibilities to the nutrition and survival of the land than some as temporary as human beings, hence the meditation during winter. But when Dr. Klaus explained the whole situation, Grand Pabbie agreed to accompany them at once. Upon reaching the queen’s chambers, the hermit proceeded to put a rocky hand on the queen’s belly and declared “Your majesty, your child has been blessed by the fifth spirit.”

King Agnarr was stunned to hear that “It can’t be, the pass has been covered in mist for years, there’s no way the Northurldra, let alone the fifth spirit could have come to the south, much less affect my wife and child’s health.”

“Calm down, your majesty, for I am yet to finish. Your child and wife are in perfect health; despite the cold and other supernatural symptoms, the queen has no breathing problems or health issues. Her pulse is stable as well. This constellation of symptoms must have puzzled Dr. Klaus; thus, he may have recommended my services.” Grand Pabbie assured the tense king.

“What shall you do now?” asked the king.

“I will perform a simple gesture on the queen’s belly, that should bring her comfort and ease of birth. Now, why exactly did the fifth spirit bless your wife is a mystery, we can assume that either of you have committed a great deed that has placated the lost souls.” With that, the hermit made an eight-cornered crystal shape on the queen’s abdomen. This placated the queen and she drifted into a restful sleep. With that, the hermit turned to the king ”Worry not your majesty, the queen is perfectly safe. However, your child would have a resistance to, or maybe even mastery over a force of nature. Since your kingdom is on the coast, it would most likely be water. As the queen is due near the Winter Solstice, it may be a power over snow, and ice.”

The king was gobsmacked to hear this but was gestured by Dr. Klaus to remain calm. The king realized the prudence of not offending the hermit and thanked Grand Pabbie for his services.

On the eve of the Winter Solstice of 1819, king Agnarr couldn’t sleep; queen Iduna had gone into labour and the process went much smoother than expected. He had just become the proud father of a baby princess with hair a very light shade of blonde, taking after her grandmother, or so the people said. She was most certainly a bundle of joy, bursting into giggles as soon as seeing her parents for the first time and burying her face into her mother’s bosom, which was deemed adorable by the Monarch. The king bent in to pinch her nose and cheek, which prompted a sneeze from the baby princess, showering a whole layer of snow onto her father.

The queen was shocked “What the fuck?! Where did that come from?!”

The king wiped the snow off his face and said ”Iduna, there’s something you need to know.”

At the end of his story, the queen calmed down and kissed the baby princess on the forehead “She truly is a gift from the almighty. Let’s call her Elsa.”

“Very well, Elsa shall be her name.” Smiled the king.

“She seems to like the name” grinned the queen as the giggling baby princess had already started making snowflakes on her fingertips.

Just then, a guard rushed into their bedroom ”Your Majesty!”

“What is it? Are we under attack?” bellowed the king and queen in unison as the sudden noise made the princess cry.

“I don’t know for certain��. I’m sorry for frightening you at this hour of night. But a messenger from Corona brings worrying news.” The guard spoke after catching his breath.

The king and queen met the messenger at once, who gave them the news that made their blood run cold;

“Princess Eva Rapunzel has been abducted in the dead of night.”

Woohoo! That was an action-packed chapter, I think.

Some cute moments, some gruesome moments, some sad moments and some moments of joy.

Or as Murray, the Joker or Iduna would say, that’s life!

The OC family would definitely become bigger next chapter, and we may say goodbye to some characters already, just like life.

As always, constructive feedback is always welcome.

[idanwyn-et-al]

Munday Questions That Nobody Explicitly Asked For!

So, what have I done?

Driven 100 mph - Yes, a few times; I’ve been on so many long road trips in my life that sometimes I get that highway lead foot.

Ridden in a helicopter - Nope, just a number of airplanes.

Gone zip lining - Yes, at summer camp when I was 11! Loved it, would do it again.

Been to an NFL game - Nope! Just high school football as part of marching band, and a few NHL games.

Been to Canada - Sadly, no! I’d love to someday, though.

Visited Florida- Three times!

Visited Mexico - Not yet!

Visited Las Vegas - Yes, when I was 16 and it was still more family-friendly. Went to the best waterpark EVER there...RIP, Royal Flush slide.

Eaten alone at a restaurant - Quite often! It might be somewhat odd, but I enjoy it.

Ability to read music - Very proficiently! I’m a classically trained flutist who’s been playing for 25 years and counting. Taught myself to read bass clef in high school so I could play video game music on the piano. #bardnerd

Ridden a motorcycle - Nope, I’m too scared for this one for whatever reason.

Ridden a horse - I took lessons for a few years as a kid, and have ridden a few times since. I really enjoy it, but sadly, I’m almost allergic to horses as I am to cats; both things make me hella sad.

Stayed in a hospital - Yes, a few times; most related to lung issues, and once when I had my daughter.

Donated blood - Yep! I don’t regularly anymore since I’ve been anemic for a few years, but I used to donate as regularly as I was able to.

Been snow skiing - Snowboarding once in high school...it went...shamefully.

Been to Disney World - Three times! Once with my family when I was 11 or so, and then again my freshman and senior years of high school for music festivals. #bandnerd #bardnerd

Disney Land - Nope! I have a cousin who works as a face character there, though, so I want to go someday.

Slept outside - Quite often, thanks to both camping and larping!

Driven a stick shift - I’ve tried...it did not go well.

Ridden in an 18 wheeler - Nope!

Ridden in a police car? - Fortunately not!

Driven a boat - Nope.

Eaten Escargot - I have not, and I have no interest to try it. I have other vehicles for garlic butter that have better texture.

Been on a cruise - No, no interest to, really.

Run out of gas - Only once, and I was about 500 feet from a gas station...so close!

Been on TV - Yes, here and there while cosplaying. 

Eaten Sushi - Yes, one of my favorite foods! I love sushi.

Seen a UFO - Not that I’m aware!

Been Bungie jumping - Really have no interest to do this...maybe one of those indoor versions but idk. 

Been stuck in the house for days - Like everyone else, yes, I am currently. I’m a pretty big homebody, though, and I work from home so it’s not a huge change. 

Tagged by: No one, technically, but a few  folks tagged anyone who wanted to sooo...​

Tagging: All y’all who wanna do it! Paying it forward! Tag me if you do it!

[squirrelly831]

Surprising Him [Kyungsoo, Jongin, and Sehun]

Enjoy~

Kyungsoo

There was a part of Kyungsoo that he didn’t show often when he first debut with EXO. He was known for his cold silent demeanor that when it came to him being nice and smiling, he had a hard time. However, it came easier, more natural, once he met Tasha and even more so when he began dating her. Even so, there were moments where he wanted nothing more than to kill his members for whatever the reason and they had a habit of calling Tasha so he didn’t go too Satansoo on them. Though there were sometimes they did deserve it.

Tasha just got back to South Korea from Canada after visiting her family. Her phone went off as she entered her apartment. She noticed a v-live started for EXO and she smiled at the name. She hit it only to see Jongin and Sehun with Baekhyun. She shook her head knowing the trio was the worse together.

“We’re going to prank, D.O hyung!” Sehun grinned mischievously. Tasha let out a sigh as she threw herself on the bed. She wasn’t going to bother saving them if they prank him bad enough.

Kyungsoo was preparing for an interview with the rest of the members when the three walked in. He looked at them and the phone, “What do you want?”

Jongin grinned, “It’s Tasha!” Her eyebrow rose as she watched the screen.

“What about her?”

Jongin shrugged, “She’s waiting for you outside.” Kyungsoo rushed past Jongin and out the door to see Tasha. He looked around frantically for her. Tasha’s mouth fell open as she cursed the boys for playing such a mean prank. The trio began to laugh and explained it was a prank.

Kyungsoo’s smile fell and his eyes darkened. He turned to the trio with a look of murder and they stepped back.

“Wait, hyung… Before you get too mad–”

“You’re dead!” He chased after them. Sehun dropped his phone that had the v-live going and all that could be heard was the sounds of the trio screaming and begging for forgiveness.

Tasha exited the live and got out of bed, “Guess I better go pay him a visit now.” She got changed into some more relaxed clothes. Then she grabbed her keys and left. After getting their location from Chanyeol, she jumped in her car and drove off.

Once at the building, Tasha made her way inside where she was greeted by Chanyeol who had huge eyes, “Is he that bad?” Chanyeol nodded fearfully, “Lead the way.” She followed him towards the sounds of screaming. She clapped her hands to get their attention. “That’s enough!” She shouted. Kyungsoo had his hand clenched around Jongin’s shirt prepared to hit him when he saw Tasha. “Drop him.”

Kyungsoo let him go as his lips pulled to a grin, “Babe, you are here!” He rushed over and hugged her. “They told me you were here, but you weren’t…”

“Oh I know” she shot a glare at the three who were bowing in apology for their prank. “Enough of this. You guys have an interview in a matter of minutes, so get to it!” The guys rushed off to get ready. Kyungsoo broke the hug and gave her a quick peck before he disappeared with them.

Junmyeon patted her shoulder and she gave him a side smile, “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Oh, I know” she walked after the boys making sure they were done with any pranks.

Jongin

Eunjung was one of Chanyeol’s best friends and often helped out when he struggled with choreography. During their one on one practices, she would run into the other EXO members, but she wasn’t one who stayed long to talk to them. She was shy when it came to meeting new people, so even though Chanyeol wanted her to befriend them, he knew he couldn’t push her. Eunjung would text them once and a while when they texted her first, but they weren’t close.

However, even though they weren’t close, Jongin wanted to be. He tried to get Eunjung to talk to him each time he saw her and sometimes he tried a little too hard. Eunjung, however, didn’t really pay too much attention or interest in him especially after he passed off a couple of pick up lines towards her. Chanyeol had warned him that she wasn’t into try-hards, but Jongin wasn’t going to just give up. Though, he could only pull off his “Kai” persona when the others were around. When he was alone with Eunjung, which was rare, he’d end up a stuttering awkward mess and would embarrass himself.

Eunjung had asked Chanyeol if she could use the studio to practice for her Youtube cover and he agreed immediately. Chanyeol had her do it the same day EXO had practice so she could spend some time with him.

When Eunjung got there, the boys were on a break. Jongin saw her enter and his entire world lit up as he ran to her side, “Hey Eunjung… What are you doing here? Come to see hyung, I’m sure. Yea?” He rambled awkwardly.

“I came here to practice” she replied cautiously as she wasn’t used to the awkward side of Jongin.

“Practice what?”

She put down her water not giving him a glance, “We’re in a dance studio, Jongin-ssi. I think you know what I’d practice…”

“Right, of course. You dance and this is a dance studio.” He laughed to ease his embarrassment. Eunjung tried to keep a straight face, but she had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing too hard. “If you need help I can always help. That doesn’t mean I think you are a bad dancer. I think you’re really amazing, but you know if—”

“I do need help with one part, so it’d be nice if you could help” she cut him off. Eunjung had lied of course, but he just looked so flustered, she felt the need to save him.

Jongin grinned, “Yea! Sure led the way!”

Sehun

Jihae’s phone has been buzzing all afternoon. She slammed down her paintbrush as she stomped over to her phone and ripped it off the charger. Baekhyun Baekhyun Baekhyun… “I’m going to kill that man” she growled as she read his name over ten times. She flipped through each of the texts that just repeated Cousin!! I’m hungry! :’( Save me! BRING ME FOOD! She rolled her eyes as she looked at her painting. Jihae decided to call it quits as she swiped her brushes to clean them. She sent her boyfriend, Sehun, a text asking him what he wanted to eat not too much caring about texting her frustrating cousin back. Jihae decided she’d drop by with the food the next day knowing she would need a lot of time for such a large group.

The next day, after finishing the large lunch and desserts, she packed away her food, bags, and small ice box with small cold sides then drove off to the studio where they were shooting part of their music video. Once parked, she brought a bag into the studio, “I brought lunch!” She called out. She had made sure she made enough not just for the boys, but for the staff on set as well.

The moment Baekhyun saw her with a bag of food, his mouth watered as he ran to her, “You brought me food!” He was excited.

She pulled the food away from his grasp, “No. I brought everyone food. I need help getting it out. The stuff is in my car.” Jihae looked for Sehun when she spotted him talking to the director. Sehun looked in her direction, a smiled graced his lips as he flashed her a small finger heart while the director wasn’t looking. She sent him one back quickly before Jongin and Baekhyun grabbed her shoulders and dragged her back to her car. “If you think I’m helping you carrying that in, you’re crazy. I packed all that.” She tsked.

After recruiting Chanyeol, the trip towed in the food and Jihae passed out the food to the staff while Junmyeon and Minseok passed out food to the members. Once done, she threw herself on the seat next to Sehun who wrapped his arm around her, “Can I get a bite?” Sehun grabbed his fork and twirled the pasta before he held it up to her mouth and she bit into it. “Thanks!” She chewed happily.

“Don’t you work today?” Minseok asked.

She swallowed the pasta just as Minseok handed her a small bowl for herself. “Oh, thanks” she took it from him. “It was my day off and Baekhyun had bugged me about making him lunch yesterday.”

Baekhyun scoffed, “Don’t even act like you came here for me. You came here for your boy toy. I know you asked him what he wanted to eat and not ME.” He huffed as he took a bite of food, “Though it’s not bad…”

Sehun and Jihae laughed as Sehun fed her again despite the protest she made that she had her own food. “Thanks for bring us food” he whispered in her ear before he gave her a quick peck on her cheek.

“Anytime” she whispered back.

Part I || Part II

Credit to gif owners

Written & revamped by Squirrelly831

♕ REQUEST

☮ EXO MASTERLIST

∞ ULTIMATE MASTERLIST

[alecodys]

Camp TV Biographies

This is a very, very, very long post!! There’s literally every Season One character in here and Tumblr tried to get me to cut it in half multiple times but like. lol no. Anyways, everything is under the cut!

Beth What’s your best quality? My detective skills! I have solved many small cases back on my farm at home, the largest of which being who was responsible for the grain going missing. Turns out it was just a rat.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

My parents only have music from the 60’s, so that’s the only music I know.

I love pink! Especially more reddish ones.

What’s that one with a talking pig called? It reminds me so much of my own pig, Bertha!

My mum makes the best food ever, especially when it comes to pies.

Describe your craziest dream. I was a real detective, just like Sherlock Holmes! It was so cool, and I got to solve a murder, and I had a sidekick and everything!

Best memory from childhood? The day I got Bertha. She’s like a little sister to me.

Most embarrassing moment at school? One time I’d forgotten which shirt I had gotten dirty and I was in a rush, so I went to school in a muddy shirt with pig hoof-prints on it.

Describe the first job you ever had. I work on the farm as much as I can, in between school and detective work!

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’ll have moved to England, and become the best detective in all of Scotland Yard!

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but it would be less of a date, and more like me interviewing him and asking him what goes on in the mind of a detective as great as Sherlock.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Find out what caused it!

Bridgette What’s your best quality? My patience for others!

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

I’m not all that into music, but I do listen to recordings of the ocean like, all the time.

Definitely ocean blue.

I’m super into mermaid movies.

Anything that’s vegan, but especially seaweed brownies.

Describe your craziest dream. It’s not really crazy per say, but I was a dolphin and I got to hang out with this clownfish, and we were totally the best of friends. It was really cool, actually.

Best memory from childhood? My first time going boogie-boarding. It what made me fall in love with the water, you know?

Most embarrassing moment at school? We went out to the beach for camp one year and we got to go surfing, and I totally wiped out on one of the waves in front of everyone! It was terrible.

Describe the first job you ever had. I’m a lifeguard at the community pool after school! It’s not exactly glamorous, but hey, it’s pretty fun sometimes.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Living back in Fiji with a nice girl, in a house by the beach and helping out Mother Earth.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? I can’t really think of someone off the top of my head, but we’d totally go surfing.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Make the most of it.

Cody What’s your best quality? Hm... my creativity, I guess? It helps for getting out of tough situations sometimes.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

There’s this musician, uh.. Neil Cicierega! I like his songs, but the Samsung ringtone is pretty good too.

I like pale oranges and blues!

I don’t really watch movies all that often, but uh.. don’t tell anyone I told you this, but I really like kid films, especially LEGO ones. Weird, I know.

I’m a sucker for anything with sugar! Although, it tends to make me super sick.

Describe your craziest dream. I was actually popular. I was so freaked out I woke up before anything could happen.

Best memory from childhood? Whenever I got to go to my aunt’s house! She has, like, the greatest German Shepard ever!

Most embarrassing moment at school? Literally the entirety of grade eight. God, I used to insist on being called stuff like “Codester” and “Codemeister”. Ugh.

Describe the first job you ever had. I got to dog-sit my aunt’s dog when I was 12 and she paid me ten bucks.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Hopefully going out with the person of my dreams, but if not then probably just chilling at home, eating ice cream, wondering where I went wrong.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Okay so like, there’s this really cute guy at my school, so probably him, and we’d just go to the carnival, eat cotton candy and go on rides, and after it’s all over we’d watch the sunset and it’d be super cute. I’ve put more thought into this than I should have.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Cry over it.

DJ What’s your best quality? How kind I am, and it’s all thanks to my mommas!

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Jamaican Reggae.

Lavender.

Anything with tons of animals!

My Mama’s chickpea Roti, although that may be tied with Ma’s cherry tarts... don’t tell her though.

Describe your craziest dream. I dreamt one time I was a cameraman for this reality TV show that took place in an abandoned film studio, and that I wasn’t paid a cent.

Best memory from childhood? Definitely the day my mommas adopted me. The orphanage was alright, but my mommas just give something that it could never, aside from stability.

Most embarrassing moment at school? The first day of school here in Canada, I only had shirts and shorts. I was freezing all day! I haven’t gone outside without a jacket or two on since.

Describe the first job you ever had. It’s not really a job, but Ma pays me a couple of dollars during summer to pick all the cherries from the cherry trees. They ripen late since it’s so cold here, but they’re absolutely beautiful.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’m in my house with my mommas, with a bunch of animals I adopted from the local animal shelter, eating chickpea Roti and cherry tarts.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? I don’t really date. I just don’t see anyone that way, y’know? But I’d love to go around Central Park with my mommas in a horse and carriage!

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Hang out with my mommas.

Duncan What’s your best quality? My ability to break out of juvie.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Punk rock.

Neon green.

Any slasher film, really.

Το σουβλάκι του παππού, not that hard of a question.

Describe your craziest dream. I was a four year old trying to scare the shit out of this girl with pigtails, but I got tethered to some kid with a gap in his teeth. We ended up scaring everyone as a mummy. It was kinda funny.

Best memory from childhood? When I snuck my younger cousin into an R rated film with my older sister. My sister was thirteen, I was ten, and my cousin was four. I’m surprised we managed to pull off that dumb trench coat trick.

Most embarrassing moment at school? I used to get embarrassed when my sister would pick me up in her smart car. I kind of miss it now, though.

Describe the first job you ever had. Job? Ha! Yeah, right.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’ll probably be hanging around the town my cousin lives in, maybe score a couple of gigs in some punk band I’ve started to rival that garage band that plays over there.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Depends if anyone could take me. Or look past my criminal record.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? ...Visit my sister.

Ezekiel What’s your best quality? My ability to list my best quality in eight different languages, eh!

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Choir music! It’s the only music I know!

Forest green.

I’m not allowed to watch movies...

My mum and I work together to make the greatest biscuits ever, eh!

Describe your craziest dream. I was like a king of these mutated woodland creatures, eh. But I was all green and was wearing these really strange clothes, and I had no hair.

Best memory from childhood? My childhood wasn’t really all that eventful. I just stay inside all the time, eh.

Most embarrassing moment at school? When my teachers caught me trying to leave the house to go to a local school. They weren’t very happy with me, eh. I got grounded for five weeks.

Describe the first job you ever had. I don’t have a real job, since I’m always at home and my parents won’t let me outside.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’m at the farm, sitting on the porch and looking out over the fields. Pretty much what I do whenever school ends anyways.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? A girl like me, eh. We can talk about living on our farms and not being able to interact with other kids until we graduated school, and bond over archery.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Say goodbye to the cows.

Geoff What’s your best quality? I can party all night and all day, man! Also my hair is really soft apparently.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Party in the USA is my favourite song, dude! It’s, like, my anthem!

Bright pink! I may get weird looks for it sometimes, but I think it’s an awesome colour!

Literally any movie where parties are involved, dude.

Party pies! It’s the name, my man!

Describe your craziest dream. One time I dreamt that I threw the biggest party in Canadian history, and it was so big that like, even the news reported on it dude! But then the cops came and we had to shut it down. It was a massive bummer.

Best memory from childhood? My first birthday party ever! I was three and I invited all my friends from kinder, and we got to hit this disco ball shaped piñata and eat this giant cake! I’m still proud of it.

Most embarrassing moment at school? When I went to school with a blue shirt on instead of a pink one. I have a brand to uphold, man.

Describe the first job you ever had. Some kid at school tried to pay me five bucks to prank his bully and record it. I told him to keep the money and I did it anyways, because bullying isn’t cool, dude.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Hosting a wicked party!

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? I don’t really know who I’d go on a date with, but we’d totally be having an awesome party out on the beach!

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Party hard!

Gwen What’s your best quality? My complete and utter lack of enthusiasm.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

I like early 2000’s emo music, I guess.

Dark red.

Bloodbath 2: Summer Camp Reign of Terror. If this camp isn’t like the movie then I’m not going to be very happy.

Those teeth gummies, the minty ones.

Describe your craziest dream. I dreamt I was having a good time being interviewed for some dumb summer camp my parents forced me to go to. Can you imagine?

Best memory from childhood? When my little brother learned to ride his bike. It makes it easier to get away from him now.

Most embarrassing moment at school? I spilled blue food colouring over my clothes in science class one time and had to walk around with that stain in my shirt for the rest of the day. It doesn’t sound bad, but it kinda looked like I’d drooled all over myself.

Describe the first job you ever had. I cut my brother’s hair for five bucks from my mum one time. Of course, she didn’t give me any clear instructions, and I was six, so I absolutely destroyed his hair.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’ll probably have some dumb degree, I don’t know. Probably just have a job and hanging out with somebody who I live with and love.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? It’s not a date really, but I’d love to time travel and meet Van Gogh. Unlike most artists, he was actually a really cool dude, and really tragic too. I’d like to meet Branwell Brontë too, but his whole family is cool.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Watch the last sunset.

Harold What’s your best quality? My high tolerance for those who are intellectually and behaviourally inferior to me. But my mum tells me not to say that so I guess it’s how good I am at building fantasy worlds.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Nothing beats the Pokemon Red soundtrack.

Mossy green.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy, duh!

Beef stew, but especially the stew they serve at Medieval Steve’s Medieval Camp.

Describe your craziest dream. They named the Lord of the Rings something really dumb like Master of the Spheres.

Best memory from childhood? My first time going to a summer camp was pretty good. It was MSMC, but for “junior” kids, which basically meant people under the age of six.

Most embarrassing moment at school? Getting a fact about medieval history wrong in history class.

Describe the first job you ever had. I got paid by one of the kids at MSMC to beat the head troll in chocolate coins.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? A famous, bestselling author of a hit fantasy series that has been adapted masterfully into film.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? One of the elves, I guess, but mainly so they could teach me about their culture and their language so I could one day join and become one of them.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Try and stop it.

Heather What’s your best quality? I don’t really have that many good qualities, but people say they like how nice I am, so that counts for something, right?

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Lo-fi

Any shade of red!

I liked that one Pokemon movie with the... ah, yes! Shaymin!

I love mochi! It’s so yummy...

Describe your craziest dream. I dreamt I was, like, super tall! It was really cool beans, until everyone began calling me mean things and they were talking about something I did to this girl named Gwen? I don’t even know any girls named Gwen!

Best memory from childhood? The first Christmas I remember! My parents got me this super cute tricycle and it was red with little blue streamers on the handlebars, and I rode it around everywhere! Or maybe when we rescued Cupcake... gosh, now I can’t decide!

Most embarrassing moment at school? When my friend yelled at me for not getting her an iced chai latte in front of the whole class... it was horrible!

Describe the first job you ever had. I run errands for my friends all the time! Sometimes the things they want me to do get pretty gross though...

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Opening a cafe that serves the best mochi in all of Canada!

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? With a nice guy that likes me for who I am, going to cafes and petting cats and dogs and just doing what I wanna do for a day... I think that’d be totally awesome sauce.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Buy a Shaymin plushie! Then hug it for the rest of the day. Shoot, that was over the word limit...

Katie What’s your best quality? Sadie always says she loves my, like, optimism!

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

I love listening to pop and, like, 70’s rock!

Pastel pink.

Sadie and I love, like, watching Mean Girls together!

Dark cherries! They also make for some, like, really tasty earrings.

Describe your craziest dream. I was without Sadie for, like, an entire day!

Best memory from childhood? The day I met Sadie, when she moved to the house, like, next door to mine. She was, like, kinda hard to understand at first, but over time her Scottish-ness mellowed out a bit.

Most embarrassing moment at school? When I tried to stand up for Sadie when a bully was, like, pushing her around, and accidentally hit my funny bone on the locker door.

Describe the first job you ever had. Sadie and I work at this super cute ice cream shop together!

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’ll own the ice cream store and have added, like, a bazillion more flavours! It’s quiet during winter, but there’s tons of people during summer, and that’s really all I need.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? I’d so, like, love to go on a date with Sadie. We could go to a sewing workshop and I’d stitch her the best stuffie, like, ever!

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Kiss Sadie...

LeShawna What’s your best quality? All of them, duh.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Anything I can dance along to, sugar.

Yellow.

High School Musical 2.

Mango chutney is always good.

Describe your craziest dream. It was more of a nightmare, really. I was stuck in a room full of spiders and those eight-legged freaks covered me head to toe, but I couldn’t scream.

Best memory from childhood? When I won my first ever beauty pageant. Mind you, it was kindergarten, and I was the only participant, but that doesn’t matter.

Most embarrassing moment at school? Honey, I don’t get embarrassed. I haven’t got anything to be embarrassed about.

Describe the first job you ever had. I work at this dumb coffee shop. The only reason I’m still there is because I get free pastries.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’m the CEO of a multinational corporation, and, obviously, the most famous billionairess in the world!

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Look, sugar, do you seriously think anyone is up to my standards?

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Dance the day away.

Lindsay What’s your best quality? My looks, of course.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Pop songs, definitely.

Pinkest Pink. It’s the pinkest shade of pink that exists.

Legally Blonde.

Anything that helps me keep my figure.

Describe your craziest dream. I was some other girl’s lackey. It was disgusting.

Best memory from childhood? The first time I tried out sparkly lip gloss. I still have the empty container somewhere so I can, like, look back on it and remind myself how far I’ve come.

Most embarrassing moment at school? Ugh, definitely when I forgot to apply my eyeshadow. My ‘friends’ may have pretended not to notice, but I could tell they had.

Describe the first job you ever had. I’m a cashier at Lush on the weekends. They give me discount on face masks as long as I, like, sell enough. So, obviously, I get, like, three free face masks a week.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Applying my makeup.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Some hunky model, walking around town so everyone can envy us.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Spread rumours.

Noah What’s your best quality? My cynicism.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

The kind I can’t hear.

Meh.

No thanks.

Just ate.

Describe your craziest dream. I don’t care about my dreams enough to remember them.

Best memory from childhood? My first time playing a video game. I was three and I completed the first level within a minute.

Most embarrassing moment at school? People with brains and wit like mine don’t get embarrassed.

Describe the first job you ever had. I was a tutor for some high school jock when I was five.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’ll be at home, sitting on my couch, relaxing and reading a book.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? I wouldn’t want to go on a date with him, since I have no idea what he looks like, but there’s a guy in my Underground Alliance that is really good at organising raids, so I guess him.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Sleep.

Owen What’s your best quality? My appetite, haha!

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Nickleback all the way! Woohoo!

Maple syrup brown!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs! I don’t care what anyone says, it just looks so deliciously good!

Anything that my stomach can take is good in my book! Which is just about everything, haha!

Describe your craziest dream. Hm... probably the one where doughnuts were raining from the sky! I wish something like that could happen in real life...

Best memory from childhood? When my Ma and Pa got me my first cookbook! There were so many delicious recipes in there, like that Cookie Monster ice cream cake, and the chocolate fudge cookies!

Most embarrassing moment at school? When I forgot to add one of the ingredients to my nachos in food tech, it just didn’t have the same cheesy, gooey goodness!

Describe the first job you ever had. I work at my parents bakery sometimes! I make apple strudels for them, and they always get way more customers when I do! It makes me feel super happy!

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Working at the bakery with my parents, making as many apple strudels as the people want, haha!

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? All of my pals from school, throwing a party in a cottage where we can make as many s’mores and finger sandwiches we want!

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Write down all my recipes!

Sadie What’s your best quality? Katie says she, like, loves how my eyes sparkle when I smile!

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

Late 2000’s pop music, the kind you can, like, jump around and party to!

Red, like the colour of my shirt.

Katie and I, like, love to watch Mean Girls together!

Honeycrisp apples! But, like, only honeycrisp.

Describe your craziest dream. Katie wasn’t my best friend, and it was, like, so weird!

Best memory from childhood? The day I met Katie! She acted kinda, like, weird at first, but we’re, like, the best of friends!

Most embarrassing moment at school? I tried to stand up for Katie because, like, this bully was teasing her, and, like, bullying isn’t cool! But I tripped on my heels and, like, knocked the bully over like a bowling pin. So, like, it wasn’t that bad.

Describe the first job you ever had. Katie and I work at the, like, cutest ice cream shop ever!

Ten years from now, what are you doing? I’ll own a cafe that’s, like, right next door to Katie’s ice cream shop, and there will be this door connecting the buildings so people can, like, buy lunch and then go right next door to Katie’s!

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Oh, I’d love to go on a date with Katie! She’s just so nice, and pretty, and says, like, the sweetest things! We could go to the beach and I’d collect all the, like, prettiest seashells for her!

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Kiss Katie...

Trent What’s your best quality? Either my straight A’s or my ukulele playing skills, depends on who you ask.

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

I like those covers on YouTube where it’s just people singing and playing the ukulele, no matter what song it is. It helps calm me down.

Green, but I’m pretty sure that’s kind of obvious.

Love, Simon. I read the book, too, and both of them are fantastic!

I know it’s not really a food, but I love orange juice.

Describe your craziest dream. I followed my dad’s advice and became an accountant. I mean, can you imagine? Me? An accountant?

Best memory from childhood? When I won my first ever award at the school talent show. Looking back on it, I can’t see why they voted for me, since one of my ukulele’s strings broke mid-performance, but I’m still proud.

Most embarrassing moment at school? I don’t know, maybe when one kid almost set fire to the end of my hair in chemistry? But that wasn’t really embarrassing for me, really.

Describe the first job you ever had. It’s nothing that cool, I’m just a cashier at some supermarket.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Hopefully, I’ll be known world-wide for my music and be on tour, playing ukulele and making fans happy.

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Probably just hanging out with a couple of mates at the beach, swimming, building sandcastles, you know. The works.

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Write a song.

Tyler What’s your best quality? My sporting ability!

Faves? (music, colour, movie, food)

I like those tunes they play at the beginning of the sports part of the news, with the swishy 3D logo and everything!

Blue and green!

Bend It Like Beckham!

My high-protein high-carb energy bars!

Describe your craziest dream. I dreamt all the colours in the world were, like, inverted! To be fair, I had had around ten of my energy bars that day, so...

Best memory from childhood? When I headbutted the soccer ball into the net in my first ever soccer game! So what if it was just me and my dad playing, it’s the thought that counts!

Most embarrassing moment at school? When my mum was my substitute gym teacher and she kept assigning me places on the court where I couldn’t do anything. It was like she was trying to make me look bad or something!

Describe the first job you ever had. My parents won’t let me get a job. Something about me being too ‘clumsy’ or whatever.

Ten years from now, what are you doing? Playing in the big leagues! In every sport!

My dream date would be with __________, doing what? Jess from Bend It Like Beckham! We could play soccer together, and it’d be totally cool!

It’s the last day on earth. In five words or less, what would you do? Everything to the extreme!

[changji]

Wow you really went off the other day but at least it was worth it 😪 I normally look at the scenery when I’m on a road trip, but then I get bored of it and decide to sleep bc there’s nothing else to do. Motion sickness must suck :(( do you take gravol or something to help with it? Coffee literally drains the life out of my funds it hurts me

Yes omg pls make me cookies I love them. Maybe you can even open a bakery with pastries and sell some good /cheap/ coffee. Ilyt my dear baker 🥺 ye I’m not the biggest fan of my bday either but gotta celebrate anyway!! One year closer to death woohoo 🎉🎉 your birthday is the most important day of the year!!! You can’t fight me on this I’m right

Pearls are so good. Like most places I go to don’t add anything to the pearls so it’s just bland squishy balls but the place I frequent adds I think honey to sweeten them. It gives the pearls life istg. It tastes so good 🤤 hollering is a funny word. For some reason I always associate it with yodelling which makes me laugh

Ksks you must be op if you can make a joke in the wall with a door slam. I can’t relate my arms are literally sticks and I have no strength in me. Chrome books are terrible in general. Add my schools terrible wifi and you get one big recipe for disaster. I’d never fight u either (unless it’s for your bday) ily too much for that 🥺🥺🥺

Hahah I think it’s me. I haven’t heard anyone say “go ham” except for the people who go to my school. I find it really funny tho so I try to incorporate it whenever I can LOL easily burnt? Can’t relate but apparently I easily tan. There’s this one diagonal stripe on my shoulder that separates pale me and tan me which ??? How did that happen and what was I wearing for that to happen??

It’s all fun and games until you go outside and see a mountain of snow waiting for you to be shovelled. But there are some good aspects to winter, like skating and skiing and all that fun stuff. Snow is so heavy?? Or maybe I’m just weak but after I finish shovelling I’m beat. Gardening is not my thing. There’s too many bugs involved flying around 🥴

Kind of? I always thought it was short for cappuccino but I could be wrong. They don’t taste like fraps tho, they’re sm better. I was always a frap hoe until I discovered lattes. My old elementary school was close to a Starbucks so whenever frappy hour was happening, my friends and I would go almost every day LOL

I heard that dunkin coffee is really good. Oof there’s so many things that the us have that Canada doesn’t. But apparently you guys don’t have ketchup chips?? How can one live without them? You know that’s what soulmates are, we’re stuck together forever and I don’t mind that. I’d never leave you 😌😌

YES OMG LATTES ARE SO EXPENSIVE. I pay around the same amount and my wallet cries every time. If you ever yeet yourself off a bridge I’d come visit u in hell and bring u iced coffee 💖 we really are soulmates wtf I get almond milk in my lattes as well!! I used to get normal milk and was like “I’m a bad bitch milk can’t hurt me” but that didn’t really work out. Sigh what we do for coffee 😔

Washing dishes is disgusting. I hate doing them but yk someone’s gotta do it and that someone is me 😤 I’m acc lazy when it comes to smoothies, I usually ask my mom to make them LMAO. Pancakes are pretty much made of flour if you think about it so technically when u eat one plain ur eating cooked flour,, how barbaric. Waffles are Built. Like. They have a 20 pack 😪😪

I love angst personally so pls go ham but not too ham I’d like to keep my heart. Honestly at this point my last brain cell has given up on me. But yes I love angst and I love torturing myself with heart wrenching angst that leaves me crying into my pillow at 3am (I’m talking about this one haikyuu fic that I forgot the name of. I was literally dying inside jalsjwo)

Pls do send me peet’s I’ll send you an iced capp in a cooler so it’ll be somewhat melted and probably spilt everywhere 🤪 tumblrs probably gonna block me again, I’m looking at how much I’ve typed rn and it’s a lot lmaoo. Yes I managed to save myself. I redid the whole last with less detail bc I was not Having It but it turned out better?? How is ur drawing now?

I start after labour day in September. But starting in 3 weeks?????? On a Thursday?? I could never wtf. When do you end? I’m so confused with these ap and honours thing, like there’s none offered in my school nor majority of the school district. Are they just advanced classes or something? It is 7 classes a semester or the whole year?

Stan talent i think you meant yourself??? Jsjsksk I am not only ur coffee soulmate I’m not #1 fan as well and I support u bc ily 🥺🥺 the read more tag had me laughing for a hot minute. Like we really could make an essay out of all of our replies. I don’t have any pets (besides fish does that count?) unfortunately bc my moms allergic to fur 🥺 hbu?? (I can’t believe tumblr blocked me again they can fight me)

-

i didn’t even pay LOL i freeloaded off my cousin 🤧 i like to look @ scenery sometimes but like i can’t bc my head hurts LOL and the scenery is always the same for me, mountains and fields with cows. i try to take dramamine but it makes me so drowsy that i’m just basically dead,,, i live off of my cousins money so i’m okay 🤪

tbh i use nestle toll house pre made cookie dough, like that shit actually slaps. it’s the best it’s so good omg, perfect for lazy hoes 🤧 death here we go ! the order is ur bday, then skz debut date, and then christmas i don’t make the rules sorry sis 😤

pearls are Dangerous, i once drank a smoothie and there were pearls in it and i couldn’t see them bc there were like. only 3 and they were Buried under the smoothie but i choked and almost died but i chewed one of them and it’s like. so weird. HOLLERING AND YODELING IM- i once went to some public yodeling class and left in 2 seconds bc it was a bunch of white boys dressed like the kid from walmart 😪

it’s not even strength i’m actually rly weak,, i always think the doors are closed but they’re not and so i like slam them open and the walls are thin so it’s just. a sad hole. terrible wifi,, my school has pretty good wifi tbh but we have like three connections, one for the chrome books only, one for the teachers & staff, and one for students and guests. like it works rly good but everyone has a VPN bc of stupid social media restrictions 😤 & ilyt 🥺 u would probably win in a fight tho LOL

go ham is so interesting. the first time i heard it i thought it meant go pig and i was so confused but ig,,, i live lathered in sun screen whenever i go somewhere with the sun. ppl are like “i smell sun screen” and im just there like 🙃 it’s me u got a problem u burnt chicken nugget ??? i wish i tanned easily, i have a tan friend and when i showed her when my legs got tan she was so confused. i thought i was tan tho? bc during marching band season my sock tan becomes So Bad i’m basically white. she said she was blinded when she saw me pull my sock down and i laughed so hard LOL & i hate those dumb random tan lines like. where u @ bro? where u come from??

snow is fun for like a day and then i get tired LOL i csn only handle wet socks and a red nose for so long 😔 i tried skiing one time and i did so bad that the instructor had to hold me down and walk with me down the slope. i fell so many times i think he hated me 😳 i’m also rly bad at skating? i went w my friends once and i held both of their hands and still managed to bring both of them down when i fell. a cute guy once helped me when i was struggling to walk so 🥴 not my brightest moment tbh,, trying to walk in skates while on ice. do u enjoy skiing/skating? also gardening is. gross. worms and dirt and the sun i’m not here for it.

u: cappuccinos! me: ...ice bergs,,, now that i think about it fraps kinda suck,,, i used to think i was So Cool for drinking starbucks but now i’m like. wow. i used to think there was coffee in a frap but it’s just. sugar and ice LOL also speaking of tmrw is bogo fraps here,, idk if it’s all over the world but myb u should check it out 😪

dunkins okay it depends on what you get, i once got an iced latte and it was good but my dad got an iced coffee and he like. hated it so we had to switch and it was so bad like. it was coffee crime. it was horrible and not strong it was basically milk 😤 also,, ketchup chip? i just googled what that was and. that’s literally so weird. fun fact i hate ketchup and all other condiments i can only eat bbq sauce and i tolerate steak sauce

UR LITERALLY SO CUTE OKAY UR MINE NOW HHHH

i mentioned this in the other ask but. we going broke bitches club 😪 when u come visit me it’ll be old town road the one w mason ramsey on a loop. nothing will top the og remix but no, i’ll be stuck listening to some 5 year old rap for all of eternity

I USED TO BE SUCH A GOOD KID AND DRINK MILK EVERY MORNING ever since i got to middle school i preferred sleep over waffles and milk and i hardly drink milk but when i do. my stomach does not have it.

my mom made me wash dishes today and she just stared at me when i put ziploc bags on my hands bc we didn’t have gloves but i just painted my nails and i’m not abt to put myself thru chipped nails. not yet 😤 waffles are so good like i love waffles and lattes only 🤧

well i’ll go very ham (am i doing it right LOL) 😤 the angst ending is a lot better than the open ended or happy ones LOL i’m so excited for it 🥺 i’m rly tryna get it out before the end of this month bc the edit says july and it’ll make me Mad if i don’t get it out before the end of this month

i wanna start in september 🤧 and i usually end in the first week of june. also on a wednesday LOL it’s gross. stupid. ap means advanced placement so it’s just. a college level class. lowkey mad bc i’m taking ap euro (as a sophomore 😒) and other schools take it in their senior years? apparently this is normal? and honors are just faster paced classes with more weighting so,, idrk oops 😬 some people take 7 classes in a semester but i took it for the whole year! this year i’m dropping orchestra i’m Not for that spit in the carpet life

the only talent in this house goes by ada and jisung. i don’t make the rules. i’m ur #1 fan 🥺 as soon as u post anything i automatically smash that rb button LOL also put a read more here bc like. we’re really out here writing a whole ass essay. i’ll look @ all our convos bet it’ll be like. a lot. i don’t wanna say smth and be off so i’ll just not. i have a dog! he’s the cutest in the world and i love him sm 🥺 tumblr can fight me first like. what’s this ask limit bull hhhhh

[shycats-shufflebox]

October 8, 2018 - Retroactive

Prompt: Canadian Thanksgiving

Megamind cackled, a full evil laugh that delighted in finding exploits in the system.

“Extra turkey! Extra dressing! Extra mashed potatoes and yams!”

Roxanne rolled her eyes and continued packing. Honestly, it wasn’t even as though Minion couldn’t just MAKE them a full Thanksgiving dinner at any time, and Megamind could eat that all then. It wasn’t like he had actually found some devious plan to defraud the entire concept of the holiday.

Of course, the same could be said of actual Thanksgiving dinner on the fourth Thursday of November; you could have roast turkey any old day, but it was suddenly important THAT particular day.

Well, that, and family…

She looked over at her still laughing boyfriend and suppressed the need to ask him again if he really wanted to go through with this. It wasn’t even like she’d SEEN these cousins in ages, and the most recent only at a wedding earlier in the year. The particular branch they would be visiting had left Midwestern USA two generations ago to open a campground in the lake country of Ontario north of the border, then settled in the land of maple syrup and national health care.

They were family, but family that lived on the other side of the Great Lakes: the kind you send Christmas cards to, not necessarily the kind you crash Thanksgiving dinners.

Not that they were party crashing, this was a properly invited holiday dinner. Absolutely certainly only made to verify cousin Roxanne actually WAS dating an alien supergenius, and if his skin really WAS blue in person. Which normally Roxanne would have almost-politely told them to shove up where the stuffing goes.

Except… they were family. And Megamind was SO hungry for family, and traditions. And, of course, turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes.

And Roxanne WAS running out of family she anywhere-regularly spoke with to undergo the “yes, I’m dating a former super villain, how’s the kids?” routine with. She might as well get it over with now, when there was food offered.

She wasn’t expecting - much. For the majority of her closer geographically-and-blood relatives, there wasn’t much in the way of “acceptance” in her choice of significant other; the best they had managed with most of those that had stopped complaining was the acceptance that they weren’t going to be able to change her mind about it.

And… there were the outliers. The kids enthralled by the mechanical genius who loved bouncy houses and teaching the etiquette of a proper evil monologue. The already-grey sheep who figured “whatever,” and were starting to see the real Megamind.

Having the chance to build the number of those outliers? Without having to pay airfare for the visit thanks to super-technology invisible boats (and pre-arranged, totally legal border crossing visit)?

She closed her suitcase with a smile, temporarily re-convinced. Bring on the turkey and the awkward uncles, she and her blue boyfriend were going to Canada!

<hr>

I broke away from my prompt list for this self-indulgent little celebration of my native land’s other October celebration. The cousin’s described backstory is the reason (most of) my American relatives live in Canada.

As to why the Canadian ones currently live in the USA, well, blame internet dating and my American step-father. :)

Additional words:

“... And he never figured out he could just plan ivy or something against the wall to hide it!”

“Is it still there, Uncle Megamind?”

“Oh, no, I had a grafitti artist make a city sponsored mural over it when I became Defender. Which he ALSO never thought of!”

Roxanne rested her hip on the doorframe, a mug of cocoa in her hand, smiling fondly at her boyfriend regaling the young ones with recounts of age-appropriate misdoings.

Her Aunt Barbara leaned in, a slightly worried look on her face. “Did he really...”

Roxanne just nodded, still smiling.

Aunt Barbara coughed, the signal of someone who does not approve but is too polite to say anything. She called out, “Who wants warm pumpkin pie?”

And then blinked in suprise to see the blue alien dressed all in black (if a sweater and jeans) leap to his feet and wave his hand in the air with an unselfconscious “Me, me!” Which got the kids going.

Roxanne smiled just a little deeper. At this rate, they might just earn a re-invite next year.

[shiftxdxquilibrium]

Morais Bacalhau com Natas

October 12 years ago in Toronto, Canada

There were a few things seven year old Henrietta knew without a doubt:

Flowers were definitely cooler than barbies.

Her first grade teacher was an evil old lady.

Her cousins were boring.

It wasn’t really their fault, most of them were in diapers being taken care of by their mae and the older ones were too busy playing some stupid video game to pay attention to her.

Puzzles and lonely Jenga were only so entertaining and as Henrietta blew her house of cards over she wondered if it was actually possible to die of boredom. Mommy was in the guest room, taking her routine nap after helping in the kitchen.

The kitchen...that gave Henrietta an idea, quickly gathering the cards into their pack before hopping down from the chair. Maybe Haha would like a glass of water, or a snack. A cluster of the adults were in there cooking, but maybe they wouldn’t mind her popping in.

The kitchen smelled absolutely heavenly as Henrietta hid behind the island, recognizing spices but unable to place their names. Standing on her tip toes, Henrietta’s eyes widened as her mouth watered. Bolo do caco, fresh from the stove-top by the looks of things.

Hunger got the better of her, reaching out for the bread with everything she had in her little body.

“Pare aí mesmo.” A hand tugged her by the straps of her pinafore, pulling her away from the bolo do caco. “What are you doing Bebê?” Looking up, Henrietta could practically feel the blood rushing from her face.

The one holding her was none other than her Vovo. Despite all the previous times the elderly woman had played with her and had sneaked her cookies before dinner time, Henrietta was terrified.

“...Hora do lanche Vovo?” She asked, a sheepish smile on her face. The woman smiled, the wrinkles in her face turning kind as she gently tugged the seven year old towards the others. Henrietta recognized her aunty Rosie and her Tio Carlos.

“Galinha, what are you doing here?” Her Papa quickly parted from the group to scoop her up, setting her on his hip.

“Toupai it’s booooring out there. And I want a lanche!” she knew full well she was too old for tantrums, but that didn’t stop her from beating her fists against her father’s shoulder.

Vovo laughed. “You want a snack, you work. Can you measure with cups?”

Henrietta nodded fiercely, her braids thwapping against the back of her head. One of the other adults got a chair set up near a counter as another handed her the measuring spoons. Toupai stood next to her, a smile on his face as he sorted out ingredients.

“Alright Galinha. When we need something measured, I’m gonna tell you which cup and which ingredient to use. Got it?” he gave her hair a tousle.

“Yessir!” Henrietta declared.

Cooking in the kitchen with the other adults as luck would have it, was a lot more fun than Henrietta expected. Conversations overlapped with each other, switching between English and Portuguese at the drop of a hat. Unknown words were explained and repeated until they felt as natural as breathing.

The task of measuring was taken with as much seriousness as a seven year old could muster, her face scrunching up with each careful pour. The nameless spices were quickly given names. Red peppers were piri piri, the spice that reminded her of her hair was saffron, and the grassy spices were parsley.

Vovo set down a bowl of cream before Henrietta, a kind smile on her face. “ Now Bebê, you like your Pai’s Bacalhau com natas right?” Henrietta nodded and Vovo smiled wider. “That’s because we Morais put a special ingredient in the cream. And today, you’re learning what it is.”

Vovo handed her the container of cinnamon. “It’s cinnamon Bebê. Half a cup stirred into the cream. Enough to be spicy and sweet just like us.” Henrietta giggled as Vovo spoke, carefully pouring the cinnamon into the measuring cup before pouring the contents of the cup into the bowl.

There was a pinch of Henrietta’s cheek and a kiss to the forehead as Vovo picked up the bowl, stirring the cinnamon into the cream. Her Toupai dusted her off and hoisted her up. “Obrigado, my helpful Galinha.” He cooed, carrying her around the kitchen. “I don’t think there’s anything for you to do, unless you want to help wash dishes.” Henrietta blew a raspberry and her father chuckled.

“Mama should be up by now, why don’t you go visit her?” They were right at the door leading out, but her father wasn’t putting her down. He made a face, backtracking to the island to pick up something. Henrietta gasped as she recognized what was being quickly given to her before her father set her down.

“One bolo do caco for your hard work my dear.”

[purplerain85]

All I see is You

Pairing Sebastian X Reader

Words: 3055 (Wow!)

Warnings: None yet.

Summary: How you met Sebastian.

A/N: this is my very first fan-fiction story Ever!! I would love feed back no matter what kind, and if you guys wants a part 2. I may just do another part 2 as l do need to finish it off. But l Hope you enjoy it. I fell like its ok.

Sebastian and you, the two of you and had met while you were four months pregnant with your daughter.  Your ex decided to up and leave when you found out you were pregnant and told you he would not be there and wanted nothing to do with you or his child.  You were visiting your cousin Angela who lived in New York for two weeks, and she was good friends with Sebastian and had talk about you to him and he seemed interested in you and wasn’t scared off when she has mentioned that you were pregnant it wasn’t something that bothered him.  

So, when you came down from Toronto, Canada she eased you into meeting him as you were not interested in meeting someone let alone dating someone if it went that way. You remember your cousins words even to this day “Y/N just trust me when I say this man in different he is interested in you and to see why l say you are your own kind of special and how you can laugh at yourself, how you come up with the most so stupid there funny jokes, how you have two diplomas, and that you love horror movies, and he doesn’t even care that you are pregnant!” you countered with “he doesn’t care right now, Angela, but l am not showing right now, and what happens if my sex drive goes away and I don’t want to be touched because I am sore and tired and sick of being pregnant let alone when l am sick!”

Angela was not giving up though she knew that you and Sebastian would be great together, you had the most random and out there personality ever, you classified yourself as an introvert but could extavert with the best of them, you would rather watch comedy, sci-fi, action, thriller and horror movies thriller and horror being at the top of your list you loved being scared and scaring other people. You were just as passionate about your job as Sebastian was about his, you were a legal secretary, for a music firm in Toronto Canada, Angela also knew you would understand Sebastian having to be away for weeks to months at a time. You enjoyed the simple things in life as well you weren’t into fancy things, she finally convinced you to just meet him and see how things went and just go with the flow of things….. the only thing she neglected to tell you was who you were meeting, she just told you that he was great man.

You two got ready for your dinner with this mystery man, you wore a fitted long black top and your favorite Witch King Legging, you wore your hair in a simple pony tail, and just lotion on your face as you never wore make-up you never liked the feeling of it. You two arrived at The Hard Rock Café in Manhattan, at 5:50 the so called “great guy” was already sitting at the table and you damn near had a heart attack when you realized who it was you grab hold of Angela’s are and spitted at her “are you pulling some kind of joke one me?”, “there is no way that man would be really interested in me.” Angela said, “just relax Y/N, he is interested, and this isn’t some kind of joke l promise”, “ok Angela I will trust you and see what happens, but so help me god, if this goes bad I will hold you personally responsible!”

It took you about 30 minutes for you to just relax and open up, Sebastian was very patient and made you feel at ease and had you laughing and even got a couple of your “so called” jokes out of you and he laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes. He asked you how you were doing so far in your pregnancy and asked how you were doing in general.

Sebastian’s P.O.V.

When Angela and her cousin walked in l don’t think I have been so nervous in my life, I was aware that she was pregnant by another man (or as l saw it by a boy, not a man) I couldn’t believe that he would just up and leave her like that, I know if l did that my mother would kick my ass! But to be honest l wasn’t bothered nor did l care that she was pregnant, she was more beautiful than Angela described her which I know she did on purpose, she really did upsell her but didn’t over do it. When they walked over to my table she was wearing a nice fitted black top that showed he beautiful curves, and I personally loved the fact that she had meat one her, and if l knew her more l would have totally freaked out more when I saw her in those Witch King Leggings, I had no idea she was a Lord of the Rings fan. She had beautiful natural tanned skin and big brown eyes, and gorgeous full lips that I would love to kiss for hours, and arou….. “Hi Sebastian” I heard Angela say pulling me out of my thought. “This is my cousin Y/N, Y/N this is Sebastian” she held out her hand and I shook it and she had a good hand shake.

It took her about 30 minutes to talk more than yes or no and the odd doing good, I could tell that she was nervous, and I would honestly wait all night to get her to open up more, but luckily all l had to do is ask for one of her jokes… she did not disappoint, Y/N “really? You want to hear one of them?” “Yes, I wanna hear one” Y/N “Ok, why couldn’t the toilet paper cross the road?”, “why?”, “Because it got stuck in a crack”. Angela cringed at her joke, but l couldn’t help but laugh at the joke and the fact that she thought it was the funniest thing in the world, and l even asked for another one Y/N “when does a sandwich cook?” “when?” Y/N “when it’s bakin lettuce and tomato” That one had me in tears because it was so stupid it was funny, and she was laughing so hard.

I asked how she was doing so far with her pregnancy and she said she was doing OK, trying to not to stress to much or worry about the small things, but that she was excited and nervous at the same time. I asked her how far along she was she said four months and a week, she said she had her second ultrasound three days ago, I asked if she had a picture of the ultrasound with her and if she was comfortable showing me. She did, and she showed me the picture and I felt so excited for her and honestly hoped that I would be around to meet this little one. She said she found out in a month what she was having and didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl just as long as it was healthy.

It was close to midnight when we finally said goodnight and I asked Y/N if I could steal her from Angela for a couple hours the next afternoon, she said yes and we planned to go to Central Park and I would show her around a bit and talk some more, I told her l would pick her up at 2pm from Angela’s house.

Your P.O.V.

On your way back to Angela’s place, l couldn’t help but feel like l was on cloud 9, I felt alive like every nerve ending was on fire and I felt something I hadn’t felt in years even with my ex. I told Angela that l was so grateful that she talked me into going to this dinner, and that I was over the moon that he liked me, actually like me, not because he thought he would get something quick and I felt like he wasn’t going to take my feelings or emotions for a ride. When we got back to Angela’s house she went to bed, and l couldn’t sleep so l decided I would text Sebastian, l didn’t think he would get back to me right away, as it was almost one in the morning, but he responded quicker than l have ever had someone responded.

Me: Hey Sebastian, I just wanted to say that it was so wonderful meeting you tonight and I had a really great time. I cannot wait to meet up with you… or go on our date, I think, that’s what it is, (sorry if I think its more, I am not really great at these things). Anyways hope you have a great night. 😊

Sebastian: Hey Y/N I had a wonderful night as well and I cannot wait to hear more of your jokes! You do not need to be sorry at all, because l would call it a date, and excited to see where things go, even if we just become friends, although in all honestly l would like it to be more, but l don’t want to rush you either. I hope you have a great night and a good sleep and l will see you tomorrow afternoon.

He really wants more? I felt like butterflies where in my stomach and I could not believe that this almost to perfect of a man wanted someone like me? I was a nobody, there wasn’t really anything special about me… was there? My last few relationships were shit, last one left me four months after dating for 3 ½ years when l found out l was pregnant he told me that he didn’t want a baby with me his exact words were “yeah l want kids but not with you, I never even thought l would stay with you this long but you know l got comfy and decided it was easier to stay and not pay full rent than leaving and starting over, but now you want to have this baby? Well you can have it but l want nothing to do with you or it.” Than the guy before that was just a down right jerk, I don’t even know why l stayed for as long as l did, he made fun of me for everything, from how l like horror movies over chick flicks, down to the so called lack of sexual experience l had because he found out that l had only been with four other guys before him.

I fell asleep thinking past guys, but once l was in a deep sleep all l could see was the most handsome guy with piercing blue eye, dark brown hair, the best 5 o’clock shadow l have ever seen or felt, he was whispering sweet nothings to me, and our hands were all over each other and he was the best kisser ever! But before l knew it l was waking up and decided l was not going to let past relationships hold me back from possible the best thing that could ever happen to me and my unborn child. I also could not get my dream of Sebastian out of my head and l wanted so bad to know if he kissed like he did in my dreams.

Around 12:30pm l checked my weather app to see what the weather was going to be that afternoon and knowing that it was mid January I wanted to make sure that l was going to be warm, turned out the weather Gods were on my side it was warmer than normal, and I wouldn’t have to buddle up in layer upon layers of clothing. I decided to get Angela to do my hair in a braid updo, even though she suggested that I have it down l told her even if l did it would end up being put in a pony tail so may as well put it up now and that was it was done and out of my face. I decided to wear blue jeans and a nerdy top. I for the first time in my life was not a bag or nerves before going on a date, l was excited and felt like a giddy teenager.

Sebastian arrived at the house at 1:50pm and not only did he look good but God damn he smelled good, and it set every nerve ending in my body off and felt like l was on fire, l could only think of one other time l felt like this and it was years ago in my early 20’s now being 29 it felt good knowing l could still feel like this. Angela told us to have a great time and have fun, and she laughingly said “Y/N behave or try to”, l just rolled my eyes and walked out. When we were walking to his car, my jaw dropped don’t really know what I was expecting but I wasn’t expecting a 4x4 Jeep.

The car ride to Central Park was pretty quick and Sebastian was showing me everything and talking with him came easy and l felt so relaxed around him and l don’t know why but l could feel the walls l had spent years building up, I felt them just tumbling down in chunks. It took us about 40 minutes to get to Central Park and when we finally did get there it was the most beautiful place l had seen even for it being winter. We started walking and he was asking about my up bring and if l had always lived in Toronto. I told him l was born in British Columbia and that l grew up in the military and traveled across Canada half a dozen times before l turned 10, and that l had a younger brother and older step sister. My parents divorced when l was 5 and that l was raised mainly by my mother. That l when l finished high school l wanted to work in the legal field and decided on being a legal secretary and did two years for Law Clerk and another two years for Office Administration so l would be able to have all my bases cover and did all my placements at the music firm you work at now and was hired right after you graduated from your Office Administration program, and that you got lucky and you just work 8-5 Monday – Friday and have the weekends off. He is asking you where the one place is you would love to travel to and as you are answering him, he takes hold of you hand and stutter for a second and blush.

Sebastian’s P.O.V.

I just could wait to hold her hand and feel some part of her, so when she is saying that she wanted to travel Scotland, I grab her hand and she stuttered saying why she wanted to go there and then her cheeks turned flushed and l didn’t think she could get more beautiful, l was so fascinated by her and her interests, she was a big Stephen King fan, which didn’t surprise me considering that she loves horror movies, what did surprise me is her saying she has all his books in Hardcover including all the ones his wrote as Richard Bachman. And that she would rather watch all the Harry Potter, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies than read the books, she enjoys the books but like the movies better. All the while l am listening to her talk all l can focus on is her lips, god l really like her lips and her smile every time she smiles l feel like my heart stops.

We were in the park for almost three hours just walking and talking, we did a carriage ride and got hot chocolate sat over by the water and talk some more, than l asked her if she wanted to go and get some dinner, which she happily said yes. When we finally make it back to my Jeep, l went to open the door for her and she was so close l could feel the heat coming off of her and than she looked up to me and l couldn’t hold myself back any longer, l cupped her face and kissed her and slightly pushed her against the jeep l could feel her shock for half a second before she kissed me back, it started to get heated and l pulled away the moment l felt her mouth open. “Y/N l am so sorry, l know l should have waited but l couldn’t, and I know l should have….. why are you looking at me like that?

Your P.O.V.

I was completely caught off guard when he kissed me although that didn’t last long, l loved how his lips felt on mine they were soft and smooth and cold from our walk, but the moment l went to open my mouth and let my tongue ask for permission to deepen the kiss, he pulled away, and l probably looked like l did something wrong written all over my face, but than he started apologizing and saying something about how he should have waited, and than l could feel the smile appear on my face and he asked me why l was looking at him like that, all l did was pull him back in and kiss him with as much passion as l could and than he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled my close and l wrapped my arms around his neck and held him as close as l could. Than his tongue glided along my bottom lip and accepted his invitation and that kiss was filled with more passion than l ever felt in my entire life. His kiss was everything l dreamed it would be and than some. Right then and there l knew l wanted him in my life and more than a friend, l wanted him as friend, a partner, a lover, a father (if he wanted that roll) and in that moment l could only think All l See is You.

@evenwhen-ihadnothing @thosekidswhohuntmonsters @kyber-hearts-and-stardust-souls @sideeffectsofyou @sebcanlikegetit @multific

[thelittleredheadedmusician]

It’s Lit

@wordshakerofgallifrey​ prompted “"all our friends are drunk" with whoever's most responsible between the Newsies and Les Mis revolutionaries (aka gimme more of your crossover please;))” This went more into crossover land in general and less into drunken shenanigans but I think you’ll like the outcome.  Rating: G Words: 2,750 Gen AO3

Combeferre had been looking forward to spending New Years in New York. Not that they were going to the ball drop, no one really wanted to deal with that crowd, but getting to go into the city and spend the time with his friends had been all he could think about since Katherine and her friends had invited them.

The day after Christmas he’d packed his bags and his mom had given him a ride to the airport. It was shorter and cheaper to just fly from Savannah than to try and drive or take a train. Some of his friends would be doing one or the other but he knew that Bahorel and Musichetta would be flying in too, they’d tried to coordinate their flights to all land around the same time so it was easier for whoever would be meeting them at JFK.

Combeferre checked his phone once they landed and it had time to power up, Specs had texted that he had found Chetta and they were by the rental car kiosk. He smiled as he typed out a quick reply.

The Newsies seemed to be taking the task of hosting the ABC for a week with aplomb, figuring out housing arrangements and airport/train pickup/drop-off schedules and relaying it through Katherine to their groupchat. By the time they were leaving Baltimore from their last summit the week before the holidays it had already been settled and all that needed to be done was ticket purchasing. Combeferre had asked for his plane tickets as a last-minute Christmas present and been thrilled when his grandparents handed him them, wrapped up in an overlarge box and stuck into a book on the legend of Mothman. The book had made the flight interesting, if only because of the strange looks from the guy sitting next to him.

He scanned the lobby, looking for the car rentals and subsequently Specs and Chetta in the spacious white and silver environment. They saw him first and started calling out to him and waving; Combeferre grinned and course corrected as he made his way over.

“Ferre!” Musichetta pulled him into a tight hug when she saw him, forcing him to let go of the handle of his small carry one to return it. “How was your holiday?”

“Good! Good. And yours?”

“Oh excellent. I got new shoes!” She twirled her foot to show him the boots that did look new.

“Nice,” he smiled before turning to Specs who had been watching them with a grin of his own. “And how’s your holiday?”

“Well hosting one of my friends from D.C. for a week definitely makes it pretty great.”

Combeferre laughed and hugged the other boy. They’d gotten close over the last semester and when he’d been told that he would be bunking with Specs for the week Ferre couldn’t stop grinning.

“Rel should be landing now,” Musichetta commented once they released each other, checking her watch.

“Cool. I had to park pretty far, just warning you now,” Specs said, giving them both a look. “So if you want to sit now’s your chance.”

“I’ve been sitting!” Chetta laughed. “I can stand and troop to your car yet. Trust me.”

Combeferre quirked an eyebrow. “You drive?”

“Yeah. It’s my mom’s car but it’s better than having to pay for a cab or an uber out here.”

“I didn’t think you could drive,” Combeferre said honestly.

Specs smirked. “Oh, cause I’m a New Yorker I can’t drive? I’m a rare breed, sure, but my grandma’s not from the city and she thinks that it’s a necessary skill so…” he trailed off with a shrug.

“Well as long as we get where we need to be in time for food, I have no complaints,” Musichetta added with a twist of her lips.

“Race’s mom is hosting dinner for everyone tonight, homemade Italian,” Specs said.

“I heard, someone let that slip to R and he hasn’t been able to shut up about it. He got Joly and Boss set on it too.” She rolled her eyes but it was with love, not malice.

“Ayyyy-o!” Someone called out, drawing the attention of everyone in the lobby. They all looked to the area that led from the baggage claim where Bahorel was now walking, arms raised with duffel bag in hand and backpack on his shoulder.

Combeferre laughed as Musichetta let out a responding “Ayyyy-o!”

Bahorel ran the rest of the way over and pulled the trio into a tight hug.

When he could finally breathe again Combeferre turned to Bahorel with a raised brow. “Finally see Bohemian Rhapsody?” he guessed.

“And Mary Poppins and Aquaman.”

“Well you’ve got me beat. I only got to see Into the Spider-verse,” Specs said as they all turned to start the trek to the car.

“Oh how was it?” Chetta asked, leading to a conversation that ended up just being about John Mulaney by the time they actually got to the car. Specs wasn’t kidding about having to park far away.

They’d all left their bags in the trunk of Spec’s mom’s Toyota as they walked up to the apartment building in Manhattan Racetrack Higgins called home, at least for now. Specs had told them about how he and his boyfriend Spot were trying to find a place to move into together at the end of the spring semester.

Specs pressed the buzzer, waving at the camera with a warm smile. The door clicked open and he ushered them in. When they got off on the eleventh floor they turned a corner and upon reaching the door at the end of the hall Specs raised a hand to knock. A lanky boy with dirty blonde curls answered, pulling Specs immediately into a hug when he did.

“Race! Let me go!” Specs laughed as he tried to fight the other boy off, who by this point had turned the hug into a headlock even though Specs had a couple inches on him. He finally did and Specs shot him a dirty look before rounding on the three ABC members behind him. “This is Bahorel, Musichetta, and Combeferre,” he pointed to each in turn and Ferre gave a little wave at his name. “Racetrack,” Specs finished, pointing back at the boy still standing in the doorway.

“Welcome to the madhouse, keep your coats on,” Racetrack said and stepped aside to let them in.

The apartment wasn’t exactly small, after seeing Jehan’s micro apartment Combeferre had a new appreciating and understanding of what constituted a small home, but it was cramped. Filled to the bursting with people.

“We’re all going up to the roof then so you don’t have to sit on anyone’s lap to eat,” Racetrack called over his shoulder as he led the way. “My family’s pretty big so my ma knows how to cook in bulk and made up her mind before I could point out the space issue. Just be glad that the cousins aren’t all here yet, you wouldn’t be able to even get in the door then.”

Ferre took the plastic plate someone had handed him and began loading it up from the platters of food on the dining table. Some seemed to be leftovers from Christmas dinner the day before but there was still more that looked freshly homemade. Suddenly starving now that there was food in front of him everything else seemed to disappear but the table until someone clapped him on the shoulder. Combeferre startled but held onto his plate, turning to find Courfeyrac grinning at him.

“Happy Boxing Day!” Courf raised his own plate piled high.

Ferre snorted. “Boxing Day?”

“Technically my family is French-Canadian. It’s a Canadian holiday.”

“Your family has lived in Maine for the past hundred years,” Ferre said dryly.

Courf seemed unperturbed by this fact, just shrugging and turning to head back out to the living room where people seemed to be crawling out a window and up the fire escape.

“We were in Canada for Christmas,” Courf called over his shoulder as Ferre followed him.

Combeferre scoffed. “You were in upstate New York for Christmas.”

“Right. Canada.”

“You’re from Maine, you’re not allowed to call Albany Canada.”

“I dunno, it’s pretty close,” a boy about their age with fluffy blonde hair sticking up from under a knitted lime green beanie that Grantaire would be jealous of when he saw it had said from where he stood next to the window. It took a second to recognize him but once he did Combeferre grinned.

“See! Charlie here agrees with me!” Courf said with a smile. It was the one he only got when someone joined in on his ridiculousness. Combeferre had a love hate relationship with that smile.

Charlie smirked and held out his hand to Courf. “I’ll hold your plate while you climb through. There’s drinks up there already.”

“Oh! Thank you,” Courfeyrac beamed at him.

Once Courf was on his way up the fire escape Combeferre turned to Charlie. “You really don’t have to encourage him.”

“I’m from Manhattan, Albany really is Canada to me,” Charlie joked.

Combeferre snorted as he took his plate back. “Do you want help with the steps?” he asked, guessing that Bossuet had already given Joly a piggy back up to the top.

“Thanks but Jack’s gonna come. Besides it’s nice and toasty in here,” Charlie smirked and Combeferre nodded in return before starting up the stairs.

Charlie was going to soak up the warmth while he could and Ferre wouldn’t blame him for it. It wasn’t exactly cold out but it certainly wasn’t normal picnic weather. Yet that’s where they were all eating, on picnic tables on the apartment building’s roof. A small patio area with lights was all set up and it looked like just about everyone was there from the ABC with nearly as many Newsies.

“Combeferre!” Someone called and he turned to see Enjolras motioning him over to their table.

Setting his food down Combeferre folded his long legs under wood top and turned to see who all he was sitting with. Enjolras and Grantaire seemed to be next to him with Katherine, her boyfriend Jack, and David were across from him. Jack, David, and Charlie had all been to visit Katherine and Specs so Combeferre was glad to see the familiar faces so soon.

“Hey Ferre,” Kath smiled, lifting a glass filled with dark liquid to him in a small toast.

“It’s good to see you Katherine,” he told her. “I must admit though, I hadn’t realized you were a vampire.”

Katherine noticed his look to her glass and laughed. “It’s sangria. Race’s sister smuggled all the alcohol up here, something about if we’re going to be outside we might as well stay warm. Just, uh, mind the gap,” she giggled.

Combeferre caught David rolling his eyes. “She means don’t fall off the roof. It’s a bit stronger than anyone expected.”

“And she spent the entire day yesterday watching British movies with her sisters,” Jack snorted.

“So what?” Kath turned on him, a fire in her eyes. Combeferre couldn’t help the corners of his mouth from twitching up at that, he’d missed her and it had only been a few weeks.

Jack started teasing her, something Grantaire joined in on eagerly. Combeferre let the jokes flow around him as he began to eat what he was willing to call some of the best homemade food in his life. Not that he’d let his mother know that. The conversation changed to an actual topic, rather than just poking fun at Katherine, and Combeferre listened with interest. Combeferre realized that Charlie had joined them at some point and grinned as he said something that had Enjolras laughing.

Their table seemed to become the nucleus of the gathering, everyone coming over at some point to join their conversation. Combeferre also realized that everyone seemed to be getting steadily drunker. Even Enjolras seemed to be more than a bit tipsy, the sangria really being stronger than anyone had anticipated. Grantaire could hold his liquor but if the volume of his laughter was anything to go by then he was edging towards being inebriated too.

Everyone had finished eating at this point and Combeferre as fairly sure he’d been introduced to all the Newsies as someone pulled out a speaker and started playing Queen. The effect was instantaneous as a little over two dozen college kids all started singing “Mama, just killed a man…”

Combeferre couldn’t help himself, it was hilarious, but he knew that if Enjolras saw him laughing the blonde would get offended and the effect would be ruined. So, he got up from the table and moved to stand at the edge of the patio, laughing at his friends from the shadows.

“All our friends are drunk,” someone said from next to him. Combeferre glanced over to see that David had joined him. Ferre couldn’t read his expression and his tone had been hard to decipher too; whether David was annoyed or amused by this turn of events was anyone’s guess.

“I don’t think anyone thought this through, getting back down and into the apartment is going to present a challenge.”

David winced. “I’d forgotten about getting them back through the window and past Race’s parents.”

“Well we could dump the drinks and force them to dry out?” Combeferre suggested.

“I’m fairly certain they finished it all off themselves. I just checked the cooler and it’s only capri suns in there.”

Combeferre couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped him at that. At this whole situation. David shot him a questioning glance. “I’m on a roof in the middle of New York City with a bunch of young, arguably, revolutionaries who have drunk literally everything but a bunch of juice boxes and are now thoroughly sloshed as a result. On the day after Christmas.”

“It is kind of crazy,” David said with a twist of his lips.

“I think my favorite part is how in to the song they all are.”

David’s head fell back a little as he laughed. “They really are. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Spot that invested before and we play this song at parties a lot.”

An idea creeped into the back of Combeferre’s mind as he saw Courfeyrac grab Marius and start jumping up and down, Bahorel and Cosette dramatically singing to each other, and Joly, Bossuet, and Musichetta huddled around Joly’s cane as if it were a microphone. Even Enjolras had been pulled in, with his arms slung over Feuilly and Katherine’s shoulders as they swayed.

“Do you know whose phone is playing this?” He turned to David quickly.

“Probably Mush. He has a tendency to dj.”

“Do you think we could steal his phone and queue up some songs of our own?”

“Seeing as he’s trapped under Blink right now and I can see his phone on the table from here I’d say so.”

Combeferre glanced to where David had nodded. Blink was indeed sitting on Mush’s lap and had his arms wrapped around the other boy, giving the impression that Mush was truly trapped. Not that he looked like he minded.

“Be right back,” David said. He slipped around the edges of the patio, coming up behind Mush and Blink and swiping the phone off the table before retracing his route to come stand next to Combeferre again. He tapped at the phone and after a couple tries got it unlocked. “It’s Blink’s birthday. They’re cute if gross,” he supplied at Combeferre’s raised brow. “So, what did you have in mind?”

Combeferre passed David his own phone, a playlist called “White People Get Turnt” already pulled up. David laughed at the name but typed it in to Mush’s spotify search bar and found it on the first try. As soon as Bohemian Rhapsody’s final gong began to fade he pressed play and Mr. Brightside started up, to everyone’s excitement.

“So maybe most of us aren’t white, it’s still the best party playlist we’ve found,” Combeferre said with a shrug as their friends began to scream along to the lyrics. Combeferre raised his phone, zooming in slightly so that it was clear who was who in the video as he started recording.

“Really?” David whispered when he noticed.

“You have no idea how rare Enjolras acting like this is. It’s for posterity.”

David just snorted. They shared a wicked smile before going back to watching their friends make absolute fools of themselves.

[asraspeaks-blog]

Abusive Ex and the abusive Canadian

Intimate partner violence is a global problem. 1 in 3 women in the world will become victims of domestic violence. So there's a strong chance we all know someone in this Hell.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and I wanted to share another story about DV. This is one I feel guilty about because I was too scared to speak up. I didn't know how my abuser or her abuser would react. So I watched the bullshit before my eyes and we both knew there was a problem that neither one of us knew how to solve at that moment.

The Ex has cousins that live in the Toronto-area. His cousin's name is T. His wife's name is R. They've been married over a decade and have three kids. We attended the wedding. It was her first and his second. We also attended his first wedding...but I'll get back to that later on this post.

We saw them occasionally at family functions, but had never gone to visit them at their home. So the Ex (uncharacteristically) made the plan for all of us to visit them.

First impression of their home...it's a horder's paradise. They had enough stuff for multiple homes. I get it...three kids. They're going to have a lot of stuff. Second impression...it was freezing cold. They wouldn't turn the heat on. It was the middle of December in Canada and their heat was off.

The third impression was T's behavior. He was pompous and insulting. We weren't in his home for even an hour before he started making nasty comments to me and the Ex. He mocked the Ex's love for Bollywood and called him an idiot (that was hilarious because it was true). He also mocked my career and said his children were important to them and that's why R stayed at home.

This post could be a book of abuses I witnessed so I'll just focus on a few major incidences.

It was clear she lived in a state of anxiety. I did too, so I recognized her look. Even though I couldn't put it into words.

T made all the choices in their home. He decided when everyone was allowed to eat, what they could eat, when everyone could go to bed (he liked to blared his TV on max and we all had to deal with it until he felt like turning it down). We'd only been in his house for 24 hours and he laid all the ground rules.

R pulled out some decorative pillows from an overstuffed closet. They were blue and silver with tiny beads sewn on. Very pretty. She said she had wanted to have the home done in cool colors and was really excited when they moved to this home. She then told me he had gotten upset and told her since he paid for the home, he got to pick all the colors. Finanacial abuse galore.

Also remember she wasn't allowed to work outside the home despite having a career in financial planning pre-marriage.

T also had a thing about food waste, which ordinarily wouldn't have been a bad thing. Except he took it to a disgusting extreme. R poured everyone a class of this nectar juice. It tasted old and was way too sweet. No one finished. T saw all the glasses of half full grossness. He was clearly irritated. He then poured all the half glasses into a larger glass and placed it in front of R. He stared at for a bit. I didn't know what was about to happen, but she just kept looking at me. She was scared.

Then he told her to drink the entire glass. I was shocked. It was then I spoke up and said, "We all drank out of those. Just throw out the juice. It's not a big deal." He ignored me and told her to drink the glass again.

Perhaps empowered by my speaking up. She refused. He told she had to finish the glass before bedtime (didn't add a threat, but it was implied). He placed the glass in their overstuffed fridge.

R was embarrassed and didn't know what to say. I changed the topic and we talked about something else.

When T went to watch TV and R was getting her kids ready for bed...I snuck into the kitchen and poured the glass in the kitchen sink. I put the glass in the dishwasher and snuck back to their guest room.

T had been married before to a woman named N. She was lovely (just like R). When we met her, she was working on her PhD. They had an on again off again relationship. He would regularly break off the engagement and then propose. They kept this cycle going for several years until they finally got married. Their wedding was strange. N and her family refused to pay for anything, despite her family coming from money. She had a simple Nikkah arranged in the hotel room and they had their Valima in a open space in the hotel downstairs. Of course, the Ex's family complained quietly.

Within a year of their marriage, she filed for divorce. T said it was because she made new friends who told her to leave him. I think she realized T was an abusive fuck and since they didn't have any kids...she bounced.

T got R pregnant within a few months of marriage. He convinced her to quit her job And then got her pregnant two more times to make sure she couldn't run.

Layers and layers of abuse.

When my divorce was starting, I blocked all his relatives and friends from my social media, including R. I felt bad, but I needed to focus on my and my sons' safety.

I don't know what happened to her or her children. I often think of them. May Allah protect them always.

[averycanadianfilm]

AveryCanadianFilm: Main Character - Samuel H. Lawson through the ages.

Birth in Jamaica surrounded by people who love him, two years old.

Grandmother (school teacher): It’s time to start your education.

Samuel H. Lawson: I’m only two.

Grandmother: Exactly. You’re excellent at mathematics.

Samuel H. Lawson: It’s easy, fun, and makes sense.

Grandmother: Yes it is. You can be anything you want to be.

Elementary School in Ottawa, around 10 years old, surrounded by many people who hate him because he’s black.

Teacher: You only complete your math work, you have to do your other work, pay attention and do as you’re told.

Samuel H. Lawson: It’s boring, my favourite activities are recess and sports.

Teacher: You could be an engineer.

Samuel H. Lawson: I don’t want to be an engineer.

Middle School in Ottawa, around 13 years old, surrounded by even more people who hate him because he’s black.

Principal: You have to stop falling asleep in class, it upsets the teachers. I see you’re doing very well in maths if you apply yourself you could be an engineer.

Samuel H. Lawson: I don’t want to be an engineer.

Visit to Jamaica around 15 years old, surrounded by his cousins and other people who love him.

Cousin: Music is the real life.

Samuel H. Lawson: You’re a musician but I’m not.

Cousin: Besides sports what do you like to do?

Samuel H. Lawson: Mathematics.

Cousin: Ya we have some of those in the family but it’s a white man’s world, no point being a bit player in their story.

High School in Ottawa, still surrounded by people who hate him because he’s black.

Teacher: You’ve done exceedingly well, top of the class, you could be an engineer.

Samuel H. Lawson: I don’t want to be an engineer, I’m getting out of here.

Undergraduate at private institution in the States.

Professor: You’ve done exceedingly well, top of the class in all subjects, you could be an engineer.

Samuel H. Lawson: I don’t want to be an engineer.

Undergraduate in London UK.

Literature Professor: Why are you studying sciences? You’re a writer.

Samuel H. Lawson: Here, I feel like a writer, I like writing, but I’m black and obviously not an aristocrat so I’m getting out of here.

Graduate school in New York, NY.

English Mathematics Professor: If you don’t like what you’re doing, I’d be happy for you to join by research group.

Samuel H. Lawson: I’ll think about it.

Samuel’s friend: If you do that, you’ll never get a job, see any black theoretical physicists or mathematicians walking around?

Samuel’s relative: There are no jobs in that field for people like you, stick with experimental science if you’re lucky you’ll get a job doing that, if not, you could be an engineer.

And so on and so forth......

Tenurable position in a physics department at a major research university in the states.

Dean: Let’s discuss your future.

Samuel H. Lawson: I resign.

Dean: You can’t do that.

Samuel H. Lawson: I just did.

Life after physics, back in Canada.

Relative: What are you going to do now? You still could do engineering.

Samuel H. Lawson: Fuck it! I’m going to India.

Relative: Why?

Samuel H. Lawson: Perhaps, I’ll become a monk.

[urdearestmom]

Airport Ballrooms | A Delayed Flight

so I don’t think I ever posted this there, and it reminded me that I need to post the rest of the chapters of LSS. but for those of you who haven’t come here from my ao3, here’s a little something I wrote back in January.

Summary: What happens when you hear a piano at 3 am?

ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13332432

She hears it before she sees anything. Right as she exits the washroom, a song’s beginning is heard from a piano. As it proceeds, she finds that it’s vaguely familiar.

Coming into the open area where she’s been sitting and trying to nap for the past three hours, she sees that the formerly vacant piano is now occupied by a man whose fingers are gliding across the keys, his dark hair slipping over his brow. He looks like he might be about her age, although she’s not sure.

He’s very concentrated on his playing, so he doesn’t notice when she stands off to his left, watching. He ends the piece softly and when he looks up, he sees her and jumps, putting a hand to his chest.

“Jesus Christ! …almost gave me a heart attack there,” he laughs.

She smiles. “Sorry. That was really nice,” she says, gesturing to the keys. “What was it?”

He shrugs. “Just some good old Chopin.”

She nods. “Sounds familiar.”

“Did you recognize it?” He asks. “It’s one of his most famous pieces.”

“Yeah, kinda sounded like a lullaby or something.” She scrunches her nose. “Never mind.”

He hums. “No, I get what you mean, it has that quality to it,” he says, getting up and pushing the bench in. “What’s your name?”

For some reason, it’s at that moment that she notices he has freckles, although not many. “Jane Hopper, but I go by El. I like your freckles,” she unashamedly comments, then cringes. Fuck.

They start moving toward the seats where she left her luggage, and she sees that there are a few more bags nearby that must be his.

“Really?” He answers. “I used to have a lot more when I was younger, it’s kind of a side effect of aging that you lose freckles.”

“They’re cute.” She looks at her feet. Again? Seriously?

“Alright,” he chuckles. “If you say so, El.”

It’s then she remembers she hasn’t asked his name.

“Michael Wheeler, but no one except my parents call me Michael. Mike’s easier,” he says, tilting his head. “Were you on that flight to Indianapolis? I think it’s the only one that got delayed this late.”

She sits back where she’s been this entire time, and he sits next to her. They’ve just met, but it’s nice not to have to sit in an empty airport terminal at three in the morning by herself, chasing sleep she knows she’s not going to find. “Yeah, I’m going home. I was in Vegas at a speech pathology conference."

Mike grins. “Vegas, huh? What’s it like, hit up any casinos?”

El lays her head back. “I was there for work, so no. I guess I could have, some of my coworkers did, but casinos aren’t really my scene. Too loud,” she responds. “My friend Dustin definitely did, he’s still there,” she adds with a smile.

“He sounds like fun.”

“Definitely is, though sometimes he can be a bit of a handful,” she laughs. “How about you? Going home too?”

Mike nods. “Yup. I was in LA visiting my cousin, but also working. I’m a piano teacher,” he says, wiggling his fingers. “And there’s been a new initiative here in the States, to get some sort of standardized way of teaching, like the Royal Conservatory in Canada. So there’s been collaboration happening, stuff might be in the works.”

She turns to look at him, taking in the excited way he says this. “You seem really happy about that,” she remarks.

He nods again excitedly, his mop of hair flopping over his eyes. “Absolutely! It would make things easier if every teacher across the country had a certain level of things to teach students. Be easier for students too, especially if they ever have to switch teachers.” Suddenly he blows air upwards. “I need to cut this shit,” Mike says, gesturing to the dark locks surrounding his face.

El contemplates him for a second, taking in how he looks. “Nah, it looks good with your face.” GOD, EL! Stop being so forward, you just met him! “I think so, at least, if my opinion counts for anything,” she says, suddenly shy.

It’s weird, she thinks, that she just met this guy less than ten minutes ago and they’re already talking so easily.

He smiles. “It does,” he says, taking out his phone. He shows her what’s clearly a selfie, but it looks like there’s two of him. “That’s my cousin.” Mike points at the one who’s wearing a Guns N’ Roses shirt. “And this is me.” He’s wearing a simple striped t-shirt.

She looks more closely at the picture, trying to find some difference between them. “You guys look like twins!” She exclaims.

“We could be, if he wasn’t five years younger. We get that a lot though,” he answers. “I think you’re going to agree with me on this.” He continues. “He says he’s more attractive, but I say we look the same and therefore have the same appeal. What do you think? As an outside party.”

El looks at it again, and finds that she disagrees with Mike. “I think you’re cuter. Something about you,” she replies.

She looks up to find that a lovely pink blush is spreading across his cheeks. “Something I said?” She winks. Oh my god you fucking idiot. She suddenly feels crushed by the weight of her mortification.

He makes a strangled noise, and the hour and her tired brain must be getting to her, because somehow she finds it the funniest sound she’s ever heard. It’s also a little comforting that he doesn’t seem completely put off.

“Damn, that was smooth!” He says, starting to laugh too. “I gotta tell him you said that.”

“Isn’t he sleeping by now?”

He shakes his head. “No, he says sleep is for the weak. And it’s only two in Cali, and it’s the weekend.”

She reads over his shoulder as he types.

Cute girl said I’m cuter than you LOL

Suck on THAT tozier

“You think I’m cute?”

Mike blushes again. “Yeah, pretty. Really pretty,” he says softly. He gets a text almost instantly.

I dont believe u wheelie

U probably paid her or smth

Also, suck on what ;)

Actually nvm thats incest its just my reflex response

Mike looks at her. “Is it okay if we make a video and send it to him so he believes me?”

She shrugs. “We’ve still got at least four hours to kill, so why not?”

He pulls up the camera and starts recording. “Fine, you don’t believe me, here she is herself,” he says, turning the camera on her.

She waves awkwardly. “Hey… um, what’s his name?” Cringe.

“Richie.”

“Hey, Richie, just a little video to say that in my opinion your cousin’s cuter than you. And no, he didn’t pay me to say that,” she states, glancing off camera with a small smile.

Mike turns the camera back to him. “There you go, asshole. Video proof.”

He sends it, and they wait a minute in anticipatory silence before Mike’s phone vibrates with another text.

Lmao that doesnt convince me

She is cute tho ill give u that

Mike heaves an over-exaggerated sigh, shaking his head. You’re a dick, he types, go to sleep I’ll text when I get home.

SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK, MICHAEL.

GO THE FUCK TO SLEEP, RICHARD. YOU HAVE WORK TOMORROW.

FUCK WORK

Mike stares at his phone for a second before turning it off. “If I keep talking to him then he’ll never actually go to sleep.”

El smiles at him. “He seems like a fun person.”

“Oh, he’s an absolute dick. But I love him,” Mike says, shaking his head again. “We weren’t really close as kids but then he moved nearby and we talked more, except then I went to college. He’s closer with my little sister.”

She nods. “Do you have any siblings?” He asks.

“Nope. Just me and my dad.”

“That’s nice. Sometimes I wish there had been less people in my house, would’ve meant less embarrassment in certain situations,” he says. “I have two sisters, one older, one younger.”

“I wish I’d had a sister growing up, would’ve made things easier sometimes,” she answers. “Can you even imagine how awkward my dad was the first time I got my period?”

He doesn’t say anything for a second, and she thinks maybe she shouldn’t have said that. OH MY FUCK.

“Sorry, that was awkward,” she laughs. WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUCK.

“No, it’s fine, just unexpected is all,” he says. “I mean, we’ve only known each other for like fifteen minutes.”

They look at each other, the same thought going through their minds. “This is weird,” they say together, and then they start giggling.

“I just-” He takes a breath. “Do you feel like you know me from somewhere? Because I feel like I know you but I don’t think I’ve ever met you before.”

It’s what she’s been thinking. She feels a sort of familiarity with him, something she’s never felt so quickly with anyone else. It’s like she’s known him for a long time, or maybe in another life or universe.

She grins. “Isn’t there a multiverse theory?”

After spending an hour discussing parallel universes and the physics involved in understanding any of it (which they both have enough of a basic grasp on because of watching too much History Channel), Mike is sitting at the piano again, El having asked him to play something else. She doesn’t recognize the beginning, but as it progresses she realizes she does know it. It gets her moving, and she doesn’t really know what she’s doing, but she’s circling the piano and the man playing it in a way that somehow fits with the music. She even sings along with the main melody and the trills.

She feels like he’s transforming the place into a gigantic ballroom with his music, and she’s the princess dancing with her prince (except there’s no prince to dance with, because he’s too busy making the music). It’s a stupid thing to think, but she never had dolls or was allowed to watch princess movies or read fairytales when she was a kid, and she feels like she missed out. Hopper let her watch movies and read, but it wasn’t the same as a teen as it would’ve been as a kid. And maybe it’s just a dumb fantasy, a creation of her mind because she’s tired and suddenly thinking about her horrifying childhood, but she thinks the imaginary ballroom that only has her and Mike in it is a wonderful place to be.

He ends the piece with a theatrical flourish, throwing his hands up off the keys as soon as the last notes are played. “How was that? You were dancing!”

A laugh escapes her lips as she claps. “It was amazing! I knew that one, it’s from the Nutcracker, right?”

Mike nods vigorously. “Gotta love me some Tchaikovsky.”

“Is that why it’s so dancey? Because it’s for a ballet?” She asks, curious.

“No, it’s because it’s a waltz,” he answers, stretching his arms up above his head. His sweater rides up to reveal a sliver of pale skin, and she finds herself staring without being able to tear her eyes away. “Waltzes are inherently dancey, I think. At least that’s what I always tell my students who play them, it helps them really hear the tempo and accents if they try to see the dancers.”

She averts her gaze, and he’s still talking. “You know, ‘cause waltzes have the accent on count one, so it goes one-two-three, and sometimes when you’re caught up in playing you forget about it so it’s good to try and envision the dancing. The music was written for dancing after all,” he finishes. “El? Sorry, was I rambling, because I have a tendency to-”

“No,” she breathes. “You’re just really attractive. The piano suits you.” She almost face palms. WHY am I like this????

That shuts him up, a redness spreading across his face once again (but this time along with a wide grin). He might just combust if he looks at her, so he looks at his hands instead.

“Sorry,” she says, worried she’s crossed a line she wasn’t supposed to yet.

Mike’s head whips up. “Sorry? What are you sorry for?”

“I’m too forward. It almost always ruins things with guys.” She deflates almost imperceptibly, and she wonders if he noticed.

Apparently he did, because El feels herself pulled into a sideways hug, tugged down to sit on the bench next to him. “Hey,” he says softly. “You’re just saying what you think is true, which is a great quality to have. You saved me from my own rambling, so thanks.” He gives her a squeeze and adds, “It hasn’t ruined things with me.”

Suddenly the air is charged and she thinks that if they weren’t in an airport she might have kissed him then. Sadly, they are in an airport. Instead, she requests that he play something more contemporary than Chopin or Tchaikovsky, and he starts up with a rendition of Halo by Beyoncé.

They spend another hour around the piano, him playing more and she observing. El thinks he plays with a lot of grace, his fingers moving deftly across the keys almost as though he’s stroking the instrument. He looks like he belongs in front of a piano, making beautiful music for all the world to hear. In this case the world is a strange woman in an airport at the asscrack of dawn.

It’s five in the morning when the pair crashes back onto the seats next to their bags, and they lean their heads on each other and fall asleep. However, it seems things are only in increments of one hour on this night, because it’s six when El awakes with a start, knocking Mike’s head off of hers.

“Attention passengers: flight 337 to Indianapolis International is now scheduled for take-off at eight thirty. Boarding will begin at gate twenty-three one hour in advance.”

“Hey,” she says, seeing Mike next to her looking disoriented. “Flight’s at eight thirty but we gotta be there at seven thirty, do you wanna get some breakfast?”

Looking around, she sees that the open area that was so empty during the night now has other people milling through it, and it shatters the warm space she’d felt she and Mike were in. It’s time to go back to the real world, away from the fantasies of ballrooms and princes and dancing. The magic of the night has been erased by the movement of the morning and she hopes what she thinks she felt between them hasn’t been erased too.

He yawns. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she says, getting up to stretch and grabbing her bags.

They walk around the slowly filling terminal, looking for a place to eat, and light upon a cute coffee place in the food court. They order and eat in silence, avoiding looking at each other, until he speaks.

“Does last night… feel like it was a dream, to you?” Mike asks.

I thought that was just me. She takes a sip of her black coffee. “It kind of does, yeah. This entire encounter has been weird.”

He looks down at his croissant, crinkling his nose, then peeks back at her through his lashes. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for.”

He says nothing else, and neither does she, so they head off to gate twenty three, and she thinks something’s wrong because he wasn’t this quiet or awkward last night. The tension is palpable, but she’s never been very good at social interactions and she doesn’t know what to say. He probably realized how dumb I am. She thinks she may have come across as very brazen (which she is, but she hates it for how it ruins everything all the time). Mike hadn’t seemed bothered by her earlier, and she had hoped that something good might have come out of their chance meeting.

It seems it was not to be, however, because the only thing he does as they board the plane is wave and give a little half smile when he finds his seat. El sighs and settles in for the hour and a half flight. She’s decided she’s going to try to catch up on the sleep she missed instead of sitting in abject misery, and it works because she’s blinking confusedly when a flight attendant wakes her to say that they will be landing in approximately forty minutes.

She’s excited to be back home, to work, her patients, her dad and Max. But she’s also the teeniest bit sad because she wants to explore that special connection she feels with Mike, to see what it means and what it’s about and she believes she’s ruined her chances (okay, so maybe she’s more than a teeny bit sad). She’s convinced herself that nothing was ever going to happen, she had imagined the unexplainable thing she felt between them.

She makes it through baggage claim and isn’t sent to customs, so El’s on her way out of the terminal to catch a taxi because both Max and Hopper are working today when something does happen. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees a person running out of the passenger exit, and she thinks that they must have seen a loved one they missed.

That is, until she hears the shout. “El!”

It’s Mike of course, and he comes to a skidding halt in front of her, breathless. “I just- ran- all the way here- because- I’m a dumbass-”

“Whoa, hey, breathe,” she says, “I don’t need you dying on me in the middle of the airport.”

He nods and waits until his breathing levels out before straightening up. “I wanted to apologize for being so stupid and awkward this morning, I don’t know what got into me.” He swallows before looking at her directly. “I really want to see you again, so… do you wanna go out sometime?”

WHAT! She doesn’t respond for a few moments, shocked. But then she grins and says, “Are you asking me on a date?”

He sucks in a breath, about to shake his head, she can tell, but then he stops. “You know what, fuck it. Yes, I am.”

“Well, I’d certainly like that.”

El leaves the airport with Mike’s number in her phone, and she’s only been in the taxi for a few minutes when it pings with a text.

Can you do tonight at 7?

He’s eager, and she likes that she’s not the only one. It assures her she’s not being some creepy, obsessive, stalker.

Someone’s eager lol

But yes

Where?

I was supposed to go to a “friend’s” party tonight but I never actually said yes and I really don’t want to haha

Kinda cheesy but I was thinking a roller rink if you want to go

There’s one near my place and it has an arcade too!!

Growing up in the 90s, El remembers being fond of arcades. She and Max used to hang out in them all the time. Another thing in common!

Aaaaaa the arcade I miss those

Sounds good, pick me up or meet you there?

I can pick you up lol I don’t mind

She sends him her address, and he sends back a GIF of a penguin dancing.

See you later :D

(part 2)