#i fricked up nobody saw

[womanpl3aser]

everybody knows that i am a good girl officer | | Po.f!abby x fem!reader

mndi!!, 18+, you'll find the rest while you're reading;) also usage of y/n 2 or 3 times.

wc: 1,4k

Enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all started as a normal Tuesday, for you and all the people around the market that were in. Everybody seemed to be shopping, chit chatting, gossiping, laughing at something you couldnt quite catch buuuuut there you were, looking around for the last ingredient you needed for the dinner you'd be making later tonight.

You thought to urself "where the fuck could they put some fucking sauce." you sighed in defeat and went to a nearby woman who worked there and asked her "excuse me ma'am do you know where's that sauce that had a swan outside its can?" "it's at section 2, you should find it mixed with the poultry" she'd answer to you bitting on some donut walking off?? like excuse me miss you're there to help the customers. what a bitch you thought to urself, "thank you!'' you exclaimed with some sarcasm at the end. You were sure she didn't hear it, "okay now who the fuck puts some sauce mixed with these poultry shits" you said under your breathe cause god damn. Your shopping didn't even take 10 minutes and last time you checked your phone it was 11:36 and now it was 11:59.

Fuck you muttered to yourself. After searching for that fricking sauce you finally found it. You immediately grabbed it and threw it into your cart and rushed to pay. you were waiting in line until..

a woman barged in the market yelling while wearing no sandals or whatsoever shoes u guessed and looked.. off. Nobody commented on that neither her appearance just had some judgemental stares. You also brushed it off cause it was literally none of your business nonetheless just as you were about to pay with cash, a worker who curiously walked past her saw her holding a revolver?.. at least that's what you heard with all the panic breaking out in mere seconds.

EVERYBODY GET OUT OF THE STORE! ooh shit. the popo squad must've been called or they just tracked her you thought as you were rushing to get out of the store with your groceries(probably half of them). An officer yelled while charging at the woman aiming at her weapon. Another officer escorted the other officer who had managed to tackle the threat down and kick off the gun of the woman's hands. GET ON YOUR KNEES NOW. the woman said after punching her back for resisting her. STOP FUCKING RESISTING WOMAN after several kicks and hits and punches the woman finally stopped moving around and complied to be cooperative because it would get her nowhere, just charged with more felonies and she didn't want that did she?

You were watching with a mind full of "what just happened or when did all of this happen" while you had your bags in your hands ready to get into your vehicle to go home. But just as you were to step your foot into your car trying to leave the scene and forget about what just happened youd force yourself to forget about what had happened earlier to be fair, an officer calls you out.

HEY, MISS YES YOU COULD YOU PLEASE COME HERE? she yelled because you both had a pretty average distance "oh yes of course" you answered. Great now why would she want to talk to you thoughts started to gather around your mind was it something you possibly did in the market, maybe they found out about your attitude towards the worker in the store?(but to be fair they fucking deserved that) you were thinking of all that as you were walking towards the direction she was with your head down the pavement too scared to look up as if something horrible would happen to you.

Ma'am first of all are you okay? did you get harmed in the process of all this? was the first thing that came out of the officers mouth and you got kind of relieved, you were so glad it wasn't about something you did "y-yeah of course just a little bit shocked about what had just occurred some minutes ago" you painfully laughed with some tremor in your voice. You don't have to be scared, everything is well taken care of and is on our hands.. maybe I ask you some questions? you silently mumbled a "fuck me" that didn't go unnoticed by the officer but decided to brush it off and went on with a "sure!" still while looking down. "Ah.. alright then but you gotta look at me 'kay? now." the officer demanded you do so. You finally got the courage to look the woman in the eyes but instead of fear to overcome you, you were met with some blue ocean eyes, honey blonde strands that had fallen off her tight braid while she was trying to pin the woman on the ground and some tight ass dark green cargos that hugged her thights so so deliciously.. and not to talk about her turtle neck black shirt with her armor and a bunch of stuff thay kissed her biceps exactly how u had imagined..

"Ma'am? ma'am are you still with me? I'm talking to you. Eyes on mine." She spoke to you snapping you out of your imagination "Uh uh yeah I'm here I'm sorry" you apologized pathetically and she smirked.. oh boy. "Its fine angel" your cheeks turned crimson red who also didnt go unnoticed by her well trained eyes and just like that her cocky usual attitude had switched to something you couldn't actually figure out. "Since you were in the store I need you to be one hundred percent honest with me, got it sugar? if not there will be charges pressed against you" she'd say "umm yeah ask me anything, I promise I will not lie to you officer" "glad you're one of these people who listen to my commands, I like that." You'd nod your head not breaking eye contact with her because who were you infront of this tall ass hot as fuck woman? "Since you were in the store, what kind of gun did she hold?" She'd take her notes out and start putting down whatever came out of your mouth.

10 minutes had passed and you were almost done with your interrogation

" 'N lastly why is a pretty woman like you doing here?" She'd ask "j-just some shopping you'd mutter" "Speak up baby cause I cannot hear you" she'd say firmly yet flirty to you. And oh boy you did not answer because of how fucking flustered and wet you were getting and thats when she saw red. Yes, red. she was short tempered if you didn't already notice "fucking ANSWER ME"

she'd raise her voice slightly but not loud enough to draw attention from by passers "i-im sorry officer I'll be good, i didn't mean to offend you in every way i-I promise y-you'' "I-i y-you, shut up and get yourself together baby or should I teach you a lesson?" she'd smirk to herself and slightly giggle. Apparently.. you were a goner. like an actual goner your brain couldn't function properly anymore, it was all filled with wanting some friction from her. "I'll be a good girl officer" You'd nudge her with your hand as a sign of intimidation and just as you both pressed lips and almost got dragged into her police car's backseat to absolutely fucking ruin you a shot was fired. She stroke up from her current position and looked at the sight of her colleagues and that's when she'd realized a mate of hers got shot "OH FUCK, ILL BE BACK REAL SOON OKAY?" She'd reassured you and sprinted towards her hurt inmate just leaving you there with your thoughts coming back "damn I didn't even get her name.." You'd complain to yourself.

30 minutes had passed.

And she finally came back to where she had previously left you "Hey sweetheart, I'm sorry for leaving you here all alone but it was my duty to go check him out" she'd kiss your forehead like it was nothing taking some steps towards you. You'd flush again as a loser and assure her that it was okay and that she needn't have to be apologetic towards you "Oh and by the way my name is Abby but you can call me as abigail or abs as a short cut" "Mines Y/n" "such a pretty name for such pretty girl" she'd slightly push herself on you. You'd smile at her grabbing her waist "oou getting touchy already y/n huh?, you wanna resume whatever we were about to do before?" She'd say a step back from gropping your fucking ass devouring you alive, you were driving her fucking crazy "Yes please, I'd love that abigail" and oh well she went feral after the way she heard her name rolling off your tongue like honey.

Aaaaand lets say that you were limping and couldn't walk straight after her 7 inch strap that got buried into you for fucking hours.

HEY YALL IM SORRY THIS WAS RUSHED. I GOT INSPIRED BY A VIDEO OF A COP THAT HAD ABBYS BUILD. I STARTED WRITING THIS AT 5:30 AM AND I FINISHED AT 7:14 AM SO EXCUSE ME FOR ANY MINOR OR GRAMMAR MISTAKES. THANK YOU!! also it isn't proofread.

[yullalightk]

Okay, this will be pretty short 'cause that was the original idea for this episode review series. And I will only be focusing on what I enjoyed, and I forgot to make a gl2 version of a scene I liked so sorry abt that again!

Anyway- let's get on with the episode!

Is it just me or did I thought Mr. Puzzles was the one who kidnapped Mario and brought him to the facility to do who knows what!?

Okay.. Mario why his sunglasses?!! Out of all of the casts you could've stolen from. You stole it from Swag?!? The dude is from the fricking milirary!!! WHY HIM!?!?!

There's no way Swag did not just make this up. He defenitly made it up ladies and gentlemen!

I have to give props to Mario for enduring those brainrotting memes in hell! But like Swag did you really have to go that far with torturing?? It was kind of an overkill.

Also, can I talk abt the last scene 'cause BOI!! Swag was hot when did that meme dance.. NOBODY SAW THAT!!!!

Swag you made the rules. Whoever laughs loses, so waymabt?? (What Are You Mad About)

Forgot to mention... The dance showdown between the two was hilarious yet dramatic I can't take any of it seriously!! Every scene in this episode was funny and memorable I loved it!

AYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MARIO GETS HIS D!CK STUCK IN THE DOOR REFERENCE!!!!!!!

-Turns out it wasn't a short review after all! But still this is the sort of length I want to use for this series.

-In Conclusion-

This was a memorable and fun episode and glad to see Swag more and more often, but I have few theories ever since the episode came out..

I saw a comment on the episode that the facility the episode took place in, was the same place that held Mr. Puzzles.

I don't think it's true but I thought, what if, the prison Puzzles is held in is in the same area as the military base where Swag and Chris live?? I mean compare the surroundings it's pretty similar..

I forgot to take the screenshots for the mental facility prison so I can't show the similarities of the outside to you guys but, it really is close.

Plus, with how more and more episodes are focusing on the facility maybe it's teasing that Mr. Puzzles will appear in another episode!

It's an interesting theory and I hope we'll get to see him again before new years.

[romancefranaticstay]

F⋆i⋆r⋆s⋆t⋆ ⋆s⋆i⋆g⋆h⋆t

This is comedy, drama, romantic serie

All members are included but its technically...

Hyunjin x reader

A new day, at a new school... In Korea. At the moment your life was upside down after the sudden decisions your parents made.

Your parents wanted to move to Korea, because it is a safe country, but they never thought about you. You knew how to speak the Korean language, okay, you know how to write it... but you had to leave everything you loved behind.

Your friends, your childhood...

It wasn't very easy to step in that airplane, it really wasn't. Your parents had to force you to go in that plane.

The worst thing first, you heard the Korean school system was pretty strict and there was a high percentage for bullying at those schools. You tried to mentally prepare yourself during the summer vacation, but there was only a week left.

Your uniform was at least decent....

To be honest, the schooluniform was pretty awesome. Because your old uniform was pretty... how an you say it... horrible... a crime towards fashion you might say.

You were actually the most scared of the students, because you were scared what they would think about you.. would they judge you because you weren't actually born in Korea? Would they judge you because you have (choose a country) roots?

Maybe they would be fascinated... yeah lets hope for the best you know!

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During the last week you tried to change yourself up a bit. And you also tried to think about other stuff in the mean time. It didn't really help the stress, but you could atleast try...

You had a lot of fun actually decorating your room. It was very cozy actually your new room, and you actually hope to get your 'k-drama' school life...(ofcourse that isn't going to happen... really not).

The last two days were actually pretty calm, your moods changed from time to time and you weren't really focusing on it. You were missing your friends back home, ofcourse you always could call them or chat with them, but its never going to be the same...

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You were laying in bed, staring towards your ceiling, and you were stressed out. Today was official your last day and tommorow was your first day. Actually you were stressed but also kind of exciting. A new school is always a bit exciting.

You went early to bed, you alreaddy packed your school supplies, you went to the hairsalon alreaddy, you did set a alarm for tommorow at 6 a.m. just to be sure,... you have done everything to be prepared for your big day...

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*beep beep beep beep*

'Dammit.' you gasped, reaching out for your heart. You slammed on your clock to put it off. Ofcourse not slamming to hard, so it wouldn't break.

You weakly stood up and went towards the bathroom.

'I am a fricking mess.' you thought by yourself. You started to brush you teeth, to style your hair, to put some 'natural-girl' make-up on and ofcourse some earrings.

You went downstairs, greeting your parents and getting your lunchbox.

'I am going to head out.' you waved. 'Bye bye.'

You took your bike and started to drive off. Looking around, just fascinated about the surroundings. It felt off, to be here. You saw some other students on your way to your school. You also saw someone who immediatly caught your eye while passing by.

A boy with big plump lips, dark eyes, and black hair. His face was just, how could you describe it, lets just call it 'chefs-kiss'. His uniform was the same as yours. So that meant you went both to the same school. You hoped that you will see him at school frequently.

You walked inside and everyone stared at you. Nobody ever saw you at this school so it was pretty normal. You also weren't from Korea, maybe thats why.

You explored the school a bit, looking around, wandering behind people. There was a big library at the school, it was well organized and actually very quiet. I know you might say: your supossed to be silent in a library, but still. Not even a single word. You couldn't hear any whispers. It was a bit weird you thought.

The bell ringed and you first went to a secretary. Because how was you supossed to know were to go?

'Goodmorning miss, mine name is I/N Y/N. I am new at this school and i never got the information where classes are or where to go.'

'Oh sweetty, i will get you all the papers and someone to show you around. No worry's!'

'Thank you.' it was a very nice old lady behind the desk. She didn't seem very old but still.

You waited for maybe 2/3 minutes when she arrived with some papers.

'Here are your classes, the number of the classroom you can find next to your lectures. I will lead you towards your classroom, okay darling?'

you nodded. You followed her into a big hallway, with everywhere classes with learning students. They were very focused. You two walked a bit further until she stopped infront of a classroom. Classroom number 705.

She knocked two time's.

'Goodmorning, i've got a new student for you.'

'Ahh, welcome miss..' he looked towards a piece of paper 'I/N Y/N.'

'I will take care of her further.' the man said to the old lady.

'Could you introduce yourself to the classroom?'

'Mine name is I/N Y/N, like you all heard. I am sixteen, i just moved to Korea maybe two months ago.'

'You can take a seat at the back next to... Han Jisung.' he pointed towards a young student.

You seated yourself next to him. He was quite silent, even tho his face shined some kind of cozy, warm type of feeling out. He wasn't very talkactive at first, but when the teacher assigned you both to do some groupwork it was laughing, pointing and angry teacher.

It all started like this...

'Hey, mine name is Y/N, by the way.'

'Nice to meet you, mine name is Han.'

'Okay lets start with it! So what do we have to do?'

'Why are you looking at me? How am i supossed to know?'

'Look i am the new student here, i shouldn't be alreaddy in the end-zone.'

'I shouldn't either.'

'Lets just look what the others are doing will you?'

'Why are they mixing something together.'

'Because maybe this is science?'

'Oh yeah, thats right. How hard can it be?'

'Yeah actually, its just mixing some stuff together.'

'Okay lets just take this.' he had a cup of purple stuff in his hand.

'Why that?'

'Because the colors of the rest are like magnenta kind of color, so we will just mix purple and blue together.'

'Thats actually smart.'

(by the way, it wasn't right.)

'Okay so... uhmmm why is it boiling?' you asked.

'Uhmmm, this wasn't supossed to happen actually...'

'O my god, its rising.'

'Oh no no no no.'

'Lucky that we are in the back of the class.'

'O no noo noo, it doesn't stop rising.'

'Oh no no no no, what are we going to do?'

'I don't know, how am i supossed to know?!'

'Why don't you know anything?'

'Wait i have a idea, just pour it out in the sink next to use.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah, yeah just do it.'

you poured it out in the sink and... nothing happend. Strange...

'You smart-pants, nothing happend.'

'See, mister smart to your service.'

you both laughed.

'You know, because you are new, we are officially now friends.'

'Thats cool.'

'So i will introduce you to mine friendgroup if you don't might.'

'Why would i?'

'They are kinda hyper-active, you know?'

'Thats okay.'

'You sure?'

'Yeah yeah.'

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You both were walking out of the class, talking and gossiping about your class-students. You two really had a connection. You both also were very loud so those students alreaddy knew you talked about them.

You saw a bench full of boys. They alreaddy turned their heads when they heard you both laughing and shouting loud. Han waved towards them from a distance. You saw a familiar face...

'Hey whatsupp guys, this is Y/N.'

'Hey.'

'Whatsupp.'

'Hello.'

'Hi-i.'

'Hey Y/N.'

'Hi.'

'Mhm.'

You felt someone staring at your body. Suddenly you locked eyes with that boy, that boy you saw on your bike.

'This are Seugmin, Bangchan, Changbin, Lee Know, Felix, Jeongin and Hyunjin.'

... His name was Hyunjin.

'Nice to meet you all.'

'So you are the new student?' Changbin asked.

'Yeah, i am.'

'So are you single?'

'I am a single pringle, indeed.'

'Your funny.' Felix smirked.

'I know.'

'Aahaaa, i know, you know, Lee Know!' Han shouted.

They all laughed but suddenly Lee Know stood up and he ran after Han.

'Oh no, here we go again.'

'What are they doing?'

'Yeah something with tissue's.'

You saw Han running away from Lee Know but Han tripped and fall into the grass. He pinned him down into the grass and putted tissue's in his mouth.

'Very interesting.'

'Its his habit.' Hyunjin said to you.

'Are they a couple?' you whispered towards him.

'They never admit it, but i think they are.'

you both giggled.

Lee Know helped Han to get up from the grass. Their hands interwining with eachother. They are very suspicious to be honest.

'Sorry for that.' Han came running towards you.

'It was funny.'

'Finally someone who finds it funny.' Lee Know commented.

Everyone started to talk about different thema's. Some were talking about their teachers and some about random stuff they saw online. You were just sitting there, next to Hyunjin. The bench was very comfortable. And the sky looked very bright today. You were observing other students when Hyunjin tapped on your shoulder.

'I forgot to ask, could i show you around maybe?'

'Oww, yeah sure, why not.' you smiled.

You both got up and started to walk around, you two, alone, without the others...

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'These are the girlsbathroom they are very neat. Don't try to hide in here when you try to skip class. They get checked frequently.'

'Good to know.'

you two walked further.

'And here is a 'secret' room.'

'If its that secret, how come you know it?'

'All the students know about this room.'

'Really how come?'

Hyunjin cheeks turned bright red.

'Its... its just a place were.' he went silent 'were, couples like... you know.'

'No i don't know.' you smirked.

'Were couples can be alone.'

'Never heard of such place's in schools.'

'Really?'

'Yeah in mine school, you just had the bathrooms.'

'The bathrooms?! Ewww.'

'I know, its disgusting.'

'Are you familliar with that concept?'

'You mean.... umm even tho its normal for teenagers... i never really had interest in that stuff... you know?'

'Yeah yeah, i understand, but why?'

'I just want to save myself for that one person.'

'I understand, you have an idea who that one person might be?'

'I don't know, but i don't want to waste myself before i met him or maybe her, you never know.'

'Yeah, you never know.'

You both smiled weakly at eachother.

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HIS POV

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I totally embarassed myself, why dammit why would i start a conversation about that kind of concept? What is wrong with me? You know just be calm, be calm, okay its just a girl.

Just a girl...

'So you like the school alreaddy?'

'Yeah its cool.'

'Cool.'

Do not ask it Hyunjin, don't you dare... don't do it, don't do it.

'So are you single?'

Dammit dammit dammit.

'What?'

'I mean, you like jingle? Like christmas jingle?'

Smooth dumbass.

'Yeah, i love christmas.'

'Me to! I love the winter.'

'Me to! Wow, you know what i love the most about Christmas?'

'What?'

'The decoration, its just so warm and cozy. Just make's me feel warm.'

'The films are also great don't you think?'

'Yeah ofcourse also the films and also the food.'

'You can't forget about the food, can't you.'

'Everything about Christmas is beautifull you know?'

'What is that noise?' she asked.

O dammit, i swear if Changbin followed use...

'I really don't know.'

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YOUR POV AGAIN

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You saw the boy named Changbin running towards you both.

'What are you two up to?'

'We litterly saw you 5 minutes ago.' Hyunjin said.

His arms were around yours and his shoulders. Hyunjin gave him a side-eye.

'Stop leaning on me-eeee.'

'StOp LeAnInG oN mE-eEeEe.'

'I don't find it funny.'

'You never searched for it.'

'Clever.'

'As always.'

The bell finally ringed. The bell almost gave you a heartattack but it was worth it.

'Yeah, i am going to mine class. Bye!'

'Do i need to bring you there?' Hyunjin asked.

'No worry's, i will find mine way.'

'Oh okay.'

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HIS POV

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Yeah i messed up. I am not sure, but problably. She thinks i am weird, i feel it. I feel the spirit.

'So you like her don't you?'

'What?'

'I see the way you looking at her.'

'Is that all your basing on?'

'Thats all i need to base on.'

'Okay small-bean.'

'STOPPPP calling me short.'

'Awww, StOpPpp cAlLiNg mE sHoRt.'

i started to pinch him.

'Awaaaa, stop pinching me.'

'AwAaAa sToP PiNcHiNg mE.'

'Not funny.'

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I cannot stop thinking about her. Girls around me try to get mine attention by asking for stuff. Asking for help during art class. Trying to play with mine hair.

I don't understand, why i cannot get her out of mine head. I just met her. Her face is adorable and her little hands compared to mine. I want to hold them forever. I want to hold her face between mine thumbs. I want to feel her waist, i want... i want... i want her. With me, here.

'Hyunjinnniee, can you please help me with this painting.'

'You are so tall Hyunjinniee.'

'Please help me.'

It annoys me, i do not want all those girls, i just want her. Here with me. Is that to much to ask?

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Your POV

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'Y/N?'

'Y/N?'

'Y/N?!'

'Huh what?'

'Whats the answer to question number four?'

'Shouldn't you try it yourself?'

'I tried like 20 times, but math just isn't mathing.'

'I came out 20.34'

'How did you- how?! I came out 18839.93.'

'How is that even possible?!'

'I don't know ask mine calculator?!'

'Just write off mine paper, here.'

You gave him your paper with all the answers alreaddy.

'Thank youuuuu.'

'Your welcomeeee.'

You couldn't stop thinking about Hyunjin, it was very strange. You just cannot imagine a life without him right now. Maybe thats a bit over dramatic. You only knew him shortly, so how is that even possible.

'Psst.'

You turned around and came eye to eye, to a very cute boy.

'Yes?'

'Could i borrow a pencil?'

'Sure, here.'

you gave him a pencil from your pencilcase.

'What is your name by the way.' you asked.

'Mine name is Min Yoongi and yours is...'

'Y/N, Y/N I/N.'

'Cool name.'

'Thanks, mine parents picked it for me.'

you both laughed.

You two started to have a deep conversation, about all sorts of things. He was very interesting. He never seem to be understood by the students around the campus. His story's made your heart sink and fall over again. He told about his passion about writing music, also about his friends, and funny enough, he could passiontly talk about sleeping.

After hours of talking you could tell he really liked sleeping. He liked sleeping so much, he could just stay in bed for hours. Even tho it isn't that healthy.

'You are a very interesting person Yoongi.'

'Thank you.' he blushed.

'We really should hang-out sometime's.' he proposed.

'That sounds wonderfull.'

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AUTHORS POV

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Hyunjin saw both of you smiling and talking together. His heart sank towards the ground. He never felt such a pain which wasn't physically. It was another sort of pain.

He went home with a broken-heart, even tho he didn't know you felt the same for him.

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Part 2 coming soon

xoxo

Rachel

[bromfieldhall]

Pyewacket

Penelope is in love with Colin. Colin is in love with Penelope. Both think that their love is unrequited and don't want to act upon their feelings in case it ruins their friendship Enter, Pyewacket...

My submission for Polinween Week 2 - 'What's a Little Fur Between Friends'

Bridgerton Modern AU

PYEWACKET

It was on a warm, slightly humid, evening in late August that Penelope Featherington fell completely and utterly, head over heels, in love for the second time in her fairly young life.

He was a handsome boy, brimming with confidence and gorgeous green eyes that bordered on hypnotising. As soon as he’d sauntered in through the open back door of her modest, two-bedroom house, she’d known she was a goner.

She’d always loved cats.

Purring loudly, his black, glossy fur had tickled as he’d rubbed around her bare ankles before he’d jumped up and settled himself down on her old, comfy settee, like he’d lived there for years.

That had been a month ago. She’d put up notices, had him checked at the vets but with no microchip and nobody calling to claim him, he was now officially hers…or maybe she was officially his really.

Whatever way round it was, ‘Pyewacket’, as she’d named him, was here to stay.

“A pie-wotsit?” her friend, Eloise, had quipped with an incredulous laugh when Penelope had told her.

“It’s an old name for a witch’s familiar,” the redhead had explained. At Eloise’s blank look, she’d shrugged and added a little defensively, “Well, I like it.”

“It’s great, Pen, honestly,” Eloise had assured her with a grin. “I would’ve probably called him something boring like John, but Pye…”

“…wacket,” her friend had supplied helpfully when Eloise had trailed off with a frown.

“Yes, Pye, really suits him.”

Penelope had simply shook her head and smiled. She’d take that.

And now, to celebrate, she’d bought Pye a dark green collar with a little bell, a new catnip toy and a small tin of tuna. He ran over as soon as she opened the can and paced around her legs with the odd little mew as he waited impatiently for his treat. She placed his bowl on the stone tiled kitchen floor, then put the kettle on and herself a m ug of tea.

She’d just sat down with her steaming brew when her phone went off and she smiled when she saw the name that flashed up. No matter what continent he was on for work, he never forgot her birthday.

Ever.

“Hi Colin.” A loud rendition of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ came back at her and she laughed when he held the last ‘you’ for far longer than she thought was possible. “Thank you for reminding me I’m another year older, but sadly not any wiser,” she quipped when the singing had ended.

“Oh, that sounds rather ominous,” he replied, suddenly serious. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Of course,” she said in what she hoped was a dismissive tone.

Apparently, it wasn’t…

“Penelope, I know you. What’s happened? Is it your mum? What’s she said now?” he fired off, already getting angry on her behalf.

“No, it’s not mum - or Prudence or Philippa,” she added before her friend mentioned her sisters.

“Well, it’s something,” he prodded. Colin paused, but when Penelope didn’t speak, he asked flatly, “Is it Alan?”

Penelope sighed heavily and shook her head at his continuous propensity to get her boyfriend’s name wrong.

Well, ex-boyfriend now.

“It’s Alfie, Colin and yes, if you must know we broke up last week,” she told him unhappily.

“Switch to facetime,” he demanded suddenly.

“Colin…”

“Pen, switch to facetime. I want to see you so we can talk properly,” he told her firmly.

“I’m sure you have better things to do than listen to me having a moan,” she argued without any real heat, “and I thought you said were meant to be filming some secret lagoon today or something?”

“That’s later. So, I’m exactly where I want to be. Talking to you on facetime, Pen,” he retorted.

She tutted but pulled her phone away from her ear and saw that he had already made the call. She hit accept and his face came into view.

‘Well. Happy, fricking, birthday, to me,’ she thought, drinking in the sight of him.

From his chestnut brown hair – that was slightly too long and curling up at the ends in a way that made her fingers itch to reach through the screen and just tug – to his ridiculously deep blue eyes, lightly stubbled chin and golden tan.

He looked gorgeous…and of course he was shirtless.

Her gaze dropped briefly to his chest, skittering over the liberal covering of hair there. Dear God, if he only knew what that did to her, he’d probably wear a polo neck for the rest of his life.

They were only friends, after all. Something that she constantly had to remind herself of when her mind – or gaze – wandered off to their own little fantasies. It didn’t matter that she’d been in love with him for forever.

Well, years, anyway.

And honestly, she’d long since made peace with her unrequited feelings in regards to Colin Bridgerton.

Mostly.

He’d been out of the country for a couple of months now. Said he’d had an idea for a new book and had left with barely a few days notice.

She understood. Like him, she was a writer. Romance novels that sold surprisingly well, considering the lack of any real lasting relationships in her personal life to draw upon. Still, her books had ensured her bank balance was very healthy and when the writing bug bit, she knew you had to go with it, wherever it took you.

For Colin, that just happened to be the other side of the world more often than not. New places to see, new experiences to catalogue. He thrived on the adventure and it clearly showed…if his sun-kissed beach body was anything to go by. Not an ounce of fat anywhere from what she could see…

“So,” he said, drawing her attention back to their conversation. He had a small, sympathetic smile on his face and tilted his head slightly as he continued, “do you want to tell me what happened?”

Not really.

She certainly wasn’t going to tell him that Alfie had become very suspicious of her feelings for Colin and was oddly convinced that the love of her life also felt something back.

 She’d quickly brushed that notion off as ridiculous but then, with impeccable timing, several messages had suddenly pinged through on her phone from Colin. It was merely a rundown of his day with some photos of things he thought she might like to see. For her, that was normal. For Alfie, not so much it seemed…not for a long while.

In the end, listening to his reasoning, even she had to begrudgingly admit that, from the outside, it had kind of undermined her argument.

And, to top it all off, Pye hadn’t liked him. Not one little bit.

“There’s nothing to tell. It just didn’t work out and he…we decided it would be better to end it,” she finally replied with a shrug.

Colin’s eyes narrowed as he assessed the truth of her words. He didn’t quite believe her but, at the same time, she didn’t seem particularly upset, so he reluctantly decided not to push the reasons why. He was just unaccountably pleased that the idiot was gone.

“Well, having never spoken to the guy, Pen, I can safely say that he’s a fool,” he told her wryly. He was rewarded with her laugh and grinned. “So, what are your plans for your birthday? Going out somewhere nice tonight?” he asked, changing the subject.

“No, not now. Alfie was taking me out for dinner, but I’m going to get a pizza in and open a bottle of wine instead,” she replied with a smile.

“Sounds like that that’ll be a far more interesting night,” he commented with a chuckle. “Is Eloise joining you? How is she? I haven’t spoken to her recently.”

“She’s good, but I haven’t told her about Alfie and me yet because she’d already made plans with Phillip for this evening,” she explained with a sigh. “I know she’d cancel on him just because it’s my birthday and I don’t want her to. He’s a nice guy and I think she really likes him.”

“Poor chap,” he commiserated with a huff of laughter. He loved his sister but she could be…difficult at times. 

“She’s not that bad,” Penelope rebuked lightly.

Colin merely raised his eyebrows at that and they both shared a laugh.

“So, since El is busy, what about one of your other friends?” he asked, bringing the conversation back around to her. “You can’t be alone on your birthday, Pen.”

“Oh, I’m fine. It’s just another day at my age and, anyway, who says I’m going to be alone? I’ll have you know I’ll be spending the evening with a very handsome fellow,” she told him rather smugly.

On the other end of the call, Colin’s hand tightened around his phone as felt his stomach drop – and then churn unpleasantly. She’d met someone else already?

“Well, that was rather quick,” he muttered to himself.

“What was that?”

Colin’s eyes widened as he realised he’d spoken louder than he’d imagined and felt heat start to warm his cheeks.

She was staring at him with an expression that told him she wasn’t quite sure that she’d heard, what she thought she’d heard.

“Oh, uh, nothing, I just said that...um…I’m sure you could have your pick,” he covered relatively smoothly and even managed to summon a charming smile.

At least, he hoped it was charming because it felt like the skin on his face was so taut it might actually tear apart if he tried to force his mouth any wider.

Penelope regarded him for a couple of seconds longer then suddenly giggled.

“I’m pretty certain he picked me.” She glanced away for a moment then looked back at him happily and added, “Hang on, he’s just finished eating. I’ll go get him and introduce you.”

What?

He was there?

All this time?

Colin’s heart stuttered along with his words. In the end all he managed to get out was an odd, strangulated sound that really had more to do with the fact that Penelope had leaned forward to prop up her phone against something on the table. It had afforded him with such an appealing view of her ample chest that he’d been rendered momentarily speechless.

Good Lord, if she knew just how much she affected him, she’d be horrified. Rightly so. Friends didn’t ogle friends – even if one the friends desperately wished they could be more.

The sound of footsteps made him focus back on the screen. She was returning with her new…whatever. Shaking himself mentally, he tried to adopt a neutral expression so that he could at least appear to seem unbothered by this unexpected turn of events.

“Here he is,” Penelope gushed as she came back into view. She sat down on the settee with a big bundle of fur in her arms and turned him so that Colin could see his face. “Meet Pyewacket, the new addition to the Featherington household.”

Oh.

A cat.

If he hadn’t already realised awhile ago that he was in love with his friend, the ridiculous amount of relief that flooded through his system in that single moment would’ve been a huge wake-up call. Even for him.

He watched as Penelope stroked him, the cats back arching under her ministrations. Pyewacket was clearly enjoying all the attention and purred loudly as she scratched lightly behind first one ear, then the other.

Colin smiled a little at the obvious tenderness on her face as she fussed her new pet. He’d be a very happy man indeed if she ever looked at him like that.

Suddenly, Pye stopped purring and stared unwaveringly into the camera, directly at Colin. He wasn’t sure if he’d made a noise or had moved slightly, but whatever the reason, he’d definitely grabbed the cat’s attention and as he stared back, he was taken with how very green his eyes were…and how they seemed to pierce straight into his soul.

It was a distinctly unnerving feeling that had him clear his throat a little in discomfort. He tried to look away but couldn’t. Something held him captive, like an invisible hold and then, one blink, and it was gone.

Pye turned away and after circling in Penelope’s lap a couple of times, he settled down, seemingly falling into an instant sleep.

“Well,” Colin began, still trying to get his head around what had just happened, “he’s a handsome devil.” He forced a grin. “Great name. Witch’s familiar. Suits him.”

Penelope beamed and he relaxed a little.

“I guess that’s my outfit sorted for the Halloween party this year then,” she commented with a chuckle.

“Oh, you’re going as a sexy witch, huh?” he teased, his grin easier now. “Good thing I’ll be back in time. I very much look forward to seeing that costume on the night.”

Her eyes widened as a delicate blush stained her cheeks and he belatedly wondered if he’d overstepped - but needn’t have worried. She was apparently more surprised about him returning.

“You’re coming? Really? But…I thought you said we wouldn’t see you until Christmas?” she exclaimed in confusion.

“I did, but I’ve actually made much better progress than I thought I would, so I should only be gone a few more weeks,” he explained, keeping it vague.

In truth, he’d only just decided to return and it was primarily because her prat of a boyfriend was no longer around.

On screen her expression softened as she smiled.

“That news is probably the best present I could’ve had for my birthday,” she said sincerely. “It’ll be good to have you home again, Colin.”

Home.

Where the heart is...and his heart, he now knew, had always been hers.

“Pen…”

Before he could say anything more, there was a loud knock on his hotel room door.

“I’ll go and let you get that,” she said, picking up her phone.

He sighed and nodded. He wasn’t really sure what he’d been about to say anyway. Although the urge to blurt out his feelings had been strong, there was no way he was going to make that kind of declaration over a bloody facetime call. Penelope deserved so much better than that.

“I’ll be in touch,” he assured her instead, “and let me know when your real present turns up. I think you might like it.”

“Present? What present?” she asked perplexed. “Colin?”

“Happy birthday, Pen.”

Grinning, he gave her a wink and a little wave, then ended the call.

“Infuriating man,” she muttered as she tossed the phone down beside her on the settee.

Pye lifted his head and mewed softly as if in agreement.

“Exactly!” she replied with a curt nod.

Absently, she started to stroke his fur, her mind running over and over the unexpected phone call. After a few moments she let out a groan of frustration and moved Pye gently off her lap so that she could stand. She refused to waste any more time torturing herself by reading anything into Colin’s meaningless flirtations. He probably didn’t even realise he was doing it at this point. They’d known each other for so long it was second nature for him.

Picking up her now lukewarm mug of tea, she took it over to the sink and tipped it away. Flicking the switch on the kettle, she leaned back against the counter and waited for it to boil to make a fresh cup.

She’d just added a dash of milk when her doorbell rang. Answering the door, the postman handed over a small parcel that needed her signature. She duly complied and walked back into the kitchen where she placed the box on the counter.

She could see it was from Colin and a dart of anticipation rose within her as she carefully opened the parcel. After putting most of the packaging to one side, she found a note and a small ornament wrapped in tissue.

She opened the note and read it quickly.

‘For your birthday, Pen. I saw this and knew it belonged with you. Love Colin x’

Intrigued, she pulled off the tissue and stared at the beautifully carved wooden figurine in amazement.

It was of a cat. Seated with its tail curled around its paws. Black, of course, with deep green, painted eyes.

She let out a delighted laugh. What were the odds? He couldn’t have known about Pye because she knew that he hadn’t been in touch with any of his siblings recently. In fact, she was the one that tended to update them as Colin often spoke to her because she was always so interested in what he was doing.

“Look, it’s you!” she declared, turning to show Pye the ornament.

He was sat on one of the breakfast stools and eyed the figure a moment before leaning forward and giving it a cursory sniff. He pulled back and looked at her then let out a little chirrup.

“I agree, it is beautiful.”

Still giggling to herself over the uncanny coincidence, she went and got her phone from where it lay on the couch and quickly typed out a thank you message to Colin. He replied almost immediately saying she was welcome and that he was looking forward to seeing her in a few weeks.

Penelope sighed and sat down. Seeing her. Not simply looking forward to coming home, but to seeing her. And so was she. Looking forward to seeing him. More than she knew she should allow herself too really. She didn’t want get her hopes up anymore.

As if sensing her sudden sombre mood, Pyewacket jumped up beside her and reached out a paw, gently touching her arm. She gave him a scratch on the head and smiled a little sadly.

“Oh, Pye, all these years and I’m still such a fool for him,” she muttered with a shake of her head. “As if this time will be any different from all the other times he’s come home, right?”

He mewed a response and she turned her head to look at him in amazement. It was the damndest thing but she could have sworn that it sounded like, ‘yes’.

She suddenly laughed at the absurdity of the notion and gave him a little pat.

“Come on, let’s find your toy and have a play,” she said, dropping a kiss on the top of his silky head.

Pye regarded her a moment as she went off, then trailed after her, tail upright, the tip twitching slightly.

Humans were a funny lot, he decided. But he liked this one and he knew the other one did too. A lot.

And come All Hallow’s Eve, Pye was determined that she would know just how much the other one did as well.

[juno-box]

If you could pick ONE person to make it to the Final Season with Clem, outside of the obvious choices (Lee, Kenny, Luke, etc.) who would it be?

Optional: How do you think they'd affect the course of season 4?

If I could pick one person? Duck. Surviving with Clem from S1 to the finish line, I feel like there's some things he can change.

If he woke up in the room with Clem, he'd could probably be a bit of a mediator between the two, he'd probably take charge a bit and not let her size Tenn up.

In terms of people he'd get along with, Willy, Brody and Mitch come to mind. Once that slightly laid back personality starts coming out, I feel like Aasim would try to lump him in Louis. Duck would probably respect a lot of Louis' outlooks on post-apocalypse life.

During the card game at dinner, I bet answering questions would be hilarious.

C: "What's the grossest thing you've ever eaten?" V: "Oh that's easy, uh, horse eyeballs." M: "Slugs." L: "Cantaloupe." C: "I ate a guy's leg once?" D: "No you didn't!" C: "Oh, right, that's was you." D: "Y-... Hey!" V: "..." M: "..." L: "..." D&C: "We're kidding!" L: "... Are you?"

I imagine, the night they find out Marlon & Brody's secret, I feel like he would either go with Clem or she'd ask him to stay with AJ.

If Duck was there, would he see AJ and stop him? More than likely not on time, the moment he saw him (because literally nobody saw him, but Duck has good hearing and a good eye as we see in S1). Duck would see AJ the second he's about to pull the trigger and it's too late.

It's morning, AJ asks if he's a murderer. Duck would instantly tell him no, but try to explain what he did was considered murder. Naturally, confusing AJ. So Clem would take over.

Tenn comes and gets them for funeral, they come back and wait for the vote. They have to leave.

I feel like on the walk, Duck would quietly ask Clem if it's possible they can try Richmond, but Clem would say it's still too risky.

I mean just imagining Duck running into Lilly again and all I can hear is:

"Kenny's kid...?" "Lilly...?" "Great. I don't suppose your dad's around here, is he?" "Lucky for you, he's not." "Hmph. So he's dead then." "Well, duh...?" "???"

I think he'd be a sharpshooter from the windows. So when Lilly grabs Tenn, he'd shoot her in the arm. I think Tenn would get him to move, and I don't think Mitch would charge then. So... Mitch spared?!

Would he be captured? Yeah, I think so. I think he'd sacrifice himself for either Vi or Lou.

Would Duck be maimed on the boat? Oooh, I dunno. I think since he's more survival toughened, he wouldn't talk more than the Delta found permissible unlike Louis, even though Louis was trying to help Aasim and Omar.

But, when the bomb goes off, hearing in one of his ears is damaged. It's a bit more muffled.

He'd probably be strong enough to fricking yeet Tennessee on the other side of the bridge the minute he pulls that stunt with Minerva.

Which may or may not lead to him being bit. He doesn't get devoured, but Tenn does get him bit. Which pisses AJ off. So Duck missing one of his arms? Ye?

I think he'd get Clem up before she's bit herself, but that doesn't mean we might not have to ditch her leg because of what Minnie did to it on the bridge.

Sorry, it's all over the place but these just came to mind as I was typing, lol!

[crystalninjaphoenix]

Cracks In a Bottle

Paranormal Preteens AU: Episode Twenty-Five

A JSE Fanfic

Man it feels like forever since I've written the kids. I missed them. Can't believe we're already halfway through the winter arc! The gang has figured out what that weird doll does, and it's really cause for concern. They try to find some way to get rid of it, but everything ends up in dead ends, and JJ is starting to get frustrated with all this. Meanwhile, Christmas and exams are fast approaching, and the kids have to deal with that before they're able to really do anything.

More of this AU | From the Start | Read on AO3 at CrystalNinjaPhoenix

++++++++++++++++++++

“That is the most messed-up thing I’ve ever heard,” Jackie said.

The whole gang was gathered at Zelly’s, which was pretty much empty besides them. The shop may have served hot chocolate in the winter, but it was better known for its ice cream, so summer was always busiest. That should have meant the kids were more comfortable talking about their adventures since no one could overhear, but something about the empty area made them all uneasy. Their words echoed more.

“It’s so messed up!” Chase agreed in a whisper-shout. “Are you two really sure that’s what the doll is doing?”

Marvin and JJ nod in unison. “We tested it out twice,” Marvin said. “I mean, I guess you could try it for yourself if you want. Are you okay with that, JJ?”

JJ hesitated, then nodded.

“Wow. Okay uhh...” Chase bit his lip, thinking. “Do the chicken dance.”

JJ stiffened. And then, despite clearly not wanting to, he stood up and started to do the chicken dance. Chase couldn’t help but laugh.

“You can stop!” Schneep hurriedly said.

JJ stopped and immediately sat down, face red with embarrassment.

“Chase!” Stacy glared at him.

“Huh? What?” Chase blinked, confused. “Nobody saw besides us.”

“He didn’t want to do it!”

“Yeah exactly—that’s how I knew it would be magic.”

“You did not have to laugh, Chase,” Schneep pointed out.

“Sorry... It wasn’t funny, it was just...” Chase gestures vaguely. It was a little funny to see JJ do something ridiculous he wouldn’t usually do. But this was serious time. “So, uh, guess we really gotta get rid of that doll, then? Do you have it?”

Nodding, JJ took it out of his bag and put it on the table between his and Marvin’s hot chocolate mugs.

“Huh... you’re right, it does look... bigger.” Jackie reached over and picked it up. “Less skinny.” He gave it an experimental squeeze. “You didn’t feel that?” 

Not at all, JJ said.

“Okay.” Jackie nodded. “Well we definitely need to get rid of this now. I think it’s safest to take this home with me and put it in the fireplace. I doubt this thing is flameproof.”

I’ll probably need to come with you then, JJ says. So it won’t disappear and return to me.

“I can keep a good eye on it,” Jackie promised.

JJ stared at him. You have to blink eventually.

“...Well that doesn’t sound ominous at all,” Jackie muttered. “Alright. You can stop by my house sometime. When would be good?”

Marvin frowned. “Mam and Dad aren’t gonna let him go to a friend’s house while exams are getting so close.”

“You don’t have to tell them where you’re going,” Jackie said.

“Okay lemme say that a different way,” Marvin said. “They’re not gonna let him go anywhere that isn’t school soon. We were lucky that we could come here.”

JJ nodded. We said we were going to the library.

Schneep frowned. “I really do not like your parents.”

“Yeah that’s fricked up,” Chase added. “Uhhh... can you guys sneak out or something? Or, uh, get your grandma to take you somewhere? She seems nice.”

JJ and Marvin glanced at each other. “We’ll see what we can do,” Marvin said slowly. “Anyway. Uh, have you guys heard anything else about the greenlight shit?”

“Nope,” Stacy said.

“Which I find strange,” Schneep said. “We were hearing all sorts of rumors during the summer. But nothing now.” He leaned forward. “I think that the Circle is doing something.”

Chase sat up straight to attention. “Like what?”

“I am not sure exactly. But we know that these monsters come from the Fissures, yes? Or, if we believe Anti, they are coming from this ‘dark place’ that the Fissures lead to. And we know the Circle is keeping an eye on the Fissures and the... Anom...Anomalies.” He looked around. “Is that right?”

“Yeah, that’s the right word, Schneep,” Jackie assured him. “So, you think that the Circle is... what, sealing up the Fissures?”

“If they could do that, they would’ve sealed up the one under the planetarium before Anti collapsed it,” Stacy pointed out.

“Yes, I agree,” Schneep said. “But they must be doing something. Ja?”

“That makes sense,” Marvin said. He growled. “Man, I wanna go right up to these Circles guys and give them a piece of my fucking mind.” He conjured up a little tower with his greenlight, glowing and translucent. Then he punched it and knocked it over, where it crashed into pieces upon hitting the table, then disappeared.

“You’re getting really good at that,” Chase said, impressed.

“We can’t just go confront the Circle,” Jackie said. “We don’t know what they’d do. We do have to find some way to take care of them, but—but we have to be sneaky about it!” He sighed. “Winter holiday is fast approaching. We’ll... start doing more then. We can think of stuff to try until then.”

JJ frowned. He stares at the doll sitting on the table, the doll that looked so much like him.

He didn’t want to wait until winter break. He wanted to take care of this now.

++++++++++++++++++++

Mrs. Karter was the Chemistry teacher, meaning her classroom was on the third floor with all the other science classrooms. JJ’s last class of the day, Physics, was also on that floor, so he decided to just head straight there. Well... not straight away. He wanted to give the students who had that class time to clear out. So he waited around as long as he felt he could, then headed down the hallway. He found the classroom easily enough, peeking inside the open door—

Not all of the students were gone. River Bailey was inside, talking with Mrs. Karter.

JJ froze.

A minute passed, then River turned away from Mrs. Karter and caught sight of JJ. “Oh hey!” He waved. “Jameson, huh? Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you.”

JJ shook his head. No, it’s not like— He started to sign, then froze again, realizing that River probably wouldn’t understand.

River blinked slowly. “Oh yeah... you don’t talk. Sorry, I, uh, can’t understand that.”

After a split second hesitation—should he get his notebook out and try to talk for real?—JJ just smiled and nodded, trying to tell him that it was alright.

“Yeah. Sorry.” River looked slightly embarrassed. “Uh, well... do you have Chemistry? I’ve never seen you in my class.”

JJ shook his head.

“Oh. Man, I could’ve helped you with stuff. So what d’you need to talk to Mrs. Karter about?” River asked. 

Mrs. Karter had noticed JJ as well. She was staring at him with a hard-to-read expression. Then, when River turned around to look at her, she smiled. “Mr. Jackson’s brother is in my class. He must be here to help him in some way.”

“Oh yeah, of course.” River smiled at JJ. “See you around then?”

JJ nodded. His face felt really hot.

“Kay. Bye!” River headed off. JJ watched him go, turning to follow him with his eyes until he was out of sight. Then he spun back around to face Mrs. Karter.

“Nervous?” she asked. “You look frozen with fear.”

He was pretty sure it wasn’t fear. But this wasn’t the time to address it. He took a deep breath and stepped farther into the classroom, putting his books down on a desk so he could sign. But then he remembered that Mrs. Karter didn’t speak sign, so he took out his notebook and wrote, What did you do to me?

Mrs. Karter blinked, looking confused. “What do you mean?”

With the doll!

“Doll?”

JJ looked around. He knew by now how the doll worked. All he needed was a compartment or something—there! He walked over to a closet in the back of the room and opened it. Sure enough, there it was, sitting on a shelf. He grabbed it and walked back over, putting the doll on the desk.

Mrs. Karter glanced down at it, still confused. “Huh?”

I got this doll for some award or something, JJ said.

“...Congratulations?”

JJ shook his head, biting back a frustrated growl. The Circle gave it to me, didn’t they?!

Mrs. Karter glanced around nervously. They were alone. There was no one else in the classroom, and no one in sight in the hallway. “If they did, I was not informed,” she said quietly. “And why would they give you some doll?”

Because it’s a weird magic doll! Ever since I got it, I have to do whatever people tell me to! And no matter where I leave it, it appears next to me again!

Mrs. Karter blinked. “Really...? Fascinating. What a strange Anomaly.” She poked the doll, then glanced at JJ, as if looking for his reaction. A strange curiosity came into her expression. “Jameson—”

JJ recognized that tone. She was about to tell him to do something! Quickly, he clapped his hands over his ears and ran out of the classroom without even bothering to pick up his books.

++++++++++++++++++++

“That... might not have been the best idea...” Jackie said slowly.

I guess I didn’t think it through, JJ said curtly.

“I didn’t expect that from you, JJ!” Chase laughed. “You’re like—smart and stuff.”

JJ stared at him without saying anything. Chase’s laughter slowly died. You and Schneep didn’t have to come, you know, he finally said.

“We thought it would be better this way,” Schneep explained. “In case something happened there would be more people to help.”

The boys were all gathered at Jackie’s house. His dad was at work, but he could be back soon, so Jackie had explained their visit away by saying the kids wanted to look at more Caverns and Creatures stuff. Which... wasn’t technically a lie. They did want to look at more C&C stuff. But they all agreed it wouldn’t be fair to do more without Stacy, who was busy today because her sister had a dance recital. “I don’t wanna see a doll burn anyway,” she’d said. “Just text me when it’s done.”

JJ nodded slowly. He turned back to Jackie. Can we just get this over with?

“Right.” While JJ and Marvin explained what happened with Mrs. Karter, Jackie had been busy stoking the fire. He poked the logs with a fireplace poker. “I think it’s hot enough.”

“It’s fire, of course it’s hot enough,” Marvin said. “But I guess the doll is magic so like I guess hotter is better just in case it’s more, like, durable than a normal doll. But I don’t think you can get that hot with a normal fireplace. I think you could cook over fireplaces in the olden times though so maybe you can? JJ what d’you think?”

JJ shrugged. He took the doll out of his bag and handed it over to Jackie. “Thanks,” Jackie said, and carefully balanced the doll on the fireplace poker, draping it across the metal so its legs and arms dangled. Then he slowly inched the doll towards the flames... and tossed it into the fireplace. It landed right in the center of the burning logs.

“Where do you get firewood, Jackie?” Chase asked curiously. “Does your dad go out into the woods to chop it?”

Jackie laughed. “No, you can just buy firewood at the store. Don’t you ever wonder what those stacks of—”

“JJ!” Schneep gasped.

JJ had suddenly fallen to his hands and knees. His skin was growing red, and he blinked tiredly as droplets of sweat fell into his eyes.

“What the hell?!” Jackie gasped.

Everyone’s attention snapped back to the fireplace. The doll had caught on fire, flames licking at its yarn hair and cloth hands. Marvin lunged forward, reaching out his hand. A length of green glowing light wrapped around the doll like a lasso. He grabbed onto this greenlight rope and pulled. The doll tumbled out of the fire and onto the stone hearth around the fireplace.

Chase took his hat off and tried to fan air towards the fiery doll. “No, air makes fire bigger!” Schneep shouted.

“It does?! But you blow out candles!”

“Wait here!” Jackie got up and ran into the kitchen. He was only gone for a minute, but in that time, JJ fell to the floor, gasping. Marvin knelt by his brother’s side, sparks of greenlight flickering around his hands as he tries to come up with something to do. Chase and Schneep looked around the room wildly, trying to figure out some way to help!

Then Jackie returned, dumping a bowl full of water onto the doll. It splashed wildly, some getting on Chase and Marvin, but the flames went out instantly. JJ gasped, rolling onto his back to look at the ceiling. “JJ! JJ!” Marvin shouted. When JJ didn’t respond, he got up in his face and began signing. J-twin! J-twin!

JJ took a deep breath. I’m fine, he signed slowly.

“Wh-what was that?” Chase stammered. 

Schneep rushed over to JJ’s side. He presses two fingers to his neck, then put his hand an inch above JJ’s mouth—which JJ looked really confused about. “Y-your heartbeat and breathing is fine, but your skin is really hot,” Schneep said.

“I thought you guys tested if it would hurt him,” Chase said.

“We did!” Marvin said. “I guess our tests weren’t good enough. I mean... I guess we were too scared to try anything really bad. Like the, uh, fire.”

We should have at least stabbed the doll, JJ said, then sat up.

“Nooo!” Marvin said, looking like he was about to cry at the mere thought of stabbing the doll—and therefore, his brother.

Jackie picked up the doll. It dripped water onto the hearth. “Uh... guys? This is weird.” He showed the doll to the boys. It was... unburning itself. The damage was being... healed? 

Marvin blinked. “What the fuck? I-its greenlight is spiking!”

That’s so weird,” Chase said.

“W-well at least the damage done by the fire will not continue to hurt JJ,” Schneep said.

JJ stood up. He glared at the doll, frustrated. Then stomped over and snatched it from Jackie’s hands, shoving it into his bag without caring about getting his other belongings wet.

“.. Okay, then,” Jackie said.

“What’re you so angry about, JJ?” Chase asked.

JJ glared at him.

“Dude, there’s a magic doll making him do what people say,” Marvin said. “And it can’t be destroyed. Shit sucks.”

“Uh... right.” Chase nodded slowly. “I-I would be angry, too, I guess.” But for some reason, he didn’t expect JJ to be angry. 

“What do we do now?” Schneep asked worriedly.

“There has to be some way to get rid of it,” Jackie said, determined. “Marvin, can you drain its greenlight?”

“I think we already talked about that,” Marvin said. “I can’t. But...” He sighed. “Maybe I just need more practice? I wish I had more time to do cool magic shit with all these exams and holiday stuff. But I’ll do everything I can, JJ!” He held out his hand to JJ. He took it, and Marvin squeezed his hand tightly. “Everything!”

“Yes, we will do everything too!” Schneep agreed.

“We’ll find out more,” Jackie said. “Maybe if we can find Anti or more Circle stuff—”

And then his phone started to ring in his pocket. 

“Damn it,” Jackie whispered. He took the phone out and answered the call. “Yeah? Oh! Really? No, I’m not busy. What is it? Yeah, I remember. I’ll give it to you after class tomorrow. Hey, I’m a man of my word! You know me! Well it won’t take long to say over the phone.” He paused. “Sounds good. What is it?” Another pause. He nodded. “Thank you so much, Celine. We’ll meet up at the front entrance after class.” Then he hung up.

What was that about? JJ asked.

“My friend Celine.” Jackie grinned. “She found Jack’s address. It’s 5 Windscape Lane in Miryburgh, Ireland. She’s gonna write it down for me and hand it to me tomorrow, too.”

“Oh shoot!” Chase took his own pocket out of his phone. “We gotta call Stacy!”

“What do we do with this address now that we have it?” Schneep asked. “Do we mail him?”

“No, he could ignore a letter,” Jackie said. “We have to find some reason to go over there and talk to him. All of us. Maybe—after Christmas? While we’re still on holiday?”

“Sounds great!” Chase said excitedly. 

In fact, he was so excited, that he didn’t notice the way JJ’s shoulders slumped. But Schneep did. He looked over at him. “Is everything alright, Jameson?” he asked.

JJ nodded. 

“...okay,” Schneep said quietly. “Let us know what we can do, ja?”

We can get rid of the stupid doll, JJ said.

“That’s... going to be difficult,” Jackie said slowly. “We clearly can’t destroy it, and it might just keep teleporting to you if we, like, bury it or something. I think the best thing we can do is have Marvin practice on taking out the greenlight. If we’re really sure it won’t work, then we start trying things desperately.”

JJ nodded slowly. I guess we just... go home now.

“Man. I don’t wanna go home.” Marvin sighed. “It’s all studying there all the time. But I guess we have to go home eventually. Ugh. Fucking exams.”

The more time passed, the more Chase felt exams looming over his head. When they got home, Mom insisted that he reviewed some of his notes. “You don’t have to do much, just read through them occasionally,” she said. Unfortunately, Chase often had no idea what his notes meant. He wrote down ‘color is banned’ and ‘you can’t say things how they feel’ in his English notes for a book they read that semester. How was he supposed to uncode that? 

He was worried about JJ, too... but at least the doll situation wasn’t hurting him? And JJ seemed okay. A little frustrated. But okay.

It was probably fine. He could focus on school for a while.

++++++++++++++++++++

But focus soon became difficult. Because, only a couple days after they tried to destroy the doll, Chase and Schneep’s relatives started coming into town.

It started with their grandparents—Grandma and Grandpa Walker, Mom’s mom and dad. Chase was in his room, taking a break from reading notes to idly bounce a ball off a wall, when he heard the front door open downstairs. He paused, listening to the voices that followed, and the moment he realized he recognized them he shot out of bed and rushed down the hall. He knocked on Schneep’s door. “Schneep! Schneep Schneep Schneep Schneeeeeep!”

After only a little bit, Schneep opened the door. “What is—whoa!” Chase grabbed him by the hand and yanked him down the hall towards the stairs. “Chase! What is it?!”

“They’re here!” Chase only said in response. The boys ran down the stairs and stopped in the front hall. 

“Chase! Henrik! Is that you? When did you both get so tall?” Grandma stepped past Mom and over to the boys. “Oh, you both are so grown up!”

“Grandma!” Chase let go of Schneep’s hand and flung his arms around Grandma. She smelled like vanilla—she always did, since she likes to wear perfume a lot.

“What, nothing for me?” Grandpa asked, still standing by the door.

Chase laughed and ran over to hug him, too. Grandpa always smelled like some sort of product. Dad had said it was “aftershave” and that he’d explain it to him when he was older. “I didn’t know you guys were coming so soon!”

“We wanted to be here in case your mom wanted help with anything,” Grandma explained. “And to check on you two, of course! It’s been a year since we’ve seen either of you, since you didn’t come to the reunion this year.”

Mom laughed awkwardly. “Well, uh... we were... busy.”

Both Grandma and Grandpa nodded, looking serious for a moment. Chase had never noticed it before, but Grandma really looked like an older version of Mom. She had the same build, face, and eyes, but everything was a bit softer. There were obvious differences, too. Her white hair was pulled back in a bun at the base of her neck, and she always wore a floral-pattern shirt. But if Mom put on a wig and makeup to look like wrinkles, they would be almost the same. Grandpa, on the other hand, looked quite different. He was short and round, his gray hair shaved shirt to bristles. Much like Grandma, he always wore the same type of outfit, his being striped collared shirts made of a smooth fabric. And his cane, of course. But if Chase squinted, he could see that Mom and Grandpa had the same eye color.

“Did you have any trouble with the flight or the city?” Mom asked.

“Oh none at all, Jessie,” Grandma said. “Slept like a pair of logs the whole time we were on the plane.”

“Though we did have to get used to the rental car,” Grandpa chuckled. “The steering wheel is on the wrong side!”

Chase laughed, then looked back and noticed Schneep hadn’t said much. He was standing in the same spot, looking at the gathering like he wasn’t part of it. “C’mon, Henrik, say hi to Grandma and Grandpa!” he encouraged, walking back over and taking Schneep’s hand for support.

“Ah... h-hello,” Schneep said quietly. “I-it is good to see you again.”

Grandma leaned over. “How are you, Henrik?” she asked. 

“Good,” Schneep said. “I am good.”

“Hmm. We’ll be in town all the way until the 28th, if you ever need anything from your grandma and grandpa,” Grandma said.

“And we have something for you—both of you.” Grandpa reached into his pocket and. “We had to exchange everything in the airport, I hope that this is how much I think it is.” He shuffled over and held out some bills to the two of them, taken from his wallet.

“Oh wow, thanks!” Chase said, taking the twenty-pound note offered to him. This was the most money he’d ever had!

He glances to the side and saw Schneep’s eyes go wide as he also took a twenty-pound note. “What is it for?” he asked hesitantly, looking it over like he expected it to be fake.

“Can’t we just give gifts to our grandchildren?” Grandpa winked. 

“You can think of it as an early Christmas present if you want,” Grandma added. “There’s more coming on the actual day, of course.”

Schneep nodded slowly. “Th-thank you.”

Mom smiles a bit, then looked at Grandma and Grandpa. “Where are you guys staying? There are two hotels in town, I could’ve—”

“Don’t worry about it, Jessie, Kathy helped us figure it all out,” Grandma said. “It’s a place called the Blue Blossom. It’s lovely.”

Mom nodded. She glances at Chase and Schneep. “Well... would you two like them to stay for dinner?”

“Oh, we’d hate to impose—” Grandma said.

“It’s fine, Mom. It’s your first night, it’s the least I can do. If the boys are okay with it.”

Chase was immediately excited, but before he answered, he looked at Schneep. “What do you think?” he asked.

“Ahm...” Schneep paused, thinking about it. Then he nodded. “Y-yes. F-for a little bit, that sounds great.”

“We’d love it, Mom!” Chase said, bouncing on his feet.

Mom smiled gently. “Alright. I’ll get started, you all settle down.”

Chase and Schneep spent the rest of the evening talking with their grandparents, telling them all about the past year—or, not all about it. They obviously didn’t say anything about the greenlight and monsters and stuff. But they talked about everything else, about school and games and making friends. And about Christmas, of course. Chase wondered how many relatives would be coming to the party. Would it be everyone, as usual?

Besides Grandma and Grandpa, the Christmas party usually included Mom’s brothers—Uncle Bob and Uncle Terry—and their wives—Aunt Kathy and Aunt Eva—and their kids, Chase’s cousins. Corinne and Madison were Bob and Kathy’s daughters, and they were both older than Chase, with Corinne being around Jackie’s age (but, in Chase’s opinion, far less cool) and Madison being a bit older. He thought that Madison was also getting married soon...? He never really paid attention to that stuff, but her boyfriend, Zeke, had come to the last two parties. People would usually get married after that, right? Then there were Terry and Eva’s kids—Bella and Jordan were a bit older and younger than Chase respectively, then there were Theo and Tommy who were much younger, and baby Paige, who had been tiny at the last party and in Aunt Eva’s belly at the one before that.

Man... laying it all out like that, Chase wondered if their house was big enough for all those people. Not to mention that his dad’s side of the family might be coming, too. The Brody family was a lot bigger than the Walker family; Chase wasn’t even sure he’d met all his relatives on that side. Their house would be packed.

Well... at least two people wouldn’t be coming for sure. He overheard Schneep talking with Mom one night. He didn’t mean to! But he had to go to the bathroom, and that was next to Mom’s room, and Schneep and Mom had been talking with the door open. He’d heard Schneep ask if it was alright if Aunt Maggie and Uncle Albrecht didn’t come.

“Of course it is, Henrik,” Mom assured him. “If you don’t want them there, I won’t invite them.”

“But... w-wouldn’t the rest of the f-family want to s-see them?” Schneep asked nervously.

“Honestly, Henrik? A lot of the family hasn’t been... well, your parents haven’t exactly been popular with everyone ever since you came to live with me and Chase. Besides, they didn’t hang around the party much, did they? I don’t think people would really miss them.”

“...if... it is okay...” Schneep whispered. He continued to talk some more after that, but he got quieter, so Chase couldn’t hear. Not that he wanted to. He was done anyway so he hurried back downstairs to play some video games.

Ah, thinking of Schneep brought Chase back to the present as he realized that he’d been quiet for a while. Schneep was sitting at the end of the dinner table, next to Chase, looking down at his plate as he ate. Chase looked over at him, catching his eye, and smiled.

Schneep relaxed a little and smiled back.

++++++++++++++++++++

Finally. Finally. Exams were over! They were done, finished, in the past! The moment Chase finished his last essay, only a few minutes before the time limit, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He always thought that the exams themselves weren’t as hard as the weeks leading up to them... but that didn’t mean he liked sitting at his desk all school day and getting pencil smudges all over his hands as he scrambled to remember every fact and skill he’d been taught. 

Once the school day ended, Chase hurried down to the ground floor of the school. They’d all agreed to meet at the front entrance after exams were done. Schneep and Stacy were already there, hanging out in the small entrance hall. Kids were constantly leaving the school, gusts of cold air coming in through the doors as they all chattered excitedly about what they’ll do during the holiday. “Chase!” Schneep waved, hopping up and down to try and get his attention over all the taller students passing by.

“Hey!” Chase hurried over. “So did you guys get done early, then?”

“Mm-hmm.” Stacy nodded. “Y’know I hear that they’re gonna change the policy about letting kids leave early if they finish early.”

“Really? Booo.” Chase frowned. “Why would they do that?”

“I think ‘cause they think kids will hurry through so they can leave. And not, like, actually do their  best.”

“Well that’s a sucky idea!” Chase said. “What if someone finishes their test early, and then since they’re stuck in the classroom, they help the kid next to them cheat?”

“Who would do that?” Schneep asked.

“Uhhh... well I would! If I ever... finished early.”

After a minute, JJ and Marvin appeared, coming down from the nearby staircase and weaving through groups of kids towards Chase and the others. “Hey,” Chase said. “Soooo. How’d it go?”

“Uh... fine,” Marvin said. “I really hate sitting in classrooms, but at least it’s quiet during exams. That way I can concentrate a little bit better.” He jerked his head towards JJ. “JJ finished early but he waited outside my class.”

“I was wondering why you weren’t here,” Stacy said to JJ. “I should’ve guessed that you would’ve done that, but I didn’t know it was allowed.”

It’s not... if you get caught, JJ said.

The others laugh. “I should have waited by your classroom, Chase,” Schneep said.

“Nah, we agreed to meet down here, you didn’t have to,” Chase said. “Well anyway. Now we just gotta wait for—”

“Oh heyyyy! Chase Brody and Stacy!”

Chase stiffened. He saw Stacy do the same. They both turned to the side, and saw her. Heather Westing and her two sidekicks with the curly hair and black braided hair. They hadn’t seen much of her in the past month. Well, they’d seen her, just in the halls and other classes and stuff, but she hadn’t bothered them. Maybe Heather was also busy studying for exams. Or maybe she hadn’t wanted to approach the group since Marvin told her to “fuck off” last time she talked. Either way, it seemed she was ready to talk to them again.

Schneep sighed. “Just ignore her,” he whispered.

“Hey Stacy!” Heather said, grinning as she and her sidekicks approached. “What’re you going to do for Christmas break?”

“I dunno,” Stacy said, not looking directly at her.

“Your birthday is coming up soon too, right? Maybe your parents can get you glasses that aren’t tacky!”

Stacy reached up and self-consciously touched the corner of her pink glasses.

“Hey, leave her alone,” Chase said defensively.

Heather gasped. “Oh my god, Chase Brody, you really do have a crush on her!”

“What?!” Chase gasped. “N-no I don’t!”

“Oh so you’re saying that you wouldn’t ever get a crush on a girl like her, then?”

“That’s not what I—”

Heather gasped dramatically. “Oh my god, are you saying that you’d never have a crush on any girl?” She laughed. Her sidekick with the braided hair laughed too, but Curly Hair hesitated for a moment before joining in. “I can’t believe that you’re so—”

Smack! A notebook hit Heather in the face, causing her head to snap back. Her sidekicks cried out in shock. Even Chase blinked in surprise. He looked back and saw JJ, breathing heavily, standing there with his arm extended. Stacy and Schneep looked as shocked as Heather’s sidekicks did. Even Marvin was surprised.

“I-I-I—” Heather’s mouth opened and closed as she stammered. “I-I’m going to tell my aunt you did that! She’ll arrest you!” Then she turned and ran, her sidekicks coming with her. Some other students nearby stared, having seen the whole thing. They stared at JJ with wide eyes, but slowly moved on.

“Holy shit, JJ,” Marvin said. “You didn’t have to throw something at her.”

JJ lowered his arm. He took a deep breath, then grabbed his notebook from the ground and put it back in his bag. She sucks, he said shortly.

“Well... yeah.” Marvin agreed. “But like... y’know. You okay?”

JJ nodded.

“That was too far,” Stacy muttered.

“What did she mean, her aunt would arrest us?” Schneep asked.

“Her aunt’s the mayor,” Stacy explained.

Chase blinked. “Wait really?”

“Yeah. Why d’you think she keeps getting people to hang out with her? And feels like she can just... say stuff like that?” Stacy went quiet, her expression strangely thoughtful. “You kinda just like... get used to her being like that... but it’s not like... normal.”

A moment passed. Chase cleared his throat. “I didn’t know your birthday was coming up.”

“Yeah, it’s on the third.”

We should get you gifts! JJ said, quickly moving on from what just happened. Are you having a party?

Stacy laughed. “I dunno. Last year, when I turned twelve, we had this biiiig party where all my family showed up, it kinda tired me out.” Her smile faded a bit. “Besides, I, uh... I dunno what we’d do. A few months ago, Heather suggested that we all go see this movie that came out in November for my birthday, but I hadn’t read the book it was based on yet, and my parents wouldn’t let me check it out from the library cause they said it was too grown-up, so that uh... kinda led to everything that happened.”

“What book was it?” Marvin asked.

Stacy narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re gonna laugh. I’ve heard all the boys laughing about it.”

“No, I won’t laugh.”

Schneep nodded. “You are our friend, we will not laugh.”

“Well...” Stacy shifted on her feet. “Have you guys heard of Twilight?”

The four guys all shook their heads in unison. Then JJ said, Oh, actually I’ve seen that on a lot of displays in the library. It’s the ‘hands holding an apple’ book.

“I guess that makes sense that none of you would know. You guys don’t really read that stuff mostly.” Stacy paused. “It’s... about this girl who falls in love with a vampire—”

“A vampire?!” Chase gasped. “Oh that sounds so cool!”

Stacy laughed. “Right?! Heather was always talking about how great the romance is, and I was always like ‘the vampire part sounds so much cooler!’ The movie came out in November and it looks pretty cool...”

They stood by the doorway, chatting for a couple more minutes, until the older kids started coming out of their classrooms. Their exams went a bit longer than the younger years’ did. Soon, Jackie found them. “Standing right by the doors? You know it’s cold this close. Just get, like, a couple meters away. Lean by that wall anywhere.”

“Jackie!” Chase said excitedly. “Hey!”

Jackie laughed. “Hey, little man. You guys were talking about vampires?”

Stacy nodded. “I, uh... was talking about how I wanted to see the Twilight movie.”

“Oh cool. My friend Mincy saw that a couple weeks ago. She’s a big fan of the books, and said it was pretty good.” Jackie grinned. “But like... it’s probably not for everyone. I don’t think most of you would like it.”

“Vampires are cool,” Chase said.

“Yeah, uh... I’ve been told the vampires aren’t the main focus, surprisingly.” Jackie shrugged. “Anyway. How have you all been? Did you do good on your exams?”

The group started to walk out of the building, talking about their exams. Stacy was sure she did good enough, Schneep and JJ were confident in their results, Chase said he did okay, and Marvin said he probably did okay. “What about you?” Marvin asked.

“Eh... good enough, probably,” Jackie said. “I’m not sure I did that great with the science stuff. But everything else was kinda easy. Now.” The group was outside now. It was cold, but there were less people around to listen. Jackie glanced around and asked, “What are our plans for winter holiday?”

“Well... we’re gonna be busy with our family Christmas party.” Chase gestured at himself and Schneep. “But we can try and listen around for more weird stuff in the meantime.”

“Family party, huh?” Jackie nodded. “When? My family’s party is Christmas Day evening.”

“Ours is Christmas Eve,” Chase said. He looked at Stacy and the twins. “What about you guys? Do you have plans?”

Stacy shook her head. Marvin and JJ glanced at each other, then looked back and shrugged. “Probably some stuff on Christmas Day,” Marvin said. “With like... opening presents and church stuff.”

“How about we take the next week or so to do Christmas stuff and listen for any weirdness?” Jackie asked. “And then, sometime during the week before New Year’s... we somehow convince all our families to let us go to Ireland to find Jack McLoughlin?”

JJ frowned. Do we HAVE to wait that long to do stuff?

“Well I mean... we don’t have to,” Jackie said. “But I don’t think any of us will be able to get away from our families easily during the season. It’s only a few days, really.”

“Yeah, I never realized how close school went to Christmas,” Chase said. “Why did we even come to school today? We could’ve done all this on Friday instead of coming back for one Monday and then leaving.”

“School’s weird.” Marvin shrugged. “It’ll be okay, JJ. We need time to figure out what to say to Mam and Dad anyway.”

“Yeah, don’t worry!” Chase added.

JJ’s expression suddenly brightened.

“O-or worry as much as you like!” Schneep quickly added. He looked at Chase. “The doll, remember?”

“Huh? That counted?”

Apparently it did, because the brightness was suddenly wiped from JJ’s face as the worry returned. He took a deep breath and pushed it back in a more natural manner. I suppose we did bring up waiting until after Christmas in the first place.

“I really hope your friend is right about Jack’s address,” Stacy said.

“Jack?”

That voice!

All of them spun around. They saw a shadow hiding in one of the windows. A shadow that resolved into a familiar face. Anti, staring at them from inside one of the classrooms. He looked... paler than usual. And then he disappeared.

“...he heard us,” Schneep said.

“Uh, well... w-we don’t know if that’s a bad thing,” Chase said. “We don’t... know what he really... thinks about Jack. Honestly, we don’t even really know if Jack is involved or if him looking like Anti is just a really weird coincidence.”

The group stared at the window silently for a moment. Then there was a honk! sound and they turned around again. Marvin groaned. “That’s Dad. He’s waiting for us.”

“Come on, Jameson!” Mr. Jackson shouted.

JJ stiffened and started walking over. He looked alarmed for a moment as his legs started moving, then he turned back to sign to the others as he was forced to walk. Talk to you later!

“See you!” Marvin added, hurrying over.

“See you!” Chase waved, and so did the others.

“Aunt Jess is probably also waiting for us,” Schneep said.

“Yeah, and my parents, too,” Stacy said. “I can’t keep them for too long cause we have to pick up my sister after this. Bye, guys. See you later.”

“We’ll talk later,” Jackie said. 

The group hurriedly dispersed. After seeing JJ just suddenly walk away, Chase could understand why JJ was so anxious to solve the doll problem. Why he didn’t want to wait until after Christmas.

But... it was probably fine, right? Nothing bad would happen in the next few days. They could enjoy the holidays, and then get down to business.

[fuckhouse2theelectricboogaloo]

I am one of Shep's ex-friends who was involved in the callout.

I have a warning I want to share: Nobody thinks it'll be them falling for an abuser. Even if they know they're suceptable, it would never be THEIR family member, THEIR friend, or THEIR partner doing it.

I had all the tools to see it coming, I research cults for FUN for frick's sake, but that didn't matter because he took advantage of my weaknesses. I did see his behavior getting more crazy and aggressive, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt because I thought he was just going through stuff.

Please, even if it seems like a waste of time, go through the abuse and cult acronyms for similarities if someone's behavior seems odd. You may think "but they would never..." and that was me until I saw the screenshots. This isn't about living your life in a state of paranoia; it's about building in a sanity-check if stuff isn't adding up even if it might not seem like it at the time. Your safety is always more important than someone else's feelings, and this goes double if you're a minor.

I am sharing this on anon because this isn't meant as self-defense or a ploy to improve my image. That ship sailed long ago. I just hope this will save someone else from this experience.

What happened probably haunt me for the rest of my life in some shape or form, and in many ways, I deserve it. I just don't wish it on anyone else.

Posting as is and I hope you can find peace after everything

[cloudninetonine]

this fungus was just playing phantom hourglass, and the fact that link can just.... give up on saving tetra, if not for the game repeating the dialogue to force him to choose another option, and yes, i did a full five minutes of saying that no, i wouldn't save tetra, and this got me thinking. wind and the others would probably just give up on a certain point, especially if he was at the reincarnation or tethered au, since... well, player is there beside them, they already lived through it once and they honestly don't care if hyrule is destroyed at this point. and yeah, while there's hylia's threat, let's consider there wasn't, or maybe that reader was adamant on them resting for at least a little while, to act more self indulgent and, idk, be selfish for once.

oh boy, i think they break. I'll talk about time and wind, since oot, mm and ww were the ones i played the most. but then, reader already knowing full well what kind of hell time went through at oot, and somehow finding him after mm tutorial section, he just looks so.... done. tired, almost as if it's a lost hope. listen, I'd cry, i already cried playing the game, so if i really saw him like that. I'd go full on sobbing for him not to do this to himself, it's not fair that he has to go through all this shit.

and wind, poor boy was just living his laid back life, easy peasy until that fricking bird took his sister because of a random pirate he didn't even have anything to do with. and fact is, if he retained his memory, as long as he made sure that his sister wasn't taken, he would have nothing to do with tetra and her pirates, he wasn't even acknowledged as the retainer of the triforce of courage before that, so hylia shouldn't be able to hold that against him. besides, it was zelda who just threw herself into that trouble, why should he care? it may not look like that, but tetra is one of my favorite zelda, she's at least able to hold her weight in battle.

also, i can't accept nobody that talks bad about toon link, i think it's cute. heartwarming even.

— the fungus are growing in the courtyard, be careful. 🍄

NO BECAUSE FUNGI WHY YOU GOTTA DO ME LIKE THIS?!?!?! MAN I WANT TO SOB

The idea of Player carefuly holding the face of Wind (because our boy deserves recognition) and just "You didn't deserve any of this, Link. Not a single thing- I am so sorry." And baby boy just sobs into their arms- I've upset myself

[auzeraprice]

Theoretical Omens: A S2E6 Theory

Soooooo, we all know how it ends. Right? I mean, of course for the ones that don't, I say SPOILER! But it says it in the title, so I'm sure you already know. Anyways, this is about one thing. One. "No nightingales." We all hate it. You know you do. But I don't think it's what he really meant. Just the same as, "What does your exactly mean? I feel like my exactly and your exactly are two different exactly's." So the line goes, "No nightingales." But it's true meaning isn't as is it may seem.

So. What does it mean?

Crowley is obviously upset at Aziraphale because he doesn't want anyone to go back to Heaven. It's toxic. And we're sure Az already knew that from the start based off of the 'no suggestion box' quote. But more on that later. So Crowley thinks Az wants him to go with him to SuperHeaven, but Aziraphale only asks this because he knows Crowley will follow him to the ends of the Earth for anything except that. In other words, he knows he's going to decline the wonderful offer. So what does he say? "No nightingales." But it doesn't just mean there's no "us", because he's not half wrong. Crowley knows that if Aziraphale goes to Heaven, they can't be together. He knows. "No us." I'm sure that's what he means by it. There's no way he would hurt Aziraphale and then immediately kiss him. He realizes he screwed up. The, "Oh shoot, I hurt him. What do I do now?" What else other than his last chance. His last chance to keep "us" going.

"I forgive you."

This also isn't what we think it means. It's not, "I forgive you because you're unforgivable and I know you hate that so get out of my face, even though I could never say that to you" OR the, "I forgive you for kissing me." So what could it mean? We all saw his face after the kiss, right? We all know (or should know) that is was a face saying, "Do it again." So why would he say "I forgive you" if he meant to hurt Crowley? He was really saying, "I forgive you for saying 'no nightingales' even though that was pretty screwed up, and I would love to keep this whole thing going and all but the Metatron is outside our fricking window!" Then it leads to, "Don't bother" because communication was very key in this situation but they both misinterpreted each other.

He looks back.

Why? Aziraphale has a plan. And most possibly a good one. Well, how do I know that? At the very end of the episode when he's going up in the elevator, he's smiling. And it's not some strange fake smile either. It's a little devious smile because as the amazing magician he is, he's always got a trick up his sleeve. He knows what to do. So what happens in the beginning of S3? Nobody knows. But I've got a theory.

But before we get onto that:

We know that reunion kiss is going to be gold. With the, "Do it again" look from Aziraphale, and the wonderfully accurate representation of Crowley's, "No chance in us", we know he's not going to try that again because for all we know, they're back to stage one. Oh, but they aren't. They are still on the same stage they left on. But with that reunion, when Aziraphale goes to Crowley we just know that there's going to be a bolo necklace kiss. I mean, seriously. Crowley grabs Aziraphale's lapels, and that bolo necklace isn't just there to make him look pretty (though it certainly does). The only thing we have to worry about though is the communication in between. (I've heard somewhere that Neil Gaiman mentioned somewhere at sometime that they weren't going to talk in S3? But obviously, that reunion doesn't need communication! They've reunited several times without it! So what's there to worry about?

Theory:

Based off of this beautiful picture and I don't know if it's yet to come, or if we were robbed. But if it's yet to come, I know the song that will play.

We know Queen. And we know it's the sole soundtrack of Good Omens. So what song is it?

Love of my Life.

It fits so well! But even if this picture was cut from the series, we have to at least have Love of my Life. It's been made obvious that Crowley loves Aziraphale, and that Az leaves. And all Crowley wants is his angel. He wants to be "us" again. So when is that going to happen?

That's all folks!

Thanks for reading this very delayed meta! Hopefully, I can write more. But between motivation, facts, school, and inspirational theories..it can be hard. But I have a huge list of meta's I'd like to write. So until then, have an ineffable journey ahead of you!

[mikokiara]

Taco and mic have always been interesting to me i remember this certain post made by this person that atleast its name in discord is petra

And i respect it so much because the way it sees taco and mic relationship its just amazing and i have a huge admiration for it

So im just gonna start quoting this

"Do you ever think snakes regret being snakes?"

Absolutely

Obviously im not talking about literal snakes but more likely to taco

Do i think taco regrets being who she is right now? And my answer is yes, her regret is clear as the water itself

Taco had everything, an huge chance of winning, a 'friend' the viewers liking in her words she was made to win, for then everything crumble down making her show her true colors

And then. . .isolating herself in the forest for presumably two fucking years,two years without somebody, only herself alone in the woods,having to carry with regret and guilt of her own actions and then something happened

Maybe. . .a second chance?

-taco & mic's relationship and how important mic was for her

Now lets enter to their relationship and how mic had an slight impact to taco, let me explain

Taco and mic started not really good, taco saw mic as nothing more but a pawn somebody who had to be 'guided' but mic changes that vision of her rather quickly as she showed her manipulation skills thing that taco respected making her start to get more comfortable around taco, she didn't saw her as a pawn anymore she started to get along with her and even tried to cheer her up in her own strange way in short words she was slowly getting attached to her allowing herself to get comfortable around her and starting to slowly act more like actual partners

And then here comes, 'mine your own bussiness' now this episode was important for their relationship, 'why?' you may ask and its simple. This was the point where their relationship got stronger before the disaster

And its because mic's reaction to taco's past, she wasn't really concerned about her actual past or pickle situation, she was concerned for taco because she knows how much she regrets her actions, all thanks to the portal scene, she finally started to connect the dots, she started to understand the story and started being sympathetic with her she saw her as more, she didn't saw her only as some kind of greedy unredeemable person, she saw more in her she trusted her and taco

Taco saw that

And appreciated that because

No one did that to her in a long time, nobody standed up for her before in a long time, she for once after so long finally had somebody who apreciated her like mic did

Thing that makes mic leaving even sadder for her, because after so fricking long she had somebody by her side for then everything being thrown down the bride like nothing

Only one mistake

And that was what doomed everything

That clearly leave an impact on her

Mic leaving hurted her im pretty sure even more than pickle

Because mic got her, mic took the small time for understand her and her behavior and see through her rough shell (pun intended)

Somebody for first time after so long inside her life wasn't inmediatly pushed away by her real self

For then that person to go away leaving her alone isolated and hurt

-taco and her obsession with inanimate insanity + how the show fucked up her mental state

Now one of the parts i wanted to get in the most

for show how badly fucked up this woman mental health is

I had this thought for a long while that taco had this so called 'obsession' with the game, which is one of the reasons of her behavior

And i feel this obsession comes from the fact that she had and has nothing else, inanimate insanity became her entire life, inanimate insanity its the only thing she have left add that the fact that mic left

She has nothing to lose anymore, her only purpose is to win, that's the only way she feel she could get her happy ending, the ending that was never there for her, inanimate insanity now is her only chance, the only chance she got for fix her fucked up life and mental health, despite those ways clearly not being the solution

I might be overthinking this? Yes but if you think about it makes sense

After all, the show again is the only thing taco has left in her miserable life, she had been living in the woods for presumably 2 years

she already lost everything

She cant lost the only thing she has left

And if you think about it, the entire situation its really fucked up, inanimate insanity screwed up her mental health

Just like everybody, she suffered as much as any other contestants in this god forsaken show

This game has been ANYTHING but healthy for her

But there she is, still sticking to her plan hurting everybody including herself in the process for the only chance she probably has

And the situation becomes even worst if we consider the posibility that theres no prize

-possible 'retirement'

I really hope taco gets a redemption arc, this show hasn't been healthy for her and she really needs a rest from it but i feel this might also be hard

Taco is a pretty big sturborn and i dont think she'll be really wilding to listen to anyome at all EXCEPT for the only person that could possibly care about her

Dont get me wrong i would love see tacobulb interactions in ep 15 but it makes sense mic being the only one that taco will be wilding to listen to, because again, mic saw taco as more than some greedy unredeemable person, she thought she could change she gave her a chance

So it wouldn't be a surprise if she actually listens to the only one who gave her that chance, the one that didn't inmediatly pushed her away the one that means something for her the only one who listened to her

And that person is mic

Hopefully taco will finally leave the show for good because then again the show hasn't been good for her own mental healt, and she seriously needs to leave it if she really wants to become better

She needs to move on to the next stage, the stage she never could reach, she will have a chance for reach it

And even though im 99% she'll do one final mistake before finally move on, i hopr she can take that opportunity and finally have her happy ending because honestly she deserves a break

[lollipencil]

Mental Literacy: Part 2

Might as well keep going on this one.

Enjoy and be gentle ---

Marc's finger tapped inaudibly on the table in front of him. For thirty minutes, he had chased Raz all over the place. Stopping and starting when he couldn't find whoever he was looking for. Finally, they both headed back the Motherlobe. "Wait here," Raz had said inside a noodle shop, "I'll see if he's in a meeting." Tossing a few very familar crystal shards on the table before leaving.

And so, they waited. "What is with this place and brain imagery?" Marc asked under his breath. A sense of shrugged shoulders radiated from Steven, while Jake seemed to double his internal frown.

About five minutes passed, and someone finally came over. But not Raz. "Hello," a light voice appeared to their right, "do you mind if I sit here?" Looking up, Marc saw a woman dressed in warm oranges and reds smiling down at them in genuine politeness. "Sure, waiting for someone anyway," Marc shrugged. "Thank you darling."

With the grace of a professional dancer, she lowered herself into the chair opposite them, not actually sitting but rather hovering a few inches above. Silence echoed between them. "I've not seen you around before," the woman finally offered. "No, I've never been here before now," Marc stated plainly. "Oh? And what brings you here?" "I'd like to know that too."

The sentence slipt out before Marc could stop it. Tension at once flooded their body, not unnoticed. "Oh, there's no need for that," the woman waved her hand as if to brush away the sudden change in mood, "There's no danger here." "She's right," Steven soothed both Marc and Jake, "Calm down." "Although, I do have a confession to make." Marc didn't say anything, merely retained what tension was left and looked at her. "I was asked to talk to you." "By who?" Marc just barely avoided snarling. "Razputin."

That took the wind right out of his sails: "Oh?" "Yes, he got dragged into a meeting with Agents Cruller and Forsythe. But, before that, he shared a theory he had and asked if I could test it, and keep you company at the same time." "What kind of theory?" "He noticed that after teaching you Telekensis, the migraines you've been experiencing seemed to lessen," the woman explained, "Razputin thought that, if I taught you my specialty, we could then see if they are linked to your current level of psychic ability."

This thought rolled around their head, being bumped back and forth between the three of them. "I mean," Steven interjected after several minutes of silent thought, "it's not a bad idea." "Si, but how are we even able to do these things?" Jake pressed. "Don't think even they know yet, Jake," Marc sighed mentally, "But, these headaches have got to go."

"Alright," Marc said aloud, "Let's do it." "Great!" the woman's chair spun in her surge of excitement, "Oh! I haven't even told you my name, I'm Milla." "Marc", he smiled awkwardly, looking around. Nobody seemed to worry about them too much.

"Right then, Marc," Milla's voice retained the lightness but gained a business-like tone, pulling out a small door, "Do you know what this is?" "...No." "This is a Psycho-Portal. It's used to access a person's mental world safely." "You want to go inside my head?" Hidden alarm tinged Marc's question. "No, no, darling," Milla reassured, placing the Portal on her own head, "You're going inside mine!"

Before Marc could say anything else, the door opened to reveal a bright swirling light. And he felt himself drift.

---

The next thing Marc knew, he's crashing on a bright carpeted floor. Quickly, two large sources of weight pinned him to the floor. "What!? Jake, get off!" Steven's voice came from somewhere above Marc. "I'm trying! Just let me-" "Ow, that's my fricking kidney!" Marc yelled. And somehow managed to tip the heap they all had formed to the left.

Music kept on playing on loop as they lay there. "What the...?" Jake's question drifted away as he took in the decor. "Hello!" Milla cooed suddenly. All three of their heads turned in sync to see her dancing on a big screen: "Welcome to the party! Although, I must apologise, I did not realise you were a system. Not that it matters, everyone's invited to my party!" "Good to know," Steven noted with a groan as he sat up.

They looked around at bright colours and lava lamps. "So," Marc couldn't think of a comment to make, "You said something about teaching?" "Oh yes," Milla nodded with great enthuesasim, "I've been teaching levitation for many years now. I will have to tweak it somewhat for you three, but that's not a problem." "Levitation, eh?" Jake raised an eyebrow, "Alright then." "The first thing you need to do is gather positive thoughts," Milla instructed, "Then, imagine a bubble underneath you. And the thoughts are inflating it, lifting you up as it grows." "Ah," Jake couldn't help but drawl, "How very 'Peter Pan' of you."

A yelp suddenly came from Steven. Marc and Jake whipped their heads around to see his legs over the top of a blue glowing replica of the moon. "I'm alright!" Steven called with a thumbs-up. Marc pointed casually at the mini moon as Steven started to climb up onto it: "I take it that's what we should be doing."

"Yes, thought bubbles are often used for levitation beginners, but they can be used for any number of other things," Milla nodded cheerily. "Such as?" Steven asked, lightly bouncing on the glowing orb. "Volleyball, or in place of wheels in some cases."

Marc and Jake looked at each other and shrugged in agreement. To Marc's surprise, he found it quite easy. His own bubble matched the moon more closely in colour. "Hey, I think I'm starting to getting the hang of this," Steven crowed as he began to roll in rapidly faster circles around them. "That you are, buddy," Marc chuckled, before standing on his own and finding his balance.

Soon the pair of them were chasing each other, laughter filling the thin space, until they noticed something. Jake wasn't with them. He was still land-bound, brow furrowed with effort as he struggled to come up with the positive thoughts needed.

Marc and Steven sat cross-legged on their bubbles and urged them forward slowly. Once rolled right up to Jake's side, they both leaned down to his ears: "Thanks for keeping us safe." "You're doing a great job, buddy." "You're so loved." "We couldn't have done it without you." "We're so glad that you're here."

Soon enough, a blood red moon sent Jake into Marc and Steven's waiting arms. "Perfect, darlings!" Milla cheered from the screen, "Now we can start the party!"

[wally-friggin-franks]

YOU GOT IT JECTOR BOY

hmm i know ya already knew this one, but i wanna tell it again. i stole one of the spare projectors. n' i took it home cos i wanted to try and set up a little movie night. invited multiple ppl but nobody believed me so it was just me</3

um i ended up causing a small fire but after i put that out i got it workin!!!! saw about 3 minutes of the reel i stole and then got bored. took the reel back but kept the projector.

hmmm. lemme think. i think at some point i was not havin a good day so i started hiding in the back of the warehouse to just get away yknow. lacie found me n she was so nice??? like i usually just annoyed her but she goes "kid, look. ya gotta beat their asses." and like girl..... ur so right..... i'm gonna beat them up.... so anyways i got into a fight

also! when i was rigging the uhh. warehouse games. to the doors? the guys were like "wow for a tiny guy you're capable." so i bit them too. teehee

did the water bucket trick on the music director. tried to run away but slipped on said water. i think thats when he kicked me down the stairs

another one. i visited jack cos i was done early and i didnt wanna go home yet. i go down there and theyre like,, i dont know how to describe it. but i just watched them do this little jig and then they saw me n went. well? you gonna join or what?? so im like. frick yeah ill join. so we grooved for a while until someone started yelling for me fkebdjeb

miss susie did my makeup once! but i moved too much and she was just. WALLY FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SIT STILL. but it tickled it wasnt my fault it felt weird ok. anyways i was literally killing it afterwards. shes really good at makeup. and putting up with me cnsvhf

one more for now, then i gotta go-

sorry it has to do with the friggin mechanic. but its funny. so like after the whole Welder incident he just. stopped trusting me to do things alone so any time i had to help him (I HATED HELPING HIM) he was just watching the whole time like >:[ and saying no. youre doing this wrong. youre turning the wheel the wrong way. THEN YOU DO IT YOURSELF. anyways after a while of that shawn appears out of NOWHERE, drags me outta there, sayin "we gotta put my plan into action theres NO time to explain." and she had a "sled" (a bunch of wooden planks crudely attatched to eachother) set up at the top of the stairs and i couldnt even object before they just. put me on this thing and kicked us both off. i fell off immediately but shawn didnt realize i fell off til she was at the bottom of the stairs. THEY SET UP LITTLE SLINGSHOT THINGS TO HELP EM GET AROUND THE TURNS OF THE STAIRS. thomas catches up like "what the f man" and im just listening to the distinct sound of thunkthunkthunkthunk as the thing keeps goin. i get dragged back to work just as norman started scolding shawn 😔

anyways, thats all i got time for right now!! see ya later, im outta here >:]

[its-toasted]

grown [groan]

Today I woke up, had cleared all my work the night before. Took care of the dog, checked digital usuals, so went to the movies. Dude tried to refuse my moviepass, but I am not one to be clowned upon. Like why are you mad I don't use AMC stubs, guy, what's it to ya lmao. I watched You Hurt My Feelings with Julia Louis Dreyfus. She was primo, it was prickly, powerful. I picked it because it was 90 mins, but didn't know it was A24 til it started. They don't miss, like HBO and FX. Recently pirated The Whale. Saw Beef too of course. That's like the first time I've felt seen, deeply, in the contemporary media. But my old pastor Danny told me the fable of Beef long before, his road rage incident just outside of Rio, where the theater is. So I've known what it is for some time. (Before I left the boardwalk I bought a coral-ocean resin slate, it was nostalgic). Before he showed me it was shameful, ma and dad have static too. I forgot that curse for a good year and a half. But leading up to the broken foot I was hitting this ceiling with Wella, and I was getting hard. So I think a lot about how well-situated the injury ended up being. We went from like five miles a day to less than one so it's been tough, but she's adjusted so beautifully. She's such a fucking friend. A month before moving, we are resuming regular routines, and we both are just a touch more in control, in ways nobody else would notice. If I ever say I'm blessed what I mean is I'm the luckiest, because I didn't deserve this home, this job, this dog. Every day I wake up with this fool and we get shit done, eat good, sleep good. I feel better in the head than just about ever, barring two years. I've learned to love what I do even when it's small. I know things are gonna frick again soon. We already packed

[natsspammityspamspamham]

I'm actually writing this post specifically for @deepwoodenheart because they followed my main and were not a porn blog. Thanks! They've recently expressed an interest in Yuichiro Umehara (a voice actor), and @msyuksanh is his number one fan who is the one who actually introduced me to this specific voice actor. Since I watch a ton of anime (an unhealthy amount), I will be running through some of the stuff I have watched (and some stuff I haven't). Some of these are just to make fun of these anime, but I don't fault any seiyuu for taking a bad role because you do what you need to to make that bread 🍞

His list of roles is big but not as big as some other voice actors, so I was able to go through which ones I had watched or heard of quite quickly. He has made some random appearances in other anime that I've watched where I went "Huh, definitely know this guy from somewhere" like Fire Force, Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun, and Kaguya-sama.

Note: I haven't watched Jojo Part 6 yet or that parody magic anime with the wombat. The anime will go in no specific order, but it generally goes from "good" to "mediocre" to "these anime can go suck cheese" with anything below the "keep reading" being literal trash-tier anime. There's also some missing stuff, especially in terms of idol anime because I haven't watched those and don't plan on it for now. From looking at the cast list, I think his major idol roles are in Magic Kyun, Tsukipro, Ensemble Stars, and Idolmaster SideM (regular Idolmaster is for female idols).

Akagami no Shirayuki-hime

I was talking to a friend of mine recently when we went Christmas shopping, and when he saw this manga he went, "I didn't like that one." I personally did like this one. His complaint was that too much time was given to the secondary love interest. Umehara plays a supporting (but recurring) character.

((This scene still makes me laugh to this day. Kaori Nazuka was really funny here.))

Fruits Basket (remake)

Okay, Umehara admittedly barely shows up in this one, but people should watch Fruits Basket no matter who they are. It's good for the soul. That is all.

((It took me so long to find a fricking gif of this bir-- guy.))

Romantic Killer

Anyone who reads this or anyone who has Netflix should go watch this.

((Kabe-down))

Tenchi Souzou Design-bu

This anime is surprisingly not directly creationism, but it sure comes close! As a biology major, this anime was pretty neat, but some of it made me go, "What am I watching anyway?" I'm not an ecology specialist though, so maybe this makes more sense to others. His character is a supporting character, but he has some funny bits.

((He also gets to rap in this role, so that was kind of funny. My other favourite lines are "Wow, Mercury is dead!" and "WOO! SAIKOU NI COOL!!!"))

SSSS.Dynazenon

This one was not nearly as good as Gridman which was already divisive in the mecha community (that I'm not a part of). I heard from others that it was enjoyable, but I personally thought it was a bit of a bore. Props to the casting director for getting Chika Anzai and her cousin Junya Enoki. There are some subbed radio segments that are funny too.

((Also, this is the first anime I watched where he was cast as an ugly adult. Ain't nobody falling for kinoko hair over here. He has also played a piece of sperm, but I digress.))

Dame x Prince

This anime was built for cringe, and it succeeds at cringe. But because it embraces the cringe, it unironically becomes one of the better anime adaptations of an otome game which is like saying you're the tallest dwarf of the seven dwarfs. It also gave a long-running radio with Kaito Ishikawa and Soma Saito.

Shingeki no Bahamut: Virgin Soul

I genuinely remember so little about this anime that I went to go watch clips to refresh my memory, and this anime wasn't even bad. It was mediocre, but for something based off a card game, they did really well. I actually watched this for Sumire Morohoshi and her bubbly character Nina. This is technically a sequel, so you'd need to watch the previous one to fully understand it. Oddly enough, I didn't know the first season was a romance until some characters kissed.

Gakuen Babysitters

This one was essentially built to be a comfort watch. It works at what it wants to do, but I don't like kids. The ending theme is cute, but Nishiyama looked way more into it (Umehara was there to get paid).

Shinchou Yuusha

I personally thought this anime was gonna be a Konosuba, and it kind of was, but it was far more palatable for me (I was not able to make it through Konosuba and will try again at a later date). Aki Toyosaki carries 99% of the comedy in this anime.

((That slime never did anything to youuuuuuu)

Orenchi no Furo Jijou

Fun fact: I watched this before knowing what a shounen ai was! I saw the shounen part and went "Oh, so my demographic" watched it, came out, and went "What. Was. That?!" I don't remember a whole ton about it, but I don't remember it being horrendous. It's just some mermaid in a bathtub. I think this was his debut role, and he does play a main character.

Juuni Taisen

This is probably in a similar boat as Tenkuu Shinpan (later in the list). It's just a bloodbath of an anime, but I will give it credit that it has fanservice for both sides (they sexualize men and women). Anyways, it has a stacked seiyuu cast for something that is so incredibly mediocre.

Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai

He had to be replaced partway through due to his acute immune disease. However, I think he recorded it in post-production. Either way, it's a supporting character in an anime that I think wasn't worth the watch besides the banger of an opening. Masayoshi Ohishi has a knack for writing openings for romcoms (he likes romcoms himself).

((He's the glasses guy))

Tenkuu Shinpan

I kinda want to watch this one just to turn off my brain and watch some Battle Royale-style gore.

((That character looks sick.))

Darling in the Franxx

Apparently, you're supposed to watch the first 12 episodes then dip, but come on, when the mechas are built like that, I'm not touching that thing. Even though it has Haruka Tomatsu and one of her most famous characters, I'm not watching it.

((It took me over 100 gifs to find one with Gorou in them despite typing in "Gorou Darling in the Franxx", and he is part of the main cast.))

Goblin Slayer

You know, for such an edgy first episode, this series is so mid at the genre it tries to take on after. Umehara said himself, "He doesn't really say much of importance." This anime has sexual violence (and it's explicit), and it's not even good.

Plunderer

I haven't watched this one, but he does star alongside his bandmate Yoshiki Nakajima. Both of them have been in better anime that is certainly not this one. I even read a chapter or two of the manga when it first started airing and went, "They're really making that, huh?"

((He forgot one streak of hair when dyeing it haha))

Kabuki-bu!

I couldn't make it through three episodes, but maybe I'll try again-- actually, no I won't.

Uchitama

Hmm... I haven't watched this one. It's not hard to see why, but basically, I have not reached that level of degeneracy, and if I do, someone should put me out of my misery.

Senjuushi

Fun fact: This anime is so bad that it has a rating similar to Boku no P-- I'm not finishing that title. I obviously didn't watch this one.

Makura no Danshi

I didn't watch this one, but I saw a video on it and was near tears from laughter and despair because there's no fricking way someone made an anime about this concept AND got Masayoshi Ohishi to write an OP for it. This is the stupidest thing I've seen in a while, and just being close to it made me even more embarrassed that I watch anime. I also listened to Masayoshi's version of the OP before I knew what it was connected to or how to understand some words in Japanese. After learning its association, I was legally obligated to take that song off my playlist.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this Week #139 (Year 3/Week 35):

2 more back-to-back re-watches of Ron Fricke’s sublime non-narrative Head trip Samsara (“Impermanence”). Spiritual poetry, gorgeous visuals, breathtaking scope. A perfect film to watch while mushrooming. 10/10. (Photo Above).

🍿

First watch (no idea why I waited all these years) of William Friedkin’s Sorcerer, his ill-fated adaptation of Clouzot's 'The wages of fear'. Roy Scheider is a desperado transporting nitroglycerin in the Dominican jungle, together with 3 other unfortunate misfits.

🍿

A enchanting, classic 1974 French drama, Vincent, François, Paul and the Others, my second by Claude Sautet (after ‘The heart at winter’). A group of middle class 40-something friends, lovers, husbands and wives face a series of midlife crises. Among them Yves Montand, Michel Piccoli, Gérard Depardieu and Stéphane Audran. The camaraderie reminded me of the friendship in ‘Goodfellas’ (without the crimes, violence, and immorality). 7/10.

🍿

The big clock, my first Corporate Noir by John Farrow (father to Mia, husband to Maureen O'Sullivan). Ray Millard acts and sounds exactly like Cary Grant-Lite in this less-known thriller.

A curious visual: There's a very stylish shot at an empty executive boardroom with a giant conference table, and the only items on it are oversized personal ashtrays next to each chair.

🍿

Val Lawton X 2:

🍿 The best movie of the week, the documentary Val Lewton: The Man in the Shadows. Produced and narrated by Martin Scorsese. A terrific biography and assessment of this melancholic producer who had the potential to become one of the biggest auteurs, but who is now barely-remembered for a series of 1940's low-budget, B-movies from RKO studio. I previously only saw his 'I walked with a Zombie', but I'm going to watch as many of the others as I can.

🍿 "...My Goodness, ain't nobody likes chicken Gumbo?..."

Lewton's first project, after he was installed as head of RKO low-budget horror department, was Cat People. "A disturbed woman", a Serbian fashion illustrator [Not too many of those] turns into a ferocious panther, after she's shown at her very first scene, littering repeatedly by throwing her discarded drawings in the streets.

🍿

Our friend, my second film by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (After ‘Blackfish’). A sad, non-linear tearjerker, based on a real story. Dakota Johnson is dying of cancer, with her husband, two daughters, and their best friend, who selflessly stays by their side. The first film when I liked the role Casey Affleck plays. 7/10.

/ female /

🍿

The new gonzo documentary Telemarketers reminded me of a chapter from my own life that I'm not proud of. For about 3 years in the mid-90's I sold bogus investments, gold futures, and fake ostrich options (!) over the phones in exactly the same way as the conmen in this sleazy, seedy, funny, cynical story. Except that over in Jersey they sold $35 donations and got paid $10 an hour, while we in Costa Mesa, CA got a $3,500 commission for every time we fleeced $40,000 from someone, which happened very often. So much money, and so many regrets later!

🍿

4 more I can watch over and over again:

🍿 My 10th-15th rewatch of Edgar Wright’s brilliant Hot Fuzz.

1. If you know nothing about it beforehand, and watch it for the first time while stoned, it’s impossible to know what it’s really about until the end; the story changes style, intention, musical cue and genre from scene to scene.

2. Is the violent shoot-them-up climax, cartoonishly exaggerated, (where still, nobody dies) the most cliché-filled action scene ever?

3. The subtle musical score underlining every scene is sublime; I am going to listen/watch it again - without the pictures, just the sound!

4. Actually, the whole editing, visuals, sound editing, borrowing from dozens of prior movies, is extraordinary.

5. Every part of the dialogue - every single line - is highly quotable!

10/10.

And as always, How to do visual comedy, from ‘Every frame a picture’.

🍿 I just saw the trailer for The big Lebowski for the first time; It really ties the movie together pretty well. So I "had to" watch the movie itself again. A masterpiece on every level. Even the IMDb synopsis encapsulates it correctly: "Jeff 'The Dude' Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it."

I also like Wikipedia's chapter on its 'Use as social and political analysis'. With a magnificent score (which includes Dylan's 'The man in me', Gypsy Kings cover of 'Hotel California', Yma Sumac's Ataypura) and with Asia Carrera as Sherry, the porn actress.

The last sentence in it is 'Say, friend, you got any more of that good sarsaparilla?' Always 10/10.

🍿 Once again, Ali Wong’s first stand-up Baby Cobra. Funny, filthy, hardcore vulgar, very sexy; "Best pregnant comic".

🍿 Top banana, S1E2 episode from ‘Arrested Development’. From Vanity Fair’s ‘List of 25 perfect TV episodes’.

🍿

The source, another banal documentary about a spectacular human being, ultramarathoner Courtney Dauwalter, who just cemented her status as the greatest ultrarunner of all time by the unprecedented triple crown wins of the ‘Western States 100’, the ‘Hardrock 100’, and UTMB in the same summer. Emotionally inspirational.

🍿

The midnight gospel, an adult animated series, my first by Pendleton Ward. I saw the first episode yesterday, and I already can’t remember a single goddam thing from it.

🍿

From Dane Sitagi’s The ballerina project: Basia Rhoden dances in the city of Chicago.

🍿

Throw-back to the "Art project”:  

Ballerina Adora.

🍿  

(My complete movie list is here)

[mokuknight]

these were taken about five minutes ago on my dads phone, I just got home and I emailed the pictures to myself.

so, I was bored and saw the clouded bits on the top right of the windshield (aka where I was sitting shotgun) and I used two of my fingers and made to lines (lines that ended up being the sides of Ghosts face!) and I fricking gasped and went absolutely HAM and tried to make it as accurate as possible, the horn on the right hand side though, my dad was swerving the truck on purpose to get me to mess up, so I apologize XD (don't worry, nobody else was on the road, he's just a goof)