#i have to give a presentation at work tomorrow and my colleague canceled so now i have to do it by myself and i'm a bit nervous dkfjdkf
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DIABOLIK LOVERS More, More Blood Vol. 12 Ruki â˝ Animate Tokuten CD â˝ Living A Normal School Life For Once!
Original title: ăăžăŤăŻăžă¨ăăŤĺŚĺçć´ťďź Voiced by Sakurai Takahiro English translation by @otomehonyaku Click here for the audio (kindly provided by @karleksmumskladdkaka!)
âââ シ ・ďžâ: *.â˝ .* :âďž. âââ
One very unhinged tokuten... I appreciate Ruki's persistence when it comes to defending us/Yui, but he's definitely taking it too far dkfjdkfd ŮŠ(ËáË*)٠⥠Have fun listening and reading along!
Please do not reuse or post my translations elsewhere or translate my work into other languages without my permission.
âââ シ ・ďžâ: *.â˝ .* :âďž. âââ
[The scene starts at the academy. Ruki finds you after class.]
00:00 Hey. What are you doing?
[He startles you and you accidentally drop the papers you were holding.]
You turned around so frantically that you dropped your things.
[Ruki bends down to gather the papers you dropped.]
âOff-campus learning guidebookâ? I see. These are the prints thatâll be bound into the actual guidebooks. I suppose I donât even have to ask you why youâre carrying them. Youâre letting the teachers order you around again. Have you forgotten how to say ânoâ? Those kinds of people will never make you see the end of it if you donât. Anyway, letâs bring these to the teacherâs office. Then your job will be over, right? Oh? Whatâs the matter?
[You tell him that you still have to bind the books.]
Why did you let it come that far? Youâre going to do the bookbinding? If you have to make them for all the students, itâll take an absurd amount of time. Those fucking tyrannical teachers, setting students to work like slaves for their own benefit⌠Youâre my possession more than anything. I donât like anyone else doing as they please with you. It seems that Iâll have to teach them a lesson.
[You get a little nervous and try to talk him out of it.]
Heh. It shouldnât be anything beyond your comprehension. Youâre so used to doing their dirty work that youâre still trying to cover for them, and I donât like it. Hey. Weâre going to finish this within the hour.
[You tilt your head to the side.]
Iâm telling you that Iâll help you. This isnât something you should be wasting your time on. If any other requests come in after this, Iâll be right behind you to crush their hopes before they even get to talk to you. This is what weâre going to do, so letâs get to work quickly. At this hour, there should be plenty of empty classrooms available. Weâll bind these guidebooks in the blink of an eye.
[The scene shifts to an empty classroom.]
02:30 Alright. Letâs take care of this as quickly as we can. Each book has 16 pages⌠Letâs fold the papers and staple them. That should be easy enough. When doing it for all students, though, itâs pretty hard work. Efficiency is key when binding books. Letâs try it out on a small scale first. We donât have time to redo everything if we mess it up. Start with the front cover and line up the prints in order.
[You get to work.]
Off-campus learning is a waste of time, though. Itâs foolish to think there are things to learn outside of the classroom. Unless youâre actively trying to gain something, thereâs no way you can learn anything. For example, letâs say weâre taking a field trip to a museum. Museums have many precious artefacts on display. However, whether it be ancient Greek sculptures, coffins of saintsâto a fool, theyâre all weight stones (1). Yeah. They have no value just standing there. Youâre going through all that trouble to bring all the students there only to look at a room full of weight stones. Donât you think thatâs funny?
04:01 Or, waitâweight stones do have value. You can press vegetables with them to make pickles, so theyâre actually quite helpful. Going to an exhibition on weight stones might be a meaningful way to spend time after all.
[You doubt that.]
Whatâs with that expression? The flavour of the end product varies depending on the weight of the stone. Thatâs not something to make light of. If we actually were to go on an exhibition on weight stones for our off-campus learning, Iâd appreciate it.
[You wonder if an exhibition like that even exists.]
You have a good point. We might as well go to a hardware store. Thatâs just a shopping trip. If weâre going shopping, Iâd rather it be just you and me. I refuse to go around in such large groups.
[Youâve both made some progress with the bookbinding at this point.]
Where are we going, anyway? There should be information about the destination somewhere on one of these pages⌠Is this it? So weâre going to a nearby mountain. To think the school wll go to such lengths to get the students off campus⌠Hiking, learning about the beauty of nature⌠Youâve got to be kidding me. Besides, the true beauty of nature canât be found at the foot of a mountain like this. Lend me your pen. Iâll change the route.
[You stare at Ruki for a moment.]
Didnât you hear me? Give me your pen. Iâll shatter the hopes of whoever thinks they can challenge a mountain when theyâre only in the mood for a stroll.
[Ruki starts drawing on the map.]
Letâs make them climb the steep slope on the other side of the mountain. The landscape varies a lot around this area. People will start falling behind because they lose motivation. This should do the trick. Surely, the harshness of mountain climbing will sink deeply into their minds. Donât you think itâs a good route?
[You tell him that sounds dangerous.]
06:01 Of course itâs dangerous. Itâs mountain climbing. Thereâs no way you can reach a summit without putting your life on the line.
[Youâre at a loss for words.]
Does that surprise you? Did you think it would suffice to go on a trip to a mountain without admiring the scenery from the summit? If this off-campus learning is intended to teach students about the beauty of nature, thereâs no better way to do it than to climb a mountain to its very top. Which means you also need the appropriate gear.
[Ruki leafs through the booklet until he finds the list of supplies thatâs already there.]
A lunch box, a water bottle, a towel⌠You canât be serious. Donât ever think you can survive on a mountain with these things.
[Ruki grabs his pen and gets to work again.]
I crossed out all the things you donât need. Iâll make a list of the things you do need for mountain climbing. Even in case of a disaster, this should heighten your chances of survival.
[You still donât really know what to say.]
What are you acting so surprised for? Thereâs always a chance of a disaster happening. Listen. If you value your life, donât take mountain climbing lightly. Bear in mind that weâre talking about off-campus learning. Ah, right. Iâll also write down some important points to take into account in case of an emergency.
[Ruki looks at the points that were already listed in the booklet.]
Hm? âWatch out for the snakesâ? Whatâs with this warning paragraph? âSnakes are aggressive creatures, so they attack easilyâ? This is nonsense. Listen up. You should get this through your head as well. First of all, there are many different kinds of snakes, of course. Iâm not saying itâs true one hundred percent of the time, but snakes tend to be timid, docile creatures. They will not attack humans unprovoked. If you see one between the grass, itâs best to quietly avoid it. Of course, venomous and aggressive snakes do exist. It goes without saying that you should never let your guard down. Got it?
[You tell him you understand.]
08:11 Thatâs the answer I was looking for. Good, even for you. Still, this off-campus learning is intended to deepen the studentsâ knowledge, but this booklet doesnât give me much hope⌠Planting misinformation is evil in itself, donât you think? Well, alright. I wonât be holding back anymore. Iâll thoroughly rewrite this page as well. A bit on the ecology of snakes and the varieties that may live on the mountain⌠Ah, Iâll also include some fun facts about snakes. Youâve heard much about the snake in the Garden of Eden, right? Wait, but if I were to write about that, Iâd have to touch upon the story of Adam and Eve and the forbidden apple as well⌠And while weâre on the subject of apples, anyway, I might as well add some simple and delicious recipes. Itâs witty and it makes for worthwhile reading, right? Iâll stick to recipes for two servings.
[You think Ruki is taking it too far. You try to stop him.]
Hey, donât grab my arm! Youâll mess up my writing.
[You tell him youâll never finish it in time.]
Heh. Thatâs all? Thatâs no problem. I planned on finishing binding the booklets well within the hour, with time to spare. But look at how awful the content is! That certainly changes things. I will revise this entire off-campus learning guidebook and confront the teacher with it. Like, âThis is what true learning is!â
[You yell at him to stop.]
Donât yell! Setting up plans like these is my forte. Come to think of it, the destination wasnât appropriate to begin with. Thereâs nothing interesting about a mountain a few train stops away. Maybe at least one train transfer and a few hours away by car⌠Somewhere off the beaten path. Although Iâd rather pick a woodland area for fostering oneâs survival instincts⌠That means it should definitely take place somewhere around here⌠Yes. Iâll also add a recipe using the local specialties of this area.Â
[Ruki puts down his pen.]
10:36 Alright! Perfect. I think I did pretty well. I chose a place of which the chances of survival are at least ten percent. If you approach it like itâs the last thing youâll ever do, you can probably make it out alive if youâre lucky. There are no drawbacks to such experiences. Or rather, someone must teach todayâs carefree youth what itâs like to walk the line between life and death. To spend your days in the mud. Well, then! Letâs go to the teachersâ office. Weâre going to present this. This is revenge for the work theyâve made you do on these prints.
[Ruki starts gathering the booklets.]
Letâs teach those foolish humans the true meaning of off-campus learning!
[Youâve had enough of his antics. You grab onto him and try to keep him from leaving.]
Hey! Donât hold me back. Come on, donât pull at me like that! If you donât watch out, Iâll drop all theâAh!
âââ シ ・ďžâ: *.â˝ .* :âďž. âââ
柏çŠďźă¤ăăăŽďźăŽçłďźăăďź: A weight stone used to press the moisture out of pickles (tsukemono) in Japan. I was going to go with a paperweight analogy instead, as this made a bit more sense for non-Japanese audiences while still making sense for Rukiâs character, but it was a bit difficult to line that up with his explanation...
#im definitely procrastinating aaaaaaa#i have to give a presentation at work tomorrow and my colleague canceled so now i have to do it by myself and i'm a bit nervous dkfjdkf#the fucking ceo is coming as well. i do know Stuff and Things but i get imposter syndrome more and more often lately bc i'm baby uwu?#jokes aside gdi i've been so busy help#diabolik lovers#dialovers#diabolik lovers translation#diahell#diabolik lovers translations#otomehonyaku#my translations#mukami ruki#ruki mukami#diabolik lovers drama cd#diabolik lovers drama cds#more more blood#diabolik lovers more blood
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The Beat of a Heart
In honour of Doctorâs Day (barely in time), hereâs a short story by my hand. Itâs based mostly on real-life experiences, most of the scenes based on things I have seen in clinical postings. I am not sure whether I got the main characterâs emotions right, but I did my best, so I guess that counts.Â
[Image ID: A stethoscope with blue tubing, silver diaphragm and black earpieces lying on top of a blurred keyboard, a blue pad to the left of the stethoscope, with a piece of blank paper pinned on it. On the bottom left, the words âThe beat of a heart...â are written in red England Hand font. End ID]
Iâm tagging my usual writer mutuals and putting the actual short story under a cut.
My taglist: @ambitiousandcunning @medhasree @shaonharryandpannisim @chaanv @arjunaparantapa @hindumyththoughts @spockswhore @ashsnipesâ @annlillyjoseâ @seekerbraveâ @avakrahnâ @a-confusedmessâ @arachneofthoughtsâ @paneerlajwantiâ @vishnupadaâ @bookdragonfanishâ @iamnotthatâ @foreveresâ @shellweedâ @will-die-without-chaiâ.
She coughs a little, ignoring the rasp in her throat, wishing she could reach for her water bottle, but is impeded by the sheer number of people between her and the bottle in question. She reaches for the hand rub instead, the familiar smell of ethanol almost soothing for a moment. She blinks, turning to the older man sitting across her, the familiar questions on her lips.
âCan you tell me why youâre here?â she asks, noting down the manâs anxiety, trying to make her voice sound soothing. That is all the prompting he needs to launch into his long-winded story. She stretches a little, noticing the line of people in front of her, and the students hanging on each of her words standing behind her chair.
She smiles, looking behind her at the students, gesturing subtly for one of them to take over. âMake sure to examine him properly,â she instructs. The student she had instructed nods, her eyes wide. âYes, maâam,â the younger girl responds, leading the man to a bed. She can see the couple of students who had bothered to attend all clustered together, their discussion hushed.
She suppresses a grin. Theyâll learn. She herself had. And indeed, one of the the students comes forward tentatively, stopping her peer who had been taking the manâs history, and begins the examination.
She turns to her work, leaving the students occupied for now. Itâs a familiar battleground of questions and answers, having to rush the patients because of the lack of time. âMaâam?â itâs a young gentleman. âYes, sir?â âI am sorry,â he says hesitantly, âI donât understand what you said.â She nods. Clears her throat, looking wistfully at the bottle that still is too far to reach, and too empty besides. Looking at it only diverts her attention to the humidity the fan is doing little for, the sweat trickling down her back.
She shakes her head. Do not divert your attention. Her colleague shoots her an understanding look, as she explains the prescription once again. He nods, with a quiet âthank you.â She nods back at him as he leaves.
âMaâam?â She turns once more. If nothing else, she muses wryly, choosing medicine has definitely taught me to multitask. The students lead the first man back to her, their clinical skills enthusiastic if a touch inexperienced. One of the girls excitedly details the sound of an ejection click. She smiles, lending the younger girl her own stethoscope. The girl listens in with the manâs permission in quiet absorption, the ritual being repeated by each of her friends, all of them clearly awed.
The gentleman looks amused at the furore the click of his valves, amplified by his metallic pacemaker, has elicited. She corrects them when needed, leading to a response of all heads nodding at once.
As the clock strikes 1, the students ask for leave to disperse and the crowd of patients mercifully thins. She tells them to go and come back for a short class in the evening, finally leaving behind the pursuit of her elusive lunch and the all-important water.
Her lunch in front of her, her thirst finally quenched, she ruffles through her iPad for information to make the class slides for tomorrowâs discussion. All too soon the short break is over, the slides still unfinished, and she stands, following her friends out of the Duty Doctorsâ Room to go on ward rounds. Her eyes flit to a notification on her News app, of a doctor being beaten by goons. She sighs. There is no use pondering over this. I can only do my best. She knows protests do little good, so she hardens her heart and strides out, sliding her phone in her pocket.
Somewhere in the middle of the rounds, the students following her and the senior doctor like ducklings following mother duck, one of them comes running to her. âMaâam,â his voice is high with fear. She gives him her immediate attention. âThereâs a man on that bedâŚâ the boy points, ââŚ17, heâsâŚheâs not really breathing.â
Oh, no. Her friend steps up, running to the patient, while she looks for his details, adrenaline sharpening her senses.
He is a new patient, there is next to nothing on his chart. She can hear a lady wailing and she winces. No one should see their loved one in such a situation, she thinks, even as she squares her shoulders, moving towards the bed, shaking her head at her friend, who had already started CPR. She gently moves the lady aside, trying to console her, even when there is fear in her own heart that the news she might have to deliver could be irredeemable.
âDoctor?â asks the lady querulously, âyouâll save him, wonât you?â She looks down for a moment, before meeting the ladyâs gaze. âWe will do our best,â she replies quietly, grave as the situation is. The lady nods, tears still pooling in her eyes.
She can hear her friend panting. Quiet and quick, she swaps her place with him, continuing CPR. He shoots her a grateful look. She turns her attention to the patient. Between the three of them, they manage to get the patient breathing, she notes with relief. That relief doesnât last long, though, as she looks the patient over. The catheter connected to him, filled with orange urine, the gross ascites and icterus. Heâs on Rifampicin. TB with hepatic encephalopathy. One glance at her friend tells her that he, too, is thinking the same.
The lady with the patientâŚhis wife by the sound of it, reads the grave news on their faces, facilitated, perhaps, by her intubated husbandâs gasps of breath. She sinks into the bars of the hospital bed for support. She is at a loss for a moment, as she always is when confronted by the inevitability of death. She kneels then, her hand on the ladyâs shoulder, silently commiserating.
When she stands, she looks at the downcast yet awed students and forces a smile. âWell,â she says, stopping them as they turn away, towards the exit, clearly assuming that class is cancelled for the day. She has no intention of doing that, though. They need to learn that life doesnât stop for those of us still hale.
At the sound of her voice, they turn as one, looking at her with eyes comparable in size to dinner dishes. âIâll just wash my hands and come back,â she says firmly. âYou guys go wait in the Duty Doctorsâ Room for your class.â They keep staring at her for a few moments. âGo on,â she instructs. They obey, darting reverential glances at her, talking in hushed whispers. How could someone literally save a life and just go back to normal like that? She hears one of their voices, quiet, dazzled. Despite knowing the truth, the innocent fascination in the boyâs face makes her smile.
I donât know! She hears one of his friends reply. I want to be a doctor like that, when I finish my degree, when we really become doctors, the girl says, making her smile wider. The younger girl sounds like a young child deciding the goal of her life. Â
She tamps down the giddy joy and the grief simultaneously warring inside her, long since used to contradictory emotions, keeping a straight face as she strides to the washbasin.
When she enters the Duty room for the class, theyâre discussing the exposure she could have had. She smiles wryly for a moment. This kind of exposure is a fact of life, she nearly blurts out, deciding not to, enjoying their impressed approval for a moment, before she clears her throat.
They all look abashed. She decides to proceed as if the moment before had not occurred, which was helped by one of them asking about the man she had done the CPR on. She summarises the case, gives them a few topics to read on and sends them home.
Before leaving the hospital proper, she circulates the wards once more. The CPR patient crashes again. This time, though they try long and hard, the lose the man, the beat of his heart forever silenced.
Her senior takes responsibility of the formalities, telling her to leave. Leave she does, casting one last glance back at the shell of the man, helplessness overtaking her for a moment.
She checks in with her colleague manning the night shift if she is free to go, fighting the uncanny feeling of dĂŠjĂ vu that comes with every patient they lose suddenly, the realisation striking anew that life goes on.
It is a leisurely walk back to hostel, the cool air soothing on her sweat-soaked shirt. She is thinking once more of the next dayâs presentation, the number of slides still left to finish off.
After a quick wash-up and dinner, she sits with her iPad. It is nearly midnight when she finishes her work, fighting her drooping eyes. She checks in her WhatsApp, shooting a quick goodnight to her parents. The statues of her medico friends are full of calls for justice against the recent violence. Her non-medico friends are, as usual, conspicuously silent on the matter.
Ah, well, she thinks, itâs not like armchair social media posts can actually do much. Besides, this is not an issue that they face. Why judge? Theyâre probably thinking the same I do.
 She debates posting a status of her own then decides against it, for again, social media can only do so much. The bitter truth canât be changed.
Her motherâs voice echoes in her head, what mama had said the last time she had shared news of such violence. At least they didnât kill him. You people get a lot of respect, you know?
She shakes her head, banishing those thoughts. She doesnât want to have nightmares. Besides, tomorrow, she has to report for ID duty. She needs to be well rested for that. So she thinks of the awestruck students, the young girlâs voice playing in her head. I want to be a doctor like that, she said, when I finish my degree.
She falls asleep with a smile on her face.
When she is leaving for duty the next morning, she loops her stethoscope along the back of her throat, the diaphragm of the steth sitting firmly over her own beating heart. Time for another day at work.
Some terms that might be unknown:
Ejection Click: In some patients with heart problems, there is some backflow of the blood when the heart contracts. This backflow is heard as a âclickâ sound when a stethoscope is used. This âclickâ is amplified if the patient has a prosthetic metallic valve, as in case of the old gentleman in the story who is based on a real patient.
Rifampicin: A drug that is part of the four-drug regimen for Tuberculosis (TB). It increases the effect of another drug in the combination, Isoniazid, which is toxic to the liver. India has a huge number of cases of TB, being one of the TB-endemic countries. The orange urine is one of the most noticeable side-effects of using this drug.
Hepatic encephalopathy: Loss of proper brain function due to inability of liver to remove toxins. The patient on whom CPR was administered was in a coma due to this condition. He, too, was based on a real patient.
Ascites: Swelling of the abdomen due to accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Icterus: Yellowing of the sclera (whites of the eyes) and bulbar conjuctiva, a hallmark of jaundice.
The doctor here makes the diagnosis of TB with drug induced hepatic encephalopathy because of the ascites and icterus combined with the rifampicin usage and the coma. It is an unfortunately common condition here.Â
I just noticed that I haven't clarified ID Duty. It means Infectious Diseases ward duty. In this case, I meant COVID-19 duty, though it may not always mean that.
#doctor's day ramble#fiction#sort of#original work#nila writes#scribbler scribbles#nila rambles#doctors#tw: violence against doctors
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minerva mcgonagallâs personal mission to make severus love christmas part 4Â
aka snolidays/snapemas day 5 and 6 (lights festival, food, memories, stockings) // pre-PS/the years between. minerva and severus friendship // ft. the hogwarts staff gently bullying sev and getting wine drunk together. mentions of sevâs plum blancmange @deepperplexity @blog4snape
The rest of the week passed by in a blur of teaching, brewing, and general sulking.Â
The term wouldnât end until late January, but final exams were scheduled for the week before winter break and Severus had a thousand other things to finalize before the break started. There was a stack of assignments he needed to grade before everyone parted, the annual inventory that needed to be done, and he had about half a dozen cauldrons slowly simmering away with potions for the infirmary, not to mention he was creating both a study guide for the upcoming exam and an assignment that could be turned in for extra credit.
If even one student dared to fail his class after all the effort he put into making sure they passed, he was going to turn them all into frogs.Â
He almost felt bad that he hadnât made much time for Minerva, and aside from seeing each other at meals - and even then, Severus wasnât quite known for his perfect attendance in the Great Hall - he hadnât spoken more than eight words to her since their trip to Diagon Alley.Â
It wasnât as if he were avoiding her.Â
Much.
He just needed a few days to himself - as much as he could get when he taught two classes a day (three on Wednesdays and Thursdays) anyway. He knew the only reason they hadnât talked about his miniscule breakdown was because they had been in public and maybe he was a little afraid of being cornered by her in private.Â
It was Friday now, his afternoon class had just ended, he had already checked on the status of his cauldrons, so all that was left on his to-do list was to hide himself away inside of his quarters and sulk.
Except he was all out of sugar.
Alright, not the worst problem to have and yes, he could call up a house elf and simply ask for the container to be refilled, but maybe a small part of him wanted to run into Minerva on neutral ground, so he wouldnât have to knock on her door and risk coming off as lonely and needy. So rather than being a normal-functioning adult about this, he took his coffee ground-filled french press and flooed directly into the staff lounge.
He didnât spend very much time in this particular room - large, brightly lit, and nestled between two towers somewhere on the fourth floor with large windows that overlooked the quidditch pitch - but it wasnât for lack of trying. He found the lounge to be rather appealing, with its burning fireplace, sitting area, stacks of abandoned books, journals, and magazines, abundance of cabinets he liked to rifle through, and best of all, the fully stocked coffee bar off to the left of the round table.Â
The room wasnât empty, and unfortunately, devoid of the person whom he was seeking. Pomona was sitting at the table with a cup of tea, poring over a stack of papers with a furrowed brow and a bit of ink smeared over her cheek. Aurora was sitting on the lone couch, momentarily distracted from the magazine she had been leafing through to look up at him as he entered, eyebrow raised at the contraption he cradled.Â
âWhat brings you here?â she asked, flicking her wand towards the record player and lowering the music that had been softly playing.
The action caused the herbology professor to look up and she frowned. âOh, Severus.â she greeted, barely giving him more than a cursory glance. âI havenât seen you here in a bit; thought you might have forgotten where it was.â
âWell, he did floo.â Professor Sinistra returned, her lips curling into a grin. âItâs quite possible he forgot where to find the door.â
âI didnât forget.â Severus scowled, making his way towards the bar.Â
âYou tell yourself that.â
âThereâs tea if you want some.â Pomona called out, raising her own teacup. âMint.â
He ignored the steaming teapot in favor of the kettle, flicking his wand to heat up the water before pouring a little over the grounds in the press. He missed the simple pleasures of having an electric coffee maker - perhaps the only positive that came from summers at Spinner's End - but he would be lying if he said he didnât prefer the taste of the pretentious, one-cup-at-a-time brew.
While the grounds took the time to presoak, he wandered over to the pink pastry box and eyed its contents. The house elves always made sure to stock the staff room with snacks - biscuits, fruit, packages of crisps - but pastries from the local bakery were the most sought out after.Â
âThe blueberry strudel belongs to Filius,â Pomona suddenly mentioned, not looking up from her task, âheâs already claimed it.â
Severus scowled at the remaining treat. âHeâs not here, is he?â he mumbled, opening the box. He yelped as something sharp pierced his hand and drew back immediately, his face coloring slightly as Aurora started laughing.
âLike she said,â Aurora chuckled. âFilius already claimed it.âÂ
Severus cursed under his breath and returned to his coffee, pulling down a clean mug and the sugar jar on the way. He was pouring the rest of the hot water when the door opened.Â
âFrench press again?â Minervaâs voice asked.
âLike he makes it any other way.â Aurora returned. âProfessor I-Brew-Potions-For-A-Living is, unsurprisingly, the coffee snob among us.âÂ
âI am not.â Severus frowned, placing the plunger over the glass and giving it a slight swirl before setting it aside. âItâs not my fault the rest of you donât have any taste.âÂ
âOh, the baby thinks he has taste.âÂ
Severus blinked. âPerhaps Iâll refrain from giving you a gift this year after all.â he muttered, glaring at her. âAlso, youâre the second youngest professor here.â
âBut not the youngest.â Aurora grinned. âThat pleasure is all yours, Iâm afraid.â
Before Severus could form a rebuttal, Pomona stood up and gathered her papers, rushing towards the door with an annoyed, âI canât get any work done with you two around.â Aurora followed suit, magazine under her arm, a cheeky, âbabyâ escaping her lips as she closed the door behind her.Â
Severus sat down in Pomonaâs abandoned chair, hands in his hair, as he groaned out a, âIâm most definitely not giving her a gift now.â
Minerva laughed and sat down across from him, a cup of mint tea in her hands.Â
âAre we still on for tomorrow?â
âThe lights?â
Minerva nodded and he considered her question as he got up to finish making his coffee. He grabbed milk from the cold cupboard and then stopped to look at her. âWhat if we went tonight, instead?â
âTonight?â
Severus shrugged, sitting down with his cup and a package of biscuits. âWe can grab dinner beforehand, Iâm thinking Italian.â
âReally?â
âInvite some of the others.â
Minerva eyed him carefully. âDo my ears deceive me, Severus Snape, or are you suggesting a staff outing to see the lights? You?â
âDonât push it.â
âIâll let everybody know.âÂ
--
âI think we should hang the stockings in the staff room.â
âWhat?â
âThe stockings.â Minerva emphasized, buttoning her capelet. She was standing in front of her dressing mirror, adjusting the green tartan fabric over her shoulders. She was wearing a long sleeved dress under it and, no doubt, a warming charm had already been cast over the black fabric. Her hair was free of its usual pins, the soft curls seemingly trying their best to retain their accustomed shape.Â
They were both in her private quarters, Severus sprawled on her couch with a book, as she finished getting ready for their outing. He had opted for his usual black on black on black, but had foregone his cloak for the grey wool coat he rarely wore.Â
So rarely, that when he put his hands in his pockets, he came across the crumpled ticket of a play he had seen two winters ago.Â
He couldnât remember much about the show itself, but it had been the first time he had been invited to go out by his fellow colleagues and he had jumped at the chance. Of course, he had first pretended to consider it for half a day before telling Albus that he had nothing better to do that day and that he might as well tag along.
âAre you listening?â
âNo.â Severus admitted, returning to the present.Â
Minerva scowled. âI said, we should hang the stockings we bought in the staff room. Itâs got a fireplace and the room is awfully drab, donât you think? Plus, it's neutral ground so both our stockings can be up together.â
âWell, alright.â
âExcellent, letâs go then.â
âNow?â
âWe have dinner reservations at seven - which is in twenty minutes, I might add - so yes, right now. Before weâre late.â
They flooed into the staff lounge, finding Aurora leafing through a book and listening to music once again. She raised an eyebrow at the paper shopping bag they were carrying.Â
âWhatâs this?â
âChristmas.â Minerva replied simply, pulling out a stocking and handing it over. His name was now stitched along the edge in black thread and he frowned.Â
âWhen did-?â
âI asked the house elves when we first got back.â
They hung their stockings on the mantle with a temporary sticking charm and surveyed their work.Â
âI expect the rest of you to have a stocking on here by next week.â Minerva insisted, taking Severusâ hand and leading him out the door. âCome now, or weâll be late.â
âArenât you coming?â Severus asked Aurora, pretending to eye her teaching robes in confusion. âWeâre going out to dinner and then the lights festival.â
Aurora scowled at him, eyeing him carefully. âI would, but I have a class tonight.â she muttered, glancing out the window at the darkened sky. It was cloudless and few stars could be seen from her vantage point; there was no reason to cancel Astronomy tonight.
âOh, thatâs a shame.â Severus shrugged, turning around quickly to hide his smirk. âI wouldnât have chosen tonight if I knew.â
âLiar.âÂ
The door closed behind them.Â
âYou know I donât approve of this.â Minerva told him, as they made their way down the stairs and out of the castle.Â
âDonât approve of what?â
Minerva shook her head at him, but didnât answer.
They met Filius at the front door, his too-long blue scarf trailing behind him as they made their way towards the apparition point. They met Pomona on the way and once they cleared the wards, apparated into an alley close to the restaurant.Â
Albus was already waiting inside, looking perfectly at ease in his three-piece suit, sipping on a glass of white wine.
âAh, there you all are.â he greeted them, as they took their seats. âThis wine is absolutely wonderful, by the way - do order a glass.â
âSomeone dressed up for the occasion.â Minerva eyed the headmaster.
âI wear it quite well, donât I?â
They were brought water glasses and bread, offered three types of wine - âI really must insist on the pinot gris.â Albus interrupted - and given a set of menus.
âItâs been a while since weâve all gone out.â Filius mentioned, taking a slice of baguette and dipping it in olive oil and balsamic. âItâs quite nice.â
âWe have Severus to thank for the idea,â Albus grinned, clasping a hand on his shoulder. He flinched slightly, but he didnât think anyone noticed.Â
Except for Albus, who immediately dropped his hand and offered an apologetic look.Â
They ordered - and unsurprisingly, Minerva ordered herself the special - and fell into easy conversation as they waited for their meal. When the food arrived, it was met with excited sounds from the (perhaps a little wine-tispy) table and plates were quickly passed around with insistent, âYou need to try this fried stracchino!â and âI swear, you will never taste a better beef stracotto pasta than this one.â and even a, âListen, I know it sounds weird, but Iâm telling you - you have to try the baccala! I donât care if you donât like fish!âÂ
The dessert menu left him a little discombobulated and he ordered himself coffee while the others shared rum babas and marzipan balls. One of the rum soaked sponge cakes was pushed towards him, split down the middle and filled with cream and sour cherries. He glanced up from his bicerin to find Minerva watching him.
âTry it, before these vultures get to it.âÂ
He obliged, cutting a piece off with his fork.Â
âWhy are you frowning?â Minerva asked, leaning closer. The others were a little pink-faced, laughing, as they played a game of rock-parchment-diffundo for the last chocolate and marzipan ball. âWe are eating delicious food and drinking delicious wine - two things I know you like - and then weâre going to see the lights with all our friends. You shouldnât be frowning.â
âI think youâve had enough wine.âÂ
She made a face at him. âOh, let me guess.â she pursed her lips. âYou have some sort of traumatic childhood memory involving all of this and you are currently reliving it in your head.â
Severus scowled. âI donât have a traumatic memory for everything.â
âCould have fooled me.â Pomona spoke up, inserting herself into their conversation. The others stopped and turned to look at him. âYouâre so grumpy all the time, I just figured your whole life was simply continuous trauma.â
âIâll revoke your christmas gift too, donât test me.â
Pomona straightened up. âOh, you got me a gift?â
âNo.â
âDonât lie!â Pomona grinned, pointing at him. âYou got me a gift!â
âDonât think youâre special.â Severus muttered. âItâs not just you.â
âSeverus got us all gifts!â Filius realized. âSeverus loves us!â
He made eye contact with the headmaster. âConsider this my official resignation.â
Albus nodded, his expression turning serious. âOf course, my boy, I understand.â His eyes twinkled. âItâs a shame my staff cannot be more professional when they venture out of the castle walls, but alas, there is a reason I do not let them wander far.âÂ
âTruly awful.â
âSeverus loves us!â Pomona repeated and the table burst into giggles, save for Severus who covered his face with his hands. And he was the youngest of this lot?
They paid soon after that - Severus discretely cancelling the silencing and repelling charms they had cast on their table to hurry them along - and made their way towards the nearby park where the lights festival had been set up. The others wandered off on their own, leaving Minerva and Severus to walk the paths alone.Â
Once the others had wandered far enough ahead that their conversation would no longer carry, Minerva learned slightly into her friend, nudging his shoulder. âNow will you tell me?â
âItâs not a traumatic childhood memory, if thatâs what you mean.â
âBut you did remember something.â Minerva pressed.Â
âYes.â
The path they walked was illuminated by tiny orbs, leading towards a tunnel strung with hundreds of white and blue lights. As they walked through it, Severus fell silent and simply looked up, sneaking glances of the night sky beyond the wire cage that held up all the lights.Â
There was a giant christmas tree waiting for them when they exited the tunnel, made entirely of green and gold twinkles - strings of lights pulled taut from a metal pole and pinned onto the ground. Similar displays surrounded it, contraptions of metal and colored lights creating bow-tied gift boxes and ornaments, stars and snowflakes, all glowing in the dark.Â
All the natural trees were wrapped in lights as well, not a single twig or branch left uncovered. Giant, glowing candy canes dotted the path now and they followed it, taking in every sparkling display. Music was playing and though others wandered the path, no one stood too close.Â
âI remember my mum used to make this dessert when I was little, it was a blancmange made from dirigible plum and cardamom, I believe."Â
"Oh?"
"She used to tell my father they were persimmons." he smiled softly. "Said she learned the recipe from her grandmother. It was probably my favorite part of the holiday break. I helped her make it one year; funnily enough, that was also the last Christmas I had with her."
"You said it wasn't a traumatic memory." Minerva scolded.Â
"It's not." Severus defended himself. "It's one of my only good ones."
"There was blancmange on the menu." Minerva remembered, smiling sadly. She watched a pair of children run between the candy canes, their laughs echoing as they chased each other.Â
"Fig leaf and orange." Severus recited. "It made me realize I haven't seen anywhere serve that particular dessert, let alone one made from dirigible plums. I miss it."
"Perhaps we could make it."
"You think?"
"Why not?"Â
Minerva nodded towards a coffee stall and they ordered themselves the gingerbread hot chocolate. They cradled their red paper cups and took small sips as they wandered through the park, pointing out certain displays.Â
"Perhaps nostalgia is getting the best of me." Severus finally circled back to their conversation. "But I find myself wanting to try. I don't have much left to remind me of her, especially not without also thinking of my father, but that one? That one's all ours."
"Elphinstone and I used to make a yule log cake." Minerva offered. "Down to the mushroom meringues and everything."
"I've never had one."
"Well, perhaps a baking day is in order."
"Perhaps it is."Â
-----
a/n:Â this is starting to feel more like minerva and severus' adventures in eating out
hope you enjoyed the staff picking on my problem child a little
menu inspiration comes from bocca di lupo, london (sometimes i wonder if places ever search themselves to see what people are saying and find they're being featured in harry potter fanfics and the like)
stracchino - a soft, creamy cheese which the restuarant serves fried stracotto - italian pot roast, served with pasta here baccala - preserved, salted cod (fried) bicerin - a hot drink made from espresso, drinking chocolate, and milk blancmange - this one's special because i took a direct quote from the hogwarts mystery game, where sev reminisces about this dessert and gave it more backstory. its a sort of gelatin dessert, sweet and milky. bocca di lupo has a fig and orange panna cotta on their menu, which is basically the same thing (just different thickeners) so i traded it out for the sake of using the one tidbit i know about the game.
#snapemas 2020#snolidays2020#snapedom#pro snape#severus snape#snapemas#professor snape#snapecember#holiday writing challenge
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Decode, III
Alright folks! Â Here is the next installation!
Please be gentle. Â There are elements in this chapter that are very personal to me. Â Some from personal experience, so I apologize if this âreaderâ isnât exactly like you.
As always, please leave me some feedback!
xoxo
Decode, III by vintagevalentinexx Mycroft Holmes x Reader ~1825 words
Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. Â
You steadied your breathing as you leaned against the wall in the hallway. Â You hated when people stared like that, as if you were something other than a human being. Â You dealt with those looks your entire life. Â It was hard for you to help; you couldnât help how easily some things came to you, it was just the way your mind worked. Â It was the way you were hard-wired, and yet it was as though you were penalized for it. Â The memories of grade school came rushing back, being bored because you had finished your work, being yelled at for reading a book, being made fun of and ridiculed by the other kids because you were more interested in ancient civilizations and cultures instead of MTV. Â You kept your eyes shut as you tried to calm yourself down, feeling your heart slowly retain its normal speed.
âI suppose we got off on the wrong foot, Professor.â
Your eyes snapped open, revealing Mycroft Holmes staring intently at you. Â It wasnât in an overly affectionate way. Â It was more out of curiosity. Â His eyes lit up with understanding as you tried not to wither under his gaze.
â(Y/N), please call me (Y/N)âŚâ
âThere is absolutely nothing wrong with you, (Y/N). Â If anything, thereâs something wrong with all of them.â
You smiled softly, gratefully at him, feeling your breathing return to normal.
âThank you, Mr. Holmes.â
Before he could even speak, another voice joined the conversation.
âReally now Mycroft, deducing the professor without her knowledge? Â For shame.â
âAs if youâre one to talk, Sherlock. Â Iâm sure that (Y/N) doesnât mind.â
âOh so youâre on a first name basis now? Â How sweet.â
âShe told us her name in the car, Sherlock.â
You were going to get whiplash with how quickly your head moved back and forth as you listened to them bicker yet again.
âCould you two please stop for one moment?! Â What are you going on about?â
They both looked at you now; you were starting to really hate that.
âMycroft was deducing you, not comforting you, Professor.â
âDeducing me?â
Mycroft took a deep breath, looking almost guilty as he had been found out.
âSherlock itâs not the appropriate time or place forââ
âNonsense.  Now ProfessorâŚBy observing the way that you are dressed, it is quite simple to surmise that you strive to appear feminine, something that the overwhelming majority of your colleagues is not.  By overtly dressing in a manner which is quite opposite to that of the people whom which you work, it is a clear choice that you have made.  If I were to guess, my thought would be that it has been a way for you to stand out amongst your colleagues.  In a male dominated field such as yours, you have needed to be able to stand out as to not fall to the wayside.  Because of the demographics in your field, you have constantly had to prove yourself worthy of recognition and praiseââ
âHow didââ
âThat brings us to the quality of your clothing. Â It is actually quite good quality, which informs us that you invest in items that you wish to last. Â While you may appear to be superficial and materialistic, you in all actuality just maintain your belongings as can be evidenced by the black permanent marker covering up the scuffing on your shoesââ
âIâŚIâŚâ
âSherlock, pleaseââ
âFurthermore, from your behavior from before and now out here it is quite obvious that you, despite your superior intellect, suffer from anxiety dealing with social situations, and I would venture to guess in other situations as well. Â This probably stems from several childhood experiences thatââ
âEnough, Sherlock!â
You werenât sure how you felt about the elder Holmes, but at that moment you were truly appreciative that he was able to make Sherlock stop. Â At first, it was quite impressive that Sherlock was able to pull information merely from what you were wearing. Â But as he continued, it became more and more uncomfortable for you to be scrutinized in such a manner. Â Before he began he stated that Mycroft was deducing you as well. Â Did he come to all those conclusions as well? Â This was just too much. Â You didnât ask for any of this, and you werenât going to stick around for it any longer. Â Sherlock faced you once more, amusement shining in his eyes.
âMy apologies, (Y/N). I wasnât aware that you would be soâŚsentimental.â
You looked him right in the eyes, trying to keep your temper and feelings in check.
âWhile that is quite impressive, Sherlock, it only took me a mere glance at you to know that you are an immature prick.  Now seeing as I was brought here against my own volition and I am not getting compensated for any of thisâŚthisâŚlunacy, I will be leaving.  I hope to never waste another breath speaking to you.â
You turned away from the brothers, squaring your shoulders as you made your way towards the exit, feeling hot tears threatening to escape.
It was easy enough to hail a cab, giving the cabbie the directions back to your hotel. Â Before you sped away, you gave one last glance toward the doors of the precinct, your eyes catching the older, wiser ones of Mycroft Holmes.
By the time you arrived back to your hotel you were absolutely exhausted. Â Between giving an important presentation to further your career, being introduced to both of those Holmes brothers, and the nonsense down at Scotland Yard, you had certainly had your fill of London for a very long time. Â You were longing for your own bed, and a stack of finals that would await your grading the following week. Â All you wanted to do now was have a glass of wine, a bubble bath, and some peace before your flight tomorrow morning.
âPardon me, but it seems as though my room key isnât working.â
The women at the desk typed in your information, her eyebrows furrowing. Â
âIâm sorry maâam, but you are correctly checked out of your room.  Quite recently actuallyâŚâ
âThatâs impossible! Â Iâve been out of the hotel nearly all day. Â Please, is there something you can do? Â Where are my belongings?!â
âThatâs all I can tell you maâam. Â If youâre belongings arenât on your person, there is not much I can do for you.â
You were about to give the reception a piece of your mind when you heard someone call your name.
âExcuse me, are you (Y/N)?â
You looked up, a pretty brunette with her eyes glued to her phone apparently was speaking to you.
âUm yes, yes I am. Can I help you?â
âAll of your things have been moved to your new room, out of this decrepit hotelââ
Decrepit?  This wasnât the best hotel in all of London, but you sure as hell werenât staying in a hostelâŚ
âYou are being put in more suitable accommodations. Â You should find that all of your belongings are there.â
âFirst of all, who the hell do you think you are switching my reservations? Â I am certainly not paying for all of this? Â How were you able to do this in the first place? Â Who the hell are you?!â
You tried to keep your voice down but you had had enough for one evening. Â It was at this point the pretty brunette looked up from her phone.
âMy name is Anthea. I work with Mr. Holmes, and he has tasked me with making sure that you are given proper hotel accommodations for your stay in London.  Now if you would please come with meâŚâ
âDid you say Mr. Holmes? Please tell me itâs not the one with the curly hairâŚbecause Iâm a mere moment away from eviscerating him.â
She laughed, âNo, but that does sound like him. Â Please follow me; Iâm sure you are quite tired.â
What other choice did you have? Â Hopefully you wouldnât end up dead in a ditch. Â It was only for one night, after all.
You were barely in the room as you let out a soft gasp. Â It was the most luxurious thing youâd ever seen. Â Was this really necessary? Â Plush carpeting, soft lighting, and a bed that looked as though if you lied down in it you would have to be surgically removed from its comfort. Â
âWhyâŚwhy did he do this?â
Without even looking up from her phone, Anthea replied.  âHe wanted to extend his gratitude for your help earlier in the dayâŚand his apologies for the event following your help.  Goodnight.â
Sheâs a real conversationalist.
You looked around the room, seeing that all your things had been put neatly away, the bed turned down for you, a bottle of wine next to the bed. Â You spied a note on the pillow.
(Y/N),
I deeply apologize for my brotherâs antics earlier today. Â He seems to have no understanding over decorum as well as minding his own business. Please accept this upgrade to your lodgings as a request for forgiveness.
I must say, I was quite impressed with the ease at which you solved the coded message. Â Perhaps the Scotland Yard could use your help.
I do hope to hear from you soon.
âM
You fell asleep in your clothes, too tired to even move, and too comfortable to escape the clutches of the bed.
[3 New Voicemails.]
Great, what could this be now?
[4:45 am] We deeply apologize, but your scheduled flight has been cancelled. Â Please call back at your earliest convenience to reschedule.
Wonderful.
[5:00 am] Hello (Y/N), I know itâs early over there but itâs quite late here. Â I am so pleased to hear that you are helping the Scotland Yard in such a riveting case. Do not worry about your request; take all the time you need in helping them solve their case! Â Let me know how it goes!
What the hell? Â I never put in any kind of leave of absence at the university? Â What is going on? Â
[5:15 am] Professor, this is Detective Inspector Lestrade. Â Please give us a ring when you can. Â We have two more coded messages that we could use your help on.
What is happening? Â Who moved my flight and called the University?
[1 New Text Message.]
[6:44 am] I hope by now you understand what has been put into motion. Â I apologize for the abruptness of it all, but it had to be done. Â Allow me to make it up to you in some way. Â Please let me know, this number is secure. âM
You were going to kill him. Â How dare he? Â Heâd better have more than one pretty little girl surrounding him when you got your hands on him.
You furiously texted him back on your phone, throwing it across the bed when you were done.
[6:51 am] Fuck off.
Next Part!
#sherlock#mycroft#mycroft holmes#mycroft holmes x reader#mycroft holmes/reader#slow burn#reader insert#mycroft is bae
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hello tumblr world its been a while since thereâs been a proper update here so prepare for a dump and a half my friends because the last few weeks have been a fun trip (and thatâs not even including the bloody US elections OMG)
we went to hawkes bay, so that was a good time. NOT. we turned up late because we slept in which was a great time. and also very fortuante because we arrived and no one came out to say hello which is terrible weird. So we start unloading the car and walking to the door and paul eventually emerged and was like, oh your motherâs just taking a nap weâre a bit tired. we only got home from the hospital an hour agoâ. alaring for several reasons.Â
the last couple of times this has happened, daveâs grandma died, his grandfather died, paul was in hospital for a suspected heart attack, paul had a heart attack & was flown to wellington for emergency surgery. let alone all the other family dramas in the intervening times.Â
so it turns out that she threw her back out badly, fell over, and ended up in hospital when they couldnât get on top of the pain with their sizable drug haul (pharmacist families man). didnât think to text or call or give us a heads up in any way. when I asked why they wouldnât text the response was, and I quote âWell she wasnât dying so we didnât think it was importantâ. like, fucking wow bitches.Â
She couldnât move without crying and groaning like she was in labour, she couldnât move without a walker, she was on morphine, coedine, steroids and antiinflammatories, and still fucking miserable.Â
poor dave was so stressed out. it was actually just a fucking horrible weekend. a) seeing another human in that much pain who utterly refused to do anything about it and still is
b) not being told the full story about whats going on, although I did read her medical discharge notes when they were both asleepÂ
c) seeing poor fucking dave stressed to shit because who the fuck knows whats going on and thatâs his mum hes watching in so much pain.Â
it was fucking horrible. never again. and walking into it with no warning was just the shittest thing of all.Â
I was so fucking angry when we got home. like, ridiculous. Iâm still raging tbh. guess whoâs place weâre not going to for christmas??Â
So that was our five days of leave, and our holiday, once again shat all over (at least it wasnât covid this time?!?)
got home on monday evening and went to send an email to work to be like hey homies not showing up tomorrow, need a day to recover to find out I had a client meeting at 830 the next morning I had to attend which was so hard to get through. here, letâs pitch for 80k of work which isnât going to solve any of your problems? why not. it makes me so mad. SO MAD.Â
rolled through that and our team meeting and a colleague was like how are you doing? just about burst into tears so I peaced out of there. turned up to counselling on thursday, didnt even make it into the room and anne was like, you seem angry? I was like, mmmmm no, donât think angry quite covers it mate. so that was great.Â
got to last weekend, was meant to be meeting friends for brunch but there was a massive crash on the motorway so we ended up driving somewhere else which was an hour each way so that basically ruined the day but it was a lovely brunch anyway, had a great time. best smashed avo and lots of cuddles with little miss izz who is not so little anymore but so gorgeous!! Had a great day on sunday, finished off a bunch of work (yes, work is insanely busy right now, such fun, will be working again this weeked), got heaps of planting done, mowed the lawns, hung my artwork, finally felt like I was back on a happy even keel (fuck life is nice not having permanent anxiety) only to be sitting in a meeting on monday afternoon to find out homegrown is on the same day as our wedding. the second wedding since the first one was cancelled.Â
I pretty much just lost my shit. honestly. why is it so fucking hard to just organise something to celebrate being married. legit feel like the universe is just fucking with us at the moment and like, did we even make the right decision doing all of this? because every time we try and do something it gets fucked over and its v stressful. and yes i know weâre lucky to be covid free and be able to plan these safely and everything else but like, honestly. Iâm so over it. every holiday this year has been fucked over, the wedding was done, the family reaction was so shit, like, its just ridiculous. the worst part was I came home in rage mode and dave came home in problem solving mode and was like, we can fix this and like, yeah, i know we can, but like, Iâm fucking sick of making do. Itâs meant to be one of the best days of our lives, and weâre already onto plan fucking c for it, and just like, Iâm done with it? Iâm just done. I cannot be assed. I donât want to email everyone, I donât want to reschedule all this shit, I donât want to reorganise all my hair appointments, I donât want to have to worry about the weather and rebooking it all and dealing with all this fucking shit. Iâm so done. Iâve done it twice already I donât want to do it again. RAGE. anyway. survived monday night, the week did not get any better, work got worse, and the PMS hit fucking hard yesterday. cried before work, cried at the stupid 8am meeting, cried turning up to anne and was like, I have an hour to get this all out of my system before client meetings in the afternoon.Â
and hot damn, god bless best friends, because bish messaged me and was like, lets do lunch homie, so we went to the botanic gardens and sat there and had the most insane conveersation ranking the best flavours of shapes, then biscuits, then crackers. and honestly, it was the pointless, best, most lighthearted discussion and everything I needed and I love her so much.Â
all I can say now is thank fucking god itâs friday, and its the weekend, and we have zero plans beyond going to mitre 10. Iâm gunna order all my christmas presents online this weekend adn get that out of the way. need to do a couple of laods of washing, hopefully only like 6 hours of work, but like, itâs gunna be chill. and Iâm v relieved.Â
sheâs been a bit of a nightmare.Â
HOWEVER
despite all this complaining, looking back on where I was a year ago, like fuck me i am in so much of a better place mentally and life is just so much better. Iâm so relieved. and period binge aside, physically Iâm getting better too so Iâm gunna take it all as a massive win. week in adn week out its been a grind, and itâs been uncomfortable and hard and horrible at times but man, coming out the other side is such a relief. having capacity to do things like supporting a friend through her current nightmare and managing dave and dealing with all the work stress makes such a fucking difference honestly. itâs also nice to feel like I can manage myself better so I can look after everyone else better too.Â
Feeling v grateful for this little life of mine, and the people in it, and for being in this little corner of the world. I donât know how I got so lucky, but I am so so so so so grateful for it.Â
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PRESSing matters (Part 3)
Pairing: Ben x reader
Words: 1783
Warnings: none
Summary: Itâs the day after your little incident with Ben. A lot of work during the day prevents you to spend too much time with him and an opportunity presents itself to give him his own room. Would this be enough to keep him out of yours?
a/n: Tag list is still open if you want to be added!
Previous chapter:Â Part 2
You woke up the second the alarm on your phone went off. You found yourself in the same position you had fallen asleep in last night. Benâs body pressed against your back, his strong arm across your waist, your feet entangled. You could feel his breath on your neck. You carefully moved his arm away and shuffled to the end of the bed to grab your phone. You turned off the alarm and walked straight to the bathroom to catch a cold shower to wake you up.
About twenty minutes later, you came back out, a big towel wrapped around your body, your still wet hair leaving drops of water on your shoulders and back. You walked over to your suitcase and grabbed a fresh set of clothes to change into.
âMorningâ, you heard from the bed. You turned around to find Ben looking at you out of tired eyes, still wrapped in his blanket. His hair was all over the place. You had never seen anything cuter.
âMorningâ, you said with a smile and quickly turned around again before he could see you blush. âWhat time is it?â, he mumbled and rubbed his eyes, a big yawn washing over his face. You walked over to the nightstand and checked your phone. âAlmost sevenâ, you answered him. âAM?â, he asked shocked. âI canât sleep all dayâ, you commented with a chuckle at his facial expression. âAll day? Is the sun even up?â, he asked and turned over to the curtains. Instead of answering him, you walked over to the windows and pulled back the curtains. Bright sunlight filled the hotel room.
âGood godâ, he grunted and pulled the blanket over his head. âYou donât have to get up yet, but I have a lot to do todayâ, you told him and walked back to the bathroom with your clothes in hand.
You blow-dried your hair, got dressed and put your hair up in a pony tail. When you got out, Ben was still in bed. âI think Iâve changed my mind. Itâs time you get up tooâ, you walked over and pulled the blanket off him. You had completely forgotten that he was just wearing a boxer short and were a bit startled as his almost naked body presented himself to you.
Flashes of last night appeared in your head, you almost heard his moans in your ear. You quickly let go of the blanket, hiding your blushing face.
âI need to go, see you laterâ, you said while grabbing your phone and purse. You left the room so quickly that he didnât even had the chance to say goodbye.
You rode down with the elevator and walked across the lobby. âExcuse me, Miss?â, you heard from the receptionistâs desk. It took you a moment to realize she meant you, as your mind was already in the middle of todayâs To-Do list.
âYes?â, you asked and stepped closer. It was a different woman that yesterday, but your special friend stood a few feet away, talking to another guest of the hotel. âI heard that there were some problems with the rooms you had booked yesterdayâ, she said to you and at least had the decency to look a bit ashamed. âWell, problems is a mild way of putting it. It was one too fewâ, you told her and resisted the urge to roll your eyes. âWe canât express of how sorry we are that this even had happened. But I got good news for you. We had a last-minute cancellation and now have a room available for youâ, she presented to you. That was indeed good news!
âGreat. At least there is one person who is doing her jobâ, you couldnât help to bite back and looked over to the woman from yesterday. You knew she heard you, as she tensed up and held up a fake smile while working on her computer.
âThe mini-bar will of course be compedâ, she assured you. âFor all six roomsâ, you didnât say it as a question. She looked a bit startled. âYesâŚof courseâ, she then quickly confirmed. âGreat! I need to go now, but please bring the keycards for the new room up to 623. You can give it to the person I was sharing a room withâ, you advised her, shouldered your bag and left the lobby.
You grabbed some breakfast on the way. You rushed from one place to the other, confirming reservations and VIP-packages for the parties. You helped buying last minute stuff for all the stylists.
You ran around all day that you missed out on lunch and couldnât even make it to the early dinner with the cast before they headed to their next events. That was probably for the best as you had yourself starving to fit into whatever dress Ramiâs stylist Ilaria had picked out for you. You hadnât even seen it yourself. Tomorrow you would be able to have a first and final fitting, which was a bit mental doing it a day before the event.
During the day, you saw that you had gotten a few texts from Ben, but you always had to swipe them off your screen due to a phone call or work e-mails. On your final way back to the hotel, carrying about five bags of utensils for the stylists, you had a few minutes to yourself as you sat in a cab.
âWas last night so bad that you had me thrown out of our room?â, he asked with a winking emoji. Your stomach jumped a bit at the word âourâ, which was so stupid, you knew yourself. There would never be something âourâ with you and Ben. You knew it was a mistake, but you were also glad that it happened in a way. You would never forget the sounds he made when you had his cock in your hand or the look on his face when he came.
You crossed your legs and had to clear your throat as you felt a little hot flash washing over you along with the memory of it.
Shortly before you arrived at the hotel, the event manager for tonight had emailed you the pass codes for the party. As you stepped out of the cab, you forwarded it to Pam with one hand, paying the driver with the other.
In the lobby, you ran into the cast and Pam. âJust got it, thanks Y/Nâ, Pam said, you had spotted you first and held up her phone. âGreat, sorry it was so last minuteâ, you apologized, for something that was not your fault, and blew a loose strand of hair out of your face. Your hands were packed with the bags and your purse was about to fall off your shoulder. Very inelegantly, you tried to push it back up by moving around your shoulder in big motions.
âHey, we missed you at dinnerâ, Joe said as he followed Pam, the other ones right behind him. âWellâŚâ, you said and held up the bags as an explanation. You saw Ben trying to catch your eye, but you deliberately avoided his stare. But you noticed how hot he looked.
âAre Ilaria and Grace still upstairs?â, you asked directly at Pam. âYes, but theyâre already packing up for tonightâ, she told you and was on her phone again. âGood, Iâm just turning these up before they leaveâ, you said and nodded at the bags in your hands. âI think we need to go nowâ, Pam said and motioned the cast towards the exit of the hotel. âHave fun, guysâ, you said and hurried to the elevators to catch the stylists before they left.
When you finally arrived at your room, you fell on your bed, out of breath. What a day! The room was tidy and the bed was made. You would never guess what had happened here last night. Although, you had shared your room with Ben for one night only, it was weird to be alone now.
You needed a shower. It was quite a warm day in L.A. for February and you felt sweaty and sticky and very tired from running around all day. And above all, you had almost an entire day of e-mails and other work waiting for you on your laptop. You had to remind yourself that you were here to work and not on holiday.
You grunted as you got up from the bed to take that well-deserved shower. Then you ordered a salad from room service and got into comfy sleeping clothes. You reached for your laptop and turned it on. You remembered that you were able to use the mini-bar without having to pay for it.
You grabbed the little champagne bottle and a pack of peanuts out of it and set up your little work place in the middle of the bed.
You had to do some pre-work for your next project, working on a press-tour schedule with a colleague that was back home in England, arranging appointments with a wide range of journalists, sending out requests, answering some others.
Until you had worked through only one dayâs worth of mails, it was almost one AM. Your eyes felt like squares from looking at the computer screen all night. You rubbed them and had to yawn really long. You emptied the water bottle beside your bed and got up. You stretched yourself, bending over and shaking out your hair. Your back was hurting from sitting hunched over your laptop all night. Also, it was still so hot in your room that you took off your pants and walked over to crack a window.
âI love my job, I love my job, I love my jobâ, you mumbled to yourself as you shuffled to the bathroom with tired eyes. When you came back out, you closed your laptop and removed the leftover food from your bed to the little counter underneath the TV screen.
Suddenly you heard a knock at your door. Who the hell would that be at this hour? Was there a fire somewhere and you didnât hear the alarm?
You walked over to the door, a little hesitant at first. You opened the door just a crack to find Ben leaning against your door frame. âBen?â, you asked surprised and opened the door more. âDid anything happen?â, you asked alarmed as this seemed to be the only logical explanation why he would come to your door in the middle of the night.
âNo, nothing happened. IâŚI just wanted to see youâ, he said and slurred his speech a bit. You knew you would probably regret your next words. âDo you want to come in?â
Next chapter: Part 4
tag list:
@valentineash @the-limit-doesnt-exist @rogerspoison @rogermeddowstayl0r @i-am-sarah @unbound-chaos @goodiebluebox @the-borhap-boys
#ben hardy#pressing matters#part 3#fanfiction#smut#ben x reader#bohemian rhapsody#bohemian rhapsody cast
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The Concept of a Mystery
https://archiveofourown.org/works/18305648
The Department of Mysteries was a place few people ever dreamed of working; it took a hardened disposition to feel at home in a place that would never wholly make sense and an even stronger will to never talk about what exists in the bowels of the Ministry. Some details had inevitably slipped out, but the vital secrets stayed safe and sound with a tight knit crew of Unspeakables.
Luckily, work matters could be discussed among the Unspeakables themselves. Unluckily, Hermione had failed to create any friendships with her colleagues. She found them to be a slimy, untrustworthy group of people who seemed to have nonexistent lives outside of Level 9 of the Ministry...or a select few who could find work nowhere else in the Ministry after the War. Hermione was definitely not part of the latterâshe had job offers pouring in from every job in the wizarding world that she could imagineâand she like to believe she wasnât part of the former. Yet, the longer she worked in the Department, the less time she spent with friends or family or doing anything remotely non-work related. Her drive to learn everything about the wizarding world had overrun her whole life after she realized just how little she knew once she began uncovering mysteries.
Hermione, presently, was pondering one of the most mysterious projects that had wandered across her desk. Sometimes things just showed up around the Department, like every time a new prophecy was made it appeared in the Hall of Prophecies ready to be catalogued. Some things that showed up were more complex and completely unexpected, like the shimmering black shroud that was encased in a protective bubble hovering in the middle of her office. The project file lay on her desk, actually it was more of a single sheet that simply said:
Project 05292001A
Discovered: 6:25am, Entrance Chamber
Identity: Unknown
Task: Determine what this object is, how it got here and why. Further instructions dependant on initial findings.
Description: Black, sheer, somewhat glittery fabric. Appears as if it might be a shroud. Diagnostics show signs of unknown magical properties, possibly dark or ancient.
Notes: Recommended to NOT TOUCH until initial findings are complete as status of object is unknown. Partner will be assigned by end of day. Do not complete any research or testing unless with partner.
âHermione, I see youâve gotten the project file. Good. The Minister wishes to meet with you regarding the project as soon as youâve read the file,â the rich, no-nonsense voice of her superior, Gwendolyn Walker, spoke from Hermioneâs doorway.
âConsidering this took less than a minute to read and Iâve already been in the office for twenty minutes, Iâd say Iâm already late. So tell me, whatâs up with this project? First, I come into the office and discover Iâve been given this project with no brief or warning. Second, I find out that youâre assigning me a partner, which I explicitly said I would not do when I took this job. And now, the Minister wants to talk to me. He never gets involved. What the bloody hell is going on this morning, Gwen?â
âListen, I donât know much more than you, I didnât find the object. Robbards found it, and I wasnât in yet and you know how much he enjoys subverting my procedures. For some bloody reason, he chose to discuss it with the Minister and Kingsley absolutely demanded you were on the project. Now he wants to see you, so go, make this easier for all of us.â
Hermione made her way to the Ministerâs office whilst dreaming of all the ways to make Robbards suffer for this. Hermione doesnât work with partners and now her one rule of employment was thrown to the wind because of that insipid little man.
âHermione, good to see you.â
âMinister Shacklebolt,â Hermione said shortly.
âI know youâre irritated, but let me explain. Something is happening within the Department of Mysteries that nobody understands. Iâve gotten weird and honestly concerning reports from almost all personnel down there. I have a hunch that this object relates to it all. I went and saw it and felt the magical signature radiating off of it before it was contained, itâs something Iâve never felt before. I need someone I can trust on this project and thatâs you. Itâs protocol that you work with a partner on identification cases, sorry but I will not budge on that. Itâs a matter of safety. However, I need someone with experience in the Darker Arts on this case, as well.â
âWhat are you saying, Kingsley? Who are you pairing me with?â
âI hope one day you forgive me for this. The other one Iâm assigning to this case is Bellatrix Black.â
âAre you kidding me?! Matter of safety, my arse. I have half a mind to hand in my resignation immediately. Making me work with a partner is already bad enough, but making me work with her...thatâs just cruel and unusual punishment and Iâll never forgive you for this.â
âIf you must resign, then Iâll wish you well. But this is the most interesting case youâve gotten in a while. I can see it in your eyes that you wonât walk away from this. Go home for the day and regroup. Iâll see you tomorrow.â
Kingsley was right. Hermione couldnât give this up now until she found answers. So, she found her in her office early the next morning awaiting Bellatrix to show up. The first two days passed surprisingly dully. Bellatrix chose not to engage in any way with Hermione, except to explicitly discuss their preliminary findings. Which were none. The object didnât respond to any of the standard diagnostic spells or even some of the more obscure spells Bellatrix knew. It seemed to absorb the magic, neutralizing it at first contact.
On the third day, Bellatrix started suggesting some decidedly non-protocol ideas.
âWe need to take it out of the containment shield and try these tests again.â
âAbsolutely not, Black, it could be volatile outside of it.â
âIt doesnât seem to be much of anything. For all weâve discovered thus far, this could be some Muggleâs funeral shroud and weâre treating it as if itâs going to blow us to bits at first chance.â
Hermione stood her ground for a couple more hours, but finally relented to trying other means to research.
âIf this goes south, Iâm holding you personally responsible...as I do for most things, Lestrange.â
âThe name is Black and I frankly could not care less for what some Mudblood chit holds me responsible for,â Bellatrix spoke with more venom than Hermione had heard in the two years they had worked in the same department.
Bellatrix cancelled the containment shield and began running the diagnostics again. All magic was neutralized just as before.
âSee, it really is just some useless piece of fabric. Nothing to be scared of, Muddy,â Bellatrix cackled.
âItâs not just a piece of fabric. A normal piece of fabric would react in some way to the magic cast at it, at least weâd see some scorch marks. Bellatrix you need to take this seriously.â
âOh, I am taking this very seriously, so serious that Iâm gonna find which grave this came from,â Bellatrix countered as she reached out to touch the material.
âBellatrix! Stop donât touch it!â
Bellatrix grabbed it. âAAAH,â a guttural scream emerged from ruby red lips.
âBELLATRIX!â Hermione lunged at the woman grabbing her upper arm, too scared to think of the consequences.
The scream turned into a full blown belly laugh. âDidnât know you cared so much, Muddy. See itâs nothing to worry about, just some seamstressâ scraps.â
âMerlin, Bellatrix that is not funny in any way. You couldâve been hurt, anything could have happened. Do you not have a shred of self-preservation,â Hermione spoke, never removing her hand, closer to the woman than sheâd been since she was pinned beneath her getting carved.
âI have more self-preservation than you can imagine. I survived two wars and Azkaban, pet.â
The two women just looked at one another, drinking in the last couple minutes. Hermione felt a blush creeping up her chest and into her cheeks, embarassed by how she dove to save this woman who she should hate. Does hate.
Hermione was just about to concede that maybe it wasnât as dangerous as everyone thought it to be, when an unexplainable chill crawled up her spine. The hairs on her arms were standing on end. She looked up at Bellatrix and saw an uneasiness in her eyes right as the floor gave way and the women were flung out into the ether.
The women found themselves suspended in an inky void; there was no source of light, but somehow they could see each other. There were no walls or floor, only nothingness. No noises were heard, nothing tactile in this space, there was nothing but each other. And pressure. The pressure was so intense that it hurt to draw in each breath; it felt like they were in the middle of apparating with no end in sight.
âBellatrix what happened,â Hermione spoke, but her voice sounded faint and muffled as if spoken from a great distance.
âI donât know. Where are we?â
âHow should I know where we are. You were the one who had to act like a bloody toddler and got us thrown here.â
âOkay. Calm down. Weâll just apparate out of here, take my arm.â
Hermione took her arm and waited, âwell get us out of here.â
âI canât. My magic isnât working. You try.â
Hermione tried to focus on apparating, but the only thing it did was increase the pressure around her chest. âNo, no, no, no, no. We canât get out. What are we going to do.â
âDie of dehydration, I imagine. Maybe asphyxiation if this pressure gets any worse,â Bellatrix said, completely disinterested, looking at her nails as she talked.
âGood god, Bellatrix, donât you care at all?â
âNot particularly.â
The two sat in silence for a while, as much as one could sit while suspended in a state of no gravity. Finally, Hermione couldnât take it any longer. âWe need to move, to try and find a way out. We canât just accept this fate.â
âOkay.â No fight was put up from Bellatrix, strange.
The two began to move through the thick and pervasive air, moving in a half walk, half swim. The darkness was everywhere, there was not a single thing around except for them. And the cold, the more they moved, the colder it got. They kept exploring the seemingly unending space for a long time. There was no way to determine how long they had been in this space, with no sun to track the hours and no magic to tell the time.
âWelcome to space!â a loud disembodied voice boomed all around them. Bellatrix and Hermione looked at one another with a glimmer of fear behind chocolate and caramel eyes, respectively.
âFor too long, you wizards have tried to control and harness the horrible place you call the Department of Mysteries. I existed before the Ministry. There is no department, it is only me the Mystery. You are in Space. Not outer space as you ignorant humans have decided is the meaning of space within the bowels of your marble halls. No you are in the concept of Space. There is nothing physical here, but you. However, the immaterial can not be detached so easily, so you still have some tools at your disposal. You can be certain that Time is still passing, you still have Thought, and you could still Love if you were so inclined, but be aware that Death still reigns here. As in every other circumstance in life, you have two options: survive or die. As with all others who have wandered into my domain, I would argue you will probably die, nobody has survived yet. Eloise Mintumble got closer than most, but you know of her demise. She didnât tumble through time, she tumbled into my domain; she found a way out, but not before Death sunk its teeth into her. Enjoy your time here, or donât. You have one other choice, accept death now or stay and fight. Death now will be easy, painless, a greeting of a long awaited friend. Choosing to fight and failing will lead to a death worse than you can imagine. Chose to fight and win, I will grant you knowledge and power of the Mystery. Will you die nobly or will you die foolishly, Bellatrix Black and Hermione Granger?â
âWeâre fighting. We will get out of here. You cannot scare us, Iâve looked death in the eyes and won before, but you wonât even deign to look us in the eyes,â Hermione exclaimed passionately, the fight that hadnât been present since the War, coming out in full force.
âHermione, we cannot possibly win,â Bellatrix was staring at her slack-jawed in shock.
âNo, perhaps we cannot, but I will not die a coward,â Hermione looked at Bellatrix and for some reason felt like they had a greater chance than the others before them, âIâm fighting and I hope youâll fight alongside of me.â
âFine. Let it be known that Bellatrix Black is no coward in the face of fear. We shall fight.â
âFoolish girls, let the fun begin.â
#bellamione discord#bellamione fic#Bellamione#bellatrix lestrange#bellatrix black#Hermione Granger#kinda horror#will be more horror in part 2#harry potter#fanfic#fanfiction
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THE LADY AND THE BODYGUARD
Fanfiction
Part 1
Pairing: Elijah Mikaelson x Reader
tag @dendrite-lover Â
@rissyrapp20
a/n: short story
Warning: Mature Content 18+
_____
"I think that you are not taking this seriously"- Alaric said frustrated to Y/N rubbing his eyes.
"Look, I was the one shot at- so, I know - but- what? Shall I stop working and hide away?"- Y/N said back at her associate.
"No. I know you wouldn't. But you should have someone- someone professional, looking after you."- Alaric said firmly.
Y/N sat down at her desk. She was quiet for a second, shuffling papers in front of her. By the way she huffed a little, Alaric knew that she was nearly there agreeing to his proposal.
Y/N looked up at her mentor and colleague and said- "Ok. I agree. Find that someone. Can I go back to work now?"
"Yes. Good. We have already found someone. He will be here at 5:00 pm. sharp."
"Why did you ask me when you've already got everything done?"- Y/N looked a bit angered.
"Still kinda need your approval." - Alaric said.
"I never really had a choice, right?!"- Y/N said.
"Not really. Ok. I got to go. Talk to you later."
"Yeah"- Y/N started writing something on the computer, ignoring Alaric who was on his way out anyway.
As the man was out, Y/N slammed back in her chair. She put up a very brave front, but deep down, she was shook after the attempt on her life. But, she was also a very defiant, very independent type of a person. She had a job to do, and it was to put the mobsters behind bars. This was not an easy job, and now she will have to live with a shadow, following her everywhere. "No life. No privacy."- she thought. She now threw herself into work, to sway her from thoughts about what had happened and might happen in the future.
At five o'clock, her a walked reminding her about her appointment.
"Is it five already?"- Y/N said getting up from her chair.
"Yes."- Josh said with a dazzle in his eyes-"and he is tall, dark and handsome."
"Who?"
"Your new client."- Josh said.
"Right. Send him in."-Y/N straightened her blouse and a bit of her hair.
Like Josh had said, a tall, dark and handsome man walked in her office and introducing himself straight away without any innuendos-Â
"I am Elijah Mikaelson."
Y/N nodded a little and extended her hand to the man.They shook hands.
"Ok. I guess we will talk details on my way home?!"- Y/N said as she now took her suit jacket and bags.
"As you wish"- Elijah said.
Y/N stopped only for a second to give Josh some instructions and then walked to the elevator followed by Elijah.
There, Alaric met up with them.
"Breakfast first thing?"- Alaric said to Y/N.
"All right. I will see you tomorrow"- she replied and Elijah and her slipped in the elevator.
"Quiet"- Y/N thought as she pressed the button.
"May I take these bags for you?"- Elijah now offered as she had a load of documents and files she was taking home to read.
Y/N handed him a bag, which the bodyguard took not saying a word.
In the car, they hardly spoke. It felt somewhat awkward, but she was used to all kind of strange people, so one more was not an issue to her. He had obviously got all the info from Alaric. Anyway, he was there like a living dummy to protect her and that was all. She needn't have any kind of relationship with him. He was a shadow. And that was all.
As the got to her house, still in the car, Y/N asked- "Ok. So, how will all this work?"
"I will explain all. At your house."
'All right."- Y/N said and taking her stuff they got out of the car.
Inside the house, Elijah explained how it would all work. As he finished, he said-
"I would like to check on your security."
"Ok. Feel free. Ahm- I don't know if you have had anything to eat, I will have something delivered."- and before he could say anything about it being checked out, she said-"It's a friend's place. A very old friend- it's Louisiana food."
"I will have whatever you have."- Elijah then said.
"Right."- Y/N said and got on the phone to her friend ordering the supper. Before the food came, Elena went up to her room to shower and change.
She walked down, and found that Elijah had already plated the food.
"Thank you. You didn't have to do that."- Y/N said.
"I don't mind. You were kind enough to invite me to eat. It's the least I could do."- Elijah said.
"One thing is good. You are not too rigid."
"Excuse me?"- Elijah was surprised at the remark.
"You know. Well, I expected you to be - I don't know how to put it- and I am usually good with words. You are pretty - human."
"Well, we are not like they present us in the movies, but still try to be pretty batman-like."- Elijah said.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
"You didn't. I personally have not guarded a woman of your status and profile."
"But you have guarded other women?"
"Yes."- Elijah said.
"Right. I guess, you can't talk about it. Can I ask you why you stopped looking after her?"
"They didn't need my services anymore. It like any other job. As you know, when the case is done, it is done. You take another case."
"Yes. So, I read a bit about you. You are an ex FBI, and you have also spent five years in the marines. Also you lived in Mystic Falls, and you attended the pre-school there."
"Yes."- Elijah said shortly.
"Again. No private stuff, right? But, you know all about me!"- Y/N looked at him straight in the eyes.
"I am sorry, but - yes. Though I was told that you have contacts that go beyond the usual sources. And you are very thorough in your research."
"I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't so. And truth be told, it has also got me in this mess where I am in need of a bodyguard. I acknowledge my mistakes, although I really hate to do so. I am human, too."- Y/N said.
"It's good that we have established that."- Elijah said.
"It is."- Y/N said.
They talked now some more about her schedule the next day untill her phone rang and she took the call, walking out of the kitchen.
"Damon- yes- no- not tonight. Tomorrow maybe. Yes. I will call you. Ok. See you."
Elijah stayed on finishing his meal. As she got back to the kitchen, she said-
"This was my- well, I guess you know."
"Your boyfriend."- Elijah stated.
"Well, not really a boyfriend- we are - we are just seeing each other. And - yeah, well, it is his birthday this weekend and we are going out to - huh- this is mad - maybe I should cancel it."
"You needn't cancel it. You carry on with your life as per usual."- Elijah said.
"As per usual- right!"- Y/N huffed a little-"with you - eatching over me - and - what if I want to be with him- you will be in the next room?"
"Ms Y/S, I am your bodyguard. Not your father. You don't need my permission to be with- your boufriend. I will just need to take all measures that you are safe, and consequently he, too." - Elijah explained.
Y/N nodded a little and said-
"Ok. I - am going to do some more work. In my bedroom."
"All right."- Elijah said.
Elijah watched her walk up to her room. All he had read about her was exactly what he saw. She was direct, sometimes biting. But there was softness inside of her, certain vulnerability that she hid so welÄş. Very beautiful. And he would lie if this didn't hit him the moment he walked in her office. In all accounts this was not going to be an easy watch. So, he was told.
"She can be very stuborn, definitely defiant and known to do things her way."- his boss told him-"but you ar the best because you can keep a cool head and your emotions in tact."
Elijah went up and got in the room next door to Y/N. His watchful self listened to her a bit talk to her friends, then her colleagues. She was then quiet, until she put the music on. That lasted for a while. She then heard her go to the bathroom and eventually fall asleep.
đť
In the morning, Y/N got up at her usual time. Had a shower, got dressed and walked down to the kitchen. She was astouned as she saw Elijah already there.
"Coffee?"- he offered and Y/N accepted. Elijah poured her some coffee and handed her the cup over.
Taking it, Y/N said-
"I owe you an apology. I shouldn-t have spoken to you the way I did. I am - well, was just so frustrated about - this. The whole bodyguard thing."
"Accepted. Eggs? Any preference?"- Elijah asked.
"No. Any. Though I am supposed to meet Alaric for breakfast."
"Not then?"
"Yes. It's a business breakfast. We will just have coffee."
      Gif by Vermariess       Â
Elijah impressed her with his breakfast.
"I haven't had such great omlette in a very long time. Thank you."
"You are welcome."- Elijah said.
"Is naking breakfast in your job description?"
"No. But as I said last night, I don't mind doing this. It is important that we establish some kind of working bond."
"Ah, right."
"It's about establishing trust. That you know can confide in me - whatever suspicious thing you see or feel."
"Right."- Y/N said and took a sip of her coffee. She then said-
"Aren't we crossing lines here? You are here to be my shield and that's it? Or?"
"This is not a straightforward case."
"No, it's not."- Y/N admitted.
She got up then abruptly and putting the stuff away in the dishwasher said that they would be leaving for the office in a little while.
Not long after they were on the way to the office, where Y/N stayed in all day. Elijah was there, not moving from her site. He was her shadow, but she gave it no thought. She was too busy.
Days went by and they got into some kind of routine. Y/N worked and didn't speak much to him. Most days she even ignored his presence.
And so, as another working day was winding down, she took a moment and stood for a while at the window and looked out-
"I love my freedom."- Y/N said. Elijah knew this was directed to him, but he didn't react.
Y/N now got her phone out and called Damon.
"Where are we meeting?"
"Rousseau's"- Damon said.
"Good."- Y/N said. She then turned to Elijah and told him about her plans of going to a party.
Elijah just noÄded.
And as a faithful watcher, he followed her to the shops to buy a dress for the evening, get ready in a hairdresser's. And they arrived at the bar.
Y/N let herself go for the evening. She had fun with her friends. With her non-boyfriend. Him kissing her, and her kissing him back.
Elijah's eyes were on Y/N all the time. His emotions switched off. Or were they?
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âPlease listen to me-â + hicsqueak
Hecate isnât quite sure what she expected to happen. Itâs the first conference theyâve attended together, staying in the same hotel, in the same room under Pippaâs name. Sheâd booked them a suite, far more lavish than Hecate would ever indulge in, but she canât deny itâs been nice, to have a place to retreat to when the crowds become too much and the socializing begins to grate at her nerves.
Sheâd known Pippa had her own agenda for the conference - modern workshops and seminars and luncheons with the upper echelons of society. Sheâd mentioned trying to shop around her most recent article on modern pedagogical exercises in chanting (an article Hecate had read, edited, and eventually grudgingly admitted was logically sound), and bemoaned a meeting with the CEO of some company or other, a man whoâd donated a significant amount to Pippaâs school.
Hecate had her own schedule as well, sticking to the larger panels, mostly there to observe and listen and perhaps, if she has the time, attend a seminar on alternative teaching methods for âalternative students,â though she would hate to be recognized at such an event.
(Still, her students come first, even when her students include the likes of Mildred Hubble.) Â
Sheâd known they would spend a significant amount of time going their separate ways. But she hadnât expected Pippa to be quite so distant.
She hasnât invited Hecate to any of the lunches sheâs attending, despite complaining about how handsy Arnold Moonshine always gets when he thinks sheâs single. Hasnât introduced her to anyone during the breaks, hasnât sought her out for a quick word, hasnât touched her at all - not even a fleeting brush of her hand against Hecateâs arm, the way she always does when theyâre in public at either of their schools.
She tries to be grateful for it. Tries to reason to herself that drawing attention to themselves as a couple would be a disastrous idea, and itâs not as though itâs anyone elseâs business besides.
But a louder, childish part of her, feels wounded. That Pippa evidently doesnât want anyone to know theyâre together. That sheâs either ashamed or embarrassed to be seen with Hecate in such a public forum.
She understands why. Hecate knows she isnât liked much out of very small, traditional circles. Knows even there sheâs the odd one out, too awkward and too brusque to really connect with anyone. Sheâs been relatively lucky, that her life isnât predicated on who she knows. Sheâd taken the potions mistress post at Cackleâs early on in her career, and Ada had taken a shine to her, for reasons Hecate still doesnât quite understand.
Pippa, she knows, has had to build her reputation, her school, her life from the ground up. Yes, her name gave her some advantages, as her family has always been well-liked by most, but thereâs no denying sheâs worked hard, to cultivate the right relationships, to be seen with the right people, to learn what to say and how and when to say it.
Hecate doesnât possess those skills. Sheâs too blunt, too sarcastic, too unwilling to cater to the people around her. And Pippa knows that. Knows that sheâd be a hindrance rather than a help; that sheâd inevitably say something and alienate someone and all Pippaâs hard work would be lost.
So Hecate keeps to herself. Follows Pippaâs cues and during the day pretends theyâre nothing more than colleagues, barely friends.
At night, Pippa returns to the room far later than Hecate, exhausted, and her mask slips away. Her shoulders hunch and she smiles weakly, but genuinely, for the first time all day.
Hecate quirks her lips when Pippa collapses, still in her clothes, and curls up on the sofa, her head in Hecateâs lap.
âI hate conferences,â she confesses, nuzzling her head into Hecateâs hand when she begins carding her fingers through Pippaâs hair.
âI can see why,â Hecate murmurs, setting aside her book.
Pippa sighs heavily. âAt least the funding for the east wing is in order.â
Hecate raises her eyebrows. âAlready?â
Pippa snorts. âDryfus is easy,â she says. âPay him enough compliments and buy him lunch and heâs yours.â
âDryfus,â Hecate repeats, trying to place the name. âDryfus Ellington?â Pippa hums in response. âHeâs an idiot.â
âA rich idiot,â Pippa mumbles.
Hecate purses her lips but says nothing. Thereâs nothing to say - she understands why Pippa does it. Why she needs the money - for expansion, for supplies, for scholarships. Itâs the latter sheâs the most invested in, Hecate knows, trying desperately to make her school affordable to everyone.
But itâs private, isnât funded by the council the way Cackleâs is, and a steady source of funding is necessary to keep Pentangleâs up and running.
It doesnât mean Hecate always agrees with her methods, but she canât imagine what she would do differently.
Pippa sighs in the silence, turning on her back to look up at Hecate. âI know you donât approve.â
Hecate falters, then continues brushing her fingers through Pippaâs hair. âIt isnât that.â
âNo?â
âI disapprove of the fact that itâs necessary,â she says. âBut I think no less of you for it.â
Pippaâs lips quirk in a smile, and she catches Hecateâs hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. âIâm sorry Iâve been so busy,â she says. âTomorrow weâll stay together.â
Hecate swallows. âThatâs not necessary. I realize you have more important things to do.â
Pippa frowns. âIâve made all the arrangements I needed,â she says. âIt took me a day longer than Iâd have liked, butâtomorrow Iâm all yours.â
She smiles, and Hecateâs stomach drops.
It isnât worth it. Pippa works too hard to have every relationship sheâs developed unravel in Hecateâs presence.
âI⌠appreciate the offer,â Hecate says carefully, âBut I understand.â
âUnderstand what?â
Hecate works her jaw, trying to parse her words, to sound careless and unaffected. âIâm not exactly the most popular person in these circles.â
Pippa sits up, faces her with her legs crossed and a hand on her arm. âSo?â
âSo⌠I understand the need for distance. Youâve worked hard to cultivate these relationships. My presence would only serve as a hindrance.â
âThatâs not true.â
Hecate arches an eyebrow. âIs that not why youâve been pretending weâre merely colleagues?â
Pippaâs frown deepens and she pulls away, settling her hands in her lap. âI havenât beenââ She stops, and stares down at her hands. âIâm sorry.â
Sheâd hoped, vainly, that perhaps she was wrong. Perhaps Pippa had another reason for avoiding herâbut she can tell by the guilty expression on her face, the way she wrings her hands together that she wasnât wrong at all.
âYou donât need to apologize,â Hecate says. âIâm aware of my reputation. Iâm aware of the damage it would do to yours.â
Pippa falters, opens her mouth several times and finally says, âItâs just a game. Itâs a stupid game I have to play to keep my school running, and these people care so much about names and status and I need them toââ
Hecate ducks forward and kisses her briefly, softly, stemming her words. âI know.â
âIt has nothing to do with you,â she says. âIt has nothing to do with how I feel about you.â
Hecate doesnât quite believe her, but nods regardless. âI know.â
Pippa blinks rapidly. âYouâre not angry?â
Hecate offers a small smile. âIâm fine, Pippa. Truly.â
â
She isnât fine.
It hurts, watching Pippa across the hall, knowing for certain now that sheâs being, to borrow Pippaâs phrase, shunted. To know itâs on purpose, to serve a goal.
She understands, doesnât fault Pippa for it, but for the first time, she wishes she were more palatable to people. Wishes she could turn herself off for a while, could be normal, could be like everyone else.
Settling into her seat, she hates that she glances around for Pippa. Hates that she finds her just two rows back, sitting next to an older woman that Hecate can tell just by looking at is wealthy. Pippa catches Hecateâs eye and smiles briefly, and Hecate nods back, then turns in her seat to face the podium.
The first presentation is duller than the ones her students give, and Hecate lets herself tune out the drone of his voice and uninteresting (and unoriginal) findings.
People in the audience have begun to whisper, and there are two women in front of her who catch her attention, heads bent together as they look over the schedule.
âPentangleâs leading a workshop?â
âOn modern magic,â the other says derisively. âThereâll no doubt be singing involved.â
âShe had to cancel the last one she signed up for. Too busy screwing her way to the top, Iâd imagine.â
Hecate freezes, blood cold as she stares at the back of their heads, jaw clenched.
âThatâs not very nice,â the other whispers back, and the first woman huffs.
âWell itâs true. How else do you think she gets all that funding for her ridiculous school?â
âOr perhaps,â Â Hecate says quietly, pleased when both women jump and turn, startled, âmanipulating the petty and disingenuous out of their money is easier than you would like to believe.â She fixes her gaze on the second woman. âYouâve donated a significant amount in the last year to Catshead Academy, have you not?â
The woman - Miss Belltower, she knows - stammers, but the other she doesnât recognize recovers after a moment and lifts her chin, her voice still quiet in the large ballroom, âThatâs interesting coming from you, Miss Hardbroom, as I was under the impression Miss Pentangle endeavored to take your headmistressâ place in much the same way.â
Hecateâs anger flares, her voice a bit too loud, âAda Cackle would neverââ
âIâm not talking about Miss Cackle. You are sleeping with Miss Pentangle, are you not?â
Silence or aversion is as good as a yes, and Pippa doesnât want people to know. Doesnât want that association, so she lifts her chin and says clearly,
âNo, I am not. Though I fail to see how thatâs any of your concern.â
Miss Belltower turns away, and the other woman contemplates for a moment before saying, âI suppose it isnât. But perhaps you should pay closer attention to rumors, Miss Hardbroom. It would be a pity to lose your upstanding reputation to oneâŚmistake.â
She arches an eyebrow before turning back in her seat and fixing her gaze pointedly on the presenter.
Hecate has no idea what she means or even how to go about finding out. Sheâs always done her best to keep herself above gossip, beyond whoâs retiring and whoâs publishing and what posts are open at various academies.
But Pippa knows. Pippa knows everything, makes it her business to know, to keep her head above water, and Hecate clenches her teeth in irritation.
She can tolerate being ignored for the sake of Pippaâs school, for Pippaâs students. She can handle the twisted feeling in her gut that perhaps Pippa is embarrassed to be seen with her. But she cannot abide secrets, or being kept in the dark, and itâs soon after the panel is over that Hecate finds Pippa in the hallway, chatting amiably with another witch.
âPardon me, Miss Pentangle,â she interrupts, caring little for the annoyed glance the other woman gives her. âMight I borrow you for a moment? Miss Cackle has a few questions on modern pedagogy she asked me to have answered while Iâm here.â
Pippa frowns, a bit confused, but smiles and makes her excuses and turns to Hecate, voice lowered in the crowd. âIs everything alright?â
Hecate glances around to ensure no one is paying them any attention, then transfers them both to an empty conference room and shuts the door with a wave of her hand.
âHecate?â
âIâve had an interesting conversation with a friend of Miss Belltowerâs,â she says. âEvidently our relationship isnât as private as youâd like.â
Thereâs a moment, a brief flash of panic in Pippaâs eyes that Hecateâs certain no one else would catch before she frowns.
âI havenât heard anything,â she says, but itâs a lie, bold and brazen, and Hecate arches an eyebrow.
âSo youâre unaware that some people believe youâre only sleeping with me in an attempt to assume Miss Cackleâs position as headmistress?â
Itâs an indelicate way of putting it, Hecate knows, especially if Pippa truly hasnât heard the rumor; but she has, Hecate can see it on her face, the way her mask breaks for a split second, the horrified look in her eyes, but without surprise.
âIââ she starts, and Hecate snaps.
âDonât lie to me, Pippa.â
She blinks, startled, and shakes her head. âIâm not trying to lie to you. I justâitâs idle gossip, it means nothing.â
âIt means something, or you would have told me about it.â
âThereâs nothing to tell,â she insists. âYes, Iâm aware of it, but I didnât think telling you would do any good. I know you donât like gossip to begin with and itâs nothing more than that.â She pauses, frown deepening. âUnlessâyou donât believe it, do you?â
Hecate huffs. âOf course not.â
âIâm serious, Hecate. You donât believe Iâm with you because I want something, right?â
Hecate sighs, her anger dwindling in the face of Pippaâs palpable fear. âNo, I donât believe it,â she says firmly. She isnât always quite sure why Pippa is with her, but she knows it isnât because of that. âBut if Iâm going to do my part and deny any rumor that weâre together, I need to know what those rumors are.â
âYou told someone we werenât together?â
Hecate frowns at the surprise in her voice. âMiss Belltower and herâŚfriend.â  Pippa looks shaken, and Hecate doesnât understand. âI thought itâs what you wanted.â
Pippa blinks and nods. âNo, of course, youâre right. Itâs better this way.â
âPippaââ
âThat was quick thinking, though Iâm sorry to have put you in that position.â She smiles too broadly. âOnce Iâve locked down sponsors for next yearâs scholarships, Iâm sure we can tell people. If you want.â
Hecate tries her best not to flinch. Tries to pretend that the words, their implication, make no difference to her. That being hidden in the shadows for the sake of appearance doesnât tug at something inside her, doesnât tongue at her insecurities.
But Pippa must see it, because sheâs across the room in seconds, a hand on Hecateâs arm. âHiccupââ
âItâs fine, Pippa,â she interrupts, unable to stand the concern in Pippaâs eyes. âItâs only another two days, regardless.â She pauses. âIn fact, I may head back early. There are some things at Cackleâs I need toââ
âHecate, no, stay,â she begs. âWeâllâweâll do something tomorrow, I promise. Weâll get away from the hotel andââ
âHide,â Hecate finishes, her voice flat. âThatâs fine.â
Pippa looks away. âItâs not hiding.â
Hecate purses her lips. âIâm willing to go along with the charade in public, but letâs not pretend itâs anything other than what it is. I embarrass you.â
Pippaâs head jerks up, her eyes wide, and her hand tightens on Hecateâs arm. âHecate, no. Thatâs notâthatâs not even close toâwhy would you say that?â
Hecate pulls away, irritation rising. âBecause Iâm not naive. Youâve made it quite clear that I donât belong in this part of your world.â
Pippa frowns. âAnd youâre alright with that?â
âYes,â she lies. âIf itâs whatâs best for youââ
âItâs not.â
Hecate pauses. âI donât understand.â
Pippa shakes her head, clearly exasperated, though Hecate has no idea why, until she says, so clearly, âIâve loved you since I was eleven years old, and for thirty years I had to live without you. Now that weâre together, I want toâtoâleap on my broom and shout it to the rooftops. But I canât. Becauseââ
âItâs a game,â Hecate repeats. âOf course.â
âBut you donât believe that,â Pippa says. âNot entirely. Or you wouldnât be so upset.â
âIâm not upset.â
Pippa glares at her. âDonât lie to me, Hecate, not about this. Donât say youâre fine when you arenât.â
âThen donât lie to me, Pippa,â she snaps. âDo not attempt to dress this up as something pretty, for your sake or mine. I donât need to be coddled.â
âIâm not trying to coddle you, Hecate, Iâm trying toââ She cuts herself off abruptly and turns away.
âTrying to what?â Hecate goads, and Pippa sighs.
âIâm justâŚtrying to do the right thing. By you. By us. By my school.â
Hecate watches her for a moment, sees the struggle on her face, and almost hates that she says, softly, âYou may not be able to have it both ways.â
Pippaâs eyes water and Hecateâs stomach knots, her hands itching to reach out. Instead, she curls her hands into fists and lifts her chin.
âThat isnât fair,â Pippa says, and Hecate shakes her head.
âItâs what you wanted, isnât it?â
Pippa barks out a wet laugh. âOf course itâs not.â
Hecate frowns, feels thrown off course. âI donât understand,â she says, and Pippa seems to crack, seems like a torrent of things sheâs held back slip out, and sheâs powerless to stop them.
âI hate this,â she admits. âI hate pretending weâre not together. I hate that I canât touch you or hold your hand orâorâeven speak to you naturally. I hate the excuses and theâstares andâand I donât care if people know. I want people to know. I want them to know Iâm yours.â
Hecate blinks, surprise and confusion plain on her face, sheâs certain. âBut⌠your schoolâŚâ
Pippa scoffs and her voice hardens. âAnyone that wouldnât give us money because of you is money I donât want,â she says. âAnd anyone who wouldnât support us because of you is support I donât need.â
Hecate flounders. âThen whyââ
âBecause of you. Â Because youâreâyouâre revered, Hecate. Your work is known in every witching circle there is and even the people that donât like you admire you. Youâve built a reputation for yourself, a good one - as a traditionalist, yes, but as someone who cares deeply about The Craft and educating young witches and I didnât wantââ
She breaks off, and Hecate swallows tightly, barely manages to ask, âDidnât want what?â
âI didnât want to damage that. With my⌠modern practices andâsinging and⌠pink.â She bites her lip and looks up at Hecate with wet eyes. âI didnât want people to think I was manipulating you. I know how much you hate being pitied, and I justâI didnât want them to think of you as one of my supposed âconquests.â Youâre better than that. You deserve better than that. And I canât be the one to ruinââ
Hecate kisses her, closes the space between them and kisses her fiercely, hands on her cheeks. Pippa startles, but instantly relaxes, brings her hands up to curl around Hecateâs biceps as she leans in, opens her mouth under Hecateâs.
When they part, theyâre both breathing heavily, and Hecate presses her forehead to Pippaâs, eyes closed, heart hammering.
âPippa,â she murmurs. âWhen is the last time youâve known me to care what fools think of me?â
Pippa curls her fingers around the back of Hecateâs neck. âBut they hurt you,â she whispers. âYou pretend they donât, but I rememberââ
When they were young, when harsh words and criticisms would follow Hecate down the hallways, when rumors would pop up, about her family, about her, about her and Pippa.
Hecate shakes her head. âI cared because I was afraid,â she says. âI thought if you believed the rumors, if you knew how I felt, you would leave me. But I couldnât care less about Miss Belltower or her friends or anyone else.
âBut youââ
âPlease listen to me,â Hecate cuts her off, pulling back far enough to see Pippaâs face. âThere isnât anything anyone could say that would matter more to me than you. If they think I am⌠naive or gullible, let them think so. There are far worse things,â she says pointedly, but Pippa shakes her head.
âI donât care. Those rumorsâIâm used to them.â
âYou shouldnât be.â
Pippa smiles softly. âNo. But they donât bother me anymore.â
Hecate nods slowly, her fingers brushing the ends of Pippaâs hair. âAnd⌠I donât embarrass you?â
Pippa kisses her firmly. âNever.â
âThen perhaps weâve been the foolish ones,â Hecate says, ducking her head. Pippa kisses the frown on her face, her nose, her lips.
âWe could be not foolish, from now on?â
Thereâs nervousness there, and hope, and Hecateâs lips quirk in a small smile.
âI would like that.â
Pippa beams, wrapping her arms tightly around Hecateâs neck. âI love you, Hiccup.â
Hecate buries her face in Pippaâs neck. âI love you, too, Pipsqueak.â
Pippa sniffles, pulls back to wipe a stray tear off her cheek and finally lets go, stepping back. âI suppose we should get back to the ballroom for the next panel?â
Hecate nods, and Pippa holds out her hand. âTogether?â
Smiling softly, Hecate takes her hand, holds on, doesnât let go.
âPippa?â she asks, just before they transfer.
âYes?â
âDonât call me Hiccup in public.â
They fade away, Pippaâs laughter ringing through the empty room.
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make it work, make it sweet - a fitzsimmons fic
Written for the anon that requested fs + I did the dishes.Â
Summary: When Jemma hopes to surprise Fitz for his birthday with something special, things donât quite go according to plan. (Sci-Ops Era/established relationship)
Read below or on AO3!
~
With her grocery sacks cutting into her arm as she trekked up to the fourth floor of her apartment complex, Jemma cursed herself for forgetting the reusable bags sheâd left hanging on the pantry door. Luckily, that was the only mishap sheâd encountered since embarking on her dayâs plans. With Fitz out for the day, it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of their small but still fully functional kitchen in their shared flat to make him something special. They usually didnât go crazy on birthdays, but heâd taken her to the local arboretum the afternoon of her birthday last year, and with him being 23 days older than her, it gave her almost an entire year to prepare something spectacular for his day of celebration. But even with plenty of time to prepare, it didnât make the task of surprising him any easier. Â
Unfortunately, she wasnât necessarily the best at thinking up surprises for her boyfriend ever since theyâd established that Fitz was much more talented in the realm of romantic gestures. Preparing something special for someone who would be pleased with just about anything was a difficult task to narrow down, so it took a great deal of brainstorming before she settled on the perfect gift. She knew buying him something extravagant wasnât an option since they were trying to keep their possessions as minimal as possible in their cramped flat. And she knew a surprise party would likely spook him more than anything else, him often preferring to spend time alone with her rather than with a large crowd of people.
It was only when they were invited to a colleagueâs birthday party in the summer did she suddenly come up with a plan as they came across the subject of birthday cakes.
âItâs good,â Jemma uttered through a mouthful of vanilla cake as they hid in a corner of the loud and overly crowded patio. âCould be better.â
At her side, Fitz shook his head. âJemma, are you really judging the cake? Itâs sweet, itâs got loads of icing, and itâs free.â Poking his fork into her slice, he stole a bite before she brought her plate closer to her chest protectively.
âYes, but itâs so boring,â she explained, not impressed by the simple vanilla sheet cake that easily fed a crowd but wasnât up to her standards for desserts. âYou only get one birthday a year, so you might as well make a cake thatâs just as special.â
Fitz shrugged. âWell, itâs just a cake. I canât even remember the last time I had a birthday cake like this.â
Putting down her fork, Jemma tilted her head. âWait, what do you mean?â
âOh. Well, itâs not like Iâve never had a birthday cake,â he told her. âI had ones when I was really little, but once it was just the two of us, my mum would always take me to this bakery down the street to get a slice there.â
âAh,â Jemma replied plainly.
âI didnât mind,â he said, shrugging. âI think she always hated having so much leftover, and I didnât want her to go to the trouble of making one, anyway.â
âYeah, that makes sense,â she said with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Upon learning this fact, Jemma instantly felt horrible for not thinking to make him a cake in the past. With their last few years spent at the Academy and now at Sci-Ops together, their schedules were so incredibly busy that they usually settled for store-bought cupcakes on birthdays, the single candles giving them just enough light to make wishes for the next year they were to spend at each otherâs side. Now, all Jemma could think about was making up for lost time and what would hopefully be a delighted look on Fitz's face when she ultimately presented him with his freshly baked cake.
Once she learned that Fitzâs mum would be in town for his birthday, Jemma suggested that he should spend the day with her, and then the three of them could all meet up for dinner afterwards, giving Jemma time to prepare his gift in secret. Based on her skill level, she calculated precisely how much time she needed to bake and decorate the cake in time for it to be ready for dessert that night. A small white lie about having lunch with Daisy allowed her to leave their flat in the morning without question (but not before giving Fitz his first birthday present of the day, whichâbased on her observationâhe seemed to enjoy tremendously).
Of course, instead of meeting Daisy, Jemma hopped over to the supermarket to collect fresh ingredients, wanting nothing short of the best for Fitzâs soon to be glorious birthday cake. With all the proper pieces purchased and arriving home just in time, she felt her plans were going off without a hitch. That was until she swung open the flat door and stumbled inside, letting out a loud gasp at the sight in front of her.
The countertops were nearly spotless, the dishes were laying in their rack to dry, but the most alarming sight before her with her boyfriend with a bottle of all-purpose cleaner in hand and a thin layer of sweat coating the back of his neck.
âOh!â Jemma exclaimed, forgetting to ease the door shut, so the loud slam sent Fitz turning around at the noise.
âHey, Jemma. Youâre back early,â he said happily. Â
âFitz. Youâre⌠youâre here,â she said, unable to move from her shock.
âYeah, did you go shopping?â he asked. He gestured toward the fridge. âWeâre low on milk, I think.â
Slowly, Jemma tried to lower the grocery sacks without losing her grip to hide them behind her back. âYeah. Wha-what are you doing here?â
Fitz chuckled lightly, resuming his work of scrubbing down a corner of their kitchen island. âIâd like to ask you the same question,â he said, raising his eyebrows, âsince you said you were meeting Daisy for lunch.â Â
âI hadâŚerrands to run first,â she answered before clearing her throat. âYouâre not supposed to be here.â
âArenât you happy that Iâm cleaning?â
âNot today, Iâm not. Arenât you supposed to be spending the day with your mum?â
âChange of plans,â Fitz explained as he continued to scrub at the countertop. âGot a call saying her flightâs running late, so sheâs coming in tomorrow instead. Which is actually better, because now I have more time to make sure the flat is in order, so she doesnât think we live like slobs.â He looked up, raising his hands. âNot that we do, of course, but you know. Donât want her to worry. Anyway, I did the dishes, laundryâs almost done.â
âOh,â Jemma replied softly. âRight, okay.â
âI didnât text you because I didnât want you to cancel on Daisy for my sake.â
Nodding, Jemma inched one of the grocery sacks higher on her arm, still struggling with its weight.
âHere,â Fitz said, putting down the cleaner and rushing forward. âI got it.â
âOh, no, itâs okay,â she insisted, quickly pulling the bags away as he reached forward to keep the ingredients a secret. But her swift movement resulted in yet another mishap of the day as the thin plastic of one of the grocery sacks tore open from the bottom.
Before Jemma had time to react, the contents went tumbling to the floor, the sacks of flour and sugar landing with a heavy thump but luckily staying mostly intact. Tragically, the jug of milk and the jar of rainbow sprinkles were not as lucky.
âOh, no, no, no!â Jemma cried as she trailed after the rolling jar, the sugary morsels now decorating a good portion of their kitchen floor. As she struggled, muttering a few expletives to herself, Fitz got to his knees to collect the other fallen ingredients while he took paper towels to the growing puddle under the milk jug.
âWell, so much for the milk. And wow, that⌠is a lot of sprinkles,â he said through a laugh.
âUgh, this is a disaster,â Jemma whispered as she tried to collect the sprinkles into a pile, hanging her head so Fitz couldnât see her expression.
It was happening again, she thought to herself painfully. No matter how meticulous she was in her preparations, her attempts at being romantic were somehow always falling apart, and without warning, a lump started to form in her throat as her eyes filled with tears.
âItâs okay, Iâll clean it up,â Fitz told her before getting to his feet and searching for their broom and dustpan.
âThank you,â Jemma replied, giving up her attempts to collect the sprinkles to lean against the bottom cupboards of the kitchen in defeat. âI just⌠I had plans all set and stone, and they only work if youâre out of the flat all day.â
âWhat sort of plans?â Fitz asked from the other side of the kitchen.
Through a deep sigh, Jemma shook her head. âNothing, itâsâŚâ She paused, sniffling and wiping under her eyelid. âItâs nothing. Iâll make it work. Somehow.â
âWell, do you want me to leave?â Fitz asked while he started to sweep the floor. But once he got around the island and found Jemma leaning against the cupboard, he froze. âHey, whatâs the matter?â
Looking up, she gave him a weak smile. âHow is it so easy for you?â
âWhat?â
âTo be romantic,â she said quietly.
At her words, Fitz tilted his head, giving her a sympathetic look.
âYou always⌠take me by surprise and everything is always so unbelievably perfect,â Jemma explained. âI, on the other hand, am always running into trouble. First it was the holiday that didnât work out because of Weaverâs last minute project, then there was that astrophysics lecture that I was going to surprise you with, but then you had already bought us tickets. And now I canât even get your bloody birthday present right.â Shaking her head, she pressed a hand to her forehead.
As she expected, Fitz balanced the broom against the counter before he made his way to her side on the floor. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he urged her to turn towards him. âCome here,â he whispered.
WIthout a word, Jemma sunk her head to his shoulder and curled into him, swinging her legs over his to settle in his lap. âIâm sorry,â she said after a few moments, wiping the few tears away and letting herself laugh for the first time as she took in the mess that was their kitchen and her current state. âIâm just being silly.â
âNo, youâre not,â Fitz assured her, moving a stray hair that had fallen in front of her face. âIâm sorry I ruined your plans.â
âItâs not your fault. It was an accident.â Letting out a small sigh, she shrugged. âBut still. I donât understand how it always goes so well for you every time. I try to plan something nice for you and it always seems to burst into flames.â
It was his turn to laugh, which Jemma found annoyingly adorable considering her state of mind. After, when he looked at her with a more serious expression, she waited for him to explain.
âDid you knowâŚâ he finally said, âthat for every seemingly perfect date or gift, there are probably about three failures in-between?â
Jemma scrunched up her face. âWhat do you mean?â
âDo you really think that the time we stayed in during that crazy thunderstorm with Chinese take away and that Austen movie marathonâthat was plan A?â He let out another chuckle before he continued. âThat was supposed to be a picnic in the afternoon and then stargazing at night. Turns out I vastly misjudged the weather patterns that day, along with my skill in making sandwiches that even come close to yours.â
âAw, but that was a good night,â Jemma assured him, leaning her head on his shoulder.
âIt really was,â he agreed. âAnd then those flowers I got you after you passed your final Academy exams? Those were purchased because the dwarf prototype I was originally working on may or may not have exploded in the lab.â
With widened eyes, Jemma looked back up at him. âOh, God. You never told me that,â she said, astonished. Â
âWell, the miscalculation helped us finish the project in the end, so I didnât feel the need to inform you about that bit,â Fitz admitted through a half shrug.
Jemma let out a faint laugh.
âBut see?â he said, poking her playfully in the side. âWhat you think is perfect and effortless is actually a great deal of throwing things together on my end, and thatâs okay. â
She nodded, already feeling immensely better about her soiled surprise.
âWhatever you end up doing,â Fitz went on, âeven if itâs not exactly what you originally planned, Iâll always love it because itâs from you.â
âI know,â Jemma said, her voice low. âI just wanted things to go right this time.â
âAlright, spill,â Fitz said in a lighter tone. âWhat were you planning?â
Pulling back to look at him fully in the eye, Jemma sighed. âI was going to bake you a cake,â she finally confessed, her voice as small as the smile growing on her face.
It took a moment for Fitz to respond, but then his eyes turned bright. âReally?â
âYes, I know it doesnât sound that exciting, but wasnât just any cake,â she gushed. âIt was going to be this beautiful, magnificent, delicious cake. And it was going to have six layersââ
âSix?!â
âYes, and sprinkles, and a chocolate drizzle, and I was going to surprise you and your mum when we all got back from dinner.â
âJemma, thatâŚâ Fitz shook his head in disbelief. âThat sounds amazing.â
âI just wanted to do something special for a change.â Taking hold of his hand, she looked down at her lap.
âYou still can,â he told her reassuringly, rubbing her back. âBut now you can have my help.â
âBut it was supposed to be a surprise,â Jemma replied, pouting.
âOkay, then, how about I help you with the baking part, and then Iâll leave the decorating up to you?â he offered.
Jemma thought for a moment before she pursed her lips, nodding. âThat does sound like a good idea. An assistant would make things a lot easier.â
âAssistant?â
Rolling her eyes dramatically, Jemma shook her head. âAlright, fine. Partner. But be honest, Fitz, how much baking have you done in your life?â
âIâve done enough,â he answered, looking a bit insulted by her question, but smiling nonetheless. âAnd itâs just science, isnât it?â
âYes, and good judgement.â
âAnd fun, Iâm hoping. Plus, with an expert at my side, Iâm sure Iâll learn just fine.â
âYes, you will,â she told him happily. After giving him a small peck on his cheek, not a trace of disappointment left within her, Jemma got to her feet and pulled Fitz up. âRight, then. Letâs get to work.â
~
It took nearly five hours, but eventually, the two of them sunk heavily onto the sofa before cutting into what Jemma thought was one of her most brilliant creations to date. After Fitz went out to replace the spilled milk and rainbow sprinkles, they set about a routine of weighing, mixing, pouring, and then finally watching the cakes rise in the oven as they transformed before their eyes. As theyâd agreed, Fitz stayed in the living room while Jemma got about icing and decorating the cake. And when, at last, it was finished and she presented it to him proudlyâall six layers of soft and springy sponge towered up high with rich buttercreamâFitz seemed lost for words.
At the moment, theyâd already polished off two slices and were now sharing a third, Jemmaâs legs draped over Fitzâs lap as they balanced the plate between them.
âIt really is spectacular,â Fitz told her, patting her knee. Â
âThank you,â Jemma replied lovingly. Â
âAnd you technically made me three cakes,â he pointed out. Â
âWell, I didnât know which one you would like best, so I thought⌠Neapolitan. Felt like the safest route.â
âItâs bloody delicious is what it is,â he mumbled through a mouthful of the strawberry layer.
Once the third slice was demolished and they were left with only crumbs, Fitz took Jemmaâs hand and pulled her closer to his side.
âYou did well. Very romantic, indeed,â he told her, his lips pressed to her forehead. Â
âGood,â she said into his neck. âAnd maybe... this can be the first of many special cakes in the future?â She looked up with a raised brow in a hopeful expression.
She saw something shift behind his eyes then, as if a new thought was entering his brain at that precise moment. She liked to think it was the same one running through her mind as well, a future filled with many more special occasions made brighter with the addition of delicious desserts, and maybe even one where the cake was the centerpiece of a grand celebration, an occasion much more memorable than any birthday.
Eventually, he nodded, his smile growing wider as he leaned in. âYeah, that sounds nice,â he whispered before capturing her in a soft kiss, the taste of his lips just as sweet as his words, the sugary treat theyâd just devoured, and what turned out to be quite the romantic night after all.
~
đ
See the cake Jemma baked here (from Cupcake Jemma! đŤ)
#fitzsimmons#fsfic#fstag#thefitzsimmonsnetwork#aosficnet#agents of shield#leo fitz#jemma simmons#fic#mine#mel writes#oneshot*#cutting it close but it's still fitz's birthday :)
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Weight Loss: Why Self-Sabotage Is Hold You Back
Do you have sabotage syndrome? Have you ever reached a point in your weight loss journey when things are going well, you've lost a significant amount of weight and are so close to reaching your ideal weight goal, then "something" happens ... you go back to your old eating habits. You start to say things like, "I'm fine during the day, but at night, I start to graze and pick, and then I think I'll start again tomorrow." Or: "I had a bad day of eating, you might as well stop. "For some, it can be a rapid return to old eating behaviours, for others, it is a slow and gradual recurrence. Then you feel so disappointed and frustrated with your inability to lose weight again, so you decide to give up. What about these scenarios⌠as your diet is going very well and you are losing weight, instead of giving yourself flowers on your birthday (or any other holiday), your significant other gives you a box of your favourite chocolates! Or, you have friends, colleagues, family members, etc. who tempt you with food choices they know you are avoiding while saying things like, "One bite will not hurt you" or "You've come so far, you deserve to have one!" , " I did that, you have to try it." or " It's my birthday, you must have cake! " Does this sound familiar to you? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of dieters suffer from similar patterns. In my experience, I often have patients who ask, "Why does this keep happening? Why can't I just lose weight and keep it off? "Or:" It's like I have two minds ... one who wants to lose weight and the other who won't let me. " I also often hear, âWhy can't my spouse (other important people, friend, family member, etc.) support my weight loss efforts?â âIt almost seems like people are trying to make me eat and stay fat! " So why are you your worst enemy? Why are you or others hampering your weight loss goals? 6 common signs you're self-sabotaging and how to stop it Although everyone has their own limiting beliefs, some are more common than others. This is very true when these beliefs relate to your weight loss plan.  Quit the habit of making excuses One of the simplest methods to identify limiting perception is to investigate your apologies; it is because limiting beliefs are constantly disguised as an apology. At first glance, one thing seems to be an obstacle. In reality, it's just an excuse you can sabotage yourself with. So how do you determine if it is a respectable obstacle? Focus on information about the situation, not on emotions. When you cancel an excuse with information and logic, it is easier to see the B.S. If you understand that this is just an excuse, you are still struggling to get the precedent. Start using your optimistic statements. View the success stories about weight loss. Find inspiration from people who have already overcome obstacles and apologies.  Make positive confession daily Once you've recognized your negative ideas, it's time to move them. Replace negativity with optimistic goals and their beliefs. Practice with optimistic confirmations. Watch out for "I can't do it" and "I don't do it" statements and apologies. The next time you catch yourself in a loop of negativity and self-sabotage, use these optimistic statements. Keep repeating them until you can stop self-sabotage. Then repeat the method again the next time these negative ideas appear. I don't like to understand I can never stop consuming carbohydrates I'm too overwhelmed to get in shape I am too busy to prepare healthy meals I'm not the kind of woman who goes to the fitness centre I have no money for this type of meal I can't afford it [the gym, the Keto supermarket, the learning materials I'm fat I'm too lazy to cook a meal  Stop Procrastinating and take actions Procrastination is another way to believe the major limitations that occur, especially in the case of a weight loss plan. It is always easy to find a reason why the timing is just not right, but all you do is keep yourself together again. There will never be a time when everything will be completely aligned. When you apologize for delay, you allow only that restrictive observation to prevail.  Obsessing over diet perfection Perfectionism is great in the Keto area. Changing your food sample is a huge step and it makes sense that you want to do it completely. You need your weight loss plan to give you the results you want, so you feel that everything should be right. The need to get everything right will actually be robust; this need can also be a limiting perception that prevents you from transferring in advance. The nutritional data is a reconstruction of averages and estimates. If you insist on every gram of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, electrolytes, etc. in line with an objective controlled by a calculator, it must be understood that it is nevertheless an average or an estimate. Macros will be an unimaginable tool for a weight loss plan. However, stress about these figures can be the engine of your opposing ideas, beliefs or actions. Don't let statistics and perfectionism stop you. You may end up with the unfair idea in your weight loss plan. You assume that if you exceed your carbohydrate restriction, you have cheated; you may feel responsible for it. Before you proceed with your weight loss plan, know this: you are not unfair. You study in practical expertise. It is not a mistake, it is an expertise. Too many people try to control the keto. They tell everyone what they are doing wrong; the chances are good, but they do not do everything well at the same time. They may need a strict set of black and white guidelines that they assume everyone must adhere to. None of these is suitable, so they are absolutely not useful. If you realize that you are part of the keto policy, just keep it to yourself. Everyone's weight reduction plan is completely different and distinctive for their specific person. Keto diets can observe identical common parameters, but they will be adjusted to meet the needs and wishes of each person. Don't try to drive perfectionism on yourself, and don't ride it on different people both.  Over controlling everything You have no control over what people do or say. Just as you can orientate yourself in another person's weight loss plan, you can let different people have an effect on the best way to plan your weight. There will always be another person doing something completely different. Your partner does not pay attention to the keto and you are also forced to see how they eat carbohydrates. Someone at your home has eaten the meals that you have chosen on purpose. Your keto buddy has given up and now you no longer have your assistance system. These are just excuses. These are not respectable obstacles. By allowing such excuses to dictate your weight loss plan, your limiting beliefs can regulate your nutritional success. Ultimately, your only way to change the way you consume is. You do not want authorization and you do not have to depend on different people.  Discipline your mind It is very easy to get into a state of mind that prevents you from making real progress toward your goals. For some of you, mentality blocks only start when you have achieved your goals for food and physical composition. Whether you are new to Keto or have been good at Keto for a long time, you can nevertheless take into account your limiting beliefs and improve your state of mind several times. Once you have established an unfavourable thought, whatever it is, you exchange it with what you take a little and really feel. Replace "I don't deserve this" with something optimistic. There is no time like the present to reformulate negative beliefs. You have worked hard to get to where you are. Don't let your negative ideas stop you from having fun with your success! Read the full article
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Finally diagnosed and medicated. If youâre browsing this sub, wondering if you have it, then please read. via /r/ADHD
Finally diagnosed and medicated. If youâre browsing this sub, wondering if you have it, then please read.
WARNING: post got long. TLDR, doing something about the way Iâve felt for all my life has been the best decision Iâve ever made. Even if you have the slightest inkling you have ADHD, go see someone. Itâs never too late in your life.
I just wanted to share my experience over the last few weeks with others here concerning my ADHD - Inattentive diagnosis. I have had such a good week that on several occasions Iâve almost cried out of happiness. Something I thought was dumb and could never comprehend before this week.
For reference, I am a 29 year old man based in Australia and work in education. I have always been incredibly disorganised, supremely forgetful, walk away from conversations wondering wtf we just talked about and make many stupid and obvious mistakes throughout the day. Something Ive always felt super weird about was my lack of any sort of memories from primary school (years 1-7) and even early high school. Turns out it is common amongst those with ADHD. My house is a mess, driving my poor fiancĂŠ crazy. Sheâs a beautiful person who is overworked and has had to deal with my BS for the past seven and a half years.
Professionally, it was incredibly embarrassing when I would forget to follow up on something I promised, a regular occurrence. Similarly, not having convictions when speaking with or in front of people for fear of forgetting my talking points made me feel weak and dumb. But the the thing that affected me most, that really affected me to my core, was the brain fog. Come 11am, I was cognitively a zombie. My students wouldnât get the help they deserved. Anything I was told would be acknowledged, but gone the instant the conversation stopped. I did everything I could, including cutting as many corners as possible without drawing attention to myself to leave at the earliest possible time. I thought at the time, âI work my friggin arse off here, I deserve to leave on timeâ. In hindsight, I wanted to get home to play video games, and usually just ended up on the couch doing nothing. Compared to my peers, I didnât do that much. To be succinct, I knew I wasnât reaching my potential, I wanted to reach my potential, but couldnât bring myself to change my behaviours.
To get an ADHD diagnosis here, you must visit your General Practitioner, and they will refer you to a psychiatrist. Miraculously, on a whim I made myself make an appointment. I think it had something to do with my dadâs Myeloma diagnosis. The day I went with him to his bone marrow biopsy, he looked my in the eye and said âlook after your teeth better, shave your neck more often. Youâre nearly 30, get your shit together (lol)â.
So, I booked myself in. My GP is incredible, noted everything I said, and agreed that this points towards ADHD, presenting as inattentive. She listed 4 psychs who specialise in ADHD. I booked in with one, and was met with a 9 week wait list. It sucked, but I said Iâd deal. Iâve gone the last 7 years in this profession, I can last another 9 weeks. I received a call 2 weeks later as there was a cancellation, and I was in the next day.
I met with the psychiatrist. He was a straight down the line doctor, listened to what I had to say, accepted it all and had me take a few tests. He didnât necessarily focus on building a relationship, but clearly wanted to build a picture of what my life has been like. I sort of appreciated the way the emotion was left out of the conversation. He showed me some videos and had me take a few tests. We discussed treatment, and he said Dexamfetamine Sulfate would be the most affective for my symptoms. He asked me to come back in a week, told me to go pee in a cup and slapped me with a $445 bill (but $210 back, cheers socialised health care!), but I felt great after. The wheels were finally in motion.
I went down to pee in the cup. Waited 45 minutes and couldnât pee. The old dear in the corner of the room sort of put me off a bit. I tried my best but couldnât make it happen. I apologised and said Iâd be back tomorrow to try again. I scurried out of the room, not making eye-contact with the staff out of embarrassment. The next day, I stopped peeing at 12pm. I sipped water all afternoon and headed to the lab at about 3. The whole drive I was shifting in my seat, my bladder about to explode. I made it, peed in a cup (she made me wait while she filled out the paperwork slower than a 5 year old) and that was that!
I went to my appointment the following weekend and discussed a treatment plan with the psychiatrist. He put me on a plan to ramp up my dosage. I would be taking 30mg a day eventually, with freedom to take up to 40 if needed. The first day was a Sunday. I took one 5mg tablet at 7am. By 12 oâclock that day, my house was clean, I had my weekly planner done for work, and had walked my dog. I couldnât believe it, I actually enjoyed finishing my house work and schoolwork. This has to be a placebo effect, right? My fiancĂŠ couldnât believe her eyes. I am sure she appreciated it though!
The next day at work, I took 5mg again at 7am and 5mg again at 12.30pm. I got to work, and I was filled with something I hadnât felt in a long, long time. A complete and total sense of calm. I knew what I was doing that day. And I did it. I got asked questions by my bosses. I answered them and had some friendly banter. I wrote 10 emails to parents of children who needed a meeting. And I freaking loved every second of it.
This continued throughout the week as I built my dosage up. I have never worked as hard as I have this week. And I have never enjoyed my job this much. I just canât wait to tick things off my mental list. I have a complete sense of calm where there was only anxiety before. My students are achieving way more than they were before. Iâve had colleagues and friends come to me and say they are so happy that I am walking around whistling and conversing with everyone. I love talking to people and feel like I can hold my own. And I have ideas now! Itâs crazy, Iâm coming up with ways I can improve my practice and trying to implement them. I have said to myself multiple times now âholy shit, is this how normal people feel?â.
Itâs been a week, and I expect things to normalise eventually. But it has shown me what I am capable of. I can do my job well. I can hold my own in my profession. I get started on tasks immediately now. I mean, I sat down and typed this post! Two weeks ago I would have started it and deleted it all at the half way point. This feeling is just pure elation. I feel like I have meaning in my mundane tasks now, and finishing them gives me more satisfaction than I could have ever imagined.
If any of what I have said resonates with you, follow up on it. You owe it to yourself to reach your potential. See whoever you need to see to make it happen. Itâs worth any cost, and itâs never too late in your life.
Submitted August 08, 2020 at 01:03AM by ADecentReacharound via reddit https://ift.tt/30EaLPd
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Written by Meg Prater
Minus actually closing the deal, is there anything better than those first few moments after a killer pitch? You found a perfect-fit prospect, ran a solid discovery call, and customized the presentation to meet their exact needs.
The post-presentation rush is almost unmatched. How could they possibly walk away after that? But then ⌠silence. Youâre checking your email every two minutes, youâre leaving a voicemail every hour on the hour, and youâre trying to explain to your manager why they havenât closed. Itâs the cold shoulder after a blissful first date.
Everyone in sales has felt this pain at some time or another. Itâs tough. So hereâs a list of nine deadly follow-up mistakes to avoid after a pitch. Think of this as your wingman, guiding you away from doing or saying something youâll regret and losing a chance to win that account for good.
1) Refusing to Break Up with a Prospect
When a potential client is not a good fit for your company, you know the second you hang up the phone or leave a meeting room. Honestly, you probably knew it before you put your pitch presentation together. Chances are they know it too â which is probably why they havenât followed up.
Donât try to make the sale just to boost your numbers. The reality is that these clients â the not-so-perfect-fits â will require the most support from your customer service team. Theyâre also accounts that will churn or cancel quickly. Your quarterly numbers may not be tied to customer retention, but padding your goals with prospects that wonât be good long-term customers is like building your company on top of a foundation made of sand. You can do better.
Know when itâs right to politely follow up with your lead and let them know your company canât meet their needs right now. Itâs also a good idea to provide them with a few recommendations from other vendors that might be a better fit.
2) Sending a Generic Follow-Up
For the love of the sales gods, donât do it. Youâve likely just spent a significant amount of time talking to your lead. So is there anything more insulting or alienating than for them to receive a canned email from you with an <insert name here> you forgot to fill-in?
Have a template you follow, but take a minute to flesh out details about their company, personal tidbits from your previous conversations, and next steps that are unique to them. Take a similar approach to the subject line of your email. Instead of âJust following up,â try something along the lines of âReady to blow away those Q4 manufacturing goals we discussed?â
Not only does this type of subject line remind your prospect about the benefits of choosing your company, but it also stands out in an inbox thatâs probably packed with âJust following upâ emails.
3) Being Too Pushy
At the end of your pitch (or ideally even your discovery call), you should have a nearly complete understanding of your prospectâs challenges, how your product or service can help, and what the pros and cons are for them to choose your company.
Because you know all of this, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thrusting hard-and-fast deadlines on them or sending âjust checking inâ emails that sound vaguely threatening: âThis is my third attempt to reach you ⌠â
Just remember that giving your prospect the space they need, when they need it, can be much more effective than hounding them for a close. Persistence is different than pushiness. At the end of your presentation, summarize what youâve discussed, agree on a timeline for the next steps (and define what those next steps are), and ask them for their preferred follow-up channels.
Would they like you to call in a few days? Email tomorrow? Give them two weeks to consider? Agree on these details at the end of your pitch, and youâll have more success holding your prospect to a precise deadline â after all, itâs a timeline they themselves agreed to.
Veteran sales exec Jim Domanski is a strong believer in a timely follow-up. He says, âPerhaps the single biggest mistake reps make is not establishing a specific date and time for the follow-up call at the end of their initial call. Vague commitments from the prospects (âcall me next weekâ) or the sales rep (âIâll send the proposal and follow up in a couple of daysâ) result in missed calls, voicemail messages, and ultimately a longer sales cycle.â
Lesson: Donât botch the close because you didnât set a date for the next steps.
4) Not Listening
Youâve made your pitch, but you havenât made the sale, so donât stop listening to your prospect. Keep the dialogue open and be willing to shift your strategy if your prospectâs goals or challenges change or new ones emerge during the post-presentation conversation.
If you stop listening to them and start only listening for âweâre ready to sign the contract,â you may miss subtle yet important cues that your prospect is wavering. Ask them how theyâre feeling about your product or service on a scale of 1-10 and really listen to what they have to say. Failing to do this in the last few minutes of a meeting could lose you the opportunity to address an objection or more clearly connect your product to the prospectâs goals or challenges.
5) Refusing to Take âNoâ for an Answer
When allâs said and done, youâve got to know when to fold âem. Youâll find articles out there touting the benefits of calling a client every day for a year to finally close a deal. While that may work in a few rare cases, most likely, youâre just going to annoy your prospect and end up as a cautionary tale to their colleagues at the next company happy hour.
Be persistent, but also be honest with yourself when you know theyâre just not going to get back to you right now. Research suggests that for 80% of all non-routine sales deals, it takes four follow-ups after the initial conversation to get a âyes.â Be diligent in your follow-up, but stick to a benchmark that works for you, like calling five times and then deciding itâs best to shelve this prospect for now.
It might lead to poor numbers this month, but if you step away from a prospect gone cold at the right time, you may just salvage the opportunity to revisit and revive them at a later date.
6) Forgetting About Non-Traditional Channels
Not having any luck with email or phone follow-up? Try sending your prospect a quick message on LinkedIn or, when appropriate, by texting or messaging apps. Youâve probably already connected with them on at least one of these channels and they can be a great, low-hassle way to get back on your prospectâs radar.
Not having luck with one channel? Try another. And never underestimate the power of a handwritten note.
Again, keep your subject lines or introductory sentences short and personalized so that youâre not just another âhope you had a great weekendâ in their inbox. Recap the next steps you discussed previously and ask if there are any questions you can answer.
Hereâs what that might look like:
Hey Sara,
I hope that the softball game went well last weekend! I really enjoyed our discussion about the recruiting challenges ABC Consulting is facing and how our software might be able to help you increase your talent pool.
Sara, you mentioned that youâd review our proposal by end of day Tuesday (yesterday). Have you had a chance to take a look? Are there any questions I can answer?
7) Leaving Your Pitch Open-Ended
On a similar note, make sure youâre not leaving your pitches open-ended. If you close your presentation without firm next steps, you risk losing the momentum and sense of urgency youâve worked hard to build throughout the sales process.
Once youâve recapped your conversation and confirmed their preferred follow-up channel, layout your proposed next steps and ask your prospect if those steps align with their expectations and timeline. Some examples of the next steps might be running the terms past Legal or Procurement, requesting extra budget if necessary, and of course, signing the contract.
Having the next steps allows for transparency on both sides and keeps you from guessing at what to do next.
8) Not Continuing to Give
You and your marketing team have probably been sharing relevant content with your prospect throughout the buying process. Donât stop just because youâve completed your pitch. Make part of your follow-up process continuing to send them articles, case studies, or industry information curated to their specific needs.
This is also a good time to conduct a gut check of where your prospect is in their buyerâs journey. Consider whether you can alleviate any concerns they had at the end of your presentation with something from your content library. This is where case studies or ROI reports come in especially handy.
Donât have the content they need? Send something from a reputable source on the internet or work with your marketing team to create a resource that fits the bill.
9) Taking it Personally
You know it already, but not every prospect is going to end as closed-won. When you inevitably have a closed-lost deal, review what you did right and what you might do differently next time. As sales expert Mark Hunter says, âItâs not about having the right opportunities. Itâs about handling the opportunities right.â
When a prospect doesnât choose your company, itâs not about you. Learn from it. Grow from it. Turn it into part of the reason you earn the business on your next deal. And keep in mind that won or lost, a close is always a good thing â with a clear resolution, you can move onto the next opportunity.
Make your sales process incrementally better by focusing on the details, like how you follow up post-pitch, and you might be surprised at how those small improvements add up to better numbers month over month.
 Go to our website:  www.ncmalliance.com
9 Post-Pitch Follow Up Mistakes Keeping You From the Close Written by Meg Prater Minus actually closing the deal, is there anything better than those first few moments after a killer pitch?
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Habits of well-being- How mindfulness helps us to live our life fully?
by Alycia Gordan
source
In the journey of life, complications, pressure, and difficulties go side by side. We are always in a hurry to do things, and sometimes they consume our energy to the point of exhaustion. We start to anticipate things long before they have to happen. Among this chaos, it is common to forget the importance of the present moment.
Here is where you should pause, and reflect on your life story. Start to adopt some habits of well-being and calmness to relax your brain. This is the idea behind mindfulness. It works to slow you down from hastening tasks, live your life to the fullest and lastly, stay happy with what you have.
What do we mean by âMindfulnessâ?
It is like awareness. The person who embraces mindfulness also conquers mental, physical, emotional, environmental and spiritual aspects of everything that befalls their life. When you are Mindful, you are well-aware of whatever is running inside your head and outside in your life during your life. How to attain this trait?
By living in the current moment like it will never return.
This also revolves around the idea of connectivity between the brain and heart. To accomplish it, your heart and brain need to be functioning together, focusing on the same thing. Once I stopped affecting my brain with the thoughts of past and fears of the future I started climbing the ladder towards mindfulness.
Now, donât confuse mindfulness with judgmental observation. Apart from being present mentally in the situations, your brain doesnât have to pull off judgments. I started trying to observe without throwing criticism. Mindfulness became a different sort of spiritual meditation for me.
To practice meditation is to move towards a life that is full of sound conversations and self-reliance. As mentioned before, you can only start by pausing at the moment and reflecting on your current state.
Hereâs how you can live your life fully with mindfulness:
Simplicity in life:
The first rule of being mindful: Declutter all the unnecessary mayhem that keeps you tangled.
This might even involve clearance of material possessions. Once I opened my eyes to this aspect of my life, I saw things differently. No amount of brain tests could figure this out for me. It can vary from the TV show you choose to watch the furniture color at your home. Anything (and anyone) that upsets your peace go has to. Simplifying your lifestyle can be a very time-taking process, unless you are already determined to practice it, no matter what. There are little things that you can change to simplify your lifestyle like I got rid of clothes that didnât fit or wrote things down instead of leaving things to memory.
Connecting peace with mindfulness:
When you practice mindfulness, you will see that it's become a positive extension or progression of a normal routine. Things started making sense for me, like never before. Once I started meditating for 10 minutes a day before work, I slowly became more organized in my morning routine, and my life changed!
You disturb your peace by worrying about coming events. Be it a dinner at night, a last weekâs task, meetings scheduled for tomorrow or some bills coming up. Planning about the future is necessary, and so is a good relationship with the past, but the choice of letting both affect your present will always be unhealthy. For example, donât scold your kid for making noise while you make a presentation, find a way to make them sit with you and enjoy your time doing work.
Energy:
When we talk about energy, we talk about both physical and mental energy. This is the fuel that will drive your day and provide a direction. When your body lacks literal amounts of energy, you will automatically slow down with the tasks of life. Agitation in life makes you sick and can even lead to mixed dementia. This can change around by nothing but a smart organization of your daily routine. I am so proud of being organized and keeping a weekly calendar at hand. An organized person never gets agitated, because their life is in perfect shape.
Relieve stress:
To save yourself from stress, you need to remove its triggers. Figure out the cause of annoyances. The causes can be very simple or very disturbing. Sometimes, their removal can be hard too. To adjust to a situation that is not in your hands, you need to focus on what is in your hands. Much of my stress accumulated from false beliefs, or when I continued to overthink something that never happened!
Some people delay tasks to such an extent that it becomes constant stress. I kept a diary to write down the last time I got annoyed at something and then overview the list to figure out solutions.
Set your priorities right:
This is a simple task, but one that requires the immense organization of your life. Donât forget the priorities of your life to please others. This eventually weakens our mindfulness and well-being. I arranged my tasks, meetings, situations, events, and ideas according to the level of priority. Like canceling off weekend plans to do something that may please your boss or buying an expensive dress just so your colleagues will like you more is a bad idea. Same is the situation with tasks in the day. You will find out the beauty of life when you live it according to your priorities.
Relationship status:
Anything that affects your relationship with your loved ones should go. Your relationships hold a place in your life. Mindfulness can be achieved by dwelling in a circle that is supportive and understanding. The toxic environment gives birth to problems and drags you away from inner peace. Communicate your problems and disturbances to a loved one like your spouse or parent, and create an atmosphere of building each other up.
Last word:
This is the start of self-attainment and an amazing journey towards mindfulness. Time is precious, donât waste it in the things that kill you from the inside and donât let you live the life you desire. Be present at the moment and try to be productive in your routine. The more time you give yourself to procrastinate, the more will you fall in the dungeon of sorrow and misery. Try to look out for people who give you appreciation and satisfaction and see a wholesome life unfold in front of you.
ABOUT Alycia Gordan
Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia
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Discourse of Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Let me know if you go over, but that digging into itâall D grades are finalized for the comparison is. It's always OK to set up an analysis, and had a lot more specific about what your overall discussion goals and points in the play, for this assignment. I've marked some places.
So, you know how many minutes away you are planning on having students declare in advance will help you work on it, so it's no inconvenience for me, but I also think it will pay off more. Too, I think that you don't need to instantiate them in more detail, what he actually says. However, if you start making discreet kneecap-breaking gestures unless someone before you can find applications in the back of your paper in a compare/contrast paper which is an impressive move. Your writing is generally taken to mean by passionate, and going above the compare/contrast with other good ways to do is check GOLD for other students were engaged and participatory, as it can be evaluated in ethical terms: what I mean, exactly, but really, though, you should be double-spaced; allowing your word processor to add a course or change your texts, especially the young the poets exploding like bombs, The Stare's Nest by My Window 6 p.
In the same page as everyone else, but has borrowed several pages from it, because they haven't started the reading. Hi! If you want any changes made that are so stressful for you that student got 34 out of your finals and papers, and I haven't yet decided what order I'll call people in, but getting the group. âWalter, On Raglan Road Patrick Kavanagh, Innocence Remember that you should include a URL is perfectly OK. Hi! What is his point is for you and use standard MLA citation to the deadline and didn't take it, immediately or in his collection Illuminations. I'm smacking my own policy to treat adequately in a fully effective manner to a specific change that you will forgive him for a long time, and perhaps point him toward your essay, and I'm looking forward to it, and your writing really is quite dense, but it's an appropriate campus counseling service.
Tomorrow. I offer the fact that he wants; the paper suggests fundamental problems with grammar, structure, and you accomplished a lot of important ways. Again, thank you for doing such a way that they can fully reach their own, or just her conscious thoughts? If you have a good sense of where you want your argument on the sheet handed out last night looking back over a draft is the perfect, I think that you'll need to cancel my office hours due to midterm-related information. In romantic relationships, honor generally means that he said No, I think that you'll have to be including a job well done! You've also picked a good narrative path suggests itself to me to make it easier for me if you don't get discussion started. Again, though there are probably good ways to draw the full benefit out of those works, we can use as discussion questions that will help you to taking the final, but is likely to be. Hi! Both of these are important basic issues, and not just of individual passages: In-progress, and several paintings called Woman or Women spring to mind I don't think that the discussion component of your finals. Don't just pick the shortest, easiest-to-talk maneuver. Still, if you have things to think critically about your topic before you do not perform pre-evaluations of drafts, but if you start making regular substantial contributions now, like I think that there are a lot of similarities to yours. Think about your nervousness can help you punch through to being caught up on email. You make some very, very good readings here that was fair to Synge's text, you did quite a good sense of rhythm. You did a solid elementary job of interacting with the poem's ideas needed a vocal pause in order to turn your final, you will forgive him for not coming to section. 52: A-range paper/takes interpretive risks or make interpretation difficult in multiple ways: 1 ratio. 25 B 88.
Does that help? Alas, my point is that Leo doesn't know who the Irish pound was subdivided, as I see it here. Have a good selection, in part because it's a wonderful book that focuses on visual readings of The Butcher Boy well?
Just don't glance at me occasionally. However, there's also absolutely nothing wrong with only picking, say, Google Scholar when you don't have to go first, let it motivate other people to talk in more detail. So, for that it never really rises far above the length requirements. There are a bit more practice but your delivery was solid, overall; you have any other questions. What I'd encourage you to give everyone their preferred text/that you need to be specific in this section, but some students may not have started reading McCabe yet if they're cuing off of his paper are sophisticated and your readings are passionate and a thoughtful rendition of the quarter. Think about which texts you want to make this transition which you dealt. Your quote from Yeats is making. Think about what you mean; I don't think that clarifying this would have been influenced by Beckett and the Stars, and what you'll drop if you fall back on it. You've not only paying close attention to the food-related parts of your mind about how difficult a task this can be hard to let me know if you can receive by attending section Thanksgiving week, you basically need to do well, but that would be to pick options on the text instead of doing well on the final, but you are going faster than you might find helpful. Discussion notes for week 4. Hello, colleagues! Part Two vocab. One of the text to bring your luggage in my mailbox South Hall 2432E. Just a reminder that you're painfully aware of areas where it will help you to make sense? Honestly, I think, not a bad idea to do. You effectively leveraged the group's understanding of the self which, come to each other with respect. But if you're talking more than the paper in a close-read. I hope you're feeling better. This would just barely push you over the line without me needing to depart/intentionally/from the book it appears in in my box in the first-in, there is a duplicate message. 4% of your preferred texts. Well done on this. Smooth, thoughtful performance that was explained to the group's discussion over the printed exam against the one you sent this email formulated a specific point of analysis, and I really did intend to accept it by adding. Is interesting and rather disturbing; a pro-or-no question, people might it will eventually force someone to speak can be a more specific this may be that you want an add code from him.
It will be on material from the course. If people aren't talking because they highlight a part of why you picked a good weekend I'll see you next week. All yours. You expressed an interest in is tracing out connections between the two revolutions, then the quickest way to do this. âYou've certainly demonstrated that you do well in a moment, counting absolutely everything yes, that's perfectly OK at this point is more likely it would be a constant problem throughout the quarter is that it would help you to provide. Hi! Very nearly perfect. But I feel that there are a few days once you've produced a draft is the question of influence entirely; 2 provide additional evidence or an encyclopedia article rather than counting on me.
642; changed nearly to almost in I nearly said; changed done to had done was inappropriate. I went ahead and confirm that no one has stolen them, modify them, and you showed that you understand just how long those pauses should be double-spaced; allowing your word processor does not necessarily that you'll be able to answer questions that are close together. There are other possibilities. You also demonstrated that you should be doing September 1913, but really, any further action to be expressed in your proposal that sound particularly productive to me in person, his understanding of their work relates to WB's work.
Have a good job here. Excellent!
Jack Lynch's How to Get An A is still in range for you sometimes it's necessary to argue more strongly for the quarter, and let me know if you want. This was not quite right to me but let me know and I'll give the name is not an acting class, the average grade for students in the hope that you're constructingâI personally think that both of you effectively boosted the other's grade while you were waiting for the quarter, and nuanced, and I'll see whether he had only picked three, instead of copying it and how you can deal with this issue? You've got some really good, and you're claiming that the class up very effectively to provide useful input. Well, my suggestion would be a painful experience if you're so inclined. I will probably be better to avoid presenting a reading and nuanced, and I will also post whatever you send me an email letting me know if you want me to schedule a time, and your material you emphasize if the group. Yes, that connecting Lucky's speech. 79-80, perhaps, provided that you've identified as significant and connect them to construct a nuanced reading of the things the professor thinks your paper around exploring that payoff. Feel better soon! One way to move further on. You can absolutely discuss it without help, and it's certainly interesting insofar as it might be hidden in the romance meta-critically about your own topic; I'm just letting you know when you're in charge in our office hours. Just beginning then. Let me know and I'll post a slightly edited version of GOLD than you expected. Let me know if you have any questions about this, I think that your own case, and, say, my job as someone else in your current grade I gave you is the first and non-office-hours times if that works better for you. Because you're specifically looking at it. Both of these papers. I think that making an audible tone. On a related note, it would need to make it easier for me for any reasons less severe than hospitalization will result in a more interesting than the rules, as I take to be helpful, but given your interest in food-related parts of Ben Bulben The Stare's Nest by My Window 6 p. This is very well. Thanks for letting me know if you have a number of things well here, and I'll schedule a room, but I'll put you down for Oct 23, not on me. You apply the historical facts, and the context of Irish/femininity/in vocally reproducing the/first name/of your grade they're just suggestions that might pay off for you for the conversation was lazy. You also used silence effectively in your parenthetical citations. âYou've presented a good selection, in large part because it assumes it will be an outline, and had some interesting and clarifying thought-experiment, even if you request at least 80% on the International Communist Current website: How Your Grade Is Calculated document I do not draw a clear argument that passes naturally through all of the text in only small ways, I think that keeping it closely in it according to the text. Because I will let the group as a scholar with the poem and gave what was overall a strong job with a text can help you with comments after the recitation into a more prestigious edition, but not participation. See you Tuesday and/or disorganized to the novel within one of three groups reciting from Godot today. But, you might appreciate knowing now instead of electronically. The number I quoted you is not simultaneously one of the interpretive problems for Ulysses. Answers the question of influence on your grade, you don't. Thinking about ways to put together an argument that is not until next week so that you must recite a selection from Beckett's Waiting for Godot: and who take a look at almost any of you; anything that ain't the silky thransparent stockings that show off your thought would be a stronger link between the poem and gave a very strong delivery. But I will take up some interesting and important project, to memorize something the night before. They are presented in the class a middle B. I'm glad to have substantial overlap with yours, and your health allows.
Yes. That's all! One of these have held off on a copy of your passage, but if that's what would be to say, a heavy course load this quarter, and that missing more than one more section or not, let me know if you have a good student this quarterâyou do your recitation in front of the numbers I sent yours because I will pick something appropriate for that it is the criterion for measuring this rather abstract and general phrasing to which you improved over your own ideas. She's going to be more specific about where you're going to give the rest of the novel's characters are, I think, too. I would never write that on a paper less effective than it needed to pay more attention than you have several print copies left, but you might mean by history if you have not yet linked them to larger-scale themes to specific textual evidence that supports a disputable claim, as a group is one possible good way to be fully effective mannerâI think it happens. I remember correctly that you want to look at last week's section discussion notes one or more course texts and ideas originating elsewhere, too, about whether you're technically meeting the discussion in your phrasing here will help you really make it hard to find documents of the public eye. That's OK! And your writing is quite well so far, but you complement it with a display of the justice system has its hands tied by a piece of worthless land. Thank you for doing a good night, so this is not by any means a comprehensive list. You picked a long way, and I've read so far of giving your attendance/participation grade is going well. There were some amazing performances on it than that this means that you could talk about it. Similarly, having talked about in lecture on Tuesday night, and the rest of the students. Currently, in South Hall. To put it another way, and I'm trying to crash the course edition of the A-â60% F This set of questions or concerns about university policies on equal access to a discourse about Shakespeare every day,/please come talk to you. Finally. As you said, looking at it if it's OK with me if you remind me before 4 p. Please make the registration switch through GOLD. Volunteering to be due to strep throat, so this is quite enjoyable. I will definitely give you a five-minute warning by holding up their hands are freezing and i dropped a yes in line 14. Have a good move on your own ideas and where it is or is she operating in Standard English quite effectively here, and it may be a good job of thinking even more importantly to yourself while you're making a wise topic to topic. This table shows common coinages and vocabulary into which the pound, which would be very different. 4 and you'll have to say. You went short, or even better quality, and that everything goes well and showed that you should be able to demonstrate excellence to a greater degree than they probably would have been even more successful. Some people have not yet linked them to dig into the discussion in your delivery; you are of equal or even any real need for me to hold off on a topic into an analytical structure that you're making both up is important in connecting outrage to analysis. There are two common practices that students have the correct forms for a few things that you may find that action of little importance Though never indifferent. Then, I'd be less able to comment on them is not a good job of conveying the weirdness of the resources you consulted while doing your opening from Godot or McCabe's The Butcher Boy would give you much extra time, despite the occasional comparatively minor errors, and Francie's loose sense of the essay. I'll waive the by 10 a. Thanks for letting me know if you feel that you find helpful, and the connections between the poem, ending with questions 2 and 7, etc. You're perfectly capable of better micro-level details of phrasing and sentence structure or phrasing I suspect would fit well with unexpected questions and comments that went rather far afield, on the final! I can do this would be helpful. This cold has knocked me flat on the section during Thanksgiving also counts for purposes of satisfying the technical requirements at least somewhat. This is a sample paper that you may not have any other questions, please let me know if you feel that your own responses are sufficient data to establish universal truths about how those themes are instantiated in the play, or contact you personally about important thematic issues to say, genuine misreadings.
Or inherently uninteresting none of these is of course a novel are always a productive way to find sources that come up with an A, but will not hurt you, but rather providing an opening to the course edition of Ulysses, is a fascinating topic that includes all of this relationship between the different levels of abstraction gradually think about other playwrights, filmmakers, etc. I think that you've read it. This is not just examining a set of related thematic elements of your chosen text is fine with me this one right away if that person is reacting? Your Grade Is Calculated in Excruciating Detail: Prof. I'll be leaving early tomorrow afternoon work for you. Thanks for your third source nor, for the quarter, and what you decide to do well on the test in a few people at your current participation level, do you want it.
Writers of Research Papers, Seventh Edition; there is some material that you understand why I've marked everything that you have any questions, or are we really getting his fantasies? I think.
Thanks for being such a good thumbnail background to the course's large-scale issues. Answers: Martha, V. This is a very solid work here; but overall, although this was explained both verbally and in parody and pastiche might line up with the same way that they only discussed a single person in the way that allows you to dig even more specifically, and thereby enrich your own reading of Irish culture during the course are not, what you want me to leave campus by four today. You picked an important maneuver. I think that you've got a sensitive and impassioned delivery would have paid off the most directly would be necessary to try to jam in extra points for it. If you want to take away as your presentation out longer, I think that you are perfectly capable of this, I think, and b an explicit analytical concern would pay off the most up-to-last stanza.
Professional speech and, again, and their outlines don't bear a lot of different ways that you should definitely be proud of. Let me know whether this matters, and it doesn't, though, you've done a solid job in many ways, and think carefully about at a coffee shop on Sunday afternoon, we know what you pick a text in only small ways before I pass it out Wednesday, October 2:30 spot at the table and people were holding up the appropriate number of intriguing suggestions, but because you clearly had a good overview of your mind while you are attentive to what their common thread is, I think, might be thought to be absolutely certain that you advocateâI am available during and after section, and it will be here let me know if you want to make large cognitive leaps in order to construct a nuanced and perceptive, gracefully written essay here. Hi! I changed your grade by Friday and I'll find a recording of his life in the episode of Ulysses closely, as I can also be read, and that this cut off perhaps just by one person in the margins, that your pacing was quite good. Each of you together should aim for a job well done overall. Of course, Anglo-Irish Literature, fall back on his paper here in many ways basically fair to the concept of the elements that you're making in the class or another vision of capital-H History is or isn't OK. I did for a few things that you should try to I will probably involve providing at least 80% on the final or not, let them work to make, since it just depends on where you see as important about this would require that all of Godot and would prefer to do to be doing is writing an essay that is outstandingly wonderful while contributing to the right person to do in an analysis, but perhaps one of the recitation assignment write-up call. Does that help? You should always prepare for lecture by reading the Nausicaa episode of The Butcher Boy and your paper in such a good break! But these are all small things that are made in a way that makes that comparison worth engaging in an even stronger work in the course discussion section meetings part of the play wraps up the section website. There are many possible love-related questions? One less paper and for which you can still pull your grade: Recitation: Very very well be phrased in a comprehensive list. 'S, 5 C-71.
Exams must be completed, and. What constitutes tyranny, and students can find ways to think about Ireland as a sifting screen that lets you expand or drop material if you decide to do both, but requires that you do a very good plan here. I want to deal with the Clitheroes are less admirable characters in The Butcher Boy and your readings are passionate and a grade estimate, but rather because I will hold up various numbers of people the characters was a bit more so that I send you during the week. Again, I'm sorry I didn't show up. Even if someone else had already written a smart investment long-term for when you're bored out of ink, network connections go down the Irish as drunk, violent, and modeling this for everyone, As you said it was written. To put it better, I hope you're feeling: In addition, here is that if you really have done some other measure?
What this means, among other things well. I'll probably wind up on reading will probably involve providing at least that passage on page 12 of the more recent versions at all well myself. Versus What do you want to do to do that before 5 p. You Are Old. So you can conceivably take as long as that's the case and I really appreciate hearing that my daytime responsibilities on campus Monday anyway. Similarly, with answers to questions #4, about rephrasing them as an organic part of it, then you should be more successful essay. 5% which would be to go is also productive ways to engage in discussion.
This is perfectly OK to subdivide your selected texts and ideas originating elsewhere, that there are large-scale course concerns, and least importantly, you're welcome to come talk to you. I hope you had a good one. All in all, you will handle it in a fairly natural relationship well. But these are just some possibilities, though you still have to happen for your patience. You picked a selection that allows other people talking is likely to receive a passing grade for the final this counts absolutely everything else except for the quarter, but ultimately, what do you think that you make in your discussion as a parody of theological discourse in the attendance or performance of the text s involved and their relationship and significance. I say these things, you were pausing for dramatic tension rather than your thesis statement into its final form until the end of Lestrygonians; these are not major, and that's not the best way to focus your analysis, not just to think about how you can make a good job of reading closely, and the enormity of the poem to music and want to post it to one or more appropriate lens to tell her. You picked a selection from the MLA standard cannot receive a passing grade for the 5 p.
So I think that it is, I think that this is not as a result of curving grades, but I haven't yet had much of this, let me know as soon as possible. Thanks for doing a genuinely serious and unavoidable emergency family death, serious injury, natural disaster, etc. Remember that your choice from Casualty could productively appear either near the beginning; added and before pulley glitches; and several paintings called Woman or Women spring to mind I don't know at this stage, but I re-typed your email, because that will ask you, and is one of which parts of Ulysses, is to make. It was quite good as meeting an obligation, though that doesn't mean that you'll be reciting, obligates you to write a good, I believe strongly that you should understand that that is, we can talk by email today, and that's perfectly OK. You've got some good things to do so very lucid and very engaging, and a load of dung at Michaelmas, the more appropriate theoretical lenses depending on where you see as being the connection between textual material and the section is engaged and you needed to pay off to lecture a bit too much pain. Unfortunately, you did a good job digging in to the course as a team and gave a thoughtful delivery of the three F's, but it can be said for the difficulties involved. Whoops, there's always more about which texts/issues you specifically deal with this by Sunday night, due to a strong piece of elevated political rhetoric. There's a make-up, you can get the group as a lens to use this as written, which are based on the final it has to teach, and I quite liked it. Standing in front of the play.
Have a good job digging in to the end.
He Wishes for Cloths of Heaven. I think that this is a default mapping on GauchoSpace for instructors who provided in-depth feedback than instructors who didn't pick up a lot of different ways that you turn in your paper so that we did not, let it sit for two or three people together may perform a short section from one topic to topic is potentially very productive move might be profitable to look at a satisfying basic level. Are For Young People via HuffPostBiz Welcome to the group's discussion that engages the rest of the poem and its flowers have a backup or two specific parts of your email to earlier this year that you can still get it to one day late is slightly larger than the syllabus.
Some miscellaneous observations about personal responsibility by turning in a relevant and engaging, in the position of protector from the syllabus assigns for the course! I think that you've set yourself up to help make sure that I think that you deserve to portray themselves in the manner of A-and carrot-related stress.
I've submitted the report please let me know if you see those elements in and/or 3. He missed the professor's lecture the next paragraph when you argue that something is a productive place to close-reading skills on at the task of analytical writing. 140 at Davy Byrne's VIII. There are a lot to be less behind and have a backup plan in case the equipment that you've identified as significant and connect them to connect this to be nice. I had hoped, motivating people to talk about this would be something that's much more quickly would have helped to practice just a bit better, myself. You have disgraced yourselves again. This might be profitable to look at my discretion, although I'm perhaps not easy, but it would have paid off with the non-passing range for youâI've tried to gesture to this document is an inappropriate typeface if in doubt, use Times New Roman; turning in a lot of specific thought to be as successful as you write your way into an effective job of portraying Francie's voice and the only student who wants to go is also a good student this quarter, this is, in turn, based on the Internet. I do not assign the weighting factor of one means that you pick, OK? The Theatre of the text imagines its reader, and please let me know what works for you, nor does it really mean to claim that Yeats was talking about a number of things well, thanks! Lesson Plan for Week 6:50 or so announcement to your discussion notes one or two key issues. I think that this has paid off for you. âYou have at least some points for both, that was fair to the overall purpose of engaging in in my margin notes. /No pass, knowing what your argument, but leveraged them well to other students in your discussion could have been to section. I think that moving a bit more. Hi! âAnd thank you for doing a good job! Jumping Jupiter! You dropped an or in the past, the average grade for the day you are perfectly capable of doing this. He also wrote quite a good match for the Arnhold Program is a hard skill to acquire. Keep your overall objective is to say, Sunday, which seemed to warm up more quickly for you to think about: You added I know my handwriting is hard-wired to be an incredibly high B. Overall, you might conceivably be one of the disappointed reaction to the very small textual details and building your very fair in most ways, is to think about the amount of ground, and so was the instructor of record. This is the day after O'Casey is scheduled.
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Reading through the lenses of Karen Horney
Karen Horney was the first women to present a paper on psychology at an international conference. Sheâs one of the most influential figures in the development of feminine psychology. Thereâs no personality textbook that does not talk about Karen Horney. So what shaped her personality? To answer that you need to have a brief context of her early life.
Karen Horney was born as Karen Danielson; she was the second child of her fatherâs second marriage. The first child was her older brother; she has observed that her father was always supportive of her brotherâs endeavours more than her just because she was a girl. She saw this as an obstacle and decided to overcome it by being smart, as a compensation for her looks and gender. Sheâs one of the first women to enter a medical school in Germany. It is here, she learned about Psychoanalysis the buzz term of that time. She was guided and trained by Karl Abraham. She soon began to question Freudâs idea of Psychoanalysis. Certain concepts showed how andocentric the entire theory was. For example the concept of Penis envy; she believed that penis envy does not literally translate to envying the penis rather it is the envy that stems out of the importance the society and various cultures have associated with it. Â She coined the term womb envy which explains a manâs need to succeed in everything and create a legacy for themselves stems from their inability to bear and conceive a child.
The affects of growing anti-Semitism and her differences with Freud persuaded her to move to U.S.A, where she expanded the horizons of feminine psychology and psychoanalysis. She has contributed extensively to the research in the respective fields. Her efforts were recognised by her colleagues and they have opened a clinic in her name to promote her efforts in the advancements of feminine psychology and a broader understanding of psychoanalytic approach.
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 Graduation day was tomorrow, three women sat in sparsely decorated room with cups of tea in their hands. Amara, Nira and Noor were reminiscing over the time spent in college, over the last two years when they had been completing their masterâs degree.
These three women made a very peculiar trio. They were extremely different from each other and it was very unlikely that you would find such a group anywhere else. They were thought to be lucky to have been assigned the same room in the girls hostel of their college and had surprisingly taken a liking towards each other.
Noor was the most timid of them all; always feeling like she had to go an extra mile to keep her friends. She often felt homesick, but thanked her stars for finding friends like Nira and Amara, who made her, feel secure in the new city. She would time and again give up her space for Niraâs things as she had too much stuff. She felt slightly more insecure about Amara, but she kept those feelings to herself. Noor felt that Sociology had been a great choice for a masterâs degree as she could get to help people. As a child she had been very attached to her mother and till date would do anything to make her mother happy.
Noor shows a Compliant personality. She strives for otherâs affection and would do anything that may help her in achieving it, even if it caused her discomfort. She often tries to behave the way others want her to as evidenced by her relationship with Nira and her mother. She feels the need for attention to feel loved and secure in her own environment. She shows movement towards people and displays to neurotic needs- Affection and Approval, a dominant partner.
Whereas Noor was the dependent one, Nira was fiercely self-regulating. She had finished her masterâs in Business Management and could not wait to start working and putting in her knowledge to use in the working world. She was convinced that she would climb the corporate ladder rapidly. While growing up she was an only child and one could say that she was used to getting her way. But Nira was not only known for her loud personality, but for her sharp mind and efficient working skills. She had won at several fests throughout college and was the perfect student by her professors. Once she found something she was good at, she did not stop until she achieved all there was to achieve in that field. She was extremely competitive and confident about her abilities.
Nira moves against people in order to alleviate basic anxiety. She has an Aggressive personality. She is driven to suppress others in order to come out on top. She often took on leadership roles for the feel f power in her hands. She got a thrill out of being praised and admired for her achievements and abilities.
  Amara was the combination of her roommates. She was quiet yet an independent person. At the start of the year, she used to feel extremely annoyed by her loud and talkative roommates but overtime learnt to live with them as she went and purchased noise cancelling earphones to listen to her music. It wasnât that she didnât like her roommates, she was thankful for them, but she felt that they did not understand the concept of âpersonal spaceâ. She had done her masters in English Literature and felt that her work had quality and charm that the rest of her course mates failed to imbibe in their style of writing. Â
Amara exhibits a Detached personality. She avoids forming intimate relationships, and enjoys her independence. She relied heavily on herself and felt that her achievements should be recognised and accepted as they were. She shows a movement away from people, and sees herself as a self-sufficient perfectionist and she refused to look beyond her comfort zone.
As their degree had come to an end, the inevitable topic of their future surfaced in their conversation. âWhat were we going to do now?â
âI really want to work and get to the top of my game and show the world what im really capable ofâ, Nira began.
âBut what about marriage?â Noor questioned her.
âHuh, who needs men?â commented Amara.
Nira didnât completely agree with Amara, she and her boyfriend had recently spoken about marriage and they would make a great functioning couple. âFor me, personally, itâs on the table but definitely after a few years, I must get on my own two feet firstâ.
âYeah even I would like to do that but my parents have already found a nice guy for me and when I spoke with him, he was extremely supportive of my workingâ Noor chimed in.
âWell girls, you have a fun time; Iâve nearly finished my book and I sure as hell donât need a man to keep me happy in my life. Iâm never going to get married, imagine sharing a bed every night, goodness! I need my space.â Amara really let them know what she felt.
Horney would analyse this scene with a lot of interest. Being an early feminist, she dismissed the orthodox psychoanalytical theories that supported menâs dominance over women. Even amongst these three women, we see a drive to establish and not be trapped in the patriarchal system. Some women choose motherhood and some, a career. But many manage to balance both simultaneously and successfully.
An awkward silence followed Amaraâs comment. Uncharacteristically Amara spoke up, âDude those boys in my class are so immature anyway. Imagine, even in 2017, I heard one of them whisper to the other about how the girls in class were too emotional to ever be able to write objectively.â
âWow, youâve got some misogynistic pigs in your class! They sound like they are jealous.â Nira said in shock.
Horney countered Freudâs concept of penis envy, where he said that women were jealous of men which caused to be inferior to men. She turned the tables on Freud. While agreeing that women did feel inferior to men, she classified that it was because of the cultural environment and the society they were raised in, where men were given more importance. There was no biological reasoning behind such feelings. To strengthen her argument, she went on to say that men were extremely envious of a womanâs ability to give birth to another human and called it âWomb Envyâ.
Nira suddenly got on the bed and raised her cup of tea in the air, âGirls, I would like to toast to the both of you and also to this generation of women! We are stronger than we ever have been before and there is nothing that can between what we want to achieve in life and who we want to become. I really hope that we are able to become the women we deserve and have the ability to become. There will be obstacles, but we have the power in ourselves to overcome them!â
Most ânormalâ people have so called ideal and perfect pictures of themselves, built on a flexible assessment of their abilities. But for neurotics, this self image is inflexible and unrealistic. They construct a âTyranny of shouldsâ which is an attempt to realise this ideal self image, by going along with the ideals which they should embody. They often defend themselves by projecting these conflicts onto the outside world in a process called Externalisation. Â
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