#i hope everything is going well and that we'll find some time to chat soon <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[mirmidones]

ivy, chamomile, aloe Vera

(Hi m!!! <3)

omg hi dev hiiiii !!!!!!!! <33333

ivy: what are your ‘tells’ for your emotions and moods? how can someone tell you’re happy, annoyed, upset or tired?

oh god. difficult question right off the bat. head in hands. so. i'd say maybe the level of silence/partecipation in the conversation? when i'm happy i'm very chatty. while every "negative" emotion makes me more and more quiet and closed off. when i'm genuinely annoyed/angry i stop speaking at all (not on purpose). that's the biggest tell i can think of, especially bc i try to hide what im feeling most of the times but i cant really control that part

chamomile: what kind of things do you like receiving as gifts?

i like gifts that show that the person knows me and actually thought of me when choosing it. i dont really care about anything else. many years ago i was on a teen wolf kick and i guess i talked about it a lot and at christmas my family got me two pillowcases with images of the cast/characters, out of nowhere. objectively really awful pillowcases, terrible quality both of image and of fabric, i could not sleep on any of them and i didnt have an extra pillow to put them on. yet when i opened them i was so overwhelmed with love i nearly cried and even now if i think about them i get emotional. could be my favorite gift ever. this to say that it literally doesnt matter anything but the thought. when you people send me or tag me in posts that made you think of me, those are actually treasured gifts to me. it's that simple, really.

aloe vera: what’s something (mundane) you really want to experience in life?

oh so so many things but i guess. a breakup. this sounds so stupid and insane even to me writing it and it's something so common and there are million songs about that heartbreak and it's not that it sounds like a fun time or anything. but still. i want the good and the bad. and i guess it's really about what it entails: feelings

[missvelvetsstuff]

The Situation Room

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: After a mission almost gone wrong, Tony brings back Bucky's former assistant, who is also Bucky's ex. Can they work together without hurting each other? Will the whole truth about their break up finally come out?

Avengers AU where Thanos never happened.

Chapter 1

Warnings: swearing, angst

After a rough nites sleep, Y/N woke at 6am and took a shower before heading to the kitchen for coffee and breakfast. There was a team meeting at 8am and she knew she needed caffeine to get through it.

She was sitting at the table with her coffee and a bagel when Steve and Sam came in followed by Bucky. She greeted them with a quiet good morning which had Sam pulling her out of her seat for a hug, winking at Bucky who rolled his eyes. Sam's friendship with Y/N had always irritated him and he just knew Sam was going to do everything he could to exacerbate the tension.

"Radar! How you been, baby girl? I'm surprised to see you back here, tired of Madripoor?" Sam laughed as he squeezed her.

Y/N shrugged "Are we really sticking with this Radar thing? I mean I love MASH but just because you're so predictable, Sammy, doesn't mean I'm psychic." She teased "There's too much going in Madripoor to get bored, I'm just doing an old friend a favor but don't plan to be here too long."

"Thank God for small favors." Bucky spat

She felt her stomach drop at his tone but just smirked at Bucky "Just keep your shit together so I can train you a new assistant and get the fuck outta here."

Sam laughed "I have missed you!"

Steve was more reserved, worried about how Bucky was going to deal with this new dynamic "Nice to see you again, Y/N" he gave her a small smile and nod.

Radar grinned "Same to you, Rogers."

Wanda and Nat wandered in chatting with Bruce trailing behind them. Nat stopped dead and put her arm out to stop Wanda "Is that who I think it is? Y/N? You're back?" She tried to temper the excitement over seeing her friend here in the compound after 2 years while picking up on the anger radiating from Bucky. She went to hug her friend "I didn't think I'd ever see you here again. Not that I minded our girl time in Madripoor."

Radar smiled, hugging her and Wanda at the same time "It's good to see you ladies. It's been 6 months since our last get together we'll have to tear up Manhattan when we can schedule it."

She smiled at Bruce and he hugged her "Glad you're back Radar, we've missed you."

A voice came from the hall "I hope you aren't planning a girls nite without me. I missed the last trip." Maria Hill walked into the kitchen and went to give Radar a hug.

Steve and Bucky were staring at the women, slack jawed until Steve spoke up "So you girls have been getting together regularly? How is this the first I'm hearing of this?"

Radar chuckled "Well geez Cap, it's girl time and you aren't invited so why would anyone tell you? Besides there's all kinds of drinking and swearing and general mischief making. Really not your type of party."

Bucky scoffed, glaring at Radar "So Nat, you and Wanda have been getting together with her, even after she- after what she did?" he shook his head "some friends you are." and stomped down the hall.

Radar shook her head and whispered under her breath "Yeah, what I did to him. Pffft."

Nat rubbed her back "You going to be ok working with him again?"

Radar smiled sadly "Yeah, as soon as I get his shit in order, I'll work to find and train my replacement. Then it's back to exciting Madripoor and the Power Brokers trail."

Nat hummed as she considered whether she should say what she was thinking and decided to push ahead "You could try to talk to him, tell him the truth about what happened."

Radar chuckled humorlessly "Right, he's obviously totally open to talking to me, thats why he says something nasty every time we're in the same room. He's no more interested in my side of the story than he was the day it happened. Sorry, Nat, sometimes you can't go home."

Steve poured himself a cup of coffee, wondering what they were talking about before switching to captain mode. "Meeting starts in 30, make sure you're all there on time."

Radar smiled "Don't worry Cap, we're on our way."

The ladies chatted for a few more minutes before heading to the conference room. They all sat together with Radar between Nat and Wanda while Bruce sat next to Nat and Vision walked in with Tony then sat next to Wanda.

Clint was behind them and smiled when he saw her "Radar! Welcome home." He patted her on the shoulder.

Radar looked at her friends on either side of her and smiled sadly at their happiness. She was thrilled they both found good partners but seeing them like that made her so lonely. She'd had no romantic interest since she left the compound. It felt like that part of her heart was broken beyond repair. There had been a couple of flings, a girl has needs, but nothing more than one night.

She had truly believed that Bucky was it and after everything still loved him, even if they couldn't be together.

Sam, Wanda and Nat had kept her up on the team gossip and while learning of Bucky's many women felt like a shot to the chest, she knew that was him acting out and would still do whatever she could to help him. He had worked so hard to make up for what Hydra made him do and his reputation had been trending upward but this last mission and the incident with the photographer made the public and the team's benefactors question him being there.

Radar took a deep breath to calm her mind, reminding herself that she would get him back on the right track, then go back to the wilds of Madripoor and probably never see him again. The thought of that hurt but she shook it off, that's how it had to be.

She jumped when she heard her name.

"Radar! I can't believe it's really you, never thought you'd come back." Nick Fury shouted with a grin on his face.

She smiled "Good to see you too, Nick. Enjoy me while you can because I'm just here to clean up a mess and train the next guy."

Nick chuckled "We'll just have to see if we can find a way to make you move back home permanently."

Radar smile at him sadly, why did everyone but him have to bring up keeping her here. "I don't think that's a good idea but I'm flattered you want me around."

Bucky and Steve walked into the room and Bucky scoffed "If she stays I'm fucking leaving. I'd rather give up my pardon and live the rest of my life on the Raft than anywhere near her."

Radar sighed "Yes Barnes, we get it. You hate me and wish I were dead. If you insist on reminding me every time we're in the same room together, I'll be convinced that you're still obsessed with me." she winked at him.

Bucky was sure steam must be coming out of his ears, she had a lot of nerve fucking with him like that "If you-"

Fury interrupted "Flirt on your own time, Barnes. This isn't speed dating, we have business to take care of."

Bucky sputtered and went to say something but Tony spoke up and interrupted him, not that he had any coherent thoughts to voice so he sat back, glaring at Y/N.

"Now that we're all here. The first order of business is notifying all of you that Radar has returned to help Barnes get organized and train her replacement. Once that's done, we need some excuse to convince her to stay."

Bucky groaned "please, god, no."

Radar shook her head "Don't get yourself in a tizzy Barnes. I told you, that's not happening." She looked at Tony "I told you that I'm leaving once I've trained a competent replacement. I can't stay here permanently and you know that. You all need to let that go cuz it's not happening."

Bucky sighed, relieved that she wasn't planning to stay. He didn't know if he could deal with seeing her all the time so he promised himself he would do everything in his power to speed things along. But somewhere, deep in his subconscious he dreaded the thought of her leaving again. And maybe never seeing her again. He still loved her desperately, the countless women he had gone through in the last 2 years gave him no peace, none of them felt or smelled or sounded like her and he was terrified that he would give in and beg her to take him back if she stayed too long. He was also terrified that he wouldn't and she would get away from him, again.

Bucky badly wanted to touch her, kiss and hold her, make love to her for hours like he used to. He could smell her vanilla body spray, the citrus shampoo & conditioner and the musk that was distinctly her. He could feel his body responding to being in close quarters with her again and was grateful for the table to hide his, ahem reactions.

Thankfully, Nick Fury spoke up "On to business. There's a facility in Belarus that was believed to be abandoned but is showing signs of activity. I need 2 people for recon. Any volunteers?"

Bucky raised his hand "I'm in if I can get out of here while....." he trailed off.

Radar kept her face emotionless. She was starting to think this was a mistake. As if the glares and cold demeanor weren't enough he had to make a crack every chance he had.

Just being near him was torture. She felt an empty ache in her chest and her eyes filled with tears but she refused to let them fall. She swallowed a sob down and whispered in a sing song voice "Obseeesed"

Bucky growled and she felt her panties dampen. His nostrils flared and he sat back in his seat, a death grip on the arms, before he took her on the conference table in front of the whole team.

Sam volunteered to go with him and Bucky groaned, he was almost as difficult to be around as Y/N.

Fury nodded and handed packets to both men "There we go, that wasn't so difficult. Since Sam's assistant isn't here, Radar will prep everything you need and be in the quinjet and in your ears when you go in. I suggest the three of you get some sleep, wheels up at 9 tonight"

Bucky shook his head "What do you mean she'll be in the jet? Starks tech is good enough that she can do it from here. Goddammit I want to be wherever she isn't so send someone else."

Fury glared at him "For a man who's over 100 years old you are acting like a fucking child, Barnes. Grow the fuck up and act like the professional you are supposed to be."

Nick's face turned up into a devious grin "You do realize that if you don't go, she doesn't either right? She's your assistant, your angel. If you had hired assistants without prioritizing their fuckability, you wouldn't be here. It's already decided. Go hit your rack while you can."

Sam chuckled as he left the room "You just can't win Terminator. Maybe the universe wants you crazy kids together."

Bucky sighed, no point in complaining any more. A mission with the two people he would least like to be around. Hopefully the intel was right and it would be a quick in and out. He went to his room to stretch out, knowing that sleep was unlikely.

Steve caught up with him in the hall "I'm just giving you some information and what you do with it is up to you." He lowered his voice "I heard Nat trying to convince Y/N to talk to you, she said something about telling you the truth about what happened that day. Maybe you should hear her out, listen to her side."

Bucky shook his head "What side? There's no side that makes what she did ok so there's not much point. I just want to get through this so she goes on her way."

Steve shook his head "Fine punk, it's your life."

Radar went to the armory to put Sam and Bucky's gear and weapons together and loaded up the quinjet before heading to her room for a couple of hours of sleep, if she could manage that much. She prayed to whatever gods were out there that this mission would be easy and fast.

Chapter 2

[daisyblog]

Surrounded By Love

Too Young Masterlist Summary: YN, Arthur and the Tomlinsons at Victorious Festival.

Based on this request.

YN was days away from being 37 weeks pregnant, and she could confidently say she was eager and counting down the days they got to meet their new little bundle.

It had been a busy few weeks for them all, especially with joining Louis on his festival tour. YN was glad to be back in England, now that Louis was playing his first UK festival.

Whilst Louis ran through a few checks backstage and made sure everything was prepared for his performance, YN and Arthur enjoy a little bit of calm time before the show begins.

“Mum…look it’s Auntie Phee and Olive”. Arthur pointed behind her as they sat on a blanket enjoying some sunshine. Phoebe, Jack and Olive were walking towards them. Arthur’s little legs ran over to the three.

“Hello trouble!”. Phoebe opened her arms wide to give her nephew a cuddle. “Where’s your Dad?”.

Arthur gave Jack a fist bump, something they do whenever they see each other. “Uhh…he somewhere backstage…Mum’s over there”.

YN waved from her place on the blanket. They all greeted eachother as Phoebe and Jack joined YN on the grass. “How are you feeling?”.

“I’m hoping I give birth earlier rather than later…I’m so exhausted and uncomfortable”. YN ran her hand over her tummy. “Do you want to meet your new little cousin soon?”. YN tickled Olive who gave her a big grin.

“Oioi!”. Louis voice snapped them out of their conversation as he walked towards them, Lottie, Daisy and Lucky on his heel and Lewis and Ryan chatting behind them. “We can go backstage now!”.

“You’ll have to leave me here…I can’t get up now”. YN held her hands up in surrender as she had found a comfortable spot.

Louis held his hand out for YN to reach. “C’mon love…I’ll get ya a chair if I can find one”. With a little difficulty, YN managed to raise to her feet.

Arthur ran ahead as he chased Lucky. Louis wrapped his arm around YN’s shoulder as they walked behind them all towards the backstage area. “I’m so proud of you”.

“I’m proud of us!”. Louis smiled down at his fiancée. “Couldn’t have done this without you by my side”. He placed a sweet peck to her lips.

The Tomlinsons all mingled waiting for Louis to perform and one of the crew stated that he would be on in five, which meant Arthur and Louis shared the special handshake and a big hug before he grabbed his mic and in ears. “Go smash it Dad!”.

“Good luck babe!”. YN wrapped her arms around his neck. “We love you”.

“I love you all more”. Louis found his lips on YN’s, his sisters teasing them as they broke apart. But making the moment even sweeter, Louis leaned down to her tummy and placed a long peck as he rubbed his hand over the bump.

---

With Lucky and Olive being young, the Tomlinsons decided it would be better for them to watch Louis perform from the side of the stage, behind a barricade.

“Tell you I'm on my way…Nothing can make me late…Said I had a plan for us…Time had came and changed it all…We had to disappear…'Cause nothing gets through here…Through that circle 'round my heart…Where the best of me should start”.

Despite seeing Louis perform regularly, YN still loved seeing Arthur’s face light up as Louis sang. His eyes would be glued to his father as he moved around the stage, doing what he loved.

“Together we're the greatest…We'll never be that cold again…No fallin' all to pieces…We're the greatest…It's you and me until the end…Life for us is never over”.

---

“You're a nightmare on the dance floor…And you hate me, and I want more…You're a total distraction…While I'm waiting for your reaction…Why, ah, ah, ah”.

Arthur sang the lyrics out loud, as he tried to dance with Lucky, who was also enjoying himself as he watched his Uncle on stage.

“You kill my mind…Raise my body back to life…And I don't know what I'd do without you now…You kill my mind…Raise my body back to life…And I don't know what I'd do without you now”.

YN had a little dance herself, well she moved as much as her growing bump would allow her.

---

“When somebody told me I would change…I used to hide behind a smile…When somebody told me I would change…I was afraid, I don't know why…'Cause so does the world outside, I realized”.

YN watched as Louis moved around the stage, singing as he looked out to the sea of fans that were always a big support to him.

“I didn't read the signs…Walking different lines…I know I took a left…Tryna make it right…All of these voices, all of these choices…I don't hear them anymore…Hear them anymore”.

But as she looked at her future husband, he hadn’t really changed at all. He was still that young man she had fallen in love with, the one that caught her eye way before she cared to admit.

“And it's bigger than me…It's bigger than me…I've woken up from my sleep…It's bigger than me…It's bigger than me”.

---

Despite it being almost 10 years since the band went on hiatus, whenever one of the boys sing a song from the albums, it always held a glimmer of hope of a reunion one day. Including for their families.

“I've got fire for a heart…I'm not scared of the dark…You've never seen it look so easy…I got a river for a soul…And baby, you're a boat…Baby, you're my only reason”.

Louis’ family sang along to Drag Me Down, a tad of nostalgia for them as they remember being at the One Direction tour.

“I love this one Mum!”. Arthur jumped up and down as he held onto the barricade in front of them.

“Me too…it’s one of my favourites”. YN spoke as she moved her hips to the beat, her hand rubbing over the moving baby in her tummy.

“All my life, you stood by me…When no one else was ever behind me…All these lights, they can't blind me…With your love, nobody can drag me down…All my life, you stood by me…When no one else was ever behind me…All these lights, they can't blind me…With your love, nobody can drag me down”.

“Nobody nobody” Arthur sang mindlessly, causing the others to laugh at how much he was enjoying himself.

---

“Hey, babe…It's written all over your face, say it…A hurricane behind the door, oh-oh…So I've come ready for a war, oh-oh”.

Without any thought, Arthur turned around to his Mum. “Hey Mum…Dad told me that this song is about you being grumpy”.

The words tumbling out of Arthur mouth, caused Lottie to hold onto her own little baby bump as she laughed hysterically at her nephew.

“Louis’ will be in trouble now”. Daisy joked, as she held Olive in her arms.

“It’s written all over my face”. YN sang as she smiled at the teasing.

“But I hear that thunder in the distance…I know it's getting close…You're giving me the silent treatment…Don't know what it's achieving…When we're finished saying nothing…Can we please get back to loving?…When it's good, it's really something…Can we please get back to us now?”.

---

“I know you say you know me, know me well…But these days I don't even know myself, no…I always thought I'd be with someone else…I thought I would own the way I felt, yeah”.

Arthur had somehow convinced Ryan to let him sit on his shoulders, “So he could have a better view”. YN used this opportunity to have a cuddle with Olive who was the happiest of babies, smiling as she took everything in her stride.

“Whoa, you stress me out, you kill me…You drag me down, you fuck me up…We're on the ground, we're screaming…I don't know how to make it stop…I love it, I hate it, and I can't take it…But I keep on coming back to you”.

From his place on his uncles shoulders, Arthur continued to make everyone laugh. “Mum…Dad said a bad word…he said fu-“. Before YN had chance to shush her son due to Lucky’s young ears listening, Lewis reached over to place his hand gently over Arthur’s mouth to stop the word spilling out.

---

This One Direction song always reminded YN of Harry, and as much as they spoke everyday she still missed him.

“Counted all my mistakes and there’s only one…Standing out from the list of the things I’ve done…All the rest of my crimes don’t come close…To the look on your face when I let you go”.

YN had felt their little baby move since Louis began to sing, but the little peanut had started doing somersaults now. She couldn’t help but think that maybe she was carrying a baby directioner.

“Now I’m searching every lonely place…Every corner calling out your name…Tryna find ya but I just don’t know…Where do broken hearts go…Where do broken hearts go”.

---

“Gettin' high on the amber wave…Going deep for the ones who do the same…Air Max's and silver tongues…Settle in for another heavy one…You said love was a pretty lie…And I choked when your smoke got in my eye…Bad logic and empty cans”.

Silver Tongues always will hold a special place in YN’s heart. It held small moments that only she and Louis knew about. Memories that seem like a distant past now but luckily will live on thanks to this song.

“You said grass was a dirty drug…You like to preach with a vodka in your mug…I love all the things you know…But I'm king on a fifty-metre road…We stand up tall and beat our chests…We shout some things that we'll regret…Sit down with a master plan”.

YN smiles to herself as she hears the words preach with a vodka in your mug, the memory of her and Louis standing in her uni kitchen and him teasing her about her drinking the alcohol out of a mug rather than a glass.

“You and me until the end…Wakin' up to start again…You and me until the end…Wakin' up to start again…There's nowhere else that I would rather be”.

Louis turned to the side of the stage as he sang the verse, pointing towards YN as she sang back to him. Both mirroring each others bright smiles as they enjoyed the moment before they were about to become a family of four. He was right, there is nowhere else he would rather be than surrounded by his family, and that meant surrounded by love.

Taglist :@jillsvalentinex @itsmytimetoodream @peterholland04 @youcan-nolonger-run @chronicallybubbly @macy-tpwk @wh0s-nadii @lillisummers

[itsawhumpsideblog]

The Safehouse, pt. 18

CW: for institutionalized slavery, mentions of abuse, treatment of people as things, medical setting, surgery, panic attack, flashbacks, broken bones and treatment of same

Advice from the Box Boy Liberation Movement:

Given the percentage of rescuees who enter a safehouse with one or more injuries or illnesses which will require medical attention, it is probable that you will be accompanying rescuees to medical appointments early in their time with you. Obtaining medical care can present unique challenges for rescuees and it is important to exercise complete patience with them in a doctor's office or hospital setting. Be aware that the atmosphere in such facilities may bring up difficult memories or even trauma reactions. Be prepared to help rescuees through anxiety or panic attacks, even flashbacks.

The surgery took longer than Angie had expected, or hoped and as it entered the third hour, she was glad that she had gone to get lunch right after they took Mikey. Finding the cafeteria, eating the sandwich, and getting lost on the way back had taken almost an hour and a half; a call to Tim and a chat with the rest of the household had taken another half hour. Since then, she had been sitting in the uncomfortable hospital chair, watching the clock and fidgeting. Not for the first time, she opened a game on her phone, played for a few minutes, closed it, and then opened it back up.

Angie tried the TV and found that it was showing an infomercial trying to delude senior citizens into converting their savings into gold bars. She fiddled with the remote, couldn't get it to work, and turned the TV back off. Then she played a podcast she couldn't concentrate on.

She was tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair and staring into space when the door finally opened and Wanda came in, holding some paperwork and smiling. Angie jumped up, fighting down a sudden surge of nervous, excited energy.

"It went great," Wanda said, before anything else. "He did just fine and the doctor said she thinks the procedure was a success."

"Oh, fantastic," Angie said. "That's amazing. I'm so glad to hear it!"

"Me, too. Now, let's go over some paperwork while they finish getting him in a cast and then they'll bring him back here to wake up a little bit. We want him awake and... well, usually we would say talking. But let's go with 'alert' this time. Once he's feeling a little more like himself, we can send him home."

"Sounds great!" Angie could have giggled in sheer relief.

"Okay, so there's no discharge paperwork, as such." Wanda flipped through the papers in the folder. "Not for the hospital, anyway. We've got a form here that should go to your Network contacts, detailing what the surgery was, the cost of it- not that Dr. Silva is charging, but just so their accounting folks are aware- and some discharge instructions." She handed the folder to Angie. "We should be done with him in the next half hour."

"Thank you so much!"

"Of course!" Wanda smiled and let herself back out.

Angie sank back down into the uncomfortable chair in relief, grinning to herself. Then she remembered her other responsibility and picked up her phone.

"Tim?" she asked, when he picked up.

"Yup, I'm here and you're on speakerphone."

"Oh, super, thanks. Hi, guys! I just heard from the nurse. She says Mikey did really well and they're going to bring him back in a few minutes. We'll give him some time to wake up and then we should be on our way home in a couple hours. Just wanted to let you know."

"Did they give you the instructions and everything?" Tim asked.

"Yup, all the paperwork we need. I'll hand it off to you when we get back."

"Excellent, thanks. Text when you're on the way and I'll meet you outside, okay?"

"Yup, will do."

"Thanks for calling, we'll see you soon."

"See you soon!" She hung up, took a deep breath, and sat back to wait.

Mikey was unaware that he had woken up, the first time it happened. He had the impression of being somewhere soft, softer than the garden had ever been before, and warm, too. For the first time he could remember- the first time since the drugs had taken his memory away- there was no pain. He felt like he was floating in a warm cloud and his head was light and sleepy. He let the clouds carry him gently away.

Angie watched Mikey as he lay in the hospital bed, waiting for the anesthesia to wear off and for him to start coming around. He was totally still, which he had been for much of the past week, since his fall, but it felt different this time. He wasn't holding himself rigid, nervous and braced against pain. Instead, he just lay quietly, slightly slack-jawed as he slept. Once, his head stirred and a faint smile lifted one corner of his mouth before he sighed in soft contentment and his breathing slowed and evened as he drifted back off to sleep.

He was still sleeping when Dr. Silva came in with post-surgical information for Angie, outlining instructions for monitoring Mikey's recovery, acceptable activity levels, and a basic plan for continuing treatment.

"He did well," she said at last. "I know we really kept you waiting but-" she shook her head. "There was a lot to fix. He's going to be in the casts for a long time and some sort of brace for even longer. I'm not sure I can say exactly how long it'll be, not until we see how his healing is progressing. We're talking months, though, not weeks. The scarring is likely to be extensive, although we did our best. And his joints will probably always ache a little, especially that shoulder." She sighed. "I really wish it was all better news. But there is some good news, which is that when this is all said and done, eventually he'll be able to use his hands and arms. And he won't be in nearly as much pain, which is the important part. The process won't be pretty, but when it's done, everything will be much, much better."

"Thank you," Angie said. "He would thank you, too, if he could." She looked over and smiled at Mikey, still resting peacefully.

The peace did not last.

When the anesthesia wore off, Mikey woke suddenly and completely, the way he had done when he slept every night outdoors and needed to respond instantly to his Master. When his eyes snapped open, he realized that something was very, very wrong.

All he could see were white walls and a white ceiling with bright lights that seemed to shine directly into his eyes. The brightness stung and Mikey squeezed his eyes shut for just a second, as if, when he opened them, he might find himself somewhere more familiar.

But when he gathered his courage for a second look, nothing had changed. He was still in the strange, monochrome room with the blinding lights and he was lying down. Nearby, something was beeping ominously and Mikey felt his heart speed up and adrenaline dump into his system, like it did when he heard those first footsteps cracking a stick somewhere in the dark at the edge of Master's property.

His mind was still hazy from the drugs and not really awake yet, and Mikey had the terrible, foreboding sense that he wasn't supposed to be there- wherever "there" was.

It never occurred to him to be frightened by the fact that he did not remember having come to the strange, white room. Mikey lacked memories of so much that this new gap in his life was barely meaningful. What was very meaningful was that Master was going to wonder where he had gone.

Then, suddenly, Mikey had a flash of memory of another Pet, tall and thin and dark-haired, bringing him fruit wrapped in a towel, and his stomach clenched. If he was here, what had happened to the other Pet? Was he here, too, or had he been sent... Mikey could not even imagine where else the other pet might have been sent. But he knew it would be bad.

All these thoughts crossed Mikey's mind within seconds, a collection of fears and memories and associations that came to him automatically and without larger context. Then he realized, again, that he was lying down on a soft surface and he broke into a cold sweat.

Soft surfaces were not for Pets. He must not be found here. He had to move, whatever it cost him. The cost would be so much higher if they caught him like this.

But when Mikey tried to sit up, he couldn't. Something tugged at his face- a muzzle? It was blowing cold air into his nose. And he couldn't seem to bend his body to begin sitting, or force his aching muscles to lift him. Mikey looked frantically around but without actually taking in his surroundings.

He dropped one leg over the side of whatever the soft surface was and tried again to sit up and found that was impossible. When he swung his right arm up to try to shift his balance and rise, he was horrified to find that it was restrained, tied up in some kind of cloth, and he couldn't even see his fingers properly, only the very ends of them. When he tried to wiggle them, pain shot down his fingers and they didn't even move.

Even worse, his left arm was immobile. He couldn't see it under the blanket, but it was probably tied to something, strapped tightly down to keep him from doing what he knew a good Pet should do. He strained every muscle trying to sit up, kicked his legs to shift his balance, threw his right arm forward in almost grotesque exertion. But he barely moved.

When the door opened, if Mikey had been able to make a sound, he would have screamed. As it was, his eyes widened, his fight-or-flight response in full activation, and he tried one last time in futile terror to right himself.

"Oh my god," Mistress gasped. "Mikey, what- I was only gone for a second- I'm so, so sorry." She hurried over to the bed. "Hey, hey- careful, you- oh geez-" She put a steadying hand on his right shoulder and finally Mikey's eyes landed on her face.

It all came flooding back to him in a rush, like being struck. The terrible beating they had given him the night his old Master died; the time in a cage; the journey to live with Master and Mistress.

Then, even better, he remembered everything that had come since. A comfortable bed he was meant to use and enough food to eat and a television to watch; Nathan's cheerful company and the joy of being re-united with someone who had become a friend; gentle Francis who told him stories when he couldn't sleep and who held his head when he had fallen and was hurting.

Best of all, he remembered that Master smiled and laughed and spoke softly, and that Mistress talked to him like she enjoyed his company and she had kind hands and Master and Mistress looked after them and never, never hurt them.

Mikey remembered all these things in a flash of knowledge, the same sudden wash of memory that only moments before had caused him such terror, and then he realized that Mistress was standing over him with her hand on his shoulder. If it had been any of his old Masters, Mikey would have been frightened but he found that even now, standing like that, Mistress didn't frighten him at all. She didn't look angry, only dismayed and- maybe even worried.

He looked up at her as if he was searching for answers to many questions and she smiled comfortingly at him. "Do you remember where you are?"

Mikey wasn't sure and didn't know whether to nod or shake his head, so he simply waited and watched her.

"You're in the hospital," she reminded him and now he did nod, a little uncertainly. That might be true- he might remember the morning, if that wasn't a dream.

"You had surgery, to fix your shoulder and your hands and everything. You won't remember that, because you were asleep for it, but it's over now." He nodded again. "The doctor says you're going to be fine- your hands and arms will be a lot better when you're done healing."

He gave her another nod, since she probably expected it, but he wondered if she would explain why they had tied his left arm down. Mikey felt that there must be a reason for it, but something was making his head feel fuzzy and it was hard to think. Hoping she would understand, he raised his bound right hand and looked questioningly down at it.

"Yeah," she said, as if she was continuing a conversation. "I know that probably feels weird. And it's going to be hard, not having your right hand to use, even a little bit-"

Wait. What did she mean, he wasn't going to have his hand anymore? Forgetting the strange stiffness holding his left arm and the way he was restrained from sitting up, Mikey tried to raise himself and looked frantically from his hand to Mistress. His hand was still there, wasn't it? He could see his fingertips, a little bit, under the heavy bandages and surely it wouldn't hurt so badly when he tried to move it if he didn't have a hand-

Mistress made a face that Mikey didn't realize was guilt. "You don't remember what happened at all, do you?" she asked. He shook his head, a little frantically now, starting to feel his heart speed up and beginning to sweat.

"Oh geez. I'm sorry," she said, and he was surprised to find that she actually seemed to mean it. "I'll start from the beginning. So, during the surgery, they basically put all your bones back where they're supposed to be, right? So they can heal and they won't hurt all the time." Now Mikey nodded again as the memory slipped through the fog in his head, of Master explaining this at home last week.

"And now that it's done, they have to hold all those bones and joints and whatever still, so they can heal. So everything will stay where it's supposed to be. Right?" A nod. "And to do that, they put on some casts. The one on your right hand is like what Nathan had on his leg when he first came home. Remember that?" Mikey found that he did.

"They need your whole hand not to move for- I don't know, a long time. Like a couple months, at least. And they did the same thing to your left arm and your shoulder, but that was a lot worse and it's kind of an awkward spot, so they put the cast over your whole arm and then they attached it around your body to hold your shoulder still."

Mikey just stared. So he wasn't actually tied to the bed? But he couldn't move his arm at all. Well- he hadn't really been able to before, either. Maybe in some ways, this wouldn't be so different.

"Do you want to see it?" Mistress asked. She almost sounded nervous and Mikey wondered if he should be nervous, too. Very gently, Mistress drew back the blanket that covered Mikey from his shoulders down, except where he had thrown it off trying to get up.

When he could see it, he stared at his left arm. The cast was blue and covered his shoulder and then went all the way down over his fingers, just like the one on the right. His arm was bent at the elbow so that his forearm was parallel to the floor and angled across the front of his body. There was a band of the same material around his chest, holding his arm still.

"Does it feel really weird?" Mistress asked, and he didn't even bother to nod. Somehow, he felt that she would know his answer.

"Don't worry," Mistress told him, but it sounded more like an offer than an order. "We'll take care of you. You're going to be just fine."

Mikey nodded, but he thought that getting used to this was not going to be easy.

Next Time: Mikey comes home from the hospital, to his housemates' great relief.

Master List

Notes: These keep being longer than I expected, so I'm adjusting the previously listed summary to account for that. A good problem to have!

Tag list: @pigeonwhumps, @cepheusgalaxy, @i-eat-worlds, @honeycollectswhump @taterswhump, @starfields08000 @whumpsday, @fruitypinapple00, @currentlyinthesprial

[liciapeonia]

jinx x reader

I hope you like !!! Kiss and chesse

Your house was a mess, your girlfriend spent a week practically living with you, she was on "vacation", Silco let her go after finishing a large number of weapons in such a short time and said she needed a break, now you need a break.

It had been a long time since you two had been together, she had the weapons, the plans, the jobs, and only remained for you the meetings in the dead of night, Silco wasn't your fan he suport you he thought you'd be a passing obsession, you'd become afraid of her and move away but you didn't. in your view, the day you two met was almost perfect.

There was a big ball going on in Piltover, they were raising money for the poor which would then be distributed, but you knew they were going to reallocate that money and spend it on stupid entertainment, so an intervention was needed. It's not that difficult to get into a ball, you just have to act a bit and make a scandal in front of everyone by telling them that you've been traveling for a long time for the security guard not to be finding your name on the list and they'll soon let you through, you were wearing a nice outfit for Piltover people was simple but for you something that was chic, as well a ridiculous feathered hat that was the fashion in piltover, at least all these layers of clothing and large accessories hid your guns.

You spent most of your time near a large table where there were sweet and savory cakes and in the middle a large roast pig with an apple in its mouth, the pilties had a vast table of food but they didn't eat, very few of them took anything, and then you saw a very different being, a girl in a very voluminous dress with a large hat, she behaved in a completely different way, the exact moment she saw the table full, she immediately put everything in her mouth, you gave a slight smile, thinking she was cute, but you had to correct yourself because you weren't supposed to be distracted and when you least expected it, the girl had gone around the table, now practically next to you, to see the pig better.

''Hey, do you know where the knife is to cut the pig or how to get through this sea of food to get to it...I'm thinking of jumping on the table and getting it.''

You laugh thinking it's funny that she doesn't even hide the fact that she's not from there every time someone passes she gives tongue, not really caring, "I don't think we'll be able to eat the pig until the host has made his speech" you say sincerely

"Ohhhhhh how boring," she snorts and turns to the banquet, picking up some sweets.

"I liked the chicken you put on your head," you say, trying to talk to her because spending a few more hours standing around looking at nothing wasn't what you wanted, and anyway if your plan didn't work you were going to make a mess and steal the money.

She has her mouth full and smiles at his comment, "Yes, it's amazing is the latest fashion, I like your necklace hedgehog, so modern.’’

''Oh how sweet, fortunately, this model was easy to find, the store is called Dumpster Bar you know I'm trying to launch fashion with the necklace and hat.’’

She laughs then points to a lady in a dress full of brown hair that practically swallows her up ''her too, it's going to be a bear session.'’

now it's your turn to laugh so you stay there chatting and making fun of the pilties who pass by and look with disdain when you laugh loudly, at the end of the night you get the money and Jinx blows up the place you leave happy and that was the beginning of everything

But back to the beginning, you needed a rest, maybe 5 hours of sleep, and that would be fine. The days with Jinx were spent walking around, exploding, doing whatever you wanted, and at night, well... you didn't have much time to sleep - her hands couldn't get away from you, and she knew exactly where your weaknesses were, so... there was no space for a full night's sleep in Jinx's plans.

''Jinx my darling I need to say I love you, you are the love of my life'' You start talking to her and she looks at you suspiciously ''My sweet I love spending this time with you but...'' she starts to look very nervous even agitated ''darling I need to sleep'' then she stops and lets out a breath she didn't even know she was holding.

''Oh that's it my gosh toots you were already making me nervous'' she says putting one hand on your face and the other on your hip, ''don't worry honey let's do it this way, we'll keep doing everything we like and add a good fuck in the middle so we'll have time to sleep at night'' she says maliciously giving you a quick deep kiss on the lips pulling away a little and ''toots I'm going to get some movies to watch wait for me'' she says leaving quickly.

You were happy that it hadn't been so difficult and realizing that in your daily plans, the fuck will be during the day and possibly somewhere semi-public.

[stop-the-play]

(Sorry about forgetting yesterday! As promised, here are... there was not only a tie but a stark distinction between the tied options and everything else, so you'll get both winners of the tie and the only other choice to have more than one vote.)

> (Explore) Are you sure? A second chance is a second chance. What you're describing sounds more like a third.

VOICE OF THE HERO: Well—a third chance, then. That's all right.

VOICE OF THE HERO: This is our second chance, and we know a lot more than we did last time. For one, we know not to hesitate.

VOICE OF THE MEEK: How much is knowledge really going to help us? We were powerless last time.

VOICE OF THE HERO: Again, now we know we can't afford to chat. So, we'll probably be fine as long as we're decisive, and if we aren't... maybe we will get that third chance.

VOICE OF THE MEEK: ...I hope we do.

> (Explore) An 'entity' can be literally almost anything. How am I supposed to go in prepared for that?

VOICE OF THE MEEK: And an excellent point from the big man.

VOICE OF THE HERO: Yeah, but we all saw what it was last time. What it could do. We're a lot better equipped to deal with it than we were the first time around.

VOICE OF THE MEEK: And, um, how exactly do you suggest we 'deal with it?'

VOICE OF THE HERO: Here's an idea: We don't give up our only weapon.

VOICE OF THE MEEK: Of course. Great start.

> (Explore) About last time...

VOICE OF THE HERO: Yeah. Last time.

VOICE OF THE MEEK: Ugh. Last time.

VOICE OF THE HERO: We're not having a repeat of that.

VOICE OF THE MEEK: And how can you know that? As soon as it got out of the basement, our body just... disconnected, or something. Can we even plan for that, besides... I don't know...

VOICE OF THE HERO AND VOICE OF THE MEEK: Not locking it in the basement in the first place?

VOICE OF THE MEEK: Wait, you also want to... hold on. We're thinking different things, aren't we?

VOICE OF THE HERO: I didn't think we were, but now I'm a little concerned about what you want to suggest.

VOICE OF THE HERO: But, yes. Whatever it was, it completely shut down our body before we could react. So we act first instead. If it's dead, then it probably can't do... whatever it did, and even if it can, we'll still have already saved the world.

You experimentally clench and unclench your fist, and take in a deep breath. Your body certainly seems to be functioning perfectly fine.

He must be right, then. Everything has completely been reset.

VOICE OF THE HERO: Relax. It couldn't do... that the first time we went into the basement, so maybe it gets more powerful the longer we stall. Everything's reset, so it should be back to where it was at first.

VOICE OF THE MEEK: ...If you say so...

Choices:

(Explore) So, team, what exactly is the plan here? Both of your plans.

(Explore) Do I have to kill it? Can't I try to find some sort of... I don't know, peaceful resolution?

(Explore) So we go in and kill it before it kills us. That seems plenty straightforward.

(Explore) Doesn't this feel really suspicious to you?

(Explore) What do you think we'll find when we get to the cabin?

Yeah, you're right. Let's do this. [Continue to the cabin]

Ugh, fine. But I've got a bad feeling about this. [Continue to the cabin]

Sounds like a plan! This ought to go great. [Continue to the cabin]

[Silently continue to the cabin]

Mm, no. I don't want to have my body 'disconnect' again. [Turn around and leave]

[marshallpupfan]

Work in Progress

Slowly but surely, my Marshall collection is starting to take shape. Admittedly, I couldn't work on it much last night, as I'm often away from home every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, thus I don't always have a lot of time to work on this. That, and I tend to procrastinate (aka, get lazy and waste time) a lot. But hey, I'm getting there!

Today, I started working on how I wanted to sort out all of these types of plush dolls. There are a bunch of them, with a new one typically releasing every new subseries or film. Well... only the ones that can stand on their legs; the "floppy leg" ones I'm pretty sure they stopped producing years ago.

I have fourteen of the standing dolls and thirteen of the floppy ones. I want to keep them together without dividing them up, so I tend to line them up in rows. In the past, I used to place DVD cases or small cardboard boxes behind one row for the second row to stand up on, but that didn't always look so great. Thus, I started saving scrap wood (usually stuff we were going to throw away anyway) to build proper shelves.

I have a bunch of these long, thin boards from a bed frame we had to throw away. They're pretty handy for projects like this, so I suppose I got lucky there! For the floppy dolls, I made the shelf 4 inches tall, and for the standing dolls, I made two 2 and a half inch tall shelves. The wood here is kind of thin, so attaching them to each other can be a little tricky. I wasn't sure exactly what to do, so I just used hot glue.

...Well, that was after I realized I goofed and only cut two sets of legs when I actually needed three. Nothing unusual with me. 😅

It's not the greatest solution, but it's still quite sturdy. As long as I'm careful, they shouldn't come apart or anything. Besides, they'll only have lightweight dolls on them, so this will work just fine.

Hey, not bad! I wish I could get scrap wood that matches the color of the bookshelf, but they'll mostly be covered anyway, so it's no biggie. Now I just have to sort and find spots for each doll. Naturally, I like to put my bigger favorites up front, such as Ultimate Fire Rescue, Rescue Knights, 2018 Mighty Pups, etc.

Works pretty good! Now I just have to... wait, there's a blank spot there at the top left. What am I going to put there? OH, I know!

BOOMER! BOOMER! BOOMER! Ha ha... I couldn't resist. 😁

The shelf for the floppy dolls went about the same. I only had to make a smaller one for them, as having their legs hang over the front and back works better here.

And there we go! I might rearrange some of the dolls later, since some stand taller than others, but for now, I'm calling it done. Well, just this part anyway.

For now, I'm calling the plush doll proportion of this task complete! Crazy to think one character has this many dolls, huh? And to think, there are so many more out there... many of which I still hope to own someday. If only I could get some of the ones from Japan... but then again, where would I put them if I did get them? Uh... let me get back with you on that one. lol

Well, I guess it's time I start working on the big display case soon. That'll probably take a long time, since I plan to dust everything that'll go on there... including all those tiny figurines, too. Again, I've got my work cut out for me here. 😅

(I'm not sure why I made this post, other than I just thought it would be fun to chat about what I'm doing as I go along. I might make more as I progress, but we'll see.)

[ateezwriter100799]

Pirates and Utopia pt.2

hey Guys this is the Part two of my Story.

I Hope you like it and have fun Reading!

Summary: a few hours later you wake Up from a deep needed sleep and decide to Look at the Crew more closely...

Fluff, San being a whole Sweethear, all members, Yunho being cute, and Hongjoong being the best Captain

If i missed anything please Tell me.

Masterlist

Hours have passed since I Fell asleep. My Body feels way lighter now and my wounds don't hurt as much anymore.

I slowly Sit Up and listen to the Sound of the waves Outside the ship. I Close my eyes and breath deeply. The smell of the See making me calm. I Open my eyes again looking at the door thinking If I should Go Outside or not.

I decide to stand Up and go Outside for some fresh air. I Open the door and the sunlight shines in my face as soon as i Walk Out of the door. The waves Crash around the ship and a few birds fly above us. Suddenly I hear two voices coming from the left Side of the ship. I decide to See who the voices belong to and Walk into the direction the voices are coming from.

I Spot two of the Crew members Just chatting while looking into the distace. I Look closely and notice that the two Crew members seem to be San and Yunho. I slowly step closer to them Feeling Kind of nervous as I come closer. Suddenly San Turns around and spots me.

"oh hey...seems Like you are awake now. I was worried...are you Feeling better?" He asks now stepping closer to me.

I Just nod and Smile slightly. "Is your throat still hurting?" Yunho suddenly asks. I nod again. I'm still now able to talk...or Well I could but I would only get Out a few words. San Guides me to the end of the ship. I Look into the width of the sea...I remember the Times when me and my Friends used to swim around and have fun. But these dumm Pirates Always have to Ruin everything.

San seems to notice how sad I am and places His Hand on my shoulder. I Look at him with wide, confused eyes.

"You seem sad. Everything okay? Do you miss your Family?" He asks while giving me a concerned Look. I Just Look at him and then lower my head thinking about my mother...why did the Pirates have to Ruin another day?

"It's okay. I'm Here for you. I promise we'll try to find your Family. And until then you can stay with us! We'll keep you safe..." He sais. Then Yunho comes Up to us with a Smile on His face.

"San is right. I'm Sure your Family is Safe. And we'll keep you Safe until you can Go Back to your Family." Yunho gives me a big Smile and Stands Next to me.

I Smile Back, being Happy that they Care so much even though they don't even know me. As I Look into the Horizon where the sun is slowly setting i sigh. I let the Wind breeze through my (h/c) Hair and relax. My Body feels Like it's free and so light.

"There you are." A voice behind us suddenly sais.

"We are waiting for you Guys. Dinner is ready. Wooyoung already Set the table." The voice sais. All three of us Turn around to See Seonghwa Standing behind us with His Arms crossed.

We all follow Seonghwa into the kitchen where all the Other Crew members and Hongjoong are already sitting ready to eat. "Took you Guys Long enough." Wooyoung barcks. "Sorry...but we were Just comforting Our guest. If you thinks thats so bad then Not my Problem." San bites Back. "No fighting. Just Sit down and eat." Hongjoong sais.

After Dinner we all Just Talk and Chat about different things. Suddenly Hongjoong asks; "What's your Name? You never told us. I mean you couldn't until now..."

All of their eyes were on me and i feel a light Wave of nervousness Run through my Body. I Open my mouth to speak but only a caugh comes Out. "You don't need to speak If you can't..." Yunho sais while rubbing my Back slowly. I Smile and Shake my head.

"(y/n)..." I finally breath Out very quietly.

Hongjoong nods. "Thank you. From now on we can call you by yor name. That Sounds good right?" He sais. I nod and Smile at him.

"So Our Journey to Utopia is almost over. When we arrive we'll buy some clothes for (y/n) and get some provisions for our Journey to Treasure. It will Take about a week until we arrive at Treasure so we need new water, food and supplies. We'll arrive in Utopia in about two days so be ready. And (y/n), we'll find some better clothes for you I promise." Hongjoong sais before smiling at me.

I nod and bow to Show how greatfull I am for what they are doing for me.

The sun is now setting as I stand at the end of the ship again, just watching how the sun is slowly disapearing into the horizon.

"hey..." San suddenly sais Next to me. I Turn around facing him while smiling at him. "If you need anything Just Tell me. I'm Here for you and so are the Others." He sais. I bow and Smile at him. I'm starting to get tired and San seems to notice. "I should get you to your room. You should Rest. You need the Energy." He sais while taking my Hand guiding me Back to my room.

I Smile and as we Walk I can feel a weird Feeling in my stomach...I've never felt something Like this before. But it feels...nice.

We arrive at the door to my room. I Turn to San and smile. "T-thank y-you..." I say quietly as I Look Up at him. He gives me a sweet Smile and opens the door for me.

"Remember, If you need anything Just Talk to me." He sais before Putting some of my hair behind my ear smiling at me. I can feel my cheeks become hot. I Smile at him and slowly Walk into my room and slowly closing the door behind me. I sink down the door smiling to myself.

Maybe These Guys are Not so bad...

[emmebearpaw]

Ok you know. This Olive fic was shorter than I hoped it was going to be but I've gotten to a point where I would do a big 'ol time skip and a lot of my thoughts about this version of Olive are more... disjointed scenes. I also kind of want to go play video games instead of doing more writing so uh, posting time! Consider this a nice intro to drop some exposition and try to ease you into the world i'm thinking about right now I suppose. I'll definitely write more for Olive here soon.

Word Count: ~1075

The Web was full of very strange rules. Strange being the operative word. Because Olive did not understand the explanations behind them. You could only send 280 letters in a call on Birdcall. Cats are the funniest animals and must have funny memes made about them. There was acronyms for everything. And most notably in this situation,

"There isn't actually a rule that says a vtuber has to play video games. Besides. Sudoku can be a video game if I play it on my Webporter." She laughed, scrolling back up her busier than average (a whole 7 people watching!) chat to see the commenter's name. "Yup, definitely don't recognize that username, welcome to the Labyrinth, punkstrife. Since your new here, allow me to explain, it's hard to get a Webporter down into my labyrinth so the one I'm using is uh... a teensy bit old!" Olive hit one of her hotkeys and watched the expression on her model change in the stream preview. Her carefully crafted png-tuber persona being her best edit of the Minotaur's skull placed upon an anime girl body, with a posted note slapped onto the skull so she toggle the expression to one of the many emoticons she had learned over the last several months. Certainly it wasn't as cool as the moving models of other streamers she had watched but, her posted note could go :p, or any other infinite amount of emotions, which was good enough for her. "Luckily the Web is full of many fun things to do!!" ^-^ "Like reading Wikipedia! Anyways don't mind any birds you can hear, I keep birds and they've been a bit noisy recently!"

Her chat scrolled by a bit as she got a drink of water. One of the rules of streaming was that you are supposed to read chat. And besides, having people to talk to is the reason she was streaming, so... >Asterius is a nerd lol >fresh blood fresh blood >still want to know what birds they are?? >do Byers national park next

Placing the cup down she continued, "Speaking of, let's get back into it. Today's theme is national parks and other nature preserves from around the world, so give suggestions and we can go digitally visit it! We're reading about Acadia National Park right now, but if you want me to learn about one you like  then list it out. We'll all learn about them together!"

---

After another hour she went on break. Frankly she didn't even need to use the bathroom yet. She more so needed to stretch in ways she couldn't do quietly. After all there was no way to get up from the stool without the light scratching of its quills against the kitchen cabinet. She sighed, it probably wouldn't be long before she would have to paint the cabinet to cover up all the scratches it had put in it... and the bathroom door.. and the hole in the mattress from that one time it-- She broke out of the list of things she had to repair again as she reached her destination after 4 whole seconds. The other side of the desk/dining table/kitchen counter. The kitchen of course being the section of the house with the most floor space. Well, besides the bed, but she hadn't washed her feet from when she went out to tend to the birds, and she wasn't going to get the bed dirty just to stretch and she didn't feel like washing them or washing an extra pair of socks later. If only her master could find it some shoes that actually fit its feet. Oh well, that was the rule!

There were, of course, many rules she had to follow to be able to keep living here. Those ones she understood far better than the internet rules, because unlike those ones, her master had been there to explain them. She ran her fingers through her wiry hair as she gently pushed her head down, imagining her master's fingers instead as she explained the oh so important rules that would keep the two of them safe.

The first was the most serious one, her master cooed, "Nobody can know what you look like unless I say that they are safe" she nodded as she changed stretches, because of course "being a familiar can get us both in a lot of trouble if any of the gods ever find out". It chirred in shock, why should the fact it had claws and fur and a big tail and little tiny ears the perfect size for scratch mean it was in trouble? It hadn't even done anything... would it get  in trouble with master  "No no, you've been a very good girl. You aren't in trouble with me at all" She scratched behind its ear.  "Unfortunately, before you were born I did... a few things that made some of the gods very angry at me. And one of those things was making you, because the gods don't like it when humans do magic."

"Meanies" she managed to respond before sticking out her tongue in a childish act of defiance.

She shook her head loose from the memory before moving on to touch her paws. It was that silly silly "no magic" rule of the gods that was the source of all the rules her master had to drill into her. No telling anyone about her, because people definitely shouldn't know that she was a familiar. No mention of the birds her master had stolen from The Garden (at least she could mention there were birds. It was hard to ignore their very loud calls when they thought it was spring). No mention of where they lived because it turns out pocket dimensions were also magic and therefore also illegal.

At least the Web existed. With its strange rules that didn't make sense and infinite things to do and even people to talk to that weren't her master! Not that she didn't love her master, but she had to go and make money so that they could both eat even in the off season. So. She could be a Minotaur. As a treat. After all, as long as she followed all the rules her master told her again and again, nothing would go wrong!

She should probably get back to her stream, shouldn't she?

[the-kcm-muggleborn]

Kind For You

Fandom: Hogwarts Legacy

O/C: Sebastian Sallow x Edwart Thompson x Ominis Gaunt ✨️platonic✨️ (My OC)

Warnings: slight swearing shit

Word count: 1k>

Chapter 2

Part 5

"What did you get for question 3?” Sebastian asked.

“Expelliarmus.” Ominis answered as he was pouring himself some pumpkin juice.

Throughout the following days. Sebastian, Ominis and Edwart started spending dinners together. Sharing assignments, chats, food and even a table. Other students were looking at them funny sometimes. But for once Edwart didn't mind.

“I have some things I need to attend to.” Edwart spoke rather suddenly after eating his disgusting bland porridge. “I'll probably be back in the late evening.”

“What do you have planned? Ominis asked as he bit into his toast.

“A fellow housemate sent me information about a ghost which might be able to help me find those missing pages from the book I've found in the restricted section. It would really help me before Professor Fig returns from the ministry.”

Sebastian and Ominis were silent and nearly looked at eachother with the same confusion. Both of them knew that asking questions wouldn't bring much if the new student hadn't gotten all the information to share.

“It's all very complex and I've promised to explain everything which I will when it gets sorted out. For now it looks like I'm to have a trip to Upper Hogsfield…”

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

Edwart looked again at the combination of numbers on the houses in the village and the numbers he scribbled in his notebook:

Eldritch Diggory,

Helen Thristlewood

Upper Hogsfield 16.

“Hm. This must be the place Minister Diggory mentioned.” Edwart thought to himself and knocked a few times.

“Yes?” An older woman opened the door.

“Hello Madam Thistlewood. My name's…”

“Ah yes.” She said excitedly. “You're that hufflepuff student. Uncle Eldritch did tell me you might come. Come in! Come in! I'll set the tea. Would you like some?”

“No thank you, your uncle said we might be able to help each other. Would you elaborate?”

Madam Thistlewood explained an entire long story about Richard Jackdaw, Apollonia Black and Anne, a prisoner in Azkaban.

“So let me get this in order.” Edwart said with furrowed eyebrows as he took his nose bridge in his fingers. “You want me to travel to Azkaban with you so I can speak to a woman who has been sitting there for the past decades in hope that she somehow has an answer to Richard Jackdaw's cave wherever it is. And all that is a clue, not a certainty.” Edwart finished unconvinced.

“Yes I suppose one can put it like that. It has to be you though. You could be a fresh breeze to her which could help her talk.”

“Well I'd rather not go to Azkaban. Is there no other way to help?”

“I'm afraid not. I will be right there with you being a retired auror does have its benefits, we can simply apparate right to her. I've escorted Ministers. professors. and many others to that blasted place. Never a student, I'll admit, but I will keep you safe.”

“Very well. Let’s go.”’

“Steady yourself. We'll Apparate together. Don't worry, l've never splinched anyone”

Edwart heard a snap and felt an unsettling change of air which made him nauseous.

“Shit.” He thought “I'm going to barf. Apparating is rough.”

Before he understood what has happened around him he heard a scream: “Expecto Patronum” A beautiful bunny made out of light came out of Madam Thistlewood's wand and busted through the dementors as she spoke again.

“That ought to keep them at bay for now. Though, be aware - you may feel a wave of despair. It will pass. This really is a dismal place. But we'll be out of here soon enough Now, follow me.”

“No one at school's going to believe this…”

Edwart thought while taking in the awfully cold surroundings of Azkaban. Somehow he did manage to drag the information about the cave from Anne even though her mental state was up to question especially after she attacked Madam Thistlewood without using any weapon. Edwart didn't know what had just happened. He was left in Upper hogsfield in pursuit of that cave.

Finally after all that time. Edwart found Richard Jackdaw who promised to help him as he most likely dropped the pages in the forbidden forest.

Edwart finally sat on the grass taking a breather for a second. He took out his pocket watch and noticed it was time he should head back to the castle but he had to get those pages back…

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

Sebastian and Ominis were in the great hall eating breakfast. Edwart was supposed to meet them yesterday at the dinner but when he never showed up, Sebastian felt uneasy.

Finally Edwart stumbled in for breakfast. He had enormous bags under his eyes and he was looking paler than usual.

“Merlin what happened to you?” Sebastian bewilderedly asked “You look like you haven't slept in a week.”

Edwar took a seat next to Ominis and groaned a bit. “Very funny. I’ve had the worst night of my life.” He said, grabbing a toast and basically devouring it.

“We thought we were going to see you at dinner yesterday. What happened?” Sebastian asked curiously.

Edwart swallowed quickly and responded “That was a plan. But I had to get those missing pages I was talking about. Turned out. Out of all the places it was in the forbidden forest.”

Sebastian choked on his pumpkin pastry.

“Merlin are you alright?” Ominis asked with a hint of shock in his voice.

“Who are you asking me or Edwart?” Sebastian asked with laughter

“Both. Are you both okay?” Ominis replied with a small grin.

“Anyway I got caught sneaking back in got in big trouble with one of the Professors..." Edwart decided it was for the best that nobody knew he visited Azkaban. "...and since Fig is not here-”

Just then the Owl’s started flying about delivering mail which interrupted Edwart's story. Sebastian got a letter from Anne. He smiled when it landed in his hands.

Just when they thought the owl storm had come to an end. Edwart’s owl Barney dropped a letter onto his lap. He picked the letter up from his lap with a tense grimace.

“What is it, who's sending you letters?” Sebastian asked curiously.

“I-” Edwart stumbled upon his words as he flipped the letter. “Shit, that's not good…I have to go. I- I have that flying class anyway.” With that Edwart ran out of the great hall at the speed of light.

Sebastian signed heavily “I wish he would be more open with us.”

“Give it time Sebastian.” Ominis replied flatly.

- - - - - - - - - Author's notes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

<Part 4 /// Part 6>

MASTERLIST

Thank you for reading part 5. Sorry this one a bit short;/ ."I'd rather NOT go to azkaban" haha same Edwart same. Azkaban time for all my hufflepuff babies. Wonder what's that letter Edwart got...? Small disclamer: I made the photos look darker so they fit the Azkaban's ambience. Hope you enjoyed it. More to come soon.

[astral-athame]

((Life for me has pretty much been: Wake up at 8am. Desperately try to get more sleep until 9 (usually I doze off for, like, 2 or 3 minutes at a time and that's it). Get ready for work. Leave between 9:30 and 9:45. Work from 10-1:30-ish (it's supposed to be until 1:15 but I'm never out of there on time). Get home around 1:45. Leave for work part 2 around 2:30. That goes from at least 3-7, usually closer to 7:20 when I finally leave (sometimes stay until 8 or 9). Get home between 7:30 and 7:45. Make a quick dinner, shower, etc. Around 8:30, watch Ba.tt.le.st.ar Gal.act.ica with a couple of friends (if things work out, this couple may eventually be more than just my friends, but we'll see how that goes ^^;) until about 10:30, then chat with them for a bit after that, usually until almost 11. Bedtime routine (wash face, brush teeth, etc etc). Then stare at drafts until midnight when I realize I need to get to bed because I know I'll be up earlier than I need to be. Then the weekends have consisted a lot of babysitting, running errands, and trying to finish unpacking here and there because it's been 4 months and finding time to unpack has been a pain in the ass with everything that's constantly going on. Also, I spent 3 hours on Saturday putting together a kitchen cabinet- thankfully we have extra screwdrivers because the phillip's-head screwdriver they included was such bad quality that it was messed up and unusable less than half an hour in because the metal of it was so soft -_-

ANYWAY- Work both shifts the rest of the week (except Friday, but only because I don't have to do the second shift, still have the first). Saturday we're going out for my dad's birthday (which was actually last week, but we couldn't make things work for going out last weekend like we'd wanted to). Saturday night is also game night, as usual. Then Sunday I *should* have some free time, but I also desperately need to get some cleaning done that's being semi-neglected throughout the week. So what I'm saying is Sundays are chore days.

If things go well, I should, soon, only be working the first shift in another week or two (with the second shift just being Fridays and when absolutely needed)? Right now both my sister and I are stuck doing the second shift every night (and have been since before mid-winter break last month) because the custodial staff is down two people (one girl broke her leg and has been out since October, I think? And the other has been on temporary (paid) probation since early February while they consider whether or not to fire him and go through all the legal jargon of all of that). But they should be coming to a decision about that soon, I would hope, which would mean that if he gets to come back, then we won't be working nights unless someone calls out. And if he doesn't come back, then they should be hiring someone to fill his place so we'll just have to wait until someone snags the job (hopefully, in that case, they'll offer it to my sister first because usually they try to offer it to substitutes and she really wants it, but we'll see). They're also slowly running out of budget for substitutes, so, that's something to consider, too.

ANYWAY- TL;DR: I've basically had no writing time / personal time and that's why I've not been around. Hopefully work stuff will calm down soon because leaving the house around 9:30am and not really getting to be home until usually after 7:30pm (sometimes 8:30pm or 9:30pm) has been exhausting ^^;

I'll try to be around on Sunday (probably focus on Rogue's blog because I've been writing the fic in my head at work most nights so I have a lot of muse for her AND her blog has been sorely neglected for at least a few months now WHICH MAKES ME SO MAD AT MYSELF). If I can even get one or two asks done, then I'll consider that an accomplishment at this point!

I'm so sorry about the long absence. I'm sorry to everyone for neglecting replies. I'm sorry to everyone I was writing with and haven't had the time / social and physical energy / emotional capacity to reach back out to in a while. That's on me. I dropped the ball on that. I've never been good at ooc communication anyway, tbh. I was really hoping things would be a little bit calmer after I moved, but instead they went in exactly the opposite direction and haven't really slowed down any since November. In fact, they've just gotten more hectic over the last few months ^^;

I adore you all so much and I really do hope that I can get back to writing soon. I've been missing it (and all of you) terribly.

Take care and I'll try to be around soon <3))

[cocrante]

I Start Over With You

[SOLANGELO FANFIC]

summary: After the great battle against the forces of Gaea, Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter had formed a long-lasting alliance. Everything had gone well, and everyone was ready to start anew. This included Nico, who, after confessing his feelings to Percy, was prepared to open a new chapter in his life—perhaps the happiest one the Fates had ever written.

note: the chapters will be updated every Wednesday. If you want to read upcoming chapters of the fanfiction in advance, I invite you to follow me on Patreon. Subscribing is not necessary, these chapters will be added for free on the platform on Mondays and Fridays. Following me there is just a kind and free gesture to support my work c:

Reblogs are highly appreciated c:

[CHAPTER 10]

THE TWO DEMIGODS BID FAREWELL before returning to their respective cabins. Even though Nico intended to go out again for some more exercise before lunch.

Nico hoped to find Jason at the climbing wall, convinced that he would request an infinite rematch just to beat Jackson at least once. Upon arrival, he could confirm that his assumptions were correct. As he had imagined, he found the two boys challenging each other once again. Percy was ahead by more than a meter, while Jason was forced to remain immobile, risking – if he moved an inch – to singe the hairs on his arms. The son of Hades almost pitied him. He could easily use his powers over the air and push himself to the top without any difficulty.

"Decided to put down roots?" Percy shouted at him.

"Think for yourself, Jackson!" Jason replied, actually hesitating to move. The son of Jupiter huffed, letting himself fall, and as if made of air, he returned to the ground, noticing only at that moment who was present. "Hey!" greeted the son of Jupiter, surprised to see him. Nico responded with a nod, staring at Percy, who was about to reach the top. "What's the score?" Nico asked, injecting a hint of curiosity and sarcasm into the question. Jason remained silent, he didn't even know how many times Percy had beaten him. "Who cares!" the boy exclaimed. "Tomorrow, I'll manage to beat him" he said confidently, though it seemed like he was trying to convince himself more than Nico, who nodded out of sympathy.

A little later, the son of Poseidon descended from the wall, pushing back the hair sticking to his forehead. "For all the gods, Grace!" he exclaimed, slowly catching his breath. "I beat you again" he laughed between one sigh and another. "Hey, Nico!" he greeted, noticing him only then. "Didn't see you. When did you arrive?" he asked, stretching an arm that had become sore.

"A while ago" Nico replied.

"Do you feel like showing Grace how to overcome the wall?" he asked, leaning on Jason's shoulder, who gave him a sideways glance. Nico tried to stifle a laugh. "I'm not in the mood," he admitted. "Maybe tomorrow" he suggested, getting a nod of agreement from Percy. "I'm in!" exclaimed the son of Poseidon.

"Assuming I don't win" Jason said challengingly, removing Percy's hand from his shoulder.

"We'll see" Percy chuckled.

"This might be the time" the son of Jupiter scowled.

Between one chat and another, the conch shell sounded, drawing the attention of the demigods to head towards the dining area. The three didn't even have time to take a shower.

As that morning, the table of cabin number 13 was occupied—Annabeth and Piper were already seated, engaged in what seemed to be a very interesting conversation. However, as soon as they saw the three approaching, they immediately stopped.

Percy approached his girlfriend, giving her a kiss and sitting next to her, holding her hand. "He accepted" updated the daughter of Athena.

"Yeah, he told me" Nico replied, taking a seat on the bench. "But it still seems like stupid" he sighed, not understanding the need to bring him along.

"Well" Piper cleared her throat. "Who won today?" she asked, changing the subject.

"I did" Percy gloated, with the son of Jupiter giving him a skeptical look.

"Tomorrow, you won't be smiling!" Jason warned, getting only a compassionate nod from Percy and Piper.

The four friends talked animatedly, trying to involve Nico in the conversation, who responded only with monosyllabic answers. He was too absorbed in staring at table number 7, thinking about the morning just passed and reflecting on what the boy under the tree had told him. It was nice of him to say it, he was pretty sure he meant it, but what eluded him was why he had told him. Nico was so lost in his thoughts that he completely withdrew from the conversation, not even hearing Percy's question. "Hey, Nico" Percy called him for the second time.

"What?" he asked, returning to the real world.

"We were asking if you're joining me and Jason at the arena tomorrow" Percy asked, hoping for an affirmative answer. Nico stared at him for a moment, then said, "No" dryly, returning to focus on his plate.

"Why?" Percy asked, not wanting to drop the subject.

"Because I have things to do" he sighed, trying to appear less annoyed than he seemed. "And then, I have to meet with Will" he added, knowing they would continue to pester him. As a response, he only received quick glances from his friends, convinced that they were already building sandcastles in their minds. "He wants to learn how to fight" he explained further, rolling his eyes.

"And he asked you" said Annabeth, arousing some curiosity in Nico.

"Yes."

"Isn't it obvious?" Annabeth asked, unable to avoid a sweet laugh.

"What?" he looked at the girl perplexed.

"He wants to spend time with you" Piper intervened, finding it a very sweet thing. The boy looked first at one and then the other, his ears began to turn red from embarrassment due to that conversation.

"You should ask him" Annabeth suggested. Nico sought support from Jason, who instead of taking his side, nodded to what the daughter of Athena was saying.

"What should I ask him?" Nico asked, trying to maintain control over himself. "Why he likes being with you" Piper smiled.

"Okay, that's enough" Nico burst out, taking a long sigh. "I've already told you, we're just friends. There are no other reason, okay?" he tried to keep a calm tone, but he imagined he was betrayed by his gaze. "Don't get strange ideas in your heads" he added, lowering his gaze to the plate that suddenly wasn't so appetizing. Even though a small fantasy was growing inside him, but that's all it was: a fantasy, and all the chatter and encouragement from his friends served only to fuel it. Nico didn't want any kind of hope to take root in a corner of his mind—things were fine as they were. They were genuinely fine.

"You should still ask him" Annabeth insisted, not willing to wave the white flag. Nico looked into her stormy gray eyes, sure that they were already planning something.

"I'll ask him" he appeased her. "At least this way you'll be quiet" he mumbled, playing with the chicken thigh on the plate.

Later, the boys got up from the table, and the son of Hades went back to his cabin to rid himself of the sweat he had accumulated. During the walk, he found himself thinking about what Annabeth had told him; she wasn't entirely wrong. In fact, he didn't know why Will was always around him, not that he minded having him nearby. Upon entering the cabin, he headed straight to the bathroom, turning on the showerhead, distracting himself from those thoughts that had arisen at the table.

Ten minutes later, he emerged from the cabin with his hair still slightly damp, heading towards the infirmary, where he had promised to return to help with the vials and put an end to all those silly questions from his friends. In the infirmary, Will wasn't there, instead, other children of Apollo were checking on some demigods who had been roughed up during the festivities by some children of Ares. "Do you need something?" a voice asked, drawing Nico's attention. The boy in question resembled Will a lot, as most children of Apollo looked alike. He had the same features, yet he lacked that sparkle Nico saw every time he looked into Will's eyes. The son of Hades shook his head. "No, I was waiting for Solac— I mean Will" Nico mumbled, getting only a nod from the boy. "He'll be here in a moment" he said, briefly sizing Nico up from head to toe. "Make yourself comfortable" he indicated a chair, then went back to his work. Nico sat down, playing with his ring and swinging his feet, still reflecting on the conversation he had just had with Annabeth.

In a way, Nico also enjoyed being in Will's company, but that was because the boy had the strange ability to make him feel immediately better. In a broader sense, he could warm him up just by looking at him. Nico didn't realize that he was smiling at that thought.

"Here I am!" exclaimed a voice from the entrance. "Have you been here long?" Will asked, pushing a strand of hair behind his ear.

"No" Nico replied, getting up from the chair.

"Good" Will smiled. "Shall we pick up where we left off yesterday?" the son of Apollo asked, heading towards the small table and bringing out the boxes they had stored. Nico helped, bringing one out as well. Together they got back to work, one filtering liquids of bizarre colors, and the other labeling the vials. Occasionally, they would look at each other without saying anything. Nico wondered if Will was thinking about what he had told him under the tree.

"What did your siblings say when they saw you with a sword?" he asked, keeping his eyes fixed on the vial.

"They called me crazy" he chuckled.

"Maybe because you are" the boy replied.

"How kind!" Will put on a fake pout, bursting into laughter a moment later.

Again, silence fell between the two. Nico was thinking about Annabeth's question; on one hand, he also wanted to ask him, as he was curious too. "Solace" he called after a while, needing to ask him. "Why did you agree to participate in the games?" but it wasn't the question Annabeth had asked him to ask. Will pursed his lips. "I thought it needed to be done" he explained. "At least once" he added, even though it wasn't entirely the truth. "Why did you agree?" he asked, thinking that Nico wanted to stay on the sidelines rather than participate. Nico shrugged. "Annabeth is good at persuading" he said, although there was more to it, but Will didn't need to know everything. The son of Apollo nodded, having to agree with Nico—it was difficult to say no to Annabeth.

[CONTENTS]

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20

[devilofthehounds]

God Eater 3 Character Novel | In the Name of the White Flower: Chapter 5

[image id: A novel cover. Hilda Henriquez from God Eater 3 stands in the foreground. In the background are profile shots of Abraham Gadolin (top left) and Werner Gadolin (bottom right). Separating the two are a pair of red armlets, streaks of dried blood overlaid on top of them. The text, when translated into English, reads, “God Eater 3 Character Novel | Chapter 5: Hilda Edition | In the Name of the White Flower”. /end id]

This is a fan translation. Original text here.

Masterpost 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

We barely escaped the satellite base with our lives. Soon enough, we were found by a Gleipnir transport and taken to safety.

Thankfully, Ricardo survived as well, receiving treatment on the transport.

However, we were unable to return to Fenrir HQ immediately.

A mysterious phenomenon that could consume all forms of matter, believed to be occurring simultaneously in various locations across the region.

Continuing to spread rapidly even now, it had swallowed up Fenrir HQ in the blink of an eye. The condition of the residents and God Eaters therein were unknown.

The surviving God Eaters somehow managed to find some survivors and regroup, but it seemed no one had an accurate grasp on the situation.

We were taken to a frontline base that had been designated as a temporary rendezvous point for those who had managed to escape. We disembarked, the carnage at the satellite base playing on repeat in our minds.

"Father!"

"Werner, Hilda... I'm glad you're safe."

Commander Gadolin, taking temporary command in this time of crisis, placed his hands on our shoulders.

"...Werner, stay with Hilda for the time being."

The commander wasted no words as he took in the sight of our bloodstained clothes.

Werner nodded, but I felt strangely clear-headed.

"I'm fine. Werner, you're needed elsewhere. Please, do what you can."

"But..."

"Don't worry about me. I'll find some way to help as well."

Werner looked back at me one last time, then nodded and returned to his unit with the commander.

"...Iris."

I pushed my way through the crowd, many of whom were disheartened and confused, as I searched for the children.

Did everyone at the orphanage escape safely?

If I were to lose them as well...

Memories of the smiles of everyone who supported my dream filled my mind.

Slowly, they were being painted over with vivid memories of blood and flames.

The longer I searched, the less I was able to suppress my fears. A wave of nausea rolled over me.

Please... Please...

"...Big Sis Hilda?"

I looked up at the faint sound of her voice calling out to me.

Just ahead was Iris, her eyes wide.

She was holding hands with the sketchbook girl from before and staring at me.

"Big sis... Big sis!"

As soon as she ran to me, I held her tight, clinging to hope. I couldn't hold back my tears.

"Iris! Thank goodness... I'm so glad...!"

"Me, too! Everyone from the orphanage is fine! We're all alive! I'm so glad you're okay, big sis...!"

We cried together, relieved we'd survived and found each other.

The girl holding Iris's hand smiled at the sight of us, seemingly relieved as well.

"I'm glad you're safe, too... Have you been able to make friends with everyone?"

"I've been helping her practice talking to everyone! I'm sure she'll introduce herself when she feels better, so we'll have a fun chat then, promise!"

The girl, blushing, nodded enthusiastically. She clung to Iris as if the other girl were her own big sister.

Seeing the two of them filled my heart with hope.

Iris led me to a makeshift tent set up in the base, where we were able to reunite with everyone from the facility.

"Big Sis Hilda, is Uncle Werner...?"

"He's alright. Right now, he's going around helping everyone. We'll see him again soon."

The news brought smiles to the children's faces, blossoming like flowers.

Hope was still alive.

With that, we could walk ahead into the future—or so I wanted to believe.

A mass of ash, devouring everything it came into contact with.

This phenomenon, swallowing up countless lives, became known throughout northern Europe as "The Calamity", the moniker spreading like wildfire amongst the survivors.

"A large-scale area created by the Calamity... For the time being, we will refer to these areas as 'The Ashlands'."

A majority of Fenrir's top personnel had been swallowed up by the Ashlands that emerged at HQ, their whereabouts unknown.

With Abraham Gadolin serving as governor-general, Gleipnir was reorganized. Conferences were held day and night to address the threat of the Ashlands, though no solution had been discovered thus far.

Werner and I attended the conferences as well, as we were researchers who had survived the chaos immediately following the outbreak of the Ashlands.

The top priority currently being discussed was securing safe places for the survivors to live.

It was deemed urgent that the next generation of satellite bases be built to maintain their functions even should they be swallowed up by the Ashlands.

As soon as that was established, attention immediately turned to the research being conducted by me and Werner—expanding living space underground, unaffected by the Ashlands.

"With the cooperation of House Victorious, we have already begun selecting a site and preparing for construction. Werner, Hilda, if you are asked about your opinion regarding the matter, do not hesitate to give it.

Both Werner and I could only nod silently.

In the blink of an eye, the utopia we had envisioned was taken from our hands, and development was to be carried out under Gleipnir's jurisdiction.

Thinking about it logically, I understood it couldn't be helped. And yet, it was frustrating to watch as our dream became distorted.

"Next, a report on the results of the investigation into the Ashlands."

"Yes. Thus far, we know that the Ashlands are composed of microscopic viral structures."

"Oracle Cells... So, the Ashlands are made up of microscopic Aragami?"

"It's impossible to say for sure. Their eating habits are too diverse, and there are many data points that don't match up with previously observed characteristics..."

"But God Arcs and anti-Aragami armored walls maintain their functions even after being swallowed up by the Ashlands! Could we consider this a new type of Aragami?"

Experts in various fields engaged in heated debate, grasping at straws for clues.

A realm where even God Eaters lost their lives in a matter of minutes.

Already, the infrastructure of northern Europe had been decimated and cut off by the Ashlands.

Even those of us who survived felt as though we were surrounded on all sides by approaching walls of death.

We knew that if a solution wasn't found quickly, people would begin to reach their limit.

"If the Ashlands are Aragami... would it be possible for Odin to devour them?"

Governor-General Gadolin's unexpected words brought silence to the conference hall.

Odin, the anti-Aragami weapon. An enormous, humanoid God Arc that was being researched underground at Fenrir HQ.

If it could be completed—

"Wait, Father. There are still many issues that need to be resolved before Odin can become operational. It's completely unrealistic to consider it when we can't even reach HQ!"

A majority of those present agreed with Werner's words.

However, even as he nodded in response to Werner's words, the governor-general stared intently into space, as if he were seeing something the rest of us couldn't.

"In any event, even with the completion of the underground bases, the survivors will be critically short on supplies! Most locations stocked with supplies, including Fenrir HQ, have been swallowed up by the Ashlands!"

As the debate drew on with no answers, what we needed to do slowly became clear.

"Our number one priority is finding a way to retrieve supplies from within the Ashlands! If we can't do that... we will perish!"

Everyone fell silent in the face of our unshakable, hopeless reality.

"But there are reports of unidentified powerful Oracle readings being observed within the Ashlands! Just what can we do...?"

As everyone's spirits sank further, suddenly—

"Why not just develop a solution? An evolved God Eater, resistant to the Ashlands."

In the heavy silence, the first to speak was a man wearing a flashy scarf.

Next to me, Werner immediately stood up.

"Doctor Inukai. You talk of evolution, but do you truly understand the amount of sacrifice that would entail?"

"Of course I do. Are you objecting out of fear of sacrifice? I'm certain everyone else has realized this is the only feasible solution."

Evolution, in order to adapt to the Ashlands.

As he said, it seemed everyone agreed it was the only option.

However, without exception, those gathered in the room knew the cost of such words was too great to bear.

It was understood that this road would be one paved with blood.

"...Father."

Everyone found their gazes shifting toward Governor-General Gadolin.

There was a long, heavy silence. As he bowed his head, I could sense the immense pressure he now bore.

"...It cannot be helped."

Eventually, he broke the silence with those terse words.

The governor-general slowly rose to his feet.

"We will continue to consider all possibilities and countermeasures. However, effective immediately, we must develop a God Eater suited for operation within the Ashlands! A new blade that will cut a path to save humanity!"

With that, the governor-general concluded the conference.

After the conference, I said goodbye to Werner, who was going out on patrol, and decided to check in on Ricardo.

He'd been in a coma this whole time.

I drew back the curtain in the infirmary. However—

"Huh..?"

Ricardo wasn't there.

All that remained was a bed, dutifully and meticulously made.

"What... Where could he have gone with those wounds?!"

It seemed the doctors had only become aware of his absence when I informed them.

I rushed outside in a panic. No matter how hard I looked, though, I couldn't find him.

If he had gone missing in a situation like this, there was no way we'd be able to find him.

"Huh? Big Sis Hilda?"

At that moment, Iris happened to be passing by with the children from the facility.

Iris and the others had been trying to help however they could, offering words of encouragement to those who were injured.

"Iris, have you seen a man with bandages on his right arm? He was staying here in the infirmary."

"Huh? ...Sorry, there are so many people here..."

It felt as if something important had slipped out of my grasp.

As if to fill this sense of loss, I gently brushed back Iris's hair.

Where on earth was I going?

Without regular contact with the children, it was becoming increasingly difficult to remember.

[mallmarrdlc]

Cassandra and Varian appeared in one of the vampire crypts in the graveyard. Cassandra didn't want to show Varian where she and Elsa were actually hiding, and she knew that the boy wouldn't be able to recognise the place based on the urn and portraits only.

At the same time, she was happy that her teleportation ability was becoming more and more accurate and she was actually able to get to the places she wanted to get to and not nearby.

'What is this place?' Varian looked around, feeling very uneasy.

'Somewhere where no one will find you.' Cassandra smirked.

'What are you planning to do?'

'To start with, we'll have a little chat. A little catch-up, one could say.' Cassandra crossed her arms. 'And after that, we'll see.'

'What do you want from me?' Varian seemed to be getting increasingly more desperate.

'You'll tell me everything you know about Rapunzel's plans. What they know, what they are doing, what they are going to do.'

'No, never. I will not betray her like that.'

'Oh, yes, you will. Whether you like it or not.' Cassandra smirked in her usual way which made Varian shiver.

'Cassandra, you're angry, I get it. I know what that's like. But you're making a mistake.' Varian tried to resonate with the woman. 'This path you're on is a very dangerous one. The further you go, the more difficult it will be to break free. I know that maybe at the moment it feels right but soon it'll all turn dark and hopeless. With each day you'll get further and further away from the light. You'll lose your friends who are still hoping to help you. You'll lose your head in this crazy game. And you'll lose your true self.'

'Oh, stop whining, Varian.' Cassandra rolled her eyes.

'No, Cassie, listen to me! I know what it's like! I've been there! At some point, there's no going back! You don't know what you are dealing with. Rapunzel and I talked. Elsa is very dangerous. She's using you! You'll lose everything being with her!'

'Thank you very much for your concern, Varian.' Cassandra crossed her arms. 'I know very well what I am doing. I chose this path that I am on. I know where it ends and it's where I am yearning to go! Soon enough, I will be standing by the most powerful witch in history! And everyone who has ever wronged me will be punished!'

'Cassandra, listen to yourself! Don't do this! There's still time to turn back! Cassandra I know wouldn't do any of this. She would never become the villain!'

'Is that really who you think I am?' Cassandra arched an eyebrow, amused. 'Despise me if you want. That's fine. I don't care about friendships anymore. I am done being on the sidelines. All I want is power! And I'm taking what's mine! My mother was also a powerful witch! We have the same father! Why should Rapunzel be the only one admired for her powers?! Now I have that. And I will top that!'

'Cass-'

'You weren't strong enough to finish what you started. Twice! You came crawling back, begging for forgiveness. I'm nothing like you! I will see my plan through! I got a once-in-a-lifetime offer and I will not refuse it! Instead, I chose to lose all my weaknesses and my doubts. And all my chains! Finally, for the first time in my life, I am on the right track! I have nothing left to lose!'

'You have so much to hold on to!' Varian begged. 'All's not lost! Don't be so blind!'

'In my head, I already won, Varian! I'm not gonna lose. There's nothing left to lose!'

'Cassandra, please!'

'Enough, Varian! I am done with this conversation!'

[pokemoncenterofficial]

had a wonderful chat with connie, a floaroman native, an employee at the pick a peck of petals flower shop, and the only person i've ever seen chug a hot cocoa in the MIDDLE OF SUMMER.

[an audio file is attached! at first, we only hear the sounds in the background. the soft music, clinking plates, people and pokémon talking, and hot liquids being poured indicate that the recording takes place inside a café.

Theo: "Hey! Thanks so much for agreeing to meet here to talk! Would it be okay if I recorded the conversation? I want to help anyone else that might be out there in a situation like me, so it'd be great to have a primary source like this."

???: "Oh, sure, that's fine!"

celeste the cleffa cries in greeting, along with a pachirisu.

Theo: "Okay, thanks so much! First things first, would you mind introducing yourself for the recording?"

???: "Of course! I'm Connie, and I work at the Pick a Peck of Petals Flower Shop in town. I understand you came into possession of a... Shaymin egg?"

Theo: "Yeah, that seems to be the case. I've had it for a few weeks, and it's perfectly healthy, but I don't think it's going to hatch for a while. Probably because Shaymin is a Mythical Pokémon and all.

Alright, it seems like Shaymin is pretty closely related to the Gracidea flower, right?"

Connie: "Yep! Legends say that Shaymin can use the Gracidea flower to undergo a sort of transformation."

Theo: "It's closer to something like Cherrim's different forms than something like Mega Evolution, right?"

Connie: "I believe so, yeah! Gracidea flowers are commonly given as a way to show gratitude or apologize after a fight. It's a Sinnohnan tradition, we've been doing it since... well, forever, I guess."

Theo: "Is Gracidea grown all over Sinnoh?"

Connie: "Oh, no. Just in Floaroma Town, actually! It's a very fussy plant, and the rich soils of the town are the only place it can grow. Well, one of very few, I guess."

Theo: "Oh, ok! You said it grows in a few places, where else could I find it?"

Connie: "Well, we don't actually know! The plant isn't native to Floaroma town, but where the flower actually comes from is a bit of a mystery. The most widely accepted theory is that it came here with Shaymin when the area was first blessed with its power. It DOES grow flowers on its back, maybe a seed or two fell off?"

Theo: "That makes a lot of sense, thank you! Has a Shaymin ever visited Floaroma Town since?"

Connie: "Yes, actually! Around every decade or so, we'll get a Shaymin visit. Ask anyone old enough to remember, and they'll tell you all about it!"

Theo: "Have YOU seen Shaymin, then?"

Connie: "Aaagh, no! Last time a Shaymin visited, I was out of town on vacation, so I'm one of the unlucky few who's never seen it in person. I think someone uploaded a video of it to MewTube, though. I'll send it to you if I can unearth it."

Theo: "Dang, that sounds super frustrating. A mythical Pokémon visits your town and you're on vacation? Do you think you'll get to see it next time it visits, at least?"

Connie: "Yeah! Speaking of, I think it's going to visit pretty soon! They're all very strict with the every-decade thing. The next visit should be this year, actually! That's what you're hoping for, right? So you can return the egg?"

Theo: "If I can find a Shaymin, that's the plan. I'm terrified of what might happen if it hatches first. I'm definitely not qualified to take care of it, and I doubt it would be able to live in the wild if it was raised in captivity."

Connie: "It might be worth picking up some Gracidea while you're here, then. Maybe it'll resonate with the egg? Ooh, what if it transforms? That'd be a sight to see."

Theo: "I'll have to swing by your shop later and pick some up! Alright, I think that's everything we need. Thanks so much for your time!

Connie: "Hey, anytime! It was fun!"

celeste and connie's pachirisu say a quick goodbye to the camera before the recording cuts out.]

[c-u-c-koo-4-40k]

Like honestly!

I can see this happening.

Just imagine there's a celebration of the planet deciding to Willingly comply with the Imperium.

No bloodshed. No needless loss of life. The Imperium had maybe one show of strength and they were like...

Yeah yeah we don't want the smoke. We'll join.

So Horus, Warmaster he may be at this point or not, is actually riding pretty high. Like yeah he's technically Designed to be a general. But he's still Human at his core. He prefers the diplomatic route when he can get it. Charismatic as always he's enjoying the party and tossing back alcohol (it doesn't affect him That much but maybe he gets a little buzzed.)

Not enough to make him act out mind you. But enough that when he sees politician reader across the room at this celebratory Gala/Feast he's intrigued.

He asks about you, and finds that it was partially your skills in statesmanship that led this planet to choose a peaceful integration over a drawn out battle (it wasn't all You, you were just in the political group that saw the writing on the wall and wanted to prevent lose of life.)

But that matters little to Horus, who decides to chat you up after that brief introduction. Even offering his congratulations on you "Serving your planet so well.' and "Ensuring a bright future for it within the Imperium."

You blush, but simply reply that you'd done what any other sensible leader would do. And you even compliment back to Horus for being understanding and allowing your planet time to deliberate the offer.

Had he come in huffing and puffing rather than using his charisma (with a subtle amount of threat), you'd wager the hotter heads in your contention might have won out.

And Horus, is actually Very flattered. He appreciates being seen as more than a war machine on such a personable level.

The part goes on. More discussion is had. You even Dance and MY Emperor, it feels like a dream!

After the stress of everything being able to let go and even recieving attention from such a handsome, powerful, yet gentle and tender man. The alcohol is Definitely not the only reason you're blushing.

He holds you close and in the heat of the moment you steal away to have a Very special night together. Le Wink!

Everybody was pretty drunk at that time so nobody really noticed.

The next morning saw you both pulled away by your respective duties. And as much as he desperately wanted to, Horus was not given the time nor permission to formulate a method to steal you away.

He didn't act soon enough. And though he went on his crusade he Bitterly regretted it.

Until a chance meeting less than 9 months later. When you and a delegation visit Holy Terra for some political conference or some such thing.

He sees you, not just as beautiful as the morning you had to part but Even More So. Because you are Glowing with pregnancy (at least Horus thinks so, Primarch baby sounds like it would be a difficult carry to term).

At first he's worried, until he does the mental math and oh....Oh...could it be?

That he... and you....

Oh Great Terra and the entire Sol system he Hopes it's true.

That you. The person who made him feel more human, more like a man than he did in so long, could be carrying a perfect mix of the two of you.

A whole new being.

A tether that irrevocably binds the two of you. So that you may never leave him again.

Horus can barely think straight, but he hides the thrumming excitement well as he seeks you out again. He wants to be Sure that he has this connection to you.

If the child is somehow not his. He'll be a Bit disappointed. But he left you! So of course you'd seek to fill the gap you'd thought he'd left and wouldn't return to fill.

He'll be more than just the father of your child, he'll be the father that stepped Up if need be! And then he can give his little step child even More brothers and sisters!

The thought makes him tremble with delight. Remembering your evening together. The way he'd held you and the ecstasy and comfort you'd given eachother.

He'd let you slip away once. No! He'd been Forced to move on without you. Without the new life he'd had no idea was growing inside you. His love...his First Child...

He won't be letting either of you slip away. Ever again.

So saith the Warmaster of Terra.

not so much request but an idea i had to share with someone cos its been gnawing at my brain -- being a politician for some new planet brought into compliance and having a ons with the primarch who guided it (coughHoruscoughcough) during the celebrations.

And then imagine his surprise some months later when he sees them in a delegation to Terra, notably pregnant and no known father from what he can gather. wonder who it could be big guy 🤔

ooooo interesting~ I'm not a one night stand person but i could see some of the girlies really liking this one XD

Horus' neurons would active instantly upon seeing them, like it's game over.