#i imagine he's a university student studying......? i haven't decided yet

[prophetictattoo]

week of outfits

[toruro]

— ✧ 00:00

an alternate ending to isohel

pairing. hong joshua x reader

description. your time with each other is up, but still, you learn to live.

genre. angst

w/c. 850+

a/n. have been feeling out of practice and decided 2 share an alternate ending for isohel 4 some fun ^^ not sure how much sense this will make if u haven't already read isohel since this takes place after the major events of the story, so i highly recommend reading that first!

One year since he's heard your voice yet Joshua still hears you in the walls of the castle. When he opens the door to his study, your soft footsteps and quiet breaths melt into the background.

It calms him down more often than not, but sometimes it makes him cry. He dreams that you'll wipe his tears just as you did hundreds of nights before, but Joshua knows in his bones that he'll just have to pick himself up this time.

Some nights you cry too. You hold that silk ribbon to your nose and you imagine that Joshua is right there, right in the palm of your hand. You know he’s not, and you know he never will be—not again.

...

Three years since you’ve looked Joshua in the eye and finally, you’re graduating. A grand occasion for the kingdom given Hong University is meant for the finest of students; Joshua is sent to give a speech to the graduating class.

He stands on the same stage that you walked down a mere hour ago, looking down upon the rows of students. You sit among them, wondering if he can see you.

Joshua wonders too. Amidst the identical caps and gowns, he searches for your face, your eyes, your smile.

When he finds you, it feels like time itself freezes.

There’s a tug at his heart when your eyes finally meet. A wind brushes over him and Joshua imagines that it is the ghost of your lips on his skin instead.

Your heart aches too, but then there’s a revel of cheers and everyone is throwing their caps into the air and of course, you do the same.

Joshua loses your smile in the scene, and for a moment he wants to sob. He wants to let his knees buckle and fall to the ground, heaving in heavy breaths as thick tears pool in his lash line.

He looks up into the sky, and it’s painted with purple caps, and through the dots peaks the light of the sun.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Joshua knows that you’re looking at the same sun, and the thought makes him smile.

...

Five years since you’ve spoken to each other and Joshua’s chest no longer aches. He’s King now, if that ever meant anything to him in the first place, but as he works through the title, he realizes that things aren’t too bad.

Some days Joshua walks through Sol Invictus. He glances over Helios’ pegasi, and for a gracing moment, he thinks you would have loved them.

Joshua misses you like one misses the sun on a cloudy day. You're always there, always hidden behind something, but he knows. He knows you're always there.

You own a plant shop now, and you love it.

Some days you simply walk through the rows of greenery and color, breathing in the crisp air of dawn and dew. You look at the hyacinth that sits on your little head table, the silk ribbon that was gifted to you years ago tied around the pot, and you smile.

Smiling is easier now.

...

Ten years since you’ve set foot in the castle and some days you think of each other, some days you don't, but no matter what, you don’t forget. You two can’t ever forget.

You hear Joshua’s laugh. Not often, but sometimes you can catch hold of the beautiful sound when you walk to work some mornings. It makes your heart swell.

Joshua still hears you. He hears your voice in Sol Invictus on those cool mornings when he walks past the rows of hyacinths. The breeze whistles through the petals and stems, and he hears you amidst the sound. It’s comforting now.

...

Fifteen years and you’re married now. Jeonghan loves you, and you love him. He helps run your shop and take care of the hyacinths in the home you share.

You live in a small house in the middle of the city, no longer teetering at the edge of the kingdom like you once did. You've got a garden in the back and pretty flowers and shrubbery that decorate the front, and sitting in the center of the yard is a little pond Jeonghan helped you dig up yourself.

Of course, it isn't as grand as the one in Sol Invictus but still, you think Joshua would love to know that Eridenus has a twin.

Joshua too has a Queen of his own; she’s kind and smart and all things fitting for a woman. She makes him smile and for Joshua, that is more than enough.

Of course he thinks of you. How could he not when your scent still lingers in the paths of Sol Invictus? Still, it’s different now. A good different.

...

Twenty years and all is well. When you look up at the sun, you both know the other is doing just the same.

...

i miss the way you almost held the tide but still, it's nice dreaming that you're somewhere feeling the same heat that i did no fear, no fall if invisible lines lead your way back to me still, i got nothing

(isohel / eden)

✘ taglist. @xenkimmie @lesdevoeux @cheolism @namjoonbaby @listxn @scuzmunkie @ressonancee @binwons @lskjki @h34rts4chira @kazuhateez @imlilstitious @yogurttea @lynnxworld @jeanjacketjesus @meowmeowminnie @soonhoonietrash @caratlove10 ​​@synthetickitsune @ixayjun @leejihoonownsmyheart @dahliatopia @gyuswhore @hoeforcheol @5xiang @hajimelvr @miriamxsworld @blinkjunhui @lixiel0ver @josefines-things @mimisxs @kawennote09 @bbyjjunie @rubyreduji @todorokiskitten @98-0603 @hipsdofangirl @minnie-mouser22 @minhui896 @whippedforjihoon @nishloves @woozarts @ellesmoon @blurryriki @maknae00 @jjjzzzz @peachyaeger @shoulietaro @karina-sakuras @1004luvangel @dollyhaes @gyulune @yunritos (strikethrough could not be tagged)

[octuscle]

Hey there! I work as a therapist and a few of us were starting to think of the clinical applications of chronivac. We were wondering if you wanted to work together to develop some presets that our clients could use to de-stress and take a break from their stressful lives. I know we have one stressed out university student who could benefit from something like this.

At Chronivac, we are always interested in collaborating with research institutions. After all, Chronivac is not used just to have fun. It is already being used for the treatment of various physical illnesses and also for resocialization projects. The use in the psychotherapeutic field would be new, but sounds interesting according to the research and development department. If the student they are talking about is available as a guinea pig, perhaps send us a requirements profile for a transformation. And we'll see what we can do….

Research Diary Timothy Walker

Day One: My psychotherapist tells me that my burn-out syndrome has progressed to the point that continuing my business studies is out of the question at this point. In fact, I am having a hard time concentrating. Writing this report is causing me great difficulty; my attention span is only a few minutes. Therefore, an experimental therapy has been decided with the psychology faculty, which is connected with a semester off for me. Under certain circumstances, the semester can be counted as an internship. Everything is fine with me. I am just tired. The work on the research diary was exhausting for me. I need to lie down.

Second day: I slept very well. No wild nightmares as usual. I woke up briefly once or twice at most, but went right back to sleep. Michael, who is in charge of the project as pysiotherapist, thinks that this would be a good starting point to work on my physical fitness. We both went running for an hour. I'm exhausted, I haven't moved that much since I started studying. But I feel good. Made myself a real breakfast for the first time in months according to my new nutrition plan. I'm supposed to spend the rest of the day walking on the beach. Let's see if that clears my head.

Third day: Before Michael came for the training session, I was already in the gym for an hour. I'm really enjoying the physical activity. The beach walk yesterday was great. And Michael was thrilled to see the progress I'm making in terms of fitness. Had the first session with my creativity coach today. Seems a little silly to me. But imagining what I would be doing if I weren't studying business was fun. But I have to admit, my head isn't really getting creative yet. At least writing the diary is already much easier for me.

Day four: I need new challenges. The beach run with Mike is fun, but it's not a sport. That's warming up. We discussed that I would go running alone for an hour tomorrow and that we would meet in the gym of the therapy center. I'm supposed to come without a T-shirt. Mike wants me to learn to love my body. To be honest, I already do. I've already jerked off twice today. And think about sex a lot more than usual. Mike also comes in the process. My creative trainer is also quite cute, but he's too skinny for me. I like men who have a lot of muscle on them.

Fifth day: Fuck, the workout with Mike is awesome! I love the gym from the first minute. Yes, the beach feels my home. But the gym is the place that prepares me for that home. Working out shirtless makes the workout even more intense. i can't get enough of Mike's and my sweat beading on our pecs. But I'm so horny. All the time. During the creative training with Kev it just bubbled out of me today. I would so love to be a lifeguard. Maybe not all the time. But on vacation. And on the weekends. The idea made me even hornier. Poor Kev. He's not my type, but I had to nail him during practice. No idea when I last had sex. but this first time in a long time was incredibly intense. Thank God Kev felt the same way….

Day six: Today is uh free day at da therapy center. Mike n kev are already down at da beach, I wanted to pump up da muscles beforehand. I'm looking forward to da sea n da sand. Both make my head so free. Although I wouldn't feel like my head wuz overly full right now anyway. Pumping, fucking, jogging n swimming. That's really all I'm thinking about right now. Kevin says that I certainly wouldn't have to worry about da practical entrance exams for lifeguards. But I shouldn't underestimate da theory. Shit, studying sucks. But I guess it haz to be.

Day seven: I like it when I have da early shift. Da routine of opening da station is relaxing, da beach is still quiet, da few guests are usually relaxed n in uh gud mood. Wuz one of da best ideas of my life to take uh semester off n work as uh lifeguard. My pal mikey told me to lay off this crappy journal. Somehow I thought it wuz important until now. I can't remember why, either. Anyway. Da main thing is that da surf is gud. Den you can have some fun with da surfers afta work. Hehehehe…

[faithdragon36]

hand over oc facts please

OC FACTS TIME YIPPEE!!! where to start.. I have so many little guys. Hm. Okay so

Three of my OCs (Diesel, Sunkiss, and Zachary) are in a band together!! The name I haven't decided yet but some of the candidates include Van Go, Lucid Nightmare, the Sun Dogs, and Flourbed. I haven't actually checked to see if any of these are the names of any real bands that exist but I kind of doubt it. I really like "the Sun Dogs" though, it fits them really well lol

This is Diesel!

He's the lead singer and electric guitarist! I've shuffled him between a lot of different roles over the years, including 'sona, streamer, antihero, outright antagonist, and demigod. Not necessarily in that order, lol. He was originally meant to have kind of an abrasive personality, but it's settled over time to just being stand-offish and a little overprotective.

(He's one of my favorites, if it wasn't already obvious)

This is Sunkiss!

They're Diesel's booooyfriendddd <> <> <> (yes those are moiralleigance diamonds. I'm a Homestuck at heart. I may be cringe but I am free)! Sunkiss is an OCCASIONAL backup singer, but mostly stays on the acoustic guitar and/or drums, depending on whether the performance is live or in studio. He's very laid back, and does part time work as a lifeguard :)

And finally, Zachary!

As you can see, he helps Diesel dye his hair, lol. He's also a student at a magic-oriented university, although he isn't studying magic primarily- he mostly does athletics with a side of mathematics. He's a much more frequent backup vocalist than Sunkiss, and he plays the bass guitar!

I've had these three on the brain lately for some reason.. maybe all those spotify wrapped posts are getting to me and making me think about music. I like to imagine that their band has kind of a Will Wood sort of sound- both because I've been listening to him a lot lately, and because the mix of styles is one I think suits them very well. I imagine they all write songs and perform them together, and the varying strength of each of their influences has their discography coming out a little.. eclectic, I guess? Idk. I mean, listening to 2econd 2ight 2eer and Cicada Days, you'd probably never guess that they came from the same artist! I really like that.

More OC lore available upon request if ur still interested :3 thank u for giving me a free opportunity to ramble about my guys either way

[kayla-marie-writes]

I have too many fic ideas. I put them in my drafts and work on them, publishing and/or updating as I please. I have one with Zain going to university, but it's sort of like Nevermore... with humans in the mix. He has two monster-hunting dads and a badass uncle. As in Nick. But I've got to do more world-building with it. And yes, I'm showing my age with the play on "Werewolves in London." I regret nothing. Here's the cover.

The Prologue:

-ZAIN-

A lot has changed in the last two years. Almost losing your father to parasitic vampires can put things in perspective for you. I'd always thought that I'd lose him to the war. I thought I had when he left some time ago on my eighteenth birthday, and he hadn't come back. When I saw my gift on the table and heard the whispers of one last stand against the Americans, I put two and two together.

Imagine my surprise to hear from him about a day or two later, telling me that not only was he alive, but he had been quarantined and that there was someone he wanted me to meet. Someone who has saved his life over and over again.

An American named Jason Kolchek. I didn't trust him at first, but once my father came home, they told me the truth about the temple of Naram-Sin. He told me the government had granted him asylum for defecting against Dar, who I had never cared for.

When I went to University, he split time between the United States with Jason and London with me. They also paid my father and the other survivors off. I met another American, Nick Kay, who my father told me had met him with kindness in the temple. Jason admitted that it had taken him time. I appreciated being told the truth. From then on, I vowed to do better. I stopped stealing. I focused on my studies and the admission process.

Once I started classes, I buckled down. I got a job at the University Library, and I stayed out of trouble. I made a few friends here, and Tariq visited occasionally, but I kept a low profile...even as I saw signs of the supernatural all around me. For my father's sake, I made the choice not to get involved, even though he hunts with Jason and Nick. He wanted me to focus on my studies before I made any decisions. I understand and respect that.

I've noticed that the second-year students went off campus at all hours of the night to face these threats. There are all kinds of people here: werewolves, witches, vampires...all sorts of beings, and the humans who haven't been turned (as some can be born) or choose not to wield magic trains to be hunters.

I tried to ignore it, for my sake and my father's. I knew that after what he had gone through, it would be selfish and foolish of me to put myself in a similar situation. He hadn't been given a choice. I have one...but now, bodies were starting to pile up. Their hearts or throats had been torn out. People disappeared without a trace, as well. I followed every article I could because I felt drawn to the case. I'm not sure why.

My friends and I had gone out to the pub after classes let out to celebrate going to second year. This is when you decide what you wanted to major in, so to speak. I had no idea about this when I applied to study Mythology, but thanks to my family, I know what I want. I'm going to be a hunter. I want to protect people from the things they went through.

"Zain," Tariq hails me, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Do you know what you want to major in, yet?"

"I'm going to be a hunter," I tell him.

"Well, you've already got a head start!" Aiden shrugs. "I mean, your family survived the House of Ashes two years ago. That's impressive."

Aiden is a vampire and my roommate. Thanks to enchanted objects provided by the witches, vampires can walk in the daylight and enjoy human food. They still need blood sometimes, that's provided by willing donors. Vampires who refuse to live this way, and kill innocent people are considered rogues. They are hunted down. They have to be.

When we met, we talked about everything, and he assumes that the parasites in the temple are ancients, and they may have been dormant for centuries until the aliens landed. Under close supervision, CENTCOM was studying them, as the parasites are key to vampiric origins.

"Heh," I chuckled. "Before that, they were Marines, and my father was..."

"We get it," Kyle gently cuts it. "He didn't have a choice."

Kyle doesn't like her first name, and to this day, I don't know what it is. She's been able to wield magic at an early age, so unless she takes us by surprise, that will be her major. Granted, each class is still able to hunt down rogues, but choosing a major for it gives you specialized training and your position if you join an organization or hunt on your own.

Kyle risked expulsion when we first met two years ago. When I first arrived, and I was looking for directions, I ran into some xenophobic students. Considering my training with Jason and Nick, I knew I could handle them...if I'd gotten the chance. Kyle overheard them and she was pissed. I witnessed magic firsthand that day. We've been close ever since. Since Ravensbourne has a zero-tolerance policy for prejudice, she was put on probation...I think the dean was impressed that she knew how to hex people before her second year.

"Thanks, Kyle," I tell her with a smile.

"No problem," she replies, giving me one in return.

"So how much longer are the two of you going to play this little game?" Luke asks.

"What game?" Kyle and I ask in unison.

"Really?" Aiden smirks. "The late-night study sessions without us, going into the city together, that one time Zain met your family-"

"-That was coincidental," I broke in.

"We share a lot of the same classes," Kyle says next.

"Oh, come on," Tariq laughs. "It's too obvious!"

Luke is an interesting one...he's a werewolf from one of the oldest pure bloodlines of wolves, a select few Native American tribes. Unfortunately, they had to protect what was left of their bloodline, and the existence of werewolves wasn't tolerated back then, so they couldn't help their people as much as they wanted to. I've been fascinated by his ancestry. Contrary to the Hollywood myths about vampires and werewolves, he's also dating Aiden.

I've learned a lot about people, love, and sexuality in the past few years. I'm tolerant, and I embrace, support, and am close to many members of the LGBTQ+ community, but I never understood the struggles until my father had come out to me, and I paid closer attention to what he and Jason were going through. They both came from a world where they were made to feel wrong for loving each other...

"There's no game," I assure the group. "We're just..."

"...Seeing where things go," Kyle finished with a shy shrug.

"Well, good!" Aiden chuckles. "I mean, I just. You two are adorable!"

Kyle hides her face in her hands while Luke, Tariq, and Aiden tease her. She's right, we've gotten closer, especially in the past year. Her mother works for CENTCOM, as it turns out and she's worked with my father and uncles.

That's not why things have changed between us. That happened naturally. I'm drawn to her gentle nature. Unless her friends are being harassed or you provoke her, she typically stayed to herself. She's soft-spoken and intelligent...beautiful.

"Hey, Tariq," I begin, to give Kyle some relief, even as she scoots closer and I wrap an arm around her. "Have you heard back from Admissions yet?"

Tariq decided to apply after I told him the truth about what happened to my father. He stayed over for a few days, and it had been maybe a week since my father had been released from quarantine but Jason had to tie up some loose ends in America...so he wasn't home when my father had a nightmare.

Tariq and his mother helped us through it, and I couldn't lie to him after that. I know I can trust him. Once he found out, and I told him what Ravensbourne does, he wanted to join and fight. You can do that, and get an education at the same time.

"I have the envelope here," Tariq admits, pulling out the familiar cream-colored paper.

"Open it!" Luke insists enthusiastically. "Let's see what it says!"

Aiden, Kyle, and I lean in, too. I hope he got in. Tariq and I worked hard on my breaks. His grades are already great, but I wanted to give him the same advantage I had with having Marines for my uncles. We trained for hours until he was where I am now. He took his entrance exam and a physical test a week before he flew to visit me.

Tariq took a deep breath before he opens the envelope. He scans the words without giving anything away until he lets out a sigh.

"What is it?" I ask urgently.

"Did you get in?" Luke wonders.

"Do I need to visit the dean?" Kyle jokes.

"NO!" Aiden and I protest at the same time. She'll set his desk on fire or something.

"I got in," Tariq grins, flipping the letter around to show us.

"Hell yeah!" Luke crows. "Who did you get as your roommate?"

"....I haven't gotten there yet," Tariq mutters, reading on.

"Who did you get-"

Aiden was cut off by a familiar, grating voice.

"Oh, great, another charity case," Chase Frost announced his presence in a bored voice. "They're letting anyone in now..."

"That explains how you got here, aside from Daddy's pockets," Tariq shot back.

Son of a bitch. Chase is an asshole. He's not xenophobic, but he's a narcissistic jackass who thinks he's better than everyone else. I wasted no time kicking his ass in training. Ever since then, there's been this hostile, competitive energy between his friends and mine. I assumed that people outgrew this in grade school...Tariq clenched his jaw, and he got up to meet Chase.

"Cute," Chase snorts.

"Yeah, I thought so," Tariq shrugs earning a few giggles from the girls at a nearby table.

We didn't intervene. Tariq doesn't need us to, he's always been quick on the draw. Unless his friends showed up, we let Tariq handle this guy.

"Let me guess," Chase mused. "You're going to be a hunter? All brawn, no brain..."

"Come on now, Frost," Tariq quips. "You shouldn't be bitter because you don't have either one! You should be honored...you make snowflakes!"

Those same girls laughed openly now, and Chase flushed with embarrassment. Back home in Iraq, girls would flock to Tariq. He never showed any interest, but he never intentionally hurt anyone, either. I wondered if he would be interested in anyone here. Not that relationships define who you are as a person...I guess I'm just curious...

Chase specialized in water magic, which also translates to ice magic. Not all witches can hack it as a hunter, but I'm sure there are things that I'm not good at. When we had our attribute exams, something happened, and Chase's hailstorm turned into snowflakes.

It was all over campus, and we all heard how his father laid into him over the phone for failing to meet his standards. So what Tariq said was a low blow, but I had no sympathy for him. Being unhappy with your life doesn't give you the right to mistreat others.

"Do you know who the hell you're talking to?" Chase snarled.

"Elsa?" Tariq frowns. "I mean, I know you're a Disney character, but I figured you'd grow out of childish behavior!"

Our table erupts in quiet laughter. Chase sneers before stalking off. Tariq waits until Chase is gone before he joins us.

"He watches too many of those American shows," Tariq comments.

"He's a walking cliche," I agreed.

"Enough about him," Kyle shrugs. "Who do you have as your roommate, Tariq?"

"Luke," Tariq grins.

"Yes!" Luke crows. "We're all in the same building!"

"I think we should put in a request to switch," I announced. "That way, Luke and Aiden can share, and I won't risk walking in on you two again."

"I...am still...so sorry about that," Aiden winced.

"It's no big deal," I assure him. "It just makes sense at this point."

"Mr.Gordon is pretty cool, it shouldn't be an issue," Luke nods.

"That's something we can request tomorrow," Aiden decides. "You probably need to send for your things from Iraq, right?"

Tariq responds, but the alarm went off on my phone. My father and Jason were going to call soon.

"I'm gonna head back," I tell the group.

"Now?" Kyle frowns, checking her watch.

"I'm getting a call, and Jason and Baba are in the States," I explain.

"That's cool, tell them we said hey," Aiden smiles.

"Be careful," Luke warns me. "Whoever the killer is, it's a wolf, but no one has caught the scent."

"Yeah, I will," I assure everyone before leaving.

**************************************

Looking back now, I don't remember much about that night except that it was a full moon, and I had been halfway to my dorm when I had been attacked. Nick had been training me to fight, but I was no match for whatever this was. It was stronger than anyone I've sparred with.

I remember feeling like someone or something had been watching me all night, so I didn't drink much. Maybe it had been Chase? For someone who shows us disdain at every turn, I can't figure him out. I felt like I needed to stay sharp.

I couldn't shake the feeling...I remember the burning pain of sharp teeth gouging into my shoulder when I'd taken the shortcut into the alley-the guttural growls. Muscle and coarse fur...glowing eyes.

Luke had been right...holy shit. Werewolves. In London. The irony...Jason and I watched that movie once. I remember having that fleeting thought as I felt blood pour out of the bite. Then I thought about my family and Kyle. What would Nick or Jason have done-the wolf threw me down and I remember feeling its teeth tear my flesh as it did so. How the hell I hung on, I'm not sure...

Someone had leaped in front of me as I lay out in the alley. A woman...I saw her fight the wolf that bit me, and I passed out. When I'd come to, I must have been brought to her apartment. I didn't feel pain anymore...and my bite had disappeared. She must have found a clean shirt for me. Her scent-whoa that was weird-was all over it, and the apartment.

"You're awake," she sighs in relief. "Sometimes, people don't survive the bite...how are you feeling?"

"Uh..." I'm not sure how to respond. My senses were on high alert and it was a bit overwhelming.

"I didn't make it in time," she sighed as soon as I sat up. "I'm sorry. But now you've become a part of this."

"A part of what?" I asked.

"There's been a war between the wolves for the past few months," she explains. "We used to be at peace."

"What happened?" I asked her.

"There was to be a marriage to unite the packs," she explains. "They were mates...so things would have been resolved. No matter what happens, mates are meant to be honored. But someone killed them before the union could happen. Whoever it was...they covered their tracks. They used human methods to do it. No scent. So the two sides have been fighting ever since."

"...Where do you fit into all of this?" I ask her.

She considers me for a moment. I remember that her wolf is the color of caramel. I see it in her skin. The chocolate edges of her fur reflected in the shade of her hair that flowed down to her waist in thick waves. Her eyes are a piercing amber with flecks of yellow. I caught myself staring, and I looked away.

"You can trust me," I assure her. "I'm, uh, well I'm not an expert, but I know enough about wolves."

"Amara was my sister," she reveals, pain darkening her voice. "They were in love. I refuse to believe that his pack did this. Killing each other's mates...not only is it forbidden, but it takes a toll on you to break a bond like that. Whoever did this isn't in their right mind...but no one wants to hear me out. So I've been trying to solve this on my own."

"Maybe I can help," I find myself saying. "You've already said I've been brought into this, right?"

"Yes," she sighed. "Both sides have been trying to add to their numbers...I appreciate the offer, umm.."

"Zain," I introduced myself. "Zain Othman."

"Amaya Graves," she nods. "You're taking this well, by the way. It's odd. Refreshing...but odd."

"I study mythology at the university," I reveal. "I've noticed patterns of werewolf activities, but..."

"Which university?" she asked, her eyes flashing.

"Um, Ravensbourne University London," I tell her. "Why?"

"Be careful," Amaya warns me. "You can't trust everyone there."

I checked my watch. Shockingly, I haven't missed my call with my father.

"I understand," I tell her. "I need to go...and I'm going to speak to my father about this."

"I-wait, I'm sorry, what?" she stutters. "Why? That's dangerous. It's one thing to tell him that you've become one of us, but-"

"-He's stronger than you think," I gently cut in. "He survived the House of Ashes."

"...Really?" she gasped, her eyebrows rising. "No human ever has, and the rest of us stay clear of it. The Ancient One is the oldest of vampires."

"My father killed him," I reveal. "Along with other survivors."

"...Wow..." she murmured. "That's impressive...Are you sure you want to get him involved in this?"

"He's going to want to hunt down whoever bit me, regardless of what I say," I tell her. "If not him, then his boyfriend will...or my uncle."

I could almost hear him now...bold, angry, impulsive but protective. I remember the way my father had spoken of him before we met. Once Jason made up his mind, there was no turning back.

He also has an uncanny knack for knowing what you're thinking, even over the phone. I couldn't keep this from him, even if I wanted to. Nick's approach is more...ruthless. Unforgiving. I'd have to make sure he has all the facts first. But I know he'd be willing to help.

"Fair enough," Amaya nods. "I'm going to escort you back. You're a new wolf, and it will take time for you to adjust."

************************

I can hear, smell, and damn near taste everything. Amaya was right. It felt like sensory overload, but she taught me to breathe and remain calm. Colors are sharper. Richer. I'll focus on that later. Right on time, my laptop chimed, and I pulled up the video call with my father and Jason.

"Somethin' is different," Jason observes as soon as I log on.

How the hell does he do that? I hadn't even spoken yet.

"What's goin' on?" Jason asks.

"I-how do you do that?" I demand, momentarily thrown off. "And I thought baba was hard to fool..."

"I have to get very creative," my father admits. "But he's right...what's going on with you?"

"Uhh, so don't freak out..." I began.

[bluegekk0]

I'm assuming based on your last post you are in college so I have 2 questions, one based on your personal life and one based on the AU. You don't have to answer the personal one.

What's your major and or minor? I would think it may be art related, but idk.

Based on a modern AU, if the Pale Household were to go to college, what would they study?

yes, i study at a university. and no, surprisingly is not art related, i'm completely self taught in that area. instead i study the english language. i think there's some debate as to how you would translate my major from polish into english, some say english philology, others english studies. but basically it's english linguistics, literature and culture, with a specific specialization in translation. already finished the bachelor degree in the same major, now i'm in my last year of master's

as for the modern au, hmm. i guess i'll start with those i've already thought about. also the difference between college and university is still a little confusing to me, i'm more used to the term university so if you see me use it, that's why

i know holly would be an art student, they already have an interest in drawing in the main au, so it seems like the most reasonable direction. during the modern au, they primarily focus on their degree, though i like to think they also do art commissions in their free time. i think they would lean more towards traditional art, they' would'd find the actual process of using canvases, paint brushes and other tools very relaxing, even if it's messy and time consuming

then there's grimm. i love the idea of him having a career in filmmaking. in the modern au he works in the film industry as a director (with divine and brumm as members of his film crew), so it's a reasonable assumption that he has a degree in that field. as for what kinds of films he'd make, i imagine he'd dabble in many genres but lean more towards drama or horror. that being said, i could also see him having some experience in theatre, perhaps he used to be an actor? i could absolutely see that, especially if i don't change their ages for the modern au and he remains as a vampire with hundreds of years behind him haha

fpk in the modern au works from home, i like to think that similarly to his main au self, he'd have a small business he operates from his house. since he has an interest in mechanical engineering in the au, my first idea was that he'd offer watch repairs, but depending on how "modern" the modern au is, that might not be the most lucrative business. though i do have a lot of nostalgia for early 2000s and i imagine that's the time frame in which the modern au takes place, so who knows. but another idea i had was that he'd instead go in an electronics repair direction. maybe something like computer repair? i love the mental image of him sitting in his office, hard at work, surrounded by a bunch of broken computers, laptops and game consoles, like a whole electronic maze on the floor. and to answer the question, he'd probably study something related to IT and/or electronic engineering. but i could also see him being mostly self-taught

now comes the part where i make things up on the spot since i haven't decided on anything for them yet

with hornet, all i know is that whatever she'd major in, she would be a member of her college/university's sports club (maybe she'd like football? or soccer depending where you're from). but she does have an interest in literature, so perhaps she would go for a degree related to that? i think the contrast between studying something seen as sophisticated and cultured, and then getting into fights with tiso at the sports club, is very fitting for her hahah

and then there's zote. i'm not really sure if he'd study anything, but perhaps he would opt for something related to music? i mentioned in a previous ask that i like the idea of him finding interest in playing a trumpet, so maybe he would want to expand his knowledge. though it's zote, i could also see him being so convinced of his skills that he'd claim that there's nothing for him to find there. maybe he doesn't study anything, maybe he's stuck in a fast food job or something. it could go either way

lastly, there's lewk. but he would be kindergarten age in the modern au. though he is interested in cooking and food in general, so perhaps in the future he'd aim for something like culinary arts? it's difficult to say, he's still very young so things may change