#i just have to do the exterior/playground

[peonypyxels]

anddd the nap room

[lozchi]

KNOCKDOWN

Masterlist Pairing(s):Sukuna x F!Reader, Modern AU

Themes: Suggestive content, profanity, mild violence, slow burn, childhood friends to lovers, OOC, fluff, angst(ish)

Prologue: 1.7k words

The kindergarten playground was a battleground of tiny tempers and unfiltered emotions.

“THE GIRAFFE IS MINE! AHHHGHHHHH!”

 And no one exemplified this more than Ryomen Sukuna.

Even as a youngster, Sukuna was a formidable presence. He constantly found himself in trouble, getting into conflicts with peers and receiving harsh rebukes from teachers who were unable to tame his unruly nature.

"I apologize for hitting Tanaka's balls, I will do it again…"He trails off.

"Sukuna!"

"Alright! I won't! Tsk, adults."

In the sandbox one day, Sukuna noticed two boys your age standing near you, whose names he didn't care to remember. Their pushing and teasing was causing you to cower in fear from their cruel words. You hastily use your arm to wipe away your tears and snot, wishing they'd go away.

“I juz wan’ play here! I was here first! Lemme be!” You yell. 

“You're a girl! You can't tell us what to do!” Sukuna's usual urge for fights found a new purpose. 

“I'm not a bad boy if I'm helping someone, heh.” He thinks to himself. 

With a determined glare, Sukuna marched over, fists clenched. "Hey, you dummies!" he yelled, his voice carrying an authority that belied his age. 

The bullies turned, sneers plastered on their faces. "What's it to you, poopy head?" one of them taunted. 

Before the boy could react, Sukuna's fist collided with his nose causing a horrifying sound. The boy fell back, holding his face while blood streamed down. Sukuna dodged the swing from the other bully with quick reflexes. He responded by delivering a quick punch to the bully's abdomen, leaving him breathless. The bully bent over in half, struggling to breathe before falling to the ground.

 “Mommy! Mommy! Help me!” The boys cried in unison.

 "Had enough?" Sukuna spat, standing protectively in front of you as the bullies scrambled away in tears. 

You looked up at your savior with wide, grateful eyes, wiping your tears away.  Boy, was he in so much trouble that day. 

“Ff-thank you, ‘K-Kuna.” You sobbed. 

He shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just don't cry about it." 

From that moment on, you were drawn to Sukuna like a magnet. At first, he found your constant presence irritating. You would trail behind him, mimicking his every step. If he ran, you ran; if he stopped, you stopped. When he sat on the swings, you’d sit beside him, your small legs dangling in the air. During snack time, you’d offer him your favorite treats, hoping to win his approval. Sukuna often rolled his eyes at your antics. 

"Why are you always following me?" he grumbled one day as you trailed behind him.

"Because you’re my hero," you replied with a bright smile, holding out a piece of candy.

"Want some?"Sukuna's scowl softened just a fraction as he took the candy. 

"Fine, but stop being so annoying."

 He found himself looking forward to the treats you brought and the way you cheered for him after his fights.

You would defend him to the other kids, proclaiming proudly;

 "Sukuna's the strongest! No one can beat him!" 

Even when he found your declarations embarrassing, a part of him enjoyed the attention. Slowly, your  loyalty began to chip away at his tough exterior. Without realizing it, Sukuna began to appreciate having you around. 

The dynamic between you and Sukuna only deepened as you both entered high school. Sukuna’s reputation as a fierce fighter had followed him, and it wasn't long before other delinquent students sought to challenge him, either to prove themselves or settle old scores. You often found yourself waiting near the school gates or in the secluded corners where these fights typically occurred. 

The aftermath was always the same: Sukuna standing victorious, his opponents nursing bruises and pride. You would rush to his side, your bag already prepared with a first aid kit.

"Hold still," you would command softly, dabbing at a cut on his cheek with antiseptic.

"I don't need your help," Sukuna would grumble, though he never pulled away.

"Stop being stubborn," you’d reply, focusing on cleaning his wounds. "If you keep this up, you’re going to have more scars than I can count."

Sometimes, it would be other delinquent students wanting to mess with each other, using Sukuna as their proving ground. But no matter how many tried, Sukuna remained undefeated. His skill and ferocity in battle were unmatched, and you were always there to patch him up afterward.

One evening, after a particularly brutal fight, you were carefully bandaging Sukuna’s knuckles. 

"You really should find a less violent hobby," you teased, trying to lighten the mood.

He chuckled, wincing slightly as you tightened the bandage.

"And what would that be? Knitting? Horseback riding? Ooh, what about pottery?"

You smiled, shaking your head. "I just worry about you, that's all."

He looked at you, a rare softness in his eyes. "I know. Thanks.”

Once you turned eighteen, the news hit you like a freight train: Sukuna had to leave for another country. The weight of his departure was heavy, pressing down on your chest as you tried to process it. His last day arrived all too quickly, and you found yourselves standing in the empty school courtyard, the familiar surroundings now filled with a profound sense of finality.

"I can't believe you're leaving," you said, your voice shaky with emotion. "I'll miss you so much."

Sukuna's usual bravado was absent, replaced by a quiet resignation. He met your eyes, his own filled with a sadness. 

"I don't really have a choice," he murmured, his tone uncharacteristically soft. "But you have to promise me something."

"Anything," you replied instantly, desperate to hold onto any part of him.

"Stay safe for me, got it?" His voice was firm, but you could hear the underlying plea.

"I will," you promised, your throat tightening as you fought back tears. "You too, Sukuna. Stay safe."

He gave a small nod, his eyes lingering on you for a moment longer than usual. "I mean it. Don't do anything stupid."

"I won't," you assured him, though you wished you could say more, do more to make him stay.

As he turned to leave, you felt an ache in your heart, a deep, gnawing sense of loss.

 "Sukuna," you called out, your voice breaking slightly. "I'll miss you."

He paused, his back still turned to you. For a moment, it seemed like he might say something, but all he could manage was a low hum of acknowledgment. "Protect yourself for me," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.

You watched him walk away, each step taking him further from you and deeper into an unknown future. As he disappeared from sight, you couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. He wished he had said it back, wished he had found the courage to tell you how much you meant to him. But for now, all he could do was carry the hope that one day, he would have the chance to make things right.

No way of contacting him, Sukuna gradually became a distant memory. The sharp, vivid images of your childhood together blurred as you got busier with your studies. The demands of school, extracurricular activities, and the push towards your future left little room for reminiscing. Each passing day added another layer of distance between you and the boy who had once been your closest friend.

Meanwhile, Sukuna was on a different path. He threw himself into intense training, honing his skills with a singular focus. His natural talent and relentless drive quickly propelled him to the top of the mixed martial arts world. As you buried yourself in textbooks and exams, Sukuna was making headlines, becoming a prodigal MMA fighter known for his unmatched ferocity and technique.

Years slipped by, and the memories of Sukuna became like old photographs, faded and tucked away in the back of your mind. Occasionally, something would trigger a fleeting recollection—a particular song, the scent of antiseptic from your first aid kit, or the distant sound of a playground. But these moments were rare and quickly overshadowed by the pressing concerns of the present.

Unbeknownst to you, Sukuna’s name began to rise in the sports world. Articles, interviews, and televised matches showcased his prowess, but in your bubble of academic pursuits, his fame went unnoticed. You had yet to discover the remarkable journey Sukuna had undertaken -- the one that had transformed him from the fierce protector of your childhood to a celebrated MMA prodigy.

Despite the cashflow and all the attention that came with his success, Sukuna felt a deep, gnawing emptiness. The trophies, accolades, and the roaring crowds failed to fill the void left by your absence. He would often find himself staring out at the arena from behind the scenes, lost in thought. 

Sukuna imagined what it would be like to see you in the crowd. He could almost hear your voice cheering for him, a familiar sound that had been a constant during his childhood fights. He pictured you there, standing amidst a sea of faces, your eyes bright with pride as you shouted his name. 

"YES! THAT'S SUKUNA! LET'S GO!" he would hear you say in his mind’s eye, your voice as clear and encouraging as it had been all those years ago.

He hoped that one day, you would see how far he had come, that you would recognize the man he had become and the battles he had fought. He longed for the moment when he could finally show you the success he had achieved and hear you say,

"I’m proud of you, Sukuna.”

But for now, those thoughts remained unspoken wishes he carried with him as he fought in the ring. Every success, every achievement was colored with the anticipation that one day you would be present to observe it, to witness his growth, and to take part in celebrating his achievements.

One day, though, the paths of your separate lives would cross again, and the faded memories would be brought back into sharp focus. But for now, you remained unaware,  while Sukuna continued to conquer arenas far away, all the while imagining your cheers in his heart.

Taglist:

just put it under this post or any of the chapters I'll release. I would be posting polls or asking readers about certain things sometimes that would possibly affect the story in a minor way so stay tuned. :)

[whispereons]

Oracle!Reader Part 16

Masterlist - Part 1, Part 15, Part 17

Warning! This is sagau imposter so expect some gore and manipulation this chapter! At least no death this time :D

Each step of your dirty shoes on the bare rocky terrain held more weight than Azhdaha's heart and soul. His body shuffled and shifted, resisting the urge to ram the barrier trapping him.

"Don't be so impatient, Azhdaha. You've waited for millennials, surely a minute for me to reach you is nothing." You slow your steps purposely to tease him with a deceivingly gentle smile.

The ground rumbles briefly as Azhdaha settles in place and rests his head on the ground. If he had fur instead of stone, you would believe he was just a giant dog.

"Forgive me your grace. The leylines I command are constantly blooming with power at your every step."

"Was it not the people of Liyue who harmed the leylines causing the events that led to your imprisonment here?" You ask, selecting your words carefully.

Red eyes carved from ruby stare at you as you stop right outside of the barrier surrounding his body. Not wanting to accidentally disable the barrier, you rest your hand on the closest pillar. 

Pillars with the same design and origin of the one who was a little too late to save his dear friend from this fate.

"Was it not the ruler of those people that failed to reach you in time?"

"Even you, your grace, are aware of the shameful state I have been reduced to. Morax may have provided me with these defective eyes but at least now I can view your glorious prestige."

Surprisingly there is no rush of anger and violence in Azhdaha's movement and tone. He moves closer till his face is gently pressing against the Geo-decorated barrier.

"I beg of you, Creator of all things. Let me feel your skin, your warmth. The memories of my creation are lost to the erosion of time. Whether it be your hand or foot, I will adore it all the same. I am nothing but the groundskeeper to your playground called Tevyat."

A originally blind dragon has no need for eyelids so all he can do is gaze pleadingly at your silent form. Blue crystalline clink on the ground as it drops from his eyes as the silence persists. Even still you stare at him with a blank expression until his head is completely bowed to the ground.

An isolated dragon desperate for even the slightest bit of affection was like wet clay for you to mold to your liking. The only thing that ruined any plans you had for him was that dreaded erosion. You seriously doubted that he could stay calm and lie to match your facade the way Beisht can.

"Rest easy now, Azhdaha." Your hand moves through the yellow barrier, which thankfully doesn't deactivate it, to lay on his rocky forehead. "A dragon like you, who I have created with my own hand before this vessel, is not easily forgotten. Many of your brethren have perished before I could return."

Cupping what little of his wide, rough jaw, you tilt his head to stare up at you. A delicate expression with sadness and love swirling together is what paints your face. "You have done so well to persist this long, Azhdaha."

A loud roar of anguish is let loose as he tries to move further into your touch. Ignoring the threat of scraps, you pet his stony exterior with a smile. 

"Your grace! Your holiness! Those words are what fuel my pitiful existence. The feel of your skin on this degraded body brings memories of my creation from the clutches of erosion."

Mindlessly stroking the weeping dragon, you think deeply on his words. 'Memories of my creation' is what he called it. Azhdaha was struggling at first due to the contrasting information from the eyes corrupted by the Gnosis and the leylines of Teyvat. All it took was your touch on his body for him to fully give in to you. 

Perhaps the other dragon sovereigns and primordial beings will recognize you easily with your touch as well. Could it work on the Archons too?

"Are you okay, your grace? I know that day, you were injured due to my own careless ruling. I failed to control my subjects and you suffered from it. If death is my penalty for my negligence then I will accept it wholeheartedly."

The strange and unexpected words laced with guilt made you confused. Caressing the rugged layer of stone near his eyes to grab his attention, you ask carefully. "What do you mean by that?"

His tail lowers onto the ground as he speaks lowly. "Not long ago, the Geovishaps were making their rounds on maintaining the leylines when two hatchlings got lost."

Oh, you knew where this was going.

"When they dug back up to the surface, they were in the city. While trying to escape, they hurt someone. They hurt you." That last word is said with bubbling anger. Resisting the urge to yank your hands away from the dragon capable of turning into a volcano, you brush your hands further to distract him.

"Teyvat had already warned us elemental beings about someone injuring you with malicious intent. To feel the leylines in your area go into a frenzy from that incident made my blood boil. It's only fair that the perpetrator suffers the bare minimum consequences."

So, it wasn't Teyvat that had the hatchling kill the other. It was Azhdaha.

Despite the harsh truth that Azhdaha just admitted, your hands seemed to move on their own to keep Azhdaha subdued. You aren't necessarily scared of Azhdaha, you're just more cautious on how to approach leaving him.

You couldn't just teleport out, who knows how Azhdaha's battered and worship-obsessed brain would interpret it. You didn't need a bunch of Geovishap and Geovishap hatchlings chasing you throughout Liyue.

But the thought of returning back to the city takes less priority than your current one. A dragon one head scratch away from rolling over at your command is vulnerable to your words. Just what could you strip from Azhdaha for future use?

"Azhdaha, you love me don't you?" You ask it with a deceivingly shaky voice as your hands halt their stream of pets. His reaction is immediate.

His claws scratch the ground as he stands to his full height.  Even still, his back hunches trying to keep himself respectful to your much smaller form. "My love for you will exist even after my death. Every Geovishap that roams this world and every leyline that reacts to your presence is proof of my love for you, beloved Creator."

A small, sad smile crosses your face at the words he utters with zeal. It was so easy to get his deteriorated brain to fall for your expertly crafted facade of vulnerability. It's not like he was your first or last victim to this 'side' of you.

School faculty couldn't turn a blind eye to the way you paled at the cost of lunch. Empathetic, heroic, and kind students wouldn't resist the urge to defend, tend to, or help you when any bullying started. Even strangers with bleeding hearts had no problem giving you food or money when you were a roaming teenager with nothing but a backpack.

The money you saved by not paying lunch almost always went straight to the locked box you had for when you would be inevitably moved to a new guardian. All the bullying incidents were helpful in making the other students invite and accept you into any group of your choosing. It's not like anyone would believe that meek and polite you could jump the bullies on their way home with a malicious smile and a blunt weapon, nor would a passing stranger that helped you be aware of the man and cat that you returned to completely contrasting the story you spun.

"Then you're willing to protect me, right? Ei, that Bakufu was intent on seeing me as an imposter. She tried to take my life right when I just returned. It's due to that, that I have to live in fear of this mask being removed."

Moving closer, you rest your forehead against his head, trembling in fear of the horrid memory.

"I'm sure if I arrived in Liyue instead of Inazuma, I would be able to walk on Teyvat with you proudly on the surface with me. You would protect me, you would fight for me. You would die for me, would you not? Dragons are known for their loyalty after all."

Azhdaha continuously repositions himself as he breathes heavily. There's no doubt he's torn between anger against Ei, happiness at your trust, and excitement at the prospect of being on the surface.

"You have my word, my grace. I would fight any enemy, defend any stronghold, obey any command you have for me. Simply relay your order and I will fulfill it to perfection. And if it pleases you, allow me the honor of destroying the Shogun for her unforgivable sins."

"But can you really protect me with those imperfect eyes?" Your words are spoken gently with a smile laced with sweet poison. "You are putting me in danger by using those corrupted eyes to watch over me. Do you not know why I crafted you without eyes?"

A sole finger touches the edge of the red jewel eyes as silence permanence the air. He doesn't flinch from the fleeting fingertips despite the slow unraveling of your intentions.

"Geo lifeforms that stay underground don’t have eyes as they have no need for it. And as thankful as I am that Morax provided you with eyes to enjoy the surface, it wasn't my original design for you."

Experimentally tapping his eyes and smiling at the crystalline texture, you speak with a low timber. "You were always meant to stay underground to properly care for the leylines. You didn't know it at the time, but accepting these eyes had the same effect as accepting Celestia's lies."

You let Azhdaha think deeply on your revelation as you pet the area around his eyes. The mere fact that he was contemplating it was a good sign, those eyes are proof of his contract with Morax after all.

"Your benevolence, are you requesting the destruction of my eyes?"

"Of course not, Azhdaha!" Laughing reassuringly, your fingers dig into the corner of his eyes ignoring the way he flinches in pain. "I'm commanding you to give me those eyes. I cannot bring you to the surface with me, so bringing a remnant of you will soothe my aching and lonely heart. It's convenient that those eyes prevent you from doing your job correctly too."

A low pained groan leaves his jaw as your other hand mimics the action of the former. Nails digging into his eye cavities, you feel the ruby eyes lift from the force. Azhdaha's body shakes, alerting you that you pushed him far enough. Releasing his eyes you take a step back to be out of the barrier in case he makes any attack.

"I once yearned to see the sun, that blazing ball of fire that lights up this world providing it with the warmth to live. All because I knew that you must shine even brighter than it. In those days of old, envy and despair consumed me as did the love and joy I felt being embraced in this world that you crafted. I know better now. I know that even without these eyes that I enjoyed from that traitor I once called my friend, I could still make out your glorious form. Every leyline on this planet shines like dull cobblestone in comparison to the gold figure that stands in front of me."

"I have no way to wretch these crystal eyes out of the unneeded cavities. Take them from me, your grace, take any part of my body that you desire. My sole regret is that I could not offer you my original body to pick from."

An excited smile stretches across your face with a heartfelt caress to the bridge of his nose. "Thank you Azhdaha, do not fret. The day that I craft you eyes worthy of the dragon you once were is near. Thank you for being such a good boy."

Despite the condescending tone to your last words that slipped out, Azhdaha still rejoices with the same fervor of a real dog. The tree tail wags slowly, revealing his happiness.

Carefully, you dig your nails into his right eye. It's heavy and hard to pull out. This would surely be easier using your sickle but you didn't want Azhdaha to feel even more pain. At least with you using your hands, he feels some comfort in your skin.

After a tough tug, the eye is finally out and stuffed haphazardly into your bag. Blue crystalline liquid coats your hands and flows from the now-empty cavity. Wiping it off on your clothes carelessly, you give Azhdaha a break by petting him.

"Just one more Azhdaha, then it'll be done." He leans into your touch without a single sound escaping him. You aren't fooled by that tough facade. He's silent in fear that speaking will only result in his pained cries.

The red jewel chips slightly as you dig it out of his head. Beads of clear blue roll down as you grit your teeth. It finally comes out and that trickle becomes a stream. Putting the eye into your bag, you peek at the now blind dragon.

A slow, continuous dribble of aqua crystalline stains his face as the cavities slowly stitch close. The cavities closing simultaneously are heard by the cracking and grinding of rocks. Azhdaha curls into himself from the pain but refuses to allow any sound escape him.

Your body moves on its own to hug the suffering dragon. Murmurs of praise and thanks leave your lips as the rocks creak louder and faster. The tear tracks left on his face stain your clothing blue yet you can't find it in yourself to care.

A selfish person, that's what you were to your core. There are no words you can use to justify what you have done to Azhdaha. You may never have the power to craft new eyes for him. You may not even live long enough to research how. Yet, you still manipulated him into giving it up. The bitter self-hatred and burning feeling of loathing yourself builds up inside you.

"As sad as I am to surrender my eyes, there is nothing that brings me greater joy than to be of use to you your grace. I will readjust to living without eyes."

Releasing him, you stare at his now-healed face. The cavities have been completely sealed shut as if there were never eyes to begin with. His voice is deep and rumbles softly.

"The leylines of this world relay to me more than elemental crystals shaped in the visage of eyes can."

The words do little to ease the guilt you feel for your cruelty but before you can do anything, a loud sound interrupts your thoughts. Frowning, you adjust your bag back onto your shoulders and look at the entrance to Azhdaha's lair.

It's silent and it only makes you more suspicious. Taking a few steps toward the lair's entrance, a glow behind you makes you whip around quickly. Azhdaha's body glows with white cracks throughout his body as he roars ferociously.

Backing up in confusion, you watch in disbelief as Azhdaha's body shrinks and compresses. Loud bangs echo from the lair entrance in sync with Azhdaha's deafening cry.

That loud bang is accompanied by the sound of the seal covering the entrance shattering. Deciding to focus on the unknown intruder first, you catch the sight of a tall figure walking with powerful steps toward you.

A sole amber eye is what catches your attention first.

Brown hair with glowing tips loosely drapes over an earthy-colored hanfu. Only a stub can be made out from inside one of the dark sleeves as the tall man looks at you with an emotionless expression.

"Zhongli. It sure is a surprise to see you here." Your mind spins as it tries to comprehend just why Zhongli was here. Azhdaha's unwavering roars, his missing eyes, just everything about this situation was suspicious.

His other arm, which thankfully hasn't been cut off, raises to cup your face. Gloved fingers are featherlight on your dusty cheek as you stare up at him with perplexion clear on your face. He leans closer to speak with unwavering confidence.

"Why did you leave?"

He's got to be kidding.

"Why wouldn't I leave? I wasn't interested in being a third wheel to your conversation with the Creator." You answer back with a disbelieving tone before getting startled at the slam of a hulking body hitting the ground.

"MORAX! How dare you reappear in my prison after all that you had done?! What audacity have you fostered that let you dare to touch the Creator?!"

Fuck

Shit, oh fucking hell. 

Thousands of curses swarm your mind at Azhdaha's words, you keep your face in its confused expression as you run through any plan or excuse to survive.

"You're making Y/N uncomfortable with your insane claims, Azhdaha. They're an Oracle sent from the world the Creator is residing in." Zhongli is calm in his refute to Azhdaha's tantrum.

Pushing Zhongli's hand off your face, you turn to look at Azhdaha who is now much smaller. His stature is exactly like you saw when you played Genshin. That bright light must have not only degraded his body to the erosion-damaged body but his brain too. It's simply too suspicious that he became this wildly angry at Zhongli's presence.

Looking up at Azhdaha with sad eyes and a kind voice you speak gently, as if trying to soothe the dragon with no idea of what he claimed.

"I know my presence is similar to the Creator due to my otherworldly origin, but I'm really just Y/N. The erosion must be so painful that it even brought you down to this point. The creator hasn't forgotten you, I can promise that."

Zhongli frowns as Azhdaha tries to refute you. "NO! Don't you see, your grace?! That traitor is merely trying to keep you from reaching your full glory to keep you to himself!"

"How can you say that when you can't see at all?" Zhongli's voice is chilly as he places his gloved hand on your shoulder. His grip is tight and you try to step away. He doesn't budge and merely pulls you closer to him.

"Solidify!" The familiar line is yelled before a dome-like shield completely covers you and Zhongli. Your confusion on his action is answered when rocks from the ceiling start to rain on the shield. His hand positions your head to look back at him.

"Why won't you look at me Y/N? Do you still hold bitterness against me for my doubts against you? I was proven wrong utterly and completely, I apologize for my rudeness."

His voice is pleading and his lips tug down into a sad frown. You really can't understand why Zhongli's just ignoring all the suspicious things in this situation. Was the attachment acolytes feel towards you already affecting him this strongly?

"I'm not mad at you. Sure, it was annoying that you kept suspecting me despite all my efforts but you do believe me now after sacrificing so much. Actually, just what and how much did you offer? The sky lit up quite a few times."

An excited smile graces his lips as he takes a step closer to you, but unexpectedly sways making you grab his arm in worry. He laughs gently before speaking.

"After I noticed your disappearance, I gave as many offerings of my body as I could. Not only as my repentance toward the Creator but also as an apology to you."

Your eyes trail down his change of clothes. The hanfu is black with brown, gold, and white parts to it. The Geo symbol sign is clearly stitched into the inner robe.

"Is that why you have a change of clothes and are swaying so much? Be honest and tell me what part of your body you gave."

With closed eyes and shaky breaths, he places your hand on the top of his head. His hair is ticklish to your bare palms. "This human body wasn't nearly enough to make an impactful offering. But my Exuvia is adequate for our beloved creator. Naturally, my horns were the first to go."

The slight nub you feel between his locks must be the stump from his horns. You aren't sure whether to be sick or amazed. But Zhongli doesn't stop there, he takes advantage of your bewilderment and takes hold of your other hand.

"My spines were the next to be cut off. Those jagged ambers were more helpful for flying than anything else." His head nuzzles your hand on his hair as he takes your other hand to the spine of his back. You can feel the ridges of the amber remnants.

"My tail was in a similar position, useless in my current form. If only they didn't bleed so much. If the creator took any longer to accept my offering, I would have passed out from blood loss."

Even more worried about his physical state, you try to pull your hand away from his back and graze his side making him hiss in pain. He's quick to grab hold of it again and press it deeper into his side. Your jaw drops as he groans in pain and gives you a pained smile.

"I severed my claws yet got no response. I really believed I would have to stop at that point but I remembered another draconic part of my body that I could offer."

Your eyes filter between his happy and pained smile and the hanfu that was starting to blossom with red. Just where the fuck was he going with this?

"My skin, or rather, my scales were still in my body. Each clink of the scales as they were torn or cut out of my body may have left me lightheaded from the gushing wounds. But nothing could compare to the feeling of the Creator accepting me."

Blinking in pure shock, your mind struggled to comprehend the mere insanity of his actions. You were joking about him having the possibility of sewing his mouth shut from finding his idle annoying. This motherfucker would actually do it!

Zhongli takes your reaction, or rather lack of reaction, in stride with him pulling you closer to him. Your hands rest on his body to not be pressed against him but that only has him wincing in pain. He stubbornly holds you closer as you cringe from the feeling of wet blood seeping through his hanfu and onto your skin and clothes. 

"Stop. Doesn't this hurt you? Just how long will it take you to heal, let alone regain those dragon features?" Asking him with the purpose of distracting him, you speak in a rush. He merely hums as his arms stay around you firmly.

"Elemental beings like myself will always recover. I'm exceptionally strong with my status as an Archon, I'll be fully healed within a month at most."

You couldn't even linger on the idea that in a single month, he would be completely back to normal. The ground shook as more and more rocks fell on the shield. You couldn't stay trapped in Zhongli's embrace, at this rate you couldn't even stay in Liyue for much longer.

The slight sway of his movements, the slow speech pattern, and the rising of his body temperature permeating through his clothing gave you an idea.

Halting your resistance to his hold, your hands trail up his clothing with a pitiful smile. Rough and dirty hands from all the hardship you faced to get here cup his face enhancing the contrast of his smooth skin. His eyes immediately close at the contact with a deep rumbling sound coming from his chest.

"Still, it must be painful. Not just physically but mentally too. You have gained and lost so much over your lifetime. I have no doubt that it won't stop here. Just stay strong a little longer, won't you? Be patient till the Creator arrives and rewards you properly."

Zhongli's features soften till his eyes droop and his lips tremble. His full vulnerability is on display as he nuzzles into your palms shamelessly.

"Just what kind of ability do you possess? Young as you are, your ability to perceive and empathize with feelings is beyond your years. Do not stress for me, I have already been awarded by the Creator."

You frown slightly at his last words, not fully grasping at what his 'reward' from you was. The sacrificial method? The artifacts and weapons? He smiles at your confusion with half-lidded eyes.

Grasping your hands, he brings them closer to his mouth and kisses your knuckles with a smoldering grin. You aren't completely sure whether the pink decorating his cheeks is from embarrassment or a fever from his injuries.

"What greater reward than an Oracle sent from our God to soothe my soul?"

Suddenly you don't like where this is going. The thundering sound of rocks being thrown agrees with you.

"As fellow devoted servants to the Creator, should we not join in union? Marriage is a contract till death does us part after all."

There's no way this was happening. You were not getting proposed in a basement with a raging dragon just a few feet away from you.

Sensing your hesitation, Zhongli continues to speak with a romantic timber as he places a kiss on your palm.

"This may be sudden but I can assure you that I'll take care of you. I'll protect, provide, and love you as the closest person to our beloved creator. You may not love me now but just being from a different world has caused many problems for you. You are the only person who can match the amount of devotion I hold to our creator."

If this was a true confession of love at first sight or any other extremely fluffy trope, you would seriously contemplate saying yes. He wasn't wrong about your life being much easier with him by your side.

But it instantly died when he revealed that it was from you being such a strong believer and being the most intimately connected to the creator. It killed any romantic prospect of the situation. All you felt was dread and a longing to just leave.

You truly hope that he was only saying this shit from the blood loss getting to him. The annoyed expression you wear isn't even covered up, letting Zhongli see it plainly. His affectionate expression breaks and his lips part to ask you something but it's cut off by a bang.

It seems Azhdaha unknowingly agreed to break you out as a rock finally breaks the dome shield that had been protecting you all this time.

"Succumb to my fury Morax! Not even addressing the creator properly during your whole conversation is a disgrace to the Geo element and dragons alike!"

Wrath seemed to have consumed Azhdaha enough that one of the pillars of the barrier broke. Zhongli summons his spear and walks past you to stand protectively in front of you.

"Do not fret Y/N, I'll subdue Azhdaha so that he does not cause any more problems. Permanently." You absolutely did not want that but at the same time, you really wanted to escape this whole situation.

Azhdaha is going insane, Zhongli's bound to realize what you had taken from Azhdaha, and the duo of women are bound to get closer from the activity. That's not even counting how close this cave seemed to be from collapsing. 

"Azhdaha is still the creator's loyal creation! He may have deteriorated from the erosion that you failed to prevent, but don't kill a loyal and faithful follower like him!"

Hitting Zhongli with such a sharp remark, you watch his deadly glare weaken. Azhdaha begins to make careless attacks toward Zhongli's vicinity which, unfortunately, you're still in.

Picking you up with ease, Zhongli dodges the many attacks and stops near the lair's exit. Azhdaha does his best to give chase but isn’t much of a threat in that size.

Setting you down and wiping away the small pieces of rock from your face, Zhongli gazes at you warmly.

"You should return to Liyue Harbor. I'm sure many things require your attention considering how much trouble you seem to get into. And when we meet again, I expect an answer to my question."

Trying to ignore his last words, you wave to him before he jumps back into battle with Azhdaha. As soon as his back is turned you book it out of the lair. Leaving the small cave entrance the night sky shines above you.

Thousands of stars shimmer as you stand in silence. It felt good to have a break from everything going on below ground. Walking slowly your eyes gradually climb up the Dragon-Queller tree trunk to admire its full beauty.

It seems you were correct in assuming that the crystalline blue glowed brighter at night. The cerulean-colored branches pulsed with an eye-catching glimmer. The orange leaves blew in the night air as the pink petals of the flowers below you swayed.

You spot a familiar-looking constellation in the sky that seemed to twinkle for your attention. Lapis Dei, Zhongli's constellation, was lit up by four points. It was pretty incredible that you went from a C0 to C4 in a matter of hours.

But, just what effect did constellations have on characters other than making them stronger? It was closely connected to your creator power so it must be important outside of the game. Would whatever effect it have differ between humans and archons? 

What would have happened if you had gotten Zhongli to C6 before coming here?

Setting those lingering questions aside, you gaze up at the Dragon-Queller tree one more time before bringing up your game screen. You've finally witnessed everything about this area giving you a sense of satisfaction. 

Creak

The sound makes you pause and lift your head up from the screen in confusion. It's silent for a few moments until Teyvat bombards your mind with a sense of something going wrong.

CRACK

Ice. Lots and lots of ice spring up from the ground circling around your feet. Quickly moving back from the ice, a sharp and cold solid spike tears through your calves. A cry of pain leaves you as you stop in place. Red drops of blood stain the spikes of ice that impaled you.

Did it break your bones? Was it an important muscle for running? If you pulled it out, would you lose too much blood? 

Those thoughts swirled in your mind as the pain blinded you from the fact that Teyvat never stopped warning you.

Keeping a hand to your heart trying to slow your breathing and push down the rising sobs, you focus on what you can do now. But it's already too late. Something glints in the distance and a swish of air is heard before pain blooms from your chest.

Scalding water leaves boils on the right side of your chest as an arrow stays embedded into it. Tears of pain and anger stick to your eyelashes as you carefully move your head trying to spot the woman.

You knew Yelan and Shenhe were somewhere here. Even with the tears sliding down your mask, your lips were curled into a defensive snarl.

The small breaths you let out don't feel wet or painful, therefore your lungs are unharmed. Yelan had the skill and power to hit your lungs if she desired. This means she wants to speak to you, she wants some information you have.

She won't kill you yet.

Commanding Teyvat to show you where they were hiding, you blink sluggishly at the elemental sight being activated. Teyvat creates a path of Anemo leading to two separate points making you smile through the pain.

"Yelan, Shenhe. Shouldn't you both at least reveal yourself when taking a hostage?"

There's no need to play dumb at this point. They already suspect and harmed you to the point where it just wouldn't be smart to act ignorant.

After a beat, both women leave their respective hiding spots and make their way to you. Yelan is relaxed with an easygoing gait showing that she has all the time in the world. Shenhe is more ferous in her approach, weapon on hand, and a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Except Shenhe begins to sprint at you once you lock eyes with her. Despite the rapid thumping of your heart at her stance, you stay still not wanting to show that you could escape when needed.

As expected; Yelan grits her teeth in annoyance and activates her skill to catch up to Shenhe. Shenhe is just a few feet away from you, her spear is held out prepared to slash when she's pulled back by Yelan's lifeline. A sigh of relief escapes you as you slump into place.

"Not yet Shenhe, I need them alive for my job first. Afterwards, you can kill them as you please." Dropping Shenhe from her lifeline Yelan sighs in exhaustion. 

Shenhe doesn't react much to Yelan's attitude. Merely brushing off the dust and repositioning her weapon while watching you. 

"Eyes over here Y/N." The sound of your name from Yelan's lips catches your attention. She smirks at your wary glance and spins her bracelet. "Why don't you and I have a little chat?"

It's done! This one didn't take as long since I have been getting settled into school. If everything is cool and I'm fast then I could finish a chapter every weekend. But let's be honest. I'm far too unlucky for that. This was edited by my annoying dear editor @serpent-benediction . Don't pay attention to him tho. That was mostly a joke! I know the Zhongli cutting limbs wasn't as much as one would think since he goes around without his dragon features most of the time anyway. I just couldn't find a good reason on him cutting off his legs and still managing to fight Azhdaha. So, I hope everyone isn't too disappointed by that and can enjoy the most yandere character so far! Personally, I would not accept that marriage proposal. But now we get to focus on Yelan and Shenhe! I've taken great care to keep Yelan's intention very vague, but I think those that have read her story have a good idea on why she's here. The next chapter should be quite exciting! Taglist - remember if you're username is in italics, that means I couldn't tag you! @vvyeislazzy, @nikqi, @the-dumber-scaramouche, @etherisy, @yourlocalstranger123, @ra404, @iruiji, @goldenglow149, @haru-tofuu, @lsleepysimpl, @bebobeboben, @yuyuzi-ling, @amidst-the-tempest, @resident-cryptid, @mxd1zzy, @mochicurls21, @nervouseaglelover, @thedevioussmirk, @yumuramma, @kwqsla, @undecidingfate, @ehjane, @game-savvy, @akiramirae, @liansh3ng, @fluffy-koalala, @formacoon, @sxftiebee, @khxii-i, @ursinaw, @chuuya-brainrot, @sweetbills, @kazuchaos, @snowfoxnix, @bluebelony, @shellofthewell, @pencil-of-ashes, @ghostlyintervention, @taiformaifoe, @goaudduck, @carminerin, @maddysflowers, @zenith-of-all-zenith, @crazydreamcat, @leafanonsforest, @grimreapersscythe, @leylanx, @sapphireknown, @help-whatdoimakemyusername, @zhonglisfruityass, @mer0n37, @victoria1676, @mochinessss, @sinnful-darling, @emilymikado, @pix-stuff, @esthelily, @luxie963, @emmbny, @millienolife @kbar1013, @xxblackroses623xx, @chxrlxtteee, @aludicpoet, @yandematic, @atrcclovsxoxo, @0lshadyl0, @esthelily, @t-rex-red, @ck123, @steadybreadbluebird, @118gremlin, @stratonia

[fawnnpaws]

it would kind of be so fun to be part of a codependent polycule where everyone’s making everyone else worse and there’s so many overlapping relationships and dynamics within it… like yes toxicity and jealousy and mess but also so much romance and obsession and INSANE sex.

and if there’s one thing i love to do it’s cause problems on purpose mhm mhm 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

feeding the jealousy in the dynamic, letting yourselves be utterly codependent on each other. if one person is upset, everyone feels it, there’s no avoiding it. but when the dynamic is working it fucking works. you’re all so utterly obsessed with each other that the moodiness and jealousy don’t always matter. the sex is on a level none of you have ever felt before because you’re all so in tune with each other in different ways. you have a relationship with patrick that is completely different from your relationship with art, so the two of them get jealous of each other like cats forced into the same space, but their relationship with each other is so obsessive and love driven that they often end up fucking their frustrations out on each other or sharing you to compete with each other. sometimes when they fuck you they make you tell them who you like more, but you’re so brain dead on their dicks and tongues your answer changes every couple minutes, which is fine by them - they get to keep one upping each other. then you throw tashi in, the original object of their affections, who spends more time pampering and babying you than she ever did with them. it started off as you being jealous of her because art and patrick both still bicker over their relationships with her. eventually though, you become her little girl - she sets the rules for what you do and when, the deeper you get into this dynamic the more you need her to function. so jealousy blooms on the opposite side with how tender she is with you and how harsh she is with art and patrick. art especially finds it unfair, given she’s his fucking wife, but at the same time, he can’t hold it against you because he’s just as soft on you, if not more so. you, sweet perfect can-do-no-wrong you, fill a deep void for love that gnaws at his chest. he idolizes you like he idolized tashi, but instead of being an authority figure, you’re someone he takes care of and controls. patrick, on the other hand, sees the bratty side of you. he starts fights with you, pulls at your pigtails like a kid on the playground because he wants to see what’s underneath that sweet exterior. he wants to break you down and prove you’re no better than him, even though he’s just as in love with you as he is with art and tashi. just….. ugghhh complicated relationships because you’re all so fucked up in your own ways and will always love each other more than you love yourselves.

[p0rkbun]

APACHE TEARS┊❝Happy Birthday.❞ Chapter 01

─ Sam Carpenter x OC

Synopsis: Alexis forgets her birthday, but she didn't forget to visit her childhood best friend.

Content warnings: bad writing, slow burn, mention of being chased by a dog, original characters, not proofread, other than that there's nothing too serious.

Word count: 3.4k

Before Alexis left Woodsboro, she lived her childhood in the town that was known for its murders in the 90s. Something like that—you don’t expect to live an ordinary life, would you?

A very slim chance you would have a life with no mishaps in a town like that. Even though it has been eleven years since the last murders happened, some crimes occur every now and then. People doing drugs, accidents, assaults, attempted murder, and more. Despite these occurrences, Alexis had gone on with her life, trying to avoid anything that might make her life miserable, and she did. She was smart enough to avoid anything suspicious, including not answering calls from strangers, not going out late at night, having protection, and knowing when someone is planning to mug you.

It was common sense; even a half-brain would know this!

But Alexis wasn’t lucky. Her efforts were all in vain, because not even intuition could stop any misfortune sent to her. Not only did she never felt safe, but she never had any expectations for her own solace.

One day, she caught a blue butterfly around the playground when she was a young girl. The insect had beautiful blue wings—not something you’d see every day—along with its rapid wings that Alexis almost failed to keep up with. The young girl stared at the insect with interest and fascination, wanting to take it home. She didn't, since she knew keeping a butterfly would not last, so she released the creature.

It wasn’t long until a stray and horrifying dog plunged its canine teeth onto the butterfly, ripping its small wings in an instant. The wrecked beauty was nowhere to be seen, already evaporated and chewed by the rabid animal.

Alexis only stared in shock before she took off, frantically fleeing from the dog chasing the poor girl.

Before she knew it, the memories of her first sight of horror were nothing but a faint memory that left her story of how she has cynophobia. Thinking about it now, she thought about how easily a dog can rip a small creature to shreds, thus scaring another one. It was the same thing with humans.

You can easily take someone’s life; for what cause? For your own survival? Pleasure? Revenge? A relief for your buried anger erupting within yourself?

No matter the reasons, the act of killing someone was immoral and will always be something that’s kept with you until the day you breathe your last breath. Even after death.

Years went by in the blink of an eye. Alexis was no longer a little girl but a drowsy looking freshman in college in Modesto, California. She felt like going back to her dorm to sleep, feeling regret seeping in after she accepted the offer from a friend to hang out.

“Aw you already cut your hair? Lame, I already miss your long hair." The charming-looking boy gives Alexis a teasing grin. “You told me to do something new for myself, didn’t you?” Alexis replies with a sigh to Jesse.

Jesse was the first person she met when she moved to Modesto for her college, he was smiley and handsome-looking, and he knew how to dress neatly even for casual hangouts. Coincidentally, the boy was assigned as her roommate. If you met him, he’d be someone with a bit of an obnoxious exterior, but he’s not a bad guy. He’s pretty considerate, Alexis honestly had thoughts of him liking her because of how abnormally nice he is, the other part is him possibly being an asshole underneath that grin. Not the case; however, he's just... slow sometimes.

“Yeah but I didn’t know you were gonna cut your hair!” He exclaimed, “Dude, everybody was literally telling you how long and pretty your hair looked, they’re gonna be devastated if they see you now.” Alexis glances at Jesse “I’m sure it’s not that serious. It’s a matter of time anyway. I don’t know why I kept my hair that long, I feel so much light now.” 

“Really? Did having long hair feel heavy?” Jesse asks with genuine curiosity.

“Of course it does,” Alexis said, her face contorted with irritation. “Could you leave the questions later? Where are we even going?” Jesse lets out a sheepish chuckle at the girl’s response.

“Okay, alright! C’mon grumps” He held Alexis’ sleeve and led her to wherever their destination was.

She didn’t pay attention to where Jesse led her; in an instant, they were at a small shop. The sign was detailed in black, and the exterior was full white. They both stepped in and met with the sight of accessories and items. All of them are for school, studying, or just for looking nice via keychains, pins, desk lamps, and more.

“Woah, i didn’t know they had something like this here,” Alexis says with surprise. She looks back up to Jesse “Is this some kind of thing you’re doing to get a date with me?” Jesse snorts. “No way! I know you’re not into me.” 

“Then what’s the occasion?”

"C'mon, Al, it’s your birthday!” Alexis blinks at him.

“....It is?” The younger girl thinks, and finally realization hits her. "Shit, I forgot...”

Jesse lets out a small laugh and nudges her arm “That’s kinda funny, how’d you forget your own birthday? Did you not celebrate a lot?” Before Alexis could answer him, Jesse drags her to a shelf and picks out a keychain of a cute looking brown bear. “Cute, right?”

She stares at the pin, rubbing the surface a bit as she inspects it. "Yeah," she mumbles, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. “Weird…I remember getting something like this on my birthday.” The taller boy hums. “A pin?” Alexis shakes her head lightly. "No, the bear.” Jesse stared at her with a perplexed look before he spoke, and his words made Alexis laugh. “You got a bear for your birthday?”

“No, it was a..." Her voice trails before she hums as she tries to recall what it was that reminded her of years ago. 

"Actually, I’m not so sure.”

“Happy birthday!” A young girl exclaims with a small gift box in her hands. Ten-year-old Alexis accepts the gift by taking it in her hands. She lifts her head to look at her friend. “You remembered my birthday?” The girl nods and smiles.

Tara was Alexis’ friend, her first and best friend, and she still is as she grows older. She met Tara at the playground when they were about six or seven. Alexis was a year older than Tara, but that didn’t change their close relationship with one another. Tara was the only friend who wanted to talk to her and hang out with her almost every day. 

“How could I forget?” She giggles; she holds Alexis’ hand while walking her back into the house. “You got me a bracelet a few months ago when it was my birthday; I wanted the both of us to match!” She beams with happiness when she sees Alexis’ small smile. “But that bracelet was pretty expensive; how’d you manage to buy the same one?” This causes the shorter girl to stammer a bit. "Well….I kinda begged Sam to buy it."

“Tara!”

“What?” Alexis sighs at her. This girl…

“Why’d you have to bother your sister?” She puts the bracelet on her wrist. The bracelet had small fake pearls on it, along with the green-colored string. Honestly, Alexis would consider it a scam since it was too expensive for its looks; it looked pretty, but it didn’t match the price. She only realized that after buying the thing. “It’s fine! Sam didn’t mind, i think...  besides she likes you; she even bought you your favorite soy milk on the way home.” Tara says this and hands her friend a soy milk box.

Alexis looks at the box and feels a small burst of joy in her heart. She rarely gets to see Sam, her best friend’s older sister, but she always made her feel comfortable when they were together. She found the older girl cool and sweet; she was a little quiet and scary at times, but it felt nice knowing Sam didn’t mind her. Things have been different for the last year for some reason. She was more distant, but that wasn’t weird for Alexis; she knew people change and get busy sometimes.

Alexis sends Tara an appreciative look before speaking “Could you tell her thanks?”

Tara frowns at the girl. “Hey! You didn’t say ‘thank you’ to me!” She huffs.

“Thank you, you brat.” Alexis rolls her eyes and receives a pinch from Tara for her response. “Ouch stop!” She hisses and pinches Tara back, earning a squeal from the shorter girl. “Ow! I got you a gift and this is what you repay me?!” Alexis dodged Tara’s hand when she tried to pinch her again.

The two ran back to Alexis’ house while giggling and squealing; it wasn’t rare when Tara visited her house. She seems to like being there more than her own home, especially nowadays. Alexis always got her to watch movies or play together.

Alexis snaps out of her daydream and finds herself resting her head on the desk. Memories of her childhood lives fresh in her mind; the ones she could remember vividly were with her best friend. The only memories she wished she could have visited again, being a kid again at least. Everything used to feel so much lighter. Only now, Alexis didn’t wake up and rode her bike around the neighborhood without any worries. Everything was so different; she feels like it was yesterday when she was spending most of her time watching horror movies and hanging out with her best friend. Crazy huh? You never thought time would pass so fast.

The next thing you were a happy kid, not knowing much about the world, until you grew up feeling bitter about things. Sometimes you wish you were a dumb kid who doesn’t know any better again.

Tara sent you a message.

Tara ♥️: Happy birthday lexi

Tara ♥️: I wish I got you something :( I know you’re busy and stuff. You gonna come to visit?

Alexis smiles at the text.

Lex: Yeah I will dw

Lex: Now stop being sad, be ready tmr Im gonna visit my dad first before you

Tara ♥️: Im not first? Wowww i thought im your first in everything. Finally over your best friend huh

Lex: Cmon you know I love you, I just love my dad more

Tara ♥️: You’re an asshole come quick before i hate you forever

Lex: You won’t

On the other side of the screen, Tara's lips curled into a bright smile. After a few months, she finally got to see her best friend again. It hasn’t been long, but it felt like a while for Tara, and it made her anxious. Alexis knew Tara wouldn’t like this distance between them, especially after…

No, let’s not.

But Alexis didn’t have a choice nonetheless; her dad didn’t want her in that town, and deep inside, she agreed with him. She could have brought Tara with her, but she doesn’t really have the requirements currently. So they both settled, visiting Tara once or twice every few months until she could kidnap her and put her in her pocket to live with her in Modesto. Doing it in a friendly way, of course.

Before leaving, Alexis decides to take a trip to the convenience store to buy some things for her ride. Driving came to mind, but she brushed it off, thinking it was too much of a hassle, and decided to take the bus instead.

Upon arriving at the store and stepping in, her mind wonders as she browses through the shelves, picking up a drink and a small snack. She thinks about how Tara’s been doing without her for the past few months. Alexis had the tendency to worry about the younger girl, even if she had others with her back at Woodsboro. Her thought was cut short when another person came to mind.

“hm…I wonder where Sam is and how she’s doing now.” She mumbles to herself; eventually, she purchases her drink and snack before exiting the store to wait for the bus.

How long has it been since Alexis saw Sam? She doesn’t know; she forgot when the older girl disappeared so suddenly. How did she even feel? She doesn’t remember.

With each passing day, Alexis would sometimes wonder what Sam was doing. Probably living her life peacefully without any disquietude. Or not.

The sound of a text message makes her stop halfway to the bus station. Alexis pulls out her phone to see Jesse’s message pop up.

Hey sorry but I left something somewhere and I’m a bit busy right now to get it.

I know you’re going to visit your family today but could you get my headphones and hold on to them for a while until you get back? Its at the bowling alley, you know, the one next to the gas station. Thanks 😀

This little…

Whatever, only 15 minutes remain until the bus arrives. This wouldn’t be so bad; make it really quick.

Alexis jogs to the bowling alley and enters through the door while receiving a greeting from a tall girl at the desk. “Welcome to Cardinal Lanes; how may I help you?” As Alexis approaches the desk, she takes in the tall girl’s appearance for a moment.

She was tall and had her black hair with brown highlights tied into a bun. Her eyes were dark brown, and she had tan skin, along with a rather expressionless face when Alexis entered, but a small smile formed on her face to be appealing and polite.

"Hi, sorry, a friend of mine left something here. Headphones with light-green and grayish colors?” Alexis rushed, not wanting to miss the bus; her voice was breathless from running.

The tall girl nods. “Oh yeah sure, I think I know what you’re talking about. Wait for a moment, miss.” She disappears into the back room for a moment before coming back with Jesse’s headphones.

“Here–” Alexis cuts her off, “Thanks so much—sorry I’m in a rush." She takes the headphones from her and pauses to look up at the woman.

Alexis can’t help but feel sympathy for the stranger; she looked tired as if she’s been working all day every day. Yet she tried to put on an expression to look winsome for the place’s policy and pleasing customer service—something like that.

A rush of thoughts swirled in Alexis’ mind. Funny how she was in a rush, but for some reason she wanted to make this stranger’s day a bit better. This always happens; at the most critical moments, most times, Alexis has this thing of wanting to cheer a stranger up when she sees them down. She knew she needed to mind her own business about whatever miserable thing was going on with somebody unknown to her in their lives. But would you cheer up this tall, pretty, and downhearted-looking girl even if you’re in a rush?

Shit what the hell do I do? What am I doing? I don’t have any time for this. But she looks kinda sad. What the hell…okay stop staring at her like a weirdo.

The tall girl furrows her brows in confusion at Alexis, feeling a bit anxious and flustered at this random Asian girl staring in silence.

“Is there something wrong, Miss?” She asks while her dark brown eyes linger on Alexis.

Alexis blinks and averts her gaze for a split second. “Um yeah, sorry uh…” She stammers before swiftly pulling out a bear pin that she bought that morning and placing it firmly in the stranger’s hands. “Sorry uhm, here’s something of my gratitude for your service—thanks again, bye!” Before she could reply anything back, Alexis had already bolted out of the bowling alley.

The bowling alley attendant frowns at what just happened. She looks at the pin in her hands, her expression puzzled. Weird girl…. she thought. Unknown to Alexis, she probably made someone’s day a little better with her small act of kindness.

Upon arriving at Woodsboro, Alexis feels a sense of familiarity with the town. As much as she doesn’t like it, she misses some of the aspects of the place.

Throughout the ride, Alexis felt the need to jump out of the bus and into a ditch because of her awkwardness earlier. Being back at the place where she grew up took her mind off that for a while.

“Hey dad,” Alexis says to the phone with a bright smile, feeling excited to see her father again after months.

“Lexi? Honey, hey, how are you?” Dewey’s voice was heard through the phone, his soft tone making Alexis smile wider.

“I’m doing fine; I’m visiting you today.” Silence fell momentarily; this made Alexis a little nervous before Dewey spoke again.

“Honey…I told you not to come here.” He sighs through the phone, making Alexis feel a little guilty. “I know but I just wanted to see you." She responded as she walked along the sidewalk; it still brightened out as the sunlight hit Alexis’ face, causing her to squint. “I’m only visiting for a few days; I’m planning to stay at Tara’s house.”

“Oh Alexis…  you know I don’t like that.”

“What’s wrong? I thought you like Tara?” Her response causes him to exhale deeply. "You have to understand that even though I like her and she’s nice for you, I find it difficult to get a good night's sleep knowing that you are here at someone else's house." Alexis lets out a small sigh as she listens to her father’s words.

“I’m not staying at ‘somone’s’ house,” “I know, I know." "Dad, c’mon...”

Dewey goes silent for a bit, waiting for what his daughter has to say. “Dad… I know a lot has happened here, and a lot has happened with you and me as well, but things aren’t like that anymore. It’s been ten years, and nothing strange has happened—no ghostfaces, no killers. I’m not blaming you for being paranoid, but I want to spend time with you without the thought of another murder happening.” 

“I just wanted to see you. Don't you miss me, dad?” Alexis’ words hit Dewey like tree logs crushing a brittle shed. He lets out a sigh before chuckling a bit.

“You didn’t have to say that to your old man; of course I missed you.” He smiles on the other side of the phone before continuing, “Alright, I’ll let you stay, but you’ll leave first thing in the morning on your last day, and make sure to see me.”

Alexis hums. “I will. I’m going to go see you right now, later, Dad.”

“Stay safe, sweetheart.” With that, Alexis hung up and was about to continue walking until she was met with familiar black hair in her sight.

The girl stood in front of her with a grin—Alexis could recognise that smile everywhere. She didn’t expect her to be the first face she'd see once she stepped into this morbid town.

“Well, look who’s back in town.” She laughs, grinning wider, and steps closer to Alexis. “Haven’t seen you in a while; it’s nice seeing you again.” She said in a low tone, her voice sounded sweet.

Alexis gave Amber an acknowledging and surprised expression. She feels a tingly feeling in her stomach—not a good one. It’s a feeling similar to when someone you aren’t that fond of meets you on your way to your destination. Or when a teacher calls your name to ask a question about the lesson you learned but didn’t bother to remember, feeling like your heart stopped for a second. She feels dread for some unknown reason; she always has bad energy whenever she’s with Amber. It’s not because she’s sort of got this bad girl's agenda or that she has a violent way of expressing anger.

Amber is awfully nice to Alexis, and she doesn’t like that. 

If somebody is nice to you, you wouldn’t be feeling a sense of dread. So, why?

It’s always been like this with them; Alexis always felt something was wrong with that girl, and it’s a little messed up to think that.

“What’s with that face?” Amber tilts her head, her eyes lingering on Alexis.

Alexis needed to make this quick before she vomits from anxiety.

— Note: thank you if you managed to read this whole ridiculous thing 🥹 You're probably wonder about Amber and Alexis, they have a complicated relationship which will be revealed more into the story. I'll have to make a new character biography for Alexis soon lol.

[pinpurin]

sjiabsiws look what can be requested and I want to do something about the moral twins! Miles 42 has a girlfriend who is a reader who has been friends with the twins since they were little and Miles 1610 suspects that her brother has a girlfriend but he doesn't know who. I want to know how the family and twin 1610 would find out, to that add that they have been together for more than two years 💜🖤

I love the idea of 42!Miles hiding stuff from his family bc it sounds so much like him, for all the stories about the twins 42! miles will be addressed as milo, simply so things don't get confused and 1610!miles will still get called miles, now onto the story. Also they're juniors :))))

To say you were friends with the Morales twins was an understatement, you guys were unbelievably close, you were always with one or both of them, from the moment you guys were seen playing together by your parents in the playground when you were little to now.

Slowly but surely, you had gotten a lot little closer to milo, something about him being so mysterious had reeled you in, don't get it wrong you were still close with miles, milo just tended stay on your mind. I mean why wouldn't he be? he looked like he was sculpted by gods and blessed by Aphrodite.

As time grew miles started acting weird, he would cancel on your hangouts, abruptly leave during randoms times, wouldn't answer his phone and more. You had started to hate when he would do this without an explanation but at the same time you are thankful for it happening, because of him ditching you (and milo) you were able to get closer to the other brother, getting to know him on more than a friend level

he was always more reserved but with getting to know him more you were able to open up that hard exterior. With the hangout without his brother, he started to look at you in a different way. One day he had gave you a letter telling you to meet him at the rooftop of his apartment, when you got there laid Milo with flowers in his hand asking you to be his girlfriend.

That was two years ago.

you both had agreed to keep the relationship a secret until you decided you were ready to share the big news. "Mi vida?? are you listening??" Milo asked waving his hand in your face. "huh??" you gave him a questioning look. He rolled his eyes before smiling and pulling you closer to him. You had suddenly remembered where you were, the rooftop, where you and Milo go for privacy.

"I said.." he continued, grabbing your chin and making you face him. "Miles is catching onto us" he added. you pulled away from him "What?! How?" you questioned, He pulled down his hoodie showing you a kiss mark that you left on his neck, you pulled you hand to your mouth from shock. How could you be so careless?

"Why haven't you wiped it off?" you asked him quietly. "Because I like it ma, you could mark me more if you would like, sé que te gusta" he fixed his hoodie while smirking at you. "Shut up" you say smacking his chest, suddenly the door to the rooftop was open, you scoot a little bit farther from milo as you looked to see who was at the door. Miles. "Wassup yall" he said walking up to you both. "Hey man" you smile to yourself slightly relieved.

"Yo you wouldn't believe what i saw the other day, Milo had a big ass kiss mark on his neck, damn near looked like he was attacked by something." Miles exclaimed dramatically. "Nigga shut up" Milo huffed. "oh? this is true?" you asked Milo playing dumb, milo rolled his eyes at you but couldn't even hold back his smile. "Literally look at him cheesin mad hard" You and miles began to laugh. "So big bro when am I gonna meet this girl?" Miles asked putting his arm around Milos shoulder.

"You aint" milo replied taking his others halfs arm off of his shoulder. "bro, WHY? stop tryna be mysterious cuz your not that guy" miles folded his arms, "you must be confused, because i am HIM" miles replied.

you stood there with the most puzzled look on your face. "whatever" you said walking away from their nonsense. As you had opened the door to the Morales home, Ms. Morales greeted you. "Hey dear, where are the boys?" she asked while she was cleaning the table.

"On the rooftop arguing about who knows what" you replied, rubbing your temples as if you had a headache. she sighed before making her way over to you and wrapping you in her arms. "Youre the only one who keeps me sane" she said patting your head and you giggled at her "There not THAT bad" you said before letting go, she gave you a knowing look before you laughed again.

"I'm gonna be in the boy's room if you need me" you turned and walking away hearing an "okay dear" behind you. You walked in the room sitting on Milos bed scrolling through your phone for a couple of minutes before hearing someone one come in. "mi amor" miles sighed before flopping on top of you. "Ugh Milos get OFF!" you groaned as the man was crushing your windpipe. "Missed you ma, you didn't miss me?" he asked while peppering your face with kissed.

"How could i not miss my big baby?" your fake pout at him while he rolls his eyes, getting off of you, before you could say anything Milos lips were on yours with his hand cupping your cheek, you squeal from shock but nonetheless kiss him back with the same passion, now having your hands around him arms before pulling apart. As you open your eyes you see that Milos eyes are wide open from shock, you turn to see what he is looking at only to see his family staring back at you.

Sorry for the rushed ending, took all my brainpower to see how this would play out~ purin🤎🫶🏽

[mukuberry]

Trial 3 cover song wishlist

With trial 2 basically done, I want to make my last wishlist for covers... these aren't predictions because Deco hates me and won't let me be happy ever ^u^ there's quite a few songs I wanna see be covered but since we'll only get one per character, I've forced myself to just choose one each....

Haruka - Relationship Scramble

You know, we'll end up love's prisoners, hurt each other,

And say farewell no matter what, right?

In that case, isn't the right answer the twisted one?

What a pain! This pain is so great it's lingering even now.

Searching for legitimacy

Cost me so much that I fell apart.

Yuno - Rabbit Hole

If you get lonely, find anybody, just get lucky

I loathed to love but it gave me life, gonna be a smitten mitten till the day you die?

So why don't you kiss up and shake your cottontail?

A bad dance, why don't you drown in it?

Fake out! I like you! Ugh, can't take it

Fuuta - Chimera

Oh, 1 like, 2 likes...

Your face is like a wolf in sheep's clothing

But watch your step, the evaluation is using a point deduction system

Don't be greedy or you'll drown in poison

Wow! 100 likes, 1k likes!

Your face looks like you're trying to suppress your ego

Muu - Theory Of Negativity

It's not like you'd ever understand, so I'll just keep my mouth shut and make a fool of you

As long as people have secrets to hide, I'm invincible

I can be a good girl through the tears I shed

"Shall I just die"- even while making wishes like this,

I accidentally said "I want to live"

Shidou - Ghost Rule

No statute of limitations for my crime,

Robbed of forgiveness for that thievery of mine,

Things don't look any better today,

Unable to keep up this deception the way I'd hoped

Slowly lapsing in depravity

I hardly realise what has already become rotten

Mahiru - Cosmic Rendezvous

I wanna dance with you, forever, I wanna poke fun and play, forever

This sucks so bad, this countdown to bye-bye, not long until it runs out, fuck

Hey, take me with you to the other side, "together forever" like on a playground, laugh around

But seriously, what's up with my wish not coming true, fuck

Kazui - We The Hostages

I can't drag you along. I can't drag you along, so let's say goodbye.

No matter how much you love me, all I do is get itchy

So give me back the version of me that you own

The memories you want to forget are hostages

So you have to be prepared to kill them at any moment.

I knew too much, so I wish to forget

I only like your exterior. After all, I want to make you my servant

Amane - Poison Apple

You make me laugh with your "sorry", serves you right, always self-centered

On a different note, your tear-stained face, it kinda tickles me the right way

No more, not any more, you really should stop.

No more, not any more, I'd get so ripe, I just can't

Poison check that love, mmm tasty, yummy

Spine shivering sweetness, I wanna feel it, I can't forget that flavour

Mikoto - Nocturnal Kids

I want to sleep but I won't- today is still all right.

Though we've transmitted our voices to each other over and over again, and it's lasted so long,

Let's stop. Let's run away. It's okay.

You can sleep now. I'll protect you diligently, after all.

Let's say "good morning" and make it "today" again.

Kotoko - 118

Not to mention, the fact that you don't even seem to feel any remorse for your actions is just so pathetic

My iron heart has already been melted down and broken

From all the love and affection that was jammed into it

Hearing the words "I love you" just makes me hate you

Where has our happiness been hidden away?

[hazelira]

memories of sunshine

⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ ᴖ̈ ⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆

The air was thick with tension, the night illuminated by the flickering lights of distant fires. Shadows danced across the ground, reflecting the chaos that had engulfed the world. You stood at the precipice of a decision that would change everything. Sunoo’s coldness had driven a wedge between you, turning the warmth of your childhood friendship into a bitter rivalry. Yet beneath that frigid exterior lay the remnants of the boy who once called you his sunshine.

You had realized that the humans were closing in, and you could no longer hide. They wanted to eliminate every last vampire, every psychic and emotional energy vampire, and you were determined to protect Sunoo — your former best friend turned rival.

You felt the familiar pull of Sunoo’s energy as you stood there. He was nearby, his aura a mixture of anger, confusion, and fear. You needed to find him. Your heart raced as you scanned the area, and finally, you saw him standing amidst the ruins of your childhood playground, his gaze distant and haunted.

“Sunoo!” you called out, desperation seeping into your voice. He turned, shock etched across his features as he saw you approaching, blood smeared across your arms and tear streaks painting your cheeks.

“Y/N! What are you doing here?” he demanded, stepping forward as if to pull you back from the precipice of danger.

But you wouldn’t let him. “I have to do this!” you cried, knowing he would be next if you didn’t act now. The humans wouldn’t stop until they had eradicated every vampire, and you refused to let him be their next target.

“Don’t you dare!” he shouted, stepping closer, panic rising. “You can’t just throw your life away like this! We can fight them together!”

You shook your head, a bittersweet smile gracing your lips. “No, Sunoo. I can’t let you get hurt. You’re worth so much more than this fight. You deserve to live.”

As you looked into his eyes, you saw the flicker of memories you shared: the laughter, the joy, the innocent dreams of a future together. But it was also shadowed by the rivalry that had pushed you apart, a chasm that felt too wide to bridge.

“Run far away from here. Never look back,” you said, your voice breaking as tears spilled down your cheeks. You leaned in closer, your forehead touching his briefly, feeling the warmth radiating from him, the light that had once filled your world.

“Y/N, please—” Sunoo started, but you cut him off with a gentle shake.

“I will always love you, my sunshine,” you whispered a promise, a final goodbye. With that, you turned, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Before he could react and grasp what was happening, you pushed him away, a surge of psychic energy rippling through the air. “No!” he screamed, reaching out for you, but you were already stepping into the fray of chaos, ready to face the humans who sought to destroy your kind.

The world around you faded as you faced them, the fear washing away, replaced by a profound calm. You could feel the energy coursing through your veins, your emotional power igniting like a star. But it was a fleeting moment. A bullet tore through the night, piercing your heart, and you gasped as pain flooded your senses.

At that moment, you knew your time was up. But as the darkness crept, you reached deep within yourself, summoning every last bit of power. Your memories surged, swirling like vibrant colours, capturing the essence of everything you shared with Sunoo.

The last thing you saw was his face, twisted in horror as you crumpled to the ground, the light in your eyes flickering. “Y/N!” he cried, voice choked with despair, but you were already drifting away, the world fading into a haze of warmth and love.

“Live, Sunoo,” you breathed, the warmth of your memories wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. “Remember me. Remember the happiest moments… the what-ifs… the dreams of our future together.”

And with that, you unleashed your power into his mind, pouring every ounce of love and happiness you had into his psyche. Memories of you as children, chasing butterflies in a sunlit field, laughing until your sides hurt, dreams of a life where you never parted ways.

In his mind, you wove a tapestry of what could have been — a family of your own, laughter echoing through the halls, quiet moments spent in each other’s arms, old and content, the world outside forgotten. You would be together in the afterlife, reunited with acceptance and forgiveness, forever entwined in each other’s hearts.

As your last breath escaped your lips, you closed your eyes, feeling the pull of the afterlife drawing you in. Sunoo’s anguished cries faded into the distance, replaced by the warmth of the memories you had gifted him. He would carry you with him always, a part of him forever, even if you were no longer there.

And as the darkness enveloped you, you whispered one last time, “I will always love you, my sunshine.”

[kriskalutz]

So @chrisnewbie create the Strangetown Hotel for her Strangeytown neighborhood, and it's based off the Sims 2 DS right? She bases her design more on the exterior of the hotel first and then builds the exterior afterward. And I don't blame her, the Hotel in the DS game is basically a Tardis: it's a lot bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

But it got me wondering what the Hotel would look like if you focused on the interior rather than the exterior. Or at least the parts of it that make it a hotel. And so I made this strange hotel:

I'm still testing it out, but basically I took snapshots of the Main Lobby, the Small Guest Room, the Modern Guest Room, the Jungle Guest Room, the Deluxe Guest Room, AND the Sun Deck, blueprinted them, and then attempted to put them together into a weird little building puzzle in the game.

Those are the only rooms from the DS game that I used in this build, but I did add a few more rooms make the place look 'better': two public bathrooms, a library, a community gaming area, a gym, a playground, and two grilling areas (one ground level, one second floor). I wanted it to still have that vibe of the hotel that has EVERYTHING in it even if the main focus was just the Guest Rooms.

The Deluxe Room was so big I couldn't fit it into a single picture (see below). It's also the one I altered the most as I put it on the second floor: it's supposed to have stairs going down to a lower platform to reach the fireplace, but I put the room on the 2nd floor and opted to just make it a platform instead (I spent 30 minutes trying and failing to do the L-shape stairs trick for the main lobby and I wasn't about to try build tricks again on this build.)

The Deluxe Guest Room has the luxury of this big side patio upstairs! It's also the most expensive apartment on the lot (+5,000 a week).

The Hotel Owner's room and the Penthouse were removed because you can only have 4 apartments per lot, so I just turned them into a pair of houses. Never took pics of them though.

Anyway it was a fun little experiment and I'm gonna go play instead of build for now lol.

[blowflyfag]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated: August 1995 

It’s a Man’s Sport? Yeah, Right!

Women are taking over the workplace in modern society–and taking over in wrestling, too. Men are no longer making all the key decisions. 

By Liz Hunter

Sherri Martel can remember the times when, as a little girl growing up in New Orleans, she and her friends would go to the playground for an afternoon of unsupervised fun. Within 15 minutes, there would be a dozen parents on the scene trying to break up a disturbance. Little Sherri had done it again. 

“It got to the point after a while where none of the other kids would sit in the sandbox with me,” Martel fondly recalled. “To me, that was a little wrestling ring, and I’d just pick up the little kids and slam them in the sand. I guess I knew what I wanted to do with my life at an early age.”

Tamara Murphy Fytch has slightly different memories of her earlier years. Fytch didn’t punch, kick, or slam anybody, but she controlled her peers nonetheless. From 10th grade on, Fytch was president of her student council, head cheerleader, captain of the girl’s varsity soccer team, and president of the debating society. Not surprisingly, her peers voted her “Most Likely To  Succeed” During her senior year of high school. 

“Everybody knew me,” Fytch said. “I had my hand in just about everything, and you know what was the most awesome thing of all? Even with doing all that, I still pulled straight A’s. I’ve known I’m something special for a long time.”

Fytch and Martel are two of the very special women ruling the power meetings in wrestling these days. They are mentally and emotionally stronger than a lot of the men in the sport. Physically, Martel can give many of the guys a run for their money (did anyone catch her beating on The Nasty Boys at WCW Uncensored?). Anyone who still thinks wrestling is a man’s sport has another think coming when wrestlings power gals are around. 

Fytch. Martel. Woman. Miss Texas. Alundra Blayze, BullNakano. These are the women whose power, intelligence, and beauty shrink any man down to size when they’re around. Wrestling’s female power brokers wear the pants in this sport. 

Take Martel, who has managed Harlem Heat to the WCW World tag team title. Here’s a team that had little going for it until Sister Sherri joined the fold. Under her management, they have risen to the top of the tag team heap. 

[Woman doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. Sandman probably wouldn’t have accomplished nearly as much in ECW without her. Heck, she’ll even try to claw Cactus Jack’s eyes out if she sees fit.]

“Harlem Heat is great because I don’t let anybody step on them,” Martel said. “Anyone who thinks they can pull a fast one on my men is in for a big surprise. I’ve been around this game long enough to know the ins and outs, and one thing I know is that when you have the belts, you call the shots.”

Martel has also won the AWA and WWF Women’s titles and managed WCW World champion Ric Flair and WWF Intercontinental champion Shawn Michaels. She is not only the top female manager in the world, she is possibly the top manager in the world, period. 

“I don’t see who’s had more success managing more top wrestlers lately,” said broadcaster Tony Schiavone. “Sherri has power, and she knows how to use it.”

So does Fytch, who made relative unknowns Chris Candido and Brian Lee into somebodies… and champions. There’s little doubt Fytch’s star will soon rise much faster and shine much brighter. She’s just one of those self-made women who need only one little break to turn it into something big. Fytch is smart, beautiful, and aggressive.

Woman hides her intelligence behind a beautiful, though somewhat slutty exterior. She knows sex sells, and a sexy image can help advance a woman’s career. This Woman, who managed The Sandman in ECW and had managed former World tag team champions Doom in WCW, rules with a lace first.

Who can forget the night when Tommy Dreamer, despite being beaten to a bloody pulp by a Singapore cane-wielding Sandman, refused to kiss Woman’s feet? She said Sandman would stop only if he did this. But doing so would have been giving in to her power. There is no doubting who controls Sandman. 

“I don’t like men telling me what to do,” Women said. “It’s not my style. Men think they can have their way with me because I’m beautiful and sexy, but it’s all part of a power trip, and the power is mine.”

[Sherri Martel regularly assists in the physical assaults by The Nasty Boys and doesn’t care what the consequences are. Is it so hard to believe she bullied all the other kids in the sandbox when she was little?]

Kimberly, “Dirty White Boy” Tony Anthony’s “Dirty White Girl,’ has been a bit more subservient than most women in wrestling, but still plenty powerful. Last year, she knocked out a wrestler named The Hornet with a single punch. 

[Alundra Blayze is beautiful, but she’d rather be known as the woman who made women’s wrestling popular again. As for Bull Nakano, she’s as tough and powerful as most men.]

There’s no doubting Miss Texas’ beauty or power. She is still the only woman ever to be ranked on the “PWI 500.” Long live Missy Hyatt, who’s out of the sport, but not out of our hearts or minds. The image of Missy lives forever. And she wasn’t merely the blonde bombshell to end all blonde bombshells. She was an effective manager, valet, and Tv commentator. 

[Would Chris Candido ever have won the NWA title without Tamara Murphy Fytch’s expert guidance? No way, she says. In just two years, Fytch has become one of wrestling’s most powerful managers.]

Alundra Blayze, formerly known as Madusa Miceli, and Bull Nakano, the WWF World Women’s champion, do their work mainly in the ring. Although she is extremely beautiful, Blayze would rather be known as a world-class wrestler than a world-class beauty. Her goal is to make women’s wrestling as popular in North America as it is in Japan. 

[Miss Texas has made life hell for practically every woman who has appeared in the USWA… and a few men, too. After beating Hamie Dundee two years, she became the first woman ever to be ranked in the “PWI 500.”]

Nakano, who has never been accused of being beautiful, is one of the world’s most violent wrestlers. Many men are afraid to go one-on-one with her. Nakano is so tough that she has scared away a host of potential contenders to her title. 

Luna Vachon scared away many suitors before marrying the equally scary Vampire Warrior in 1994. It takes a strong man to simply look at Luna, much less confront her. But Luna is the prototype of today’s strong female in wrestling. She is much more concerned with actions than appearances. She isn’t afraid of being aggressive. Luna doesn’t care if men approve of her. 

Like most of the other women in wrestling, Luna approves of herself, and that’s all that matters.

[ell-arts]

I love how when it came to the way of rewriting most characters, we either keep most of their personalities and traits the same or just hit the restart button and make them COMPLETELY different than what they were in the show.

Like take Pac for example, in the show he's an absolute goof, he's willing to do his job to prevent a full strike of chaos, and he's pretty optimistic and positive towards the people he cares about. Yet he still can get aggressive very fast and has some angry outbursts a lot.

But from what I've seen of the way the fandom writes him most of the time, it's either his outbursts are more controlled, he's more anxious and nervous than anything, and he's way more wholesome and emotional. Or.... He's the cause of the chaos.

Personally it's just something I've seen not only in a few of your works, but others too. It's either we keep them the way they are, make a few tweaks, or just throw canon out the window and throw them into a vat of fanon behavior. :')

Yup!! Show's our playground now, we can do with canon whatever we want xD

I do like taking creative liberties, but I'll admit that I often prefer to stay true to the source material in terms of its charm or certain canon aspects. Or at least at this stage of the game... (I'm often playing around with new fanfic ideas for whenever CMC or TV is finished, and some of them do kinda throw canon out the window lol)

Generally, I like to keep the characters close to how they are in canon, but add a few bonuses. Kinda like levelling them up, y'know? With Pac, I do really like how he already is in canon, and instead of adding more personality traits to him, I'd rather deepen or accentuate his existing traits. Like...

Canon Pac is afraid of losing his aunt? Cool, let's make it so that his fear is so deep that he sometimes has nightmares over it. Which contributes to his overall nervousness in some instances. Why does he tend to get nervous? Cuz of a troubled childhood when he was too concerned with pleasing his peers in order to fit in, which may or may not have led to a lot of anxiousness in his childhood, which may or may not have developed into panic attacks. Make this an additional aspect of his personality and inner demons, and couple it with his canon self. What do we get? An absolute goof who's noble and good at doing his job and who's optimistic and positive towards the people he cares about, BUT underneath that hard-working, kind exterior is a little boy who still struggles with anxiety and a lot of self-doubt/inferiority, and he hides it well because he doesn't want to be a burden to others (stemming from his people-pleasing childhood AND from his new responsibilities as Pacworld's protector), and so he'll do everything in his power to do good, but often to the detriment of his own mental health...which or may not see a return of his panic attacks.

Boom. You've got canon Pac with an extra sprinkle of trauma.

And if you think Pac has it hard, wait until you see what I've got cooking up for Cyli, Spiral, and Elli.

[frankensteinshimbo]

The Old Machine

For @flashfictionfridayofficial's Flash Fiction Friday. The prompt was:

[#FFF218 How Do You Use 'It'?] This wonderful prompt has been brought to you by the one and only @potaeto-writes, thank you very much! What is 'it'? Why does someone not know how to use it? You better read that booklet with its fine-print! Whether your character tries to get the washing machine going for the first time or your scientist has created a rather complicated time-machine: We want to know how it's used! Write your story and tell us.

A fun fact: I work with kids and had them decide what the machine should be called based on their best guesses.

“How do you use it?”

Price’s breath tickled the hairs on the back of her neck.

“I don’t know.”

Ansley “Lee” Robinson scraped a soft layer of dust off of the top of the faded exterior of the machine with her palm. 

What was once an enameled seagreen had become the mottled color of chicken starting to mold, but now she could see tiny glimmers of her own reflection staring out of fingerprints. It was an old bulwark. It might’ve been the green-gray of a whale’s back cresting the surface of the ocean. She held the boxy shape in her hands, shifting the sharp edges, so they wouldn’t dig into her. It looked like a large flat box with a smaller longer box on top, sort of like the beat-up red plastic cash register at school. Instead of numbers, it had a raised circular keyboard. Each key was about as big as a thumbnail. 

“It’s one of those story typing machines,” Lee stated with the confidence of a tenured professor. 

“Like from an old movie,” Price swanned towards what would’ve been a graceful landing on a stack of boxes had her grandma’s chunky red heels not caught the edge of the suitcase a pace to the right and knocked his butt right onto it, like a sack of dirty clothes on laundry day.

“Yeah, I guess,” she continued without looking up at Price’s usual antics.  

Her own eye gleamed back at her, distorted in the streaky surface. She looked a second longer, then blew.

A wave of gray murk flew off or fell in clumps to the concrete floor. The ancient dust raised a fit of hacking, doubling her and Price over. The machine slipped in her hands. Quickly, she fumbled for the blocky shape with her small arms. With a horrible ringing and clattering from the machine, she gained purchase by jamming it into the soft spot just below her diaphragm. 

“Lee! Y’all better not be in that damn storage closet!”

She and Price shared a single look and a fleet-footed departure. Him on bare feet, her with the typing machine under her hoodie. 

She traded Price his abandoned socks the next day for his pack of new gel pens.

They sat on the playground bench, getting flecked with glittery pink, orange, green as they cracked the ink reservoirs open to dump them into a little plastic bottle they’d found near the slides. It looked like it’d held bubble liquid once. Now it had a concoction that was slowly turning a nauseous black. 

Price pranced on his sneakers’ tiptoes as he practiced staggering around in front of the bench Lee was sitting on. 

“You have to bring whatever you write on it to school, okay? I got those pens for my birthday.”

“It’s not like I’m using all of them,” Lee grumbled, but she knew in her heart of hearts that she wanted Price to be there.

“Yeah, but they’re still mine, so I get the first page.” Price teetered on a toe for a moment before he sank into the bench beside her. “I’m gonna put it in a frame next to my bed in the new apartment.”

Like the aftermath of a stone splashing into a pond, the two fell silent.   

 Her great grandparents had lived in her house prior to her grandparents who had lived there prior to her dad; she had always thought that she would live there as well. But Dad was always going on about the neighborhood being sold off to the city so white land developers could push into the block with new condos. Old Miss Mattie - who’d planted crepe myrtle trees down the block and knocked on their door every month or so to remind them about the neighborhood potluck had stopped coming ‘round. Dad had said she’d had to move. Then he sighed in that world weary way and shook his head. That had been when the stone had started to sink Lee’s stomach, then, that something that had been so assured for most of her life could be taken without her ever having realized it’d gone missing. 

Using the borrowed time between Dad’s room door closing and the onset of drowsiness in her body, Lee dragged the typing machine out from under her bed. Setting the glass of water on her nightstand on the floor, she hefted the thing into the empty center. It didn’t take long to fish the improvised ink bottle out of her backpack, but it did take her the better part of that hour and several Google searches to find the name of the thing.

“Typewriter. I knew that,” she mumbled as she popped the letters ‘how to use a typewriter’ into YouTube on virtual keys. The blue-green behemoth stood perfectly still beside her. She almost felt as though it were waiting. Waiting as she stumbled through finding out it already had a loaded ink ribbon, cramming in a sheaf of notebook paper borrowed from today's math notes, and marveling that the typewriter had sat there all those years patiently waiting to be used. 

The carriage moved as if oiled to click into place. A minute passed in silence, but nothing stirred except for the hum of cold air being spit out of the AC. She laid her hands on the keys. 

“Springhill was never”’ she began to write, then opened Google on her phone beside her. She puzzled out different variations of

jentrefid

jentrifyed

jentreefied

 until ‘did you mean?’ spat back out the correct input.

‘Gentrified.’

Under the painstaking guesswork of another fifteen minutes, she wrote:

“Miss Mattie never moved away and Price will not move because the city ran out of money paying lawyers. When we’re together, they can’t defeat us. We will live here and so will our children.”

When she set out for school the next morning Old Ms. Mattie waved at her from across the street.

[nj-6-girl]

The sun cast a warm glow through the windows of Seoul Academy, illuminating rows of neatly arranged desks. Twelve-year-old Choi Micha sat at her desk, tapping her pen against a blank piece of paper. Her long, silky hair cascaded over her shoulder as she frowned at the daunting task before her: an essay on Korean history. Despite her usual confidence, the subject left her uninspired.

"Mina," Micha whispered, glancing over at her best friend, who sat beside her. Mina's desk was equally clear of any productive work, her notebook filled with doodles instead of notes.

"Yeah?" Mina replied, looking up with a mischievous grin that often got her into trouble.

"How are we supposed to write this essay?" Micha asked, a hint of desperation in her voice.

Mina shrugged, her grin widening. "I didn't even start mine. I was hoping you had some ideas."

" didn't you do search in the books that the teachers gave us for information to write this essay"

" nah, I didn't" she shrugged carelessly.

" you're going to get In trouble again, and your parents won't let this go easley" Micha said quietly while putting her head on top of her arms on the table.

" what's new" she said equally as quiet while looking anywhere but her friend.

Both girls came from prominent, wealthy families in Korea, Despite Mina’s troublemaking reputation, Micha knew her friend had a kind heart, often hidden beneath her rebellious exterior. Mina's parents were strict, frequently punishing her for her antics, sometimes they were really harsh on her on the smallest thing.

" are you going to be ok" Micha mumbled softly.

" I'm ok"

The classroom buzzed with activity as other students scribbled away, but Micha and Mina found solace in their mutual predicament. Under the table, Mina playfully nudged Micha's leg with her foot. Micha retaliated, and soon, the two were lightly kicking each other, giggles stifled behind their hands to avoid the teacher's stern glare.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Micha felt a mix of relief and excitement. She followed her usual routine, heading to the convenience store near the school. The small bell above the door chimed as she entered, and she made a beeline for her favorite dessert: strawberry mochi. With her treat in hand, she walked to the nearby playground, a quiet spot where she could enjoy her snack in peace.

Sitting on a swing, Micha savored the sweet taste of the mochi, her mind wandering to anything but history essays. " Should I try the chocolate mochi next time" she whispered to herself while adjusting her baby pink back bag on her lap and swings lightly.

" hello there" a woman voice said behind her as Micha jumped slightly on her seat" don't need to be frightened" the pretty woman chuckled.

" I just want to have a small talk with you"

The women looks pretty, I should trust she doesn't look like the scary women in the movies that kidnaps children like Kang oppa told me about.

" what's you name ? And how old are you beautiful?" She crouched in front of her.

" my name is Choi Micha, and I'll be turning thirteen this October" she said adorably while pouting.

" I'm jeong saebi and I work at ador entertainment, oh do you like candies I have some more here" saebi noticed how the little girl was clutching her mochi in a tight grip like someone would steal it from her, how cute.

It's true that Kang oppa would scold me if he saw me take Free candy but, saebi unnie is pretty like the women in movies she wouldn't do anything bad to me.

" thank you" she grabbed the candies and put them in her bag for later.

" do you like music"

Micha nodded twice without thinking.

" oh what is your favorite idol group" the pretty woman said fixing the flying hair of Micha.

" I like girls generation" her eyes lit up while saying the name of her favorite group.

" that's great! Do you want to be like them one day"

Again Micha nodded her head without thinking, but this time it was faster.

" brilliant! I work in a company that may makes your dream come true, here is my card, call me when you make your decision, ok?" She finally got up from her position and handed her the card.

" thank you, I promise I will think about it since you gave me my favorite candies" Micha squealed joyfully.

" you really are beautiful, I hope you think about it". Saebi spoke gently to the little girl in front of her.

It would be a nice addition, I hope her family accept it though. Saebi wasn't blind, she noticed the girl uniform and knew right then that she wasn't from a normal family.

" well I have to go, bye Micha" she waved as she walked away.

" bye unnie" she said softly as she stared at the card in her hand.

When Micha arrived home, she was practically bouncing with joy. She plugged in her headphones and played her favorite Girls' Generation songs, losing herself in the music and the glamorous world of her idols. The elegant choreography, stunning visuals, and catchy tunes captivated her, fueling her dreams of one day joining their ranks.

As the last notes of the song played, Micha stood in front of her mirror, holding the business card. She imagined herself on stage, bathed in lights, performing for adoring fans. A smile spread across her face as she whispered to herself, "One day, I'll be just like them."

[salsedinepicta]

Answering here to this lovely ask by the lovelier @greypetrel because it's the OCs playground - based on this prompt list. ✨

This turned in an astrology-heavy thingy, so I feel like I should premise that astrology (like tarot cards) is a tool and like any tool all depends on how you decide to wield it. I don't believe that horoscopes should dictate your life; to me astrology can be a way to reflect on yourself - or just to have fun with completely fictional characters lol.

So:

💧Maren Hawke: Scorpio / water (mid November, during a storm)

"[...] intense personalities and feelings that they hide underneath their cool exterior."

Usually celebrated in some simple but sweet way - which is fine to her, because before Lothering they are always on the run and she doesn't want to be a burden. However she would be secretly very pleased if someone would take care to do something more extravagant once the family (or what's left of it) is more settled.

🍁 Gwydion/Gideon Hawke: Libra / air (late September - Autumn equinox, a sunny but chilly day) + an Earth rising sign.

"Their ruling planet is Venus, meaning that Libras are nurturing, caring, and can make great defenders of the downtrodden."

Loves a good celebration, but in a hobbit sort of way - he'll just use it as an excuse to buy stuff for all of his friends/loved ones because excuse me! It's his birthday! Can't they indulge him a little? ;)

(Yes, Justice included)

🌱 Malva Surana: Aquarius / air (unknown)

"They go about accomplishing their goals in quiet and unorthodox ways. Oftentimes, just because they chose the path less traveled, the results of their eccentric methods are surprisingly effective."

In Kinloch Hold since she was about five years old, so she never celebrated before becoming a warden - when the companions all got together around the campfire and invented a birthday for her. Since she has no benchmark she makes up a bunch of so-called "traditions" based on what people tell her, and probably trusts Zevran a little bit too much.

+ bonus: ❄️ Circe Trevelyan is still half a mystery to me, but I think I'd like a Pisces-Aries (water-fire, eheh) cuspid around the Spring Equinox.

Source of the quotes: labyrinthos

And thanks for asking! 💙✨

[nonuggetshere]

what does the humble pie au burrow look like i wanna make it in minecraft - 👹

A small entrance close to the ground that you've got to crawl into, it widens a bit in the corridor then opens up to a small chamber lined with blankets. It's just about the height where you'd scrape your head against the ceiling, very cramped but cosy, with a little outcrop at the back with even more blankets and pillows and wrapped around in roots - that's the best.

As for later in the story when it's turned into a village

There's a small passage leading from the hole in the ground to protect from elements, with one set of stone stairs carved into the walls. It's kind of like a giant well with the stairs wrapping around it and a rope in the middle to transport supplies from the surface. Then it opens up to the main chamber which is the biggest, then there are some smaller chambers leading off from it, but the passages are large so it feels more open. It's like large stone corridors on either side that branch off into smaller corridors.

People live in houses dug into the walls of the caverns, kinda like hobbits

Most bugs have a pretty standard house layout, but WL's and PK's looks much more like a classic burrow thanks to them being both burrowing species

The main chamber is covered in plants and honestly looks almost like a park, with mostly shrubs and like 3-5 trees. The main chamber is the main gathering square with a speaking podium in the middle. The grass and moss covered ground is broken up by stone paved paths. There's a small school and a playground for the kids. It's all illuminated by soul magic, giving the appearance as if it was naturally illuminated.

Like I mentioned all buildings are built into the walls with wooden exteriors. If you follow one of the hallways down you'll find a crop farm and where they farm livestock.

Some other things included:

-Several storehouses for different things

-Drying huts

-A butchery

-A tanning house

-A workshop

-A brewery

-An armory in case of bandits

-A barn for livestock and a storage unit (both built into the walls as well, but much larger than the usual rooms)

All placed along the corridors, save for the armory which is branched off from the main chamber, an the home where yhe little ex-royal family lives which is at the back of the main chamber, the opposite of the entrance.

It's much larger now and resembles more of a classic home, with different rooms and twins having their own rooms now, but still has that vague den feeling to it, like exposed stone walls or floor as opposed to painted walls and wooden floors of most villagers.

You can go hogwild with the layout if you want to, it's not anything super planned and strict tbh

But do show when you're done!

[honeycove-crossing]

— Kidcore Island Inspo—

What is Kidcore?

Kidcore is referred to as an aesthetic that is centered around childhood nostalgia, bright or rainbow colors, and kid-related items like toys and games. It's origins date back since the 70's, but any decade where you feel most in-tune with your inner child is where this theme resonates.

In this post I'll only be talking about the exterior of your island itself. For interiors, villager recommendations, custom designs, and clothing I will make separate posts! This is just so I don't bombard you so much at once and get you overwhelmed and you can focus on the area(s) you might need guidance.

With that, let's jump in!

How do I make my island Kidcore themed?

I recommend planting lots of flowers! These can include any of your favorite types - roses, windflowers, tulips, etc. Even bushes with flowers on them can add decent amounts of color early on in the game. I would avoid black and white flowers and try to keep your colors in the rainbow! You can buy some from Nook's Cranny and Leif when he visits your island. Both of these options will have rotating stock so you can buy as many of whichever kind you like! If you like the unruly look, I also recommend keeping some weeds planted - if not, don't forget to pull them up if you'd like it to look clean and put-together!

Next, let's think about what items we can place outside that can add to our aesthetic. I recommend lots of toys or things a child might enjoy. These can be rainbow and colorful if you like or can fit a color-scheme you choose. Here are some items that I think will help you achieve the child-like wonder and nostalgia:

Stuffed animals from the Bear set

Items from the Mario series

Items from Hello Kitty and My Melody series

Arcade machines

T-Rex doll

Dollhouse

Sandbox

Elephant Slide

Gumball machine

Kid's tent

Board game

Throwback race car bed

Puppy plushie

Bunny Day garden flag

Plaza tea cup ride

Springy ride-on

Plaza train

Balloons

Mountain bike

Football

Soccer goal

Volleyball net

Basketball

Areas

If you have terraforming unlocked or just need some ideas on different areas or sections of your island you can make to fit in with your kidcore aesthetic, here are a few recommendations to fill empty plots of land:

Playground

Candy shop

Daycare

Park

Toy store

Doll house

Arcade

Carnival or Circus

Soccer/Football field

Rollerskate rink

Moodboards