#i wanna draw them more soooo bad but im busy

[halfusek]

so lemme just put it out there: using AI for generating art, nevermind if for a joke or seriously, in this point of time, plain sucks

i’m refering here to that bendy highschool crush anime thing whatever i refuse to interact with stuff about this so i’m not exactly familiar but what matters is that it was AI generated AND even more so it was not mentioned anywhere that it was until people started pointing it out

there’s a few problems with that

first one is obvious - just the use of AI - as yall probably know its been a highly controversial topic these past few months, because of course it’s built on thief - first stealing artists’ work and then stealing their jobs; a joke or not it STILL uses that based in thief technology... though there do exist some AIs that asks artists for constent, for example the one that deviantArt created recently (and people misunderstood and spread a lot of false information about but oh well that’s a whole other thing) BUT generally these services for AI generation of images steal from artists - and not only! - they just take anything they can find fitting on the internet, even stock images and there was a case about a stock image site suing one of these AI services because *yeah* it’s just thief

another layer to all that adds the context of the game they made itself... like... BATIM/BATDR’s story is at its core about exploitation of artists and - apparently wether they like it or not - evils of capitalism (i still cant comprehend how Mike Mood can be anti union after making a game like this but like lol). it’s about art, about struggle with it and it’s just soooo out of touch to do something like this for a company making such game like hello?? if you wanna take from how artists are abused in big corporations then maybe have some decency and don��t use tools that abuse artists??? like that’s just so in bad taste man i have no words

then comes the fact that they waited with mentioning that AI is used is in the video. it STILL isn’t in the description of the video (the time im making this post is 13th april 2023 so the vids been up for 12 days), which i think AIs these days even require to be given credit?? but either way a lot of people didn’t even realize AI was used and i don’t blame them, not everyone pays attention to details or has an eye for them, this is why such information should be included... if it supposedly was meant to be “part of the joke” all along

which i find hard to believe? sure it came out on april first but.. how exactly is it a part of the joke? the AI generation was simply used for making the art for this fictional joke game. it could have as well been drawn by a real artist and no part of the joke would have been lost because it’s not part of the joke at all? like it’s not mentioned anywhere and it’s not obvious (Meatly even said they heavily photoshoped the images because they looked bad) so i’m asking how exactly AI being used is part of the joke here because it just seems like it was used as a mean of creation here and there was an attempt to hide that it was done at all

and if they really didn’t wanna spend time and effort on drawing it themselves (i get it, they might be busy with other things) then just A. don’t?? make anything?? or B. use an AI that doesn’t steal from artists and credit it so people know? and if it’s reeeeaaally a part of the joke then actually make it part of the joke? even a singular line of commentary laughing off at AI would make this actually work but there’s just nothing

i’m glad that Meatly said they aren’t planning on using it for anything serious but using it for a joke is still using it like sorry but that’s just how it is

and the whole ordeal of not saying what AI it is just rubs me the wrong way because high chance is they aren’t doing that because this AI is one of those that steal from artists so... eh... like i realize this is an assumption but i think it’s fair to be a bit skeptical about them after everything they’ve done :’)

[memory-vauit]

man

[bbyhaikyuu]

idk how to do these things so 👀

I haven't written anything in like 4 years, so.. Hi? Im taking it easy a bit by doing these hc's(is that what you call it? Or is it called a scenario???? Idk help im a babieee) first before doing oneshots/short fics hehe

: Daichi and Sugawara: Finding out that someone is drawing them.

I did not proofread oops i just wanted to get it over with and finish

Daichi

TYPICAL hallway bump shenanigans eheheheeeee

You were carrying quite a lot of stuff, well of course, being the class rep means that you have to pass the class's workbooks to the faculty room.

Your dumbass forgot that you put your sketchbook right on top of the pile??

Chaos suddenly came and the next thing you knew is that the books were on the floor.

Looked up and saw it was Daichi??

Bumping to this mf feels like walking right into a stone wall

lmAO felt like your shoulder dislocated a bit there eh?

Daichi is a gentleman ofcourse he would help you gather the books. Suga and Asahi was with him too, which made the cleanup much more faster.

Y'all exchanged apologies(and thanks) before you sprinted away like your life depended on it.

The trio was about to head to their respective classrooms, but suga noticed something on the corner of his eyes and picked up a black sketchbook.

They knew it wasn't a typical notebook because the cover was sort of like soft leather??? Damn it felt expensive.

Sugawara quickly found your name written at the bottom center and read it out loud.

"Isn't she from class 3-A?" Asahi asked them, they nodded in reply.

All of the 3rd years knew each other's names, despite never talking or interacting.

The bell rang, lunch break was over.

"Guess she's going to be late because of us. " Daichi chuckled, though guilt was evident.

"Aaand that is why you are the one who is gunna return that to her, personally." Suga smiled before shoving the notebook to Daichi's chest and darting towards his classroom.

Asahi is gone too???

Daichi sighed and went back to his own classroom.

The period turned out to be a study hall since the teacher didn't bother to show himself. There isn't really anything to study anymore tho?? They had exams just last week???

Bored Daichi decided to flip through your sketchbook and found himself at awe and intrigued each time he flipped a page.

He quickly learned that you were into action mangas. Each page was littered with dynamic poses. Though there were some full illustrations here and there.

When he got to the last page with a drawing he CLOSED IT BY ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE WAS SURPRISED.

Homeboy got stared at lmao

Anyways he opened it up again and got an even closer look.

On the upper left, there was a messy headshot sketch of someone. Messy yet you can actually tell who it was yk what i mean????

Daichi smirked because he KNEW it was him 100%

the nowhere finished full body sketch of someone recieving a ball with the #1 below the headahot gave it away.

The facy that it has "?????" beside it is very amusing to him. He knew you had a hard time figuring out the pose.

So when y'all got dismissed, he quickly went to your room and searched for you, holding up the black sketchbook in his hand. You almost died that day because you thought you lost it.

"You look like you could use some help there, wanna come watch me and the boys practice? "

You almost blew a fuse but hey, atleast you finished that drawing of yours.

Sugawara

You're at a cafe, hoping that the change of environment will help you think and draw more.

Wrong. You needed a live reference. Pinterest pics just wont cut it.

How do u draw men???? When its women you can go like swoosh and its already decent and *chef's kiss. But men???? Boink.

So when you looked up and saw a pretty boi (cue sugawara) sat across you, you were like "hell yeah, jackpot".

You started doing sketches on your ipad(and apple pencil), your hands felt like they were moving naturally.

You know how weird it is to draw someone you completely didn't know, based from experience.

Soooo you tried to keep your stares to a minimum and only looked up when you really needed to.

Too bad, Sugawara already had his eyes on you and your ipad. he sounds like a thief wtaf

So he decided to stay still and scroll on his phone for a little bit more casually sipping his coffee.

He observed you for a while, whenever you weren't staring at him.

He would smile a lil bit every once in a while.

You thought he saw a meme. Nah hoe, he's entertained that you thought he didn't know 👀

You did 3 sketches of him???? You're so happy????

You finally stretched your arms and let out a smol sigh

Pretty boi started gathering his things already :(

You were sad that you didn't get to know him, but hey atleast you got these bomb ass sketches of him.

You decided to clean it up a bit and colour it in.

Damn his beauty mark beside is eye is perfection.

Your ass was so engrossed in finishing the drawing you didn't notice him coming to your table.

Him putting the coffee on your table startled tf outta you.

Pretty boi??? Smiled??? Im simping????

He hurried out tho, looks like he's busy.

B U T

pretty boi left a sticky note!!!

"Wanna hang out? I'll be your French girl ;)))"

xoxo Sugawara Koushi

Attached: His number with a heart

H E A R T A T T A C K

Took you a while to compose yourself.

You smiled and thought :

J a c k p o t

So that's all for now!! I accidentally made daichi's a bit longer

I kinda like this writing style???

Im thinking something mafia au related for the next one

Feel free to send me some suggestions! I could def use them hehe 👉👈

[lillsxd]

stupid project

peter parker x reader 

requested: no

word count: 1999

hey guys give me notes on what i should fix so i can get better thanks 

_________________________________________________

what does life mean? what is living? i ask myself that everyday. why am i stuck in this crazy world? “y/n, y/n hello. earth to y/n” i hear snapping out of my thoughts “yes peter” i look over to him sitting in his desk tapping his pen to his mouth. “we have to get started on this paper” the nerdy friend of mine rolls his eyes and sitting back in his seat. i let out a sigh.”Pete i know but i dont wanna its stupid and annoying and” i stop and look at peter confused. He is looking behind me and back at me like there was a bug in my hair. i was about to say something as the blonde teacher slaps two detention notes on my and peters desk. as she walks away.

he whispers “really y/n again” this was the second time this week. “sorry lets get started” i reached for the instructions on peters desk and he stops me. “you know i could just do it later” he scratched the back of his neck. why would he say that. does he not think i can do this.  know this is our last grade of the year and peter dont believe in me  “no” i say with no emotion in my voice. “but y/n-” “no” i cut him off and snatch the paper from his hand and write down what i need to until i get cut off by the bell. i grab all my stuff together and leave as quick as i can before peter can say something to me.

why would he? as i walk down to the hallway to the bathroom to skip my last class i bump into his friends. “oh hey y/n” Ned says waving. i ignore him completely, trying to hold back my tears running to the bathroom locking the stall. he dont trust me. why am i reacting like this i should be mad i should just brush it off. the bathroom door opened and i lifted my feet up so no one sees me in here. “y/n are you in here” mj says. the footsteps get quiet as i dont respond, looking under the door i see her shoes. they are boots with little chains on them her shoelaces are mismatched and she knocks on my stall door. i dont answer looking around the stall. ‘school sucks’, ‘BLM’, ‘spider man is soooo hot’, were written on the stall wall with different handwriting and colors. “y/n are you okay” she knocked again. “im fine mj just ate something that messed up my stomach” i wiped my tears and pulled down my hair to fix it so my puffy eyes arnt noticeable.                                                                                                                                                                                                      As i put my feet down from the toilet about to unlock the door she slides a drawing under my stall. “i know thats not the reason that your in here maybe this will cheer you up, and y/n if you need anyone to talk to girl to girl call me my number is on the back. and if its peter i will kill him. i will let you be but for real text me i am here.” she says walking out of the gross bathroom. the door shuts and i grab the paper. It is a dawing of me and peter. it looks like it took months to finish and i flipped the paper over and it reveled her number. I've known peter for years we have always been the bestest of friends until he met mj and started to hang out more with them. ive been alone most of this school year. in the begging of the class he wouldn't talk to me or look at me or anything. it was like he forgot i existed. i got cut off from my thoughts as my phone lit up buzzing. i opened it to see peter texted me.

Pete: y/n are you okay?

Pete: please answer me

Pete: do you wanna come over and do this project after detention? we can listen to your fav music and watch movies afterwards?

my fingers tap out a message ‘no i dont want to i just wanna go home you dont even tr-’ no i shouldn't say that. i tap on the screen erasing the message i try again ‘sure Pete meet you by the buses’ i type out.looking at my screen for a minute. he will probably just bale on me like last time. so dont get my hopes up. my thumbs tap on the send button.

Pete: okay meet ya, are you coming in the next class?

my face gets all red. i forgot i had two classes with him how stupid ill just tell him im busy or something. ‘no i got called to the office for something dont tell teacher’ i type thinking it was a great excuse. i reach for my bag and grab out my sketch book and flip to an empty page. as my pencil sketched away the rest of the school day peter wad in class writing my notes for me until the bell rang.

After the bell rang i got out of the stall reaching for my bag of makeup going towards the mirror. I see black running down my face and fix it. i get out of the bathroom and start walking to the detention room. Maybe it wont be as bad i thought it would. “y/n over here” peter calls sitting in a empty desk patting a spot next to him i roll my eyes and walk twords him. “hey y/n” peter waves and i just nod and sit down. as the hour of detention goes by peter looks at me time to time seeing me draw something in my sketch book. “hey y/n” he whispers and pokes my arm. i look at him. “i have to do a quick thing before we head to my house okay so just wait for me” he says nervously. “ok” is all i say before the teacher looks at us. The rest of the time passes i get up to leave shoving my book into my bag and walking out to where the buses would usually be. i wait. putting headphones in i play Shawn mendes. listening to music waiting for peter.

As time goes by to 30 minutes to an hour to two hours to three. i get up from my sitting position. he ditched me again. i feel tears hit my cheeks as i start to walk home. walking turned into running hearing leaves crunching under my feet. music blasting in my ears. why. he is probably with mj or Ned. why do i trust him. why did he pick me for the project. why would he. tears getting stronger. running not home just anywhere. my feet taking me wherever they want until i reach the woods. there was smoke and pieces of metal everywhere. i wipe my face looking to see if anyone needs help. moving pieces of metal and wood and i see a blue and red piece of fabric from far away. i run to it..the person is  trapped under a big chunk of metal. “s-spider man?” i question. realizing its him the hero himself. he looks over and sees my puffy red face and coughs a little not being able to talk. i look at him more closely he is all beaten up and dirty. he has holes in his suit and some hair poking out of a rip on his head only revealing the color of his hair. “can you grab a pipe and lift up the metal please” he says trying to deepen his voice. “o-oh yes of course” i say grabbing a big pipe almost to heavy to pick up and shove it under the metal. i try to push it down but it wouldn't budge. so i stood on it and jump and as soon as it lifted a little he managed to push him self out.

“thank you ma’am that i have no clue who is at all” he says in his deep weird voice as he nervous laughs. i furrow my eyebrows and nod “sure Mr spider man who saves the world” i laugh copying his obviously fave voice. he just sits there in silence and i turn on my heals to walk away “wait” he says in a familiar voice “i mean wait” he cuts himself off in a deep voice. i stop and turn around waiting for him to continue. “who ever you are running from he will come back just give him time” he says in his deep voice and starts to limp away and lift his arm up and start swinging away. what was that about and what was that terrible voice. and why did he seem so familiar?

I start to walk home forgetting about peter. after hours i get home seeing no car in the drive way. “looks like its a late night for me” i say under my breathe unlocking the front door and stepping inside. i throw my backpack on the ground and take my shoes off. my body hurts but i still manage to get up the stairs and going to my room. as i lay down on my bed my phone rings. i look at it. ‘Pete’ it says buzzing in my hand i answer it

“what peter” i frown into the phone disappointed and sad.

“y/n i am so sorry i ditched you i was leaving and i got a call from my boss and i had to come in im-” i cut him off  “peter its okay down worry about it goodnight” i say about to hang up

“wait can i come over i can explain everything so much better” he says nervously “ i guess peter” i say hanging up. ten minutes has passed and i hear a knock at my door. i run down stairs and open it to see peter. he has a big coat on with black sweat pants. he has bruises all over his fave and cuts. i gasp and grab his face “ OH my god peter what happened are you ok let me clean you up” i say grabbing his hand bringing him towards the bathroom “y/n im ok its just a scratch” he said squeezing my hand softly. i stop “i swear if flash did this i will kill him.” clenched my jaw, opening the bathroom door and making him go in and i close the door behind me. “no y/n it wasn't him i promise but i do have to talk to you” he says grabbing the rubbing alcohol from my hands. “well what is it peter? if it was about ditching me we can talk about it later let me-” he cut me off by unzipping his jacket showing me his suit “y/n im spider man thats why ive been ditching you someone very dangerous was out there today you helped me get out from under scrap metal today y/n” he says pulling out his beated up mask from his jacket pocket and looked at me.

i was just standing there looking at him in shock. “y/n?” he says “you are spider man?” i say in shock “yeah im sorry i didn't show up after school and been treating you differently” he said holding my cheek “parker is spider man” i smile “ i knew it” i giggle “your man voice is funny” i say looking into his eyes. he leans in “y/n” he licks his lips and looking at your lips and back to your eyes. “hm” i say leaning in to where our lips are almost touching. He kisses me passionately as i kiss back holding onto him. i pull away for air and i say looking in his eyes smiling...

“ive always loved you parker”

[ccsthemovie2]

Character-Clow Reed

(avril lavingne voice) WHYD YOU HAVE TO GO AND MAKE THINGS SO CLOWMPLICATEEEED I SEE THE WAY YOURE ACTING LIKE YOURE SOMEBODY ELSE GETS ME FRUSTRATED- ok jokes aside LETS GOOOOO 

Why I like them:

for all my angry yelling and kicking and complaining you may be surprised to learn that clow(riol) is one of my favorite parts of ccs! 

i think that having the Mystery and Legend of a long-dead wizard that hangs over sakura’s head at the start get light shed on it more and more so that we can see he’s just a person makes the world of ccs feel small and personal. it really stabilizes the heart of the series, what i love most about ccs- that it’s a story about individuals and the choices they make. the magic itself all traces back to one man and the way he felt it was right to act and to treat other people. i think he’s a fascinating character and a very very good choice of central figure.

Why I don’t:

THAT SAID, AAAAAGHHHHH HE IS HORRIBLE HE IS JUST A TERRIBLE LITTLE MAN I HATE HIM I HATE HIM SOOOO MUCH. even putting aside everything he* pulls as eriol, just the things he does as clow reed make me SO upset....LYING ABOUT HIS DEATH??? ELABORATE SETUP TO PRETEND KERO AND YUE HAVE A CHOICE IN THE MATTER OF CHOOSING THE NEW CARD MASTER BUT ACTUALLY KNOWING ALL ALONG AND HAVING A SPECIAL MAGIC ITEM MADE TO SEE THAT IT GETS DONE??? BREEZING INTO A TOWN TO STEAL A FORTUNE TELLER’S BUSINESS, GETTING HER NICE AND KATE BEATON NEMESIS.PNG’D, AND THEN IGNORING HER FOREVER??? it’s bad!! *(it’s complicated,) ive said this jokingly before but i think he just doesnt even think about other people having agency, that he’s not trampling but Guiding and Helping. i think part of his controlfreakiness is also a deep fear that he’s not enough, that he can’t keep a friend on his own merits so he’s gotta get his claws sunk in as much as possible, whether by emotionally living rent free in people’s heads or magical dependance. and that’s not a uniquely horrible belief, yknow, i think it’s very human and normal, but the problem is no one can criticize him. not with the amount of control he has over the people he surrounds himself with, the fact that he can physically shut down kero and yue any time he likes, etc. it’s not that power inherently Makes You Evil, it’s that power made it harder for people to say “hey stop that”, and if no ones telling him to stop then he must be doing fine!

Favorite episode (scene if movie):

GENUINE TIE BETWEEN THE BACK TO THE PAST EP OF THE ANIME AND THE SAKURA SEES THE TRUTH SCENE IN MANGA. i think both of them are great- the tightly controlled dreamy guided tour where she sees just what he wants her to see, AND sakura outpowering him and seeing the reality of his lies. in the manga when sakura sees him gives gentle headkisses to kero and yue before putting them to bed and eriol+fujitaka-ing i go AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ....... THEY LOVE SOMEONE WHO IS TERRIBLE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUU MY HEART. i headcanon that’s when he mind-messed with them, too, i think he had to touch them to do it and that was how.

Favorite season/movie:

bold answer but im going to say the implications left behind in the clow card arc of Why Do Cards Act Like That/Have Those Specialties. what about clow made him want to make a voice-stealing card, a small-object-moving-card, a body-swap card, etc? it’s good questions.

Favorite line:

in the mokona book when they say he said dogs dont have owners they have housemates, bc that explains SOOOOO much abt him and how he treated kero and yue lololol. if you think being a pet owner and a roomate are the same you’re gonna treat your roomates, uhhhm, bad.

also if eriol counts its him in the wonderland ep like YOU DONT KNOW IF IM NOT THE KINDA PERSON TO PRETEND TO BE A CAT and I THINK YOU AND LI ARE SO DUMB I HAVE TO BITE MY TONGUE CONSTANTLY TO NOT INSULT YOU and BUT I CANT ACT LIKE THIS OR KERO AND YUE WILL KNOW IM CLOW. so like. was clow just like that then.

Favorite outfit:

uh his regular clothes are cool. theres an illustration on him in this cool coat with like a sun pin on it too. whenever i draw him in something frilly i have a huge brain. cant deny the guy has style and aesthetics. sakura’s first staff, look at it!! the style it has!!! 

OTP: 

im neutral-positive on clowyuuko cuz i havent holic’d since high school. you can refer to the answer i gave abt yue for clowyue thoughts (tl;dr: [touches ground] “something terrible happened here” ). madoushi is just kate beaton nemesis comic. 

i think it would be funny if albus dumbledore was his ex.

Brotp 

yuuko again i guess? and him and all his creations. headcanon territory even though that’s actually the next question but you asked for my thoughts so here they are: i think of him as trying to be a sort of fun camp counselor or teacher type for kero+yue and the cards- specifically a role with an authority behind it, but without the same sort of responsibility that a parent would have. or, i guess, lacking an unconditional love, always an undertone of you having to prove yourself. someone who you go to to learn from, but if he likes can also go “no no im just like you, now let’s have fun!”. it’s hard to explain, but there’s a difference. 

what i’m trying to get at here is i think it’s significant that the only creations he has that we see him truly ‘raise’, (going by the info+lack of it we have, anyway, i fill in the blank for myself that kero and yue and the cards all showed up full of knowledge, fully formed, CLAMP DO NOT INTERACT!!!!!), were the mokonas, with yuuko. it was another person’s influence that brought a parental attitude in, it’s not something he ever wanted to be. there’s also a healthy dose of “yue textually had a crush on clow and i will not, no way, let you make that any more unfortunate than that already is”, i’ll admit, but i think that’s just a puzzle piece of the whole theory here. i think it would also be funny if he knew people like tolkein (eriol’s a tolkeinverse name if i remember correctly) and c.s. lewis (side note, i find the fact that clow is an actively practicing christian really funny), but i dont want to think too deeply about that sort of realworld mix, yknow.

Head Canon: 

i think pranks were highly encouraged in his house and none of the clow cards are being intentionally destructive, just acting in ways that were totally normal at home, and are genuinely shocked to learn that people will get seriously injured without clow there to cushion their damage.

Unpopular opinion: 

evil

A wish: 

i wanna know what his pre-story days were like, his life with the cards, his life BEFORE the cards,

An oh-god-please-dont-ever-happen: 

^ same the above but i find it out from clamp

5 words to best describe them:

did you know? clow sucks

My nickname for them: 

clown, :kingboo: (discord emoji of him with a 🚫 over it), “the bastard jester himself” (which is, or at least was, in comedian-podcaster stephen buckleys twitter bio and i think it abt clow frequently, sorry stephen buckley), king of living rent free in people’s heads

[ryncorrect]

university!au: day6 wonpil

first of all i will definitely do poorly on this because,,, you know,,,,, he’s so precious and i don’t think my words can do it justice ksbdjshs i wanna make the sweetest scenario for him

but i suck at sweet stuffs smh bye

name: kim wonpil

major: modeling (i still cant believe this is an actual major im living under a rock smh)

other activities: member of music club, keyboardist and main singer of the university band

jae calls him “the backbone” of the music club because wonpil participates in all club events, he always takes part in weekly activities, and he actively finds new recruits

jae on the other side pops up once in a blue moon to play guitar, do shit, then disappears

don’t worry ever since jae starts dating the newest member who happens to be wonpil’s bestie he’s more active now

honestly more than half of their club members joined because wonpil made them to

he’s persuasive and convincing okay you would end up eating rocks if he told you it’s good for health

but he’ll never do that ever bc he speaks no lies okay he’s like the sweetest person in the earth

he’ll cry by the sight of cute puppies, do i have to explain further

wonpil was nominated as the club president but the other candidate park sungjin who’s also his roommate beat him by one vote

well he prefers to be just regular member anyway, that way he can still do a lot of things for the club but with less responsibilities

you see he’s really nice, he’s caring, he’s hardworking, he’s confident, he knows how to present himself and he’s hella attractive

he’s taking modeling as his major do i make myself clear

everyone LOVES wonpil

and i mean sometimes it’s just not only a platonic love but like an “i will give you my heart and soul please marry me” love

too bad he’s oblivious af

someone: i,, i like you wonpil,,,, d-do you like me too?

wonpil: of course!!! you’re my friend!!!!!!!!!

someone: ….oh ok

accidental friendzone

but you know he doesnt actually mean to do that, he just doesn’t think anyone likes him like that

moreover he already has someone in mind

aka the coffee shop girl

aka Y O U

yeah hello guys i am: still lame

the first time he met you was on exams week

everyone was busy and stressed af and running on almost no sleep

except maybe wonpil

not because he was fully prepared but more like he forgot exams week was coming until the day before so he just decided to wing it lol whatevs

anyway his roommate aka sungjin asked him if he could go buy him a double shot espresso so wonpil did

he rarely visits coffee shops tbh and when he does he always orders vanilla latte with extra syrup for himself

wonpil seems to be that kinda person who tries to enjoy coffee but can’t handle the bitter taste its so frickin cute and trust me you think so too

so anywayyyy yeah he never saw you, aka the new barista, before

it was ur first work day as well btw and he was ur first customer

he didn’t know why but watching you being nervous made him nervous too

just imagine a stuttering costumer and a stuttering barista

everyone watched you two with anxiety

but even when wonpil was a nervous wreck he didn’t forget to smile and before leaving he said to you, “thanks, have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!”

honest to god it made your whole day better

anyway let’s move on to the second meeting

he comes back and this time he orders a vanilla latte, but being the clumsy ass that you are, you slightly confused his order

he receives his coffee and takes a sip and he freezes

you ask whats wrong and he’s like,, uh nothing,, the coffee is just,,,, kinda bitter today??? ha,,,hahahhaha,,,,

you stand still

wait

he asked for EXTRA SYRUP not EXTRA SHOT you dumbfucc

you offer to make him a new one and he refuses saying it’s fine!!! but you still feel bad so you insist but he’s like no!!! i gotta stay awake anyway i have an important quiz today i have to study! by the way uhhhh i’ve never seen you around until recently???

you introduce yourself and he introduce himself blablabla it’s awkward and your palms keep sweating for some reason

before wonpil left, he didn’t forget to say “have a great day!! i’ll see you around then!!!”

he’s so sweet uwu

seeing him and making him his vanilla latte (extra syrup) is one of the best parts of your job tbh

and he visits every single time you’re working which makes it better

why is his smile so adorable what the fuck

and there’s something about the way he walks that keeps you looking i mean boiiiii does he know how to present himself holy shit

that feeling when you see someone so beautiful you want to cry

the more you see him the more you want to know about him

what major is he in? what is he usually do outside the class? what kind of person is he? does he have a lot of friends? what’s his hobby? stuffs like that

too bad he always comes when it’s busy at the cafe so you can’t talk too much

neither he ever tries to initiate a conversation with you except his usual “hello! how are you today?” and “thank you, you make the best coffee! have a nice day!! see you!!!”

let’s admit it you highkey have a crush on him and EVERYONE knows

wELL it’s because you always wear that expression like "goddammit why must kim wonpil be so cute if he ain’t gonna ask me on a date” whenever you watch his back as he leaves the cafe

and EVERYONE but YOU knows wonpil’s so into you

whenever someone says something like “just ask him for his number he’ll definitely give it to you” you’re like “wtf nO that’s creepy and he won’t!! he doesn’t even know me!!!”

“he literally only comes when it’s your shift and he always makes sure you’re the one taking his order you oblivious dumbass”

“it’s just a coincidence”

“…..yeah whatever”

but they’re right wonpil’s crushing on you hard

at this point sungjin can even draw a portrait of you although he hasn’t actually met you before

that’s how much wonpil talks about you

from your whole adorable appearance to how cute your little cough is, or how he adores your little smile and the sparks in your eyes when he compliments your coffee, or he’ll describe your apron what the fuck and how he thinks your look so good in white and blue

sungjin’s so done with him

“just ask her out you stalker”

“nO I CAN’T!!! SHE’LL THINK IM CREEPY!!! SHE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW ME”

“well i bet she remembers your face by now since you always drop by when she’s there”

“but she meets a lot of people everyday there’s NO WAY she can remember me”

you see the problem now?

then one day jae decides to play matchmaker

by “playing matchmaker” i mean he follows wonpil to the cafe and straight up tells you, in front of wonpil’s face and everyone there, “yo this friend of mine wants to take you on a date and he wonders if you’re interested”

you are: blushing

wonpil is: dead pale

you: o-oh… i’m–

wonpil: yO HE’S JUST JOKING HAHAHAHA IM SO SORRY oH My gOd jAE LET’S GO

he drags his tall friend aka jae out of the cafe and since then he never visits again :(

im sad now ugh i told you i suck at sweet stuffs like this

fast forward it’s summer and the university wonpil’s attending is holding a summer festival that’s open for public

well,,,,, you decide to go and you ask some of your friends to tag along

you’re not sure what you’re hoping; maybe you just want to see how the place wonpil’s studying at looks like, or maybe you do wish to meet him by accident or something yanno like a drama

whatever

you promised yourself that if you don’t see him today, you’ll get over him

but if you do see him, you will ask. him. out.

well jokes on you babe he’s there performing on the stage with the band

he’s,,, he’s singing,,, and playing keyboard,,,, omg his voice

as you already know im uncreative soooo by impossible coincidence somehow his eyes spot you in the crowd

btw i imagine them singing Pouring but i think you can pick any songs you like

he’s so taken aback that one second he’s singing and the next second he sees you and his eyes widen and he’s like “I’m falling for–hUH? why are you here??” to the microphone

don’t worry the others cover for his mistake while trying not to laugh

everyone laughs too while looking around to find the person whom wonpil sees

you’re embarrassed as fuck you want to curl up and hide forever

but your so-called-friends don’t let you get away that easy okay it’s your only chance

dw dude wonpil feels the same he wants to immediately get off the stage and die

but sungjin will literally kill wonpil in his sleep if he doesn’t do anything it’s now or never

poor boi has had enough of this pining shit

so after the band performance wonpil has no choice but to approach you

“h-hey! so you watched our stage!”

“y-yeah! it was great!! didn’t know you can sing so well”

“h-haha thanks”

“y-you’re welcome”

silence

more silence

wonpil clears his throat and, “so…”

you blink fast, “yeah…?”

“um uhhh do you wanna see around? i can take you”

“oH of course”

What Am I Even Writing Anymore

well remember your promise earlier? about asking him out?? no???

is it too late to chicken out and forget the whole thing now

you barely know each other it’s so awkward and he looks so fine today and you really don’t wanna push him even further now but if you hesitate longer who knows someone else will ask him first and just the thought alone breaks your heart a little bit

so it’s time to grow a pair and take risks cmon dude you can do this

one

two

“anywaysijustwonderifyou'refreenextsaturday?”

wait

it was!! not!!! your voice!!!!

“huh?”

wonpil clears his throat and repeats slower, “i just wonder if you’re uhhhh free next saturday?”

o shit

o fUck YeAH

you cough a bit before answering, “y-y-yeah i guess??”

“ok um i like, have two tickets for movie if you want to come with me”

that’s like the lamest invitation and you yourself gotta admit that lmao

but oh kim wonpil,, dear,,,, there’s no way i would say no

so you two go on a date

or “casual outing” as you two call it

but everyone knows it’s a date okay even though you two didn’t have any skinskip oops

it’s okay it takes a bit of time but you’ll get there

i mean, since then you two go out together almost every weekend so ye it won’t be that long until the awkwardness wears off

wonpil just cherish you so much he’s afraid he’ll scare you or hurt your feeling by accident so he never boldly initiates anything

the first time you two finally holding hands is when you two go skating, and that’s just because you two are so bad at that

gotta hold each other so you won’t keep falling aye romance

you don’t know this but trust me wonpil talks about it for days sungjin almost decides to move out

he’s still insisting it’s not a date tho

“you know what, i can already imagine you two in like 10 years, standing at the altar and be like, do you marry me as a friend or what? unclear”

“do you think we’ll get married?????”

“oh dear god”

but yeah

you two will get there

somehow

just take your sweet time and give wonpil all the love in the world i beg you

that’s it YAY i think imma work on sungjin’s next wish me luck im running out of lame cliche ideas now lol bye

[plastic-adventurezone]

the oc thing except it’s all of it

Grace stared down at the dead woman, her lip twisted in slight sorrow. She lay in the corner of an alley, distinct claw marks raking across her belly and diagonally over her face, making her very hard to recognise. But Grace knew who she was.

 Vickey Summers was a thirty-four year old woman who lived in south London and owned three cats. More than one cats always meant there were no connections the victim had. How convenient. Scrunching her nose at the pool of urine around her and kicking the woman to check if she was still alive. The last thing to happen before total brain death was evacuation of the bowels. Yes somehow, Grace never bothered to check if she was completely right, but usually the wet and foul-smelling puddle surrounding the victim was enough. Closing her slitted eyes and twisting her red lips, she brushed back her crimson hair and stepped into the edge of the puddle, only just being able to reach the deep cuts. The marks were so deep on her chest that deep grooves were carved into her ribcage. Grace could see it now; man meets woman, man takes woman out drinking, man takes woman to alley and forgets full moon. Result: woman dead, man probably miles away. She sighed and traced the bone, flicking her head around when she heard a familiar voice.

"This what you're getting into these days, is it?" Grace swivelled, slim, pale finger in her mouth, licking it free of blood. She grinned at the man and stepped toward him, tilting her head.

"I thought I told you to stay at the manor." She said in a slightly irritated tone. The man simply stepped closer, almost closing the distance between them.

"I thought you told me you were running an errand." He chided, tilting his head to hers.

"This is an errand.. Of sorts." Grace supplied, raising her prefect eyebrows. The man sighed and rubbed his face, looking at his shoes.

"Grace, how many times do I have to te-"

"Yes yes, I know, you love, you care, blah blah blah. I get it." She commented, closing the space between them and pushing his glasses up with her index finger. She shifted her jaw and moved aside, waving behind herself to him. The man paced after her and caught her by the shoulder.

"Grace, I'm telling you, getting into this shit is dangerous. Watch yourself." His frown grew deep with concern and worry, evident also by the deep blue bags circling the underside of his eyes. Grace cast her eyes downwards, flicking her slotted eyes back to his, the alarming red trailing her words as if they were on fire.

"Stay out of his Michael. What I do is my business and-"

"And it becomes my business if you get hurt."

Her voice hardened. "No it doesn't." She shook herself from his grip and hailed a cab, slipping into the back.

The trip back to the manor was long and took many boring and useless cabbies' time. Upon finally reaching the estate, the cabbie, who was a middle-aged overweight man, commented; "Nice place innit?" And got a curt nod in reply. It was a rather nice place, surrounded by trees and country, the outside covered in many different types of vine. Brandishing her key and unlocking the door, Grace was hindered with questions and queries, which most of she replied to with a curt "I don't know." Or "What?” It seemed upon owning this place; she was supposed to know everything. And yet her day seemed to worsen when she was brought into a debate with two very attractive necromancers and one boyish vampire. Sighing upon entry to the argument, Thomas Nocturnal crossed his arms and blatantly pointed at the pale boy.

"I won't have this scum in my living place." He firmly stated, earning a swift roll of eyes. "Look, one; everyone's welcome here, alive or not. Two; you don't have to go near him if you don't wanna. This place is pretty big. Three; Nocturnal, stop being a racist shit and get over yourself. I don't know why you hate him; I don't wanna know. Just get the stick out of your ass and live with him. You're both equally evil, okay? Problem solved. “ Grace growled, going to move before stopping. "Oh, and there's a council meeting at.. Three? I don't know, afternoon-ish. Okay, be there and be less of a dick." She patted him on the firm shoulder and gave a long and deep inhale as she left. Dead things were annoying, even more so when they weren't dead anymore. Now, it was time to change. Her dress smelled like five different kinds of smoke and her shoes smelled like piss. The amble of dogs they owned crowded around her to try and lick it off as she trudged into her room, closing the door and half-gasping when what she sat on wasn't bed. Michael Rain grinned up at her and plopped her on the bed next to him, Grace scowling at him. "You smell like London." he chided. "I smell like a dead person's piss. What are you doing here?" She frowned and moved further ways from him, crossing her legs to take off her shoes and flicking them across the room. She sighed to herself and turned her back to him, brushing her crimson, now tussled hair over her shoulder. "Button me." She ordered, and Michael undid the set of buttons on her dress, gently slipping it over her head. She instantly got up, beginning to rifle through over-filled draws of clothes.

"What were you doing at Vickey Summers' body?" Michael asked, admiring the wing-shaped tattoos clinging to her shoulder blades.

"Looking into her death." Was all Grace said.

"For who?"

Grace rolled her eyes and sauntered across the room, straddling his lap, kisses cascading down his neck. "I've had a long, day, and there's that thing at three." She chimed, her fingers working his shirt buttons as her mouth met his, hot, wet, and sweet as she caught his bottom lip in her teeth. Her lips worked his neck, her teeth sucking and biting, nipping gently, eliciting a gentle moan from Michael's lips. His hands slid down her pale shoulders, his lips brushing her ear.

"For whom?"

Growling, Grace pushed him back and fiddled around with clothes, slipping on a vintage-looking black lace dress that fell around her knees. She pushed him back and traced a sharp finger along his chest, pressing a half-moon indent over his heart with her nail.

"One of these days I will kill you Rain." She chided.

"Whom?"

Grace chuckled, crunching her nose and shaking her head. "Get out now."

"I'm serious."

"Out. Now."

Michael moved toward the door, but stopped, closing his hands on either side of the doorway. "If I blow you will you tell me who?"

"Get. Out."

The Sorcerer's Counsel meeting was like any other meeting. Boring and long. And emergency meeting had been called for a reason that no-one was currently aware of. When Grace arrived, the topic became even less evident. But there were many people here, many old people. Experienced mages, demons, wolfmen. Everyone. Sitting down next to a rather peeved looking pagan god, the High Priest decided to start, clearing his throat to signal silence through the room.

"As you all know," He began, his deep rumbling voice echoing the room like Thunder. "We are on the verge of war."

he god beside Grace scoffed and rolled his black eyes, a grin spreading across his perfect, pink lips. "I've seen worse war than this." He said. Grace decided to ignore his remarks. For now.

"And not just war," the High Priest continued "but we are on what seems to be the verge of the apocalypse."

Shit.

"I'm sorry?" Called out a rather angry-looking vampire.

"You heard 'im." Replied a werewolf. Grace knew him. Afraid of nothing it seemed, not even the world's end.

"You're serious?" Asked a dashing Irish accent. Cyprus Cain, world-class shape shifter. His eyes were wider than usual and his voice had risen in fear.

"Do I look like the type to joke?" Asked the High Priest, obviously not too surprised with the outcome.

The pagan god next to Grace threw her a glance that said something like "end of the world threesome?" And Grace threw him a savage grin, bearing her fangs. He laughed. Someone beside them screeched, yelling they shouldn't be so calm. The pagan told her to shut up. He sucked in a deep breath, chewing his lip. Leaning in so she could hear him, he attempted to yell over the calamity to talk to her.

"I'm gasping for a cig. Wanna get outta this shithole?"

Grace giggled and nodded, shoving her way through the piling crowd, reaching the outside area. Out here, in the faint sun, Grace could somehow see him better. His hair was sandy blonde and spiky, like an overgrown marine cut. His eyes were black as night, surrounded by freckles on tanned cheeks. He had gold, spacer-like earrings and a coat, the inside of the hood lined with some sort of fur. Green makeup circling the underside of his eye and eyeliner on the top, two black lines of some sort of makeup on his nose. He was beautiful, and his grin could turn anyone savage in seconds.

He drew a cigarette out of a mostly full packet, popping it into his mouth, he offered Grace, and she took. When she could finally hear him properly he spoke, not before lighting the cig.

"Soooo, this end of the world crap. You believe it?" He was American, probably from somewhere like Kansas, with the tan he had.

Grace smirked and lit her cigarette with a small summoned flame and took a drag. "Hell no. And Hell yes."

He laughed, blowing smoke rings. "Whadda you mean?"

"Well, the High Priest seemed pretty serious." She blew smoke into the air and sighed. He raised a brow.

"Wow, well. Who do I call this serious woman?" He asked, probably working up to her number. Jesus. Even gods were as bad as men.

"Grace." She supplied, taking a long drag. "Grace Hampton. And you?"

He blew another smoke ring. "Just call me Dean."

She raised and eyebrow, but understood. Pagan names, with their 26 consonants and 2 vowels. Nodding, she let the smoke seep out her nose.

"So" she started, crushing her cigarette. "Threesome?"

«¦»

Newton Selfridge made his way down the hall, making sure to count every door correctly. Reaching the 66th door, he knocked quietly on the red-painted wood. Knocking a little harder, a deep moaning emerged from the other side. Taking a breath and testing his luck, he opened the door. What he saw next was not pretty.

Two women, one man (well, god) spread out on a California king bed, sheets a mess. He gave a little screech and Grace's laugh soon echoed. She turned to face him, her red curls amuck, panting softly. " 'Ey Newt." She chimed, smiling. "How-how's Don?"

Pausing softly, Newton sighed and regained his concentration.

"There's a girl - she's been stabbed. She needs your help." He mused flatly, and she nodded in response. He turned before going. "Oh and some kid threw up in crazy tubes."

Grace nodded. "Stabbing. Kid throwing up. Cool. I got it. Give me an hour to get back to you." She grinned and he sighed, closing the door.

Grace turned back to Dean and Hannah. Tilting her head and giving them a sad smile. "Oh jeez, you guys hear that? Okay, someone's stabbed probably the abdomen. I gotta go."

"No!" Hannah pouted, American too, one of the best a most famous shifters in the world. "We just got started!"

Grace shrugged and started pulling on her clothes.

"I'll come back, mn'kay? Just,, keep each other busy."

~~~~~~~~~~

So. This apocalypse thing was really happening, wasn't it? Jesus, Cal wished it wasn't.

He had so many plans for this world. So many prophecies yet to happen.

But now, now there was only one.

Find the chosen and prepare them for the new world.

Wringing his hands nervously, he trudged up to the high priest, an rather blob-like humanoid creature. It was hard to differentiate the gender, or anything really, other than the robes that circled its large body and the hood that covered its head. Sweat beaded on Cal's forehead, and he stepped forward, clearing his throat.

"P-P-High Priest?" He asked.

"Whhhgat is it?" The creature asked, its beady yellow eyes squinting back at him.

"The-The apocalypse has been announced."

The creature thrashed and squealed, as if a tantrum would make this untrue. Cal trembled.

"The prophecy, you have read it?" It wheezed, and Cal nodded.

"Yes. I have found the chosen. Shall I gather the others to go and get her?"

"All in good time, sleuth slayer. All in good time..." It trailed off, and Cal nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. No, this was the prophecy, it should be followed through.

Grace Hampton had to be found.

And then, only then, could they be saved.

~~~~~~~~~

Grace looked at the wet, bloody and rather dishevelled tall man standing at the manor doorway. He had to be at least six foot, and most of that six foot was hot. But still, she had a reputation to uphold. So she broadly sighed, inviting him in and closing the door. He almost bowed in half to talk to her, his accent mixed with some kind of European, like Norwegian or Swedish. But he was mostly American.

After towelling off, Grace sat down with him as he hungrily but politely bit at the sandwich provided.

"So. Do I get to know your name, or are you just gonna continue to stare at me while I eat?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"..Alistair." he supplied, putting down his sandwich as it seemed he would be subject to a questionnaire now.

"Okay.. and what is your profession?" Grace asked and the man growled lightly.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Because I own this place and I'm entitled to ask whatever I want since it seems like you're staying." Grace supplied.

"Mage. Adept. And I will tell you no more." He protested, making Grace sigh. Affection. Playing hard to get? She got up from the table they were sitting at and patted him on the shoulder.

"Okay, that's cool. Just a few rules. No rape no murder, and don't come to me with every little shitheaded problem you have, I'm not your mum. But if it gets roo far and someone is killed, you're out. I don't care how or why, just gone. I don't do this out of the goodness of my heart okay, I do it because in times of struggle it is the weak that need to band together." She frowned lightly, and then blew off her hardened look, scruffing up Alistair's hair. "Oh, and, if the food has a name on it, don't fucking eat it." Grace chuckled at her own joke and patted him on the shoulder. "You'll be working the night shift, mnkay?"

Alistair nodded. "But, uh, why?" He asked, all cute and innocent-like.

"Because we're short staffed and you look too scary for anyone to eat you. So, uh, get some sleep, then head to the main hall at ten." She smiled at him brightly and sauntered off.

---

"Okay, give me the lowdown Luke." Grace hollered as she walked into the widespread, Grecian room where the nymph sat. Lucas Headbury shuffled, brushing his hair on his head and swinging around to tap keys on a keyboard.

"Well," the blond boy switched his head back to check is she was still there, waiting until she sat down.

"There's been earthquakes in Australia, a volcano erupted in the Arctic, a freak storm killed two-hundred in a plane crash in Nebraska and six-hundred and sixty-six people died in London three days ago. These aren't in any books, but they seem very apocalyptic to me." He said, and Grace nodded, leaning forward to read the screen. And there was no way she was going to fail to notice the faint blush creeping onto his cheeks as she squished painfully close. She squinted at the screen, nodding and making "hmn"-ing sounds to prolong his torture. She eventually backed off, and brushed her hair back. "You find any more deaths 'round here Lucas?" She asked sweetly, honey dripping off every word.

He tapped keys at super speed, clicking on something and nodding. "Twins. Two women. Two men, found dead in an alleyway, same marks as Vickey. You think you got this one?" He asked.

"Yeah, yeah I got it. Tell the J.R he doesn't have to worry. I'll have that were' ASAP"

Lucas frowned "He doesn't think it's a werewolf"

A flood of confusion washed over Grace's face. "What?"

Lucas looked back to his screen. "Yeah, he thinks it's-ah..." He squinted at the screen.

"What. What. What is it?"

"Well, do you ever wonder why he assigned you this?"

"Stop with the friggin' trivia Luke. Why?"

"J.R thinks it might be your father."

Grace sank back into his seat and shook harder than she'd shook in a long time. No. No motherfucking way Grace was going to confront her father, let alone with something like killings. That was kept to him, and last time she'd asked him about his job, she had not liked the reaction. She breathed slowly and harshly, shakily getting up, grace promptly exited the room with a nervous salute.

She guessed she had to do this.

Upon waking toward the mess hall, Grace bumped into Michael, who was grinning like he'd just found porn in his father's rucksack.

"Who's J.R ?" He asked through mumbled kisses.

"Wwwhhhyyy were you listening in on my conversations?" Grace shoved into a nudging kiss to the side of his head.

"Because I fucking love you and want to know what you're doing. Let me come with you. We could be like Bonnie and Clyde." He mumbled.

"Hmm, no."

"Why?"

"Because it's my shit."

"Can't it be our shit?"

Grace fumbily pushed away from Michael, brushing herself off. "Lucas thinks my dad might be involved." She said, deadpanned. And for a moment, everyone was passing by, like shutters in frame, like a movie where dramatic news is given like; 'she's dead' or 'I love you'. Michael stiffened. Sighing, willing his body to relax. "Okay. Okay. Okay okay okay okay." He almost stepped into a pace, closing his eyes and lifting his glasses to rub them. "Okay. Shit. Shit. Shiiiiit. What-wadda're you gonna do, Grace?" He asked, doing that puppy dog thing but a little more sad and a little less pleading.

Grace took a deep breath. "I'm gonna go see him. Not today, but in gonna see him." She shook her head and kept walking toward the mess hall.

And damn, did the mess hall fit the name. All the youngest and most creative people made home here. Mothers took their children here. But Grace was looking for one person in particular. Cyprus Cain lay somewhere amongst the mayhem, he was either sleeping like a backpacker or teaching children how to do art. Judging by the amount of paint on the wall and the fact that Grace had to duck a glob of flying glitter glue, he was doing the latter. Upon seeing him, he seemed cheerier than his usual self. He had two little girls clinging to his legs and blue and green paint spiking up his hair. Handprints dragged across his shirt and he wore his trademark wonky half-smile. He laughed and nodded at the children showing him their work, but his expression faltered when Grace approached. She tried to keep her expression clear although children, especially small ones distressed her beyond her normal personality. She walked over to Cyprus, and he smiled at her, several of the kids cheering and threatening to put paint on her dress. She smiled weakly at then and turned to Cyprus.

"Hey Grace how's it-"

"Private. Now."

Cyprus rolled his eyes. "Listen I know you're jittery around kids. But seriously. I'm in the middle of something."

Grace lent in closer. "This is something I don't want anyone else catching ear of. Come with me, to my room, and we can discuss this."

Cyprus' eyebrows raised and he followed her, saying his goodbyes to all the children.

Cal creeper closer, watching as the other soothsayers followed him, making quiet hand signals. Grace Hampton was close, he was sure he could hear her voice echoing through the halls. Sweat beaded on his forehead and collected in his palms, his eyes darting back and forth, breathing shallow. One of the other men tapped him and gave a short laugh, and Cal shushed him, she was walking up now, the clic-clac of her heels on the floor approaching. This was it.

Grace walked past doors at a pace, nervousness eating at her. Cyprus was the only person she could trust with this information. Not Michael. Not her brother. Not even her father. She'd known Cyprus for longer than anyone else and her trust in him never faltered.

Except for when he grabbed her from behind, his hand going her mouth, clamping her nose shut. His state flickered and he appeared as a hooded soothsayer, his eyes a striking blue, several more soothsayers appeared and she mumbled a scream, the world blurring around her as she feel into the comforting depths of unconsciousness.

Grace awoke with a hazy feeling, quite loudly gasping for air as her slitted eyes blinked, trying to find where she was. In all her years, she'd never seen this place.

She was wearing different clothes; some sort of tunic, red and gold that swished by her thighs. Very Grecian. She was also free of the restraints of any semblance of underwear.

Oh, and she was tied to the four posts of a bed too. Not that she'd noticed.

Her hands and feet where throbbing with the cut of circulation, at their true whitest. Her eyes burned, and she glared daggers as a nervous-looking soothsayer approached her. He had a nice face, but wasn't the one that attacked her. He closed his eyes, muttered a few words in an ancient language, Oh lord, please let this save us from doom and then nodded to a long line of hooded men. For the first time in a while, Grace shook hard. The first man got on the bed and straddled her, and Grace saw this as the perfect opportunity to scream.

~~~~~~~~

Grace sure as Hell didn't know how long she'd been there, but when they finally untied her, she couldn't feel her hands or feet at all. They gently popped a bag over her head, that smelled like piss, vomit and semen. She twisted her face and gasped for air, the holes not giving her much semblance for it. She was finally (somehow) dumped back in her room where she instantly curled into a foetal position and cried at the sound of the door clicking closed. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus she shook and more tears fell and she had never felt more vulnerable and small in her whole life. She certainly wasn't new to the whole sex thing, but believe it or not, this was only the second time in her whole life she'd been raped.

Raped.

It sounded, felt, tasted like such a bad word. Worse than all the curse words, worse than any other word she'd ever heard. Grace was a careful woman. Definitely a careful woman when it came to sex. She'd been using condoms before she could remember and any form of birth control before that. She didn't even let Michael go in the-

Michael.

The door clicked open and Michael waltzed in, expecting to see something normal. Maybe Grace drawing, or writing, or sending and angry email. But this, this was not Grace Hampton at all. This girl, suddenly looking so young, suddenly looking so small was not her at all. Quietly but quickly walking over, he keeled by her and wrapped his arms around her, shushing her quietly. Obvious to the naked eye, Michael was curious. But, he decided he'd leave that to later as that really want the most important thing right now. He gently pried Grace from her bed and took her in his arms, letting her sob into his shoulder as he shushed her.

JUST OUTSIDE LONDON, 1836

The brothel smelled like honey and whiskey, dashed with a trace of rotting flesh and semen. Samuel made his way through the crowd, catching the arm of a beautiful red haired girl. She looked at him and he held up his ten pound note. "For that, you get a room." The woman chided, and walked up the rickety steps and into the most sturdy looking room in the whole place. She sat on the bed sitting squat in the middle of the room, taking her crimson hair out of its pin. She smiled up at him and he grinned. "So, where do you want me?" She asked as casually as any other remark. Samuel waved a hand. "Oh, no no, I'll have none of that. You're mine now." He chided as if they were conversing on the weather. The woman huffed and tossed her hair. "Of course I am." Samuel's eyes twinkled. "I mean," he held up and strip of paper. "You're mine, and not just for the night." The woman sighed at picked up her dress. "Alright. Well, I don't have any stuff, so we can get going as soon as possible." He stuck out his hand. “Samuel Blackwell." She shook it. "Grace Hampton."

One Month Later Grace awoke with a start, a half-sob breaking her voice as she gasped for air. She shook all over, sweat covering her like a glistening shell. She slink over to the showers and hopped under the warm spray, hoping for it to wake her up.

The shower was lightly sufficient, but she still didn't feel right. And then, funny enough, she ate almost three whole servings of breakfast. Feeling rather perculiar, she hailed a cab and went to her brother's house. When she knocked on his door, an olive-skinned woman answered the door and Grace was quietly let in.

"Why are you here?" Was the first thing he said.

"What, I don't get a 'Hi Grace how are you?' ?" She asked, and he shook his head.

"No, you don't. Because you never visit. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I just thought with the end of the world and whatnot I'd come and see my baby brother."

Donagan frowned, sitting down next to her.

"Nooo, that's not how it works."

Grace shrugged, only to be supplied with a deeper frown. She sighed.

"I may or may not have gotten involved with dad's business..."

That received and ample groan, making Don stick his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose, as if he was getting a headache just hearing this.

"Jesus fucking Christ Grace, how many times did I have to tell you?"

Grace nodded "I know, I know.."

"You're supposed to be the older one here! You're going to get yourself killed!"

Grace got up, a strange feeling washing over her again, like it did a couple of days ago, and a few days before that. She closed her eyes and swayed lightly, and then the rest of it hit her. Nausea. She rushed to the sink of Don's bathroom; - she didn't really favour toilets-and promptly threw up her breakfast, a burning feeling scratching her dry throat and tears stinging her eyes. For the first time in just about forever, Donagan Hampton looked worried for his sister. He rushed over, bracing her as if she was about to fall. She fell boneless into his arms.

"Jesus," he whispered, to himself or her, Grace couldn't tell. "What the fuck was that?" He asked, obviously having a rather unpleasant time. Grace shook lightly, hunger and fear moving through her, and nestling deep in her bones.

"I..I don't know, it's happened a few times over the last couple of weeks or so...” her voice shook like Hell and she finally regained some of her strength, stood up and struggled.

Donagan raised his eyebrows as if she was the only person that didn't know what was going on.

"You're serious?" He asked

"No, I'm taking a fuckin' piss.’Course I am."

"And you don't have any idea what it could be?"

The shaking and unnerving sense of nausea returned. No

Fuck no.

"N..Not really."

"Yeah I know you saw this coming.." he replied, probably pausing for effect. "But the most likely scenario is that you're pregnant."

There was no stopping it, Grace knew she had to do it. She had to go and talk to her father.But rather than going into the depths of Hell, she decided she'd summon him. Much easier. She used one of the empty rooms, larger than her room. She drew all the right symbols and lit the candles and felt the flash burn when he appeared. Rather than be in his true form, he was a dwarfed man with brown eyes and a good taste in clothing. He sighed upon seeing Grace, skewing his eyes over to her.

"What is it?"

Grace swallowed, damn was the scared of her father. He beat her, wrecked her, made her what she was today. She shook, sweat making her form gleam. Not from just the candles and flames.

"Well?"

Again she swallowed. "Well dad, I've been meaning to ask.."

Her father frowned, his brow creasing, flames jumping. Grace's breath shuddered and she took a step back, holding her forearm and rubbing it like an embarrassed schoolgirl. She had to ask him about the deaths, about the apocalypse, if she could help. Sweat dripped and caught in her eyes where it stung.

"I’m waiting, Gracious." He grumbled loudly, shaking the windows.

"I.. I..." She stuttered, she couldn't say it.

"You're what?"

"I'm pregnant." Grace spluttered out, oh god, oh no, Jesus H Christ that was not the right thing to say. Her father's eyes widened and he smiled.

"You, you're kidding me?"

"Aha, no.."

"That's amazing!"

"Y-Yeah I know I'm -- what?"

Grace's father laughed at her expression. "That's amazing Gracious. Who-who's the uh.."

Grace sagged. "You haven't met him yet. His nice, assured. Grand-ish mage." She lied. She knew it wasn't his. But still her father beamed. She sighed.

"Yeah, yeah that's all nice but I got shit to do."

"Gracious wait I-" Grace blew out the candle and moved to the chair pushed against the wall, her legs like jelly. She shook and threw up on the floor, shaking harder. Her every nerve was on edge and she needed air. She needed to go and lay on the grass and pump herself so full of toxins that she passed out and dreamt of heaven. Shakily, she got up, went to her room, picked up a pack of cigarettes and a syringe and walked outside. She lied on the grass and bit her lip, injecting the liquid from the syringe in her upper arm and lit a cigarette, waiting for it to take her over.

OUTSIDE BLACKPOOL, BLACKWELL MANOR, JUNE 6, 1899

The rocking of the bed and Samuel Blackwell’s moans rang in Grace's ears as he carelessly pounded into her, barring her brainless. Sure, she was enjoying it, but her training was still fresh in her mind and it told her to not enjoy this too much. I mean, sure, creepy yet hot sorcerer brings you home, what else is he gonna do? But Grace was a little surprised when he took her to a large, empty house, into a large, rather empty room and shoved her up against the door once it was closed. And she was happy. This man wasn't like the others, he wasn't drunk or drugged and still had all his perfectly straight teeth and his skin was smooth and he didn't have dick rot or an STD, or a horrible bedside manner. He was a nice, respectable, chivalrous, smoking hot man. He had nice eyebrows and Brown eyes and a thin sheen of stubble that rasped against her lips every time he sloppily kissed her. He was on edge, sweat glistening on his smooth chest, on his muscled arms, on his toned legs. A cry escaped his soft lips, and he pumped his hips with messy rhythm.

"Grace, Grace, Grace... Grace, Jesus, Grace.."

"Grace, Grace!" Were the words that pulled Grace out of her dizzying high, Michael Rain standing over her, thankfully blocking out the sun with his stance. Her stomach pained and she felt sick. Her head throbbed as he kicked a packet of cigarettes out of the way.

"You're pregnant?"

Grace rubbed her bile-filled throat. "Wow, word's getting around fast."

Michael pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "I had to learn that from your brother who you hardly talk to! Via text!"

Grace reeled back as much as she sluggishly could, squinting, bile burning her throat.

"Could you, could you not shout."

"No! I'm worried about you, Grace! You-you're smoking, and injecting yourself with whatever this is and I'm scared!" Tears filled his eyes and he sat down next to her, taking her hand. Grace used her free one to put over her stomach, which felt like shed been stabbed with a thousand times with tiny needles. She swallowed back the burn in her throat.

"Im sorry, I didn't learn until a few days ago, okay? I'm scared too." He said quickly, trying to sit up without hurling.

"How-how far along are you?"

Grace shrugged "Couple 'a months?"

Michael winced. "And you never questioned it?"

Another shrug. "Jus' thought I was getting fat."

"You're kidding me."

"Oh come on, you and I both know I'm stupid."

"Not true."

Swallow. "Are you sure about that?"

"I’ve known you Long enough."

Thick swallow. "Not long enough for my lifetime."

"You never did tell me how old you were."

Small gag. Swallow. "I was born in three-hundred and forty-five B.C. Let's just leave it at that."

"Oookayy."

Noticeable gag. Deep breath, deep breath. "What?"

"You're just old is all."

Grace went to smile but her smile turned downward and she leaned to the side and threw up all over her last good pack of cigarettes. Most of it was food, but there were traces of blood that a blind man could've noticed.

Michael's jaw tightened and he turned to her. "Graace, what was in that syringe?"

"I-It's just the fear. This happens when I'm scared."

Michael crossed his arms. "Then how come I've never seen you do this?"

"Because I've never been scared before."