#i'll stop having time for art. because i'll have to follow the house and family drama bullshit while also working pretty much

[asvidema]

i'll take a moment to thank, from the bottom of the heart, all the friends and the people i don't even follow for leaving tags on my art. special shoutouts to those who share thoughts about it and compliment my designs. you have no idea how much that means to me

[expresso-bean]

The Man Out of Time [A ShadAmy and Silver Story]: Chapter 1

Pairing: Shadow the Hedgehog x Amy Rose

Description: It has been seven years of peace following the grueling war with Eggman and his army. Though it took time to rebuild what they have lost, life for the Freedom Fighters could not be better. Whether it's finding love or trying to run from their past, celebrating post-war times has been different for each of them.

All is well until a silver hedgehog comes knocking on Amy Rose's door to deliver the tragic news about an incredible force that seems to be the cause of the future's destruction.

Will anyone believe the mysterious hedgehog's cry for help? Or will he be left to fight for his future alone? Read to find out!

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2.1k

POV: Amy Rose

!! I do not own any of the art/gifs/borders used in my chapters. All credits to the rightful owners !!

Masterlist

I squinted my eyes as the unbarring, golden light of the sun shone in my face. I groaned and let out a small yawn and turned my back to the light before I blinded myself. 

"Ugh, there goes my eight hours of sleep," I affirmed to myself as I relentlessly arose from my bed and rubbed my eyes. "What else could go wrong today?"

Today was yet another failed, semi-sleepless night for me. Recently, I have been having a lot of those because of restless nights filled with flashbacks and nightmares about my past.

About...him.

He has been the one plaguing the back of my mind for the last 10 years since the day he left me without a single goodbye. As much I tried to push the memory of his sudden disappearance, I couldn't help but wonder about the reason behind his sudden abandonment of me. Why did he leave me when he knew he was the only one I had left? The only thing I had left of the mess I call a family.

I looked to my right, my phone was still ringing. 

'If you hadn't interrupted me, how would I have laid awake here? What else what I have dreamed about?'

I shook my head, and when the phone stopped vibrating, I saw that Sonic had called me 9 times. 

'Oh no! The get-together! I completely forgot!' I reached for my phone and nearly melted into my bed when I saw I still had an hour to get ready. 'I still have time!'

 I jerked up when my phone started to ring again. Sonic's name and photo shined in my face and I quickly answered it.

"Morning Ames," Sonic's usual friendly voice flooded the phone. "You're still pulling through, right?"

"Yeah, sorry, I was busy with something! Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is more than okay. Cream and Tails just showed, it was weird not seeing you with them. I thought it was a good idea to check up in with you."

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine, sorry I was busy this morning, but I'll be there soon!"

"Okay, take your time, see you then!"

"Bye!" I exclaimed and hung up before he could say anything in return. Sonic's house is 10 minutes walk from mine, so I need all the time I can get. "I need to get ready, fast!"

I rushed to my closet and began to change out of my nightwear and into a fresh, cherry red dress along with a cool-toned peach blazer. I took a brief second to check myself in the mirror, and I realized the pure tiredness on my face. I was much paler than usual, and I had deep, dark bags under my eyes that not even concealer could fix. I knew my friends were bound to bring it up, and I had no excuse for it, and there was no way I was going to tell them the truth. I sighed, mentally preparing myself for what to come and dashed out the door, almost tripping as I tried to close it, making sure it was locked and secure. 

The view of the clear blue sky and the feel of the fresh, cold Autumn air were the first things to greet me as I walked down from my doorstep to the sidewalk. As I walked, I was sure to take in the rest of the lovely nature that surrounded me. I watched with a smile as the birds chirped in peach and cherry trees, and colorful butterflies fluttered around bushes and flowers. It was certainly an unusual step up from the wasteland the world used to be. Just remembering the grey skies and dead plants that once filled this, beautiful world made me shudder and cringe at the very thought of having to re-live it. I speed up my pace when I saw Sonic's house in the distance.

"He sounded really excited on the phone, I wonder what this party is about!" I giggled to myself, letting my mind race at the number of things Sonic could be so ecstatic about. Then again, I give the man to much credit. One time he called me, full-on crying, because his girlfriend Sally never tried a chilly dog. "I swear if this is about a hot dog or something stupid like that..." I felt my eye twitch in annoyance as my voice trailed off. "I will leave if it is something stupid as that again."

I approached his doorstep and walked close to the light slate door to give it a soft knock. I heard loud footsteps approach, and the sudden opening of the door made me take a step back and squeak in surprise.

"Amy!" Sonic's loud voice greeted me as he engulfed me in a bear hug. I hugged him back and quietly said hello to him. He pulled back and smiled at me. "Come in, the rest of the gang already here!" 

Sonic rushed inside his house, and I slowly followed in suit, closing the door behind me. A quick rush of anxiety filled my body when I saw all my friends in Sonic's living room, talking amongst themselves. It's been about a month since I have seen or spoken to any of my friends, mostly due to my own anxiety of telling anyone of them about him.

I felt as everyone's eyes fell on me, and I awkwardly gave a small wave as I approached them. 

"Good morning, everybody!" I heard a union of 'morning' greetings and warm smiles from my friends. Cream, Cheese, and Rouge got up from where they were sitting to come and greet me. 'So far, so good!'

"Amy! It's so great to see you again!" Cream squealed as she and Cheese embraced me. "Chao Chao!" 

I smiled and hugged her tightly, a wave of sadness hit me slightly, I really did miss her warm, honey-sweet voice.

"Hey hun, don't forget about me!" I gently unwrap my arms from Cream to greet Rouge, who I also missed in the past month. She hugged me tightly and swung me from side to side a little. "Ah, I missed you girl, where have you been?" I felt my body stiffen as she asked me that. My mind seemed to go blank as I let out an unsure 'uh' from my mouth. Rouge let go of me and clasped her hands on my cheeks to examen my face. "Hun, are you okay? You look tired." 

I averted my eyes from her concerned gaze and took a step back. The room grew quiet, and the anxiety in me rose once more. The feeling of everyone's eyes burning holes into me drove me mad.

"Yeah, I'm fine!" I flashed a fake, reassuring smile and gave out an exhausted laugh. "Don't worry about me. I just didn't get enough sleep last night, that's all."

"Are you sure nothing is wrong, Amy? You can always talk to us, we are your friends," I looked at Cream nervously and lightly sighed. "We care about you."

"I know Cream. I just couldn't sleep, I swear." I shut my eyes, pleading for this interrogation to stop. "You know I'm a terrible liar."

'Smooth way to out yourself as a good liar.'

"Well, if you say so, hun. We just worry, okay?" Rouge reassured me in a calming tone. "Can you blame us for asking? It's been a while since any of us have seen you in person."

"I'm going to head to the restroom, I'll be back in a second." 

"Sally and Sonic made breakfast, I'll fix you a plate, okay hun?"

"Thanks Rouge, I'll only be a bit!"

I gave the two girls a smile before excusing myself and headed in the direction of Sonic's bathroom. I felt as if my heart was going to erupt from the pent up frustration of not being able to express myself openly in front of my own friends.

"Rose." 

The sound of that name startled me. I knew only one person who called me that.

"Shadow! Good morning, sorry, I didn't see you, I assumed you had passed off on this offer."

Shadow was reclining against a blue slate wall. He was only inches away from the doorway that lead to the bathroom and other rooms in the house. His eyes were shut, and he looked relaxed from what I could see. 

"It seemed important to him," I smiled a bit, wanting to laugh. Shadow has a mind of his own, only showing up when he wants to, or if he needs too. "He also wouldn't shut up about it."

'So that's the real reason.'

"Y-yeah, I wonder what it could be. I imagine something important if he was pestering you so much about it."

"I suppose."

I stood there for a second, just staring over him. Last time I saw Shadow, I was having lunch with him. It was the anniversary of Maria's death. He doesn't usually like to be alone on those days.  

I felt something pang in my lower abdomen. I remember why I was near this doorway now.

"S-sorry, give me one second."

I rushed into the bathroom and quickly when to relieve myself. When I was done, I went to wash my hands. Suddenly, I felt sweaty while I thought of my conversation with Shadow.

'Did he seem mad? He wasn't talking to much when I saw him.' I shut off the water, and when to dry my hands with the towel hanging beside the sink. 'No, why would he be mad. I haven't even seen him all this month. What is there to be mad about?' 

I sighed , gripping onto the edges of the sink.

'Why am I so bad at this?'

I shook my head. I needed to calm down. Rouge and Cream where waiting for me outside.

'I'll worry about it later. Shadow's probably talking with everyone else by now. He won't be there when I get out anyway. There is nothing to worry about!'

I shut the light off and, with a shaky hand, unlocked the door. When I opened it, I was relieved to see no one was there.

'Nothing to worry about!'

"I know you're lying."

The words surged through my body like piercing electricity. Shadow was in the exact same place as he was before. His eyes were still shut, his stance hadn't changed a bit. Which wasn't surprising. I hadn't been away for too long. Still, it was out of character for him to say something like that to me.

'He seems to care about what I'm feeling. We've had out small moments in the past. I wouldn't expect for him to confront me about this like this.'

I smiled at him nervously. I would hope he'd assume I'm awkward rather than anxiously trying to hid what was really going wrong in my life. 

"Don't avoid the obvious, Rose. I know you're not telling us something. You've been gone for well over a month without any explanation or contact with anyone, and when you do suddenly appear, you look frail, drained, and exhausted. Something isn't right." 

I stood there in troubled awe.

'How was he able to read me so well?'

A cold shiver of fear erupted in my body as a tear slide down my cheek. I attempted to laugh it off to get him off my tail but obviously failed miserably as more tears escaped my eyes. I quickly looked away from him when I felt his piercing stares. The stares of people always made me anxious, no matter how many times I try to ignore it, it always makes me feel nervous. I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing myself to walk away from him to not further embarrass myself when I felt something warm wrap around me tightly.

'Was Shadow...hugging me?'

I gained the courage to open my eyes and was met with my face near a tuft of white fur and arms place softly on my waist. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks and the pounding of my heart in my chest, but not out of anxiety, but out of giddy nervousness.

"No more tears, Rose, talk to me after. Please." 

With wide eyes, I nodded and slowly released myself out of his grip. Rouge and Cream looked at me and tilted there heads a bit.

"Are you okay?" Rouge handed a plate of pancakes topped with whipped cream and colorful berries to Amy, who set it down on her lap. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Or worse."

"No, I'm okay," Cream handed her a fork. "Thanks girls, I'm just hungry."

'He's right,' Amy shoveled a pieces of berries and whipped cream into her mouth. 'I'm a liar.'

[barblaz-arts]

Hello!! I'm a big fan of your artwork and you make just amazing ocs for Fandoms that exist and I wanted to know do you plan to make your original story and characters there. I would love to see it. I think you could make something that would go really popular!! (I don't know did anyone ask this before I couldn't find it😭) and also as a person I really get interested about artists real life so do you share anywhere it?

Thank you! I do in fact have some original stories and characters. I've never posted art of them online because I made them before I had social media when I was a teenager. Back then I'd always draw my original comics on sketchbooks that my classmates would pass around. I might revisit those stories and characters again someday, and now as an adult i for sure wanna make some adjustments. If ever I share those stories again I hope you guys like em too

I do have plans to maybe make something out of some recent-ish original characters I made. They were from a fanfic I posted sometime ago about my idea of a spin-off story for Cassandra from Tangled, but I might make it a story of their own without Cassandra. Since I restricted my AO3, I'll share their backstory under the cut

Summary from AO3:

To pay for a debt that Cassandra owed to Princess Liana of Verdania, she's tasked to find the princess's estranged sister born from the king's affair with a handmaiden. As Cassandra's journey lets her uncover the royal family's secrets, she comes to realize how closely these people's tales parallel her own

The cart rattles and bounces as the terrain becomes more and more uneven. They must not be in the capital city anymore. The little stowaway continues to watch in awe from the back of the cart, blue eyes taking in every thing they could from the flap's opening. All the fields and trees in this part of the kingdom... What a shame that she had to sneak out to finally see how beautiful her home is.

When the horses stop, the little girl jerks forward and almost falls out of the cart.

"Please wait here."

The girl's heart stops when she hears her mother's voice. For second, she thought she'd been caught. But her mother was only talking to Alan, the young guard she convinced to take her here.

She watches her mother get off the cart. To the little girl, it's so marvelously strange to see the usally regal woman clad in what commoners would usually wear. Her mother heads to the little house the cart parked in front of. She merely stands there at first, looking so uncharastically unsure of herself.

Eventually, her mother knocks. Someone opens the door, a woman with dark skin and thick curly hair tied back revealing herself.

This must be "Lucille", thinks the stowaway.

She can't hear them from where she's hiding, but it seems her mother is saying something. Lucille stares, shocked. Soon, her mother is let inside the house. The girl pouts at this development. She can't see what's happening if they're inside.

Luckily, the girl didn't have to wait long for something interesting to happen. The door swings open again. This time a girl slightly older than the stowaway comes out. She's a near splitting image of Lucille. The beat of her heart quickens.

It's her! It's her! she thinks.

She could barely contain her excitement as she jumps out of the stuffy cart. The older girl is skipping ahead of her and the stowaway watches in awe as she follows. She's humming a happy tune, her voice beautiful and light with innocent joy. She must live a happy life in that small but cozy-looking house.

Lucille's daughter arrives at a grassy field, descending down the inclined plain with a trail of gleeful giggles. The stowaway lets herself watch for another moment before following after her. But something like a rock catches the tip of her shoe, and the stowaway comes stumbling down the hill into a bruised - and humiliated - heap.

She pulls her face off the grass before it reddens when she sees that the older girl noticed and likely saw her fall.

"Are you okay?" Lucille's daughter says once she's crouched in front of her.

Now that she's so much closer, she can see her face. She can see that despite being oppsites in most of their physical appearance, they have something in common. Blue eyes, dark blue like the night sky. She feels a grin stretch her lips.

"Oh, well." Lucille's daughter giggles and picks out grass from her red hair. "If you can smile like that, then I guess you're okay." She holds out a hand. "I'm Stella. What's your name?"

"I'm Liana." She forgoes taking Stella's hand in favor of wrapping her arms arouns her neck. Breathlessly, she says, "I'm your sister." She laughs in sheer delight. There may be tears prickling her eyes. "I'm so happy. I finally met you!"

"Whoa. Wait a second. Sister?" Liana's smile melts away when Stella pulls herself out of the embrace. She looks confused, taking in Liana's pale skin and red hair. "Missy, we look nothing alike."

"We have the same father," Liana explains. With Stella's cautiousness, Liana's excitement has gone away, all that's left now is insecurity. "I overheard Mother arguing with Father the other week. She was really mad, so I couldn't help listening in. She got angry at Father because she found out he has a daughter with a woman named Lucille."

Stella's eyes widen as she takes all this information in. "Is your mother the woman in our house right now? Queen Eloise?"

Liana nods, eyes down at her folded lap. Stella doesn't look as happy at the discovery of having a sister. Now there really are tears in Liana's eyes. She stands, too humiliated to bother brushing off the grass and dirt that have clung to her dress.

"I'm sorry," Liana says, already turning to leave. "I'm not even supposed to be here. I'm going to --"

"Hey, wait," Stella softly calls after her.

A hand takes hold of Liana's wrist, and she lets herself get turned back to Stella. The older girl sympathetically looks at Liana's downtrodden face before gently wiping away the tear tracks on her cheeks.

Then, without warning, Stella pulls a face, eyes and nose scrunched up and tongue poking out of her mouth. Liana is so surprised that she gasps out her laughter.

"What are you doing?" Liana asks in between giggles.

Stella relaxes her face to a more natural grin. "Just wanted to make you smile, is all. What kind of sister would I be if I made you cry?"

Happiness blooms in Liana's chest. Before she knows it, fresh tears are leaking out of her eyes.

"Oh no, what's wrong?" Stella panics.

Liana shakes her head as she continues to sob. "I'm just really happy."

At this answer, Stella is back to her giggly self. "Aww..." she coos, continuing to rub at Liana's cheeks. "You're a bit of a crybaby, aren't you? Come here."

Stella takes Liana's hand in hers and pulls her to where the flowers are abundant.

"I was going to make a flower crown for the queen," Stella starts to say. "She looked really sad, you see..." Something somber flashes in Stella's eyes. "... but I guess I understand why now. Mama wanted me to play outside so she could talk to her alone, so I thought this could cheer her up a little bit." She takes a daisy off its stem to tuck it behind Liana's ear. "But it looks like you could use it, too. You want to make one with me?"

"I don't know how," Liana sheepishly admits.

"Not a problem! I'll teach you."

But Stella doesn't get to teach her. Lucille had come looking for her daughter, and she brought Queen Eloise with her.

"Liana! What are you doing here?" Eloise pulls Liana to her feet, away from the flowers and away from Stella.

"I wanted to see my sister," Liana says, already desperate to run back to Stella.

Eloise blinks. She takes deep breaths, fingers tightening the slightest bit around her daughter's wrist. When she's calmed down, she gives Lucille and Stella a meaningful look before telling Liana, "You'll have to say goodbye now. We're going home."

But their castle isn't a home. In the castle, her father doesn't like playing with her. Her mother is often so sad, Liana doesn't feel like she's there. But here, there are tall trees and fields of flowers and Stella ready to wipe away her tears.

Liana pries her wrist out of Eloise's grip and begs, "I don't want to leave."

Someone stands between them, and Liana stares at her sister's back. "Please stay a little longer," Stella pleads. "I want to talk to her more."

For one second, Eloise looks like she might give in. But Lucille finally speaks up.

"No, sweetie," Lucille says and pulls her daughter to her side. "They can't stay any longer. The king might look for them. And he can't..." Lucille trails off without finishing what she was about to say. She looks at Eloise. "Please, go."

For reasons that Liana can't yet understand, Eloise looks pained. She takes Liana's wrist again and hastily pulls her daughter to their cart.

"Princess Liana?" Alan says, bewildered. "Why are you here?"

"That's not important right now," Eloise says, voice tight. "Take us back to the castle. Quickly."

"Of course. As you wish, your highness."

This time, Eloise doesn't sit with Alan at the reins. She gets inside the cart with her daughter. Liana prepares herself for another lecture, but her ears pick up on someone else's voice.

"Liana! Hey! Sister!"

Liana scrambles to the back of the cart and lifts open the flap before Eloise could protest. Stella is running after them, panting and shouting her words at them as best she could.

"For the record! I'm really happy too! I'm happy to know! That I have such an adorable sister!"

Like Liana at the hill, something makes Stella trip and fall to the ground. Liana gasps, worried, but Stella pulls her face out of the dirt with a huge grin. Liana laughs despite herself, despite her tears.

She watches until Stella and Lucille are so far away that she can no longer see their faces. The tinier they become, the tighter Liana's chest becomes. She turns back to Eloise, surprised to see her mother look as sad as she feels.

"Mother?"

Eloise only wipes at the wetness in her eyes. Liana takes the flower in her ear, crawls back to Eloise, and tucks the flower into her mother's ear.

"Stella was going to teach me how to make a flower crown," Liana says. "She thought giving you one might cheer you up, because you looked really sad. But this is all I have right now."

Eloise's face softens. She takes her daughter into her arms and Liana buries her face in her mother's chest.

"I suppose..." Eloise says, "... we might have to go back so you can learn how to make one."

....

And that's it! I had their story all laid out. Liana and Stella are separated at some point in their teens. Liana eventually is required to be married off to another king, so she tries to get Stella to see her again before she's whisked away to another kingdom. On Stella's journey on her way back to her sister, she's supposed to discover that her mother's "affair" isn't what it seemed, and the two sisters help rekindle an old bond that their mothers had.

I'd like to have this drawn out. At least some of the key points and my favorite scenes. Or even just to show how they look like.

And yes, I know. If you've seen my Next Gen Nevermore stuff, you may notice that I used the name Eloise again. That was honestly a coincidence. Queen Eloise was the one I made first. Eloise Johnson was a name my brother chose because I was too lazy to think of one. I realized too late that I'd used the name twice 💀

[nuoyipeach]

Off-Cam

Kang Seulgi X Lee Taeyong

requested warnings: none? tags: : @gerardeveryway @gomseulgiii @innssanityyy @seulyongggi

"Welcome to Speed Date Life! I am the director for the show, and I'll explain to you the process with my assistant here."

Seulgi rolled her eyes as she stood amongst the crowd of five other women, sitting opposite the five male participants. Why her mother signed her up for a dating show was an impossible question to her.

"You're so focused on earning money, I had no choice. I'd like to see my only daughter have a family please."

Her thoughts were snapped back when the director continued. "So we've gone through all your profiles as well as what your preferences are, and will be pairing you all as closely as possible. To avoid any mishaps we also had an actual matchmaker help us with the pairing."

She watched as the man pulled out 5 folders and opened one by one. "I'll call out the couples right now, but you will be introduced to each other when we start filming tomorrow. This is just so you know beforehand."

Seulgi watched as he opened a folder and passed it to his assistant. "Please raise your hand so your partner knows you. Jung Jaehyun and Kim Yerim." Two people raised their hands, smiling at each other as they bowed their heads slightly. "Johnny Seo and Bae Joohyun." Another pair raised their hands.

"Lee Taeyong and Kang Seulgi." Seulgi raised her hand, then looked at her male counterpart. The man smiled and bowed his head slightly at her, which she returned before looking back to the front, listening to the final two pairings.

Mark Lee and Ko Eun

Nakamoto Yuta and Park Sooyoung

"So the idea is for the first week you will meet daily, warm up and get to know each other. On week two we will put a couple together in one house, rooms will be separate. From there onwards you can progress as you like, hopefully we'll get some actual results out of you all." The director teased before continuing. "Also remember you all have signed and consented to this idea beforehand as well, but we won't be pushing you or preventing you from doing anything after the first week. And if you do decide to drop out, we will take your issue into consideration. Any questions?"

Seulgi raised her hand almost immediately, and the director signalled her to ask. "Even if we're not sharing rooms, will we have our privacy from cameras? Because if not, I don't see the point of separate rooms." she raised an eyebrow asking.

The assistant was quick to wave her hand. "Oh no no, don't worry. The houses will have cameras, except for your bedrooms and bathrooms. It's only the common spaces that will be televised, like the living room, kitchen, dining, etcetera. Your mics will be on you all times, but during bedtime or in the bathroom you can switch off or remove when sleeping."

After a few more chats, the meeting ended, and Seulgi was quick to dash home. She crashed onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling, sighing at the thought of two things.

Tomorrow she'll start dating someone.

Tomorrow she'll become a TV personality.

>>>

The day came for Seulgi's first date with her paired up man, Lee Taeyong. During the introduction recording, the most she could see he had in common with her was that they both loved music and dancing. While she worked as a nurse at a private hospital, he was a primary school teacher as he claimed he loved kids, while also volunteering weekends at an orphanage to teach art.

It's almost like they had completely opposite lives, and Seulgi wondered how would this ever work out. Sure they had the two common interests, but was that really enough?

She checked herself one last time as the car came to a stop in front of the cafe they were to meet in, making sure her outfit dusted and hair wasn't messy. She stepped out, startled a little as she realised a camera was focused on her outside, and smiled with a quick bow before going inside. She followed where she assumed he'd be, noticing another two cameramen near a table by the window.

Taeyong sat fumbling his hands on the table, as if to show he was nervous, she wondered if that was his real actions or simply for the cameras. As she came closer he stood up and they greeted each other, when he suddenly moved to her side and pulled out the chair for her. She stood startled again and smiled, though she still wondered if that was real.

"So..." he spoke up as he sat, chuckling nervously. "How do we go about this? I'm not exactly good with dating."

Seulgi raised her eyebrows, letting out a laugh before responding. "I'm not exactly experienced myself to be honest. This would be my first time dating officially."

The two shared a short laugh, a moment the director signalled the camera men to get clearer shots of. Soon enough the barrier was lifted as Taeyong started talking more about himself first, always making sure to get her involved in between. She noted this action of his, and it made her smile that he wasn't simply going on and on about himself.

So he's not narcissistic, good...

In turn she spoke about her life, and tried to keep it as interactive as he did. However at one point she noticed he simply kept quiet and let her babble on about something she didn't like, though his eyes were on her with a small smile so she knew he was paying attention. Once she finished he nodded and empathised with her, another thing that really caught her attention.

"Do you wanna maybe go for a walk, continue the date?" Taeyong asked once she was finished talking, and she noticed they had finished their coffees. "I know a nice spot we can sit and have a picnic. There's food there too." his eyes glimmered, then suddenly switched to nervous. "Oh, unless you prefer indoors, then there's a nice restaurant nearby too."

Seulgi chuckled, finding his ramble too cute. Unconsciously she reached to hold his hand in comfort. "The picnic sounds nice."

>>>

The first week went well, to Seulgi at least. She didn't feel awkward around Taeyong or get any weird vibes from him. He was nice, soft spoken, funny, polite, a gentleman overall. He also seemed very put together in his life, albeit a little clumsy like when his canned soda exploded and got on both of them, but Seulgi was more amused than angry at the way didn't realise he had been shaking it.

The time came for the couples to move in together. Seulgi was nervous despite being comfortable around Taeyong, because if there's one thing she knew is that one's true self always appears when living together. She sat in the car readying herself one last time before stepping out, greeting the camera as usual, before getting her bags out and going into the airbnb the show had rented out for her and Taeyong.

Just as she reached the front door, it opened showing a smiley Taeyong, who immediately grabbed her luggage from her and leading her inside. "Welcome home." he greeted as if they were already living together, it made her smile at his fun manner. But she wasn't gonna let her guard down this easily. "There's three rooms here, two are our bedrooms. They're pretty much the same but I figured you'd come and pick one first? I'm kinda indecisive."

She stared at him scratching his head, then peeked at the two bedrooms. They were pretty similar, just a matter of front and backyard view difference. After a little thinking, she nodded and went in to the room looking over the backyard, Taeyong following behind with her luggage.

"I'll take this one."

"Great, I'll move in across then." he smiled before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. Seulgi sighed, plopping her body onto the bed and staring up at the ceiling feeling overwhelmed. She suddenly wondered if all of this is a good idea. She's just signed up to live in a house alone with a man she only just met for another what, three weeks? And while they're on camera most of the time, what if he does something to her?

That night, as the cameras were shut off and their mics taken back, Seulgi shut her door and sat in her room in silence. She was considering going to bed early, when a knock came on the door.

"Hey, sorry to disturb you... uhm, I noticed you didn't eat dinner properly because of the cameras, so I saved you some food for later."

He noticed? Seulgi had felt a little insecure to eat in a home-like setting with cameras surrounding her, so much that she only took small portions and ate unnaturally. She didn't think it was that unnatural that she'd be obvious.

She rushed to the door and opened it. "Oh my God, do you think people will notice that?" her immediate words to him as Taeyong stood puzzled.

"Notice what?"

"That I was eating for the camera? It's not like I'm trying to show off I'm healthy or anything, I just felt weird with the cameras there..."

Taeyong smiled and held her shoulder to stop her rambling on. "It didn't look that bad, and I doubt they'll use our first dinner footage considering we barely spoke." he chuckled, albeit a little awkwardly. "But I noticed you didn't eat properly, and they're all gone now, so come down and finish it off. I was craving a little dessert too, heard there's ice cream in the fridge." he left with a smile, leaving Seulgi's heart to flutter.

Stop it, you barely know him...

Sighing she followed behind, and saw how he had plated a new plate of food for her, and two empty dessert cups next to it for the said later ice cream. Seulgi had never felt this touched by a man before. One of the reasons she never dated was because of the things she saw her friends go through, although some did end up with their supposed forever lovers now, there was a lot of trial and error they had gone through.

Stop it, stop it...

She sat opposite to him on the small dining table and started to eat while watching him in the kitchen preparing them drinks. He got some lemonade out for them and gave her a glass. "I hope this is OK, I noticed you don't drink alcohol much, so I got this instead." he poured some out and placed it next to her plate.

Stop it... her heart paced faster, while her mind tried keeping her smart. But she could tell which was winning. She smiled back, nodding at him in gratitude before taking a sip of her drink and start eating.

Taeyong watched her silently, smiling every time she hummed in pleasure at the food. Seeing her able to be in her own self without the pressure of cameras around her. He felt it too, but he could tell the insecurity was higher for her.

"Should we get to know each other better?" he spoke up, getting her attention as she stared perplexed. "I know we kinda did that in the first meeting, but I feel like we didn't really get to talk as much as we should have as a potential couple..."

Seulgi stared a little longer, feeling an odd sense of worry in her chest. "You... you're really taking this whole thing seriously huh?" she asked, her voice filled with doubt.

The smile disappeared from his face so fast, Seulgi realised her mistake in asking in such a tone. He bit his lip, looked down at the table, then back up with a much sadder smile.

"I'm sorry, I kinda assumed you were in it seriously too... but I guess it's better to know now than in the end."

"What do you mean seriously?" she asked, trying to be sympathetic, although she felt bad for ruining his expectations.

Taeyong sighed. "Well, I joined this in hopes to find someone for real. Considering my time as a teacher, I haven't had the best of luck in finding a long term relationship. My friend works in production and told me about this, and I had a lot of paid leaves left, so I figured it's the perfect chance for me to find someone." he stopped and watched her expressions, noticing a look of guilt. "What about you? What made you join if you're not really into it?"

Seulgi silently thought for a while, debating how honest she should be with him. Her answer, completely. "My mum signed me up for this because I wasn't, as she said, taking the initiative myself of finding someone. Truthfully I like to keep busy at the hospital, and... I don't mean to sound rude but I've just seen dating go wrong for a lot of my friends so it never came across me to go for it. When I came into this though, I honestly didn't have expectations, I was just gonna see how everything goes.."

She felt a weight off her chest having finally have been honest bout this with someone. But she still felt bad, feeling as though she wasted his chance at a proper relationship. She warrily watched his expression, noticing he seemed very deep in thought all of a sudden.

"So, you're not entirely closed off to the idea of a relationship coming out of all this right?"

"I guess not?" she answered more like a question.

He smiled again, a little reluctantly though. "Well, we have another three weeks. How about you give us a chance? I am hopeful that after this show we might actually be something. I mean, I think you're a great person, I'd love to get to know you more."

>>>

Seulgi couldn't believe herself as she put her arms through the dress she decided to wear for their date night. Two weeks in and suddenly she found herself excited and putting in effort to look her best, something she never would have done even three months back.

Not that she went out looking sloppy, but the way she was stressed now about looking good, she never would have imagined.

As it turned out, Taeyong was great to her. Besides music and dancing, she found out their shared love of art and photography, and how he was just as career focused as she was, except he had realised sooner he felt empty from loneliness while Seulgi assumed she was simply unproductive.

Another thing she realised, and so did Taeyong, was that she did better off camera, and she couldn't have been more relieved when he didn't bother her with it and instead matched her energy. On camera, they kept things civil and formal, while when they turn off the two get comfortable with each other, talking and laughing to no end sometimes.

Their current date was on camera, and that was another thing she worried about. It would be their final week together in the house, and she was nervous as to what would the end result be. As she finally stepped out of the room, she looked around before going to the living room, seeing that Taeyong had already gotten ready and sat waiting for her.

"Hey." she called softly, smiling when he looked up, eyeing her up and down as if in awe of her looks. "Let's go?"

"Oh yea, yes." he stumbled his words a bit before getting up in a haste, heading to the front door and opening it for her. She chuckled at his sudden clumsiness, but it was something she had learned to appreciate. After closing the door behind then, Taeyong went ahead and helped her into his car as well, and like before giving her the option to pick their music for the drive.

It wasn't any longer than half an hour when they arrived at a rooftop restaurant, where they sat and immediately indulged in the food. Seulgi noticed the director signalling them to interact more, and though nervous she tried her best, relieved again as Taeyong didn't mind it too much himself.

Before long they were done, and the cameras stopped filming as the crew began to pack away to move back to the house, when the director suddenly came up to the two at their table looking strict.

"Ms Kang, I'm not sure how the two of you will end your relationship, but for once could you show something on camera? Your segments are so far the most boring, you're not captivating the audience, I get you might not enjoy this but for as long as you signed up for it give us something to work with."

Seulgi felt her throat close up, as if she lost all ability to speak completely. The man wasn't yelling, but the stern voice was enough to scare her, and all she could do was whisper a soft apology bowing her head slightly. A sudden hand grabbing hers caught her off guard further, and she looked up to see Taeyong standing right by her, squeezing her hand in reassurance.

"We apologise sir, Seulgi just doesn't do well in front of cameras, so please there is no need to cause a commotion. I mean, it's our last week anyways."

"Mr Lee I'm sorry but this doesn't concern you. It is the last week, but we've never intervened before considering her comfort of getting along with you, but as it is the last week our writers and producers have had complaints all around. Like I said, her cuts have been boring, so please just for these last few days give us something to end on a good note."

The crew decided to stop filming for the rest of the night, figuring everyone needed some rest after that slight conflict of interest. Taeyong drove Seulgi back in silence, despite there being no cameras or mics on them, as he noticed her upset. He felt bad, knowing how she was here reluctantly yet she attempted her best yet it wasn't enough, and although he knew where she went wrong, he didn't think she deserved that intervention.

As they reached the house and he parked the car, he quickly reached over and held her hand before she could leave. Seulgi stopped undoing the seat belt and looked at him confused, sitting back comfortable when seeing his sad smile at her.

"Let's sit for a bit." she sighed at his suggestion, looking out the window as he took her hand in both his, rubbing his thumb over the back of hers. "Don't get disheartened, they mean well, but it's not your fault."

"It is..." she suddenly pulled her hand away, her voice filled with sudden bitterness. "It's always been my fault. That's why I'm here, my mother is sick of me being this way, I don't know why I am but I hate it too..."

"What do you mean?" Taeyong asked confused by the sudden outburst, further shocked when noticing her teary eyes.

"I've never been good at... socialising, and communication... whenever someone had asked me out I'd shut them out almost immediately because I wouldn't know how to react. Like as long as we're aquintances or friends I'm good, but then moment anyone tries to go further, I get all closed off..."

By now she had wiped her eyes few times trying to stop the tears running down her cheeks, but it was a failed attempt when she noticed Taeyong handing her a tissue. She took it reluctantly and wiped her face, before rushing to get inside the house and into her bedroom.

>

Seulgi felt bad. Taeyong had genuinely been concerned for her, even stood up for her, and all she did was have an outburst before shutting herself away. Again. She wanted to get back to him, but she didn't know how. She had already washed up and changed into some shorts and a lounge shirt, and she figured by now Taeyong would have done the same.

She wanted to go out to him badly, but again she didn't know how. Not until knocks came on her door and she scurried up to open it, her heart shaking at the sight of the said man holding two ice cream cups and spoons smiling at her.

"I figured you'd wanna have something for dessert, to feel better."

For some reason, Seulgi felt unable to control herself. Before she knew it she had thrown herself towards Taeyong, hand around his neck while her face hid in his shoulder, body tight to his as she hugged him and all of a sudden let out a sigular loud sob. With his hands full, Taeyong wasn't sure what to do but wrap his arms around her as well, slowly walking her into her room to place the ice cream and spoons onto the vanity table and then hug her back properly.

Though he wasn't entirely sure, he felt she needed nothing but an embrace at this very moment. And that's exactly what he gave her as they stood in the middle of the room in silence, still hugging, his one hand around her waist while the other rubbed her back up and down.

After a few minutes Seulgi finally lifted her head up, turning to him slowly as she felt embarrassed from what had just happened. But she also felt calm, comforted, peaceful, unlike ever before as their eyes slowly met. Taeyong gave her a quick smiled, but the longer they stared his smile suddenly disappeared, but not from negativity.

She figured she was still at no control of herself, not when Seulgi realised her face had moved closer to his, noses almost touching as his eyes trailed down to her lips, and before Taeyong himself could think any longer she had sealed their lips together, kissing him softly but with need.

As realisation hit of what she had done, she pulled away just as quickly. "Shit..." she tried to push away from Taeyong's hold, but this time he held her closer and they kissed again. Her hands threaded through his hair, tugging on his locks as their kiss deepened, body's pressing together closer. As they pulled away to breath, Seulgi quickly hid head face into his chest, causing him to chuckle which she felt as his chest vibrated.

"The ice-cream will melt." he whispered, making her look up to his shy smile. "Let's enjoy it, together." he let go of her and grabbed the tubs again, sitting on her bed and signalling her over. Seulgi was confused more than ever, but went along with it.

>>>

The crew were delighted, noticing something was different from the night before, and although it was the final three days of filming the couple, the slight change in Seulgi's on camera demeanor was enough for them to be satisfied. She had been smiling more, especially when the two spoke, and showing more expressions. On the second last day, she even laughed out at the moment Taeyong tripped and dropped his water bottle over himself.

"That's a wrap." the director called out later in the evening. "Good job everyone, and great progress Ms Kang. As tomorrow is the last day, it has been planned by the writers in advance so you will receive instructions later tonight."

They had been in the backyard of the house, having a quick dinner while talking about whatever they could think of. The moment the staff had left, Seulgi started clearing away their cutlery when a sudden splash took her attention, and she turned to see Taeyong, in nothing but his shorts, wading around the pool.

"What are you doing?" she called out to him, putting the plates down again a little further away.

"Come on, it's relaxing. Jump in."

Hesitant, Seulgi thought for a minute before deciding to just go for it. She went inside, changed into a swimsuit she found, and quickly came back out jumping in, laughing as the water splashed into Taeyong's face. She quickly tried waddling away, but he was faster as he chased behind and splashed her back, and they soon started a water fight.

With the sun almost setting and the wind gentle, Taeyong couldn't help stare at the woman in front of him who looked beautiful as always, and a sudden sadness filled in him that it was their last day together, unofficially at least. Unable to help himself, he went closer to her slowly as Seulgi wiped her eyes, her attention taken away when feeling arms around her waist. She looked up at him a little surprised, but his warm smile was enough to put her at ease as she smiled back, her hands now placed on his shoulders.

As their bodies slowly got closer, Seulgi realised he was top naked, and started biting her lower lip with her eyes off to a corner in shyness, causing Taeyong to laugh.

"Are you nervous?" his sudden question got her to look back at him, and she noticed the slight worry in his eyes.

"About what?"

"Tomorrow." his one hand moved to push some of her wet hair off her face. "It's our last night together, and tomorrow... well, I'm nervous." Her hands wrapped around his neck as she suddenly pulled herself closer to him.

"Why?"

"Well... what's your verdict?" Seulgi realised what he was talking about, and knew she shared the same worry. "Do you wanna continue this afterwards?" his questions left her speechless. She came into this program with no motivation on being involved with whoever she would be with. But now she was confused.

Did she like Taeyong enough to have a relationship? Sure they kissed that one time, but they never spoke about it after.

"What's yours?" that was all she managed to let out, afraid she might say the wrong thing otherwise. She watched as he bit his lip, looking down at the water then back up at her.

"I don't want to force you into something you don't want." oddly, his answer frustrated Seulgi, and it was evident as a frown appeared on her face. "I mean, my answer depends on yours, if you don't want to then neither will I."

"You're such a coward." Seulgi let out before she could think or realise what she said, catching herself and him off guard. She quickly pulled away from his hold, backing away slightly before he caught her hand, preventing her from getting any further.

"Why am I a coward?"

"I'm sorry..." she sighed, but figured it's best to be honest with him at this point. "I didn't mean it like that. I just don't like that you're leaving the final decision on me. Why is it my responsibility only for our relationship to work?"

Taeyong was further confused, pulling her closer by her arm then holding both her hands. "That's not how I mean it to be. I just don't want to put you in an uncomfortable situation. I mean, you said it yourself, you're just here because your mother sent you. I wasn't gonna make you be our reason to not work out, I just thought it's best to figure out our position now so that there's no awkward tension tomorrow in front of everybody else." he sighed as he finished speaking, noticing the slight worry on her face.

That's when he realised what she was doing, closing herself off again. Only this time, Taeyong was determined to break her out of her shell. If their relationship was going to fail, he wanted it to be on proper reasons, and shying away out of fear or hesitation was not going to cut it for him.

He slowly pulled her even closer, encasing her within his arms again as his forehead rested on hers, sending her into shock again as her body froze up.

"Let go how you really feel Seulgi." he whispered. "It's now or never, and I'd regret myself if you hide away again." this time, his lips were first on hers, nothing more than a soft peck. That was until her hands circled around his neck and kissed him back. Taeyong smiled through their kiss, tightening his hold around her as their kiss deepened, happier when he felt her pulling them closer to the point their legs entangled underwater.

Once they pulled away, Seulgi for the first time didn't shy away. Maybe it was what he said that really got to her, or maybe she finally felt open and comfortable with him enough, but instead she looked at him directly and smiled, eyes glimmering with hope.

>

"Let's move on to our next couple, Taeyong and Seulgi." the interviewer spoke as the couple were next to walk onto the patio where she had been speaking to the coupled before them.

It was the final day of filming, and as mentioned the crew had already pre-planned the itinerary, with every couple coming in separately to get interviewed about their experience and outcome. So far three other couples had positive results, and Seulgi and Taeyong were the second last to be called on. She wiped her hands on her skirt, feeling how sweaty they were from sudden rush of nerves, but one look at Taeyong and she suddenly felt better as he smiled at her before they got to the table.

"So, Seulgi, apparently you were quite closed off at the beginning of the show, is that right?" embarassed, Seulgi nodded with a nervous chuckle. "How was that for you Taeyong?"

Taeyong hummed as if in thought, even though he already had an answer. "Honestly, I didn't mind it. Obviously no one would be completely comfortable with somebody they just met, let alone living under one roof, so yea it took her some time but we had a lot of nice conversations. I think that's something I really appreciate about Seulgi, being able to have good conversations with her." his eyes drifted towards Seulgi, who looked back at him in awe at his unexpected answer.

"Oh my, that's quite touchy." the interviewer cheered. "How about you Seulgi? How did you feel about Taeyong after your initial meeting?"

Seulgi was still taken aback by his answer, but she had one ready to go as well. "I think my favourite moments were our conversations as well, especially when it was just two of us. Like you said I was a bit closed off, but on our own time he was still patient with getting to know me, and I really love that about him." the words left her mouth before she could finish, causing her to hand to clasp over her mouth while the interviewer gasped, and Taeyong stared in happy shock.

"Did you say love?" he teased her.

"I meant, your personality wise, like... being patient... uhm-"

"Well, I love your insightfulness, and your laugh." he suddenly replied, and although Seulgi knew it was to defuse her awkward position, which itself melted her heart, she could also tell he was being genuine.

"Oh my God you two must have gotten really close. Can I conclude this as a success story?"

The couple instinctively looked at each other with knowing eyes, before Taeyong smiled and turned to the interviewer.

"We still have a long way to go, but I guess you could say it was destiny."

>>>

"God, you were so cliche back then." Taeyong scowled at the words coming out of his wife, who laid next to him on her phone watching the three year old clip on youtube.

"Yea well, this cliche man was the one who you married, so needless to say my charms worked."

Seulgi chuckled, putting her phone away and turning towards her husband, throwing her arm around his torso as she cuddled closer. He laid his arm out for her to rest on, fingers playing with her hair as they got comfortable enough to fall asleep.

"I wouldn't have had it any other way." they shared a quick kiss, before laying back down and closing their eyes, both knowing he was right back then.

>>>

omg I forgot if this ask is a year or more, so sorry for the delay anon!🙏🏼 like I said, this exam season got my nerves so high I'm binge writing a few things together again lmao so I hope you enjoyed this still! took me a little extra thought for it bcuz ngl I've NEVER watched dating shows😅 so not sure if the format is what you expected (or if it made any sense😬)

[bitchy-peachy]

Doing my usual ritualistic shit with the family 🤣🤣🤣. Will, of course, activate my infinity queue.

Next time y'all see me I'll probably be 30 pounds heavier cos of all the delicious foods and desserts.

We've got arroz con gandules del pais (food grown in the island just hits different), guineos en escabeche, pavo, carne de cerdo, pasteles the yuka y (algunos de carne. We do have "veggie" versions), morsillas (we got a loooot of pounds of blood sausage. Good for my anemia 🤣.)

We've got turrónes de almendra from Spain, we of courses got some Danish butter cookie minies I handed out to relatives yesterday. (My aunt cried when she saw she got those cookies since we rarely see each other due to her job and she just flipped out crying over cookies 😂. I thought I stepped on a landmine but turns out she's so used to getting present for others but not used to getting anything back. Note to self: Get my aunt more presents in the future. She loves sweets. Even if I don't see her I will make sure she gets a present)

We've got tembleque literally put the recipe up cos a lot of non-Boricuas don't know what tembleque is (delicious coconut desert 🤤) and I'd rather people just eat it loooool.

There was homemade flan with coconut but it's all disappeared within half an hour 😔😑. At least I got a serving but that was supposed to be eaten as a family but we just love to cook and eat.

Since I can't drink booze due to my treatment, there's no coquito in the house. I said it was fine since I'm buying alcohol for Luthian's coming of age next month (I already know which alcohols he'll like.) But I guess people feel bad for me and don't want to drink around me. They didn't even bring coquito 😭.

Sad af. They could have brought a virgin coquito. It doesn't need booze 😔. I just really love coconut in my foods.

Okay I rambled way too much.

Hope you guys, if you see this, are loved and held warmly. That you have the best bestest of days with yummy food and loved ones.

If you don't have that, don't be sad. I've had holidays by myself before and always told myself that once I wasn't alone I'd act like it's the most important party ever to make the most of it. (Which explains all the food, presents etc... Its cos I never know when everyone is under the same roof again, getting along and having fun together. I remember spending Christmas night at an AA meeting place. The lady that rented the place for AA was kind to my homeless ass and gave me blankets and Christmas food and place for winter. She also helped me get back on my feet. I swear I've met some truly wonderful people out there just when I needed them and I learned a lot from her and her selfless actions. I might be a mean ass bitch to a lot of people but I do worry for others. More people should be like her. She just did it like part of her nature.)

Ahhh I'm getting teary eyed.

We celebrate things differently over here. I'm not christian, I'm a bruja but I do know of Yeshua's (I prefer that name over "Jesus") energy and he's a very loving and forgiving energy (which makes me appalled sometimes at how many people that claim to follow him don't know that he weeps for them every day... because he sees and feels the world's cruelty down to the marrow of his bones. He still loves unconditionally, but he's in pain. Always in pain.

Okay I'll stop now otherwise I'll turn what I want to be a "neutral post" of celebration into me talking about deity work and channeling as well as history (and how "Christmas trees" are actually a pagan practice. In fact most of Christmas traditions come from pagans.... shhhh... see? I rambled again.)

Anyways.

Happy holidays!!!!!! 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄

Yes, I totally used an Art The Clown gif in this post. He's one of my fave clowns and he's got a bloody capitalist Santa outfit on. He's perfect 😂🤣. (It was nice to see him getting into the holiday spirit)

[radio-static13]

i am someone who only knows how to love unconditionally. once i love someone, i can't ever stop. i don't know how, and i wish i did because, more often than not, it has grievous repercussions. i have bpd, im an all or nothing kind of person. the only exception to this ever has been my ex, who was an emotionally and sexually abusive piece of shit. i feel nothing for him now but disdain. and though lately i've been reminded a lot of those years i spent letting him happen to me, and even though i'm completely outraged at the person who's caused all this...i can't understand why i can't hate him. i hate what he did, i hate that he turned out to be just as bad or even worse than my own abuser, i hate all the disastrous consequences of his actions, i hate that it was him of all people. and yet. i don't know how to hate him. i desperately want to. but just like i will never hate my father in spite of the horrible things he did in life, i can't hate him either. i don't know how. it doesn't mean i forgive or condone any of his terrible actions, but. he helped me survive at a time in my life when i felt like ending it. he picked up a lonely, broken child and called him a brave hero. the first book i read was the graveyard book, and i really saw myself in it. and then even more so in the ocean at the end of the lane. next was good omens...

i know you're supposed to separate the art from the artist, but as an artist and a writer myself, how can i? that art is built out of bits and pieces you tear out of your own soul, out of memories and places and people and experiences in your life, stories you craft and weave with your own arteries. yes, writers are liars, but all the best lies are based on truths. to quote the man himself, "We writers – and especially writers for children, but all writers – have an obligation to our readers: it’s the obligation to write true things, especially important when we are creating tales of people who do not exist in places that never were – to understand that truth is not in what happens but what it tells us about who we are. Fiction is the lie that tells the truth, after all."

it can't all have been bullshit...

my dad used to be incredibly abusive to my mom. i grew up watching them fight and seeing him belittle her. he also loved her very much. they would spend great times together, talk for hours, bring the groceries while she cooked, give her the best gifts. he was also abusive to his kids. he also did everything in his power to give us a great life, a big house, the best education, and all the commodities he could afford, and spend quality time together. he really cared for his family. he used to be incredibly queerphobic. he was also the one who took me to my first appointment with the endocrinologist, and was there when i got my first T shot. he called me his son before my mom did. i resent a great deal of things, but i will never hate my dad. i miss him terribly. he didn't deserve to die.

and i miss neil. and sure, maybe i was just in love with an ideal, just the beautiful persona he wanted to be known as. and it's sickening to think that the hands that cradled and soothed my fears were tainted with the blood of innocents. but they held me, didn't they? and the voice that told me i was brave for being unapologetic and speaking my mind is the same one that made so many people afraid to speak up. but i'm here because i chose to follow him. i chose to listen to his gilded words, and i still believe in them - i'd be in a graveyard otherwise. though had he been a siren, i'd be dead. had i been at the wrong place at the wrong time, i might've been on the list of all those who regret ever meeting him.

and yet, i can't hate him. i've loved him for too long, and it's nauseating, but i can't lie to myself. i still do. and i hate it. i hate that i can't hate him. it's been the easiest thing to do for most, but it seems impossible for me. i only hate myself for it.

i love him.

i'll never forgive him.

and this is all the more reason why i want him to pay for the consequences of all the hurt he has caused. i hope it's hurting him just as much. and - maybe this is just wishful thinking from a foolish dreamer, but - i hope he learns.

[amypihcs]

Hello! As late as usual and a bit more frozen than usual! Let's see today's story!

Holmes just wants to do his scrapbooking! He doesn't want a case now! Leave him ALONE!

heyheyhey! This is playing DIRTY!

Holmes being quite a bit vain (and this we already knew) and also very very kind. Lol, the comment of not being seen for weeks! Mrs Hudson only sees him on an almost daily basis because she's FAMILY and adopted him! And worries if he doesn't eat his dinner. Well, what's the MATTER with this lodger?

Ah, the landlady is anxious, how to find any fault in it! And who wouldn't be calmed by staring into Holmes' eyes? lol. Bet that Watson speaks also for personal experience (when he has nightmares), for exemple.

Now remember, EVEN THE TINIEST DETAIL!

This smells a lot of Mafia, tbh. And usually there is fire when there's smoke. mmmhn we'll see. What about the food? Watson stop glaring

W-why printing? (also guess that printing means not writing in cursive?) This is an actually weird way of communication. Well, the idea of concealing the handwriting is good, tbh but again, WHY. Also, short messages and apparently the lodger seems very cautious. How did he look? this lodger, i mean...

Oh this smells SO MUCH of mafia...

Well, you MUST enter the room in the morning? can't do otherwise!

WATSON STOP GLARING! Looks after himself? WEIRD.

AH! Something to observe, finally!

H: He has a beard... but he can't have smoked these! Watson, even with your pretty modest mustache it wouldn't be possible! It would be singed, and it would be such a pity... W: Holmes, stop staring at my mouth, you'll have your kisses. Later H: Alright, alright, spoilsport.

The landlady goes away, Holmes gets his kisses and then back to the analysis!

This lodger might not be the bearded man who took the keys! It's an idea. But WHY?

WELL, we can always look in the AGONY COLUMNS! scrapbooking for win! I love how Granada Holmes has his whole little art attack project with the agony columns! He's cute!

AND THEY FIND THE MESSAGES! yahoo! Maybe in the following day's gazette....

THE MANTLEPIECE POSE! YES! only, Holmes should be happier, but it's alright! Holmes is feeling very satisfied of himself and HEY! CLIENT? What? Hey, they kidnapped her husband... and then let him go? He's shoked? oh damn!

Nice, time to see this guy! Ah you say you can give us a hiding place? NICE! we'll be there!

Uuuuh! Here's the house of the last ad on the paper! Ah, is the hideout ready? yay

W-what? Oke, the substitution, but... WITH A WOMAN? WOW. And such a woman to impress HOLMES! Stuff to meditate on!

Oh, come on, Watson! I have made a cute deduction! Well, probably she's entangled or well, she and her man are entangled in a matter of life or death! -vibing holmes noises-

-Holmes is vibing HARDER- While he tells Watson that it's of course l'art pour l'art! (This passage sounds soooo early case! later Watson would know already!)

Evening and they're at the landlady's again! -i'll be very italian now-

A CODE A CODE A CODE! Eh, Holmes! You should practice your italian a bit more! 'Attenta' means a lot of stuff, as you are freaking out she is understanding (Also the proof that us Italian women as so cool that we even manage to impress Sherlock Holmes uwu) Meanwhile, Holmes sclerandone (sardinian way of speaking) and Watson proposing a cipher and in fact...

AAAAH! You remember your italian at last! HEY! more messages!

Holmes going 'WTF's happening now?', freaking out a bit more but no Watson, stay with me! (Yes, Holmes 'pericolo' means 'danger', glad you remember your lessons) We're going to investigate now!

And we'll see their discoveries in the next story!

Vibing a lot with the last part in italian! yes!

[purplerocker-thesims]

Round 3 - Holmese (1/2)

With Monday morning came dread hovering around this lot like a fog in the autumn air. We return to the struggling man that has been harassed by Dalton Maxwell, (I still don’t know why), since he was a teenager, his parents died, his older sister Algar ran away to be a mistress, his little sister disappeared along with the only friend close friend he ever had, Alfred, disappeared as well.

All he does is wake up, struggle, survive, repeat. This man is unstable. He feels terrible and all the recent stresses, has caused him to hide away from the outside, trapping himself in his home with his art.

Eaforwine woke up and was already was fed up with life. He’s just sick of living. The dread of knowing what awaits him if he leaves his house causes his anxiety spike if he did. So he's not leaving his, home. (As in the home lot, the house wasn’t designed to have indoors stairs)

He knew who was lurking outside.

Dalton maxwell, at 6 in the morning, to cause even me worry. He smiled like a man with a plan.

Added 1k in plants. Just adding colour.

Tired to invite his invite his eldest sister around. She was asleep, and he only called her once. Why is Dalton more punctual than his sister?

He invited over his brother-in-law, Solomon Paschal over, where Solomon wasn't all that keen to talk, nor was Eaforwine. So they silently drank, not sharing any words to each other.

Solomon didn't need to agree, but His wife must of got him to go see what he wanted and do a check on him to make sure he was fine. That’s the only reason why that man came over to grab a drink and not want to talk to him.

So Eaforwine went upstairs, not to work. No. This was passion. The art of creation. The only way he could make sense of his scattered mind is thoughts through the forms of art. Marking things for others. The only way he can express his needs for a friend, a company that isn't logical. Someone like him.

Next morning, It was all the same.

First, a fire, that he took care of because the rain stopped.

Then went about his day like a leaf in a river, painting, eating, but the loneliness hit, and he really missed his sisters. Missed his family, but he knew, they didn't really like him that much, or maybe think he's a bit odd. Going into self housebound and having a deep fear of Dalton. He was physically stronger than Dalton, but that didn’t stop him from not wanting to even be around that man.

(I know dalton started this, but I don’t know why.)

So he quickly grabbed the phone, after getting dressed, and called over his older sister, Algar. She took her time get herself over.

On he saw her, he couldn't help but to hug her. They are close in age.

Eaforwine: "Al, hello."

Algar: "Eaf, shy as ever I see. Glad to see you still okay."

Eaforwine: “You want a drink?"

"I do, thank you."

He went and servered Ale for them both.

To kinda just stare for a while. He's not much of a conversationalist. It’s just awkward to see them just do this, like they can talk, she does it all of the time with everyone else but him.

She went outside to talk to a passerby. Who was her friend.

So he followed her, determined to get him to keep up his friendship with his sister and try and figure out how to ask about what happened.

Algar: “Oh my moonlight, Did I tell you about plan?"

Eaforwine: Last time you were here, mam and dad were alive."

Algar: “do you not socialise?”

Algar: “oh well, I'll giving you money for you to store up. We aren't telling anyone about this, but my friend does know about this. I was going to give it to you so we can get Justice a nice cosy life, but I was told she disappeared."

Eaforwine: “Keep your money. I can do this without your help."

Algar: "Are you afraid?"

Eaforwine: “I’m a man of many fears, but this. If someone knew of this, what do you think would happen to me? Happen to Edite by association?”

Algar: "That's why you keep quiet and do as I say. We wouldn't get caught. This is how it has to be."

Eaforwine: “hiding funds will make our reputations far worse than they are. Bless the moon, you kissed someone's husband, and kissed that Maxwell boy. You ran away from home to be a mistress! What do you think that looks on your family?"

Algar: "It's not my fault! I did this for this family! Not to be seen as a cheap harlot. And that Maxwell boy is weird. I've seen how he looks at you, how, the first time he laid his eyes on you, he seemed to be the only thing that saved you from the harassment of Dalton. He clearly has some unspoken desires."

"I wish to stay away from him."

"Okay, let me show you to my friend, she's a bit like you in the head."

She show him to her friend, and they oddly enough hit it off.

But guess who entered the house, uninvited!

EADWINE!

I have no understanding why he did this, I was just looking around the lot because there had become a gathering of sims on the side of the road, and then I saw him.

This is weird. Please go back to being a girl, dad, who gets drunk before and after work. Stalking your mistress everywhere she goes is weird.

There goes Eaforwine, heck to his craft, while Eadwine compliments and kisses Algar. He has more bolts with his wife, and before He got himself a mistress. They weren't this.

NO!

Eaforwine's mam is the protector of this lot. Should've appeared sooner and scared Eadwine.

Part 2

[arisa-doii]

Everybody's Falling Love And I'm Falling Behind~

Hey guys, haven't posted in awhile. Been busy with school, starting the new school year.

This is what someone requested but they just wanted an Tanjiro x reader but I gave it my own plot line.

Yes this is based off a song I'll put the link at the end of the story :>

This may be split up into multiple parts

Begins...1...2...3...Now

........................................

Origin

You have always been a respectful child, doing your housework, making sure you have proper manners, etc. You were the only child of the L/n family after all.

The L/n family is extremely wealthy and respected. They have high standards for their child and the people who work for them. Y/n was assigned a fiance at the age of 12, her fiance was from another wealthy family who had a partnership and agreed for their children to get married.

Yet, even though you respected your parents' wishes, you did not love this man you had to marry. In fact, you have never really loved anyone. Maybe a few crushes when you were little but never love.

As you became unhappy during the preparations for the future wedding, you began to feel empty inside as i your feelings did not matter.

One day you were walking the halls of your Fiance's estate, and you could hear him chatting with another lady. Curious, you decided to go through the door and talk to your soon-to-be husband.

As you opened and stepped foot into the room, you saw him cheating on you with this young girl. This made you sick to the stomach, not because he cheated on you, but because he was doing this with a 23 year old.

You ran out of the room, as your fiance tried calling you back to his room. And ran to the Office where your Father and his were discussing business.

You tried explaining to your father what had happened, but he just would not listen. That very night you asked one of your trustworthy maids to help you pack as that moonlit night you ran away.

..........................................

Time skip - ???

Since you ran away from home, not long were you lost, tired, and on the verge of death. When a lady, no older than her 30's, saw you and took you to her small house.

Her name was Kuriya, and she was a tailor, who helped people try and fit clothes on. Even though with her stern and annoyed expression she was a kind-hearted lady who helped you when you were fading from the earth.

She fed you, took care of you. Just like a mother. You became attached to this Stranger and you both had faced the icy winter to the lukewarm autumns. By the time you were 13, you had everything you could ask for. A loving guardian. That all changed one winter.

You came home one day finding Kuriya on the floor looking ill. When you went to check on her she was already dead. With no way to make any money. You abandoned the house walking down the streets when you heard people shouting.

There you saw a woman and a young man. The Woman was hurting the man and accusing him of breaking a vase. Then a boy with burgundy hair told the lady that the vase was broken by an animal, more specifically, a cat. The boy left. And you decided to follow him.

You followed the boy, interested in how he knew that it was a cat. You were lost in a daydream when you snapped back into reality. Where did the boy go? He had touched your shoulder and you jumped in a slight.

He wanted to know what you were doing following him. You explained to him how you just wanted to know more about the scene that happened a while back. He understood and introduced himself and said he was Tanjiro and that he has a super sharp nose.

You then introduced yourself and asked him if you could stay with him for a while. He happily agreed and you both set off up the mountain.

When you both were halfway up a man from living there stopped you from going further. Saying stuff about demons and how we should hurry inside. After a bit of fussing you and Tanjiro went to sleep.

Taisho Era secrets:

Did you know Y/n knows Marital Arts?

She is a very strong Lady, Y/n can lift x60 the amount of a man can, Y/n tries not to show it because it was 'un-lady-like' when she was little. But once in a while, she trains just in case she might bump into a weirdo on the street.

The reason why she knows Marital Arts is because her personal bodyguard helps her train against her father's and mother's wishes.

Hope you enjoyed part one!!

Here is the song!!

This request was made by @kissyhalik

Thank you for requesting it was so fun to make, but I'm not finished!

Sorry if it seems rushed

[suwisuwii]

When my ex finally moved out I thought I wouldn't really see him again. Or just not very often. Now, I know he isn't going to move back in to live with me, just my daughter, but I have been anxious all day.

My daughter is coming back tomorrow, and he'll be staying at an airbnb or something until he finds a place.

The reason why I allowed my daughter to leave is because she was supposed to stay with his family, who would take proper care of her. That is no longer the case.

Now why didn't I offer to let him stay here too until he finds something?

I know the moment he sits down in my house, he won't leave.

(I'm going to be talking about some graphic details below, tw for death, murder, rape, suicide mention )

This guy tricked me into getting pregnant, following him to his country, and doing sex work for years. He never tried to find a job, he was perfectly happy with me working 24h a day, not seeing my daughter for weeks, just so I could afford him a work-free life. I had agreed to a few months of it while he looked for a job, and was now trapped in it without an end in sight.

When a client raped me and almost killed me, he said it was "part of the job".

On another occasion one of my coworkers was murdered and dismembered, and he showed no symphathy when he saw her on the news and I told him that was my friend.

(the killer is now in jail, I had met him once and I won't go into details but I survived because I made a scene and he left. I felt sick for a few days but it wasn't enough to kill me. He has been found guilty of 3 murders, and 7 attempts)

But I just kept on going and didn't feel human anymore.

At a point I was in therapy because I wanted to die. I wasn't even sad or upset, I just thought of myself as a disposable tool. I was soon to have enough money to buy a flat in cash, and I would buy that for him and my daughter, and then just die. I felt happy thinking about the time when I would finally be free and die.

The only reason I was able to stop, and wiggle out of that situation was because of the first covid lockdown. The whole country shut down for months, we literally were not allowed fo leave our house unless we were going to buy essentials (police asked for receipts). Initially I felt trapped, slowed down. I had to be alive a little longer.

Things changed when I made friends, even if online, for the first time in years. I started seeing myself as a person again and not a tool.

I broke up with him, and kept on mantaining him economically for years just because I felt obligated to. But I started making art again during that time and earning money for myself. When he left, I thought it was finally over.

I know I am realistically not in danger but as my partner said to me today, every time he calls I end up spiraling in a frenzy. I think it's the trauma.

In any case. I can't wait to have my daughter back. And whatever happens, I'll fight to keep my freedom.

I'm also very grateful for the partner I have now. I was in a bad mental state today, and he said that he will not let anything bad happen to me. It sounds like something simple but I know he means it. And I don't feel as scared if he's supporting me.

I know I can't lose my freedom now but damn every time I get so scared. I guess that's how trauma works. It's not rational.

[james-is-not-here]

Venting

Imagining random shit to try and fall asleep when it full on hit me that I'm an age regresser...

Like I knew I wanted to be smaller so to speak and I wanted to be like a child but it finally hit me. Not only that, it hit me that I think I'm doing it to cope.

The last few years of my teen hood weren't that great. I lost my Papaw, lost my best friend. Then we were scammed out of a house and had to move in with my grandma and during the time at my grandma's I was experimenting and while doing so I kept secrets. I hid everything from my parents and at the same time someone in my family was going down a dark path, went to a shitty hospital for it which made the dark path even darker and my secrets were apart of that too, I started to feel safer at school rather than my own home.

Then I graduated, my family finally moved out of my grandma's house and slowly but surely the tiny thread I had connected to the family member started to weave itself back together but only now am I realizing that I didn't feel like being "small" until after all this happened.

I use to feel independent and could do things on my own but now? Now I'm scared. I'm scared that my art won't get me to where I want to be, I'm scared that I'll always be by myself and my friends will forget me, I'm now scared to be independent and this all happened after a graduated. I don't have a schedule to follow, I don't have anywhere to go, I don't have a set plan to follow anymore and now all I do is sit around and do random shit on my phone.

For crying out loud, I can't even finish a fucking request or stand alone fics. I start it but then I stop and I feel so shitty for leaving all of you hanging but I also appreciate that no one has hated on me for it, that you're still waiting and I'm sorry that it's taking me so long to get things out.

This started out as me realizing I want to be cared for and held and babied but now I realize just how fucking scared I've become. How Co-Dependent I've become all because I'm not at school anymore like seriously? What happened to the person that willingly auditioned for their first solo in band? What happened to person that helped create a club for their school? What happened to the person that literally offered their skills to a teacher to make posters? What happened to the person that would give more than 100% in school projects that included drawing something?

Why did I step back into my shell? Why did I go back to that shy person in the back of the class that stuttered and tripped over her words when put on the spot? Why did I go back when I was so high up?

My old ELA teacher, god I loved him. Student/Teacher love I mean. He, too, had ADHD and I didn't know that but when he told me I felt so seen. He helped me so much. He helped me understand better and he came up with "The Graph". I'm tearing up just thinking about him cause he was amazing. "The Graph" is what we referred to as my progress. I was to push to keep the graph going up, to not stop and keep it from going down.

Yeah, if I was to see that teacher again he wouldn't be happy that my graph is plummeting. He wouldn't be happy that my graph hasn't peaked in a year, almost two.

I just don't know what I'm doing wrong and I'm fucking scared. I don't know how to get back into the groove I had and I feel so left behind. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others but I feel so behind with all my friends in college or in the military. I know I work differently but I feel like I should be up there with them, I should be doing something beneficial rather than doing nothing. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm even starting to doubt my art which I'm also scared of cause I'm so fucking good at what I do.

I just don't know what to do anymore.

[ryttu3k]

BG3 update, exploring Reithwin, a new team member, to about midway through Moonrise Towers!

Little snippety bits, team banter, etc that I've smushed into one image because I have a limit here:

*eyeing that 'unknown elf' listing* Also I love how Astarion is genuinely bullshitting in the blood-taste bit because we know he hasn't been drinking thinking-peoples blood aside from enemies and, once, Tae.

Anyway. To Reithwin! Delightfully spooky, honestly, the atmosphere here is fun. Managed to talk three enemies to death - the tollkeeper (who reminds me of corrupted No Face in Spirited Away?), the absolute creep in the House of Healing, and, after the world's grosses drinking game, the bartender. More on the latter two later!

At the cemetery, we meet Arabella! Who has... picked up some new skills.

Of course she can stay at camp while we look for her parents!

Into the bar for the world's worst drinking game. Plus side, got a boatload of approval from Astarion, Shadowheart, and Lae'zel from it! And some... really nasty mental images!

"Really? Right in front of my drink?"

Stopping to camp for the night. Getting some much more genuine Astarion when asking if Cazador has other spawn. Larian let me hug him as a friend.

Karlach brings up the whole... Gale thing. Which I still feel bad about tbh.

On a more depressing note, telling Arabella about her parents hurts ;_; Apparently not everyone gets the scene that follows, so I'll include a Youtube link to it here! Man, given Withers'... everything, I have to wonder just what that destiny will involve!

Honestly, though, I goddamn adore him as a character. Even if he does warn Tae not to get distracted by Karlach XD;;

Not the only intriguing camp companion we have, apparently!

Speaking of companions, visiting the House of Healing and retrieving Art's lute allows us to progress with starting to end the shadow curse, and properly recruiting Halsin!

I really like when you can let companions speak for themselves, you get so much more lore, like letting Lae'zel speak at the creche.

Once Thaniel is restored, Halsin officially becomes a member of the Brainworm Squad, albeit minus a brainworm! The companions have assorted things to say about him (including Wyll calling him a 'thick hunk of an elf'), and Tae gets to know him better. He likes honey and knows it's funny! He likes whittling! He likes whittling ducks!

"I like ducks :)"

(Tae has officially decided he's their new grandpa now. The other companions have... less familial views, apparently!)

Back to the mission! Heading to the Thorm mausoleum, and oh dear, look what the cat dragged in...

After getting some good advice to skip the mausoleum until prompted to go there later, we turn back, and this time, make for Moonrise Towers itself! (Minus Halsin, with the narrator very helpfully reminding me that, hey, may not want to bring someone without a brainworm there.) Discover some... concerning cargo:

Yeah, we, uh, took the canister and now it's just. Sitting in the traveller's chest. What do we do with it?

Into Moonrise Towers, witnessing a group of goblins attempt to kill Ketheric and. Completely fail. That's concerning!! Tae is instructed to deal with the remaining goblins and opts to let them go, because who knows? Maybe they'll return the favour one day. Karlach hears from an old 'friend', Florenta the Garrotter, a cambion from her Avernus days, and gets given some soul coins (albeit with a story attached to each).

Lots and lots of concerning bits of evidence, all pocketed. Stuff on recruiting drow, shadow druids, goblins, et cetera, invasion plans for Baldur's Gate, and - what have we here? Collaboration between Ketheric Thorm and Gortash!

We meet Araj. We meet Tae's extreme urge to punch her in the face. We meet Astarion's genuine surprise and gratitude at someone giving him a choice on what he does with his body for possibly the first time in two hundred years I'm gonna fuckin' cry. Larian let me hug him as a friend, part two.

We meet Steelclaw. Steelclaw I would die for you. ...Can we recruit her for the final battle?

That done, time for a prison break!

I don't like him much. Barcus sweetie you can do so much better. The tieflings are much happier to see us! (Lia: "Oh, you clever bastard. I could kiss you!" Cal: "Not in front of me, please. I've suffered enough.")

After the successful prison break, it's time for a rest. Is it weird to find, like, a 'realistic' place for them to rest? I used that office/tower in the middle of the prison, in the upstairs bit, where anyone awake could watch out for anyone approaching. Anyway, Gale has set up a hologram kind of... thing to invite Tae somewhere, finding him in a Weave illusion and in a... very melancholy mood.

Understandably.

Was definitely concerned this would lead more romantic. Thankfully, the game allows it to be played completely platonically, which is good as! Gale is a friend! A friend who's hurting and terrified and needs support and anyway Gale haters can fight me.

Genuinely beautiful scene, and I absolutely got misty-eyed.

Fight me, Gale haters.

Back to Moonrise. We do some more exploring, finding the third part of the tale of Orpheus. Lae'zel is... not impressed in the slightest. We also meet Ketheric's dog :( And private chambers. And stuff relating to his dead wife, and their daughter, who I have definite suspicions about. (It's Isobel, right? Isobel is Ketheric's daughter, right? Don't tell me either way, but that definitely seems to be the vibe I'm getting.)

We meet with Disciple Z'rell, and get a new mission - go to the Thorm mausoleum, and retrieve the artefact for Thorm. Now we can go! Also, at the least, she seems to trust us?

Back to the Last Light for some happy reunions! Alfira is ecstatic to have Lakrissa back (who proceeds to flirt with Tae, Lakrissa please their girlfriend is standing right there), Barcus is so excited to see Wulbren again... who doesn't appear to feel the same way.

Do you think Barcus would mind overmuch if Tae stuffed Wulbren in their pack and threw him back in a cell? Just saying.

Then back to camp for a rest, and a conversation with Astarion that punches me in the emotions!!

Full scene (including the initial confrontation with Araj) available here. The options I picked were, "Why has she upset you so much?", "Have you even enjoyed having sex, in these last decades?", and "You aren't a slave any more, Astarion, you're free."

Anyway that scene emotionally kicked my ass and I still couldn't even hug him. Larian let me hug him as a friend, part three!

[abeinginsand]

Taylor and Sparrow hc

I think both Taylor and Normal would really benefit from having a bond with an adult who also shares their respective passions. Perhaps, their respective parents could be those adults for each of them. So, Sparrow and Taylor bonding and Cassandra and Normal bonding. I'll be making a separate post for Cass and Norm (plus Rebecca) since this one is pretty long already! This is was inspired by @babacontainsmultitudes ideas about all four characters in this wonderful post! :) With that in mind, I am thinking of Sparrow and Taylor bonding over a love of anime and art in general! (Continued under the cut)

Presenting the concept that Sparrow does fan-art and fan animations as one of his hobbies. Has done them since he was a teen and Taylor even follows or knows of his current social media account for it. Just never knew who the artist behind the username really was! Since he's become friends with Normal, he's visiting the house more often than not. And even sometimes stays over too. He's surprised when Normal brings up the sleepover--because its the first time anyone's ever invited him over to their house for one. He knows his own house is amazing and all...but sometimes (most times), his classmates have been more interested in the house itself or bragging at school later than actually wanting to chat. He's confident that he'll be able to win them over one day though! Anyways, Taylor is excited to spend time with Norm and by proxy gets to know his friend's family too. Especially Normal's dad since he's in the house most often. Sometimes Taylor brings his manga over (to work on new pages or to have Norm look them over)--the sleepover is one of those times. When Sparrow brings up some snacks for them, he sees some of the pages. He doesn't say much, mostly asking if the two are okay or if they'd like anything else (snack wise). But before he leaves the room, he makes a point to politely say some compliment about the art work. And mentions that he recognizes one of the characters too. This seems like a small thing to Normal while Taylor? He's thrilled. I think there were other small moments after this too. Like Mr. Swallows Oak Garcia seems happy to let Taylor doodle during meal time (sometimes he stays over for lunch or dinner) while sometimes his mom and mostly the teachers don't like him trying to draw instead of focusing on 'more important' things like school work during class or in the cafeteria. Also, Sparrow sometimes joins in discussions about latest episodes of certain shows/comics etc. Normal knows 25% of the media Taylor references at this point in this hc and otherwise is absorbing knowledge about the rest through Taylor's rambles. (its also about 25% for Taylor in regards Normal's vast knowledge about marching bands, cheer, and just sports in general). I imagine they compromise in the confusion and have brainstormed their own combined au featuring a magical marching band lead by Miku that's fighting some other band of mascots (the mascots are heavily based off Teen High's rival school mascots). Taylor (though he'd deny this) was hesitant to reach out to Normal's dad based only on the little exchanges. A tad afraid that the adult was just humoring him as his kid's friend and would think Taylor's annoying. But Sparrow never stops being supportive and keeps on engaging with him. Even shows him old fanart that he made a long time ago when Taylor seems down about his art progress. He'd come over that day to talk to Normal about his frustration and to hear about Normal's fanfic and song recommendations. Normal was an expert at knowing just the right marching band cover or classical music to suggest for sudden moods. Only to be reminded that he had forgotten that Normal had a game that day and wouldn't be back until night fall. He easily got permission from Normal's parents and his mom to wait there for him. That's the moment the detective in Taylor starts coming out--because the fanart seems familiar...the mood shift from pretty bummed to excited distracts him in the moment though and he spends the day getting a little art lesson from Sparrow. Eventually, Taylor gathers all those mental clues and blurts out a question a month or so later during another little art lesson thing. In the most serious voice he can muster (and expression), he asks... "Are you...that artist?"

"Depends, are you a cop?" There's a moment of silence as the two trade super serious gazes and then Sparrow laughs. He says he's joking and that yep-- Taylor is correct! Probably mentions that he would prefer to keep it all a secret since he usually keeps his association to it private. But that he welcomes any questions Taylor might have. Already prepared for the chance, the teen pulls a scroll from his go-bag and unravels it onto the table...the fancy and somewhat worn paper is filled to the brim with questions (and suggestions) haha

So yeah, they end up having a mentor and student type bond. Seemed sweet and fun to me! As for Sparrow's username....maybe its chaosflower, belovedwolf, or something else? I imagine it may be the Spanish version of those combos too. Though I'm sure he had a bunch of other usernames over the years.

[harleiquina]

All TV series I've ever seen II

Let's see how many I remember from this time period.

1940 - 1970

1980 - 2000 (this post)

2010 - Now

1983 - V

Aliens have come to Earth but they are nice and willing to help us... or so they say.

Everybody remembers Diana eating rats, the dramatic face reveal of any reptilian, Freddy Krueger beeing a good guy (this time) and I'm sure Stephenie Meyers wish that Reneesme/Jacob had the same level of acceptance than "the child from the stars" (name given in Latinoamerica, don't know if it was also used in the original show) and whats-his-name.

Saw it on TV but we also bought the bootleg DVD because my mom and aunt never saw the ending of the show as kids.

1985 - Amazing Stories

I hardly remember anything (I was too young when it was played on TV) but I do remember beeing traumatized by Christopher Lloyd's severed (and reattached) head.

It was created by Spielberg, some stories land better than other ones. Maybe I should try and rewatch some?

1986 - Sledge Hammer

Is he sexist, violent, gun-lover and conservative AF? Yes... but he's also hilarious! This is satire people! Don't be like the NRA that gave somekind of award to this fictional character because they have the same level of comprehension than a brick.

Saw it on TV but it is also available on Youtube.

1986 - ALF

Alien finds himself on a typical american family house and chaos begins.

Do you live under a rock? Don't you know who ALF is? Just go watch it.

It was on TV when I was growing up, I'm pretty sure you can find it anywhere.

1989 - The Simpsons

I will keep on saying it, we argentineans speak in 3 languages: Spanish, Lunfardo (a Buenos Aires dialect but each province has their own as well) and Simpsons' quotes (latin spanish obviously, everyone agrees that it's the definitive Simpsons). Earlier seasons are better, we all know that... they kind of lose us when the original latin dubbers were replaced (it would seem that Disney brought them back but I hardly watch TV now, so I don't know)

1989 - Eureeka's castle.

I don't remember a THING about it but my family says that I was obsessed. It's a Muppet-style show of a young witch apprentice and her friends.

Upon further looking, it was co-written by R. L. Stine? So I didn't got into Goosebumps as a child but got this... who knows?

1989 - Agatha Christie's Poirot

I haven't watched everything just yet (it's been on for 20 years, people!) but I do like David Suchet's Hercules Poirot (my family disagrees because for them Poirot will always be Peter Ustinov). Hey, at least it's not Albert Finney!

1990 - Caloi en su tinta (Caloi in his own ink - Argentina)

It wasn't a series properly said... it didn't have a story to follow. Caloi was a very important artist in my country (his character Clemente became a staple in our comics just like Mafalda) and he had this TV show where he curated animations of all kinds, from all over the world. I remember seeing a stop-motion version of Barber of Sevilla and I think that I also saw Queen's Innuendo videoclip for the first time in here.

Some stories were funny, others melancholic, elegant or grotesque... but all of them were Art, with a capital A.

1990 - Twin Peaks

I don't understand the hype around this show. The only thing that I though was cool was to have a season and a half to find the killer.

Before someone tells me "you have to think how ground breaking it was in the time it came up" or "it's high end art, open your mind to it" trust me I can do that... it doesn't change the fact that I don't see why so many people like it so much.

I'll grant it a few points for showing us David Duchovny as a trans woman FBI agent that saves the day on the episode she shows up. I did like the character.

1993 - The Nanny

What would happen if instead of María taking care of Von Trapp's children in the Alps, we had a jewish it-girl from Flushing, Queens? That was Fran Drescher's pitch, the rest is history.

I got to confess I usually get bored with sit-coms but this is the only one that I can watch over and over again (and the final episode still brings single tear in my eye). Yeah, the whole plot of Fran trying to get pregnant was dragged for too long, but still it's like 3 or 4 episodes, no biggy (unless my memory fails, it's been a while).

1993 - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

For whatever reason a alien (?) race decided that teenagers are the appropiate warriors so they choose 5 Angel Grove locals to kick Galactic-Witch Rita's ass. Monsters that grow size but still look like rubber suits, the Rangers use spandex but for whatever reason they release sparks when a blade touches them. Still sweet little 4 year old me loved this show.

I checked a few episodes on Youtube not too long ago and I was pleasently surprised by the fact that each monster represented a struggle the Rangers where having on their civilian life... so facing and defeating them actually helped these kids in their ordinary life. A nice message that I completely forgot while self-convincing myself that this show was a lot dumber than I remembered.

Oh! By the way when it was on TV I watched -maybe- up to season 2. When the movie came out I was shocked that Jason, Trini and Zack were not in it.

1993 - The X Files

The most recognizable tune ever, the OG monster-of-the-week format, a skeptic + a believer, some comedy, another bit of drama and , in ocassions, straight-up horror = one of the greatest TV shows ever made.

Regardless what people think I preffer Agent Dogget (there, I said it!!) to Mulder, but of course that sunflower-seed eater, porn aficionado, spooky guy will always be loved either way.

Of course I didn't watched on TV (my mom and aunt had that privilege, I was literally a baby) but I got the whole series on bootleg DVD.

1993 - Frasier

I only watched a few mixed up episodes and I have the first 4 seasons on bootleg DVD but it was my aunt who liked it the most.

A psicologyst with a radio TV show has to live with his dad and his brother visits very often.

You might recognize them as Sideshow Bob and his brother as well.

1994 - Friends

Watched it on cable when I had it, mixed up as usual but still... for whatever reason sitcoms bore me... and this is not the exception. Again, I don't understand the hype.

1995 - Xena: Warrior princess

Ancient Greece, a female warrior... my (probably by the time we got it in Argentina) 6 year-old self loved this show. Until certain fling with Hercules... I didn't liked romance then (or now, but I'm a little more tolerant as an adult) and it ruined the show for me.

Yes, now I see certain undertones that my youngself didn't. I get it. Leave me alone!

1995 - Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

Yeah... I didn't liked Hercules but I watched a few episodes either way. I always liked a good fight on TV.

1996 - Sabrina, the teenage witch

Who didn't wanted to have magical powers growing up becuse of her?

I can't really tell how many season I've watched because, as I said, in Argentina you were lucky if the TV channels bought more than 2 season to repeat on end. Still... I didn't quite liked it as much once she left for collage. Kinda lost its magic *wink, wink*

1996 - Millenium

The year 2000 was upon us and the promise of the end of the world, so Chris Carter decided to play a little bit with it.

Frank Black is a retired agent that has a peculiar way of getting into the mind of the criminals (the audience is the only one that knows that he can see what the criminals see... live) so he is called over an over again to help on different cases.

It ended too soon (got cancelled I believe) but it has its final episode in season 9 of The X Files (if I'm not mistaken). It deals a lot with religion (mostly Christianity) and its a lot darker than Mulder & Scully's adventures (with the exception of that one episode where 4 demons get together in a coffe shop -desguised as old men- and tell their latest works done).

1997 - Meego

I got to be honest with you... I hardly remember anything from this TV show. It was basically ALF but with a human playing an alien instead of a puppet. Still we remember it fondly at home so I guess it was good enough?

1998 - Charmed

Argentina beeing Argentina, I saw a few seasons... maybe... I do remember that I liked more the original 3 sisters.

It's fun... sometimes cheesy... as any tv or film of that time.

1998 - Will & Grace

As I said, sitcoms end up becoming boring and repetitive. But that doesn't take away that sometimes jokes are good... some are very 90, but ah, well...

2000 - Dark Angel

Maybe I saw 2 season on TV but I was obsessed.

Typical supersoldiers experiments developed this superhuman creatures that got tired of beeing an experiment and broke out the facility when they were children, so now as grown ups live in our society. The lead Max (Jessica Alba) has a job as a courrier but every now and then steals, that's how she meets Logan a journalist with vigilante tendencies that needs someone to do the dirty work.

2000 - CSI (later known as Las Vegas)

Have I ever watched a show just to laugh at it? Yes, and it was called CSI, the original (I saw a lot of Miami as well).

I had a few glimpses here and there from this procedural that were the definition of Deus-ex-machina and later I decided to give it a shot just to see if, within this universe, it made sense. And nope.

If one of mom's doctors dissed House for his nearly-impossible diagnosis... I'm pretty sure some forensics did the same with Grissom's team.

Side note I really love Ted Danson, that guy is awesome.

2001 - Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

At first I thought it was a yet another The Brain + Person that explains him like many others... but Goren and Eames are the best detective duo. PERIOD.

You get to see them investigating (so Goren, mostly, doesn't know everything off the bat... he does go to the library, kids) and Eames is not just a blank space for the audience to jump in and have Goren explain everything to her. My favourite moments are when she can add up to his theory by just having the female side of things.

Goren isn't the typical I-only-think kind of detective (like, let's say Poirot) he can -and will- get into dangerous situations when needed.

You have to watch for D'onofrio's performance.

I like Jeff Goldblum as well... but his season was kinda... meh

2002 - Los Simuladores (The Pretenders - Argentina)

What if there was a group of people to solve any kind of situations? And what if this situations are quite basic, borderline stupid, like meeting the in-laws, giving a hard exam at the end of the year and such?

This is it, that's the plot.

This was a huge hit back in the day but it took me a decade (almost) to watch because if you knew argentinean tv and film as I do... you wouldn't believe that there are actually some good ideas burried very very deep in the mud.

2002 - Monk

A detective with OCD is soooo good at his job but cannot be a detective again because of it (it got worse once his wife died in a attack). Fun and wholesome... maybe it did dragged for too long.

And no matter what... we are Sharona stans in this house!

2002 - CSI Miami.

Just like CSI I watched it just to make fun of it (and because in cable they will put all CSIs together in one afternoon so it was easier to compare them).

At least this one didn't take itself too seriously!

2003 - Tru Calling

Med student has a weird ability where dead people can reach her and make her repeat the day to try and save their lives.

It ended too soon on a great cliffhanger that we will never see resolved. Damn it!

2004 - Lost

We all know Lost... it started great... and it ended.

Luckily for me the TV channel where I was watching it stopped after season 4 and I never bothered to try and catch up again.

2004 - House MD

Sherlock Holmes goes to med school and instead of solving crimes, he solves impossible diagnostics.

Gotta give it to Hugh Laurie for beeing a lovable a-hole the whole time.

It did lasted too long for me, I didn't watch the final seasons but I did watched a few mixed up episodes in cable so I kinda know what happens after, lets say... season 4? (the final one I've watched, maybe).

2004 - CSI New York

Same as the others. Just watched for Gary Sinise and Edward Furlong's guest appearence.

2004 - Miss Marple

I was never a fan of Miss Marple in writting... but on TV she is less annoying.

How come she is never suspicious? She's always around when a crime happens!

2005 - Invasion

Does anybody else remembers this TV show set after the Katrina hurricane that, apparently, also uncovered a race of aliens living underwater that have a body-snatching way of taking over the world? It's only 1 season, got cancelled I believe and I watched it on TV at 6 or 7 AM while getting ready to go to school. Ah, old times!

2005 - Mosca & Smith (Argentina)

(Mosca can be translated as "Fly" -the bug- but in this case is the character's Last Name so I'll leave it as it is)

Buddy cop with two overly eccentric characters. A silly comedy with some really in-depth meta humor of argentinean justice system. Some jokes are in poor taste... and I think it got raunchier in it's second season (I didn't watched it because one of the leads was replaced and the 2nd actor didn't had the same punch)

2005 - Bones

A forensic anthropologyst helps the FBI to solve crimes.

This is the BrainTM taken to an extreme. Dr. Temperance Brennan just can't be good at eeeeeverything. This kinda changed as seasons passed but still... who says smart people is always entirely clueless about how to be a normal human? And why so egocentric? (Most truly smart people are usually super-humble because they know that there is a lot more to learn).

In any case, it is fun. Watched on TV (earlier seasons) and continued on bootleg DVD.

2006 - Ugly Betty

The main reason why I didn't listed Betty, la fea in here it's because it is a telenovela (soap opera) everybody in Latinoamérica watched it. Some things are not so good (maybe I'll write about it one day) but overall it had a good story.

Those dubious things got changed in the U.S version... and it changed the whole story. It was easier to create something new than trying to bring people on board using a name that is well beloved to a certain ethnicity... just saying.

2007 - El Hombre que volvió de la muerte (The man that came back from Death -Argentina)

Think of a mash up of The Count of Montecristo and V for Vendetta.

It was a remake of a TV show done in the 60s... 70s? By Narciso Ibañez Menta, a Spanish actor that was naturalized as argentinean and was our very own mix of Boris Karloff (with his love for make up) and Vincent Price (he did a lot of Edgan Allan Poe stories as well). The original story was about Elmer Van Hess, who was subject to different experiments. The lab caughts on fire, he's inside and survives. For whatever reason his organs end up being given to other people so he embarks on a quest to retrieve them.

The remake also had Elmer Van Hess who was a happy fool about to get married, his boss and associates set him up and ends up in prision for fraud. Not happy with that, his boss strikes a deal with a Doctor so Elmer can be his human guinea pig (in order to do so, he asks other inmates to torture him while in prision so his only escape would be to go with the Doctor). He's experimented on as results he gets superhuman strenght and, of course, the chemicals affect his brain turning him into a very dark and blood-lust creature. The lab is set on fire, everybody thinks he died but he comes back 10 years later ready to take revenge on all of them. He was very cruel and his idea of revenge was very Saw-like... but deep down he's still in love with his almost-wife and she's the only one that can sort of ease him in the worst moments.

For an argentinean fiction it was very good.

2008 - Fringe

The X Files but even crazier? You got it.

Mom and I did got lost after season 4... but we still have the bootleg DVDs, it's just that we should start all over again and we don't have a lot of time 😝

2008 - The Mentalist

A guy is so good at reading people that decides to ripp them off saying that he's a medium. He got the wrong guy, this guy kills his family so now it's personal!

Patrick Jane's quirks might be amusing in the early episodes but after a while you, just like everyone else on the show, will want to punch him in the face.

From my little corner of the Earth I scream: Justice for Cho!! He also deserved a happy ending!

2009 - Doll House

A bunch of people got their memories wiped and now they receive other memories (fabricated sometimes) to take on dangerous tasks.

Dubious consent galore... but overall the premise was engaging. It lasted 3 seasons, the third one included a time-jump... the end didn't quite landed for me but... meh! It's entertaining at least.

2009 - Flashfoward

The entire world fainted at the same time. Everybody had visions of the future... so now some things need to be prevented for whatever reason.

Only one season, got cancelled. I don't remember a thing except the tribute to one of Jorge Luis Borges stories (El Jardín de los senderos que se bifurcan/ The garden of paths that bifurcate) and another to David Bowie's song Scary Monsters and Super Creeps. That's all I remember, I swear.

2009 - Modern Family

Sitcom that broke some barriers on what a typical family looks like. It's fun...but yeah, it also bored me.

Note to everybody: not all latinos sound like Sofía Vergara... not even Sofía Vergara sounds like Sofía Vergara the whole time.

[zapreportsblog]

↱ my mother : the successful business woman ↰

➘ summary : In this story we see how Izuku grows up in the hands of a successful business women, watch as his mother becomes his hero, the hardships they face as a family and how Izuku gains new friends and siblings to come

➘ a/n : there’s now a masterlist for this story

➘ Chapter 3: The Gift of Education

O N L Y   T H E   B E S T   F O R   I Z U K U :

Monday morning arrived, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in Izuku's life. It was time for him to embark on his educational journey, but instead of attending a regular school, his adoptive mother, (y/n), had arranged for the top homeschooling teachers to come to their home. The grand study room was prepared with everything he needed to learn and grow.

As the clock struck nine, the first teacher arrived, a renowned scholar with a kind demeanor. He greeted Izuku with a warm smile, and they delved into the world of mathematics, science, and literature. The lessons were engaging and tailored to Izuku's interests, making him feel eager to learn more.

Throughout the day, more teachers followed, each an expert in their respective fields. The history teacher spoke of legendary heroes and their feats, inspiring Izuku to dream even bigger. The art teacher nurtured his creativity, guiding him to express his thoughts through sketches and paintings. The hero studies teacher delved into the characteristics of true heroes, instilling valuable life lessons within him.

As the lessons concluded for the day, Izuku was filled with a sense of wonder. The knowledge he had gained felt like seeds planted in the garden of his mind, ready to bloom and flourish with every passing day.

In the afternoon, after his last lesson, Izuku found himself sitting with (y/n) in the living room, enjoying a cup of hot cocoa. He looked up at her, feeling a profound sense of gratitude in his heart.

"Mama, why do you do all these things for me?" he asked, his eyes brimming with curiosity. "You don't have to arrange for the top teachers to come to our house. You already do so much for me."

(Y/n) placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with warmth. "Izuku, you are my greatest treasure," she said softly. "You deserve the top educational experience because you are capable of achieving greatness. You have a heart of gold, and your dreams of becoming a hero are worth pursuing with the best guidance."

She smiled, and her words wrapped around him like a protective embrace. "You see, being a hero is not just about having powers; it's about having a strong mind and a compassionate heart. By giving you the best education, I hope to nurture those qualities in you."

Izuku was in awe of her wisdom and love. Her words resonated within him, reaffirming his belief in himself and his dreams. He had found not only a mother but also a mentor, someone who believed in him unconditionally.

"But mama," he said earnestly, "I'm not special like All Might or the other heroes."

(Y/n's smile never wavered as she gently cupped his face in her hands. "Izuku, you are special in your own unique way," she said. "You may not have a quirk, but your heart is a quirk all on its own. Your determination, your kindness, and your resilience are what make you extraordinary."

"You're right," he replied, his voice filled with determination. "I won't let not having a quirk stop me from becoming a hero. I'll work hard, just like you do for me every day."

(Y/n's eyes shimmered with pride as she hugged him tightly. "I know you will, my dear. And I'll be right here, cheering you on every step of the way."

From that moment on, Izuku's desire to become a hero burned even brighter. His mama's unwavering support and the gift of the best education filled him with determination to chase his dreams with all his heart.

As he prepared to face the challenges ahead, he knew that he was not alone. With his mama's love and guidance, he felt invincible. He was ready to take on the world and prove that heroes came in all shapes and sizes, and they could be born not only from powers but from love, courage, and the belief in oneself. And as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Izuku would grow, not only in knowledge and strength but also in the profound love he had for his mama, who had given him the greatest gift a child could ever receive—the gift of education and the belief that he could be a hero in his own right.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

As the afternoon sun painted the sky in hues of orange and gold, (y/n) decided to surprise Izuku with some quality time together outside of their usual routine. (Y/n) called the gym teacher, explaining that she'd be taking Izuku out for a treat, and the teacher happily agreed, looking forward to seeing them both the next day.

They stepped out of the house, hand in hand, ready for their little adventure. (Y/n) noticed that Izuku's eyes sparkled with excitement, and she couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.

"Where are we going, mama?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

"It's a surprise, my little hero," (y/n) replied playfully. "But first, let's get some limited edition items of all your favorite heroes!"

Eagerly, they explored the stores, finding action figures, comic books, and posters featuring the heroes Izuku admired. He felt like he was in hero heaven, and his heart swelled with gratitude for his mama's thoughtful gesture.

However, as they were browsing, fate had an unexpected encounter in store for them. Among the aisles, Izuku spotted some familiar faces—his old classmates from before he was adopted. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity.

His classmates, recognizing him, approached with smirks on their faces. "Well, well, if it isn't the quirkless loser," one of them taunted.

"Yeah, what are you doing here? You think buying all this stuff will make you a hero?" another jeered.

Izuku's insecurities resurfaced, and he found himself feeling small and inadequate. But before he could respond, (y/n) appeared behind him, her presence commanding and protective.

"Leave him alone," she said in a tone that brooked no argument. "You have no right to mock him or anyone else."

His classmates, intimidated by (y/n)'s stern expression, quickly retreated, muttering apologies as they scurried away.

Turning to face Izuku, (y/n) softened her gaze. "Izuku, don't let their words get to you," she said gently. "You are not defined by whether or not you have a quirk. You have the heart of a true hero, and that's what matters."

Izuku looked at her, tears welling in his eyes. "But mama, they kept saying I'm quirkless, and that makes me weak."

(Y/n) knelt down to his level, her eyes filled with love and understanding. "Guess what, Izuku," she said softly. "Mama doesn't have a quirk either. Do you think that makes me a loser?"

"No, mama," Izuku replied, shaking his head. "You're the bestest, most greatest mama in the world!"

"And that's how I feel about you, Izuku," she said, wiping away his tears. "You are the most courageous, determined, and kind-hearted boy I know, and I'm proud to call you my son."

With her words, Izuku's heart swelled with happiness, and he couldn't hold back the tears of joy any longer. He jumped into her arms, feeling safe and loved in her embrace.

They continued their day, going to get ice cream at his favorite parlor. As they sat together, enjoying their treats, Izuku felt a sense of warmth and belonging that he had never experienced before. With (y/n) by his side, he knew that he could overcome any challenge, and his dreams of becoming a hero felt more attainable than ever.

In the arms of his loving mama, Izuku knew that he was not alone in his journey. He had a true hero by his side, someone who saw his worth beyond any quirk or power. With her support, he knew he could be the hero he had always dreamed of—one who would save others not only with strength but with love and compassion. And as the sun set on that memorable day, Izuku felt like the luckiest boy in the world, grateful for the gift of a mama who had filled his life with love, guidance, and the belief that he was capable of being a hero in his own right.

[violetspots-2007]

OK, so I've been holding it off for a while (mostly because I wanted to make art for this, but due to circumstances I can't put the original pieces and I'm still working on the new one's), but I feel like you deserve some context on that Mandela Catalogue x Demon Slayer au I've had laying around so he we go.

This au follow's a lot of beats in KNY, but with Mandela character's + some oc's plastered on with a few small changes. I wrote a whole explanation on the Lore, but it's long as hell so I'll try to simplify it as much as I can:

(Quick context: Mark started living with Cesar and Mrs Torres after his mother left and his father died. She like's to help out whenever she can, feeling like she owes them. Also, don't think about the location/time period too much, I didn't really think through it.)

During a harsh winter, Mrs Torres get's sick and Cesar stay's home to take care of her, asking Mark to get some medicine after selling the coal. Not being one to refuse his friend, Mark agrees and head's down the mountain to the village of Mandela. After finishing her round's, Mark get's the medicine Cesar needed and make's her way back up the mountain.

It was getting dark and a storm was picking up. Halfway up the mountain, Mark is stopped by Noah (an oc/young father whose family live's close to the Torres')who warn's her about the storm and demon's coming out during the night. Noah insists that Mark stay the night with his family, who are just about to have dinner, and despite his initial refusal, the younger boy join's them for the night.

After that, Noah give's Mark the basic explanation that Tanjiro got about demon's and demon slayer's, you know the drill. Poor thing goes to sleep scared that night.

The next morning, Mark continues his way up the mountain with more speed than he did yesterday. He finally approaches the Torres house when the smell of blood suddenly fill's his senses. Scared, she quickly grab's a hatchet from outside and carefully make's her way to the front door. When she open's it, she see's Cesar's bloodied body pressed against his mother's, a pool of blood right under her. This, naturally, scare's the hell out of Mark and he immediately check's on the two. Mrs Torres, unfortunately, wasn't breathing, but somehow Cesar still had a pulse. Mark was relieved to know that her best friend survived and quickly slung him over her shoulder's in order to get him help.

While running down the mountain, Cesar slowly start's to come into consciousness. Mark tries to reassure his friend that they'll get help for his wounds, but the half dead boy just growl's instead of saying anything. Suddenly, Cesar freak's out causing Mark to lose his balance and the two fall off the cliff they were near. Thankfully, with a mix of snow and anime bullshit, the two survive the fall almost completely unscathed.

Mark, still a bit panicked from the fall, tries to find Cesar only to see him standing perfe tly fine. She ask's him if he's hurt when he suddenly lunges straight at her. Confused, Mark tries to reason with Cesar, but all he get's is a slew of incoherent growling.

Wouldn't ya know, Cesar had been turned into a demon!

Some emotional scene's later, the two are suddenly ambushed by a demon slayer, who is none other than Thatcher Davis, him freaking self!

Thatcher, being a demon slayer, is responsible for putting Cesar out of his misery, but Mark isn't going to let his friend die that easily, regardless of him being a demon or not. She decide's that she will become a demon slayer herself, kill whoever did this to Cesar, and cure him.

While Thatcher is impressed by her determination, he isn't just gonna let a demon go because of a probably empty promise. The two human's get in a fight that end's with the older of the two knocking the other out. Thatcher tries to get back to killing the demon, but Cesar manage's to escape in the struggle and sneak attack's the man. Then, seeing Mark unconscious, he run's right to him and just before Thatcher can pull out his blade….Cesar stand's protectively in front of his friend. This is what finally convinces Thatcher to give the kid a chance.

Mark wake's up to find Cesar unconscious and gagged right next to him. Thatcher explain's that he (Cesar) will need to stay out of the sun and must wear the mouthpiece in order to prevent him from eating any human's. He then leaves the two, but not before giving them a note to meet with the water hashira in the mountain's, who will help Mark in her training.

And that's the plot! There are other character's here, of course, but wanted to start with the first episode's plot and work my way up (I don't watch much demon slayer), so this is all you're getting. Still, I hope you like my au! I will eventually post some designs (maybe even some scene edits or whatever they're called), but that will have to wait!