#if each round half the competitors were eliminated

[ponysongbracket]

Brony Song Tournament

Please listen to both songs (at least in part) before voting

Kush

Thursday the 20th

"Thursday the 20th has nothing to do with MLP!" That didn't stop Don't Mine at Night. Just pretend Bart is a horse.

[variaoftevinter]

sera (dragon age) fanfic

sera x oc, leliana, dorian, scout harding all mentioned!! sorry for sm smut i swear i'll have more story based things soon. like way way more

content: lesbian SMUT, afab reader/afab sera, oral, f!ngering, teasing

“Do you intend to join the contest tonight?” I hear Leliana say, looking up from my table in the corner. 

“Contest?” She hands me the flier in her hand.

Archery Contest! Saturday! All challengers welcome*! Sister Leliana to judge!

*Except Varric and Bianca

“What is this, why are you showing me this?”

“It’s Saturday.” Leliana says, smirking.

“Maker, is it really? I haven’t been able to keep track of days since the boat ride. Then there was the month’s training, then there were the weeks on horseback-”

“Sorry to spring this on you, Zena, but I paid good money for your training, and I’d love to see my future assassin at work.”

“Aren’t I supposed to go by Florence now?”

“Fatine.”

“Who are Bianca and Varric?”

“Bianca is the biggest crossbow you’ve ever seen. And Varric is a dwarf whose aim is worse than a blind man’s.”

“I don’t have my bow.”

“It’s a good thing then, that I have it right here,” She picks up the bow she had strapped across her back. It is my bow. Damn. “I know you are nervous, Zena, but the stakes are low. What are wooden targets to a trained killer?”

“I don’t normally shoot for an audience.”

“Oh come now, Zena, that’s quite enough of this whining!” I chuckle, begrudgingly rising from my seat.

“When is this competition?” 

“Any minute now.”

“Maker!”

She leads me outside to a corner of the Skyhold fortress. There are people of the Inquisition milling about, sharing mugs of ale and chattering amongst themselves. Three or four have formed a line, bows drawn and warming up to compete. 

Leliana gently nudges the bow into my hands, and I take my place with the competitors.

“Hello everyone,” a dwarf with strawberry blonde braids steps forward, attempting to address the crowd, to no avail. “Hello all! Hey, hi,” the murmuring diminishes. “Thank you all for coming out to our archery contest! It’s good to build camaraderie by showing support for each other,” she says, teeming with nerves and excitement, “And to have some fun now and then!” She smiles giddily at her own joke, but the others remain quiet, unsure how to react. I clap. She looks over, startled, but appreciative for the awkward solidarity. Others join in for a round of applause.

“May the best archer win! If all competitors could take their place we’ll get under way shortly,” a few more people step forward from the crowd with their bows. “Oh, and thank you to our Spymaster Leliana for judging today! Thank you!” 

Leliana steps forward to explain the rules. She is clearly not half as into the whole camaraderie and support thing as the host. 

We will go in the order we arrived in (I’ll go fifth), and whoever scores the lowest each round (does the worst job hitting the bullseye) will be eliminated. First round I hit the closest ring to the center, gaining some murmurs of approval. Some, but not many, did just as well, many did worse. One Dalish elf got a bullseye, leading to roaring cheers and applause, and some eye-rolls from their competition. 

After some rounds we were down to seven people. The Antivan kid in front of me nocks his arrow, beginning to draw,  when I hear an-

“Oi!” The boy jumps, loosing his arrow into a wall, narrowly missing some spectators. I turn my head to see who just called out. 

She’s an elf with her blonde hair cropped short to her jaw, a sight I would normally find unladylike if my own hair wasn’t shaved to the scalp for ease in combat. She couldn’t be older than 22, but she dresses how my five-year-old would dress herself. A bright red tunic with the ugliest plaid breeches you’ve ever seen. 

“Am I late to the party?” She calls out, all eyes on her. Leliana rolls her eyes. 

“We’re halfway through the match,” the hostess says, visibly frustrated, “but, this is all just for fun,” a reminder more for herself than anyone else. “Sure, Sera, you may take your place among the others.”

“Thanks, Harding,” She says, satisfied. She looks for a place to go, then squeezes between me and the Antivan. “So was that your turn, or…?” She says to the boy.

“I should hope not!” 

“No, child, that was not your turn.” Leliana reassures him. He goes again, his arrow landing toward the outside of the target, his confidence shaken. 

Then it was Sera’s turn. In one fell swoop she grabbed an arrow, drew it back, then fired with no hesitation. It hits the dead center of the target. 

“Shit!” A man behind us swears, the competitors erupting in anger.

“Oh you lot are gonna have to get used to this. The real challenge has entered the game!”

I know this is all in good fun, but fuck her.

“May I go now?” I say to Sera, still standing in front of the target. She whips around to face me, looking shaken. Her expression warps into one of amusement, a corner of her mouth lifting.

“Sorry, my lady. Don’t let me keep ya.” She bows out of the way. I sigh, drawing back the bow. I close one eye, my tongue sticking out in ugly concentration. I fire. Mine hits the bullseye too. The crowd celebrates, cheering and jeering. I can’t help but grin to myself as I head to the back of the line. Sera is glaring at me, a mixture of intrigue and bitterness in her face. 

“Looks like you’re going to be trouble for me, lady.” I laugh.

“And you, me.”

“I’m Sera.”

“I know. I’m Fatine.” 

For every perfect hit Sera got, I was somewhere between good and great. But I stayed in the game, and so, of course, did she. When it was down to three, I matched her bullseye again, leaving us as the final two. By this time, a very large crowd had gathered, waiting with baited breath to see if I (the mysterious and sexy underdog) would beat Sera (Sera). I managed to keep up with her move by move, but she was effortless in her perfect strikes. My turns took concentration, hesitation, and thought. I moved slow. But she smugly watched me strategize each of my moves. Her certainty that she was going to win pissed me off, even though yes. She would probably win. Miraculously, I kept up with her for over ten agonizing rounds. Swiftly she draws the arrow and fires. It hits to the left of the bullseye. The crowd is in shambles.

“Fuck! God damn it! I don’t friggin’ care about this bullshit anyway. Fuck it!” Sera is swearing up a storm. 

“Now, now you haven’t lost yet! Pull yourself together, woman,” I coo at her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looks at me with her big puppy-dog eyes, her mouth agape. I lift my other hand and gently raise her chin, shutting her trap.

“Now let’s see how this all turns out, why don’t we. Hm?”

“Argh!” She swings to the side. As I nock my arrow, I wonder if it’s even worth winning. She’s so mad at herself right now it’s pitiful. But there is a lesson to be learned from this– life is full of disappointments, after all. I draw back, steady myself, and fire. My most beautifully symmetrical shot yet. People yell and cheer, jumping up and down, celebrating how the Mighty has fallen. Sera simply slumps her shoulders and lowers her gaze.

“You did good, Sera!” I call out as she walks away. She pretends not to hear me. 

“We have a winner! Congratulations, Fatine!” Scout Harding proclaims. I lock eyes with Leliana, and she gives me a nod of approval, a twinkle of pride and mischief in her eyes. 

⇼

“Everybody raise a glass!” The bard sings out, ferociously strumming an old Tevinter tune in the winner’s honor. 

The tavern comes alive after dark, the glee from the competition still fresh in the air.  People were finally drunk enough to start dancing, I watch as they pair up and start swinging each other around. No one knows this dance in this part of Thedas. I stay at my same seat in the corner, challenging myself to finish a bottle of wine alone.

“Are you going to drink this bottle alone?” A young man with dark skin and a mustache says to me. 

“If I don’t, it won’t be for lack of trying.”

“Mind if I assist?” He takes a seat across from me. His accent means he’s a ‘vint as well, and it’s clear he came from money. Some magister’s son, probably.

“You can imagine my surprise when I heard the winner was from Tevinter as well, there aren’t many of us around here.”

“Indeed.”

“Are you military?”

“My father was. I… was a slave.”

He chokes on the glass he had poured. I had intended to break the news a little gentler.

“Oh.”

“It’s alright. What House do you hail from? You might know my old mistress.”

“...Pavus.”

“I served the lady of House Adonis,” I watched in secret horror as he put the pieces together. “I’m sure I’ve run into you at a party at some point, the two families intermingled often!”

“Yes I’m sure.”

“I do love this dance!” I offer, the music picking up. I look around the room to see the bard playing her heart out, and people hopping around to the tune like the country bumpkins they were. I see a flash of blonde hair on the other side of the crowd. There Sera is, a wallflower in bloom, still moping.

“Would you like to dance with me then, my lady?”

“It would be my pleasure, sir.” I take his hand and we make our way toward the crowd. They egg us on, exclaiming in excitement as we begin the Matryoshka. Others sort of catch on to the steps of the routine, and soon the room is booming with dancers. 

Dorian and I laugh with each other in a moment of solidarity I never could’ve predicted. 

I bump shoulders with a tall freckled man and he murmurs an apology. His dancer partner is Sera– who does not look happy to be in his arms, her eyes locked on me. Dorian, knowing his cue, trades partners with Sera. He spins into the arms of the other gentleman. Sera slides a hand on my back, awkwardly guiding me through the energetic dance. 

“Hello, sore loser.”

“Oh, shut it will you. I’m trying to play nice.” I firmly grab her jaw, forcing her gaze on me.

“If you know what’s best for you, you’ll keep it that way.” She pulls at my hair teasingly. I groan. The alcohol has made me bold and flushed my cheeks red.

I grab her upper arm and lead her off to the side. I back her into the wall, my form pressing against hers.

“You need to learn how to behave when someone outdoes you.”

“And jus’ how should I behave?”

“Graciously. Take it like a lady.” She giggles and swivels me around with her forearm, switching our positions, my back pressing against the cold stone.

“Oh, I’ll shut up and take it. But not like a lady.” She whispers into my neck, the sweet heat from her voice raises the hair on my skin. I feel myself open up, my heartbeat pulsating with lust. She brings her mouth to mine, so close our lips brush against each other. But she does not kiss me, she only takes me by the hand and leads me upstairs.

⇼

The second we are in privacy we’re rushing to get naked. We pull at each other’s tops, I lift her shirt off over her head to find she has no bra on, her breasts surprisingly full on her lanky frame, her beautiful brown nipples hard as daggers. 

Before I can even get my hands on them she’s kneeling down in front of me. I claw at my legs, anxious to get my bottoms off. She laughs at my desperation. She eases my trousers down and peels off my underwear. My face grows even hotter with shame at how soaking wet they already are. My pants are still around my ankles when she looks up at me, smiles, then parts my thighs and gets to work with her tongue. It’s all I can do to brace myself against a bookshelf as she makes gentle, slow circles on my clit. I cry out, the pleasure making my knees buckle. 

“More pressure, Sera, fuck it feels so– fuck!” She purposefully ignores my request, keeping her contact light, prolonging me from coming. This makes me even louder, My moans so guttural I hear her chuckling between my legs. I look up at the ceiling, letting waves of ecstasy wash over me, When she slides two fingers inside of me, stroking my walls with that same slow pace. I expect her to tease me for my wetness but she holds no judgment, she feels proud. She goes harder on my clit, but doesn’t change her speed at all. It’s agonizing. I fall to the floor, my legs giving up on me, and she only uses my position to bury herself in me, my legs spread on either side of her. I stuff a hand in my mouth to stifle the sounds. My body is shuddering, my cunt is throbbing so hard that it’s almost painful. I cry and swear the whole way to my slow, torturous climax. She pulls away, her eyes still hungry. My breath is shaky and loud. I’m speechless. She stares at my sweaty, glistening form and all I can do is look back. I laugh. She smiles. From her spot between my legs she slides off my boots, and with her assistance I get fully naked. I guide her down below me so she’s laying flat on the ground.

“Sera, you’re beautiful.” I say in earnest as I guide her pants off her legs. She runs a finger along my cheek.

“You’re a gorgeous creature yourself, lady.” I sit over top of her and part her mouth with three fingers. She stares into my eyes as she takes the fingers down her throat, Moistening them up for herself. I remove the fingers and wrap my hand around her neck. She whimpers as I lean forward and kiss her passionately. 

Our tongues intertwine, lightly brushing up against one another, until she pushes her way to the back of my throat. I push back and we make out, skin to skin on the floor of her room for what feels like forever. 

I trace kisses down her neck and onto her collarbone, making my way to her supple tits, and I suck on her nipple, flicking it with my tongue. She moans violently. Hers are as sensitive as mine. Got it. 

I take my hand off her throat and bring it down to her heat. Her pubes are so blonde you can hardly see them. Cute. I brush over the area, lightly teasing every fold. We don’t talk much while we fuck, but her cries tell me she’s begging for more. I stick one finger, then two, then three, inside of her while my thumb presses against her clit. I squeeze my fingers together while inside her, and she cries out even harder. I bring my face close to hers.

“Come on baby, you can cry into my mouth.” I whisper, then lock lips with her again as I continue to finger her in strong pulses. She does as I told her and shudders, groans, and sighs frantically into our kisses. Her warm smokey breath does crazy things to me. I open my palm and slap against her cunt, she jolts and cries out in surprise and euphoria. 

“Faster, please. Please,” I give in and increase the speed. Her legs shake forcibly as she cums into my hand, her warmth spreading all over my fingers and palm. She watches from below me as I lick it all up in delight. “Damn.” 

I roll over beside her, the cold floor soothing my overheated body. I turn to face her and see that her eyes never left me.

“If you’re the prize I get for second I can’t imagine what the Maker would’ve given me for winnin’.” I tuck her hair behind her ear, letting my hand rest on her soft cheek. 

“You’ve been a most worthy opponent. I like you a lot, kid. For what it’s worth.”

“From you, it’s worth a fortune.” She collapsed onto me, our mouths colliding as she rolled on top. We fucked until we succumbed to sleep. I woke up on the floor to the sunlight pouring in, and a still naked Sera pressed against me. I smile to myself as I think of what else the Inquisition could possibly have in store. This was just the first night here, after all.

[mysterycharacterbracket]

As someone who ran a tourney with 300 characters with two lives a piece, the key is indeed patience. And preparation.

Set it up as if you have a much smaller tournament, and then simply adjust it so that you're almost running multiple tournaments at once.

I started this tournament in May of last year. Here's how it went:

First, I randomly assigned each character a number (because it was a mystery bracket). Then I went to work:

Round 1: a preliminary round with 100 polls of 3, split into 8 batches of 11 and one batch of 12

Round 1.5: a tiebreaker round between characters tied between tiers 2-3 and 3-4 listed below:

100 poll winners

28 wild cards (the top losers by vote count across all 100 polls)

84 byes (the next best losers by vote count across all polls)

88 first round competitors (the worst losers by vote count across all polls)

Once these tiers were set up, and all ties between tiers had been broken, I randomly seeded each character within the tiers. The top two tiers were combined to make a 128-character winners bracket, all tier 3 characters received a first round bye in the losers bracket, and all tier 4 characters had to compete in the first round of the losers bracket. Then I started a pair of brackets (2 characters in each poll after this):

Round L1: 44 polls in 4 batches of 11 (losers were eliminated)

Round L2: 64 polls in 8 batches of 8 between the winners of L1 and the first round byes

Round W1: 64 polls in 8 batches of 8 (losers move to round L3)

Round L3: 64 polls in 8 batches of 8 between the winners of L2 and the losers of W1

Then I simply repeated the last three steps over and over with half the characters each time, continuing until only one character was left.

Other things:

L denoted the losers bracket, whereas W denoted the winners bracket.

Losers from the losers bracket got eliminated, while winners moved on to the next round. Because this was a mystery bracket, I revealed each character as soon as they got eliminated.

Winners from the winners bracket moved on to the next round, while losers moved on to the next losers bracket round.

Because this was a mystery bracket, I randomly gave each character a number and referred to them exclusively by their number and description.

I made each poll last a week, except for tiebreaker polls which lasted a day. This was for the sake of my own sanity: if each poll lasted a day, I simply wouldn't be able to keep up with that hectic of a schedule.

I used a Google Sheet to keep track of the brackets and a Google Doc to keep track of all the character descriptions. In order to see how many votes a particular character had, I used the following formula in the Sheet: =round(C2*0.5,0), in which C2 was the cell where I had the total number of votes for the poll, and 0.5 was the percentage of votes (50%) that particular character received. To check my math, I would put the sum of all the numbers within that poll in B2.

I also used printyourbrackets.com and MS Paint to create the brackets, as you see here. For the losers brackets, I deleted large chunks where a character from the winners bracket came down. I originally denoted these spaces with a W as a placeholder.

EDIT: I also used a "Master-Master-Post (which I pinned to the blog) as a way to help my voters keep track of what was happening. I edited the post constantly to keep readers up-to-date. I've linked the championship round version of that post here. (Note that I had so many polls, I had to create smaller masterposts for each batch of each round, which are listed below the cut. That's why I called this the Master-Master-Post.)

I set it up to automatically reblog each post at certain intervals. At the beginning, each post was reblogged at 3 days and 12 hours, and at one day. Later I moved to reblogging each post at 5 days, 3 days, and 1 day. And in the last few rounds I reblogged each post every 24 hours it was live. I also reblogged each post whenever I noticed that someone reblogged it with propaganda.

I staggered the posts, so that for example, one batch might start on Friday, while the next batch started on Monday, and the next batch might start on Wednesday. To give myself a break, I made sure to never start a batch on the day after another one started. But whenever I had time to post a batch is when it went up. But I made sure to keep at least one batch open at any given time. I also staggered the rounds in the same way so that, for example, the last batch of a losers round might go up on Wednesday, while the first batch of the next winners round might go up on Sunday or Monday.

Because I was staggering rounds like this, I decided it would be easiest to make each character stay in the same numbered poll in each round. So for example, a character who entered round L2 or W1 in poll 47 (in batch 6 of 8) would be in poll 47 again in round L3, and poll 24 (in batch 3 of 4) in round L4 (with 32 total polls that round).

The only exceptions to the staggering rule were in between the first round and the tiebreaker round, between the tiebreaker round and the bracket phase, and in between rounds when we got down to 8 polls per round or less and the characters from one round had to go directly into the next round. In the first two cases, I let the polls expire and immediately posted the next ones, but in the later rounds I waited a day in between rounds.

When I found out that I messed up, I went in and fixed the situation as soon as I could. I had to get creative once in a while -- for example, there was one poll that I accidentally posted twice because Tumblr kept telling me it failed to post. By the time I figured out what happened, both polls already had several votes. I decided to keep both polls up and count each vote as a half vote. Other times when that happened, I decided to delete one post entirely and move all the votes to one poll.

This tournament did take a LONG freaking time. I started the tournament in May of last year. Round 1 lasted a month on its own, and one character who competed in early round 1 won their poll and didn't even show up again until the end of round W1 in September. That was the longest gap any character experienced for the whole thing. The entire tournament wasn't finished until March.

Even though my second bracket looks to be much smaller than the first, I plan to follow a similar format because that one worked so well.

Speaking of which, I will be closing submissions for this tournament this evening CDT. As of this post, you have approximately 12 hours to submit! Link below:

And if any of you reading this have any other questions about handling an insanely large tournament, don't hesitate to reach out to me! I'll be happy to answer any questions about it!

Help, how do you run a tourney that's twice as big as your last one?

believe me i still don't know

(best advice I can really give is pace yourself and don't rush. Also; if your saving stuff like pictures on a laptop/computer, use a USB Stick)

[kookies2000]

Third after story! The longest one. At least six chapters or ten. It's also my favorite because I got to insert Duck Tale authors into this one. Katie, Dalek and Jordan being a few. As a thank you for always supporting me. Hope any author who is in this story feels like I did you justice!

"Let the Games Begin!" 

The family reunion is finally here after being delayed multiple times. Many are entering to compete in The Battle of the Gods. The Mcducks are excited to represent the Goddess of Love, until the games start getting too intense. Competitors are letting personal grudges take over to the point where people might actually get hurt or worse.

###

"Abigor and I were really close when we were kids, but I still have bonds with other cousins, you know." Lizzette said plainly as they walked across the beach.

"Really? You always talked about Abigor. What other cousins are you close to?" Webby asked in her usual cheery tone.

"Lizzette?" Everyone heard an even more cheerier tone from a distance. In the crowd they could see an orange colorful bird jumping up and down. With each jump getting him closer to them.

"Lizzette, it's really her!" The bird cheered at the top of his lungs. He jumped over the entire crowd like a cartoon character on a trampoline. Each jump got higher until he was right above them.

"Lizzette!" The brid zoomed right past them smashing himself onto a giant rock in the sand.

"Oh!.... Is he ok?" Huey cringed at the sight. As if nothing happened, the orange and yellow bird peeled away from the rock as if he was a sticker. The strange physics freaked out some of the teens except for Lizzette.

"Cartoon logic, you always did want that power." Lizzette laughed before being tackled into a hug.

###

"Are we seriously going to die here?" Louie shouted in terror. He felt his hand slip away from Webbys and could feel himself getting sucked deeper into the crowd. People were getting tossed out of line making them out of the race. It was crazy, people kept shoving everyone out of bounce, many flew over him and some even slipped past him making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Excuse me Mr!" He felt a young white duck squeeze past him. He nearly tripped from how small this girl was. She slipped past everyone as if she was made of liquid.

"Kate!" A brown dog that was flying over the crowd looked down at her, "You know you can travel underground?"

"Oh! Thanks Gabby." Katie waved to the dog that was clearly in her team. In a blink of an eye, the Katie girl transformed her body into water and she sank into the dirt below. Louie couldn't help but look in amazement. So many descendants of greek gods and their friends were gifted with powers he's never even heard of.

###

"Who's cleaning this up?" Huey felt slightly intimidated by the team's loud enthusiasm.

"Sorry." Gabby groaned as she grabbed a towel from the counter, "Some of our team members can get a little reckless."

With that, Gabby snatched the bottle out of Rebeys hands and replaced it with the towel.

"Hey! Let's have a little fun tonight. We all made it to the next round against hundreds! Starting Monday we're going to be competing in the Battle of the Gods!" Rebey let out a rough cheer as she jumped down to clean the spill.

"I like to keep the dorms clean this time." Gabby glared down at the girl.

"So, team Demeter huh?" Louie confidently walked up to the lady and leaned on the counter, "I hear you guys are the big shot here?"

"We won the Battle of the Gods four years in a row." A black duck appeared right behind him. Louie let out a loud squeak of fear before coughing behind his arm.

"Four years?" Louie cleared his throat of any cracks. He didn't even notice there was a brown and black dog next to the duck. Her curly hair held into a loose bun. The black duck gave a smirk and nod. He wore mostly black clothing with two long swords behind his back forming an X.

"The names Ninja." The guy held out his hand for a shake. Louie took the hand shake and looked at the guy questionably.

"Ninja? Like the Japanese ninja guys?" He asked.

"Yep, it's a nickname." Ninja let out a low giggle. Louie felt a little intimidated by the guy's presents. Just from the way he quietly showed up out of nowhere.

"So, you want to tell me your real name." Louie asked hopefully.

"Nope." Ninja winked playfully before walking away. The brown and black dog, who looked like she was about to explode from excitement, grabbed Louie's hand and shook it so hard he swore his wrist was about to be torn off.

"Salutations my friend! The names Mimi and I just wanted to welcome you and your team into the dorm rooms!" She chimed without letting go of his hand. Louie had to pull his hand away before he could lose it.

"Hi?" He wasn't sure how to respond to this hyper girl.

"Mimi, help me unpack!" Ninja called out.

"Ok!" The excited girl ran off.

"Don't mind them." A dark brown duck walked up to Louie. He shyly put out his hand for a hand shake as well to which Louie took. This guy had a lighter and kinder feel to him. Brown eyes behind some thick glasses and black hair over his forehead, "Christopher, but you can call me Chris."

"Louie." The rich duck felt more comfortable with this guy.

"Don't feel intimidated by us please." A small green hummingbird appeared behind him. This one also had a cute and kind feel to her. Gold round glasses over her warm brown eyes, "Some of our teammates are just over confident about our four year winning streak."

"You guys must be pretty amazing to win four times in a row?" Lena walked into the conversation.

"I wouldn't say amazing." Chris blushed from the compliment.

"No, we're out standing!" The little hummingbird cheerfully clapped her hands in excitement, "Not anyone can say they have a winning streak! If things go well for us this year, it'll be our fifth win. The most any single team has ever won in a row!"

"Easy Jo, we gotta remain humble remember," a much bigger white duck with black spots, placed his hands over her shoulders. The little hummingbird calmed down a bit before backing into the duck's embrace behind her. The black and white duck reached out for a handshake from the two ducks, "The names Jordan, captain of our team. This little lady is the co-captain, Jocabed, Jo for short."

"Hi!" Jo gave an excited wave.

"Don't forget about Katie." The white female duck hopped to their side. She grabbed Lenas hand without her even putting her hand out and violently shook it, "Team Aphroducky huh? Can't wait to compete against you guys. You know, Team Aphroducky hasn't won the Battle of the Gods in over 100 years?"

"What? Why?" Louie was taken back by the news. Lizzette was super talented and won many competitions outside of The Battle of the Gods. Surely the descendents of Aphroducky were powerful.

"I think it might have to do something with the fact that Aphroduckys powers aren't as powerful. Don't get me wrong, she's gorgeous and stunning but……. her powers aren't very useful for competitions so the team captain is usually the first to lose making the team lose."

"Making the team lose? As if the team doesn't have a leader hence they fall, right?" Louie cleared up causing a nod from Katie.

"Well that's going to change today!" Dewey slammed his arm against the table next to them. The microwave still firmly placed over his head, "Lizzette is a great team leader and super skilled with an even superer team behind her."

"You have….. a little……" Katie pointed at her head and looked at the microwaved headed duck in confusion.

"Again?" Webby whined from behind before pulling Dewey back.

"I wouldn't expect much from Lizzette. The girl's talented but this is her first Battle of the Gods so your team isn't expected to get far." A pale white duck with black highlights in her hair walked by them.

"Look who's talking," Rebey laughed as she tossed the towel into the sink, "Jordan was a first timer too and he won without a problem……. thanks to us of course. The most amazing team!"

"Yeah but I was trained by my brothers, who competed by the way, since I was a kid. So I knew what to do and expect as team leader. Lizzette is brand new, if I can give any advice to her it is to remain open to suggestions, communication, and stay flexible." Jordan explained.

"Talk, communicate, flex flex flex, nothing hard, Lizzette can handle it," Rebey was clearly drinking way too much of her grape juice. She leaned against the counter where Violet was sitting and looked at her. Rebeys eye's half open and drooping , "You're a cute one. Seeing you at tonight's party?"

"What?" Violet scooted away from the girl.

"Party, celebration party actually," The white duck with black highlights pulled Rebey aside and had her lean on her, "We have one after every Elimination Race to celebrate the teams that made it."

"Party!" Dewey's voice echoed in happiness from inside the microwave.

"Stop moving." Katie held the blue triplet against the table as Webby pulled onto the microwave.

###

"So every team has a captain and co-captain huh?" Violet was intrigued by the game's concept.

"Usually," Lizzette focused more on her streches than what Violet was trying to strategize. Violet looked down at the duck and noticed she was extremely nervous.

"Who's the co captain in this team?" She asked. Lizzette stood up straight, without even looking at the hummingbird. She let out a loud sigh before speaking.

"Co-captain is optional…… Abigor and I always wanted to be captain and co captain but….." Lizzette didn't need to say more, Violet understood.

"I see….. so about the other teams, how powerful are they?" Violet asked.

###

"Why Violet? Why did you ask?" Dewey cried out, tears nearly falling from fear.

"Don't you think that's enough teasing?" Jo looked at her partner, a small smile forming. Jordan didn't say a thing, with just a wave of his hand he summoned another root from the ground and slammed it against Dewey. Jordan smiled as he slid his hand to the side making the root slam Dewey against a tree and trap him.

"Maybe it is time to take out the big guns. You mind queeny?" Jordan happily looked over at her. Jo shook her head in excitement and clapped her hands. The ground began to shake, letting vines crawl out as if they were arms, letting out the same plant creation Louie fought. Only it appeared a whole lot bigger than the last time Louie faced it.

"Not this again." Lena lightly complained. The plant creature raised it's dirt first in the air and let it fall towards them. Lena formed a shield around her and Violet, blocking the hit. The force was so strong it nearly knocked the shadow girl off her feet.

"And Winnie said this is only her second biggest creation!" Violet tried to speak over the loud slamming sounds.

"Man, that's a strong shield." Jo calmly commented before jumping up in excitement. She cuffed her hands over mouth and shouted, "Harder! Hit it harder!"

The creature seemed to understand her. This time it raised both fists and slammed them down together. Lena and Violet screamed when the hit caused a large crack in the shield.

"No you don't!" A familiar voice cried out. While the plant creature had it's fists down, it felt a sudden weight on it's wrists. Once again, they had turned into gold.

"How did he get past-" Jordan looked around for the green triplet until one of his teammates came in.

"So sorry!" Katie jumped into the flower platform still in her water from, "He slipped past us by turning Sophie into gold."

"She's gold?" Jo gasped.

"Ninja is half gold as well. I only escaped because-"  Katie got interrupted.

"Thought you could run!" Louie jumped up and tried to tackle Katie. The girl let out a squeak of fear before letting herself sink into the ground in her water form. Louie fell onto his shoulder, wincing in pain, "Dang it! I hate it when she does that!"

"Planta!" Jo yelled out to her plant creation. In a split second, the plant creature stretched out one of it's vines to attack Louie. Thinking fast, Louie rolled away from the vine and the moment the vine hit the platform he grabbed it. In seconds the vine turned to gold, making the creature stuck again.

"Thought you get the best of me again?" Louie stood up with an expression filled with determination.

###

"Don't take it personally!" Louie and Lena felt a pair of arms wrap around behind their shoulders, "My team has a soft spot for you guys."

"Are you sure about that?" Webby winced when Dewey waddled his way to the couch from all the pain.

"Ice….. he has ice powers too? I thought Sophie was the only one with ice powers." Dewey flopped on the couch.

"I thought Jordan only had plant-like powers?" Lena commented. Katie nodded her head yes before releasing them from her grip.

"That's true but he is the descendent of Demeter. Meaning he has the same powers as her……" Katie looked down at Dewey with a cheery face, "That includes weather like winter. And from the looks of it, he seems to dislike you."

"It's because I ruined one, one date between him and the co captain." Dewey cried out, half in pain and half from fear.

"Ah, that explains it," Katie walked up to the fridge and grabbed some ice packs.

###

"I hate this!" Louie tried to keep his balance but the room kept on spinning and spinning. Throwing his whole team around as if they were inside a washer machine.

"Where's the target?!" Dewey tried to reach out for the violin but the room again shook and made the violin fall down the stairs.

"Violet!" Lena cried out for her sister, still trying to make her way across the room. Soon, a chair swiped past her, making her lose balance and slide away.

"I can't even tell where I am!" The team heard Violet's voice but couldn't find her.

"Why didn't any of us choose an agility power?" Huey kept running away from all the falling debri until the room turned to it's right. He leaned to the open doors beneath him and fell right in. He was now inside what looked like a basement.

"The target!" Violet was at the corner, pointing at the target that was nailed to the wall above them.

"How are we supposed to get that?" Huey was in a panic and couldn't think.

"I got this!" They heard Gosalyn cheer as if nothing was wrong. In a blink of an eye, a rubber ball slammed against the target making the room stop spinning. The ball bounced off the walls multiple times before returning to it's red haired owner.

"So happy I chose a strength related power!" Gosalyn laughed and fist bumped the air. 

###

"How have we made it this far? I don't know!" Louie cried out, "I just want the rooms to stop changing every second!"

"Nothing in the room beyond this wall either." Violet came back through the wall. She looked just as disappointed as the rest of her team.

"What if we wait for another team to come our way?" Boyd suggest, "They might know a way out of the labyrinth?"

"Last thing we're doing is teaming up with any other team," Lizzette said, "You saw what happened. Apollo's team nearly lost when they tried to team up with Zeus's team."

"True," Lena lightly hit the wall with the back of her head, "So what should we do?"

"I'll check the room below." Violet said before jumping through the floor below them.

"We can't keep relying on Violet to check every room. We have to come up with a strategy." Huey was tired of going in circles.

"Hueys right, we're just wasting time checking every room." Louie agreed.

"And who knows what Violet will find." Webby thought.

"What do you mean by that?" Dewey asked. As if in cue, the team heard Violet scream from the room below.

"Vi!" Lena panicked. She laid down and placed her ear against the floor, "What's happening?!"

###

"So you're telling me there's someone out there actually trying to hurt us?" Mimi was nervously pacing back and forth.

"Someone? There's more than one person," Huey concluded, "Every team had their captain or co captain hurt to the point where they couldn't continue the games. That takes more than one person."

"Ok but who would do that? You saw how messed up the Apollo team was. The captain can't even walk properly. He's too scared to continue the games!" Lizzette was just as scared as everyone.

"Which is probably what they want," Huey said, "Whoever is attacking the teams either has a grudge against them or is trying to win by default."

###

Super excited! And thank you to the authors that agreed to make cameos in my story. Mimi is @ilovebhna .

[beck-a-leck]

since you did kindly offer... arthur frey no. 12 (please)

Welcome back Nonny! As you asked, here's some in-game canon Frey/Arthur Smooches!

Send me a Smooch Prompt and some characters and half all your self-indulgent wishes come true!

#12 Sneaking away to a hidden place for a secretive kiss

The summer sun was out in all its glory and strength for the first day of the season, and the residents of Selphia were more than happy to flock to their lake to spend a day relaxing and playing and cooling off with the first swim of the season.

The young adults in town had set up camp about halfway down the shore, spreading out a motley collection of blankets and towels and a couple large umbrellas to offer a bit of shade. They were close enough to the lake to made a quick run to the water for a dip to cool down, but far enough that even the rowdiest splash fight wouldn’t wet their belongings. For a while, they had been divided, the boys and the girls, but as the day crept on their groups mixed more and they shared snacks and drinks and sunscreen and towels got hopelessly mixed up.

Arthur sat with Forte and Clorica in the shade of an umbrella, watching the game of chicken that was taking place in the lake. They were the only three sitting out. Forte still didn’t swim very well and refused to go in deeper than waist-deep. Arthur needed to take a break from the sun, he burned far too easily, despite the copious amounts of sunscreen applied, and his shoulders were already starting to look a little pink. Clorica was fast asleep with her head resting in Forte’s lap.

There was a chorus of shouts and giggles as men picked their battle partner and hoisted her up on their shoulders. Arthur scanned the pairs with amusement. Kiel and Amber had teamed up – the smallest girl on the thinnest shoulders, he didn’t think they would last long, but he knew Amber could and would employ her wings if it gave them an advantage. Xaio Pai was trying to clamber onto Vishnal’s shoulders with as much grace as she could manage, which, unfortunately, wasn’t much. Vishnal got a foot in the face a couple times before she settled unsteadily. Doug and Dolce were snapping at each other over the best strategy for winning chicken, and Pico wasn’t helping cement their team-up as she was buzzing around the two of them probably whispering threats to poor Doug or teasing poor Dolce – most likely both. Dylas and Margaret had partnered, the two of them looking rather focused as they prepared for battle and sized up their only real opponents, Frey and Leon.

Arthur’s heart gave a funny lurch was he watch Leon lift Frey up onto his shoulders and he laughed and pulled gently at his ears. It was just a game. The two of them teaming up for chicken didn’t mean anything. Frey was dating Arthur, and quite happily so. She and Leon were friends, but really that was in between them.

Forte nudged Arthur with her shoulder. “You sure you don’t want to join in?”

He laughed, “No, I think if the two of us paired up we would be the shortest-lived team.”

Forte nodded and laughed in agreement. “Probably true. Those weak things you call shoulders wouldn’t hold me for very long.”

“And it’s a little too deep for you.”

Forte nodded, still smiling as the competitors squared up. “Wanna take bets though? Bet Vishnal and Xaio Pai don’t last five seconds.”

“There’s no contest there.” Arthur scanned the others again. “Hmmm last groups will probably be Dylas and Meg, and Leon and Frey.”

“I don’t know, I think Amber and Kiel might have some tricks up their sleeves. They might make it to the final two.”

The Chicken Fight began. As predicted, Xaio Pai tumbled off Vishnal’s shoulders before she really even had a chance to try and shove anyone else. Doug and Dolce didn’t last much longer, though Arthur suspected there might have been some Pico-interference in that regard. The other three couples grappled for a bit, and Amber and Kiel put up a rather good fight, but in the end, they were upended and eliminated from the competition. The final two couples were left, Dylas and Leon circled each other, saying nothing, while the girls on their shoulders traded taunts. Their former competitors were watching, egging on whoever they decided was more worthy of a win. Then with a battle cry, they charged at each other, locking into a grapple as both the boys and the girls tried their best to send the other topping into the water. The fighting may have gotten a little dirty under the water, Arthur was certain Leon and Dylas were kicking each other, but as neither of them were complaining, nobody was going to call foul play.

Then with a yell and a surge of power, Frey gut the upper hand on Meg and sent the elf tumbling off Dylas’ back and into the water with a splash. The winners hooted and howled in victory to a chorus of cheers or jeers. Then with a grin, Leon let go of Frey’s legs and she let herself fall off his back and into the water. Leon scooped Frey from the water, loudly declaring them the champions, while she laughed, and then, in true Leon fashion he unceremoniously threw the Princess back into the water. Frey reemerged laughing and wiping hair and water from her eyes. She playfully shoved the guardian, making half an effort to dunk the much taller man beneath the water. When he didn’t budge, the other men in the water saw fit to ‘avenge’ their princess and they piled onto Leon. A scuffle broke out and a lone figure quickly retreated, stumbling on laughter-shaken legs into shallower water as she wrung out her long green hair.

The men’s wrestling match continued as the women decided it was time to take a break and get a drink or have a snack. They migrated back to the blankets and settled in the sun or under the shade of the umbrellas.

Frey plopped down right next to Arthur, pressing her cool, wet body against him. She pecked him on the cheek. “Enjoying the shade?”

“Actually, it’s quite lovely.”

“Hmm,” she poked his shoulder, watching a white mark appear and then fade quickly. “You are looking a little pink. Let me put more sunscreen on your back.”

She turned to dig through the collection of bags and supplies and said with a small huff, sitting back on her heels, “Huh, it looks like we’ve used up what we brought.” She grinned at Arthur. “I do have more back at the castle. Come with me.”

Arthur opened his mouth to inform her that actually he had a bottle in his bag, but Frey was on the move before he could get a word out.

She took his hands and pulled him to his feet. They both stepped into their sandals and promised the others that they would be back soon, they just needed more sunscreen. Then they were hurrying away from the lake, back into town, and towards the castle. While most of the townsfolk were at the lake today, not everyone was, and Frey looked distinctly disappointed each time they rounded a corner and saw someone outside enjoying the beautiful summer day.

They did end up all the way back at the castle, slipping through the door into Frey’s quarters and finding it blessedly empty.

“Finally,” she sighed, spinning around and pulling Arthur close. “I love Beach Day, but it gives us so little time to spend together.” Frey leaned in close and brushed her lips against Arthur’s once, then twice before stepping back a little.

Completely unnecessarily, Arthur said, “Something tells me you didn’t actually drag me back here for sunscreen.”

Frey grinned impishly. “I mean, you’re inside, technically you’re protected from the sun.”

“Ah, well my complexion thanks you then, darling.” Arthur put his hands on Frey’s waist and pulled her close to him. She twined her arms around his shoulders as he leaned in for another kiss. Her bare skin was warm under his hands, and smooth, though he felt goosebumps erupt from where his fingers grazed. Frey pressed against him; her still damp swimsuit was cool against his flush skin.

They broke apart just for a moment to breathe, and Frey whispered, “I thought you would prefer this to me throwing myself at you on the beach. I know how much you value your privacy.”

Arthur chuckled. The whole town knew they were dating, but sometimes, being a Prince, there were certain rules of conduct he was expected to follow. And making out in public was on the no-no list. In private, though, hidden away from prying eyes…

He bowed his head to plant a kiss on Frey’s neck before whispering in her ear, “Well, we all know how much you love a public spectacle.”

He could feel Frey grinning before she said, “Let’s save that for the firefly festival, shall we?Really blow this town away.”

She hated public spectacles almost as much as Arthur did.

He pressed another kiss to her lips. “As you wish, darling.”

[seedleaflesssapling]

Ver 2.0? Turning Point?

I can't really identify to which point in my life that i started to doubt myself but im pretty sure that it was because of UP. Damn, that school, my uni. It do really have the ability to make you feel small; i was in a disadvantaged side when i entered it, you know. I was acquainted, no we did not really talked one-on-one, but i heard when we did introductions - Pisay, UP High, science comprehensive schools, Xavier University, who wouldn't be intimidated by that when you came from Col. Ruperto Abellon National School (who would know where that is? I was lucky enough for a teacher recognized it and my classmates be like 'ahhhhhh,' .....really?! I dont even know where xavier is, it just sounds cool). Another thing is that, i wasn't a stem shs graduate - a leverage(?) or excuse (?) that i always use for them to know that i am at disadvantaged side here, not their competitor, probably a NOBODY. They, being stem graduates, have capstone projects you never thought that they have at that age, but i would hear them saying that it was publish in this journal (whatever, idk the journals lmao, i dont even understand their studies 2nd lmao, but that was some smart shit you know, a shit that makes me feel pathetic for being too proud of my what? Correlational study from inconsistent surveys?!!! Wtf, wtf, wtf). But it was a very good peer pressure you know, i kinda turned it that way. Being left behind, being on the rock bottom, i have no other place to go but up. It wasn't the goal, like making or taking the top spot, i just need to survive.

Inevitably, the exams came. I had hard time adjusting chem but math was kind to me. Who would have thought that i would get two 1.0 at my math subjects for the first semester, the sem that i thought i would barely pass. I was even a CS for that sem. Who would have thought? Our first chemical engineering subject that involves computations was on the list the next semester and the first exam, out of 100 i got something like 20ish. WTF. THAT WAS MY FIRST FAILED EXAM. but no, never did cry but tears were flooding inside. So apparently, i have to focus more on this subject and i did. Some were still failing, but i raised my average up. We also had physics, my first ever physics. I really love physics that time or that sir rommel is just a very good professor. I got the highest score on our second LE, everybody else did fail. Small victories. Not that they lose, but i just won. But i heard one time they were talking about me re: passing the physics exam and even getting a high score. They were uhm.. a guy i really look up to cause his good, the other was a girl that idk but i think she didn't like me back then. They were friends but eventually the girl transferred uni because who cares why. i heard the guy saying something like sin.o gid na si franklin nga taas iya score man, maybe even worse than that, i still look up to the guy even until now. But wtf. I really took it in that time, like i wanted to cry but did not. With all that, i got a fair grade at physics. I still got 1.0 at maths that sem and even maintained being on the CS list. S M I L E. BECAUSE WE HAVE A MIDYEAR CLASS. VERY EXHAUSTING FOR SOMEONE WHO DONT WANT ANYTHING BUT JUST ADJUST, SURVIVE, AND FIND MEANING OF BEING A UP STUDENT. It was just one subject and it was math, but i got 2.0?!!! I have no excuse to that, i am very grateful for the family who accommodated me. After midyear class, i did got sick, it sucks, really sucks. I wanted to file an LOA for the next academic year, it is the only thing i can think of for me to go back on track (i haven't said that my parents pushed me to graduate with latin honor and i wanted to also for my resume to look good because everything else in me is effed up). I really wanted to pause and be free for a while but i also wanted to graduate on time (mostly because i want to give the bitches who dared to have expectations be put on my shoulders not the satisfaction, but the audacity to tell them 'i aint did it for ya') so i asked mama. THANK GOD, SHE DID SAY NA KUNG ANO LANG KAYA MO, AMO LANG DA IH 😭😭🤧🤧 so i enrolled, but went to school late, haven't attended the school opening but all is good. I did kind of reset, just enough for me to face school again.

Second year, it was fucked. I did really love coding on octave and doing sheets at ms excel though. On that year, we have formed the che 103 bagsak group. Together with two of my classmates on 103 and math 55, we became buddies after failing che 103 on the first LE, another 30 over 100 exam hahahahaha. We made bawi just enough for us to pass the subject hahahahahuhu. I have thermodynamics sub, i barely pass. Thank G na wala ko nag removal. If ever i did, i am so sure that i wont make it. My GWA for that sem was not enough for me to be a CS. Who cares? I still did, actually but mama was never been too pushy since then, even since after midyear, after getting that 2.0 grade from the only subject i am good at. Btw, my math 55 for first sem, second year, was 1.25. Not a 1.0 but still, it's good. Second semester that year was when pandemic hit so there's nothing much to tell. I was, sorry but i was really, glad to be away from school for a while, not until for a while became forever. Virtual university set-up was very hard. With too much from taking in whatever i see and hear on my surroundings, even just at home, everything is difficult. It is very hard to find motivation and discipline in studying when i was surrounded with people who do nothing. Even to this point i am writing, everyday is like a battle, but is mostly an internal one. Self vs self, a war no one knows who will win. So the confidence, the tower of knowledge i did build, exponentially went down. I did really well when i was in grade 10, i did my best that time and it can be seen at the achievements i had that year. Being consistently on top 1 the whole year, placing second on division MMC (even getting the highest score on the written elimination round for the whole cluster), doing well sa physics under maam andico, placings on cluster journalism competitions - it was like a record best, best record (?) Whatever. But it wasn't enough you know, i eventually came fourth like wtf. I had read from somewhere Newton saying like the two years when he did write the three laws of motion and the calculus stuff were the two best years of his life, and it kept me thinking that what if mine already passed? That it was when i was in high school?

But, back when i was in school, every time that i was belittling myself or even at random times that i would feel nervous for nothing, my classmates and close friends would say na:

Uno mo man ang Math, uno mo na na (it was a one or two time thing, what if chamba lang to???)

Ikaw man highest sa first le sa thermo (it was really an absolutely one time thing, i barely passed that sub)

Alam ka man sa physics (i was just invested on physics and maybe nachambahan lang na ang ginpractice ko solve kay parallel sa exam ni sir)

Alam ka, d ka lang confident (OKAY???!)

I was ignoring those shit cause who cares if i did really good that time. Yeah, it felt good but it wasn't fulfilling. Satisfied but not happy. But with recent events, i think i would be changing. This post will be a written contract that i will push to be better, to start trusting myself, and build that confidence glow behind me; to believe that i am bright and i can hack it, whatever it may be.

For coherence, i would itemize na lang all of the events that brought me to epiphany lol

It was Friday, 17 Sep, when Dean, in our plant design subject, gave an activity for us - to come up with solutions that would address problems he presented. 1 off grid island community (either you address the water, electricity, and phone reception/signal problem under a 100k budget) and 2 vinegar packaging with a 500 mL volume and should cost less than the cost of vinegar. The due's on Monday, 20 Sep. The challenge is that you should come up with an idea that is not the same with those who already turned in their proposed solutions. I haven't turned in mine until Sunday afternoon. We are 23 in class, hence there should be 23 proposed solutions for each problem. However, only 20 or 21 turned in their solutions and as a student who decided to do it three days after the sheet was given, i was at the second to the last of the entries hahaha. I have limited choice since a lot have been proposed. And ngl, i did entered my idea for the first problem at Sunday evening and for the second problem it was on the afternoon of the next day. Those were basic solutions cause who am I? Am just your basic guy.

Tuesday, 21 Sep (#NeverForget #NeverAgain), class again for plant design (PD). Dean discussed stuffs which im ngl, i did not listen because im bored (not until he said 'we'll have a 5-min break and we'll have a quiz after that' like wtf, how will we do our quiz???!). After the short break, I did study cause i panicked as hell, he presented the prospects of the course, that we will be divided in groups and that the leaders were chosen based on the solutions they turned in the activity previously given. So there's no quiz, i was calm the whole time after that until my name was called. Like wtf??! Your basic guy will be a leader???! Hello!!! So i chat people, asked them if it was a good thing (course it was!!!? So dumb right?!). And then, i asked another leader and she agreed to my argument that we should only be divided into six instead of seven as what dean has decided. So i chatted dean (pic below). I just accepted the role half-heartedly.

As leaders, we should be hiring people for our team and we should make pubs. I dont have a canva account to help me do pubs. I made mine at MS ppt HAHAHAHAHAHA but im good so its cute. We were assigned with projects and i get to have the 4-member team. The vacant roles were project maven and liaison officer for a 3-member team. In my pubs, i included scrummaster as position to be filled, cause who am i to lead?! So yeah, that's it. I did the pubs Wednesday and I submitted my resume Thursday (third to the last hahahaha but my resume's cute hahaha).

Thursday. So i had this invite by a classmate to join the Shell event long time ago. He was reaching out for someone to ask Dean for his approval because Dean did not replied to the email he sent. So, i volunteered. I really want this competition cause this will be my first and maybe last competition as a UP student. So i DMed dean and blah blah blah he asked for selection process. I relayed the message and apologize to them for being me because i was thinking that it was me who made him come up with the decision of having the team be selected. Like, wtf i was just asking for his approval. Getting kicked out of the team was not my intention. Those whom i chatted that night were telling me that it wasn't my fault blah blah blah. So i half-heartedly agreed to them.

Friday came, yesterday, the interview. I am very anxious for someone who will be the one asking the applicants lmao. I already have been interviewed before for college applications and somehow remember the feeling, nerve wracking, whatever. To calm my nerves, i listed questions which i never got to ask properly btw, but at least i have concrete ideas on what to ask. The first interviewee was my very closed friend and so we just laugh and laugh and laugh HAHAHAHAHA. IDK if dean saw it but who cares. And the next and next and next. 3:30 passed by fast and guess what??? YOUR BASIC GUY HAS THE MOST NUMBER OF APPLICANTS TO THE POINT THAT DEAN CUT MY LIST. IT WAS EXHAUSTING BUT VERY FLATTERING. I FEEL SO HONORED. i really thought and very scared at the thought that no one will apply to me but wtf, just wtf. Ranking my applicants was damn hard. 1 i have a dream team but one was cut by dean; 2 this could make my friends mad; 3 this will be the group for the whole year; 4 i am really exhausted. But still, i submitted the list. I was hoping for the people i chose to choose me back. Only two out of three did, i am forever grateful.

Still on Friday, the classmate who invited me to the Shell thing and Dean had a zoom call and discussed about the competition. That classmate told dean what i told him the other day that i might be the reason for the decision of having the selection process done. He told me this through a voice memo, katamad daw magtype. A voice message that i played over and over again. Dean actually find me interesting (?), Invested (?) Idk exactly but the classmate told me na 'may nakikita daw talaga sya sayo. Na grabe ka ka-practical as a person like yung ideas mo daw sa plant design napakasimple lang pero napaka practical to the point daw na madami nag apply sayo kanina. And then, you need more confidence lang daw talaga' so ig, you basic guy is a practical guy now. It's just flattering.

Now, whatever happens, i must meet those expectations right? This could be a lousy motivation but what is if there's none? I dont know why im writing this. I just thought i should get my thoughts out. Ver 2.0? Turning point? Let's just do good 😌

PS I put this on my bio on FB, guess im getting more public, and if you happened to read this because you saw the link on my bio, send me a message about you thoughts.

PPS if your initials are JTZC, these have been my week and i miss you even though you're not interested in me anymore, you are hard to forget

[douchebagbrainwaves]

THIS ONE IS REAL

Those are pretty expensive. If they were obviously good, someone would already be writing stuff on top of it. He made cars, which had been a luxury item, into a commodity. But maybe the older generation would laugh at me for opinions expressed here, remember that anything you see here that's not in the middle. I once wrote that startup founders should be at least 23, and that one should just go to grad school.1 Why do you think so? Could you turn theorems into a commodity, and they were still mostly in denial about problems. When we got real funding near the end of it, but regardless it's certainly constraining.

Soon after we arrived at Yahoo, we got an email from Filo, who had been crawling around our directory hierarchy, asking if it was really necessary to store so much of it. At each step, flow down. Our generation wants to get paid for doing work you love, you're practically there. I said a good rule of thumb for recognizing when you have competitors, because it's painful to observe the gap between them. But when I finally tried living there for a bit last year, and the Bible is quite explicit on the subject of homosexuality. Though unprecedented, I predict this situation is also temporary. They can't hire smart people anymore, but they don't get blamed for it. This one is real. But unfortunately you run into a chicken and egg problem here. And when you see something that's taking advantage of new technology to give people something they want that they couldn't have before, you're probably looking at a winner. In a field like math or physics, where no audience matters except your peers, and judging ability is sufficiently straightforward that hiring and admissions committees can do it without setting off the kind of work you do, and since you have to jump through in school.2 So Dad, there's this company called Apple.

Err. And indeed, a lot of meetings; don't have chunks of code that multiple people own; don't have chunks of code that multiple people own; don't have chunks of code that multiple people own; don't have a cofounder, but that there be few of them. Afterward I wondered, what am I even measuring? And that's fine. If you're a hacker thinking about starting a startup in New York admire more.3 Even Einstein probably had moments when he wanted to have a meeting about it. Don't maltreat users is a subset of a more general technique: making things easier.

At least, it has to look professional. My only leisure activities were running, which I think even Spamhaus would admit is a rough guess at the top spammers. Wealth is defined democratically. While you're at it, you should get a job. After all, a Web 2. But an online square is more dangerous than a physical one. Startup ideas are ideas for companies, and sales depends mostly on effort. Surely one had to force oneself to work on, toward things you actually like. By seeming unable even to cut a grapefruit in half let alone go to the store and buy one, he forced other people to use.4 If anyone is dishonest, it's the one with fewer employees that's more impressive.

The intervening years have created a situation that is, someone whose best work was behind him—and hand over the project with copious free advice about how the book should show in positive terms the strength and diversity of the American people, etc, etc. If this were a movie, for example. If you want to stay happy, you have to assume there was someone born in Milan with as much natural ability as Leonardo couldn't beat the force of environment, do you suppose you can? Even if your only goal is to please them, the way to get information out of them. The Bay Area has a lot of time thinking about language design. One reason people who've been out in the world. Thanks to Sam Altman, was 19 at the time.

As I was leaving I offered it to him, as I've done countless times before in the same way the classic airline pilot manner is said to derive from Chuck Yeager. Once publishing—giving people copies—becomes the most natural way of distributing your content, it probably isn't, it tended to pervade the atmosphere of early universities. How many times have you heard hackers speak fondly of how in, say, transportation or communications. But the reason reporters ended up writing stories about this particular truth, rather than by compiler writers. For better or worse, the idea of starting a startup just doesn't require that much intelligence. But it's harder than it looks. Serving web pages is very, very large. Most of us hate to acknowledge this. When the values of the elite. If you're sure of the general area you want to do when they're 12, and just the sort of trifle that breaks deals when investors feel they have the upper hand—over an uncertainty about whether the founders had correctly filed their 83 b forms, if you asked random people on the street if they'd like to do is figure things out, why do you need to in order to store something for them. Most good mathematicians would work on math even if there were no jobs as math professors, whereas in the departments at the other students' without having more than glanced over the book to learn the names of users with the highest average comment scores in orange.

And software sells hardware. I wanted. Taking a shower is like a form of meditation. And the boneheads who designed this stove even had an example of loving their work might help their kids more than an expensive house. The Bay Area has a lot of startups—probaby most startups funded by Y Combinator. It's an old idea that new things come from the margin is simply that you don't have an idea. Java will turn out to be a tradition of startups taking VC money, and work on what you love is very difficult. Responsibility is an occupational disease of eminence. Odd as it might sound, we tell startups that they should try to make friends with as many smart people as you can. Or they could return to their roots and make going to the theater a treat. Well, no.

So what's interesting? The reason we have high level languages is because people can't deal with machine language. How hard would it be to jumpstart a silicon valley? So far the complete list of messages I've picked up from cities is: wealth, style, hipness, physical attractiveness, fame, political power, economic power, intelligence, social class, and quality of life. Audiences have to be derived from working in that field. I learned to program when computer power was scarce.5 This extra cost buys you flexibility. These are the only places I know that Richard and Jonathan Rees have done a lot quicker.

Notes

They would have a bogus political agenda or are feebly executed. Not only do convertible debt, so problems they face are probably not do that. Some who read this essay I'm talking mainly about software design.

Put in chopped garlic, pepper, cumin, and stir. And of course reflects a willful misunderstanding of what you launch with, you might be digital talent. The Civil Service Examinations of Imperial China, many of the definition of important problems includes only those on the subject of language power in Succinctness is Power. But be careful here, I was writing this, but something feminists need to be when it converts you get stock as if you'd just thought of them could as accurately be called acting Japanese.

If this happens it will become increasingly easy to believe your whole future depends on the matter. In sufficiently disordered times, even if they do the opposite: when we created pets. If you're part of an audience of investors want to invest in successive rounds, it will thereby expose it to profitability on a map. But you can eliminate, do not try too hard at fixing bugs—which is the least important of the world wars to say that it will seem as if the fix is at pains to point out that this isn't strictly true, because spam and P nonspam are both genuinely formidable, and only incidentally to tell someone that I hadn't had much success in doing a bad idea has been rewritten to suit present fashions.

Together these were the impressive ones. I switch person. And while this is the way to create a silicon valley out of school. Obviously signalling risk.

Another thing I learned from this experiment: set aside an option to maintain their percentage. What you're looking for something they wanted, so you'd find you couldn't slow the latter without also slowing the former.

[fic-al]

Oops hadn’t realized I didn’t post the final chapter on here previously.

Easter Bernie: Easter Sunday.

Here's someone who really loves you. Don't ever go away.That's what these walls would say. (If These Old Walls Could Speak, Jimmy Webb)

“Right over left, round and then through,” Fred repeated again, as he secured Reggie’s tie. “You will get the hang of it, son, easy when you knows how.”

“Thanks Uncle Fred,” Reggie was determined, he would master the tricky accessory by the end of the day. It couldn’t be more of a skill then changing a beer barrel, and he could do that.

“Oh, look at you two, all suited and booted, don’t you look smart,” Violet emerged from the Crown kitchen, wearing the dress and coat she had worn for Chummy’s wedding.

“You don’t look so bad yourself, Violet,” beamed a perfectly groomed Val in a coral trouser suit and cream silken vest top.

“Who has one of those phone things, that takes a picture?” Evie asked, smoothing down a new floral dress she had treated herself to.

“Everyone Evie,” Val laughed, “Except you and Paddy.”

“Must be a pub thing,” added Jack, coming through the door, to cries of dismay.

“Jack, you are in jeans,” cried Vi.

“Talk about letting the side down,” remarked Fred.

Jack looked abashed, but added, “Thought I would stay behind, make sure no-one breaks in and steals all the eggs.”

“Jack, you know Paddy want’s us all to attend Easter Service this morning. If we are having a joint Easter Festival this year, it starts at ten o’clock at St. Preservus,” admonished Vi.

Jack looked at his trainers. That were at least clean.

“Let’s say no more about it, you will have to do,” Evie concluded.

The last member of the party had arrived through the door marked Private, that led to the living quarters of the Crown. Paddy gave a harsh look at Jack, but said nothing.

“You always scrub up well Mr T, you should wear suits more often,” blushed Vi followed by Paddy.

Val brought him back down to earth, “Would you like me to do your hair?”

Paddy gave Val the look reserved just for her and her cheek, the one that kept her quiet for about five seconds.

“Right then, is everybody ready?” another glance at a fidgety Jack, Paddy continued, “Bernie and Tim are meeting us there.”

xxxx

The Crown seven shuffled into the pew at the back of Saint Preservus, led in by Vi and ushered in by Paddy bringing up the rear.

“Hello, I see the naughty pew has been taken this morning,” beamed Peter Noakes, “that is usually reserved for the Noakes family.”

“Have we stolen your seat?” laughed Paddy.

“Don’t worry, this isn’t the Crown, there won’t be a fight,” joked Peter as he and Camilla sat in front with Phyllis accompanying Lady Keville and aromatherapist Jane Sutton. “Looks like that’s the Crown pew this morning,” Phyllis winked at Paddy.

“Shove up!” the southern accent demanded, faintly attempting the local dialect.

“Trixie, that’s the pub pew this morning, come and join us,” Chummy suggested.

Paddy had already shifted for Trixie to sit down,

“I am representing Bernie,” Trixie grinned.

“Trixie is Team Crown,” Val added on the other side of Paddy.

“You ready for today, Trixie?” Paddy asked.

“I think so, I have some understanding of an egg hunt and even the hill rolling, but jarping remains a mystery to me,” Trixie informed him in all seriousness.

Paddy leaned in and kept his voice low, aware of his surroundings.

“Right then, the Crown and Church Easter Jarping Tournament, or as it was formerly known, the Crown Inn Easter Jarping Tournament. It's very easy to understand the rules.”

“I believe you,” Trixie smiled, but did not laugh.

Paddy leant forward in an attempt to not be overheard and Trixie followed him, “It is played in a knock-out format, like the FA Cup.” Trixie nodded she understood, Paddy continued his voice below his usual range. “Each contestant selects a hard boiled egg prepared by a neutral source.” Trixie nodded she was following. “Competitors divide into pairs. One is the holder or Jarpee and the other is the thruster or Jarper. You following Trix?”

“I think so?” she whispered back, her cheeks slightly flushed. Paddy swallowed and continued at the lower vibration.

“The holder grasps their egg with their dominant hand revealing just the tip. The Jarper holds their egg also in their dominant hand. The Jarper needs to know they can make a firm contact with the other egg, so gently rubs the end of their tool against the opponents to ensure the certainty of contact. So the Jarper has one attempt to make a clean strike. You following?” Paddy paused.

“Yes,” Trixie assured in a rather higher pitch than she intended, “It’s very warm in here, or is it just me?” she added removing her scarf. Paddy nodded still sat forwards whispering into Trixie’s ear.

“The pair then swap places and repeat this series of events. Everyone has a turn with everyone else. Once both tips of your egg are cracked, you are eliminated. The winner is the final competitor to have at least one end intact.”

The congregation hushed as Tom Hereward arrived in the pulpit, to start the service, just as Chummy who was sat directly in front of Paddy and Trixie exclaimed a little too loudly, “I’ve never been more aroused.”

Timothy Turner sitting at the organ, couldn’t help turn toward the back of the church to see where all the sniggering was coming from. To be honest, he knew exactly where the laughter was coming from, but he had to look. Lucille, in front of her choir, exchanged glances with him and they shrugged their shoulders. He looked at Bernie, who was shaking her head and glaring at the back of the church. Tom Hereward was looking a little flushed and said, “Shall we begin.”

xxxx

Back at the Crown it was all stations go. Violet gave a wicker basket to Fred.

“These are the onion peel dyed eggs, for egg rolling down Crown Bank. Take them to the back of the pub and remember it is one egg per child.”

“I wondered where that pong of onions was coming from. They do look pretty though, but don’t half pen and ink,” the brewer preferred a more hoppy odour.

“Jack, you take these plain eggs to the beer garden. There is a table set up with colouring pens and markers for the more artistic types. Remember one egg per child,” Jack nodded at Violet to reassure her he had got it.

“That leaves the jarpers for later. The Church are in charge of the Easter Egg Hunt around the village. I just hope they haven’t made it too difficult for the little ones,” Violet took a breath.

“I think it was Tim and Lucille who hid them, so should be all right Vi,” Val reassured with a wink.

xxxx

“So I just drop my egg down the bank?”

“Trixie, you must have rolled an Easter Egg before?” Bernie thought her friend was deliberately being dense.

“You mean one smelling of onions, can’t say I have,” Poplar's latest resident snapped back.

“No wonder we want to shot them away down the hill,” laughed Fred.

“What is the point?” Trixie wasn’t satisfied.

“It’s just a laugh, you race your pals and see how many times you can roll it, before it cracks,” Bernie was losing patience.

“Represents the stone rolling away from the tomb,” Paddy interjected, Bernie made a shocked face and Paddy grabbed her by the waist and said, “What? I am not a complete heathen,” threatening to roll her down the hill.

“So once I have rolled this, I have to go down the hill, retrieve it and if it hasn’t cracked, do it again, until it does?” Trixie said, keeping a wide berth from wrestling Paddy and Bernie, the latter now screaming.

Fred feeling a bit awkward himself with the tactileness of the moment, nodded at Trixie,

“Better get a move on love, don’t want to miss the start of the duck race.”

“Sorry?”

“The duck race down the Tweaven, first duck to Mount Busby wins.”

Paddy interrupted, suddenly letting go of Bernie, who actually did stagger a few feet down hill before achieving traction. “My favourite bit,” he grinned.

“You race real ducks, that is medieval,” protested Trixie.

“This from the Poplar sheep rustler,” corrected Paddy.

Bernie saved the situation and herself from joining the eggs at the bottom of the hill,

“They are not real ducks, Trixie, you know those ones you put in your bath, those rubber ones. You put your mark on one and the first one Reggie spots at the farm, wins.”

“Who has a bath these days? Haven't you all got showers yet?” Trixie was confused.

Paddy huffed. Bernie added, “You might be the one at the farm, waiting for a duck next year.”

“I don’t think that is in my job description,” Trixie added, but she didn’t look convinced.

Fred and Paddy were trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face, “Fancy a pint, Fred?”

“Not arf, Doc,” he replied, already heading for the pub.

“You are all as cracked as these eggs,” Trixie said, delicately tossing her egg southwards.

xxxx

Trixie walked back to the front of the Crown and wondering if she was doing the right thing moving to potty Poplar. She made her way to the beer garden and was surprised to see her new employers surrounded by sticky fingers and loud chatter. Turner Prize nominee Patience Mount, was decorating eggs with the village children. She was helping a few of the Sunday School class with their fragile Easter bonnets, some of which looked more like caps or helmets.

Delia, never far away, stood guard over a cardboard box, where a couple of fluffy yellow chicks were being coo’d over. Phyllis was still accompanying Lady Keville, who had brought a large selection of knitted egg warmers in all the colours of the rainbow. They were showing a group of children how to make the pom-pom version of the tweety little critters in Delia’s box. Lucille had been delighted with these knitted extras, and had Tim yarn-bomb Poplar, distributing them around the village, as part of the Easter Egg Trail.

Trixie was feeling a little bit lost. Bernie had returned from the egg rolling in one piece and was now interrogating Paddy, “What were you all laughing at in church, tell me?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he winked at Trixie.

Trixie grinned, “I feel like a vegan in the hen house. What can I do, to help at my first Poplar Easter Festival?”

“Well, you are good at sales, you can be in charge of the raffle,” Paddy said, as if he had given her the combination to his safe.

Val placed on the bar a huge cuddly grey and white rabbit, holding a large gold foil covered chocolate egg. Trixie forced a smile.

“There are a couple of envelopes there too; Second Prize is a Mount Busby Alpaca Day Out and third prize is a Meal for Two at the Crown.” Paddy announced proudly and Trixie suddenly connected with her new life.

Until Bernie spoilt it, “Fourth prize is an Alpaca Day Out and a meal at the Crown,” laughing hysterically at her own joke. While Trixie, Val and Paddy refused to. Even though Val’s lips were twitching.

Valerie passed Trixie a tupperware box full of coins “A float; to get you started, they always come with notes.” Trixie smiled a little bit.

xxxx

The sun was lowering behind the Cleveland Hills, cooling the Crown beer garden. The last of the tables had been cleared and the clutter added to the recycling bin. Val was taking orders for drinks. The children had all gone home. The Two Loves had taken Antonia back to Bagnall Hall. Trixie sat proudly admiring a brightly decorated toilet roll inner with a bright yellow toy chick with a wonky beak, stuck on the top with blu-tack.

“I can’t believe you won the Egg Jarping, Trixie,” Bernie shook her head.

“Beginner's luck,” shouted an envious Jack.

“Expert training,” suggested Paddy.

“What are you going to do with your trophy, Trixie?” laughed Val

“Put it on top of Bernie’s telly,” Trixie said emphatically.

“That monstrosity is not coming into my house,” Bernie cried in mock indignation.

“Oi, Tim made that,” Paddy yelled.

“About ten years ago, Dad!” Tim blushed in horror. Lucille and Jack’s laughter adding insult to injury.

Tom and Bobby and baby Hereward appeared. It was the first time they had been seen since church. They had been overseeing the egg hunt around the village and offering refreshments at the church, a role Bernie had envied.

“The church is locked up, and the village is litter free,” explained Bobby to Julia who was sipping on a Crabbies’ ginger beer, emphasis on the beer.

“Splendid, everyone has worked so hard today,” Julia commented. “That little one looks tired,” she added, observing a grouchy baby in Bobby’s arms.

“She actually needs changing,” Bobby explained.

Val, who was passing Evie a pint of Easter Egg Ale informed the young mother, “The toilets are just inside Mrs Hereward, the changing facilities are in there.”

“Oh thanks, Valerie,” said Bobby and moved toward the backdoor.

Tom held up a hand, “We should really be getting home, love.”

“Aren't you two stopping for a drink, we’ve all earned it,” asked Julia, taking another sip of her memory.

“No, we better get home and get this little madam seen to,” Tom laughed weakly.

“Be quicker, just to change her here if she's uncomfortable?” Phyllis, sipping on a double brandy, offered.

“I would rather we went home,” replied Tom curtly.

“The facilities here are excellent. I should know, I make sure they are spotless every morning,” Evie’s tone held authority.

“But it is 6pm,” Tom’s voice had a higher pitch now.

“Bernie or myself, check the loos every hour. If you look on the door, we have to sign to say everything is in order,” Val couldn’t keep quiet any longer.

“Look, you’re all very kind, but I don't want my daughter being changed in a pub toilet,” Tom’s voice was adamant.

Evie looked as if she was about to combust.

Julia intervened, “Tom, maybe you should get your family home, we have all had a long day.”

“And confusing. I am sorry, but I really haven’t seen the point of this. We welcomed everyone to church this morning, for the most important date in the Christian calendar, and then chased them all to the pub. Where is the message in that?”

The youth minister's words left the beer garden in a dense fog of discomfort. Julia looked lost for a moment. It was Phyllis who spoke up,

“Today was about community lad, bringing the village and the wider area together. These two buildings have been central to this village for over 300 years. It’s about time they came together.”

Phyllis had given Julia time to compose herself, “We will discuss the issues you have raised concerning a joint festival in a meeting tomorrow, Mr Hereward.”

Baby Hereward was becoming more grumpy, and Bobby was struggling to placate her. Paddy, who had been very quiet through this most recent exchange of views, offered quietly.

“Mrs Herward, your daughter seems very unhappy. Would you like to take her upstairs to the flat? Where you can have ample space and privacy.”

“Lets go Bobby, I will see you tomorrow, Reverend,” Tom nodded at Julia, Bobby didn’t have time to acknowledge Paddy’s offer, as she was pushed by her husband towards the door.

Someone with not the longest fuse in Poplar, had sweaty palms and a racing heart and a mouth she couldn’t keep shut.

“If yer have issues with the joint festival, then that is fine, Mr Hereward, as Reverend Lewis said that needs to be discussed between you tomorrow.” Everyone recognised the north of the border twang. That wasn’t done yet.

“But I have issue with your attitude right now concerning this house, it is so much more than an alehouse, it’s a place where people work, it is a home.” Tom stopped in his tracks, Bernie went on,

“Your place of work just happens to be the House of God. Now we were invited into that house this morning and everyone here, acted in a respectful manner.” Bernie took a breath. There was some awkward shuffling on the garden benches. She was on a roll though,

“You were invited into our home today and I feel you have not returned that respect. To say the Crown isn’t a fit place for a child, maybe you want to take a look at Timothy Turner, he was raised here. Would Mrs Turner have chosen this as a home, if she thought the Crown wasn't a fit place for a child? I think he has turned out pretty OK, don’t you?”

Tim wished at this point, that people would just remember who he was, and not feel the need to check by staring at him. Fortunately Bernie went on,

“Surely what matters is not whether it is a House of Prayer or a House of Refreshment, but a House of Love. And you can take my word for it, for what that may be worth. This house is just that. There is so much love in this house, I am only sorry yer canae feel it.”

Later Trixie said that she started the clapping, but everyone was sure it was Val, followed by Lucille. There was definitely a “Well said lass,” from Phyllis and somebody, maybe more than one, said her dad would be proud. Was there an Amen? The kids just said, “You don’t mess with our Bernie.” Did anyone notice Paddy said nothing, he just beamed with pride. If pride was a signal the Crown was 5G?

xxxxx

“I am barred from St Preservus.That’s the Mission I have offended and the church in one week,” Bernie complained.

There was only her and Paddy now. The sun had gone to its rest behind the hills. They sat on Frank and Peggy’s bench sharing a secret ciggie, Bernie perched on Paddy’s knee.

“Nonsense, Julia totally supported you. It’s Mr Hereward who should be worried and as for the Mission, does that really matter now, Bernie?”

“Mr Hereward is young and idealistic, everything is black and white to him, I used to know someone else like that,” she smiled stubbing out the butt of the fag, they hoped Tim would never know about.

“What happened to her?” Paddy said, turning her face gently towards his with both hands.

“She came home,” she smiled and kissed him tenderly, in a way that she was just beginning to understand.

“Bernie, you know this can be your home, whenever you want it to be, on whatever terms you want.” He looked at her intently. Bernie knew if she didn’t save herself, she would drown in those eyes.

“You know what I do want?” she kissed him on the forehead and pushed back his unruly hair. He just raised both eyebrows saying tell me?

“Are those pink wafers still behind the bar?”

“Go see,” he laughed, helping her off his knee.

Bernie almost ran to the bar. She found a package wrapped in gold foil with a red bow. She ripped open recklessly the carefully wrapped box. Only to find a large brightly coloured tin which read Huntley and Palmer Superior Biscuits. Bernie’s expression looked like it was Christmas, birthdays and Easter all at once.

“Paddy, I bloody love you.”

Paddy smiled, “Happy Easter, Bernie,”

[unforth]

Today in “random shit that got totally away from me,” I just wrote almost 6k of this nonsense instead of anything for Kinktober or my tweet fic. Oops.

So I started thinking about MDZS Harry Potter AUs. Yes, JK is a trash human being but eh HP does still hold a place in my heart so I don't mind putzing with it as long as I never again put another penny her pocket. Anyway, all the HP AUs I've seen seem to be focused on Hogwarts and who'd be in which house, that kind of thing, and it felt all wrong to me because the sects are different schools of thought...that's literally the point...so shouldn't they be different schools? And this is where I took that...this is really more like a fusion than an AU and I've butchered canon and how magic works for both HP and MDZS but oh well, here goes... 

(ships: WangXian, SangCheng, Luo Qingyang/Wen Qing, Xuanli until it’s not, Wen Ning/Jiang Yanli, and others)

Wei Wuxian is born a muggle, the child of a witch and a muggle who decide to leave the wizarding world and raise their child without the prejudices and problems that surrounded them and their relationship. However, the world catches up with them, and both die when Wei Wuxian is only 4 years old. He gets kicked into the foster system, and it takes over five years before he's finally brought to a family that seems to be long term - old friends of his mother's and, as he'll learn, old wizarding blood, the Jiang family. Wei Wuxian has shown no sign of being magical to that point but, then, he also had no idea that magic was a thing, and existed outside that paradigm completely. He learns right quick though. His new parents, Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian, are both powerful wizards, and their eldest daughter is already at Jinlin Tower, studying to follow on their footsteps. His foster brother, Jiang Cheng, talks excitedly and sometimes sneeringly about his own expectations of going, and that Wei Wuxian won't be. To say he's jealous would be an understatement, but more than that, he's sorely disappointed, because aside from his occasional arrogance, Jiang Cheng is the closest thing to a friend, the closest thing to family, he's ever had. His new parents are okay, he supposes...certainly better than some he's had...but Yu Ziyuan barely tolerates him and Jiang Fengmian's condescending form of affection isn't much better. Further, Wei Wuxian is old enough that he hears the rumors. People at Lotus Pier whisper that he's actually Jiang Fengmian's child, that JFM loved the witch Cangse Sanren and that he acted on that affection, possibly without her consent. How dark the rumors tended depended on who said them, and everyone made Wei Wuxian wish that he'd never been brought to Lotus Pier, even if he at least was no longer starving. 

Anyway. Events unfold, as they tend to do. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng grow close. Jiang Yanli returns from school for holidays and Wei Wuxian quickly grows to adore her. When he's with his siblings he can forget how garbage the rest of his life is, and his hope for the future improves when he accidentally dyes Jiang Cheng purple from head to toe (after JC punched him because he called JC a grape). At first this seems like a dream come true - he can do magic, so he can go to the school! - but as seems to always happen in his life, the good news gets balanced by a heavy dose of bad, as the worst rumor mongers take this revelation as a sign that he couldn't have possibly had a muggle for a father, and their vituperation grows louder, and Yu Ziyuan's behavior grows more abusive. 

At least he'll get to leave. 

Except going also proves a mixed blessing, as the school is just as much a rumor factory as Lotus Pier is...heck, maybe more of one. The Jin family, also old blood, run the place, and teach according to their own principals. Virtually everyone there is from a long ancient line of wizards, and they all look down their noses at Wei Wuxian for being half blood, and he's bullied a lot, and Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli are bullied by extension, which is even worse. He does his best to keep his head down, but usually fails, since he can accept any amount of hatred heaped on his own head but refuses to stand down if his brother and sister are insulted. His repeated run ins with Jin Zixuan, heir to Jinlin Tower, affianced of Jiang Yanli, and tool douche bag incarnate especially lead to trouble, not because Jin Zixuan himself is so bad...he's a tool douche bag but he's essentially harmless...but his family is less so. His cousin Jin Zixun is especially vile, and the number of encounters with him that Wei Wuxian keeps secret lest Jiang Cheng learn and intervene and experience the same or worse is sizeable. 

Still, for all the bad, he's mostly happy at school and it's still better than being at Lotus Pier. Their classmates are from the Jin and the clans that follow them - it turns out the only reason the Jiang are there instead of at their own school is that it's part of the arranged marriage between Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli - and while the main clan is full of assholes, their followers include some damn good folk. Wei Wuxian develops an especially close friendship with Luo Qingyang. He also excels at magic, which eventually begins to pay dividends. The first couple years he's there, his classmates have all been doing magic since they were in their cradles and he's racing to catch up, but by the time he's 14, 15, 16, the playing field is more even and those who were cruel to him have mostly been visited by highly unpleasant pay back - if not from Wei Wuxian himself, then from Jiang Cheng or Luo Qingyang. 

His 6th year, when he's 17, is a big deal for several reasons. First, Jiang Yanli graduates...and immediately starts an internship at the school's infirmary, ostensibly because she's interested in medicine, actually because no one wants too much distance between her and Jin Zixuan. Speaking of whom, secondly...he's a jackass and a peacock but he has improved with age, and Wei Wuxian can almost tolerate him for short periods of time, especially because his doing so makes Jiang Yanli happy. Jin Zixun is still irredeemable but Wei Wuxian is unsurprised there. But the biggest event is that it's time for the biannual competition between the greatest sects in the world, and this time Jinlin Tower is hosting. Everyone who wants to participate may, and it's basically an Olympics for people in their 6th and 7th years - no one else is eligible. There are competitions in martial arts, wizarding duels, arranged battles against monsters, Night Hunts, races. Each competitor is scored based on their performance, and after each event, fewer people are able to advance to the next round, until the final event is a two-on-two-on-two-on-two battle between the top pairs from each school - Jinlin Tower, Cloud Recesses, Unclean Realm and Nightless City. If two from one school are still standing at the end (highly unusual, generally one is eliminated before the other) then they will fight to determine a final winner, who gets accolades, attention, a mess of flowers, a few medals, at least two marriage proposals...and respect, which is the only one of those things Wei Wuxian gives a shit about. 

Wei Wuxian is *determined* to be one of the two - and that Jiang Cheng will be the other. He can think of no better way to show up the haters, and anyway, it sounds fun as hell. 

The school year up until the start of the competition, held every spring, is dull dull dull, but finally the long awaited day arrives, and with it come the 6th and 7th years from the other schools and the teachers sent to chaperone them. Cloud Recesses arrives first, punctual to the second, and god are they a snooze fest. Their leader, Lan Qiren, drones on and on during his welcome speech, and his students all stand in lock step and hang on every boring word. When Wei Wuxian has the audacity to yawn, one in particular glares murder at him, and Luo Qingyang explains to him in a hurried whisper that that's the famous Lan Wangji, second son of the family, heir to Cloud Recesses, and widely considered the hands-down favorite to win the entire event. 

After them, the Unclean Realm contingent arrives, led by Nie Mingjue, youngest of the current school leaders. They seem very battle oriented, all heavily armed with more than just wands, except for a disinterested young man at Nie Mingjue's side - his brother, Nie Huaisang, Luo Qingyang helpfully explains. 

("How do you know all this??" Wei Wuxian hisses.) 

("Latest issue of Teen Witch did a profile on everyone favored to win from each school!") 

("...oh yeah? What'd they say about me?") 

("You weren't in there, dumbass, they profiled Jin Zixuan and Jin Zixun.") 

("And you trust them to be right about literally *anything* if they think those two are the favorites from here?") 

("Shut up, at least it means I know something about the competition we'll face.") 

("Will you *both* shut up?" interjected an exasperated Jiang Cheng, "because if not, I WILL curse you for the duration of the welcome...") 

Nie Huaisang is fun to watch, because he seems as bored as Wei Wuxian feels, and because he is high enough in the pecking order that no one gives him shit for it. Watching him is even slightly cathartic. But too soon, their school goes to their table - another vote in favor of the Unclean Realm, their welcome speech was short and to the point - and then the Nightless City students step up. Their leader is a sneering youth ("winner of the competition six years ago," Luo Qingyang supplies) named Wen Xu, son of the school's head, because they are so arrogant they didn't bother sending their headmaster. They’re also the only school to send two chaperones, and Wei Wuxian feels an instant connection with the other, an attractive young woman, because the murderous glare she directs at the back of Wen Xu's head is truly a thing of beauty, and grows more intense the longer he babbles bombast, arrogance and stupidity. 

Finally, the welcome ends, and the houses share a banquet. There are various "getting to know you" events scheduled, and a prom-like ball halfway through the competition. It’s interesting to see the relative sociability of the different groups as the events commenced. The Lans from Cloud Recesses, for example, keep almost entirely to themselves. They make minimal efforts to mingle but only because they’re expected to. The Nie, on the other hand, are incredibly happy to meet new people, and Wei Wuxian ends up friends with Nie Huaisang almost by accident - there was a bird, a curse backfire, a talking staircase and a gigantic bubblegum bubble involved but the less said in general the better - and it gives him hope for the future. His prospects of staying at Lotus Pier are dim - even if they wanted him there he didn't want to stay, especially after Jiang Yanli leaves for her wedding and Jiang Cheng launches into his duties as heir. Nie Huaisang likes him, and has influence at Unclean Realm, and hints more than once that they don’t share the prejudices of some of the other families since it’s well known they'd been founded by a late-blooming spellcasting muggle. Wei Wuxian is self-interested enough to forward the friendship even if he didn't enjoy Nie Huaisang's company...but he does, and that just makes it so much the better. 

The Wens from Nightless City, on the other hand, are a problem. They love to interact...if arrogance, condescension, aloofness and bullying can be called interacting. They don’t even spare members of their own family, and Wei Wuxian saw a lot of parallels to his own treatment at Jinlin Tower in how Wen Ning, Wen Chao's cousin and younger brother of the second chaperone, is treated. Wei Wuxian intervenes more than once to protect Wen Ning - from the other Wens, from Jin Zixun, even from a random Lan once. 

Thus do things stand when events finally start. They make for a weird clique - Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, Luo Qingyang, Nie Huaisang, and Wen Ning vaguely shadowing them while clearly trying not to get too close. In events where they can aid each other, they do. In events where they can’t, they at least try not to directly act against each other. Lesser names are quickly eliminated from the competition, and the leader board is mostly those who'd been expected, in part because a lot of clan members go out of their way to support their clans' favorite. Lan Wangji, that second Lan son from Cloud Recesses, leads in points, and that’s extra impressive since the Lan are the only clan that AREN’T cheating to help him get ahead. Lesser members of the Nie routinely act to help Nie Huaisang instead of themselves, which is especially absurd since Nie Huaisang himself seems indifferent. The Wen actively cheat, and are sanctioned for it three times, to forward Wen Chao, Wen Xu's younger brother and their clan's favorite. And the Jinlin Tower contingent strives to put Jin Zixuan on top...and Jin Zixun strives to unseat him. 

So, basically, it it’s all a huge mess, especially early on when the entirety of all four schools are involved. 

The first of Wei Wuxian's friend circle eliminated is Luo Qingyang. She takes it in stride even though it had been a bullshit technicality and Wen Chao's fault to boot, and immediately begins conspiring from outside the competition to help the others. Things proceed apace, event after event, and despite some obvious attempts by lesser Jinlin Tower folk to sabotage Wei Wuxian, he of course still does well, especially at the magical competitions. He hung on through a dismal showing against a giant dog (his phobia’s triggered and it’s one on one so no one can help him) thanks mostly to an exceptional performance during an transfiguration and enchantment event, that he won easily and to everyone's amazement, even beating the unparalleled Lan Wangji. Jiang Cheng is doing well too, not exceptional at anything, but never near the bottom, either, which keeps him afloat, and it helps that he never does anything that sinks himself to float Jin Zixuan or Jin Zixun. The ball comes closer by the day, and the events are spaced farther apart later in the competition to give competitors time to heal and prepare, and as more people are eliminated, the ball becomes the premier talk of the group - what to wear, who to ask, who else has asked who and who has said yes and who has said no, all gossip all the time. Nie Huaisang seems especially invested, even though he hasn't been eliminated...he seems to find it fun, while giving zero information about his own intentions as regard a companion. 

Jiang Cheng asks a pretty Lan girl, and is turned down, and Luo Qingyang, and is turned down, and at least three other people, with no success. (Nie Huaisang whispers that this is because Wen Chao has threatened to hurt anyone who says yes to him...Luo Qingyang says it’s because Jiang Cheng is an idiot and a dick.) 

Luo Qingyang refuses to say who she’s asking, leaves to do it...and returns aglow, saying that the person she'd asked has said yes...but still won’t say who that is.

Wen Ning mumbles that a Jin girl he didn’t know had asked him, and he said yes, and he supposes it’ll be fine. It troubles all his friends, since he’s actually incredibly sweet, but that anyone at all asked him seems to be a shock, and that anyone else might do so - or that he might ask someone he liked, and they might say yes - both are apparently so implausible to Wen Ning that he won’t even consider it.

Wei Wuxian asks no one. It’s not that he doesn’t want a partner at the ball...he does, he supposes...but he can’t find the motivation. He’s worried he got eliminated during the last event, and he won’t find out until the banquet before the ball, when the final 16 competitors will be announced, and the uncertainty is making him jumpy and anxious. So, he dithers, and he supports his friends, and he messes with their enemies, and he takes a dilatory approach to preparing for the next event (a dragon hunt) that he may or may not have qualified for…

...and then Jiang Cheng takes him aside, like, “dude you’ve got to find *someone*!”

“Why?”

“ ‘Cause all of the top 16 need a date!”

“Then you’re boned, aren’t you…”

“So’re you! Anyway, you’re wrong, I’ve got someone.”

“I didn’t make it, a-di...I’m sure I didn’t…and wait, you do? Who is it?”

“Like I’d tell you.”

“You’re a damn liar, you ain’t go no one.”

“No, I’m set, but you’ll sure look like a dumbass if I’m right and you need a date…”

And, well, Jiang Cheng has a point...so Wei Wuxian keeps an ear to the ground, trying to figure out who is still available. The pickings are slim...there are a lot of hopeful younger students, but...no. Just no. At least a dozen people have asked Wei Wuxian, but he’s turned them all done, and now everyone seems to be paired...and then a few hours before the banquet, Luo Qingyang grabs him. 

“Pssst, I heard you need a date.”

“Why’re you whispering? Is it a secret?”

“Ask Lan Wangji.”

Wei Wuxian can only blink at her, because *what the actual fuck.* Lan Wangji is leading the competition, and he’s gorgeous, and yeah, he has a shit personality, but even so he must have had every single person in the school and every other school tripping over themselves to ask. Further, if there’s one person he will definitely say no to, it’s Wei Wuxian, because ever since that first time Wei Wuxian yawned during Lan Qiren’s shitty speech, Lan Wangji has hated him. During every meet and greet, during every event, whenever Wei Wuxian glances Lan Wangji’s way, Lan Wangji is glaring at him, scowling, like Wei Wuxian is a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe...and yeah that DID happen, it was part of the whole meeting Nie Huaisang debacle, but still, Wei Wuxian has been doing decently, and has tried to be nice to the guy, and nothing. Still, Luo Qingyang is incredibly persuasive when she wants to be, and finally, Wei Wuxian caves, if only to get her to leave him alone. Lan Wangji is easy to find, lingering in the common room assigned to his school, sitting and reading, still in the white robes he always wears (the girls all swoon at his miraculous ability to keep them pristine through every competition, and there are running bets on what it’ll finally take to stain them) and apparently indifferent to the frenetic preparations that those around him are hurrying through.

“Hey, Lan Wangji!”

Lan Wangji shoots that disdainful stare at him again.

“Heard you don’t have a date for tonight, is that true?”

Lan Wangji shrugs, eyes back on his book.

“You know all the top competitors need one, right?”

Lan Wangji shrugs again.

“So, you wanna go with me or what?”

The book crashes to the floor and Wei Wuxian is amazed to see Lan Wangji...react? To literally anything? Ever? By looking stricken, and surprised, and taken aback, and maybe a little horrified?

“Ugh, fine, well if my proximity offends you that bad...at least I can tell Luo Qingyang I tried.” And Wei Wuxian manages his own shrug, turns to walk away...and a hand on his shoulder stops him. Turning...there’s Lan Wangji, eyes wide, lips slightly parted, long hair swooping about his shoulders, crap is he pretty, no wonder he’s got half the school in love with him, no wonder he only finds flaws with Wei Wuxian, just like everyone else, no wonder--

“Seriously?”

...what?

Wei Wuxian nods slowly and Lan Wangji’s expression softens.

“Thought you and she were a couple.”

Shocking thing the first: Lan Wangji spoke. Shocking thing the second: Lan Wangji touched him. Shocking thing the third: Lan Wangji has paid enough attention to Wei Wuxian to have drawn conclusions about his love life. Shocking thing the fourth: Lan Wangji apparently has a personality of some kind? Shocking thing the fifth: Lan Wangji certainly doesn’t appear to hate him??

Too confused to speak, Wei Wuxian shakes his head.

“I would be pleased to go to the ball with you.”

Shocking thing the sixth: Lan Wangji ACTUALLY WANTS TO GO WITH HIM.

The entire common room goes still, apparently everyone else is as shocked as Wei Wuxian, and then they break into congratulatory hurrahs.

“Whelp, good, okay then,” Wei Wuxian manages, still too asea to have any idea what the hell just happened. “Guess I’d better go get ready. You too. I’ll see you soon, yeah?”

The banquet opens with Jin Guangshan rising and pompously announcing who the top 16 are - among them, Wen Chao and Wen Ning both have made it, and Lan Wangji of course, and Nie Huaisang, and the four from the Jin are Jin Zixuan, Jin Zixun, Jiang Cheng, and Wei Wuxian. He’s so amazed he can only stand, and he glances to Lan Wangji...and gets a smile in return??? And what has his day become he has no idea what’s going on!!

After the meal, the first dance is called, and the way people pair off prompts scads of whispers. Jin Zixuan is the obvious one, of course he’s with Jiang Yanli, and neither looks particularly happy about it. Jin Zixuan keeps glancing toward a Nie girl that Wei Wuxian doesn’t know, and if Wei Wuxian didn’t know better (and after the day he’s had, he’s genuinely not sure if he DOES know better) he’d think that Jiang Yanli kept glancing to Wen Ning. Jiang Cheng gives Wei Wuxian a smirk as he and Nie Huaisang go out hand in hand, only to have it fade into stunned wide eyed WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCKness when Wei Wuxian goes out with Lan Wangji. It’s clear almost immediately that neither actually knows how to dance, but they both know how to fight, and it sort of translates, and things actually go pretty well.

Dancing with Lan Wangji is nice.

Being near Lan Wangji is nice.

The soft timber of Lan Wangji’s voice on the rare occasions he speaks is nice.

The whole evening is...really surprisingly nice. Memories of all the times Lan Wangji looked at him come back...why WAS Lan Wangji always looking at him? Clearly, Wei Wuxian has mixed everything up monumentally, and he’s starting to wonder if Luo Qingyang suspected as much when she sent him on what he’d thought a wild goose chase, but there’s no asking her, because as soon as the floor opens to the general group so everyone can dance, she’s on the floor with Wen Qing, of all people - it hadn’t even occurred to Wei Wuxian that he could ask a chaperone - and the two are staring adoringly into each other’s eyes and Wei Wuxian would think it insane and weird except that once or twice he realizes he’s kinda sorta maybe vaguely giving Lan Wangji a similar look and what even is his life?

They end up kissing outside the Lan’s common room.

Wei Wuxian has no idea what’s going on but he’s not at all unhappy with the turn of events.

The last couple events are incredibly difficult, the moreso because Wen Chao and Jin Zixun have each either collaboratively or independently decided that this is their last chance to try to get their fiercest competition eliminated. Jin Zixuan loses the next one badly, and Nie Huaisang also seems only too pleased to bow out. The other Wens team up against Wen Ning and he’s eliminated, and almost badly injured, and then they move on Wei Wuxian, and he only holds on by the skin of his teeth...and, he comes to suspect, because Jiang Cheng did something, because that’s the only explanation he’s got for why Jiang Cheng is eliminated even though Jin Zixun bombed one of the events. Eventually, the final 8 are chosen…

Wen Chao and some other Wen.

Lan Wangji and some other Lan.

Two random Nies.

And Jin Zixun and Wei Wuxian.

Intent on preparing even though he knows Jin Zixun hates him, Wei Wuxian approaches him. They’re supposed to work together against the other six, after all...but Jin Zixun won’t even talk to him, so Wei Wuxian assumes he’s actually on his own and does his own preparation. That morning, he’s absolutely sick to his stomach. Rumor is that some students have died in the duels before. It’s no holds barred, no spells off limits, even an Unforgivable Curse would be allowed if someone actually knew one. Weapons, sword-flying, everything is allowed. Wei Wuxian has his sword Suibian, his flute and his wand when he joins the others. They all look fidgety, and the only one who spares Wei Wuxian a glance is Lan Wangji, and he looks concerned. They’ve spent time together as they’ve been able, but it’s been little enough, the event occupying most of their time, and Wei Wuxian was in the hospital for a week after the last event with no visitors allowed. 

“Be careful out there,” Lan Wangji murmurs to him, giving his hand a squeeze, and Wei Wuxian can only return the sentiment, but he’s not worried. Lan Wangji has led the competition since day one, and leads it still, and everyone is assuming he’ll win, presumably with his white robes still pristine.

Finally, the final duel starts, and Wei Wuxian realizes immediately that it’s so much worse than he feared, when the Wen opposing Wen Chao eliminates himself, and Jin Zixun ignores all foes to immediately turn on Wei Wuxian, and he loses track of what the others are doing because fighting Jin Zixun takes all his focus. Jin Zixun has been training for this his whole life, and he’s a year older, and whereas Wei Wuxian doesn’t actually particularly want to harm him, Jin Zixun’s every action makes it clear he couldn’t care less if he kills Wei Wuxian. It’s as hard a battle as anything he’s ever done, and it’s only when Wei Wuxian stops pulling his punches (he can hear his friends screaming at him that he’s an idiot from the sidelines) that he finally FINALLY wins.

But the cost has been high.

His qi is depleted. His body aches. He’s bleeding from multiple wounds and from the mouth. Suibian has been tossed from the competition area, and his wand is broken, leaving him with only Chenqing. And he’s got no idea who else is left, who might yet be in his way…

...and oh god, is he going to have to fight Lan Wangji? He won’t do it, no matter what…

...and he takes a step back, and Wen Chao’s voice shouts - he must have been lurking, waiting for the end of Wei Wuxian’s battle, knowing whoever won would be weakest and least on guard immediately after - and the word cruciatus echoes across the suddenly silent arena, and Wei Wuxian squeezes his eyes shut in preparation for agony...and it never comes. 

He opens his eyes.

Lan Wangji stands before him, panting with effort, his guqin before himself, his fingers on the strings as he uses his own qi to catch the Unforgivable curse and contain it. The effort of it is clearly great; a cough spurts blood from Lan Wangji’s mouth, staining red down the front of his pristine white robes, but he doesn’t give up, and Wen Chao’s expression contorts as he tries and tries to force the spell through Lan Wangji’s resistance...and then it explodes in Wen Chao’s face, and he screams as the backfire casts the spell on himself.

“Wen Chao - eliminated!”

Lan Wangji collapses to his knees, spells evaporating in a swirl of blue motes. His wand falls to the ground near Wei Wuxian’s feet, and he uncertainly picks it up. It feels odd in his hands, but he’s sure he could cast with it.

“Why?” whispers Wei Wuxian.

“I couldn’t let him hurt you.”

“Who’s left?”

“You and me.”

And this is it - his moment. Lan Wangji is hurt, down, bloody and muddy. Wei Wuxian is exhausted and hurt, but he’s up, and he’s got Chenqing, and he could do plenty with it even if he doesn’t want to use Lan Wangji’s wand...and why wouldn’t he want to use the wand?...Wei Wuxian could get everything he wants, the prize, the respect, the marriage proposals, everything...but Lan Wangji couldn’t let Wen Chao hurt him, and Wei Wuxian can’t possibly, can’t FATHOM, hurting Lan Wangji.

“I’m out,” he shouts to the judges.

“Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian will engage in a wizard’s duel to determine a final winner.”

“I won’t,” Wei Wuxian bellows back.

“Eliminate me,” Lan Wangji whispers, for his ears alone. “I always knew you were going to beat me.”

As if that’s not the craziest shit Wei Wuxian has ever heard.

“You’re the brightest young master of our generation, Lan Wangji...it was always going to be you.” And Wei Wuxian realizes he means that in so many more ways than merely as regards the competition.

Because Wei Wuxian feels so much more toward Lan Wangji than he’d ever imagined he could toward anyone, much less toward the supposedly cold and indifferent and aloof Second Young Master Lan.

“Very well,” Wei Wuxian murmurs. Lan Wangji closes his eyes. “Petrificus totalus!” Wei Wuxian shouts...and aims the wand at his own feet.

And the next thing he’s aware of, he’s in the infirmary, and Jiang Yanli and...Wen Qing and Wen Ning???...are there, and Wen Qing is leaning over him while the other two have a hushed conversation across the room. Six of the seven other finalists are there as well - the self-eliminated Wen didn’t hurt himself badly enough to need the hospital - and Wen Qing is roughly jabbing at a pierced wound in his side, ignoring his grimace and soft protest.

“You’re all idiots, and this is all stupid, and I have no idea why any of the schools sanction this insanity, and you shut your face, Wei Wuxian, and let me do my job…” 

He can’t really argue with her. Everything hurts too much anyway.

So Lan Wangji is awarded winner, but given that he spends that night in Wei Wuxian’s arms, Wei Wuxian is pretty sure that he’s the actual winner. He got his respect, too - beating Jin Zixun one on one impressed a LOT of people, and before the houses all leave to go back to their own clans, Nie Mingjue offers him a job post-graduation, and Jiang Cheng gets all offended since obviously Wei Wuxian will be working for him, and Lan Wangji promises to send him owls every day, and Wei Wuxian lies through his teeth when he assures Lan Wangji that he’ll do the same (it’s not a lie because he doesn’t want to, but because he knows he’s not a fraction well enough organized to actually pull something like that off), and Wen Qing and Luo Qingyang exchange tearful farewells...and Wen Ning stays, which is surprising and excellent, and in amazingly short order, things go back to normal…

...except they never quite go back to normal.

Because Jin Zixuan breaks off his engagement to Jiang Yanli, announcing that he’s too in love with that Nie girl who’s name Wei Wuxian still doesn’t know to consider marrying simply to satisfy his family.

And because as soon as she’s at liberty to do so, in front of the entire assembly, Jiang Yanli stalks across the room, grabs the front of Wen Ning’s robes, and hauls him into a kiss.

And because Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng solve the “which clan gets to keep Wei Wuxian” problem by announcing their own engagement.

And because Jin Zixun graduates at the end of the year, and as soon as he’s gone all the Jin who used to torment Wei Wuxian sheepishly apologize and say Jin Zixun made them - themselves or Wei Wuxian - and while he doesn’t forgive them their abuses, he can at least tolerate being their classmates.

And because Luo Qingyang announces that she’s renouncing the Jin clan, and that she and Wen Qing are planning to ride off into the sunset and start their own clan with two well known independent wizards of their acquaintance, Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan. They pointedly suggest that Wei Wuxian go with them.

And because Lan Wangji keeps his promise and sends Wei Wuxian a letter every day, and Wei Wuxian - wonder of wonders - succeeds in replying daily, by giving up on the idea of sending letters and instead sending drawings. Lan Wangji loves the idea of joining the new sect.

And because, after graduation, when Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng try to claim him, they find themselves beaten to the punch, because Lan Wangji has already got him heart, soul, body and mind. The two begrudgingly conceded that Lan Wangji can marry him, as long as he’ll continue to be part of all three clans, and help with enchantments and Night Hunts and whatever else.

Wei Wuxian is shocked to find himself so wanted, and does everything he can to satisfy all the claims on him.

It’s a way better life than Wei Wuxian had ever dared to hope for.

And he’s got every reason to think it’s only going to get better and better.

[romansrace]

Season 13 Sassy Reviews - Episode 06 ‘Disco-Mentary’

aka the episode where producers’ misreading of what fans would want of this season came to its (at least, first) zenith

aka The Murder of Tamisha Iman

BIG SIGH. Let’s do this.

So I believe as of the time of writing, this episode is already in the bottom 10 of the whole series on IMDB. (It’s one of two Season 13 episodes already; and this is a series which includes the season with the 80s filter, the mystery food eating challenge, and All Stars 1) Frankly, I think it was my least favourite this season too, which is saying something after the last one and the premiere, and I suppose the episode when we first met the ‘winners’ - who, may I add, are all still in with only the ‘loser’ girls eliminated thus far. Is this Emmy-winning storycrafting?

Anyway, this damn episode. The dolls are instructed to prepare to record a ‘disco documentary’. I expected an acting challenge, but no, it’s a dancing challenge, in pairs, to disco songs, oddly, without lipsyncing. So is this this season’s Rusical or...? Wouldn’t that be a kick in the teeth for Rose?

But let’s face it, if Kandy Muse, Gottmik, or Tina Burner can’t sing, I wouldn’t be surprised. Any excuse to paper over shortcomings.

On that note, we had a wallpaper mini challenge requiring the dolls to design a gown out of the unconventional material. Alas, there was no Monique Heart among the group to truly excel. Interestingly, LaLa Ri’s effort in half an hour was streets ahead of her effort that took a day and a half from the Ball challenge.

The mini allowed the girls to get themselves into groups, of course allowing Kandy, Tina, and Gottmik to become a triad, because sure, that’s this season’s storyline, for some reason.

So on to the maxi challenge, and I may as well just do this by queen again because breaking down the edits is just going to aggravate me again.

Tamisha: one of only two given a prop to dance with, increasing the difficulty of her routine. It was also revealed she’s competing with a stoma bag in so literally a disability and/or an existing unhealed wound from an operation. She has a gorgeous disco outfit that she made herself and performs well, but given that she has a prop AND has to synchronise with her partner, looks a bit distracted at one point. Decent runway also made by her. Result: B2 placement.

Elliott: Tamisha’s partner. Same prop. Slightly worse outfit. Big afro wig. Very middle-of-the-road. Poor runway. Result: High placement

Symone: Gorgeous outfit, performs well, embodies disco well. No prop, just a fairly basic routine. Gorgeous runway. Result: Safe placement

LaLa Ri: Pretty average all round. A safe for her too, one of the few that felt deserved.

Utica: Decent embodiment of disco with a campy performance. DRAGGED by the judges for it. A creative take on the Little Black Dress runway. Result: Low placement.

Olivia Lux: Utica’s partner. Decent disco performance. Another fringed outfit allowing for movement. Wore a giant afro wig. Embodied disco pretty well. Runway-wise, easily one of the bottom 3 outfits, a little black dress that looked off the rack, pretty reminiscent of something Tatianna might have worn in season 2. Result: challenge winner

(synchronise? I hardly know her)

Kandy Muse and Gottmik: Part of a 3 with Tina Burner. Both had extremely basic challenge performance outfits that didn’t match with Tina’s, did not synchronise with each other, both looked panicked throughout much of the challenge. The editors tried to edit around this as much as possible. No prop, so no added difficulty element. Both had creative takes on the runway, with Gottmik’s being arguably a litle lazy. Result: Absurdly, a Safe for Gottmik, with Kandy B2 for story reasons as Tamisha, who she’d argued with (and imo been ABSOLUTELY IN THE WRONG with) was down there.

Tina Burner: The partner of the two above. Marginally better than the two of them and for once wore a wig that wasn’t her orange abomination recently seen sported by Bob the Drag Queen. Managed to wear orange and yellow for her ‘little black dress’ runway. Result: naturally, a High placement 🙃🙃🙃

Rose and Denali: A pair who were given the synchronised dance with the highest difficulty level incorporating flips, spins and high kicks, which they performed in perfect sync. Result: Safe, of course. Actually rewarding the best perfomers in the challenge, lol, imagine!

Of course as Tamisha is in the B2 with Kandy she has no chance, not because she’s a poor performer, but because Kandy is ringfenced to go far this season. Oddly for a disco challenge, the lipsync song is a 90s R&B track. There have been speculations that as both Kandy and Tamisha struggled with the words, this might have been a late-game switch away from a disco song...which Tamisha might have more definitively beaten Kandy to. So YAY.

Unfortunately since I’m posting this review a little late I already know that #ItDoesn’tGetBetter next week. Which is... Just Great. 🙃🙃🙃

We love a hatewatch and this season is looking to become that, which is a shame for my faves who are still in it! Increasingly I’m feeling that they really wanted a season focused around Kandy Muse and whoever she befriended, and just cast other girls around that. But also, didn't cast 10 weaker competitors when that would have easily served their purpose of making Kandy an outright front runner.

That's given us the scenario where the queens that get the lion's share of the screentime don't seem to deserve it while it feels like others get repeatedly overlooked, and that just doesn’t make for a great watching experience.

[survivorwildwest]

Episode 13 - Every Relationship is Brand New

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cactus bears no blossom.

The Final Seven return to the ghost town they’ve made their home. Jerri places her torch against the saloon and heads up to the inn without saying a word. Colby tries to explain himself, but she won’t hear it. Everyone else quietly makes their way to bed. Kass and Bi bump fists before entering the saloon.

The next morning Colby is joined by Michaela and Jerri on his trek for tree mail. Jerri turns to him, “So, you were, what, threatened by Wendy?”

“You know she would have won.”

“We have bigger fish to fry, Colby,” Jerri tells him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, you mentioned that,” Michaela says.

“Now we still have to deal with Bi AND Kass,” Jerri says.

“Okay, I get it,” Colby says, “What do you want me to do?”

“I’m taking out Kass,” Jerri says, “And I’m relying on you, Colby, to do it.”

“Okay, yes, that’s fine. I can do that.”

“Don’t fuck it up again,” Michaela instructs him.

“I won’t.”

They make it to the tree mail where they find a parcel wrapped in thick brown paper and fraying twine. When they return to town, Colby drops the box on the bench and unwraps it. Inside, he finds seven questionnaires and seven pens. “I guess we have to fill these out.”

They each take a questionnaire and pen, then find a private area to answer the questions. 

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a ringtail cat crawls over some rocks.

At high noon, they meet Jeff in the desert. He stands in front of seven dummies, each named for each of the final seven, and seven shotguns pointed at them. Jeff explains, “For today’s reward challenge, you will be guessing the most common answer from the rest of your tribe. If you’re correct, you’ll chop the rope of one of your competitors. Once the rope is chopped three times, the shotgun will fire at the dummy and the corresponding person will be eliminated. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

They all wait with ample anticipation.

“You will take a private helicopter to one of the earth’s seven natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. There you will take an exclusive mule ride to a rustic oasis nestled deep in the Canyon overnight where you will enjoy a bed, a shower, and a feast under the stars. Worth playing for?”

“Absolutely,” Colby says while everyone nods with excitement.

The final seven are randomly assigned their spots. Jeff stands to the side of them to read the questions. The closest person to Jeff is Ken, followed by Kass, then Bi, Jerri, Michaela, Lauren, and Colby takes the end.

“First question:” Jeff begins, “Who is the most honest?”

Everyone writes on their parchment and reveals. Everyone answers Ken except Michaela and Colby, who both answer with their own names.

“Correct answer,” Jeff says, “is Ken. Ken you’re up first.”

Ken takes the axe and looks over each of them. Everyone looks at him with expectation until he finally decides to give Jerri her first chop.

“Ken! No,” Jerri yells in a half-joking manner.

Kass is up next and gives Jerri her second chop. Bi takes the axe and takes out Jerri for good. Since Jerri answered correctly, she gets to take one swing with the axe. She gives Kass her first. Lauren is the last person with a correct answer this round and hits Michaela for the first time.

“How’s that feel, Michaela,” Jeff asks.

“I’ve been better, Jeff,” she tells him.

“Alright, second question: Who is the biggest poser?”

Everyone scribbles their answers on their next parchment and reveals. Most everyone said Kass, except Kass, who said Colby, and Michaela, who again, answered with her own name.

“You think you’re a poser, Michaela,” Jeff asks.

“I don’t know what these people think of me!”

“Correct answer is: Kass.”

Ken takes the axe again and walks up & down the untriggered shotguns. He finally decides to chop Colby’s rope. He hands the axe to Bi, who gives Colby another axing. Lauren takes the axe and takes Colby out of the challenge.

“Damn,” he says, dropping his head before taking his last shot on Kass and joining Jerri.

“Next question: Who do you trust most with your life?”

The five people remaining write their answers on a blank parchment. They reveal. Michaela has written “Jerri,” while everyone else writes “Michaela.” She looks at everyone else’s answers, “Really??”

Ken takes the axe and shrugs his shoulders in her direction, “Yeah, I mean, I know I do.”

“Ken, I had no idea,” she says, genuinely touched.

He looks at the remaining options and gives Bi her first chop. Kass gives Michaela her second. Bi takes the axe from Kass, looks at Kass’ one remaining spot, then Michaela’s. She contemplates taking either of them out, but ultimately decides to give Ken a retaliatory chop.

“Fair enough,” Ken says.

Lauren is the next to take the axe. She goes straight to Bi and gives her her second chop, then an unapologetic shrug. She hands the axe back to Jeff who reads the next question, “Who uses their sex appeal as a weapon?”

Everyone looks around at each other, then writes their answers with varying levels of smirks. They finally reveal. Ken has written “Jerri.” Lauren has written “Colby.” Everyone else has written “Lauren.”

“Correct answer is:” Jeff says, “Lauren.”

Kass takes the axe from Jeff and walks directly over to Lauren’s rope to give her her first chop. Jeff asks her, “Why Lauren?”

“She was winning,” Kass explains, “Can’t have that.”

Bi takes the axe from Kass and gives Lauren her second chop. She passes the axe to Michaela who takes Lauren out of the game.

“Ahhh,” Lauren groans as she walks to the bench.

“Next question: Who would you most like to be stranded with?”

They all write their answers and reveal. Ken has written Lauren. Everyone else says Colby.

“Correct answer:” Jeff tells them, “Colby.”

“I guess I just answered for myself,” Ken says.

Kass takes the axe from Jeff once again. She looks at Bi, who is one away, then Michaela, who is also one from being eliminated. She looks at Ken, who is still two away, and gives him his second chop.

“It’s about equality, Jeff” she says as she passes the axe to Bi.

Bi takes the axe from Kass, then looks at the three of them, trying to decide who to eliminate. Ken looks sheepish but hopeful. Kass doesn’t appear concerned. Michaela tilts her head down and stares at Bi until she decides to give Ken his third and final chop. She passes the axe to Michaela and raises her eyebrows as if to say, “I didn’t take you out. You better not me.”

Michaela looks between Bi and Kass. Kass’ unbothered attitude melts away when she tells Michaela, “I haven’t been on a reward yet.”

Michaela looks at Bi for a response.

“Michaela, come on. I will take you on the reward.”

Michaela looks behind her at the two options and slams the axe on Bi’s final rope. She passes the axe back to Jeff and he reads the next question, “Who has surprised you the most athletically?”

Michaela and Kass both quickly write their answers on their parchment. They reveal their responses as “Bi.”

“Correct answer is,” Jeff says, “Bi.”

Kass gets the first shot with the axe. Michaela’s jaw drops as Kass walks up to her rope. Kass chops the rope and the shotgun fires at Michaela’s dummy, eliminating her.

“You rigged this against me, Jeff,” Michaela kids.

Jeff laughs before announcing, “Kass wins reward!”

They rejoin the rest of the tribe when Jeff tells Kass, “Alright, you’ve got a trip to the Grand Canyon tonight. Who do you want to bring with you?”

“Oh, okay, uuuh, Bi.”

“Alright, Bi. Come on down. How about one more person.”

“Oh,” Kass says, looking over at Bi, then the rest of the tribe, “Lauren, come on.”

Michaela rolls her eyes while Lauren joins the elated Bi and Kass. A helicopter descends behind them. Desert sand flies through the air around them.

The three of them rush to the helicopter and climb inside. Jeff then turns to Ken, Michaela, Jerri and Colby and says to Michaela, “Big reaction from you when Kass didn’t pick you for the reward.”

“I thought it’d be a kind gesture, since we were the final three in the challenge, but when’s kindness ever gotten anyone anywhere in Survivor?”

“Alright, I got nothing for you. I’ll see you at the next immunity challenge.”

“I’m just annoyed,” Michaela says in a talking head. “I’m annoyed and I’m tired.”

Bi, Kass and Lauren take the helicopter over the Mojave Desert and land on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The helicopter leaves and the three women stand over the millennia-old basin. They see the limestone become darker as the valley becomes deeper. Above them, a bald eagle soars and screeches as it descends into the valley.

“This is incredible,” Kass says, taking in the awesome expanse of the Grand Canyon.

“It’s so big,” Lauren says, “I knew it would be big, but this is unreal.”

Behind them, Jeff approaches with four mules. They’re shocked but excited to see him. “Jeff! Are you coming with us,” Lauren asks.

“No,” he laughs, “I just came to give you the mules and introduce you to your guide, Sam.”

Sam waves hello. Jeff bids adieu. And the four mules begin their trek into the canyon.

Somewhere in the Grand Canyon, a red-spotted toad finds respite next to the river.

After a beautiful descent of several hours, Bi, Kass and Lauren find themselves outside the cabins wherein they’ll be staying. They take their seats around a picnic table and begin their feast.

“So,” Bi asks while spreading butter on a biscuit, “You want to target Michaela again?”

“Would you two be on board,” Lauren asks.

“I would,” Bi says, “She’s a major threat to win.”

“Eh,” Kass mutters, “They’re gonna see that coming. Do either of you have an idol?”

“No,” Bi says.

“I don’t,” Lauren says.

“Does Ken?” Kass asks.

“He hasn’t told me anything.”

“Would he tell you?”

“He tells me everything.”

“Okay, so either Colby, Jerri or Michaela have it. I say we make them think it’ll be Michaela, have them play the idol for her. We put our votes on Jerri.”

“That works for me,” Bi says.

“Yeah, I’ll talk to Ken about it. I’m sure he’d be cool with it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a trailing four o’clock opens.

Back in town, Colby, Michaela, Jerri and Ken sit around the fire. Jerri pokes at the fire with a stick. Colby sits on a boulder across from Michaela on an old tree stump.

“Have any of you ever been to the Grand Canyon,” Michaela asks.

“Yeah,” Colby says with his fingers folded into a fist in front of his face, staring into the fire, “It’s really cool.”

Ken looks up to see Jerri disengaged with the conversation, choosing instead push an ember around.

“You alright, Jerri,” he asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she says, “I just miss Wendy.”

“Yeah,” Michaela says, “I’m sorry. It should have been Bi.”

“I’m sorry I voted for you, Michaela,” Ken says.

“You were distracted. I get it. I’m not mad at you. We just gotta know you’re gonna be with us moving forward.”

“Yes,” Ken tells her, “One hundred percent. Who are we targeting?”

“You guys wanted Bi,” Colby says.

“I’m sorry, Colbeans, but I don’t think you’re in any position to be making decisions for this alliance right now,” Michaela says, “Jerri, what do you want to do?”

“I want Kass,” she says, crushing the ember with the stick she’s holding.

“It’s Kass, alright guys,” Michaela says.

Colby nods.

Ken says, “Good for me.”

The sky of the Mojave desert fades as the stars illuminate the space above the Survivors.

Ken lays alone on his bench and stares at the stars above. He feels at peace, fully immersed in his natural surroundings. He can hear Colby and Jerri laughing and flirting and teasing one another on the balcony above the saloon. He closes his eyes and smiles as the desert air blankets him to sleep.

In the base of the Grand Canyon, Lauren lays on her back and looks up at the stars. She assumes she’s alone until she hears Kass behind her, “I’m sorry you couldn’t share this with Ken.”

“Oh, hey,” Lauren says, getting up from her supine position, “Don’t worry about it. We get to sit under the stars together every night.”

“That sounds nice,” Kass says, now sitting down next to Lauren, “I just want to show the two of you that I support you and I appreciate you.”

“Well, uh, thanks, Kass. That’s really sweet, but I assure you, you don’t need to do that.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a horned rattlesnake leaves a twisted trail behind her.

The next day, Kass, Bi and Lauren return to town. Lauren hugs Ken and whispers, “we need to talk.”

They find an empty room and close the door. Lauren grabs Ken’s hand and sits him down on a bed. She strokes his arm as they talk. She says, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” he says, running the back of his knuckles over the back of her wrist.

“Do you know if Michaela or any of them have an idol?”

“I haven’t heard anything.”

“Can you find out?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Thank you,” she says, squeezing his hand tight.

“So, they’re still trying to get Michaela out?”

“Well, not exactly. Kass’ plan is to get them to play an idol on the wrong person.”

“Michaela?”

“Right, but then we’re actually all going to vote for Jerri.”

“And you & I, we’re voting for Jerri?”

“Does that work?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cottontail rabbit hops around indiscriminately.

Ken finds Michaela tossing horseshoes. She sees him approach and says, “Hey Ken.”

“Hey Mick, I had a question.”

“Shoot.”

“You don’t have an idol, do you?”

Michaela looks up at him suspiciously. “Who’s asking?”

“Lauren.”

“She trying to take me out again?”

“No. They want to flush the idol and put all the votes on Jerri.”

“Who does?”

“That’s Kass’ plan.”

“Hm. Well, I guess it’s a good thing we’re voting out Kass tonight,” Michaela says.

“Yeah,” Ken says, looking at his feet as he walks. “So, you don’t have an idol?”

“Have you seen me with an idol?”

“I know. I just have to ask.”

“Yeah, I know. Maybe Jerri does but she hasn’t said anything to me about it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise continues his journey across the plain.

The next morning, Colby returns to the town’s campfire and reads the day’s tree mail to the final seven.

“These things suck. I hate these. Are we in kindergarten,” Michaela asks. “The answer is ball.”

A road runner leaves a cloud of dust behind himself as he races through the Mojave Desert.

At high noon, the final seven meet Jeff in front of seven balance beams. He holds his clydesdale's reins in his hand as he says, “First things first, Colby, gotta take back immunity.”

Colby kneels in front of Jeff, allowing him to retrieve the bandolier. Colby rejoins the tribe and Jeff says, “Immunity is back up for grabs. For today’s challenge, you will stand on a balance beam and hold a disc. On the disc is a ball. Every fifteen minutes, another ball will be added. If your balls fall off the disc or you fall off the beam, you’re out. Last person with all their balls wins immunity and has a one in SIX shot at winning this game.”

They take their places and Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. Closest to Jeff is Colby, then Lauren, Bi, Michaela, Jerri, Ken, with Kass on the end. For the first few minutes, everyone is able to stay in, until a breeze rolls through. Jerri’s ball begins to roll to the edge of the disc and she tries to adjust accordingly.

“Come on, Jerri,” Michaela encourages, “You got this.”

Jerri recovers after a few stressful seconds. Other than a few erroneous tweaks, everyone makes it through round one unscathed. Jeff comes around and gives them each another ball. Once everyone is balanced, Jeff calls for the round to begin. 

“Michaela’s balls rolling,” Jeff narrates. Michaela adjusts her disc slightly and levels out.

“Ken’s beginning to move,” Jeff announces.

“You got it, Ken,” Michaela says as he levels out.

“As soon as she encourages someone else, Michaela’s balls begin to roll,” Jeff announces.

“I got it, Jeff,” she tells him as she overcorrects, “Dammit!”

“And just like that, Michaela is out and Jerri’s balls begin moving. Meanwhile, Kass has barely moved. Ken’s looking good. Lauren has a firm grip. I don’t think I’ve seen Colby even blink.”

Another breeze blows everyone’s balls to the left slightly. Everyone adjusts their discs accordingly, some more well than others.

“Nice recovery by Kass,” Jeff says, “Jerri, struggling to hang on. Ken wavering a little. Lauren’s barely affected by the wind. She has complete control over these balls AND Ken’s balls have dropped!”

Jerri and Bi both snort and their balls fall to the sand below.

Jeff counts down from five and they set up for Round Three. The only people remaining are Kass, Colby and Lauren. They all get balanced and the round begins.

“Almost immediately,” Jeff says, “an errant ball of Lauren’s has begun rolling away.”

She tries to recover, but it only forces the other two away. All three drop into the desert sand below. She joins the rest of the tribe on the bench. Kass and Colby remain.

“You want to make a deal,” Kass asks.

Colby does not respond.

“I don’t think he’s gonna talk, Kass,” Jeff says.

“Hey, worth a shot,” she says.

Colby hasn’t taken his eyes off the balls since the challenge started. He hasn’t let anything distract him. He is completely focused. The wind picks up and he raises the disc slightly.

“Kass, trying to recover,” Jeff says, “but it’s hard with all three going in three different directions.”

One of Kass’ balls falls, then the other two when she flips her disc into the sand.

“Colby wins immunity!”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tarantula takes down a small bird.

Everyone congratulates Colby on his win before resting inside. Jerri finds Kass in a room with Bi. She turns to Kass and asks, “Can I ask who you’re targeting tonight?”

“You can always ask.”

“Okay, I’m asking. I’m still open to working with you, Kass.”

“Alright, I appreciate that. We’re targeting Lauren tonight.”

“Well, that makes things easy.”

“Doesn’t it,” Kass agrees.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, two cottontail rabbits chase each other in some tallgrass.

Ken and Lauren take a hike around town to have their final discussion before tribal council.

“Michaela doesn’t have an idol,” Ken says.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. She would tell me.”

“Okay, so we don’t need to worry about that.”

 “I don’t know if I want to vote out Jerri though.”

“Why not?”

“I just trust her more than Kass.”

“Jerri’s not bringing you to the final three. She’s set with Colby and Michaela. I’m telling you, Ken, Jerri is the right move,” Lauren says, wrapping her hand around his, “for us.”

“What makes you think those two are anymore trustworthy than Jerri, Colby and Michaela?”

“We got really close at the Grand Canyon. I trust them.”

Ken's eyes look to the ground.

“Ken,” Lauren says, “What’s wrong?”

“Kass could have brought you and I,” Ken explains. “She deliberately chose not to.”

“She wanted to,” Lauren tells him.

“Then, why didn’t she?”

“Ken…”

“I just have a hard time trusting her.”

“That means,” she says, grinning at Ken, “We’re the swing votes.”

“I guess so,” he says as he drags his feet through the sand.

As the sun begins to set, the final seven climb atop their seven horses and ride into the horizon from the saloon to tribal council. There, they meet Jeff outside the cave, stood beside his trusty steed. 

“We’ll now bring in the members of our jury,” Jeff says, “Elizabeth, Todd, Russell, Ben, Wardog, and Wendy, voted out at the last tribal council.”

Wendy’s smile is brighter than the akhal-teke she sits atop. The final seven smile back at her. Jeff turns his attention to Lauren, “The last two tribal councils, two of you original tribemates were voted out. Does that make you nervous?”

“Not especially, Jeff. I don’t think anyone's original season has any bearing on this game.”

“Do you agree with that, Michaela? You’ve still got someone from your original season left in the game.”

“It’s just like everything else in the game of Survivor, Jeff,” Michaela says, “Having an ally that goes back years can be incredibly helpful, but at the same time, everyone’s gonna assume y’all are working together and two votes is helluva lot more powerful than one. Ken and I have worked together, sometimes, sure, but not all the time. Same could be said about Colby and Jerri, I’m sure..”

“Colby, Jerri,” Jeff says, “Any credence to what Michaela’s saying?”

“Oh, of course,” Colby says, “I can’t hide my relationship with Jerri. We’ve known each other for over twenty years. This is our fourth time playing together. Of course that puts a target on us. But, having Jerri by my side doesn’t mean I haven’t talked to other people and made plans with them.”

“Yeah,” Jerri agrees, “Mine and Colby’s relationship has had its ups and downs over the last two decades. You build a lot of trust over that time. But each season of Survivor is it’s own game. Each season presents the opportunity to build new relationships.”

“Kass, you’ve been alone this whole season. No one from your original season.”

“That’s right. After Kimmi left, every relationship is brand new.”

“Do you wish you had someone like Jerri & Colby or Ken & Michaela? Someone you could have complete trust with?”

“Who’s to say I don’t?”

“Fair enough, with that, it is time to vote. Bi, you’re up first.”

Bi makes her way to the cave and casts her vote. She returns to the fire and Kass gets up. She casts her vote and shows it off as a vote for Jerri. “If it’s not you, it’s me,” she says before returning to the fire. Colby makes his vote, then Ken, then Michaela, then Jerri, who holds up a parchment reading “KASS.”

“This is for Wendy,” Jerri says before folding her parchment and returning to the tribe.

“I’ll go tally the votes,” Jeff tells them.

When he returns, he says, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you’d like to play it, now would be the time to do so.”

The camera cuts to Michaela, then Jerri, then Colby. None of them stand. Jeff says, “Alright, I’ll read the votes. First vote, Jerri, Jerri. That’s two votes Jerri. Kass, Kass. We’re tied. Two votes Kass, two votes Jerri. Kass. Three votes Kass… Jerri. Three votes Jerri… Fourteenth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and seventh member of our jury, Kass.”

Lauren looks over to Ken and grits her teeth silently. Ken nonchalantly shrugs. Kass gets up from her seat and walks to Jeff to have her torch snuffed. Lauren, Bi & Kass voted for Jerri. Colby, Michaela, Jerri and Ken voted for Kass.

Kass takes the reins of her quarter horse and rides to the horizon with only the moon lighting her way.

Read the Finale here

[weshallc]

Easter Bernie.

(call the Midwife AU/ Crown Jewels Easter Special/ also available on FF & A03)

HAPPY EASTER  EVERYONE 🐰🐥🐣🐤🦆🕊🦙😘🤗

CHAPTER FOUR: EASTER SUNDAY.

Here's someone who really loves you. Don't ever go away.That's what these walls would say. (If These Old Walls Could Speak, Jimmy Webb)

“Right over left, round and then through,” Fred repeated again, as he secured Reggie’s tie. “You will get the hang of it son, easy when you knows how.”

“Thanks Uncle Fred,” Reggie was determined, he would master the tricky accessory by the end of the day. It couldn’t be more of a skill then changing a beer barrel and he could do that.

“Oh, look at you two, all suited and booted, don’t you look smart,” Violet emerged from the Crown kitchen, wearing the dress and coat she had worn for Chummy’s wedding.

“You don’t look so bad yourself, Violet,” beamed a perfectly groomed Val in a coral trouser suit and cream silken vest top.

“Who has one of those phone things that takes a picture?” Evie asked, smoothing down a new floral dress she had treat herself to.

“Everyone Evie,” Val laughed, “Except you and Paddy.”

“Must be a pub thing,” added Jack, coming through the door, to cries of dismay.

“Jack, you are in jeans,” cried Vi.

“Talk about letting the side down,” remarked Fred.

Jack looked abashed, but added, “Thought I would stay behind, make sure no-one breaks in and steals all the eggs.”

“Jack, you know Paddy want’s us all to attend Easter Service this morning. If we are having a joint Easter Festival this year, it starts at ten o’clock at St. Preservus,” admonished Vi.

Jack looked at his trainers that were at least clean.

“Let’s say no more about it, you will have to do,” Evie concluded.

The last member of the party had arrived through the door marked Private, that led to the living quarters of the Crown. Paddy gave a harsh look at Jack, but said nothing.

“You always scrub up well Mr T, you should wear suits more often,” blushed Vi followed by Paddy.

Val brought him back down to earth, “Would you like me to do your hair?”

Paddy gave Val the look reserved just for her and her cheek, the one that kept her quiet for about five seconds.

“Right then, is everybody ready?” another glance at a fidgety Jack, Paddy continued, “Bernie and Tim are meeting us there.”

xxxx

The Crown seven shuffled into the the pew at the back of Saint Preservus, led in by Vi and ushered in by Paddy bringing up the rear.

“Hello, I see the naughty pew has been taken this morning,” beamed Peter Noakes, ”that is usually reserved for the Noakes family.”

“Have we stolen your seat?” laughed Paddy.

“Don’t worry, this isn’t the Crown, there won’t be a fight,” joked Peter as he and Camilla sat in front. Phyllis accompanying Lady Keville with aromatherapist Jane Sutton. “Looks like that’s the Crown pew this morning,” Phyllis winked at Paddy.

“Shove up!” the southern accent demanded, faintly attempting the local dialect.

“Trixie, that’s the pub pew this morning, come and join us,” Chummy suggested.

Paddy had already shifted for Trixie to sit down,

“I am representing Bernie,” Trixie grinned.

“Trixie is Team Crown,” Val added on the other side of Paddy.

“You ready for today, Trixie?” Paddy asked.

“I think so, I have some understanding of an egg hunt and even the hill rolling, but jarping remains a mystery to me,” Trixie informed him in all seriousness.

Paddy leaned in and kept his voice low, aware of his surroundings.

“Right then, the Crown and Church Easter Jarping Tournament, or as it was formerly known, the Crown Inn Easter Jarping Tournament, it's very easy to understand the rules.”

“I believe you,” Trixie smiled, but did not laugh.

Paddy leant forward in an attempt to not be overheard and Trixie followed him, “It is played in a knock-out format, like the FA Cup.” Trixie nodded she understood, Paddy continued his voice below his usual range. “Each contestant selects a hard boiled egg prepared by a neutral source.” Trixie nodded she was following. “Competitors divide into pairs. One is the holder or Jarpee and the other is the thruster or Jarper. You following Trix?”

“I think so?” she whispered back, her cheeks slightly flushed. Paddy swallowed and continued at the lower vibration.

“The holder grasps their egg with their dominant hand revealing just the tip. The Jarper holds their egg also in their dominant hand. The Jarper needs to know they can make a firm contact with the other egg, so gently rubs the end of their tool against the opponents to ensure the certainty of contact. So the Jarper has one attempt to make a clean strike. You following?” Paddy paused.

“Yes,” Trixie assured in a rather higher pitch than she intended, “It’s very warm in here, or is it just me?” she added removing her scarf. Paddy nodded still sat forwards whispering into Trixie’s ear.

“The pair then swap places and repeat this series of events. Everyone has a turn with everyone else. Once both tips of your egg are cracked you are eliminated. The winner is the final competitor to have at least one end in tact.”

The congregation hushed as Tom Hereward arrived in the pulpit, to start the service, just as Chummy who was sat directly in front of Paddy and Trixie exclaimed a little too loudly, “I’ve never been more aroused.”

Timothy Turner sat at the organ, couldn’t help turn toward the back of the church to see where all the sniggering was coming from. To be honest, he knew exactly where the laughter was coming from, but he had to look. Lucille, in front of her choir, exchanged glances with him and they shrugged their shoulders. He looked at Bernie who was shaking her head and glaring at the back of the church. Tom Hereward was looking a little flushed and said, “Shall we begin.”

xxxx

Back at the Crown it was all stations go. Violet gave a wicker basket to Fred.

“These are the onion peel dyed eggs, for egg rolling down Crown Bank. Take them to the back of the pub and remember it is one egg per child.”

“I wondered where that pong of onions was coming from, they do look pretty though, but don’t half pen and ink,” the brewer preferred a more hoppy odour.

“Jack, you take these plain eggs to the beer garden, there is a table set up with colouring pens and markers for the more artistic types. Remember one egg per child,” Jack nodded at Violet to reassure her he had got it.

“That leaves the jarpers for later. The Church are in charge of the Easter Egg Hunt around the village. I just hope they haven’t made it too difficult for the little ones,” Violet took a breath.

“I think it was Tim and Lucille who hid them, so should be all right Vi,” Val reassured with a wink.

xxxx

“So I just drop my egg down the bank?”

“Trixie, you must have rolled an Easter Egg before?” Bernie thought her friend was deliberately being dense.

“You mean one smelling of onions, can’t say I have,” Poplar's latest resident snapped back.

“No wonder we want to shot them away down the hill,” laughed Fred.

“What is the point?” Trixie wasn’t satisfied.

“It’s just a laugh, you race your pals and see how many times you can roll it, before it cracks,” Bernie was losing patience.

“Represents the stone rolling away from the tomb,” Paddy interjected, Bernie made a shocked face and Paddy grabbed her by the waist and said, “What? I am not a complete heathen,” threatening to roll her down the hill.

“So once I have rolled this, I have to go down the hill, retrieve it and if it hasn’t cracked, do it again, until it does?” Trixie said, keeping a wide berth from wrestling Paddy and Bernie, the latter now screaming.

Fred feeling a bit awkward himself with the tactileness of the moment, nodded at Trixie,

“Better get a move on love, don’t want to miss the start of the duck race.”

“Sorry?”

“The duck race down the Tweaven, first duck to Mount Busby wins.”

Paddy interrupted, suddenly letting go of Bernie, who actually did stagger a few feet down hill before achieving traction. “My favourite bit,” he grinned.

“You race real ducks, that is medieval,” protested Trixie.

“This from the Poplar sheep rustler,” corrected Paddy.

Bernie saved the situation and herself from joining the eggs at the bottom of the hill,

“They are not real ducks, Trixie, you know those ones you put in your bath, those rubber ones. You put your mark on one and the first one Reggie spots at the farm, wins.”

“Who has a bath these days? Haven't you all got showers yet?” Trixie was confused.

Paddy huffed. Bernie added, “You might be the one at the farm, waiting for a duck next year.”

“I don’t think that is in my job description,” Trixie added, but she didn’t look convinced.

Fred and Paddy were trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face, “Fancy a pint, Fred?”

“Not arf, Doc,” he replied already heading for the pub.

“You are all as cracked as these eggs,” Trixie said delicately tossing her egg southwards.

xxxx

Trixie walked back to the front of the Crown and wondered if she was doing the right thing moving to potty Poplar. She made her way to the beer garden and was surprised to see her new employers surrounded by sticky fingers and loud chatter. Turner Prize nominee Patience Mount, was decorating eggs with the village children. She was helping a few of the Sunday School class with their fragile Easter bonnets, some of which looked more like caps or helmets.

Delia, never far away, stood guard over a cardboard box, where a couple of fluffy yellow chicks were being coo’d over. Phyllis was still accompanying Lady Keville, who had brought a large selection of knitted egg warmers in all the colours of the rainbow. They were showing a group of children how to make the pom-pom version of the tweety little critters in Delia’s box. Lucille had been delighted with these knitted extras, and had Tim yarn-bomb Poplar, distributing them around the village, as part of the Easter Egg Trail.

Trixie was feeling a little bit lost. Bernie had returned from the egg rolling in one piece and was now interrogating Paddy, “What were you all laughing at in church, tell me?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he winked at Trixie.

Trixie grinned, “I feel like a vegan in the hen house. What can I do, to help at my first Poplar Easter Festival?”

“Well you are good at sales, you can be in charge of the raffle,” Paddy said as if he had given her the combination to his safe.

Val placed on the bar a huge cuddly grey and white rabbit, holding a large gold foil covered chocolate egg. Trixie forced a smile.

“There are a couple of envelopes there too; Second Prize is a Mount Busby Alpaca Day Out and third prize is a Meal for Two at the Crown.” Paddy announced proudly and Trixie suddenly connected with her new life.

Until Bernie spoilt it, “Fourth prize is an Alpaca Day Out and a meal at the Crown,” laughing hysterically at her own joke. While Trixie, Val and Paddy refused to. Even though Val’s lips were twitching.

Valerie passed Trixie a tupperware box full of coins “A float; to get you started, they always come with notes.” Trixie smiled a little bit.

xxxx

The sun was lowering behind the Cleveland Hills, cooling the Crown beer garden. The last of the tables had been cleared and the clutter added to the recycling bin. Val was taking orders for drinks, the children had all gone home. The Two Loves had taken Antonia back to Bagnall Hall. Trixie sat proudly admiring a brightly decorated toilet roll inner with a bright yellow toy chick with a wonky beak, stuck on the top with blu-tack.

“I can’t believe you won the Egg Jarping, Trixie,” Bernie shook her head.

“Beginners luck,” shouted an envious Jack.

“Expert training,” suggested Paddy.

“What are you going to do with your trophy, Trixie?” laughed Val

“Put it on top of Bernie’s telly,” Trixie said emphatically.

“That monstrosity is not coming into my house,” Bernie cried in mock indignation.

“Oi, Tim made that,” Paddy yelled.

“About ten years ago, Dad!” Tim blushed in horror. Lucille and Jack’s laughter adding insult to injury.

Tom and Bobby and baby Hereward appeared, it was the first time they had been seen since church. They had been overseeing the egg hunt around the village and offering refreshments at the church, a role Bernie had envied.

“The church is locked up and the village is litter free,” explained Bobby to Julia who was sipping on a Crabbies ginger beer, emphasis on the beer.

“Splendid, everyone has worked so hard today,” Julia commented. “That little one looks tired,” she added, observing a grouchy baby in Bobby’s arms.

“She actually needs changing,” Bobby explained.

Val who was passing Evie a pint of Easter Egg Ale informed the young mother, “The toilets are just inside Mrs Hereward, the changing facilities are in there.”

“Oh thanks,Valerie,” said Bobby and moved toward the backdoor.

Tom held up a hand, “We should really be getting home, love.”

“Aren't you two stopping for a drink, we’ve all earned it,” asked Julia taking another sip of her memory.

“No, we better get home and get this little madam seen to,” Tom laughed weakly.

“Be quicker, just to change her here if she's uncomfortable?” Phyllis sipping on a double brandy offered.

“I would rather we went home,” replied Tom curtly.

“The facilities here are excellent. I should know, I make sure they are spotless every morning,” Evie’s tone held authority.

“But it is 6pm,” Tom’s voice had a higher pitch now.

“Bernie or myself check the loos every hour, if you look on the door, we have to sign to say everything is in order,” Val couldn’t keep quite any longer.

“Look you’re all very kind, but I don't want my daughter being changed in a pub toilet,” Tom’s voice was adamant.

Evie looked as if she was about to combust.

Julia intervened, “Tom, maybe you should get your family home, we have all had a long day.”

“And confusing. I am sorry but I really haven’t seen the point of this. We welcomed everyone to church this morning, for the most important date in the Christian calendar, and then chased them all to the pub. Where is the message in that?”

The youth ministers words left the beer garden in a dense fog of discomfort. Julia looked lost for a moment, it was Phyllis who spoke up,

“Today was about community lad, bringing the village and the wider area together. These two buildings have been central to this village for over 300 years. It’s about time they came together.”

Phyllis had given Julia time to compose herself, “We will discuss the issues you have raised concerning a joint festival in a meeting tomorrow, Mr Hereward.”

Baby Hereward was becoming more grumpy and Bobby was struggling to placate her. Paddy who had been very quiet through this most recent exchange of views, offered quietly,

“Mrs Herward, your daughter seems very unhappy. Would you like to take her upstairs to the flat? Where you can have ample space and privacy.”

”Lets go Bobby, I will see you tomorrow, Reverend,” Tom nodded at Julia, Bobby didn’t have time to acknowledge Paddy’s offer, as she was pushed by her husband towards the door.

Someone with not the longest fuse in Poplar, had sweaty palms and a racing heart and a mouth she couldn’t keep shut,

“If yer have issues with the joint festival then that is fine Mr Hereward, as Reverend Lewis said that needs to be discussed between you tomorrow.” Everyone recognised the north of the border twang, that wasn’t done yet.

“But I have issue with your attitude right now concerning this house, it is so much more than an ale house, it’s a place where people work, it is a home.” Tom stopped in his tracks, Bernie went on,

“Your place of work just happens to be the House of God, now we were invited into that house this morning and everyone here, acted in a respectful manner.” Bernie took a breath, there was some awkward shuffling on the garden benches. She was on a roll though,

“You were invited into our home today and I feel you have not returned that respect. To say the Crown isn’t a fit place for a child, maybe you want to take a look at Timothy Turner, he was raised here. Would Mrs Turner have chosen this as a home, if she thought the Crown wasn't a fit place for a child? I think he has turned out pretty OK, don’t you?”

Tim wished at this point, that people would just remember who he was, and not feel the need to check by staring at him. Fortunately Bernie went on,

“Surely what matters is not whether it is a House of Prayer or a House of Refreshment, but a House of Love. And you can take my word for it, for what that may be worth, this house is just that. There is so much love in this house, I am only sorry yer canae feel it.”

Later Trixie said that she started the clapping, but everyone was sure it was Val, followed by Lucille. There was definitely a “Well said lass,” from Phyllis and somebody, maybe more than one, said her dad would be proud. Was there an Amen? The kids just said, “You don’t mess with our Bernie.” Did anyone notice Paddy said nothing, he just beamed with pride, if pride was a signal the Crown was 5G?

xxxxx

“I am barred from St Preservus.That’s the Mission I have offended and the church in one week,” Bernie complained.

There was only her and Paddy now. The sun had gone to its rest behind the hills. They sat on Frank and Peggy’s bench sharing a secret ciggie, Bernie perched on Paddy’s knee.

“Nonsense, Julia totally supported you. It’s Mr Hereward who should be worried and as for the Mission, does that really matter now, Bernie?”

“Mr. Hereward is young and idealistic, everything is black and white to him, I used to know someone else like that,” she smiled stubbing out the butt of the fag, they hoped Tim would never know about.

“What happened to her?” Paddy said turning her face gently towards his with both hands.

“She came home,” she smiled and kissed him tenderly, in a way that she was just beginning to understand.

“Bernie, you know this can be your home, whenever you want it to be, on whatever terms you want.” He looked at her intently. Bernie knew if she didn’t save herself, she would drown in those eyes.

“You know what I do want?” she kissed him on the forehead and pushed back his unruly hair. He just raised both eyebrows saying tell me?

“Are those pink wafers still behind the bar?”

“Go see,” he laughed, helping her off his knee.

Bernie almost ran to the bar, she found a package wrapped in gold foil with a red bow. She ripped open recklessly the carefully wrapped box. Only to find a large brightly coloured tin which read Huntley and Palmer Superior Biscuits. Bernie’s expression looked like it was Christmas, birthdays and Easter all at once.

“Paddy, I bloody love you.”

Paddy smiled, “Happy Easter, Bernie,”

[prorevenge]

Yell at me for skating, get arrested.

TLDR at the bottom.

Yesterday, June 21st, was national go skate day. As such a lot of skateparks around the states were hosting competitions for various reasons. Parks were overcrowded, people who don't normally skate were getting out. Typical holiday stuff.

This shop I've been trying to get to carry my skateboards happened to be hosting one such contest, at one such skate park. I was going to tell you guys which but then I thought someone might go to the park and look for the kid I'm writing about. Anyways this park has some of the notoriously worst skaters. Absolute jerks. They cut each other off, yell at each other, fight, and if the shop I wanted to see was not there I would never skate this park.

​

So being me, I decided to arrive early, maybe it wouldn't be too busy and I could skate around for a bit without any trouble? I was so terribly wrong. I had collisions with four different skaters. Maybe those were my fault, maybe I wasn't paying attention very well. Maybe it was their fault? I'm ready to let it go, but I'm on edge.

​

I decide to drop into the pool because it is one of very few spots at a skatepark you go one at a time. So I get in there, I started skating in circles just trying to get the feel for this pool. Warming up too. Then this kid, who we'll call Kyle starts yelling at me from the top of the pool. Whatever I've only been in the pool for a moment I know it's still my turn.

​

Still though, this kid I can clearly make out every word he's yelling.

​

Kyle: "Get out of the pool you douche! This park is for good skaters! I need to warm up so I can win the contest that Local Board Shop is hosting! You suck! You clearly can't do any tricks! You have no shot at winning!"

​

Whatever I think. I hate it here. Time to stop skating and just socialize. I pop out of the bowl by Kyle and he pushes me.

​

Kyle: "Locals only mother fucker. Don't let me see you step on that board again in my park."

​

Me: "Whatever kid I'll leave you to it."

​

I go to put my board away when my revenge plan kicks into gear. I own a skate company, and everyone seems to think skate company's sponsor anyone who can kickflip. So I figure, I'm going to let it leak around the park that I'm here scouting talent to recruit to my team.

​

I go and cheer a few kids as they do their super basic tricks. Call them over one at a time to tell them I'm here scouting talent. Sure enough, within half an hour kids all over the park are coming to me to introduce themselves. Asking me to pay special attention, what company I represent, what sponsorship requirements are, that kind of stuff. At this point even if my plan fails I've just created a ton of buzz at this contest and everyone is talking about me and my company.

​

Somewhere in the mix though, Kyle comes to talk to me.

​

Kyle: "Hey look, man, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to yell at you. I was excited that's all."

​

Me: "Look I get it, so I'm going to give you another chance. You said you're competing right?"

​

Kyle: "Yeah I'm here to destroy these fucking losers."

​

Me: "Alright listen, I saw you skating around a bit while I was talking to people. You're really good, exactly the level of skating we need for someone on our team. I plan on keeping on eye on you, don't disappoint me. What's your name by the way?"

​

Kyle: "My name is Kyle, and fuck yeah bro. You know I got this on lock!"

​

Kyle actually was a very talented skater in case you're wondering. I had no plans of actually recruiting him, or anybody, but he was good.

​

A little time goes by and the contest starts. We start by doing "Best Trick" on the A-Frame. This is an A-Frame so you can visualize.

​

There is absolutely no coordination on who goes when, the guys from the shop just tell them to go and start calling out tricks they see on their megaphone. I start closely filming Kyle. Sure enough, he's skating the contest like the douche he was being earlier. Yelling at people, pushing people out of the way, and he even hit a guy with his board. I get every single confrontation on video. I thought about sharing the video, but again we don't need a witch hunt.

​

Kyle ends up doing pretty well, landing 3rd place with a big flip over the A-frame. I couldn't find a video of a big flip, but here is a bigger flip. A big flip is a kickflip with a 360-degree board rotation and a 180-degree body rotation. It's an impressive trick. Somehow he got beat by a kid that did a tailslide, and someone who did a kickflip into a boardslide with a shuv out.

​

Me: "Hey Kyle, I saw your big flip over the A-Frame. That's a hard trick and I'm impressed. You got anything special planned for the next contest?"

​

Kyle: "LOL, it's called S.K.A.T.E. you idiot. It's like H.O.R.S.E. but for skateboarding. Fuck yeah, I got something."

​

Me (Annoyed because I know exactly what a game of S.K.A.T.E. is) "Yeah... Anyways I'm excited to see what you can do."

​

The rounds of S.K.A.T.E. start and we do a single elimination bracket. I'm still aggressively watching and filming everything Kyle does. Every time his competitor misses a trick he makes fun of them, every time they go to throw a trick he yells something totally obscene to throw off their concentration. Every time he makes a trick he does a mini-celebration, and every time he misses a trick he blames his competitor and pushes them. You know, because it's their fault he couldn't land it.

​

He ends up getting knocked out in the third round. He throws his board across the park, and it almost hits someone, and storms off for a bit. When he comes back I congratulate him on getting so far.

​

Me: "Good job getting to the third round. I really liked some of those tricks you had. I got a lot of them on camera, I'll edit all the film from the day and show you later."

​

Kyle: "Whatever that fucktard that beat me cheated. Everybody fucking knows you're not allowed to do body varials."

​

Me: "Get him in the next event."

​

Kyle: "Oh fuck yeah bro. I got that fucking race on lockdown."

​

It seriously irritates me when people use cuss words as filler for normal conversation. I just want to say I'm annoyed with him and how he speaks. I'm sure he chalked up my visible frustration to him losing though, because that's how Kyle's are.

​

The next event is a race around the park, simple. Best time wins. Kyle isn't even close to being a contender on this one. He's slow, he isn't hitting obstacles correctly, and it seems like all this pressure I'm putting on him is really getting to him. He shoved some people out of the way so he could be one of the first to go too, so he has to watch as 10-15 people just crush his time.

​

Every time someone looks like they're going to be doing better than him, he starts yelling at them and screaming. He even threw sand on the course. Probably so people would slide on it. I'm not really sure what his goal was but it failed. I decide I'm going to make an excuse for him on this one so he has an easy cop-out, but also thinks I'm on his side.

​

Me: "Bro, looks like you need some new bearings. You kept losing all the speed, but your form was great."

​

Kyle: "Yeah bro, but my mom is being a bitch and won't replace these shit bearings. Fuck her!"

​

Me: "Well listen, man, I gotta go grab something real quick, company emergency, will you be here in like an hour when I get back?"

​

Kyle: "Of fucking course dog."

​

There's one more event, I didn't bother to watch I already had what I wanted. So I start going through all these videos of Kyle, and I make an edit of every time he screamed at someone, cheated in an event, or had poor sportsmanship. There's like 10 minutes of him yelling at people and being a dick all edited into one super edit. I also grab lunch, because of food.

​

I get back to the park and I grab a brand new deck out of my car. Just a prop. As I walk into it, I wave Kyle to come over to me. Looks like all the events are over, and the shop I came to see is just socializing with skaters.

​

Kyle: "Oh no fucking way. Is that for me? I got the spot!?! I got the spot!"

​

Me: "Hey yeah so come check out this video. I want to show you exactly what I was paying attention to the entire time you were skating."

​

I show Kyle the video, it opens with his bigger flip, then it proceeds to show him just being a dick. He makes excuses throughout the whole video. He tells me at several points he didn't mean it. It was a mistake. Typical loser stuff.

​

Me: "Here's the deal. I love how you skate. but I expect better behavior out of any rider the might come ride for DJ Skate. If you go find all of these skaters and makeup with them before I leave, we have a spot on the team for you."

​

Kyle: "These losers fucking worship me. They'll all be fucking ecstatic to see me on your team."

​

Me: "Alright well, when you make up with them tell them to come to see me. I want to hear it from them that they're cool with you."

​

I go hang out with the shop owners for a bit, I point out everyone at the contest riding one of my boards and how they should carry my deck because their audience is skating them. After a few minutes, Kyle comes up holding this little kid by his ear.

​

Kyle: "Tell him we're cool right fucking now or I rip your ear off."

​

Poor kid: "Yeah what he said. We're cool. We're cool."

​

I wave him off and he goes back out, but now I'm watching him bully all these kids into coming over and saying we're cool. The shop asks me what it's about and I tell them how I said we couldn't sponsor anyone that behaves that way, and he wanted to be sponsored. They agree, and we just watch in awe as Kyle gets worse and worse.

​

Finally, one of the kids bigger than him seems to refuse the apology and a fight breaks out. I rush over to break it up, but Kyle has already had his face beaten in by this kid. The kid yells about how no one likes him and how there is no way he would ever tell anybody for any reason to sponsor him.

​

Kyle (Crying and sniffling): "Look DJ Skate, I tried to apologize and he beat me up. I didn't do nothing wrong to him."

​

Me: "Oh don't worry I saw the whole thing. The guys at the shop saw too. We know exactly what happened."

​

I didn't know yet, but that very familiar sound of sirens goes off in the background. I didn't think anything of it until police rushed passed me and start pinning guys to the ground.

​

Police officer: "What happened. One at a time."

​

Kyle (Lying): "I was just skating minding my own business and this guy beat me up. I didn't do anything to deserve it."

​

The kid who beat up Kyle: "Not even you came over here shoving us, telling us how we have to apologize to you for cheating in the contest and go tell that guy we're cool so you can get sponsored."

​

They go back and forth and the police finally come to me.

​

Police: "Is that true? Did you tell him you'd sponsor him if he made up with everybody here."

​

Me: "Oh boy do I have a video for you guys..."

​

I show the police how he's been pushing people and yelling at everyone all day, and I explain how this kid just decided he had enough and fought back to protect himself. They walk Kyle out in cuffs, and I don't even need to tell him he didn't get the sponsorship. The police check with everybody who came to tell me they were cool with Kyle to make sure he didn't hurt them too badly. They also check with some people in the video, and get everyone's contact info.

​

They start asking people older than 18 if they want to push charges, and start calling the parents of the younger kids to ask if the same thing. A few people let it go, but at least 10 people want to push charges on Kyle.

​

The police ask for my video, as well as the raw footage, and I email it all to them. He also spends a painstaking amount of time recording my phone while the video plays using his chest came. Took like an hour of me just waiting to get my phone back.

​

At this point the shop is packed up and heading out, promising once again to answer my email with whether or not they want to buy.

​

I'm not going to bother to keep up with Kyle, but I'm sure he'll be getting some jail time for that fight. The kid that beat him up seemed to be in trouble too.

​

TLDR: Went skating before a contest, when Kyle yells at me. I tell him I'm looking to sponsor the best skaters in the contest, and he starts being a dick to all the other skaters. I record Kyle being a dick, and tell him he needs to apologize. A fight breaks out, and the police are called. I show them the recordings, and they arrest Kyle.

(source) story by (/u/DJSkate)

[ironforgedrp]

     ℭ𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔰:   ᴋʏᴍᴀᴇʀᴀ, ʀʏᴄʜᴀʀᴅ ʜᴀʀʟᴀᴡ, ᴛᴀᴛᴇ ᴛᴜʟʟʏ, ᴀᴢʀɪᴇʟ, ᴇɴᴅʏᴍɪᴏɴ ᴍᴀɴᴅᴇʀʟʏ, ᴋʏʀᴀ ʙᴀʀᴀᴛʜᴇᴏɴ, ᴍᴏʀʀᴇᴄ ᴄʟᴇɢᴀɴᴇ, ᴠɪᴋᴛᴏʀ ɢʀᴇʏᴊᴏʏ

    as the first game to start off the second day, many of the attendees are hungover, still drunk, hard up from a long night of celebrations and wine, feasting and fucking after the first day of games were finished.   many also sported bruises and a busted lip, evidence of some not paying off their lost wagers.  though, despite all that, with many never having seen hand to hand outside of the occasional drunken squabble, the crowd looks on with interest. there is a smattering of familiar names, familiar houses, and two still unexpected yet familiar female faces.

   entering the bound-knuckle, weapon-less hand-to-hand combat is the storm queen kyra baratheon who had made it to the top five in the melee the day before and tied with fellow hand-to-hand competitor lord rychärd harlaw for the first place in the horse race.    also the kymaera, a fast-becoming betting favourite after her spectacular win against another hand to hand competitor, lord morrec clegane and third place winner of the melee the tyrell loyal azriel.  ser endymion manderly, the third place archery winner from the previous day also stands as competitor, as does lord viktor greyjoy and prince tate tully of the riverlands.

      𝔉𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱 ℜ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡,

      many clearly expect the two women to be pitted against each other, and there are scattered cries of outrage when the pairings are announced, beginning with the first of the melee champion kymaera and the riverlands prince tate.   whatever doubts are cast on a woman being paired against a man are quickly quelled as the woman fires blow after relentless blow, cat like reflexes in blocking and defending herself against her opponents blows   the riverlands prince and queensguard of the dragon queen is by no means an unworthy competitor as he sweeps her feet from underneath her and attempt to pin her down - but it seems only a few exertion-filled seconds later that the kymaera once again shows her prowess and locks the tully lord in a body bind that only those who had seen oil wrestling in meereen would have witnessed and is declared round winner.  the two emerge with bloodied knuckles as they exit the arena, few cheering the name of the foreign woman as she leaves.

     next to take the slightly bloodied ground are two iron island lords, the secondborn son of pyke lord viktor greyjoy and the iron islands representative and firstborn son of harlaw isle, lord rychärd harlaw.   both men circle each other like birds of prey, waiting for one to lay the first blow. it’s the harlaw lord, a haymaker to the face that has the greyjoy man spitting blood as he lunges to return the attack.  while the harlaw lord has the size advantage, viktor proves to be another quick, strong and efficient fighter.  one can’t help but notice the similarities in their fighting styles and wonder if it is something to do with growing up upon the decks of ships.  the match drags on for near ten grueling minutes, both choosing opportunity rather than exhaustive brute force.   but inertia fights against the harlaw lord as a wild punch aimed for viktors head misses its target and sends him off balance.  quick as a snake, viktor is on him with a muscular arm around rychärd’s neck in a choke hold and they tumble to the ground, writhing. however, rychärd, knowing he is outmatched and unable to free himself he signals his admission of defeat at the hands of the greyjoy lord.

     the next fight has people careening their necks to get a better view, a few youths climbing the branches of trees to get the optimal sight of, what the betting folk have dubbed, the melee rematch.  lord morrec clegane had lost to kymaera in the final game of the previous day, and before that he had effectively eliminated the sellsword azriel from the final two.  they had both shown their fighting skills, varied as they may be, in the melee match - but without weapons... it becomes theoretically anyones game.  the two fight fiercely, viciously, like the savage survivalist they both are at heart, bloodied knuckles and grunts of exertion that can be heard in the stands give way to the winner by a knock-out is lord morrec clegane, who lands a brilliant opportune punch to the side of azriels face, connecting fully. the tyrell guard is unconscious as he hits the dirt, but comes to after only a few seconds, the clegane lord raising his bound and bloodied knuckles in triumph as the last pairing of the first round readies themselves.

     the second fight featuring a woman causes less outcry, most likely the judgmental attendees having been silenced by the efficient and victorious savagery of kymaera in the first fight. the storm queen kyra baratheon enters in her captains leathers, blonde hair pulled back as she faces down the first ranger of the nights watch ser endymion manderly.  as with the previous fights, it is one of near equal skill on each side in each pairing, and these two are no exception. the storm queen fights like an iron islander, a blunt violence and almost crude determination in her face as she cross-blocks a blow from ser endymion and retaliates with a kick towards the stomach.  the crow reels back, winded, but undeterred as the captain-turned-queen presses her advantage with a series of fast and alternating jabs that seem to confuddle the man of the watch.  the storm queen’s attacks are so quick and precise that she manages to force back ser endymion against the wooden wall of the set up arena. this is, by far, the most impressive match of the round as the two fighters seem to be at a stalemate, neither one willing to give.      the match is only decided when the storm queen violently head-butts the first ranger, causing his eyebrow to split and temporarily blind him with blood - and then she is behind him, her boot pressed back against the wooden wall and the crows arm is twisted behind his back.   with a final grunt (near scream) of exertion, the storm queen pushed off from the wall with her boot; her body pressed against the manderly man’s back and twisted arm, sending both of them crashing to the ground and effectively pinning down the nightswatchman in a hard won victory that has the crowds absolutely screaming on their feet.

     𝔖𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔡 ℜ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡,

      with one of the consistent winners paired off against a greyjoy lord who had yet to place but had just floored his opponent with impressive skill, many inch to the edges of their seats in anticipation.   lord morrec clegane re-entered the arena, new bindings on his reddened knuckles, still carrying some smears of blood and dirty sweat on his skin from his battle against the tyrell guard, and lord viktor greyjoy entered in much the same shape - though less blood had been spilled in his match against the harlaw lord. some comment that the clegane lord looks more worn out than before, some blame the melee and his brutal fighter earlier, but the fight starts with tenacity.  the clegane lord all but launched himself at the greyjoy man, thick arms truncating around his middle as they tumble to the dirt ground in a tense and brutal grappling match.  when viktor frees himself and puts several feet distance between himself and the larger blacksmith; he circles the blond - slowly creeping closer with each loop. the clegane blocks the first hit, ducks under the second and moves to swerve the third - but viktor has plotted his movements, a true tactical man who needs not rely on brute strength.  some claim it’s luck, some blame it on clegane’s exhaustion, but a punch drives his chin up and he stumbles back - the crowd cries out.  the second strike clegane anticipates to his head again, but lord greyjoy feints to a strike to the stomach followed by a front-footed kick to his sternum that sends him flying back into the wooden wall - dazed.   the last blow lands, half blocked, on morrec’s left side, a kick that topples him to the ground and gives lord viktor greyjoy a surprising but well-won win.

   but it isn’t those two the crowd strain and scramble to watch; it’s the two women that have been paired together. a fight that the crowd had anticipated as women were considered the lesser sex, they now clamored for to watch such savage fighters square off.   those who had witnessed the melee of the previous day had already seen firsthand kymaera’s stamina and skill, and whilst she and the storm queen kyra baratheon had not crossed blows in the melee despite both competing, the fight against ser endymion manderly had swayed many to her support.  the two are already battle-weary, that is true, but there’s a fire coming from both of the women as the match begins, though neither move immediately - though their hands were raised in fists.  some note that the storm queen has lessened her garments, banding and leathers similar to the bindings beneath the kymaera’s body paint.  and then the first strike is laid by the melee champion, a quick-striking fist to the face and blood beads from the storm queens split lip but the retaliation by the blonde is just as quick with a three-punch combo to the ribs, stomach and finally face.  kymaera retreats ready on her haunches like a savage feline as the storm queen lowers her stance in a mimic they stare each other down once more.   the crowd is oddly quiet this round, enraptured by the sight before them; with each blow being met with an equally effective block, the two woman appear to move almost as if engaged in a dance for a period of time; each woman’s vulnerabilities attempting to be exploited by the other and a block maddeningly appearing each time in its response.   in a nearly identical move seen before, queen kyra begins to press kymaera back towards the wall as she had with ser endymion.  there’s a span of approximately 1000ft between the women and the edge of the arena and all of a sudden the melee champion seems to snap, stopping her effecting counter attack and instead firing rapid blows over all parts of the blonde woman’s body, seeming unbothered that most were blocked.  a roundhouse kick delivered from kymaera meets it’s target though and the queen stumbles, bleeding from the mouth and off balance, wide open. in an unexpected move, the meereenese fighter does not strike but instead turns and flees towards the wall with the storm queen, enraged as she spits blood, close on her heels - intending to press a suspected weakness.  the crowd screams then as, in a graceful and terrifying show of skill and agility the kymaera sprints the length of the seven feet wooden wall, her body arcing back to flip over the top of the stunned westerosi captain.  kyra’s turn is too slow, her reaction time not enough, and kymaera’s limbs suddenly seemed to wrap around the storm queens body.  taken to ground like a strangling vine around a tree trunk, the crowd roars, sure that the melee champion was destined to move on to win the hand to hand. the scuffle causes clouds of dust around the two women, as they appeear to fight like two snakes entwined in a death match. the black haired woman seems assured to win again, but a burst of strength seems to come from within the storm queen, giving a shout of exertion as she slips from the muscular grasp of the kymaera’s legs.  she grabbed both kymaera’s bronzed shoulders, her short but strong nails digging in hard enough to break skin and spill blood as the two tumble, ending with kyra astride the meereenese woman. kyra grabs her shoulders and slams her into the ground, stunning the kymaera with the rebound of her head against the hard-packed ground.  and relentlessly, the storm queens fist plowed into her competitors face, sending a spray of blood across the dirt.  the crowd gasps and hollers at the show of savagery, but it continues as many exclaim they are more fierce than the men, a palm to the underside of the storm queen’s chin is enough to stun her momentarily, her teeth piercing her lip and the flow of blood from the pale womans lips increasing to stain her chin, neck and shirt.  kymaera’s agility, stamina and flexility plays in her favour again, worming her legs between the two and propelling the storm queen off her body in an effort to seperate the two and gain an upper hand again, but as the kymaera rises back to her feet she is suddenly floored by a roundhouse kick that knocks the melee champion off her feet and to the dirt, motionless.   the crowd goes silent... all that can be heard is the storm queen’s panting as she stands bloodied, dirty and victorious, and then a deafening, thunderous roar.

    𝔉𝔦𝔫𝔞𝔩 ℜ𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡

     a break is taken after that last match, the crowd whipped into a frenzy and the storm queen in need of maester’s attention and bandages to stem the blood-flow from the wounds she’d had at the kymaera’s hands.  lord viktor greyjoy, the other finalist has already been tended to and his knuckles re-bound and hair tied back off his face, and a quarter of an hour later the storm queen kyra baratheon joins him.   undoubtedly, both competitors growing increasingly tired from their efforts and having both recently both beaten favoured fighters in savage brawls, the crowd releases noises of shock as both waste no time in attempt to lay low and sneaky blows to draw an end to their fight, quickly, but their similarities prove a downfall.  both are captains upon the seas, both used to fighting in the slick and against those who did not obey rules, they both sought to use the same weaknesses, both knew how to counteract them in their own ways.   and then, the crowd moans in dismay as the storm queen falters after a successfully blocked, but powerfully delivered, kick aimed for the side of her head.   lord greyjoy hesitates at the potential final blow, and that is enough - kyra launches herself at him in the moment of hesitation without any defence, a wild move that draws a gasp as the two slam against the ground in a roll that sends the grappling fighters half way across the arena, each struggling for dominance.

     when the dust settles, the greyjoy lord has regained the upper hand and his arm is pressed against the storm queen’s throat - she is pinned and her face is red from exertion and lack of oxygen.  screams and shouts come from the crowd as some tell the woman to tap out in defeat, her legs kick from beneath him, but to no avail, some cheer on the greyjoy lord and yell for ‘to the bitter end! to the death!’ but she has no intention of that being a problem.   she sinks her teeth into the wound of her own lip, flooding her mouth with the acrid iron taste of blood which she spits directly into the greyjoy lords face, effectively blinding him for a few seconds.  and again, that few seconds is just enough as she gathers enough strength to jolt her body upwards and again head-butt her competitor, sending him reeling back in pain & shock, releasing her throat.  in a manner of seconds she is atop him wasting no time, her legs wrapped around his neck & head, his face forcibly pressed into her muscled thigh - akin to a headlock but with a smothering effect.  she cried out as he bit at her leg in a last ditch attempt to free himself, but she clenches her legs tighter, her upper body strength spent... and after a few more seconds of kicking and struggling, the greyjoy lord smacks his hand against the ground - signalling a surrender and the storm queen releases him, flopping back onto the ground panting and blood-smeared before slowly getting to her feet in triumph.  the crowd around the two screams and shouts as the storm queens name is yelled out as; CHAMPION, she raises both fists - a bloodied warrior queen worthy of song,     and while many expect lord viktor to be bitter in defeat but he simply booms out a laugh.

CHAMPION: 500 Gold Dragons to winner QUEEN KYRA BARATHEON.

[syncogon]

[QZGS Prequel TL] Ch 10: Dynasty and Youth

(info post and links for the QZGS Prequel, Top Glory / 巅峰荣耀)

summary: As Excellent Era and Hundred Blossoms face off in the Season 3 finals, the Golden Generation, as they will later be remembered, prepares to take the stage.

characters: Sun Zheping, Zhang Jiale, Wang Jiexi, Fang Shiqian, Ye Xiu, Wu Xuefeng, Yu Wenzhou, Huang Shaotian, Zhang Xinjie, Xiao Shiqin

wordcount: 3.8k

Here we are, the final chapter of the prequel. As always, if you enjoy, please leave thoughts, comments, analysis, etc, I love to see it.

Translated by: Syncogon

We won!

The team entering the finals is us!

Amidst the deafening cheers from the crowd, the Hundred Blossoms players at the side rushed onto the stage, surrounding the two core players of their team.

In the battle that had just ended, they were the victors.

The ones who had earned victory in the second round of playoffs was also them.

Team Hundred Blossoms, the black horse of last season, now with a more mature and reliable attitude, had charged through two rounds of this year's playoffs and slaughtered their way into the finals. Their hands had already lightly brushed against that proof of highest glory, the championship trophy.

Excitement, elation.

But this wasn't the end yet; things weren't finished yet.

With the lesson they'd learned from last season's failure, Hundred Blossoms' excitement and celebration was fairly short-lived. It wasn't long before the cluster of people onstage had already calmed down.

On the other side of the stage, the Tiny Herb players who had just lost this round were also walking out of their competitor booths.

Wang Jiexi, Fang Shiqian. Tiny Herb was another team that had relied on its young players to take on responsibility. They had given everyone the biggest surprise this season, with the name "Magician" dominating headlines.

But ultimately, they hadn't managed to walk to the end.

Shake hands, exchange respects.

The young captain on the losing side was merely silent; he didn't display much outward dejection. Their vice-captain Fang Shiqian, however, was utterly gloomy – he didn't even come over to greet the opposing team, as was the custom after a match.

"Keep working hard next season," said Hundred Blossoms Captain Sun Zheping, in a genuine tone, to Wang Jiexi. He didn't pay Fang Shiqian's disrespect too much mind. As someone who had tasted before the bitter sting of this kind of defeat, he very much understood the mood of the side that had lost.

"Thank you," said Wang Jiexi, nodding.

The two teams went their separate ways. Hundred Blossoms lingered in the stadium, waiting for the conclusion of the other playoffs match of this round to see who would become their opponent in the finals. And Tiny Herb, as the eliminated losers, could only pack up their things and leave in low spirits.

The Tiny Herb players walked silently through the long player passageway. For a long time, no one spoke. It wasn't until they arrived back at their prep room that someone finally broke the silence.

"Hey!" Fang Shiqian opened his mouth, his gaze falling squarely upon Wang Jiexi, who had just sat down to rest.

The players all felt their hearts jump, and they turned to look at them.

"As the captain, shouldn't you say something right now?" Fang Shiqian said.

Everyone couldn't help but tense. From the very beginning, they could tell Fang Shiqian had certain emotions toward Wang Jiexi inheriting Vaccaria and the captaincy. Wang Jiexi had performed so exceptionally this season that there really wasn't much to criticize. Yet even so, Fang Shiqian had still found areas to nitpick. And now, their most important match of the season had just ended in defeat. Was Fang Shiqian about to completely blow up?

Their defeat this round could be analyzed from various angles. It wasn't the fault of any one person's mistake or anything like that. Wasn't it too irrational to use this as a reason to go off?

Everyone couldn't help but feel that that this was unfair. Wang Jiexi's performance this season had won over everyone. Never mind the fact that he hadn't messed up this match, even if he had, they would all forgive him – who didn't make mistakes? If Fang Shiqian wanted to nitpick this loss as well, the rest of them wouldn't stand for it.

Looking at the two of them, Tiny Herb's members had already decided their position. If there was going to be a conflict between these two core players, they were going to support Wang Jiexi.

But to their surprise, Fang Shiqian, without waiting for Wang Jiexi to say anything, was already continuing to speak.

"Forget it." He waved his hand. "I forgive you this time."

Forgive?

What's with that condescending tone? Fang Shiqian, you're really going too far!

A few of them refused to accept that and had already opened their mouths, but once again, the quick-speaking Fang Shiqian beat them to it.

"But next season, or next next season, next next next season – no matter what, you have to lead Tiny Herb to win a championship!" Fang Shiqian said fiercely.

Everyone was stunned. And then, they began to laugh.

Next season? Next next season? Next next next season? He had this kind of patience and belief in Wang Jiexi. Clearly, this Fang Shiqian already very much acknowledged him.

"I'll do it as quickly as possible," Wang Jiexi laughed.

"Not 'as quickly as possible,' it's 'for sure,'" Fang Shiqian said, very seriously.

"For sure," Wang Jiexi replied, also adopting a serious expression.

"Alright. Next season, we'll be back!" Fang Shiqian raised his arm and shouted.

"We'll be back!" Everyone waved their arms, and the originally heavy atmosphere was instantly broken by this uplifting energy. But soon, they heard shouts and cheers echoing down through the long passageway, drowning out their excited voices.

"Have the results of the other match come out?" someone asked.

"This stupid TV! How come it doesn't have signal again!" Someone slapped the television that was in the prep room, but the screen was filled with static, and not half an image could be shown.

"Want to go out and take a look?"

"Let's go."

Tiny Herb's players left their prep room. As they had guessed, the curtain had fallen on the match between Excellent Era and Tyranny, and the results were out.

The victor was?

Excellent Era!

The name that the crowd was hollering announced the other team that was entering the finals. This really wasn't an unexpected answer. Three seasons of the Pro League, three times entering the finals. Excellent Era had already become a looming mountain that the other teams needed to climb and conquer.

The audience's cheering was thunderous. Excellent Era's players were high-fiving each other, but they seemed more subdued. It wasn't because they were already used to victory, but because their celebration was always missing the backbone of their team, their core.

Ye Qiu, Excellent Era's captain. No matter what match, what victory, he would always quietly come and quietly go.

This made Sun Zheping, who was bursting with energy to exchange a few words with his opponent in the finals, feel like his energy had nowhere to go. That opponent he aspired to defeat wasn't even here!

Tyranny had lost, but they departed with their heads held high.

After three seasons, no one would look down on them any longer. This team's perseverance and tenacity was simply unparalleled.

"It's a shame." Watching Tyranny's players leave, someone in the audience quietly sighed and shook his head.

"Who're you talking about?" To the side, Huang Shaotian asked.

"Tyranny," said Yu Wenzhou.

"What do you mean?" At this point, Huang Shaotian very much trusted this partner of his, and he believed that making Yu Wenzhou Blue Rain's captain next season was an extremely wise decision.

"Over the course of the battle, there were at least four critical points that determined victory – here, here, here, and here," said Yu Wenzhou, pointing at places in his notebook.

"What here here here here… Who could understand all this stuff you drew?" After tilting his neck to look at the so-called "here's," Huang Shaotian still didn't follow.

"We'll talk more when we go back and watch the recordings. In any case, of these four points, in at least two of them, Tyranny's healer had the chance to control the battle situation. Then, they would have had a fighting chance," said Yu Wenzhou.

"Tyranny's healer…" Huang Shaotian thought back to the match, "…isn't really bad."

"I'm not saying he's bad. But Tyranny as a team has a lot of passion, and their healer has been carried along by that sort of style, too. It might be a bit… top-heavy." After thinking, Yu Wenzhou landed upon this descriptor.

"You're right." A new voice responded to Yu Wenzhou's words.

"Who're you?" Huang Shaotian jumped up and spun around. Behind them stood an intellectual-looking youth, who, after glancing at Huang Shaotian, pushed up his glasses and returned his gaze to Yu Wenzhou's notebook.

"But about those four critical points, I have a few different views," said the glasses boy.

"Oh?" Yu Wenzhou was immediately interested. He twisted his body around, lifted his notebook, and began earnest discussion with the glasses youth, who had come forward.

In this position, the two of them continued talking for a full half-hour. The match had ended long ago and the audience was beginning to depart, but at some point, another youth who had been leaving paused in his tracks, stood to the side, and began to listen to the discussion between Yu Wenzhou and the glasses youth. He didn't make any sound, but he couldn't help but nod along.

"And who are you?" Huang Shaotian, dumbfounded, stared at this newcomer.

"Yeah," the newcomer said absently. He wasn't answering Huang Shaotian – he had simply heard the two's analysis, felt that it made a lot of sense, and couldn't help but make a sound of agreement.

Yu Wenzhou and that glasses youth finally noticed the newcomer, and together looked at him.

"I'm sorry…" This person scratched his head, a bit awkward, and introduced himself: "I'm Xiao Shiqin."

"Yu Wenzhou."

"Zhang Xinjie."

Only now did the youths all introduce themselves to each other.

"Me me me me! Huang Shaotian." Huang Shaotian inserted himself with a shout.

"Hello," said Xiao Shiqin and Zhang Xinjie, practically in unison, and then they once again turned back to look at Yu Wenzhou.

"What do you think about that match between Hundred Blossoms and Tiny Herb?" Zhang Xinjie asked. They'd pretty much finished talking about Excellent Era versus Tyranny at this point, but they still felt like they hadn't gotten enough, and so they began to look for a new topic.

"Let's talk somewhere else," Xiao Shiqin suggested.

"Alright," Yu Wenzhou and Zhang Xinjie readily agreed.

With that, the three of them left. Huang Shaotian, still stunned, remained there for a bit before he ran to catch up with them, feeling flustered and exasperated. "Hey hey, there's still me! Wait, where'd you two even come from?"

Three days later.

In the sold-out stadium, the finals of Season 3 of the Glory Pro League had entered the climax.

"Watch Qi Breaker, watch Qi Breaker, watch Qi Breaker! Important things must be said three times!" In Hundred Blossoms' team chat, Sun Zheping, whose words were usually simple and concise, didn't hesitate to repeat himself three times to emphasize the Excellent Era player who was very often overlooked, Wu Xuefeng.

"Hundred Blossoms has already found the key point of victory." In the audience section, the youths who had analyzed and speculated about the semifinals agreed to meet up and watch the finals together, through eyes that were different than those of ordinary audience members.

Huang Shaotian proclaimed himself to be a very talkative person, but in this match of discussion, he lost. The opinions he gave probably contributed to less than ten percent of the overall conversation. But every time he made a remark, it was sharp enough to draw blood, and sometimes he would have insight on something that none of the other three had even detected. Last time, Huang Shaotian had been treated somewhat coldly during the conversation, but this time he won the respect of his new friends.

The youths very much agreed with Hundred Blossoms' decision to pay close attention to Qi Breaker on the battlefield.

"Qi Breaker's aid plays a significant role in increasing One Autumn Leaf's battle strength. No one has ever effectively cut this connection before," said Yu Wenzhou.

"More accurately, no one has ever paid enough attention to this arrangement," said Zhang Xinjie.

"Compared to One Autumn Leaf, Qi Breaker is an easier target in this system," said Xiao Shiqin.

"Hundred Blossoms is planning to do exactly that." As Yu Wenzhou spoke, he looked at the large screen displaying the match.

Gunshots, swordlight. The battle hadn't paused for a second. The communications within each team's chat channel were also a part of the battle, and while Hundred Blossoms locked onto Qi Breaker as their breakthrough point, Excellent Era's chat was also constantly refreshing with their judgments of their opponents.

"More mature than last year," Wu Xuefeng was saying.

"Careful, they might use you as their breakthrough point," Ye Qiu answered.

The stadium was in an uproar.

Hundred Blossoms' chat had only just announced their focus for the next part of the battle, and on Excellent Era's side Ye Qiu somehow immediately knew. Could he somehow see the opposing side's private chat?

That was impossible, of course. It could only be said that Ye Qiu's guess was very accurate.

Was it a guess?

After seeing Ye Qiu's correct judgment, the youths in the audience exchanged glances.

They didn't think that this was a random guess from Ye Qiu. This was judgment, one made from experience and awareness. Using available evidence, he hit the nail on the head. But what was the evidence? How had Ye Qiu deduced Hundred Blossoms' strategic plan? They couldn't tell.

"Is that so?" On the battlefield, Wu Xuefeng was replying. "Then for this final battle, let me also experience the feeling of being everyone's target."

"Go on, don't worry, leave the rest to me," Ye Qiu answered.

Once again, an uproar.

Final battle? What did that mean? The finals match was the last match of a season. But the meaning revealed by Wu Xuefeng's words… it didn't sound like he was talking about the end of a season.

Wu Xuefeng… was preparing to retire?

Many people immediately thought of this possibility. Judging from Wu Xuefeng's age, this wasn't impossible.

So, was this his final performance on the professional stage?

Qi Breaker, this character hidden by the radiance of Battle God One Autumn Leaf – for the first time, he took on a fearless attitude and charged straight toward the opponents.

"Qi Breaker's coming! Qi Breaker's coming!" Hundred Blossoms players shouted in the chat. The character they had wanted to target now all of a sudden voluntarily jumped forward.

This wasn't Excellent Era's normal strategy.

"Watch for tricks!" Sun Zheping warned his teammates.

"Just cut his connection to One Autumn Leaf," said Zhang Jiale. Dazzling Hundred Blossoms rushed forward, and an array of flashing gunfire and explosions flew toward Qi Breaker.

"Focus fire and attack!" Sun Zheping ordered, and the rest of the Hundred Blossoms characters swiftly turned their attacks to focus on Qi Breaker.

Collapsing Mountain!

Sun Zheping's Blossoming Chaos charged at the very front, slamming toward the incoming Qi Breaker with all the force of Mount Tai.

Countercurrent!

As Qi Breaker dodged to the side, he used the Qi Master's subtle knockup skill. A cloud of qi was hidden in his original position, waiting for Blossoming Chaos to land and be hit.

But Sun Zheping discovered this hidden trick early on. He canceled the Collapsing Mountain in midair and switched to a Falling Light Blade. A Falling Light Blade used with a greatsword didn't lose to a Collapsing Mountain in terms of the shockwave it created, which was sent rushing toward Qi Breaker. At the same time, the rest of Hundred Blossoms were all in place, aiming their attacks at Qi Breaker.

Was this the kind of situation that Ye Qiu always faced?

Facing all of these different attacks, Wu Xuefeng couldn't help but wonder.

To deal with an offensive like this by himself, it really was a bit of a struggle for him. But over the course of these three years, Ye Qiu had broken through such tyrannical barriers again and again, winning victory after victory for Excellent Era.

Wu Xuefeng couldn't do this himself. In the end, it's still up to you!

Dodge, move, find an opening, use a skill.

Wu Xuefeng controlled Qi Breaker to move around within the encirclement. He was always very clear with himself on his own abilities. To be like Ye Qiu and forcefully break through, it was cool, it was eye-catching, but it wasn't something that he could do.

"You know, I should really win an award for Best Supporting Character," he said in the chat. This sentence didn't carry any bitterness – if anything, there was pride and satisfaction. Wu Xuefeng believed that he had done what he could to the best of his ability. There was nothing to regret.

"The main character's here," Ye Qiu replied, very naturally taking up the role of protagonist.

"One Autumn Leaf's here!" Zhang Jiale shouted.

"Good timing!" Sun Zheping's fighting spirit was high. All was going according to plan. Two years ago, before he'd even entered the professional circle, he'd been watching Excellent Era's first championship victory. And ever since then, he'd been dreaming, if he stood in that place, what he would do.

Now, two years later, he obtained this chance. The plans he'd thought up were being beautifully executed by the talented teammates beside him.

One Autumn Leaf had arrived, breaking into their encirclement.

Focusing fire onto Qi Breaker, that had only been a premise. To topple Excellent Era, the one that had to be defeated was ultimately One Autumn Leaf.

"The kill begins!" Sun Zheping shouted.

Smoke Bullet!

Dazzling Hundred Blossoms' Smoke Bullet was released at the perfect time. A cloud of smoke swiftly expanded on the battlefield, impeding One Autumn Leaf's view and covering the movements of Hundred Blossoms.

Colliding Stab!

The strategy they'd practice was now going incredibly smoothly. Sun Zheping's Blossoming Chaos abruptly but precisely switched his attack target to One Autumn Leaf. The light and explosions from Dazzling Hundred Blossoms swirled tightly around him. The performance of Blood and Blossoms had only just begun!

But then - he missed!

One Autumn Leaf wasn't in the position Sun Zheping thought he'd be. He rapidly turned his camera view, and a silhouette flashed before him.

Whirlwind Strike!

He hadn't even seen his target clearly, but Sun Zheping was already controlling Blossoming Chaos to slash forward. His body was spinning, his blade was spinning, his view was spinning, but he only managed to brush the silhouette who had already swung past him.

"Missed!" Zhang Jiale shouted.

In his view, One Autumn Leaf had practically touched shoulders with Blossoming Chaos, but Sun Zheping still hadn't managed to catch him.

Zhang Jiale hurriedly controlled Dazzling Hundred Blossoms to move, chaotically firing off explosions to restrict One Autumn Leaf's advance.

But One Autumn Leaf's steps didn't stop, and he quickly approached Dazzling Hundred Blossoms. The attacks from the bullets and grenades didn't seem to have any effect on him at all.

No…

It wasn't that they had no effect at all. Zhang Jiale confirmed that as One Autumn Leaf rushed forward, he was dodging some of the attacks that came his way. He would avoid those attacks that would impede his movement, but for the attacks that only dealt damage, he would simply take them.

He was losing a bit of health, but he was approaching Dazzling Hundred Blossoms very quickly, faster than Dazzling Hundred Blossoms could retreat.

Had he seen through his Hundred Blossoms style?

Zhang Jiale was stunned. Even just looking at his flashy Hundred Blossoms style was difficult, never mind actually seeing through it. For Ye Qiu to be able to grasp this offensive well enough that he could move forward against every attack, that at least proved one thing: that Ye Qiu was extremely familiar with the Spitfire class. No, familiarity wasn't enough – he must have had profound understanding.

Can't stop him!

His own Dazzling Hundred Blossoms wasn't enough to stop him.

"Big Sun!" Zhang Jiale called for his partner.

But Ye Qiu's partner had already quietly made his move.

A Cloud Pushing Palm landed upon Dazzling Hundred Blossoms' back. Wu Xuefeng, who had gotten a slight opening after Hundred Blossoms turned their fire on One Autumn Leaf, immediately seized the opportunity and assisted Ye Qiu with his offensive.

Hit by the attack, Dazzling Hundred Blossoms was sent flying toward One Autumn Leaf.

"Thanks." Ye Qiu didn't forget to acknowledge him in the chat. One Autumn Leaf's Evil Annihilation jumped forward, and Dazzling Hundred Blossoms was sent high into the air.

"It's what I should do," Wu Xuefeng answered. Qi Breaker rolled on the ground, dodging the attacks that came from Hundred Blossoms. A Qi Bullet was sent out, toward Blossoming Chaos, who was currently rushing toward One Autumn Leaf.

But Blossoming Chaos wasn't stopped by it. With a powerful stance, he charged through to arrive in front of One Autumn Leaf.

Blossoming Chaos slashed at him with several skills in quick succession.

One Autumn Leaf dodged, managing to keep Dazzling Hundred Blossoms airborne all the while. It seemed that Blossoming Chaos' attack was entirely within his calculations.

Not only was he unusually familiar with the Spitfire class, his Berserker knowledge was also at the professional level.

Sun Zheping's flurry of attacks missed. Dazzling Hundred Blossoms was still flipping in the air, and yet his Blossoming Chaos was, because of skill cooldowns, stuck awkwardly and silently waiting.

Ye Qiu had completely broken their hunt to kill him.

Dazzling Hundred Blossoms was at One Autumn Leaf's mercy.

Blossoming Chaos lost control of the situation, his rhythm now completely off.

Hundred Blossoms' core Blood and Blossoms was crushed. And the Hundred Blossoms system that relied on them as their core naturally began to fall apart.

"It's over…" Watching from the audience, Yu Wenzhou let out a long sigh as he reached this conclusion.

"So… so strong…" Xiao Shiqin was almost stammering.

"It really is incredible. One Autumn Leaf has already reached this level, and yet he is still underestimated by his opponents," said Yu Wenzhou.

"It's because they don't understand him well enough. Only an opponent that truly understood him would have the chance to defeat him," Zhang Xinjie said thoughtfully, watching One Autumn Leaf charge toward victory on the battlefield.

"Then who will be the one to defeat him?" Yu Wenzhou chuckled.

"Me, of course," Huang Shaotian said, boldly slapping his chest.

"Next season, we will see," said Zhang Xinjie.

Glory Professional Alliance Season 3 ended with Excellent Era defeating Hundred Blossoms to win the third championship of the Glory Pro League. With their three consecutive championships, Excellent Era truly established their dynasty.

And outside the battlefield, the new generation of youth who had borne witness to the entire season now welcomed a season that belonged to them.

This was the most brilliant season of rookies in Glory's history, the group who would later come to be known as: the Golden Generation.

~END~

T/N: And so, after a year and a half of telling myself that I was never going to actually translate the whole prequel because I could never it’s so long, the prequel translation is complete. 

Thank you to everyone who’s read and discussed the prequel; it’s truly been my joy to help share these stories. I’ve grown a lot over the course of this, but my love for these characters and this world remains strong. 

As of writing this, we have about 262 more chapters of the main novel to go. See you guys back in the future, seven years from now, with old and new faces alike :)

[shreyamistry]

33 & 34 on Fluff/Angst for Slater x M!Mc

Pairing: Slater x MC

Prompt: “Please don’t do this.” + “Don’t cry.” 

Word Count: 2k+

Summary: Slater and Cooper continued their relationship off camera, playing up Slater’s villain character and Cooper’s flirty clash to gain screentime and bring the views that Jen and Omar needed/wanted from them. Until the finale, when Cooper finds out Adam will propose to him and he has to choose between what’s expected of him and Slater.

A/N: Thanks for the request! I’ve wanted to write Slater for ever,,, I love he. PB let me marry Ivy or Slater challenge. I did relationship building since it strays from canon a lot. For some reason I got NSFW inspiration so it’ll give you a sad boner at least lmao. 

Thanks for reading! I hope you like it!

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Winter raged outside the window from the bedthat Cooper and Slater lie in. Snow fell in heavy piles outside coating theearth with a thick sheet of winter wonder. The room brewed with warmth from theheating and the actions between the two competitors, and Cooper enjoyed thefeeling of warmth from Slater’s body as they adjusted from the warm Miami sun.He missed the snow, Cooper grew up in upper New York and after ditching homefor the bright lights of Miami for college, he ended up staying there.

He pours his attention back to the contestant inhis bed, their legs tangled together. Cooper drags his finger down Slater’schest, pressing a kiss to his neck. His teeth nipping at Slater’s skin, hislips warm and soft against Slater’s smooth skin. Slater lets out a throatygrunt, his head tilting up to let Cooper continue to kiss against his body hishand snaking into Coop’s red locks of hair. His lips following the curve ofSlater’s neck down to his collarbone, the warmth of Slater’s skin tantalizingon his mouth, passion burning under his touch. Slater shifts in the bed, thebottom half of their bodies covered with sheets as he looks at Cooper with darkeyes, heavy with lust and emotion.

“You’re amazing.” Slater whispers, “I’ve neverhad someone feel so good.” Cooper blushes under Slater’s look, his body feelingsore from Slater’s girth. His muscular figure glistens with sweat as doesCooper’s, he kisses his neck again nuzzles his head against.

“I told you, I know what I’m doing Slate.” Hebrushes his hand against Slater’s cheek, turning to look at the alarm clock onthe bed in his bedroom. He leans overturning it the other way before turningback to Slater a smile on his lips. “Production needs us soon.”

“I’d rather be in here with you,” Slater replies,his voice hidden with a façade of nonchalant emotion, “I seriously do not wantto film with Vince.”

“Let’s not think about Vince. Like ever.”Cooper responses, moving to throw one leg over Slater climbing on top of himstraddling his waist as he leans down kisses against Slater’s chest. Slatergroans in response, his body giving into the pleasure again, enjoying the addedweight of Cooper’s body against him. “I haven’t been with someone since we setup that prom for Mack’s sister.”

“I can tell, you’re eager.” Slater chuckles,his voice husky in a low whisper as Cooper pushes himself against Slater’sbody, easing Slater in with the pleasure of Cooper’s body working with him. Hecontinues to move against Slater’s body, brushing against his firmness with agrin, as Slater looks caught between the pain of filming hot and bothered or riskinggetting caught. “You’re insatiable.”

“I’m America’s Flirt for a reason.” Cooperchuckles, “Production doesn’t give me enough time alone with you. Do you thinkwe have enough time?”

“Not in the slightest.” Slater replies, “Weshould quit the show.”

“What?” Cooper shakes his head, “You’retalking crazy now Slater.” He runs his fingers down Slater’s chest, his firmmuscles flexing under his touch as he explores Slater’s skin with his hands,massaging into him gently. “Don’t tell anyone, but I won the audience vote. Ican put us on the same team again, you won’t have to be up for elimination.”

“Who cares anymore? There’s no way I’ll maketop four after the shit I’ve done.”

“You’re crazy Slate.”

“You like crazy.” Slater grins, touchingCooper’s face. “What if I still go home?”

“I won’t let that happen.” Cooper replieskissing Slater’s hand, “Trust me. I have a plan, distract Vince for me and I’llensure he gets what’s coming to him.” Cooper brushes his lips against Slater’sraking his hands through the tanned surfer’s hair, “Don’t you trust me?”

Slater stays quiet looking over Cooper, “Itrust you. Probably for the worse.”

“Good,” Cooper smirks brushes his hand againstSlater’s lower half, “Five minutes until were needed at best, round two.” Hesmirks against Cooper’s face, pulling at his lower lip with his teeth earning amoan from the flirty contestant. Slater’s hands resting on Cooper’s shoulders, lettingSlater pulls back the blanket with one of his legs knocking them to the sidewith ease. He then lets Slater guide his body to meet his, letting themselvescome into one with. Moans leaving both of their lips, hands holding onto eachother for support, losing their minds drunk on each other and the pleasure.

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The finale approached with gusto, Cooperwatched in shock as the rug was pulled out for under him and he lost the rightto switch partners watching as Slater got eliminated. The look Slater gave himwhile Vince went off on his high horse about how terrible Cooper was, hecouldn’t even listen, just watch Slater. He held himself back from reaching outto Slater on camera, knowing he couldn’t break the mold they’ve made for hisand Slater’s storyline. Slater barely looked back at him, keeping his hands inhis pockets looking crestfallen in his blue and white striped jumper with astitched palm tree.

His guilt had been through the roof for theway it ended that night and he knew he had to make it right, however, Adam wasbeginning to make that seemingly difficult. He knew sleeping around with Adamseason ten would bite him in the ass, but it was a show and nothing more. Yet,Adam seemed to think otherwise. He never made Adam believe they were more thanjust friends with benefits, he’s been hooking up with a lot of contestants andAdam knew that. He wasn’t particularly sly about it his first season, but thenhe met Slater and it changed for him.

Cooper found himself out of earshot of theproducers in hair and makeup, Fatima silently worked on his makeup, touching uphis under eyes with powder before moving to his hair. His hands rake throughhis red locks brushing them back.

“You alright, Coop? You’re not typically soquiet.” Fatima asks, she places a bobby pin in his mouth applying the gel to herfingers to help keep Cooper’s hair in the style she seeks.

“Just thinking about Slater,” Cooper answered,“I don’t know how he feels since the…well you know.” Fatima clasps his shoulderwith her ungreased hand, moving to stand in front of him, crouching slightly toget on his level.

“You really care about him?” Fatima asks,“He’ll understand if he cares about you.” Cooper shrugs with a sigh, the soundsof Jen and Omar’s voice taking them out of the moment, drawing their attentionto where they were right outside the door. Fatima and Cooper exchange a look asthey talked outside the door listening in on the producers’ gossip.

“TheAdam/Cooper proposal will be the highlight of this season. I just worry about Cooper, he didn’t show interest when you asked him in anyone.”

“Ratingsgold. Besides, you’ve seen the way he acts around Adam, he was being shy.”

“Cooper? Being shy?”

They walk out of earshot leaving Cooper and Fatima to think about the words they spoke, the words racing through Cooper’s mind. At least Jen considers how he’d feel about being proposed to by Adam. “PROPOSAL?!” Cooper’s eyes widen in fearlooking at Fatima who struggles to keep a professional facade. She smilessoftly at Cooper, before moving back around him to finish fixing his hair.“Fatima, you knew?”

“I made his outfit.” Fatima sighs, “You’regood to go.” She places the gel onto the table brushing her hands together asshe packs up a few of the products her back to Cooper who sits in silence onthe chair. “Talk to him, Coop. Don’t let him be blindsided when you’re onstage.”

Cooper easily found Slater hanging out with afew of the jury members, mindlessly snacking and talking about the competitionat hand. Slater stood off towards himself, standing awkwardly with Ivy whosipped iced tea peering at her watch occasionally making random conversationwith Slater. Cooper throws a rock at the back of Slater’s leg to get hisattention from a distance, before motioning Slater to follow him. Before long,Cooper found himself locked in a bathroom with Slater, Cooper out of breathfrom running with Slater looking on him with confusion.

“If you wanted to get me alone, all you had todo was ask, Coop.” Slater grins, moving towards Cooper, his hands falling onCooper’s waist backing him up against the sink pressing their bodies againstone another’s. He presses his hands firmly against Cooper’s back, his lipscraning towards Cooper’s. “I’ve missed you.”

“No,”Cooper presses his hands against Slater’s chest backing him up, “Adam’s goingto propose to me, Slate.” Cooper’s hands stayed pressed against Slater’s chest,his mind racing with thoughts and confusion. His eyes meet Slater’s who lookshurt almost, confused mostly. A flicker of pain passing his face beforesettling into casual disdain from the idea.

“Are you going to accept?”

“Slater, I don’t know.” Cooper shakes, hishands clamming up as he holds onto Slater’s lapels of his suit jacket, thefloral print wrinkling under his touch. His head raced with thoughts, he knewhe could never really marry Adam, but he couldn’t handle pretending he couldhandle the pressure of media circuit and the messy break “public” break up. Heneeded to talk to Jen, if anyone could help him it’d be her, he suddenly feltregret picking to talk to Slater over her first. “I don’t know what to do. Whatdo I do?”

“Pleasedon’t do this, Coop.” Slater whispers, “You can’tpretend to marry someone for television. Or at least pretend to marry me,you’ve said it yourself, you care about me more than anyone here.”

“I know, Slate.” Cooper breathes out deeply,“But, if I turn him down on national television…what happens?”

Slater face twists with emotions, “I don’tknow, Coop.”

“What happens for us if I say yes?”

“You don’t want an answer to that. Even if youdon’t mean it when you say yes, you don’t want me to answer this question.”Slater’s voice was stern pointedly looking at Cooper, his eyes boring theemotions he felt and he meant it. There were few things Slater truly caredabout and right now; Cooper was one of them.

Cooper swallows roughly, “Okay.” He nods andlets his hands brush down Slater’s suit jacket. Tucking his face down to hidehis feelings, his heart racing in his chest. Slater takes his hands into hisown, offering him an encouraging smile, his dark brown eyes heavy with emotionsbut honest love shone through. “Slater…”

“I didn’t come here just to talk about Adam,”Slater laughs, he moves a hand under Cooper’s chin, inclining his face upwardsto look at him. His hand holding Cooper still, as he peers down at him throughhis lashes wickedness behind his gaze. “Let me show what you’ll be missing ifyou say yes.”

His lips find Cooper’s in a rough kiss, pushesCooper onto the counter leaned into the kiss with force. Cooper groans kissinghim back just as fiercely, dragging his hands down Slater’s back. Slatercontinues to kiss him, his lips soft and slick against his own, as Slater useshis hands to push Cooper’s legs apart standing between them. His kisses followthe trail down Cooper’s lips to his jaw forcing his head backward as he nipsat the skin.

“Slater!”

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“Will you marry me?” Adam grins on one kneeholding his ring out to Cooper. Cooper watches him with wide eyes, looking upto meet Slater’s gaze from across the room.

“I… I…” Cooper’s heart clenches in his chestunable to put words to his emotions. His eyes swell with tears as he brusheshis hands down over his own blue suit, the feeling of Slater’s body against hisown burning in his memories from hours before this. He couldn’t do it, butproduction wouldn’t let him back. He brushes the back of his hand against hischeek to brush back the tears. Jen’s words in his head, ‘You don’t have to love him or want him, just say yes for the show.We’ll pick up the aftermath and deal with Adam, I promise. We need you to sayyes though Coop.’

“Don’tcry. Why are you crying?” Adam reaches out to him,taking his hand. “Is this a yes?”

“Adam… I…” he glanced at Slater one last time,Jen standing not too far off from where the jury was catching his eye with aserious look, resolution settling in his chest, he knew what he had to do. Heswallows deeply opening his mouth to speak the words leaving his lips with nohesitation.