#if you can guess the song you get a uh... uhhh

[numelfanclub]

so... i'm making a little animation meme... here are some frames 👅

[23victoria]

“can you watch my boyfriend for a sec?” ❁

f1 grid x fem!reader

summary: TikTok trend with the grid!!

authors note: saw the carlos one and knew i had to write about it!! his reaction made me laugh!! i also just saw mclaren do it to oscar!! i hope the other teams do it to their drivers as well!! also first time writing for seb, jenson, and daniel, i had the time so i said why not?!any feedback is appreciated and please like, comment, and reblog!! hope you enjoy!!

f1 masterlist

Lewis

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to grab something from the car."

You head out, leaving Lewis alone in front of your phone's camera. He looks around, slightly bewildered.

"What? Y/N who’s on the phone? Uh, hey there. I guess I'm being watched. So... how's everyone doing? Good? Cool. Uh, any Mercedes fans here?" He starts talking about his day and how Roscoe is doing, trying to entertain the 'audience'. "Alright, she'll be back any minute now... right?"

Max

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to take out the trash."

Max raises an eyebrow as you walk away. He looks at the phone, unsure of what to say.

"Huh? Um, okay. This is weird. Hi, everyone….I guess…..Y/N what is this?! Who’s on the phone? So…what do we do now? Should I... talk about racing? Or... maybe I could just sit here…?" He awkwardly shuffles in his seat, checking his watch. "How long does it take to throw out the trash? Y/N come back! I don’t know what to say or do!"

Lando

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to get a drink from the kitchen."

Lando grins as you walk away, immediately knowing the TikTok trend. He leans in closer to the camera.

"Hey, TikTok! I was wondering when Y/N was going to do this trend on me! What have you guys been up to? Should I prank her back? Give me some ideas in the comments!" He starts to look around, trying to find something to do. "Should I play some games on my computer or maybe I'll hide and jump out when she gets back?"

Oscar

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to get my food."

Oscar blinks, looking at the phone and then at the door you just walked towards. He frowns slightly.

"Huh? What….okay? Uh, hi? I guess you guys are going to watch me eat my breakfast…Not sure what I'm supposed to do here. Should I be saying something interesting?" He scratches his head, and moves his food around, clearly uncomfortable. "So, did you guys have breakfast yet? I hope you did, breakfast is important….uhhh yea. Y/N!! Babe!! Come back!! I don’t know what to do!!"

Charles

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to take a call."

Charles watches you leave, then looks at the phone, confused but trying to be polite.

"Uh? Wait what? Hello, everyone. I guess your...on watch duty?" He laughs nervously. "This feels strange. Maybe I should sing a song? Or talk about Ferrari? Oh, I know, I'll play some music on my piano!" He moves towards the piano, but then hesitates. "Wait, how long is this call going to be? Y/N! Baby!!"

Carlos

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to make a smoothie."

Carlos looks at the camera, then at the direction you went, raising an eyebrow.

“What is this? Hello? Anyone there? Who were you talking to? Y/N?! Uhhhh hi… Wait, a smoothie? Bebe make me one too please! Okay, hi everyone. This is Carlos, just here... being watched?" He starts looking around, picking up random items on the table. "So, let me show you my favorite things on this table. This is a cool pen, and this is... a coaster. Fascinating, right?" He chuckles, shaking his head. "This is so weird. How long does making a smoothie take anyway?"

Sebastian

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to water the plants."

Sebastian gives you a puzzled look as you leave and then turns to the camera, smiling politely.

"What?! Y/N what is this? Hello? Hello? Anywhere there? I’m confused… Y/N!! Who were you talking too? Honey? … Um, hello everyone… I guess I'm under surveillance now." He chuckles. "So, while she's watering the plants, let's talk about... sustainability! Did you know you can make your own compost at home? It's really simple and great for your garden." He starts explaining the process, gesturing enthusiastically. "I hope she comes back soon because I might run out of eco-friendly tips! Oh wait!! I know! Let me show you my bees!!"

Jenson

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to grab the mail."

Jenson watches you leave with a bemused smile, then looks at the phone.

"Ummm what?! Babe? Y/N? Hello? Uhhh..hey there. So, I guess I need to be watched for a minute. You guys are in babysitting duty? Let’s see... what can I do to entertain you?" He glances around and spots his dogs. "Hey, meet my dogs! Come here babies!." He tries to get their attention but Bentley and Rouge ignore him, while Storm walks up to him, just to sit and stare at him. "Well, that didn’t go as planned. I guess they’re tired from playing this morning. Oh well, maybe next time! Isn’t that right Storm." he says putting down the camera.

Daniel

You: "Hey guys, can you watch my boyfriend for a sec? I need to fix something in the bathroom."

Daniel immediately grins and laughs as you walk away, sensing a prank.

“Huh? Babe? What? Oh wait! It’s that TikTok trend!! Alright, what’s up TikTok, what's going on? He starts making funny faces at the camera and then leans in closer. "I have no idea what to talk about. This is so stupid and awkward.” He says bursting out laughing. He keeps glancing towards the bathroom, barely containing his laughter. "Babe come back!!"

© 23victoria 2024 I all rights reserved. do not republish, steal repost, modify, translate, or claim my work as your own.

[lovelyamarilala]

Can I call you mine?

"Can I call you mine?"

"HAHA! Get the fuck away from my sister."

"hm..what about..No!"

"Alastor calm down dear.."

Lucifer Morningstar x Older sister of alastor! Reader x Adam..(ish?????, NdYes it's female again..ahem but in future blogs it won't be " female!" Bare with me..) swearings, Alastor being a protective younger brother🤷🤷, flirty Lucifer, he's off character I guess? (Thank you so much, for enjoying my recent blog! I appreciate it!!) English is my first language, and I may have grammar issues

Part 1.

How are you a demon..? Well let's just say, you killed dozens of people in sadness and rage, after your younger brother died. you also killed the person who killed him.

"You are sentenced to be killed in the electric chair, Ms. Altruist." The judge looks at you with a heavy stare, you look back at him with a sweet smile, "Oh about time Mr judge." You knew about your brother's doings, but you still love him, and still think of him as your brother

You sat on the electric chair, with a small gentle smile, "It's terrifying to see ya still smilin, even if you're gonna die." You chuckled at the officer, "oh you! It's how I am~" the officer looked at you confusedly, "well uhm, are you ready?" You nodded,

He puts a bag in your head, you are starting to see darkness, as you start to feel electrified...

You feel the heavy floor, as you slowly open your eyes(your color palette is the same as alastor!) You were met by a red sky, you sat straight, and stood up, dusting your dress, and looking around your surroundings, it had a different feeling, you were still feeling bangs in your head, you walked down in the alleyway, and stumbled upon a store, you looked into the glass, you looked slightly different... (Your powers are lighting, due to you dying by the electric chair, but I also wanted you to be a deer, just like Alastor, I know it doesn't make sense, but bare with me please!) You had antlers, and ears, your nails were sharp, "Well would you look at that, seems like I'm in hell!" You laughed as the demons around you looked at you weirdly, you smiled back at them and started walking down the street, until you heard a girl singing...

"Today is gonna be a fucking happy d—"

"why hello there my dear!"

she jumped and looked around, she was wearing a suit, (hot pink? Or..pink Mix with red..?) She had long, blonde hair, with lighter blonde and pink highlights, which is tied into a twice-banded low ponytail. Her blonde bangs flip to her left with a curl with an untucked white, long-sleeved dress-shirt. Over this she usually wears a fitted red tuxedo jacket with dark-red lapels and a pair of red fitted pants. She wears black and white saddle shoes. (Found that in wiki..ahem..sorry..)

She looked at you, and laughed nervously "oh hey! Uh.." your smile reminded her of someone but she nudged it off.

"Quite an interesting song sweetheart! My name is _____! I'm quite pleased to be meeting you!"

Charlie softly smiled, "hey, I'm Charlie, Charlie Morningstar, I was heading for a meeting, would you care tooooo...go with me?"

You smiled wickedly, "Morningstar? My! I didn't know that was real, how shocking" you softly smiled, "I'd love to join you sweetheart!" She nods her head, and gestures to you to follow her, as you follow her, with a grave movement.

You both entered, a white looking room, it was a different feeling compared to when you guys were outside, you looked around while Charlie signed something, you looked back at her, and followed where she was going, you both now entered a room who is full of darkness, "Sup." then light suddenly filed the room as Charlie tripped, you helped her up and fixed her hair, "Hi! I-m charlie..uhh..my dad sent a meeting to Uhhh" (I actually forgot what she was saying so I'm really sorry if it's not interesting now) "Really nice to meet you!"

"Rightttt, nice to meet you too!" As the man held his hand out, Charlie went to it and to shake hands with him, only for her hand to go through it.

Timeskip (Really sorry, but I ran out of stuff to say in this part)

You were standing, all the time, you noticed The man kept looking at you, you looked back at him, as he winked at you, you sweat dropped and looked away,the man wore a smooth white and golden cloak that appears to have a large 'A' symbol emblazoned on the front. His visible hands were black in appearance, as well, and had golden tip spikes on the back of his collar. The mask also held a pair of horns similar to an exorcist, albeit longer, smoother, and with a golden ornamental attachment on the tips.

As Charlie talked about the hell population, about like..reducing.

"Oh Uhhh, ugly people?..math!..global warming wait no—"

Charlie talked about "BIGGEST PROBLEM"

"ohhh...yeah..well..that must've sucked for you!" Adam laughed, "Anyway, who's this chick beside ya?" Charlie came to the realization that you were still there, "ohh my gosh! ____! Really sorry, well Uhhh, Adam sir. This is ____!" You smiled widely "Adam is it? First man? Nice to be meeting you! I'm quite pleased!" You smiled even more, and fixed your hair, Adam smirked and got up from his seat and walked towards you, he took your hand and gave the back of your hand a kiss, you imagined alastor being here, you knew he would be fuming.

You chuckled, "how lovely!" You took away your hand, "thought you angels despise demons."

"well demon-tits you're an exception."

"how shocking! Don't call me that please."

"Call me Dick master first."

"hah! Never gonna happen."

Charlie dragged you away from him, she stared at you worriedly.

Adam spoke again "Whoops seems like we're outta time, guess we should get going."

Charlie smiled, "Oh well, I have a lot to go through!" She spawned papers with her hands, "and not a lot of time and I think you weren't hearing me before, so here it goes..

Timeskip after the song.

You already wanted to get out, as you saw Charlie being pushed out by Adam, you tried going to her then Adam grabbed you back, "hey babe, what about you give me a kiss before you go?"

"HAH! no."

You looked at him dumbfounded, as got out of the room, and helped Charlie up, the door closed, you and Adam held an eye contact.

"well how interesting!"

The grammar issues, I'm so sorry!!!

[imaginespazzi]

Forget jealous Paige, how do we think poor KK's dealing with the fact that her father and sister were literally vibing to her song WITHOUT her 😭

Alright unserious unedited chaotic family drabble because I feel like procrastinating. Like I'm not even joking this is the most random thing I've ever written so read at your own discretion:

It's way too early in the morning when Paige's phone rings, making both her and Ice groan.

"KK what the fuck," Paige asks groggily, wiping at bleary eyes as a furious KK's face fills her phone screen.

"You said you didn't have a favorite child. LIAR," KK yells.

"Oh my god KK," Ice whines from across the room, "please shut the fuck up. My head is pounding."

"GOOD! TO MY SONG?" KK pays no attention, still as loud as ever, "HOW COULD YOU? BOTH OF YOU FUCKING TRAITORS."

"Bro you knew we were going," Paige sighs, sitting up properly.

"That's not the point. You know what give me one second. AZZI. AZZI. AZZI," and then KK's off running, blurry on Paige's screen as she yells for Azzi.

"Oh my god what? What?" Azzi's concerned voice comes through the phone, a smile replacing her frown when KK thrusts the phone in her face, "oh, hi P!"

Before a now grinning Paige can reply, KK cuts her off, "no! Don't hi P her. Did you see Ice's live? They been having the time of our lives without us. THEY WERE VIBING TO MY SONG. MY SONG AZZI!"

"Uh they're quite literally there to get drunk and party, we knew this," Azzi says, trying to hide a smile.

"Again not the point," KK sighs exasperatedly.

"What is the point KK," Paige asks with a tired yawn, "get to it then."

"The point is that you two are getting divorced and I'm finding myself a new stepfather. I will not be tolerating this disrespect," KK says firmly.

"Excuse me," Paige says shrilly, "I do not agree to a divorce."

"You don't have to. Mothers do what's best for their children and Azzi's gonna do what's best for me. Right Azzi?" KK glares at Azzi who sighs exasperatedly.

"You're both aware that you're not actually my husband and child right?"

"Excuse you," Paige screeches at the same time as KK gasps dramatically and Azzi has to mentally prevent herself from sighing again.

"Okay alright, divorce yes okay," Azzi gives in, KK squeals and this time Paige is glaring.

"Wow. It's that easy huh? Guess all of those years meant nothing to you."

Azzi shakes her head, trying to hide her smile at Paige's mock offense.

"And now to find a stepfather," KK says triumphantly and then her eyes light up with a glint as a blonde walks in, "KATE!"

Kate looks like a deer caught in the headlight as she walks cautiously towards an over-excited KK and a slightly mortified Azzi, "uhhh hi?"

"I have a very important question for you Kate," KK says with all the seriousness of the world, "are you married?"

"Uh....no?" Kate answers, confused at that line of questioning, as Azzi hides her face in her palms.

"KK what the fuck are you doing?" Paige yells at her phone, suddenly very unamused by this whole thing.

"Ssssh P-boogers, I'm about to perform a wedding."

"Umm what?" poor Kate asks, looking at Azzi for help, not used to the insanity that is the UConn women's team. To be honest, she's not fully sure if all of this is a joke.

"You and Azzi are getting married and then you're going to adopt me," KK says firmly.

"I swear we're normal people....most of the time," Azzi tries to reassure Kate.

"Dearly beloved, or unbeloved since it's Paige and Ice, I guess, we are here today to marry these two women," KK begins and then looks at Azzi and Kate who are standing a feet apart, "uh hello? You have to hold hands."

Paige splutters, "Martin I don't know you that well but if you hold her hand I swear to God."

"Oh calm down ex-father," KK fires back, "let me get my new parents married in peace. Now since there are no objections-"

"I OBJECT," Paige yells, turning to a sleeping Ice who's trying to block out the noise using a pillow, "ICE your mother is getting married to someone else, get the fuck up and come here and object with me."

"Your objections don't count because you're liars and traitors. MY SONG. MY FUCKING SONG."

"Bro you're all I was thinking about I swear," Paige pleads, "after every Bow, I was like oh my god KK would have loved this. I missed you every second I'm sorry."

"Sorry is not good enough," KK says petulantly.

"I got you a signed autograph. It was gonna be a surprise but you need to know. I swear KK, I would have had so much more fun if it was with you bro. It just wasn't the same."

"Oh that makes me feel great. Thanks Paige." Ice mumbles from under the sheets.

"ONE MAD CHILD AT A TIME THANK YOU," Paige says exasperatedly.

KK contemplates Paige's words for a moment before turning to Kate.

"I'm sorry Kate. It looks like this wedding can't go on. It's not you. It's us. Hope you understand," she says with a solemn expression, "but I already have a father and she's great. A little stupid sometimes but great."

Kate nods dumbstruck, unsure what had just happened in the last couple of minutes but she's pretty sure she's just been dismissed.

"FATHER," KK yells turns her face back to her phone, "I missed you. Let's never fight again. That was the worst 10 minutes of my life."

"SON SON," Paige shouts with glee, "let's never do that again."

Azzi pinches the bridge of her nose, wondering how she'd let this become her life.

"If the two of you are done, can I go back to rehab now?" she asks with a raised eyebrow.

Paige narrows her eyes at Azzi through the phone, "were you about to get married to someone else?"

Oh boy here we go again

[tragicvampireromanceisland]

some snippets from the current joyness fic i've been hammering away at 🤭!! i'm expecting the entire thing to clock in between 16 to 18k words so i am sharing just a few bits on account of I Am Impatient. chose ones that are probably the easiest to read out of context lol. alt text under the cut 👍🏾

Snippet 1:

"Well, I just...I was thinking...Joy, do we even deserve to go to Dream Productions?"

Joy's smile shrinks a bit at that. Oh. She didn't like Dream Productions? Well—given how many night shifts they'd shared together (Yep! Anxiety had said. According to the numbers, Sadness only ever shares Dream Duty with you. Uhh...what did you need this for again, Joy?), she figured Sadness would be just as excited...well, maybe everyone else complaining just got to her or something, that's fine, Joy could fix that—

"—Aw, Sadness, look—I promise the vibe's gonna change as soon as we get there! Sure, everyone's been a little crabby, but the car's just a little crammed and the road's just a liiittle bumpy from all the new puberty construction projects��they just need that to wear off a bit! Pluuus, the song's already been helping a lot—here, do you wanna sing along? Eighty-three mem—"

"—No, Joy, like...do we deserve it?"­­

And when Joy frowns at her, confused, she places her hand on top of the one Joy's been restlessly drumming against the seat this whole ride, and goes

"Us?"

Now it's Joy's turn for her face to heat up, apparently. "Wha—" she chokes on that, then shakes her head. "Uh." She looks down at their hands. "Haah?"

Wait—did Sadness actually find out why Joy chose Dream Productions? Well, other than the whole spiel of Yeah, sorry, guys, I did call Imagination Land, and yeah, turns out they're just not letting any visitors in right now—which, aghhh, dagnabit, you know? I'm just as heartbroken as you are that we can't see— eugh—Mount Crushmore, but make do with what you can, right?

"Oh! Uh—welll," she tries again, hoping to play it smooth, "why wouldn't...weeee?" she stretches the word out and winks.

"Um." Sadness just stares blankly back at her. "Well, 'cause we made such a mess last time..."

Snippet 2:

"Whaaat? It's not like I need some big plan! It's—come on, it's Sadness! I spend a lot of time with her already! And besides, it's not like I haven't been patient so far! Like—I know she likes me! She just gets real shy about it! And, well—heheheh, iiiit's kinda cute, you know—? But—" she shakes her head, cheeks growing hot as Disgust raises an eyebrow at that. —Anyways, she just...needs the right moment to be comfortable with it! You know?"

When Disgust frowns this time as she considers that, it looks a bit less judgy than usual. Well—sure, it's still kind of judgy—come on, it's Disgust—but she looks more confused than anything.

"Uhhh, what, so you're telling me that you're—" she points at Joy for emphasis, "—being patient?"And then her face twists into a smirk again."Joy, it’s been months since you told me something was up. I've never seen you be this patient about anything in your life."

"Wha—not true!" Joy shoots back, even though she knows Disgust is just riling her up on purpose at this point. As much as Joy loved teasing her (come on, easy target. All Joy had to do was mention broccoli or boogers and s­he'd all but completely lose it), she was always the one emotion who'd actually, on rare occasions, tease Joy back. And she always managed to say just the right things to get under Joy's skin when she did. Which—well, she guesses it's sweet or something, that they're good enough friends for Disgust to do that, but excuse her if it's a bit hard to get fond over that while her good friend is busy snickering at her.

"Ugh. Whatever," she grumbles. And that only seems to fuel Disgust's satisfaction further, so Joy shakes her head and goes back to smiling. "Okay, fine, yeah! Maybe I'm being a little bit more patient than usual. But that's 'cause Sadness...needs that, you know? And besides, all that dancing around each other's gonna end tonight! Wiiith all of this!" Joy spreads her arms out. "A little change of setting, something special! And, well, considering we're probably the only two out of any of us who actually like Dream Duty, I obviously chose the right place—"

"—So you did lie to us about Imagination Land."

"Uh—" Joy stops short, then chuckles nervously. "Welllll, I know how much you love keeping secrets, so maybeee if you just kept that fun little one between you and me—"

Snippet 3:

Joy reaches back to yank Sadness right up to the front of the door with her. She manages to peer in and catch a glimpse of the rest of her friends watching one of the sets get dressed—but then she gets the door slammed shut on her. She groans.

"Okay, but—there's no way that we're banned! Everyone else got in just fine!"

"Well, frankly, I don't know who thought it was okay for them to get a tour, either. Serves me right for letting the new hires work the call desks. You emotions just think you're all that, huh?" Joy blinks, bewildered, as the Mind Worker jabs a finger at her chest and narrows her eyes. "That orange one's already on thin ice. The sheer level of entitlement to give me her stupid notebook about how she thinks I should run my studio—and now she's trying to spread those pages around to everyone else in there like it's some manifesto—"

"—Ahhh, yeah—Anxiety's...Anxiety's like that," Joy mutters, "buuuut just let us in, and we'll fix that right up!"

Joy winks at Sadness and splits into a grin as the Mind Worker smiles back at the both of them—and then it falters halfway through as she hears the sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"Ohh, sure, right away! Since you two are so great at fixing things, huh? Yep, okay—lemme just pop right over to Administration and toss out your charges for trespassing, disorderly conduct, breaking and entering, destruction of studio property, deliberate dream interference, unlawful release of Subconscious wildlife, and reckless endangerment by clown!" She gulps in a breath of air after running through all of those at once and then scowls. "That last one's new, you know—we had to come up with an entirely new charge just because you two decided to screw up in a way no one's ever screwed up before!"

Joy winces as she feels Sadness shuffle to hide behind her and whimper. She's not taking too kindly to being yelled at. Joy grimaces.

"Umm, so what you're basically saying iiiis, we're special?"

"Out."

Snippet 4:

The world doesn't quite fade away this time; Joy's still painfully aware of the unintelligible chatter flooding through the halls, the bitter smell of coffee wafting past as drink trays get rushed back and forth. The way the crate is leaned up against the wall, the dream posters look like they're looming right over them when Joy looks up, gigantic and skewed. And when she feels Sadness rest her hand lightly on her arm, Joy feels both giddy and a little smug. Of course this was working! All Sadness needed was a little push—Disgust should've never doubted her. So Joy smiles to herself—then smiles down at Sadness, leans in, and—

"Oh, Joy, this is so sad..."

Joy reels back as Sadness pats her on the arm. "Uh. What?"

"Well, all the dreams are changing..." She sighs and looks back at the wall. The red light from the COMING SOON sign flashing right above the newer posters seems to find its way down to them, somehow. Joy watches as it glints against Sadness' glasses. "And they've torn down your favorite one already..."

Joy slumps a little at that and sighs. Leave it to Sadness to find a problem that wasn't even hers to get miserable over. She rolls her eyes as she nudges Sadness on the shoulder.

"Alright, maybe it's a bit of a bummer, but so what? Pfff, it's not like you liked Fairy Dream Adventure that much," she says with a snort. "You don't have to cry about it."

Sadness rubs at her eyes, the beginnings of her tears falling down her cheeks. "But...but you did...and you cared about it, so...so, if you care about it, then I care about it, and if it makes you sad, it makes me sad..."

"O—Oh," Joy says softly, heat flooding her face. She actually has to look away for a minute at that, stare down at her feet dangling over the crate's edge. Leave it to Sadness to just say the sweetest thing in the world to her like it's nothing.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

Something something about Zoe admitting that she used to lie to make a friend's and end up losing them because of it.

Where do I ever hear of it?

Oh, right! Lila!

Before Chameleon Lila is just simply a liar, even Adrien(?) reasoned maybe it's because she want to fit in.

Funny how Marinette end up antagonize her while welcoming Zoe heartily and the only difference between them is only one of them has a crush on Adrien. Guess which one that Marinette made enemies of?

I agree that Zoe's backstory is similar to Lila's canon story, but you haven't given a fair assessment of the differences in their introductory episodes. It's not even necessarily fair to call them the same character. Zoe's lying is presented as her acting different to try to fit in. She's not telling major lies about her life to make herself stand out. The worst we get is stuff like this:

Chloé: (closes the door) Since your father isn't here, you'll use mine! If you become my sister, of course. Rule number two: you need a minion. Where's yours? Zoé: Uhhh, I left them…in New York!

Which is still enough to understandably turn someone off to Zoe, but it doesn't make her a Lila clone. Let's look at why that is.

Lila's intro has her actively coming up with very extreme lies that aren't about fitting it. They're about making her stand out! She doesn't want to be part of the crowd. She wants to be worshiped. Here are some quotes from the start of Volpina to give the flavor of lies we see from Lila:

Rose: Can you believe Lila knows Prince Ali? She even flew in his private jet with him! Chloé: Why did Jagged Stone write a song about Lila when he could've written it about me? Nino: Lila knows all of the Hollywood directors. She promised she'd mention me to Steven Basielberg himself! Marinette: (rushes back to Alya's side) Lila? Alya: Yeah, she just started at our school! (points to Lila, who's on the second floor of the school with Adrien) She even gave me an exclusive interview for the Ladyblog, 'cause Ladybug saved her life once! Watch! (shows Marinette the video of Lila on her blog)

It's worth noting that this exchange makes Marinette feel jealous and threatened, but she doesn't hate Lila. She's just afraid that Adrien will fall for the cool new girl. This leads her to follow Lila and Adrien into the school library where we get this:

Lila: So you've got a little soft spot for the bug, huh? Adrien: Me? Oh, no! Not at all! (The book cart moves closer to them, but is unnoticed.) Lila: You know I actually happen to be very close friends with Ladybug. (Adrien and Marinette both gasp.) Adrien: Really?!

This is where Marinette's hatred comes from and it's justified. This scene would play the exact same way no matter who Lila was talking to. Someone is using Marinette's name to get close to people. That would upset most of us. We also get this moment at the end of that same scene:

Adrien:(gets an alert from his phone) I gotta go! I've got a lesson in 58 seconds. (Lila causes Adrien to drop his bag on the floor) Lila: So, the park? (pushes the superhero book on the floor away from Adrien's bag with her foot) Adrien: Uh sure! (runs out) Lila:(picks up the book) A vixen superheroine? Hmm, interesting... (leaves the library) Tikki: Marinette! Marinette: I know. I gotta talk to Adrien before he meets up with Lila in the park. He needs to know that she's a total thief.

Once again, Marinette's feelings are extremely justified. Lila stole Adrien's book and will go on to toss it in the trash, showing that she never meant to return it, probably to avoid the risk of him thinking that she took it. These are two incredibly negative things for someone to witness and they're basically Marinette's first impression of Lila! Meanwhile, this was Marinette and Zoe's first interaction:

Marinette: Sorry I got held up here! (bumps into Zoé) Sabine: Is everyone all right? Marinette: Sorry, sorry, sorry! Zoé: It's totally okay, but maybe I should be asking if you're okay. That was quite a fall!

Very different. Not enough to justify Marinette trusting Zoe, but Marinette's hatred of Chloe combined with this initial good first impression are arguably enough for Marinette to be willing to hear Zoe out and give her a chance to prove herself. It's easy to be rude to service workers and Zoe wasn't, so I can see why Marinette would believe that Zoe isn't a manipulative monster especially since Zoe does apologize and promise to explain herself pretty quickly after the scene where she's rude to Marinette and Co:

(Zoé, sitting at the end of Chloé's bed, gets a text message as Chloé continues to search for shoes. She sees it is a message from Marinette, and reads.) Marinette: (voiceover) I can tell something is keeping you from being yourself. If it's Chloé, we can talk about it tonight, if you want. You're still welcome to come to the Barge. (Zoé texts Marinette back.) Zoé: (internal voiceover as she types) Sorry. I'll explain tonight. (sends the message, Marinette's picture and name pops up as she does)

It would be better if Zoe instigated this text exchange, but I don't hate this scene. I just think it's rushed and that Marinette should come across as more cautious about Zoe after everything that happened at the end of the last season. Marinette's actions here and conviction about her initial judgement of Zoe would make a lot more sense if they came in an earlier season, but this is a formula show, so that's probably playing a part in the awkwardness. Marinette isn't allowed to become more guarded, I guess...

If we go back to looking at Volpina, we find a very different type of story. After Marinette's terrible first impression of Lila, she watches the aforementioned Ladyblog interview off screen and gains even more reasons for her to be justifiably pissed at Lila, further cementing that bad first impression:

Ladybug: (sarcastically) Well hey Lila! How's it going? Long time no see. I saw your interview on the Ladyblog, awesome job. (puts her foot on the bench between Lila and Adrien, and leans closer to Lila) Oh sure! I remember our instant connection when I saved your life and we've been really good friends ever since! Practically BFF's! Uh actually, when did I save your life again, Lila? I don't recall. Oh yes! Of course, now I remember. Never! And we're not friends either! (to Adrien) Miss Show-Off here was trying to impress you and everyone around her.

We learn here that Lila didn't just claim that she was saved by Ladybug, which is honestly a pretty minor lie. Instead, she's once again claiming that they're close friends! Take out the Adrien complication and Marinette would still quickly start to hate Lila because Lila is using her name left and right and that's not okay! It's also not a minor thing.

The show is a little unclear about how seriously society takes the Ladyblog, but it's serious enough for Alya to be treated as an authority who is invited on talk shows as we saw in Prime Queen

Nadja: Don't be bemused, it's just the news! Hi, I'm Nadja Chamack, and this is Side by Side. Today, I'm joined by Alya Césiare, who created the Ladyblog! Together, we'll be looking back over Cat Noir and Ladybug's greatest feats.

The Ladyblog is also the resource that Felix uses to research the miraculous. So it's fair to say that the Ladyblog is not an unknown news source. At the very least, it's being treated as a true authority on all things Ladybug and Alya is getting serious public attention, which means that Lila's little interview is probably going to be treated seriously by a significant portion of society since it's coming from the Ladyblog.

Ladybug would be well within her rights to have Alya publish a retraction. In fact, it's super weird that Ladybug didn't do that and is one of the many reasons why I hate Volpina. The episode completely justifies almost everything Marinette does and then tries to present her actions as being in the wrong by having Adrien chastise her:

Adrien:(to Lila, who is crying) So I guess you aren't the descendant of a superhero either? Ladybug: She's more like a super liar. Lila: How dare you?! Adrien: Wait! Lila! (Lila runs away) Hey, what was that all about? Uh, I mean, weren't you kinda harsh with her? Ladybug: I...I don't put up with lies, especially when they're about me. (yo-yos away)

Which does eventually lead to Ladybug apologizing to Lila:

Ladybug: I... totally overreacted and... never should've spoken to you like that. I'm sorry.

No you didn't overreact! Writers, why are you telling kids that it's wrong to confront people who are lying about you? How should the Lila problem have been addressed if confronting her is wrong? It's not like she stops lying after this or like the show treats her as a minor threat. She's literally the new main villain and her eventual outing to the class is way more dramatic than this, so how was Marinette in the wrong here? Why did the writers have Adrien chastise her?

I've seen people justify Adrien's reaction here as him viewing Lila like a gossip rag spreading lies. To be fair, that's a valid way to make his actions make sense. The best course of action for the lies in those things IS to ignore them because no one with a brain is going to treat a gossip rag as a credible source.

However, the Ladyblog is not treated like a gossip rag and Lila wasn't just spreading rumors for quick cash. She was actively manipulating Adrien and has claimed authority via a reputable news outlet. The appropriate response to that kind of misinformation IS a retraction. It IS appropriate for Ladybug to do something here. If anything, Ladybug was being quite tame! She had a mostly private confrontation with Lila and then let the matter died for some reason. If it were me, I'd be telling the world that I don't know this woman and to not believe a word she says!

If anyone should have learned a lesson in this episode, it's Adrien. He needed to learn the difference between gossip rag lies and lies that you actually need to address, which is frankly a good lesson for a sheltered teen celebrity to learn! It makes sense that he wouldn't know what to do here, but the show treats this as him being in the right and I hate it! Him guilting Ladybug into staying quiet is why Lila is able to maintain her power for 4 more seasons.

Alya could also stand to learn a lesson on checking her sources. It's not like she never runs into Ladybug. Just hold off on posting the interview for a few days.

Circling back to the original ask: if Lila was telling the kind of minor lies that we see from Zoe, then I'd agree that this was a case of hypocrisy, but that's not what we see. It's also why I never really bought the whole, "Lila is just tying to fit in" excuse. Those are not the sort of lies you tell if you're trying to fit in! They're way too extreme!

While I'm not a fan of Zoe's character, her initial lies match the story she tells about wanting to fit in. Lila, on the other hand, feels like someone with an agenda. What that agenda is I do not know, but she clearly has one and she's had it from day one. It's really not weird that Marinette came to hate Lila while she was willing to give Zoe a second chance. The characters were set up in a way where that is an understandable response for her character even if you remove Adrien from the equation.

There are many episodes that make Marinette look terrible. Neither of these make that list. The only questionable thing Marinette does is follow Adrien and Lila into a public library and listen in on their conversation. I'm not going to call that good behavior, but it's hard to be too critical when it's clearly only there because the writers needed Marinette to overhear the lies to kick off the rest of the episode. I personally would have just had Marinette be in the library already and accidentally overhear her alter ego's name, leading her to listen in, but that's not drastically different than what we actually got so it's hard for me to get too worked up over the writers going the dramatic route. That's what they always do. The show relies heavily on absurdity so it make sense for Marinette overhearing the conversation to be done in the most absurd way possible.

[grayintogreen]

9 FANDOM PEEPS TO GET TO KNOW BETTER

Tagged by @rubixpsyche

3 Ships You Like: Creecien (Critical Role), UraYoru (Bleach), uh… Rocketshipping (Pokémon) listen I have a lot of ships that I feel some way about. I was trying to capture a range here of dynamics across various fandoms and somehow came up with the almost the same ship three times. I just WOKE UP.

3 (Hazbin/Helluva) Ships You Like: oh lord. Idk. Obviously Huskerdust. Moxxie/Millie. Whatever Alastor and Lucifer have going on but constantly on the edge of fucking without actually fucking. I will ship nearly anything in this fandom if the artist/writer can sell it to me.

First Ship Ever: I think it was Ash/Misty, honestly. As opposed to Character I Liked/OC I made up to ship with them, which was definitely happening more often.

Last Song You Heard: Ready For This from Hazbin Hotel. It was on my general hits playlist when my dog woke me up for walkies so I guess he got pumped.

Favourite Childhood Book: GOD. I think it was Lassie Come Home. I went through an autistic period where I only read books with animals in them because I guess I didn’t relate to humans enough.

Currently Reading: Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, which is a reread. It has the vibes I need for OWDLIF. And also I just love it.

Currently watching: I’m rewatching Helluva Boss right now but mostly I’m between shows that aren’t presently airing (Critical Role and Dimension 20) because of the brainrot.

Currently Consuming: Doritos-flavored popcorn but I’m microwaving Salisbury steak for lunch (doesn’t cook).

Currently Craving: You know the breading chips that slough off in the deep fryer at Captain D’s that are always at the bottom of your meal? Those things. Bad. Don’t fucking ask. I blame the moonshine I drank last night. I need the bits.

Oh hell I don’t know that many people in this fandom yet nor do I know who has been tagged already so if y’all get this twice, celebrate because um?? You’re loved and noticed!!!

@spoondrifts , @birdsaretoddlers , @prince-liest, @arleney , @milyavild , @genderhawk , @masterqwertster , uhhh… and @captainsparklefingers and @winekita , even though we talk every day.

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Get to Know Me tag

Ultimate Addition

Been tagged with multiple versions of this. Will do this all in one.

And maybe this will be the definitive version.

Thanks to: @herrmannhalsteadproduction here, @sleepywriter00 here, @mk-writes-stuff here and here, @dyrewrites here, @infinnative here, @buffythevampirelover here, and @mysticstarlightduck here.

Tagging @illarian-rambling @gottestod-writes @cowboybrunch @blind-the-winds @uninspired-platypuss @little-peril-stories @loopyhoopywrites @its-on-site @aalinaaaaaa @randomlettrrsqqssfxwcvhxnqbwriro @thepeculiarbird + anyone else

(y'all don't have to do all of these - pick one. Honestly you can do all of them but like...only if you really want to)

Version 1

Last Song - Driving the Last Spike (Genesis)

Currently Watching - Star Trek Voyager in my trek marathon, still have a little bit of Phineas and Ferb to rewatch, MythBusters, Whose Line is it Anyway, The Bad Batch as it comes out, and I keep forgetting the last bit of Hamster and Gretel is on D+ rip

Three Ships - uhhh the least controversial I feel will be Robin/Starfire (Teen Titans), Kirk/Spock (Star Trek), and Dakota/Cavendish (Milo Murphy's Law)

Favorite color - T E A L 🩵💚 it slaps. Btw this: 🩵 is not teal but it's the emoji that pops up when I type teal wtf teal is GREENER that's like cyan which also has the same emoji I'm sick of people calling light blue teal

Currently reading - beta reading Whispers by @magic-is-something-we-create and making my way through Purple Hyacinth on Webtoon

Currently consuming - uh just woke up will have my coffee in a bit

Place of birth - Earth

Currently location - pretty sure it's Earth

Last movie - True Lies (first time watching)

Version 2

Are you named after anyone? No my mom was sick of the family name she was given so revolted against peer pressure.

When was the last time you cried? Uhh couple days ago got caught in traffic due to an accident and went a separate way only to find myself on the feeder road with more traffic from another accident so I had to pull into a Jaguar parking lot before I got full a panic attack

Do you have kids? No please dear God. Future students are my kids.

What sport do you/have you played? Soccer when I was like in kindergarten.

Do you sarcasm? See next answer

What's the first thing you notice about someone? That they exist

Eye color? Brown

Scary movie or happy ending? These aren't opposites?? Scary movies have happy endings! So happy endings.

Any talents? Uh, writing, I guess. Media analysis. I can read fast. I'm Gen Z and can write in cursive. I kick ass at the puzzle match mini game on Wii Party.

Where were you born? *Double checks* yeah still Earth

Hobbies? Writing, reading, watching TV, scrolling through Tumblr, media analysis, watching YouTube, daydreaming, listening to music, useless data analysis

Any pets? Two cats

Height? 5'4

Favorite subject? ELAR (reading/writing) that's why I want to teach it

Dream job? See above

Version 3

Currently reading - answered this above

Last song - I'm doing this on a different day (sorry) and now it's Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)

Currently watching - said above

Current fic - uh I'm just reading the stuff I already said

Current hyperfixation - brain recently has been toggling between Phineas and Ferb, Teen Titans (2003), Avatar The Last Airbender, Megamind, and my WIP The Secret Portal so uh pick one

Favorite color - T E A L

Sweet/spicy/savory - I guess savory but yeah depends on mood

Relationship status - happily dating ❤️

Last thing I Googled - Ming-Na Wen (wanted to know her age. She's 60)

Song stuck in my head - currently Somebody To Love (Queen - was listening to the greatest hits)

Favorite food - my dad's food, specifically his Cincinnati chili and his cake

Dream trip - New Zealand or Tokyo

Version 4

(highlight what describes you)

APPEARANCE

Dark hair* // I prefer loose clothing to tight clothing // I have one or more piercings // I have at least one tattoo // I have dyed or highlighted my hair // I have gotten plastic surgery // I have or had braces // I sunburn easily // I have freckles // I paint my nails // I typically wear makeup // I don't often smile// I am pleased with how I look // I prefer Nike to Adidas // I wear baseball hats backwards

*up for debate

ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS

I play a sport // I can play an instrument // I am artistic // I know more than one language // I have won a trophy in some sort of competition // I can cook or bake without a recipe // I know how to swim // I enjoy writing // I can do origami* // I prefer movies to tv shows // I can execute a perfect somersault // I enjoy singing // I could survive in the wild on my own // I have read a new book series this year // I enjoy spending time with friends // I travel during work or school breaks // I can do a handstand

*with instructions and not well

RELATIONSHIPS

I am in a relationship // I have been single for over a year// I have a crush* // I have a friend I've known for ten years // my parents are together // I have dated my best friend+ // I am adopted // My crush has confessed to me // I have a long distance relationship^ // I am an only child // I give advice to my friends // I have made an online friend // I met up with someone I have met online

*does my gf count as a crush? I still act like it lol

+am dating

^i think this is referring to romance but I do have other friends in other states

SEASONS

I have heard the ocean in a conch shell // I have watched the sunrise* // I enjoy rainy days // I have slept under the stars // I meditate outside // the sound of chirping calms me // I enjoy the smell of the beach // I know what snow tastes like // I listen to music to fall asleep // I enjoy thunderstorms // I enjoy cloud watching // I have attended a bonfire // I pay close attention to colours // I find mystery in the ocean // I enjoy hiking on nature paths // autumn is my favourite season

*I think once could be making that up

Take your bets if I'm an outdoorsy person (nope)

MISCELLANEOUS

I can fall asleep in a moving vehicle // I am the mom friend // I live by a certain quote // I like the smell of Sharpies // I am involved in extracurricular activities // I enjoy Mexican food // I can drive a stick shift // I believe in true love // I make up scenarios to fall asleep // I sing in the shower* // I wish I lived in a video game // I have a canopy above my bed+ // I am multiracial // I am a redhead // I own at least 3 dogs

*quietly

+used to

EDIT: I've decided to add onto this post whenever I get a new get to know me tag, so from here on out this was not in the original post

Version 5

I'm over 5'5 / I wear glasses or contacts (glasses) / I have blonde hair / I often wear sweatshirts (I think some of them count?) / I prefer loose clothing over tight clothes / I have one or two piercings / i have at least one tattoo / i have blue eyes / i have dyed or highlighted my hair / i have or have had braces / i have freckles / i paint my nails / I typically wear makeup / i don't often smile / resting boss face / i play sports (was in soccer in kindergarten haha) / I play an instrument (used to, violin) / i know more than one language (I know some ASL but I've forgotten most of it... ) / I can cook or bake / i like writing / i like to read / i can multitask / I have never dated anyone / I have a best friend that I have known for over five years (Cado, how has it been seven years almost????) / I am an only child

Version 6

Last song: as of answering this, technically I watched Psych so the theme song!

Favorite color: you should know this at this point in the post

Currently watching: Psych like I said, also Star Trek Voyager and a few on the side still (see above)

Sweet/spicy/savory: see Version 3

Current obsession: ...Psych but also my WIPs :)

Last thing I googled: thesaurus because I was doing the @sipofsnips and didn't have the word this morning

Favorite season: they all suck but I'll go with fall

Skill I'd like to learn: I want to draw good

Best advice: "thinking about it counts as working on it" because it's changed my outlook on how much I get done in a day, "progress is progress" for similar reasons but more general, and generally that if you burn yourself out trying to do everything nothing gets done

Woo! This was a LOT holy shit. Hope you know more about me!

Version 7

A scent you love: ooh cookies baking smells wonderful

Something you're looking forward to this week: finals finished yesterday which means more free time for me! I get to catch up on reading and writing!!

Currently reading: beta for Whispers by @magic-is-something-we-create WHICH I CAN FINALLY GET BACK TO WOOOO

Currently playing: not a video game person sorry - but I've been occasionally picking at mobile games like Animal Restaurant

Most recent movie: uh... When did I last watch a movie?? I think it was True Lies?? First time watching. Wasn't expecting it to be as chaotic as it was.

Current show: Star Trek Voyager and Psych! Partially rewatch/first time watching every episode and total rewatch respectively! I've not seen either since middle school so this is super exciting

Favorite season: autumn because it's starting to get cooler and pollen isn't everywhere

Recently learned: took a life in the universe class this semester and learned a lot about life in the universe (obviously) and while I have mixed feelings about the class MAN the content was fascinating

Water intake: currently drinking water like always :) । have to pee

[hibiscus02]

I just read Legoland and I decided to compile some helpful tidbits about Penny's character, for all your fanfic writer needs!

If you want to write RTC fanfic using her canon personality and backstory, this is the place for you. I apologize if someone has done something similar!

•Let's start with her basic introduction in the play;

"PENNY is a young woman wearing French braids and a private school uniform; she has a bright smile." "PENNY: Hello. My name is Penny Lamb, and I am an aspiring animal conservationist." "PENNY speaks at an incredible speed, being an immensely nervous and self-conscious teenager. She literally trips over her words -- a volcano of passion and eloquence."

Now I'll give you some backstory and character info without getting into Legoland's plot. This is so people who don't have an interest in the story itself can still grasp the basics of Penny's character.

Both Penny and her little brother (Ezra) were homeschooled. They grew up on the Elysium Community Farm, just outside of Uranium City.

When Penny turned 13, she was already getting "itchy" to see the outside world (kids were not allowed to leave Elysium until they turned 16). She thought she knew what to expect after reading 'Anne of Green Gables'.

The Lambs snuck out to a Walmart and found out it was very different from what they thought it would be. They tried to strike up conversations with people but everyone seemed weirded out by them (they snuck out several times to try and "strike up friendly chats")

Eventually the manager called the police who drove them home. That's when "all that trouble happened"

Penny's parents got 15 years in prison for cultivation and trafficking of narcotics. Her and Erza were sent to Saint Cassian Catholic School (which as I'm sure you all know is the same school that the choir members attend, obviously, since Uranium City isn't big enough to have more than one school). It is stated to be a boarding school in this so that's some extra lore for us I guess.

"PENNY: The instant I see the boys staring at me like gaping fish with their heads cut off… and the girls looking at me with those Queen of England smiles… Oh, little Penny wasn’t in Kansas anymore… Uh-uh… I was sent to the charred black bowels of everlasting Hell!"

Despite her homeschooling education Penny is actually very smart, but the values taught to her don't really go over well with a catholic school system. She also likes to use 'big words'.

Penny gets sent to the school psychiatrist, and allegedly diagnosed as Bipolar and manic depressive (to me it seemed implied that the psychiatrist was a crook, but maybe I'm reading too much into it. Do with this information what you will).

She does go through a depressive episode though, or what sure looks like one; "PENNY: Like, sleeping in my room all day… tearing my hair and throwing up, kind of suicidal and depressed and everything… So, one day a bunch of girls were setting fire to my school bag -- second time that week -- and I wasn’t even crying anymore… because, you get to a point… when you’re waaaay beyond crying."

Penny can play the ukulele and she also composes songs (or, she writes at least one during the play, but y'know)

She seems to be very against cussing, just as much as Ocean is, and reprimands Ezra whenever he cusses throughout the play.

Penny is a pescetarian.

She goes on this insane cross-country trip with her brother to the US, and whenever they get to a new state she always recites how many endangered species they have there. I just thought this was cute, and very Jane-like.

So yeah, without getting too much into it, Penny throws hot coffee on this guy and uhhh, bites him? Apparently? The assault charges get dropped and she gets extradited back to Canada, but the story was leaked to the media and she was famous for a little bit.

The way Penny and Ezra got money to travel to the US in the first place was by selling his ADHD prescription meds, so she goes to trial for drug dealing, and gets probation (they don't specify how long she's on probation for in the play).

At the very end of the script, Penny states she'd like to say something about true love. I wanted to include part of what she said because it's quite lovely (and oh y'all can make so much fanfic with this); "In a world where we are ultimately alone, and die in our own arms, love is the closest you come to another person… because it is the closest you come to being another person. So be very careful what you love."

*this quote is apparently also in some versions of rtc, I assume as an easter egg of sorts.

Sorry this is so long. I love Penny Lamb a lot and I also think she's insane <3

[george-washingmachine73]

Oh Ana

finallly finished one thing for Encantober, for the prompt mountain

whenever I listen to the song Oh Ana by mother mother I see this in my head so I literally had to write it, it was shown to me in visions

!TW for injury and blood!

(and spelling mistakes I didnt proofread)

It was overcast again, dark and dreary clouds enveloped the sky, and it seemed that the grey fog was affecting the town too.

 The usually busy streets were rather bare, the screaming of excited children playing football was absent, it seemed like all anyone was doing was curling up beside the fireplace with a good book.

 Except for Luisa.

 Like every day she was doing chores, just because everyone else got to do whatever they wanted all day doesn’t mean she did, the town still relied on her to her things done, so that’s what she did.

 Luisa was actually grateful for the cloud cover, her shirt would usually be soaked by now from the sun, but without it her chores were much more comfortable to do, and the quiet streets gave her room to think while she worked, instead of hearing her name called every five seconds.

 “Luisa?”

ah, there it was.

 She looked down to see senora Castillo trying to get her attention

 “what do you need senora?” Luisa asked, ready to help

 “Well, my daughter went into the forest earlier in the morning and she’s usually back by now, and I’m worried something might have happened to her, could you go find her and make sure she’s safe? As long as you’re not too busy of course”

 Luisa was tired, and a walk in the forest sounded nice, much better than what she was doing now

 “I’ll go find her, senora, don’t worry” Luisa smiled, and the woman thanked her as she went on her way

 Luisa was pretty sure she knew the woman’s daughter, she had seen her working at the library a few times, but just couldn’t remember her name, whatever, she would find out when she found her.

 She wandered through the jungle on a pretty popular path, it was used quite a lot by the townspeople, so that was her best guess on where the woman might be, and as she got closer to the mountains she stepped on dry branch, causing a loud snap to echo through the forest.

 Luisa flinched at the sudden noise, but chuckled when she realized it was herself that made it, the forest could really set her on edge sometimes.

 Just as she regained her bearings she heard someone say “hello?”

 She looked around, trying to pinpoint the source, before finally seeing movement behind some bushes, and hearing a “is anyone there?”

 Luisa pushed past the bushes, nearly running into the woman on the other side, who let out a gasp and stepped backwards at her sudden appearance, however, her foot got caught on something and she started falling backwards, she tensed up bracing for impact, but it never came.

 She looked up, her mind taking a moment to realize what had stopped her, a hand holding her by the elbow, following the arm with her eyes showed her the huge person holding her up

 “woah, are you alright?” The giant asked

 “I’m-uh-yeah, I’m alright, thank you” 

 “are you… uhhh” Luisa paused, remembering she had no clue what her name was, but the woman saved her.

 “Elena, I’m Elena, did my mother send you?” Elena questioned

 “oh yeah, she wanted to make sure you were safe” Luisa let go of Elena’s arm after making sure she was on stable ground

 “She can be a bit…overprotective, I’m fine though” she chuckled, and Luisa smiled.

 “So, what do you do out here all day?” Luisa asked, it had to be interesting, to keep her out her almost all day

 she suddenly grabbed Luisa’s hand, saying “here, i’ll show you” and leading her to the entrance of a nearby cave where an open book lay on the rock, it looked like it was about geology

 “I was just studying the rock this cave, it’s very old and looks a little unstable honestly, I was just finishing up”

 Luisa studied the cave, she didn’t know much about geology but she knew that an unstable cave was dangerous

 “well, I could check it out, make sure it’s not about to collapse or anything” Luisa said

 “I don’t know, it could be dangerous” Elena said in a worried tone, and it made Luisa really look at her, about to say something, but stopping because, wow, Elena was pretty, scratch that, she was beautiful, and it made the words Luisa’s throat stumble to a stop

 she hastily looked away after realizing she was staring, regaining her train of thought

 “I-I’m sure it’ll be fine, I won’t go in too far” she finally got out

 Elena looked at her with skepticism, but finally conceded

 “alright, just don’t get hurt” she said, placing a hand on Luisa’s arm, which made her go a little red

“I will” Luisa managed to get out, not really used to anyone other than her family worrying about her

 Elena, after a few more minutes of studying the rock, finally closed her book and stepped away from the rock, then turned to Luisa

 “seriously, be careful Luisa”

 Luisa smiled at her reassuringly

 “I always am” she said, and after a moment, Elena started walking away, soon disappearing into the thick foliage.

 Luisa stared into the cave opening, then started walking through it, her steps echoed eerily throughout the cavern, and- wait, was that a crack? No no, it was probably just her steps, this cave was making her uneasy though, she shouldn’t be going deeper… but, if it was unstable, that could mean huge damage, it could kill people

 maybe she’ll just go a little deeper.

 It was her job to make sure everyone was safe, right?

 She stepped deeper, where the flat light barely reached, this would be easier if it were sunny

 a sudden crack rang out in the echoey silence that made Luisa freeze in her tracks, her eyes darted around, her mind raced, and she finally managed to take a step back.

before she could go further, a stalactice fell from the ceiling, shattering on the ground she was just standing on, and that seemed to set off some chain reaction and the whole cavern roared to life.

Luisa whipped around, she had to get out! She could still see the light of the entrance from where she was, she started running, trying to dodge the falling boulders from the ceiling, the light of the entrance grew larger, just a few more meters…

a weight struck her on the back, forcing her to a sudden stop, and she cried out it pain as it dig into her back.

 It was heavier than anything she’d lifted before, she had managed to catch it while kneeling on one knee, but she couldn’t budge it, it wouldn’t let her move, it compressed her tighter and tighter, she felt like atlas attempting to hold the world.

 The cave continued to shake around her, pressing into her more and more, heavier and heavier, Luisa could hardly breathe, the weight forced her further down, her knee pressed into her chest, she swore she could feel her ribs cracking from the pressure, she couldnt… she couldn’t hold it, it was too heavy.

she tried to brace her arms underneath the rock, but it wouldn’t move an inch, the weight was literally crushing her, and she was completely helpless, pinned underneath it like an ant being smashed under a shoe.

for a moment it seemed like the weight settled, finally not growing any heavier, and Luisa attempted to take shallow breaths to fill her squeezed lungs, a point of the rock pressed into her lower back, forcing it’s way through the fabric, tearing it under the pressure, and while Luisas skin was ususally indestrcuable it could only take so much.

she roared in pain as the rock pushed through her skin, burrowing deeper, past the mucle and fat with disgusting squelcing noises, she coughed and a dark liquid hit the rock in front of her face, her back felt warm and wet, and sticky, she could smell the blood in the enclosed space, making breathing even harder, she coughed again.

as her body shook, the hard rock found it’s way deeper into her skin, her body went alight with pain as it touched her bare spine, dark spots danced in her visions, her nerves buzzed with fire that she could feel throughout her entire being, and, in a moment fueled by pure pain and desparation she surged upwards, and the rock budged.

it barely moved, but Luisa noticed it and knew that there was no time for hesitation, she took a deep breath in, and with a snarl, she pushed the rock with everything she could muster, the unmoving wall of rock finally started to give way, she forced it, she commanded it, the unyielding mountain had finally met it’s match, and it was losing.

the pointed rock finally exited her back as she started to get up, her back straightened, she planted her foot where her knee had been, her back was on fire but she couldn’t stop now, she had to keep pushing.

with a gutteral cry she lifted the rock over her head and finally took a moment to breathe with deep heaving breaths, now that she had lifted the huge rock the way to the entrance was clear, so she pressed forward, slowly shuffling her feet one in front of the other, she used every ounce of strength in her body to keep moving, her hands continuously found new surfaces to hold the rock up.

it kept pressing down on her, trying to force her to buckle and break, but she was just as unyielding and stuborn as the mountain, and she refused to let it make her quit.

the entrance of the cave was a mere few steps away, but Luisa could feel her strength fading, the adrenanline inside of her was leaving, but she couldn’t collapse so close to the end, she had to make it

but she wasn’t gonna make it, she realized, her strength faded faster than she expected, her arms and legs shook, forcing her to a near standstill, her breathing picked up again, trying desparately to find a solution.

the mountain roared like thunder above her, she was bending again, the mountain seemed to grow heavier, she was so close to just giving up and falling, but, in a final burst of energy, she dove for the exit, letting the cave collapse behind her.

for a moment she thought she was dead, that she hadn’t made it out, but the flare of pain in her back changed that, she became aware of grass underneath her, through blurred eyes she could see it’s greenness, blowing in the wind like nothing had happened, it was so peaceful, and the urge to shut her eyes washed over her, telling her to just let herself rest for a moment, and she started to give in, but another spike of pain made her eyes shoot open.

no, ahe couldn’t rest, she had to get home.

slowly, and with laboured breathing, she pulled herself to her feet, coughing a few times, she wiped her mouth and saw a smear of red on her hand as she pulled it away, she should wash off in the river before she went back to casita.

with staggered steps and laboured breathing she eventually made it home, casita opened the doors for her and luckily it looked like no one was home, that was good, Luisa wouldn’t want to worry anyone.

she limped into the kitchen , sighing with relief as she saw some arepas on the table, probably left for her for lunch, and she took a bite out of one.

relief washed through her body, she could feel her back pulling itself back together and her ribs reconstructing, after taking another bite the difficult breathing stopped, and the pain in her knees and legs fixed itself, she had never been more grateful for her mothers gift.

atfer making up to her room, arepas in hand, she pulled her still bloody blouse off and looked at her back in the mirror, grimacing at the sight there.

a huge gnarly scar lay at the base of her spine, Luisa ghosted her fingertips over it, feeling the disturbed skin, usually her mamas food could heal anything, but really really bad injurys could leave scars, Luisa shivered and pulled on a new blouse, trying to dismiss the mental image she had of it in her head, she wouldn’t anyone see it, she hated when she made her mama worry, it was better if no one knew.

after completely washing all the blood off Luisa got into clean clothes, she knew she had to check out the mountain and make sure it wasn’t at risk of collapsing again, but the thought of going back make her quake with fear, so for now, she headed into town to do chores, she could always just look later, and maybe Elena would be there too, speaking of Elena…

 “hey Elena” Luisa greeted, trying not to let her voice sound too hoarse

 “oh, Hi Luisa, did you finish looking at the mountain? did it collapse?” Elena questioned

Lusia considered saying that it hadn’t but was a really terrible liar

 “yeah, it did, I managed to stabalize it but i’ll have to check it out later to make sure it won’t cause a rockslide or anything” Luisa answered, trying to smile even though her insides clenched at the thought of going back there

 “great, it looked like it was shaking then most of it kind of… slumped? I guess? if I had to guess i’d say that definitely more than half of that mountain came loose, when you go back maybe I could come with you, research a bit” 

Luisa couldn’t help but genuinely smile, sure it was dangerous, but it was definitely made the whole thing less scary than if she were going alone

 “sure, i’ll tell you when I go”

Luisa suddenly heard her name called and looked over her shoulder to see a pallet of bricks waiting to be moved

”sorry, I have to go now, duty calls” Luisa explained, turning away

 “of course, I guess i’ll see you later then, bye Luisa” Elena smiled and walked the other direction

Luisa waved at her turned back, standing there for a moment before-

“Luisa!”

she whipped around, jolted back to life

 “what do you need Senor” she asked, trying to put on a confident smile

 “can you come move these bricks now? i’ve been looking for you for the past hour!” senor Alvarez exclaimed, and Luisa hurriedly picked up the bricks, trying to appease him.

Luisa worked for the rest of the day, occasionally stealing glances towrds the mountains, the people in the village had no idea just how close they had been to destruction, and that meant Luisa was doing her job right, it wasn’t their job to worry about what could’ve happened, it was Luisas, it was her job to protect them from anything that could happen, and she always would.

[niennawept]

20 Questions for Writers

I was tagged by @lordoftherazzles and by @thenookienostradamus! Thank you both! These are some cool questions!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? Thirteen at the moment (not counting an Adar headcanon collection), but likely to be more soon.

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 170,865 (not bad for a year and a quarter)

3. What fandoms do you write for? Tolkien broadly (so far it's been Rings of Power, The Silmarillion, and The Hobbit - no LotR yet, but I do have an idea for one)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos? Click with caution, all of these but the second one are rated E; apparently, I am mostly known for Adar smut: Scars of Silver and Gold, Because the world is ending, Mistletoe Mischief, Calendar Girl, Until the Stars Burn Out

5. Do you respond to comments? Might take me a bit, but yes, I always do. I figure that someone gave me a little of their time in writing out a comment and I can give them some of mine in return. It's especially fun when people are predicting things; I love hearing what they think will happen.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? Mmmm. I think it's probably Scars? Without spoilers, my protagonist lost something very important to her and although there's a lot of good things about that ending - she's still going to have that loss to grieve in the next fic and it'll inform her next arc. I'd say it's still a bittersweet ending.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? I don't really do purely happy endings? I write a lot of hopeful endings, but most of them have some darkness lurking under them. I guess if I have to pick one, it's into the wild because that's technically a fix-it fic with Nienor getting saved by Mablung. Although, I might continue it some day, and it would inevitably get some Nienna-the-Song-is-tinted-with-grief flavoring.

8. Do you get hate on fics? Not so far.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Uh, yes. I'm not sure what "what kind" means here? I guess I've written a variety- from kind of dreamlike and romantic to fics featuring BDSM-related kinks.

10. Do you write crossovers? I have never written one. I think that I'd probably never directly write one. But I might do something like shove Elrond into the plot of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight for a bisexual awakening set sometime in the Second Age. Not sure if that's a crossover or just a retelling though.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not that I'm aware of.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? Yes. Into Russian, if I remember correctly. It was a long time ago and I'm not in that fandom anymore.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Yeah, I'd say my THAUC piece counts as co-written in the sense that my artist partner and I talked through the main ideas and beats of the story together.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? Uhhh for Tolkien, I'm afraid I don't have one (I like a lot of ships, but there's not one all-consuming one). So - I guess I pick Sesshomaru/Kagome from Inuyasha? That's the pairing I read when I don't know what else to read.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I don't start a lot of WIPs. I have a lot more ideas for fics than I have documents or text written, but I do have a Finrod piece that I'm not sure I'll ever finish. I have a lingering idea that might save it, but I think that needs more time in the oven.

16. What are your writing strengths? Mmm - I think worldbuilding, specifically for culture is one of my strengths. I also think that I have a pretty good ability to make OCs that people care about (something that was important with a mostly OC cast).

17. What are your writing weaknesses? I struggle with internality a lot. I find thoughts cumbersome to write, because I process most things by talking them out or writing them down. I also think I could tighten up the cast of characters and subplots. It's something I'll definitely be careful with in novels going forward.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? It really depends on the fic. In Tolkien's world, I think so much of culture is tied up in language that it's a little hard not to include some bits and snatches of other languages. It's important to provide translations in text, I think, but otherwise, go for it if it's important to your characters and your plot.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Alas, I don't talk about that fandom anymore. The author turned out to be terrible.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written? Definitely Scars of Silver and Gold. It's my first completed longfic and I'm very proud of it, honestly. Are there some things I'd do differently? Yes. But I do love it. Honorable mention to peaches we devour, dusty skin and all. The YEARNING.

tagging (no pressure, just love): @runawaymun, @polutrope, @melestasflight, @fishing4stars

[bjfinn]

TOGETHER FOREVER

"Beetlejuice"/"School of Rock" crossover

"Together" by J. Gregorash, B. Macmillan & B. Lampe, © 1987 Attic Records Limited

"I can't say that!" Adam was horrified at Beej's suggestion.

"Ah, come on!" Beej said. "You told me that you wanted to be more assertive, right? So ... you gotta get a bit nasty! You can do it!"

"I don't think I can -- I'm not ... comfortable with that kind of language."

"You gotta step out of your comfort zone!"

"It's okay, Adam," Barbara told him. "Beej is right. Besides, they're just words."

Adam took a deep breath. "Uhhh .... I wanna m-m-make your ... your pussy --" he winced at the sound of it -- "vibrate like a ... a ..."

"Come on ... 'like a tuning fork'," Beej coaxed, eyeing Adam intently. "You can do it ..."

"Like a ..." But Adam faltered and shook his head. "I'm sorry -- I just can't."

"Wimp," Beej said in exasperation.

"Adam is not a wimp!" Barbara told him, her eyes blazing. "He's a good man, with a sense of decency -- unlike some others I know! Besides, he doesn't need to say those kinds of things to me to get me in the mood -- he's my husband, and I love him!"

"Well, jeez," Beej said, "that's really sweet, Babs. That's so sweet that I think I'm going into a diabetic coma!" He retched comically. Barbara glared at him.

"But seriously," he continued, "you two do know that technically, you guys aren't married, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Adam exclaimed. "Of course we're married!"

The demon shook his head. "Sorry, guys, but remember that whole 'till death do you part' part? Death parted you -- your marriage is now null and void. Over and done. Kaput. Finito. Curtains. End of the road. That's all she wrote. The fat lady sang her song. The party's over. Everybody outta the pool. Elvis has left the --"

The Maitlands looked at each other in horror.

Barbara buried her face in her hands. "This can't be happening! " she wailed.

"It's okay, Bunny," Adam said, his arms around her. "We'll fix this, you'll see." He looked at Beetlejuice. "We can fix this, right?"

"Oh, sure," Beej replied affably. "You guys can just get married again. Of course, we have to get someone to officiate -- my mom could've done it, but ... well, we all know what happened to her." He looked at them with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I guess ... I could do it," he said.

"You?"

"What's the matter, Adam?" the demon glared. "Don't think I'm qualified? Or maybe you don't think I'm smart enough -- is that it? You don't think I'm smart enough to perform the ceremony?"

"No, no," Adam replied hastily. "O-of course I don't think that! I'm sure you're perfectly qualified -- I was just surprised, that's all."

"Well, okay then," Beej said, placated. "So first thing we gotta do is figure out when. Any ideas?"

"Well," Barbara began, "we got married on Valentine's Day --"

"Of course you did," Beej interrupted. He stuck two fingers in his mouth and retched again. "Bleagh!"

"-- so," she continued, daggers in her eyes, "I think it'd be romantic to have our ... second wedding on the same day."

"That's a wonderful idea!" Adam gushed.

"Yeah, yeah," Beej said, "real romantic. Blah blah blah." They glared at him, and he said, "Okay, okay -- Valentine's Day. Uh ... when is that?"

"February fourteenth."

"Okay, so -- let's see, that's about ... uhh, what's today's date again?"

"Today's the ninth," Adam told him.

"The ninth of what?"

"Of February."

Beej's eyes widened in mild surprise, and then he frowned as he counted under his breath. "Ten, eleven, twelve, thirt-- holy crap! " he exclaimed. "Five days??? You're giving me five days to get ready??? How am I supposed to get everything ready in five days??? "

"It would really mean a lot to us, Beej," Barbara said. She batted her eyelashes at him. "We'd be ever so grateful."

Beej bit his lip, and the Maitlands could almost see the lustful thoughts in his head. "Well ... okay. Five days." He clapped his hands briskly. "All right, no time to waste -- we got a wedding to plan!"

*****

"Five days??? " Dewey said when Beej came to tell him the news. "That's not much time!"

"That's what I said," Beej told him. "But Babs and Sexy have their hearts set on a Valentine's Day wedding. So can you come?"

Dewey sighed. "I guess I ... I can ask for the day off," he replied. "But ... uh, yeah, sure -- I'll be there. You can count on me, bro."

"Great!" Beej said. "And bring Roz, too!"

"Uh, yeah ... okay, sure. I'll see if she can make it."

*****

"Valentine's Day?" Rosalie said when Dewey told her about the wedding. "I don't know -- that's a school day this year."

"Yeah, I know, I just found out -- Beej just ... he just told me about it last night. They really want you to come, Roz -- my new family really wants to meet you." He looked at her pleadingly.

"That's low, even for you, Mr Finn!" she told him with a chuckle. "Bringing family into it, and then using those puppy-dog eyes on me!" She sighed and smiled. "All right -- I'd love to come as your plus-one."

"You're my only one, Ms Mullins," he said, grinning, and pulled her to him roughly.

"Hmm ... my father warned me about men like you."

"Men like me?"

"Rogues and charmers." She leaned into him and took his lower lip between her teeth. "Good thing I don't always listen to my father."

"I had no idea you were such a bad girl, Ms Mullins," Dewey said, grinning.

"Well, you know what they say, Mr Finn."

"What do they say?"

"When I'm good, I'm very good -- but when I'm bad, I'm better."

*****

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as the entire Maitland-Deetz household got involved in the preparations.

"Any idea what flowers you'd like?" Delia asked.

"Red roses, lily-of-the-valley, holly, ivy and daisies," Barbara said without hesitation. "That's what I had at my first wedding -- red roses for true love, daisies for loyalty, ivy for fidelity, holly for domestic bliss and lily-of-the-valley means 'you've made my life complete'."

Delia looked at her, surprised. Then she blinked twice and smiled. "Wow! All right -- that's what we'll order from the florist." She wrote the list of flowers down. "And how about for the food? I thought we'd start off with shrimp cocktails ..."

*****

"Okay," Beej said to Adam, putting an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Babs is busy getting stuff ready with Dee -- they're gonna be a while. So that gives us a chance to have 'The Talk'."

"What talk?"

"You know -- 'The Talk'. About the wedding night." Beej elbowed him in the ribs. "I mean, you wanna make it special, don'tcha?"

"Beej," Adam said, "my dad gave me 'The Talk' years ago, when I was a teenager. And Barbara and I have had... sex plenty of times."

"Yeah, but you can't even say ... 'sex' without gettin' flustered!"

"I know how to please my wife," Adam replied, but Beej heard the lack of conviction in his voice.

"You know how to keep her from complaining out loud -- there's a difference. You just listen to your old pal Beej, and you'll give her a night she's gonna remember forever."

"Or one she'll wish she could forget," Adam muttered.

"Okay," Beej said, ignoring the comment, "so, this is what you do ..."

*****

Barbara saw the look of revulsion on Adam's face when he came into the kitchen. "What's wrong, honey?" she asked.

"Beej just gave me 'The Talk'," he told her. "He's ... it was ..." He shuddered.

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

"Oh, it was -- believe me! I'm pretty sure that some of his ideas are physically impossible! I swear, sometimes I really fear for his sanity."

"What sanity? This is Beej we're talking about," Barbara said. "We both know that he's completely unhinged, even at the best of times. Especially when it comes to sex."

"I know, but this was a whole new level of ... ugh!" He shuddered again. "I want to scrub my brain with a scouring pad now!"

Barbara put a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to take his advice," she said. "You know what I like."

"Yeah," Adam agreed, taking her in his arms. "Yeah, I think I do."

*****

Barbara opened her hope chest and pulled out her wedding dress. Holding it up in front of herself, she turned to Lydia. "I think it'll still fit," she said. "Do you think it'll still fit? God, I hope it still fits!"

"Breathe," Lydia told her. "It looks like it will -- and if it doesn't, we can fix it." She smiled and placed both hands firmly on Barbara's shoulders, giving her a gentle shake. "It's beautiful, by the way."

"You really think so?"

"I really think so."

*****

"Do you have something to wear?" asked Charles.

Adam looked uncertain. "I've got a suit," he said, "but it's kind of old and worn-looking."

"Then we need to get you a new one."

Adam shook his head. "I can't ask you to --"

"You didn't ask," Charles told him. "I'm offering. Tomorrow I'll take you shopping. My treat."

"That's really very nice of you, but --"

"No buts -- I insist."

"Well ... in that case, thank you."

*****

"Hi," Dewey said when Rosalie arrived at his apartment the afternoon before the big day. "Right on time. Shall we go?"

"Just let me check my hair before we do," she said, and took a step towards the bathroom.

"Your hair looks great," he told her. "You look great."

"And you clean up pretty good yourself," she replied, turning to drape her arms around his shoulders.

Dewey leaned in to kiss her --

"Hi, guys!"

"Beej! What the fu- What are you doing here???"

"I came to get you," the demon said. "Ready?"

"Uhh ... I-I think we'll take my van, thanks," Dewey told him.

"Nah, my way's quicker -- come on!"

Dewey barely had time to grab his guitar before Beej whisked them away in a puff of smoke.

*****

"BJ!" Charles exclaimed as Delia let out a gasp of surprise, when the three suddenly appeared in the middle of the living room. "What the --"

"Shit, Beej!" Dewey said. "What did I tell you about doing that!" He turned to Rosalie, who was standing with her hand on her bosom, trying to catch her breath. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah," she said. "I just wasn't expecting it."

Dewey glared at his friend.

"Sorry," Beej said contritely. "But you're here now -- safe and sound. And that's what matters, right?"

Dewey grabbed Beej by the arm and hauled him over to the fireplace. "We talked about that!" he hissed.

"I forgot, okay?" Beej retorted, pulling his arm free. "Sorry! Jeez, sue me, why don'tcha?"

Dewey made a fist. "I'll do more than sue you, pal!"

"Okay, okay," Delia said, "everyone just calm down -- what's done is done, and nobody got hurt. And Beej's intentions were good."

"Yeah!" Beej exclaimed. "My intentions were good -- so there! " He stuck his tongue out at Dewey and gave him the finger with both hands. Dewey scowled at him in return.

"Well, now," Charles said briskly, to forestall any escalation in violence between the two, "it seems that introductions are in order, wouldn't you say, Dewey?"

"Uh, yeah, sure. Uh, this is Roz -- Rosalie Mullins. My girlfriend -- and my, uhh ... boss?" He screwed up his face at the sound of it. "Uh, yeah ... so, uh ... yeah, I'm dating my boss."

"You mentioned that at Christmas," Lydia pointed out as she entered the room.

"Oh. Uh ... yeah, right -- course I did. Anyway, uh ... this is Charles and Delia, and their daughter Lydia ..."

"Very pleased to meet all of you," Rosalie said, shaking hands with each of them in turn.

"Uhh ... where're Adam and Barbara?" Dewey asked, looking around.

"Barbara's trying on her wedding dress," Lydia told him, rolling her eyes. "For the fifth time today."

"And Adam's downstairs," Charles said. "He's working on his model train set. I'll get him." He went to the basement door and opened it. "Adam!" he called down. "Dewey and Rosalie are here!"

"I'll be right up!" Adam replied.

"He'll be right up," Charles repeated. "Now -- how about something to drink? Dewey? A beer, I presume? And for you, Ms Mullins?"

"Oh, please -- call me Rosalie. Ms Mullins is what they call me at the academy." She smiled warmly. "A beer will be fine, thank you."

"In that case, I'll have one, as well. Delia?"

"Oh, just water for me -- I'm doing a cleanse before the wedding. Want to make sure I'm not going to spread any bad vibrations!"

Rosalie smiled and glanced quizzically at Dewey, who cocked an amused eyebrow at her. I told you about Delia, his look said.

"Beej?" Charles asked.

"A beer for me, too, Chu- uh, Dad," the demon replied.

"I'd like a beer," Lydia piped up.

"You're not old enough, young lady," Charles told her. "I'll get you a soda."

Lydia pursed her lips in annoyance as her father went into the kitchen.

"Hey," Beej said to her. "Worth a try, right?"

*****

"I need you to give these to Lydia," Adam said, dropping his and Barbara's matching wedding bands into the demon's hand. "I was supposed to give them to her myself, but ... well ..."

"You forgot," Beej said. "Well, don't worry -- I got your back, buddy. You can count on me -- I won't let you down. I got a mind like a steel trap, never forget anything. I'm kinda like an elephant, you know? Speaking of elephants, I remember one time --"

"Just ... get the rings to Lydia, please?"

"All right, all right! Jeez!" Beej scowled, miffed at being interrupted. "I never get a word in edgewise with you! It's one of your less endearing qualities, interrupting people! You really should do something ab--"

"Beej! " Adam snapped. "I-I ... I'm sorry, okay? I'm just ... nervous."

"I get it," the demon said, mollified. "I'll get these to Lyds right away!"

*****

"Hey, Dewey?" Adam said. "Could I ask you a favour?"

"Yeah, sure." Dewey replied, setting aside his guitar. "What can I do you for?"

"Well, at our first wedding, just after the ceremony, I sang this song to Barbara -- I'd like to do that again, but I don't want to sing it a capella, you know?"

"You want me to accompany you," Dewey said. "Yeah, sure -- I'd be honoured. Uhh ... what's the song?"

"It's 'Together', by Joey Gregorash," Adam said. "Do you know it?"

Dewey's brows furrowed, and he shook his head slowly. ''No," he said. "I don't think so -- how does it go?"

Adam sang a few bars.

Dewey nodded slowly. "Yeah, I've heard that one -- nearly forgot about it. It's a good song." He picked up his guitar again. "Sing it again?"

As Adam sang, Dewey picked out the chords. "A ... E ... D ... A ... D ... C#m ... Bm ..."

They practiced the song a few times, until Dewey had it down cold.

"Okay, yeah," he said, grinning. "I got it now. I'll back you up."

"Thanks -- it'll mean a lot to Barbara. And to me, too," Adam told him.

"Sure thing, dude!"

*****

Barbara groaned in frustration. "Why won't this damn zipper zip up???"

"Let me help," Delia said. "It's just nerves -- there! All done!"

"Thank you," the ghost replied. "And I am nervous -- as nervous as the first time we got married."

"Let's do some breathing exercises," Delia suggested. "Guaranteed to calm you down. Okay, now -- breathe in for one, two, three, four ... and out for one, two, three, four. And again -- in for one, two, three, four ..."

"It's not helping! " Barbara wailed.

"Keep breathing! One! Two! Three! Four! ..."

*****

Beej and Dewey were helping Adam get ready. He'd already donned the dress shirt and trousers Charles had gotten for him, and now he was trying to put on his tie.

"I don't know why I'm so nervous," he said as he made his third attempt at a Windsor knot.

"Lemme do it," Beej said impatiently. He undid the knot Adam had attempted and started to tie it anew.

"I guess 'cause it's still a big deal, right?" Dewey said. "It's kinda like performing -- no matter how many times you've done it before, you still get butterflies before a show." He looked at Beej. "What the -- how the fuck do you tie your own tie, man? That's not how you do it!" He slapped his friend's hands away and straightened it.

"You know,'' Beej said, watching what Dewey was doing, "it's pretty normal to have second thoughts-- I mean, this is the woman you're gonna be spending eternity with. Are you sure she's the one?"

"She's my wife -- or at least, she was, when we were alive. I already made that choice a long time ago, and I've never regretted it."

"Okay," Beej said, "but eternity is a really long time!"

"Leave him alone, Beej," Dewey said with a chuckle. He finished the knot and took a step back to view his handiwork. "Perfect!"

"I just wanna make sure Adam's thought this thing through! Netherworld divorce is a real pain in the ass, you know."

He looked appraisingly at Dewey's handiwork. "I ... guess you did a good enough job," he conceded reluctantly.

"Gee, thanks," Dewey replied, and stuck his tongue out at his friend.

"I've thought it through," Adam assured him. "I love Barbara -- there's no one else I'd rather spend eternity with."

"Okay, it's your funer- uh, wedding!"

The three of them grabbed their jackets and headed downstairs to the living room.

*****

"I'll go and check if the guys are ready," Lydia said, and opened the door to the living room. She stuck her head out and had to suppress a giggle when she saw Beej standing at the altar with Adam. The demon was wearing his "scuzzball game show host" outfit -- the electric blue frilly shirt and matching trousers, striped vest, lime green bow-tie and the garish mustard yellow jacket that looked like it had been made out of a pair of curtains from the '70s. He looked adorably ridiculous.

He beamed at her and gave her two thumbs up.

Adam, standing beside the demon, looked like a GQ model -- pearl grey dress shirt, pin-striped grey Armani suit and blue paisley tie and pocket square. Lydia gave him an approving look, and he smiled, blushing slightly.

Dewey and Rosalie were seated on the chairs that had been set out -- she was wearing a classic little black dress with a pearl choker and matching earrings, while he was wearing a camel blazer over his AC/DC t-shirt that, amazingly, he'd tucked into his jeans. His hair, despite his best attempts, still looked like he'd just rolled out of bed. Lady and the Tramp, Lydia thought, and smiled affectionately.

"They're ready," she told Barbara and Delia.

"Okay," Delia said. "Let's get this show on the road!"

In the living room, Beej gave the nod to Dewey, who took his guitar and began to play Pachelbel's Canon in D Major -- Barbara's request.

Lydia emerged from the kitchen first, walking in time to the music and carrying a bouquet of holly and ivy. Then came Delia, with a bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley, followed at last by Charles and Barbara.

Adam gasped when he saw her -- she looked exactly as she had on their first wedding day ten years ago. She wore a sleeveless white floor-length dress with a jewel neckline of Carrickmacross lace, a crown of daisies on her head holding the veil that hid her face, a bouquet of red roses clasped in her hands.

When she and Charles reached the altar, he bowed slightly to Adam and took his seat, and the soon-to-be remarried couple smiled giddily at one another.

"We are gathered here today," Beej began, reading -- or at least pretending to read -- from a gigantic book bound in black leather, "to join together these two spirits in ghostly matrimony. What death has joined together, let no one put asunder." He winked exaggeratedly at Lydia. "Made that part up myself -- pretty good, huh?"

"Wonderful," came her sardonic reply.

Beej stuck out his tongue at her and continued. "Do you, Sexy -- er, I mean, Adam -- do you take this woman to be your awfully wedded wife for as long as you both shall be dead?"

"I do," Adam answered, gazing at Barbara with love.

"And do you, Babs -- uh, Barbara -- do you take this man to be your awfully wedded husband for as long as you both shall be dead?"

"I do," she replied.

"The rings, please," Beej said to Lydia.

She looked at him in surprise and shook her head, hands raised in a gesture that meant I don't have them.

Beej glared at her and gave her a quick, angry nod, his hair turning magenta.

Lydia shook her head again.

The demon slammed the book shut angrily and gave an exaggerated laugh. "We seem to be having some, uh ... technical difficulties. Excuse me a moment."

He stomped over to the girl. "What did you do with the fuckin' rings?" he whispered loudly, spittle flying from his mouth.

"I don't have any rings!" she hissed back, wiping his spit from her cheek. "You were supposed to give them to me!"

"I did give them to you!" he insisted.

"You were supposed to, but you didn't! "

Beej screwed up his face in rage. "Well, you could've asked me for them! But anyway, I know I don't have any fuckin' rings!"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, I'm sure! I think I'd know if I had them!"

"Really? Check your pockets, dumbass," Lydia smirked.

Angrily, Beej stuck his hand in the pocket of his jacket, and then, smiling and chuckling self-consciously, he pulled out the rings.

"Found 'em!" he called, holding them up for the others to see. "Heh-heh-heh ... just a slight miscommunication!"

"Yeah," Lydia muttered. "Between your head and your ass."

Beej scowled at her and headed back to the makeshift altar. He handed one to Adam and the other to Barbara. They looked at them, and then switched -- he'd given each of them the wrong ring. Of course he had.

"Now," Beej said, "where were we? Oh, yeah. Place the ring on Barbara's finger and repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed." He looked uncertainty over at Lydia. 'I thee wed?' That doesn't sound right, he mouthed.

In reply, Lydia gave him a nod and a thumbs-up.

Beej shrugged and motioned to Adam.

"With this ring I thee wed."

"Now it's your turn, Barbara -- with this ring I thee wed."

Barbara repeated the words as she slipped Adam's ring back onto his finger.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife -- you may kiss the bride." Then he placed a hand to the side of his mouth and in a low voice he added, "You might wanna slip her some tongue while you're at it."

Adam frowned at him in disapproval.

"Ah, come on," Beej said, nudging Adam in the ribs with his elbow. "You only live once -- uhh ... well, you know what I mean."

Adam chuckled. He lifted the veil from Barbara's face and pressed his lips to hers. She closed her eyes, but then they flew open and she gave a muffled "Mmf!" in surprise -- Adam had never done anything like that at their first wedding -- before responding in kind. Adam shifted his gaze to Beej, who grinned broadly and gave him two thumbs-up.

"I will love you till the end of time," Adam said when they came up for air.

At that, Dewey took up his guitar again. "That's my cue," he said, and began to play.

Adam took both of Barbara's hands in his, and cleared his throat. "I sang this to you at our first wedding," he said. "And the words mean just as much now as they did then."

Barbara's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes welled up as Adam began to sing:

On this day, we stand together

And pledge our love to one another

Oh my darlin', I will love you

From this moment there will be no other

And on this road that lies before us

Live the love, the joy and sorrow

But we will always try to remember

The pain today is the joy tomorrow

Her voice joined his for the chorus:

And now together, together

Love will be much better, yes it will

Together, together, our love will share

And forever, forever, love will keep us together

Together, together our lives will change

But until then, till then we will follow

Follow this road endlessly, for we believe

That we have found love from this moment

From this moment until forever

And now together, together

Love will be much better, yes it will

Together, together, our love will share

And forever, forever, love will keep us together

Together, together, our lives are gonna change

And together, together, love will be much better, yes it will

Together, together, our lives are gonna change

And forever, forever, love will keep us together

Together, together, our lives will change

Lydia began to applaud, and the others joined in enthusiastically. Everyone gathered around the happy couple, congratulating them and wishing them all the best.

Adam turned to Beej and mouthed a silent thank you. Beej smiled warmly in response, his lower lip trembling, and wiped a tear from his eye. He looked at Lydia, and she smiled and nodded at him -- he'd done good.

[nightbirdbliss]

Ramble, rant, fun facts, ideas, anythin you wanna yap about

OH MY GOD OKAY AHEM

I'm gonna talk so, SO, so much about this. (I think. I have time to kill, so hey. Why not? Let's see how long I take. It's 9:38 right now.)

So I'm gonna talk about my OCs Aspen Burkholder and Riley Blaine. I guess with that comes their ship, Monster Energy but UH! I'M GONNA! GET INTO THIS INSTEAD!!

(TW: drug mention, familial death, dysfunctional family, divorce, BELOW THE CUT!)

Both of them stemmed from when I was really into That Handsome Devil. Like, brainrotting. I think if I assigned the two albums, Aspen would be "The Heart Goes to Heaven, The Head Goes to Hell" and Riley "Drugs & Guns for Everyone". I have specific songs in mind, but alas, I'm linda tired.

Anyway onto uhhh who did i list first..

RIGHT, ASPEN!!

Aspen's pronouns are She/They/It

So basically, Aspen is just a very scared and (mildly?) cursed teen. Aspen was cursed by a cursed book that presented itself as a diary/journal type thing, y'know? They wrote in it to cope, but the book pulled a Tom Riddle's diary (yeesh, little me would have gone crazy over that!) and started to write back.

It sloooowly took over their mind, and in the end told them if they wanted all the power of the book that they had to hurt the people hurting them. Of course, a moody and desperate teen would do just about anything to escape their hell, right? Aspen, blinded by the book's curse ended killing their parents (they're an only child) and becoming the monster they are. It's a physical representation of the monstrous things they did for the power.

To put it short, they are the monster almost permanently. They can change into a human form, but they can switch into the monster form as fast as their emotions switch. They flee into the woods behind their house, going missing for.. about a year and a half? Dunno, long enough for some hunters to see them and try to shoot them slash have them become local legend/cryptid type thing???

Let's switch gears and talk about Riley.

Riley's pronouns are She/He/They

Riley is the oldest child. Rebellious and headstrong, they're constantly in arguments or hiding from them at home.

Their parents are separated.

They can seemingly never catch a break, because even at school they're getting picked on for being different.

Don'tcha just *LOVE* bigots? /sar

Other than the dysfunctional and broken household, they had a mostly alright upbringing.

Okay, together now.

Aspen and Riley met in 6th grade after having been put in the same class. They were inseparable friends in middle school and their freshman year of high school, when they took each other to homecoming. (awwh!) When Aspen up and vanished, Riley was heartbroken. She looked all over for them, but never did find them. Well, until they were scouring the woods as an attempt to connect with Aspen, wherever they were.

Aspen found him, but Riley had nooooo clue who it was. They were terrified of Aspen. After a long discussion of what's all happened, Riley embraced Aspen. This caught the monster off guard, expecting Riley to hate them. Riley does know what Aspen did isn't right, but understands the headspace and tries to help Aspen get back into civilized society.

Aspen now has therapy.. and maybe the government asking to take them.. for "science" reasons..

But anyway they're back together and they love each other still :3

yeah lore dropped ouh woohoo. it's 10:06.

fun facts?

aspen likes really likes car trips, and sometimes acts feral

riley knows all aspen's quirks at this point, and 100% teases them.

hope this suffices. if not. ask this question again i'll definitely yap about some other ocs :]

[mooniladragon]

1 for every time you reblogged that post

dirk

dave

vriska

roxy

the signless

haha Uh Oh. this is gonna be long. putting it under a cut.

this is the post in question. putting for reference (so i dont have to flip between this and my gallery a bunch)

also this post will be a formatting mess. be warned.

dirk:

fave thing about them? idk really. dirk is my favorite character. actually? probably design. yeah i like his design :)

least favorite thing? uhhh hm. idk this question is gonna be tough every time. i have a hard time picking least favorites. wait no i got this one. hes kinda relatable :/

favorite line? also a tough question. theres a lot of good ones. i think "2024. The last free election the world would ever see." is up there though

idk what a brotp is. cant risk swapping apps and losing the whole post so this question will be skipped.

otp? i like dirkjake. they have such a Dynamic (most of the shipping ones are gonna have pretty milquetoast answers. i dont do a lot of shipping really)

notp? uhhh idk dude idrc

random headcanon? um. hmm. he would enjoy heathers the musical i think

unpopular opinion? i dont know whats popular really sorry guys :/// this is gonna be a common answer for this question.

song associated? oh no by marina. (unknown if diamonds are included. im dumb) it has the vibes i guess

fave picture?

i turned it into an emoji on my discord server. extremely usable 10/10 would recommend

dave:

fave thing? i also like his design. favorites are reeeeally hard though so idk

least fave thing? uhm. difficult again. cant answer :/ ohhh wait hes kinda relatable too :///

favorite line? the jupiter thing from act 1. really funny and also referenceable

brotp skipped

otp? i like davekat. boring i know, but again, dynamics good :thumbsup: also its funny

notp skipped too

headcanon? he would like hamilton. lots of musical theater headcanons here but its like one of five things i think about so :/ sorry

opinon skipped

song? telekinesis by lemon demon. it just feels right

picture?

good panel

vriska:

fave thing? i like her design too

least fave thing? i dont like her. just in general. but i get why people do like her. i get it i just dont that much. she does have the Complex Character Appeal, however.

fave line? uhm uh uhh hm. i dunno guys

brotp skipped

otp? vrisrezi as a Fucked Up Messy Relationship. they are messed up

notp? idk again

headcanon? if she were a human highschooler shed be one of those asshole drama kids. as opposed to the normal ones. i think that makes sense? idk i can picture the type of person in my mind

song? world burn from mean girls i guess idk

picture?

no caption necessary. its just funny

roxy:

fave thing? at this point everyone knows im a sucker for a good design. which she has.

least fave thing? i still cannot answer these questions properly. i think i know the reason now too. i think most things that could qualify for like.. a "bad trait" to me just makes them more interesting, so i dont count it as a negative. huh. not really related to roxy though i just wanted to write that down

favorite line? the miss zuipperpips bit maybe? i dunno its late and my computer is dead and i cant risk swapping apps :( sorry :(

brotp skipped again :pensive:

otp? okay i like callierox. plus john. i think thats fun (not sure about what the ship name for the three of them is tho)

notp? time to say that i only kind of half knoe what a notp is anyway. anyway idk again

headcanon? she would enjoy wings of fire. terezi would too but this isnt about her

song? fine by lemon demon. its fun! it has roxy vibes to me. maybe not the best candidate, but i cant check my playlists rn either :(

opinion skipped so much that i put it in the wrong spot

picture?

party hat roxy!!!! woo!!

the signless:

fave thing? idk i dont really think about the ancestors that much. design ig

least fave thing? again nothing to report.

fave line? does he have any????

brotp, otp, and notp skipped because i have no opinions

headcanon? idk if he read warriors i think he would have mixed feelings about moth flight.

song? idk i dont have a playlist for him

opinion skipped

picture?

we are going to beat you to death

ANYWAY. TO WRAP UP THIS POST:

congrats on making it all the way through. you get a little gold star sticker. good job.

i love receiving asks! keep it up. this did take a long time to write though because: 1. i am Bad at Formatting and 2. Typing on Mobile is Hard. (also 3. It was Bedtime and I Couldn't Use my Computer)

thanks for the ask!!

[kellyscowboy]

꒰✧ᯇ✦꒱ BROOKLYN RED

ᯇsummary ! ✦ in manhattan they'd call it a sin, but race's wearing brooklyn red for him ᯇpair ! ✦ spot conlon x racetrack higgins (livesies) || inspired by Tennessee Orange by Megan Moroney & these (one) (two) posts by @crystallized-twilight ᯇvienna’s thoughts ! ✦ uhhh i definitely think this could be better but i just wanted to get it out of my drafts tbh LMAO. i swear the next piece or writing will be better :') 1249 WORDS © 2023 , 𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐲

"Racer!" Spot groaned. "I give up. Ya ain't never gonna learn the damn song."

Racetrack smiled and took a drag from his cigarette. "Well, I like the teacher betta than the lesson anyway."

"No amount of flattery can make up for how badly ya butchered our song," Spot laughed. He continued to speak, but his words were lost in the night.

The lights on the Brooklyn Bridge gave Spot a certain glow. One that made his skin look like that of an angel. Racetrack couldn't help but stare as he watched the boy laugh. He wanted to listen to Spot, he really did, but how could he listen to him when he was so beautiful? He tries his best to focus, but who could if Spot was sitting in front of them looking like a gift from God?

Race wanted to tell him every one of his thoughts. How Spot's laugh was probably what Heaven's trumpets sound like, how gorgeous his eyes were-

"I mean, honestly, how do ya mess up the wor-"

"Red's definitely your color." And he winced because that was definitely not what he had meant to say. It didn't even begin to cover half of what he was thinking.

Spot smiled and cocked an eyebrow. "Red's Brooklyn's color, Racer."

He groaned, "I just meant- It looks good on you. Like, really good. Ya look heavenly right now. You sure you're real?"

"Pretty sure. Speaking of red," Spot shoved his hand into his selling bag and pulled out a crumpled shirt. "I know you'll always be Manhattan, but... I thought, maybe, you could play Brooklyn sometimes too?"

Race moved to grab the shirt and exchanged it for the one he had been wearing. He scoffed, mostly at himself. "God, the boys would kill me if they saw me wearing this."

"Ya still ain't told anyone 'bout us?"

"Have you?" Race snapped, slightly defensive.

A beat.

"No." Spot admitted as he adjusted his hat. He crossed his arms, defeated and grumpy. Race slumped down with him, he intertwined their fingers and let his forehead bump into Spot's neck.

"I didn't mean to snap at'cha." He sighed. "I just- I don't know how to tell ''em that the Spot Conlon—the one who left us for dead during the strike (hey!)—is my sweetheart. Hell, how am I supposed ta tell 'em you got me wearing Brooklyn red?"

Spot rolled his eyes. "I did not leave you for dead." A shrug. "You're all still alive, aint'cha?"

Race smiled fondly and rested his forehead against the others. "Yeah, I guess we is."

"I'm glad you are," Spot whispered. Then he straightened himself and pushed Race an arms-length away, and held him there. "Because if you weren't I woulda never seen how good you look playing Brooklyn."

He laughed and shoved Spot's cap—which was really his own; he had been sporting Spot's actual cap ever since the time they went to the racetracks—over his eyes. "Don't forget it's just playing. I'm only Brooklyn in your dreams."

"Damn right."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Race flipped the shirt in his hands over and over again. He stared into the deep red that felt so much like home that it almost made him sick to his stomach. God, if anyone saw his damned red shirt. It was just a stupid shirt, but holding it in his hands felt like treason.

"Hey, Racer. Haven't seen ya in a while; where ya been?" And his heart dropped into his stomach as he rushed to crumble up the shirt and shove it under a blanket. Jack threw his hat onto a random bed before addressing him again. "Woah! Ya good, Racer? Ya look like you'se a ghost or somethin'."

"I'm alright. Hey, uh," it's now or never, "I've gotta tell ya somethin'. But- Listen, you can't tell the other guys, they'll probably kill 'im."

Jack's eyebrows furrowed, concern flooded his expressions. He leaned against a bed frame with his fists clenched. "Did someone hurt ya, Race? Did'ya mess with some dame and her fella got at ya?"

He couldn't help but laugh. "I'm fine, Kelly. Seriously. You've taught me better than that. Kind of."

The strike leader all but sighed with relief, then sat down on the bed across from Race. "So, what'dya need to tell me? What, ya done sellin' papes or something?"

"No, no. I'm still sellin' papes. I don't got enough money ta quit." He paused. "I might've... met someone."

Jack smiled, crossed his arms and leaned back in amusement. "And?"

"And... he's really good to me. He's got these eyes and they're... they're so blue that it's almost scary. Ya know the kind? He holds doors open for me, stop laughing. And he ain't made me cry yet. Which is saying somethin' for him." Race was looking down at his hands, a stupid smile beating the embarrassment to his face. "He ain't from 'round here, but he still- He still feels like home, ya'know?"

"I know the feelin'. Who's the fella?"

Race looked up, only to meet Jack's eyes just for a second. "Ya can't tell the other fella's, Jackie. I mean, they'd probably call it a damn sin-"

"Racer, come on. They ain't like that-"

"No. Not 'cuz of that, not 'cuz he's a guy. 'Cuz he's..." Race sighed and dragged a hand over his face. "He's got me wearing Brooklyn red, Jack."

And to that, Jack let out a long sigh.

"I know! Brooklyn ain'tcha best friend. Hell, they ain't no-one's best friend." Race started to grin a little again. "He, uh, he took me out to the bridge last Saturday."

"Oh, so that's where ya run off to. To betray us." Jack teased. He even reached forward and gave Racetrack a playful punch to the shoulder.

Race's smile was back in full force. "Anyway. It wasn't nothing like 'Hattan, but nothin' ever will be. But man, I'd like to personally thank whoever made the lights on that damn bridge. Ain't neva seen someone look like that. He looked like a damn angel."

"Well, I can't say I'm not disappointed-"

"I'm sorry Jack. It's just... man, I like him a lot. I'm even learning that stupid Brooklyn chant."

Jack laughed. "Race. I'm not actually disappointed, I'm just messin' with ya. But everyone looks better in 'Hattan colors. Can't deny that." He stated, pulling at his own shirt.

"Obviously. But that smile he carries with him makes ya forget all that. I mean, the grin he had when he made me try on a Brooklyn shirt; made me think I should only ever wear red for the rest of my life!"

Jack grinned and shook his head. "Well, well. Neva seen you so smitten over someone. So, what? Ya Brooklyn now?"

Racetrack laughed. "Never. Not even Spot's smile could make me crazy enough to leave 'Hattan."

"Ya fella's the Spot Conlon? Man, you ain't dating a fella from Brooklyn. You're basically dating Brooklyn itself!"

"I know."

"Listen, Race. Manhattan's gonna loves ya. Even the traitor part of ya." Jack leaned forward to grab Race's shoulder. "If you're happy, we're happy."

Race let out a sigh of relief.

Like a tidal wave, the rest of the newsboys poured into the lodging house. Jack gave the other boy a wink━a promise of secrecy━before he reached under the blanket, pulled out the Brooklyn shirt, and jumped up to wave it in front of the crowd. "You guys won't believe who Racer's swoonin' over!"

"Jack!"

~

[elliott-the-creature]

pt 2 of the story I made for my 8th grade english class! this was absolutely wild to reread, I was such a weird kid lol. also maple totally isn’t a kinda sorta self insert that I grew to love a lot… /s (text below if you can’t read my handwriting)

pg 6: “Wh-what?! You didn’t even repay me for helping with your stupid lyrics!” Icky scoffed. “Well uhhh… how about my hoodie? You can have that,” Byron said, taking off his Joji hoodie his mom gave him. “Ooh, really? For little old me, heh? Thanks a ton buddy!” Icky smiled, laughing as it couldn’t fit at all the 3’5” demon. “Well, can you help me now?” Byron asked through his giggles. Icky suddenly stopped laughing, which scared Byron a bit. “Listen kid. I can make you the best singer for your age. I can make you rich and famous for the rest of your life. But there’s a catch, and it’s a hard one,” Icky explained, looking serious. “W-what is it? D-do I have to donate a pitcher of my blood or something?” Byron stammered, looking pale. “What?! That stuff’s stupid! Nah, you just gotta guess my favourite song, that’s all,” Icky replied, looking amused. “Wait, is that it? Just guess a song?” Byron said, seeming confused.

pg 7: “Uh yeah, but don’t you realize there’s like, a million billion songs? It’ll take you years to guess it, hah!!!” Icky laughed, looking like it already won the bet. “Well, how much time do I have to guess?” Byron asked. “Oh, only the rest of your life! Or until you guess the right song.” Icky said, and randomly disappeared. “Huh, what was that fo-” Byron inquired, getting cut off as a knock sounded from the door of the studio room. “Can I come in?” a somewhat familiar voice called out. “Um, yeah, sure,” Byron answered, and the door opened. Instantly, Byron felt a rush of happiness as he saw his blind sister, Maple. Maple rushed to him, and they hugged. “How are you? I heard from mom that some record people came to you and told you to make a song, or whatever,” Maple said, her voice tainted with concern. “Oh, well it’s hard… but I can do it. For you and mom… and the internet, heh,” Byron responded. Maple nodded, seeming satisfied.

pg 8: “Good, I don’t want you being overworked! Aren’t you finding it hard figuring this all out on your own?” she asked. “Oh, well I’ve always found this kinda stuff easy… y’know?” Byron lied, thinking of Icky. “Ah, well those damn record people told me to keep the visit short… so I gotta go now,” Maple sighed, and ruffled Byron’s hair. “See ya little bro… and you better make the best song ever, or else!”. Then she was gone. “Wow, that’s your sister? Lemme get her number, hehe!” “Shut up Icky. And yes, that’s her,” Byron growled, turning to Icky. “Ah, whatever! Anyways, are you gonna guess the song?” Icky asked. For the rest of the evening, Byron guessed random songs, which turned out to be wrong. “Uh, Eye of the Tiger? Emo Boy? Sicko Mode?” “Nope, nope, and nope!” Icky would always respond. Finally, Byron decided to go to bed, and maybe go for a walk to clear his head the next morning.

pg 9: And that’s exactly where he found his answer. As Byron was walking along the city streets (with the agents’ permission, of course) he heard singing coming from an alleyway. Turning to the alley, he saw Icky! The small demon was floating around a fire, singing a familiar song. “Two trucks, having sex! Two trucks, having sex! My muscles, my muscles, involuntary flex!”. Instantly, Byron recognized the song. It was Two Trucks by Lemon Demon! “Mm, maybe that’s its favourite song…” Byron questioned, and rushed back to the music station. In his room, he called out: “Hey Icky! I wanna talk.”. At the command, the little violet demon appeared. “Hey there mortal! Come to grovel and guess my favourite song?” “Yep… I have a few more songs to guess,” Byron said, feeling confident. “Alright, guess away my friend!” Icky grinned and sat down. “Hm… Bad Guy? Riptide? Ok Ok?” Byron guessed. “Nah, Billie Eilish is for depressed 14 year old chicks.” Icky snorted.

pg 10: “Hm… Two Trucks?” Byron said. Instantly, Icky froze. “R-repeat that please.” Icky stammered. “Uh, Two Trucks. Is that your favourite song?” Byron guessed, knowing it was right. “Ughh, fine! Yes, that’s my favourite song. Happy now?” Icky groaned, sighing. “Yes! Wait, does that mean I get to be a famous singer?” Byron squeaked happily. Icky nodded glumly. “Yeah… you get your wish. Damn you mortal… always one of ‘em has a brain big enough to guess right…” “Wait, I just wanna thank you!” Byron smiled. “For what? I’m a demon, not some friend,” Icky asked, looking sad. “But to me you are! Hey, how about we hang out and make music together? Y’know, just be bros?” Byron proposed. Icky looked up, seeming slightly intrigued. “Only if I don’t give you more wishes! Then I might consider it,” “Yeah, no more wishes. So, what do you say?” Byron promised. Icky nodded and shook Byron’s hand. “So, you wanna tell me your name?” It asked.

pg 11 (epilogue): From that point on, Icky and Byron were homies. Byron ended up making his hit song: Demon Boyfriend. His mother went on the magazine she always wanted to be on. The record people were still as strict as ever, but it became more bearable. Maple soon found out about Icky, but became friends with the fiesty demon quickly. And one day, he realized his own story to fame was similar to a fairytale he heard as a kid. “Eh, it’s probably just my imagination,” Byron told himself, and went to go skateboarding with Icky, Maple, and some other people he never met.