#im feeling a lot of muse for tess

[frog-doctor]

combined spr x homestuck brainrot has led me to begin classpeculating. SO. allow me to yap

i just wanna say scriptliss is absolutely doombound. like weve seen that guys life and its absolutely full of disaster and suffering . like he was in shackles at some point its not even subtle

id like to say hes a mage due to the sheer amount of brunt hes experienced from all sides of his aspect. genuinely i feel so bad for him he did nothing to deserve that much grief in his life ;; ljke yes he was an edgy little goober in pr2 but are we REALLY gonna punish him for having a little emo phase. dude just wanted to make the most of his immortality cmon man. BOOOOO pr2 protag 🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅

tess is absolutely voidbound. hes a seer of void, inviting understanding through his aspect and going mad because of it, resulting in him succumbing to the whims of 1x1x1x1, the lord of void.

dusekkar is a space player, and a damn good one too. he created paper robloxia dude. we wouldnt have the damn story without him.

the only thing separating him from the lord class imho is the fact that the plot book was granted to him as a wish from sphara, and not something inherent to his existence. hes a potent space player, yes, but most of his narrative power comes from an artefact, leading me to believe hes someone moreso capable of handling his aspect with grace and finesse.

maids start out as relying on others for their aspect, and their challenge is to begin relying on themselves for it (thanks dahni). dusekkar relied on sphara granting him the plot book; now he does all the work himself. well. did, i suppose. until spr happened lmfao . so id peg dusekkar as a maid of space (heheheh made of space. pumkin head)

lanter is a time player because i said so. /lh

honestly? he just gives me time vibes. hes the typa dude whod march inexorably towards doom and he seems like a realist to me. plus he talks a lot about the past and about the future of robloxia, so im gonna put him down as a sylph of time. he understands it and invites creation through it, meddling (telling the player about dusekkars past) and inspiring the player to save probloxia from antagons clutches

rozanda is a thief of light. self explanatory.

wiscara is a witch of light. you cant tell me shes not jade harleys more ambitious, hyperactive cousin. like. be for real. shes kinda like rozanda . wacky but not downright evil

sphara? muse of time, i think. dont ask me why, it just works. she invites time and embodies it passively. shes a walking time capsule dude you cant tell me im wrong. also isnt she literally god also like . + in her death (COUGH really long nap) she invites wacky shenanigans throughout time (past, present, future) etc

antagon is a little shit, but more importantly hes a prince of sorts, taking a very active pessimistic destruction role in spr. im not quite sure what set of aspects he embodies, but im certain he either:

a) destroys life whilst shadowing doom

b) destroys hope whilst shadowing rage

[cordrot]

name:      cherry!  pronouns:    she/her.    she/her preference of communication:     i prefer disco usually!   i feel like things normally start off on tumblr ims and then it’s a natural progression to discord,   but i also don’t mind just hopping straight in from disco!  most active muse:    currently,   it’s tess because the brainrot is so unbelievably real but @ltdice is always taking up most of my (1) braincell so there’s that too experience / how many years:     god i really don’t know how long i’ve been doing this i mean it’s been so long?!   it’s almost a bit of a blur really but i’m pretty sure i started out when i was around 12 years old so that would be around   ...   12 years now.   holy cow that’s half my life platforms you use:     tumblr and disco!   i’ve been a lot more active on disco lately just because things are a bit busy with work and what not and it’s also just a lot easier / more accessible.   but i am still predominantly on tumblr,   esp with the creation of this tess blog because this has really bolstered my muse to be writing on here!  best experience:      honestly?   i think this past year and a bit has been my best experience on here simply because of the people that i’ve met and gotten close to?   i’ve been writing on tumblr for a really long time and for a lot of that time,   i was writing in groups and we all know that the lifespan of groups is not particularly great so i was involving myself in a lot of stop/start development?   and then when i finally made the switch to indie,   i was definitely enjoying it more too but i also think that the connections i made initially were a lot more surface level and not as meaningful to me in comparison to the connections i have now?   like i truly appreciate the friends i have made on here so much,   no matter how much or how little we chat,   i know that there’s a genuine level of support,  care and connection there?   which has really made my time on here so much better honestly!  rp pet peeves:    oh gosh i don’t know i feel like honestly not a lot actually annoys me on here idk if that sounds weird maybe i just don’t follow annoying people ... lol but i’ve never been a fan of guilt tripping of course,   like making people feel bad if you’re lacking interaction or something when you might not be trying to get interaction yourself?   i also am not a huge fan of,   i don’t really know how to word this,   but i feel like entitlement might be a good word?   like if you follow someone and then softblock them because they haven’t made an attempt to interact yet but you haven’t either?   everything on here is a two way street and i think sometimes people forget that!   you have to put in effort and interest to get it back from others as well.   because i also think maybe sometimes people forget that this is just a hobby and sometimes we’re not always around all the time but that shouldn’t be taken as a sign of disinterest either!  fluff,   angst,   or smut:      honestly i am a sucker for angst i just love?!   being hurt!   it’s as simple as that!   but i also love fluff so much because i think it’s so wonderful to be able to develop and write about the softer sides of relationships/friendships/etc it’s just so sweet!   and smut is totally dependent on the relationship between the muses + the relationship i have with the mun too.   i feel like in past years i haven’t written a ton of smut just because i don’t think i’m really that good at it anyway but in more recency,   it’s been something i’m more interested in exploring if the circumstances call for it!  plots or memes:     both!!   i love chatting about plots like i could ramble all day about plot ideas and dynamics etc,   so it’s something i enjoy a lot!   but i also think memes are a great way to get things started too which is why i always frame my memes in a way that makes it easy   ( or,    i would hope so at least )    for people to use it as a starter if they wish to!  long or short replies:   i think i probably fall somewhere in between long and short,   really?!   but it all depends on my mood as well as the thread itself.   i can definitely write a lot if the situation calls for it best time to write:      if i’m working from home,   i like to write during the day sometimes if i have a bit of free time here and there but i do most of my writing i think in the evenings!  are you like your muses:      in some ways,  yes!   i tend to be drawn to quite chaotic muses so in that case yes because i am very chaotic?!   but a lot of the similarities between the muses i like writing are the fact that they’re certified badasses who can kick your ass and look good doing it but i can confirm that i am ..... not that so 🤍

tagged by:    @gunbash  ily!!  tagging:      @dtperez , @51163 , @battlehood , @cordecept , @infectd , @lth4ngman , @destage / @enhaunts , @wolfehunt , @statesangria , @batfall , @riverspat , @engests​ , @gurrillero​ , @wtrss​ and anyone else who wants to do it tag me!! 

[glacierfront]

I WANT... 2 KNOW... ALL THE ANSWERS

WOW….

What is an aspect of your muse that you’ve wanted to explore the most? i like the concept of comparing julie’s self confidence versus her… lack of it? she’s sort of been working on it a little already, but she doesn’t really value her opinion over other peoples’, especially regarding her like… self worth. but at the same time she loves to joke about how good and skilled and kind and talented and just overall great she is… hmm.. i just think it’s neat ! also julie x touch, and julie in general just being a badass with powers

and i just really in general want to explore… um… julie, and, sharing things about herself. she doesn’t think she’s important enough to other people to share her opinions (because they dont matter!) but i posit that because characters care about her they want to know these things. but she doesn’t believe me

Name one idea for a plot you’ve had but never got around to writing. jeez i like never hide my ideas from anyone, i always just spit them out into the open ??? more recently i made a verse where julie learned about her water powers a lot earlier and went to the xmen school as a kid and in the future is an environmental activist with an emphasis on the water… she is the julie of my dreams who travels to tsunami and hurricane and flood prone areas (and fires, and droughts, and melting glaciers) to try and reduce human casualty… and weighing with the guilt of not being able to help everyone, and the anger of watching governments be like “why do we need to do anything when you’re here lol” and capitalists be like “lmao lets make water a sellable commodity”, and the stress of constantly overloading herself with marcus’ help. hmm. i like it

Are there any songs that remind you of your muse and/or get you in the mood to reply? not really ! i like solo piano stuff sometimes. hearing soundscapes can get me in the mood sometimes; i am particularly fond of running water and train tracks. if i listen to nanananananana by uhh, fallout boy ?? i think ?? then i immediately think of maes hughes. but that’s about it 

If you’re a multimuse or have more than one blog, is there a muse that you wish you used more? jesus fuck ALL OF THEM… i think i have very good writing but really only when im writing anyone but julie lmfao. i like that i can write different moods and different characters and feel like i do them justice; i like feeling like my words actually have a rhythm to them. and this is really only possible with like anyone but julie, so like. literally all of my other characters. but if i had to pick one, then probably link! because He Is My Son.

Is there a character you consistently have muse for? julie, 

Do you have any symbols/motifs/themes/etc that you’re currently trying to get across or plan to get across? right now i’m really into the themes of learning how to be a person, but i wouldn’t say i’m putting particular effort into getting them across. .. 

Do you have any arcs planned out or already in the works for your blog? my blog is generally very wibbly wobbly re: time, so i would say not particularly ! i would say maybe something i’m excited to think about is the au where she does not infact have dual powers, but gets her water powers ripped out of her when she like insults poseidon and gets her dream powers when she asks athena to fill the void?

 there is probably a lot of potential there… and sometimes i think about julie being asked, frantically, to do something by people who know she has water powers and her being like…… i can’t

Name one of your favorite tropes. character thinks they are making a joke but actually hit the nail on the head… found family… character tries and fails and suffers and tries again… 

What has influenced your writing and blog? my friends and their writing! i can name like at least three writing things that i’ve seen in my friends’ writing and have been like “interesting.. i will pepper that into my own writing starting immediately”… i havent read a lot of books lately but i am also very influenced by them. i think big influences are tess gerritsen’s books and cressida cowell’s books. and then also fanfictions influence me a lot because it’s basically all i read nowadays anyway and probably is half of why my writing doesn’t feel too hot right now lJFDLKF

If you’re an oc blog, did you have any characters in mind while creating your character? no ! 

What is a trope you want to subvert? i do not care enough about tropes to like… want to subvert any ? 

Is there a fact/detail about your muse that you think would surprise people if you told them about it? no i feel like julie is very predictable and easy to accept at face value. i find that the best thing for me to do is write stuff as if people already know it, and then i get to be delighted when they actually did not know it and show emotions because of it

Name a question you’ve always wanted to be asked about your muse. i don’t really have any ! in hindsight this was not a great meme for me to reblog because most of my answers are just “idk” … i think more than anything i want characters to ask questions about julie to julie ! let her sweat a little 

How has your muse changed since you first began writing them? 2012 julie was very edgy. i do not like her. she was also very ready to fight people all the time. nowadays her primary emotion is unsure, and, she is much tamer, and i think her sense of humor is less abrasive though it still has a little bit of teeth…

Take the opportunity to write a short ramble/drabble about something you want to write about. one of the biggest draws to me about writing poe is just the idea of interacting with rey and finn? and i think a lot of people see that too which is why i see it in a lot of fanfictions; rey and finn are missing a lot of experiences and context in terms of how… the resistance and generally people who aren’t assholes work? 

rey has grown up in a world where she scrounges for scrap only for the asshole at the counter to decide how much it’s worth (how much her life is worth) in terms of garbage food and finn from the get-go has been just another cog in the wheel, a disposable unit, no thoughts allowed, no opinions allowed unless they are the order’s… no fucking names

and poe like… i just like… poe who like… immediately is kind to these people… he gives finn a name, and they’ve known each other for like 30 minutes,,, and (in my heart) he reaches over not to take but to drop more food on rey’s plate,,, and he just…. trusts openly, like, these two people who… have not had a lot of trust placed upon them in the past, and while they dont have to trust him back, he would, you know, like them to???? i just like poe’s kindness. and. i like that he is kind in relation to these two people who have probably been starved for kindness in the past… and just… also, i love him??????

[msluisa]

hi, i’m elle and so excited for this to be back. i’m terrible at intros but had enough pre-established muse to get this one going. everything i write is a work in progress so please be patient with me. this is my darling luisa that has messed up in her life but deserves the absolute world! please like this if you would like to plot and i’ll come into your ims. i can’t wait to roleplay with you all !

( carla gugino, 47, bisexual ) that must be LUISA GALLO. i heard SHE is here because they suffer from BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER and DEPRESSION. they came all the way from NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK. i heard they can be NURTURING but also OVER-EMOTIONAL. the staff have labeled them as BLUE level. { elle, 21, bst }

luisa didn’t have the best upbringing, probably the understatement of the century. her mother was absent for most of her childhood and she was left in the hands of her alcoholic father. she wanted to make him happy but nothing seemed to work and he just seemed disappointed. she was a sweet child and did exactly what she was told; she was too loyal to her father.

when her mother did show up, the woman would always say how perfect her daughter was but then criticised constantly. however, it was bearable. the little girl begged for the woman to stay with them but she refused. she cropped up every other month acting like she had saved the day but it only broke tess’ heart.

as she got older, she threw herself into her studies, wanting to be the best she could be, not for herself but to finally make her father proud. that never seemed to happen and as she pushed and pushed herself, she crumbled. she was in her last year of high school when she finally started dating and he was an asshole. her father was far too possessive and thought no one was good for her so he threatened him to disappear and that’s exactly what happened. another person had left her and this would become a pattern.

luisa was a serial dater throughout college despite her brilliant grades. she was studying law and had a brilliant future ahead of her but never settled into anything. she didn’t feel confident enough to become a lawyer and felt like she needed someone to support her.  when she old him that she was pregnant, he left her and she couldn’t do anything about her. luisa overcompensated for a lot of things, scared that she was doing something wrong and this drove him away.

several men followed and people did judge but she was convinced that she loved them all at the time. they weren’t nice people and she realised it until it was too late. she has brought dangerous people into her kids’ life and will never forgive herself for it. luisa has five children that all have different fathers.

she was a senior paralegal at a law firm but could never permanently hold down a job as her attitude didn’t fit in with the firm and she seemed to have a problem with everything constantly (not to mention she was crying a lot at work). she had a break when her children were born and did some part time jobs to provide for her children. the woman always seemed to be struggling either financially and emotionally.

when getting drunk on a night out, the woman broke down, suicidal and so her friends rang the police; they were really worried about her. she was diagnosed with depression and started to receive treatment for it. 

after her diagnosis, she met the man that would become her husband - she felt like she needed him as she felt like she was unable to support her family by herself. luisa had always put up with his abuse but it became worse over the last few years. her children  witnessed it but it was getting so bad. she’s ruined her children, she can see it; they despise her and although she tries to communicate them, her true intentions never come across.

luisa was first hospitalized in 2013 due to her mental health and has been hospitalized twice since. it put a lot of pressure on her eldest daughter; the girl’s life became about supporting her siblings because her mother was unable to and the girl has grown to despise her because of this. luisa still loves her but things feel unfixable between them; she tries desperately to fix their relationship but somehow makes it worse.

she was then diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and started to receive treatment.

she finally split with her husband in 2017 but found it incredibly difficult. she did try to self-medicate and would get her into quite a state but one of her youngest children had a gift for calming her down.

after losing her job, she got wrapped up in the heat of the moment and tried to take her own life. luisa regrets this a lot and feels so guilty for the fact that she put her children through so much... again. wanting to get better, she agreed to go to saint dymphna for treatment.

she does love her children but she has trouble regulating her emotions so can seem a little self-centred and emotional; the amount of times her kids have seen her cry is unreal and they shouldn’t have to see their mother in constant tears.

i will reinforce that she LOVES her children so much and hates herself even more for how she’s not supported them. all she wants them to do is love her but she can’t force that, no matter how hard she tries. her children are on her mind constantly and it does make her very emotional.

although she’s not considered a threat, if she’s having a bad day, luisa can seem really intense and she has trouble pulling back. her mood swings are to blame when things escalate quickly.

she tends to adopt the younger patients to try and fill the void of her own children - she wants to feel as though she has done at least one thing right ...

luisa cries a lot !!!

she’s incredibly defensive.

[zoeygreensimblr]

King of My Heart (episode 3)

On Friday afternoon we convinced Angus to cut our session down to half hour, he agreed under the condition that we did an hour and half session Monday. I have the feeling Im going to regret this arrangement come Monday but today Im grateful for the shorter session.

"And why exactly are we cutting our time short today girls?" Angus asks, looking suspicious

"We are going to the Stargazer Lounge to celebrate Declan's 18th" Tess explains

"Well I suppose I we better push ourselves today girls, to make up for the amount of sugary cocktails I know you two will consume tonight" He laughs and points in my direction "Especially this one"

We hadn't spoken about what happened on Wednesday night, the night of the blizzard, I didn't bring anything up because I only remembered parts of the night and those memories made me cringe and Angus didn't bring it up at all the next day, he left as soon as the streets were cleared.

"You should join us Angus, Declan won't mind and you will get to met our friends" Tess asks, "Plus, you know the Stargazer Lounge is known for its romantic aura vibe, you could come along and protect Zoey from getting hit on by some undesirable douchebag"

I shoot her a death stare but she takes no notice of me, she's scheming up a plan.

"I'll consider it, I've got some things to do at home tonight, nothing too big, I'm expecting a FaceTime call from Imogen sometime over the weekend, she's not good with remembering that we are in different time zones so when she says she'll call Friday night it could happen anytime tonight or tomorrow morning" He explains, "But you can leave your school bags in my office? It will be locked so they'll be safe in there and I'll get them back to you on Saturday"

Angus' office is at he back of the gym, just a small room containing a desk, chair and a laptop, no photo's in frames, no motivational posters on the walls. As rooms go, it's somewhat boring. Tess, never one to shy away from pointing something out "Remind me to get the details of your interior decorator Angus, I just love what you've failed to do with the space" We all laugh.

The Stargazer Lounge is located just across from Skye Fitness, on top of some of the most expensive apartments in San Myshuno, it features an undercover bar, karaoke and even a massive heated pool. Tess made me wear my swim suit under my dress, I thought she was crazy though considering how cold it is tonight but when we arrive the pool crammed with people.

Tess spots our group sitting in the back, Declan and Sam are doing shots, while Mika and Cassandra are sipping on vodka sodas. The girls greet us both with hug, Declan kisses Tess on the cheek and Sam just waves.

Tess sends Declan to the bar with our drink orders, she explains to the group that she could go up to the bar herself but her heels are really only for decoration, she can barely walk in them. I, on the other hand wore sensible, knee high flat boots, dressed for warmth and comfort, not decoration.

Declan returns with 2 cosmopolitans and tells us he ordered food for the table. We settle in for the night, laughing and talking about our weekend plans, what we plan to study at university and where we are holidaying during Winter break. The drinks are flowing, everyone's having fun and then Sam suggests we should go swimming, I look over at the pool which is still crowded. Everyone starts stripping off down to their swim suits and running towards the pool.

"You coming in Zoey?" asks Cassandra

"Too many people Cass, Im gonna sit this one out"

she nods understandingly, all my friends know I don't like crowds.

I don't want to stay sitting at our table alone though, that just screams "loser", so I get up and take a seat at the bar. The mixologist approaches me and asks "what will it be miss?"

Before I can even answer I hear a familiar voice behind me "she'll have a cosmo and I'll have a light beer"

"Beer has carbs Angus" I tease him without even turning around.

"I'm making a rare exception tonight" He explains, taking the seat next to me. He smells amazing and looks divine.

"Why are you not swimming Miss Green?" he enquires

"Ah, did you see how many people are in that pool right now?"

"And here I was thinking that the girl may not know how to swim"

"Are you joking? I live in Brindleton Bay, we spend every day of Summer in the lake"

Our drinks arrive, I try to pay but he won't let me.

"Ok, but Im getting the next round" I tell him firmly "Otherwise you'll have expectation that you'll be getting laid tonight, I know how these things play out, I've seen it in all the Frat House, boys club movies, you by the girl drinks and she sleeps with you" I laugh at my little joke.

"Do you really think I'm that kind of guy? The type that goes around picking up girls in bars and sleeping around?" He asks, clearly insulted.

"I'm sorry Angus, shit, I was trying to be witty and I just say the wrong thing. You're right, I don't know what kind of guy you are and I shouldn't just assume based off of movie stereotypes"

He turns to face me, pulling my bar stool closer to his and says "Zoey I don't sleep with a woman unless I'm in a committed relationship with her and it's been 2 years since Steph so..."

"Steph? She's the one who cheated on you with your best friend?"

"Yep"

"what an idiot she must be then"

He looks at me and smiles, "And whys that Zoey"

"Because you're hot" I reply

"And you're drunk Miss Green"

"Yeah but I'll be sober in the morning and you'll still be hot so there's that"

"And you'll go back to avoiding talking to me so there's also that"

"I like you Angus and I know I'm speaking with the help of liquid courage right now but I want you to know I am attracted to you, like a lot" I confess but he's looking past me, I turn around to see what's caught his attention and I see it's Tess, wrapped in towel and smiling to herself, she heard everything I just said, great, now these two will spend the whole Monday training session making fun of me.

"Zoey, Declan wants me to stay at his tonight, being his birthday and all, he wants to have some private "Celebration" time, if you get what I mean" Tess says

"So I'm catching the train back to Brindleton Bay alone?" I reply

"You could stay at Cassie house?"

"The Goth House? No way, that place is haunted, I'd rather take my chances on the train with the murderers"

"You can stay at place, you can sleep in Immie's room" Angus offers

Tess locks eyes with me and says "Zoey and I need to have a private conversation", she grabs me by the hand and leads me to an empty table

"Zoey you don't have to do anything you don't want to do OK? If you stay at his house it doesn't mean you owe him anything. Don't let him pressure you to do anything that you don't want to do"

"I won't, I don't think he would either"

"I love you Z"

"Love you too T"

Tess walks me back to the bar where Angus is sitting, staring at his beer.

"Zoey is going to stay at your place tonight but if you do anything to hurt her, anything at all, I will punch you in your pretty boy face, you got that buddy?" Tess threatens

"I'd never do anything to hurt Zoey" he promises.

Tess hugs me goodbye and leaves with Declan.

We sit in silence for about a minute until he speaks

"I mean it Zoey, I'd never do anything to hurt you, I remember everyday what it felt like to have my trust broken"

"I know you would hurt me Angus, if I thought you would then I would never have agreed to come back to your place.Do you have edible snacks and netflix at your apartment? Or do we need to make a pit stop?"

"I have Netflix and carrot sticks"

"pit stop needed and we will need vodka too"

"Zoey?" he asks

"yeah?"

"Can I kiss you?"

I don't answer him, instead I lean over, place my palm on his check and move my lips in to meet with his. My first kiss, it feels like time is standing still, I can feel my heart rate is racing, don't overthink this Zoey, just go with it.

"I wasn't expecting that to happen tonight" he says after we pull away.

We step out into the night, the air is chilly. He takes my hand and leads us, first to the mini mart for snacks and then on to his apartment.  Angus lives in a huge, two story penthouse  apartment overlooking the river. He gives me a private tour, showing me the backyard oasis and the swimming pool on the deck.

"No crowds here" I muse, he laughs, wraps his arms around my waist and whispers in my ear

"We could take a dip?"

"Tempting as that sounds it's freezing out here and there was talk of Netflix before"

He leads me to the lounge room and hands me the remote, "You pick the movie and I'll get the snacks ready"

This is the last thing I remember before waking up, alone, in a strange bedroom in the middle of the night with a pounding headache

[sylvansoldier-a]

Get  to  know  the  mun!    Repost,  don’t  reblog.

(PEN)NAME  :  Dani, Leafmun (a holdover from back when Tess was an Epic oc)

PRONOUNS  :  She/her

ZODIAC  SIGN  :  Pisces

TAKEN  OR  SINGLE  :  Seeing someone

———  THREE  FACTS  ! ♡

I love building computers! I learned by watching a lot of youtube videos, and to date, I’ve built two computers for myself, one for my parents, one for a friend, and co-built one with my younger sister on the other side of the country, and I’m building another for a friend next week. I love the control that assembling my own machine gives me, and I like researching upgrades and making improvements. It’s been difficult to get ahold of some parts because of the pandemic and the jump in demand for graphics cards, but with some patience and a few early mornings driving an hour and standing in line at the closest computer part store, I’ve snagged some great parts.

I’m a big fan of D&D, despite never having grown up with it. Like a lot of new players, my introduction to D&D and tabletop games in general was Critical Role. I recently completed a 3 year long campaign (made longer by the rona), and I’ve played a half-orc monk, a tiefling cleric, a halfling rogue, an aarakocra barbarian, a dragonborn ranger, a kobold wizard, an elf sorcerer, and a dwarf druid. Some of those were oneshots, but the majority are from ongoing games in various states of hiatus.

An extension of the last fact—I love to learn new things. In the last few years, I’ve taught myself how to stream; I’ve learned about audio and lighting equipment; I’ve studied HTML, CSS, and Javascript; and soon, I’m going to try my hand at mini painting. If something is simple enough that I can learn how to do something on my own, I’ll do it. I’ve replaced my own car filters and restrung a set of blinds for my window, rather than paying for convenience. I always like to try to do something on my own before asking someone else to do it for me.

———  EXPERIENCE  !  ♡

I’ve been roleplaying in some form or another since the days of the Neopets chat boards—back when you had to get a parent to sign a permission form to allow you to interact with other users if you were under 18, I believe. I’ve been writing here since 2013, and Tess is my one and only muse. I’ve dabbled with other characters, but they fizzled out before they even got off the ground.

Tess used to be an original character from the animated movie Epic. I really loved the movie, and when I found a few roleplayers here on tumblr, it kind of kicked the door open to the whole rpc. I’ve made truly incredible friends that have kept in touch daily for the last 8 years, and some of us have even met in person. While I still love the movie for all its quirks, the fandom was never particularly large and it only shrunk as time went on. Plus, I found the story a bit limiting in places, and I liked the idea of expanding Tess’ world and interactions with other muses and settings. She’s due for a massive blog overhaul and possibly a purge. Eight years is a lot of baggage and a lot of growth.

———  MUSE  PREFERENCE  !  ♡

Tess is the kind of character I liked to read about when I was younger. I prefer to write and play women, simply because I feel like I can draw from so many of my own experiences and feelings. I know what it’s like to be hungry to prove yourself and to be made to doubt yourself, despite knowing well your own capabilities. I know what it’s like to be frustrated with the indifference and casual cruelty in the world and to want better. I like writing characters who play a supporting role, rather than seeking out the limelight—I’ve always loved those stories.

———  FLUFF  /  ANGST  /  SMUT  !  ♡    

FLUFF  /  ANGST  :  I’m of the opinion that a good will have a bit of both. Too much of one or the other can get boring really quickly. Don’t get me wrong—I love writing softness and flirting as much as I love writing gut wrenching pain and despair. Nothing is better than setting up a few characters with differing goals and worldviews and letting them bounce off each other, complete with all the character exploration and conflict that brings. I think I tend to write more fluff than angst, but I’m open to both. Writing isn’t my strongest mode of expression, but I always want to be better than I was when I started.

SMUT  :  

For someone under the ace umbrella, I actually really enjoy writing smut. I definitely think my feelings on sex come through in Tess’ attitude—trust is paramount and relationships are work. While she’s more comfortable with physical relationships, she has difficulty really putting her faith in someone and making herself vulnerable. Not to say she’s impervious to being manipulated—it’s happened before and it’ll happen again. She’s just very wary of getting in too deep with anyone she thinks is unlikely to stick around, erring on the side of self-deprecation and cynicism when it comes to relationships.

PLOT  /  MEMES  :  

I am not historically great at plotting, but I genuinely want to get better. It’s just really difficult to do with a new partner right off the bat. I’m always really nervous about annoying anyone and tend to read too deep what I think someone’s responses might mean, especially when I really admire someone’s writing and I’m really excited to work with them. Memes are a fantastic icebreaker. When I first start to follow someone, I will take every opportunity to send in some memes to get a feel for their character and for the mun, themselves. It doesn’t always work out, as some muns don’t like replying to memes from new folks, and honestly? That’s a real bummer. I’m not the most confident person, and if I run into a mun with a lot of walls and barriers to entry, I tend to bounce off and give up.

My discord is open to mutuals, and I’m always open to IMs, even from non-mutuals or new followers who just want to ask questions. (I know that Tess’ blog is a bit of a mess, and it’s not really well laid out for anyone looking for a good, quick summary of her character.)

Tagged by: @ofdeathandfear​​

Tagging: Anyone! Seriously. I would tag folks, but I think everyone in my orbit has done some version of this. But if you haven’t—yes, I mean you—then steal this and go do it.

[miss-tessbess]

((Hey, Tess! Seeing as you've been on Tumblr since 2012, I've been wanting for a while to ask if you would be willing to share your experience with regards to your history here. What's changed in the five years that you've been on Tumblr, whether it be about yourself, the muses you've had during that time, or the website in general?))

My experiences and history with Tumblr? Oh boy, this is gonna have to be under a read more, cause this is gonna get

L O N G

(After writing) I maaaay have rambled a bit too much on my history itself and not enough on how things have changed, but it is there, I promise ya. Sorry! I hope I answered this well enough…

HOW I EVEN DISCOVERED TUMBLR

I remember for a good chunk of my life, I didn’t have any internet in my life at all till I moved down to Florida. I discovered deviantart , and would just spend hours upon hours searching for art. I didn’t even have an account. One of my favorite artists posted a journal one day about opening up a Marx ask blog on Tumblr. So I clicked the link, and bam! It was my first time being on Tumblr. And for a long long while, I didn’t make an account. I was just this sweet, reoccurring anon who would interact with rp blogs.

MY FIRST BUNCH OF MUSES

As I have stated before, my very first experience into rping was through interacting with a Dorocche blog (more so with the Dark Dorocche they had). I eventually realized that I wanted to take my anon cloak off and truly begin to rp with others. But, what could I make of this sweet anon character I had created? Who would she become?

And thus, my first muse ever, Teresa Gaiden, was created. And she wouldn’t be the last.

She was my primary muse from 2012 till early in 2015. Her backstory was…. not all that great. Some stuff about anon cloaks and escaping the Earth freezing and yeeeeaaaah it kinda sucked. Teresa’s daughter Karana, her parents Rosanna and Philip, and her evil alternate (yes she even had a frickin evil alternate) Asera were added on later. And those were just the muses on Teresa’s blog.

Other muses that came along included Clarabelle and her five farmhands, her daughter Pantera, her sister Tavalyn, her absolutely TERRIBLE ex Roger, Heather, Lillian, Petal (for a short while tho), Dom Woole, and Sasuke (from the Kirby Anime New Year’s episode).

Something I’ve learned from this era is to NOT go crazy like that again, cause I WILL get burnt out. Also to NOT have a repeat of Clarabelle (if you’re curious about her i’d rather talk about her in a different post, even if… I’m pretty upset with what I made her go through. Eugh… I try not to go too far with dark, angsty stuff like what she went. Though now that I think about it, Lillian’s is pretty dark too, but the whole point of her is that she’s a ghost, so…)

BAD EXPERIENCES

I don’t recall having too many bad experiences, aside from a certain someone who uh… I later realized probably wanted to just, in the end, have their muses bang mine. I was a minor at the time, and all the muses I had were in relationships already, aside from Karana, who was frickin 6. They godmodded all the time, had terrible grammar, and were just overall an annoyance.

Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself in these situations. I hit my breaking point eventually, and try to end our contact peacefully. And when they tried to guilt trip me, I told them I was absolutely done, blocking them (my friends at the time were their to support me too, which I’m really grateful for). It’s okay to cut contact with someone who acts like this to you, okay? Don’t let them get to you.

THE WEBSITE THEN

I’d say the community I was with during this time flourished like how things are now. Course, we didn’t have the IM and rps constantly were being turned into link posts, but we dealt with it. It wasn’t that bad. I don’t really have a whole lot to say for this

AFTER TERESA (AND ALL THOSE OTHER MUSES)

As I said before, I had burnt myself out with the muses I had had before, not to mention a lot of the characters they had interacted with before were inactive. I wasn’t sure what to do. I wanted to keep rping, but… I had no motivation for my characters, even if I was trying to reinvent Teresa… What would I do?

I’d start fresh, with a whole new muse, whole new backstory, and leave my other blogs behind.

Some time before the end of me using Teresa, I had noticed some of my friends were writing their own little stories to tell! (well, one had already written their story and i had rped a lot with their character before this came up) I was fascinated, and wanted to join in on the bandwagon.

And so Kathandra Rhyne was born.

She was just supposed to be for a story I’d write (now her backstory), but I figured when I was making this fresh start, she was the perfect choice for a new muse to kick things off. And in July of 2015, I started her blog up.

This time, I decided to try and make a deeper backstory, one that, yknow, didn’t rely on the existence of anons on tumblr. I feel like I still have a lot to learn with telling backstories, but compared to Teresa’s, I feel like I’ve improved greatly.

This time, I would not go crazy with muses and rp blogs. I made three more after Kathy’s (Sailor’s, Elline’s, and Lillian and Petal’s). A major improvement from the what, 7-8 before?

MORE STUFF THAT’S HAPPENED

I’m quite a bit more mature than I was in the past. I mean yeah, I can be pretty goofy on this blog, but I am a touch more serious than I was in the past. I was 14 then and I’m 19 now, after all.

My art has changed quite a bit as well. I think if past me learned about my current art style and the fact a lot of what I’ve done lately is digital, they’d freak out in excitement.

I’m not as afraid either. I used to be so nervous when approaching a new potential rp partner. I can still be like that nowadays, but it doesn’t happen as much as it used to in the past.

My nickname has changed too. I used to go by Admin A or Marx in the past (due to logging on and posting “hey hey hey” one day) but Lum gave me the nickname of Tess! Another new thing to come along with my fresh start with Kathy.

IN CONCLUSION

I’ve definitely changed quite a bit from when I first came to this site to now, but there is still plenty of room for me to grow and learn even more things. I’ve learned quite a bit about rping and creating characters from those early days with Teresa. My creativity definitely blossomed. She still means a lot to me, even if she’s fallen inactive.

I’m not sure what else to say, other than how grateful I am to all the friends I’ve made on this site. You guys are great, ok? We’ve had so many wonderful, memorable, experiences together. Here’s to many, many more!

[oncegilded-blog]

SHIPPING

SHIPPING INFO // Answer the following for your muse(s) so people know how shipping works on your blog. REPOST. Don’t reblog.

WHAT’S YOUR OTP FOR YOUR MUSE?:  She’s an OC, so I don’t exactly have one- yet. Her OTP used to be with a Vasily Fett, but they are gone now :(  I mean I have ships in mind, but it comes down to chemistry with each character first. Kazu ( @atramentousxedge ) and Tess have been a thing in my friend and I’s minds for years now, but they are just getting some plot progression time as of recently. However I am chomping at the bit for certain other characters she’s interacting with to get closer to her, so we can explore possible ships there---

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO RP WHEN IT COMES TO SHIPPING?: Honestly-- anything! I have essentially no triggers, and love to delve into some touchy subjects. Just about every issue Tess has, I have some sort of experience with, and while I do use them as plot devices at times, I don’t just show her problems to add angst. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE angst, but I also want the grittier reality of a life after trauma. I want her to have to work through some shit to have the sweet fluff, and sexy smut that comes later on. The stuff people consider ‘shippy’ is imo the prize for overcoming obstacles. There is no emotional pay off when two people come together too easily.  I need to feel emotionally invested in their outcomes. Feel like they have worked for their happiness. I’m weird, I know.  Especially since I am willing to play some twisted and toxic ships too. Because life isn’t all roses, and sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs to find a prince willing to battle the dragons with you. Yanno?

HOW LARGE DOES THE AGE GAP HAVE TO BE TO MAKE IT UNCOMFORTABLE?: No one underage. 

ARE YOU SELECTIVE WHEN SHIPPING?: With Tessa, yeah a bit. She has to bond with someone before I’m comfortable with writing certain things with others for her. She’s my only muse who is damn near demi-sexual. Sure she crushes on some right away, but it’s more ‘Oh wow- I want them in my life. I want to be affectionate with them. I want to have them close.’ However, it takes awhile before she’s wanting to push them against the wall and have her way with them xD That’s not to say I’m not VERY open to shipping. I am! I’m just selective about how fast they get to the ‘shippy’ parts of a ship. Does that make sense?  Probably makes even less sense when I say that there is a part of her, be it small but still, a part of her that would probably respond in a far more willing fashion than she’d like to admit if a big sexy man shoved her against the wall first >.> I mean, she might not be ready to make a move herself, but I bet she’d still submit pretty quickly. I’m awful, aren’t I? lol

HOW FAR DO STEAMY MOMENTS HAVE TO GO BEFORE THEY’RE CONSIDERED NS.FW?: I tag even slightly sexual threads nsfw, just to be courteous to others.  I am far more comfortable writing nsfw of all kinds than many people here, so I try to keep that in mind when tagging things.

WHO ARE OTHER MUSES YOU SHIP YOUR MUSE WITH?:   Shit-- shit shitshittyshit! I hate this. I feel like I shouldn’t name names, because--- I have not spoken to most of the muns about Tess caring for, or possibly crushing on their character, and seeing where it could go. However there are MANY KINDS OF SHIPS. So------with that in mind, I CAN say I ship her with Kazu ( @atramentousxedge ) -A given at this point. Big sexy beast of a man he is!, Riggs ( @anleor ) because omfg he hurts my heart and my muse just wants to hold him- fuck, Wick ( @anleor )- but I’m not even sure on what level. Azuka ( @firesxofxcoclare )- Because they both need friends!!, Chris ( @battedvalkyrie ) and Lori ( @mothergrimes )- Because we have discussed it, and she needs as many badass lady pals in her life as possible! , Eugene ( @alwaysasurvivor )- As a nerdBro-ship!, Paul ( @hilltoprunner )-  Not sure how you’d classify these feelings. He saved her, brought her into a new & better life, and she wants to take care of him/protect him/comfort him. Like a mutual savior sort of ship I guess. Sawyer ( @anarchywithin ) and Major ( @atlasmarked )- Hard to say how either of these threads will pan out, but she’s a bit starry eyed over both of these boys- for different, but similar reasons. The first because he saved her, and is so unexpectedly kind to her. and attractive- *coughs* what?  And the second, because he’s so incredibly selfless and compassionate to others. and adorably handsome sorryNOTsorry. Kindness is VERY attractive quality to Tessa, okay?

 DOES ONE HAVE TO ASK TO SHIP WITH YOU?:  I have never had anyone on here outright ask me to ship with Tessa. Other muses of mine though, people had no problem throwing their characters at. Tess might be bit of a hard pill to swallow for some. She’s not canon, not some epic baddass either. She’s not some supermodel, or even all that easy to love because of her issues. Of course there is a lot to love about her, it’s just the work it might take for some is a bit off-putting perhaps.  She’s a ray of sunshine for some, and one wrong move away from a PTSD break down, not worth the trouble, for others.  However, to answer the question, no. No need to ask. I will probably ship my character and yours in some fashion regardless of if you do as well. It’s just how I am. If I’m threading with you long term, it’s because I can see some kind of ship forming, even if it’s a hateship. I’m here for stories- connections- an array or real emotions and relationships.  If you asked me to ship though--- oh boy! That would be refreshing! Think the closest I’ve gotten is @battedvalkyrie jumping in my IMs and discussing how our muses would get along! xD <3

HOW OFTEN DO YOU LIKE TO SHIP?:  I ship all the ships all the time! ALL THE SHIPS! Frenemy-hateful-familial-friend-bromance-romance-unrequited-- all of it! If I’m in a thread with your muse, I ship them-- somehow-- or can see myself shipping them in some manner!

ARE YOU MULTISHIP?: Um yeah- only way to be around here. Learned my lesson hard in the past.

ARE YOU SHIP OBSESSED OR SHIP MORE-OR-LESS?:  Like I said. I have a need to see some kind of ship formed or forming in order to continue on a thread, because there is no emotional pay off for me in writing with someone I can not see my character having strong feelings for or against.  Who wants to take the time and set up a storyline to play out with someone your character doesn’t -and wont ever- give two shits about one way or another? 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SHIP IN YOUR CURRENT FANDOM?: In TWD I’d have to say @mothergrimes‘s Lori. She’s my first follow, and Tessa’s first friend here. However I look forward to seeing Tess and @hilltoprunner‘s Paul get closer. I can see a cute/sweet sort of mutually mothering ship forming. And of course I’m excited about @battedvalkyrie‘s starter!! 

FINALLY, HOW DOES ONE SHIP WITH YOU?:  Imply an attraction, or your muse caring about mine in a thread is usually enough to make ME ship it. lol I’m pretty easy. I’m also pretty good at letting folks know Tess is interested via some introspective moments in my replies. Yet I like to leave it up to the other mun on whether or not their muse picks up on the clues. Directness is always easier though- MESSAGE ME!  

tagged by: @battedvalkyrie

tagging: shit idk- Everyone up there I tagged for some reason, I guess. xD And anyone else who sees this and wants to give it a go too. Consider yourself tagged!

[doomsecantrp]

Spit it out

"Eat my shorts," Tess grumbled

[zoeygreensimblr]

Enchanted (episode 2)

I woke up well before my alarm went off, every muscle in my body felt like it was being pulled apart. How do people do this exercise thing and just love it? This is torture and now this trainer guy wants us to do personal training 3 times a week, ugh kill me now. Stupid Angus with his stupid pretty face making it impossible to say no to. Stupid Tess for roping me into this stupid pack, I swear she just wanted to see me suffer while convincing me "It's for the greater good, think of how fit we will be come Summer". Stupid Summer, I can't hide under layers when it's boiling hot. Curse everything!!!

I reach for my phone to shut off my alarm and I notice I've got a text message from a number that I don't know.

See you at 4pm, looking forward to it

Clearly it's been sent to me by accident because, lets face it, I very rarely make plans with anyone and if I I do then I spend all week trying to think up ways to get out of them, Im just going to reply and tell them they have the wrong number.

This is Angus BTW, Your personal Trainer

Great, Mister perfect is a morning person who sends early morning messages reminding his victims he hasn't forgotten he scheduled more torture.

Upstairs I can hear Tess dancing around the kitchen as she makes her breakfast. Tess is also a morning person, it's extremely annoying when you're a night owl like myself and you get woken up by the sound of her singing out of key.

The dancing has stopped and has been replaced the sound by her shoes stomping down the stairs

"Zoey, wake up, we are leaving in 30 minutes" she bellows down the hall "and pack your gym clothes, we have training after school and I don't wanna have to make a trip home and then back into the city, it's easier to go from school"

"Im up, going to shower now" I reply, while I still lay there knowing she won't leave without me

My door flies open suddenly and she's now invading my space with her perkiness.

"you're not up at all, get up!!! Did you see Angus' texted us, I'm so excited to start personal training, arn't you?"

Why must she be so happy all the time?

"Im sore Tess, all over, maybe I shouldn't go today, I'll start PT on Friday" Please Tess, please hear my plea, don't make me go back there but no, she doesn't listen to a word I've said, instead she's shoving my gym clothes into my school bag.

Im up, Im showered, Im ready for school and it only took 40 minutes.

We attend a very elite private school in the heart of Forgotten Hollow. I love going to school here, Tess and I share a great group of friends and Im a straight A student.

Tess' Boyfriend Declan meets us the the school gate, just like he has done every day since he and Tess started dating in year 9, he kisses her on the cheek and greets me with a wave.

"Our personal trainer has a thing for Zoey, I know it, Im never wrong about these things" Tess greets him every morning with useless information that he pretends to take an interest in.

"Way to go Zoey" He enthuses, as if he really cares

"He doesn't have thing for me, he was just being friendly to get us to sign up for his stupid torture sessions and now we have to go back there again this afternoon so he can whip us into shape" I moan

"Tess we have school captain meetings after school today, did you forget?" Declan reminds her.

"Oh shit, I did forget, sorry Zoey, you're facing the torture chamber alone today, don't worry, you'll be fine though" she said, not looking one bit apologetic, she's almost laughing, "You should see Zo in front of this guy Declan, she goes bright red and he just keeps staring at her, he's so into her"

That afternoon I board the train alone to San Myshuno, arriving at the gym just before 4. As Im checking in at the reception desk Angus comes running up to me.

"No Tess today?" he asks and Im left wondering if he's somewhat disappointed that he's realised he's going to be stuck attempting to make conversation with the socially recluse twin

"She forgot she had a meeting to attend today so Im sorry but it's just me this afternoon, did you wanna cancel?" I struggle to get my words out through bouts of shyness creeping in.

Please say yes, we can cancel and wait until Tess returns.

"That's ok, her loss is your gain because now you get me 100% to yourself for a whole hour. How are you feeling after yesterday's session?"

"If I can be honest with you, Im hurting a lot, everywhere"I reply, in the hopes he will send me home to rest.

"I thought you would be sore today but you put in an amazing effort last night, you should be proud of yourself, Im really proud of you, Ive had a lot of women run away mid class and never come bak but not you, you stuck it out, that shows you've got stamina" He flashes me that million dollar smile and I feel my face going bright red, "Ok, lets get started, I'll take things nice and slow with you today, due to the recovery pain you're in"

He leads me to the treadmill and starts me on a low setting, just as promised.

"We're going to be working pretty closely together a lot so what do you say we work on kicking this shyness to the curb too? Lets get you to be a strong, confident woman"

The redness is creeping back into my cheeks, why does he care if I'm shy and not confident?

"We can try but I can't make any promises, I'm socially awkward, Tess is the social butterfly, she loves going to parties and to clubs whereas I'd much rather sit at home binge watching Grey's Anatomy" Why am I volunteering information about being a wallflower? He's going to think I'm such a loser.

"McDreamy and McSteamy are the way to any girls heart" he laughs "I love a good binge watch myself"

"You watch Grey's Anatomy?" I ask, shocked, Ive never met a guy who likes Grey's, but to be fair I don't really talk to many boys, just Declan and only because he's always hanging around Tess.

"I live with my older sister and she's somewhat obsessed with it, she rewatches it every Summer and we only have one TV in the apartment so I'm also forced to watch it too" He laughs, "Do you like movies?"

"I love movies, it's one of the only times I enjoy leaving the house, when something new comes out. I sometimes think I just go for the popcorn though" I reply "what about you?"

"I also love going to the movies but I don't go for the popcorn" He explains "I usually bring my own snack, I don't do carbs, Im just really careful about what I put in my body" He winks at me like I'm in on some secret joke. Is he flirting with me? Is this what flirting is? No way, he's just being cocky, I'm sure of it, Who would flirt with a sweaty introvert who just admitted to carboloading as an excuse to see a movie?

Ive got a plan, if I just stop talking then he will stop talking and I can just stop overthinking everything. I blame Tess, she got into my head with this whole "He likes you" bullshit that she carried on with. I wish Tess was here so the focus wasn't all on me. Why did she have to be popular and be voted in as School Captain? Why couldn't she just think of what coming here alone would do to me.

My plan is working, he's not even trying to talk to me, he's typing something on his phone. Good, just stay focused on your phone buddy, no more chatty chats to Zoey.

My plan lasted all of 3 minutes, he looks up from his phone and asks "Your surname is Green right"

"umm, yeah"

"and it's Zoey, spelt with just an E or EY?"

"EY, why?"

"Im just searching for you on simstergram, oh yeah, there you are. Following and I expect a follow back"

"Do you also expect interesting content too because you will be sadly disappointed" I throw in my own wink at the end and he just laughs.

As I'm about to leave I see that it's started to snow, it wasn't even forecast to snow today, it's been unseasonably warm since the middle of last week so I didn't even consider to bring a jacket. The train station is a 10 minute walk from the gym and the another 15 minute walk to my house. Im going to freeze if I go out there without cover. Best to wait inside and call Don to come pick me up. I pull out my phone and start typing in my home number, hoping that he's home, when I hear Angus behind me.

"Oh wow, it's snowing.How are you getting home Zoey?"

"I was going to catch the train but I didn't bring a coat so Im just going to call my step dad and ask if he can come get me"

"From Brindleton Bay? That's crazy, I'll take you home"

"Oh no, you don't have to, that's well out of your way"

"How do you know Im not already going that way?"

"I just assumed you lived in San Myshuno when you mentioned you live in an apartment"

"ah, umm, yeah I do but really it's no trouble, you were my last client for the day anyway and I'll just be going home to an empty house, my Sister is travelling at the moment, so I really don't mind and it would give you someone to talk to on the way home, although Im sure Im no substitute for Tess"

"Tess could talk under water, I swear." I laugh "well as long as you're sure it's no trouble. I'll call Don though and tell him we are having a guest for dinner, can't have you driving me all the way to Brindleton Bay and back in the snow on an empty stomach"

He smiles "Thanks Zoey, you're a sweetheart"

Here comes the blushing again

The traffic leaving the city is congested with everyone finishing work at 5 and heading back to the suburbs and the snow storm is picking up.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we get a blizzard tonight" Angus muses

"I would love that, Tess and I have a tradition of watching movies and getting drunk in our basement on nights of a blizzard because school get cancelled for the next day"

"That's awesome. You two are really close hey?"

"Yeah, she's not just my twin sister, she's also my best friend. She pushes me out of my comfort zone all the time, which can be annoying but she's always got my back whenever someone pushes me around"

"she pushed you into coming to the gym didn't she?"

"Is it that obvious that I don't want to be there?"

He laughs, "Ah yes but I think you'll slowly warm up to it. I hated it at first too but I had a lot of weight that needed to come off, not like you, little miss petite"

"Are you seriously trying to convince me that you didn't always have washboard abs?"

He looks at me, raising an eyebrow "Have you been checking me out Miss Green?"

SHIT!!! I've somehow stumbled into unknown territory, flirting, I can feel my breathing becoming more rapid, I'm going to have a panic attack, which is not unknown territory but Im trapped in a car with a virtual stranger.

"Oh fuck, Zoey, shit, I can't pull over, just deep breaths hun, in and hold it then out" He's trying to not get panicked himself as he's trying to calm me down and it's working.

A few moments of silence pass until he asks me "Does that happen often?"

"unfortunately yes" I tell him, embarrassed. "I just get overwhelmed with some social interactions"

"like flirting?"

"Yeah, I don't  flirt, ever"

He looks over at me again and says with a smile "We're gonna work on that"

We arrive at my house just as the storm starts to get worse. We make a mad dash to the front door where we are greeted by Tess, who is obviously amused with the whole situation.

She yells out to our Mother Ruth and Don "Zoey brought a boy home"

I could kill her, I really could, she has no tact but Angus just laughs like he's in on her joke and I just roll my eyes.

Don ventures out from the kitchen to greet today's unexpected dinner guest, he use to Tess bringing Declan for dinner but this is a first, Zoey with a boy.

Don reaches out to shake hands with Angus, "Hey, Im Don, Zoey and Teresa's step father, their mother is around here somewhere" He turns around to yell out to mum

"Ruthie, come meet Zoey's friend" he turns back to Angus "Sorry, I didn't catch your name"

"Angus, Angus McKennzie"

Tess and I exchange looks, we didn't know his surname until now either.

"McKennzie? You're not Imogen McKennzie's younger brother are you"

Angus smiles, "Yes, how do you know Immie?"

"We were high school sweethearts back in the day, I use to help her babysit you, you've certainly grown, granted you were only around 2 or 3 back then" Don explains

"Oh look out, old Donny boys got his throw back thursday voice on" Tess muses and I laugh. We love Don but he does like to go on, a lot, about "back when I was in high school"

"Girls, stop picking on Don, he's cooked us a lovely roast for dinner" My mother says as she enters the room. "Hi Angus, welcome to the mad house, these two like to stir their step father non stop"

"He loves it" Tess and I say in unison.

"What's Imogen up to these days anyway? I imagine she's still travelling the world and  breaking hearts" he laughs to himself

"well it's funny you say that, she's on a jungle adventure in Selvadorada right now but she'll be back in a few months. We own the gym together and coming into summer we get an influx of new sign ups so I'll need her help real soon"

Tess and I again exchange looks, He owns the gym?

After dinner, Tess and I do the washing up and Don goes outside to look how much snow has fallen, he comes back inside and informs us that the streets are covered in a thick blanket of whiteness. "You're not going to be able to get home tonight Angus and I highly doubt there will be any work or school tomorrow so it looks like you girls have a playmate for drunken shenanigans, best go make him up a bed in the basement"

"Im sure he wouldn't mind bunking in with Zoey if he had to" Tess teases and I shoot her a dirty look.

"Come along Angus, you can help us mix cocktails" Tess says, taking charge.

We've never had an intruder join us on Blizzard night and Tess is finding it all too exciting.

"Full warning, the more drunk Zoey gets, the less awkward she becomes" she informs Angus, I throw a cushion at her to try and get her to shut up and Angus sits there grinning at us.

We pick out "He's just not that into you" to watch and set our drinking rules. I can feel I'm getting tipsy midway through the movie, "She's such a light weight" Tess announces to Angus.

"No I'm not, you just made my drinks really strong for your own amusement" I protest

Tess and Angus exchange looks and just burst out laughing, I knew it!

"So Angus, don't you have to call your wife and tell her you're not coming home? That you're staying with your mistresses tonight" Tess asks, not so subtle

"I'm 22 Tess, I have no wife"

"Girlfriend then?" she presses on, I know where she's leading us to and Im sure he does too.

"No girlfriend either" he explains and we exchange looks, "very much single and have been for 2 years now"

"Why did you break up?" there's never a question Tess doesn't feel she can't ask, no matter how personal

"She cheated on me, for months, with my best friend"

"Aww Angus, that's heartbreaking, isn't that heartbreaking Zoey?"

"What a bitch " I interject and they both look at me shocked, ok I may be a bit more than tipsy

"Zoey, you should give Angus a hug to heal his broken heart"

"Ok" I reply "But only if you let me feel your abs"

Angus looks at Tess "Is she drunk?"

Tess nods, laughing "I told you, less awkward, she can't overthink when she's drunk"

"Stop talking about me as if Im not here" I shout as I run my palm over the bumps on Angus' torso, while looking him in the eye.

"sorry Zo" he whispers in my ear.

We reach the end of the movie and the bottle of vodka, which isn't surprising when Tess is the mixologist.

"That's Zoey's favourite movie" Tess informs Angus

"It's pretty good but I think they need to do a sequel and call it "He is into you but can't tell if you're into him" what do you think Zoey?" Angus asks

"I'd watch the shit out of that" I reply

Angus and Tess both burst out laughing, I've clearly missed the joke and I just don't care, Im having too much fun.

"Angus you are welcomed to join us again for blizzard night, you're too much fun and Tess, he's so pretty too"My speech is becoming slurry

"Well  Angus, I think she just answered your question without even realising it was directed at her" Tess muses

"Stop talking about me like Im not here" I shout, yet again

"Sorry Zo" they both say in unison.