#it figures that their stubbornness is one of the few traits they share and it’s the cause of their fractured relationship

[all-pacas]

basically the original trio are all foils of house and aspects of him in pretty obvious and intentional ways, right? so it's not wrong to say that any of the group are "like house." they are supposed to be. they reflect him and their differences also reflect on him. (this is a format that worked so well that the second trio are essentially all remixes of the first group; they are less foils to house because they seem more like responses to the first group, but that in itself is a fascinating and separate discussion.)

FOREMAN is pretty obvious. he is house's intelligence and logical nature and drive. he is cold and calculating and driven, but also share's house inferiority complex: house's first lines in the series are about how he hates to be stared at and judged by his looks; foreman's struggles as a Black man in a very white and wealthy world are integral to his character. they are both outsiders, they are both judged and dismissed, they are both highly intelligent and logical, arrogant and stubborn. house almost immediately latches onto foreman as a favorite in s1, mentoring and pushing him like he doesn't the others: foreman has always been highlighted as the most like house, and it's interesting too how many of foreman's qualities (rising above the perceptions of others, his incredible intelligence, his stubbornness and willingness to fight for his beliefs) are i think the traits house most admires in himself. it's interesting too how in some ways foreman is "better" at them than house: house is notoriously prone to losing his much touted logic and acting emotionally and losing his temper; foreman is really a bastion of self control.

CAMERON really doesn't get the credit she deserves for how like house she is. the morality is obvious: house's morals don't often align with the law, but that he has strong beliefs and both acts on them and pushes them onto others is very much shared with cameron. she is surprisingly impulsive and hot-headed, much like house is: she is prone to acting based on how she feels in the moment without really thinking about consequences, whether that be "running away from an emotionally fraught situation" or "blurting out to a patient he's terrible for leaving his wife." cameron's love for the puzzles and mystery of diagnostics is highlighted a few times, and while that can seem kind of arbitrarily, it really does make sense: like house, she is all about picking people apart, trying to understand them, trying to figure them out. she is nosy and pushy and interfering: so is house. she cares intensely: so does house. this gives their dynamic something of a push and pull: house seems to appreciate her and their shared (and frequent) moralistic debates, until she turns it onto him and tries to puzzle him out. i do not think house sees himself in her as he does foreman -- foreman is more obvious reflection -- but it's interesting how quickly house starts deferring to cameron's judgement and seeking out her emotional advice.

CHASE... exists. chase is an interesting case, because on the surface (as i've talked about before), he and house really aren't that much alike. chase is social and relatively outgoing, if shallowly so: he is unambitious and a bit of a slacker, manipulative instead of aggressive, and backs down from every fight. he doesn't often express opinions or show strong beliefs. in fact, chase's more negative traits are the ones he has most in common with house: they are both self-centered, and self-serving, choosing their own wellbeing over others. they can be manipulative and passive aggressive. cold and closed off and risk adverse. chase is also the only one of the team house didn't choose to hire: he was thrust upon him from on high. to me, chase isn't a foil to house but a mirror: they share similar backgrounds, similar life trajectories. we see chase's life imitate house's, brief limp and all, as the series goes on: chase is the house of the past, outgoing and athletic and slowly worn into cynicism and isolation. chase is blatantly the one house has the least interest in for much of the show: it is not that he seems to dislike chase particularly -- in fact, they get along surprisingly well and chase is very good at asking for and receiving honest answers from house when he wants them. but if chase embodies house's least loveable traits, he also is more open to overcoming them: he does open up to others, he does connect emotionally, he does still openly need and want and show that he can change. if foreman is who house admires, and cameron is his emotions and morality, chase is house, twenty years younger, living the same life again and hopefully, maybe, better.

[sparklingcid3r]

Having thoughts about how, no matter how loud Pony and Darry get during their arguments, how much vitriol and hate is fueled into their insults and yelling, it doesn’t change the fact that Darry physically cannot go to sleep whenever Pony is out late and he doesn’t know where, too terrified of the thought that his brother is bleeding out in the dirt and he can’t do anything to help him.

And it doesn’t change the fact that Pony’s worst nightmares, the ones that leave him crying so hard he’s choking on gasps and Soda can only barely calm him down from, are the ones that put Darry in the car with their parents.

[whywhywhymoney]

What everyone ALWAYS gets wrong about Maggie Kyle

For a character with very few appearances (and only 3 of them as the incredibly mischaracterised Sister Zero), the amount of bad faith takes and practical vitriol that gets thrown Maggie's way is really surprising. She's a very interesting character and foil for Selina which is why competent writers for Catwoman keep coming back to her! I feel like I want to clear up some of the major misconceptions that I've seen by doing a bit of a deep dive using mostly her debut appearance:

She's sanctimonious/holier-than-thou.

This couldn't be further from the truth! It makes me think that people don't actually read her appearances, just look at the nun habit and come up with an idea of what they think a foil to Selina should be like (pious, virtuous, dependent, frumpy).

Catwoman (1989)

She's actually very much an idealist, and doesn't give up on the people she loves. In her first lines of dialogue she's shown here cutting an elder nun down to size because Maggie won't take any criticism of/for her prayers for Selina.

Catwoman (1989)

You see her directly telling a cop that she doesn't care if she gets arrested, and the language she uses clearly emphasises that she doesn't have anything against sex workers (we even see her talking to some later when she's trying to find Selina; everyone's very respectful to each other).

Maggie crucially does not think she's above anyone, and she doesn't think she's above behaviour that others feel is beneath her ("Or you'd arrest me for soliciting... Book me, Danno").

If you can accuse Maggie of anything here it's naivety - that by virtue of being a nun she's protected from violence - but she's also literally a teenager here too.

Throughout these panels she's constantly being patronised and slightly belittled by authority figures - and absolutely refuses to give into them and pushes back every time. This is just ONE of the MANY traits Maggie and Selina share, but like so many of their similarities, it becomes a difference because of how those traits present themselves in both girls (and they're both literally just girls here, no more than 17-19).

I assume this misconception can come about from the way Selina talks about Maggie very early on -

Catwoman (1993) #5

She's abrupt and distant and wants nothing to do with her - not because of anything Maggie did but because Selina feels it's the best way to keep her safe. Selina pushing people away/leaving them for their sakes is nothing new, and she's done it to Maggie first/ the longest, its sort of a default setting for their early relationship.

Part of it may also be some sort of resentment regarding how both of their lives turned out, but that's probably buried so deep that by the time it does crop up in Catwoman (2002), both of them acknowledge that they're way beyond that.

She's timid/weak.

Again, a lot of these misconceptions stem purely from 2 things:

Thinking Maggie is the total antithesis of Selina

The stereotypical image of a nun/religious person

While obviously not as physically capable as Selina and Holly, that doesn't stop her from being a badass in her own right. There's plenty of panels that show how much of a backbone Maggie has, and you can even see it above. The girl is not timid!

Catwoman (1989)

But in a literal life or death situation, when even Selina thinks Maggie's dead (Stan has thrown her off a platform), she actually managed to grab onto a railing and is later saved by Batman. The near death experience doesn't stop her from standing up to Selina's actions too.

If this exchange reads as "sanctimonious" to readers, well fine. Selina feels that way. What it really is supposed to highlight is that neither sister is wrong, just how their different worldview's affect their dealings with the world - in fact, we watch all this from Selina's POV, so we naturally favour her perspective. That same stubbornness and desperation to survive persists in Maggie just the same as it does in her sister. Again, it just expresses itself differently.

In fact, out of all characters, it's STAN who correctly assesses just how similar Maggie and Selina are, in his own twisted way. Maggie's been holed up alone with Stan - a known abuser and rapist - for at least a couple days by this point, and the way she refuses to engage with him is a parellel of how Selina refused to engage with the police right at the start of this story.

Catwoman (1989)

She's not timid and she's CERTAINLY not weak. Just as Selina won't give up any information about Maggie, Maggie spends the latter half of the comic doing the same thing.

Over and over again we see Maggie as the one who's not afraid to stand up to the one's she loves, and the one who feels more secure in their relationship, and in general the one who is actually the LESS likely to give into her emotions the way Selina can do on occasions.

Catwoman (1989)

You can see it right here, in the aftermath of Maggie's kidnapping. Selina expects her to be a mess, and Maggie's just quipping through the whole time. She doesn't hold back at all from letting Selina know exactly what she went through, and she can be JUST as bitter (and has a right to be) about what hand life dealt her as Selina is. It's Selina who's wracked with emotion, and it's Maggie who lets her know in no uncertain way that she's not a killer.

It's fairly interesting to note - Maggie and Selina both have the same tendency towards self-destruction when they hit rock bottom. But I think Maria's suicide has taken that "conventional" option away from both of them.

And now for some general observations on Maggie and her relationship with Selina:

They both possess the same capacity for empathy and caring - whereas Selina cares SO much about a select circle of people and empathises endlessly with people in difficult situations, Maggie doesn't put a limit on who to care about. Neither of them are wrong, they're just different. This trait in Maggie might have changed as we haven't seen a whole lot of her as a functional person post-Relentless though (and I think from the snippet we see in One Bad Day, she has).

They do look very similar, and this is highlighted more in Catwoman (1989), but their colouring is different, especially later on when Maggie has more lighter brown/reddish-brown hair. Once again, the eerie similarities just make the contrasts strike that little bit harder.

Maggie canonically did get her Psychology degree - and it's something that completely works with her already established character! I can completely see her in a role that strives to make life better for others, in the same way Selina strives to make life better for the East End.

There's always varying levels of friction between her and Selina, and there probably always will be. That does NOT mean they cannot stand each other. It just means they have a very complex and layered relationship, and clashes often happen between people who are pretty similar in certain ways. They still love each other fiercely and never stop caring about each other.

When it comes to religion, I'm going to let these panels speak for themselves. What I will say is I think both must have had a healthy grounding about it in their childhood, as Selina never sounds particularly resentful against the Church.

Catwoman (1993) #5

Gotham City Sirens (2009) #22

The undercurrent between both of their attitudes is towards religion, life and each other is empathy, a lack of judgement, and a fierce determination to love and live IN SPITE of constantly hitting drawbacks. Those core traits are inherent to both of them, I really do believe it.

And that's that on Magdalene Kyle!

[goo34ter]

Take The Bridge Back to Me

short series that takes place during season one of Arcane when Viktor begins to become consumed with discovering the mystery of the Hex Core. where you, the reader ,worry for his health but also the path he is paving, trying time and time again to extend an olive branch of desire asking him to slow down and step back.

An argument ensues when emotions come to a head, but we center around the aftermath and self discovery that follows the storm. Slowly but surely you gravitate towards one another once more, like a binary star system and unescapable orbiting, walking the delicate bridge back to one another.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Damaged Buttresses

The night of your unwarranted fight with Viktor did not aid in your ever present and recent struggle with sleep. Only adding to the plethora of reasons you should be awake, mind swarming with guilty phrases, accusing you of being horrible and venomous. Then your mind wormed a thought so devastating after your fight, that you believed you were the worst person to walk Runeterra." Will I ever see his figure full of life again? Will the next time I see him be in a hospital bed? Will he die with my venomous words and sour accusations in his mind?” The coming few days after didn't fair smoothly either, brain addled with guilt and worry, but heart too stubborn and broken to be the first to reach out, but nor did Viktor. You had suspected as much, that a man with such pride and perseverance as himself, Viktor would elongate your time apart. Stewing on his emotions, blinding himself with work as a repercussion. But was it such a repercussion when it was his obsession? His sustenance for life, his reason for living? 

Perhaps, such a love for science and machines has delved into that of an obsession, all consuming and devouring, festering in the brain, tempting and itching till relief comes in the form of answers and discoveries. But what lengths does he go to quell the bubbling urges? Will he leave a bloody trail sodden with not only his own but the people’s around him? Will there be anything left once he decides it's enough, that he is satiated and full. Will he ever be satisfied? With so many unanswered questions you can't help but think there's more harm than good with the road he's chosen to walk. But sacrifices must be made for the efforts of success and progress, simply, they should not be the livelihood and health of the man you love. 

By the time you've racked up such a list of unanswered questions you have reached the third day with no contact with Viktor, both parties riddled with avoidance and a wounded pride, raw with vulnerability, emotions laid bare on the table for each other to examine, to scrutinize. Yet your each passing thought is of the Man, always circling back,;to the hurt in his eyes when you insulted his pride, the angry slam of his cane, his shock when you screamed your concerns. 

He's never seen you so angry, you realize, always practicing the action of letting emotions wash over you to remain steady with honesty passionately, rather than angrily. His reactions to your words may not have simply been because they upset him, but because this uncategorized eruption of an emotion was thrown in his face, leaving him unprepared while already riddled with exhaustion and fatigue. Despite his many ethereal traits and capabilities, he is human too, and possesses the fragility of the human heart, so easily wounded.

As you think about this man, so deeply affected by his soul, the third night without him, you stand in the small kitchen of your one shared apartment. Gaze occasionally shifting to the worn down couch in the living area, expecting a familiar figure to be stretched out along its cushions, lazily poised while reading a book or jotting down thoughts. Yet, each glance is only met with the emptiness of the couch cushions bare of any figure or weight, merely an outline of what should be. shifting your body weight to your left, hip jutting out to support your shift of balance as you stand, It's evening, you realize, the day seemed to slip through your grasp so effortlessly the remembrance of work seems more like a feverish dream rather than reality.

Similarly, Viktor had been struggling along the three days since your painful dispute. The first night when he had left, he had wanted to open the bedroom door, kneel at your feet and hug your knees, pleading for forgiveness, a crumb of salvation to his tormented and overworked mind. Viktor is no fool, but has many flaws, much like the rest of mankind he too possesses the ability of incapability. He can become consumed, in thought, in work, in wonder, in discovery, and in creation, that it widdles him down to nothing; leaving you to pick up the pieces and build him up from the skeleton he has left behind. A habit he deems, though, it is more a trait. It's not like the clicking of your heels before leaving home, or twirling of hair as you think, more embedded within his soul, hard to shake as it is part of him. Yet, he is capable of reflection, though you have so colorfully informed him he does no such thing; Reflecting on his actions towards you and himself he can observe where his errors lay. 

The Hexcore has consumed him, his thoughts, his time, and his attention, leaving nothing for you in return. He’s close to a discovery he knows, but it's as if the moment he solves one puzzle the Hexcore presents him with another, so tempting like a juicy steak after months of starvation, he cannot resist himself. Temptation made obsession he realizes, instead of simply being tempted to discover the possibilities of the Hex Core, what he might be able to achieve, what it might lead them to do, he has allowed himself to obsess over its every capability. But you had been wrong too, very little of his health did you know about, he made sure of that. He is the one in his body, aware of its deterioration, does not need the person he loves most pointing out something so plainly obvious. Oh but he kept you in the dark about his health. He simply wanted to bask in ignorance a little while longer, pretend his health wasn't an issue, coming home to you after a long night at work like a dog deserving of treat.Though if you pushed a little more, inquired a few more times, Viktor would have taken you with him to his next visit. Allowed the Doctors to lay out every unfixable ailment, finally allowing you to bear witness to the ugly truth.

Through thought, Viktor leans to his right, seated at his desk in the laboratory, Hex core in his peripheral. He assumes the position of the thinker, resting his elbow on the table instead of knee, the damn joint never seems to stop aching these days, much like the rest of him. He glares, not at anything in particular, but glares none the less. Frustration needing somewhere to escape, somewhere to be expressed. The only action he can think of that uses the least amount of energy is the knotting of brows and an intense stare. Then when an ache forms between his brows, he shifts his focus to the papers in his line of sight, eyes straining to read equations and diagrams. When had it become so hard to see? Ah, its evening, room no longer lit by the harsh sun, instead what little light produced by distant terrestrial bodies bleeds in languidly. Like they're not in a hurry to provide him with the ability to see, unlike the sun that seems ever eager to provide him with sight.

What must be done to right his wrongs? Leave the hexcore behind sure, but he's so close to discovering how it can rejuvenate life, it could be utilized for so much more, to heal disease, injury, himself. He can't stop now. But then there's you, sweet decadent you, deserving of the world, laid on a golden platter for your every whim and plea. He can't split himself in two, though at this moment he wishes he could. Sending his better half to your door and embracing your figure with a reverence to make even the gods jealous. No, what would he say to you? He needs more time to think, to reflect, to formulate the correct phrase of words that would soothe a balm over your broken heart. One more day over obsessing on the Hex core couldn't hurt.

 But as Viktor works, he finds himself more focused on you, your scream of what could almost be described as agony during the argument, the fisting of your lovely hair he's sure hurt and stung like venom. What would he say? Very few times has he found it hard to find phrases, oftentimes having to shorten their length or hold his tongue. But now, he finds himself lost in how to begin, in where to start, maybe actions are better? But then what would he do, how would he do it? Too many questions left unanswered, think, think! As if to mock him the Hexcore spins and pulses in a flurry of movements, as if responding to his inner turmoil. At this insulting reaction from the Hex Core, Viktor thinks back to the conversation he had with Jayce later this afternoon, and their disagreement with Hiemerdinger. The yordle had demanded they destroy the Hex Core, deeming it nothing more than a destructive bad omen for Piltover. Infuriating, how could someone as old as him see past the potential of such a device, what humanity could accomplish? But it was his selfish desires to continue living that made him more sour towards the professor. And it was with Jayce's urgings that led him to pull himself up from his desk, “do what you have to” the words rattled in his mind like an echoing voice in a cave with nowhere to go. He knew just the person to inquire about this struggle, now, understood the drive for blind pursuit. 

Love, and desperation. Truly an ugly mix.

[apriciticreveries]

( cough cough ) officially introducing and revealing her and her final design, zhuli ! ! ( @alien-til-i-stage . . i offer you . . my pookie to add to the list . . also . . @solei-eclipse . . new s40 character drop hey . . maybe she could be friends with jiu and they could bond over being sleep deprived ( lili also sleeps kinda weird . . like in a coffin burial type position haha ) and @aakaneeee, i hope you like her ! : 3 )

( i also apologize again in advance rock ( @rockwgooglyeyes ), she came out looking a lot more dull then expected . . : ‘ )

——————————————————————————————————

but yeagh . . she’s my main girlie for s40 . .

although this is how her appearance canonly is now, her accessories, and hairstyle ( not her uniform though ) aren’t actually set on the one that’s shown in particular ! everyone is free to draw her with different aspects to her appearance ! ( this is mainly due to the actual fact that zhuli often changes her appearance in different elements every day ! )

i won’t reveal too much about her right now, due to the combined facts of how, unlike aurien, i want a lot of her character to be unknown at first, with it being unveiled slowly .

the other reason is that im still figuring out her character and most of her lore . . but i think ill have a chance to ponder, actually find out, and reveal some of her lore if some people ask about it ehehe . .

ill list the profile and other official information down below !

name : zhuli

birth date : 2 / 4 ( aquarius )

age : 20

body : 172 cm ( 5 ‘ 6 ) / 62 kg ( 136 lbs )

affiliation : 40 th anakt garden

likes : [ unknown ]

dislikes : change, gossip, teasing, taunting, loudness, crowds, rudeness, lying ( especially her own ), hypocrisy, failure, bragging, pompousness, complaining, overexaggerating, loneliness

special talent : cataloguing and recording

( don’t mind how her likes aren’t even listed and are one word long while her dislikes are 4 lines long . . )

other notable information :

she actually has a condition called prosopagnosia, or face blindness, where you have trouble identifying and differentiating faces . because of this, she often identifies others with different aspects .

( which she notably first struggled at, being overwhelmed with all the others she would see )

and again,

she’s actually registered in anakt for training to be an announcer . as a result of this, she takes completely different classes then her peers, only sharing a small few . she also has a very different schedule from everyone else .

i imagine there are a few others supposed to be in training as well, but the group arent actually with eachother that much, and rarely see eachother .

because of these combining factors she is often isolated from the others, and known as a bit of a mystery to her classmates .

although she wants not to be, she’s extremely disconnected from her peers . when she does interact with others ( as rare as it is ), she often faces them with a reserved and aloof attitude .

though id say that so far, she is a generally quiet, reserved, sensitive ( which she refuses to show since she views it as a vulnerable and weak trait ), stubborn, and short tempered, but softhearted and gentle once you get to know her a lot more . i think the first established relationship for her so far, would be with atlas !

her guardian is named guardian qiran, who was gifted zhuli .

that’s all for now ehehehe

( please let me know on your and potentially your other character’s thoughts on my pookie . . everyone’s also free to ask questions about her, and others on this account, but i will make a side account for my 3 girlies in s40 soon though hehe

and random fact : i actually was planning on just making lili have normal skin, but the more I looked at it, the more she looked uncannily related to solei . . so i reverted it back to what i planned before .

and another fact . . since para motivated me to actually watch spirited away again, i was actually planning to make a character based off no - face .

before realizing that i unintentionally might have made aurien with a LOT of his traits already . . now i might draw auri as no - face . . ( or atleast with an appearance more similar to his ) spirited away au with maybe lang ( @pwippy / @its-langgg ) as haku, solei as chihiro, and aurien as no face . . or maybe swap auri and lang i don’t know . . )

( side note : is it me or do maya ( @cloverandstuff ), zhuli, yumi, and all kioku look vaguely related . . )

edit : oops she came out a bit like kyo ( @bluemoonscape) didn’t she

[nyastri]

Director's cut for Downfall but Make it Guanaco because it was really fun to write and I want to share some of the details that I put into it. This fic is about the downfall timeline being the equivalent of El Salvador.

~~~~~~~~~

Although Legend was "revealed" to be Salvadorian like Hyrule at the very end of the fic, there are a few hints I threw in before to show that Legend is also Salvadorian.

“Puchica, Rulie,” Legend muttered. “You’re stubborn. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, you know.”

Puchica is used in El Salvador as an expression like "jeez" or "shoot".

“Chanclas are terrifying,” Legend agreed. “But I’d argue cinchos are worse.”

The proper term for belt is "cinturón" but it's often shortened to cinto. However, in El Salvador, cincho is said instead of cinto.

Hyrule kneeled in front of him and used his lips to point at the captain’s irritated skin.

[...] “Hey! Wind insisted on following me. Said he wanted to see the town,” the veteran explained and pointed with his lips at their youngest brother.

Both Hyrule and Legend point at things with their lips, which is a habit that many latinos have.

The traveler smiled, “Yup! We’re best cheros.”

The Subrosian tilted her head, to which Legend clarified, “Best friends. We’re best friends.”

Chero is a Salvadorian word that means close friend, and while the Subrosian (who speaks a different dialect of Spanish) doesn't understand what that word means, Legend immediately does and is able to explain to the Subrosian what it means.

~~~~~~~~~

Ok, now onto other fun facts about me writing this!

“ Chelito !” Hyrule said, laughing lightly while the veteran sputtered in protest.

Warriors frowned slightly, trying to decipher what chele meant. Was it an insult, somehow? Maybe it had something to do with skin, since that’s what the subject was before?

Chele refers to someone who is fair-skinned and generally blond, it's not an insult.

The veteran scoffed, “You’re one to talk, you know. You’re barely trigueño . [...] you’re blondish! And you have colored eyes!”

Trigueño is someone who has lighter olive skin. I personally headcanon Hyrule with light olive skin, hazel eyes, and brownish blond hair. It's completely possible for a latino to have traits like this, and, along with Legend looking "white", I think it's a nice way to show how diverse a latino can look.

“Babosos,” Legend muttered, “We're surrounded by babosos. What paja is this?”

"Baboso" is like a way of saying "dummies", and in this context, Salvadorians use "paja" as the equivalent of "nonsense".

Legend snorted, “Cabal.”

Cabal basically means "exactly"

"Chanclas are definitely the scariest thing I’ve faced,” Hyrule finished.

“Chanclas are terrifying,” Legend agreed. “But I’d argue cinchos are worse.”

The traveler scoffed, “No, chanclas are the scariest. They can be thrown! Have you seen the aim some people have?”

“Okay, sure, but cinchos are long range too!”

I feel like chanclas are generally used by moms, while cinchos (belts) are generally used by dads. Since Hyrule was disciplined by Impa, she would use a chancla on him. But since Legend was raised by his uncle, he would use a belt on him. That's why Hyrule is most scared of a chancla while Legend is most scared of a belt.

Wind had to admit that Wild’s era was colder than he was used to, but it was bearable. Even though he was used to tropical heat, he had enough experience with cold ocean breezes that he wasn’t completely unprepared for cooler weather as the group walked through Hyrule Field.

But the same could not be said about Hyrule.

I specifically chose Wind for this passage because I wanted someone who would be more affected by "chilly" weather than the others but wouldn't react as strongly as Hyrule did. I based Wind's era off of Hawaii, and when I looked into Hawaii's weather, I noticed that it can have a bit of cool weather but is still generally warm (sorry if I'm wrong about that), so I figured Wind would be perfect.

Even Wind, who was the most used to humid weather, wasn't fairing as well as the veteran. The sailor was nowhere as badly affected as the others, but he still had to roll up his long sleeves despite having one of the lightest outfits.

This paragraph is from later in the fic, when the chain is in Hyrule's era and everyone except for Hyrule and Legend are suffering from the intense heat. Following what I was saying about weather in Hawaii, while it can be hot and humid there, it's not as hot and humid as El Salvador (once again, sorry if I'm wrong about that). So while Wind is mostly fine, he can definitely still feel the affects of the heat.

After another ten or so minutes of walking, Sky had nearly passed out twice. His vision was getting blurry and he doubted he was walking straight considering how dizzy he felt. When he looked at Wild, he saw that the champion wasn’t doing well either. He kept almost-falling and his tunic was thoroughly soaked in sweat.

This paragraph again takes place when the chain is in Hyrule's era. Sky lives in, well, the sky, an extremely cold place, so he has never experienced humidity and in general doesn't handle heat well. As for Wild, he's one of the only members of the chain who has experienced humid heat because of his Faron region, which is tropical jungle. However, scars don't sweat, and considering half Wild's body is covered in scars, he is at a much higher risk of heat stroke and thus is one of the most affected by the heat. Thank you Mel for that tip!

“My era is really hot,” [Hyrule] explained. “Something about the equator, I think. It never gets this cold.”

Hyrule isn't the best educated, and although one of his Zeldas probably told him, he kind of forgets. Who has time to remember geography when you can learn sword fighting instead?

“Now, we separate the masa into balls. Then we poke a hole in them and stuff it with the cheese and beans and flatten it.”

Hyrule demonstrated the technique, although when he flattened the dough some of the stuffing fell out. He let out a sheepish laugh and glanced at Wild.

[...] Some of the stuffing fell out of several of the pupusas (the ones made by Hyrule, specifically)

Here I'm just feeding the "Hyrule can't cook" agenda, lol

~~~~~~~~~

This was a really fun fic to write! Hope you guys enjoyed reading about my thought process.

@starwolfie Thank you for the Wild suggestion!

[crowroboros]

the main echo cast and their splatoon mains. GO!

Oh fun, alright! I'll also put an explanation for my reasoning at the end. Really enjoyed thinking about this. This will be Splatoon 3 focused by the way, as it is the most recent game.

Chase Hunter - Octobrush (Suction Bomb/Zipcaster)

Leo Alvarez - Dread Wringer (Suction Bomb/Reefslider)

Jenna Begay - .52 Gal Deco (Curling Bomb/Splattercolor Screen)

Carl Hendricks - Splatana Stamper Nouveau (Toxic Mist/Crab Tank)

TJ Hess - Big Swig Roller Express (Angle Shooter/Ink Storm)

Flynn Moore - Custom E-Liter 4K Scope (Squid Beakon/Kraken Royale)

Bonus! Syndey Bronson - Custom Blaster (Point Sensor/Triple Splashdown)

Explanation time, spoilers will be mentioned.

Chase: Chunter mains Octobrush. The weapon cannot take fights head on due to having shorter range than many other weapons and thus has to rely on off-angles to get kills and take space or by poking with bombs from a distance. Chase rarely if ever wins a fight he's in one-on-one, having to rely on a distraction from people around him to get any sort of advantage. He also tends to avoid confrontation all together, usually running when faced with a danger like Duke or Brian. This works very well with Brushes as they are highly mobile when brushing along the ground which they use to escape situations that they would get splatted in otherwise. Chase is also referred to as having stubby legs that makes running not his strong-suit and that works with Octobrush specifically as it it slower in both its flicks and brushing when compared to the Inkbrush (though it is still faster than the Painbrush but I don't think Chase is that slow so it still works). Octobrushes tend to shark in ink, swimming around and popping up when an opportunity presents itself. So an octobrush user is often in swim form a noticeable portion of a match, which works great with Chotter who is an avid swimmer! Zipcaster may be the odd one out when it comes to this weapon being Chase's main but I do think it plays into all of the aforementioned traits with how Octobrush tends to use the special.

Leo: I might need to defend myself on this one but here me out. Leo is headstrong and very straightforward in how he does things right? He's intelligent but stubborn, rarely considering alternative options which can backfire on him. That is the Reefslider special. It is straightforward; Rush forward on an inflatable shark and explode. But because of that, it can be predicable and ends up getting countered a lot. Beyond that, Leo really does care for his friends and wants to be their protector. Originally I thought that a Big Bubbler weapon could be pretty good for that, but I think that Reefslider fits Leo better but also a main weapon like Dread Wringer also can cover that aspect. Dread Wringer paints an insane amount, which means that the team has a lot of ink to swim through, hide in, recover health, escape through, etc. It also is AMAZING at comboing with weapons like the Range Blaster or Snipewriter so it ends up working a lot with other weapons. Sharing the sub weapon of suction bomb with Octobrush can be representative of his relationship with Chase and how he sticks to the image of Echo, Chase, and the past.

Jenna: .52 Gal Deco and Jenna okay. I had a few ideas for Jenna, initially thinking of her maining a dualie of some kind but I just couldn't figure out which one would work best. Jenna is practical, self-reliant, and resourceful while also having a playful streak about her. She loves pulling pranks and joking around with her friends while still being generally supportive and helpful towards them even if she can come off as harsh at times. Also being a fox, she is rather mobile and fast on her feet. It's that last part that originally made me think of giving her a dualie, but I couldn't find one that I thought matched all of her traits. That's when I decided to approach it from a different angle. I started from her independence and worked from there. I started thinking of weapons that were very self-reliant, able to hold their own in fights, can paint well for themselves, etc. Then I started thinking about weapons that can be a bit playful and sneaky while keeping their mobility. And after a lot of consideration I landed on the .52 Gal Deco. The main weapon, .52 Gal, is a mid-range shooter that is pretty much the definition of a self-reliant and resourceful weapon. It is a very consistent two-shot weapon with a pretty solid fire rate, making it very reliable in fights while minimizing the amount of time it takes to kill so it can splat the opponent before it can get splatted. It can be a bit ink-hungry so the user needs to be resourceful and aware of their surroundings and their own resources to fully utilize the weapon's strengths. Curling bomb as a sub weapon gives this otherwise okay-mobility weapon much better movement, which the user can use to get around the map quickly and distract opponents. This weapon ends up playing rather fast paced and sneaky by using its range, kill-time, and curling bomb to move around the map to take positions that the enemy team might not be expecting. And then the special of Splattercolor Screen works as a smoke-screen of sorts, concealing your team from the enemy sight. That plus curling bomb allows for a bunch of mind games on where the .52 Gal Deco user could be at any given time, especially if they're running Ninja Squid.

Carl: This one was a bit more difficult to figure out than the first three but I think the Splatana Stamper Nouveau is a good fit for him. Carl is more laid-back and chill, so I didn't think a weapon that is very fast-paced, aggressive, and "high energy" would work for him. He also dislikes being the center of attention so in my mind that pushed me towards weapons that work well as an anchor in a team comp rather than a slayer or skirmisher or something. Carl also has a stockier build and for a time worked out, which made me think of Crab Tank. This narrowed my thoughts down to Splatana Stamper Nouveau and the Heavy Edit Splatling Nouveau. Both are strong, slower, sturdier weapons that play at the range that Crab Tank favors. I went with Splatana Stamper Nouveau over Heavy Edit Nouveau because Heavy Edit as a main weapon is much more fast and mobile and really likes fighting. Stamper Nouveau — unlike the vanilla Stamper — isn't as much as a fighter. It can still fight pretty well, it is a Splatana Stamper after all, but it plays more to support it's team by painting for Crab Tank to apply distance pressure and comboing with other weapons by using it's 70dmg charge slash or the aforementioned Crab Tank. Nouveau as a weapon brand also tends to make weapons based around art supplies, and Carl is an artist.

TJ: Okay TJ and Big Swig Express. TJ as a character is very altruistic and kind. He loves and supports his friends and I figured that a more supportive weapon would work very well with that. The Big Swig roller as a main weapon is focused on putting down paint for your team to swim through, heal, etc. And with Ink Storm also expanding upon that I thought that the Big Swig Express fits TJ's caring personality pretty well. It also is a weapon that doesn't fight much due to it's low damage, which I again think fits with TJ's personality. He tends to avoid conflict and often gets very uncomfortable when pressured by Flynn or anyone else. TJ is also very athletic, and the Big Swig is a faster weapon in terms of its flicks and movement.

Flynn: One I think is pretty self-explanatory. Flynn is proficient with a rifle and the charger class of weapons fill the archetype of sniper-rifles in the Splatoon games. I chose the Custom E-Liter 4K Scope specifically as a callback to Flynn's role in Jenna's route where he takes a position far back to aim his rifle on Heather at the dam. Kraken Royale is a transformation special that transforms the user into a large invincible kraken, in which the user can swim around and perform melee attacks to fight before turning back about ~7 seconds later. For Custom E-Liter, this allows it to protect itself up close. The main gun is very long range and has a very slow charge time. It is meant to take vantage points and snipe from a distance and thus it can't fight when rushed down. Kraken helps cover that weakness. Flynn does throw some punches a few times in the vn, though he doesn't always win these fights. I thought that this dynamic between E-Liter and Kraken represents that pretty well. Also spoiler. Flynn transforms into the Socket Man, a seemingly immortal entity that can rush down and kill things kind of like how Kraken functions.

Sydney: I think this one is also pretty self-explanatory, right? Sydney was rambunctious, loves to wrestle, was a big fan of things like ninjas and treasure hunts. Custom Blaster is a short range blaster that plays to its aggression and being able to get up to an opponent and hopefully hit its one-shot direct before the opponent can fire back. Point Sensor marks any enemy that enters its aoe, so the Custom Blaster player will know where that enemy is while the enemy won't know where the Custom Blaster player is. This allows the user to get up flank and get up close to either direct or use Triple Splashdown, which I mean looks like this.

The user rises into the air and summons two massive fists, smashing into the ground and creating three large explosions.

Custom Blaster has a very aggressive, fast-paced, up-close playstyle that rewards both rushing down your opponent and being creative in ways that you approach to compensate for your short range. It also is a weapon that favors gear with Quick Respawn, cause it ends up dying a lot.

[serpentsillusion]

Sebastian, Ominis, and my x MC

🐍✨

What are their zodiac signs and birthdays? *Near the end of 5th year* 🤔💚

Ever wondered what our 2 favorite idiots were, based on the stars? I studied astrology and similar things before it was mainstream. From what I've gathered based on their characteristics and personalities in the game this is the assumptions I've gathered (and some random other observations I've gathered). These are not fact but just my personal ✨Lore✨ plus a little bit about my MC. Welcome to my spicy brain and my spicy imagination. 💚 I hope you guys enjoy the lore! Hopefully it will give you more insight into my next coming shorts. 🐍

Sebastian: born March 28th 1874. He's MOST definitely an Aries. Aries personality traits include confidence, passion, and independence. But this sign can also be impulsive, impatient, and self-centered. They're Competitive. As a fire sign, Aries are fueled by intensity. They love to challenge others to friendly competition. Positive Traits: Energetic, Bold,  possesses Leadership Skills. Negative Traits: Impulsive, Stubborn, Impatient. Aries brings dynamism. His Mother and Father were named Johnathan James Sallow and Mary Anne Sallow. I figure his middle name is probably of his father's also. I kinda dig the thought of Sebastian James Sallow. 🤔🤭

Sebastian 100% smells like Sandalwood. Have you ever smelled that on a man? Holy Merlin TAKE ME AWAY! 😭 Sandalwood screams masculinity to me. But like a mysterious and seductive, curious masculinity way. The first time MC smelled his cologne on him she immediately had to know what it was. He told her, because she asked, very bluntly to be honest.... And now sometimes her girls bed room smells like burning sandalwood when she misses being around him or his dumb ass gets detention and she has to go to classes without him. (my real life partner wears this and it is INTOXICATING) Give it a try. 😏🤭

Nicknames: Seb, Sebby Boi, idiot #1, Sebs, sex panther (MC keeps that one to herself)

Sebastian's talents: he's really good at wood work and tinkering. He likes carving things for his friends out of tree branches. One of the very few things he doesn't use magic for. He once made a tiny carved bear for MC for her 16th birthday, she put it in a trinket box next to her bed and cried about it when she went to bed that night because it was so precious. Ominis got a teeny tiny carved peepee one time as a prank. He was not amused. ALSO Seb's surprisingly good at making food. (had to survive on his own for a little while)

Favorite food: literally anything. Jelly beans, haggis (he's Scottish, and his mom used to make it ALOT) Tablet (look it up) MC's Dad once sent a whole loaf of homemade banana nutbread to the Slytherin common room for her and she only had like maybe a bite. That was a new thing for Seb he had never tried, and unfortunately he ate most of it and was very upset with himself afterwards because it was for her. It was DELICIOUS 😂 MC couldn't help but love that he loved it. He wanted the recipe but she told him no. It was a family recipe, and if he wanted it, he'd have to marry her. That was a challenge accepted in his mind. Ominis doesn't like Bananas but he tried it and was nice about it, after spitting it in the trashcan without MC seeing. (he really hates Bananas...it's a texture thing.)

Seb=Dom. Likes to be in control 24/7. Turns into a complete and utter almost feral animal when confronted with matching Dom energy. Especially with a female.. aka MC

Probably most definitely has sad boi depression and anxiety. Which turns into fear, which turns into anger. Probably has PTSD. MC shares his pain from her upbringing and that's another reason why they have bonded so incredibly fast.

Ominis:  born September 25th 1874. Definitely a Libra. Libra's are extroverted, cosy, and friendly people. Libra's, like the Scales that symbolise the sign, are often concerned with attaining balance, harmony, peace, and justice in the world. With their vast stores of charm, intelligence, frankness, persuasion, and seamless connectivity, they are well-equipped to do so. I'm going to assume his father was British and his mother was Irish according to ✨le internet.✨ His father's name was probably something fancy like Elias and his Mother was probably something super classy like Violet. Idk 😐😂

Ominis probably smells like vetiver, tobacco (for some reason) and leather. Like a high society lounge for men. With ✨class✨ The epitome of sophistication.

Nicknames: idiot #2, omnomnom he hates it when MC calls him that but it's cute, snakey boi.

Ominis=Sub. Too nervous to touch a girl. Doesn't know what to do. Too gentleman like. Wants to wait until marriage. Probably screams and runs if he tries to be kissed by a girl. Like Poppy.

Ominis and Sebastian are already best friends but Ominis feels drawn to MC in a way a brother is drawn to protect his sister. Ominis feels obligated to help protect MC because he views her as a sister, and the fact that his best friend is absolutely smitten with her. Ominis will 100% be the best man at Sebastian's wedding to MC. She just doesn't know she's gonna get married to that idiot yet.

Ominis talents: is surprising very very good at playing the piano. It was something he was made to do as a child for his parents extravagant parties.

Favorite food: Anything, except fucking bananas.

My MC: aka Jessica "Jess" Garyn Burke born October 16th 1874. The youngest of The Silver Trio, and also similarly of Borgin and Burkes owned by Mr Borgin and Mr Burke, who were known to deal with unusual and ancient artifacts.😉 I picked Jessica because it's actually an OLD name meaning "To Behold" and Garyn meaning "warrior" Everything she knows she learned from her Dad, including protecting herself magically and *physically* like when she decked Leander Prewett in the face for calling her a rather "prude" name and teasing her in front of everyone including Sebastian and Ominis. 0/10 does not like being sexualized by other men, finds it incredibly disrespectful. She can handle her own. Obviously. It only cost her 2 weeks of detention. Leander and her are cool now btw. He's fine. His pride is not. Sebastian purposely got 2 weeks detention shortly after that so he could be around her more. 😂🤭😁✨ She is incredibly sassy, blunt, domineering, sharp as a whip, and not traditionally "ladylike". MC is not afraid to dig her nails in the dirt if she has to. And she will 100% knock a man on his ass for grabbing her butt. "Bitches get shit done." Is her Mantra.

MC=Dom a dangerous mix when tangled around Sebastian. They constantly fight for dominance but he usually always wins. Only because he's taller and a lot stronger than she is. Not sexually active because she's afraid of her father finding out and killing the poor guy. But she does know how to tie a cherry stem in her mouth without using her fingers. 10/10 proud of herself for that after almost choking on a few in her time trying. She learned that from one of her friends back in London. Father doesn't approve of said friend. Useful skill for seduction. Will keep in her back pocket for later. Is actually kinky. She's read A LOT of books about it. Can "work her magic" so to say if need be.

MC usually has her butternut ash brown hair up in a beautiful and detailed bun with intricate pieces framing her face. Slightly pale skin with mild freckles and bright blue eyes. She loves fresh flowers but fresh roses are her ABSOLUTE favorite!! Which is her perfume of choice. Just straight up Rose.

-She also cries when she gets yelled at. Because she's sensitive, but also immediately gets immensely pissed off. You would prefer having her as a friend, and not an enemy. That is why Sebastian and her formed an incredibly strong bond shortly after becoming friends. They are actually very similar. Did not speak to Sebastian for a whole month after he got mad and called her ignorant that one time. Made her cry after he left the undercroft. Did not understand why she would walk past him in the halls and ignore his owls until he apologized.

MC talents: loves drawing. She doodles some of her classmates in her spare time outside the grounds of Hogwarts, while on picnics or laying against trees. She's drawn Ominis and Sebastian. Especially Sebastian. Several times. She hides those ones because she doesn't want him to know she gets butterflies in her stomach around him. MC is also really good at singing, she just doesn't do it in front of literally anyone. She plays the lute but doesn't really care for the high pitched twang if it. Sometimes she wants someone to invent something very similar. They both should have 6 strings so it wouldn't be hard to learn a different instrument that's very *similar* to a lute. Does not like playing in front of anyone. Sebastian heard her one time when she was sick and stuck in her room practicing all day because she was bored. Everyone was "supposed" to be in class. He was befuddled and so incredibly impressed he couldn't move. MC is also formally trained in hand to hand wandless combat, trained executively by her father, Incase expelliarmus gets casted on her. Doesn't want anyone to know she can whoop ass. Also MC is like REALLY good at dancing, LOVES music and making people laugh. Will purposely embarrasses herself dancing just to make her friends laugh.

MC parents and Family: David Burke and Ramona Nielson. Wizard and Muggle. Divorced cuz Ramona is not dependable as a mother and is scared if her magic welding children, had to be obliviated regarding that part of her children. Ramona still got custody even though she wasn't really around for her daughter growing up which made MC want to stay longer with her father during summer vacation, away from school and sharing holidays between both homes. MC has to have that little bit of stern staleness from something...🤷🏻‍♀️ MC was "raised" by her loving and supportive father who served in the Royal Wizard Military as an elite and very powerful wizard. After he retired from the RWM her father decided to travel, collecting ancient artifacts which is why MC is so good at tracking them down so fast. Her uncle is Caractacus Burke who is the founder of Borgin and Burkes. MC has 2 other siblings. An older brother Roderick, and an older sister, Seraphina. Both past Slytherin alumni. Seraphina is diplomatic but deceitful. Spending most of her time working for the Ministry of Magic directly under the Minister. while most unfortunately Roderick is estranged from the family due to criminal "acts" on house elves. MC's father was in Gryffindor. He is somewhat a little disappointed that none of his children were accepted into Gryffindor, however he is still grateful they ended up possessing magic. Does not know his youngest child can see ancient magic. Wouldn't be surprised if she did. MC's bff is her father and her cat Oliver. MC constantly stops to pet cats in hogsmeade whenever she can.

ANYWAY! I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED THIS!! It took me literal hours as I'm still trying to figure out how to navigate Tumblr editing 😂 my eyes and hands hurt. Lol

Stay stunned for more ✨lore✨

[rus-st-cyr]

{ THE ESSENTIALS }

Name: Lazarus "Rus" St. Cyr Age: 39 Species: Witch Powers: Light and Healing Deity: God of Change Gender, Pronouns, Sexual & Romantic identities: Cis-male. He/him. Pansexual. Panromantic Residence / Years:  / 15 years Affiliation / Years:  The Nameless / Early days - a few years-ish Job / Workplace: Healer and Physical Therapist Relationship status: Single Positive traits: Generous, Caring, Adaptable, Approachable, Driven Negative traits: Secretive, Stubborn, Zealot, Worrier, Vindictive

{ BACKGROUND }

tw child abuse/neglect

Rus has pieced together his childhood through court and police paperwork. At least the court and police paperwork that was still available. He survived a fire in his families trailer home in when he was two and placed into the foster care system in Shreveport Louisiana. The strange thing was that the police and fire reported that fire happened during a torrential rainstorm but the flames couldn't be doused. His parents died in the fire and there was some mention of a sibling that was severely burned and hospitalized. Their paper trail disappeared after they were in a closed adoption.

Rus grew up in the foster care system. It was listed on his paperwork that both of his parents were Witches and it was only a matter of time before Rus' powers manifested. He was bounced from one bad foster home to another throughout the state of Louisiana. When his powers did manifest he went out of his way to learn on his own his heritage. But even among other Elemental Witches he didn't meet any that could manipulate light. And even less that knew how he could use his light manipulation abilities to heal others.

At eighteen he left Louisiana and traveled. Odd jobs, picking a few pockets, whatever got him to the next place on the map. He explored. Trying to find himself and his place in the world wondering what his next steps should be.

While visiting Ireland, he came across a very knowledgeable Blood Witch named Corvinus that offered to train him in his powers. He spent almost a year with the man and over that time felt that he had found the Father figure that he'd never had growing up. Until one day he showed up to their usual meeting place and Corv had just vanished. That was a hard blow for Rus who had finally started to feel like he'd found his people.

He continued his travels but started getting letters from an unknown person, waiting for him at his next destination. Each of the letters talked about change, about his place in the world and encouraged him to go back to Louisiana where his story had started. He returned to the United States when he was twenty four and went to college and PT school. Knowing that his healing abilities were a fundamental part of who he was. Settling in New Orleans and opening his own little practice designed to help supernaturals. The letters kept coming until about five years ago when he was approached by a living person telling him about The Nameless. Rus very strongly connected to the need for the world to change. Even if it meant it needed to be burned down so that a better world would come from the ashes. And he joined without a second hesitation, finally feeling like he'd found the family that he'd so longed for.

{ PERSONALITY }

Rus is very generous. Always willing to help a supernatural in need because he knows what it feels like to go without kindness and care. He is resilient, adaptable and easy to get along with for the most part. But deep inside of Rus runs a river of anger at a world and system that is so unkind to supernatural children. That treated him like a freak and left him in the cold. Rus believes strongly that the world can be a better place if others people weren't too scared to do the right thing. Even if it hurts.

{ FAMILY TREE }

TBD

{ HEADCANONS }

His vibes are: Crystal daddy, sage & lavender candles, warm summer rain.

Rus rents a small business front in a strip mall where he practices his PT and Supernatural Healing out of.

He shares an apartment with Versi.

Rus owns a huge collection of crystals, prayer bowls, tarot cards, and other things he uses in his magic practice and as a healer.

Rus' connection to the Nameless is a closely kept secret and anyone that finds out Rus either alters their memories or he has to find a more permanent way of keeping them quiet. Something that he wants to avoid.

{ WANTED CONNECTIONS }

Sibling: Rus knows he has at least one sibling out there in the world somewhere.

[detectivehalliday]

— BASICS

Name: Reese Halliday

Age / D.O.B.: 8/22/1986 ; 38

Gender, Pronouns & Sexuality: cisfemale, straight, she/her

Hometown: NYC

Affiliation: non corrupt law enforcement

Job position: Detective

Education: High School, Army, Police Academy, Detective School

Relationship status: Estranged marriage

Children: Remington Halliday (5)

Positive traits: loyal, adaptable, tactical, resilient,honorable

Negative traits: Stubborn, Reckless, Distant, obsessive, workaholic

— BIOGRAPHY

Triggers: mentions of death, 9/11, violence 

Reese was three when her father skipped town abandoning her, flynn and their mother. With his departure from their lives, her uncle Rowan stepped up became the father figure and someone she looked up too. 

Prior to graduating high school Reese joined the military (shortly after 9/11). Reese excelled in the army - she trained hard, fought hard and it wasn’t long before she started moving up the ranks. Reese found herself one of the only females to have had the ability to call herself an Army Ranger. Reese had excelled with hand to hand combat, but give her a rifle and there wasn’t a shot she hadn’t been able to make. 

Reese had a successful career in the military. An ambush that took out a majority of her unit would leave the Sergeant First Class honorably discharged and hospitalized. Being stateside left Reese feeling without a purpose. Reese found herself in the police academy and it wasn’t long before she was quickly picked up for the Detective unit. 

In between one of her deployments she married an old friend and military buddy. The two are still married on paper however they don’t currently speak and haven’t in years. If they had he’d know that they shared a kid together. Reese loves her son and wouldn’t trade him for the world but she often worries that his father not being in his life would cause him to resent her. Though her reasons for staying away are to keep him safe. 

Reese works in the Detective bureau and has for five years. She enjoys it and feels as if she's making a difference. She often relies on her mom to assist with child care which she knows her mother enjoys. Reese only lives a few houses down which allows her to spent time with her family pretty often. 

— HEADCANONS / PLOTS

Reese had left the US Army with the rank of Sergeant First Class. She served two tours in Iraq with the 3rd battalion. 75th ranger regiment. 

Reese enlisted with a waiver at 17 right after September 11th occurred. 

During her final tour her team was ambushed, killing a majority of her unit and leaving her hospitalized. As a result she was honorably discharged.

Though she hides it it extremely well; Reese has PTSD and often doesn’t sleep at night which works out well with a kid who still sometimes is awake at night. 

Though they don’t always see eye to eye she’d do anything to protect Flynn. 

She doesn’t drink a lot of caffeine - no energy drinks, but enjoys coffee and black tea. 

— WANTED CONNECTIONS / PLOTS

The Danny to her Biaz - her partner on the force. They’ve been together for the last 5 years. 

Estranged husband/ father of her son - their complicated, on again off again due to his involvement in things she doesn’t agree with. I imagine he’s involved with illegal shit. They grew up together though and maybe even served in the same unit. 

[bleakfated]

INTERACTIONS. HEADCANONS. PHOTOS. IISMS. WISHLIST. OPENS. SC.

STATISTICS

BASICS: name: ellen louise harvelle age: late 30s-40s gender & pronouns: female, she/her sexuality: heterosexual faceclaim: samantha ferris occupation: hunter, owner of harvelle's roadhouse location: broken bow, nebraska until the bar is destroyed

PERSONALITY: positive traits: strong, loyal, resourceful, diligent negative traits: sarcastic, overprotective, stubborn, cautious

APPEARANCE: scars: long scars on stomach from wendigo, faint line from right nostril to upper lip from breaking up a bar fight tattoos: antipossession behind ear, dagger along spine piercings: none

VERSES

BIOGRAPHY

TL;DR

Ellen Mercer was born into the shadow of her older sister Catherine. Nothing she did was good enough in comparison to her sister's pristine grades and social interests. After high school, Ellen was lost on what to do with her life and found a simple bartending job and small apartment in town to get away from her parents. It was here that she caught the eye of Bill Harvelle, a hunter in town for a case. After some persistence on his part and her seeing a vampire nearly drain a body in front of her eyes, she agreed to go on the road with him. They hunted together and opened up a bar for hunters, which Ellen stuck to while they raised their daughter Jo Harvelle. After Bill's death on a hunt with John Winchester, she gave up the trade completely and stayed in the bar, hoping to dissuade her daughter from getting into it herself.

FULL BIO

Ellen was born to parents Robert and Emma Mercer on January 2, 1969. She had an older sister named Catherine but they were never very close. Catherine seemed to always consider herself far superior to Ellen, which hurt Ellen when she was younger, but she stopped yearning for the sisterly bond somewhere around her sophomore year of high school. By then she had her own friends and her own life, her sister didn't have to be a part of it beyond rather quiet family dinners. Other than that, her childhood went by rather uneventfully. She had decent grades and was involved in chorus and basketball for a stint of time. Other than that she primarily spent time hanging out with friends and sharing music while ignoring her parent’s snide comments of wishing she was more like her sister.

After high school, Ellen didn't have the slightest idea what she wanted to do with her life. Overall, college seemed like a waste of time to her. She didn't have any plans for being a doctor or a lawyer, so she figured that she could figure out the business aspect of things without going to college. She had seen that many people had the right skills to get what they wanted without wasting so much money and time, forced to learn things that didn't matter so the universities could make more money. She was always the no bullshit type of person, which was what left her grades decent rather than fantastic. She was practical. Around a year after graduation, she had already worked up to a management position at a locally owned bar around her hometown.

Ellen would agree that her life got a lot more interesting after she had caught the eye of one particular patron around the time that a string of deaths rocked the small town. Though she had found him pretty attractive, Ellen hadn't been the type to be too worried about getting married off to anyone, that was Catherine's doe-eyed dream. She hadn't played hard to get intentionally, at least not fully. Still, the mysterious man from out of town persisted in his attempts to get her to go out with him. He came to the bar nearly every night with only one goal in mind. It wasn't creepy, but, sweet, which Ellen could appreciate. After a lot of witty banter, a few romantic gestures, and watching him slice the head off of a vampire near the ice machine behind the bar... Ellen said yes to his advances.

Initially, her stomach churned at his explanation of what she had witnessed, and the real reason he had been in town. Maybe she shouldn't have asked. He explained all about the supernatural, what had really happened with the murders that had started happening a few weeks before he came to town. He hunted them, his family had taught him. Her strong-willed nature often overpowered the sweet heart underneath and there wasn't much of a question on her part of what she should do with the information. They could give their relationship a go and she would learn to help him hunt down these monsters. It felt like maybe she had found something that could give her a life's purpose, no matter how bleak a life of surrounding herself by death might have sounded.

Ellen quit her job and packed up her stuff from her small apartment in town. She never looked back to the small Missouri town she grew up in or any of the people she had known. Her parents were alright enough, but often too involved in Catherine's business to pay much mind to her anyway. She has never really gotten the itch to check in to see how their lives turned out without her, either. Ellen and Bill hunted together and grew their relationship. She found herself happier than she had ever been, despite being surrounded by the dark world of the supernatural. Sometimes it was easy to get lost in remembering all of the good that she and Bill were doing, but it was easy to gain that back whenever they looked upon the catalogue of monsters they had taken out together.

Her life took another turn when she fell ill, or so she thought at the time. It didn't seem to go away, she was throwing up all the time and the thought of food repulsed her for most of the day. On top of that, she was so tired regardless of how much sleep she got. It dawned on her after a few days that this didn't feel like the flu or some strange case of food poisoning. She waited until three pregnancy tests confirmed it before she told Bill. Despite her insisting that she didn't need a god damn ring just because they were having a kid, that their love didn't need to be quantified by it, they got married. Which, Ellen was admittedly pretty happy about, even if it didn't mean too much for hunters, other than she could introduce him as her husband.

As they prepared for the baby, Bill came up with the idea of having a bar where hunters could drink and relax and network. For the most part, hunters only met each other on cases, which wasn't always a good thing. Ellen was confident with her knowledge from her small stint at the bar back in her hometown that they would be able to figure it out. The Harvelle Roadhouse started up shortly before the birth of their daughter Johanna. While Ellen still hunted some, she preferred to not leave her daughter too much, which left Bill open to take cases with other hunters when they needed it. She regrets nothing more than letting his friendship with John Winchester flourish. She knew his head was a bit too focused on the concept of revenge for her liking.

While on a hunt with John, Bill was killed in a ploy using him as bait. Ellen's whole world shattered in that moment. She screamed at John for a long time, a few solid punches completely shattered his nose. She told him she never wanted to hear from him again. For a long time, she didn't. Heartbroken, Ellen threw herself into managing the bar and taking care of her child, she barely wanted to converse with the other hunters. Talking about hunting, thinking about it, it only made her heart burn for Bill. Whiskey became one of her best friends. A few years later, a man that called himself Ash stumbled upon the bar one night. He was a young guy and had gotten completely hammered. When he ended up passing out on one of the pool tables, rather than kick him out she had some men help her get him to one of the guest rooms.

The next morning she made him a nice breakfast. A good deed balanced by her throwing a bag of frozen peas on his head to wake him up. He complimented the bar and thanked her for her hospitality. Ellen had picked up on a certain type of emptiness in his eyes, one a lot different than she saw in the eyes of hunters. After a long conversation, she realized that the man knew nothing of the supernatural. A man had suggested the bar could use his expertise when he helped him out with some computer program. Rather non-delicately, Ellen's style, she broke the news to him. Although he was a little freaked out at first, he agreed to make the spare bedroom his and stay on to bartend. He really didn't have anywhere else to go. He was a computer genius that was ready to put his skills to work to help out the bar's patrons.

John Winchester ended up contacting her many years after Bill's death asking for a favor. Reluctant at first, though she had forgiven him for Bill's death to let herself make peace with it, she decided that Ash would be able to help her help John. If she helped him get revenge for his wife, he might not get anyone else killed in the crossfire. She left him a voicemail but never heard back. Instead, his sons walked into the roadhouse before it opened. Hostility marked both her and Jo's mannerisms initially. When Ellen found out who they were, she introduced them to Ash who decided to take the data that John had compiled on the yellow-eyed demon and get to work. Meanwhile, she gave them a case that she had been saving to give to one of her friends.

She warmed up to the boys because she knew that she was unnecessarily trying to keep them at bay. They had lost their father and she wanted to make sure they had someone there for them. Ellen always invited the boys to stay, but they often declined. Dean and Jo seemed to have something going on and she wanted to keep her daughter as far away from hunting as she could, given the fate of her husband. Continually, she warned the boys not to keep anything from her. Around this time Jo started to show interest in hunting, but Ellen quickly passed her research over to other hunters. Despite her wishes, Jo went to try out the hunt anyway.

A call to the Winchesters revealed that she had been taken by the spirit she was hunting. Ellen took the next flight out to get her daughter back. After an altercation, she told Jo she wouldn't be hunting under her roof and Jo left. She revealed to the Winchesters in her worry and sorrow that she didn't blame them for her daughter's adamant interest in hunting and that she didn't blame John for Bill's death, that she had forgiven him, even if it still stung. Despite her angry words about Bill's death to Jo, she wished that John had been able to forgive himself for what happened. His conversations with her after that night had been brief and he never really made full eye contact with her after that. She continued to manage the bar alongside Ash after Jo left. That was until the demons sabotaged it and burned it to the ground.

Distraught, Ellen showed up at Bobby Singer's house, explaining that she had been out buying pretzels when it burned down. Not only had she lost everything but her ring and her daughter to remind her of Bill, but Ash had been inside. The man wouldn't have died had she not taken him in. She had lost one of her closest friends that day. But, she had his research, which had been locked in a safe. She took solace in the fact that she knew he would be happy that at least his work would live on. Without any other responsibilities, she got in contact with Jo and started to hunt alongside her daughter, helping out the Winchesters and Bobby whenever they needed it. At least she could be there to try to keep her safe. However, a few years into hunting together, Jo was injured fatally and Ellen stayed by her side as they exploded a building to help the Winchesters get away from hellhounds.

[unflirtysimmer]

Steam rose lazily from the bubbling water as Mercury and Blaze slid into the hot tub, the warmth soaking into their muscles. For a moment, they sat quietly, letting the stillness of the water settle around them. Then Blaze leaned back with a dramatic sigh, running a hand through his damp hair.

“Ah, this is the life,” he said with a grin. “Hot tub, good company, no emails from my boss blowing up my phone... What more could a guy ask for?”

Mercury chuckled softly, relaxing into the water. “You’re one of those ‘live for the weekend’ types, huh?”

“Absolutely,” Blaze replied, pointing a finger at her. “Work hard, play harder. That’s the motto. Speaking of which, do you even meme, or are you one of those ‘I only read the news’ types?”

Mercury raised an eyebrow. “Do I even meme? Are we seriously starting the conversation like that?”

“I need to know,” Blaze said with mock seriousness. “It’s a crucial personality trait. Top five things to know about someone, easy.”

Rolling her eyes, Mercury smirked. “Okay, fine. I’ve seen a few memes, but I’m not living and breathing them or anything.”

Blaze gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. “Not living and breathing memes? How are you even surviving out here?”

“Pure stubbornness,” she replied dryly, and they both laughed.

“So, if memes aren’t your thing, what is?” Blaze asked, leaning forward slightly. “What keeps you going when you’re not crushing it on the treadmill?”

Mercury hesitated for a moment before answering. “Honestly? I’ve been... figuring that out lately. Life’s been kind of weird recently. I used to be all about athletics, but now? I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure out what’s next.”

Blaze nodded, his grin softening into something more genuine. “Yeah, I get that. Life has a way of throwing curveballs. But hey, figuring it out is part of the adventure, right? And if you ever need advice, I’m your guy. I’m pretty much a guru on balancing chaos.”

Mercury smirked. “Chaos? Like what, managing spreadsheets and TikTok trends?”

“Exactly!” Blaze said, snapping his fingers. “See? You do get me.”

She laughed lightly, feeling herself relax. “Okay, your turn. What’s your deal? What’s the cringiest thing about you?”

“Oh, where do I start?” Blaze said, rubbing his chin dramatically. “I work in business—office job by day, party animal by night. I know every TikTok dance, every viral meme, and I throw the most legendary ‘mandatory fun’ office parties.”

“That sounds horrifying,” Mercury teased.

“It is,” Blaze admitted with a laugh. “But it’s my horrifying. Gotta keep life interesting, you know?”

Mercury smiled, swirling her hand in the water. “You know, I’ve been feeling more like myself lately,” she admitted softly. “And I think meeting you kind of helped with that. So... thanks.”

Blaze raised an eyebrow, grinning faintly. “I helped? Not sure how, but I’ll take the credit. Seriously, though, I’m glad to hear that. You seem cool, so it’s nice knowing you’re doing better.”

Mercury chuckled. “I don’t know if I’d call myself cool, but... thanks.”

As the conversation continued, they found an easy rhythm, sharing bits and pieces of their lives without diving too deep. The warm water and relaxed atmosphere made it easy to talk, and for the first time in a while, Mercury felt herself genuinely enjoying someone’s company. Blaze’s over-the-top personality was unexpected, but it was exactly the breath of fresh air she needed.

[francisxgarcia]

HOW I'M PUT TOGEHTER BUT SO UNGLUED, I KNOW WHAT I WANT BUT DON'T HAVE A CLUE

BASICS

FULL NAME: Francis Garcia NICKNAMES: Fran AGE: 45 years old DATE OF BIRTH: 23 April GENDER: Agender PRONOUNS: they/them ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Demiromantic SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Unsure STATUS: Divorced OCCUPATION: Archivist at the Art Museum / Freelance Artist RESIDING: Ocean Crest Apartments.

POSITIVE TRAITS: Observant, Determined, Resourceful. NEGATIVE TRAITS: Defensive, Stubborn, Calculative.

BIO

TRIGGER WARNING: theft tw, injury mention tw

Francis had always felt like they were hidden under the shadow of their older sibling accomplishments as well as their parents. Maybe that was why they felt a constant need to prove themselves worthy and what drove them to wanting the spot light, to be noticed by those around them.

When they were younger Fran found a fondness for the Arts, it was a way that they could express themselves freely, be it drawings or dancing. After pestering their parents for what felt like forever at the time their parents allowed them to attend ballet lessons and for a while Francis saw a path that they could take in life, something that they had grown to be good at. Sadly life had a way of turning on it's head and due to an injury Francis had to stop, thankfully they still had art.

As they grew older the relationship with their family grew sour, working hard enough to move out and be able to study away from them, while it wasn't easy Francis never regretted the decision they made for themselves.

Later they would meet their future ex husband, everything was fine at the beginning, lavish dinners, gifts that seemed to never end, 'i love you' and constant adoration, a glamour's life style that Francis didn't dream of but all good things come to and end, as did their relationship. Francis was caught by surprise by the turn of events, in their mind everything had been fine.

They grew bitter with the outcome of their failed marriage, being left with nothing while their ex seemed to move on with out much care for the broken pieces, before leaving what used to be their shared home Francis took whatever paintings they could manage, those that they knew were precious to their ex. Some they have sold, others they kept to themselves.

Fran isn't sure what they are doing with their life, maybe that is why they found themselves in Aurora Bay in the hope of finding some meaning.

EXTRA INFO (in no particular order)

Francis has been around Aurora Bay for 2 months.

Has a collection of daggers that they have collected over the years.

Has a cat named Peppers.

While they still have some linger pain from the injury in their right leg, Francis still dances from time to time, mostly in the comfort of their apartment.

Fran enjoys their work as an archivist having been in library, galleries and museums. Still their passion lies in making art, carrying a sketchbook with themselves and finding moments to draw.

As a hobby they enjoy designing figures, hoping to get a 3D printer in the future to make some come to life.

Has a couple of tattoos.

CONNECTIONS

Cousin - @ripleymarske

Ex husband (40+)

That one person that got away, probably one of the few that Francis had feelings for (40+)

older sibling (50+)

Movie night buddy (30+)

Artist friends (29+)

Old time friend (40+)

A 'we can't stand each other but there's a pull there and it makes it complicated' kind of dynamic because I'm a sucker for those, annoyed at first sight (40+)

@aurorabayaesthetic

[genevievefangirl]

WIP Word Train! (Again! x5)

Rules: tagger gives a word, then for each letter of that word you share a sentence/excerpt from your wips that start with that letter.

Tagged by @ahyperactivehero with the word STICK

And we're back again! I finally have enough sentences to do one of the many wip word trains I have in my backlog. The K in this was particularly annoying, but I managed to get one!

S – Stubbornness is one of Edwin’s defining traits, and while that’s great when they’re tasked with finding some obscure solution to a case that requires hours and hours of research, it also means that he has a tendency to make up his mind about dumb things and won’t give in until the world is literally on fire.

T – “Trust her to not go quietly into that good night.”

I – “I’ll fix this, mate.  I promise.  I know I’m not as good as you with all this research stuff, but I will figure this out.”

C – Charles jumps in, a little tired of being ignored and trying to get her to stop looking at Edwin with that sinister expression.

K – Kneeling next to Edwin, Charles grabs his hand, lacing their fingers together tightly.

Some of the words in the past few rounds have been mean, so let's be nice today and do the word TRAIN🚂 (feels fitting 😂)

no pressure tags: @enby-calamity, @fairandfatalasfair, @makemeimmortalwithahug, @asidian, @ahyperactivehero (passing it back lol), @dreamers-and-magicians, @arrow-jsy and anyone else who wants to do it!

[jyotishacharyadevraj7]

Taurus Zodiac Sign: Personality Traits, Love Life, Friendships, and Career Success

Taurus Zodiac Sign: Personality Traits, Dates, and Compatibility

Unveiling the Bull’s Nature

Taurus, represented by the Bull, is the second sign of the zodiac. People born between April 20 and May 20 fall under this earth sign. Taurus individuals are known for their grounded nature, making them reliable partners and friends. Their traits impact various aspects of their lives, especially in love, friendship, and career.

The Enduring Appeal of Taurus

The Taurus zodiac sign draws many with its allure. They radiate a sense of calm, stability, and determination. The steadfastness of Taurus makes them approachable and trustworthy in relationships.

Understanding the Taurus Archetype

Taurus individuals are often seen as the practical thinkers of the zodiac. They prefer to take things slow, ensuring a strong foundation in every area of their lives. Their preferences often lead to a deep appreciation for life’s pleasures, which can be seen in their hobbies and lifestyle choices.

Exploring the Taurus Influence

Understanding Taurus involves recognizing their impact on personalities and social dynamics. Their charm and reliability influence their environment, creating harmony and stability.

Taurus Personality Traits: Reliable, Sensual, and Determined

The Grounded Nature of Taurus

Taurus is an earth sign, which plays a crucial role in their personality. They are practical and appreciate stability.

Taurus’s connection to the Earth element

The earth element gives Taurus their reliable nature. They prefer stability and often resist sudden changes.

Manifestations of Taurus’ practicality

Being pragmatic, they excel at planning and executing tasks realistically. This approach allows them to achieve their goals efficiently.

Taurus Strengths: Stability and Resilience

Examples of Taurus resilience in history

Historical figures like Queen Elizabeth II and Adele showcase Taurus strength. Their ability to remain grounded in challenging situations contributes significantly to their success.

The Taurus capacity for loyalty

Loyalty is a hallmark trait for Taurus. Friends and partners can always rely on them. They are dependable and will stand by loved ones in times of need.

Taurus Weaknesses: Stubbornness and Possessiveness

Stubbornness is a common weakness for Taurus. Once they set their mind on something, changing their stance can be challenging. Additionally, they can be possessive, which might lead to conflicts in relationships.

Taurus in Love: Passionate, Loyal, and Committed

The Taurus Approach to Romance

Taurus individuals thrive in romantic relationships founded on stability and trust. They value deep emotional connections.

Taurus’s preference for stability in relationships

In love, Taurus seeks long-term partnerships. They cherish routines and feel secure with partners who share their values.

Attracting a Taurus partner

To attract a Taurus, show sincerity and consistency. Demonstrating a strong appreciation for the simple joys of life resonates well with them.

Taurus Compatibility: Finding Your Perfect Match

Ideal matches for Taurus

Taurus typically finds compatibility with fellow earth signs like Virgo and Capricorn, as well as water signs like Cancer and Pisces. These signs understand their need for stability.

Challenges Taurus faces in relationships

Taurus may struggle with emotional expression. This can create misunderstandings with more expressive partners, making communication vital.

Taurus Friendships: Dependable and Supportive

The Value of Taurus Friendships

When it comes to friendships, Taurus stands out as a loyal friend. They build long-lasting connections based on trust and support.

Taurus as a loyal companion

Friends can count on Taurus to be there during tough times. Their ability to listen and offer practical advice makes them valuable companions.

The Taurus approach to friendship

Taurus prefers a few close friendships over a large social circle. They invest time and energy into nurturing these relationships.

Building Strong Bonds with a Taurus Friend

Strategies for maintaining Taurus friendships

Honesty and consistency are key when fostering a friendship with Taurus. They appreciate loyalty and expect reciprocation of their efforts.

Celebrating Taurus’s strengths in friendship

Recognizing and appreciating Taurus’s dependability enhances the bond. Their grounded nature brings stability and comfort to friendships.

Taurus Career Paths: Utilizing Taurus Strengths

Ideal Careers for Taurus

Taurus thrives in careers that emphasize their strengths. Roles in finance, art, and culinary fields suit their practical yet creative nature.

Careers emphasizing Taurus’s values and traits

Finance: Their attention to detail plays well in budgeting and financial planning.

Arts: Their love for beauty drives success in creative careers.

Culinary: Taurus individuals often excel as chefs or food critics, enjoying the sensory pleasures of cooking.

Examples of successful Taurus individuals in their chosen fields

Famous Taurus individuals, such as George Clooney and David Beckham, achieved success by sticking to their passions and maintaining a grounded approach in their careers.

Thriving in the Workplace as a Taurus

Leveraging Taurus’s strengths in the professional setting

Taurus individuals excel in team settings by offering support and structure. Their reliability helps establish a productive work environment.

Addressing potential challenges for Taurus in the workplace

While Taurus brings strengths, they must be mindful of their stubbornness. Flexibility can enhance their collaborative spirit.

Conclusion: Embracing the Taurus Spirit

Key takeaways for understanding Taurus

Taurus is a sign characterized by stability, loyalty, and a strong work ethic. They value honesty and commitment in all relationships.

Further exploration of Taurus characteristics

Understanding Taurus dynamics can lead to more profound relationships and improved interactions. Their grounded nature can bring harmony in various aspects of life.

Actionable advice for Taurus individuals

Taurus individuals should embrace their strengths and work on flexibility. Engaging in open communication can strengthen their relationships, ensuring they thrive in love, friendships, and careers.

Ultimately, celebrating the qualities of Taurus enriches both their lives and those around them.

( want to know more information contact best astrologer acharya devraj ji )

[pedrospatch]

we need you

Post Outbreak! Joel Miller x Female Reader

summary: Afraid of failing the two of the people he cares about more than anything, Joel decides you and Ellie are better off without him.

warnings/tags: 18+ ONLY, MINORS DNI. SET IN JACKSON. takes place during Kin. arguing, angst. helpful to know reader was not present when Joel and Tommy talked in the garage. NO mentions of age, reader has no physical description.

word count: 1.6k

a/n: welllllp i don't know about you guys, but i am DEAD inside after tonight so to cope i am going to write a little drabble. already put it in the warning/tags section, but once again, just to be on the safe side of things: potential spoilers, proceed with caution if you do not want the newest episode spoiled!

“Just what in the motherfucking hell was that, Joel?” You nearly growled, bursting through the door of the bedroom that he’d chosen to occupy for the night. Having heard the way he’d spoken to Ellie—not to mention, all that he had said to her even after her heartbreaking confession to him, her unspoken cry for him not to abandon her, all you could see in your mind was the color red. Sure, you and Joel had been through your fair share of bullshit over the years, disagreements that caused friction between the two of you weren’t all that uncommon seeing as the two of you shared similar personality traits to each other, stubbornness being one of them. But you could not, for the life of you, remember an occasion where you’d been this angry with him, this fucking livid. As you watched him sink down onto the bed without a word, your hands curled into fists at your sides. You knew it would only make matters worse, losing your temper, but you weren’t all too sure that you could contain it this time around.

The blood in your veins was bubbling, boiling hot underneath your skin.

“Are you going to fucking answer me or what?” You prompted, a cool edge to your tone despite the heat radiating throughout your body. “You’re really trying to hand her off to Tommy?”

Joel sighed, shaking his head. “You weren’t supposed to find out like this.”

“Find what out, Joel? That you went off and made a decision, and a really fucking dumb one at that, without even talking to me about it first?” You crossed your arms over your chest, glaring at him. Despite how incredibly furious you were, the sadness was heavy inside of your chest. Tt was as if Joel had forgotten the fact that for the last few months, Ellie had been under your care too, and you had every right to be a part of any decision that he made regarding her and her well-being. It hurt you to your very core that he’d done this without talking to you first, and it hurt you even deeper to know that Ellie had known about this and she’d kept it all to herself all evening.

She’d come home from the movies and when you offered her dinner, she refused to eat and stomped upstairs, locking herself in the bedroom. You’d chalked it up to nothing more than a typical teenaged girl simply having a mood swing. After all, it hadn’t exactly been the best day for Ellie. She’d arrived in Jackson and the first thing she noticed was how everyone in the colony looked at her, especially the children. She was different. She didn’t fit in, she stuck out like a sore thumb and you knew that had to have been hard for her. Not wanting to push her, you’d figured that she would come out of the room eventually and talk you about it when she was good and ready. But now that you knew the real reason why she had come home so upset, you couldn’t help but to feel guilty.

For hours, Ellie had been upstairs in that room knowing that Joel planned on dumping her on Tommy and you didn’t have the slightest fucking clue about what was going on until you’d overheard Joel and Ellie’s shouting match just moments ago.

“Joel.” You said his name in a tone neither of you recognized.

Low, venomous, borderline dangerous.

You were like a ticking bomb, seconds away from going off.

Joel narrowed his eyes at you. “She’s better off with Tommy, alright? And we both fuckin’ know that,” he said. “It’s the best thing to do for her. I’m doin’ it because I know damn good and well that if she stays with me, all I’m gonna do is have her fall into the wrong fuckin’ hands or killed.”

“You’re wrong!” You countered, dropping your arms away from your chest and back down to your sides. “Joel, don’t you dare fucking do this. Ellie doesn’t want Tommy, she wants you. She all but fucking said it right to your face just a minute ago!” You cried, pointing a finger towards the door of the room as if pointing to Ellie herself. “She admitted to you that she wouldn’t feel safe with anyone else, Joel. So don’t you fucking do this to her.”

He gripped the edge of the bed, his knuckles going ghost white. “She’ll be better off with Tommy,” he repeated himself. He paused for a brief moment, just long enough to avert his tortured gaze from yours as he said, “And so would you.”

Your mouth parted slightly in shock. “Fucking excuse me?”

“I can’t keep her safe. Hell, I can barely keep you safe! How many fuckin’ times have I almost lost you? ‘Cause I don’t move fast enough? ‘Cause I’ve made the wrong decisions? ‘Cause I’ve asked you to do somethin’ for me and turns out that I unknowingly sent you into the fuckin’ lion’s den?” He inhaled a sharp breath, and you could hear his voice breaking with each and every word that fell from his lips. “I’ve almost cost you your life how many fuckin’ times now?”

“Joel—”

“Tess died ‘cause of me.” He saw you open your mouth to protest and he quickly added, “You can sit there and tell me over and over that it wasn’t my fault ‘til you’re blue in the face, but let’s just fuckin’ be honest and tell it how it is, alright? I couldn’t get to her quick enough and now she’s dead. I won’t let you meet the same fate.” Joel reached up, raking a hand tiredly through his hair, mentally bracing himself for your reaction to what he was about to say next. “I think you should go with Tommy and get Ellie to where she needs to be. After that, you should—you should think about stayin’ here with him in Jackson. I probably don’t belong here, but you do.”

You let out a small, shaky breath of air.

“Who the hell are you to make that kind of decision for me?” You asked, willing yourself to keep yourself from crumbling into tears. “I’m sorry Joel, but you can’t make that kind of a choice for me. And do you want to know what else?” You didn’t even wait for him to respond. “You can’t make it for Ellie, either.”

“She’s fuckin’ fourteen years old—”

You took a step forward as you challenged him. “Do you really think that girl isn’t smart enough to know deep down inside what’s best for her? Tell me, do you really think that Ellie pulled everything she said out of her ass? Do you honestly think that she could ever trust Tommy the way that she trusts you?” You felt a warm tear slide down your cheek and quickly wiped it away before he could see it. “Ellie is young, but she’s not a baby, Joel. I get that sometimes we need to guide her through shit, but let’s be real. She is old enough to make decisions for herself. Maybe not all of them, but the decision that you’re trying to make for her right here, right now—it isn’t yours to make.” Another tear made its way down the side of your face as you whispered, “And the one you’re trying to make for me isn’t either.”

Joel hung his head, seemingly defeated. “Why can’t you see it’s for the best? Why are you makin’ this so hard?”

Willing your trembling legs to move, you slowly walked over to him and sank to your knees in front of him; although you tried to meet his eyes, he refused. “You care about Ellie. I know it, I can see it and I can feel it. For as much shit as you give her all the time, I know that she’s become so important to you.”

“‘Course she is,” he mumbled. “You’re both important to me.”

You reached for his hands, pulling them forward onto his lap. You placed your own hands on top of his, lacing your fingers together. “Then don’t fucking do this to us, Joel. Please. I’m already down on my knees and I will fucking beg and plead if that’s what it’s going to take.” You crouched down a little further, enough so that you could look up into his dark brown eyes. “Ellie wants to be with you, Joel. And I do too.”

Joel’s gaze glistened with tears that he tried, but failed, to keep from falling in front of you. “I’ll fail you, just like I’ve fuckin’ failed everybody else.”

“Joel, please listen to me. Hear what I am saying, for the love of Christ. We have come so far,” You said, firmly squeezing his hands in yours as if somehow that would snap him out of it. “Whether you choose to believe or not, we’ve only come this far because of you. You have done so much for us. It’s why we trust you, why we feel safe with you. Me and Ellie, we belong with you, Joel—not with Tommy, not with anyone else. We need you, okay? We fucking need you. Do you understand me, Joel?”

Joel exhaled the breath he’d been holding shakily, leaning down to be closer to you. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead against yours as he tried to even out his breathing.

Rubbing the back of his hands with your thumbs in soothing circles, you lifted your head and lightly pressed your lips against his forehead.

“We’re going to finish what we started,” You murmured quietly against his skin, feeling a slight shudder rack his body as a single whimper escaped him. You squeezed his hands again. “Together, Joel.”