#it's his life goal now RIP IN PIECES PIPER

[badboysupr]

"if we ever get a live action take on the incredibles, tristan mclean has to play bob parr. like, seriously, i know piper's probably going to want to charmspeak me into the lake for even suggesting it to you, but there's no one who could do it."

@nosestealer || i have still not recovered from this bless

“Psh— Seeing the types of movies we've been getting lately, I would not be surprised by a—”

It processed.

And Leo was sure said processing was made very obvious in the way he legitimately felt his face gradually light up. An almost dismissive half-attention ignited then to full and undivided as he turned to meet her eye, and a conspiratorial glint sparked in his own at the same time as a much-too-devilish grin split his face.

“Oh my gods, stop; that's genius, Lousie-Lou! Where did you pull that from? Because I want in on it.” He bit on his lower lip, as if suddenly attempting to suppress the massive smile, but good luck stopping him now. “No, no— Listen. Piper can be as mad as she wants; if she can't see true art, then that's her problem. We're making this happen— I don't care.”

[dominimoonbeam]

Bite to Bruise - 30

This work is mine and I do not give consent for my works to be used, copied, published, or posted without my permission. I am sharing chapters as I work on this story but it is copyrighted material that I plan to rework and publish when completed.

story tags: modern-fantasy mashup, werewolves, witches, monsters, romance, learning to trust, hurt/comfort, blood, violence, explicit sex, explicit language

The earlier parts can be found under the tag or over on patreon. <3

BITE TO BRUISE - CHAPTER 30

Bellamy had told herself she’d never go back to Ceres, not after spilling her blood in her apartment that night she saved Oscar from the iron curse.

She hadn’t stepped across the portal she’d held for Ever and his pack the night they took Kai’s territory in the city and told herself that that counted as steering clear—that she wasn’t compromising her own safety for them.

She was a liar, of course.

She’d been compromising her safety when she took Piper’s form and let herself get kidnapped by shades.

She’d been compromising her safety when she returned to that pack, trusting that they wouldn’t rip her to pieces and still trusting that none of them would put two and two together and sell her back to Baron.

And now, here she was, on the Ceres side of her new doorway to ground the anchor on this side.

She was back in the city she’d told herself she’d told herself she’d never step foot in again. And she had a list of reasons why it was suddenly okay.

Surely anyone on her trail would think she’d left town. No one would think she would be stupid enough to go back. And even if they did come looking for her in Ceres, she would be gone in a few hours.

The doorway flickered between this one, leading from the warehouse office into a coat closet, to Sunny’s childhood bedroom in Ever’s house.

Ever had followed her over, adding to that sense of safety she wasn’t sure she should be relying so heavily on. She knew he would protect her as long as he could, but she had Baron out there looking for her and he had Florian Blackwell pushing at his territory lines.

Sense told her to run, for herself and for him.

Ever might be able to take on Blackwell and win, but Blackwell and Baron?

And what about her? She’d spent her whole life honing her skills to escape, not fight.

She scratched a black nail against the doorframe, leaving no mark that could be seen.

-

Sunny leaned against another door, watching her work over his brother’s shoulder.

He couldn’t tell what she was doing, but whatever it was, it seemed to be stabilizing that connection between the two places, the flickering image in the doorway steadily holding longer and longer as his room in the valley rather than the dark closet.

He wrinkled his nose, fighting the urge to sneeze at the thick, irritating scent of magic. How did Ever put up with it?

He rolled his shoulders and stepped away.

The streets outside were snow laden and bright. Leigh and Oakley were jogging trails on the streets, keeping guard as their witch worked. The goal was not to let anyone else realize she was there or had ever been there. They’d portaled directly into the warehouse, just like last time.

There was a hum of fear and alarm in the streets as the residents realized the wolves were back. It had been a quiet storm with no pack in this stretch of the city for long weeks.

Sunny walked on two legs up the street. He had already noticed damage that hadn’t been done during their take of the territory. Downed street signs, broken windows, and graffiti.

It had been a sort of punishment to leave the territory unguarded for the start of winter, but he was surprised how much those acts of vandalism bothered him. It was his territory and he had left it to decay. The mess was his now.

Already he knew he wouldn’t be leaving when the witch was done with her door.

He couldn’t leave this part of Ceres unprotected anymore.

A howl sounded blocks away, toward the heart of the city and the streets where his territory butted up against Royal’s.

Sunny shifted to close the distance and then shifted back when he reached Leigh, boots kicking snow and hands in his pockets when he stepped off the sidewalk to meet the other alpha at that invisible border.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come back,” Royal said, something curious in his voice. He hadn’t realized they were coming this time, just like he hadn’t realized last time.

Sunny smiled easily. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Royal was a big man, somehow befitting of his name. Sunny wasn’t sure if he fit his name or if it would even be flattering if he did. “It’s a lot of territory,” Royal said, more concern than threat in his voice.

Leigh growled lowly but Sunny didn’t bat an eye. He looked around, as if considering the size of this new piece of Hayes territory. “The valley is bigger,” he countered, even though that was only true in size, not number of residents.

“So, you’ll be the one holding these streets?” Royal clarified, somehow managing not to say “kid” even though they both heard it like an echo of all their past conversations.

Sunny grinned. “Looks like it. I guess that makes us neighbors.”

The other alpha nodded slowly, looking Sunny over as casually as possible. When it became obvious they were not going to present Royal with Ever, he nodded again and looked around at the stretch of Hayes streets he could see from his side of that felt but not seen line. “I’m not your enemy,” the other man said clearly. “If you need help, or you want to talk about this, I’m here.”

Sunny wondered for the first real time in his life if he trusted Royal. He’d never really had to think about who he did and did not trust before. He had trusted Ever and that was all he’d needed. Was that how Leigh and Oakley would feel about him? Would they any other wolf he took to his territory just trust him and let that be enough?

The weight of that was new but not unwelcome. He thought he could bear it.

Royal huffed and took a step back before turning, shifting into a fenrir and stalking down his streets with ease, no fear at showing Sunny his back.

Sunny liked that because he didn’t want Royal to fear him. He hoped to trust him.

-

Bellamy got the anchor finished in a matter of hours. It wasn’t what she’d call a rushed job. It had been done right, she had just done it as quickly as she could to get back out of Ceres.

It ended up not mattering because when she returned to the house ahead of Ever, rubbing the headache through her temple and stomping down the hall toward the kitchen, she felt something off changed in the valley.

It was infinitesimal, but like a tiny thorn caught in the fibers of a clothes, scraping at her skin.

She forgot her search for a drink of water and walked instead to the back door, pushing it open. The snow had stopped falling and Ever had shoveled the walkways. There were deep tracks in the valley from fenrir bodies.

She took another step out, collecting snow on her boots and staring at the woods. It was the direction of her meadow and her home. Another step and she saw the figure stepping out of the trees to mirror her from afar.

The sun was low and the sky smeared in vivid purples and pinks.

Oscar met her gaze even at that distance and Bellamy felt a cold that had nothing to do with the snow.

He was a finder of lost things, just like her. Only that wasn’t true. Oscar really was a seeker, where she had been a seeker and a liar, hiding in plain sight.

Bellamy took another step toward him, her breath shaking out of her.

He knew where she was.

He knew.

And if he knew…

Another figure stepped out of the woods and at first she was confused, because why would one of the pack so casually walk past this stranger?

Bellamy shook her head as the fenrir was joined by a second, both loping through the snow toward her. She didn’t recognize them because she had never seen them before.

A howl ripped through the valley from the other side, from one of the houses as they realized there were rogues on their territory.

[mcmactictac]

Hi 🙋‍♂️

What do you think about jasons death ? In my opinion it made sense because it made the emprrors seem like a true threat but in the other hand i wish his character arc had been finished before that . Jason was suppossed to be a Bridge between greeks and romans and yet we barely See him in that role.Also i would have loved to See platonic jiper .... .....

Oh I have SO many thought about this I’m so glad you asked.

Here’s the thing. Jason had the potential to be a really interesting character in hero’s of olympus, but a lot of it was tossed to the side because there was so much other stuff going on with the plot. I know everyone complained about how boring he was and how he did literally nothing. Although his character has amazing potential, it was never going to be properly explored.

The one thing they could do to Jason’s character to make him more interesting and sympathetic is kill him off. Although it frustrates me that his death is really only there for Apollo’s development, it made his character more interesting. I feel like it adds threats we don’t usually see with demigods.

Within the first series they talk a lot about how demigods usually don’t make it past like 20, but then no one really dies beside in the war. I think Jason’s death is a good way to show that accidents happen on quests, even the most qualified and put together person can slip up, can lose and can die just as easily as everyone else.

I know I personally found Jason’s character the most interesting in the burning maze because he’s given something he wants. He’s in school, he’s not in a relationship with Piper so his character arc centers around himself, not around his relationship, and he wants to rebuild camp Jupiter. He doesn’t just have a goal he has to complete, he has something that he WANTS.

This makes his death hurt way more because Jason really hasn’t had anything he cared about for? His character was very responsibility and mission driven, so to see him focus on something for himself only to have it ripped away? Very interesting. It makes his feel ty more impactful because it wasn’t the end of his arc, he had things he wanted and like he wasn’t DONE. And he wasn’t expecting to die like he was on a quest

That being said because I am petty. Blood of olympus had very low stakes for me. The climax was over pretty quickly and although I know it’s a children’s book like. No one actually “dying” felt like a cop out. The whole series has been building up to that with the promise someone is going to die and then Leo has an anticlimactic “death” before coming right back. I wanted to see one of them get like. A really rough ending I guess? Obviously I love them all and I wouldn’t want any of them to hurt but like. To spill the blood, someone should have died. Someone should have sacrificed themselves to protect someone else. And it should have been a clear death, a permanent there’s no coming back where you see the body. When I read the book I assumed Rick didn’t do it just because it’s a children’s book and since we get POV’s from everyone it would be kind of graphic for kids to see that character die but like.

If we were going to properly kill someone, I wish we did it in hero’s of olympus. Although I think Jason’s death sets good stakes in trials of Apollo, he really didn’t get much to work with character wise. He should have been killed off In his own series where he was one of the people who was SUPPOSED to die. It would have been better for his character since we could have the POV’s of Piper, Leo and people who are really invested in him, not just Apollo.

Now I have many many thoughts about where Jason’s character should have gone especially since everyone in HOO had such interesting backstories that were just kind of thrown away and not talked about again. Like. (Tw for suicide skip to next paragraph to avoid it)

I wanna talk about Percy and his clearly suicidal tendencies. How quickly he gave up once they landed in the river, how much he struggled when he was “drowning”. I wanted to see him have some ptsd from that. A percy who can’t stay long underwater because it sends him into a panic attack. Same with Frank he had so much potential with that stick and it was just. Not there. Now correct me if this did happen I haven’t read the books in a while but I want to see a Frank who lights it on purpose, to try and save other people. Frank who screws up on a big mission, gets people hurt and sits on his bed with a lighter in one hand and the stick in the other. He was responsible for so many deaths he thinks, shouldnt i die a bit too? I know these are dark topics for a kids book but I think it’s important to talk about them and expose them to the concept so they feel less alone if they have that.

An Annabeth who’s tired, and done, and DOESNT have all the answers anymore. Shes an anxious kid who keeps losing everything, and she can’t always keep everything together. At some point, she should have cracked. Lost control for a bit and broke down, before putting the pieces back together. It’s not functional to keep being that high strung all the time. A Hazel who is terrified of herself, who won’t touch other people because her mother would say things like “you ruin everything you touch”. A Hazel who has to address and unpack the trauma from being a young child forced to care for her bad mother, dealing with her own problems and coping with her literal death. That’s way too much for a 14 year old to handle and be as stable as she is. Especially after getting thrown back into the mortal world.

A leo who has to fight the urge to run away. He’s been running for so long, when things get bad on the Argo he runs down and packs a bag. And he goes to run because he learned he just makes things worse, no one wants him and they’ll all be better if he just leaves. But this time someone stops him. Percy is there and he helps Leo because he’s been there before. And Percy doesn’t try to trap him there, if he needs to go he needs to go. But he lets him know that he’s valued here and this isn’t a place he needs to run anymore. Leo who finally feels safe for the first time in years who silently goes back downstairs and unpacks his bag. He sits silently and cries on his bed because he feels SEEN. A Piper who struggled more with her sexuality!!! I would have loved to see the POV of a child of Aphrodite who thinks she might like girls too. Piper who isn’t Just “Jason and Piper” or “Leo and Piper” but Is just PIPER. Her character isn’t tied into everyone else’s, and is given a chance to be her own person, explore herself,

And a Jason who is his own. Not just a leader or a figurehead but just JASON. Who’s allowed to have a personality, to explore, figure out what role he wants to have. A Jason who isn’t rooted in duty anymore, but wants to live his life. Jason who lives for himself, not for other people.

But we were never going to get that, so yeah I think it was a good but tragic end to his character. Makes him more likeable, gives him a final little bit of personality before writing him out. But yeah!! Thanks for asking!

[nukagalreacts]

For the anonymous who requested Fallout 4 companions, faction Leader and other DLC characters reacting to Sole having and being followed around by 10 baby fire breathing dragons! Part-one

(Here’s the first part to the request, second part will hopefully get out tomorrow where I shall included more characters! for now enjoy this piece and thanks again for the request!) Hancock: The mayor fell in love with the baby dragons at first sight because he thought they were all so adorable in a vicious, scaly sort of way. He also liked the fact that they automatically acted like guard dogs and didn’t hesitate to shred apart anyone who bothered him or Sole. His favorite thing to do was to bring all of them down to the third rail with him and Sole and let them all sit up on the couch and lounge in his lap while he got high or drank. Him and Sole even let the little guys curl up with them in bed which was always so cute and they acted like little furnaces to keep Sole warm. The only thing Hancock didn’t enjoy though is that while the dragons teethed they chewed everything from the furniture, to his favorite hat which made Sole laugh but caused the dragons to get a good scolding from Hancock.       

Preston: He honestly didn’t know what to make of the strange baby creatures following Sole around, he has seen a lot of strange creatures in his wanderings across the wasteland and Commonwealth, but this took the icing on the cake. When he asked Sole about what they where and why they followed her so obediently, they admitted that it had been by accident when they were down in the vault looking around for supplies when they come across a strange room and found the eggs in a weird cryo like incubator. Sole had pressed a button out of curiosity and the eggs become unfrozen and started to hatch and to their surprise 10 small reddish baby dragons popped out. Since Sole was the first thing they saw they immediately saw them as their mother. Preston was amazed he had never heard of dragons before, but he kept his distance from the little fire breathing critters least they see him as their next dinner.

Codsworth: Didn’t really like the little rascals at first, because they were all so messy and constantly knocked things over from climbing everywhere and attempting to fly. And let’s not forget just how messy of an eater dragons can be, they always left pieces of meat and blood stains that where all but impossible for the Mr.Handy to scrub out of the furniture, floors, and walls. In his own way though he found it oddly cute and endearing that they followed Sole around like how ducklings would follow their own Mothers around, and he appreciated the fact that they where very protective of his master, just as much as he was. He did wish the little tykes would tone down practicing their fire breathing though, he was quite tired of singed furniture!

Cait: Really wanted Sole to get rid of the horrible little creatures at first, she absolutely hated them and thought they were just slowing her and Sole down when traveling. Cait would always just cross her arms and give them a death stare at they marched behind Sole or when they would all gather around Sole at night and snuggle up to them while sleeping or when Sole would give them little treats whenever they got the dragons to do little tricks for them. After Awhile though Cait started to grow rather found of the little devil’s and liked watching them roast people with their fire breathing or ripping people up with their extra sharp claws and teeth.

Strong: Loved the baby dragons and rather enjoyed looking after them and making sure they got fed, he always shared any meat from a fresh kill he made with them. They actually started to like Strong more than they loved Sole, and would always ride around on Strong’s back and shoulders. He also liked the fact that they where starting to learn how to breathe fire and found it hilarious when they started to constantly catch things on fire including enemies him and Sole would come across. Strong couldn’t wait till they got bigger and could teach them to smash things like he did and also teach them about the milk of human kindness.

Curie(Synth): Adores the baby dragons and is fascinated by them, she never knew dragons could be a real thing from what she had come to understand from reading materials is that dragons where just a myth and something found in children's story books. With Sole’s permission she began to study the dragons and getting samples to test in her lab, everything about them she found as highly valuable material that must be recorded for others to study and know about. The dragons become fond of Curie as well because she is always so sweet to them and spoils them with lots of treats and cooing and baby talk.

Valentine: Mistook the baby dragons for baby deathclaws at first and was concerned that Sole had stolen a bunch of them and probably had a pissed off deathclaw momma who would soon be on the hunt for them, but Sole told him they were actually dragons. Nick just stared at them for a minute thinking Sole was pulling his leg, but they quickly showed how the babies all had the features of an actual dragon, and he just couldn’t believe that they existed. He got rather annoyed with them though because they would make a mess in his office as they sniffed around and flapped their little wings sending papers everywhere, they would sometimes even try to chew on nick because his metal parts felt good on their teeth, so Sole did their best to never bring them over to his place.

Piper:Was weary of the little guys at first but couldn’t keep her curiosity at bay and had Sole sneak them into Diamond city into her office, which was easier said than done, but Sole managed. Piper really wanted to type up an article about the dragons, but Sole didn't think that was such a good idea because as far as they knew these were the only dragons in the world right now and they didn’t want anyone to try and come after them and kill them or steal them. Piper was disappointed but she understood and promised to keep it to herself. She did love seeing the dragons though and was always sure to give them belly rubs and head scratches, but was sure to keep them away from her work area because last time one of them accidentally started a small fire.     

Deacon: The man loves weird and unusual things so he took to the baby dragons right away and always made jokes about how Sole was the Mother of all dragons now, and that she could take over the Commonwealth once they were bigger and she trained them. He even started to give all of them names which all sounded ridiculous but hey what did anyone really expect from him. Deacon also started to dress them up or making clothes small enough for the little guys to fit in like hats, or shirts and Sole had to admit dragons look ridiculously cute when dressed up. The thing Sole found the funniest though is when Deacon would lay down and let the dragons walk all over him and lick his face or try and eat his sunglasses.

Desdemona: She actually didn’t mind them at all, being exposed to so many different people, creatures, and things throughout her life and being in charge of the Railroad made her not even blink at the sight of these sharp tooth, winged creatures. She told Sole they could stay at the agency long as she trained them and they didn't destroy or eat anything important, which took Sole awhile to accomplish because hey it’s hard to train 10 rowdy fire breathing dragons. Desdemona liked the fact though that having them all around was way better than any guard dogs they could have used, and she couldn’t help but think of what they could accomplish once they were all bigger.  

Danse: He tolerated them for Sole’s sake because he knew how attached they where to them and how they treated them all like small children, long as Sole kept them away from the Prydwen he was okay. They did get into a lot of arguments though because Sole would bring all 10 of the baby dragons with them on missions which Danse would complain was distracting Sole and slowing them down. Sole refused to leave them behind or alone with anyone because the dragons saw them as their Mother and they didn’t want the dragons to think they had abandoned them. Also Danse would never admit it to Sole’s face but he liked having the dragons around during combat because even though they were small they could definitely deal out some damage to any enemies.

Elder Maxson: Despised the creatures and demanded that Sole kill them immediately or face being banned from the Brotherhood of Steel, which pissed Sole off so they left the Brotherhood behind and made sure the dragons never came in contact with them again. It honestly made Sole sad that people still destroyed anything that scared them or that they couldn’t understand, but they promised to always look out for their dragons until they were old enough to defend themselves without Sole’s help.

MacCready: Felt really nervous whenever Sole brought the dragons around, he didn’t trust any creature with teeth and claws that sharp that looked like it might decided to eat you while you slept. Sole assured him that the dragons were obedient to them and well trained to follow all of their commands, which really didn’t make Mac feel any better because he thought about what would happen once the dragons become adults which was a terrifying thought. He had to admit though it was helpful for him and Sole to get what they wanted out of people when you had 10 dragons ready to eat said person if they didn’t cooperate, a lot of missions tended to go more smoothly now, which he appreciated because it meant less work on his end.

Dogmeat: Greatly confused by the dragons at first even after he sniffed them and watched them from a safe distance, he just couldn’t figure out what they where. His master seemed to really like them though and they were obedient just like he was and seemed to have the same goal as he did, to keep Sole safe and make them happy. So after going on more missions together and lots of playing and snuggling at night they grew to all really love each other, and the dragons even went out of their way to protect Dogmeat in battle.

  X6-88: Can’t believe that Vault-Tec had actually been successful in their experiment of making dragons an actual species, and finds himself rather amazed that Sole just casually leads them around like their pet dogs rather then fire breathing dragons. He convinces Sole to bring them back to the Institute so the scientist can study them and run some test, which Sole only agrees when X6 promises they can be present for all testing and that the dragons will be well cared for. Sole is happy to see that these promises are greatly met, the dragons have lots of room to play and fly around and are fed with excellent meat and other tasty treats. X6 even likes to come down from time to time and watch the dragons fly around with Sole.

Father: Can’t believe his own ear’s when he hears X6 tell him that his Mother has a small herd of baby dragons that she would like to bring to the Institute. At first he laughs because he thinks it’s absurd but when he sees the dragons himself he is with X6 in wanting them to be kept at the Institute for immediate analysis and studying, because this is a creature that shouldn’t even be real let alone exist. He even gives the go ahead for the scientist to replicate the dragons dna and see if they can makes successful clones of them, his mind races as he thinks of the possibilities of what they could do with such dna.

Shaun(Synth): He comes to love all the dragons like a boy would love a pet cat or dog, and he makes it his responsibility to make sure the dragons get daily exercise, and always have access to food and water. Shaun also loves to play with them, and give them lot’s of affection and treats, and in turn the dragons constantly follow Shaun around to and always keep a watchful eye over the boy to make sure no harm befalls him. Sole thinks it’s cute to that at night when they tuck Shaun into bed all the dragons snuggle up around him on his bed and sleep their the whole night.

Gage: Thinks the dragons are badass long as they don’t try to chew on him or anything or catch him on fire, but as soon as Sole came in with those 10 fire breathing creatures he knew he had picked a good overboss and that no one would stand in their way. Sole definitely used the dragons to intimidate the rest of the gang leaders and raiders, because if anyone pissed them or Gage off they became food for the dragons. Gage even became really attached to all of them and would give them plenty of head scratches and plenty of treats for a job well done after a long day.

[indomitablemegnolia]

He cupped my cheek, my face instinctually cuddling into his palm; "well then, Xeno underestimated the determination of someone with a set goal in mind," his tongue delicately running along his bottom lip, I pulled away from his palm, suddenly a pang, deep in my stomach, that tongue.

"Gods, that is a caress I envy;" suddenly my mouth was talking without censure, I didn't even try to stop the words, "I envy that with a wanting so hard the only time I remember it before was a tiara my cousin had for her birthday. I remember this same hot sucking feeling in my stomach. Gods, when I saw it on her head; I wanted it, I wanted to rip it and every perfect long, beautiful, hair off her head; making her as bald as I was. I reminded myself that it was her birthday; so I pushed that feeling so hard and compacted into my soul, to the point I was sure it was going to kill me."

He was laughing, sitting on the edge of the table, the tension in my body like a tightly wound spring, "how old was she turning?"

"It was her fourth birthday. "

He laughed harder, his breath soft over my face, "how old were you?"

"The next week when it was my birthday I was turning three, mom asked me if I wanted a tiara for my birthday; I wanted nothing to do with the damn thing. I told her I wanted a paper hat, I never wanted to feel that way again, but more than that I wanted no one else to feel that way because of me. I know that will not be the case this time, this will be my forever wanting, never to have." I lost myself in my own morass of misery.

"Now, I really must know, what caress was that sparked such envy?"

I bit my lip, trying to think of a way to phrase my wanton wish that didn't sound so sexual, coming back with nothing; with that u threw caution to the wind, going with salacious honesty. "Honestly, that soft trek your tongue took glossing deliciously along your bottom lip; as I warned you, I don't generally mix drink and thought." I mimicked the motion, blushing to the roots of my hair.

He adjusted in his seat, almost reaching for me, then dropping his hands. Finally, he seemed resolved running his hands over his face, the laugh he let loose, so sonorous that I nearly melted like an ice cube that met a welding torch. His anxious chortle more of a pied pipers song. “You know darlin, I could listen to you forever; your thoughts, ideas are delicious, but I have to contest your stance of ‘giving up on great love,’ you know you are full of shit right? That, right there, watching you answer a stupid question, one full of my ego and strutting, my looking for validation; that was living with more passion than most people encounter just once in a lifetime; just your words, they are living ideals.” He leaned forward in his chair, brushing his soft knuckles over my cheek; he caught my eyes and kept them; his delicate tongue licking lightly at his bottom lip then hovering, as if there was an idea just on the tip of it that tasted like heaven.  “You my sweet must be under the horrible illusion that great love is like in those terrible romantic comedy movies, I know you hate those, that it's just a tormented longing, a nearly lost boredom that calls itself togetherness.”  His breath shook as my cheek nestled into his palm, my lashes cuddling my cheeks. “mmm, that space between you had mentioned… that space," his fingertips caressed my skin at my temple, "the breadth and expanse of these 22 inches of the table top, you are right suddenly these 22 inches,” his free hand motioned to the faux green marble between us. “It might as well be millions of miles." He rose out of his seat, towering over me; I shook, not with fear or intimidation, but anticipation; he bent at the waist, his face, his lips, a hairs breadth from mine. "Love, great or no, is more fire and sudden outbursts of thunder and lightning,” he leaned just a little further, his frame starting to dwarf mine, “it is like a hurricane; a hurricane of feelings, the tumult like wind and rain, falls out of nowhere," his lips tantalizing the corner of my jaw, "revolutionizing every thought," his voice resonating along my nerves, kissing just behind my ear, "every motion, the very universe, everything.” He breathed lightly caressing my ear, he tucked my hair behind.

"So, now darlin it is my turn to offer up a confession," slowly reached up one hand, "my confession," softly caressing my bottom lip with reverent fingertips, "honestly, I almost did this so many times tonight; before your envy confession, when you asked what if... I had tried to ignore the impulses;" his hands caressing every inch of contact hr could find, he laughs wryly, "ah temptation has finally won. God, I have watched these lips of yours talk all night, they caress the words holding them lovingly before your tongue licks the air letting them free.” His thumb tracing over lightly caressing my bottom lip as his other fingers rest on my cheek, “I have sat here, as you have ravished me with words, words so very alive, words that cut pieces of my heart, that dance on my senses and breathed, their gorgeous tumescence of their weight piling onto me until I could not breathe.”

He leaned even further, his breath caressing my cheek, my eyes fluttered closed, “To borrow from you, I ‘Without knowledge, forethought, without reason I began to crave one thing;’ and I have tried to hammer it down into my soul; much like your envy, it might kill me, I was not wanting to be too fast, too bold." He leaned in closer, both hands framing my face, "I have read, and I know this to be true; we are punished by the universe for our refusals, refusal of our impulses our longings.  Every single impulse that we strangle broods in the mind, the heart, and it poisons us. The body sins once and it is done with its sin, for the action itself is a mode of purification; leaving nothing but a sweet recollection of the pleasure, or the luxury of a regret.  Although, I know in my soul that this temptation would not result in any regret.”

I gazed as deeply into his eyes as possible, reading those sweet possibilities.  “What, pray tell, would that temptation be?” My voice sounding foreign, my tongue sticking to my teeth, my breath simpering, leaning excitedly forward, letting hope lead me forward.

He smiled, his breath light over my soul, “Again much like your envy, obviously, I hunger for a kiss, your kiss.” I stopped breathing my jaw went slack, mouth open, his open honest, asking for permission, was humbling, "I ache for the arch of your lips pressing against mine. I thirst for your sweet flavour on my tongue, to feel it inundate my soul like dark chocolate. I am ravenous for your delicious scent to fill my lungs." He pulled him self to a stop; I shook like a leaf in his light grasp.

I dropped my eyes for a heartbeat focused on his beautiful lips, I rolled my eyes closed; taking a sighing breath, I open them again they stayed glued to those lips, speaking almost directly to them. “Hmm, I will finish your Oscar Wilde paraphrase;” my voice wavering, shivering like my soul, the words felt foreign, raspy, “there is only one way to rid yourself of a temptation, that is to yield to it. Resist it, as I have been, the soul grows sick with want, longing for the things it has forbidden to itself. As I said of the envy I have only ever wanted one other thing in my life as badly.”

"Sweet heart, I am going to introduce you to a hurricane.” His hand circled caressing those sensitive nerves at the side of my throat, traveling slowly around the back of my neck gripping loosely the base, not pulling me, just holding me still, reassuring but subtly demanding as he tipped my head back; he moved like a wave coming in with the tide, I took a deep breath, the water swept over my head. His lips covering mine; he kissed me like ice cream at first, soft an sweet on a summers day feet dangling into the water; he kissed me like a stanza of poetry, my blood rushed and sound disappeared as it does when the snow softly falls, pressure slowly building to a sweet summer rain set to a slow waltz; then that wind hit, there was a touch of rough to our movements, a desperation, gentle in a way, like the receding tide, pushing, pulling, guiding, asking, demanding, wanting, needing; the waves rushing lightly, licking at my soul, as if washing soft sand of troubled bygone days from my mind, sighing in with the very last day of fall.

The whole time there was that little laugh between us, sweet and silly; as if neither of us could quite believe what was happening; hands searching, gripping, caressing, finding a burning nerve. Suddenly, the winds blew and the sea got rough, passion pulling at limbs, moving clothes; breath panting from our lungs we explored this new found heaven. We kissed for an eternity, maybe just a minute; time is that pesky thing of perception.

Starving for air we parted for just a moment; a chuckle passed between us, something beautiful, ineffable, shy, arresting, delirious. We passed a look, a curiosity, as if we both expected to suddenly fade into the either. He slid the back of his hand down my cheek, as he dropped to his knees in front of me, revrently; I rubbed that sensual bottom lip with my thumb; both searching for a physical proof that we were both very real and very here; he kissed my thumb smiling, I smiled too. We kissed again, longer deeper, there is nothing possibly more beautiful than the look he gave me as we kissed again, I kept my eyes open for a moment sure he would fly away on the wind; watching the subtle emotion play on his features, the fact he seemed more dazed than I was and I was knocked for a loop; the way his eyes drifted closed, those soft fans of lashes resting sweetly on his cheeks, that single brow raised in askance as he made the kiss even deeper and my eyes fluttered shut.

His kiss was addictive, like manna from heaven that my soul craved; as his eyes told me when first I looked in his, a lifetime or maybe just hours ago, mine now echoed. Its is you I want; and god, want him I did, that tongue that vexed my mind for hours, was in fact as delicious as promised, those hands that drew my eyes were indeed perfectly calloused. Suddenly, I was climbing out of my chair, I heard I clatter to the floor behind me; I straddled his lap, pushing his white t-shirt out of the way, my hands running along his dewy soft skin. This was delicious, it was unbelievable, dislodged, as if I had been evicted completely from that old universe I had always known, far away from reality I had always known; temptation, seduction, rawness of true emotion, was impossible to forbear. In that universe I was always that unwanted, feckless, nearly sexless thing, but now, he was kissing me, as if he meant it.

He began to mutter sweet words as his lips kneaded and suckled on mine. “Darlin’ thought I was introducing you to a hurricane of feelings;" he kissed down my cheek to my neck, "now I find the joke was on me; you are the hurricane." He licked and nibbled my neck, I collapsed into him, my hands still running over his skin under the shirt, pushing it higher and higher; "I crave you, god this flavour, a million kisses deep,” he kissed me deep and deliciously again, leaning me back; his teeth nibbling my bottom lip, his tongue discovering hidden places in my soul. “The curves of your lips write stories on mine,” he softly touched his lips to mine, “rewriting all history, my history.”

Words failed me, those little jewels of reality I treasure flew away, leaving only the fluid motion of his oh so articulate tongue; I was lost in the moment, the feeling, words merely came out as selfless moans; it was like being suspended on thoughts, ideas. I basked in that beautiful voice, bathing in lost dreams, forgotten feelings. “Darlin’ you taste of sunshine,” he pulled his lips away kissing my cheeks dragging that tongue down to my neck; the tandem team playing a beautiful game with every nerve they found; I wander in this perfection willing it to linger; “My god, sweet heart, you taste like life,” he muttered low suckling on the tendons on the side of my neck. Like an electric shock my conscious mind kicked into overdrive; that wild tide of emotion that had been cradling me, flipped me over and pulled me down deep below the waters surface; I stopped breathing, moans turning to sobs; realizing that I wanted that feeling to be a permanent fixture in my world, a forever. I heard fate taunt me, holding my head under that water; you stupid girl, always reaching to far, too high, there is no forever, stupid, stupid, stupid girl; there is no permanent, you can't have this, you will never have this and you don't deserve it...NO!

Reluctantly, I pulled away, falling over sideways, retreating, scrambling a few feet away, I rolled into a tight little ball my legs pulled to my chest. God, the battle inside my head was maddening, the inside of my head screaming like a wounded animal. God, I know what I wanted it was roght there infront of me, lord help me being this far away was killing me, but… I slowly raise my eyes to meet his, that singed, hot, delicious, smoldering look in those sea glass eyes made my soul literally blush a crimson; his shirt almost all the way off; his expression pure confusion, kiss swollen lips, mussed hair, he is a carnal dream unfinished. Closing my eyes; I ran my fingertips where his lips were just caressing then tracing those tingling nerves back to my lips. I wanted to fall back into his arms, I wanted… I wanted… I want... too much, always too much; something, someone I could not have, that I should never even dream of.  

He chortled, “I am sorry darlin’ I keep getting carried away; I keep going too far too fast.” He reached over to tuck my hair behind my ear, I dodged the contact, looking away, tears in my eyes.  “Please dont run, was it what I said?”

I swallowed the ball of emotion lodged in my throat, trying so hard to be brave, I force a laugh, “No,” my voice cracked thick with emotion, his eyes leveled at me, screaming silently ‘Liar,’ I looked quickly away, “kind of, but not really… it was never you” I looked away rolling my eyes, “it was more that I realized that I was reaching for something…someone...” I busied my hands, breathing in swallowing all the horrible, hopeless emotion. “I am cold, I am going to take a quick shower.”  I hopped to my feet and ran to the bathroom door; I stopped dead in my tracks at the threshold, turning slowly, I looked right at his confused face; "I am death, I can't have tasted of life." I closed the door, my teeth were chattering, I strip quickly turning the water and hopping in.

Emotions were never generally my trouble, usually it was more in line of pretending to feel certain things, but suddenly it was like I was a live nerve; I sobbed into the stream of water.  Steam billowed and I collapsed to my knees, sobbing silently, a skill I have perfected over years; how pathetic, I know, but shit. Gods, before, I have never really cared what people thought of me, why is he different, I have no idea, but suddenly I am crippled with a horrible sense of inadequacy, doubt. The door opened, I watch his shadow through the curtain; he walked over and sat on the toilet.

Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, my mind chorused, I swallow those hiccupping breaths as quietly as possible. “Darlin’, I know I said, uh, said something... I dunno, maybe it was stupid, I didn't feel it was, I know I tasted no death on your lips, there was nothing, but life and glee and maybe a giggle on your breath, but it upset you, and I am sorry for that; I am being completely honest saying, that these have been the most perfect moments; those moments, especially those kisses. I am not even sure how much time passed, since that shared reflected look, this conversation, those kisses, but I do know it has been perfection.” he sat quietly, time passed.

Somehow, those emotions heaping up onto my shoulders eased, then vanished; my breathing even, lordy, his voice had magical powers. “There are two forces inside of you, one shy, damaged, beautiful; not like a wounded animal that lashes out, but one that tries to show the world what beauty is.”  I heard his breath pass his lips. “Though the other is like a cross fire hurricane, an alluring striking figure, standing like an amazon queen; funny thing, I thought I was the one introducing you to a hurricane and there you were. Darlin’ you were born to rend the heavens to earth, tear galaxies from the havens and swallow them whole. The power you hold in your hands, those hands too often curled into fists, your sharp nails dug into your own palms. I know when trouble hits, you tear it to pieces and show fate your bloodstained teeth.” I couldn’t speak, but the tears no longer flowed.  “Just reading some of your pieces I can see parts and pieces of the hell you have walked through, but the fires… it has formed you into a fantastic diamond.” He shifted, I am sure, uncomfotable with my silence, "you said you were reaching, and I am sure you feel like Icarus but you should have felt me reaching back, know that if your wings had failed, i would have held you tightly in my arms."

He stood, "Oh, and as you left, you said you were death, I disagree, as you are a living breathing being, I say you are life, alive; now let yourself live with the time you have;" he sighed, my voice rusted in my throat, "I want," I heard him run his hands though his hair, "no I crave," he sighed, "no I need, I need more time with you, please don't pull away, please come back to me." He took sevral paces to the door, turning, "please." and left the room.

I stopped the water, stepping out, I watched the steam rise from my skin; the only thing he had left in the bathroom was a fluffy white robe, the sneak thief. I couldn’t stop my lips from smiling; I tucked myself into that large soft robe; I was almost like being swaddled in clouds. I pulled the collar to my nose and breathed deep; it smelled hauntingly of his cologne, god, I have become such a girl.  

I streaked my hand across the steam that fogged the mirror, looking at myself, honestly. Gods, I am; I am alive, bring my hand to my throat, my heartbeat was strong; alive, god yes, I am alive, for now.

Soul searching time, why am I being so very panicky? I am alive, heart beating proud. So, then what is the problem? Why can’t I just enjoy the moment; be alive? Why the cold sweats? He now knows I am dying, he knows that I am temperary at best. I never did want to be that Camus lover, dead in the salad days; haunting the other for eternity, but that shouldn't preclude me from the better aspects of life. Hope began taunting; you don't actually think someone like him, that beautiful god king, would lament losing someone like you for even a moment? I shot myself a dirty look in the mirror, shut up.

I have been very clear with my expectations, I have been honest and still this lilylivered reaction. What kind of major malfunction is this?

Why do I never get an answer, when I'm knocking at the door? Maybe it is because the truth is too hard to swallow; will the answer to never come? Is this, in fact, what the war for love is for? Is this a test? Another chance to fail? Who really is counting? Who really cares? Honey, as I said... this just is. Yes, but is this romance? Is it love? Jesus, why am I asking such stupid questions? Just stop it stupid, stop thinking, stop being rabbity; rhetoric is the downfall of the foolish; stop, just let it flow, let what will happen, happen; don't be a chicken-shit, stop running, let this experience live.

Seriously, this couldnt have been laid out more perfect, remember what you wrote once upon a time; he is the walking talking archetype of what was written; the man knows Oscar, he quotes things from the Wilde, and Oscar did say the very essence of romance is uncertainty. The gods know that if this was anything, it was vague, unfamiliar, and damn uncertain; yes, this is risky, but all the best things are. I know the uncertainty in this case is not the usual who or how or how long; it is the simple question is just how much it will hurt… and if anything was certain, that answer is easy: A LOT!  But it has, it already did, as he walked away, lord just being this far from him, does... it does. Really, dummy, you know that the never tried, the what if's, the unresolved coulda's, the shoulda's, the undone regrets they always hurt the very worst, those ambiguous ifs. So, shut up, stop whining and let it flow, don't direct, don't chicken out, just let it flow. Be like water.

I ruffed my hair drying it, well a little bit; I examined my face in the mirror, not horrible, the dark body bags under my eyes from crying couldn't be helped, using my fingers to 'style' my hair, pinching health into my cheeks. I ran two fingers along my lightly kiss swollen lips, I giggled; boy, that was fun, confirming that yes, I loved kissing and damn he was good at it; so much better than even memory.

I had to admit I didn't look bad; now the time to hesitate is through, for the first time in my life I resolve to be Wilde, to be Wildely feminine; I tied the sash of the robe, flipped my hair and walked out.

There he was lounging in a matching robe, diagnally across the large bed; lush bare legs stretched out in front of him, the heavenly puff of the duvet made him look like an overgrown cherub on a fluffy cumulus cloud; arm crossed, cradling my journal, still reading my journal; his opposite fist propping his head. His breath caught, his fist leaving his forehead, tenderly breezing his lips, then caressing the pages.

"Oh me, oh my, but you strike a pretty picture, not my usual fare coming out of the shower, I'll take it; so, you're still not bored of reading my whimsy's?"

He looked up, eyes glossy.

Sample @keeper0fthestars @iamhisgloriouspurpose @writernotwaiting @pedeka @fromthedeskoftheraven

[holotape-diaries]

[Trinity] Direction

Still bunkered down in the Red Rocket for now.  I’ve elected to give everyone some downtime because we’ve been pushing pretty hard of late, despite our stops.  We’re going to spend a few days in this region, then trek back to the greater Boston area.  We need to swing by our base in Jamaica Plains to manufacture some equipment, then we’re taking back The Castle. 

When daytime came in Diamond City, I still felt like I was being watched.  I still do.  The only other person in the group who seems to feel this way is Dogmeat, who is always a little on edge around everyone but me right now.  Thankfully he doesn’t seem to be the type to bite (unless you’re shooting at him).  We left Publick Occurrences and I had a meeting with the Mayor’s Secretary, purchased myself a home within Diamond City.  I spent the rest of the day getting that furnished up to suit the needs of our team (weapon and armor fabrication and upgrades, ammo manufacturing, etc), as well as decorating it some to make it feel at least a little bit homely.

When I wrapped up in our new base, Nick put his hand on my shoulder, and stated he would like to take me to a place called Good Neighbor.  He knows someone there who could help me look through Kellogg’s memories.  I felt a lump form in my throat, but agreed, and we headed out.  Goodneighbor isn’t that far from Diamond City, but certainly feels like a great distance when you account for the inevitable gun fights in between.  The raiders, super mutants and triggermen seem endless in the Boston area.  I suppose its an area rich in resources, relative to the rest of the Commonwealth, but still.

Goodneighbor was different from Diamond City.  Diamond City is very much a city of established rules, where people just want to survive.  Goodneighbor seems to be very dog-eat-dog.  As I step into the gate, I get accosted by some random thug asking for ‘insurance money’.  I threaten him in return, and he backs down, but then the Mayor of Goodneighbor comes out and stabs him!  He introduces himself as John Hancock, and “apologizes“ for the conduct of the thug.  I recognize a veiled threat when I see one, so I thank him and let him know I’m not going to be any trouble.  He sneers at me (I think?  He’s a ghoul, that might just be his mouth), and I’m left to my own devices.  

Nick started making his way to wherever it is we’re going, and I let him know I’ll meet him there.  This is going to be pretty big for me, and I want a drink.  He lets me know the joint is called The Memory Den, and he’ll meet me there.

I stepped into a bar called The Third Rail, which was a surprisingly nice place, all things considered.  It even had live music, a singer named Magnolia.  I get myself, Heather, Piper, and Preston drinks, and we sit down.  Out of the corner of my eye, I can see two Gunners harassing someone in a side room.  They don’t look aggressive, but I’ve learned not to trust the group.  I stand up, letting my little group know I’ll be right back.  As I stride towards the back room, I get stopped by a ghoul in standard merc gear – leathers, combat armor.  He introduces himself as Edward Deegan, and that his employer has heard about me, and is interested in acquiring my services for a difficult job.  I tell him I’ll think about it.  Edward tells me  to head to the Cabot House and ask for Jack.  I’m a little stunned as he walks past me.  The Cabot House?  The Cabots were a family from my time, a very wealth family too.  I remember the name Jack Cabot too.  I clear my head, and keep walking towards the back room.  No way it’s the same Jack Cabot, likely a descendant.

Preston has joined me at this point, having seen me get stopped by Edward.  He notices what is going on in the back room, and nods to me.  We walk into the back room, and can now overhear the conversation.  The man getting harassed is called MacCready, apparently an ex-Gunner now trying to work as a merc in Gunner turf, thus these two toughs here to warn him.  They finish their piece, and walk past us, the quieter one slamming his shoulder into mine.  When I don’t give as easily as he hoped, he calls me a “fucking bitch” and reaches for his gun.  The wiser of the two makes him stay his hand, and they leave without any blood being spilled.  MacCready was laughing at them as they go.

“The fuck do you want.” is the greeting he gave me.  I inquired about the two thugs and he told me to stop poking into other people’s business.  As I turned to leave he asked if I needed to hire any protection, he was looking for work after all.  I let him know that I’m not looking for protection, but I am looking for more traveling companions, as I intend to take on the Institute.  His eyes went wide and I could see the hesitation on his face.  He gives me his price.  I talk him down, he agrees.  We head back to the table and I buy him a drink, introducing him to Heather and Piper.  

As we’re leaving, we overhear conversation at a nearby table, something about someone named Cait and a place called The Combat Zone.  Piper and Heather seemed to react somewhat somberly to the news.  When asked, they explained who Cait was, and that the Combat Zone is a known raider spot.  I made a mental note to stop there.

Heading to the Memory Den, I was greeted by an older woman dressed very extravagantly.  She directed me to the stairs in the back of the room, indicating “the doctor and Nick are waiting for you already.”

Downstairs, Nick introduced me to Doctor Amari, a scientist specializing in the human brain.  She was the one who designed the memory pods in use here.  After some talk, it was determined that we could hook up the augmented piece of Kellogg’s brain I recovered from his person to Nick, as it had synth connectors attached to it.  In combination with this, I could hop into a memory pod and witness the memories stored with in, with Nick being the engine, as it were.

Reliving Kellogg’s memories was hard.  He’d clearly had a hard life, and had lost everything he cared about, like I did.  The only difference is Kellogg knowingly brought it upon himself, my life was ripped away from me at no fault of my own, short of existing.  I had to re-live Kellogg killing Nate, this time from the perspective of Kellogg.  I had to see my baby taken away again.  I had to see Shaun, older, taken away by something called a Courser.  

The group discussed something about teleportation, and a man named Virgil.  I wasn’t really paying attention.  Piper looked at me sadly, handing me some tissues.  I was crying.  She took me upstairs to sit with Nick while the rest of the group discussed the plan.  I felt week, drained.  Piper asked Nick how he was doing, as he went through the same thing I did.  Kellogg responded.  I drew my magnum and leveled it as his head, yelling that I put him down once, and I will happily do it again.  Nick threw his hands up and shouted for me to stand down, and what the hell was I doing.  Piper forced my arms down, and looked at Nick concerned.  Apparently some echoes of Kellogg can remain for a little while, and we just saw one.  Nick apparently had no idea when it happened.  I sank into the chair next to him, exhausted.

Piper let me know that everyone got to watch what I was witnessing, so I didn’t need to talk about what I saw.  She told me she was sorry for me, and hugged me.  She told me that when I was ready to talk, she would be there as a friend.  Nick offered the same.

Eventually we headed back downstairs to get caught up on the plan.  Virgil was in a place called The Glowing Sea.  Apparently its where a bomb fell, and was massively irradiated.  So I needed to find/make some Radiation Protection suits.

We left Goodneighbor not long after.  I honestly didn’t feel like talking to much, I felt like an old wound had just been reopened.  I needed to take my mind off of what I’d just witnessed.  We headed to the Combat Zone, and I proceeded to clear it out.  Apparently Cait was a cage fighter here, serving as entertainment.  Tommy Lonegan, her handler, opted to let me buy out her contract, as I had just killed all of his clientele.  I did so.  Cait seemed to know her way around a fight, and after I explained our goal, seemed to be on board.

New members in tow, we headed out for Oberland.  Nick had been complaining about his equipment for a while, so I said we’d swing by Red Rocket after Oberland to grab his jacket, something he greatly appreciated.  Folks at Oberland agreed to join us with us now that we’ve taken care of their problem.  Preston raised the possibility of taking back The Castle at this point, as the Minutemen had enough members, between our personal work and the work of other contingents, that we could mount an effective effort to take back the Castle and man it properly.  Given that I didn’t feel quite ready to head to the Glowing Sea just yet, I made that our next priority goal.

That’s how we ended up here in Red Rocket.  Preston has headed up to Sanctuary to check in on folks there, as did Heather, who wants to see if she could sell any of her alternative medicines.  I asked Preston to get strong setup as a member of the Minutemen, operating his own unit, either on his own or with others beneath him.  He can’t really travel with me, given my propensity to break into locks and terminals and his disagreement with that, but I can still definitely use his talents if he’s lending them.  In a couple of days we’ll head back to Boston.  I have a feeling that the Castle is going to be a big step for us.

[firekissedpiper]

— ✗ 𝔸 𝔻 ℝ 𝔼 ℕ 𝔸 𝕃 𝕀 ℕ 𝔼 '𝕊 𝔸 𝔽 𝕋 𝔼 ℝ 𝕄 𝔸 𝕋 ℍ — ✗ Time Period: Early December, 2018. — ✗ TW: Mentions of sexual assault, domestic abuse. It had all been a blur really, after she’d gotten in the car. Adrenaline had flooded her brain, making every move instinctual, easy. It had dulled the pain of her injuries, given her relief from the rush of turmoil that came with her ordeal – blessing her with a blissful numbness that left her feeling cold enough that it didn’t hurt. She could feel the pounding of her heart, the thrumming of her pulse and the tightness in her lungs. The desire to keep moving, to get away far and fast as possible. She hadn’t taken note to fear the truck driver. To her he was just a means to escape, which was the goal that drove every movement. Adrenaline. She could have used more of it. But as the immediate danger faded, so did that, and it set in. First it was like tuning a radio. With each notch turned up, the sound grew clearer. Only, as the adrenaline slowly left her system, the degrees of agony set in. Everything she’d been blocking out – the broken bones, the bruises, the rips, tears and scrapes, the shattered pieces of her broken heart and mind – it was all there, waiting, and it all rushed in like a tidal wave, threatening to drown her. The pain was awful. She didn’t know what was worse, the agony in her body or the war in her mind. Terror – because any moment, she was waiting for Tomas to find her. For her to be brought back to him to destroy once again. Terror because he had found her over and over again, and he would again. Despair – because everything she had thought she’d known, every bit of strength and will to keep moving had been crushed. Every will and every power she had thought she’d had was ripped from her. Despair because her world had been torn out from under her. Disbelief – because she’d thought she’d been stronger. Even through the beatings, through the emotional abuse and terror, through the whole nightmare, she had still thought there was something left, something there. Disbelief because she had thought she was stronger, and she wasn’t. Anger – because everything that Tomas had taken from her – her pride, her confidence, her energy, her life, her freedom – he’d taken her soul now too. Anger, because he would get away with it, as he always did. Guilt – because she should have gotten him off. Because she should have fought harder. She had known the monster he was, but she had let her own mind convince her she could be free of him. She feared somehow she let him do this, like all the beatings, she had lid there, and shut down. Guilt because he had broken her, and she had let him. Closing her eyes, Piper tried to will all those thoughts away. Years of burying any and all emotions under thick layers of soil should have given her the ability to bury these too. The past year of burying everything Tomas had done to her. The past year, he’d broken her, over and over again – in so many different ways. She had buried that too. Had bottled it and locked it away in the back of her mind. But she couldn’t bury this. She couldn’t hide her fractured spirit, she couldn’t ignore the well of emotion bubbling and brewing inside of her. The only thing she could do was try not to cry too loudly. It didn’t work. The girl whose steel will had once kept her from ever crying in front of someone was now gone, replaced by a broken woman who had lost everything all at once. The silent droplets that had slid over her face had now become rivers, accompanied by a raw, gut wrenching sob. She felt her chest tighten as she let out the hollow sob, her head hanging forward a little as she lost the strength to sit straight and quiet. The adrenaline was gone, and all that was left was pain. It didn’t take long for the trucker to notice. In fact, she was certain it took her longer to notice that he noticed. It took her a moment for his voice to register. She couldn’t think or breathe or hear. It was as if there was nothing in the world utter than the crushing weight. Finally though, his voice rang through her ringing ears. It occurred to her he’d pulled over. “Lady,” he said, his voice was gruff, confused, as if he had no idea what to do. She couldn’t bring herself to respond. The emotion was overwhelming. Not just from the events of the night. Every bottled and buried emotion was coming out now. Everything from the last year. Every slap, every punch, every kick. Every hidden bruise, covered cut or lie about her clumsiness. Every insult, every time he’d called her a “whore”, every time he’d taken away any belief that she was anything other than a failure. It was all hitting her now. She felt every blow again and the words rung in her ears. “Listen, Lady, is there anyone I can call?” More confusion in the accented tone that seemed to be grasping at straws to stop the unusual situation. Light flashed in Piper’s blurry eyes as he turned on one of the overheads. “Oh my god,” another accented drawl. She didn’t know what he saw, but she heard the sound of the truck again. Piper didn’t understand, she felt the pain in her body, there was no doubt about that. Some spots were emitting a constant radiation of agony, others ached and stung. But it was the emotions that wiped her off the board. She couldn’t deal. She had never learned how to. And now when she desperately needed it, she couldn’t. She wasn’t sure how long they drove for. She knew they’d been driving for four hours and thirty six minutes. But then the pain had set in and she stopped watching the clock, stopped counting every minute – stopped thinking about each mile further they got away from Tomas. She couldn’t think of anything. She couldn’t process anything but the constant replay of what had happened. All she could feel was Tomas, still inside her. She remembered how much her legs hurt because of the awkward angle her haphazardly pulled down pants left them at. She remembered how his body kept slamming into hers. She remembered his hands holding her down. She remembered one hand ripping the collar of the sweater dress she’d put on at one point. She remembered the sound of each grunt he released. She remembered the words, his commands. She remembered the terror in her veins and the nausea in her stomach. She remembered the smell of his sweat, the scent of his breath. She remembered the clammy nature of his skin. She felt her stomach turning as she silently begged every god she could think of to just turn it off. The truck came to a stop once more, through the windshield, she saw blurs of lights and other shapes. She couldn’t be bothered enough to try and see what it was. What it could have been. “I’ll be right back,” the voice broke through the haze a bit. But what got her more, was when she felt a hand on her arm. It was like an electric shock. She immediately hauled away, so fast it actually made her head spin. His very touch grated on her skin. At least that’s how it felt. She heard the door open then shut. Then nothing. It was quiet for a minute. There was nothing but the sound of her ragged breathing, her sniffling and the sobs she kept choking up. She just sat there, letting her head rest on the window. It was cool, it made her head hurt less. Then the door opened. “She’s right here. I don’t know what happened to her but she’s…pretty beat up,” it was the trucker’s rugged voice. Piper blinked a few times, confusion breaking through her emotion as she took in the other figures in a jade green. The blinking made the blurriness clearer. It was easier to see through the tears. Then she realized they were nurses. The lights, the other cars. It all hit her rather suddenly. A hospital. No. No. Fear flooded her and some of the adrenaline seeped back in. She scrambled for the handle of the door, grasping it and trying to pull it shut. Her wrist protested the movement. Not that it mattered. The trucker was in the way. Away – she needed to get away. She knew they’d recognize her. She knew they’d tell him. He’d find her. He’d come for her again. “Get away from me!” She screamed. “You won’t take me back, you won’t!” She pushed herself to the other side of the car, sliding across the bench seat and forcing the open the other door. Her same wrist protested, her chest bloomed with a new agony. Her body aching all over. She scrambled out of the car and tried to run. Her legs were too sore, they wouldn’t support her. Her body ached, especially between her legs. Her knees gave out and her legs folded beneath her. She collapsed to the ground. Her knees took the brunt of it. She whimper as they hit the ground. The second time they’d taken a hard fall. Despite the rough texture of where she’d collapse, she flashed back to when she’d been knocked to the ground by Tomas earlier. It only made her panic more. Half crawling, she scrambled away. She could hear them getting closer to her. She knew if they got her she’d been in his hands again. She’d be back to him. Every muscle of her body protested the awkward and panicked movement, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. In her mind, she was running from him again. Every aching muscle and every movement was away from him. It took her further, closer to freedom. If they got her, he had her. It didn’t take long for them to catch up. “Miss, please stop you’re going to hurt yourself more.” “We can help you, you just have to stop.” “Jeff, we need some help out in the parking lot, J-zone.” “Can’t you make her stop?” Piper’s gaze darted around. Her vision was blurry but she desperately sought and opening or escape, anything. She tried to stumble onto her feet to try and get a better vantage point. But she couldn’t manage it. “Get away from me!” She wailed. “Stay away.” One of the nurses approached her and she smacked her hand away rather violently. Soon, strong hands gripped her arms. She was thrown back into the memory of Tomas gripping onto her. Stopping her from moving. It was him. It had to be. How did he find her already? “Stop, let me go,” she screamed, squirming and kicking as much as she can despite her body fighting her every movement. “Please, please don’t hurt me again. I’ll go back. I’ll listen,” she begged and promised. But the hands didn’t stop. Tears flooded her face again and she saw the blurry shape colored in jade coming at her. Something sharp pricked her inner elbow. She tried to fight harder, but a deep exhaustion hit her like a wave. Suddenly her limbs were like jelly, loose, useless for holding up firm. She tried to fight through it. But the waves eventually pulled her under, and she let herself collapse into that abyss. Darkness took her in its grasp like an embrace. ~~ Piper felt herself slowly coming about. There was the distant sound of voices, but she couldn’t fully understand what they were saying. They were chatting to her. Or about her. She couldn’t tell which. Slowly, the voices got clearer. Feeling started to pour into her limbs. Flexing her arm, she felt pain, restraint at her finger tips. She tried to blink a few times. Fluorescent lights assaulted her eyes, immediately making her want to shut them again. Each time she tried to open her eyes, she shut them again. The bright offending lights were flickering in and out like an old movie on a screen. She watched the image around her distort and change, slowly coming into focus. Tiled ceiling. The long tiles, constructed from foam. She remembered them from somewhere. But the fog pressing on her brain was keeping her from fully grasping it. Everything was in a haze, like there was a curtain existing between her in the moment and the rest of her brain. All that was left was confusion, grasping for strings that she wasn’t sure were even there to hold onto. “Broken ribs.” A memory came flooding back, hitting her like she imagined a car would. She felt something hard driving into her ribs. She saw a black boot. She looked up. Tomas. He was there. She felt the impact, the pain that exploded. Then she was back there, looking up at the lights. “Broken knuckles.” Another memory. She felt her hand curling into a fist, her thumb curling over her other fingers, like someone had taught her to. Her hand was coming up, but there was fear, like she was scared to do it. Her instincts told her to. And she drove the punch home, throwing the weight of her body into it. Bone against bone. Both injured at the impact. She felt the pain radiate through it as the bones fractured. She felt a sick joy as she hoped that his bones had fractured too. “Concussion.” Another. She felt her head smacking against the concrete floor. Felt the pain start in the back of her skull and radiate. She felt her head spinning at the impact. The world was a blur, but his face was there again. Once more, she was looking back up at the lights. “Bruised cervix.” This one was the worse. Each piece came in, another thread of the curtain came away. She felt him pushing into her all over again, his appendage slamming into her, its only concern seeming to be on causing as much possible damage. She heard him bark out his commands. She heard her own voice, heard it begging desperately for him to stop. She heard mumbled promises – which she knew in the moment she would have kept just to make it stop. Then there was no more lights. There was no more women’s voices. There nothing stiff on her fingers. There was him. He was everywhere. His body on hers, taking what was left of hers with reckless abandon. She couldn’t close her eyes now. They blurred with the tears that left her eyes, but she couldn’t close them. "No-no, please st-," she was screaming, it was too much. Bubbling up inside of her, consuming her. The fear, the desperation. Out she had to get out. Away, she needed to be away. ~~ Her body stiffened, her muscles tensing and readying themselves for a fight. They were ready to fend off whatever posed a threat to her. As she slammed into consciousness and sat bolt upright, a loud scream of terror left her. Her heart pounded, her air was coming slow. She felt the sweat slicking her forehead and it only reminded her of where she’d been in her nightmare moments ago. "Help," she let it slip before she fully realized she wasn't there anymore, she wasn't with Tomas, or in the hospital. She was here, the estate. Slowly her muscles relaxed and she looked around the room carefully, uncertainly, terror in her eyes as she tried to regain the ability to remember where she was, that there was no reason to fear here. Tears streamed down her face here too. Turning on her side, she reached up with a shaking hand to wipe the tears away. They just kept coming. That was the worst part of a nightmare. Finding no safety in waking. Finding no security. Finding that it had not been construed as trick of the mind. That was the worst part of the nightmare. Finding it was still so very real in the waking world.

[archiverecombinxnt-blog]

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN, FOLKS, IT’S PIPER’S/ @worldsavcrBIRTHDAY!

LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW YOU, AS A PERSON:

tolerate me talking about real shitty aus that i abandon like .2 weeks later

except that one really long au i haven’t abandoned yet by some miracle

tolerate me deliberating on a whole lot and actually give good advice

(unlike me. sorry on that one.)

SO TALENTED??!?!?!?! WTF?! YOU’RE A BABY HOW ARE YOU THIS GOOD AT THINGS

WHAT A CUTIE!!!!! OMG!!!!! UR FACE MAKES FOR PRIME SELFIES/PHOTOS/VIDEOS! AMAZING!

SO SMART, GONNA DO SO MUCH BETTER THAN ME IN COLLEGE

WRITING ISN’T EVEN YOUR PRIME AREA OF FOCUS??????????? AND YET YOU STILL PUT SO MUCH LOVE AND TIME AND TALENT INTO IT?! AMAZING

so goOD AT PUTTING ME INTO A BETTER MOOD ON A HARD DAY

SUCH A SASS, SUCH A SARCASM, PRIME COMEBACKS FOR DAYS

BETTER ADULT THAN I AM AND I AM IN COLLEGE

THE SALT

READY TO FITE™

IS BETTER AT WRITING MY OWN SHITTY AUS THAN I AM? THAT INTRO??? 

HAS STUCK WITH MAXIMUM RIDE THROUGH THE DUMPSTER FIRE OF CANON™

SO TALENTED IN PHOTOSHOP I CRY I WEEP I WANT YOUR ABILITIES JUST TRANSFER THEM RIGHT ON OVER

SO PURE, SO GOOD, SUCH AN AMAZING PURE FRIEND

YOUR CHARACTERS

I DON’T EVEN WATCH THE FLASH AND YET BARRY IS NOW MY SON??? JUST FROM READING THE WAY YOU WRITE HIM??????

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL RAY OF SUNSHINE! I WAS INTRODUCED TO HIM BC I WANTED TO READ ALL OF YOUR WRITING! ALL OF IT AND NOW I’M IN SO DEEP

STILL HAVEN’T WATCHED THE SHOW YET. SORRY.

BUT YOU WRITE HIM SO KINDLY AND SO BRIGHTLY AND I JUST? CRY

I NOW KNOW BASIC FLASH STORYLINES BC OF YOU, THANK YOU

ANY VAGUELY ANGSTY THING YOU WRITE WITH HIM IN IT? CRYING

I THINK OF YOU ANY TIME I SEE GRANT GUSTIN AND WONDER ON YOUR OPNIONS OF VARIOUS FLASH STORYLINE how’s that gorilla thing going huh. you laughed at the 100 for having it. how does it feel. i bet pauna and grodd are, like, distantly related cousins. then again pauna’s several hundred years into the future. maybe she’s his great-granddaughter. i’m talking too much about fictional gorillas let’s get back to barry

SO SOFT, SO ROMANTIC, SO LOVELY AND AMAZING

THE FLASH! SO COOL! SO AESTHETIC! SO HEARTBREAKING TBH

WHAT A PURE AND GOOD HERO, TRULY ATTEMPTING TO SAVE THE PEOPLE, WHICH BRINGS ME TOOOO

HOLLY!!! OVERACCOMPLISHED DOCTOR!!! THE BROOD AND THE ANGST IN COMPLEMENT TO THE SUNSHINE AND THE BRIGHTNESS

YOU CAME UP WITH AN ORIGINAL SUPERHERO THAT ISN’T BASED ON SHITTY PUNS, rip hurricane and expundable 

SUCH A COMPLEX AND INTRIGUING BACKSTORY

LOVES HER BABY SISTER SO MUCH DO NOT HURT HER OR I SWEAR TO GOD I’M FLYING DOWN TO SEE YOU AND I WILL PUNCH YOU BEFORE I HUG YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND BUT THEN I WILL PUNCH YOU AGAIN softly bc i don’t want to hurt you it’s to prove a point shut up

SO MANY INDEPENDENT AND CREATIVE AND UNIQUE CHARACTERS ADDED IN ALONG WITH HOLLY’S STORY? ASHTON? AN IDOL

THE MORAL CONTRAST BETWEEN HER AND BARRY! THE PROTECTIVE ATTITUDE SHE HAS OVER THOSE WHO ARE CLOSE TO HER! THE WAY SHE IS SO WILLING TO GO SO FAR TO PROTECT THEM!

SO MANY TRAGIC BITS AND PIECES TO HER LIFE?! HER POWER? HER CHILDREN? HER EVENTUAL PLOTLINE? HER DEATH? HOW THE FUCK

SUCH AMAZING PLOTTING GOES INTO HER AND SO MUCH CARE FOR HER STORY AND I LOVE IT

I GET SO OVERWHELMED THINKING OF THINGS TO WRITE ABOUT HER BC SHE’S SO IMPORTANT AND I LOVE HER AND SHE’S YOUR CREATION SO BASICALLY I AM HONOR BOUND TO LOVE HER BUT ALSO I LOVE HER BECAUSE SHE’S HOLLY DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE

TESS! SO PURE AND SOFT AND LOVING! SO MUCH SHIT SHE HAS GONE THROUGH

I DO NOT KNOW HER AS WELL AS I’D LIKE PLEASE WRITE HER MORE, I LOVE HER TRULY

SO SOFT, SO SMOL, SO STRONG

SUCH AN AESTHETIC™

SO SMART, SO INTELLIGENT

EVERYTHING YOU TO TO HER HURTS ME SO MUCH BUT IT’S SO GOOD

THE MACHINE THING? IT SHATTERED ME. I HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY

THE FALL?!?!?!?!?!?! SUCH A CINEMATIC THOUGHT PROCESS. HOLY SHIT. I GET LIKE STRAIGHT UP VISIONS OF THIS AND I GET SO OVERWHELMED

THE WAY HER STORY ENDS. HEARTBREAKING. WHY DO THIS. PLEASE MAKE HER HAPPY.

SUCH A GOOD SUCH A STRONG TELL ME MORE TELL ME MORE THEME FROM GREASE PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND

YOUR OCS YOU HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT?! HOW ARE YOUR OCS BETTER THAN THE CANON CHARACTERS I ATTEMPTED TO WRITE AT THE SAME AGE?! WHAT KIND OF WRITING MASTER ARE YOU?!?!?!?!!?

OUR TRASH FIGHT DAUGHTER™

WE HAVE SHARED CUSTODY OF HER OVER A GREAT NUMBER OF YEARS, PROBABLY LIKE 2 MAYBE 3 POTENTIALLY 4 OH GOD I’M SO OLD

SORRY I HURT HER SO MUCH, EXCEPT NOT REALLY, YOU TALK ME INTO A LOT OF IT DON’T DENY IT

HAVE SUCH A PURE AND INNATE GRASP OF HER SASS AND MOTIVATIONS AND WORDS AND I CRY???????????

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH YOU INTIMATED ME WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TALKING. DO YOU. YOU WERE SO GOOD AT WRITING HER AND THERE I WAS USING SOMEONE ELSE’S ICONS AND THERE YOU WERE, SO GOOD AND SO COOL AND SO FUNNY?! AND YOU MESSAGED ME!?!?!?!? I WAS SO SHOOK™?!?! AND NOW HERE WE ARE?!

IT’S BEEN OVER A YEAR OF US TALKING VIA SKYPE AND OVER A YEAR AND A HALF OF US INTERACTING ON TUMBLR, ALL BECAUSE OF THIS DUMPSTER FIRE OF A STORY

TRULY THE DEVOTION WE HAVE SHOWED HER EVEN THROUGH THE NONSENSICAL ACID TRIP OF CANON? AMAZING

TO THINK WE STARTED OFF WITH ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE ACID TRIP AND NOW HERE WE ARE, TALKING AUS TO STRAIGHT UP TAKE HER AWAY FROM THE ACID TRIP, THINKING ABOUT HER AS A CHARACTER AND PUTTING HER INTO ALL THESE INTERESTING SITUATIONS

TRULY WE ARE EXCAVATING HER FROM THE TRASH™

YOU AS A PERSON AGAIN, BECAUSE YOU’RE AWESOME, ALSO BIRTH

TO OUR FRIENDSHIP

seriously do you know how shook i was that you had reached out to become friends with me you were so amazing and there i was sitting there a mess and there you were so good so great so truly spectacular with organized tags and a strong aesthetic and everything i’m literally still shook every time i get the little skype noise

AND THEN SKYPE! AND WE TALKED SO MUCH MORE OFTEN! I WAS STILL SO SHOOK! YOU WERE MY FIRST REAL ONLINE FRIEND!!!!!!!! AND DEFINITELY THE ONE I’VE KEPT IN TOUCH WITH THE LONGEST/MOST

TRULY BRIGHTENS MY DAY WHEN WE TALK AND YOU’VE HELPED MAKE THE TRANSITION INTO COLLEGE SO MUCH EASIER BC YOU ARE MY POCKET FRIEND AND VIRTUAL HUGS WHEN I NEED THEM AND LAUGHS WHEN I NEED THEM AND DISCUSSIONS OF FICTION WHEN I NEED THAT TOO

AND NOW SNAPCHAT! I GET TO SEE UR CUTE HAPPY FACE (most of the time happy) A LOT AND IT’S SO GREAT

AND WE ARE SUCH FRIENDS AND FRIEND GOALS AND I DID ACTUALLY CONSIDER WRITING AN ONLINE AU FOR FRIENDS BASED ON OUR FRIENDSHIPS BUT I ABANDONED THE IDEA BC THAT IS WHAT I DO WITH 90% OF AUS

TRULY AMAZING WONDERFUL

ILY SO MUCH, YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY EVERY DAY, I HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY EVEN THOUGH WE’RE BOTH EXPERIENCING THAT THING AND ALSO YOU ARE MESSAGING ME ABOUT GODSPELL AS I TYPE AND I HOPE THIS CHEERS YOU UP FROM THE EMOTIONAL WRECKAGE

[woundvest7-blog]

How Cardi B Makes Fashion Moves

LOS ANGELES, United States — Two weeks prior to the launch of her collection for Fashion Nova, the rapper Cardi B is breezily recounting her relationship with the Los Angeles-based fast fashion retailer, one that dates back to 2014, before she had two No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 and before she amassed an eye-popping 34.6 million Instagram followers.

“They are always loyal to me. It's like a friendship now,” she said of the bodycon clothing line that churns out 1,000 new items a week. “I'm also really proud of them. Their brand has sold so much, and I have sold so much at the same time and it's like, 'Yay, we did it!' We both did it at the same time.”

Her collection, which goes on sale November 15, comes at a time when Fashion Nova’s popularity may just rival the rapper’s. According to a Piper Jaffray survey last week, Fashion Nova was the sixth most popular e-commerce site among upper-income teens, beating out brands including Forever 21, Lululemon and Adidas.

Since launching as an e-commerce site in 2013, Fashion Nova has managed to harness a lightning-in-a-bottle type of hype, fueled primarily by a network of prolific micro influencers who post photos of themselves wearing the curve-hugging clothing on Instagram. That, coupled with the constant flow of new product that Richard Saghian, chief executive of Fashion Nova calls “ultra fast fashion,” has catapulted the company into the top tier of online retail.

But the exposure and success has drawn competitors, who are taking a page out of the Fashion Nova playbook, as well as complaints from customers about fit and quality. As the marketplace becomes more saturated, the brand is looking to prove it can do more than churn out an endless series of disposable — and easily imitated — dresses, pants and tops.

Enter Cardi B. True to form, the rapper is as candid about her relationship with the brand (she has previously stated that she receives $20,000 a month to wear the label and promote it on social media) as she is her plastic surgery and personal life. But though she was among Fashion Nova’s earliest fans, recently, she’s worn Moschino, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander Wang for events ranging from the Grammys to the Met Ball and New York Fashion Week. She’s following fellow female R&B stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé who have had success with their break into fashion, expanding their brand and sartorial influence into their own lingerie and streetwear lines, respectively.

I want to make these women look so happy — so radiant, sexy, so corporate and poppin'. I want them to look like they’re wearing Gucci and Prada.

No doubt the impressive lineup of designers clamoring to dress Cardi B has only bolstered the Fashion Nova brand, which she continues to wear with the same frequency she does high-end items. Cardi B’s collection, the first celebrity collaboration for Fashion Nova, comes at a time when there is a seemingly perfect storm of her popularity and a growing appetite for authenticity and inclusivity among consumers.

The line will consist of 80 looks ranging from junior to curve, with an average price point of $40, including suiting, blouses, dresses, outerwear, denim, knitwear and accessories. In designing the collection, Cardi B said her goal was to create clothing that would blur the lines between expensive and inexpensive, with a focus on quality fabric and fit.

“Every little detail to me matters,” Cardi B said. “I want to make these women look so happy — so radiant, sexy, so corporate and poppin'. I want them to look like they’re wearing Gucci and Prada, but they’re not, they’re wearing my line.”

The pre-launch promotion stays true to Fashion Nova’s roots — relying on influencers to spread the word — but on a vastly amplified stage. Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, has been teasing her forthcoming collaboration with Fashion Nova on social media for several months in the same manner that she evangelizes the brand on Instagram, whether she’s wearing it head-to-toe or paired with Christian Louboutin boots and a Balenciaga bag.

Fashion Nova will have a launch event in Los Angeles starting November 14 at 8pm, featuring musical performances and drumming up even more excitement for the collection launch which happens at midnight. The event will be livestreamed for fans anywhere to watch, but the brand also has plans for a “Party with Cardi” online sweeps in which 10 customers will be flown out for the event. Shoppers will be able to purchase in real time when the collection goes live at midnight, November 15.

“Because Cardi styles our product with high end luxury brands such as Gucci and Givenchy, we will be able to slowly dissolve the perceived separation between 'high-end' and 'cheap' clothes and make trendy fashion accessible to everyone,” said Saghian in an email. “This will really resonate to a wide consumer base who essentially want it all; it doesn’t have to be one way or the other anymore.”

Cardi B had specific ideas for the way she wanted the trench coats in collection to fit. She’s been seen wearing her fair share of the item, including a dark green leather Drome jacket on Jimmy Kimmel Live last month and a black Alexander Wang to New York Fashion Week in February.

“Sometimes when I wear a trench coat, I feel like it looks a little weird where you tie it,” she said. “It looks a little baggy on the top, and then it looks a little flat on the bottom. I specifically do not like that, so I made sure that the tailoring was right on that.”

She said the fit of her jackets is “something that I am really proud of,” adding “I don't want people to buy jackets that will rip while they're wearing it.”

Sometimes, designers don't have what I'm looking for.

Fashion Nova originally gained an edge in the market by making clothes that worked for voluptuous body types — an aspect of the brand amplified by Cardi B’s Instagram mantra: “I can buy designer but this @fashionnova fit!”

She said like many women, she has had a hard time finding clothing to fit her curves, one reason she still wears Fashion Nova even with designers vying to dress her.

“Sometimes, designers don't have what I'm looking for,” she said. “Designers don't make jeans that fit me. I have a big butt, and they seem not to fit me. The only jeans that fit me would be like Fashion Nova jeans. That's how I balance it out. I don't care if it cost $20 or $15. If it looks good on me, it looks good on me. I can style it up.”

She said her biggest challenges in creating the line was to make pieces that would look good on a range of body types. Her upcoming collection includes several styles of curve-hugging silhouettes, partly to address the many issues she has had with denim in the past.

“What I don't like about wearing jeans is when the butt is boxy,” she said. “And I don't like when there is that little space in the butt part, between your back, do you know what I'm talking about? That's my biggest pet peeve.”

Fashion Nova has a legendarily rapid production schedule — the company relies on a network of 1,000 manufacturers to turn out endless variations on streetwear and designer-inspired looks, sometimes just days after a Kardashian or Hadid wore them on the red carpet.

The clothes pumped out by this network are of varying quality, and while customer complaints about an anonymous midi-dress might fly under the radar, the stakes are higher with Cardi B’s high-profile collection.

The upside is that the company has the ability to quickly ramp up production to match demand.

“We have no doubt that it will sell out in minutes,” Saghian said. “We’re prepared for the demand and expect the line to be very lucrative. We’ll be looking for more celebrity collaborations as well.”

And Fashion Nova can quickly produce looks inspired by new Cardi B lyrics, or an outfit she wears that goes viral.

“The biggest thing with Cardi is that you have a young woman repping a market of young women who are not usually marketed to. They see themselves in her and because of that, they’re rooting for her,” said Kenny Mac, founder and creative director of strategic planning agency Creative Contraband and the former marketing director for Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“If in a song, she’s talking about, 'I like those Balenciagas, the ones that look like socks...' Fashion Nova has the infrastructure to develop and design and sell in a quick fashion. It’s very transactional.”

Saghian said he’s already looking for his next celebrity collaboration. And Cardi B said she’s been bitten by the design bug with plans to branch out into new markets -—even kidswear.

“I definitely want to branch out into shoes. I love shoes. I have a big fetish for shoes,” she said. “And I want to be able to design what I want for my daughter to wear.”

Related Articles:

Inside the Fashion Nova Hype Machine

Influencer Marketing Lessons from Fashion Nova and Zara

Source: https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/intelligence/how-cardi-b-makes-fashion-moves