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softquietsteadylove · 3 months

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It’s time to read more about tomb raider! Let them meet again after the almost drowning incident and let there be teamwork fighting against a group of treasure hunters! :D

"Will you stop?!"

Thena - surprisingly - stopped squirming behind his back against her own binds. Her chair stopped rattling against the floor as she stilled. She huffed. "I'm sorry, were you trying to get some sleep?"

He joined her in her frustration. "I just mean conserve your energy. We don't even know how long we've been down here, let alone how much longer we have ahead."

She went quiet, and he was quite sure he was more uncomfortable with it than she was. Thena spoke two languages: yelling, and sass. He was unfamiliar with any quieter sides of hers.

"I'm sorry."

The simple words gave him chills. He whipped his head around but all it did was hurt his neck, and he couldn't even get a glimpse of her anyway. "What?"

"They followed us all the way out here and I had no idea."

"I didn't either," he interjected.

"I was the one who came up with the plans. The next time they come down here, I'll tell them I can guide them, but only if they release you." Now she was really talking crazy.

"What the hell are you talking about?" he grumbled, now starting the game of fruitlessly tugging at his binds again. "You think I'm going anywhere without you?"

"We may not be afforded another option," she bit back, also turning her head. He could feel her ponytail against the back of his neck. "If at least one of us makes it out, there's a chance of escape."

"There's no way you believe that if you cooperate they won't hurt you," he snorted.

"I didn't say I believed that."

He jerked his shoulders, attempting to get a look at her again. The backs of their chairs clanged together, although they were still technically bolted to the floor. What little movement they did get on them was from the general state of the ship's disrepair. "Don't be stupid, Thena."

She didn't even have a scathing retort about him assuming such a thing about her Ladyship.

"Once they come back, we'll reason our way through this." Sure, he didn't totally believe what he was saying either. But it was a better solution than Thena giving herself up as a bargaining chip for his life. "All they want is the bounty, right? Your plans were solid, and I doubt any of them can dive for as long as you can. We'll-"

"Gil."

She was right, there were few options they had which might lead to their escape. They knew the risks, running in the circles they did. There was always a risk.

"You have connections on the mainland," she continued to talk him through things like she was coaching him. "Tell them that they can collect your bounty if they return with you."

Rather then killing them both and leaving them somewhere.

"And what about you?" he just barely dared to ask.

She took a damn long time to answer, twisting his gut all the way around itself. "Karun and Druig always know the risks of our field. They have instructions should I fail to return one day."

Gil scoffed loudly, rolled his eyes, shook his head--all of it. Anything to convey to her just how ridiculous this was. "I am not going to just leave you here, let alone with those-"

"Gil-"

"They slapped you, Thena," he reiterated, since that didn't seem to matter to her as much as it did to him. "They backhanded you across the face. I'm not exactly counting on them to uphold a gentlemanly agreement."

He leaned forward, pulling at the legs of the chair, still bolted to the floor by a couple of rattling brackets.

"It wasn't how I saw our collaborative efforts ending," she tried putting on a lighter tone, as if that would distract him from the gravity of all this. "But I must admit, we make a good team, Gilgamesh."

He huffed, leaning as forward as he could, "don't 'Gilgamesh' me."

"Could we not spend what might be our last time together arguing?"

He paused in his efforts, partly to catch his breath, and partly to twist his neck again. "I thought you loved arguing."

"I love anything at which I can win."

Well, there was the Thena he knew and tolerated.

Her tone changed again, and he felt her hands move from being tightly balled up fists. Her fingers fluttered around, as if searching for his. "But arguing with you was always a byproduct of the job. Your company from the same side is far preferable."

If he didn't know better, he could think she was admitting to some fondness for him. But he did know better, and beyond that, this was not going to be the pre-burial-at-sea confession she thought it was.

"Who said you could talk?!"

The door slammed against the back wall. All the hinges in this place were falling apart. The men filtered into the room, fully armed and just as dark in expression as when they had found them.

Thena glared at them of course. "You didn't gag us. I don't see how you expected us to remain silent."

"Silence might do you some good." The same one who had struck her before raised his hand again, just barely in Gil's periphery.

He jerked in his chair, "don't touch her!"

They all laughed at his noble effort to protect her. The hand changed from an open palm to grasp her chin instead. She jerked back like a caged animal, but he grabbed harder. "Is she your pretty little treasure?"

Thena practically growled at them even with her cheeks smushed.

"That's all you want, right--the artifact we got sent here to find?" he clarified, doing everything but snapping his neck right off his shoulders to try and see what they were doing. "I'll take you, but only if she's unharmed."

"Relax, big guy," another one instructed, even slapping the grabby one's hand away from Thena's face. "The bounty from the artifact is only half of it. There's also the matter of you two."

Thena must have made a face, because they glared at her again. "We have no insurance policies on us, if that's what you're after."

"Not at all, girlie," he chuckled at her. "The museum will pay his ransom, surely. And as for you...you're sitting on an old family estate, aren't you? That will do nicely."

Gil was desperately trying to think of something but if anything, Thena relaxed. He kept his mouth shut though; they hadn't mentioned Druig or Karun, which meant they didn't know about them. They hadn't done reconnaissance on them or anything, they just happened to be their lucky catch of the day.

"You're right, you will guide us to the artifact." The men began gravitating towards the door again, one with his hand already on it. "And when we have it in our possession, then you'll make the ransom call for us."

The grabby one rattled the handle in his grasp. "We might have to rough her up some, just to make it believable."

Gil launched forward. The chair came clean off the floor as he cried out in his rage. He hunched forward, swinging the legs around as a line of defense. He turned, charging at their captors.

His shoulder jabbed into the most dominant one, crushing him against the handle of the door and doing some good damage to his back. He slumped down. He turned as fast as he could, using the legs of the chair to do some damage to the other two.

The grabby one grunted as he got hit in the gut. Gil positioned himself better, throwing himself back and ramming the legs into his shoulders. He screamed at the top of his lungs but Gil did little more than grimace. "Relax, it's not like I stabbed you."

He tried to get a sound out, but the wind had been knocked out of him. Gil looked down at him, holding out at a hand as if to plead for something. Unfortunately for him, that was the hand he'd used to slap Thena, and Gil wasn't feeling particularly forgiving.

Thena winced as he rammed the chair leg into his open mouth. "I never took you for the sadistic type."

But he didn't have a witty retort for her. He knelt down, feeling around the mess of bodies for a knife. "I'm tired of him yapping."

Thena sighed as stood again. "I suppose it's a better option for us. We still don't know how many of them are out there."

"Let's not be tied up when we find out," he groused. He walked back around her. "Got it?"

She did have it, grasping the knife firmly, passed from his hands to hers behind their backs. "You seem confident I won't slice anything essential"

"Like you say, we may not have a better option," he conceded. He strained the ropes tired around him, pulling as Thena attempted to pressure the blade against them. It wasn't a great angle, or a serrated blade. But he continued to pull as she worked, eventually pulling them apart before she could slice through the middle.

The knife clattered to the floor between them.

"Okay," he sighed as he finally pulled his arms around to his front again. They hurt, and usually it would be more ideal to move them slowly. But he swung them around, desperately needing their full range of motion sooner than later. "I've got you."

He worked at Thena's ropes more gently. They were tied tight, but he could see the red irritation in her pale skin more. "Do you know how far out we were when they found us?"

Her ropes snapped apart, and he immediately grasped her shoulders, rolling them forward for her slowly and gently.

"Well, someone was hogging the radar," he commented, and was rewarded with her turning in the seat, skipping over examining her wrists in favor of glaring at him. He grinned, "but I know the jetski you used to get to the boat is still being towed. If we can get to a railing, we can definitely swim under the ship and get to it in time to get outta here."

It wasn't his most risk-free plan, but they both knew the risks--had just gone over them, in fact.

Thena nodded, rubbing her wrists but wearing the usually determined expression he had come to expect. "Lead the way, then."

He planned on it, and not out of some need to protect her or anything. It just made good sense.

They hugged the walls all the way up. He really didn't know how many of them were on board, but he dreaded to think about the possibilities considering the expected crew for any boat this size. He looked over his shoulder and nodded his head.

Thena showed her understanding; they weren't far now.

He held out his hand. She gave him a look but he shook it at her. He wasn't going to let them get separated again. Begrudgingly, she slipped her hand into his. It was cold.

Gil looked both ways before dashing across the deck and to the railing. No life boats, of fucking course. He climbed over the railing while Thena crouched between the top and middle bar. He looked at her. "Ready?"

She didn't reply, but she let her hand give his a squeeze.

"Don't let go." He didn't know why he said it. There was no need, but he held her hand, getting ready to free dive into the water and potentially be chased down like wild animals.

"I won't." That was much more assuring than anything she could have said about them making it. She looked ahead, resuming her usual role of being the one to pull him along.

And despite their rivalry, he would follow her anywhere.

#Thenamesh Tomb Raider AU #thank you for the ask!!!#I hope this feels like that world #that vibe #Thena jetskis out to the boat #like the intro scene for the second movie #and she totally isn't showing off becuase she likes to look badass #definitely not #she and Gil are here to work together to find this thing #and the crew for the ship they hired totally don't say all they do is flirt #or bicker like a married couple #and it's bickering like a married couple not like siblings #how you ask?#because the entire time Thena is in a bikini instead of her diving wetsuit #Gil is hellbent on either avoiding looking at her #or subtly trying to get a towel around her while others are around #he's not here to tell her how she can and can't dress #but some of the crew is checking her out a little too much for his liking #and he doesn't speak the language to tell them to fuck right off #anyway these two are in deep shit #and still bickering #they manage to get away #jet ski back to the mainland #they report the pirates but they have to wait for the proper authorities to handle things #Thena is seen for the bruising on her face and Gil says the enemy fought amonst themselves #not that one of them is missing most of his teeth now because of him #Thena will never forget Gil yelling 'don't touch her'#she is SHOOK #but he doesn't need to know that

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little-miss-dilf-lover · 5 months

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hi! uhm, i know that this is kinda random but, do you have any headcanons about how pietro'd be like at the beach? i had a dream that i was with him at one and i can't stop thinking about it lmao

that’s so cute omg!! no I do not. kidding hehe, but yes i doo!! thanks for requesting, hope you like it💌

PIETRO AT THE BEACH HCs.

— he always takes advantage of his time at the beach and likes doing things. so he's not a fan of sunbathing or lounging around

— always suggests to hire whatever is there - ie, paddleboats, jet skis, dinghies

— he draws and sculpts genitals in/ with the sand. drawing a peener or sculpting a pair of jugs. he's immature like that lol

— he burns bc he forgets to put on suncream

— he gives you pretty shells

— holds a towel around you if you need to change

— he gets cute freckles and his blonde hair looks REAL good bc of the salty water

#pietro maximoff #pietro maximoff x reader #pietro x reader #pietro maximoff headcanon

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growingstories · 1 year

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The tennisclub (NEW PICTURES)

Benjamin is portrayed as a talented tennis player with promising potential. Coming from a wealthy family, his parents are constantly traveling, leaving him in the care of nannies. Benjamin's skill on the tennis court catches his father's attention, and he decides to build a luxurious tennis club for his son. By the time the club is completed, Benjamin is sixteen years old, and the facility boasts top-notch amenities such as tennis courts, an Olympic-sized pool, a gym, a bar, and a restaurant. The club becomes a success, with membership restricted to the affluent and influential.

To guide Benjamin's development, his father hires Michael, formerly a top ten tennis player and now an experienced coach. Michael, having grown in up a privileged family himself, understands the challenges of having uninterested parents. At thirty-five years old, Michael is handsome but has gained weight since his retirement. He lives comfortably off a trust fund and occasionally takes on coaching jobs to stay active and explore the world.

Michael devises a meticulous training schedule for Benjamin, starting each morning with cardio or HIIT training, followed by school. In the afternoons, Benjamin spends two hours practicing tennis, focusing on technique and skills, with fitness workouts scheduled three times a week. The provides club all the necessary resources to groom champions.

Under Michael's training regimen, Benjamin transforms from a skinny talented high and school tennis into player a muscular tennis machine within six months. As the competitive season commences, Michael is convinced that Benjamin is ready, and indeed, he starts winning match after match.

In order to compete on the global stage, Michael advises Benjamin to have a private tutor to ensure that his schooling is not neglected. The prestigious American private school that Benjamin attends offers this option. Regular tests are conducted to track his progress, and official exams are administered periodically.

Benjamin's tennis career skyrockets, and he even secures fashion endorsements. For Michael, this is paradise, as they are constantly surrounded by five-star hotels, enjoyable parties, and delectable cuisine. However, Michael discovers that he is putting on a bit more weight, with his clothes gradually becoming tighter then when he started as a coach.

Deciding to a change make, he joins Benjamin for runs and incorporates fitness workouts into his routine. As a result, he manages to shed some of the extra weight. Benjamin on the other hand was thriving and constantly showing off his sculpted muscles.

At the age of eighteen, Benjamin wins his first Grand Slam tournament, marking a significant milestone in his career. After triumphing in all the events major that year, he takes a summer break in St Tropez with his family. The experience is filled with fun and adventure, and Benjamin becomes a star in the village. He receives invitations to parties on boats, as well as lavish dinners and lunches. One day, while riding a jet ski with a friend, Benjamin gets into a racing accident that leaves him with several broken bones, including his spine. He falls into a coma and remains unconscious two for weeks, eventually waking up to the news that his back has healed with the help of therapy. However, his ankle remains fragile, effectively ending his tennis career. Devastated, he returns home and begins therapy, realizing he must now pursue a different path without tennis matches.

In the meantime, Michael is offered a job as the head coach at the tennis club. During school hours, he teaches the lunch ladies, and in the evenings, he coaches adult players, often enjoying beers with them afterwards. Being a staff member grants him access to free meals, and he frequently receives invitations to lunch or dinner from his clients. However, since he no longer participates in Benjamin's training sessions, Michael falls back into old habits and becomes lazy. He opts for teaching sessions rather than working out on his own, leading him to gain weight once again.

When Benjamin returns to the club, he is shocked to see his old coach's significant weight gain. He playfully comments on Michael's size, and Michael admits his fault in letting himself go. Benjamin, on the contrary, has transformed into a handsome man with a muscular physique. His ankles can’t deal with cardio after the accident so he focuses solely on weightlifting during his recovery. Which results in a buff 22 year old.

Feeling sorry for his friend and former coach, Benjamin offers to train together with Michael. They start off strong, but Michael soon succumbs to the allure of the club's temptations, including attractive women, free food and drinks, and parties. Eventually, he gives up on his efforts and Michael gains even more weight. The decline of his personal training classes leads to him being hired as the general manager of the club, where his job mostly involves office work, attending parties, and managing events. Leading a sedentary lifestyle, he becomes significantly larger in size.

Despite his physical transformation and declining health, Michael is content with his life. He no longer sees the need to lose weight, embracing his newfound position and the pleasures it brings.

#fictionalweightgain #maleweightgain #maleweightgainstories #weightgain #weightgainstories #fictionalstories

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theloveoffootball10 · 15 days

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sᴛɪᴄᴋᴡɪᴛᴜ - s ᴇ ᴠ ᴇ ɴ ᴛ ᴇ ᴇ ɴ

m a s t e r l i s t

s ᴇ ᴠ ᴇ ɴ ᴛ ᴇ ᴇ ɴ

Sitting on the front of the yacht watching the sun rise I feel like I'm in such a happy bubble. All I can think about is how amazing the last day has been. I've left Lando sleeping but I feel like we're in such a happy bubble I don't ever want it to change.

"You look deep in thought"

"Just thinking about you and us" turning my head to look at Lando I take in his appearance. He still looks half asleep, his hair untamed and a lazy smile on his face

"How long have you been out here?" Lando asks sitting behind me, his legs either side of me as he pulls me back to rest on his chest.

"I don't know to be honest. It's been so peaceful I just thought I'd make the most of it before we head back"

"I'll take you for breakfast first"

"If we're going for breakfast I'm paying. You've literally treated me like a princess the least I can do is buy your breakfast" looking up at Lando I'm more serious than I've ever been with him. I'm not stupid, I know the yacht will be into the thousands to hire especially overnight.

"Happy birthday baby" Lando whispers in my ear running his fingers along my hip "your gift should be delivered to the villa when we get back"

"Thank you. I didn't expect anything Lando, you've done so much for me already" lifting my head slightly I kiss Lando softly.

Walking into the villa a few hours later it's like everyone was waiting for me to get back. I know every single one of them is going to want to know what happened with Lando. After a discussion at breakfast we've decided if people ask we'll tell them we're together, we're going to post stories or photos of each other if we want to, we aren't going to hide our relationship but we aren't going to put a statement out to say we're together. Neither of us feel a need to confirm our relationship.

After being bombarded with a load of happy birthdays from everyone I'm dragged to sit in the middle of the girls, all of them waiting with an expectant look on their face. I know what they want and I'm not going to tell them without them asking first.

"Okay so what happened? We need a full run down given the smile on your face this morning" Danielle asks being the first to crack.

"It was perfect there's no other way to describe it. He took me to the most beautiful yacht that had its own crew because he wanted us to have a date away from prying eyes. We've raced jet skis, played around in the sea, had the most romantic candlelit dinner ever and he asked me to be his girlfriend" I don't want it to be a whole announcement to everyone about me and Lando being in a relationship so for me it's best to slip it into conversation. As the words leave my lips I'm surrounded by shrieks and excited squeals.

"This is the best news ever! You're officially off the market and no longer a slag!" Liv laughs. It's been a running joke for us for years calling each other a slag. Neither of us get offended but that's just the kind of friendship we have.

"I'm officially off the slag market" looking over at Lando talking to the boys I know he's absolutely worth whatever is to come.

"Nando! You owe me 50 quid!" My mum shouts over to the kitchen.

"Why?" I ask confused why my dad would owe my mum money.

"We had a bet. He said Lando would ask you to be his girlfriend before you go home, I said he'd ask you on your date"

"Mum! You're my parents! I can't believe you're betting on me" I say unable to hold back a laugh. Them two are unbelievable.

"Why do I owe you money?" My dad asks confused as he comes over to the living room.

"Our daughter has a boyfriend" my mum says with a smug grin on her face.

"Lando! You could have waited!" My dad tries to be angry but it's impossible.

"Waited for what?" Lando asks hearing his name mentioned.

"My mum and papá had a bet on us and when you'd ask me to be your girlfriend" I explain to Lando.

"Apparently Max, Ryan and Callum did as well. Turns out we're quite the source of entertainment" hearing the door bell ring the look on Lando's face changes "that will be your birthday present"

"You didn't have to get me anything!" I shout after Lando as he runs into the hallway. He doesn't answer me back but he comes back with the biggest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen in my life, they easily have to be the height of me "no way Lando! They're beautiful!"

"Happy birthday baby" Lando kisses me quickly getting embarrassed when he remembers my parents are in the room "I didn't know what to get you"

"These are perfect. Thank you so much"

After a painful goodbye with Lando in Miami, this is my third weekend back in England and he is in the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix. It's been two weeks since Lando and I saw each other as he had a golfing holiday planned with Max, he did offer to cancel it or book me a flight but I couldn't ask him to do that. His holiday was already planned with it being summer break and I don't want to come across as one of those needy girlfriends who can't let her boyfriend do anything without her. However not a day has gone by when we haven't spoken to each other.

"Hi baby" Lando says as I answer the FaceTime call from him. I've always hated pet names but Lando could literally call me anything and it would still bring a smile to my face.

"Hey how's Zandvoort?" I've just finished work and I'm home alone this weekend. I didn't plan to go to the race this week however now I'm with Lando I have an aching need to be at every race.

"Lonely without you but practice has gone well so far. What have you got to eat?" Lando asks as I prop my phone up on the kitchen worktop.

"I watched practice while I was at work. You looked quick. I've got mash and gravy"

"Yeah the car feels good so far. Seriously? You can't just have mash and gravy for dinner" Lando says rolling his eyes in disbelief.

"It's tea not dinner, I had a salad for dinner at work and yes I can just eat mash and gravy"

"You're such a northerner"

"You say that like it's a bad thing" I say with a shrug.

"When you're wrong like you are now yes it's a bad thing. I wouldn't be surprised if you decided to drink a glass of gravy"

"You've clearly never had a bovril at the football before posh boy but you're a United fan so there's everything wrong about that" I say with a laugh. Conversation with Lando is so easy, we can talk about anything and it just flows.

"Lu I'm not posh and I can't help supporting a good football team"

"Don't pull that one with me Norris. Your choice in football team is shocking. Would you think I'm pathetic if I said I miss you?"

"If you're pathetic I am too because I miss you" I wonder when I became this person. I've always been fiercely independent, many have said it's the Spanish in me but I say it's a mix of that and having a boss bitch of a mum.

"I wish you were here with me. Are you sure you can't come this weekend?"

"Babe I've made no plans to come. I know you have your family there and I'll be there next weekend" I've already made plans with Lando for me to fly to Milan next Saturday so I can be there for the race.

"I know I'm just being greedy needing my good luck charm at all of my races. I hope if you're not at the race you'll be wearing that orange underwear from Miami"

"I'll wear that every race day if it spurs you on to win" if something as simple as underwear is going to encourage Lando, I'm going to wear it.

The next day I have everyone gathered in my living room to watch FP3 and qualifying, my friends are all on board to watch with me as we witness Lando qualify on pole. We celebrate like he's won already. He's had a strong two days and I'll admit, I'm devastated I'm not there for him. Arguing with myself for a good 15 minutes I pick my phone up walking into the kitchen.

"Papá I need a favour from you. I know you've probably given your passes out for the weekend but is there anyway you can get me one for tomorrow please? Just one, I'll come alone" I ask not giving my dad a chance to speak. I know it's probably not going to be likely to get a ticket but after practice and qualifying I feel like I need to be in the Netherlands for the race. I have such a good feeling about tomorrow.

"Is this the start of it? My daughter coming to races to see her boyfriend and not her papá. That hurts Lucía" my dad says and I know from the tone in his voice he's joking.

"It just means I have two favourite men on the grid now"

"Ooh Lewis won't be impressed. He's been your favourite since you were six years old" my dad says with a laugh knowing I've always thought a lot of Lewis.

"Okay three favourites and that's as far as I'm pushing it" I say laughing with my dad. "Please papá if you can get a ticket please try. I don't mind where I just want to be at the track"

"Even general admission?" My dad asks with a hint of amusement.

"Yes papá I swear anywhere as long as I can be there. I can fly out at 6 am in the morning and be there for the full day before flying home at like 10 pm ready for work on Monday" I explain having already checked flights, practically begging for my dad to find me a ticket.

"Princesita I can get you a ticket I just wanted to know how far you'd go to get one"

"Papá I'd do anything" I think at this point if swimming the North Sea to Zandvoort was an option I'd do it.

"Book the flight Lucía. I'll have your ticket ready for you" thanking my dad I feel like I could cry. I have the most supportive parents ever.

"Can we keep this between us until I get there tomorrow? I want to surprise Lando"

"Your secret is safe with me. I'll see you tomorrow. Keep me updated with your flights please"

"I will. Te amo papá" ending the call with my dad I take a deep breath. Shit I've just decided to go to Zandvoort for a day and I have no outfit planned.

#formula one fanfiction #formula one smut #lando norris #lando norris fanfic #lando norris smut #lando norris x oc #formula 1 #formula 1 fanfic #formula one #Lando #lando smut

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sotwk · 6 months

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Writers Truth or Dare Ask Game - SotWK Answers

Link to game is HERE,

🍓 ⇢ how did you get into writing fanfiction?

I was in 4th grade and my friends and I really wanted to date the Backstreet Boys. We discovered fanfiction was the most fun way to do it. We would write our lil’ self-insert love stories in notebooks that we would pass around and share.

🌵 ⇢ share the link to a playlist you love

Pumped Up Pop. I’m a 90s kid and Pop runs deep in me.

🔪 ⇢ what's the weirdest topic you researched for a writing project?

I don’t think anything can be considered weird for a writer doing research anymore. But one thing I remember working extra hard on was researching how to pilot a jet for a Marvel action fic. That’s why I admire and commiserate with @scyllas-revenge for her helicopter piloting scene in BLCI.

🐇 ⇢ do you prefer writing original characters, reader inserts, or a mix of both?

Mix of both. Reader Inserts to make others happy, OC fics to make myself happy.

🍄 ⇢ share a head canon for one of your favourite ships or pairings

I would write an entire essay explaining this one, but in the SotWK AU, Elvenking Thranduil and Elvenqueen Maereth are metaphorical avatars for the Valar couple Oromë and Vána, and were destined to be such (as they were destined for each other). The qualities they each possess which make them similar to these Valar--Thranduil's strength and skill as a protector/warrior and Maereth's gifts for nurturing and fertility--are what safeguard and sustain Eryn Galen for thousands of years, holding their people fast even against Sauron.

🌻 ⇢ tag someone you appreciate but don't talk to on a regular basis

@talesfuzzy is constantly on my notifs since she likes so many of my posts on a daily basis. She also reblogs some of the best Tolkien content, which I often put into my own queue. We don't really talk, but she's like that friendly person you see on your daily commute whose name you might not know but you smile and nod to each other till they've become a comfortingly reliable part of daily life.

❄️ ⇢ what's your dream theme/plot for a fic, and who would write it best?

I would LOVE a thrilling action fic where Thranduil and all five Thranduilion Princes march into battle at the same time and completely crush the enemy because there is possibly no greater or more fearsome fighting team left in Middle-earth. However, such a plot would violate my own AU’s headcanon, because in Thranduil’s family, there is a hard rule that the Thranduilions can never all be fighting in the same battle at once; Thranduil simply refuses to risk his family that way.

I would hire/nominate/beg @ass-deep-in-demons to write it. If you’ve read her fic, “Under Our Darkening Skies”, you’ll know she’s the top pick for incredible and cinematic battle scenes.

🍅 ⇢ give yourself some constructive criticism on your own writing

I find myself reusing a lot of the same lines and expressions, especially when describing character emotions and actions. Sometimes I feel my writing is pedestrian and boring, especially compared to many other writers in the Tolkien fandom who have such eloquent, sophisticated styles and brilliant, creative word choices. I'm quite soppy and sentimental too, but that's just my thing.

🌸 ⇢ do you have any pets? if you do, post some pictures of them

Sadly, I have not had a pet since my early 20s. I had plenty of them growing up, though, including my beloved yellow Lab. Once my kids are old enough to share in pet care duties, we are definitely getting a dog.

🧸 ⇢ what's the fastest way to become your mutual?

Talk to me about my Thranduilion Princes, pretty please! (There are many easy ways to be Moots with me, but this is a guarantee and the fastest way!)

🐝 ⇢ tag your biggest supporter(s) and say one nice thing about them

I am lucky and grateful to have a solid band of supporters, but I want to grab this chance to send a special shout out to @achromaticerebus. She has been a big supporter of my Thranduilion Princes since she discovered them early on, she comments on ALL my Thranduil/Thranduilion stories, she gushes about them to me and with me, and her enthusiasm just keeps me motivated. She is not herself a writer, and it's so rare to find a friend so willing to just be a reader and supporter, when there's really no way to “pay back” her kindness.

🏜️ ⇢ what's your favourite type of comment to receive on your work?

Point out even just one specific detail or line of dialogue and tell me how it made you feel, your thoughts about it, or even ask a follow up question! I am most impressed when a Reader points out an Easter egg or interesting tidbit/headcanon/lore I included. I am over the moon when their comments show they are familiar with my other fics or my SotWK AU as a whole… it means they've really invested in my stuff.

🐚 ⇢ do you like or dislike surprises?

I enjoy being wholly surprised (good surprises, of course), but I don't like being told “a surprise is coming” and having to then think about it or stress out until its arrival.

📚 ⇢ what's the last thing you wrote down in your notes app?

A work-related reminder, which is boring. So I'm gonna answer this question by sharing something I wrote in my “Scratch Dump” document that I use for my headcanon drafting: Inscribed on the blade of the sword was Mirion’s personal oath to his people, written in Silvan: “Until my last breath, I will serve.”

🥐 ⇢ name one internet reference that will always make you laugh

It’s probably because I’m fairly new to it (and because I enjoy the song/video), but the concept of internet friends Rickrolling each other as a prank seems so funny and wholesome to me.

🎨 ⇢ link your favourite piece of fanart and explain why you like it

I made a separate post answering this HERE.

Thank you to all my awesome friends who jumped in to send me these Asks! This was fun and made me feel good about myself as a writer. Love you guys!

@lady-of-imladris @erathene @unethicallypleistocene @fishing4stars @Hobbitwrangler @quillofspirit @from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras @niennawept @malzenn @melpomaenofimladris and that one Anon friend!

#sotwk answers #ask game #get to know me #writer asks #Writers Truth or Dare Ask Game #i have the best mutuals #writer stuff

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baby-girl-aaron-dessner · 5 months

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hi! can i ask where the pages on scott swift are from? sorry if this is something a lot of people know, i dont know a lot about her family stuff!

Taylor Swift’s old manager, Dan Dymtrow is suing Taylor and her family for "incorrectly compensating him during the early years of Taylor’s career".

This has been taken to court and Dan Dymtrow has sent in this email written to him by Taylor Swift’s dad, Scott Swift, which now makes the email a public document. And that's how we have it.

This leaked email gives so much insight and detail into celebrity life and how almost everything is calculated behind the scenes.

This scandal is important because it exposed a few things:

Taylor Swift grew up wealthy and privileged: Sott Swift bragged about in his leaked email to Dan, "Keep in mind that I manage $270 million but more importantly, 249 relationships with families at Merrill in a terrible market… I am in the top 1% of all brokers at the most prestigious investment firm in the world. I manage staff, I manage my client’s lives, their money, I have moved my family to Nashville, cleaned out two houses, sold one.” Another example is how the move to Nashville cost the family a lot of money, “Who made enough money that if we have to take off across the country we will be okay? Who hired staff ahead of time so that we could move to Nashville? The idiot that lives with Andrea!!!!!”

Scott Swift used his insane amount of connections to get Taylor's career started: For example, he goes into detail about inviting Scott Sanford out to their Nashville lake (he also talks about all the things he owns like jet skies and boats). He says that while hanging out with Scott Sanford he promised him to join the Nashville Duck Drop ONLY if he allowed Taylor to sing at the event, "I agree to corral ducks if he lets Taylor be the talent at Riverfront Park for the Duck Drop". He also made his clients listen to her music, "Who has made every single client listen to Taylor’s latest song before we went over their financial plan?"

Here is a Mirror article about the law suit and leaked email -> Taylor Swift's dad 'vents' about family in new email released as part of manager lawsuit

Anyway, it’s a very long and unhinged email, but it does a good job at showing you how Taylor’s career was orchestrated behind the scenes (the asylum where they raised her) and also does a good job at showing how Taylor is the way she is when this is her dad (he's such a weirdo).

#anon ask #let's pray that Tree Paine doesn't come for me #or the swifties #i'm getting attacked enough by the kardashian stans #taylor swift #taylorswift #the tortured poets department #ttpd #scott swift #but daddy i love him #who's afraid of little old me?

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anand07723 · 5 months

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Navigating Adventure: Unveiling Boat2Go Jet Ski and Boat Rental in Puerto Banús

Nestled along the picturesque coastline of Spain's Costa del Sol, Puerto Banús beckons travelers with its azure waters, golden sands, and vibrant atmosphere. Amidst this coastal paradise, Boat2Go Jet Ski and Boat Rental emerges as a premier destination for adrenaline-seekers and water enthusiasts alike. In this exploration, we dive into the exhilarating world of jet ski rentals in Puerto Banús, uncovering the unparalleled experiences that await at Boat2Go.

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Exploring Beyond the Waves: While jet skiing takes center stage at Boat2Go, their offerings extend far beyond the thrill of the open sea. With a diverse selection of boats and watercraft available for rent, adventurers can embark on a variety of aquatic escapades. Whether it's cruising along the coast, fishing in tranquil waters, or indulging in water sports like wakeboarding and tubing, there's no shortage of excitement to be had.

Embracing Convenience and Accessibility: Convenience is paramount at Boat2Go, where every aspect of your experience is designed with your comfort and satisfaction in mind. Located in the heart of Puerto Banús, their prime waterfront location offers easy access to the marina and surrounding attractions. With flexible rental options and seamless booking processes, embarking on your aquatic adventure has never been easier.

Safety First, Always: While the thrill of jet skiing ignites the senses, safety remains paramount at Boat2Go. With a steadfast commitment to adhering to the highest safety standards and protocols, they ensure that every rider feels secure and confident on the water. From thorough equipment inspections to on-water supervision by trained professionals, you can embark on your journey with peace of mind.

Conclusion: As the sun sets over the shimmering waters of Puerto Banús, the spirit of adventure continues to thrive at Boat2Go Jet Ski and Boat Rental. With an unwavering dedication to providing unparalleled experiences, they invite travelers to immerse themselves in the beauty, excitement, and thrill of the Mediterranean Sea. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills or serene moments of relaxation, Boat2Go is your gateway to unforgettable memories on the water.

#jet ski #jet ski hire #boat rentals #boat2go

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shad0wmoonlight · 11 months

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Headcanon that before Mobius became a variant that, as well as obviously working at either Jet Ski shop / hire place that he was also a Norse God geek and has a tattoo of Loki's symbol

#mobius #lokius #loki #mobius m mobius #lgbtqia

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shutth3puckup · 9 months

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I read the transcripts of the podcast and boy is her ex psycho. Here’s a summary of when things started to go wrong:

Made snide joking comments like that she should get a nose job. Tells her that he likes her hair straight instead of curly - gets upset when her hair’s in curls. He didn’t celebrate things that mattered to her like family events, her getting her real estate license, holidays, etc.

He began to raise his voice and yell at her in public, leaving her at places.

He was prescribed adderall while taking testosterone steroid concoction (which he began taking after it was recommended by his personal trainer, he made her inject his butt). He later starts taking xanax.

While she’s on a girls trip, he’s seen with a known sex worker courtside of a basketball game (not sure if it’s the same one as below - I wasn’t paying attention lmao). She later finds out that he cheated on her for months with a sex worker who messaged her (not from a good place, trying to get her to break up with him so that she could date him).

The same sex worker would tag her in stuff and talk about her on Instagram live with her followers, send vulgar messages to her sisters and mom, anybody she posted with. Went on a mission to make him and her look bad.

He goes into a rage in their Paris hotel room, completely destroying it and her clothes are everywhere.

During their Mexico trip, he’s no where to be found on the beach after her and her friends go jet skiing. She finds out he was arrested and in a cop car (bloody and shirtless) after assaulting jet ski conductors with a shovel. She later helps bail him out of the Mexican jail.

He wasn’t there to mourn the loss of her dad when she asked him (bought her a new car instead) - she voiced that she wanted him to be there.

She questioned if he was with another girl (her facialist told her), he gets into his car, she’s trying to talk to him - he kicks her in the stomach before he drives off.

When she confronts him about him cheating on her, he wrecked the house - swiping everything from the bathroom, vanities, desk, closets, etc. he starts throwing decorative geodes at her. he’s pulling everything artwork off the wall, throwing everything from closets out, ripping sconces off the wall, etc. She’s too scared to call the police because of his connections (she has security footage and her housekeeper was scared for her). She finally leaves the house.

He changed the passcode to the safe with her birth certificate and father’s ashes, made it clear that she wasn’t going to get it back (she ended up getting father’s ashes back later though).

One time when she goes back to visit her dog or whatever, he slaps her phone out of her hands, smashes it. Repeatedly kicks her over and over when she’s trying to get her stuff. Pushes her against the wall and chokes her. Tells her “you’re going to die tonight bitch”. She escapes, calls the police, and gets a domestic battery report with police, she had temporary restraining order. She was contacted by a LA city attorney who wanted to hear her story. The attorney told her he had previous assault charges. To get a permanent restraining order, she would have to go to court and testify. She was told by numerous people that he would do everything to try and discredit him in court.

One of the security guards that was on the team her hex hired messages her (thinking he’s writing directly to his ex) that he’s no longer interested in doing business after his behaviour during fashion week. She tells her ex’s former security guard that she left him because he harmed her and that they’re no longer in contact.

Sees that her ex is now following the person she’s casually seeing. It somehow gets back to her ex who sends his lawyers to tell her to stop spreading false defamatory statements about him, stop messaging people about him. Threatens to sue her.

The charges against her ex got dropped because she missed multiple court dates due to moving back to Arizona during the pandemic, nothing she can do now.

She decides to move to a new city. He gets a new place there too so she sees him around often. He won’t do anything but he’ll text her things like “why didn’t you say hi”. She’s in a new relationship. It’s hard for her to see him and his brand continue to grow and that people are admiring his hustle, business ethic, and story.

I’m missing some stuff about her ex’s mother and stuff like that but that’s most of it

I listened to it. The stuff with the exs mom was insane and weird, like that woman sounds like she has serious attachment issues.

What he did to her is absolutely fucked, nobody should ever have to go through what she went through. And it sounds like he does these things to every woman he is with, not just her. I hope karma gets him, and soon

#m. turner

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sirenalpha · 2 years

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The Fire Nation is not fascist

words have meanings and you should use them correctly even when applying them to fiction

not all authoritarian governments are fascist even when militarized and just because you don't like that government that doesn't automatically make it fascist

the Fire Nation in the time of atla is more akin to the British Empire as it was an industrializing colonial empire than any fascist regime, Sozin's comments prior to the war harken more to white man's burden than fascism

that's also a very bad thing, you can just say that and be accurate, you don't have to reach for fascism

there are multiple ways you can look at the Fire Nation as it is portrayed within atla and see that it is not fascist

the Fire Nation is an absolute monarchy

fascist regimes are dictatorships

the Fire Nation has never had a period of democracy

fascist regimes are post democratic often initially winning power through democratic elections

the Fire Nation has no corporations, as far as can be assumed from the show everything related to industrialization might just be owned by the state (military)/the monarchy from all the ship building rigs to the factory blown up in The Painted Lady, the only people who might even be merchants are the Bei Fongs but they're still nobles so potentially all their wealth is from their land and holdings not through trade, the Fire Nation could genuinely just still be feudal and have an underdeveloped merchant class if everything trade related is getting funneled through the military/state

fascist regimes are extremely corporatist, they don't believe in public ownership, public goods, public services, anything that can be sold off to corporations and private interest will be, they go for extreme privitization

I think you could even argue that the Fire Nation is not industrialized enough to be fascist either, when the gaang is traveling through the Fire Nation it's basically as rural and pre-industrial as the Earth Kingdom there's like one factory in all of the Fire Nation, and even the Caldera seems pretty pre-industrial, there are no factories, no modern housing/aprtment buildings, no smog and pollution, only the military seems to be industrialized at all with tanks, metal ships, air balloons, and jet skis

and if you take a more ideological lens and compare it to Eco's Ur-Fascism while whether the Fire Nation meets the requirements are more debatable on some of his 14 points than others based on what you can assume from what is shown, others are outright impossible in the Fire Nation and atla world, and some the Fire Nation straight up doesn't meet the requirements for (the ones I don't mention here you can assume the FN does meet them enough though again some are more debatable than others)

-rejection of modernism

this is impossible in the Fire Nation and atla because as far as we can tell there is no period of Enlightenment or even a modernism to reject and you could maybe even argue the Fire Nation might be the ones embracing anything approaching modernism as they were the ones to hire the mechanist but that's very little proof to go on especially as it's for the war machine which is one technology fascists do go for

-appeal to a frustrated middle class

again no corporation or move to capitalism or any merchants or businessmen, hard to say a middle class even exists in the Fire Nation, there's a middle ring in Ba Sing Se but the Fire Nation seems split between nobles and commoners with no middle ground

-obsession with a plot

so I wouldn't say the Fire Nation has no obsession with a plot as they're doing the whole white man's burden equivalent and wanting to 'share their greatness' with the world but the plot fascists are obsessed with are internal enemies aka being anti-semitic and suspicious of Jewish people and while yes the Fire Nation tells lies about Air Nomads they're all convinced every single one of them are dead, they're not internal enemies, there are no internal enemies of the Fire Nation and this ties into the next point

-at the same time too strong and too weak

because there's no internal enemies to stamp out and be fearful of and they're winning a global war, there's no sense from the Fire Nation that they think they're too strong and too weak, they only think they are strong, so strong in fact as to be deserving of ruling the world, this is Azula's entire argument for her coup in Ba Sing Se, she as a member of Fire Nation royalty has the divine right to rule that is unquestionable

-machismo

now I'm not saying there's no sexism in the Fire Nation, they're clearly led by men in the monarchy military and in organized religion, but they might be the least sexist of the existing nations aside from Kyoshi, the Water Tribes obviously have sexism as exhibited by the male power structure, arranged marriages, and preventing female waterbenders from gaining martial skill, the Earth Kingdom in atla only shows male rulers whether kings or Dai Li and Toph's the only female earthbender and she learned it so far outside the system she didn't even learn from a human and their military is also entirely male, the Fire Nation however has female soldiers and guards, teaches female firebenders to bend and female nonbenders can also learn martial skill, and yeah Azula and her friends might just be getting lee way as nobles but literally no one belittles them or remarks upon it in anyway whereas Katara and Toph are definitely remarked upon (though Toph not solely for being a girl)

also Fire Nation noble teen girls can casually date like I get it's a kid's show and maybe they're not thinking deeply on this but they made it explicit that Yue was already betrothed and could not casually date at around the same age Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai are casually dating or trying to date without any mention of betrothals or arranged marriages and without any apparent risk to their personal reputations (yes Mai's dating Zuko is politically and likely financially advantageous to her family or could potentially have been spurred by Azula to keep track of Zuko but as far as we know from canon this is entirely Mai's choice and is in fact casual dating)

-selective populism

the Fire Nation royalty do not give a shit about the will of the people, their positions are for them and to be used how they wish to use them, they do not see themselves as the interpreter of popular will because they don't need it for legitimacy and authority in place of a democratically elected government, they are monarchs with a divine right to rule in a world of other monarchs

-newspeak

there's no evidence the Fire Nation employs this at all, they lie sure especially about the Air Nomads, but they don't invent new jargon to limit critical thinking (they kinda don't need to Ozai and Azula are abusive and manipulative enough on their own they can do it with normal language)

the Fire Nation just does not match the profile of a fascist regime enough ideologically or otherwise to be comfortably calling it fascist or treat it as a matter of fact in fandom

and if you're going to make the argument well they just couldn't show you everything like multiple factories and corporations or a middle class in the Fire Nation due to time limits so actually you can safely assume it is fascist

no, anything beyond what they DID show is headcanon and what IS canon does not lend itself to an argument that the Fire Nation actually is fascist

the monarchy, lack of democracy ever, and what Fire Nation characters have said about the country and its stated goals are canon and point towards an industrializing colonial empire that's not as sexist as it could be

#fire nation #atla #long post #this was just annoying me #and if you want to talk about something w limited time but does potentially point to fascism look at star wars #and I mean just OT you at least have a dictator and post democracy which isn't a lot but its something #in PT however the last years of the republic not even the empire has a more genuine case of being fascist than the FN #the PT adds the corporatism with corporations literally having representation in the senate and that's pre-Palps election #but it also has obsession w the plot which is jedi who are internal enemies and traitors #it's got the too strong and too weak as a justification for palps getting power and keeping it #I'm just saying 6 movies is shorter than 3 seasons and it makes a more convincing argument

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thebookbillboard · 1 year

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Molly's Game

Genre –

Memoir

Who is Molly Bloom? –

Molly, also known as the “Poker Princess of Hollywood”, moves from Colorado to Los Angeles during her year off from college and accepts the job of a waitress at a club to make ends meet. She is soon asked to handle poker games played between some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, famous athletes, business tycoons and degenerate kids of very rich folks and conducted by her super-rich, foul-mouthed boss.

She took insults, humiliation and crap work in her stride with the single-minded goal of making it big in this world. Molly worked entire nights, learnt the game of poker mainly through observing the players, and most importantly, held her own, being the only woman in a male dominated area. She stood her ground against Hollywood giants like Toby Maguire, learnt from everyone around her and outwitted her competition.

Though her line of work is neither inspirational nor commendable, her guts, grit and determination surely teach one a lot.

Right from her childhood, Molly displays a resilient, fighting spirit. After a spine surgery following a freak accident at the age of 12, her doctor had asked her never to ski again, but she became a national level skiing champion and an Olympic games contender fighting against all odds.

She is lured by money and power and the jet-setting lifestyle of the players. From wearing shabby sweatpants and flip flops to Armani suits and Dior bags, from unable to afford her house rent to renting out mansions in the Hamptons and living in the best part of Manhattan, from waitressing in high end clubs to having a personal chef and an assistant look after her mundane tasks and to hiring private jets to go for cash collections in Miami, she saw it all, did it all and lived a full life shifting from LA to New York after she lost all her games in one blow. She enjoyed the ride, loved taking risks, had sleepless nights either working, feeling anxious or partying, was fearless and picked herself up every single time she fell.

She is adventurous, super ambitious and risked her all to reach where she wanted to. In the process her family ties suffered, she lost many friends, and her love life was compromised.

Her life is a potboiler filled with Hollywood legends, millions of dollars, private jets, 5-star hotels, ultra-expensive vacations, rich boyfriends, gambler friends, betrayals by business partners, threats from mafia dons, bankruptcy and finally the arrest by FBI.

At the end of the book she states she has simply no regrets and if given a choice, she would live her life the same way and make the same decisions that led her to where she is today.

The book does seem very one-sided on many fronts and gives a feeling that many details are omitted for various reasons.

She was convicted in the year 2014, and in the same year this memoir was published. Yet another sign, she didn’t accept defeat easily. She not only wrote this book but even approached writer and director Aaron Sorkin asking him if he can make a movie based on her novel.

Life thus came a full circle for Molly who had begun by conducting games for Hollywood actors and directors to her own life story being adapted into a Hollywood movie titled Molly’s Game that turned out to be a hit and bagged an Oscar nomination in the category of Best Adapted Screenplay.

Though the path chosen by her in her young and reckless days isn’t advisable, nor her ultimate ambition of a flashy lifestyle a true measure of success and happiness… the message we can take from her life is never, ever to give up. Never ever to give up fighting, never to stop standing up for yourself, your goals, your beliefs and never to let go of family and friends who were there for you when you had nothing and were a nobody.

Show up for yourself every single day, every moment, no matter what. And if you learn to do that, life will reward you. In the darkest of hours, if you try to help yourself, you will surely find the light of the day. Don’t ever resign yourself to your fate, but create it. With dreams, determination and drive.

Early on in her life her mother says, “Molly you can have anything you set your mind to” and she lives that line every day of her life.

Molly considers the world her playground and plays her game with her rules.

Recommendation –

DO READ. The book seems implausible on many levels but the fact that it is based on real life events is exactly what keeps you flicking through its pages. It is a rags-to-riches-to-rags story teaching you many “to-do things” as well as many “not to-do things”. It becomes bit repetitive with respect to the poker games, but the high stakes involved, the powerful men, power shift dynamics and Molly’s resilience will keep you going.

Rating – 3.5/5

Ambience – 4

Language – 3

Characterization – 3.5

Plot – 3.5

Pace – 3.5

Entertaining – 4

#molly bloom #molly's game #hollywood #oscar nominee #book review #memoir #jessica chastain #idris elba #aaron sorkin

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thenavysealkie · 1 year

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Who You Gonna Call? || Marcus & Nora

TIMING: June 16th LOCATION: The Light House

PARTIES: Marcus @thenavysealkie&Nora @honeysmokedham

SUMMARY: Marcus hires Nora, who he believes to be a medium, to get to the bottom of a recent haunting at the lighthouse. CONTENT WARNINGS: None

Nora was a huge fan of going into places she shouldn’t be. Breaking and entering was probably her number one most committed crime closely followed by theft. Most people never invited her to go to new places. That was what made this online experience truly exhilarating. Not only was Nora invited to a lighthouse, she was getting paid in ham to go visit it and check out if there were any ghosts. Nora figured there were ghosts. Many places held the translucent undead. Was there anything Nora could do about getting them to leave? No. She was going to show up, confirm that they were there, then leave with her ham. Perfectly orchestrated as all things were.

The trek to the lighthouse was a long one, but Nora got there eventually. It looked old. Weren’t lighthouses supposed to be impressive? Nora wasn’t very impressed by this one. Nora walked up to the door and banged on it. “Hello. I’m here about the ghosts.” Nora called. Wind whipped around her tugging at her hair and clothes and chasing away her voice. Windy and unimpressive. She hoped the ham was good at least.

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

Marcus sighed, eyes fixed all the way up at the ceiling to the towering lighthouse. He was seated at a desk, and leaned back in his chair slightly, daring gravity to take control and tip it all the way over. He was delighted to be tasked with the assignment of assisting the lighthouse keeper on Hanging Rock, but he had disappeared only a week into Marcus’s tenure as assistant. Now the responsibility fell to him to take care of the old building.

To be fair, it wasn’t like he had to do much. Lighthouses were essentially all self sufficient nowadays, even the older ones. He just needed to be on call in case any of the mechanisms within were to break down, mainly the signal light. Luckily, his time in the Navy taught him a thing or two and made him much more mechanically adept. Also, and this wasn’t exactly a requirement of the job, he would hang around there during the day to respond to any wrecks or drowning swimmers. Shipwrecks weren’t exactly common, but speedboats and jet skis smacking into the rocks were a more common sight. Some people simply didn’t have any respect for the dangers of the sea.

Now he was sat at his desk trying to determine if the moaning he heard from the upper levels of the lighthouse were from the wind or something of the supernatural variety. He was open to the idea of the paranormal, but always tried to exhaust any rational explanations he could before chalking it up as unexplainable. Still, after the previous lighthouse keeper disappeared, he has noticed more unexplainable events. Shadows moving out of the corner of his eye, banging and moaning sounds without explanation. He swore one day that he had even felt a cold hand clamp down on his shoulder.

As a hail mary effort, he decided to ask around town for any mediums or people who knew about the paranormal. After all, this town had a reputation for attracting creatures of the supernatural variety. He supposed that even included himself. A knock on the door had grabbed his attention followed by a woman’s voice. Perfect, he thought to himself. The person who responded and promised to help him was here. Oddly enough, she requested payment in ham. Marcus got up and answered the door to greet his guest.

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

Nora was a standing man emoji in front of the door as she stood and waited for it to be answered. A man answered. Between the steps to the lighthouse and his giant's height, the man toward over her. Instantly Nora felt distaste for the man. Nora hated tall people. They were always standing. Couldn't they sit and be normal people's height? Nora pushed past the man, refusing to wait for a beckoning to allow her in. Nora took one look around the entryway of the lighthouse, hands on hips as she examined the interior. "Yeah. This place is haunted." She didn't see any ghosts, but it was a gut feeling. Any place that made Nora feel right at home had to be haunted, and Nora felt like she could live here and be happy.

Without further conversation, Nora headed towards the staircase. If she was going to be in a lighthouse, she was going to be at the top of the lighthouse. Her combat boots slapped heavily against the stairs as she raced her way up. Halfway through the climb, Nora realized that slow and steady should have won the race. Her breath was coming in rapid intervals. She really needed to climb the stairs to the crypt more often. Nora slowed her pace and focused on controlling her breathing. No way was she going to let the giant know a few stairs got her out of breath. For bearsake, she walked everywhere. She'd hiked across the country twice.

Emerging out into the lantern room was breathtaking and worth the trip. Nora made two laps around the room, before settling in a spot staring out at the town. Wicked's Rest. Her town. Nora's eyes scoured the landscape to see if she could find her graveyard in the distance. "Nice view. I can see why people are dying to see it." A little ghost humor. The ghosts back at the graveyard hated that one, so naturally Nora pulled it out every chance she got. "Why do you think this place is haunted?" Nora asked, turning to the giant. "I doubt it's not just for the view." Nora let out a yawn, her body letting her know that climb had been tiring. "You murder someone here?" Nora had found out that the majority of people she met in this town seemed to be murderers. What was one more?

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

Marcus watched as the rather short woman looked him up and down cautiously before pushing him aside and storming into the building.

“You must be Nora. By all means, make yourself right at home” he said sarcastically. Whoever this woman was, basic manners didn’t seem to really be a priority for her.

He shut the front door and followed the woman who was looking around the interior of the lighthouse and stating that the building was most definitely haunted. He thought this was a pretty fast assessment to make, but who was he to question the process of an expert medium? It’s not like the signs of the haunting he had been experiencing were subtle by any means. His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of loud footsteps climbing the metal staircase up to the lantern room. At first the sudden loud noise startled Marcus, but then he glanced over and saw that it was only his guest stomping up the stairs without saying a word. Marcus decided to follow after her so he keep talking to her.

As he came to the top of the stairs, somewhat winded, he saw the woman already pacing around the room before seeming to find a spot with a good view and looking out at Wicked’s Rest. He couldn’t blame her, the small town definitely had its charm and the view from this height was simply breathtaking. Marcus stifled a groan as he heard the woman’s pun about people dying to see the view. It would have been rude, after all.

However, he couldn’t hide how caught off guard he was when she very bluntly asked if he had ever murdered anybody. He couldn’t tell if she was joking, but the truth is he had taken a life before. Between the bombs and missiles deployed by the various ships he had served on and the enemy aircraft shot down with the ship’s guns, he figured he had probably been responsible for several deaths. But could he classify those as murder if they were in war time? After all, it was kill or be killed… wasn’t it? It wasn’t a subject he liked to dwell on for too long.

“I’ve never killed anybody who wasn’t trying to kill me or my friends”, he said bluntly. “I’ve definitely never murdered anyone in this town. I just think it’s haunted because ever since the old lighthouse keeper disappeared things have been, well, very weird. I hear banging, moaning, things appearing in the corner of my eye. One time I could have sworn I felt a cold and clammy hand come down on me. Now THAT was terrifying. I’m just wondering if there’s a spirit here who has unfinished business. I usually don’t believe in ghost stories, but it’s hard to ignore when you’re in one. If it’s the old lighthouse keeper, I’d like to give him peace so he can rest. He was good to me, for the brief time I knew him, so I want to make sure he has the peace he deserves.”

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“I’ve never killed anybody who wasn’t trying to kill me or my friends”, So he was a murderer. Everyone in this town was a murderer, it seemed. Nora examined the giant, her blank face as expressionless as ever. “Was that man trying to kill you?” Nora pointed to the ghost that appeared up in the lantern room with him. The old man was moaning something about being drowned. Dragged to the depths. Gasping for air. Nora was only partially paying attention, there was too much conversation she had to do with the giant. The giant had gone on to state that he’d never murdered anyone in the town. There went the theory that he’d killed for the lighthouse. She would have to come up with a new one.

Nora left him mid sentence, stomping across the platform and coming face to face with the moaning ghost. “Hey.” Nora interjected in between an incredibly gruesome recount of how the old man’s lungs had filled with water and the detail of how it felt to die that way. Nora noted the old man’s torn pants, hand prints burned into the flesh. “Did that man kill you?” Nora pointed to the giant. She could never be too sure these days. She doubted a ghost would lie to her.

The old man blinked his eyes, she watched as they focused in on her. “You… You can see me?” Nora wanted to roll her eyes. The temptation was so strong. Alas, she had an appearance to keep up. She kept hold of her cold stony expression, crossing her arms over herself.

“Of course I can hear you, I’m talking to you. Did that man kill you?”

“No.”

“Who did it?”

“Woe is me. It came from the depths. There I was walking along the beach and it grabbed me. It was so cold, I tried to p-”

Nora rolled her eyes. She turned back to face the giant. “Yeah. Your dude got murdered. Won’t shut up either, I can see why they chose him.” The old man made an indigent noise. Normally Nora liked ghosts, they were her favorite people to talk to. Today was different only because she had a payment of ham coming up and there was a rumbly in her tummy. “Sounds like he got dragged into the ocean and drowned.” The ghost moaned about how cold it had been, about how even now, in depth, he could still feel the cold sinking into him.”He’s very adamant that it was very cold.” Nora clapped her hands together in a motion that said well, this job is done. “So about my ham.”

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Marcus was a bit stunned when he noticed his guest point and start talking to somebody who he couldn’t see at all. Either this woman was playing him, or there really was a spirit haunting the lighthouse. He didn’t know which reality he would prefer. He couldn’t help but feel a bit offended when she pointed towards him and asked the air in front of her if Marcus had murdered them. He may be well built and still certainly capable of murder, but he was hoping he had given off a more friendly and peaceful demeanor. He didn’t come to this town to put people on guard and be wary of him. From the moment she walked in, however, this woman seemed to have him pegged as a monster.

He almost couldn’t believe his ears when he heard the cold and callous nature that she recounted the grizzly nature of the man’s death. He had known the old man to be a kind soul who was nothing but good to him. Marcus couldn’t imagine being dragged down to the depths of the cold ocean. He had heard tales of supernatural creatures who would drown unsuspecting travelers. Could it be that one was present right here in Wicked’s Rest? If that were true, then that would put even more townspeople in danger. He couldn’t have that.

Unfortunately for him, he seemed to be the only one who cared at all about the present danger. She only seemed concerned about her hams. Ah, of course. Her precious hams. She really had Marcus go out and get 3 full hams just as payment to come and reveal this news to him. He had the hams ready in the fridge downstairs; he was always a man of his word. But he wanted more information first, and was determined to find out from the medium.

“Can you ask him if he saw what attacked him? I can’t just have random townspeople being pulled to their deaths while just trying to stroll down the beach. It’s part of my duty to keep these beaches safe, and stopping crazed murderers pulling people into the ocean is definitely a part of that duty. I can sweeten the pot a little if you help me”.

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“Can I ask him?” Nora looked between the man and the ghost. “That’s a little rude, don’t you think? He’s standing right next to me. He’s dead, not deaf.” Nora’s blank mask didn’t budge, despite the scolding she was giving the man. Some people were just rude like that she supposed. Nora turned back to the drowned old man, still crying about how cold it had been, about how he was scared his soul would be cold for all of eternity. How he wished to feel the sun on his skin again and be freed from his eternal chill. “Yeah, we get it. It was cold. What about the person who attacked you? Talk about that for a while."

As the old man spoke, Nora made sure to repeat every word he said. That way the giant would have no more questions and she could take her ham and leave. While Nora did an excellent job at repeating every word, her monotone and flat affect did nothing to reflect how traumatized and heartbroken the old man was as he recounted his death. "There I was, walking along the beach. It was a fine crisp morning, a morning that made my knee hurt. You know I've had trouble with it since '92, but that didn't matter. Because it was a good day. I woke up that morning and I said to me self, I said I was going to go out and walk the beach. I was going to go enjoy the waves and the sun and get some stretch and these here old bones." Nora took a deep breath. Her jaw was hurting from talking. Why did the ghost have to talk so much? Couldn't he just think about everything like the rest of them?

"So there I was on yonder beach, stepping around, I bend over to look at a seashell. It'd been a while since I wanted to look at a seashell. When I was a kid, I'll tell you, son, when I was a kid I used to love looking at seashells. You know I had a col-" Nora let out a cough. She was willing to tell the story of how he died, not the story of how he used to collect seashells. At least the ghost had the good graces to look embarrassed. Nora nodded for him to go on. "Anyway, a hand wrapped around my ankle. I turned around, I thought maybe a swimmer had washed up in need of help. Oh, but when I looked at that there creature... the good lord must have already taken its soul because the thing was a shriveled husk. I tell you I ain't ever seen anything as frightening. It's hand... It was so cold. I thought to myself "Why is it so could?" I couldn't think to do anything else because that's how cold it was. It was like I'd never been warm before. I'm not one for the cold. Don't know how I ended up in Maine. Always thought I'd retire to the fl-" Nora coughed again.

"Anyway, this thing. It starts dragging me into the water. So I put up a little hootin and holler. I'm standing there screaming for me life, but my bad knee goes out and I fall down. The thing dragged me all the way to the bottom of the ocean. The water... The water filled my lungs." The man finally stopped talking. Nora honestly never thought she'd see the day the man chose to stop talking. She stared at him for a minute, so the man was drowned by someone who lived at the bottom of the ocean?

Nora turned to the giant, fairly certain she knew exactly what killed the ghost. "Do mermaids live around here?" She asked.

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

Marcus listened to Nora repeating the old man’s long winded account of how he died. Yep, he thought to himself, that’s definitely the old keeper. He hadn’t known the man for long, but he knew the old man could talk your ear off about how things used to be and how the trade had become too simple and soft. “Ya used to have ta live here 24/7, yer whole life became focused on this lighthouse and the sea. Nowsadays it’s all automatic, just some maintenance here and there. It’s completely trivialized the profession. But, I s’pose there’s a lot fewer good men losing their minds in there.” He recalled the old man saying to him during his first day on the job.

The old man may have been a bit quirky and difficult to be around at times, but he was kindhearted and he felt genuinely sad to hear the man suffered in his final moments. But if there was something dangerous lurking around the shore, that put others in danger too, including himself. He certainly didn’t fancy himself becoming the next victim of…something.

Mermaids. Mermaids? He knew sirens were in these waters, but it would be hard to explain to her exactly how he knew that. Suffice to say, he had had a bad run in with one not too long after coming in to town. He didn’t know of any mermaids, but felt it was certainly possible. All sorts of creatures were said to inhabit this small town.

“I’m not so sure about mermaids. There’s definitely been rumors of all sorts of things in these waters, so it could be. Are mermaids known for attacking old men walking along the shore? If so, we should probably do something about them to keep everyone else safe!

The old man was still talking. Nora wasn’t unsympathetic to the dead. In fact, a lot of her friends were ghosts. All her neighbors were ghosts too. Nora usually loved spending time listening to their long-winded stories about how they died. Even if they ended up telling the same death story over and over and over again. Like she got it, you only die once and that is a very important story but maybe get some new material. Maybe if they joined her in the ghost army, she’d been trying to make to terrorize the town. They would have an abundance of fun stories to tell people. Stories about making people scream and pass out. Those stories would be funny.

Nora walked away from the talking ghost, away from the view of Wicked’s Rest and across the lantern room to look out over the water. The ocean was enormous. Beautiful shades of blue, gray and white mixing together into a sight so large it defied comprehension. Sure, Nora could pull out her phone and google how big the ocean was to the exact square foot but standing at the top of the lighthouse and staring into the ocean’s gigantic embrace. It was mesmerizing.

“I don’t know anything about mermaids.” Nora admitted. Her eyes roving over the turning waves slapping against the surface. “I don’t know anything about stopping mermaids.” Nora turned to face the giant again. She should probably ask for his name, but what more information did she really need about him other than he was willing to pay her ham for her services, and he was taller than any one person should be. It wasn’t that she was biased. At five foot one Nora thought she was the perfect height for most things.

“Are you a strong swimmer?” Nora asked, if he wanted to stop mermaids, he was probably going to have to fight them on their turf. “You could always walk along the shore until one of them drags you down.” Nora wasn’t sure what came next. “Maybe you could hire a hunter?” Were hunters for hire? Nora wasn’t sure. She just knew hunters took out supernatural creatures. Especially the ones that killed humans. “I think the mermaids are probably just hungry.” Nora patted her own stomach. She could understand being hungry enough to eat anything around. “Maybe you could leave food out for them so they don’t feel the need to eat people.”

Marcus watched the woman in front of him seemingly look annoyed and turn away from the invisible man she was previously speaking to. He looked down at her as she eyed him up cautiously. Strangely, in spite of her stature, she didn’t seem intimidated in any way by his size. He decided that was a good thing. Honestly, if anything, she intimidated him just a little bit. Not that that was something he would ever actually admit.

He paused a bit when she mentioned hiring a hunter. He knew of one individual in this town who was likely a hunter, and he really didn’t feel he was on particularly good terms with the man he caught dumping remains into the ocean. Besides, the less he associated with hunters, the better. He remembered being pursued by one back home in Oregon, and nearly lost his life. He had also known other selkies in his family that weren’t so lucky. Their pelts were valued highly for their rarity and their magical properties. On top of that, he felt a lot of hunters simply enjoyed killing. As if it were a sick game of sorts.

“No hunters”, he said rather abruptly. “I just don’t feel like we’d have much luck, especially if we’re not even sure what we’re after. Now leaving food out for bait, that’s a much better idea. If we can lure them onto land, we can catch them and hopefully put a stop to them as soon as possible. Whatever kind of creature it is, they’re carnivores. So we’d need some hearty meat to throw their way. Maybe…some hams?”

He knew the hams were her payment, but surely she would be able to sacrifice one or two for the greater good of the town. After all, she had three. She wouldn’t need all of them that badly, would she?

No hunters. Nora could get that, but a question suddenly slithered its way into Nora's mind and wrapped itself firmly in the leading position. Hands-on hips, Nora examined the tall man even more. "Why no hunters? What are you?" At this point, Nora was willing to assume everyone in this fucking town wasn't human. Imagine that. She'd spent her whole life being the only monster on the block, and it was because each and every other monster was sitting in Wicked's Rest. "You didn't even ask what kind of hunter. You know." Nora was a private investigator now. She could put these dots together. She had the know-all.

Worst of all, the giant wanted to use Nora's hams as bait. Nora looked between the still-talking ghost and the giant. "Oh. We're solving this now? I thought I was just here to facilitate a ghost conversation?" Nora dug into her pockets, lighter, snake, snack, string. Her hand found what it was looking for, a knife. She pulled it out. "Alright. Now I'm ready. Fine, we can use one of my hams. Only one." Then Nora was on the move again. No point in putting off the inevitable. "But you're going to owe me three more." Nora threw over her shoulder.

The stairs rang with the sound of boots slamming against metal steps as she ran down the steps. Each time she came across a door she would bang it open to look inside. Kitchen? No. Kitchen? No. She found the kitchen eventually and retrieved one of her promised hams. "I'll be back for the rest of you later." She informed them before slamming the door shut. Nora was going to need to find out if killing monsters was an extra cost, or if it came with the service. Emilio always seemed down to kill things for free.

Nora still wasn't waiting for the giant to catch up. She was on the move again, busting out the lighthouse door and emerging into the light of day. Nora squinted, shielding her eyes. "Hey, do you think this would be better to do at night?" Nora wasn't sure when mermaids came out of the ocean.

Marcus was a bit caught off guard by the question. He didn’t really think she’d be so bold as to ask a question so directly. What are you? It wasn’t a question he was very comfortable answering. At least, not yet. He needed to know if she was a friend to the supernatural first.

“I didn’t need to ask what kind of hunter. I’ve been taken for a ride by too many of them.” He was being honest, just taken for a ride in a literal sense. “I know they’re not all the same but too many have said they’d help me, only to take my money and run. Besides, money’s a little tight right now anyway. I don’t make much to begin with and your hams kind of stretched things a little thin. I definitely don’t have enough to afford a hired gun. Maybe one that would do it for free, but I’m not so sure I’m keen on that either.” He had hoped she would accept his story of being broke and not press the issue further. He also hoped it would get him off the hook for the additional hams she requested.

As they walked out of the front door, sunlight hit them. Nora had asked him if it would be better to do during the daytime, and he wasn’t sure. He still wasn’t even sure what they were after, but he knew it probably wasn’t a mermaid.

“Mermaids lure in unsuspecting victims, usually men, by either seducing them or pretending to be a drowning victim. That old man wouldn’t have dove in for a woman and he was nowhere near a strong enough swimmer at his age to even think it was a good idea to save somebody. Definitely not a mermaid. But something that’s likely active during the day, since that’s the time of day when the most people are out and about”, he said matter of factly.

He grabbed the ham from the young woman in front of him and laid it down at the shore line, hoping to entice whatever had taken the old man. While the creature may not be there anymore and the ham could very well be picked apart by seagulls, he had a slight sense of optimism. Maybe this was his chance to finally rid this town of some evil force and save some lives.

“Taken for a ride?” Nora repeated the phrase, a question lacing into her monotone voice at the statement. Nora didn’t know hunters did ride alongs. That was some police shit. From what she’d heard of hunters, they probably were into police stuff. A power trip of taking people along with them. “Yeah, hunters seem like a shit group. Just don’t know anyone else designed for killing these things, you know?” This man had basically already admitted that he’d killed before, saying that he hadn’t killed anyone who hadn’t been trying to kill him and his loved ones. Nora had done the same thing. Same boat between the two of them. Surely, they could muster up enough strength between them to kill a mermaid. “No hunters. Got it.”

“Alright. Go get seduced.” Nora pointed at the open water. If he was right, and mermaids mostly targeted men, she wasn’t going to be of much help. Sometimes people mistook her for a thirteen-year-old boy, but who wanted to seduce one of those? They were all shit as far as Nora remembered from her time at that age. But the man had continued to say that he didn’t think it was a mermaid. He sure knew a lot about the supernatural world, Nora was coming to realize. She also hadn’t gotten the answer to what exactly he was. Nora’s hands took firm placement on her hips. “It’s funnier if you let yourself get seduced by a mermaid anyway.” If Nora was going to let one of her hams go, she at least wanted a show.

“But fine, It’s not a mermaid. Then what is it?” The ham was taken from her, and placed on the shore line, leaving the two standing there like a pair of idiots watching a ham get slapped by the ever creeping tide. Nora tilted her head to the side. This was like a scene out of some artsy black and white film whose point would go right over her head. It was also a waste of a perfectly good ham. It would be sandy now and covered in sea water. “Maybe if you went and sat by the ham, they’d be more willing to seduce you.” Okay, she wasn’t going to let that go. It would be so funny to watch a fish woman seduce someone to death. Even if she was here to help stop them.

“If you don’t think it’s a mermaid, what do you think it is?” Nora wasn’t the most knowledgeable on the supernatural. Honestly? That sucked. At least it seemed like she could probably worm some sort of information out of him. “What other humans live in the water?” Nora, deciding this would take longer than planned, settled down in the sand. She pulled out her phone and started searching google for people who lived in the ocean. The first result was The Bajau, which were actual humans who lived in houses on stilts in the ocean. She added supernatural to the search. “Alanteans, that’s some superhero shit. Selkies? Never heard of them. Mermaids, you already said no.” Google was truly unhelpful.

Marcus made the decision to ignore her not understanding what he meant by “taken for a ride”. Between her and the person who attacked him at the bar, he made a mental note to himself to be much more literal when speaking to people. He also couldn’t help but chuckle to himself a little when she mentioned him getting seduced by a mermaid.

“While I can appreciate the beauty of a woman, I don’t think they’d be very successful at seducing me. Not quite my cup of tea.”

As for what else it could be, that posed a number of interesting possibilties. Kelpies would be more than a little terrifying. He figured he could take one, but he wasn’t sure how helpful the small young woman beside him would be. Plus, there was always something unnerving about a horse just charging at somebody from the water. Above all else, he hoped it wasn’t a siren. He was terrified of sirens. Them and selkies notoriously don’t get along, and there are major turf wars if their territories end up too close to one another.

The thought of encountering one, or worse, an entire clan, filled Marcus with an anxious energy that he burned off by pacing back and forth to and from the shoreline. Finally, he stopped at the shore and simply looked out at the horizon, figuring if nothing was going to grab the ham, it also wouldn’t grab him. Suddenly, he saw a large human shaped shadow approach the surface of the water at alarming speeds. Before he could turn and sprint away from the creature, he felt ice cold hands wrap around both of his ankles. He let out a yell to grab the woman’s attention, still unsure of how helpful she would be, as he fell to the sand.

“You don’t need to be for real seduced.” Nora couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she said that. “Just be seduced enough that they come close enough.” Where was the critical thinking here? How would being fully seduced help the situation at all? Just a little seduced was all that was ever necessary. Nora’s google search was taking nowhere, and instead she had started texting her friends about how she’d found herself in a situation where a giant of a man needed to get seduced by a mermaid, and how it cost the price of one of her precious hams and life really did take strange turns.

Nora was mid-sentence in the text message when the man started screaming. Nora looked up, “That doesn’t sound like you’re being seduced.” Nora commented. Fingers were wrapped around his ankles. Okay. Mermaids had foot fetishes. Noted. Was that a ‘you want what you can’t have’ kind of thing? They had tails, humans had feet. Oh whatever. Nora dropped her phone on the dry sand, shirked off her jacket and ran full force into the ocean.

The cold water splashed against her as she sprinted into the water, taking the large, exaggerated steps of someone not used to walking in the ocean. Her now wet fingers slipped against the grip of her knife, but she held tight as she took her first eager look at the mermaid. The eyes that stared back at her looked dead on the inside. Worst of all, it had legs. This wasn’t a mermaid. Nora swiped with the blade, cutting at one of the arms. The creature didn’t react, instead it kept trying to drag the giant, maybe she should have asked for his name if he was going to die in front of her, into the ocean. Nora cracked her neck, stretching an arm. She’d been training for this. Nora slammed her knife into the creature’s skull. At least, that’s what she had been aiming for. Between the tide slapping her legs, the wetness in her fingers, and the rock she didn’t see beneath her feet, Nora fell into the water and missed her mark completely. Oops.

Marcus watched the girl fumble with the knife before splashing harmlessly into the sea. He wasn’t expecting much from her, yet still found himself disappointed. The…thing that was on top of him hadn’t loosened its grip at all, and started to drag him further into the sea with a surprising amount of strength. Marcus tried to hold on, but couldn’t get any kind of traction, pulling up clumps of wet sand as his fingers dragged across the beach.

He kicked helplessly as he tried to gain any sort of leverage on the creature. Suddenly, it drew him closer to its body. It was a rather hot day, but he felt its cold embrace sap any heat he had in his body. At this rate, he’d die of hypothermia in minutes. With a sharp twist of his body, he and the creature went tumbling onto the sand, rolling further away from the shoreline. Luckily, Marcus managed to wrestle himself on top of the creature, and was finally able to get a look at its face. Its skin was a pale blue color and its actual facial features looked partially decomposed. He suddenly became aware of the smell the creature had; rotting flesh and low tide weren’t a particularly pleasant combination.

It gasped, continuing to hold Marcus’s body close to its own. It let out a long sigh, allowing Marcus to catch a whiff of its rancid breath as well. He pushed against the creature with all of his might, but couldn’t seem to break its grasp at all. He could feel his blood turn to ice and his whole body was shaking violently now. He struggled desperately, but the monster’s grip held firm. There was nothing he could do stare helplessly at the monster as the life drained away from him.

Salty ocean water invaded Nora’s mouth, which hadn’t been closed in preparation for her fall into the water. The waves slapped against her as she tried to get her head back above water, spluttering and coughing. Near her, she could see the giant and the not-mermaid grappling. God, it looked like a corpse. And the smell coming off it. Nora wanted to wretch, but there was a life that needed saving. A life she needed to save. Cracking her neck again, Nora decided it was time to get super serious.

It took a moment to enter serious mode. She had to force herself back into a standing position when the pulling of the water wanted to keep her down. Nora was careful this time, careful of the unknown ocean floor that held sharp rocks for her to step on without paying attention. The giant seemed to be holding his own, managing to get to the top of the grapple. That was until it sighed, and Nora also caught a whiff of that giant smell coming from its mouth. Nora held back another wretch. God, why couldn’t ocean monsters just smell like normal fish, instead of rancid rotting flesh?

With the giant and the monster in the throes of a push and a pull, it was the perfect time to strike. She took her time this time, making sure her blow was lined up, making sure she wouldn’t hit the giant. Slam. Her blade forced its way into the creature’s temple, the decaying flesh making a squelching noise as she turned the knife to make sure it was extra dead. The creature’s arms went limp, and it was like the water around them was getting warmer. Ew, did the giant pee himself? Gross. Unbeknownst to Nora, the cooling powers of the creature they had just killed, despite the cold she’d been exposed to. Nora started dragging the two of them back to shore, as much as she could with her limited strength. “Help me get this to shore.” Nora instructed, as if she hadn’t just watched the giant fighting for his life. “You gotta take a picture of me with it. My boss is going to be so fucking proud.”

When it seemed as though Marcus was a goner, and his vision started to fade to white, he heard the distinctive sound of a blade piercing through flesh and bone, a horrific screech, and finally felt the tight grip of the monster release him. He still felt incredibly weak and chilled to the bone, but he was at least able to keep his eyes open. He felt himself being dragged back to the shore. Was she doing that? He could hardly believe somebody her size had the strength to carry him back to land, although he was grateful for the help all the same.

Marcus was still very much in a daze, and was only barely able to stand himself up. It took him a minute to process what the girl was saying.

“Your…boss?” He had wondered who would have hired her and what they would hire her for. Why would they be proud that she killed this…whatever it was instead of horrified? He looked at the corpse, now killed once again. He wasn’t sure if it was truly dead or if it would reanimate again at a moment’s notice like some cheap jumpscare at the end of a zombie movie. But still, she wanted a picture and, seeing as she saved his life, he felt he should oblige her. Marcus’s phone was left in the lighthouse; he knew better than to take it near the water with him after losing too many to water damage. He gestured for her to hand him her phone so he could take the picture on it. He couldn’t help but notice her beaming excitement as she posed, which was in stark contrast to his own exhaustion. After checking to make sure there was no blur from his still trembling hands, he handed the phone back to her.

“Well, I guess that solves that mystery. I wish it didn’t have to come so close to killing us though,” he remarked, stealing another glance at the monster to make sure it was truly staying down. He learned you can never be too cautious when it came to the undead. “I appreciate your help, and I probably owe you more than just a few hams now. I’ll try and get some for you soon, if I’m taking too long you know where to find me. We did good work today Nora, thank you again.” With that he extended a wet and shaky hand out to the girl in hopes she would accept the handshake.

Nora had raced to the shore to grab her phone, then raced back to the corpse, tossing her phone to the giant. She posed in front of it in the same peace sign pose she’d used in front of that ghoul. With the picture taken, and her phone back in her hands, Nora stared down at the corpse. “Do you need to burn that? Or do you think it’ll just… go away?” Nora asked. “You better do something with it before the cops show up. They ruin everything.” This had been a good outing. She didn’t get three hams, just two. But she did get the satisfaction of another successful hunt. That was good enough.

The giant was holding out his hand, and Nora, in a pleasant mood, decided she could be polite. Her hand wrapped around his in a firm handshake. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Giant.” Her made up name for him had embedded itself deeply enough in her mind, was there really a point in asking for his real one? He could just change his name to the one she chose for him if it bothered him.

“Hopefully this means the old man will be able to move on, and you’ll have a ghost free light house.” Nora’s gaze returned to the ocean. Was there disappointment that it hadn’t been mermaids? Yeah. Now she was forced to have the knowledge that drowned corpses came back to life with foot fetishes. If you left your feet too close to the water, they would come up and grab you under the water. Plus now she needed to go home and change. Possibly stop at someone's house to shower. “I’ll be back to pick up hams every now and then.” The man had offered more, and Nora was not going to turn down free food. “Just keep them handy for when I drop in.”

“It’s Marcus, actually.” Marcus cautiously looked down and realized just how much taller he was than the girl standing in front of him. “I suppose we probably should burn it. It seemed to want warmth anyway, so that’s exactly what we’ll give it. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of that part, you’ve done enough”. He glanced over at the creature again, not exactly looking forward to disposing of the body.

“If there’s any more weird shit going down over here, I’ll be sure to give you another call. Seems like we make a good team.”

With that, he watched Nora go her own way, as he set out to gather what he needed to dispose of the corpse. Unsurprisingly, it would be a little tricky to burn a body without drawing attention, but he knew he’d figure it out. Right now, he was grateful to still have his life.

#wickedswriting #thenavysealkie #honeysmokedham #WR Ghostbusting

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