#kelpie’s life no.5

[kelpietheshifter]

Hope you guys like my Apocalypse dr cause that’s all you’re getting for awhile

[sonic-au-collision]

SONIC AU COLLISION: WORLD MAP [VERSION 1]

(aka the Round 1 Bracket)

Welcome aboard as we travel across the multiverse in our very first AU Collision. (Disclaimer: No AUs were harmed in the colliding of these worlds /silly). I cannot thank you all enough for submitting an AU, spreading the world, and overall just joining in for the fun.

Reminder: The deadline for any changes to the image, description, etc. will be Friday, November 15, at 7 PM PST

Polls will be released on Sunday, November 17, at 5 AM PST

Each AU and their respective creators are listed below the cut. A closer look at the bracket will also be pictured below.

LEFT SIDE:

RECOIL by @transzsonix & @lazydayslivin VS Broken Illusions AU by @nb-hedgewolf

Neo Badnik Empire by @midnightbadnik VS Time Twins AU by @libelelle

Imposter Swap AU by @sonlc & @transgendermilesprower VS Delirium!AU by @hunniegl4zed

Sonic HSR AU by @fleetwaydarksonic VS Mechanical Error by @chipistotallysane

The Lost Descent by @novurxge VS Lost and Found by @midnightshard06

Sonic Re:Scale by @taffydragondraws VS Vampire AU by @kingprinceleo

Chuck's Pizzareia AU by @majesticn3wt VS Accidentally Organicized AU by @lunaledragonet

Sonic Murder Drones AU by @silvers-starrway & @cherbearsz VS The Unshakable Bond by @floxy-offical & @the-sky-queen

No Strings Attached by @nostringsattachedau VS Infested by @flightyalrighty

The Kelpie: A Folklore AU by @scrunglepaws VS Resurrected AU by @superscourge

Cyborg Cream AU by @averiesmiles VS Manufactured Malice AU by @pretzlforpresident

Silver's Parent AU by @fleetway1900 VS Light and Shadow by @sparksssss

Live & Learn AU by @head---ache VS Dadpio AU by @retrocandyfloss

Interstellar AU by @interstellar-au VS Hedgehog University by @hedgehog-university-au

Monsters vs Aliens by @weirdozjunkary VS The Legend of Blaze by @girlsonic

Corrupted AU by @wereh0gz VS Enchanted by @sparkles-rule-4eva

RIGHT SIDE:

Chilidog Vendor Adventures by @i-am-zeledoxus VS Crystal Eyes (Crystallize) AU by @nomx2chomp

Sonic Icebound by @sonic-wildfire VS Dark Boom by @teamxdark

SASS Fusion AU by @mstormcloud VS Sonic Ghost Hunters AU by @sharks3ye

Heart of Chaos by @hyper-cryptic VS Flowers In Bloom by @emioliravioli

Shadow Barbie AU by @curetapwater VS Descendants by @a-dream-journalist

Starry by @cometstarrysonic VS Turning Tides by @lightninghikaru

Bioswap by @finalshockdown VS Egghogs AU by @themetalvirus

Life Series AU by @karma-creations VS Fullmetal Alchemist AU by @halloweencatsart

Sonic Cowboy AU by @napstabl00k VS Triple Stars by @triple-starsss

Sol Sonic by @kittydoremi VS Three Moons AU by @eclipsed-jester

Sonic Freak Show by @estellardreams VS Slumbering Wage by @yu-melon

We Have The Sky by @niko-jpeg VS Black Arms Sonic Eclipse Version by @cattyanon

Sidekick Sonic AU by @raihanijulie VS Siren's Call AU by @hevs-dreamworld

Inkwell AU by @xx-disco-inferno-xx VS Robotnik Manor by @taylanix

Lacersha AU by @heirorage VS Sonic: The Bad Guys by @thefakehedgehogaroundhere & KitsunamiFennec

Whispering Flames by @askmistaketalesurgesans VS The Chaos Project by @starzdeath

ignore the random lines <3

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Helloooo your recs give me life. You’ve probably done this before, but any recommendations for fics that include a brutally pining Derek and oblivious Stiles? Ideally canon-verse but aus are also loved. Thanks in advance!!

I'm sure I have, but I love pining in all fics. So I'm happy to make a million lists of it.

Fun by Halevetica

(1/1 I 3,889 I Teen)

Stiles convinces Derek to go to the annual Beacon Hills bonfire with him, with the promise of fun. What he gets instead are a lot of assumptions that he and Stiles are dating, and Stiles' too-eager dismissals, which are decidedly NOT fun for Derek.

Game On by stilinskisparkles

(1/1 I 6,391 I Teen)

Derek first sees him from across the quad four days into fall semester. He’s sitting on one of the long benches, a marker pen in his mouth, grinning at something the kid lounging on the bench beside him is saying. When he laughs properly he pulls the pen out and throws his head back, his neck a long, lean line Derek is entranced by. He flicks the page in his book and highlights something, tossing the cap up in the air and catching it with his teeth.

Written in the Stars by Quixoticity

(6/6 I 26,586 I Mature)

Derek Hale is a lucky guy. He's got a great family, good friends, and a fulfilling job as a tattoo artist.

He's also one of the twenty-five per cent of the population born with a soul mark.

He likes his life, but he's waiting for his soul-match. The odds of meeting them aren't great but hey, Derek's a lucky guy. He has faith.

He can't believe how good his luck really is when one day his soul-match wanders right into his studio, all long limbs and copper eyes. There's just one problem: Stiles is there to get his soul mark covered up. Permanently.

Mating Habits of the Domesticated North American Werewolf by lielabell

(5/5 I 35,458 I Mature)

Derek doesn’t do pining. He doesn’t. So when it becomes clear that Stiles is much more interested in having Derek as a new best friend than a boyfriend, he puts on his big boy pants and makes it fucking work. He becomes the best goddamn friend a spastic teenager could ever hope to have.

too busy being yours to fall for somebody new by whiry

(12/12 I 64,278 I Teen)

Stiles, worried that Scott may actually leave him behind because of his newfound popularity, is desperate to cling to something away from the drama of Lydia Martin's amazing parties and the woes of high school lacrosse. What he finds is Derek Hale, a guy who seemingly hates Stiles at first, but slowly, and insistently, becomes friends with him. As their friendship grows, Stiles starts to wonder if they could ever become something more or if pushing what they have will lead him to being alone for good.

All the Weird Kids (Know How to Take it Slow) by Ionaonie

(26/26 I 112,477 I General)

Stiles never thought being part of a werewolf Pack would end up being so normal. Even being around Derek had a degree of normality about it. Even if he was still an overbearing jerk most of the time.

When it all comes crumbling down by Littleredridinghunter

(18/18 I 216,191 I Not Rated)

Stiles is recovering from the Nogitsune. Erica is the only one that is really there for him, Scott's too busy rekindling his relationship with Allison and Stiles feels like he's falling apart.

When a near-miss with a kelpie results in an encounter that he could never have predicted, Stiles begins to think his life might be getting back on track.

He's wrong.

Stiles' life is so messed up he can't even begin to explain it, maybe it's time for him to finally do something for himself and get out of Beacon Hills. But where will that path lead?

With Stiles involved, no doubt danger and death won't be far behind.

AND

@the-diggler and @adventures-in-mangaland suggested this one!

Safety in Silence by Survivah

(5/5 I 66,901 I Mature)

It's perfectly understandable. Even Derek wouldn't want to be Derek's soulmate.

[domzoknem]

(EN) SIMS 4 Monster High Legacy Challenge!!!

Hi guys! First post on tumblr, kinda excited. For a long time I've been struggling with attempting new Sims 4 legacy challenges, as I couldn't find any that also go into newer packs. I've played Not So Berry a bunch of times (never actually finished lol), and it inspired me to go into a rabbithole of legacy challenges. Before we start, this challenge was inspired by a Sims 3 Monster High challenge made by simmingsamantha.tumblr.com. I took A LOT of inspiration (especially in the beggining) when making this challenge, so please, make sure to check them out. <3 This challenge was made inspired by my fav characters from Monster High. You don't need to make your sims look like the dolls, there's specific color suggestions but also - you don't need to follow them. Play the challenge the way YOU are going to enjoy it! If you're planning on picking up the challenge don't hesitate to share it and make sure to tag me so I can see! Tag: #domzoknem #domzoknemMHLC

NOW ONTO THE BASIC RULES! 1. Normal lifespan, 2. No cheats, unless stated otherwise, 3. I suggest using the color combos provided to make the game look more interesting, 4. Every generation is supposed to complete their career and aspiration (unless stated otherwise). 5. For two legacies I am using mods to expand the occult gameplay - they're going to be linked next to the generations. You don't have to use them.

GENERATION 1: Frankie Stein traits: clumsy, lovebug, insider career: Engineer -> Mechanical Branch aspiration: Reneissance sim (don't finish it) • Max the robotics and cross-stitching skills • Get 5 additional skills to level 5 • Master the Mechanical Branch of the Engineer career • Create a Servo and befriend them • Have 3 good friends and 2 best friends • Have a dog, name it "Watzit". Give it age down treats every time it becomes an elder, until you become an elder • Have 5 rats throughout your life and name them "Gwen, Gaga, Green day, Girlicious and Ghostface Killah" • Have only one kid via adoption! colors are black, white and neon blue

GENERATION 2: Draculaura traits: vegetarian, cheerful, romantic career: Actor aspiration: Soulmate

• Max the writing, acting and romance skills • Reach lvl 10 of your career • Be a good vampire! • Only eat plasma fruits - never dine on sims! • In school, join drama club, later cheer team • Marry your highschool sweetheart who is a werewolf • Play guitar and write romance novels • Have a black cat names "Count Fabulous", dress it in pink clothes • Have many kids colors are pink and black

GENERATION 3: Clawdeen Wolf traits: creative, non-commital, hot-headed career: Style Influencer -> Stylist aspiration: Admired Icon (teen), Romantic Explorer • Max the writing, painting and dancing skills • Master the Stylist Branch of the Style Influencer career • Be a werewolf and join a werewolf pack • Have a good relationship with your siblings • Tame the inner beast, aquire "Lunar Resistance" trait • Never marry! • Once a week go thrifting and clubbing • Have one kid only colors are purple and gold

GENERATION 4: Deuce Gorgon traits: active, bro, paranoid career: Athlete -> Pro Athlete aspiration: Party Animal

• Max the selvadoradian culture, cooking and fitness skills • Master the Pro Athlete Branch of Athletic career • Be human (cheat for that if needed) • Become a football team Captain • Have a basketball team • Always wear sunglasses (even to bed) • Complete the fossils collection • Date a snobish sim • Have a bad relationship with your mother, but a great one with your aunt and cousin, visit them often in Selvador • Have a pet rat named "Perseus" color is green

GENERATION 5: Lagoona Blue* traits: outgoing, child of the ocean, loves nature career: Diver aspiration: Beach Life

• Max charisma, wellness and mermaid skills* • Live in Sulani and become a mermaid! • Live on a houseboat or in a beach shack • Complete the seashells collection and collect postcards • Date a Kelpie* and have a bad relationship with their parents • Have a pet fish called "Neptuna" • Have a PlantSim baby (you can cheat - also mod, see Venus gen) • EXPLORE THE MERMAIDS EXPANDED MOD!* colora are sea blue, black and pink *I reccomend downloading the Mermaids Expanded Mod for better experience! LINK: https://www.patreon.com/posts/expanded-mod-2-0-78685209

GENERATION 6: Venus McFlytrap* traits: green fiend, party animal, recycling disciple career: Civil Designer -> Green Technician aspiration: Evo Innovator

• Max gardening, logic and herbalism skills • Master the Green Technician branch of the Civil Designer career • As a second aspiration choose Freelance Botanist or Friend of Nature (MOD)* • Be a PlantSim (you may cheat)* • Clean Sulani • Complete the Axolotl collection • Have many failed relationships due to you being a PlantSim, finally settle down with a loyal sim • Your home is full of recycled or fabricated stuff • Have an agressive looking dog named "Chewliah" • EXPLORE THE PLANTSIMS EXPANDED MOD!* colora are neon green with pink

*I reccomend downloading PlantSims Expanded Mod for better experience! LINK: https://www.patreon.com/posts/expanded-mod-112231972

GENERATION 7: Abbey Bominable traits: self-assured, adventurous, socially awkward career: do odd jobs only aspiration: Mt. Komorebi Sightseer

• Max rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding skills • Live in Mt. Komorebi and alwats go to festivals! • Always throw Christmas parties and invite family • Complete the simmies collection - have at least 1 gold simmy! • Have only one friend (besides your partner) • Marry a hot-headed sim from Sulani • have a fluffy pet called "Shiver" colors are pastel blue with white

GENERATION 8: Ghoulia Yelps traits: geek, genius, bookworm career: see below* aspiration: Goal Oriented (teen), Academic

• Max programming, video gaming and logic skills • Earn at least one University degree (of your chosing), that's your job!* earn most money by hacking • Have no friends until High School • Become a chess team captain! • Complete mySims trophies collection • Collect microscope and space prints • Always take part in GeekCon GamingTest and Hackathon • Die and get ressurected at any point of your life (that's how you become a zombie) colors are red, black and blue

GENERATION 9: Spectra Vondergeist traits: loner, kleptomaniac, nosy career: Social Media -> PR aspiration: drama llama (teen), seeker of secrets

• Max charisma, thanatology and medium skills • Max PR branch of Social Media career • Make friends ONLY by using Social Bunny • Collect all tarot cards • Become a ghost, complete your bucket list! • Become a landlord, spy on your renters and steal from them! • Romance Grim Reaper?! • Have a ghost pet called "Rhuen" • Have two (human) kids colors are purple and magenta

GENERATION 10: Cleo De Nile traits: snob, self-absorbed, materialistic career: Politician aspiration: World Famous Celebrity

• Max charisma, gemology and nectar making skills • Become the world leader and be 5 star famous! • Have a strained relationship with your sister • Find your soulmate in High School, break up after graduating. Date around as a young adult - never anything serious. Recconect as adults • Never decline an invitation • Throw a party every week, enjoy your life! • Complete the crystals collection • Have a polar opposite BFF • Have AS MANY sphinx cats as possible!!! colors are gold, blue and brown

That's it for the 10 generations legacy challenge! Excuse any spelling and grammar mistakes - it's really late when I'm finishing everything up. :)

Have fun! Domek

[echantedtoon]

Demonstober Day 5 Omukade

Ōmukade are monstrous mukade–centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes) with dark bodies and bright orange legs and heads.

(If you don't know what Kokushibo looks like as an Omukade centaur like Yokai follow the link.

This is half inspired by a comic on Tumblr. Warnings for mentioned death and killing.)

Tagging: @lavenderdropp @six-eyed-samurai @trancylovecraft @cherrysuzaku

Remember if you want to be added to the spooktober taglist lemme know

Once long ago there was a very powerful shogun, and he married a beautiful woman. Together they were happy with no want for anything in their comfortable lives. Except for one thing.

A child.

Even though they tried for many years, they still went without children. One day the woman  of the couple decided to take a long walk in the woods to try to forget about her troubles when she came across a mysterious healer.

"My lady, you seem quite troubled. Would you like to tell me?", the man offered.

"Why? You wouldn't even be able to help me. It's no  use."

"Try me. I might surprise you."

"My husband is happy with life and we wish for nothing but a child however it seems that the gods do not seem to want to bless us with one."

"Oh. Is that all?", the healer laughed before reaching into the folds of his cloak and pulling out a small box which contained three seeds. *I have the exact solution. Take these flower seeds and plant them in your garden in a place only you'll know. One month from now on the night of the blue moon, three flowers will appear."

"What good will flowers do me?"

"They're blessed by the goddess of fertility," the man explained, "Of the three there will be three flowers. A white lotus, a red spider lily, and a black rose. If you eat the white lily you'll gain a son as pure and kind hearted as the heavens. If you eat the red spider lily you'll receive a son as fast and strong as the fiercest warrior. If you choose the black one you'll receive a son as smart as a hundred scholars! Eating any two of the three will result in twins with all the traits of both flowers!"

The woman was so pleased with her gift. It would be the solution to all her problems and she left with the seeds. However the healer gave her a grisly warning.

"These flowers are enchanted by magic no mortal body can handle so there's a limit to how much you can have without a blessing turning to a curse. Remember. You may only have up to TWO. Eating all three will have deadly consequences that even I don't know what could happen. Heed my warnings, My Lady. Or disaster will befall thee."

The woman promised to remember the warnings given to her and that night planted the seeds in a place only she knew about telling no one. A month later on the blue moon she went back out and found the three flowers the man spoke of. She had already decided to eat the lily and lotus, but at the last moment decided to eat all three. It was a blessing from the goddess of fertility after all. Nothing really bad could come from a blessing. And she wanted her children to have all the traits the flowers promised.

Against the healer's warnings, she swallowed the black rose petals right after the first two flowers.  Sealing her fate by her foolish mistake.

Soon after the woman indeed fell with child. Twins. Both husband and wife were so happy and the entire countryside rejoiced with the news. Nothing truly was wrong and the woman forgot about the consequences of her actions. Until nine months later- 

Her husband was called to battle, while away his wife delivered their children in the middle of the night. However the children born that night were not infants.

But horrible monsters from nightmares.

The woman screamed in fear and horror as the doctors looked on in shocked silence as the cursed infants cried out into the darkness. Both grotesque and disfigured. Monstrous and horrifying to look at. 

One they say was born with horns like an oni and eight limbs like a slightly humified jurogumo. The other one was more horrible. Half it's body writhing and squirming like an upsidedown centipede and so many eyes that they were spinning in different directions at once. They cried but no one dared touch them or show them any empathy. Their own mother scrambled away and shrieked out in fear.

"Take them away!," she cried out, "Take them far away! I don't care what you do with them just take them far away and be rid of them! I'd rather have my husband think we suffered a loss than look upon these ugly things! No one shall tell him of this!"

One of the woman's most trusted servants placed the crying children in a chained basket and took them away that very same night. No one knew what became of them. They were never seen again. The maid never did return either. And the woman never told her husband what had happened. No one else who was there that night never dared repeat what they saw in fear of drawing the cursed creatures back to them. 

However they say that they still roam the lands. And if you are unlucky enough, you shall be the next to run into such a horrible monster.

You didn't have any idea of the last time you weren't told what to do. From the moment you were born your entire life wasn't even yours.

"I no longer have need of your services."

"Is that right?"

It had been months since the time you met him. The man who wanted you but who you rejected because he was a monster. An evil monster who would only devour. And you were already spoken for. It was only the beginning really.

Ever since you were a little girl you've done everything right. As heiress and next in line you were prepared for only one thing and that was to become the perfect young lady. You think they resented you for not being born the strong male heir they wanted to have and instead would have to pick someone else from one of the other noble families to marry you and become their true heir. After all a woman in their eyes could never inherit their estate. Not like a man could. So you had done everything you could do to please them. You studied everything you could do to make yourself come off as a proper well bred lady. Learning to dance in those uncomfortable shoes, laugh at suitors' ridiculous jokes no matter how obnoxious they were, making yourself fond over men that your parents expressed interest in even if you hated their entire being, forcing yourself into those ridiculous dresses and make up because that's what you were expected to look like...

And yet it was NEVER good enough for them. Never good enough for anyone. All of your efforts only seemed to make them more angry of you even though you were doing more than they expected.

In the end they were so fed up with your existence that they made the choice to end your life, other than imprison you or vanish you they sold you off to the wealthiest man they could. Both would've been preferable fates, at least then you would've been free to stop pretending to be something else you weren't. And leaving you to be taken off in the back of a wagon as they carted you off like unwanted cargo. If you only hadn't been born in this family maybe nothing would've happened.

It was still better than marrying the destructive monster that kept plauging you in the night. Each night asking you for one thing-

"Give me your hand as my wife."

The same line over and over. Night after night. He asked you for the one thing that you knew if you accepted, you'd never get out. Better the monsters you knew than the monster you didn't. You once asked him why. Why did he want you when there was surely woman far more wealthy and willing and beautiful? His answer was always the same.

"We were lovers in another life. You died then but you're still mine. It just took me time to find you once more. Give me your hand once again as mine. Join me once more as you belong here in my arms, by my side, and continuing to love me."

You rejected him. It didn't matter what you were then, it's a new life and you had a duty to your parents, and you had a fiance now. 

Perhaps you should've accepted because the destruction that followed you when the monster finally reared itself to show in the moonlight and attacked your wagon transport...it was something out of hell.

But now you sat here in what remained of the crumbling mansion and just stared blankly at him. The monster who had done all the destruction. First ones to go were the ones who transported you away, then your parents, then the man who had paid your parents for you, and then anyone the monster dam well pleased. Over and over day after day until the estate and the province as a whole was swallowed up until nothing else was left but a smoking husk of what once was.

You nodded before the red and amber eyes of hellish stoic fury. The one responsible for it all. "Yes. You've done everything you could do to satisfy your vengeance... So we have no more need to be in servitude to one another. I release you from anymore duties you feel you have to me."

Instead of taking the obvious way out, he hummed tilting his head. "Hmm. That would make sense....but I have no interest in in leaving what's mine." Those deadly eyes narrowed. "Isn't that right, my dear little wife?"

Wife.

You'd forgotten about that.

As an heiress you were expected to be married. More like married off. It was your duty to be married off to someone else who you probably would never love. All under the guise of being for the 'better of your people and kingdom' and then to be nothing but the perfect little supportive wife to him for the rest of your lives and produce him many heirs. It was a duty you being trapped didn't want but made peace with doing a long time ago and would've done it at one point in time. Especially if it meant avoiding his destruction and wrath.

To force yourself to wear whatever gown your mother picked and force yourself to smile and laugh in mock happiness as your father walked you down the aisle after the bridesmaids and flower girl and ring bearer. Force yourself to repeat rehearsed vows your mother wrote for you in advance and say I do to a stranger you'd never love. And thank everyone for coming to 'the happiest day of your life' and force yourself to scarf down too sweet wedding cake and cry over tacky decorations you'd have no say in picking.

But now none of it mattered really. You ended up promising your hand to the demon before you.

"Please! Just don't hurt anyone else!"

"Then give me your hand." The claws stained by the blood of many and if you weren't careful, you couldn't accidentally cut yourself if you grasped his hand. "As my wife for eternity."

A princess and a monster. An ironic comical fate but what choice did you ever have? You accepted your fate and reached out to the monster. He was suddenly upon you, grabbing your hand while the other looked around your waist pulling you against him as he grinned a smile that was both malevolent and full of want for you.

"After all all this destruction wasn't a part of just wrath. It was my wedding gift to you Let this be my marriage vow and promise to you, my dear.~"

[rorywritesjunk]

No longer locked upon the land but free on the rolling waves

You and Buggy come face to face with himself from the past, and while you’re fully accepting that this is your husband as a child, Buggy doesn’t want to accept it.

Rating: PG-13ish, but just due to some swearing.

Warning: Upset kid, upset husband. Reader is way too nice, doesn’t necessarily take husband’s feelings into account as well.

A/N: A combined request. I did a few versions of this story before feeling like it hit the marks I was wanting to hit. Also, I’m just trying to vibe off what I’ve seen of Kid Buggy. I’m no expert. I’d protect that kid with my life. He’s so adorable. I also like the trope of “Meeting your self from another time” and “gets turned back into kid-self”. This is the former, and I know shit about time travel but I just kind of made something up. Also, kelpies. Are they in One Piece? I honestly don’t know but I love kelpies and needed an excuse to mention them.

Title comes from "Sailing Song" by S.J. Tucker.

Chapter 1 + Chapter 2 + Chapter 3 + Chapter 4 + Chapter 5 + Chapter 6/Epilogue TAGLIST: @lostfirefly @misadventures0fdes @sylum @valen-yamyam16 @dohkyu

Chapter 2

Your husband refused to speak to you until the kid was gone, but you weren’t going to put up with this. Instead, you carried on like normal, taking the kid with you as you did your tasks around the ship, giving him a tour, and when it was dinner time, you fixed his favorite meal. However, when your husband came into the kitchen, he was glaring at you.

“What’s he still doing here?”

You crossed your arms and stared at him. “I’m feeding him dinner because I’m not going to let this kid go hungry because you think he’s a kelpie or omen or whatever is rattling around in that brain of yours.” With a huff, you grabbed two plates and piled them both with food before placing them on the table. Kid Buggy was already seated, watching Adult Buggy cautiously. His clothes weren’t dry yet from earlier and he didn’t want to go for another swim.

Your husband grumbled and took a seat, glaring down at his plate of food. At least you cooked his favorite meal, must be to make up for this crap he’s having to deal with. He sighed and picked up his fork before he started to shovel food into his mouth. You rolled your eyes and fixed your own plate. Kid Buggy immediately started to do the same as his adult counterpart. His eyes lit up and he looked at you excitedly.

“This is my favorite!” He said with his mouth full of food. “How’d you know?!”

You just shrugged and smiled at him as you sat down between them at the head of the table, handing the kid and your husband each a napkin. It was a lost cause because neither of them took it from you so you set it down beside them. You tried to make an effort. “I know everything.” 

Kid Buggy looked between you and your husband; Adult Buggy did the same. It was weirdly intriguing and adorable to you. You ate your own food, not looking at either of them. Once your plate was clean you picked up your husband’s napkin and leaned over to wipe his face; he rolled his eyes, mumbling something about pirates and not being scary. The kid narrowed his eyes at the two of you as you leaned over to do the same for him.

“You both wear your food as much as eat it, you know.” You chuckled as you wiped the kid’s face, and to your surprise, he allowed it a second time. Your husband was used to it by now. He may be a pirate but you still wanted him to be somewhat clean, even if it was just using a damn napkin from time to time. “Now, sweetie, remember the conversation from earlier, about who this man across from you is?”

Kid Buggy shrugged and set his fork down. “You said it’s me from the future, but I don’t like this, I don’t want to be some loser like him.”

“You little-”

“Buggy.” You shot your husband a look. “This is you as a kid, so you can’t be mad if he’s sassy to you.” 

“He isn’t me!” Adult Buggy insisted. “Stop saying that!”

“Honey, it is, I know it.” You assured him. “I'll take care of him and get it all figured out, okay? I promise.”

Your husband crossed his arms and glared at you. You just smiled sweetly at him. You would figure it out, no matter what.

~

“No.”

“Buggy-”

“This is my bed.”

“And I share it with you.”

Your husband stood at your side of the bed, glaring down at you and the sleeping figure beside you. There was no way you were going to allow the kid to sleep with the crew, and while you didn’t talk about the sleeping arrangements first with your husband, you also couldn’t find him to talk about it. He had disappeared after dinner, grumbling once again about kelpies, omens, selkies, whatever. You didn’t even know at this point. So after you got yourself and Kid Buggy ready for bed, you let the kid tell you another story about his adventures as an apprentice before he fell asleep nearing the end of his tale. It was kind of cute.

“Just for the night.” You told Buggy as he stormed over to his side of the bed. “Buggy, why are you so upset by this?”

“You brought something onto the ship!” He hissed at you as he threw the covers back and climbed under them. “We don’t know what this is!”

“It’s you, Buggy.” You sighed as you looked down at the sleeping kid. He was sprawled out beside you, snoring loudly. It reminded you of someone else you knew. “He mentioned being an apprentice on the Oro Jackson, and… and you know weird things like this can happen!”

“Not weird like this!” He shot back. “I’m going to sleep and when I wake up that kid better be gone. I don’t care where you take him, he has to be gone.”

He turned his back to you after that and pulled the covers over his head. Okay, you weren’t really bothered by that reaction. He was upset over this but you wanted to know why. What made him so certain this wasn’t him as a kid? It made you wonder if something happened to your husband as a kid to get him this freaked out. Your husband could be stubborn but you were determined. You carefully crawled over the sleeping kid and slipped under the covers behind your husband, stretching out behind him as you wrapped your arms around him.

“Buggy, tell me what’s wrong, please.” You murmured in his ear. You felt his body stiffen up, whether from the question or you suddenly being right there, you weren’t sure, but you needed to know. “You… you seem scared.”

He turned and glared at you but you didn’t back down. “I’m not talking about it.”

Oh, well… 

You rested your chin against his shoulder. “I think there’s something to talk about, honey.”

He scoffed and looked away from you, but he didn’t shy away from your touch. You leaned over to kiss his cheek, hoping that might help him relax enough to start talking to you. Clearly there was something about having Kid Buggy here that was bothering him more than the kid just “being a curse or bad omen”. It made you wonder of the possibility of other universes, alternate realities, but then you remember hearing those stories from the drunk sailors and pirates, and really, you heard enough of those stories from different places that it had to be a possibility. 

“Buggy, did something happen to you when you were that age?” You asked. He tensed up once more and you loosened your hold on him, but he sighed heavily and relaxed in your arms. “Honey?”

“Stop talking and go to sleep.” Buggy replied wearily. “Please, it’s late.”

Oh, he said please to you, that meant something. You knew when to stop, and if he was using words like that it meant you had to back off, so you did. You kissed his cheek again and pulled the covers around the two of you tightly.

“I love you so much, Captain.” You whispered in his ear. “You’re the fiercest pirate on the seas, and no one ever stands a chance against the future King of the Pirates.”

That did the trick. He rolled over and wrapped himself around you, head tucked under your chin as he took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as you ran your fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead. You’d have to try and ask him again tomorrow. Maybe you could get him and the kid to interact without insults and threats.

Kid Buggy, however, had stirred and woken up at that moment, hearing you say the words ‘Captain’ and ‘King of the Pirates’. Now he was more confused than ever.

~

You were the first one awake, which wasn’t a surprise, but what was a surprise was you were surrounded on both sides. Your husband was clinging to you like a damn octopus, arms and legs wrapped around you with his head resting against your chest. The kid was curled up beside you and your arm was holding him against your side. Did he move in his sleep or did you? It was hard to tell but you didn’t think too long at that moment. You needed to get up and start breakfast.

Not to mention they were both snoring. The kid at least was nowhere near your ear, but your husband moved in his sleep and suddenly he was snoring right in your ear. Okay, that was enough. You suddenly sat up, jostling them both awake, and their matching sleepy expressions were quite adorable.

“Good morning!” You giggled, leaning over to kiss your husband on the cheek before turning to give Kid Buggy a kiss on the forehead. You pretended not to notice the smug look on your husband’s face at being the first to get attention, but you figured the kid wouldn’t care. “I’m going to get breakfast started, okay? Both of you get dressed and come find me in a bit.”

You got up before either could respond, throwing on your clothes for the day and hurrying out the door. Hopefully your husband wouldn’t throw the kid overboard again but you knew not to hold your breath. Maybe they could have a bonding moment, or Buggy could talk to his kid self or vice versa, who knew, but you wanted your husband to be honest about why this was so upsetting and stressful for him.

They finally joined you fifteen minutes later. Kid Buggy’s clothes were finally dry, so he put those back on. Your husband had his jacket and hat on, looking every bit the dashing and handsome captain that he is. You brought him a cup of coffee and kissed his cheek, complimenting on how handsome he looked this morning. He leaned back in his seat with a smirk; the kid just looked between the two of you.

“So… do I become a captain?” He asked; you both turned to look at him. “I heard you talking last night.”

“Oh!” You poured him a cup of juice and brought it over to him, giving your husband a look that said please please be quiet and don’t interrupt let me just explain something to the kid. “Um, yes. You become a captain with your own crew and everything!”

His eyes widened and he looked at Buggy. Your husband was watching you carefully, but he said nothing. The kid actually looked impressed by that. “Is this my ship?”

“My ship.” Buggy told him, narrowing his eyes. “I worked hard to get where I am.”

“But if I’m you then it’s also my ship.” The kid said with a smug look, crossing his arms as he looked back at the captain. You chuckled softly as you served them both breakfast; eggs, toast, and potatoes. The two Buggys locked eyes for a moment before both picking up their forks and shoveling food into their mouths. It was quite a sight to see how in sync they were with their movements. You finally sat down with your own plate.

“You have to work hard to get where he is.” You said, pointing from the kid to your husband. “It didn’t happen overnight. It took a lot of work and sacrifice, y’know, usual stuff.” 

“Wow.” Kid Buggy grinned. “Do me and Shanks have the ship together? Is he a part of the crew too? Where’s he at?”

Your husband stopped eating and set the fork down. He pushed back from the table and walked out of the room. It was surprising that he didn’t blow up at the kid, but you were grateful that he didn’t. The kid looked at you with a frown.

“What did I do?”

“Nothing.” You assured him. “We can talk about it later, I promise, but we got chores to do after breakfast.”

[riley-coyotl]

It’s been 5 whole years now since you’ve been gone, Wolf. I still miss you, buddy. So much.

I want to tell you, this year, we got another new puppy. Kelpie is the first puppy we’ve brought home without you here, and that was so hard for me. It still feels wrong to go through life without you here. A new era, almost like another life. I don’t like feeling like you—and that other life—are being left behind. A large part of my heart lives there, and so for time to leave it behind feels like my heart is being forcibly stretched and torn in two. It hurts.

I’m glad you got to meet Juniper, even if it was only for a little bit. I see a lot of you in her, and it brings my heart some comfort to feel that your presence has touched her, that she carries you forward in a way.

And I will say, though you’ve never met, sometimes I catch glimpses of you in Kelpie too. In her particular brand of puppy insanity I sometimes see some of how you were as a puppy. And every so often, I catch you in a hopeful look in her eye as she sits for a treat.

So I just wanted to say thank you, and I love you, and to let you know I still think about you, all the time.

[weeb-polls-with-pip]

Anime Horse Tournament Round 5 Match 2

Propaganda:

Farul -

"Cavendish's noble steed and best friend, following him from his royal life to sailing and being a pirate. Like his owner, he likes roses and tea."

"His master's epithet is (Cavendish) 'of the white horse', so that's how important he is. Also he drinks tea with his master."

Anne -

"Anne is a Kelpie, so idk if she counts, but the design is basically the same as a horse (hope the image link works). One of the protagonists, Senshi, was especially fond of her for their good relationship when he went down to the water level to fish. She kept him company and he formed a bond of friendship. Unfortunately, Anne was at the end of the day still a monster and tried to eat him when she had the chance. I know that sounds fucked up, but what i love about her is that it works as a parallel to real life people treating exotic*/wild animals as pets without any regard for the animal's actual nature, like backyard zoos or that weird trend decades ago of having pet chimps, which often times ended really badly. *(some exotic animals can be kept as pets -such as birds or reptiles - but a lot of people don't offer proper care, it might be more accurate to compare her to a wild animal though)."

[underwaterl]

My Dungeon Meshi Timeline Docs

I spent some ridiculous amount of time re-arranging the series according to the timeline given in World Guide: Adventurer's Bible and this Timeline is the result.

That's actually just the link to part 1/14 of all the docs (cause I put the whole series in, idk why honestly). The contents of each file (they all have table of contents for navigation) are as followed:

Table of Contents

0. [300-500] The Past

World maps Ancient time (Demon's Origin) -500 (Thistle & Delgal in old Merini) 304-500 (Mostly characters' births, from Tansu Floke the oldest to Leed the youngest, and some events like Mithrun's Dungeon, Senshi in the Dungeon, Utaya and the childhood of Marcille, Laios and Falin)

[501-14/3/514] The events before Dungeon Meshi

Marcille and Falin's academy time Izutsumi's childhood Chilchuck's career and marriage life Laios and Falin's arrival at the Island The formation of Laios' party and the way they worked before DM

2. [15-19/3/514] Hotpot - Orcs

16/3 - Falin got eaten, Laios' party went back and met Senshi 17/3 - Met Doni & Fionil 18/3 - Laios got Kensuke 19/3 - Met the Golems & Orcs I put in Senshi's diary and the menu for each day

3. [20-21/3/514] Treasure Bugs & Kabayaki

20/3 - Kabru's group lost to treasure bugs, Laios met Thistle in paintings 21/3 - Laios got parasite, Kabru's group defeated again, got revived and killed the corpse retriever then met and travelled with Shuro's group

4. [22-24/3/514] Grilled Kelpie & Falin's Revival

22/3 - Met Tansu's group 23/3 - Made Frog suits 24/3 - Killed the Red Dragon and revived Falin

5. [24/3-3/4/514] Red Dragon Meal - Faligon

24/3 - Dinner with Dragon's meat 25/3 - Thistle turned Falin into a Chimera, met Leed 26-28/3 - Laios' group nearly starved 29/3 - 2/4 - Marcille got petrified 3/4 - Busy day, Faligon appeared, Laios & Shuro fought, Kabru & everyone returned to the surface and then some

6. [3-5/4/514] The Canaries - Barometz

3/4 - Kabru met the Canaries, chaos in F1, Thistle got injured and Kabru fell down to F6 with Mithrun 4/4 - Laios' group met Izutsumi, Kabru & Mithrun picked up Laios' group's packs, Thistle healed his wound 5/4 - Marcille's nightmare, met Ice Golem, Kabru & Mithrun picked Barometz

7. [6-9/4/514] Falin saving plan - Changlings

6/4 - Went to the Golden Kingdom, Kabru & Mithrun stole Griffin's egg 7/4 - Left the Golden Kingdom, had Griffin soup and stepped into Changlings, Kabru & Mithrun changed races, Thistle extracted Yaad's soul 8/4 - Changed races, got through the door, the Canaries reached Kabru & Mithrun, they all went through the door 9/4 - Laios's group met giant Changling, Kabru & Canaries wandered and defeated Dullahan, Thistle stayed at Golden Kingdom

8. [10-11/4/514] Bicorn - Curry

10/4 - Met Bicorn & Succubi, Laios met Winged Lion in dream 11/4 - Got to Thistle's house, freed the Winged Lion (Thistle & MIthrun noticed), almost died facing Dungeon Rabbit

9. [12-13/4/514] Laios (killing Falin) - Marcille's Dream

12/4 - Made curry for Falin, Thistle got home with Falin, Laios killed her, Thistle called Dragons, Laios managed to subdue him, Thistle got eaten by Winged Lion 13/4 - Another busy day. Met Kabru & Canaries, Marcille became Dungeon Master (Dungeon structure changed)

10. [13-14/4/514] Marcille

13/4 - Falin got frozen, Flamela gave order to find and defeat Laios, they won against the Giant Familiar and reunited with Marcille (negotiation failed) 14/4 - Local Cuisine™, Marcille vs Canaries (& everyone), Laios' group got through to Marcille

11. [15/4/514] Winged Lion - Desire

15/4 - Laios' group got eaten by Winged Lion, the strongest ultimate monster ate Winged Lion (Dungeon collapsed)

12. [16/4/514-etc]

16/4 - Laios became King of Merini, Faligon Feast started, the Golden Kingdom surfaced 24/4 - Faligon Feast ended, revived Falin 27/4 - Falin woke up And all the little stories about the days to come

13. Appendix

The Timeline from World Guide: Adventurer's Bible Birthdays of Characters (sorted by month) Menus of Dungeon Meshi/Senshi's Diary Elves (Marcille, Thistle, Mithrun) & Hair styles (this part is w.i.p, I collected them all but haven't really sorted through)

Some notes:

I put the whole series in (and i feel pretty guilty about it, please support official sources) so you can actually do a reread of Dungeon Meshi in chronological order (I think that's the right word idk)

The translations of the manga and extra material pages are mostly English but the titles, appendix, table of contents and some litlle notes by me are all in Vietnamese (it seems back then I think of only sharing it with VN fandom, and I don't think I would want to translate them to English anytime soon)

The translations are from various sources (official, EHScan, Savaralyn and wibunomanland (Vietnamese), etc...)

There are 14 docs in total (I originally thought there would be like 3 or 4 but putting the whole series in didn't turn out so well)

Beside timeline-ing, I also tried to put the callbacks, flashbacks together whenever they appears

There's multiple little errors now that I look back, but I hope you can work it out with the context (my hyperfixation dwindled I'm sorry)

This thing started simply because I wanted to have just the Kabru Mithrun 6 days adventure right next to Laios's party adventure (visually cause I somehow couldn't really wrap my head around it) and then the timeline that Kui-sensei laid out carefully down to the days and meals that Laios party had in the Dungeon made me really want to put it down somehow, so that happened

And a photo for funsies (do you know that different covers with different fonts can give you more details of the backgrounds, why did Kui have to be so hardcore and do both the characters and the backgrounds anyway, hopefully we get an artbook someday so I can see Mithrun and the Canaries hidden behind Laios' ass in Volume 14's cover).

[kiwicopia]

Synopsis: When getting shipwrecked on a strange, uninhibited island, you start to realize that this lost isle isn't as devoid of life as you thought. Monsters of myth roam the land and surrounding sea, lying in wait for a beauty like you. Will you survive, or will the slightest indulgence of carnal desire be your downfall?

Contents: female reader, yandere characters, monster fucking, blood and gore, slight gaslighting, manipulation, use of creature ability, mate-like mannerisms and intentions, cursing, kidnapping, slight Stockholm syndrome.

Notes: Main parts flow into one another like usual chapters. Part two is basically endgame with that specified character. The reader kind of sleeps her way around the island. Titles suck, but bear with me.

1. The Cat's Meow (Nekomata!Itadori) | Part Two

2. Exquisite Equine (Qilin!Yuta) | Part Two

3. Screams of Satisfaction (Banshee!Inumaki) | Part Two

4. A Little Bit of Mischief (Azeban!Shiu) | Part Two

5. Man's Best Friend (Werewolf!Megumi) | Part Two

6. Fiendish Fantasies (Ghoul!Mahito) | Part Two

7. The Sweetest Melody (Adarna Bird!Gojo) | Part Two

8. Dark Luck (Black Stag!Geto) | Part Two

9. Shiny Little Trinkets (Dragon!Nanami) | Part Two

10. Sinister Stallion (Kelpie!Choso) | Part Two

11. Sinful Succulence (Naga!Higuruma) | Part Two

12. Grizzly Encounters (Werebear!Toji) | Part Two

13. Water Panther (Mishipeshu!Ino) | Part Two

14. Maze of Madness (Minotaur!Hakari) | Part Two

15. A Chance with God (Oni!Trueform!Sukuna) | Part Two

♥️ Divider by benkeibear ♥️

[kelpietheshifter]

I love my zombie apocalypse dr. Like yes there are zombies and it is dangerous but I’m also just a silly cowgirl with her nerdy brown haired almost boyfriend who loves her more than anything else in the world.

[enoughyi]

#34: Counting Days - 5

Ship: Imelda x Julia x Poppy

Rating: M

Three days before Julia's birthday.

Imelda struggled to remember an event, a night, any thing that could be special enough. Twenty seven years placed quite a high bar for the gift expectation, but what could Julia potentially want or mark as a special kept eluding Imelda.

Two days before birthday.

Julia didn't like beast-gifting unless a graphorn would flood a beach with small barnacles with round golden horns. She wouldn't accept fabrics unless Imelda was ready to spend everything she could on Julia's favourite italians half of whom were aware of Imelda's family remaining business; not a problem at all, except Julia always insisted on keeping any connections as far from their life, the private bedroom life, as was possible. Any things as in, material goods, were only as good as they could give—even magical ones.

Last year Imelda gifted her a free broom riding season in Kent. They rode in Dorset this year. That could be arranged, and Imelda did—to have an emergency back-up although Julia wouldn't think it's merely enough.

Each year rose thr bar.

Each year Imelda would reach it.

Each year Poppy managed to seemingly outrun her from the start line in a second.

Imelda would've loved to understand, how.

One day before birthday.

Tongue sat deep within Julia's clenching pussy while she moaned and shifted her back as Poppy was kissing her relentlessly and played with her upper body.

Could she want a set of new ropes? A spellbook of binding spells, any pleasure spells, or maybe a collection of snarky and salacious articles about unluckky wizards and witches burnt to charcoal in their bedrooms after an attempt to play with fire or ice? Julia was morbidly curious and she did enjoy being flatted on the bed only to be helpless and immobilised as her desire would be taken care of—but not on the pace she'd liked or preferred.

Yet, when Imelda did gift her a book like this, it was opened and read months after Julia's twenty fourth birthday.

Maybe she didn't like her wicked fantasies as much as she let out.

Poppy brushed her clit with a thumb. Its slick was stuck to Imelda's nose. Poppy couldn't remove it without smearing it around. She apologised and continued her little tease.

Julia was far from being close. Aroused, engorged and besoften, deliciously wet and warm, but only enjoying her tied-up debauchery. She knew her struggles were a delight to feel and see. Anyway.

A good birthday sex was the perfect gift years ago. She'd be happy kept on edge for a day the next day, besides she felt dreamy about a thing she called a happy-knot, but she had recently started falling asleep mid-sex. She'd not endure anything too intense or long unprompted which would be… It was too late to say to her she's not leaving the bed tomorrow, literally.

Birthday.

An invite to Kent's races. An enchanted painting of baby graphorns and kelpies from a local Orkney artist. Salacious books already hidden in her study. Few ropes, of cotton, in case she'd like to try something disposably new or use them whichever way she'd like. Aside from lisping after yesterday, Imda was ready to pleasure her again. In the kitchen, abuzz with talks since morning as abuela and another old lady were there and arguing about vegetables, Imelda stores another set of little gifts: sterling measuring spoons, potions glasses, seeds. Tiny little things a potions master would appreciate.

If Sharp said as much, then it was true.

He also mentioned he had no idea what to give her since she already had robbed him off his own library, notes, had access to the Office's old records, Hogwarts Library pass, friends made in the field—so he hoped she'd appreciate a few scrolls of Daily Prophet and Potions To Date columns bound into a continious text of a lengthy potions's related discussions. He'd also gift her a bottle of jenever if only he didn't know she wasn't keen on drinking.

His uncertainty felt awfully familiar.

Their conversation was stuck to Imelda's ears.

"That what was I thinking so—"

"You didn't have to, you're aware of that."

"Gift-giving is a custom."

"Remaining alive and well is quite enough for me."

It must had been a talk she wasn't supposed to hear. But she caught herself thinking she'd not know how to react either.

She hoped Julia will accept everything and a delivery paper for her new set of fabrics to play with. Apparently, abuela had a chance to meet her italian ladies because of that proposal. Ultimately, a win-win, no?

Upon seeing the gifts, Julia said nothing.

Crushed in her arms, yelped vulpinely, tickled the neck with her little nuzzle, dry-kissed it shortly after, and refused to explain what was so funny, cute or which one she liked most—or was it all because the bar had been reached?

Poppy noted, "And I though I killed her with a letter from the glass factory in Venice. What did you gift?"

"Uhhh. Everyfing at onfe? She'f ekftatic."

Julia said, she was just happy that Imelda didn't place the books anywhere where the guests could notice them. They were muggle erotica after all.

"And?" Imelda asked. Poppy was as eager to hear anything in return, too.

"What did I give to deserve life-keepers like you two, neither of you had to!"

"Whats tho you mean?"

"Just finding time to announce you're still around is fine by me. You're all living. We're all quite happy. Isn't that a gift of its own?"

Bitch.

Poppy teared up and crushed in tp their embrace to mesh their bones, no less.

[snootlestheangel]

Name the five things you’d take with you during a zombie apocalypse.

If you were to become a mythical/cryptid creature, which would you become?

What Icecream flavor best describes your life?

What is a movie you have to watch alone?

What is a song you’d include on your life’s soundtrack?

What is your favorite sleep position?

Name the five things you’d take with you during a zombie apocalypse.

1. My shotgun i got for my 18th birthday

2. My rosary

3. Odysseus (he's stuck with me whether he likes it or not)

4. My big backpack

5. Headlamp

If you were to become a mythical/cryptid creature, which would you become?

I would want to be some type of horse like creature. Unicorn, Pegasus, fuck it even a kelpie. I just want to be magical horse

What Icecream flavor best describes your life?

Rocky Road

What is a movie you have to watch alone?

Probably The Last Unicorn should I choose to watch it again. It freaks my family out for some reason

What is a song you’d include on your life’s soundtrack?

Crushed by Imagine Dragons

What is your favorite sleep position?

T-rexed up with my hands, usually with a stuffed animal, on my side, my legs all scrunched up.

[headmate-ideas]

would you do a small subsystem of 5? if not just ignore lol

basically just a subsystem based around water experiences and kelpies (mythology, not the dog... though you could combine lol)

at least someone to aid with showers please!

< Mod Vyvian > Hello! This request would cost $13 if you commissioned it on my Ko-Fi. (Please check the "about" page on my blog for more information.) I only take subsystem requests for payment, as they are remarkably time-consuming compared to other requests.

Additionally, I would require you to give me a little bit of information about your life, hobbies, and responsibilities, so I would know what the subsystem would be interacting with on a daily basis.

I would also require this request to either be made non-anonymously, or for you to DM me after making it so that I could contact you if I had further concerns. (This would be possible through my Ko-Fi.)

If all of these conditions sound agreeable, I would be happy to accept an elaborated version of this request as a Ko-Fi commission!

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 3/5

Book Blurb:

Set in a magical zoo teeming with mythical beasts from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens, The Phoenix Keeper is a fierce joy of a cozy fantasy novel with a soul-restoring queer romance at its heart, for fans ofThe House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends and Lattes.

As head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures, Aila's childhood dream of conserving critically endangered firebirds seems closer than ever. There's just one glaring caveat: her zoo's breeding program hasn't functioned for a decade. When a tragic phoenix heist sabotages the flagship initiative at a neighboring zoo, Aila must prove her derelict facilities are fit to take the reins.

But saving an entire species from extinction requires more than stellar animal handling skills. Carnivorous water horses, tempestuous thunderhawks, mischievous dragons... Aila has no problem wrangling beasts. But mustering the courage to ask for help from the hotshot griffin keeper at the zoo's most popular exhibit? Virtually impossible.

Especially when that hotshot griffin keeper happens to be her arch-rival from college: Luciana, an annoyingly brooding and insufferable know-it-all with the face of a goddess who's convinced that Aila's beloved phoenix would serve their cause better as an active performer rather than as a passive conservation exhibit. With the world watching and the threat of poachers looming, Aila's success is no longer merely a matter of keeping her job...

She is the keeper of the phoenix, and the future of a species– and her love life– now rests on her shoulders. 

Review:

A cozy sapphic fantasy romance about a phoenix keeper and her archnemesis, the griffin keeper who have to work together to save their zoo. Aila is the head phoenix keeper at a world-renowned zoo for magical creatures. She is determined to make the phoenix a success and to get her zoo's breeding program up and starting again. But when a phoenix heist sabotages the chance for a neighboring zoo to partake in the breeding program, Aila is determined to do whatever it takes to make it work.... but thatn means turning to hthe one person she doesn't want to for help, the hotshot griffin keeper and arch-rival from college, Luciana. Aila and Luciana have a history and just can't seem to cooperate with one another. Yet Luciana is the one person that would be able to help Aila. Aila has to overcome her anxieties and insecurities while dealing with her feelings for Luciana and the poachers who are coming after her phoenixes. This was a really cozy read and definitely felt a bit dragged on. I felt like the book could have been cut down a bit more and it would have been great. I liked the zoo atmosphere and the magical creatures were great. I just felt like the romance and plot were kind of buried underneath all the cozy vibes. It's not a bad book at all, but it's just a really okay book. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants a cozy queer slow romance.

Release Date: August 13,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Orbit Books | Orbit for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[rorywritesjunk]

No longer locked upon the land but free on the rolling waves

You and Buggy come face to face with himself from the past, and while you're fully accepting that this is your husband as a child, Buggy doesn't want to accept it.

Rating: PG-13ish, but just due to some swearing.

Warning: Upset kid, upset husband. Reader is way too nice, doesn't necessarily take husband's feelings into account as well.

A/N: A combined request. I did a few versions of this story before feeling like it hit the marks I was wanting to hit. Also, I'm just trying to vibe off what I've seen of Kid Buggy. I'm no expert. I'd protect that kid with my life. He's so adorable. I also like the trope of "Meeting your self from another time" and "gets turned back into kid-self". This is the former, and I know shit about time travel but I just kind of made something up. Also, kelpies. Are they in One Piece? I honestly don't know but I love kelpies and needed an excuse to mention them.

Title comes from "Sailing Song" by S.J. Tucker.

Chapter 1 + Chapter 2 + Chapter 3 + Chapter 4 + Chapter 5 + Chapter 6/Epilogue

Chapter One

You would have thought you drank the pub dry the night before and were still drunk with what you were seeing in front of you. Except you very much didn’t drink. You stayed back on the ship, wanting a quiet night while the rest of the crew and captain went to drink the pub dry. You were perfectly sober, no hangover in sight, but you really weren’t sure what you were staring at.

Blue hair, red nose, and a scowl you knew all too well was in front of you, clutching something in his little hands while looking you up and down. “What?!”

“I… don’t know.” Which was true, you didn’t know. The kid in front of you looked every bit like the captain who was currently sleeping back on the ship, having managed to find his way home without falling off the docks and into the water to drown(this time). He never mentioned having a kid, ever, and considering how long you knew the captain and your relationship with him, and guessing the kid’s age, you would have been having a very serious talk about infidelity and why keeping your love child a secret? Seriously? wasn’t good for relationships. 

“Why are you staring at me?!” The kid snapped. “Don’t stare at me!”

“Sorry!” You smiled and knelt down in front of him. “You just look so much like someone I know, I was confused. I promise I wasn’t staring.”

The kid was on guard, tense, and looked ready to bolt, but you were curious. He just looked so much like Buggy that he had to be an offspring or some kind of relative, but the scary thing to you was how much he really looked like Buggy; he had kept some photos of his childhood onboard the Oro Jackson, and you knew what he looked like as a kid. He would show them to you on nights when he was drunk and reminiscing about the good ol’ days, singing shanties and drinking heavily. Last night was one of those nights before he passed out asleep in bed. 

“What’s your name?” You finally asked. The kid didn’t seem sure about telling you, but he must have felt brave because he straightened up and smirked at you.

“I’m Buggy!” He told you, puffing his chest out proudly. “I’m an apprentice under Captain Roger, y’know, and I’m one of the best already!”

Oh.

Oh shit.

Yea, no, something weird was going on. Why was there a kid who looked like Buggy, had the same name, and was talking about Captain Roger like he was still alive? Was this an elaborate make believe game the kid was playing, or were you staring into the eyes of your husband’s childhood self?

Weirdly enough, the latter made more sense to you. You heard of this happening, stories from sailors and pirates alike, but the stories were overheard at the bar after too much alcohol was consumed. Stories of children appearing for several days on a ship, like ghosts from a distant past, only to disappear again without a trace, but sometimes it happened the other way around, with the storytellers insisting that they met themselves as a child in the past, got to relive some memories, good and bad, before coming home again. 

“Yea?” You grinned. “That’s impressive, so where’s your crew? Your ship?”

The smirk vanished and he deflated a bit, looking around with the smallest bit of worry. “I don’t know. I was in front of them and there was some kind of flash of light, and… I don’t know where I am.”

“Oh, well, want me to help you look for them?” You asked, knowing all too well that his crew was nowhere around, he was not where he thought he was, but you didn’t want him getting into any trouble (which you knew was difficult because as an adult he managed to get himself into enough trouble). “If we don’t find them, you can stay with me. I’ll keep you safe.”

“I-I don’t need to be kept safe!” He snapped. “I’m tough, okay? I can take care of myself!” 

You made sure not to laugh, but it was hard not too. He was so cute as a kid that saying those things with such passion and intensity just made him even more adorable. Instead, you nodded, agreeing with him as you held your hand out to him to take.

“Well, how about something to eat? I’m just finishing up a supply run for my ship.” You said. “I’m happy to make you something before we find your crew.”

He looked at your hand, looked at you, then back at your hand before hesitantly taking it. Whatever he held in his hand he put in his pocket, making you wonder what he stole before coming here. You decided not to test the waters yet, he was feisty, proud, and if you treated him like a kid then he wouldn’t be very happy. You needed to treat him like the apprentice that he is, proud, determined, and passionate. Once his hand was in yours, you gave it a gentle squeeze and smiled at him as you started walking back to the docks.

“I have fresh apples and peanut butter, if you’d like that as a snack.” You said, eyeing him with a grin as his face lit up. That was the same snack you’d promise the captain whenever you wanted something from him. It wasn’t fancy by any means, just a simple snack, but you kept the peanut butter hidden from him so he never knew where to find it. The way the kid’s face lit up told you all you needed to know that this really was Buggy as a kid.

Oh, it was about to get fun on the ship.

~

“-and then I stole it!” Buggy exclaimed with a laugh, holding up the pendant for you to see. He had just finished telling you of his latest act of piracy, stealing some necklace from a vendor on the streets. You had fed him, given him something to drink, and you couldn’t help but walk over to him once he finished talking to wipe some of the food off his face with a dish towel. He was caught off guard and made a face at you when you did that.

“Pirates with food on their face scare no one.” You chuckled as you slung the towel over your shoulder before clearing the dishes in front of him. “And then what happened, Buggy?”

He fell silent, brow furrowed as he thought of your question. What did happen? He took off running, met up with the crew, and then a flash of light and he bumped into you-

“Buggy?” You tapped on the table in front of him, bringing him out of his thoughts. “You okay, sweetie?”

“Yea, yea.” He mumbled as he looked down at the pendant in his hand. “Next thing that happened was I ran into you.”

He quite literally did. You had just stepped out of a shop when he walked right into you, and you had been in shock of seeing him that you weren't bothered that a kid was yelling at you about being in the way.

“Oh!” You nodded and went to refill his glass. “Well, you can stay with me until we find your crew, okay?”

“Are you a pirate?” He asked. “I'm on a pirate ship, but you don't seem like a pirate.”

You laughed softly at that, shaking your head. “I'm not, no. I don't do piracy, just help with the upkeep of the ship. My husband, however, is a pirate.”

“What?!” 

“Yea, he-”

“It's too loud in here.” Someone grumbled from the doorway. You both turned to look; the kid’s eyes widened and you grinned. And there he was, groggy, a little hungover, and obviously needing food and coffee if he was going to start the day. You went over to him and led him to the table, helping him sit down before you started on the coffee. “Time?”

“Lunch time.” You chuckled. “That's what time it is, honey.”

He glared at you, oblivious to the guest that was staring at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. Buggy was a little hungover, having had his fair share of alcohol the night before. Normally you had the coffee ready for him before he woke up, so he was confused and unhappy that it wasn't readily available for him at that moment.

“It's too early.” He grumbled, rubbing his eyes. “What's for lunch?”

“Wake up first.” You brought him a cup and kissed the top of his head. “But I need you to look across the table before you drink that coffee, honey.”

Buggy looked up at you, eyes squinting in confusion. You took hold of his head and turned it in the direction you wanted him to look, and a few seconds later he pushed back from the table while you still held his head. Swearing, you popped it back onto his neck.

“W-What is going on?” He shrieked upon seeing the kid. Thankfully Kid Buggy remained seated, but you could see the confused look on his face. The two were staring at each other, mirror images except for the age difference. Before you could explain, your husband got up, marched over to the kid, and picked him up by the back of the shirt, carrying him out of the kitchen.

“Buggy-” You went after him, not sure what was happening.

“Hey! Put me down!” The kid shrieked, fists swinging and legs kicking. 

Buggy didn't respond and before you could stop him, he tossed the kid over the side of the ship and into the water. You couldn't believe he did that. You rushed to the side to look over, relieved you saw the kid treading water. So this was definitely a young Buggy, pre-Devil Fruit, otherwise you would have thrown your husband overboard after the kid. You threw a rope down to him while your husband went back to the kitchen, rambling on about curses and bad omens. 

You wanted to know what the hell that was about.

~

“I’m fine!” The kid insisted as you wrapped his hair up in a towel. His clothes were soaked and you did not have anything that would fit him, so he was currently wearing an old shirt of Buggy’s until his clothes dried. They were draped over a chair in the bedroom, the pendant he stole earlier sitting on your shared dressing table. 

“I don’t need you getting sick, sweetie.” You sighed as you used another towel to make sure his face was clean. You were mindful of the nose, touching the towel to his face except there. “I’m sorry he did that.”

“Why did he do that?” He grumbled as he crossed his arms, glaring up at you.

“Because pirates are superstitious fools.” You told him. “And… seeing you scared him I guess. I don’t know, I’m going to talk to him.” Carefully, you unwrapped his hair, making note that he needed to have it brushed to keep from tangling too much. You got up and set the towels aside before grabbing your hairbrush. “Buggy, I’m going to tell you something and I don’t want you to get scared, okay?”

“I don’t get scared!” He insisted. “Not like that guy! I’m braver than him!”

“Okay, here’s the thing about my husband-”

“Don’t tell him anything!” Your husband suddenly appeared in the doorway, glaring at the two of you. “Where did you find him? Who is he?!”

You weren’t bothered by his mood, but you wanted to make sure the kid felt safe. Without a word you moved between the two, keeping Kid Buggy behind you as you crossed your arms.

“We ran into each other, Buggy.” You told him firmly. “He got separated from his crew.”

“Crew?!” Buggy shook his head. “No, get him off this ship. He could be… a kelpie or something. Get him out of here!”

“He’s not a kelpie.” You sighed. 

“You don’t know that!”

Rolling your eyes you looked down at the kid. He had grabbed hold of your pant leg, gripping it tightly as he stared at the man in the doorway. This was a lot for both of them but you needed the captain to calm down. You knelt down and touched the kid’s bare toes. He took a step back and gave you a weird look.

“Human toes, no hooves.” You pointed out. “He also mentioned the Oro Jackson and being an apprentice…” You looked back at your husband. He paled and shook his head. This was too much. This was not him, this had to be some form of trickery, or a shapeshifter. “Besides, I’ve spent enough time with my husband to know when I’m with him as a child.”

Kid Buggy’s eyes widened, looking between you and Adult Buggy. Child? Was… this supposed to be him in the future? As an adult? His jaw dropped, he couldn’t believe it. You smiled at the expression on his face, pleased the kid was in awe of this.

“I turn out to be a drunk loser?!” The kid shrieked. “Why?!”

Okay, that was not what you expected. You slapped your hand to your face while your husband looked ready to throw the kid overboard once again. Kid Buggy just shook his head, not believing this. Was this an alternate reality of some kind? He wouldn’t be like this. Was this guy even a pirate? He didn’t seem like it from the little bit the kid had seen already. He was not impressed in the slightest.

“I want him gone.” Buggy snapped. “No kelpie or bad omen crap is allowed on this ship!”

He stormed off after that.