#last time I put way too much time into ME was a billion years ago

[guardevoir]

100 days of art, 74/100 - yknow, the most annoying part about this challenge is having to keep track of the goddamn numbers.

Anyway, Mordin Solus! Mostly because that's the first non-turian in my screenshot folder, but I also just like him.

Also, I guess I'd never drawn a Salarian before.

[adams-angels]

Hello dear writer! Whenever you have time would you consider doing a fluff and maybe smut piece about how Adam would be on a restaurant date? I’m so curious how he would act since they didn’t have dates when he was alive a trillion billion million years ago.

And Valentine’s Day has me way up in the feels 🥹

Thank you bebe 🩵

A bit late for Valentine's day but better late than never babes 😎 this was longer than I was expecting 🫢

💖 Please send me requests! Send me your own headcanons! I will draw! I'm obsessed rn!💖

Valentines

It's been a while since Adams been on a "date" if you could even call it that. The last "date" he had was with Eve in the Garden of Eden. So... Yeah. A while might be an understatement. He also hated the day. Like many holidays. Why should SaInT vAlEnTiNe get a whole holiday after him?! Adam is the ORIGINAL dick. If anything there should be a holiday celebrated for HIM. But, whatever. You were into it. And he was into you.

He was so nervous when he asked you out for Valentine's day. He waited until last minute before finally getting the courage to ask. Ten o'clock at night he frantically knocked at your door. You hurried to answer, the panic filled your body at the knocking. It was desperate, like someone needed help. When you opened the door and saw a panting Adam you were confused. Was he hurt? Before you could say anything he put his hand up to your face signaling you to not speak as he caught his breath. It was odd why he was out of breath. He flies everywhere. Did he run? "Be- huff- will you- jesus, fuck- pant-" his hand were on his knees as he choked on his breath. "Ada-" hand in your face. Rude. He straightened himself out, at least as much as he could in the small apartment hallway. The apartment was made for smaller Winners not 8 foot Giants like Adam. "Be my Valentine?" He panted out. Of course you said yes! What can you say? You've been crushing on him for, like, ever! You never picked up that he likes you back. Even though he was never subtle. "Cool- pant- text you the deetz." He shot you some finger guns before leaving.

So now it's Valentine's day! 💘 Cupid's shot his arrow and hit you. You're feeling fun, flirty, and feisty. You put on your cutest outfit and checked yourself in the mirror. Is cute what you're going for? It's your first date. But it is Valentine's day. You don't wanna be prudish. You change into something a bit more revealing and again checked yourself. This might be a bit too sexy.. slutty even! You don't want to give the impression that you put out of the first day! Even if you do. No. This needs to be perfect. You think to yourself... "I bet Adam isn't having this much trouble."

You weren't wrong. Adam was much more relaxed. Too relaxed. Why would he be nervous? He's the man. In fact he was out right now looking at new guitars. When he left the store he saw Valentine, surrounded by his Cupid's. "Augh." Adam grunted, not wanting to interact with the Saint. "Adam!" Shit. "A little birdy told me you've got a Valentine's this year. It's been what? Centuries?" Valentine laughed. Adam rolled his eyes, then glared at him. "Yeah? So what? I figured it's a good way to get free pussy." Adam shrugged as a cocky grin formed on his face. The Cupid angels surrounding Saint Valentine cringed. "Oh, Adam. Come now! This is a holiday of love and romance. Not cheap pickups!" The man placed a hand on Adam shoulder which he immediately shrugged off. "So, are you going anywhere special? Have you bought the lucky angel flowers? Chocolates? A gift of adoration?" "Uh.. what?" "You haven't bought them anything have you?" The man laughed, putting his hand on Adams shoulder again pulling Adam closer. "Good luck getting fucked, playboy." He hissed with a wicked smirk. Valentine released Adams shoulder laughing. "Happy Valentine's days!" He said before flying away with his cupids. "Motherfucker!" Adam's flew off to the nearest store to get you some flowers.

When he arrived the flower section was bare. Maybe one half dead rose. "What the hell?" He flew all over the store looking for anything Valentines related. "No, no, no!" He stopped in one of the aisles before finding worker. "Hey! Where the fuck is the stuff?" "S-stuff, sir?" Adam gestures around the store. "You know! The fucking Valentines shit! Where is it?!" The poor retail worker fretted telling him there was nothing left. "V-valentines day is o-one of the most popular days of the year sir... There's nothing left.." "NOTHING LEFT?!?!" Adam yelled. His voice booming around the store causing shelfs to shake knocking almost everything off. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN NOTHING LEFT?! I NEED SOMETHING FOR TONIGHT!!!" "I - I'm sorry, sir!" The poor angels voice shuddered. Adam groaned, balling his hands into fists. He was about to leave before he noticed a bottle of soda that hadn't fallen. He pushed it off the shelf for good measure before storming out of the store.

He wasn't going to spend all day looking for shit of this shitty holiday. He hated it. This was dumb! He's gift enough. Still, he takes his phone and texts Lute

"URGENT! flowers! Plz get 4 me thx dngrtits"

That'll do. He heads home to get ready for your date.

～⁠♡✧⁠｡ I really hope you enjoyed! I'm not a writer by any means but I appreciate any support I receive so thank you for reading! ｡✧⁠♡～⁠

The time comes and Adam is waiting outside of your apartment building, he's not walking up all those stairs again. He was feeling cool. Calm. Collected. Until he saw you. His hands started getting clammy, his heat racing. You look so pretty. You of course found the prefect in-between of cute and sexy for your outfit. "Heeey, you could of made an effort." He joked. You frowned. You thought you did well. He clears his throat. "Let's go." He wiped his hands on his robe before taking flight with you following after.

You both arrived at the restaurant. Neither of you stop on the way. It was awkward. He walked in first, he didn't hold the door open for you. Rude. Once inside you noticed the restaurant was jam packed. Adam also noticed this and froze. "Good thing you booked, right?" You said, playfully, hoping to break some tension. "Uh... Yeah... Wait here, surgartits." He walked over to the host. "I need a table for two." The host scoffed. "Yeah, sure. We've got one available tomorrow." Adam was fuming. This was all going wrong. This can't go wrong. "Do you fucking know who I am?!" He raised his voice. "I'm fucking ADAM! I'm the fucking man! And I want a damn table!" You walk over. "Adam?" "What, bitch!? Fuck! Can't you see I'm busy?! I'm getting us a table!" He yelled at you. No. Nope. You're too good to be yelled at. This was meant to be fun. Fuck this. You put your hands in the air. "Nope. I'm out." You turn on your heels and exit the restaurant. "Wait- no, y/n." He looks as you exit then back at the host. "I'll ruin your fucking life, cunt." He hissed before flying out of the restaurant.

He looks around and you were no where to be seen. "Fast fucker. AUGH!!!" He stomped his foot covering his face with his hands. If he wasn't wearing his mask he'd be pulling his hair.

You got yourself home. Fucking shit day. Dumb idea. You don't even know why he asked you. The whole thing was dumb. Everything about it was dumb. You collapse onto the couch, sulking. It doesn't take long before there's a knock at the door. Adam you suspect. You roll your eyes before peeling yourself off the couch. Opening the door you see Lute. Huh. "Uh.. hi?" "Adam requests your presents. Put on this blind fold." She hands you a blindfold. "What?" She didn't repeat herself. She never does. You groan, knowing she won't leave until you do it so whatever. You put the blindfold on and lute takes your wrist and flies off with you ragdolling.

Once your feet touch the ground she lets go of your wrist. Leaving you there blindfolded. "Uh.. you can take that off now." You do, to see a candle lit picnic layed out. It was adorable, there were fairy lights on the trees. Adam stood there, awkwardly, with a bunch of your favourite flowers. How did he know? Lute. "Uh. Surprise.." he handed you the flowers. "Sorry, about the restaurant. Fucking idiots double booked or something.. I don't know." He shrugged. You know it wasn't true. He didn't book, you know that. But you smiled. "Thank you, Adam. This is much nicer." He smiled and stretched. "Well, what can I say? I know what I'm doing."

You sat on the blanket, Adam did also and popped open a bottle of champagne. "I got the good stuff." You smile at the gesture although you always thought champagne tasted disgusting. He got all the good stuff, strawberries and chocolates. Cheese board. Cute little cakes. "This is all very well thought out. How did you get this so quickly?" You asked. He shrugged with a smirk. "I'm just that good, babe." Lute. This was more his style anyway. Outside, under the stars. It reminded him of the Garden.

"so, this was fun." He rubbed the palm of his hands on his knees. "I'd much rather not do this Valentine's bullshit though. Maybe next time we can just... Do it whenever?" "I'd like that. Although, this Valentine's day has turned out pretty perfect." You smile. "Well. I am perfect so." He smirks at you. You don't want to stroke his ego anymore than you already have. You roll your eyes before quickly giving him a peck on the lips. "you're alright, I suppose." You took his sweaty hand in yours and led down, he followed. You both watched the stars in silence. He'd gently squeeze your hand every now and then, you'd squeeze back.

"Happy valentine's, Y/N."

"Happy valentine's, Adam."

[theorphicangel]

how the jjk men react to you wiping off their germs after sharing a drink / food

notes: fluff, crack, gn!reader

part one: gojo satoru

it was a quiet morning.

too quiet.

you awoke alone in your bed, the other side of your bed left cold and empty. you try not to give it too much thought, maybe satoru was out on a mission — called out early for an emergency.

with a sigh, you begin your routine. again, it’s quiet without your partner by your side.

it’s quiet as you brush your teeth and it’s lonely when you shower, it’s quiet as you step into the kitchen — not feeling a body hug you from behind as you make your morning coffee. it’s quiet as you sip on your cup at the counter, reflecting on your tasks which you need to do today.

up until, you hear a key turn through the lock of your front door. it closes with a slam and after the sounds of shoes scuffling, your white haired lover steps through, being able to find you immediately.

“good morning, gorgeous!” he strolls over, with a smile and places a kiss on the top of your head. in his hand is a drink from your local coffee shop just less than five minutes away.

“you sleep well without me? I was called away last minute, it couldn’t be helped but I was as fast as I could.”

“s’fine, honey, I slept well.”

“not too well without me?”

“oh god, of course not.” you play along.

“well, I was walking by that local coffee shop you like and I could not help but notice a poster for their double pumped caramel frappe with whipped cream and fudge sauce and…”

“satoru.” you warn.

“I’ve been working so hard lately and I just needed a treat and…”

you stare him down with judgemental eyes. it wasn’t that long ago where you had to set up an intervention to get Satoru to limit his sweet tooth addiction.

“baby, just try it trust me! I promise you, it’s worth it!”

you let out a sigh as satoru’s drink is shoved in your hand. yet before you take a sip, you switch the sides of the paper straw to avoid sipping from the same side as Satoru.

as you take your sip, the sweetness hitting your tastebuds, satoru gives you a side eye.

with an innocent smile, you question him.

“what?”

“why did you do that?”

“do what?”

“why did you flip the straw?”

“because I don’t want your germs”

satoru says your name slowly, giving you a look which silently says ‘please be so fucking for real’.

“what?”

“please just say what you just said to me again.”

“I said I don’t want your germs.”

“wow.” satoru claps slowly, creating an echo in the kitchen. “wow, wow, wow.”

“can you stop saying—“

“after a 3 year relationship with you, now you’re saying you don’t want MY germs.”

“yeah, what’s wrong with it ?” you play your oblivious role perfectly, tilting your head to the side.

satoru stutters, waving his hands around aimlessly, “wh- what’s wrong? baby…we’ve kissed…multiple times….possibly thousands and millions and billions—“

“okay, that’s a stretch.”

“but the point is that we have exchanged germs multiple times without much concern, what’s changed now?”

you shrug. “ I dunno…”

“because if you don’t want to catch my germs then maybe no kisses for you…”

“I never said—“

“I mean that’s what you implied right? you don’t ever want my lips to touch yours?”

“satoru—“

“I guess these will be the last kisses I ever give you.” he states before approaching you and attacking you with kisses on your face, in the most loving way possible.

kiss — “I’ll miss this,” — kiss — “this is the last — kiss — “time that i will ever” — kiss “get to put my lips on you — kiss — “this is the equivalent to stabbing me through my heart by the way and stepping on me thousands of times—“

“okay, okay I get it!” you giggle, “it was a prank.”

satoru lets out a huff, pulling away from you and taking the drink out of your hands. he leaves you be, allowing you to recollect from his attack.

“good, because I’m not sharing my drink with you again.”

“hey!”

“talk to me when you feel like sharing germs again.”

[okartichoke]

Psst.... *slides this across table to you*

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61743991

[note from future me: HEY EVERYONE GO READ THIS FIC !!! :DDD]

I LITERALLY SQUEALLED WHEN I SAW THIS ASK YESTERDAY AND THEN HAVENT BEEN ALONE WITH FREE TIME UNTIL RIGHT NOW BUT OMG AM I EXCITED ! you're getting my live reactions now YIPPEE !!!

"In the laughing rivulets that filled his chest, it whispered maybe." I LOVE this sentence. This whole section is so vivid and MMMMMM

"He felt, and felt, and felt and there was barely even Phoenix anymore, just a haunted angry thing choking on feelings and moving on instinct." This quote isn't even half a page down from the last but there's genuinely already like a billion lines like this that are just spectacular; that with so few words move me so deeply

"She knelt beside the threadbare couch and took his hand, and begged him to get up. Said she’d be a better daughter... " OFIEJOIJWEFOEWA AND THAT'S NOT TO EVEN MENTION THE THE NEXT PARAGRAPH WITH TRUCY which actually made my eyes prick with tears

I really like the way you write Larry btw ! [edit from 30 minutes later me: i like how u write everyone actually x3,, fran and miles get special shoutouts too]

"—A voice in his dreams, it sounded like Mia" OFJEWOIAJFEOIFJDLFJOSJFELS

GUMSHOE IN A KNIT SCARF EEEEEKSKSSS SO CUTE

the little bit with everyone saying bye got me to chuckle xDD

OKAY CHAPTER 1 DONE!!!! CRYPTID.. CRYPTIID..... OMG... i knew this was going to be a good read but AHHH i loved it sm x333 you're dialogue is so fun. like the conversations feel real, and they go off on little tangents in really charming ways,, i really enjoyed the little moments like Maggey excitedly talking about being suspected a second time, or Phoenix holding the phone far from his ear during his call with Fran. (and that's just to name a couple examples) (ALSO FRAN CARING SO MUCH <333 I LOVE OMG) okokok onto chapter 2

wait oops i got sucked in and forgot to take live notes LOL,, anyways this comment is about the little reactions from Phoenix in regards to Miles' idiosyncracies,, specifically (in regards to MIles' grabbing his bicep) "That old habit. The Phoenix of a year ago would have ached at the sight. Current Phoenix just ached." and "Miles had gotten more expressive with his hands since his time away in Germany. Phoenix thought it suited him." I loved these inclusions so so so so much. it's like, despite everything, phoenix still cares so deeply. OH OH AND NOW PHOENIX LIGHTLY SCOLDING EDGEWORTH AGUHHH I LOVE !!! I LOVE !!

"'Yeah, you’re a pompous ruffly ass'" lmao

i guess i have a soft spot for phoenix and trucy's relationship bc woah here i am tearing up again at phoenix talking about her <333 you write him exactly how i imagine him <33

holy shit. the way you (or, Edgeworth, i guess) describes Wright's flavor of honesty? you've put his character into words so eloquently.. god i love him and i love you for writing him so good omg. and then the end of that short monologue hits like a truck aughghhhooooghhh

OH AND THEY'RE SO TENDER. HOW DARE THE CHAPTER END LIKE THAT BWAHAH FIOJOIAJDFJLSDKJFAOEIO AHH !!!

CRYPPTTIIDIDDDXDD AUUGHHHHHH !!!!! i need to stress again just how much i love your style of writing !!!!111! 1 the banter is so alive and the levity throughout (despite Phoenix's emotional state) makes the moments of tenderness and of the characters proving how deeply they care for each other hit so hard,, this was wonderful !!! thank you for sharing w the fandom and with me!! :DDD LOOKING FORWARD TO CHAPTER 3 FOAIWEJFLAKJD

[pumpkinwastaken]

10 years of elite dangerous!

game is 10 years old now! and even tho i haven't played in a good year or two, i did used to invest most of college into the game AND i was a backer. I wanna ramble about my journey below the cut but first. Frontier sent me an email with my backer account's stats! which is really interesting!

So before i do a big ramble below the cut, i want everyone to know that i'm in the top 0.1% of people who fly a hauler in the past 10 years. so take that! (for those who don't play this is like the third cheapest ship and considered by many the worst or a taxi to get to your better ships)

Thanks for reading my ramble! I wanna tell you my storyyyyyyyy So at first i must tell you just how big of a game this was for me. just like minecraft! I was really into space back then and i saw a video by scott manley about this new game on kickstarter which allowed you to fly to earth and had promises to allow you to fly inside a 1:1 scale of our universe! billions of stars! And how realistic the flight model was and how guuuuuud the sounds were. Right after that video i asked my mom if she could buy it for me with me paying her back later. I'm telling you i was HOOKED at the tutorial, in my tiny sidewinder. I saw the weapons pop out and the gatling gun ooohhh the sounds. and just how big the space stations were and detailed! I'll never forget that. I even have an accidental screenshot of it on a harddrive somewhere. I remember my first jump to another start system, i had my curtains closed and my speakers set a bit louder and i was just like, this is giving me goosbumps this is epic!

(the screenshot in question circa 2014) So what did i do after everything was explained to me by the tutorial? I started bounty hunting! And after the game released later in 2014, I got my kickstarter reward of a free eagle fighter (second cheapest ship in the game) And went back to bounty hunting! I dreamt of owning the biggest ship in the game, The Anaconda. But each ship kill was about 3k credits for me back then. And i had school and played minecraft and call of duty with friends so i didn't get the conda many years later. But i had so much fun! I ended up flying in a cobra mk3 for most of my time back then. Then around 2017 I met an artist friend online who also played! which was my first multiplayer experience in elite. I had just done the Sothis/Ceos runs which allowed me to get a python haha. For those who remember hauling biowaste back then due to the mission reward bug being insane, 07 to you!

(my biowaste luxery vessel circa 2017)

Later i remember hauling passengers with some friends i made after joining a community for the first time and that gave me so much money (another mission reward bug after the biowaste got patched) that i finally was able to just buy every ship in the game! I went and grinded all the millitary ranks to get both a federal corvette and an imperial cutter. And i was set for life! I got an exploration ship to go to the galactic core which was about 8 hours of realtime pressing J to jump to another star haha, it got so boring after a while! i wanted to return to combat but i had to fly all the way back too! (netted me so much money tho from selling star data oh lordy! i had about 1 billion credits and if you remember the anaconda i wanted years ago that one is about 120 million)

(my imperial cutter and federal corvette(The cutter costed me about 1.2 billion if i remember correctly)) In my last year of elite before i quit that account (due to drama in the player group i was in, i won't say too much but it was baaaad). I got really into mining, combat had grown stale, hunting aliens got too easy. I was basically sitting still in a difficult spot and had the ship on turret mode and was able to make lunch and come back victorious. I liked seeing the little mining drones pick up ores and put them into my ship! Also back then it was the most profitable thing you could do. But after you have everything, and so much money that you don't know what to do with it. What do you do? I bought a hauler as a joke. It was known as a meme ship. And i had some laughs! I went to a hauler meetup with a few players, Went to community missions and gave people free stuff and repairs. Even went to the galactic core again in it! And it was around that time that i realized that the hauler is actually the best ship in the game! Everything you do in it is a challenge, you have to carefully build it for a specific job. It dies super easily in combat and you only have 1 small weapon to give it. Making every encounter a fun and skillfull engagement. This post loops back to one of my previous blog posts about how space sandbox games like this reflect real life. When i started out, i want to have it all! big moneys, big ships. but in the end? I just want to do my favorite activities in a small starter boat that i love way more than anything in the entire game! Like i said, i stopped playing on that acount years ago after a falling out with a friendgroup, and after epic offered the game for free! bought the odyssey expansion on there and now i have an alt acount where i just fly a hauler on every once in a while. Doing combat or mining or sometimes trading. Thanks Elite for being probably one of my top 3 games ever! Maybe i'll install it again to fly in my ship some more. Thanks for reading and before i go have some pictures of my hauler.

[pawnshopbleus]

Put Me in a Movie - Chapter One

Miguel O’Hara x Fem!Reader

Summary - You’re a famous actress and he’s one of the greatest directors of all time. What happens when you get cast in his new movie?

“In entertainment news, director Miguel O’Hara and actress Jessica Drew have officially divorced after ten years of marriage,” the blonde news reporter said. You’d heard through the grapevine that Miguel and Jessica were calling it quits a while ago. People in Hollywood like to gossip. Apparently, she was caught having an affair with the pool boy.

You get up from the couch and make your way outside. It was a nice and sunny day in Hollywood. Living in the Hollywood Hills meant one of two things: you were rich or you were famous. You? Well, you were both and you deserved every single ounce of it. You worked your ass off to get where you were today. From working in a record store in order to meet ends meet to working on movie sets.

You’ve done it all. Commercials, television, and movies. Movies were your favorite though. There was something so magical about seeing months of filming getting cut into two hours or less. You had major respect for everyone that worked on the set from craft services to the producers. You just loved the movie magic and getting to work in the industry was a dream.

You’ve been out of work for about two months, deciding to take a short break before auditioning again. You’d make appearances here and there to keep yourself relevant in the meantime. Your publicist kept your Instagram up and running and sometimes you would pop in and post a selfie to seem relatable to your fans.

Your last project was a flop. Apparently not a lot of people like Western films all that much. It wouldn’t tank your career though, too many people knew you were too good of an actress for that. Speaking of, your phone began to ring in the pocket of your pants. Your agent, Stacy Walsh, was calling you.

“Hi, Stacy. What can I do for you?” you asked. You didn’t know why she was calling you. You haven’t auditioned for anything new.

“I’ve got a part for you. It’s yours if you want it and it’s pretty good.” Stacy sounded like she was practically jumping with excitement as she spoke.

“I’m listening.” “Miguel O’Hara wants you to be the lead in his next film. I know you said you wanted to take a break since the last film was a big flop, but I really think this could take you to the next level. Please tell me you’ll take it.” Miguel O’Hara wanted you to be the lead in his next film! Miguel is one of the most influential filmmakers of all time! Every single film he’s ever made has grossed over one billion dollars worldwide. Not only that, but every actor that’s worked with him has come out not only as a better performer but also a better person. There is no way that you would let this opportunity pass.

“He wants me to be the lead? But I didn’t even audition or anything. How the hell does he even know who I am?” “Thatiana,” you could hear Stacy sigh over the phone, “You are one of the greatest actresses I’ve ever worked with. You’ve been in plenty of great films and directors like watching movies for inspiration. Maybe he saw you in something and thought you were perfect for the role. Please tell me you’ll take this role.” “Yes. Tell him I said yes,” you said.

Stacy celebrated over the phone and told you that you were awesome. The two of your bid farewell and hung up the phone. You took this role without asking enough questions. Were you going to get paid? What was the genre of the film? Who were your co-stars? There were so many unanswered questions that you had, but none of them were as important as this one. What was Miguel O’Hara actually like?

Chapter Two 

[niklausie]

What are your TVD notps? 👀

you sent this almost a week ago but I’ve been holding on so I can best formulate my thoughts 😭 as eloquently as I can put it:

marbekah

this hurts me bc I love marcel and I love rebekah and in another world with better writers I can see them, but alas……. there’s no getting around the fact that she practically raised him with klaus. not even the actors’ incredible chemistry can make me overlook the fact that rebekah’s an adoptive aunt to him. even if she didn’t raise him and had moved to new orleans when marcel was an adult, it would still be weird considering klaus was a father figure to him.

maybe if they had met in TO instead, I could be ok with it bc they wouldn’t have known each other when marcel was a literal child. by the time TO takes place, marcel no longer thinks of klaus as a father (for the most part rip the show is so fickle about that) so naturally klaus’ siblings are not thought of as marcel’s family too. either way it’s a mess and way too kind-of-incestuous for me.

delena

I mean. yeah. I teeter between despising damon and liking him as a villain like 5 times a day. he was much more enjoyable to me for most of s1 until the last couple of episodes, but I hate how he’s pushed as a main protagonist at the expense of pretty much every other character, including elena. her character assassination to justify picking the man who compelled, harassed, disrespected and forced himself on her and her friends—it makes me see red. man killed her brother bc she didn’t let him forcibly kiss her while she was dating his brother and I’m supposed to think that’s true love?

the biggest problem I have with damon is that the writers want so badly for him to be seen by viewers and characters as redeemed… yet they do absolutely no work to make that happen. instead of evolving damon as a person, they retcon stefan and stelena. they regress elena until she’s barely recognizable. they villainize characters he’s abused and who hate him, like caroline in s4. I could talk about this for hours but I genuinely get angry thinking of how fucked the show gets bc the writers refuse to change one fucking character for the better and truly redeem him or commit to him being shitty and have him recognized as a shitty person.

that’s why I hate to see people comparing him to klaus bc there’s no way you think they’re anything alike. at the very least klaus is self-aware and isn’t automatically accepted by everyone around him just bc a girl chose him over his brother.

klamille (kind of. it’s complicated 😭)

LISTEN. listen to me. I fully recognize that klaus had big feelings for her and probably would’ve grown to really love her if they’d had more time. but in my humble opinion cami outgrew her usefulness and relevance to the plot before s1 was even finished. I love me a good “I can fix him” storyline, but they just…. fell flat to me. my man had some fantastic moments expressing his affection for her but they were few and far in between to make me root them him and cami specifically and not just him alone. she’s always felt like a self-insert the writers didn’t know what to do with, and I have no time for that 😭

all that when klonnie (and even klayley) was right there and had all the potential and chemistry in the world, don’t waste my time fr

jeremy and anna

boring. yawn. dated for like a week in cannon and I’m supposed to believe she’s his first love and worth cheating on bonnie with? at the very least have him cheat with the ghost of vicki, who he actually knew and loved for years, not some rando. to think bonnie brought this loser back to life TWICE at her own expense and literally died for him… julie plec when I get my hands around your throat

matt and rebekah

she could do so much better. that’s really all there is to it. I know she wants to be human and that’s the whole point of her arc in tvd and most of TO, but there are 8 billion people on this god forsaken earth. there’s gotta be a better regular ole human man out there who’s deserving of a woman of bex’s caliber. there has to be…

I could probably think of many more but I’m late for class lmao mayhaps I’ll return for another rant

[jimmyjamjamesj]

Chasing You for the Rest of My Life

(find on ao3, ranmaru023)

Alright, first day of school. Nothing to it at all. No worries, even if it is the first day of highschool. At fucking UA High. It’s fine, no big deal at all, even if it’s the first day at a school that is on par with the University of Tokyo in level of prestige. At least I don’t know anyone, and I don’t have to pick out a damn outfit either. It’ll be fine. I need to barf.

Okay, no big deal, I just need to brush my teeth now and spray some of that cologne mom got me years ago after she introduced me to deodorant. Fuck, is it that time already? I got to run.

As I ran out of my house, I didn’t realize how much my life was changing that day. Soon, I would be thrown into a cruel world, the real world, where even the four walls of the most protected school in all of Japan couldn’t keep me out of harm's way. But on that morning, I also didn’t know how much I would be gaining. The friends I was about to make, the wisdom from my classes, and the way my body and quirk were about to flourish and develop. And least of all, I didn’t know about the curveball that was about to be launched into my life, going about 80 fucking billion miles an hour.

Deku?

I stared in shock when I first saw him, and then it quickly turned to anger. Deku is the piece of shit that wouldn’t ever leave me alone all throughout my life, and now he has the audacity to be in my fucking homeroom class? I’m seething as attendance is called, and all I can think about is that smug look on his face. I have no idea how he is even here. All my life, that nerd hasn’t held a candle to me, and this is literally the hardest academy to get into.

In this world, strength and God’s grace of giving you a good quirk is what makes you successful, and you have to have both to be at UA high, let alone be a pro hero. I am very blessed with an amazing quirk, the ability to produce explosions from my sweat that is similar to nitroglycerin, and have worked tirelessly over the years on becoming stronger and having something to show for my amazing quirk.

Deku has never had a quirk, never had any strength, never had any discipline. All he’s ever had was a head in the clouds and a stupid smile on his face.

We were both huge All Might fans growing up, I mean how could you not be? The guy is THE number one hero of all time, so everybody has been obsessed with him for years, especially little boys who wanted nothing but to be a cool hero like him. But of course as we got older, it was clear that only one of us could actually become a hero like All Might. But the idiot kept believing he could make it, even without a quirk.

Last year, I got into a little accident. No biggie, I had it handled, but then the asshole shows up and has the nerve to act like HE is saving ME! It pissed me off so bad, I can’t even stand to look at him. But now he’s here, at my school and in my homeroom.

I have absolutely no idea how he could have even gotten accepted to UA, without a quirk. Maybe he started working out and put his nose to the grindstone? No, even exceptional strength wouldn’t get you in. The entrance exam was no joke, we had to destroy robots for points, and even the one-pointers would be too tough for a quirkless loser like him. Whatever, it’s best to not think of it now. I just gotta work on my school work and get through the first day.

Later, Aizawa Sensei, my homeroom teacher, brought us outside.

“Your generation has been taught to keep your quirks hidden away, but to become heroes you’ll need to learn your quirk’s capabilities and surpass the limits you have now. Today we will be testing those limits through a series of exercises. And the individual who scores the lowest out of everyone in the class will be expelled.” He explained, deadpan. “Bakugo, come demonstrate for me with this baseball. Throw it as far as you can, using your quirk.”

I wasn’t expecting to be called upon so soon, especially after that bomb he just dropped on us. No matter though, I know I’m way better than these extras, and if my suspicions were correct it’ll be Deku going home at the end of the day, not me. But still, I wanna show off a little. I won’t let anyone think they have a chance of beating me, let alone a fucking nobody like Deku.

I add a touch of oomph to my throw and get 75 kilometers, pretty good. Everyone else did as good as I expected, and I was actually getting kinda excited to see the nerd step up. I am dying of curiosity of how he got into UA, what he’s got in him. As he steps up the plate, I can’t help but notice that he’s definitely put on a lot of muscle. Maybe that’s his whole thing then? Strong but quirkless? Just as he’s about to throw the ball, Aizawa’s eyes widen and his hair begins to float, standing up straight as if it’s been pushed up by the wind, and suddenly Deku’s ball is falling a few feet in front of him.

Aizawa is Eraserhead, then. The pro hero whose power is to erase the quirks of those he casts his gaze on. But why did he use it on Deku?

That stoked my flame, so to speak. I performed a lot better in the other challenges, angry at the thought of Deku having a quirk. Has he been hiding this from me all our life? Why would he do that? Was I not good enough to tell or show? Why would he act so weak, always get himself into trouble, and let himself get beat up if he could have whipped out his quirk and gotten himself ahead in life. Why didn’t he use his quirk when he was determined to save me? None of it made any sense.

After the end of the exercises Aizawa wanted us to do, I wasn’t worried at all. I didn’t need to worry about getting expelled, there were some real slow bastards in this class, especially that lying prick. He sucked ass, and it showed when he placed last in the class. Well, guess that’s that. I was kinda hoping he’d prove everyone wrong, especially since his quirk was so special that he had to hide it from me.

“No one is getting expelled. That was just a necessary deception,” Aizawa Sensei confirms.

Are you fucking serious?

“I just said that so you would all try your best. I think we’ve all learned a lot today, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he turns and walks back to the school, leaving us to process that our teacher would be so mischievous.

“Well that takes the cake for a nerve wracking first day,” says one kid, who has red spikey hair and a scar on his face. I give him a look and walk away, but not without seeing Deku settling right into the class already. He’s talking to a girl with brown hair and a tall guy who has an impressive speed burst that I had to race earlier in the 5 meter stretch. It’s just not fair. He gets into this school with no quirk, or maybe a hidden quirk, and immediately starts talking to everyone as if he’s the new All Might, even though he was the worst out of everyone. I’m going to be the best in the class, and I’m going to be the number one hero, and I’m going to have to do it while he’s around. So be it. I won’t let that punk throw me off my game. He’ll just have to learn his place.

Ty for reading! if you like it and wanna see more, check out my ao3 here https://archiveofourown.org/works/62066782/chapters/158737129

[jor-elsemissary]

Can’t Stop Loving You p4

The Press Room was stifling. There were too many people and it was far too bright for his liking. The majority of people in the room were men and women who would gladly tear him to pieces with their questions and scathing column pieces if it would sell papers and get them a pulitzer. Though, out of all of those present, at least he can trust Lois Lane to be honest with her inquiries even if they were hard questions to answer.

“Mister Luthor,” piped up said reporter from The Daily Planet, legal notepad in hand and pen tapping at her lips as she finished formulating the question in her mind. “Some people are saying that the only reason you are leading the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Metropolis is because of the government subsidies and lucrative contracts that LuthorCorp will be entrusted with for the next ten years. It is estimated that your company will gain a profit in several billion dollars. What do you have to say in response to such speculation?”

Leave it to Lois Lane to question his reasons for restoring their city. Right now he wished he was anywhere else than here. Preferably on the way toward Martha’s townhouse to pick her up for dinner. Thinking about the red-haired senator had his mind wandering before he realized it was wandering. It took him a few moments to regather his thoughts and focus on the press conference. His fallacy in composure hadn’t gone unnoticed by the others and he heard Lois call to him again. He only hoped that it was perceived as hesitancy to answer rather than losing focus.

Lionel cleared his throat and put on a smile, “As you are aware, Miss Lane, no venture—whether it is charitable or business—comes without some kind of profit made or lost. LuthorCorp would prefer to gain rather than lose, but any profits we do obtain from this is merely an added bonus. I and my company have the resources and familiarity to help Metropolis regain its splendor and glory, and it only makes sense that we lead the rebuild efforts. Metropolis is my city. I grew up and lived there my entire life, and it pains me to see the death and destruction brought to it by these alien invaders. If I can help in any way, then I will.”

“Is it also true then, that Senator Kent asked you to help?” Lois threw out there before any other reporter could ask their question next. The cameras in the back started snapping at a faster pace and Lionel tried to blink away the multiple flashes. He wanted to say yes, that Martha had called him up to discuss about helping the city and her people, but he would be lying. He hadn’t spoken to Martha since she had broken up with him months ago, no explanation as to why or if he had been at fault. The pain of their break up must have bled into his expression for he could hear concern in Lois’ voice as she pressed him, “Mister Luthor?”

“Whether Senator Kent asked Mister Luthor for his aid is irrelevant,” Rebecca came to his rescue, gently guiding him away from the podium so he could make a discreet escape. “The fact remains that Lionel Luthor and LuthorCorp are helping the city at a great cost to the company’s reserves. LuthorCorp intends to see the reconstruction and rescue efforts through to the end.” He subtly checked his watch and noted the time. It was rush hour and he would be lucky if he made it on time to Martha’s place.

With one last glance toward his personal aide, thanking whatever higher power there was for her, Lionel quietly left the press conference and headed out of the East Wing of the White House. It took him only a matter of minutes to reach where his limousine was waiting and be on his way toward Martha’s townhouse. He glanced at his watch again and noted how much time he had and muttered a curse under his breath.

“Ron?” he called to his driver.

“Sir?”

“Is it possible for us to avoid the congestions and reach Martha’s place on time?” Lionel asked of the man. Ever since he had hired him after losing Alex, Ron had proven to be quite reliable, a fighter and very loyal. It was hard to come by employees with that kind of work ethic, especially toward wealthier clientele.

Ron was silent for a moment while he messed with the nav-screen. After a moment more, he nodded in answer, “Yes, sir. I believe I can get you to the Senator’s place in time.”

Pleased at the answer, Lionel leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes as he tried to relax after a long day. He tried to think about anything else but Metropolis and even Martha, but his thoughts eventually wandered back to her and the dinner that they were about to have.

He wondered how she has been since she broke up with him, one of many questions he knew he would ask of her once they met again. He also wondered why she had in the first place. He had thought long and hard over the following days and weeks as to what he might have done or said to have her break things off, but he could not come up with anything that would have warranted that kind of reaction from her.

So he started digging instead.

He had his personal detective look into her activities, hoping beyond hope that it wasn’t something extreme as blackmail that forced her to leave him. But the man had found nothing out of the extraordinary other than Martha being appointed to a committee that oversaw the country’s various black operations. It was possible she had learned something LuthorCorp was involved in that she didn’t approve or maybe a threat to his or Clark’s wellbeing, but again it wouldn’t be enough to make her leave him.

Martha would have worked things out with him if that had been the case.

Lionel glanced out the window of his limousine and stared aimlessly at the buildings and people outside as they passed them by. The vehicle slowed to a stop at a traffic light and his attention was drawn to a shop filled with various flowers. He realized that he needed something to give to Martha to help break any ice that was between them and he knows a gift of flowers always works with women.

“Ron, stop here!” he told the man and immediately opened the door before the driver could respond to his demand. Lionel stepped out of the limo and stared across at the flower shop. He heard the car move, Ron having no choice but to continue with the flow of traffic. Lionel was confident that he’ll loop around and be back in time to pick him up.

Until then, he had to pick out a bouquet that Martha would like.

He headed into the shop, pushing the door open with a jingle of bells to announce his presence to the owner. Immediately his senses were assaulted with the fragrances of the various blooms and he was grateful that he was not allergic to pollen or the perfumes they gave off. But he was overwhelmed by how many bouquet arrangements there were.

Lionel found himself rubbing at his right hand, pressing into the tendons of his palm more out of a nervous habit than pain these days. He had no clue as to what to get her and how she would take them. He knows she once had a garden at the farmhouse and she planted all sorts of flowers but he couldn’t remember for the life of him which ones she had picked to decorate her home with.

A clerk soon came from the back with a smile on her face. A dark skinned woman with a thick mane of hair done up in a braided bun. She wore a flowery shirt and simple blue jeans underneath a green stained, apron that had the name Mal tagged to it. She was taking off a pair of gardeners gloves by the time she reached him. “Hello! Welcome to Malory’s Flower Bouquet. What can I do for you?”

He found her customer service to be a little overbearing, perhaps the fake smile she wore unnerved him more than the greeting. But he didn’t let it bother him or judge her for it too much. It was her job to be friendly even when she didn’t feel like it. “I am looking to purchase a bouquet for someone. I… uh, have no idea what she likes but I want it to be meaningful.”

“For a wife or girlfriend?” she inquired and he was a little perplexed that she didn’t recognize him or maybe she did and she was just being polite.

“Girlfriend,” he supplied and then quickly added, “Former. She, uh, accepted a dinner invitation and I am hoping to reconcile.”

“I see,” the woman said and turned toward her arrangements, disappearing among them. “Are you at fault?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Did she break up with you because of something you had done and you want to apologize?” Malory elaborates from behind several roses of various colors.

“That’s the thing… I don’t know if its something I did. She never said.” Why was he telling her this? All he wanted was a bouquet to give to Martha. “Why do you ask?”

“Well if you want to be meaningful, you need to understand why you are doing it and what you want to say to her with them,” she explained. “What do you want to say?”

“I…,” Lionel paused to consider the question. What did he want the flowers to mean? He knows roses are about love and desire, he’s given plenty of those. He certainly loved Martha still and he did desire her, but he didn’t want her thinking that’s all she was to him. “I don’t know. I love her. I want her back and… and whatever it is that upset her I’m willing to work things through if she’ll let me.”

After a minute Malory emerged from the arrangements and she had in her hands a bundle of various colored tulips. “Tulips are romantic, Mister Luthor.” So she did recognize him then. It surprised him that someone was being nice and didn’t want to insult him. “The red symbolizes love and pink is affection.”

She brought the bundle over to her desk and laid them atop of a stack of brown paper. “White tells her you wish for forgiveness and worthiness, that you wish to reconcile with her.”

“I… was not aware that tulips were that symbolic,” he confessed as he watched her wrap the flowers into a simple bouquet arrangement that he can easily carry.

“Not many are,” Mal tells him and brings the flowers over to the till to check him out. “Unless your girlfriend is familiar, what I told you is more for your sake than for her. She’s not likely to know what they mean unless you tell her.”

Lionel gave a small laugh, “Oh I’m sure she knows. One of her close friends back home was a florist too.” He knew Martha and Nel were close friends, something he had learned many years ago when he had been unfaithful to Lillian and had a brief affair with Lana Lang’s aunt. He was confident that Martha knew her flowers through her and from gardening.

He accepted the flowers after paying for them in cash. They looked appealing and smelled nice, their fragrance wasn’t as overpowering as some of the plants there. He hoped Martha would like them and understand his intentions for tonight. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. If you need any more arrangements, please consider us for business.” He nods to the owner and then makes his way back out onto the street.

As predicted, Ron was patiently waiting with the limousine and with the passenger door open for him. He ducked into the car and carefully set the bouquet down beside him. Ron closed the door behind him and resumed driving his boss to the Senator’s place.

Lionel would occasionally glance at the flowers and ponder the meaning of them. He deeply loved Martha and admired her a great deal. Although the break up had come out of no where for him, blind siding him even, he couldn’t let her go. He had tried and all his efforts did was lose a good secretary and end up with one that reminded him every day of what he was missing.

He had been an idiot to think he could replace Martha with a facsimile. His vindictiveness only ended up hurting himself and put a good woman in an awkward position.

He hoped the florist was right and that Martha would understand the meaning of them. He wanted this to work out.

He wanted Martha.

Lionel leaned against the window of his door, resting his head against it as he let his thoughts drift to the good times he had with her.

———

The limousine soon pulled up to a line of old, brick townhouses with oak trees in front of them, their branches providing shade over the sidewalk and the street. The homes had black, wrought iron fencing that protected what little yard they had in the front and the small walkway leading up to the doors. Some of the homes had decorative, garden flags, and most had at least the American flag gently swaying in the small, winter breeze. Snow had yet to fall and blanket the place in its wintery embrace, but Lionel could see icicles having formed on the gutters, tiny pinpricks of droplets caught frozen in time until they broke off or spring came first.

Ron stopped the car in front of one of the houses, a white brick home nestled in between two others. He doubted a sheet of paper could fit in between the walls separating the townhouse. He could see a little bit of Martha on the outside of the home, the small garden she planted beneath the windows had a little bit of Kansas in them, hardy blooms that could withstand the cold. They weren’t blooming yet, their buds still closed but he suspected they would show their beauty soon enough.

In a way he felt that was how their relationship was. Closed but waiting to blossom again when the conditions were just right to do so.

His door opened when Ron stepped up and Lionel sat in his seat for a moment longer as he tried to gather his nerves. How long had it really been since they had parted, since they had last spoken to each other? Despite what had been said at the press conference and in the newspapers, they hadn’t spoken since the breakup. Rebecca had been the intermediary between them the few times he wanted to talk to her or Martha wanted his help on rebuilding the city.

A small smile creeped onto his face when he realized that was how Rebecca knew he needed Martha still. He should give her a raise for the trouble he had probably put her through these last few months since he hired her. The poor woman was probably fed up with him pinning over Martha by now.

Lionel reached over for the bouquet of flowers and stepped out of his car. “Hopefully we won’t be long, Ron,” he tells his driver and the man nodded in reply. He started for the small gate that barred unwanted visitors from entering the small property, found it was not locked and lifted the latch with a gloved hand while he held the flowers in his other arm.

The few steps to the door felt like an endless trek and when he finally stood in front of the mahogany door, he suddenly found himself fighting a nervousness he hadn’t felt since they first started seeing each other well over a year ago. He took a moment to take several deep breaths to force his anxiety to the back of his mind and take control of the moment.

He was a Luthor. He had more nerve wracking business deals than this. He can handle meeting a woman he cared about and was deeply in love with.

He can do this.

Before he allowed his insecurities and anxieties get the better of him, Lionel reached out and pressed the brass plated doorbell and waited. He stood waiting outside and swallowed back the nervousness as he caught sight of a shadow beyond the frosted glass pane beside the door. A moment later the door was opened and the woman who has haunted his dreams for the last several months finally stood before him in all the beauty and allure he remembered.

He wanted to stare in awe at her, remembering the first time he had seen her dressed up and how amazed he was by her beauty. They had been friends back then, but he had known then that he would do anything for her. It didn’t matter if she returned his feelings or not. This was a woman he had wanted and the usual lust he would have felt for any other woman was only a passing thought in the back of his mind.

Lionel smiled happily at seeing her. So thrilled was he at seeing her he hadn’t quite caught on to her expression until she forced herself to smile. He felt a pang of insecurity and disappointment creep up his spine and knew his own smile had faltered a little. He realized that she wasn’t all too happy to see him like he was with her. Had he been any other man, he would have given her the flowers and apologized before walking away.

But he wasn’t any other man and he wasn’t going to let her go so easily. He made the mistake of doing so the last time and he was not going to this time. Either they got back together or she made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him anymore. He won’t lie to himself that it won’t hurt, but even he wasn’t so foolishly in love to continue something that couldn’t be.

“Hi, Lionel” Martha had quickly greeted him and stepped back to invite him into her home.

The fact she hadn’t barred him from entering was promising and gave him hope as he stepped inside and he nervously held out the bouquet of flowers to her. “Hello, Martha,” he greeted but the smile he wore began to fade when she hesitated to take the flowers. Perhaps he was wrong into believing he could win her over after all if she wasn’t very receptive to his presence and gift.

He wasn’t going to lie and say he wasn’t hurt. He very much felt like he was being stabbed in the heart by her reluctance. He tried to tell himself that whatever it was that had her break up with him in the first place must still be fresh for her and that was the only reason for her reactions toward him.

Lionel just wished he knew what it had been so he could help her and so he could understand.

Martha finally accepted the flowers, out of politeness he knew, and brought them over to the kitchen. “You looked well at the press conference,” she offered small talk and he gladly accepted the distraction from the growing tension between them.

“Hardly,” he answered and watched her as she put the flowers in a vase. Lionel kept his distance from her, choosing to give her space rather than be in it himself like he wanted to. He wanted to touch her then and there, just to feel her warmth under his hand and take in the comfort of her presence near him. He wanted to smell the fragrance that was uniquely her’s and he wondered if she still wore the same perfume, the very bottle he had given her as a gift in the early days of their relationship.

The desire to be next to her was overwhelming and it took everything he had to respect her decisions and choices about their relationship, and start things all over again. He didn’t like it and he knew it was in part stubbornness from them both. He loved her too much to invade her personal space and she, he wanted to believe, she was just being stubborn about the truth of their breakup.

“Between rebuilding Metropolis and handling stubborn politicians,” he continued and did his best to keep his bitterness out of his voice. “I am exhausted. Its a wonder I haven’t collapsed from the stress.”

“You’re a businessman,” Martha reminded him and turned to face him once she had the flowers nestled beautifully on the kitchen island. “You thrive best in stressful situations.” Except when breaking up with the woman he loved. Except when facing her again months later wanting to know why and hoping she would take him back.

He was, internally, a nervous wreck right now and it probably showed on his face. “Yes.” So he cast his gaze downward and clasped his hands behind his back to control his emotions and give him some semblance of a grounding. When he looked back up again and saw a genuine, warm smile, Lionel couldn’t help but smile back and felt that hope he had from moments ago be renewed.

“Shall we?” I’m sure you’re quite hungry, I know I am.” He held out his hand to her and was pleased when she didn’t hesitate this time to accept and let him tuck her arm under his. Lionel led her out of her home and waited for her to lock the door before leading her down the small path, through the gate and to the waiting limousine where Ron stood with the passenger door open.

His driver smiled warmly at the Senator, no doubt pleased to see her and Lionel had to wonder if all his staff was conspiring to get them back together somehow. If they were, it would be a story to tell should their efforts pay off. He found he couldn’t be angry or upset that people were conspiring against him on this.

Lionel stepped aside and let Martha enter the car first before he followed behind her. She settled across from him much to his disappointment, but he had to remind himself that they were not intimate with each other right now and this was, essentially, a first date all over again.

Once Ron had the limousine pulled back out onto the suburban street, Lionel tried to start up a conversation with her, “So, how have you been?” He doubted she would tell him the truth or give any clue as to why she had left. A part of him did not want to know, afraid that it had been him as to the reason why she had left; but a part of him did want to know so he could fix things.

The uncertainty was a cloud that was hanging over them, threatening to downpour and ruin things forever between them. He didn’t want that and he needed to decide now whether he wanted to know or not.

“I have been well.” He watched her carefully and knew it was a lie. He could see the stress of work creased around her eyes and at the corners of her lips. But there was something else that was bothering her and he suspected he was the reason for it. His sudden appearance in her life must have reminded her what had troubled her back then. “So this restaurant you’re taking me to, tell me more about it?”

The question was a distraction meant to keep him from prying into her life. He debated on whether he should ignore the question and press her for more. To do so would cause her to close up and he knew from experience that she would keep things close to her until she was well and ready to tell him. He needed to coax her into being ready sooner without making him look like he was prying too hard.

So he’ll answer her question and wait. He was patient. He had waited years for her to be ready to explore who they were to each other, he could wait a little longer to find the truth and get her back. “Its a small Italian hole in the wall I found a few years back when I was lobbying Senator Burke over some environmental issue involving LuthorCorp. It was surprisingly good and the ambience was welcoming, and dare I say it, romantic the few times I brought someone with me.”

“One of the many women you charmed into your arms?” It was a simple, innocent observation of what she knew about his life, but it sounded accusatory and disapproving to his ears. He knows Martha would not judge him for his past lifestyle, so why did it leave him feeling unsettled and needing to be mindful of what he said to her? “I noticed you have a new personal assistant.”

Lionel blinked at how quickly the subject turned and he wondered where this was going. He was quiet while he studied Martha, noting how she nervously knotted her gloved fingers and how she would not look at him. He frowned a little as it dawned on him what was meant by her statements and he wanted to laugh. But he refrained from doing so, knowing it would only be demeaning and further cement her assumptions.

“Rebecca?” he mentioned with a tender, reassuring smile. “She’s a good secretary. Reminds me of you, actually.”

“I’m sure she does.”

“Is that jealousy I hear?” he couldn’t help but say and that got her attention. Martha snapped her gaze to him and he felt the scornful glare, but he ignored it. “You needn’t worry about her, Martha. She’s engaged to another woman.”

“Another woman?” Martha looked a little confused but it gave way to a calmness that secretly signified she was relieved. He wondered what she thought he had been doing with the woman? Granted, he had foolishly, and a bit spitefully, chose Rebecca because of how much she looked like Martha and had tried to seduce her—failing spectacularly at that too—but once it became clear she would never be interested, he saw her only as an employee.

“A lesbian,” she commented and then the smile that he so adored found its way past an insecurity he hadn’t been aware Martha had, had. It gave him some insight into what she thought of him and was feeling. If she could feel upset at being replaced, she still felt something for him. That she still wanted him but whatever it was that made her leave was a barrier between them.

“Yes,” he chuckled softly. “Imagine my surprise when she told me about her engagement.” He returned her amused smile with his own, pleased that he could still get her to smile. “It certainly put a damper on any thoughts of seduction.”

Martha rolled her eyes at him, “But that is what you were trying to do when you hired her? What happened to Janet?”

Lionel sighed at the question, “I… didn’t take our separation well and drove her into quitting. It’s the same reason I hired Rebecca. Martha, why? You never told me, only that it wasn’t working out. What had I done?”

He hadn’t planned on asking her now before dinner but the conversation had led to this and he really wanted to know. “Please let me fix things.”

“You can’t fix this Lionel,” he heard the hitch catch in her breath. He furrowed his brow when her hands covered her stomach. His eyes widened as he realized what had happened.

“Martha…”

“I had been.”

[johnlocsin-johnyakuza]

I didn’t vote for Donald Trump, but this is a time where we need to step up, admit defeat and push forward with the goal of working together.

We can’t riot

We can’t cry

We shouldn’t protest

We should work, help each other,

Work to help improve society,

You don’t need the government or the politicians

We still have each other!

And above all, work on ourselves as individuals!

Republicans are happy today like how democrats were unhappy four years ago and in another four years, the roles will probably reverse again.

It’s a cycle and one where we should keep our chins up, eyes facing forward and heads filled with a positive energy.

America is in this war over identity and consistently bringing out the absolute worst in ourselves, but for what?

Barack Obama and Joe Biden were the first Democrat nominees to take more corporate donations over the Republican nominee in 2008.

Donald Trump had his step son leverage his contacts to get 2 billion dollars in a hedge fund from the Saudi’s and had his business take in over 100 million in revenue on White House/campaign contracts.

Kamala Harris is too much of a coward to do a real interview, flip flops on everything and was this awful prosecutor that denied early release to have poor people put out California fires for free in her own slave labor scam.

They are all awful and doing this for money, ego, pride and not anyone reading this.

If Kamala Harris was told the path to win was sending every transgender kid to conversion therapy, she’d line them up.

If Donald Trump was told illegal immigrants would vote for him, he’d be tearing down the fences.

They don’t care!

This is why I’m going to put this out there.

American’s need to stop believing in politicians and begin believing in themselves!

American’s built the first personal computers and evolved them into phones in our pockets, with tens of thousands of apps we all love!

Not government!

American’s found ways to cultivate crops and raise animals more effectively to the point our bigger problem is the poor being obese over the poor being hungry!

Not government!

American’s made cars available to the public, made the music we love, cured diseases we had and did massive achievements without government!

American’s made America great, not politicians!

Both sides need to believe in what they can do over fill themselves with love and hate for people who don’t care about them!

This is what others need to do!

Someone was going to win, and someone was going to lose. People will be happy and people will be sad.

Don’t riot!

Don’t cry!

Don’t get depressed!

Just focus on being better and in four years, vote again for another shot!

Please, don’t give into despair over this, this will be Trump’s last term, and that’s it, you don’t have to worry about him any longer.

Trust me, I’ve seen terrible things happen, but I am only certain that no matter what kind of outcome we get, we’ll always keep going unflinching and stronger than before,

Pain and destruction is only one of many other infinite possibilities, the future is uncertain, and we can’t all be pessimistic about it.

There is always the possibility that things will become better for all of us and the future will at least be brighter than it is right now.

If you’ve read all of this, have a good day, and keep yourself safe.

[solreads]

Hammajang Luck - Review

Title: Hammajang Luck

Author: Makana Yamamoto

Genre: Science Fiction

  Sub-Genre: Cyberpunk

Audience: Adult

Format: Novel

Representation: Nonbinary māhū POV character

    Trans and nonbinary supporting characters

Summary: Eight years on an isolated prison planet has stolen a lot from Edie. They’ve had to watch their niece and nephew grow up through brief moments on a screen. They haven’t been there for their sister when she struggled to pay for rent and cancer treatments for her daughter. Their best friend has transitioned, remade his body with cybernetics, and found himself a legitimate job and they’ve barely seen him through it all. The space station they called home has become foreign to them. 

When – impossibly – they’re offered a chance for early parole, they seize it with both hands and swear they’re going straight. They won't lose any more time with the people they love. 

If only it was that easy. Waiting to pick them up from prison is the very same person who put them in in the first place – Angel Huang, childhood best friend, partner in crime, betrayer, and now chief of security of the largest tech company in the quadrant. She proposes one last job, a redo of their last failed con. Bigger and better this time. With her insider position and a team of the best hackers and thieves on the station, they could take on the multi-trillionaire tech mogul exploiting their home and walk away with a staggering 125 billion credits a piece. 

Still stung by her betrayal, Edie wants nothing to do with Angel, but their conviction wavers as they find themself blacklisted from work across the station and confronted with the desperation of their family’s situation. 

Reflections: The story's focus is as much, more probably, on Edie’s relationships as the heist itself. When it comes to Edie’s family – their sister, her kids, and even Edie’s father who passed away before the story began – I was invested. Edie has some of that wild younger sibling to Andie’s more settled adulthood, but they’re both adults now and the relationship has shifted to something more mature. Edie wants to be the protective one and someone Andie can rely on but struggles with it. I would have liked even more of their relationship and how it was reshaped after Edie’s time in prison. Edie’s thoughts on their father were great too. Edie’s feelings that their home – the space station itself – had betrayed them by taking their father greatly interested me. Their family still has its ties to the homeworld, but the station has long since been their world and they must see it as more than a sterile, artificial compartment. Through Edie’s thoughts on their mechanic father, there are hints of a more complicated relationship to this place as a land and a home. 

The other relationships were less interesting though. I think the author was trying for a found family vibe with the heist crew, but I didn’t see that kind of depth or bonding from them. I liked the way some of them played off each other, for sure, but it stayed fairly shallow. Then, the romance between Edie and Angel… eh, I wasn’t compelled by it at all. Angel wasn’t developed enough and we didn’t get to see beneath her cold, calculating front enough for me to feel compassion for her. She kept betraying and hurting Edie, someone she supposedly loved since childhood. When it was just something she did eight years ago, even if it took so much from Edie, I could understand them still wanting her and still being able to have a functional relationship with her. But she kept manipulating them and making their life worse for her own gains the whole damn time. It wasn’t offset by showing enough love in their past for me to really accept why Edie went back to her and loved her through it all. I can get behind a toxic relationship that feels inevitable no matter how bad it gets, where circumstances have led the characters to feel like nobody else will ever understand them and what they’ve been through but each other, so who else could they go to? This was not that. The end acted like they’d settled into something healthy, but there was no reflection or dealing with their issues to warrant that. Everything up to that point left me thinking they’re going to go through a series of shitty, painful breakups for a few years before they finally grow up enough to move on to other things.

Warnings: Depiction of dysphoria.

Notes on Rep: MC does not refer to themself as trans or nonbinary, but identifies as being not a man nor a woman, but in the middle, as māhū, and as butch.

[neiptune]

Hihi! ☺️ For your event: "i’d drive away before i let you go" w/ Sanemi (or Giyuu) + mutual pining trope. 🤍 Preferably a happy ending (implied or obvious), but I'll survive if you mix in some angst. 😆

Thanks so much for hosting another event — super excited to read what you write !! 😍

tomioka giyuu x I'd drive away before I let you go

request a character + prompt here :)

“D’you believe in soulmates?”

All you’re actively looking at is the night sky, a dark blanket sprayed with tiny lights blinking back at you. Still, you’re sure he’s turned his head to look at your side profile with furrowed brows and a skeptical expression, the same one he had when you had first interrupted your stroll and begged him to just lie down for a little while.

“I don’t”

You snort, not at all surprised.

“Okay. What d’you think is the closest thing, then?”

“The closest thing to what?”

“That kinda love” you give in at last, turn your head to find his navy gaze already on you “if you don’t believe in soulmates, what d’you believe in?”

Giyuu lets a beat pass, comfortable silence settling over the both of you and the empty park, sounds that belong to the city feeling miles away as he slowly blinks, focused on your features for a second too long.

“Dread”

You huff out a laugh so genuine it almost, almost has his lips curling into a soft smile.

“Dread? Care to expand on that?”

Giyuu knows he’s not generally regarded as particularly perceptive but maybe you’re not so bright yourself, he thinks. Expand? Does he need to? Isn’t it obvious?

“When you have someone in your life and they slowly become part of yourself, too. When they know every aspect of you, are happy to put up with your worst and make you feel lucky to be around to put up with their worst in turn. So much that just the idea of losing them is dreadful. You know, paralyzing anxiety n’all that”

It’s interesting that you can’t cast your eyes way from his, even more that your gaze flickers to his lips for a second. Giyuu seems to not only know what being in love feels like, he also seems to have experienced the all-encompassing kind of love firsthand. It’s cruel, that you’re surprised. It’s even worse, feeling small pangs of resentment stinging in your throat and lungs all of a sudden. It’s unfair. So what if he’s had a love like that and has never told you? It’s not like he has some kind of unspoken obligation.

“Sounds to me like you do believe in soulmates” it’s pathetic, the way you turn away from him to focus on the sky once again. You’re barely able to discern the stars in the first place, city lights be damned, but you have trained your gaze long enough to know what to look for.

Memories of humid summer nights, gentle hands setting up a telescope indoors to guide you through how everything works before taking it out into the night make their way back to you. The moon, the very first celestial object you got to find by yourself, so close and a quarter million miles away at once, just like Giyuu. Patient explanations and gentle pleas to take your time to explore each impact crater and the lunar seas, formed billions of years ago. A summer spent waiting on a familiar balcony until jupiter would rise, bright and imposing with its cloud belts, nothing more than dusky tan bands in the eyepiece you were glued to.

The north star, or Polaris, is pretty consistent in its positon and always helps you navigate the sky more easily. The evening is crisp enough for you to find it right away: Orion with its belt, a little cluster of stars you’ve learned to recognize as the Pleiades sparkling on its upper right. Seven divine sisters, Pleione’s daughters. He’s taught you all that.

“You don’t need to believe in fate or destiny for someone to be special. Sometimes you just get lucky” Giyuu sits up in your peripheral, arms resting on his knees as he peers up at the sky.

You need luck. And you need timing.

“Have you ever gotten that lucky?” it’s not casual at all, the way you almost whisper the question. He’s tempted to glance at you: ever the attentive observer, always able to read every crease of your forehead and subtle furrow of brows.

He resists the temptation.

“Yeah” he mumbles and you wish you could swallow the words to ease the painful squeeze of your stomach.

“The kind of love you’d drop everything for? Quit jobs, change cities, take planes, get a driver’s license?” it’s childish, the way you insist, but you can’t help it and the way he just shrugs is honestly infuriating.    

“Guess so”

Fine, that’s it.

You stand up abruptly and not so gently pat your jeans clean of any grass remains, shooting him an offended glare you make sure he doesn’t miss by faintly kicking his shoe with your own. Giyuu glances up at you, currently towering over him with a frown that has gigantic question marks floating right above his head.

“Guess you’d really ditch everything, huh? Even me. Let’s go, before I change my mind about buying you that ice cream” you grumble, barely resisting the urge to flick his stupid forehead before turning around and marching in the opposite direction with a pace fast enough to underline your annoyance but controlled enough not to actually leave him behind.

Giyuu cocks his head as he watches you walk away, confused and not entirely sure about what's just happened. His eyes are still fixed on your back as he sighs in frustration.

“Yeah, I’d ditch everything” he mutters to himself “I’d drive away before I let you go. You’re the only thing keeping me here, anyway”

Idiot.

Who cares about timing? He's already been lucky enough, no need to be fucking greedy.

“Giyuu, what the hell? Are you coming or not?”

Yeah, he'll tell you. Maybe over ice cream.

[lemon-wedges]

Just wanted to ask (and feel free to not answer), but how do you draw so much so quickly? I'm always impressed by how fast you doodle or paint. Also, wanted to say that I appreciate your Barok and DGS art as a whole.

and with this ask i have finally reached an artist milestone 😭

Well theres a short answer and a REALLY long answer (which ill put under cut when i get there).

short answer: practice + refs

which.....can be an annoying thing to hear. And as someone who studies art and has bought a LOT of online courses trying to figure out how industry people can just churn out work like nothing. it feels like a let down every time i find out their big secret. just practice and photo refs. Every. Single. Time.

LONG ANSWER:

its how you studying your refs. heres how i do mine

sorry if this is rambly. but ill try my best to at least be clear. BUT THIS is the EXACT way i taught myself how to be quicker.

I do not know if youve taken any art classes but essentially one of the ways to study gesture drawing is by first tracing ur photo ref to get a sense of the flow/proportions of the body. youve probably seen a billion of these tutorials floating around:

So last year around hmmmm june/july? i was NOT looking to get better at my anatomy or gesture. i was actually trying to get better at clothes. but my problem was it took me so long to draw out a figure (which i was fine with cause i liked how my people looked at the time) that i could never really just focus clothing part.

So i told myself look. ur not looking to draw in this style like this forever. so for now SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY!!!! I WANT THE BAREBONES OF A HUMAN HERE TO MAKE A MANIQUIEN FOR CLOTHES OK

but how do i do that....

Im gonna use this piece as an example from my rise and yosuke fashion palooza month. FIRST u see i got all my photo refs together. i like those poses on the right and i want to switch out the clothes for the other ones i picked out. i trace out my poses. kind of like the tutorial up top but since this is about draping i was focused the exact places their waist/arms/legs/etc would bend.

and like the tutorial u turn off the photo ref and do a drawing based off that traced piece.

then i would turn on my refs and add on my clothes

And after a month of just doing that over and over and over. i was surprised to find that figures and poses were so much easier to understand when i would break them down like this. and once u get familiar with them the faster and more confidently you'll draw them.

I and still do this btw. heres my otasune from the last week

i used photo refs for all my sketches. if i cant find anything online to match what i want i just take photos of myself. and some might say well arent u just relying on reference TOO much?

AND AGAIN take it from someone who has spend a lot of money buying classes from their fav artists in the industry. The Secret of how they churn out so much cool work so fast always turns out to be this. practice and photo refs.

Every. Single. Time.(tho this is omitting a lot. im not getting into like they way they stylize their art work. that actually the fastest and funnest thing to do once u have ur base down)

Now PAINTING

The thing is, i dont actually post up all my work on this blog. So theres a ton of stuff you havent seen me do. These are some paintings i did 2 years ago for a class.

I already know how to pick my values and set up lighting. When you see me painting my figures now. i am not focused on learning these basics im actually just honing a technique.

you might see me post readmores with these kinds of wips. I lay in all my colors and lighting with the lasso tool. ALL THE MAJOR DECSIONS ARE DONE HERE

(the little miniature i add on the side basically tells me what the overall feeling is going to be when i blend in the lineart to be cohesive with my colors) ( also if you had any questions on my prepainting process tho. feel free to ask!!!)

and if you compare this wip to my finished piece youll actually find that i dont stray that far from what i've laid in.

everything happening at THIS stage is about feeling out how i want the textures to blend with one another and getting funky with some brush strokes.

and thats it? im not sure if any of this is helpful but if anything. i hope you come away from this feeling like what ive been doing here is nothing special. "THATS IT???? THATS ALL THERE IS??? well i could have done that :T"

exactly man. you can do ALL OF THIS aND MORE!!! I BELIEVE IN U :D

but ill let this be the last thing i leave u with my friend: my barok sketch and the refs i used for his boobies

[rollercoasterwords]

genuinely thank you so much for writing thtf. it's my favourite thing to read in the whole world for so many reasons. like other than where it's obviously devastating (in SUCH a good way), idk it just makes me so happy

I think it's the first wip i followed from start to finish and I have to say that part of 2022 was not the greatest but yk, every few days there'd be a new chapter. and it was great.

I fucking love Dorcas talking about "a butterfly in the palm of your hand" it's changed the way I think so much. like you would not expect this from a fanfic lmao but it's pretty much exactly what I needed to hear at the time. living just to live, even if it's complete shit, not caring about what they're leaving behind. ch 42 (i think) where all they're doing is just washing the dishes but it's so special and they're listening to dawn storm is so important to me I love it SO much. fucking amazing.

ngl I don't really think there's anything I don't like. every character feels so right - regulus in particular sticks out to me, like there's such a good balance between him doing pretty bad things because he's not a particularly "good person" but also not being a complete dick. also I would die for marlene mckinnon and the way you write her is just so fucking good. the way she is just so alive to make up for her shorter life is so beautiful to me. I could ramble on for a very long time about everything in this fic but I dont want this to get too long lol

the music you put on the chapters is also really good like I'm pretty sure the first time I read it I didn't listen the music and then I reread it with the music and it was like a whole different experience

yeah i would've sent this earlier (like maybe a year ago) but looks like I put it off for a really long time lol

also - really love where atwmd is going rn I'm so excited for more chapters, i love Sirius Black etc etc

ahh thank u this is so sweet! i love hearing that thtf resonated w people it definitely feels like the fic kinda took on its own life & became a little philosophical journey that i was not entirely expecting lol. i think writing a story where i knew my main characters were going 2 die the whole time really made me contemplate like. ok what do i actually want 2 say abt death, and by way of that what do i wanna say abt life? bc like. as someone who doesn't believe in an afterlife i didn't wanna write a story that says "well it's ok bc they can be happy in the afterlife" <3 bc like. that does not comfort me lol. & i also didn't wanna write a story that was like "it's ok bc there's gonna be a good future 4 others after them," bc i think life means something and matters even outside of futurity. i didn't wanna play into this narrative that u have 2 Do Something 2 make ur life meaningful by making sure u have an impact on the future, etc; i wanted 2 write abt life as meaningful outside of that. & i also specifically wanted 2 write abt life as something beautiful & meaningful even with the bad stuff mixed in, and even if death is abrupt and scary and painful and unwanted. like i purposely made both their deaths pretty brutal bc i personally find the idea of a "bad death" really scary! the idea of dying before ur ready, dying scared or alone or in pain or all three, etc...and i think part of why that's so scary is bc we place this big emphasis, again, on a linear timeline of life, where death is The End, and if The End is bad, then the story's a sad one. but death is just one moment in the sum total of billions of moments throughout your life; why should that bad cancel out all the good? why should a story be sad, just because the last page of it is sad? you can open the book to any page and find happiness, and love, and warmth, etc. & that's what i'm trying 2 say w "a story is not its end."

anyway. this got much longer than expected lol i love 2 ramble abt thtf but! again ty 4 the kind words glad u enjoyed the fic glad u enjoyed the music as well!! i love the playlist 4 that fic <3

[destinyc1020]

I think that many of this SM4 rumors come from different factions that are pushing certain stuff at negotiations. I don't think that SM4 had anything to do with the delay of Euphoria because contractually Euphoria would have taken priority over Spidey for Z since Zs Spidey contract (and its precedence over Euphoria) expired with NWH. Also Sydney straight up said that Euphoria was going to be her next project so this decision to delay Euphoria was very recent and the most likely reason is that Sam is going through some shit probably triggered by the deaths of Angus and Turen and he's not accepting for anyone else to help him with the writing (I do think that the Euphoria situation is a major contributing factor to Zs stress. She's not only the lead of the show, but also a producer and a close friend of Sam. We know she would go to his house to motivate him to write during S2. All of this shit should be stressful as hell for her. I think she needs to be ready to walk away if Sam is not willing to get help with the writing. She can't put her career on hold to be a therapist for a friend)

Anyway, we saw during NWH press how Amy Pascal straight up lied to reporters saying that Tom had signed a new Spidey contract. I would bet good money that many of these fake leaks are coming from her. There are billions of $$ involved with the franchise, and when there's so much money at stake people become ruthless. I would not believe anything about SM4 unless it's coming from Variety, Deadline or THR. Until then I'm not going to stress about Spidey at all

Thanks Anon for your input ☺️

Well.... All I'll say is that I definitely hope that Z isn't stressing out about "Euphoria" based on Sam's account. 🥴

While I love Zendaya's incredibly sweet heart and kind nature, I really don't think she should be responsible for babysitting a nearly 40-year old man, and holding his hand to get his freakin' work done. 🙄😒

Going over his house to try to "motivate" him to write??? 🥴 I'm sorry, but NO. 😒 He is a GROWN MAN. My coworkers don't come over to my house to try to get me to sit at my computer and do my job anytime I'm having an emotional or mental bad day. 👀

If the deaths of Angus and Turen have been too much for him (which is totally understandable), then he needs to hire some writers (like NORMAL directors do), OR, take a bit of a break, and revive the show for one last season years from now. 👀 He could even do what "Downton Abbey" does, and just make a full-feature film at the theater after the show seasons ended lol 😆

Making a 2-hour film might actually be easier for him than trying to do 8 one-hour episodes. 👀

Either way, I hope Sam is getting some therapy. 👀 I just think it's incredibly stressful (and shows a lack of common courtesy) to your cast to be taking years to write stuff that really should have been finished long time ago, and to be changing scripts LAST MINUTE every single filming day 🙄(cuz the cast has def talked about this 👀).

Let's also not forget how the crew was constantly complaining all during the S2 filming about the crazy conditions they were under. 🥴

Idk, maybe it's just me, but it just seems to lack common courtesy... but maybe Sam is a perfectionist. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[undead-merman]

Garnet

December 31st 2015

To my horror, my father's scraps of rambling claiming to be research turned out to be true. 

Deep in this unnamed facility past a million warning signs was the monster. His eyes gleaming in the darkness, reflecting the light of my lantern. I swear his eyes bore into me as if he was reading my very soul. He shouldn't be alive, not for how long this place has been abandoned. Life behind a chain link fence with only stagnant air and dust particles. 

I pulled him out and seeing as how I simply came here to fight off my burning curiosity and hatred, I don't have a team to help me swipe the place and collect the research from the last group that contained him. I've contacted my most trusted allies to help me. They'll arrive any day now to my camp just outside this worn down concrete mess of a building. 

He's semi feral. He understands basic body language, but does not speak or respond to any spoken language. I've tried. He growls and hisses at the most basic of things. He didn’t even understand forks and knives. He doesn’t even eat with his hands, he kneels down and licks it up from the ground. It’s a sad sight, really. I managed to lead him outside with some scraps of my lunch. He hissed and shied away from the sun like it was a beast. The poor thing, I shielded him away from the sun and waited with him until the sun went down. I made him a spot in my tent, and I'm watching him. I can’t be too careful with how wild he seems to be. He’s sleeping in my bedroll. 

I cannot believe my father was right. The power of manifestation is true and has happened in the past, allowing a billion gods to be born over the years… Garnet, as I will be calling him from now on, doesn’t seem to look like one. He looks more like a demon. Garnet horns, a long tail, rough skin with pillars of said stone growing out of his spine and across his skin. His skin I can tell is supposed to be a much more saturated red, but with who knows how long he’s been in there he’s surely gotten paler. 

I’m going to do my best to look after him. I think I should look into my father’s notes more as well. 

January 5th 2016

A few days have gone by, and I want to compile my notes here. My new team has arrived, a few of my late father’s friends, a few friends of my own. All of them know of my father’s sudden detrimental interest in manifestation, even after all his years as a man of hard science. A handful of them searched the building, while a few stayed with me and studied Garnet. 

Previous research dating back to the 1800s shows he wasn’t always feral. He was a calm-collected man that was theorized to be a demon of sorts. The horns on his head are indeed made from pure garnet, as well as the protrusions on his body. He used to have wings, as stated in some of the old writings, but they must have atrophied and fallen off. 

I’ve taken some time to try and teach him some basic English. He’s a fast learner, which makes my life a lot easier, though it seems like he used to speak it a long time ago. My guess with how long he’s been alone, he’s forgotten it. Makes me sick to my stomach. Over a hundred years of solitude. Strangely enough, looking at his old enclosure, there were no signs of attempted escape. He stayed put like a well-trained dog.  

There are thousands of files, some of them unreadable, almost all of them unorganized. We suspect people have been in here to explore or trash the abandoned facility, so it makes it harder to find material. But with Garnet the moral is up at the very least. Though, Garnet seems wary of new people. He only seems at ease around me and inside my tent. He snaps at anyone getting too close. In fact, he goes ballistic unless I stand in the way. I hate to describe it as such, but he acts like an unsocialized dog. Still, he seems like a good man, just lost from the stillness and loneliness of that facility. I’ve seen him sneak around and patrol my tent before curling up by my head. When he thinks I'm asleep he’ll lick my hair and chew it. 

Talking with the team they agreed to stay here for as long as it takes. One of them even inviting a few more to understand garnet, a biochemist, a genealogist, Histologist, Biophysicist, the whole nine yards. Some of my father’s friends are even paying for the expenses of this trip. I’m so grateful. I hope that the study doesn’t stress Garnet out too much. Furthermore, I’ve resolved myself to taking Garnet’s comfort as a priority. If he doesn’t want to do something, then I will make sure that they don’t press anymore. 

January 16th 2016

Our team has done some more digging and careful organizing and we’ve found out more about Garnet’s reason for being here. This used to be a research company that was looking into lab grown crystals but had ended up finding Garnet. They had harvested garnets from his body using different methods from bloodletting to cutting them out of his skin after burning him. From what it seems his blood would solidify into gemstones. It would provide hefty amounts, though their color would be low quality. The act of burning him which would scab over with the crystal and yank them out. These would result in much higher quality garnets. They wanted to test this, but I refused. It's far too inhumane. 

We have also discovered he’s been there for generations. They had found a collection of folders called ‘Project Vein’, they didn’t even properly give him a name. I couldn’t stop myself from crying, knowing this man had gone through all that for some stupid fucking jewelry. Worst of all, when he saw me crying he straddled me licking my face and tried to comfort me, me. I couldn’t sleep that night, I didn’t even try. 

The company dissolved after the great depression and he had been there ever since. Wasting away as he waited for someone to come find him. Save him, give him orders. Good riddance. I don’t even want to know the names of the people working here… it would eat me up inside. 

We’ve been trying to teach him more and he’s picked up on it more and more. Instead of basic words, he’s relearned slightly more complex sentences. Thankfully, he’s a bit more social now and not just hovering around me and hissing and biting at the others. Not to say he doesn’t hover still but at least he’s not hostile to the others at camp. My father’s closest friends from work, he has taken great interest in Garnet. He keeps trying to feed him and get Garnet to spend time with him. Garnet is still wary of him. We did find out Garnet enjoys fruit. One in particular being a pomegranate. He couldn’t take his eyes off it. We gave it to him, and we watched as he peeled the flesh with such delicacy. No juice spilled from it unless it was already in his mouth. We all sat around and watched as he plucked seed after seed. He offered a handful to my colleague and myself before eating the rest. Ever since then, he’s been pestering us for ‘the tiny pom’. 

His body is nothing like the doctors have ever seen. They were able to take small tissue samples and do some check up and scans. The tissues turned to Garnets within a few minutes. After study, his flesh truly turned to the crystal. The Mineralogist explained that garnets have a few different species. He seems able to produce many species… I wasn’t aware there were species.... Chrome pyrope garnet seems to be the main one he produces. He’s only able to produce a red variety as far as we know. But even she doesn’t know if. His flesh produces Spessartine. She wanted to take samples from all over his body including bone and marrow samples, but I refused.  

I made sure they don’t go overboard with testing. As fascinating as he is, I cannot allow any mistreatment. 

January 25th 2016

We have been here for nearly a month and Garnet has made leaps and bounds worth of progress. His long hair had been bothering him so they went head and cut his hair. He perked up the minute they showed him his reflection and he came scrambling over to me asking if I liked it. It suits him, and now I don’t have to spend twenty minutes every morning combing it. 

He’s finally comfortable wearing clothing, much to everyone’s relief. With the cold, It only further proves the point that he is not bound by reality like us mortals. While he contains a stomach, he does not need to eat, he doesn’t need to sleep, the cold has no effect on him, he can have his body torn apart and beaten and still be fine, and heal it all away within a matter of hours. 

He is not a mortal creature. If my father had any say in this, he would have called it a god. Garnet ceaselessly creates from his body without the need for energy. What else could you call it? I’m not even sure myself. Father’s research says there are billions of them. Gods created from the ideas and concepts attached to them. He mentioned gemstones, devils, zodiac, animals, though gemstones are primarily the object of his interest. Garnet, amethyst, ruby, topaz and citrine. He claimed to have known about Garnet, his mother telling stories about him. I worry that my family was somehow involved with him. 

We’ve plucked through as much as we could inside, but sadly time has destroyed most of their research. What I've previously written down in my cataloging is simply all we have. Garnet doesn't seem to remember anything after the last visit to him. From what he's told me, a man had come up to him and told him to wait there. He waited and waited until I came. 

Everyone discussed what to do next. Without Garnet consenting to testing, there wasn’t much they could do. But when I told them about my father’s research, they asked if I was planning to see if there was more like Garnet. I had to admit it. If there were any more creatures like Garnet, I was willing to risk everything to find them. 

I really am my father’s child… 

They agreed to help me and asked what to do with Garnet, and honestly I had to think awhile about it. I simply just couldn’t let him go about the world on his own. I know it in my heart that he’d be taken advantage of the moment someone got him in his grasp. But keeping him with me? It is not like he’s some pet. I’d have to hide him, keep him safe. I’m not sure if I am up to the task. 

But seeing how Garnet curls up to me every single night, licking my fingers and hair, and nibbles at my shoulder just to hug and hold me, I knew I had to. I told the group I’d keep him by my side and Garnet was thrilled about it. He latched on and didn’t let go until bed. I’d have to return home to look more into my father’s notes. The people of my camp offered to help me get back without having to arouse suspicion from the public. I am privileged to have such lovely people surrounding me in this mission. When I told Garnet that we’d be traveling back home, his tail whipped around wildly, and he seemed to take pride in the fact I called it home for the both of us. I hope I can spoil him like he deserves. 

January 28th 2016

We ended up taking a train. We were able to have a whole private cart to ourselves, so I didn’t have to worry about Garnet getting overexcited and getting caught. I had to thank one of my dad’s old friends for that. 

He was pressed by the window the entire time, and he refused to let me squirm away. I was by his side with his hand around my waist as he watched trees and mountains go by. It was charming seeing how amazed he was. Every seat cushion he bounced on, the table he laid upon and lounged like a king. After so long alone, it was heartwarming to see him so enthusiastic about the world. 

I’d let him pick at my lunch and takes the things he wanted as I looked up more about Gemstones, mostly the ones about my dear new friend. 

From my dad’s rants, I remember him saying that humans assigning characteristics would result in a grain of truth. So I looked at what the birthstone would represent and their symbolism. It was sweet seeing him sniff and poke at my pad and pen. 

Loyalty, passion, healing, and protection were the most common aspects… and it would make sense for him. Loyal to the end. Waiting for someone to come find him. I have to push down all those hateful feelings. I have Garnet to look after. 

Maybe in the future we will find more about them, but for now I'm going to spend some time looking into my father’s things and making sure Garnet feels safe, loved, and taken care of. He deserves it.