#like. In my town there are these things on the street lamps and stuff and I read in the newspaper

[amearla]

they’re coming for your toothbrushes and your property.

According to a recent report published by the Aargauer Zeitung (h/t Golem.de), around three million smart toothbrushes have been infected by hackers and enslaved into botnets.

The most cyberpunk thing on your dash today.

[swarvey]

how they would propose | sdv bachelors x g/n!reader | part one

-> summary: in game, the farmer is always the one to present the mermaid's pendant to their lover — what if it was the other way around?

pt. 2

a/n: starting with half the boys, i'll be working on the rest of them + bachelorettes after ! i got a bit carried away with elliott's ... but can you blame me?

alex

carries the pendant around in his pocket for a week, hoping the right words will magically find him if he does

(they don't)

definitely the type to lock himself in the bathroom and stare at himself through the mirror while practicing what to say to you

decides to propose during a quiet walk in the evening so he has your full attention and all the time in the world to profess his love to you

alex swears his heart is about to fly out of his chest as the two of you walk hand in hand around pelican town, the sun long gone below the horizon. the street lamps guide the two of you, fireflies intermittently emitting gentle flashes of light.

he doesn't even realize you're expecting a response from him until you wave a hand in front of his face, moving in front of him so he's forced to look into your amused gaze.

"alex," you laugh, and his breath hitches, "are you listening? you look like you've been zoning out."

he musters an empty laugh back at you, internally panicking as he desperately tries to recall what you said. "what? me? no, i was just, uh . . ." think, alex, think! you can't mess up now! "i was thinking about gridball." he wants to smack himself.

"really?" you reply, raising your brows. "you're thinking about gridball, now? while i was talking to you about our anniversary coming up?"

shit.

his face pales, stopping in his tracks in the middle of the bridge near the museum. he groans, dropping your hand to run it through his hair — surely he can fix this, right?

"okay, cut the act," you say, worry beginning to show in your features. "is everything alright? what's bugging you?"

"nothing, really! it's just that, uh . . ." alex inhales a quick breath to prepare himself before grabbing both your hands in his. "you know i love you, right?"

"yes . . .," you trail off. you look at him with concerned eyes, beginning to look uneasy. "now i'm really worried—"

"no, no! just hear me out, alright?" you nod. "you know, before you moved here, my view on life was pretty boring," he admits. "all i really cared about was gridball and my grandparents. and dusty, of course, and i guess sam and haley, too—" he shakes his head, blush beginning to cover his cheeks. "whatever, you get what i'm trying to say, right?"

"i'm not entirely sure if i follow," you reply, smiling at how flustered he's gotten. "what are you getting at, alex?"

he sighs. "listen, you moving here was the best thing that ever happened to me. you've shown me there's tons more to life than whatever i was doing before, like giving random gifts to everyone in town just to make them happy, or being a badass and fighting off monsters!" you laugh, and he grins. "anyways, now that i've had a taste of what being with you is like, i don't think i'm willing to share."

your jaw drops as he reaches into his pocket and gets on one knee, opening his palm to reveal a mermaid's pendant.

"will you marry me, y/n? so i can spend the rest of my life learning more awesome stuff from you?"

he nearly collapses in relief when you nod, whooping in joy before engulfing you in a tight hug. after a few moments, he can't help but kiss you strongly, a hand cradling the back of your head with the other on the small of your back. you smile into the kiss, pulling away only to look into his teary, overjoyed eyes.

"aren't you forgetting something?" you tease, glancing down at the pendant that's still clutched in his hand.

"oh, right!" you bend your head forward as he places it around your neck, beaming at the sight.

you hold the jewel in your hand, adrenaline pumping through your blood. "looks like we'll have to plan a wedding," you say, happily pecking alex's cheek.

"yes, this is so great!" he exclaims as he jumps in excitement, unable to control himself. "alright, first, we gotta figure out where we're going to cater food from, but i know grams will want to bake our cake," he rambles, grabbing your hand as he practically starts to drag you home. "oooh, and we should totally ask sam and his band to play something for us! he knows all the songs we like, anyway. i think all the guys will help me get all dressed up, but i bet haley and the rest of the girls would go crazy over helping you pick out what to wear, they probably know better anyway—"

"alex," you interrupt, laughing at his antics, "relax. we'll figure all this out tomorrow. let's just go home." he nods.

"you're right, honey," he agrees, swinging your intertwined hands playfully. "i'm going to need all the rest i can get if i'm gonna spend all of tomorrow bragging about my engagement."

shane

leaves the pendant in his nightstand drawer and looks at it every night before he goes to sleep for nearly a month

he truly never thought he would get married — who would want to marry him, the town drunk?

regardless, the past year with you has proven otherwise, and he knows now there's no one else he wants by his side

he decides to do it quite impulsively one day, literally grabbing it from his drawer and walking to your farm

(marnie nearly faints in excitement when she sees him walk out with the mermaid's pendant in hand, while jas cheers him on)

shane starts to get nervous when he doesn't see you anywhere on the farm, making sure to double-check all the chicken coops and barns before heading toward your house. your pet runs up to him, sniffing the hand wrapped around the pendant curiously.

"got any advice?" he asks jokingly, though he doesn't receive an answer — just a tilted head and wide eyes. "guess this one's on me," he sighs, looking at the jewelry nervously.

"shane? is that you?"

shane nearly drops it as he quickly shoves his hands into his pockets, watching as you step out from your greenhouse. of course, he thinks, the one place i didn't check.

"what are you doing here?" you ask, smiling at his sudden appearance. you're wearing dirt-covered gloves and your hair is touseled and frizzy; shane thinks you're glowing. "dinner's not til later, isn't it? or else i'll need a little time to get ready."

"no, i thought i would stop by a little early," he says. "i had something i wanted to talk to you about, actually." you nod, taking off your gloves and putting them in your bag.

"of course, what's up?" you ask, looking at him with those damn eyes that he could never resist.

"we should get married," he states bluntly, excitement sending chills down his body.

he wants to kick himself as you stare at him, blinking twice before saying, "y-yeah, i guess we should."

he nods, swallowing. "it makes sense, y'know?" he reasons, suddenly avoiding your eyes. "we've been with each other for a while now, and things have been going pretty good." he pauses. "you've gotten me through a lot, you know that? i mean, before you got here, i didn't think anyone in this town gave a damn about me — but you obviously do, for whatever reason, so i'll spend the rest of my life trying my best to be the guy you see me as."

he takes the mermaid's pendant out from his pocket, sheepishly looking at you as he holds it. his eyes are watering with emotion, and by the looks of it, so are yours.

"so, what do you say, honey?" he asks softly. "will you marry me?"

"yes," you reply, smiling as he puts the necklace on you. he laughs in disbelief when he sees you wearing it, still in shock that this is his reality. you roll your eyes, pulling him in for a deep kiss. you cry out in surprise as he hugs you strongly and even lifts you off the ground slightly, his eyes brighter than you've ever seen them.

"i can hardly believe this is real," he sighs, pulling you into his side. "guess i did one thing right in my lifetime."

you slap his arm, resting your head on his shoulder and closing your eyes. "you definitely didn't plan this out, did you?"

"huh? what makes you think that?"

"you couldn't even wait until dinner to ask?" you joke. "i guess it wasn't really a question, either—" you laugh as he pokes your side to cut you off.

"don't forget, you're the one who said yes," he retorts, smiling nonetheless. "you're officially stuck with me."

elliott

oh, he's had the mermaid's pendant for months. pretty much since you two got together

he tried to keep it a secret, he really did, but by the time he actually decides to propose, the rest of the bachelors and bachelorettes know

still, he wants the proposal to be for you and you only, so he plans on asking you during an evening picnic dinner on the beach

that doesn't stop him from asking his friends for some help, though

"is this really necessary?" sebastian questions, placing a candle into the sand and creating a pathway to the picnic blanket near the water.

"i think it's romantic," leah sighs, handing him another candle from the box in her arms. "he's been planning and buying all this stuff for weeks now. plus, candlelight always makes things more magical."

"i'm sure the moon will be bright enough tonight to add some 'magic.'"

"the light itself is not our concern, my friend," elliott says, wrapping an arm around seb — who scowls at the contact, but decides to let him get away with it just this once — and waving his arm to show off their setup. "i need this beach to represent a scene of pure love and endearment tonight, for my beloved deserves no less than a proposal for the century!"

"right," seb monotones. "well, the candles are all set up, so i'm heading to the shade."

"you want the speakers over here, el?" sam calls out, holding up one of his wireless speakers at the entrance of the beach.

"i've got one over here, too!" abigail yells from behind the cabin.

"perfect!" elliott replies, grinning as the setting he's been picturing finally comes together. he waves goodbye as everyone begins to head home, turning to the only part of his plan left untouched — the picnic blanket. i suppose the rest is up to me.

-

"are you ready, my dear?"

"elliott, i've been ready for the past twenty minutes," you say, playfully smacking the hands covering your eyes. "can i look now?" he laughs before finally lowering his arms, watching lovingly as your eyes widen at the setting in front of you.

"shall we?" he asks, holding his arm out. you gladly hold on to him as the two of you make your way down the beach, in awe at the candles lighting your way.

"i must be dreaming," you say, shaking your head. "how did you—? wait, where's the music coming from?" you realize soft acoustic music is playing throughout the beach, feeling as if you're in a movie scene.

"ah, that? i asked sam and abigail if i could borrow their speakers," elliott explains proudly. "i also recruited leah and sebastian to help me create this enchanting path."

you laugh. "let me guess, you asked alex and haley to distract me and bring me to the library?" your jaw dropped. "no, and you asked maru and penny to get lunch with me? all so i wouldn't come to find you?"

"i had a feeling my darling would venture to my whereabouts, so i requested the help of our colleagues to keep you away. though i'm sure it was difficult for you, i wanted this to be a surprise," he admits, smiling at you. "do you . . . like it?" he asks quietly, a bit scared he had done too much.

"elliott, this is more than anything i could have asked for," you say, warmth coating your words. "what's the occasion?"

he sighs in relief before replying, "have i ever needed a measly excuse to spoil you, dear?"

"i suppose not," you agree amusedly, recalling all the times you've returned home to a bouquet sitting on your porch.

finally, the two of you reach the end of the path, sitting together on the blanket. a big basket covered with a cloth sits at the center of it, as well as two plates, utensils, and your favorite food.

you shake your head. "this is ridiculous," you state, looking at elliott with big eyes. "how long have you been planning this?"

he hums in thought as he plates your food, pushing it towards you. "that, my dear, is none of your concern," he says, "though, i will say it took quite a bit of strategy. and money," he jokingly adds.

after the two of you eat, elliott hands the basket over to you, trying his very best to contain himself.

"i thought it'd be fitting to get you some gifts," he states, as you begin to uncover its contents one by one.

inside, you find a framed version of your favorite photo with him, a hand-painted mug, a poem, and—

you gasp. "are those rubies?" you ask, a couple red stones glittering at the top of the basket. you pick them up, realizing they're matching keychains.

"courtesy of emily," elliott explains. he hesitates, breathing out lightly before continuing. "rubies signify love and passion, you know, as well as good luck and prosperity."

you laugh lightly, holding up the keychains to the moonlight to see them shine. "perfect, should work wonders for us and the farm—"

"they also symbolize weddings."

you blink, gently setting down the gems as you look at him. he holds out the mermaid's pendant he has been patiently keeping for you, eyes already shining with tears as you gasp.

"y/n, the time we have spent together has been by far the best of my entire life," he starts, "and when i look to the future, i'm afraid i cannot picture one without you walking by my side. you are, and always will be, the love of my life, my shining light, my fairy book tale. you, my love, are my happy ending.

"so, will you do me the honors and marry me?"

you jump into his arms as soon as he finishes speaking, both of you laughing as he happily holds you.

"yes, elliott, of course!" you exclaim. he grins as he holds your face in his hands, covering your face in kisses before finally landing on your lips. your hands run through his hair before you fall backward, elliott landing on top of you with his hand cradling your head. you peck his nose, and he laughs once more before helping you sit up.

"here, let us celebrate with some wine!" he decides, grabbing two bottles he had left in the corner. "shane and harvey said these were the best the winery had to offer."

"you really got the whole town in on this, huh?" you tease, barely containing yourself as he helps you put on the jewelry.

he rubs the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "well, it began with leah, and i thought it wouldn't hurt to tell harvey, but then of course i had to tell—" he stops himself. "secrecy has never been one of my strong suits, has it, love?"

you shake your head, leaning into his arm as you listen to the sound of the music mixing with the crashing of the waves.

"don't worry," you reassure, and he looks down at you with nothing but love in his gaze. "you have plenty of other traits to make up for it."

[hunnylagoon]

Take Me to War

PT1 Friendly Fire

Streamer! Ellie Williams x reader

A writer, I think is someone who pays attention to the world. We are observers, it is in our nature to be off-putting and turn shallow things deep.

Premise: Your neighbour is becoming increasingly loud and you decide to do something about it.

PT 2 Here!

Two things I hate the most?

My neighbour and New York City.

They shared something in common, they never rest. I liked my quiet life in my small town until I was convinced that all of the greatest writers lived in the city, what a joke. I sold my virtue to move to New York and now my body burned with the shame of not belonging.

I worked as a journalist and in advertisement but it didn't fill the gaping mass that consumed me, I felt like a sellout so I quit to do freelance, and now I feel like even more of a sellout. Freelance is making me think that I hate ghostwriting more than I hate my neighbour and New York City.

It's like you do all of the work and get zero reward but I'm desperate to pay the bills and all that stuff I've been telling myself all my life 'I may never be a rich man but the rich man will never have me' well, the rich man most certainly had me. I was paid an almost criminal amount of money to pour my soul into art just for it to get stamped beneath a new name and make a gross income six times the size of what I sold it for.

I look for happiness everywhere but I do not find it. I search for it in things everyone seems to pry joy from; I go clubbing, walk in Central Park, and date around, but happiness doesn't seem to exist there for me.

I plead for it in my morning cups of tea with a spoonful of honey, the sunshine glittering in a puddle after a rainstorm, for a brief moment, it flickers in the light of my cinnamon-scented candle. The truth is I am almost comforted by my sadness and it is in my lowest moments that my creations are the most beautiful, it is like I am dead and I despise those who aren't for I enjoy the company of my silence more than anyone I have ever met.

It was my dream for my name to be above 'New York Times Best Selling Author' but instead, it is just my work beneath it and maybe that's why I'm so bitter.

Right now as I am trying to salvage the bits and pieces I was given by a washed-up pop star for her memoir my neighbour is screaming and laughing incoherently in their apartment, it makes me miss living in an actual house.

The noise usually started up when I would finish up my writing and get ready for bed, then it would go all the way through the night. The dumb fucker probably threw parties every single night; my roommate never faced an issue with this as she worked at a club and was usually working when the deafening noises would begin.

I on the other hand who lived in that apartment and worked from that apartment was always cursed to listen to the random thumps and spats of laughter that sounded all through the night. At least once a night when I'm sound asleep, I hear a bang against the wall and each time without fail, I'm brought awake with my heart thumping.

Trust me, I have retaliated.

On occasion when I'm sleep-deprived and at my absolute limit I'll bang on the walls, that only stops the noise for a minute. I've even complained to my landlord and that one week was heaven until it eased back to the clamour that I've almost grown used to.

Almost.

I still hate it.

I'm broken from my thoughts when my phone rings, it vibrates till it's almost at the edge of my desk and I feel for it; don't worry buddy, I wanna jump too. I read the caller ID and I almost wanted to gag, it was a woman from the publishing company who reached out to me and asked me to write Nicole Elliot's novel. Despite wanting to throw my phone against the wall to stop Noemi's constant checkups and get back at my neighbour while I'm at it, I answer the phone "Hey, Noemi!" I glance out the window where the winter sun has long set, leaving nothing but billboards, street lamps and neon signs to light up the New York night. Under the unforgiving lights I can barely make out the gentle snowfall.

"Hey," She draws it out and I can hear in her voice that she is smiling "I know it's a little late, just checking in, how is the draft coming along?" A loud thump sounds against my wall along with intolerant cackling "What's that?"

"Just some street noise," I dismiss "Anyways, the draft is coming along great, I'm a couple thousand words away from finishing it. I will of course send it to you and I would really love it if you could reach out to Nicole and ask for her opinion on it before I carry on with the final copy," I give a middle finger to my wall, even if my neighbour can't see me, it makes me feel a little bit more formidable "I did follow her outline, which was difficult but I think I salvaged it pretty well."

This time there is a yelp from my neighbour and what sounds like someone slamming their hands down onto a table, Noemi thankfully ignores it "You haven't been in touch with Nicole?"

My eyebrows furrow "She hasn't responded to any of my emails and she's been turning down all of our scheduled Zoom calls, so no, I have not been in touch with her."

"Weird," Noemi comments and there is a brief break of silence between us "She's been M.I.A on our end too," I could hear her scribble something down. "So can you get the draft to me by Friday?"

Two days? If I lock myself inside and don't see the sun then I totally can "Absolutely!" I do work better under a deadline.

"Great," She sounds almost relieved "We will hunt down Nicole, it would be nice to get her greenlight with this but whether or not she approves it, she has already signed off and it will be going to print."

"Okay," I fight the urge to respond with 'sick' or 'aight' because I'm an adult now and someone who is masquerading as a professional.

"Sorry, what was that you mentioned about an outline?" Noemi asks, she sounds more confused with each word "I wasn't aware Nicole made any-

She is swiftly cut off by a crash from the other side of my wall, when I say crash I mean it. It sounded like someone just bodied their car into drywall. My eyes went wide as I saw a crack splitting up my once pristine white wall. I hold my phone against my collarbone as I get up and pound my fist against the wall, giving it a kick for extra measure.

"Is everything alright?"

"Certainly," The nice thing about phone calls is that the person on the other end can't see your awkward habits or subtle outbursts (Or neighbours breaking through your shared wall). After I hit the wall, everything went silent for just a second before laughter sounded heavily from multiple people. "Noemi, thank you for sourcing me out to write this, I am really grateful for this opportunity I will send you that draft on Friday." I try to wrap up the call but she speaks up.

"Well, I've read your work and I was very impressed, I trust you will do well with this. Sorry to have called you so late-

"Thanks, have a nice night now!" I'm talking faster than I can even think, the only thing in my head is the fact that my neighbour is slowly deteriorating my wall.

"Wait-

Before Noemi can finish her sentence, I've hung up the phone. I'm leaning back in my cushy office chair, hands gripping my hair as I stare down the newly formed crack in the wall. I don't entirely like to be confrontational, even in school I hated drama, but I was beginning to think it was necessary.

I saved the progress I had made on the memoir and pushed myself up from my desk. I was clad in nothing more than a t-shirt and some plaid pants, it was my writing attire and in the moment I didn't care much to make a good first impression. It was fucking freezing the second I got up from my desk.

The moulding on my bedroom window was broken which allowed the frigid New York air to slip into my room and make me shiver with each breath. At my desk, I would usually have a throw blanket to shroud my freezing body but the moment I discarded it, I felt regret. I almost wanted to wrap myself in it to confront my neighbour but the pyjamas alone didn't help me look tough.

I did however shove my feet into some cow slippers and march right up to their apartment.

Apartment 2D stood in front of me, the pastel blue door making me angrier with every second that I looked at it. I rapped my knuckles on the wood and crossed my arms to stop me from shuddering.

My nerves built up as I slowly heard a door within the apartment shut followed by footsteps leading to the door. I would just ask them politely to quiet down and calmly work on a way to fix the shared wall that they are slowly ruining.

The door opens and staring me down is a woman. I had expected it to be a man to be truthful. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the colour teetered on the verge of auburn and brown. The woman is clad in a black tank top and grey sweatpants, it's almost parallel to my outfit.

"You need to be quiet," I say the first words that come to mind "And stop assaulting my fucking wall."

She sucks a sharp breath through her teeth "Are you apartment 3D?" She asks to which I nod "I knew you would be stopping by soon." She has this sheepish and almost sardonic smile on her face and despite the amusement she's portraying I can see sadness brewing in her green eyes like a storm.

"I don't know what you're doing in there where you are up all night, I don't even have a clue how you sleep and work with all this time to spare to be a nuisance." I say and then swiftly feel the urge to backtrack "I'm sorry, that was a little rude, but mate, I can't sleep or work when you're being loud doing whatever you do."

"Fuck," She mutters looking back into her apartment and then at me "I'm sorry, I'll keep it down."

"What about the wall?"

Her eyes look me up and down, settling on my cow slippers "I'll find someone to fix the wall."

I press my lips tight together, looking dead into her eyes, scraping my brain for something else to say. It was almost like I wanted to fight. I had expected this to be a full-out conversation that ended in yelling but god she was pretty and she was telling me just what I wanted. "Okay."

"Okay?"

I regard her once more with what I assume is a cold glare before ushering back into my apartment and slamming the door behind me, the whole time, my neighbour watches me from her doorway.

That was the first night of uninterrupted sleep I'd had in a month.

-

I woke up earlier than I would've liked when my roommate Margot came home from work at 4:56 on the dot. She made sure to slam every single door and cupboard before throwing herself onto her bed in all of her makeup and musty clothes that had to endure whatever happens at a nightclub between the hours of 8 pm and 4 am, which I can't imagine is very clean.

Still, even though I was a little ahead of schedule I fell into my morning routine. It started with ignoring my phone, this was followed by a mug of Bengal spice tea with a teaspoon of honey and a splash of cream.

Sometimes I would curl up on the couch, though it snowed last night and I loved fresh snow. Freshly fallen snow absorbed sound, it was like soundproofing for the earth. There wasn't anything like the rare peace you could find in New York. I figured I would have my morning tea on the fire escape.

My peaceful image was destroyed the second I pried my window open and crawled through I was hit with the intense smell of pot. "Shit," I mutter, instinctively wafting the scent away from my nose.

"Sorry, man," I see my neighbour leaning against the railing of the fire escape, nursing a joint. It hadn't crossed my mind that I shared a level of the fire escape with her, I had never seen her out here but now the smell of weed that drifted through the damaged moulding on my window made sense, I had always assumed it to be Margot.

"Joint for breakfast?" I ask, half-joking. A dusting of powdery snow adorns each step and railing, creating a delicate layer of white that contrasts with the industrial gray of the metal though it looks like my neighbour has pushed all of the snow off the platform.

"Nah, for dinner I guess, it helps me sleep," She's in the same outfit from last night, except her hair is now loose around her face and she threw a hoodie over her tanktop.

I furrow my eyebrows "You've been up all night?" The slight tension from the previous night has dissolved completely.

"Yeah," She says it like it was a stupid question and it partially was but I hadn't stayed up that late since New Year only because I was the designated driver and was in charge of getting everyone home safe. "I don't sleep much, that's probably why I keep you up all night."

I mean, I'd let her keep me up in other ways "Honestly, I've gotten used to it, it's almost like white noise." I try to sympathize even if it isn’t necessarily true.

"Next time I'm loud, you have every right to bang on my door and chew me out." She takes a drag from her joint and I watch as the smoke escapes her lips, her cheeks tinted pink from the cold.

"Good to know," I glance behind her at the open window and all I see are purple LED lights cutting through the darkness of her apartment. "Now I know that we share a fire escape I'll just crawl through your window and yell at you that way," I joke, taking a sip from my snoopy mug.

This makes her laugh in the slightest, she crushes what remains of her joint on the cold railing and tosses the bud into the pot of a dead plant that's covered in snow and has lived on this fire escape long before I moved in; one time I just about removed it but I felt bad, it's like I was evicting it from its rightful home "Feel free."

"Am I allowed to ask why you're up all night breaking the sound barriers?" I ask, pulling my fuzzy robe tighter around my body to fight the bitter air. "Are you the leader of a cult? Would it be better for the world in the long run if I push you right now?"

The corners of her lips curl up into a smile once again "You've figured me out, just know I've got some big plans with Koolaid," She plays into my teasing.

"It was flavour-aid, actually." I don't know why I said that.

"What the fuck is flavour-aid?"

"Koolaid basically," Silence stretches between us "So what do you actually do all night?"

"It's a bit complicated," She says, of course, it was complicated. "I work from home," She couldn't do something normal, she probably did voice acting or ran a podcast or some weird shit like that.

"Sick," Don't worry, I made myself cringe when I said that too "I work from home too."

"Yeah, you said something about work last night, are you in marketing?"

I shake my head "I'm a writer," every time I tell someone that, I feel a twinge of embarrassment. I know it wasn't a noble career like my parents had hounded me over, but it felt noble to me. I had two absent parents and was raised by a pack of wolves, I would devour as much food as fast as I could because I didn't know when I would be eating next. I was far too emotional to be around all of the narcissists who preferred their own faces to my company, the only friend I had was the written word.

Since then I have been serving my soul up to strangers through word documents.

The thought makes me homesick for the arms that did not hold me and I truly expect my neighbour to make a mockery of me, the way others have. The way they've told me 'It's a tough industry but hang in there!' and pat me on the back like I'm a hopeful child clinging to her mother's skirts.

"That's really cool," She smiles while she gazes out to the skyline, I can see her perfect side profile and ski-slope nose "I wanted to be a writer, I thought myself to be a poet, and then I thought myself to be a scientist and wanted to be an astronaut. Now, I'm here."

"Where's here exactly?"

"Working things out, figure it out as I go," She shrugs like she is unsure of her answer.

I think it's beautiful how everything around me has been touched by human hands and carries so much history. For a quick moment, my mind wonders to those who built this building, the calloused hands that crafted the iron railing and now my neighbour who was leaning against it. "What's the end goal with this whole freefall thing?"

"To make it out alive."

"And your name?"

"It's Ellie."

-

That night Ellie stuck to being quiet as she promised. The next night was a different story. I was so close to finishing the draft of Nicole Elliot's memoir and was praying that the deadline would pass with no issue.

However, the noise began again. I was coming around to like Ellie and I didn't want to go yell at her again so I shoved my headphones in and turned up my playlist as loud as I could. There is no song I can blast in my headphones to drown it out.

She did say that the next time I was loud I could come and chew her out, I wouldn't do that; I would just knock on her door and quickly tell her that she was being too loud, and then we would both carry on with our respective work.

I stopped in front of the smooth door and raised my hand to knock. Ellie slips the door open just a crack, when she sees that it's me she opens the door. "Hey, Ellie."

"Hello," She smiles "To what do I owe the pleasure?" She had a very nice smile.

We both know the circumstances of my visit but I spell it out anyway "Dude, you're way too loud, it's disruptive and I'm working under a deadline."

"I know, I'm sorry." She looks genuinely apologetic.

"I don't know any office job that needs you to scream for hours on end," Alright, that blows what could've been a simple visit where she apologizes and I leave, I always had to add on.

"Right, sorry," She carries herself with so much confidence that it is like she is wearing armour made of gold though she has these subtle awkward tendencies of someone who has never been loved and was forced to improvise. "It's hard to explain,"

"Yeah, you've said-

"Do you wanna come and see?"

I'm taken a little aback and for a minute I think this is all a ploy for Ellie to lock me in her her apartment and kill me because she is sick of her neighbour banging on her door "What?"

"Well, you've asked a couple of times and if you have a minute I can show you."

I pause, mauling over her proposal. I think of my laptop on my spruce desk, open to the final pages of the memoir and I make up my mind "Alright, just not too long."

"If you say so," Ellie opens the door wider for me to move past her and then shuts it behind us.

Ellie's apartment is what I had expected from her even though it is surprisingly nice. She has a large L-shaped sofa in the living room adorned with throw blankets and pillows and a huge flatscreen with a coffee table in front of it. The layout is exactly like mine but inverted, her open kitchen has some odd knick-knacks that looked like they belonged on an Amazon must-haves list.

I don't go into her bathroom and the door leading to one of the rooms (What is equivalent to Margot's bedroom) is shut. The apartment itself is pretty sparse aside from little bits and pieces as she only moved in a month prior.

On the left side, I see that purple LED spilling out of what I assume to be her bedroom.

She walks in ahead of me and the second I follow in after her there is one question I have to ask "Ellie, are you a porn-star?" There are entirely too many computers in here. Her desk is set up with one of those fancy triple-screen PCs and she has a laptop placed seemingly randomly on a white loveseat that's pressed against the right wall.

There is one of those galaxy lamps that projects that trippy shit onto your walls and ceiling. The screen of her PC is facing our shared wall and I can see a huge hole where I assume that a loud crash from the other night occurred. Plastered all over the walls are posters from video games and movies, many of which I hadn't seen.

"What?" She sounds nearly offended "No," she grabs a folding chair from the corner of the room and unfolds it beside her black florid office chair. She sits on the folding chair and motions for me to sit in the office chair. "Come, sit."

I hesitantly sit in the chair "Are you going to attack me now?" I ask, getting defensive for no particular reason other than it was in my nature "Because I've read The Outsiders and I'm pretty sure I can fight."

She chuckles "I'm not gonna fight you."

"Because I'd win?"

She furrows her eyebrows but has this look of amusement on her face "Yeah, definitely."

"So what is this?" I motion around at all of her equipment.

Ellie puts one earbud in then hand me the other "Chat," She says, looking dead at the camera clipped onto her PC "This is my neighbour who came to yell at me for being annoying, she has every right."

"Who are you talking to?"

"I'm streaming," She said, clicking something on the screen so it changed, instead showing Ellie and I in front of the camera, I looked absolutely lost next to a rolling chat bar full of jokes that I didn't understand and people saying hello to me.

"So I was right," I turn my attention to Ellie "You are an internet person."

"Yeah, I'm an internet person but you weren't right, I don't do porn."

"Not yet," I shrug "Times are desperate," To this, the chats come in even faster than before. "So do you just sit here all night and scream at people?"

"I play video games and do challenges, sometimes I do just sit here and scream at them."

"That makes so much sense," I say "If there's any job that needs you to be obnoxiously loud and annoying, it's a youtube personality."

"Okay, well-

"So you're like Logan Paul?"

Her eyes go wide "No-

"What explains why your eyes are so bloodshot."

"You are a writer," She says it like it's a fact I wasn't aware of "You are in no place to judge, you probably spend as much time in front of a screen as me."

I nod "I hate to say you're right," My attention shifts to the hole behind me "Can you explain how playing video games put a hole through the wall?"

Ellie looks almost embarrassed, she doesn't say anything in response, instead, she just clicks something to screen share with us in a little box in the corner and then goes into YouTube. She types in 'Ellie Williams falls through wall' My eyebrows furrow as I read it, and she clicks the first video that pops up.

The video starts off strong; Ellie is cackling at something that her friend off-camera is saying, her friend then makes a comment that makes her laugh even harder and she throws herself back in her chair. This act breaks it, you can hear the chair snap beneath the pressure and Ellie just lets it happen as the chair crashes against the wall. Her eyes go wide when she realizes she's just put a massive hole into the wall and seconds later you can hear me on the other side banging my hands on the wall. Her eyes go wide and she stares at her friend off-camera, all of the laughter stops abruptly before her friend can't hold it in anymore and erupts in chortles, and the video cuts off.

My hand flies over my mouth to fight back the laughter I so badly want to let out. Ellie and I sit wordlessly, the only sound being donations on the screen and my giggles slipping through. Eventually, I manage to compose myself and look to Ellie, I don't have much to say except for "Oh my god."

A/N: Streamer! Ellie won the poll so here we are. As I was drafting out the other chapters for When I Was Your Girl, I decided that it is most likely to be discontinued unless I do a rewrite which will not be in the near future. I’m not rocking with the plot and there was a lot of mixed feedback, sorry if you were invested I guess, but you have this series to be invested in now!

[cq-studios]

Do you have any screenshots of your favorite details from KHUX?

HAHAHAHAHA, yeah I do

Gonna just drop a read more here 'cause if y'all know me at all you know this post is probably gonna be 10KM long lol

So, I'm gonna try to hold myself back a little because I literally have like 10 pages of notes about specifically stuff in the backgrounds and I doubt the internet will find my bench and lamppost count interesting. (Also image limit lol)

I'll list just 4 things for now (in no particular order) and talk about them a bit underneath.

NUMBER 1 || STREET SIGNS

So there are four street signs that we’ve seen in Daybreak Town. Two are in the Fountain Square (A and B), one is in the Marketplace (C), and one is in the Clocktower Outskirts map (D).

For B and D it’s pretty easy to figure out what the represent. B is a clock, probably representing the Clock Tower… or maybe the best place to see the Clocktower because it’s in Fountain Square. The overall shape of it is different from the rest of the signs so I imagine that means something. D is a gondola or canoe of some sort, which makes sense because it’s next to stairs that seemingly lead to the canal that runs through town. Maybe there’s a ferry system of some sort?

A and C I’m less sure about. The designs don’t really bring anything obvious to mind. Maybe C is Munny because it leads to the Marketplace? I’m not sure.

NUMBER 3 || DOOR UNDER FOUNTAIN SQUARE

See what makes this interesting to me isn’t just the fact that apparently Fountain Square is hollow underneath (maybe for pipe repairs or something, I don’t know) but just the general fact that a lot of structures in this town, that maybe shouldn’t be, are hollow.

If you look even some archways have windows, so there has to be an open space inside, right? Most of them seem at least connected to houses so I assume they’re basements or something. (The one by murder house gets me tho, like that’s right under the bridge. Who’s living right under the bridge)

And I also feel like this leads into the fact that, similarly but not as extreme as in Scala, Daybreak Town is kinda built on top of itself. Maybe that’s a symptom of being around so many (and possibly on) mountains but I still feel like it should be talked about more.

NUMBER 4 || LIGHTHOUSE INTERIOR MAP

There is so much to unpack here but I’ll try to keep it brief.

So I’m pretty sure this is one of, if not the oldest building in Daybreak Town. Two reasons.

1. Instead of having little wall lamps, like the rest of the town and buildings, all the light seems to come from mounted candles.

2. There are swords (A) on the walls and not Keyblades. Why would the Keyblade town not have Keyblades on its little shield emblem? Is it possibly because it was there before Keyblades?

This staircase here (B) is also the only known (not sewer drain) way into the waterways. It leads into the sewers then out to the little dock below the Lighthouse with the boat, hence the sign.

There’s these maps here (C) that I don’t really know what to say about, but is definitely worth pointing out. They’re all the same and I assume show the layout of the area surrounding the town (the darker parts being water). It could be a world map though (darker part being continents)… I don’t think we’ll ever really learn lol

And also I don’t know what this is (D) but I think it’s interesting that it has writing on it. It kinda gives me the vibe of those flat on the ground gravestones…

NUMBER 5 || BANNER

Daybreak Town actually has a flag it’s all over the place and you’ll start to see it everywhere if you look for it. They also kind of look like the banners in Radiant Garden. The colours and shape/mounting are the same but the designs on the flag itself (and mounting) is different.

I have no clue what that implies, if anything, but I figure it’s worth pointing out ‘cause it’s interesting.

[stellar-constellations]

(Very late) Christmas special! Yuri Briar

Yuri Briar x Fem! Reader

        Beware! This fic DOES contain SPOILERS for the manga and for the Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series: An Alliance (part 1)!

        This can be read with or without reading my Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series: An Alliance (part 1).

        Series information: Setting is AFTER the reader rejoined WISE (so Yuri and [Y/N] are married and [Y/N] becomes an official double-spy).

        This is NOT a replacement or part 10 for the Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series!

        The city air smelt like hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts. The town’s street lamps were decorated with yellow christmas lights and green wreaths. Children squished their faces against the cold windows of toy stores, gazing at what they want on their Christmas lists. Candies filled with marshmallows and peppermint advertised at the local grocery store. Yuri and I strolled through the town hand-in-hand, looking for gifts for the Forger family.

        “Do you have any idea what they’d want for Christmas?” I questioned, looking into store windows for anything that caught my eye.

        “I’m not sure. Yor said that she was fine with anything.” Yuri spoke, just as lost as me. 

        “Well what about Loid and Anya?” I asked, turning my head to look at Yuri.

        “Do we have to buy them gifts?” Yuri grimaced. 

        “They’re family.” I huffed. “Don’t be mean. And don’t even think about going to the Christmas party with an attitude to Loid. I’ll whack you.” I threatened.

        “I don’t even know what we’d give Loid. He’s so… reserved?” Yuri spoke. “He doesn’t talk much about himself other than work.” 

        “I see what you mean.” I hummed. “So work is obviously an important thing in his life.”

        “His main priority should be caring for Yor…” Yuri huffed.

        “We can talk about this later. The shops will close early because it's Christmas Eve, so we have no time to be complaining about stuff like that.” I pointed out. "Loid values work, we could get him something for work. Like, maybe a new journal to write notes? He is a psychiatrist after all.” I suggested.

        At least his public cover is. I thought to myself. 

        I tried to think more deeply on what Twilight likes without accidentally revealing to Yuri that I know him more than just his sister's husband. Of course I know things about him that Yuri and Yor won't, I did basically grow up with him almost my entire life, so I consider him like a brother and my best friend. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I basically knew nothing of Twilight's interests or hobbies. He's always been so work-oriented compared to my laid-back nature. 

        My realization led me to questioning everything I knew about Twilight. Is the personality I've associated with him almost my whole life a cover personality? Am I such a bad sister and best friend that I don't even know his favorite damn color? What he likes to do in his free time? 

        While I had an internal existential crisis, Yuri dragged me out of my thoughts. 

        "Hey, there's a bookstore over there. We can go find Loid's journal there?" Yuri suggested, pointing his finger at a small bookstore.

        "Yeah, okay." I nodded, dragging Yuri into the store with me. "Along with a journal, we can get Loid a book too. I'm just unsure of what types of books he'd enjoy." 

        "We have to get him more than one gift?" Yuri sighed, obviously displeased at the idea. 

        "Just wait till we get to Anya." I hummed. "She's a child, so she should get the most presents." 

        "When I was a kid, I didn't celebrate Christmas." Yuri pointed out.

        I did. Growing up as a West spy, the Handler would put time aside and host a Christmas party at HQ. She made sure to give small gifts to all spies (most likely to avoid promotions). Since I was a kid and the youngest on the team, she made sure my gifts were a little more special than my fellow spies. I remember the first year I joined WISE, she gifted me a warm sweater with comfortable short fur inside and the exterior was soft and gray, along with a raspberry candy cane. I cried so hard that day because I was so touched she bothered getting me something despite our relationship being something of a teacher and student. Now a days, I see her more of the closest thing I have to a mother in my life, and I make sure to give her a present every year too. 

        Speaking of the Handler, I need to find a gift for her too. I might be able to sneak out later and buy something while Yuri is sleeping. I thought to myself. 

        "Maybe a book on psychology?" Yuri questioned.

        "No. I wanna get him something for him to enjoy that's not all work-related." I spoke.

        Besides, me and him already know quite a bit of psychology as it is. I thought. 

        Maybe something like mystery? No, he'd figure out the mystery too quick. Suspense? No, he'd just get mad at the character's decisions for being stupid. Romance? Nope, he seems to have little interest in the subject. Maybe something dystopian? Eh, we've faced a war together and live under oppressed governments with the possibility of war, we have our own silent dystopian going on. Maybe something involving self-help, like how not to be robotic. It'd be a good gag gift, but like I said, I want him to enjoy it. Historical? No, we know just about everything in history.

        "Ah! Science fiction!" I exclaimed loudly. 

        "Like... robots?" Yuri questioned. 

        "I dunno, maybe. I think Loid would enjoy the genre." I spoke. 

        "How so?" Yuri questioned.

        "He's smart, he is a psychiatrist after all. He'll probably like something that's mixed with reality but still have hints of fiction in it. Smart people like smart things like science! It'd be something to get his brain working and still enjoy it." I spoke.

        "Pssh, anyone can listen to a person's problems and give out solutions." Yuri huffed.

        "That's not all they do, Yuri. They also—" I paused, deciding it wasn't worth going in depth. "Ah, never mind. Let's just find something good for him to read." 

        Me and Yuri walked to the science fiction section, looking for anything that caught our eyes. Yuri didn’t exactly do much of the searching since it included being “too buddy-buddy with Loi-Loi” so I did the searching myself.

        “Oh, what about 1984? I heard that was good.” I spoke. “I remember hearing it was featured in the newspaper, it’s relatively new, published in 1948.” 

        I might steal this after Twilight finishes reading it. I thought to myself.

        “Yeah, sure.” Yuri spoke.

        “Hm… what do you think Yor would like? I was thinking of giving her a new set of earrings as my gift. What’s on your mind?” I questioned. 

        “Well… she likes apples, specifically this Whistle Candy we had as kids, the apple flavored ones.” Yuri explained. 

        “That’s a good start. We can go to the market and buy those.” I smiled. “I want to stop by a jewelry store and buy her a set of gold earrings, I noticed her jewelry was gold so I figured she’d might appreciate it.” 

        “You noticed.” Yuri spoke, tears in his eyes.

        “Why are you tearing up?” I questioned, a little confused.

        “Just… you’re so thoughtful of her too. She loves you so much as her sister-in-law so it’d make her so happy to know you paid attention to her interests.” Yuri cried, wiping his nose.

        I resisted the urge to tell him I was observing her to make sure she wasn’t an obstacle in STRIX’s mission or a hazard to Twilight’s mental health (now that I’ve spent time with her, I’m aware she’s a wonderful person, but I was on my guard when we first met, especially knowing how hard she can hit someone). 

        “Of course I care, Yuri. She’s family to me, just like Anya and Loid are.” I smiled.

        The names of his sister’s husband and daughter leaving my lips immediately dried his eyes and made him grimace. “Blegh…”

        “Wow. I should use that more against you when you’re upset if it makes you forget what you were crying about in the first place.” I smiled, a little impressed.

        “Don’t you use those two… imbeciles... against me.” Yuri threatened, a glint in his eyes.

        “Yeah, yeah.” I hummed. “Let’s find an empty notebook now. I'm thinking something blue, or blue and white." 

        Yuri nodded as we walked together, looking around to find a journal. I've seen empty journals in bookstores before, so surely this bookstore can't be an exception. I took Yuri to the front of the bookstore where there would usually be little souvenirs or many pens. I found a plain midnight blue journal and held it up to Yuri. 

        "What do you think?" I questioned.

        "Looks like a journal." Yuri spoke.

        "Helpful." I hummed sarcastically, before opening the journal.

        I felt the texture of the pages and the cover, along with the page colors, the spacing and colors of the lines, and the sturdiness of the spine before deeming it acceptable. 

        "Okay, Yuri. Let's go pay for these then we can go for Yor's presents." I spoke. 

        Yuri nodded, grabbing my hand as we walked to the cash register together. 

        "How about you pay for Loid's and Anya's gifts, and I'll pay for Yor's? Her earrings will probably be expensive." Yuri spoke.

        "I mean, I have certain earrings I'm looking for, so I can buy them." I explained.

        "No. I got them. Loid's and Anya's gifts will probably tally up to around the earrings price." Yuri explained.

        "And you wanna buy your sister's presents yourself?" I smiled.

        "Yes." Yuri admitted quickly. 

        "Well, if you really insist." I sighed, deciding it wasn't worth fighting him. 

        When we got to the cashier, I took out my wallet from my purse and handed the cashier the amount of dalc they wanted from me. The bagged the books and handed it to me, telling us "happy holidays" as we left.

        "Okay. Let's go to the jewelry store first, then the grocery store for that whistle candy you were talking about." I hummed, rearranging the fluffy red scarf wrapped around my neck.

        Yuri nodded as I grabbed his red mitten, having him follow me. During our walk, I looked around at the shop windows to see if I could find any present for Yuri. I wasn't exactly sure what to get him; he was a pretty simple guy who'd love just about everything I'd give him, but I wanted to give him something that was actually meaningful and something he could really enjoy. The problem is Yuri doesn't have many interests besides Yor and work, so I'm really limited with potential gift ideas.

        "Why are you glaring at me like that?" Yuri questioned, confused.

        "I'm cold." I lied.

        I'm glaring at you because you're a troublesome brat to make happy. I thought.

        "Even in all those layers? We'll be at the store soon enough, so don't worry." Yuri spoke.

        I nodded, thinking of what I could get him. Maybe he likes whistle candy like Yor? But that's so boring, not to mention unoriginal since we're getting Yor it. I could get him something like a candle? But that's not long lasting, and I have no idea what his favorite scents are.         

        "Yuri, I'm thinking of changing my perfume sometime soon. What do you think I should go with?" I questioned.

        "I don't know? Something floral or citrus like most perfumes? It's your perfume." Yuri hummed.

        "Yeah, but I want your input. You're my husband so I don't want to get a scent you don't like." I explained.        

        "I doubt there's a perfume that I don't like. Just don't have it too strong?" Yuri spoke.

        Sometimes I wanna punch his stupid face for being so damn hard to shop for. Seriously, how can someone simple be such a challenge to shop for? Even Twilight is easier to shop for! 

        Yuri and I walked to the store to get the whistle candy Yuri said Yor liked. During the time, I thought of what good gifts Anya would have. I wanted to spoil the kid and give her a good Christmas. I've always wanted to be a cool aunt but now that I lost my entire family I can't do that anymore.

        No, I didn't lose my entire family, only a part of it. I still have Twilight and the Handler, and Yuri and Yor and Anya. My mother is still out there too, somewhere in this world. The thought left me feeling a little better from the other sudden intrusive depressing thought I had. 

        Anya likes peanuts and stuffed toys, I know that. She likes that one spy tv show too, whatever it was called. The episodes I watched with her are a little interesting, I might watch it myself to be honest (perhaps I can learn a thing or two I'm unaware of). I briefly thought about getting her a coat or a cute dress, but then I remembered being a kid and disliked getting clothes as gifts. She does like sweets too. 

        Oh! They have dog too! I remember Twilight telling me about that, trying to train it to attack on command. Apparently the dog is a rescue from Project Apple, where he was trained along with many other dogs to become highly intelligent military animals. I wonder if the dog is huge and scary, like a German Shepard or a Pit Bull with that kind of reputation? Hey, maybe I can convince Yuri to get a dog or a cat!

        Wait, focus. We're here for gifts. 

        "Yuri, when we get the candy let's go to the toy section next." I spoke.

        "Aren't you a bit old for toys?" Yuri smirked, earning him a glare from me.

        "Shut it." I huffed. "It's for Anya, I wanna see if there's any good toys around here she might like. I always wanna get her peanuts and stuffed animals." 

        "Peanuts?" Yuri spoke, making a face. "What kid wants peanuts for Christmas?"

        "Apparently Anya." I shrugged. "Don't question it, kids are weird and have weird Christmas lists. Besides, it's better than like, I dunno, a 20 dalc dolly or something."

        "I guess that's true." Yuri hummed, grabbing a bag of candy from the shelves.

        It was the whistle candy Yuri was talking about. It's comes in a pack of eight circular candies with a hole in the middle. Yuri grabbed two apple flavored packs, holding them in his hands since we didn't grab a cart.

        "Hey, it looks like the American candy Life Savers!" I pointed out. "This whistle candy you speak of, does it actually make you whistle?" I questioned, glancing at the candies.

        "Yeah. You can whistle through them." He nodded.

        "That's cool." I smiled.

        I took a look at all the candies, grabbing a few chocolate peanut candy bars and other candies like gummy bears, Fun Dips, marshmallow Circus Peanuts, and Jolly Ranchers before my eyes spotted a familiar and bittersweet candy—M&M's.

        "Oh hey, I remember these!" I spoke, grabbing a tube. "Hey Yuri, do you know how these were invented? Or more specifically why?"

        "Wasn't it something about the war?" Yuri questioned.

        "Yeah. During the war, normal chocolate bars couldn't be transported or eaten because it'd melt in the heat, so Ostanian soldiers couldn't eat them. Forrest Mars Sr copied the idea of Rowntree's Smarties, a British-made sweet small chocolate candies covered in hardened sugar syrup, when he saw soldiers from the Spanish Civil War eating them." I explained. "I had a buddy who would eat these like no tomorrow." I chuckled, before frowning. 

        Well, I guess he did eat them like no tomorrow, cause he's not alive anymore.

        I remember infiltrating a small town and killing a couple Ostanian soldiers. Rancher was looting the bodies to see if there was anything interesting or see if there's any extra ammo that matched his gun model. While he didn't find ammo that could be shot with his gun, he did find a small brown and tan tube with the title "M&M's" on the tube. He opened it and ate one of the small candies, then he became hooked and popped them in his mouth like a pill junkie. Sometimes, I think he killed soldiers just to see if he could find some of that candy on them. 

        Yuri noticed how my smile faded and patted my shoulder, an attempt to console me. While it didn't quite work, I was happy to know he was trying, especially considering that war was where he potentially lost his parents and started his hate for the West. He doesn't talk about them, but I can naturally assume he lost them in the war considering Yor was the one who raised him. 

        "Do you have a favorite flavor?" I questioned, breaking the silence.

        His hand left my shoulder as he thought, before speaking, "Maybe cherry?"

        I nodded, making a mental note in my head for later. 

        "Well, we got the candy. Let's head to the toy section and see what's there." I smiled, keeping the M&M's in my hand along with the other candies I grabbed.

        We both walked to the toys as I tried and figured out what toys I wanted to buy for Anya. I didn't want something lame or boring, and I didn't want to give her something too generic that every other kid has. Knowing Twilight, he probably got her stuff that's popular with the other kids along with things she liked, I wanna give her something meaningful other than snacks. 

        I noticed the toy guns and thought about getting her a toy cap gun, a small toy that made a small bang to represent a bullet and came with it's own bang roll cap refill that even made a smell, before I realized that not only would they have to purchase more paper roll caps every time it ran out, but I also didn't want to influence her with violence and guns (especially after I heard about her punching Donovan Desmond's son, Damian). I thought about those toy handcuffs, before realizing how boring they were since she couldn't really do anything with that when playing alone. Maybe snap-its? Nah, I don't want her throwing it at her parents or other kids, not to mention the hassle it is to clean them up. Maybe I can code a little morse robot for her to learn morse code (by me coding, I mean Franky). 

        I decided to ditch the entire idea of spy things in general, she's too young for such things, and I don't want her to start getting suspicious of Twilight and I's second-lives, children have an insane ability of calling out bullshit and having some damn accurate hunches. Maybe if I find pajamas or a jacket of her spy show, I'll buy it. 

        I grabbed multiple different teddy bears, a blue one (Twilight), a pink one (Anya), a red and white one (Yor), a red and black one (Yuri), a white one (their dog Bond) and a grey one (me) to represent her family. You can't do much with stuffed animals, so I grabbed other toys too such as a rainbow slinky, a Candy Land board game, silly putty, dominoes, and some coloring books.

        "Does a kid really need that much toys?" Yuri questioned.

        "Yes. Yes she does." I nodded. "This is her first Christmas with us! Christmas is a day that kids are always thinking about, she deserves a good one."

        "Well, if you think so." Yuri sighed, deciding not to fight on the matter. 

        Yuri carried most of the toys while I carried most of the candy. I noticed the struggle between us and mentally scolded ourselves for not getting a basket, it sure would've made this whole process easier.

        "Why don't we get a wagon?" I questioned. "Like a toy wagon for Anya?"

        "That's stupid. What would she use that for?" Yuri questioned.

        "Don't call it stupid without hearing what I gotta say." I huffed. "It can be used to carry her toys around the house, or when she's out and about with Loid and Yor, she can sit in the wagon as they roll her around—it's cute and convenient." I explained.

        "Sure, whatever you want." Yuri waved off.

        Yuri just doesn't understand the importance of Christmas. For an energetic and cheerful kid like Anya, Christmas probably means a lot to her. I remember when I was a little kid and still had the income, I was excited for Christmas too; Yuri probably stopped caring for Christmas when Yor started raising him instead since they would need to direct their funds to something nonessential that doesn't include food or shelter, so I can see his perspective on this matter.

        Even though he doesn't quite care about Christmas, I still want to be able to buy a gift for him, I mean, I have some festive spirit this year and I'm excited to spend Christmas in a place that's not Wise HQ with people I have genuine attachment to outside of work.  

        Me and Yuri grabbed a red toy Radio Wagon, placing all of Anya's (and Yor's) candies and toys inside of it. I also grabbed a classical music and a IIse Werner vinyl record for Loid. I thought and decided that I'll come back to the store later when searching for Yuri's gifts, that way I can get Franky and The Handler a gift too. We grabbed red and white striped wrapping paper (Yuri’s choice) and white snowflake wrapping paper (my choice, along with green and blue ribbons. We also grabbed Bond some treats, I heard he was a big dog so I got him large bones and chew toys. 

        Yuri rolled the wagon to the receptionist as I followed, paying for all the gifts and gift paper. We paid and left the store, heading to the jewelry store next. I wanted to get Yor a set of earrings. I noticed she wore gold spike-like earrings (the only set I've seen her wear really), so I wanted to get her a different pair instead, a pair where me and her match together so that the gift is meaningful. Yuri rolled the wagon down the streets as I guided him to a jewelry store, opening the door for him so he can walk in with the wagon as I advanced. 

        "Do you have a set of earrings in mind?" Yuri questioned.

        "Yep. I have a perfect vision for what I want." I nodded. 

        I spent three days going to every jewelry shop to try and find the perfect set of earrings for Yor that I actually liked and that would match her taste. It took some work and searching, but I found The Set. I lead Yuri to the jewelry shop I wanted to go to called "Himmlischer Ketten." 

        "The wagon is probably going to be troublesome inside of the shop, so you just wait outside with it, okay?" I spoke.

        Yuri looked at me with a blank face, thinking, before making a pout. 

        "But I wanna see what you're buying for Yor." He whined.

        "I'll show you after I pay for it. I'll be in and out in a flash, you'll barely know I left." I smiled. 

        Yuri sighed, his pout still relevant on his face but it had decreased, "Fine. Just hurry up."

        I nodded and walked into the store, looking around to find the set of earrings again. I found the ones I was looking for and told the jeweler, grabbing my wallet from my purse and payed for the price. I also got the second set of earrings so Yor and I could match together. She handed me the two boxes of jewelry inside, handing them to me in a small bag. I walked back out to Yuri and placed the bag of jewelry inside the wagon where the rest of the gifts were.

        "How much did it cost?" Yuri questioned.

        "One hundred dalc in total." I answered.

        Yuri reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, handing me a bit over 100 dalc.

        "Whaddya doing?" I questioned as he took my hand, placing the currency in my palm.

        "I told you earlier that I'd pay for the jewelry." He spoke. 

        "Yeah, but it's my gift to Yor." I pointed out. "Besides, I got a set for myself too."

        I can very well pay for it too since I'm working two government jobs...

        "Consider it one of your Christmas presents." He reasoned. "Besides, you spent enough at the store for Anya and Loid."

        "Wow, you actually said his real name without much thought." I chuckled, causing him to glare at me.

        "Shut up. It just came out of my mouth before I could stop it." He huffed.

        "Sure, hon." I smiled. 

        "Doesn't matter, let's get home and get these presents wrapped." He spoke quickly, changing the subject as he rushed ahead of me, dragging the wagon with him. 

        He can be such a tsundere at times... I thought. Though I guess it's a little endearing in its own stupid way. 

        I followed Yuri back to our apartment, getting home and wrapping the presents in our chosen gift papers we bought. Yuri did the wrapping while I placed bows and ribbons on the boxes since it turns out, I'm terrible at wrapping presents. I wrote the names of who the presents belonged too (most belonging to Anya, but it's still fun to write the names). 

        Yuri and I conversed as we did our own assigned roles together.    

        "You sure like going out for Christmas, huh?" He commented.

        I hummed, thinking of the comment and what to say to that. 

        Perhaps I'm making up for loss time? I don't have a family I can spoil, so I should spoil this one while it lasts. I might not live long being this double-agent, whether I get backstabbed from one of my jobs (most likely the SSS), or whether I die on a mission, or even just some sickness or such, I want to die knowing I at least meant something to someone, or die someone I can be semi-proud of. It's not like there's much I can ask for in life after all I've done, or even deserve much really. Sometimes I wonder if I should even be allowed to enjoy myself with this family, even if it'll potentially be my death. 

        Oh well, I guess it's a bridge I'll cross (or jump off) when the time comes.

        "I like Christmas. I like the pretty lights, the snow, and buying presents for people I care about." I spoke, deciding to go for a simple answer.

        It's not technically a lie or anything, so I'll go with it. 

        Yuri nodded, cutting wrapping paper for one of Anya's stuffed animals to wrap with. "Well, I think it's kinda endearing. You seem very excited when you were choosing the gifts, and I could tell that you were putting much thought into it."

        I blinked, surprised at his sudden adoring words.

        "Are you tryna get something outta me? Like a hint for your gift or a kiss?" I joked teasingly, choosing to ignore how my heartbeat sped up at his words. 

        "I don't got any ulterior motives. I was just pointing out an observation of mine." He huffed, his face turning red. 

        "Well, thanks." I chuckled. "I guess I just like Christmas so much since I didn't really experience much of it as a kid." 

        That's true, even when I still had my parents, Christmas wasn't much except a few toys and candy. Buying presents for five kids a lower-class town like Luwen, it was hard to find money to spoil my siblings and I with when we had to pay for necessities like food or water. 

        "Well, you can experience it more now." Yuri smiled. "Besides, Chihuahua Girl will probably appreciate the gifts, even if she is spoiled enough just being in Yor's presence." He huffed, envious of his niece's everyday life.

        "You're weird." I sighed, placing a blue bow on one of the white snowflake-wrapped gifts. "But I guess that's kinda my fault for agreeing to marry you." I chuckled, writing Anya's name onto the present. 

        "I'm not that bad." He huffed. "I think I'm a pretty good husband."

        "Whatever floats your boat." I teased, causing him to send a pouting glare at me. "I'm just messing with you, honey." I laughed. 

        "I know that." He lied defensively. 

        "Sure." I hummed. "Let's finish this up so that we can make some desserts for tomorrow. I don't want Loid and Yor to do all the cooking."

        He nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, I'm ready to get all this done and go to bed so we can see Yor." He smiled.

        "And Loid and Anya." I added.

        "Ugh..." He groaned, his face contorting into disgust. "Yeah... those two."

        We continued finishing up wrapping the gifts until we finally finished, heading to the kitchen and preparing sweets and appetizers together. When we finished, we put them in containers and aluminum foil, calling it a night. While Yuri slept, I carefully snuck out of bed and changed clothes, sneaking out of the apartment to go get gifts for Franky and the Handler. I got the Handler red camellias and dutch chocolates with a red envelope that has a thank you card and 100 dalc. I got Franky the same thing too, except I gave him an extra 100 dalc so he could have extra money for his inventions. 

        Speaking of Franky's inventions, I decided to go to Franky's place to give him his gifts (and get a favor out of him). After spending the whole day with Yuri and trying to figure out what to get him for Christmas, I finally came up with the perfect gift idea. I walked to Franky's apartment and knocked on his door, waiting a minute or two before he opened the door. 

        Franky looked surprisingly awake for it being two in the morning. 

        "Oh? I didn't expect you to be awake." I spoke, a bit surprised.

        "I'm working on some new inventions. Did you need something?" Franky questioned.

        "Actually, I have something for you..." I spoke, handing him yellow roses. 

        "Oh? Really? Thanks!" he smiled, accepting the bouquet. "What's the occasion?"

        "Merry Christmas." I cheered. "Did you forget or something?"

        His face paled as he turned his attention to the calendar on his wall. "It's Christmas Eve already?!" he exclaimed.

        "What?! You didn't know?!" I shouted back, surprised. "How long have you been cooped up here working your ass off?!"

        "I don't know?! Maybe the 14th? Or... or like the end of November?" He spoke, his brain looked to be scrambled.

        "Sheesh man, take a break from work." I suggested (more so demanded). 

        "Yeah... Good idea..." He sighed. "Uh, you wanna come in?"

        "Yeah, I got a favor to ask anyways." I accepted as Franky opened his door wider, allowing me to slip in.

        "Just don't mind the mess." He spoke, having no embarrassment.

        It's not the first time I've seen his place like this. I've known him since the war, and we rekindled when I joined WISE, so I've seen him in this pitiful state many times. A good inventor is always has a scrambled brain (or workspace). 

        "So, what's the favor? Do you need me to get intel or something?" he questioned, sitting down on his blueprint map-scattered couch.

        "I actually need help learning something." I spoke. "You know how to weld, right?" 

        "Of course I do. I've invented all sorts of powerful and useful machines and inventions." He smiled pridefully, glad to boast. 

        "Can you teach me how to weld? I wanna make something for my husband for Christmas, and I wanna do it myself so that it's more meaningful." I explained.

        "Huh... So Twilight was lying when he said you and Briar's marriage was fake?" Franky commented.         

        "Oh..." I paused, thinking.

        Well, shit. I kinda completely forgot about that.

        "Well... we got recently engaged, however it's best not to tell Twilight. You know how he is, 'don't form attachments' and yada yada." I spoke quickly.

        "Yeah, that's Twilight there." He spoke, before smirking pridefully. "Once again, you and Twilight come to me for help, pleading for my assistance."

        "Dude, don't start it." I sighed. "I don't got time for this. I gotta get this done in at least six hours, so I need you to help me get it done as quickly and as perfect as possible." 

        "Six hours?!" he spluttered. "How do you believe that I can teach you all about welding in six hours?!"

        "Don't teach me everything! Just what I need to know to get this done!" I retorted.        

        "Fine. Fine. Let's hurry up, I wanna get back to my inventions as fast as possible." He sighed. "Do you have an idea on what you're trying to make?"

        "I got the perfect thing." I nodded.

        Franky helped me create the perfect gift I had in mind. Surprisingly, it ended with not much cuts or burns, so I feel happy about that. I only needed three band-aids for my fingers! I gave Franky an extra 200 dalc for all the trouble. In total he's received 400 dalc from me for Christmas, so I don't ever want him to complain about helping me again. I also convinced Franky to give my gifts to the Handler since I wasn't going to WISE's HQ anytime soon (and I didn't want to be stuck giving an update on what's going on with the SSS. I want to enjoy the holidays, not think about work). 

        I made it back home to Yuri and I's apartment, deciding to ditch sleep since Yuri will be awaking soon; I don't want him to know I snuck out while he was sleeping and if I sleep now then I certainly won't wake up in time for the Christmas party. I changed back into my pajamas so that it looked like I never went anywhere, and I used some light makeup to hide the evidence of no sleep under my eyes. I decided to get started on breakfast since I wouldn't be sleeping, making apple pancakes, sausage, and coffee.

        Yuri came out of our room in his pajamas and bedhead, looking a bit tired but refreshed (compared to how I currently feel). 

        "Morning." He yawned.

        "Morning, hon." I smiled, placing breakfast on the table. "How'd you sleep?"

        "Slept good, though it felt a little cold last night..." He spoke. "Must be cause of the winter weather."

        "Yeah, I thought the same thing too." I agreed, ignoring the fact he was so in tune with my body heat that he subconsciously knew I was missing during his slumber.

        "What are you doing up so early? It's unlike you to be awake in the morning." Yuri questioned, taking his seat at the dinner table. 

        "I was so excited for the Christmas party, I couldn't sleep." I lied, taking my own seat at the table. 

        Yuri and I ate our breakfast, Yuri doing the dishes afterwards since I cooked. To pass the time, we did our own things such as reading and watching TV in the living room together, waiting until it was time to get ready and leave. 

        When it was time to leave, I changed out of my pajamas and grabbed a grey coat and red scarf to protect myself against the cold. Yuri and I grabbed the sweets and appetizers we made together yesterday; pfannkuchen, bethmännchen, and bratkartoffeln. 

        Yuri and I walked to the apartment, Yuri dragging Anya's wagon filled with all the gifts while I carried all the food, my gift for Yuri inside of my purse. We made it to the apartment and I watched Yuri struggle to find a good angle to pick up the wagon and carry it up the steps (no, I didn't help him, I wanted him to suffer a little since it was so hard trying to find the perfect Christmas gift for him). When we got to the Forger's front door, Yuri knocked for us, being greeted by Twilight and Yor. 

        "Yuri! (Y/N)! Welcome back! Always good to see you!" Yor greeted, a big smile on her face.

        "Hi-ya, sis!" Yuri cheered. 

        "Thank you for coming. Come in." Twilight spoke, opening the door further, causing Yuri to glare at him once he realized Twilight was present. 

        I placed the food down on the table as Yuri placed the wagon near the Christmas tree in the living room. Anya was sitting on the ground near the TV watching her spy cartoon while the Forger's dog laid next to her. 

        "Hi, buddy." I smiled, crouching down and slowly placing my hand near his nose so he could sniff me. "You're a good boy, huh?" I spoke, petting his head as he let out a 'borf!' "Hi, Anya." I greeted, sitting down on the couch as Yuri took a seat next to me.

        "Hi, Auntie." Anya spoke, keeping her eyes on the TV screen. 

        Yuri looked disinterested in the show while I stared at it every now and then. Yor joined us on the couch and talked with us as Twilight was in the kitchen cooking, jumping into the conversation easily whenever he pleased. After an hour, all the food was done and ready, allowing us to eat Christmas dinner together and converse with each other. Twilight and Yuri talked about business together (Yuri sending him his infamous glares) while Yor and I talked with Anya about her cartoons and how school was for her. 

        We finally got to presents and watched Anya open her gifts, each one she unwrapped having a big smile on her face and her voice getting to loud enough volumes to potentially disturb other residents.

        Yuri and I gave Twilight his gifts. He seemed appreciative of them, mentioning how he'd put them to good use. Twilight gave me a book and Yuri an expensive bottle of wine (to repay him for the expensive wine Yuri bought the first time we came over). 

        I gave Yor the set of earrings I picked out, a set of golden suns, and showed her the golden moons I bought and told her the symbolism of us matching and being sisters now. It was enough to make her cry and earn one of her death hugs. I'm almost 99% positive that she would've broken my rib if Twilight didn't calmly tell her to not squeeze so hard. Yuri also gave her the apple whistle candy along with some other gifts he bought her. In return, she gave me a fruity perfume and Yuri a comfortable sweater.

        Anya was happy about all of her toys and candies, excited and hyper about it all. It was like it was her first time celebrating Christmas. Even Bond was happy, showing his joy by jumping up and down with Anya and barking (borfing). Bond seems like a surprisingly emotionally intelligent dog, though I supposed that's probably expecting considering it's Twilight (and because Twilight got him from the Project Apple situation).

        We all stayed and talked more before it was time for Yuri and I to go home, considering how late it was getting. Yuri and I walked back home, getting to our apartment before I gave him his gift.

        "I got you something. I made it myself." I spoke, reaching into my purse and handing him a small wrapped up box. 

        Yuri opened it, revealing a small square card, made out of pure silver (just like our wedding rings) and a small poem on the card 

Your eyes shine like the twinkle of mars, How I wish to claim and explore every part of you as if you were a new constellation. Your lips are like warm pillows, How I wish to forever rest my own against yours. Your voice could never compare to the delicate silk of Asia, the waves of the Pacific, or the luminous of the Aurora Borealis. How you make me lose my voice to utter sweet delicacies in your ears, so let me express it to you in another way: I love you, Yuri Briar...                                                                                    - Love, (Y/N) Briar

        "I just found a stupid poem for you..." I muttered, suddenly feeling a little flustered for how stupid and cheesy the writing sounds now. 

        "You liar." He smirked, a noticeable fondness in his eyes. "Thank you. You said you made it yourself?"

        "Yeah." I nodded. "It took some time, but I made it from scratch. I welded the silver together and welded the words... Of course words from a poem in a book." I coughed the last part out. 

        "You don't gotta be shy~" He teased.

        "Whatever..." I chuckled. "But I figured I'd get you something you can always have with you. You can put it in your wallet or pocket or something."

        "Thank you. Really." Yuri smiled, grabbing his wallet and placing it inside gently. "You really beat me this year in presents." He chuckled. "I kept tryna think for a while what I should get you, you're surprisingly difficult to shop for even though you're so expressive."

        "I'm a little eccentric." I smirked.        

        "That's an understatement." He smiled. "But, here." 

        He walked to our room and I heard him rummaging through drawers, before walking out with a large heart-shaped chocolate box, candies I enjoy, some books he noticed I've been eyeing over the months, and some fake flowers. 

        "it's definitely not anything compared to what you got me." He spoke.

        "Nonsense." I smiled. "I love all of it. I really do." 

        "Yeah, I knew how much you liked sweets and books." He reasoned. "And I figured it must be a bit annoying replacing the flower bouquets whenever they die, so I decided to get some fake flowers, to make it easier to tend to, and to show permanency in our relationship since we're married."

        "How romantic~" I teased. "Thank you, Hon."                

        "Merry Christmas, darling." He smiled. 

        "Merry Christmas, love." I hummed, kissing his cheek.

        "You know, you didn't have to get me anything. You're the best gift for me, (Y/N)!" He spoke, a light blush dusting his face. 

        "Yuri please, never say such sappy words again." I sighed. 

        I apologize sincerely for the huge delay! I had a hard time trying to figure out what I want, and I got busy indulging myself in reading about German foods and such, and I had little time to write due to work so the only time I had to write was when I was supposed to be sleeping or relaxing, but I finally got this done! Better late than never!

        I honestly do feel a little silly writing that poem since it's my first time ever writing poetry/a love note, so I do hope it wasn't too bad or cringy!

         Want more Yuri content? Check out the Yuri Briar x reader masterlist!

        My inbox is OPEN

[starlightwayfinder]

hi. sliding in. is there anything u have been compelled by recently. maybe music or a book or the way light fell on smth (idk how to ask stuff like a normal person but feel free to gush about anything you want, if you'd like to :3 (no pressure of course!))

Thank you!

Speaking of the way light fell on something… I’ve actually been waiting for an excuse to gush about some of Scala ad Caelum’s art and ornamentation. I have a few headcanons and inspirations of my own, too. (I can’t take my own screenshots at the moment, so I’ll just see what I can find online.)

First—there’s a lot of cool things themed (appropriately) around light and color.

This stained glass platform is one of my favorites in the game. Stained glass is nothing new in the series, but this one is especially iridescent, which makes it extra cool in my mind. I also think it’s neat that stained glass was chosen to represent hearts, as if the light of their hearts is shining through/illuminating it.

Here’s some real life examples with a similar effect!

Similar to the stained glass are the mosaics:

You can really see the influence of Daybreak Town with these! The fountain is probably my favorite—it looks almost like a sun from above.

More real life examples—to me the swirls are reminiscent of wind and waves. For a headcanon of mine, I imagine there was someone in Scala who made kaleidoscopes kind of like these.

In addition to matching the aesthetic of the game, they also tie nicely into the theme of light.

There’s a fair share of things that relate to the sky and wind, which ties into the theme of “the heavens” as well. The pinwheels are like tiny versions of the windmills, which I think is super cute. I couldn’t find a picture, but there’s also a lot of dandelions. (In addition to drawing another connection to Daybreak Town, I like that they fit the theme of wind too.)

Okay so street lamps are kind of a given for a city, regardless of symbolism—but I think they’re the epitome of beautiful design so I have to gush about them, haha.

Just… look at these!! They are light and darkness,,, and you can even put flowers on them? I think the globe ones resemble the moon also. They’re so beautiful. I couldn’t find a good picture, but the ones in KH3 have banners hanging from them as well.

Last but not least is the printed/painted artwork. The Daybreak to Scala mural is my favorite—I love how it’s layered and moves to tell the story.

For headcanons, I like the idea of there being more of these mechanized storytelling displays. Maybe ones that depict fairytales of the other worlds. These puppet theaters aren’t exactly what I mean, but they’re the right idea:

And finally, I know Scala has some amazing libraries. I want to read all of these books!

[rextasywrites]

Apple pies and sportscandy (Sportacus x reader) - Chapter 1/?

"As the wind started to blow the cold air into my face, I decided to retreat back into my new place. A couch with some cup noodles and a silly tv show was waiting for me. In the comfort of a fuzzy blanket while slurping up noodles, I wondered what my time in LazyTown would bring me. What kind of new adventures were waiting for me? Would the people in town like me?"

Reader has had enough and decides to move to LazyTown to take over the old closed down bakery. A zeppelin catches her eye on the the first night, but what if its owner does more than just catch her eye?

Warnings: in this chapter there is a mention of bullying, but only for plot reasons for a short time

Please enjoy this very much self indulgent multi chapter fic! :D

*

The first time I heard of this town, I was confused. Barely any people living in there, why would anyone move there? The city is so much better!

The second time I heard of this town, I had just finished a terrible day at the office and wanted to hide forever. There was just something so terrible about bullying, a thing that should have been left behind in middle school.

The third time I heard of this town, I decided to call it quits. It was one “prank” too much, one mean comment too much. The 2 week notice was more of a 2 minute notice, and with tears streaming down my face, I sat in the bus. The world seemed grey and the people around me frozen. On one stop, a man dropped his newspaper as he left and didn’t bother to pick it up. That’s what I did, and an ad caught my eye.

“Baker wanted - Starting point as soon as possible. Call Bessie Busybody for more information.”, and her phone number was added.

A few phone calls later, I sat in the train heading towards LazyTown.

I managed to cancel my lease rather quickly as the landlord already had a different person in their eye, someone whose rent they could charge up. Within days, I had everything packed, just two suitcases full of my stuff. I never needed more, as the apartment hadn’t felt like a home but just a place to stay in. And the rent in LazyTown wasn’t high, so maybe my bank account could relax for once.

The further I got away from the city, the more colour seemed to paint the landscape. The trees weren’t grey, if one looked left and right they saw mountains and sometimes even animals, not only the walls of yet another building. It felt like I could breathe for the first time in months, if not years. The train was nearly empty apart from two other people, but at the station LazyTown, I was the only one to leave. And it was true - there was no smog, the light wasn’t coming from street lamps but from the sun actually making its way to the surface, and somewhere, there were children playing without the fear of being run over by a reckless driver.

“There you are darling!”, I recognized the voice from the many phone calls we shared - it was Bessie! I turned around and we greeted each other, a kiss on the left cheek, a kiss on the right cheek. “Welcome to LazyTown! I am sure you’ll love it here! Oh, let me show you your new place right now! Are these suitcases yours? Let me help you…”

*

A short drive later, we were at my new place. The apartment was above the old bakery. Bessie had filled me in on the details - the old owner passed away many years ago, and nobody had bothered to fill in his role, so the building had been vacant ever since. I had some baking skills from back in the day before office work was paying more money, or at least I thought it’d get me more money. Instead, all it gave me was a stomach ulcer.

Prior to my arrival, Bessie had taken it upon herself to clean the apartment a bit, at least clean enough to make sure no spiders would cozy up to me in bed. Which was…not really a comforting thought, but Bessie assured that the only spiders they had in town were these tiny jumping spiders. Tomorrow, we’d check out the bakery together for things I could still use and which needed to be replaced. The mayor had promised to come up for most of the replacements, something I’d need to thank him for as soon as I would see him. 

But on this very day? All I wanted was to get a few things put up in my new home, and get some rest. Traveling by train always made me tired, and this whole day was one constant source of nervousness and anxiety running free.

Bessie left me to my own devices an hour later after helping me put my suitcases up into the 2nd floor where the apartment was. A few things were set up, such as putting new sheets on the bed and getting some groceries into the fridge, I was thankful for Bessie’s help, but she had to leave as she needed to attend super important meetings.

The sun was slowly setting, I stood in front of the bakery, taking in the first evening in my new home town. The birds chirped in the distance, some bugs were flying around. Speaking of flying around, I had spotted a zeppelin earlier today, but forgot to ask Bessie about it.

As the wind started to blow the cold air into my face, I decided to retreat back into my new place. A couch with some cup noodles and a silly tv show was waiting for me. In the comfort of a fuzzy blanket while slurping up noodles, I wondered what my time in LazyTown would bring me. What kind of new adventures were waiting for me? Would the people in town like me?

All the thoughts and the day in general had made me exhausted, so I threw the blanket off, put the empty cup into the bin and the chopsticks into the dishwasher, and myself right into bed.

From my bed, I had a clear view through a window. I hadn’t bothered to close the curtains, but from this point of view, I was able to see the zeppelin again. A faint light was coming from there, which left me wondering - was someone living there? In the sky above LazyTown, watching over its people and whatever would come their way?

I soon drifted off into the most peaceful sleep in years, and I was not awoke by the sound of loud spinning tyres or a police car racing through the streets. It was just me and the sound of animals roaming through the streets of LazyTown, and I couldn’t wish for a better sound to fall asleep to.

[ilikemicrowaves]

ALSO infodump on ur clown ocs right NEOW!!!!

You have no Idea what you've done, what you've leashed upon the Earth ...

ANYWAYS- Prepare yourself beloved mutual.

This fella, this stupid fucking idiot, my son, Giggles, was originally my clownsona, but he kind of became his own person after a while. Now he's kind of like. A mascot for my blog now lol.

Giggles is an Alien Space Clown from planet CT-11 (clown town and my fav number) a small rundown of CT-11 for ya: Earth but Clowns. The planet itself is completely different. The grass is pink for starters. However, the species that are like the human race of CT-11 are literally just like us. I have the idea of like.. adding real world events to it to be funny but not in a serious way. (9/11. Clown edition)

There are 3 species of circus Folk: Clowns, Jesters, and Mimes. Including the hybrids: Fools, (Jester/clown) Peepers, (Clown/Mime) and Trixies. (Mime/jester)

Oh yeah there is circus folk racism btw and I even gave each species a slur :D

The main cast of CT-11 story thing (I have yet to make a name for the comics, however the game that I am developing, still in the VERY EARLY stages, is titled: Giggles Delightful Digital Dilemma!)

Giggles the Clown, Filly the Fool, and Jinx the Jester. Giggles lives in the Clown Bell Hotel with his goober. ( a creature I made often used as a pet in this world) Every day, he gets up, feeds it, and goes out to co-run the "Craft-Shack" with Jinx. (It is illegal, and they do not have a license to run it :D) Most of the time, they make no sells, but it gets them through the day and enough money. Giggles does have a PhD. in computer science and has made many attempts at getting a job for programming and other computer stuff. (im still researching computer science, so right now, Giggles is as smart as me.) So far, he has only made it to interviews and got let down. "Give my son a chance!" <- I say as I make his life have more mishaps. His only accessories are his shoes and his top hat. Most circus folk have their beans out and think he's weird for it. Oh yeah, everyone is naked, btw, not in a weird way, though. It's just their skin patterns. (More about species biology n stuff at the bottom, btw) He is the most restless sleeper imaginable. Constant tossing to the point that he broke his lamp in his sleep once. Not because nightmares/nighterrors, (not until he experiences the horror of humanity and ... clownity????) He had an unfathomable amount of useless shit in his home, hoarder of trinkets and things. Massive painter, goes for abstract stuff most of the time. Usually, he has no idea what he's painting until he has a bunch of things on his canvas, and then he makes a story behind. Nobody likes his paintings, though. He has ALL the haters. In his free times he goes around his neighborhood to draw scenery. (I have cursed myself as an artist who hates backgrounds to make a character who draws primarily backgrounds.) Though most of the people tell him to stop sitting inront of their homes or to get out the street, he is not well liked. Probably because of his ... history of fucking everything up. That's why he avoids others as much as possible other than his only friends, Filly and Jinx. Can't fuck anything up if you don't bother anyone, right? <- foreshadowing/silly. Anyways, he does end up on Earth eventually and he discovers his favorite food there: Strawberry Shortcake Rolls. It's like a drug for him. Kind of like when Wanda eats chocolate lol.

Enough talks about Giggles, let's get onto his first ever and longest lasting bestie; Filly the Fool. Filly is kind of a dumbass, but in an oblivious way. They are very unaware of their stupidity. Giggles and Filly met each other when Giggles had caused another .. accident. Filly helped him out of his mess, and they've stood by each others side since. (until the unfathomable horrors) Filly lives in the same neighborhood as Giggles, a few blocks from him. They don't have any pets and live in a fairly small and barley affordable home. They do have their garage cleaned out to store their instruments and for when they practice dancing. Their primary intrument is alto Saxophone, though they do have a lot of experience in French horn and tenor saxophone. Filly has no accessories other than their bowtie. Their dawgs are out, but they look like shoes since they've got jester in them. Filly had a shrill and quiet voice and doesn't speak much. Sometimes their completely non-verbal. Unfortunately, Filly has not been accepted into any music schools to get a degree in music. (Me too, sigh ...) Filly sometimes help with Jinx and Giggles' illegal business, but tries to stay out of it as much as possible to not, yk, get in legal trouble. They do have a job as a gardener for some rich snob in their neighborhood. That's how they were able to afford so many instruments. The job pays, sadly. Working for a rich you'd except to make a living, but unfortunately, Filly is underpaid.

Now for Jinx. I actually don't have much on xem as xey are a pretty new character, created around the end of December. Though there are a few things about xem that I could say, I guess. Dumbass in decisions, and well fucking aware of it and does not plan on changing anytime soon. If xey were served on a silver platter xey'd taste like sulfuric acid, that how stinky xey are. (Affectionately drowns xem in water. Xey encourage Giggles to do a lot of illegal stuff not just to benefit but because xey like the rush. (They have committed atrocities but their poor and starving so it's excusable /j) Jinx is not only aware of xey're awful decisions, but also how bad of an influence they are for people, so xey do have slight guilt for dragging Giggles into xey're own messes, but then xey pride xemselves in helping Giggles with money and easy routes to get necessities, so then the guilt goes away for xem.

Alright! Time for the biology stuff!! These are really outdated artworks from August's, but I do not feel like making new ones lol.

Stuff not mentioned here is that they have no reproductive system whatsoever. On CT-11, if enough energy is caused, matter comes together, and POOF!! Circus Folk has joined the party! There are no growth stages for Circus folk. They just spawn in as they are and stay like that unless like they have surgery or undergo a massive injury. ( For example, Giggles in the spaceship crash now have a jagged scare under his frill.) I wanted to find the best solution to avoid any pedophilia accuring if Giggles ever gets popular and people make ocs, (friends have already made ocs which I am very happy about) So, Circus folk have no age at all. If there is ever a character that is child coded and someone ships them with a character that is considered an adult mentally, I will not be supporting that whatsoever. That shits nasty. Also, Circus folk can survive having their organs being pulled out n stuff, as long as it's still attached to them it should be fine.

Also... Giggles Playlist btw, if you care..

Thank you sos so much for sending the ask btw, I love talking about these goobers :3

[50cal-fullauto-astarion]

Going all out on this because Dot did an amazing job with these questions:

🧩, 🦴, 🥝, ❄️ & 🦷 for the ask game, please <3!

KEZ YOU OUT HERE SPOILING MEEE 🥰🥰💖💖

🧩 ⇢ what will make you click away from a fanfiction immediately?

9 times out of 10 it’s either first person POV, a character waking up for the day age describing themselves as they look in a mirror, or WALLS of text. Formatting and first paragraph will always destroy my perception of a fic, and it doesn’t matter how good it is even two sentences after that.

Another more esoteric thing is any kind of dad’s best friend or stepfather or barely legal/he’s too old for me trope. I think those are literally the most vile fucking shit, and I just block on site. And I’m all for taboos, and people writing what they want, but I’ve never seen that shit written well nor on a blog that isn’t sparkly and pink and giving off major DDlg vibes. Fucking stomach turning.

🦴 ⇢ is there a piece of media that inspires your writing?

Answered this guy here! But I’ll add a few others that aren’t pieces of media dfhj. The words: abattoir, incandescent, butcher, slaughter, dappled. Different deep jewel shades of blue and green. Animal eyes. Bones in odd places. Videos of interesting women cooking. Dreams about: mothers, children, fire, the apocalypse, all my lost true loves, every corner of the town I visit that I should mark on map.

🥝 ⇢ do you lie a lot? what’s the most recent lie you told?

I lie quite a bit, but it used to be that almost every word out of my mouth was an exaggerated abs pointless lie dfhjd. Yay growing up in dysfunctional household! These days I’m much more conscientious and purposeful about being honest, and I’m always trying to improve, just going with white lies about stuff at work to make my life easier (“I need to use the restroom” means I’m going for a smoke), or at home to keep things smoother (“They were out of X creamer” means I forgot).

Most recent lie was this evening when I told my sister I had left the store and I couldn’t get her a certain brand of energy drink, but I was in the checkout line and didn’t want to go back through lmao.

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

HO BOY SO MANY DFHJ. These are more vibes than anything solid sfhj. In alphabetical order:

@alittleposhtoad grieving in a cold place, love that has kindling in friendship, oranges peeled by one set of hands for another, tea in an old electric kettle on a black night, you can always come home here and home is what you call my head on your chest.

@dotcie two weirdos walk into a dive bar, and their mutually assured obsession exhibits as mutually assured destruction, sweating under a street lamp in a town where tourists don’t go at 3am with a man you swore you’d never see again, bedsheets they smell like sweat and home under an open window.

@kastlequill cannibalism as a type of taboo and closed religion, rage wielded elegant and precise like a blade, thought put into evils until they’re extrapolated into facets of humanity, the dichotomy of suffering as holiness and pointlessness, dangerous men they have either accepted or full on love the blood in their mouths, cities at sunset with the lights glittering on.

@parttimeprophet hey babe hehe. Animal hated paid back in animal brutality, cold women with colder determination, hell and religion and the death of god and the apocalypse, lipstick that glimmers like rubies, men that love the collars around their necks.

🦷 ⇢ share some personal wisdom or a life hack you swear on

More wisdom: take breathers as much as you can in any area of life - steal then when you can at work, in hobbies, in talking, in cleaning - whether it’s 5 mins or 5 months, you need to rest, shit will be waiting for you when you get back. Don’t write down anything you don’t want read. Horses and boats are fun hobbies, but you can have the same financial experience by throwing wads of cash in a bonfire.

More life hacks: if you want to buy a used car, go for a Honda, bc you can beat the dog shit out of them for 30 years and they’ll still run like a clock. To save money, don’t get addicted to coke. The secret to the best homemade fried chicken you’ve ever had in your life is a pinch of cinnamon in your seasoned flour, and to make it crispy add a tablespoon of baking soda. Cream of tartar will make it meringue not break, but if you use too much it will taste hella metallic. 2 drops of dandelion tincture in a shot glass worth of water helps with liver and gallbladder inflammation - that’s Appalachian not crystal woowoo medicine. Don’t whistle outside at night.

[kashishwrites]

Hiee...!! Guysss...!!!!

I'm going to start a series of horror experience I'm gonna tell you about horror experiences of other people if you have any you can share it with me if you are interested....✨📚

Ok i will narrate my experience you can decide whether it was paranormal or not. Sorry you may find it lengthy. 😅

This happened to me Last summer, we used to live in a duplex house (on rent) My room was in the first floor and my parents’s in the ground floor. I have a habit of reading books till late night (up to 3 or 4 in the morning) When we had recently moved I always used to hear this sound of anklets (ghunghroo) as if someone is walking in the compound. But i often neglected it thinking a stray dog or a cow which were many in number near our house had entered the compound as the house was vacate for more than 6 months before we moved in.

My room usually used to heat up in the summers and I had difficulty sleeping there,whereas my parents room was cool as anything and they had the fluffiest bed too. 😅

One day my father went to another town on a business so my mom suggested I sleep with her that night as we were the only two in that big house. I readily agreed. Unlike mine, That room gets a little light from the neighbouring street lamps so my mom doesn't keep any kind of lights on. So it's utter darkness till the eyes gets adjusted to it. I went to sleep early and was waken up by body pain . It was a result of a dream I had. It was really very strange, the dream, almost lucidic . I was not in the dream but was standing somewhere looking at the things happening. I witnessed a person getting murdered and then buried by the people. When I woke up, I had clutched my hands so hard that my fingers were burning from the pain and I was heavily sweating.

As I had woken up I thought of looking at the time as I had my mobile kept under the bed. I was sleeping on my left side and my mother was on my right. I looked at my mobile and it was 4:03 a.m. I thought of switching sides so I turned. I looked at my mother, she was facing the other side so I thought of looking at the window from where the light was coming . There I saw two shadowy figures (I could tell they were girls) standing. Not outside the house but inside in our own room. One of them was on her knees looking straight at my mother the other one was standing behind her. I have watched and read many paranormal related stuff so first I thought as I have been woken up by a nightmare it may be just an after effect. I rubbed my eyes but they were still there and suddenly the one standing looked at me, I lost it. I tapped on my mom's shoulder and asked her to wake up when she did I looked at the direction of the shadows and they were not there. I gave some silly excuse to my mom for waking her up and went back to sleep.

Next day my dad came back so I was sent back to my room. I woke up again in the night by the sound of children playing around . I thought the noise must be coming from my neighbours as they had so many guests come over. As a habit I checked my mobile for time and it was exactly 4:03 am again. And suddenly I heard footsteps coming upstairs I held my breath, my parents were fast asleep in their room downstairs, it could not have been a thief or an intruder as my colony is petrolled by police in the night. I went back to sleep again. Next night I again got up at exactly 4:03 am by the sound of someone thumping (not knocking) on my door, I got shit scarred and I screamed "Ammmaaaaa" there was no way my mom would here that coz both of our doors were closed And she always keeps the fan on 5 number. Thumping got worse so was my state, so i called my father and asked him to come to my room which he did.. No body was there at the doors but i clearly heard it. It was strange for some weird reasons I woke at exactly 4:03 am for 3 consecutive nights and experienced something unnatural.

After a moth to this incident we got shifted to another house."

If you liked the contant kindly like and repost it will halp a lot other people to know about these incidents.📚✨

[hunterofdeer]

The One, the Only, the Martini

Begin with the promise of sex later that night. If you don’t end up getting it on, do not fret. Just follow the rest of these steps, and the end result should be just as pleasurable.

First things first, get dressed, and dress well. Drinking a martini is an event—a spectacle even. The drink begs for sophistication; and the second that conical glass is placed in front of you by a half-smiling waitress or bartender, every eye in that establishment will be judging the hems and stitches on your shirt, slacks, skirt, etc. Make sure there is color in your outfit, and confirm your loafers have tassels, frills, or both. If no penchant for loafers, obviously opt for a stiletto—bright red and potentially rhinestoned. 

Throw on Grandma’s jewelry. It’s vintage, and her soul will rest easy knowing you look like a scandalous Upper East Side socialite. A martini is a minimalist drink, so indulge in maximalism for the balance of it all. Be ironic and beautiful, though ideally not ironically beautiful.

Now take a step back from your mirror. Missing anything? Cellphone, wallet, keys, fragrance? Have a one-on-one with yourself. Say your order, say, “I’d like a martini.” Say it again. Repeat it ten times—twenty if you’ve forgotten to take your Xanax. Listen to an improvised saxophonic ditty before you leave your residence. “Giant Steps” by John Coltrane is a classic (and saintly, believe it or not).

While I respect careful planning in choosing a venue, now is the time to let the universe, or your partner, choose for you. Yes, you are required to be accompanied by someone else. You cannot enjoy a martini in a vacuum; save the lonely nights for a bottle of cabernet sauvignon. Walk along the street and look through the windows. Unlike a moth to a flame, you’ll be most attracted to the dimly-lit watering holes. Furthermore, antique lamps, custom wallpaper, and crimson velvet are all things that make me remark aloud, “Oh, that looks nice!” 

You’re in the bar. Perhaps you’re at the bar itself, or maybe you’re in a booth. Regardless, you’re sitting down, elbows on the countertop or table, and leaning just slightly forward. Others may not know it, but you are in complete control, full of subtle wit and knowledge on 18th century women’s literature. This Thursday night is unfolding exquisitely—and it must be a Thursday, naturally.

It’s showtime. Order that goddamn martini, and prepare for the barrage of questions. “Gin or vodka?” Gin; we haven’t been taken over by the Russians yet. “What type of gin?” This one is up to you. If you’ve got money to spend, which you should, get the good stuff. Don’t ask me what that is. “Olive or lemon twist?” Never lemon! We’re not in Mexico. Have the bartender whisper vermouth into the glass. Also, it must be stirred, not shaken (sorry, 007). And ask for it unfathomably dirty. Filthy, even. Make it disgusting. Cliché, yet appropriately kitsch. Pray to god those olives are stuffed with something.

Now cheers, clink glasses, or do whatever your religion allows. Sip. You’ve earned this. If this is your first time, don’t be too hard on yourself. It can be a bitch of a drink. On New Year’s Eve, I had my first martini in one of the few serviceable boozers of my rural college town. I could hardly swallow the almost antiseptic liquor, and I imagine a few of my tears dropped into it. My partner was cool about it, drinking like a pro. The olives, thankfully, were injected with pesto.

I had officially reached adulthood with that martini; and, once under the blankets later that night, I rolled onto my side to confront the wall, thinking up a random scenario as some sort of foreplay for dreaming. I heard an “I love you,” and I nearly credited the martini, as well as the other drinks, to be speaking. But after a brief interrogation, I found out that it was my partner’s words. It was the first time I had ever been told that in a relationship. He admitted it slipped out by accident, but don’t our little falters come from love? Turning to face him, I smiled and said I’d drink to that.

[samkat10423]

Banyan Bend

While looking for something else the other day, I came across a link for this world and all of its original lots that were created by the 3 administrators of the old Sims Crossing site. Plus, the original sims created to live here were also up for grabs. Someone over on the Sims Cave uploaded them all. Which was great, since I had lost some of the stuff during my last 2 computer meltdowns and it was impossible to find any of them previously. So, if any of you want to play this world, hop on over to the Sims Cave and type in Sims Crossing - or Banyan Bend.

Anyway, this world was created right after Late Night came out and has no CC. It's their vision of how Twinbrook should have been. And while I like parts of it, there is room for improvement. But CAW hates me, so it is what it is.

I'm currently redoing lots. They placed the movie studio lot from Bridgeport on probably the only 64x64 lot in this town. And since I want to use that for my festival lot, I needed to find a movie lot on something smaller. They placed 2 of those dome thingies - that thing next to the science center in Sunset Valley - on 2 different 60x60 lots in town. One is for butterflies, while the other is... well, I'm not sure what it is. The butterfly one is down by the industrial lots - just down the street from their movie lot. So, I bulldozed it. Yes, I did! My greenie sims are not happy, but I'll let them have that other dome lot to keep their bugs in. I know! I'm way too nice to my sims.

I tried several different lots on this space before I accidently came across a lot over on MTS, created by someone called mccorade. It was created with Riverview in mind. And while it wasn't exactly what I wanted, it was a good start. And it was on a smaller lot. I think maybe 50x50. So, thank you!

Anyway, here it is now. I have made several changes - as I normally do - but the bones are mccorade's.

First thing I did was resurface the parking areas and change out the fencing. This is Banyan Bend! These rednecks can't afford fancy fences, so chain-link it is! I also added the fountains and those 2 large statues. Just because. I also made that main flowerbed smaller - so delivery trucks could access the main building. Then, on the backlot, I redid the houses - mostly used different finishes and added some more landscaping.

Then I made that area where the 'stars' can hang out in their trailers. Oh! And I switched out all the trees.

And finally, in the back, I added a guard shack, more fencing and that driveway to the back doors of the main building. And viola! Banyan Bend has a new place to make movies! Go me!

While I was in the area, I also got rid of the old science center lot. Since I used that hospital from Supernatural on the lot in town where they had their hospital RH, I really didn't need another lot wasted on my science sims. (This world was created before EA came out with their combo lots). So, I decided to make another 'movie' type lot.

This one is loosely based on that KWLW Studio lot from the Sims 1. This is where the hit series, "As the Stomach Churns," and the "Next Great Sim Nation Idol" are filmed. And the local Banyan News channel churns out their daily feed. I used that smaller stage - the 6x7 - one for my Idol stage. If any of you want it, it's over on TFM's Naughty Sims Asylum. You have to be a member, but sign-up is super easy. Once you get over there, type in Shimrod's mods. It's his BuyDebug Genie Lamp and smaller showtime stage mod. Pop it into your overrides folder and viola! A smaller stage is yours! Easy-peasy!

Anyway, I'll post interior pictures later. I was moving in sims today - after redoing the generic cemetery they had. Had to kill off sims and then replace all the fake graves with ones that will generate ghosts. Plus, I write bios for all my families and then - with the help of MasterController - create conflict amongst all of them. It's a dirty job but someone has to do it. Which is why I am the simgoddess and my sims aren't!

[robo-bozo7125]

i remember building villages in minecraft where i would load a superflat and then find a village already there where i would then fix up the roads and stuff and then expand outward. i'd look at each of the houses and then make block-for-block replicas of the houses and add more roads and farms and also add like marketplaces and redstone street lamps and everything...

i remember this one world i had that i ditched the preexisting building and built my own from scratch (still using the same house designs and adding a few extra things that weren't in the game) but i also followed a castle tutorial and built a castle so my village was like a castle town.

i probably still have the world on my old xbox 360 somewhere...

do you have any video game memories that stick with you. for me it was playing Terraria for the first time with my friend and going down to the cave layer and hearing the music and going "oh dude you gotta come down here it's kinda funky"

[m12writer]

Birds of a Feather - Winning a Battle, Losing the war

(Meredith's in bed. It's 4:37am and raining.)

Meredith VO: We live out our lives on the surgical unit. Seven days a week, fourteen hours a day. We're together more than we're apart - aaah! (Izzie is standing at the foot of her bed)

Izzie: George's room is bigger than mine.

(Meredith gets up but trips and falls flat on her face. She limps away.)

Meredith VO: After a while -

Izzie: I have more clothes, I should have the bigger room.

Meredith VO: the ways of residency -

George: I got here first.

Izzie: It's Meredith's house, she should decide.

Meredith VO: become the ways of life.

George: My room is like, two inches bigger than yours!

Izzie: You have a bigger closet!

George: So? Why is everything always a competition? I -

Meredith VO: Number one: always keep score. (Izzie and George argue in the background while she looks for clean clothes) Number two: do whatever you can to outsmart the other guy.

George: ...put your clothes somewhere else!

Izzie: Everywhere else is filled with Meredith's mom's boxes.

George: Meredith? When is your mom coming back to town anyway? Because maybe we can put her boxes in storage.

Izzie: Or unpack a few things, make this place a little more homey. Maybe some throw pillows and lamps, a few paintings.

George: Oh, paintings would be nice.

Izzie: Yeah! You have all this amazing stuff just packed away. In the back hall, I found this box with like a hundred tapes of your mother performing these amazing medical procedures.

George: Really? We should watch them. Meredith, you want to watch - (Meredith's door slams in their faces; a moment later, it re-opens. Meredith takes Izzie's coffee and shuts the door again) Meredith, do you want some privacy ?

(Meredith slumps against the other side of the door, holding her coffee.)

Meredith VO: Number three? Don't make friends with the enemy.

***

(Cut to Bailey, Mark, Connie, and Shepherd standing on a street corner.)

Derek: Morning Dr. Bailey.

Bailey: (holding up a hand) Shut up.

Mark: You realize that Derek and I are attendings and you're only a resident? So you work for us, right?

Connie: I don't think she cares, Mark.

Bailey: I know I've forgotten something, something is happening today, I know I should know what it is, but I just can't...(shakes her head)

Derek: All right, nice talking to you Dr. Bailey.

Bailey: Something...right in front of my face...

(Shepherd, Mark, and Connie walks forward to cross the road, Bailey gasps and grabs Derek and Mark. Mark quickly drags Connie out of the way before she can get hit.)

Bailey: Doctors!

(We see several bike riders race past, two crash.)

Bailey: Now I remember! Connie, watch out.

(The bike riders aren't professionals and are kicking each other etc. Another one crashes.)

***

(Cut to the hospital, Bailey with her interns.)

Bailey: Fools on bikes killing themselves. Natural selection is what it is.

Alex: (quietly to George) So what's up with the nazi, is she off her meds?

George: You never heard of the race?

***

(Shot of a nice, neat OR schedule. Webber, Burke, Mark, and Shepherd are standing in front of it.)

Webber: Excellent board. Well-timed, balanced, efficient - if all goes well, we'll have an early night.

Bailey: Chief! Dead baby bike race started twenty minutes ago.

Webber: All right, people! Dead baby bike race day!

(Intern wipes the schedule off.)

George: Every year this bar -

Meredith: The Dead Baby Bar.

George: Every year, they hold this underground bike race.

Izzie: Don't you wonder why someone would name a bar something so disgusting?

Connie: Keep your panties on, Nancy Drew.

George: The race is completely illegal, and -

Meredith: Crazy, a bunch of bike messengers racing against traffic trying to beat each other for free shots of tequila.

Alex: All-out, no holds barred competition, sounds like fun.

Izzie: Yeah, you would think that.

George: The race doesn't even have any rules. Except eye gouging - no eye gouging.

Cristina: Oh great, we're going to be trapped in the Pit bandaging up idiots when we could be up in the OR?

George: What kind of people engage in a race that has, as its only rule, that you can't rip out the eyeballs of another human being?

Alex: Men, Georgie, men.

Bailey: I need someone to get up to the OR floor, the Chief needs a right hand.

(Everyone's hands shoot up.)

Bailey: George. Connie, your father requested you for the day.

Meredith VO: And number four: everything, everything is a competition.

(Connie goes to find her dad)

Bailey: Okay people, the rules of trauma. Don't mingle with the ER interns, they don't know their ass from their oesophagus. Sew fast, discharge fast, take bodies up to the OR yesterday. Don't let me catch you fighting over patients. Got it? Come on, let's go.

(The interns run and jostle for position. We see injured bike riders everywhere.)

Cristina: Oh, it's like candy, but with blood, which is so much better.

Izzie: Oh my god...

Cristina: Mine!

Izzie: I saw him first!

Meredith VO: Whoever said that winning wasn't everything...

(We see a guy with nails in his side.)

Meredith: Ooh. I'll take that guy.

Alex: No, you'll have to beat me to him first. ( they run for him )

Meredith VO: ...never held a scalpel.

Alex: Heads he's mine, tails he's yours.

Meredith: Why do you get to be heads?

Alex: Because I have a head, and you are tail.

Meredith: Excuse me. (Meredith closes the curtain on the patient) How do you make everything dirty? (Alex flips it) Ha. Tails. There are plenty of other cases.

Alex: So go get one. I was here first.

Meredith: I am not backing down so I can do sutures all day while you're up in the OR. This is a surgical case, and you know it.

Alex: It's superficial. I mean, it's cool, but it's superficial.

Meredith: How do you know those things didn't rupture his peritoneum?

Alex: Because he's sitting up, and he's sitting there talking to us! (guy pulls the curtain back)

Guy: Hello. Excuse me, I was wondering if you could take these out, and sew me up, so I can go and win my race?

Meredith: Well, we can't just pull them out, I mean, we ought to - (Alex does just that.) do some tests -

Guy: Oh, wicked.

Meredith: Are you out of your mind?

Alex: It's a superficial wound. Sew him up, and let him finish his race.

Meredith: You - you -

Guy: Good man.

***

(Cut to Mark and Connie.)

Connie: Hey.

(Mark looks at her, setting down some charts)

Mark: Hi!

Connie: I have a question for you.

(Mark looks worried, handing the charts to a nurse)

Mark: What is it? Are you feeling okay? You're not hurt, are you?

Connie: What? I'm fine, and I'm not hurt. (Mark sighs) Why did you request me today?

Mark: I want to... I need you by my side today. (Connie looks confused) Please... Look I just got you back after 19 years and this morning I almost lost you again.

(Connie looks at him)

Connie: Okay, fine.

***

(Cut to Cristina, Izzie and Derek.)

Cristina: Unidentified John Doe, mid-thirties pedestrian, hit by a motorist swerving to avoid a bike, GCS 3, pupils fixed and dilated, atropine given for a pulse in the forties, BP 183 over 112...(medical jargon)

Izzie: ...and a gram of Phenytoin.

Burke: Is he corked?

Derek: Looks like.

Burke: The bike race claims its first victim.

Burke: I ought to make my Triple A repair after all.

Izzie: Uh, Dr. Shepherd, he's not going to the OR?

Derek: No. Do an EEG, and confirmatory tests. If he doesn't respond, six hours. Declare him. (leaves)

Izzie: Declare him? Declare him what?

Cristina: Brain dead.

***

(Cut to Webber cleaning up.)

George: (pulling on a mask) Sir, Dr. Bailey sent me in to assist you, should I scrub in?

Webber: No, I'm stuck here all day. I need you on the floor, monitoring my pre and post-op patients.

George: Oh.

Webber: You got a problem with that, O'Malley?

George: Oh, uh, no sir.

Webber: Oh, a mate of mine in 4451, Lloyd Mackie? Give him whatever he needs.

George: Yes sir.

***

(Cut to a patient, in his bed, lighting up a cigarette.)

George: Mr Mackie! No smoking! There's no smoking.

Mr Mackie: Why not?

George: Oh my god, you're in a hospital.

Mr Mackie: Your point being...

George: I don't know if you've listened to the surgeon-general lately, say in the past twenty years, but smoking is bad. Smoking will kill you.

Mr Mackie: Liver cancer will kill me. Smoking will just speed up the process.

George: You're at the top of the donor list for a new liver. There's hope.

Mr Mackie: Sweetheart, I've been at the top of the donor list for eight months. I'm not in the batter's cage. I'm in a dugout, about to be traded.

George: You like baseball?

Mr Mackie: No.

George: Oh. Um, well, um, the chief wanted me to look in on you.

Mr Mackie: Richard's a dear old friend. He's been my doctor for thirty years.

George: Well, whatever you need, I'm your man. Just name it.

Mr Mackie: I'm sure I'll think of something.

***

(Cut to Izzie and Cristina with their patient.)

Cristina: There's no corneal reflexes.

Izzie: It's been fifty-five minutes. If he doesn't respond to these tests in the next five hours, what? We're supposed to just stand here, and watch him die?

Cristina: If he doesn't respond to these tests, it's because he's already dead.

Izzie: Technically. Legally.

Cristina: Actually, Izzie, actually dead.

Izzie: He's breathing, he has a heartbeat.

Cristina: Look at his EEG. There's no higher brain function. He'll never talk, move or think again. There's no one in there. Think like a doctor, Izzie.

Izzie: He could wake up. What about a miracle? There are medical miracles, you know.

Derek: (standing in the doorway) I know. You're right. Miracles happen. People do wake up, that's why we do a series of tests over a set number of hours, so when we call time of death, we know that we've done everything in our power to make sure it's actually his time of death. But there isn't going to be any miracles. This is the hard part. To stand around as surgeons, and not cut. That's what 'do no harm' means.

Cristina: Wish he'd just go to the light already, so I can get on another case.

(Izzie's shocked.)

Cristina: Oh, I'm the devil because I'd rather be in surgery, instead of standing watch over the death squad? It's depressing.

Izzie: Look at his sneakers. They're brand new. And somebody sewed this tear in his shirt, and he has one of those electronic key cards. He belongs to someone. An hour ago, he was out there, alive. To simply stand here and wait for him to die...

Cristina: Would be a waste of life.

Izzie: Exactly.

Cristina: It would be a waste of organs. (leaves. Izzie's shocked at her again)

***

(Cut to Meredith sewing up Viper.)

Viper: Ah, you got a nice touch. And by the way, you are a rocking babe.

Meredith: Seriously, do you actually think you have a shot here?

Viper: I like to think I've got a shot anywhere.

Meredith: Look, you really have to let me take you for some tests, and a CT. You could have internal bleeding.

Viper: No thank you, I've got a race to get back to.

Meredith: Why? You can't win now anyway.

Viper: Doesn't mean I can't cross that finish line. There's a party at the finish line. Do you want to meet me there?

Meredith: One test. A CT. I'll have you out of here in an hour.

Viper: Can't do it, gotta go.

Meredith: Okay, well, you realize that you're leaving against medical advice and I strongly urge you to stay.

Viper: The frat guy said I could go.

Meredith: The frat guy is an ass. Okay, well, you have to sign an AMA form.

Viper: Darlin', I will do anything you want me to.

Meredith: What is it with you guys and your need to dirty everything up?

Viper: I don't know. Maybe it's just testosterone, eh?

Meredith: Maybe. You might want to see a doctor about that, too.

Viper: Come here (takes the form and signs) There.

(He gets up, takes a few steps towards the door, turns back, grabs Meredith and kisses her.)

Viper: That was for good luck. (leaving) Don't worry, darling, you'll see me again.

Meredith: For your sake, I hope not!

(Meredith shakes her head and begins to strip the bed. She looks up and sees Derek standing outside.)

Meredith: (as Derek enters) What do you want?

Derek: You make out with patients now?

Meredith: What are you, jealous?

Derek: I don't get jealous.

Meredith: We had sex, once.

Derek: And we kissed, in an elevator.

Meredith: And we kissed in an elevator, once!

Derek: No, seriously, I mean come on, go out with me.

Meredith: No.

Derek: You know, I almost died today. Yeah, I came like (gestures) this close. How would you feel if I died? And you didn't get a chance to go out with me?

Meredith: Get over yourself already.

Derek: Come on.

Meredith: It's the chase, isn't it?

Derek: What?

Meredith: The thrill of the chase. I've been wondering to myself, why are you so hell bent on getting me to go out with you? You know you're my boss, you know it's against the rules, you know I keep saying no. It's the chase.

Derek: Well, it's fun, isn't it?

Meredith: You see? This is a game to you. But not to me. Because unlike you, I still have something to prove. (leaves)

***

(Cut to Connie and Mark eating lunch)

Mark: Tell me about yourself.

(Mark and Connie are eating lunch in his office)

Connie: Like what?

Mark: Come on! Like what's your favorite color, what's your favorite animal, what's your favorite food, what do you do for fun, what's your worst fears.

Connie: My favorite color is red, my favorite animal are cats, my favorite food is pizza. When I was 11 in college and 15 in med school, I used to make and sell clothes to make money. And my two worse fears are clowns and drowning.

Mark: Why clowns and drowning?

Connie: Jonh Wayne Gacy. (Mark looks confused) The clown killer?

Mark: Why drowning? (Connie looks away from him) Connie, why drowning?

Connie: I... can't... swim.

Mark: You can't swim?!

Connie: I'd never learned. I was a child prodigy. I never really had a childhood.

***

(Cut to Bailey doing surgery and Izzie and Cristina coming in.)

Bailey: I know you see me resecting this bowel, do I strike you as someone who enjoys multitasking?

Cristina: We have a John Doe, in three hours, we have to declare him brain dead. We want to harvest his organs.

Bailey: So why you wasting time on this? You know how many patients we have downstairs.

Izzie: If he dies - and he could still live, you know - his death should mean something.

Bailey: And you want a harvest surgery.

Cristina: I want to save lives. (Bailey looks derisive) Okay, I want a harvest surgery.

Bailey: Getting organs from a John Doe is a long shot. Without ID, you can't contact the family, without the family, you can't get consent to harvest the organs. Let the poor man die in peace.

Izzie: But if we can find the family -

Bailey: And get consent.

Cristina: We could harvest the organs?

Bailey: If you find the family.

(Izzie and Cristina hurry away.)

***

(Cut to Alex walking over to a desk where George is.)

Alex: What're you doing?

George: Hiding. There's this VIP patient, he likes me.

Alex: Well, that's good, right?

George: He likes me likes me.

Alex: Go for it, man, get yours. I'm down with the rainbow. (George looks up, wide-eyed) Oh. Are you not gay?

George: No.

Alex: Really? (looks bemused) Dude, sorry.

(He leaves as Izzie and Cristina come up to the other desk.)

George: (holding out a disk) Cristina?

(She comes over and he drops the disk.)

George: Do you - do you think - does Meredith think I'm gay?

Cristina: Are you?

George: No.

Cristina: Really?

(George looks frustrated. A woman comes over to Izzie and Cristina returns there.)

Izzie: I found this on a John Doe, it's a hotel key card? I've called the police and they're going to send someone over, maybe they can figure out what hotel he's staying at, get his ID from there. Could you...

Woman: I'll make sure the police get it.

Izzie: Okay. It's just, it's really important. We only have a few hours before we have to declare him and I'd really like to find his family.

Woman: You want their permission for organ donation? (George looks up, interested)

Izzie: I just - really want to find them. (leaves. Cristina looks after her, surprised, and then turns to go)

George: You have a potential donor? (Cristina nods) What's his blood type?

Cristina: Uh, O-neg. (George pulls out a folder)

***

(Cut to Izzie looking at her patient.)

Izzie: Okay, well, I know you probably can't hear me, and you're feeling this big push to go towards the light, where everything is all haloes and all-you-can-eat buffets and stuff, and I mean, sharing your organs is really great and all, but I think you have a family. I can feel it. So I think it'd be great if you could do me a favour, and get better. Just ...live. So you think you could give that a shot for me?

(Alarms start going off. His pulse is dropping.)

Izzie: Oh no. Meredith! (Meredith comes in) He's crashing.

Meredith: Well, what the hell are you doing, call code!

Izzie: I can't, I'm not supposed to, he's brain dead.

Meredith: Well Izzie, if he's brain dead, you have to let him go.

Izzie: No. It's only been five hours and thirty-three minutes, he's supposed to get six hours.

Meredith: Well, we can't do anything to make him live, it's not our place to make that call.

Izzie: He's a person, we're doctors, we should have every right to make that call. We can't just stand here and do nothing while he dies. He has a right to the next twenty-seven minutes.

Meredith: Screw it. I'll get the dopamine, you get the blood, we'll transfuse him.

***

(Cut to George examining Mackie.)

George: Do you feel any pain here?

Mackie: No. You know, you really do have beautiful eyelashes.

George: Um, thank you. Uh, what about here?

Mackie: No. And nice eyes. Kind. I like a man with kind eyes.

George: Really, you think I have kind eyes?

Mackie: Mm-mmm.

George: (pulling Mackie's singlet back down and writing on the chart) I mean, uh, you can, um...

Mackie: What are you examining me for?

George: You know, just routine, medical stuff. You're doing very well.

Mackie: Because I'm enjoying the view.

George: Okay...well...I gotta go.

(Mackie waves.)

***

(Cut to Izzie and Meredith going upstairs.)

Meredith: He's stable.

Cristina: (coming downstairs) For now. I had a radiologist look at his chest, apparently he has a traumatic aortic injury. He's going to rupture and bleed out.

Izzie: So he needs surgery.

Cristina: If he's going to remain a viable organ donor, yeah.

Izzie: If he's going to live.

Cristina: Izzie...

Izzie: No! I'm not giving up on him. He has the surgery, he lives longer, that's the point. So I'm going to help find the family, you guys find a way to get him into surgery. (continues upstairs)

Cristina: She's vice-president of fantasyland.

Meredith: So who do we go to, Bailey?

Cristina: No, we need to go higher than Bailey. (they start upstairs)

***

(Cut to Burke in the men's room. Meredith opens the door.)

Meredith: Dr. Burke?

Burke: Hello?

Meredith: (closing the door) Okay.

Cristina: (opening the door) Dr Burke, um, I know you're busy, but our John Doe needs an aortic repair.

Burke: The guy from this morning? Isn't he legally dead?

Cristina: Well, yeah, he's kinda still around? We gave him two units PRBCs and put him on pressers.

Burke: On whose orders?

(They shut the door and open it again.)

Meredith: Mine.

Burke: You gave a brain-dead John Doe a blood transfusion without consulting anyone. And now you want me to repair his heart.

Cristina: Well, yes.

Burke: You do enjoy crossing the line, don't you?

Meredith: He is an excellent candidate for organ donation.

Burke: I am a surgeon. I save lives. This guy is already dead. Now, this is the men's room. Either whip one out or close the door. (They close the door).

***

(Cut to Meredith talking to Derek.)

Derek: You're asking my advice?

Meredith: Yes.

Derek: Now who's chasing?

Meredith: Not funny. This is important.

Derek: Okay. You want to get around Burke? You gotta find a way to get the chief involved.

***

(Cut to George eating a sandwich. Izzie, Cristina and Meredith are standing in front of him in a line.)

George: What'd I do?

Meredith: How close a match for the liver is your guy to our John Doe?

George: Very. Same type, same size. UNOS couldn't find a better match, why?

Izzie: And he's the chief's VIP, right?

George: Right.

Cristina: How much would you kill to be in on a transplant surgery?

George: You underestimate me. I'm not a baby, I'm your colleague. You don't have to manipulate me, if you want something, all you have to do is ask.

Izzie: We want you to go over Burke's head to the chief.

George: Ask me something easier.

***

(Cut to Webber coming out of a door. George is waiting.)

George: Sir?

Webber: O'Malley. How's Mackie?

George: Fine. Sir, actually, that's what I want to talk to you about. I-I kind of think that - we - uh, me, and the other interns, we think - we're - we're not -

Webber: O'Malley, I'm not getting any younger.

George: We found Mackie a liver.

Meredith: We are so going to hell.

(We see that Cristina, Izzie and Meredith are watching George and Webber from down the hall.)

Meredith: Burke is sending us straight to hell.

Cristina: On an express train.

Izzie: If it works.

(Alex comes up.)

Alex: What're you doing?

Izzie/Meredith/Cristina: Nothing.

(Alex sees them watching George and Webber. Burke walks past and Webber stops him, starts talking to him.)

Izzie: (grinning) Yes.

(Webber is gone and Burke looks at George, who leaves immediately. He turns to look at them.)

Cristina: Oh, crap.

(They hurry away. Alex stays, and when Burke turns to leave, goes after him.)

Alex: Dr. Burke! Dr. Burke!

***

(Cut to open heart surgery. Alex is assisting Burke.)

Alex: Excellent work, sir, excellent.

Burke: Flawless. It's a shame he's brain dead, if he wasn't, he'd be on his feet in a few days.

Alex: I'm amazed at what skill your hands have, it's ...

Cristina: (watching with Izzie, Meredith and George) I seriously hate that guy.

Meredith: Alex is vermin. That surgery is ours.

Izzie: At least Burke is doing the surgery. I don't care about Alex. George? You did good.

George: I'm going to have to dodge Burke for the rest of my career. He could kill me and make it look like an accident.

Woman: (entering) The police called. They've identified your John Doe, his wife is on the way.

***

(Cut to Izzie watching the John Doe. Derek brings a young woman into the room.)

Woman: Oh my god. Kevin...

Derek: It's okay to...

Woman: Oh my god.

Derek: This is Dr. Stevens.

(Izzie and the woman nod.)

Derek: If you have any questions, please, please call me. (leaves)

Woman: Is there still a chance?

Izzie: We can hold off till morning, but if there's still no change, we'd...we'd like to talk to you about organ donation.

***

(Cut to Webber going to see Mackie. George is in the background.)

Webber: (shaking Mackie's shoulder lightly) Mackie? How're we treating you?

Mackie: Oh, fine. Except that beautiful boy won't let me smoke. You should reprimand him. Make him change bedpans.

Webber: (laughing) Mackie. That beautiful boy may have found you a liver.

(Mackie stops smiling, glances up at Webber and then to George. His faces begins to break up and he looks away, trying desperately not to cry while Webber pats his shoulder. George leaves.)

***

(Cut to Meredith in civvies, at her locker. Her pager's beeping. Alex bursts in.)

Alex: God, I smell good. You know what it is? (turns to Meredith) It's the smell of open heart surgery. (breathes in deeply) It's awesome. It is awesome. You gotta smell me (coming up behind Meredith and leaning onto her)

Meredith: I don't want to smell you.

Alex: (nuzzling her hair) Oh, yes you do.

Meredith: (turning around and grabbing him, pushing him against the lockers by his shirt) You have got to be kidding me! Okay. I have more important things to deal with than you. I have roommates, and boy problems, and family problems. (Alex yawns and glances around) You want to act like a little frat boy bitch, that's fine. You want to take credit for your saves, and everybody else's? That's fine too. Just stay out of my face. (Derek opens the door, Meredith grabs Alex by the chin, making him look at her) And for the record, you smell like crap.

(She turns and they both see Derek. Meredith goes back to her locker. Derek motions as if to say, what happened?)

Alex: She attacked me.

(Meredith moves to really attack him)

Derek: Meredith, Meredith, Meredith! (Derek grabs her arms and she lets him push her back) You know, you might want to leave. Before I change my mind and let her beat you to a pulp with her tiny ineffectual fists.

(He pushes Alex out the door and closes it while Alex pulls a face at Meredith. Derek sighs. Meredith looks at him.)

Derek: What?

Meredith: Nothing. (pulls out a jacket) It's just...(gives him a long look. He nods a little, encouragingly) Nothing.

(She closes her locker and makes as if to leave, he opens the door for her and she looks at him again for a few seconds, then strides away. He looks upward and sighs.)

***

(Cut to Meredith entering her apartment. Izzie and George are going through video tapes.)

Izzie: Ooh, this one is skin grafting!

George: Skin grafting? No way! I've never seen that done before.

Meredith: Are those my mother's surgical tapes?

George: We should watch the skin grafting one first.

Meredith: Where did all this stuff come from?

Izzie: Oh, I unpacked some of your mother's things. I was upset, and when I'm upset I like to nest.

(Meredith stares, then starts taking pictures down.)

Izzie: Ooh! Hemipelvectomy.

George: I think we should watch this one first.

Meredith: No. No. We're not watching my mother's surgery tapes, we're not unpacking boxes, and we're not having long conversations where we celebrate the moments of our lives. And use a coaster!

George: ...I ordered Chinese food.

Meredith: (going upstairs) I hate Chinese food!

(Izzie and George exchange looks and giggle.)

***

(Cut to Cristina, Connie, and Meredith walking towards the hospital.)

Meredith: They're everywhere. All the time. Izzie's all perky, and George does this thing where he's helpful and considerate, they share food and they say things and they move things, and they breathe. (whimpers) They're like happy.

Cristina: Kick them out.

Connie: She can't kick them out. They just moved in. She asked them to move in.

Cristina: So what, you're just going to repress everything into some deep dark twisted place until one day you snap and kill them?

Meredith: Yup.

Cristina/Connie: This is why we are friends.

(Alex comes up behind them as they enter the hospital.)

Alex: Why is the nazi making us stay in the Pit two days in a row?

Meredith: Leftovers.

Alex: Leftovers?

Meredith: Gotta get the cyclists who were too drunk or too stupid or too scared to get themselves to a hospital yesterday.

Alex: While meanwhile, she gets to do a freakin' organ harvest.

Cristina: Oh, that kills you, doesn't it?

Alex: What?

Cristina: That two women got the harvest.

Alex: No, it kills me that anyone got the harvest but me. Boobs do not factor into this equation. Unless you want to show me yours.

(Meredith, Connie, and Cristina exchange looks. They're waiting for the elevator.)

Meredith: I'm going to become a lesbian.

Cristina: Me too.

Connie: Already am one.

(The elevator dings but they go for the stairs.)

***

(Cut to Cristina talking to Kevin's wife and little girl.)

Cristina: This form simply says that you consent to the donation of your husband's major organs - heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. (The woman signs) Now I need to ask you a few questions. Are you willing to donate his corneas?

Mrs. Davidson: You want his eyes?

Cristina: Um, corneal transplants can give someone back their sight.

Mrs Davidson: I suppose that's okay. (signs)

(Shot of the little girl and then of Bailey, who's leaning against the wall looking a little sad.)

Cristina: What about his skin?

Mrs Davidson: What? (trying to hold it together)

Cristina: It's used to help burn victims.

Mrs Davidson: You want to cut off his skin? What about the funeral? You want me to have a funeral, and have people look at him, have his daughter look at her father and he doesn't have any skin? (voice breaking up) It's his skin.

(Cristina leaves the room. The mother and daughter hug. Bailey goes after Cristina.)

Bailey: What are you doing?

Cristina: I'm not a people person.

Bailey: No kidding.

Cristina: I-I can't do that, I can't talk to the families of patients, I'm sorry.

Bailey: What's his name?

Cristina: Who?

Bailey: The patient. What's his name?

Cristina: Kevin Davidson.

Bailey: Remember that. Not gorked guy, not John Doe, Kevin Davidson. He's someone's husband. Someone's son. Not a collection of body parts for you to harvest, a person. Now no one said this was easy.

(Cristina re-enters the room and we see her start to talk again.)

***

(Cut to George examining Mackie.)

Mackie: I owe you George.

George: No, you don't owe me anything. I'm just happy we found a liver.

Mackie: Well, when I get out of here, how about I take you and my new liver out for a night on the town? What do you say?

George: Uh, Mr. Mackie, no offense or anything, um, you're, very handsome, but I, um, I'm not - I mean, you're not my type, because...you're a man.

Mackie: (laughing) George, I never thought you were guy.

George: You didn't?

Mackie: Oh, child, please. You? Gay? I'm sick, George, not blind.

George: Then...why...?

Mackie: Because dying is a get-out-of-jail-free card. I can be as bold as I want, and there's nothing anybody can say about it. So I flirt. Haven't you ever been attracted to someone you know you couldn't have?

George: Well - at - no.

Mackie: What's her name.

George: There's no - I'm not - you know, this is really, uh, not...Meredith.

Mackie: Meredith. To be young and in love. (holds out a hand, but George doesn't take it) Let's go get that -

George: No, I didn't - (Mackie holds up a hand)

***

(Cut to organ harvest preparation with Izzie, Cristina, the patient and Burke.)

Burke: I never liked harvesting.

Cristina: Why?

Burke: Like I said, I'm a surgeon. I save lives. This ends one.

Izzie: I know you tried, so no hard feelings, okay?

(Cristina looks at her.)

Izzie: I was just...

Burke: You were saying goodbye.

***

(Cut to Mark and Connie)

Connie: How long have you been living in Seattle?

(Mark looks at her confused)

Mark: What?

Connie: How long have you been living here?

Mark: A week. Why?

Connie: I have an extra bedroom in my apartment.

Mark: Okay...

(Connie looks at him)

Connie: You are going to make me say, arn't you? (Mark smirks) Yes, I would like for you to move in with me. I would like to live with my father.

Mark: All you had to do was ask.

***

(Cut to Meredith and Alex working in Trauma. Viper is waiting in a chair.)

Meredith: What's Viper doing here?

Alex: Probably crashed his bike. Again.

Meredith: How long has he been waiting?

Alex: Don't know, I'm busy on real cases. He's all yours.

Meredith: Viper? Viper?

(Viper is holding his side and not looking at her. He starts to cough.)

Meredith: Are you okay?

(He tries to get up and she runs to him, but he falls. He's unconscious and blood is coming out of his mouth.)

Meredith: Viper!

(She lifts up his shirt. His stitches have ripped open and the area around them has swelled up to the size of a small melon.)

***

(Cut to Viper on a gurney. Meredith is sitting on top, trying to hold his wound closed, and talking to a nurse. Alex is there.)

Meredith: Call up to the OR and tell them we're coming. Page Dr. Bailey.

Nurse: Right away.

(Alex is staring at Viper, hands on hips, a bit stunned.)

Meredith: Alex! Push the damn gurney!

Nurse: Clear the way. Coming through.

Alex: Somebody get the elevator!

Meredith: Hurry. I don't know how long I can keep this wound closed.

(Elevator doors close. They watch the level numbers light up.)

Meredith: Move faster, damnit.

(They arrive and go into the OR. Meredith is still straddling Viper.)

Bailey: Well, this is a new one. Somebody get her off my patient. (Meredith climbs down) Meredith, go get cleaned up and scrub in, Alex, get back downstairs.

Alex: Yeah, but I helped.

Bailey: Helped! They tell me down in the Pit that you only want to take the hot cases. In every pack of interns there's always one fool that's running around trying to show off, and Alex, this time that fool is you. Get out. (he leaves) Somebody get me something to stand on, lower this table. The mountain's going to have to come to me.

***

(Cut to Mackie going into surgery.)

Anaesthetist: Count backwards from ten for me.

Mackie: You're a good friend. The best.

Webber: Shut up and count backwards already, Mack.

Mackie: Ten...nine...eight...seven...ssseeh...

***

(Cut to Izzie and Cristina scrubbing in.)

Izzie: I'm not going to stay.

Cristina: It's your job. You have to.

Izzie: You're better at this part than me. I don't want to watch him get taken apart. Look at the vultures. Waiting to pick him clean.

Cristina: Every last one of them represents someone, somewhere, who's going to live because of Kevin. (and I swear to God, Meredith says the next bit. Editing goof; she's not there) Here. Put it on.

(Webber and Burke enter.)

Webber: I'll be waiting next door when you're ready. (leaves)

Burke: Where everyone's waiting. Okay, doctors. Let's get this over with.

(We see them operate. The organs are placed in plastic bags and special sealed containers which look, frankly, like blenders. The liver is placed on ice and George takes it. We see George hand it to Webber, who places it in Mackie. Back to the harvest, and alarmed beeping has commenced. The heart is being removed. Everyone packs up to go, but Izzie remains. Cristina looks back at her.)

Cristina: (concerned) Izzie?

Izzie: I'm going to sew him up. For his family.

(Cristina helps her.)

***

(Cut to them walking out to the family.)

Cristina: You do it.

Izzie: What?

Cristina: You do it.

(Izzie walks over.)

Izzie: Mrs Davidson? He's ready if you'd like to see him.

(We pan past Cristina looking pensive to Viper's friends, who are also waiting. Bailey and Meredith are walking out to see them.)

Bailey: This lovely group's his friends. Uh, you all belong to - (to Meredith) what's his name?

Meredith: Viper.

Bailey: Viper?

Man: Yeah, we were in the race.

Girl: How is he, is he okay?

Bailey: Is he okay? No. No, he is not okay, at all. He hurled his body down a concrete mountain at full speed for no good reason. Yeah, I know you all pierce yourselves and smoke up and generally treat your bodies like your grungy asses can't break down to A, you want to k*ll yourselves, flying down a concrete mountain, go to it, but there are other people walking, people driving, people trying live their lives on that concrete mountain, and one of them got his brains scrambled today because one of you little sniffling no-good snot-rag -

Meredith: Doctor Bailey -

Bailey: Yeah, yeah so no, your friend Viper, as far as I'm concerned, is not okay. (walks off)

Meredith: She's, um, really tired, but, uh, Viper's going to make it. He's gonna live.

Group: Cool. Thanks.

***

(Cut to Meredith packing up her stuff in the locker room. Derek comes in and shuts the door.)

Derek: It's not the chase.

Meredith: What?

Derek: You and me. It is not the thrill of the chase. It's not a game. It's...it's your tiny ineffectual fists. And your hair.

Meredith: My hair?

Derek: Smells good. And you're very, very bossy. Keeps me in line.

Meredith: I'm still not going out with you.

Derek: You say that now. (leaves)

***

(Cut to Mackie.)

Mackie: How'd it go?

Webber: Very smoothly.

Mackie: Damn. That means I'll have to quit smoking.

(George is there. He grasps Mackie's hand.)

Mackie: Ahhh, the pretty ones always come crawling back.

Meredith VO: There's another way to survive this competition. A way that no one ever seems to tells you about. (Meredith is leaving for the day. She sees Viper with his friends and they smile at each other) One you have to learn for yourself. Number five: it's not about the race at all. There are no winners or losers. Victories are counted by the number of lives saved.

***

(Cut to Meredith opening her front door. Izzie, Cristina, Connie, and George are eating pizza, drinking beer or water and watching a surgical tape.)

Izzie: Okay, this is the best part, watch, this is where she pulls a block of skin down over the face.

George: We were

Meredith: Hi.

George: - we were just - Cristina made us.

(Cristina looks incredibly unimpressed with that statement.)

Meredith VO: And once in a while, if you're smart, the life you save could be your own.

Meredith: What are we watching? Ooh. (sitting down and taking some popcorn) This is the one where my mother -

Izzie: Literally pulls this guy's face off!

Meredith: Yeah.

(They watch for a few seconds and then)

Everyone: Augh!

Connie: (waving her slice of pizza towards the screen in amazement) Holy crap!

(Pan away and fade out.)

[helloimcomet]

daniel

one time, i met up with this boy. we had met on the apps, i liked his pics, he liked mine, and it seemed we had a good vibe going based on the texts we had sent each other. mind you, i had just moved into a new town after living back at home with my parents for the past 8 years so, i didn’t have any friends. but back to the story, we decided to meet up at a local bar to grab a few drinks and get to know each other better. long story short, this guy didn’t look like his pics… i thought, “ok, whatever. so what if that selfie is from a few years ago?” he was still nice, and i mean, i’ve never been the type to care for looks in the first place. besides, i knew i wouldn’t be paying for drinks tonight. he buys us our first round, and we get to talking. i find out he’s a software engineer, a coffee snob, has several hidden tattoos, and is also a maroon 5 aficionado. the dude seemed cool but i couldn’t help but think, why maroon 5? oh well, more drinks come. now it’s my turn to tell him a little bit about myself. i’m new to town, i play dating sims, i’m a horror movie fanatic (my favorite franchise is scream). then this guy starts going into a tangent about how the saw movies have strayed so far from their original intention and become a pillar for torture porn in horror media. i get bored and order another drink. so he finishes his film-by-film breakdown, first to most recent, and we decide to start heading out. he invites me to his place, i say yes, now we’re kissing in the hallway of his apartment. finally. one thing i can say is it was good. his sheets were clean and he was smart enough to turn on a lamp rather than overhead lighting. but as i was laying in his bed, his back turned towards me, he’s asleep, i’m wide awake. i felt this emptiness. this sinking feeling in my chest. i thought sex was supposed to make a person happy. hurriedly, i begin gathering all my stuff and pulling on my clothes. i leave. it’s late, so the trains aren’t running and i don’t want to spend money on a cab. it’s fine, i’ll walk, my place shouldn’t be too far from here. it’s cold. as i’m walking, that feeling in my chest sinks deeper, and deeper, and deeper. i look up at the sky, and a street light flickers above me. 

i’m alone.

[medicinemane]

See... on one hand I'm grateful to the concept of "metaverse" for becoming so popular cause it means that there's a baseline understanding for Amber that means I don't have to put in the footwork of explaining the concept of more than one reality

But also... it's just all so... marvel, if you get what I mean... or maybe I just want the word commercialized, but almost any time -verse is tacked onto the end of something it just... ugh... it gets so franchise-y

Like Amber, the basic premise is that Reality casts infinite shadows and in those shadow you find literally everything. Sci fi, fantasy, our Earth... literally anything and everything exists infinitely as a reflection of some facet of the one point of Reality (well... more than one but that's not that important)

So you can see where metaverse stuff helps with making it so people'll get that but where it's also like... yes, marvel comics all exist in this cause everything does, but there's no universe of marvel it's just another drop in an infinite sea... it's a cluster of shadows that are easy to travel between but... basically every metaverse out there is just going to be an infinite sized fraction of infinity

I just... I don't know. Basically I like he groundwork done by popularizing the concept but don't like how franchise based it's ended up feeling

Anyway... you can see why Zelazny's work on this stuck with me, cause even if in a lot of ways I've probably twisted things around into my own version... just nice to have an infinite sized box that contains literally everything as a way to decide how everything relates to each other in fiction and easily have anything interact with anything else because they're all just in the same space

(It's a shame that all the thinking I've done on this stuff has no practical use)

(For instance, the way that one travels through shadow is usually by making small changes as you go to slip from shadow to shadow. You start out here and now driving down the highway, and maybe you decide that the next town you pass through all the street lamps will look like electric gas lamps, and then that the road's gonna transition to paved stones instead of asphalt, then you get out of your car and buy a horse because the next town you come to you're not going to be seeing any cars in, and then you'll find those are all actually gas lamps now... and ok... you've made it into a new setting)

(Each of those is a new shadow that's similar enough that it's easy to slide into from the one you were in if you know how to shadow walk, and by just changing a little each time you pass through like a half dozen shadows until you're some place totally different)

(Anyway, this is totally useless... even in universe this would be totally useless, but I think there's an argument you can make that while our brains like to think of things like a map with things next to each other, there's probably a very good chance that all of shadow is basically overlayed simultaneously in the same spot all happen at once but... on different frequencies let's say)

(Actually to an extent that really does add up with shadow walking and how it's done, because you could very easily compare it to a metaphor of tuning the radio, you don't massively leap from one spot to another, you slowly dial towards what you're wanting to hit)

(So congratz to me on being able to talk theoretical physics and philosophy about a fictional world that basically I only have myself to talk with about)

(Shame I don't have any useful skills instead, eh?)