#little tybee

[wallylinda]

followed u cause ur a flash blog but then i see ur bio and OMG ur my fave flash fanfic author it's insane

kfdfksdfjkdf glad you liked my stuff! let's ignore the fact that i haven't published anything since october 😗✌️ it takes me a long time to write anything since i tend to prefer my other hobbies to it, but i have a really cool oneshot lined up relatively soon <3

[bonefarm]

The notes on a recent post got me thinking

By nature, I’m a fan of having 2 beers and meeting strangers at a bar somewhere you’ve never been, which is a thing that we don’t do in 2023 between COVID and being afraid of one another because of the prevalence of gun violence and regular violence and misdirected road rage and the million other little deadly social erosions of the past 10 years or so.

You have got to let go of this idea that any place is a complete nothing-burger full of nothing-people.

You have to.

Its vitally important that you navigate that airport with a stranger in Denver and realize he’s got a tattoo of lyrics from your favorite song. To sing House of the Rising Sun with four people you’ve known for 2 hours (and somehow managed to get into the DNCs private bar with) in the back of an Uber in DC when it’s pissing rain and entirely too cold for your southern blood. It’s important to cooperate and solve problems together and go about it laughing and singing. We are silly little creatures that love a puzzle and a story.

It’s also important to flee a tornado in the back of a shitty red pickup at pride in Oklahoma City and feel the sky break wide-open against the lazy /tick-lok/ /tick-lok/ of the windshield wipers while racing down what once was Rte 66. Its important to know that in the face of creeping fascism that place, of all places, has entire gay neighborhoods. It’s important to wake up in an apartment high, high up in NYC and watch the sun through the buildings and boulevards and watch the glorious great goddamn of that impossible number of people all cooperating and all not. To say Hyoo-stun, that way, on purpose just to get a rise of your born and bred NY friend who does NOT think you’re funny but will make coffee for you.

You need to see a beach full of people cautiously approaching and flinching away from a floating, dead horseshoe crab on Tybee Island, Georgia the way any troupe of wild animals approaches an unknown alien thing. Cows in a field, fish in the ocean flinching from a diver. Little children squealing and wide eyed behind their parents legs. You need to be the person that walks out and picks it up and watches the rest of the crowd creep in to investigate.

I don’t get to travel a lot in the way that most people do, when I go to a place it’s usually because something bad has happened there, but I have found it universally true that most people just want to tell you a story or show you a picture on their phone of the craziest thing they’ve ever seen and they don’t particularly care who you are or what your accent is. Sometimes they do, and those people suck, but those people are not the majority.

Sometimes if you let an old redneck talk he’ll tell you everything you never wanted to know about forensic accounting. Sometimes you’ll meet someone in the middle of the biggest city in the US who knows everything about show pigs. I’ve been to the smallest Kansas towns and the biggest cities in the US and I’ve found none of them were full of nothing.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

This cute blue 1930 home with 1bd, 1ba, is a little pricey b/c it's a beach cottage on Tybee Island, GA. But, it's such a happy little house, I couldn't resist. Asking $550K. It's the smallest house on the island, so it's thought that it may have been a guard house, originally. It can also be a year round home.

Isn't this the cutest living room? It's just so cozy.

It doesn't say in the listing, but usually a vacation cottage is sold furnished. Since they took a closeup of this lovely bicycle pic, it suggests that it does come furnished.

Plus, there are closeups of various furniture pieces, too.

Pretty big galley kitchen and it also has a laundry area tucked in by the back door. I'm not seeing a dishwasher, though. I hate that.

The shower room is cute.

Very nice.

Sweet bedroom.

It's in the back of the house, off the kitchen. Check out the fridge right outside the door.

Nice large deck.

According to the description, the house can be expanded.

Hot tub down in the yard.

The deck has 2 stair cases and there's also a nice shed.

This is very nice. Love wicker.

The lot is pretty big. 4,739 sq ft.

The wicker set is on a small patio in front of the house and the firepit is off to the side.

Adorable picket fence with an arbor over the gate. Such an idyllic property. The sign has its name, "Sunburst Cottage."

There is definitely room to expand it.

It's about 4 blocks from the Atlantic Ocean.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1514-2nd-Ave-Tybee-Island-GA-31328/14193587_zpid/

[lalalian]

ranking & schools | aethergarde academy dr school program

date: july 17, 2024

assignment type: reading + questions

hellloooo! welcome to your second assignment, today, we'll just be getting directly into the notes. Please answer the questions at the end of the assignment-- with a minimum of 75 words per question. This assignment is due by next Wednesday, July 24th.

CHAPTER I - SCHOOLS & RANKING

AETHERGARDE ACADEMY

You may know by now that the most famous dragon rider school is Aethergarde Academy. Aside from the fact that it's student body almost entirely consist of S-ranked riders, what else is special about Aethergarde Academy? Aethergarde's magic curriculum is known to be the most rigorous out of most schools out there-- the fact that a student must earn a passing score on a glyph course-- the fact there even is a glyph course-- is only a small part of why it's such a well-known and prestigious school.

Aethergarde Academy was founded by Deana Exalos Empyrigate, Alec Mathis Helvengrim, Len Catalina Qaruiabrim (Olena is now simply Len), and Gladyes Tybees Gaiangrove, essentially the entirety of the Guardian hunting clan besides for Jean Lune Kashmir, after the death of Mikhael Sol Kashmir. Aethergarde not only was created to live out Sol Kashmir's last wish, but started out as an academy for all riders, no matter what rank; this changed as more riders turned to Aethergarde to seek a career as an official dragon rider. Eventually, four other academies were created in a similar likeness to Aethergarde-- you may know these academies as Empyrigate Academy, Helvengrim Academy, Qaruiabrim Academy, and Gaiangrove Academy.

Aethergarde Academy has a strict no bribery and a fair admission process-- this means that any teacher or staff that has received bribery from a student/a student's family is immediately fired from the academy, and the student must be relocated to a different school. This rule is called the Solemis Policy. If a student's cheated or engaged in bribery in Aethergarde Academy, said student cannot attend Empyrigate Academy, Helvengrim Academy, Qaruiabrim Academy, or Gaiangrove Academy. They must enroll in an academy for lower tiered riders. Recently, students from these schools (Empyrigate, Helvengrim, Qaruiabrim, and Gaiangrove) were held to the same rule.

AETHERGARDE'S MAGIC CURRICULUM

As mentioned previously, Aethergarde requires it's students to master the basics of glyph magic-- no other school does this purely because of how difficult this kind of magic is. Glyph magic is also quite a recent magic technique-- although it has existed for thousands of years, even the most talented scholars were unable to make sense of them for the longest time. Aside from glyph magic, Aethergarde focuses on the movement of mana in the aura, the mental image, and security*.

*You'll learn these characteristics in detail in a different chapter*

RANKING

How does ranking determine what schools a student is invited to? A student is not invited to schools like Aethergarde simply because 'S-tier riders are better than other riders'-- Students with a high mana capacity flourish more in academies that prepare them for the jobs that only an S-ranked rider could do best.

No matter how hard an E-ranked rider or even a human works at becoming part of the Thorns, they could never be as qualified as an S-ranked rider that works equally as hard. An E-ranked rider cannot form spells higher than II-- in comparison, an S-tier rider are able to hold V tier spells, Six, after proper schooling, they could hold a level II ranked spell in their sleep.

The separation may seem a little dystopian, but it is simply because of skill set differences. Lower ranked riders are taught more heavily in laws and government, while higher tier riders are taught how to harness their power safely and in a useful way.

It's important to realize that higher ranked riders do not have to become protectors. If an S-tier rider doesn't feel that they belong in violent spaces, that rider can easily choose not to.

RANKING: CAPABILITES AND ASSETS

There are six rankings, starting from the weakest to the most powerful, they are as follows:

E, D, C, B, A, and of course, S.

Note that: We are discussing riders that are in the Eudora Empire, and spell capability limits are after proper schooling.

E-ranked riders

E-ranked riders are slightly stronger than the average human. It's pretty much impossible for lower ranked riders to bond to dragons that have higher mana capacities purely because their soul cannot match those dragons' at all. It's possible for higher ranked riders to bond to lower ranked dragons; however, it's not common. E-ranked riders who work hard to learn magic typically struggle to cast spells III and above after schooling, though a generous portion of E-ranked riders struggle to cast a level II spell. E-ranked riders cannot cast AOE spells, even if it's level I.

D-ranked riders

D-ranked riders are stronger than the average human. They are able to cast level III spells at the most, but are unable to hold them for long. D-ranked riders can cast AOE I-II spells after schooling.

C-ranked riders

C-ranked riders typically are desired in lower ranked soldier roles. They're not terribly strong, but they aren't weak. C-ranked riders can cast level III AOE spells and can cast level IV if they specialize in magic after schooling. These riders are also considered mid-tier.

B-ranked riders

B-ranked riders are considered to be higher ranked. Generally, they work to protect more important cities and are often hired to protect a noble family as a knight. A B-ranked rider can enroll in Empyrigate Academy, Helvengrim Academy, Qaruiabrim Academy, or Gaiangrove Academy. These riders can conjure spells up to level V with enough training, and can cast AOE spells up to level IV after schooling. B-ranked riders may also receive marriage proposals from lower noble families.

A-ranked riders

A-ranked riders often work for dukes or royals-- many marry into higher noble families as well. They can cast level V spells with enough training, but can also cast another spell (levels I-III) at the same time. They can cast AOE spells up to level V. An A-ranked rider can enroll in Empyrigate Academy, Helvengrim Academy, Qaruiabrim Academy, or Gaiangrove Academy.

S-ranked riders

S-ranked riders are the most well known kind of riders out there. The highest ranked S-tier riders are incredibly unique in how they fight, think, or even how they cast spells. S-ranked riders can easily cast multiple spells after schooling, and are able to cast level VI spells. S-tier riders can cast AOE spells up to level Vi, but more comfortably at level V. S-ranked riders are the most desirable marriage candidate and/or knight; they typically always enroll in Aethergarde Academy. An S-ranked rider can enroll in Empyrigate Academy, Helvengrim Academy, Qaruiabrim Academy, or Gaiangrove Academy if they refuse to enroll in Aethergarde Academy.

Oki doki, so idk if this was long enough or not, I hope so? I kinda struggled writing this bc I felt like I was talking about the things I've already written down in the script T-T

Here are the questions! Again, please answer them by next Wednesday (July 24th).

Click me to go to the homework questions! I'll have grades out as soon as I can.

Also like another announcement-- No assignment this Friday! I'm flying out from Thailand to the U.S. to get back home... Perfect time to actually shift??? We'll see, idk LMAO

how do I see my grade?

I’ll send it through email within a few days after you submit your assignment. It should say ‘Score released: Chapter 1.1 Notes : Crit Questions’ in the sub heading of the email.

This is what you’ll see in the email! The circled statement will contain your actual score. Ignore the score at the bottom.

[csh-tournament]

Tournament Recap: Round 1

And so, Round 1 of Stage 2 is officially over. I thought it'd be a fun idea to make a little status update post as a way to sorta recap the bracket so far.

Aside from 3, which is barely hanging in there, the numbered albums (and Little Pieces of Paper) have all been completely wiped out, which is to be expected but also kinda sad. On the flipside, not a single track from Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) has been eliminated! Of course, that's going to change no matter what in the next round because Stop Smoking and Bodys are going up against each other.

*More detailed stuff under the cut. Songs are grouped by album/EP/I'm bald/any other miscellaneous infinitely nuanced answer*

1 [0/16 (0%) Remaining]

tybee island horse ghosts (Eliminated in Group Stage)

good sunday (Eliminated in Group Stage)

big jacket (Eliminated in Round 1 by My Boy (Twin Fantasy (2018))

Cesare the somnambulist (Eliminated in Group Stage)

happy/ugly (Eliminated in Group Stage)

David Lynch versus the moon (Eliminated in Group Stage)

his shiny customers (Eliminated in Group Stage)

up all night (Eliminated in Group Stage)

inside the bell jar (Eliminated in Group Stage)

july new hey (Eliminated in Group Stage)

kid war (Eliminated in Round 1 by portrait of the artist as a young fag)

you have to go to college (Eliminated in Group Stage)

yes bulletin (Eliminated in Group Stage)

mortgages for veterans (Eliminated in Group Stage)

my dad just passed out (Eliminated in Group Stage)

what does OUJ stand for (Eliminated in Round 1 by America (Never Been))

2 [0/13 (0%) Remaining]

smokezone (Eliminated in Group Stage)

this one time I went to a coffee house because some guy I knew was playing and I just sat there for an hour and didn't talk to anyone and then I came home and wrote this song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

we are in space (Eliminated in Group Stage)

it's you, you're the asshole who made this (Eliminated in Group Stage)

shoelaces (Eliminated in Group Stage)

act suspicious (Eliminated in Group Stage)

reversible jacket (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the majestic hotel (Eliminated in Group Stage)

90 (Eliminated in Group Stage)

fiction I (Eliminated in Group Stage)

hanging out with my mom in women's apparel (Eliminated in Group Stage)

...then it will be exactly the same as earth (Eliminated in Group Stage)

will you please pass the milk, please? (Eliminated in Round 1 by Famous Prophets (Minds))

3 [2/13 (~15%) Remaining]

no starving (Eliminated in Group Stage)

portrait of the artist as a young fag

beach weak (Eliminated in Round 1 by Nervous Young Inhumans (2011))

foreign song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

psst, teenagers, take off your clo (Eliminated in Round 1 by High To Death (2011))

sun hot (Eliminated in Group Stage)

beach fagz

summer bummer (Eliminated in Group Stage)

ryan north by northwest (Eliminated in Group Stage)

beach drugs (Eliminated in Group Stage)

beach death (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sleeping With Strangers)

beach funeral (Eliminated in Round 1 by Bodys (2018))

oh! starving (Eliminated in Round 1 by We Can't Afford (Your Depression Anymore))

4 [0/9 (0%) Remaining]

a good bridge to never cross until there's no doubt that he's dead (Eliminated in Round 1 by Famous Prophets (Stars))

who even knows (Eliminated in Group Stage)

even the who knows (Eliminated in Group Stage)

not "kidding" around (Eliminated in Group Stage)

heartless dick (Eliminated in Group Stage)

dickless heart (Eliminated in Group Stage)

feel like daniel johnston (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the ghost of bob saget (Eliminated in Round 1 by Beach Life-In-Death (2018))

around (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Little Pieces Of Paper With "No" Written On Them [0/21 (0%) Remaining]

leave together (Eliminated in Group Stage)

I don't want you (Eliminated in Round 1 by Overexposed (Enjoy))

I am afraid of literally everything (Eliminated in Round 1 by The Ballad of the Costa Concordia)

100 minutes of solitude (Eliminated in Group Stage)

neon sign (Eliminated in Group Stage)

samson's golden axe (Eliminated in Group Stage)

I scream social (Eliminated in Group Stage)

wachovia receipts (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the singles song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

get better get well (Eliminated in Group Stage)

squid desert (Eliminated in Group Stage)

ff (Eliminated in Group Stage)

nothing (Eliminated in Round 1 by High to Death (2018))

surf jerk (Eliminated in Group Stage)

a pleasant sort of terror (Eliminated in Group Stage)

total burn (Eliminated in Group Stage)

when I'm here (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the staying song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

I CAN TALK WITH MY EYES SHUT (Eliminated in Round 1 by psst, teenagers, take off your clo (2015))

the vice president of google and et al (Eliminated in Group Stage)

hot sun (Eliminated in Group Stage)

My Back Is Killing Me Baby [2/11 (~18%) Remaining]

the drum (Eliminated in Round 1 by Unforgiving Girl (She's Not An))

happy news for sadness

sunburned shirts (Eliminated in Round 1 by Maud Gone (2015))

stoop kid (Eliminated in Round 1 by Jerks)

something soon

no passion (Eliminated in Round 1 by Some Strange Angel)

father, flesh in rags (Eliminated in Round 1 by Oh! Starving (2012))

strangers (Eliminated in Round 1 by something soon (2011))

lawns (Eliminated in Group Stage)

p.o.w. (Eliminated in Round 1 by The Ending of Dramamine)

open-mouthed boy (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Twin Fantasy (Mirror to Mirror) [7/10 (70%) Remaining]

My Boy (Twin Fantasy) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Times to Die (2015))

Beach Life-In-Death

Stop Smoking (Eliminated in Round 1 by Hollywood)

Sober To Death

Nervous Young Inhumans

Bodys

Cute Thing (Eliminated in Round 1 by Beast Monster Thing)

High To Death

Famous Prophets (Minds)

Twin Fantasy (Those Boys)

Monomania [6/9 (~67%) Remaining]

Romantic Theory

Misheard Lyrics (Eliminated in Round 1 by Twin Fantasy (Those Boys) (2011))

Times To Die

Overexposed

Los Borrachos (I Don’t Have Any Hope Left, But The Weather Is Nice)

Souls (Eliminated in Round 1 by The Gun Song)

Maud Gone (Eliminated in Round 1 by happy news for sadness)

Sleeping With Strangers

Anchorite (Love You Very Much)

Starving While Living [2/5 (40%) Remaining]

It's Only Sex

Reuse The Cels (Eliminated in Round 1 by Boxing Day)

I Hate Living (Eliminated in Round 1 by Romantic Theory)

Devil Moon (Eliminated in Round 1 by Cute Thing (2018))

Oh! Starving

Nervous Young Man [9/20 (45%) Remaining]

Boxing Day

We Can't Afford (Your Depression Anymore)

Don't Remind Me (Eliminated in Round 1 by Los Borrachos (2012))

Homes (Eliminated in Round 1 by Knife In The Coffee)

Afterglow (Eliminated in Round 1 by Something Soon (2015))

Jerks

Broken Birds (Rest In Pieces)

The Gun Song

Goodbye Love (Eliminated in Round 1 by There Must Be More Than Blood)

I Can Play The Piano (Eliminated in Round 1 by Stop Smoking (We Love You))

Crows (Rest In Bigger Pieces Mix) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Los Borrachos (2015))

I Wanna Sweat

Burning Man (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sinner)

Dreams Fall Hard (Eliminated in Round 1 by Nervous Young Inhumans (2011))

Plane Crash Blues (I Can't Play The Piano)

Big Jacket (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Death At The Movies (Eliminated in Round 1 by Fill In The Blank)

Jus' Tired (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sober To Death (2011))

Some Strange Angel

Knife In The Coffee

Disjecta Membra [1/17 (~6%) Remaining]

Endpiece (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Please Mr Pilot (Eliminated in Round 1 by I Wanna Sweat)

2:24 (Eliminated in Group Stage)

The Hard Part (Eliminated in Round 1 by Bodys (2011))

Sound Man/Low Fidelity (Eliminated in Round 1 by Hey, Space Cadet)

Napoleon (March On Russia) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Drunk On A Work Night (Eliminated in Round 1 by Broken Birds (Rest In Pieces))

Love Me Too Much (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Dream: Encounter On Smoke Mountain (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Sinner

When Will My Man Come? (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Hi Life (Eliminated in Group Stage)

AC (Eliminated in Group Stage)

If Not, Then Oh Well (Eliminated in Round 1 by Destroyed By Hippe Powers)

Memories (Leonard Cohen Cover) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

KS (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Unfinished: Pain Star (If Heaven is full of people...) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (Album Version))

How To Leave Town [6/9 (~67%) Remaining]

The Ending of Dramamine

Beast Monster Thing (Love Isn't Love Enough)

Kimochi Warui (When? When? When? When? When? When? When?)

I-94 W (832 mi) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

You're In Love With Me (Eliminated in Round 1 by Plane Crash Blues)

America (Never Been)

I Want You To Know That I'm Awake/i Hope That You're Asleep

is this dust really from the Titanic? (Eliminated in Round 1 by Beach Life-In-Death (2011))

Hey, Space Cadet (Beast Monster Thing In Space)

Teens of Style [5/11 (~46%) Remaining]

Sunburned Shirts (Eliminated in Group Stage)

The Drum (Eliminated in Round 1 by It's Only Sex)

Something Soon

No Passion (Eliminated in Round 1 by Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (Single Version))

Times to Die

psst, teenagers, take off your clo

Strangers (Eliminated in Round 1 by Drugs With Friends)

Maud Gone

Los Borrachos (I Don't Have Any Hope Left, But the Weather is Nice)

Bad Role Models, Old Idols Exhumed (psst, teenagers, put your clothes back o) (Eliminated in Round 1 by I Want You To Know That I'm Awake/i Hope That You're Asleep)

Oh! Starving (Eliminated in Round 1 by Life Worth Missing)

Teens of Denial [9/12 (75%) Remaining]

Fill In The Blank

Vincent

Destroyed By Hippie Powers

(Joe Gets Kicked Out of School for Using) Drugs With Friends (But Says This Isn't a Problem)

Not What I Needed (Eliminated in Round 1 by Deadlines (Hostile))

Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales

1937 State Park

Unforgiving Girl (She's Not An)

Cosmic Hero

The Ballad of the Costa Concordia

Connect the Dots (The Saga of Frank Sinatra) (Eliminated Round 1 by beach fagz)

Joe Goes to School (Eliminated in Round 1 by Vincent)

Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) [10/10 (100%) Remaining]

My Boy (Twin Fantasy)

Beach Life-In-Death

Stop Smoking (We Love You)

Sober to Death

Nervous Young Inhumans

Bodys

Cute Thing

High to Death

Famous Prophets (Stars)

Twin Fantasy (Those Boys)

Making a Door Less Open [4/11 (~36%) Remaining]

Weightlifters (Eliminated in Round 1 by Cosmic Hero)

Can't Cool Me Down (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sober to Death (2018))

Deadlines (Hostile)

Hollywood

Hymn (Remix) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Martin (Eliminated in Round 1 by Anchorite (Love You Very Much))

Deadlines (Thoughtful) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Kimochi Warui)

What's With You Lately (Eliminated in Round 1 by Twin Fantasy (Those Boys) (2018))

Life Worth Missing

There Must Be More Than Blood

Famous (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Other

Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (Single Version)

Unforgiving Girl (She's Not A Single Version) (Eliminated in Round 1 by 1937 State Park)

War Is Coming (If You Want It) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Times To Die (2012))

Edit: Mirror to Mirror and Starving While Living were counted wrong. That's been fixed.

Edit 2: Forgot to mark Maud Gone (2012) as eliminated. I knew I'd miss at least one.

[jhilsara]

Please keep posting more!! I'm loving it so far <3

Can I ask why Erik doesn't use Princess as MCs petname anymore?

Hello! I'm back with another part! 4?

But I don't have Erik use Princess strictly just because I personally don't like it and it kinda nauseates me to write it. I'm not gonna yuck your yum, but it just isn't for me, I can do any other pet name but Princess just gives me the ick for some reason.

~Beach Episode~

It’s finally summer and summer means vacation.

Two weeks into June and MC is itching to do something. LIZARD TIME

She’s been lounging in the sun in the backyard reading and Erik is tanning next to her.

Matthews in the grass holding a portable fan on his face and Damien’s sitting in a chair with a big sunhat listening to the audiobook of the same book as MC for their little summer book club

James was inside making a light lunch and Sam was just coming home from working out.

“Oh, I see we’re all outside today and no one invited me?” Sam “You were working out. MC mentioned sun bathing and that was all I needed.” Erik “Except its hot as balls out here!” Matthew whines. “I wish we had a pool!” “The beach could be nice.” Damien “Oh my god I haven’t been to the beach in ages!” MC jolts up in excitement. Sam laughs and ruffles her hair. “Calm down no one said we’re going.” MC pouts. “Who said we’re going somewhere?” James “Damien suggested we go to the beach.” Erik “…why not? We could go next week.” James “Seriously?” Sam James shrugs, “I don’t really want to sit in a week-long meeting with her dad glaring holes into my head. Pushing back the meeting will also just piss him off so this is a win for me.” “So…. The beach?” MC “Why not? I’ll get the flight scheduled for us. We can leave Sunday.” James “Finally, a vacation!” Erik

They get on a short flight to end up in Savannah GA and Tybee Island.

They get a connecting room with 4 beds in total. MC sleeps in her own and Sam too…mostly cause he’s a bed hog and will kill anyone but Damien.

It takes the group very little time to throw their things down in the hotel before running to the beach.

James goes to spend his first day looking for sharks teeth.

Erik is sunbathing and listening to his own music.

Matthew and Sam are swimming together and probably trying to drown each other.

Damien is sitting next to Erik listening to an audio book and drawing in the sand.

MC starts by sunbathing with Erik and Damien

She’s laying on her stomach, sunglasses on, and stretching over her towel. “It’s so nice out today!” MC “Perfect weather for a vacation. I’m already looking at restaurants with patios for this evening.” “Damien can you hand me a seltzer?” The cooler hidden under the umbrella is filled with alcohol. Damien grabs one to hand to her. “Make sure you eat with those. The sun’s hot today you’ll get dehydrated.” Damien mentions. “I’ll be fine I brought sandwiches in there too!” MC

After baking in the sun and 3 seltzers and 2 mini sandwiches she’s dozing off on her towel.

Until water starts dripping on her face.

She looks up and sees Sam hovering over her, dripping the ocean all over her.

He’s smiling at her and shakes his soaking wet hair like a dog, all of it landing on her. “Ew! Sam gross! I was almost asleep!” She sits up and swats at his legs. He just laughs and sits next her, making her scoot over on her towel to make room. “Did you not bring your own towel out here?” MC He’s pressing his wet body against her and reaching past her to grab a seltzer and a sandwich. Her face is tomato red. “Yea but you’re already here and sharing is caring or whatever.” Sam “Well you’ve now soaked my towel.” She says irritated trying to hide her blush. Sam inhales his sandwich, “Perfect, so you can get in the water now.” He gives her a toothy grin. She rolls her eyes playfully but agrees. “Only if you help me reapply sunscreen to my back I can’t reach.” She reaches back to grab her bottle and Sam’s face blushes. “Uh yeah. Totally. Can do that, yup.” Sam She reapplies her sunscreen and waits for Sam to finish his drink. She sits still and waits for Sam’s hands on her back. Sam gently massages the sunscreen on her back and actively is avoiding the intense stare he is getting from Erik. Erik and Damien are just like… mmhmm definitely no sexual tension with these two idiots

Matthew, Sam, and MC are in the ocean and actively attacking each other with salt water.

Matthew’s trying to jump Sam to throw him in the water, but Sam just tosses his over.

Sam captures MC by the waist and pulls her further into the water with him.

“Sam! I don’t wanna go that deep!” She tries to wiggle out but he keeps her locked in. “It’s fine I won’t let you go promise! Just want some distance from Matthew he won’t swim this far out.” Sam “Fine but let me at least hold on to your neck, I feel unstable.” MC Sam easily adjusts her, she’s facing him now, arms locked firmly around his neck and he’s holding onto her waist with one and under the crook of her knee in another. “Is this, uh better.” The playful nature has left and they both are flushing. “Yeah… uh” she swallows hard, “This is better.” They have stopped moving out deeper and Sam keeps them afloat as they drift with the waves. “You guys are too far out and Erik’s stressing out! Get back over here!” Matthew is yelling at them but also getting hit by the wake. Sam groans and throws his head back in irritation, “We’re coming!” he shouts back. “Jesus, can’t get a second of peace around here…” he mutters. She’s chuckling and shoves her face in his neck. “Not really no.”  Back on the beach Erik lectures her and Sam but they’re barely listening. They are laid out on their towels catching their breath. James finally comes back to the group with a container containing a few sharks teeth. He looks like he’s happy so probably a success. “Back to the hotel to clean up then dinner?” James suggests to them. “Yes please!”

Between 6 people and 2 bathrooms they all take turns to get ready. But it is a race to see who gets to shower first.

The restaurant they pick is chill, fresh seafood, and an amazing patio. She is sitting in the sun and her sundress gently floats in the wind.

Everyone talks about their great day and what the plans are for tomorrow. 

They’re only staying for 3 days but they are ready to fill it with activities.

Mc, Erik, and Damien plan to go to some of the strip outlets and shop most of the morning/early afternoon the next day.

Then her afternoon MC is making everyone play a family game of cheesy beach mini golf.

To say they were competitive was an understatement. They were FOUL

James is actively keeping score, but also actively trying to knock others balls away from the hole. Erik is the only one playing fair and just trying to get this over with. Sam will hit the ball way too hard and has broken two different objects on the holes. He also is constantly accusing James or Matthew of cheating. Matthew is either trying to ruin Sam’s game or he’s just obnoxiously good at getting a hole in one. Damien is also way too invested and definitely ruining everyone’s game by blurting out whatever strategy they think of.

MC is just trying to win by pinning them against each other, but also actively going before Sam and bending over just enough to peak her ass out of her skirt. Damien at least doesn’t blurt out her plan there. But every time he is actively giving her a look of disappointment.

She feels a least a little shame when he does make eye contact with her.

The last day on the beach they all go back to the ocean to basically rinse and repeat their events of the day prior.

MC does start her day planning on getting day drunk though.

By mid afternoon Sam comes back from the water and he does sit on his own towel this time. He sits next her and leans back on his hands soaking up the sun.

MC is 5 drinks in and feeling t i p s y

It’s only her and Sam by the group’s belongings. Matthew and Erik and trying to teach Damien how to swim and James is halfway across the beach hunting for sharks’ teeth.

She readjusts after Sam sits down. She flips over onto her stomach and uses her arms as a pillow and lays on Sam’s legs.

“Comfortable?” Sam jokes MC just mumbles in agreement getting herself comfortable. “Hey doofus, I’m talking to you.” Sam She smacks his leg lightly. “I hear you. I’m just resting my eyes.” Sam pushes her hair out of her face and looks at their trash bag seeing the cans. He laughs and looks down at her, “Are you drunk?” he asks her. “Nooooo, I’m just a little tipsy Sam. I’m fine, I just need a nap.” She keeps her eyes closed as she snuggles closer to him. Sam raises a brow and pats her head. He looks up and sees Erik coming back to them. “Yea well you’re gonna take a nap inside.” Sam “But you’re so comfortable!” She whines. “Yea but you’ll be comfier inside, on a bed.” Sam chuckles standing up and easily helps MC up to carry her back to the hotel. He puts her on his back and she easily wraps her arms around his neck. He hoists her up and hooks his arms under her legs “Only if you nap with me like last time.” She mumbles. Sam rolls his eyes, “I’ll shower first and if you’re still awake I’ll lay with you alright?” “No. You’re just gonna trick me into passing out in the bed without you.” She pouts. “Caught me red handed.” Sam smirks “Please Aomaris.” She whispers into his back. A chill runs down his back and his grip tightens a little. “Yea.” He swallows hard his mouth dry, “I’ll lay with you for a bit.” “Yay!” She nestles more into his neck making his heart race. “Yea, yea, you win.” He mumbles red in the face. Sam drops her onto the bed and she bounces softly and giggles to herself. He rolls his eyes but is smiling at her joy. He turns and sees her smiling broadly up at him. It’s like the sun with how bright she is. She makes grippy hands at him. He laughs, “What are you, 5?”  She pouts but continues, “Just get in the bed already I’m tired.” He listens and nudges her over as he gets in.  “You’re so pushy!” She doesn’t respond and just throws her arms over him, wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer to her. Se rests her head in the crook if his neck. Sam goes rigid and doesn’t move at all. They’re still in their swimsuits and her breasts are wrapped in a bikini pushing against his chest. She peeps one eye open to look at him, his brain clearly trying to catch up. She sighs. “Sam you can hold me you know?” He chokes for a second before responding, “Uh yeah, just uh, didn’t want you to think I was being handsy cause you’re drunk.” She moves herself back to look him in the eye, “I’m not drunk, and any buzz I had you just ruined. Sam, I’m asking you to lay in the bed with me and hold me. Okay?” Sam almost chokes on his own spit. He’s blushing. “Yea, uh yea. Got it.” He hesitantly wraps his arms around her waist. She settles back down and gets comfortable. Her eyes shoot open before she can actually try to nap, her heart beating a mile a minute. “Unless you don’t want to and I’m totally forcing you to do this, oh my god.” She lets go of him and uses her hands to cover her face from embarrassment hiding in his chest. He starts laughing loudly. Sam grabs her and rolls them over so he’s flat on his back and she’s laying directly on top of him. He grabs her hands and moves them down from her face. He’s smiling at her and still laughing, “MC, I’m good. I want to hold you, I’m nervous I wasn’t expecting you to just throw yourself at me.” Her face goes tomato red. He’s still holding her hands so she can’t move them to hide her face in embarrassment. “I did not throw myself at you!” Her voice pitches in response. “I’m teasing you, calm down.” He’s laughing still. “Saaaaaaaaam!” she groans in irritation. “Calm down doofus,” he pulls her hands up to his lips and kisses them. “let’s just take a nap now alright?” Her face is still burning hot but he lets go of her hands and flips them onto their sides and throws the blanket over them. He grabs her waist and pulls her into him. She sighs and readjusts wrapping her arms around his waist and settling herself under his head. “You’re such a dick.” She mumbles into his chest. She feels him chuckle and tighten his grip and kisses the top of her head. “You like it.”

They sleep until everyone else comes back in from the beach and its Matthew that wakes them up. Well more like his very noisy presence wakes them.

When he comes in he throws his stuff down and starts talking loudly, he doesn’t even notice the two sharing a bed, or that they’re very asleep.

When he does notice he gets l o u d e r. Making all of the brother notice.

Sam throws a pillow hitting him square in the head.

They end their vacation having a nice dinner at one of the nicest restaurants.

Sam and MC sit across from each other almost in their own world the whole night.

They go home the next morning and things between MC and Sam and definitely different.

That was the beach mini episode that I added in. Diana comes in the next part but I also reworked a lot of that and slide into the second game pretty quickly. There's more notes so just let me know! This does make me wanna sit down and actually write more. I need to finish parts of the notes/draft though... I'm not positive what I'm doing with the second game completely yet.

[nancydrewwouldnever]

The Receipts - The Second Supermoon of Doom (Oct 2015), Part I

MOD NOTE: Okay, this month we start getting into some parts of the timeline where I will have to openly label things as “fandom folklore” or “conjecture” because I just do not have the first hand notes about it, only later gossip. (Remember, I only got in the fandom around March 2016, so this is slightly before my activity.) I’ll make it very clear where that happens. If someone reading this does have first hand knowledge or screencaps, please contact me.

Also, this is where we’re going to get into the issue of DELETED Jenny tweets. Obviously, Jenny’s twitter account is now gone, so all her tweets are now deleted. However, when I note DELETED tweet somewhere, I am noting a tweet she deleted the same day she made it or slightly after. Those seem to be ones which may have said a little too much, or been too leading, when read in a certain light. Okay, let’s go!

Oct 1 – Octavia kicks it off with a tweet about how much she loves Chris

Oct 6 – Chris posts a tweet that shows he’s still reading his impermanence writings

Oct 7 – First day of Gifted principal photography, Savannah

Oct 8 – Gifted filming on Tybee Island

Jenny makes a tweet that makes it seem she’s lonely:

Oct 9 – Filming Gifted, Atlanta

Oct 12 – Gifted filming, Savannah

(Remember this look, lol.)

On the same day, Jenny makes a strange tweet about married relations:

Oct 14 -  Jenny makes a trio of tweets that make it sound like she’s mostly still hanging out on her own:

Oct 15 – a fan encounter with Chris out at dinner, Savannah

Oct 16 – Gifted filming, Tybee Island

Oct 19 – Gifted filming, Tybee Island

The first Jenny tweet where it starts to become clearer that something is happening and changing in their working relationship:

Okay, that's PART I of October 2015 - because I'm pretty sure this will be too long to post as one whole post. Check back for PART II!

[blackwomeninrock]

Black Women In Rock: #SeenLive (Part Two)

Doing a diary-like post featuring the #BlackWomenInRock related bands that I've gotten to see live over the years.

Had to split this up over two posts because of the 10 photo Tumblr post limit. Watch out for the first post! I’m going to try and get the videos from these shows reposted as well, but that will take longer.

----------

1st Photo: Kayla Dixon (Witch Mountain). 2018. The Earl (Atlanta).

2nd Photo: The Txlips. 2018. Union EAV (Atlanta).

3rd Photo: Diamond Rowe (Tetrarch). 2019. I developed a whiplash injury from headbanging at this show btw, no cap. The Masquerade (new location, Atlanta).

4: Don't remember this artist's name, but this was taken at the 2023 Punk Black festival. Boggs Social & Supply (Atlanta).

5: Angel Bunny (The Rack). 2023. Boggs Social & Supply (Atlanta).

6-7: Hurricane G (Böndbreakr). 2023. Boggs Social & Supply (Atlanta).

8-9: Cammie Gilbert (Oceans of Slumber). 2022. The Masquerade (new location, Atlanta).

----------

Honorable mentions of bands featured on this blog that I got to see live (but don't have any media for) are Bleed The Pigs and Little Tybee.

[fastlanehqs]

The heat has been sweltering since March this summer, but it finally feels like the season. School is over. Potentially forever. The unlikely gang of friends is ready to blow off steam after a ridiculously long year, and what better than a trip to the coast? Tybee Island is the perfect destination for rowdy graduates with nothing better to do than drink and smoke. 

IC DETAILS

Trip dates: 5 June — 15 June, 1971. MISS AMERICA's dad knows somebody who knows somebody who has a beachfront condo that happens to be free this week. Score! What's even better is that everybody can fit in the same house, with only two unfortunate souls relegated to the air mattress. Better rock, paper, scissors for it! The trek from Midway to Tybee Island is just over three hours, and POOR LITTLE RICH KID and THE PATRIOT have offered their respective vehicles to bus everybody there! How kind! In Doug's van, we have: Jesse, Kasumi, Ike, Ozzy, and everybody's luggage stacked up, almost impairing Doug's view. And in Cherry's coupe: Frankie, Polly, Gwen, and Rocky-- get comfortable, it's a tight squeeze! While the week and a half graduation getaway is intentionally loose, the gang can expect to hit the local dive, explore beach wildlife, enter the sand volleyball tournament, go kayaking, paddle boarding, or boogie boarding, try a hand at fishing, and of course, crash a party each and every night!

OOC DETAILS

Plot commences: 26th July With the onset of this plot drop, previous threads do not have to be paused or dropped. You can continue with normal interactions as usual. If you're writing on tumblr, please tag threads accordingly (fast:event). If you're writing on Discord, please indicate which threads are trip-specific in the initial post. There will be a live Discord component to this plot drop. We will send out a poll in the Discord to determine what OOC day and time this will take place to ensure the most possible people can participate. Feel free to reference our events page for an overview of how the live event will work-- but if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to approach either admin via the main or in Discord!

[satans-helper]

Reaching for Stardust - Part VI

Read Looking For Space here // Playlists here // Read on wattpad

Word Count: ~2700 (why so short?? I don't know. I wrote this what feels like ages ago lol)

Warnings: none...but buckle up for later?

This is super late because I was 1) busy writing that GVF slash mini-series 2) busy being out of town to see OUR BOYS again 3) busy writing that new Sam fic I just posted. Anyway...

---

Morning began with a tangerine sun suspended in a hazy, buttercup yellow sky. The clouds seemed to come to life as the sun got higher, moving past the orange glow in such gentle, soft movements that it was hard to even keep track of the changes, at least from mine and Josh’s spot on the porch. We were both hungover worse than we’d experienced in, well, we weren’t sure–it was hard to remember anything with our heads pounding, throats parched and stomachs lurching.

“Fuck. We fucked up,” Josh lamented with a little groan. He shut his eyes and leaned against me, a mug of coffee in his hands. “We should’ve bought food yesterday. I’d take a single saltine cracker right now.”

I felt the same. Hindsight was always 20/20. “Yeah, we fucked up,” I agreed. I tried to shut my eyes in solidarity and to just bask in the warm glow of morning but, when I did, I felt the earth spin beneath my feet. “I need Gatorade or something, jeez.” 

“I shouldn’t have suggested shots,” Josh went on, sounding off a louder groan to punctuate his statement. “It’s all my fault. Are we going to survive?”

“We’ll survive,” I assured him, though the coffee from the Keurig machine was too bitter on my tongue and too hot in my stomach. I was dreaming of an ice-cold blue sports drink from an air conditioned gas station, chased with an iced coffee loaded with cream and sugar. “Nothing’s gonna stop us from going to the beach today.”

“Tybee Island, yes,” Josh concurred. He sat up straight and brought the mug of coffee to his lips, eyes half-lidded as he sipped again despite the enthusiasm in his voice. Once half of his coffee was gone he was up and moving, shuffling away from the porch, beginning to sing to himself as he carried on into the bedroom. If it’d been anyone else, that relentless cheeriness and resilience would have irritated me, but it was Josh, so listening just made me laugh to myself.

I was still excited for our beach day, though at the moment the thought of baking in the sun made me feel even more queasy. I diligently sipped the rest of my coffee and groggily hauled myself into the kitchen to chug lukewarm tap water, which tasted so different than the water back home. I did love Savannah so far, but I still couldn’t imagine living there. In my mind, home was where our most beloved people were and that was back in Michigan. 

That thought reminded me to check my phone for a reply from Jake. He had texted back later in the night and I immediately smiled huge and delirious at the picture–a selfie taken with the help of Danny’s long arm that showed all three of the boys that I missed so badly. The text read: First birthday without Josh was weird. He sent me a text that was half gibberish did you guys go out?

I typed back, relaying that we went to the rooftop bar and got absolutely wasted and that Josh’s birthday seemed a little weird without Jake and Sam and Danny, too. As I migrated to the bedroom after Josh, I realized how it was also the first birthday of Josh’s that felt so empty after the fact–normally, the whole “one year older” and effects of whatever party we’d had trailed into the next day. I didn’t feel that at all. Was it yet another product of actually getting older? Sometimes in my head, Josh was still the same 23 year old I’d met in that poetry class, both of us so fresh and green, with him so ready to fall headfirst into something new with me. I’d been so apprehensive and fearful and now, looking back, it felt so silly. Josh was a dream come true.

The beach was also a dream come true. We had nothing to compare it to back home, not even close–the ocean right at our literal fingertips was enough for Josh and I to drop our bags and hightail it to the sea, running through the foamy waves until the water reached our knees. The sun was partially hidden by some of the morning clouds that had stuck around, but what sunlight pierced through hit hard and beautiful, turning the water into an infinite expanse of glittering blue and green that melted into the pale blue horizon. Seagulls circled overhead; pelicans coasted in the water; boats floated on by far off in their own little worlds and our little world seemed to be a seaside fairytale that I was content to live in for much longer than we actually had. 

The wind caressed our damp legs as we stepped back out onto dry land. My heart was beating fast, even faster still when I looked at Josh–the strips of white clouds were reflected in his eyes and his smile was bigger and brighter than any sun. I was sure of that. We watched each other more than what our hands were doing as we held the big beach towel we’d packed between us and spread it out in the air, trying to get it straight and taut to lay flat on the sand. Josh smirked; I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed.

“This is perfect,” he remarked once we were getting situated on the ground. He laid back, putting his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes. “I could stay here forever.”

I grabbed his sunglasses from his backpack and slid them over his eyes. “It does feel like a little slice of paradise. We just need some fruity cocktails.”

“A little hair of the dog that bit us wouldn’t be such a bad idea right now, actually.” 

I laid down next to him, shielding my eyes with my hand to look at the sky. “We used to be able to drink all night and be relatively fine the next day. I miss that.”

“I think Jake, Danny and Sam drank all night. Sam sent me a video of Danny drinking straight from a bottle of tequila.”

I chuckled. “Those two degenerates have ruined our good boy.” 

“Sam singlehandedly corrupted Danny years ago, I’m sure of it,” Josh said, turning his head to look at me. His bare skin was already so naturally tan–I could imagine how much more rich and glowy he’d become with the extra sun we were getting. “He’s just good at keeping it under wraps, that Daniel of ours. Well, sometimes. Seems like the most debauchery comes out when Sam peer pressures him and Danny can’t contain himself.”

It was true–so many nights of Sam practically pouring shots down Danny’s throat himself. It seemed like Danny only tried to hold back because he knew he’d end up having to take care of Sam later on.

“I think they’re in love,” I said.

Josh laughed. “Me too.”

I sat up to retrieve a bottle of water from my backpack. “But really–none of them have girlfriends. Is it because they’re touring now? I just can’t imagine any of them not finding a girl to click with.”

“Well, we are their best groupies. I don’t think anyone else can compete with us in that regard,” Josh said, still lying flat, lounging beneath the penetrating sunrays. “But I do think the fact that they’re playing shows all over now is a factor. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to commit to someone you’re not going to see even every week.”

“Not gonna lie, I wanted Sam and Bev to work out.”

“I think he was a little too young then. It might be different now.”

“Well, maybe it’s a good thing.” I took a drink then settled back down, moving closer to Josh. “They should just be focused on the music and having fun. Relationships complicate things.”

Josh raised his sunglasses and winked at me. “Not if they’re perfect.”

I smiled. “We’re not exactly perfect.” 

“Close enough.” 

I’d considered the idea that Josh really would propose to me during our vacation. The beach seemed like a good place for it–though there were people around, we had plenty of privacy, no way to make a big public fuss about it. The weather was perfect and the whole ambiance of the ocean and sky made for a picturesque setting. He was too relaxed though–if Josh were to propose now, I would have had a real inkling. Still, the impending mystery proposal and the subsequent unplanned wedding was on my mind again.

“Where would you want our wedding to be?” I asked. “Obviously outside somewhere. We’ve already agreed on that. But where specifically?”

Josh reached between us to take my hand, still lying idle by my side. “I’m not sure, darling. I’m not privy to the venues and what have you that are in our area. Why, did you have a particular place in mind?”

“Not really. But some place quiet and open would be nice. Lots of flowers and trees and whatnot. That’d be pretty, right?”

“Very pretty. Though it sounds like we’d be waiting another year if we wanted the greenery and sunshine.” Josh squeezed my hand lightly, let it go to roll onto his side and look at me. “I don’t feel like waiting another year.”

I knew as much, but my heart still skipped a beat at hearing the words. “It takes time to plan a wedding. Even if you proposed to me right now, the planning would take months.”

“We have months as it is. But don’t worry–I’m not proposing today.” Josh leaned in and cupped my face, giving me a kiss. “It’s still going to be a surprise. And I have to get the timing right.” 

“Oh?” I quipped, reaching out for him, tugging on his hair to bring him back and kiss again. He tasted like sunscreen and coconut lip balm. 

Josh propped his head up in one hand, remaining on his side. “I know you have your bridesmaid all figured out. Kirsti would be your maid of honor, naturally.”

“And Jake would be your best man. Naturally.” 

“You’ve told your mom we’re planning on getting married, right?”

“Josh, she started pressuring me to marry you like two years ago,” I reminded him with a laugh. “Once she came around to you, she came around hard. And I’m pretty sure she’s desperate for just one of her kids to get married.” 

“Oh, that’s right! Last Christmas she asked me where the ring was.” Josh laughed too, turning to look up at the sky. “I didn’t tell her I had it already. Maybe I should’ve.” 

“Since I already know you’re going to propose, isn’t most of the surprise moot anyway?”

Josh laid back down. “Not at all. People should talk about it beforehand. It doesn’t kill the romance. It just makes things more solid.”

“You know what’s also solid? A house,” I replied, giving his nose a tap with my finger before I laid back down, too. 

“Seen any around here that you like?”

“I’ve seen some back home that I like.” I quickly considered spilling about the house from the estate sale, but I didn’t know if that was a sure thing yet. And anyway, I didn’t want to get caught up in thinking about being home when we were on vacation. Josh was so skilled at enjoying the present–I was going to do the same. 

Once we were feeling the burn from the sun, Josh and I waded back into the cool Atlantic. This time, we went far enough out until the water reached our necks and the waves were gentle and stirring around us, crashing loudly behind us; I gazed out at the blue horizon, thinking of how the ocean seemed as infinite as the sky itself, as infinite as the whole universe, really. I laughed when Josh decided to swim out even farther, kicking and paddling along until he called out that he couldn’t feel where the bottom was and I told him to watch out for sharks. He tipped back to lie flat beneath the sky and float atop the water, arms out at his sides and eventually looking too much like a dead body that I swam out and dragged him back by his hand. 

We took our damp and slightly sunburnt selves to a very late lunch at a little seafood shack afterward. It was quite literally a shack, actually, and it was situated down a curvy road, far more in the grasslands than the actual beach, but I could still smell the ocean when we stepped out of the rental car and moseyed up the wooden ramp to the doorway, where inside it smelled like, not to either of our surprises, fish, crab and fryer oil. 

After our greasy and satisfying lunch, we headed out to the shops lining the island that were even more blatant tourist money grabs than what we’d encountered downtown, and we loved it. The sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, keychains and the beach-inspired hemp necklaces and bracelets fit the energy of the island and our sun-soaked bliss; neither Josh nor I cared about how silly the purchases were. We walked out with plastic bags full of mementos and soft hoodies, our hair stiff from salt water, my heart full of undeniable happiness.

While Josh drove us back over the bridge to take us back to our temporary home for much-needed showers, I got a text from Jake: How do you like Savannah? 

I love it. It’s beautiful! We’re having the best time. Where are you guys tonight?

Cleveland. So far so good. Josh hasnt been texting me much so he must be enamored with the city haha 

He is! But we miss you guys. We have so much to tell you when we get back 

Same here. Wish you guys could see the show

We’re your biggest fans. Don’t forget it ;) 

“Jake misses us,” I announced to Josh, who had a very pleased smile on his face when I looked at him. 

“I know he does,” he said while we glided over the bridge back to the city. “I miss him, too.”

-

When night fell, we were one of four other couples and one trio during the ghost tour, which took us from the starting point outside a diner, long shut down since its last dinner hour, around what felt like far more than just a couple miles of the city. The guide was a witchy woman who had the right energy and charisma to make all the stories–surely, some more exaggerated than others–come to life in the warm night and the yellow glow of the street and house lights and the abundance of Spanish moss hanging from so many of the trees surrounding our steps added to the spookiness of it all. Josh loved it, as did I, and we were wired by the time the tour ended, wanting more ghost stories–really, wanting to find some ghost stories of our own. 

But instead of ghosts, we found ourselves back at the airbnb, sipping wine with our limbs tangled together on the porch. I couldn’t see the stars–the lights of the small city were still too many and too bright to get a good view–but the brightest star of all was right there next to me. I said this to Josh and he laughed lovingly at the cliche, wrapped his arm tighter around me and pressed his wine-stained lips to my cheek: “Thank you for coming with me on this journey,” he said. 

“To Savannah or just, like, life?” I asked, happy and mutually grateful either way.

“All of it.” Josh sighed softly and rested his cheek on my shoulder. “I just wish it were longer.” 

“We have tomorrow,” I reminded him. “And a whole lifetime.”

Josh clinked his glass with mine. “Infinity.”

I ran my fingers up his back, tracing each vertebrae. “Infinity.”

---

Tagging: @jjwasneverhere @colorstreammind

Want to be tagged? Let me know here! (or just DM me lmao)

[writingcold]

Neapolitan: A Continuance Part 4

Neapolitan: A Continuance

Part Four

A/N:  Shit is hitting the fan.  I’m going to say that this was really hard to write.  Violet, as a character, has been through the mill, and it hurt to return her to a point where there was a lot of pain for her.  There is not a lot of fluff and no smut in this one.  This scene did not call for either.  It would have diminished the story.  That does not mean there are little glimpses, but nothing like the first three parts - so prepare please.

Content Warning: Mentions of sex, alcohol consumption, poor coping skills, physical abuse with massive trauma.  

     Violet felt a stillness drift over her.  The silence of the hotel fed into it.  The empty spot beside her made her feel like she was about to enter a chasm that she may not return from.  Her fingers searched for Jake across the supple sheets and fuzzy blankets of the enormous bed but came up empty.  There was a voice, distant, familiar, that sent shivers through her and threatened to bruise.  Perhaps draw blood.

     Her body felt like stone as she fought to move through whatever the haze was that had become a prison.  The voice, male in presence, was gaining traction.  It moved closer like a snake through the field towards its prey.  Her skin felt cool while her breath was heated.  Inexplicably, she felt fear.  Fear that she had not felt in years.  It tore at her flesh and brain and heart.  

      Freak.  It hit her like a hammer against the inside of her skull.  Each letter spelled out in madness that she never could figure out, looping around her like a lasso and never truly releasing her.  Freak.  The smash of glass.  Freak.  The slap with intent to harm.  Freak.  The closed fist to the ribs.  Freak.  Her back crashing into the door jam.  Freak.  The icy floor beneath her cheek.  Freak.  The dispassionate eye of the nurse as she explained she had fallen on the ice, and the woman believing her since she was in the same profession.  Freak.  The smugness of the man who acted like he was concerned about her drinking, casting blame for the destruction of her body…

      The darkness of the hotel room greeted her when she opened her eyes.  Jake leaned over her, eyes full of concern as he brushed tears from her eyes.  Embarrassment tinged her cheeks and he bent to kiss it away.  He pulled her close, cooing and soothing, smoothing her hair and holding tight.  Violet took in a breath, shaky at first, becoming strong as she brushed past the dream.  She allowed trust to flow through her skin.  Something that her therapist had suggested to return to normal state and had actually worked.  She started to mentally state each thing she trusted in that exact moment, drawing her back from the edge and into her reality.

      Jake was already back to sleep, his fingers at rest against her.  Savannah had been beautiful.  They had chased each other up and down the nearly deserted beach on Tybee Island.  They did the bar crawl and walked in silence through the cemeteries, hand in hand looking at the dates on the headstones.  They ate amazing food.  They talked and smoked and drank for hours on the balcony of their beautiful room.  Violet felt lost in the way he opened himself to her, never once complaining about any question she posed, no matter how sappy, no matter how stupid.  His smile would be slow and his voice honest.

     To have him like that for five days, undiluted, unfiltered, had been healing.  Healing mostly for her, but she could see it in his eyes, as well.  They had missed so much of the dumb stuff that normal people get to experience when first falling in love.  To be able to do so at that point was food for both of their hearts.  They took the time to honestly talk about what they wanted, from each other and for each other.  Violet ached over the level of trust she could place in that man.  It scared her at times.  She could never picture herself with anyone beyond encounters.  Sometimes, she could see friends fine in the long distance, but with a partner was difficult at best.  With Tim, her sight of the future was always framed in the shortest of terms.  Jake was different.  She could see her skin getting older as his hand took hers.  She could see the crinkles deepening at the corners of his eyes.  She could feel their souls dancing together as they laughed over achy knees and stiff fingers, pot bellies and saggy… parts.  He admitted that there had been no one to make him actually understand about taking care of himself first so as to better care for them.  It made her heart sad that he had found her after being so broken.

     Violet placed a kiss against his chest before she roused.  Their flight left at noon to head all the way over to L.A.  The band had a charity event that they had been a part of for years and Jake thought perhaps the smaller venue would be a good ice breaker for her to see a show.  It would be the only event that he had to be for the entirety of December.  Their plans for the holidays were going to be busy, but they would survive it together.  

     She ordered up a pot of coffee and some breakfast before flipping open the bags.  Violet listened to him sleep while she started to fold and pack both of their items.  She was sure he would give her a look, preferring to just throw everything in and go, she took the time to sort and fold.  The smell of him wafted through her nose as she set his coat to the side.  The soft rap on the door brought her out of her focus and moved quickly towards the caffeine that awaited at her door.  

     Pouring out two cups, she peaked back inside the bedroom finding him sitting up against the headboard, the phone’s faint glow on his face.  He smiled at her as she moved towards him.  

     “You didn’t have to do that,”  he rasped, reaching for the outheld cup.

     “Bags are nearly packed, too,”  she sighed as she crawled on her knees into the bed next to him.

      “It was a bad one this morning,”  he whispered.  “You good?”

      She nodded before sipping at her coffee.  He rarely commented on her nightmares. It meant that this one was hard for him to draw her back to him.  They sipped their coffee, talking over the plan for the day: airport, stop in Chicago, and to L.A. about the same time as Josh.  Jess and Sam would be arriving the following day while Danny was already there, relaxing with beers and golf with friends.  The show wouldn’t be for a few days, but there were public events that they needed to attend for the charity.   Jess had already scheduled a spa day for the two of them to fill time, not to mention the shopping.

     “I can’t believe you’ve not been to a show of any kind in ten years.  How is that even possible?”  Jess had asked as they sat side by side in fluffy robes, getting spoiled with a lavish mani/pedi.  

     “In Madison, my schedule was not exactly conducive to concerts, let alone movies, plays.  Hell, I don’t think I did anything but work and sleep for months on end,”  Violet had admitted with a frown.  “And, watching movies on spotty internet?  Yeah, pass.”

     “Well, be prepared.  You’re in for a treat… visually.”  Jess blushed as she bumped her shoulder into Violet.

     She raised an eyebrow.  “Not sure what you’re talking about.  I’ve seen the live footage-”

     “Oh, no, honey.  It’s different in person.”  She pointed at a soft gray polish before smiling back at Violet.  “Trust me.  You’re about to see your man turn into a sex god and hand it out to fans.  It’s something to see.”

     A wall of sound enveloped her.  Violet could not help but put her arms in the air and scream into the flashes of light.  She could hear Jess beside her laughing, caught up in her own excitement.  The concert hall was smaller, according to Jake, holding only about six thousand, but it sounded like more than that were packed into every niche and crack of the space.  Sam had been upset that his wife would choose to be over on Jake’s side of the stage, but she ferociously defended Vi’s need to see her man at least once on his side.  Violet didn't quite get it until that moment, when the lights came up and the guys emerged from the dark wailing and weaving their tapestry of music. 

     She watched as Jake played, strutting around that stage and feeding into the screams and pleas for more.  Violet could not help the flutter, not of jealousy, but of pride.  That was her man.  Her man was literally making those fans beg for him and his attention.  She was able to identify pieces that she had heard the boys working during the summer she had met them.  

     Josh pointed in their direction just as the house lights cut out, leaving a murky dark.  Slowly, like fireflies, people held up phones.  A spotlight just on Jake, sitting on a stool made her heart break.  He had his eyes cast on his acoustic, a pick hanging on his lip to a barrage of “JAAAAAKE” and “DO IT JAKE!”.  He glanced around, his eyes landing on their general area.  For the briefest of moments she felt like she was the only one in the venue.  

     He began to play and Violet closed her eyes.  She immediately knew the notes, she had heard them so often when he would be practicing while they talked on the phone or during their video chats.  There was talk around them that caught her ears.  ‘New?’ and ‘Shit is that something new?’ made her look around.  She wanted to yell out that it most certainly wasn’t new, that she had been hearing it for over a year.  Josh had called it ruminations.  Violet had figured it was just his brain warming up his hands.  Her eyes strayed to Jess who was grinning at her.

      “What the hell are they talking about?”  she asked against her ear.

      “Jake’s never played this,”  Jess answered.  “Not on stage.”

      “He plays it all the time,”  Violet said out loud.  

      Jess pulled her closer.  “It’s yours.”

      Violet’s jaw dropped.  Her eyes squarely on Jake as he played, a huge smile for the crowd.  The solo lasted maybe six minutes total but each note filled her with a different memory of their time together and each time he had played it, worked on it, changed it, polished it.  The light dimmed on him as the stage hands swapped out the acoustic to the electric and took the stool away.  In those few seconds, he walked towards the amps, eyes on her and throwing a near hidden air kiss.  She had the stupidest, cheesiest grin on her face as Jess wrapped an arm around her waist.  It was his public acknowledgement of her without anyone knowing.  It was perfect. 

      The rest of the show was a blur.  Jake flew around the stage; Josh jumped around with the energy of a host of small children and Sam strutted like the princess that he was, with Danny behind all of them, just killing it and knowing he was the daddy of the evening.  They sat down as the crowd went feral as the guys took their bows, tossing out picks and drumsticks and took their bows each in turn.  Jess nodded her head towards the closest exit.

      “We can wait for them in the family room,”  she said as soon as they showed their passes to the backstage area.  

      “And you do this, how many shows in a year?”  Violet asked when she realized her ears were ringing and her voice was probably at a shouting decibel.  

     Jess laughed as they  tucked into the family waiting area. Plied with coffee and snacks, they sat across the couches, silence between them.  Violet closed her eyes as the energy from the night flowed across her skin and through her mind and out her limbs.  She had watched Jake play countless times.  She had listened to him play over video chats.  She had listened to all of the albums.  She had listened to them play together.  The smile that affixed to her mouth was small, but understanding.  Violet had just watched her man spin a web of sex and talent that was spellbinding.

      “I am going to guess Josh doesn’t talk after shows,”  she said as she moved to get another cup of coffee.

     “It’s pretty much vocal rest for him for the next twelve to twenty four hours,”  Jess said with a nod.  

     She kicked her feet up onto the coffee table, closing her eyes.  The sound of the auditorium was loud with the next band hitting the stage.  Violet felt her body hum with the deep bass tones that reverberated through the room.  Balancing the cup on her chest, she felt herself slide a bit.  

      “You okay over there?”  Jess asked from over her phone.

      “Yeah,”  she answered, grinning.  “Overwhelmed.”

      She nodded in understanding.  The door opened to admit Sam, wet hair sticking to his exposed skin on his neck.  His sleepy eyes shone in the low light of the room.

      “Ladies,”  he said with a smirk.  

      He plopped down next to his wife and lay his head down on her shoulder.  She brought her hand up to cradle his face and whispered something that made him smile.  Sleepy eyed, he was the quietest that she had ever seen Sam.  To see them together in such a moment made Violet smile.  

     The door pushed open again and Jake walked through.  Violet felt the breath in her evaporate.  He had never looked so soft in the moment.  He had fed everything to the audience, and saved nothing for himself.  The darkness under his eyes made her want to yank him down and just let him sleep against her for days. She stood just in time for him to loop his arms around her and pull her in for a searing connection that set her whole body on fire.

     “Hey, pretty boy,”  she whispered on his lips.  “Ready to get out of here?”

     He nodded with a grin.  “Did you like it?”

     “What?  Watching you grind on that bitch all night with nothing for me?”  she asked with a chuckle.  

     His eyes closed, revealing the soft crinkles she loved so much as he laughed.  Nose to nose, he held her close for a long moment like he was soaking in the normalcy that they were together.  She hiked up her arms onto his shoulders, sliding her cheek against hers so that she could plant the softest kiss on his ear with a ‘love you’ that was only for him.

     It was raining in Nashville when they reached his home.  The cold rain was not out of the ordinary, but to Violet it felt colder than what it would have been in Michigan.  It was cloying, seeping down into the bones and stabbing each ache and flaw within the body.  She watched as Jake moved around his kitchen, making supper, while an album played and his girl watched on with a smile.  

     Her phone rang in the other room, but she shook her head.  “Not going to answer it tonight,”  she said as she ignored it.

     Ten minutes later, there was a text, followed by a second and a third.  

     “Vi, honestly, just go look,”  Jake said, back to her.  “We know it’s not work.”

     She grumbled.  “I’ll just turn it off.”

     Finding her phone under the book she had been reading, she glanced only to find herself in a pause.  Her eyes passed over Max’s picture.  Opening it up, there were seven texts and four missed calls, with a singular voice message.  The pit of her stomach dropped.  Swallowing, she opened the texts and saw they were all the same - need you to call now.  

     Violet turned her back on the kitchen, fury in her veins.  Before she could stop herself, she had pressed Max’s number and the line connected after a single ring.  “He’s fucking done it, hasn’t he?” 

      “Yes,”  she answered solemnly.  “It’s bad, Violet.”

      She puffed out her cheeks as she heard Jake moving behind her.  “How bad?”  her voice was a mere whisper, but the anger was like ragged glass on her skin.

      “It’s a laundry list of things,”  Max said, utilizing her professional tone.  It made her realize that her friend had to retreat in order to keep herself together.  “But she’s alive.”

      “Fuck,”  Violet ground out as Jake’s hand touched her shoulder.

      “They have him in custody, Violet, so there’s that to be thankful for,”  her friend remarked sourly.  “And it’s in the news this time.  His reputation is going to take a hit.”

      “Are you home?”  she asked, meeting Jake’s gaze.

      “Oh, babe,”  he whispered, wiping at the angry tears that she had shed.

      “Yeah.  I’ve got a shuttle flight to Madison in the morning,”  Max said.  “She’s asked to see us - all of us.  You included.  I know that’s a stretch, but…”

      “I’m in Nashville,”  Violet said quietly.  

      He held up a finger to get her attention.  “Where do I need to get you?”

     “He’s a fucking saint!”  they heard Max yell out on the phone.

     “I’ll text you when I know what I can do, okay?  I…  There’s a lot to process here,”  Violet said quietly.  

     She hung up with a sigh.  Jake tucked little wisps of hair behind her ears.  He did not need to say anything.  His presence was enough to keep her from shattering.  Carefully, he tugged her close, wrapping his arms around her.

     “I can’t go alone,”  she whispered.  “I can’t be in that city alone.”

     He was quiet for a few beats.  “I’ll be right with you, Violet.”

     Max and Ollie met her downstairs in the lobby of Ali’s apartment building.  Jake had stayed back in the hotel with the expressed option that he would come and get her the moment she needed him.  Max’s face began to light at the sight of her, although it was not the fairy twinkle that the woman was typically sending out.  Ollie folded her into a tight embrace.

      “Where’s John?”  Violet asked, looking around.

      “Upstate New York,”  Ollie answered with a head shake.  “He won’t be back until after the holidays.”

      “Teddy and Julie?”  she asked, feeling very removed from her friend group suddenly. 

      “They went out to Washington,”  Max answered, screwing her lips together.  “It’d just be the three of us, Vi.”

      She nodded.  Drawing in a long breath, she chewed her lip in hesitation.  “When was the last time you saw her?  Either of you?”

     “About eight months,”  Max answered quietly.

     “Almost a year,”  Ollie said, eyes cast down.

     “Fuck, what a shit show,”  Violet remarked as she took them by their hands.  “We’re here now.”

     The three friends were hesitant to stray far from each other the closer they got to Alison’s apartment door.  Tapping the door, a care nurse answered with a surprised face.  Max had to take the lead, explaining who they were and that they were expected.  The woman looked back inside like she was unsure.  Obviously, there had been no visitors, making the stabbing sensation in her chest all the more pointed.  

     The apartment had been Alison’s pride.  The view of Capitol Square on one side and Lake Monona on the other put her right in the heart of the city and she loved it.  It was modern and elegant in a way that only she could be - hit you over the head abruptly and be lavish about it at the same time.  Violet’s eyes strayed to the wall of pictures that she had known so well, shocked that none had changed over the course of the nearly two years since she had last been inside the home.

       The care nurse directed them to the bedroom with a friendly nod.  Violet’s stomach tightened as Ollie led the way, stepping inside to find her laid out in a hospital bed.  Her face was broken.  Her right arm was in a cast, along with her right leg.  The rest of the damage was hidden under a mound of blankets.  Max let out a soft cry as Ali’s face turned towards them.

      Violet could not move.  Her friend’s eyes landed on her and stayed.  A shared shame passed between them.  It was black and endless and nothing but misery.  Max and Ollie moved on either side of the bed, each careful in their presence.  Fat tears welled in Ali’s eyes, escaping out the corners to form small streams to her silky blonde hair.  

     “I’m so sorry,”  she whispered.

     The words were not for Max or Ollie.  Maxine looked back at her, the blue of her eyes shimmering.

     “I'm sorry, Violet,”  she said, a little stronger.  “I chose not to believe you.  I chose this.”

     “Fuck, Alison.  No one chooses this,”  Violet said, bile burning in her throat.  

     Ollie pulled in chairs from the dining room for them to sit in.  Despite her injury and circumstance, the four were able to talk quietly, share smiles and memories, while edging around the fact that their friend was in that bed shattered in more ways than one.

Ollie caught them up on his work at the new clinic outside the city, while Max spoke fondly of Grand Rapids.  When it was Violet’s turn, she talked about her year overseas.

     “Are you still with that musician?”  Allie asked with a misplaced grimace.

     “Pain?”  Max asked.

     “Yeah.  Shit only works for so long and I’ve got to wait,”  she said quietly.  “I’ve got a better handle on bedside manner after this shit.”

     Violet stood to take a look at the row of meds on the counter.  Most were standard for the condition that was before her.  There were some pretty heavy pain pills.

     “You didn’t answer, Vi,”  Ali said, trying to shift in the bed.

     “Yes,”  she answered.  A few steps over, and her and Max seemed to have the same thought.  Together, they supported her to a better sitting upright position.  “He’s here, in town.  We’ll be heading to his folks tomorrow for the holidays.”

      “So there is life after this?”  Alison said, her voice thin with weariness.

      “There is life after this,”  Violet answered.

      They were quiet.  The silence was not uncomfortable.  Violet remembered that well.  Her father had come for her that night, refusing to leave her alone in the tide of nothing.  Ali had no one to shelter her.  Her friends had fallen away by her choice - or closer to the truth, by Tim's choice and she most likely thought it was a good idea at the time.  It was the one area that he could not turn Violet from - family and friends.  None of them may have realized it, but they were the anchor to her storm.  She could only imagine what it was like for Aly, totally isolated.  Tim had obviously learned from the experience with Violet, and had sharpened his skills to manipulate such a woman.  

      Violet’s mind swept back to that night, not the event, but the aftermath.  She had crawled from the apartment two floors down to Mr. Johnson’s home to hide.  The man had called the police as she danced in and out of consciousness.  He then called her father.  Charlie had sat with her in the hospital.  Charlie had driven her home in silence.  She cried in the arms of her parents over the disaster that followed.  

      Chewing her upper lip, she suddenly could not sit still.  Violet went to the window, taking in the lake beyond and the afternoon sun sparkling across it.  Madison did not have as much snow as home would, and she looked forward suddenly to seeing Karen and Kelly and the rest of the group.  They would spend two weeks in Frankenmuth.  The plan was to have Christmas Eve with the Kiszkas and then head home to Charlie and Madelynn’s for Christmas night.  

      Guilt brought her back to the room.  Brought her back to the moment.  Ali was still watching her.  It made her uncomfortable knowing that her friend was looking to her for comfort but there was none for Violet to pass along.  It was a road that she was going to have to walk alone to find herself and her own strength once more.  Her friends, even Violet herself, could not return that piece to Alison. 

      The care nurse came in to check fluids and to administer more pain meds.  Ollie stood up, a kind smile on his face.

      “We better get moving along, Alison,”  he said in his soothing, quiet way.  “Let you get some rest.”

     “I hated you, Violet,”  Ali whispered.  “I hated you for lying about Tim.  I hated that you were so wrong about him.”

     Violet’s brows pinched.  She was not going to fight an honest emotion that she had no way of controlling.

     “I hate you now, Violet,”  Ali continued.  “I hate that you were right and I was too stupid to believe you.  I hate that you let him do this to you.  I hate that you allowed him to continue to do it to others.”

     Her tongue passed across her lips.  Her breath came in a burning wave.  “I understand.”

     Max made a sound of protest, but Violet knew it was best to just accept.  She stepped out of the bedroom and headed for the hall, her phone in her hand.  It was not Ali’s fault for the pain that Violet represented at the moment.  The words were not real.  They were a torrent of shame and guilt and pain and vulnerability that a woman like Ali would eventually have to detangle if she was to discover that Tim had not robbed her completely of what made her Alison.  

     She texted Jake as she waited.  I need to get the fuck out of here.

     Max and Ollie caught up with her in the lobby.  The tiny sprite tossed her arms around Violet in a spat of words of comfort.  Ollie rubbed on her back.

     “I get it,”  she said, her voice not full of heat, but of comfort.  “This is Ali.  She needed those words and I’ll let her have them.”

     Ollie looked at his phone.  “How about supper?  I know I could use a drink.”

     Max nodded while Violet let her eyes stray to the door.  “Donovan’s?” she asked, a grin touching her mouth.

     Maxine tossed her arm across her shoulder.  “Fabulous choice, lovely.”

     She laughed at the reminder of Josh.  Her heart ached a bit to see him, knowing it would only be days away.  Her phone chimed with a text from Jake.  

J ~ Getting in a cab

V ~ Redirect to Donovan’s on Capital

J ~ k

     Donovan’s was a classic all wood, all dark, all old bar that they used to haunt after long shifts and holidays when anyone was stuck working.  Violet stood outside with a smoke in hand, letting Max and Ollie talk through their plans for the holidays.  Both orphans were going to be stuck on shift - Max due to low seniority, and Ollie by choice.  

      “Why the hell would you choose to work?”  Max gasped, eyes twinkling in the overhead lights.

      Ollie rolled his eyes.  “Single.  Stupid.  Etcetera.  Come on, Max.”

      Violet grinned, remembering those days after school, before her surgical certification, where she would work doubles just to not be alone.  Her eyes strayed to the curb just as a cab pulled up.  When Jake did not exit, and instead three blondes with large smiles piled out, she found herself huffing in her wait.  Her frustration mounted as she was nearly done with the cigarette and there was a disturbance behind her that she did not have the patience to deal with.

      “Uh, Vi?”  Max asked as she stretched to put out her smoke in the designated tray.  “Jake may be a minute or two longer.”

      Looking around, she discovered he stood with a group of ladies, him in the center, speaking with what she had come to know as his professional smile.  Rolling her eyes just as he saw her, she watched as they fawned over him and he graciously let them take pictures.  

      “You all are so sweet,”  she overheard him with a kind laugh.  “No, no.  I’m actually meeting up with friends.  Thank you though.”

      She felt Max’s laugh before hearing that loud cackle.  Jake opened his arms to her before he even walked away from the fans.  Of course, she zipped right for him, just as any fairy goddess would.  He waved once more before Max dragged him away with a demand that only she could get away with.  Violet thought twice for a moment.  Josh certainly would’ve pulled the same shit.  Why weren’t those two more than a hookup?  She inwardly laughed at how the world would probably implode from that much chaotic energy coming together for longer than a few moments.

       Jake shook hands with Ollie with a warm greeting as Max continued to hang off of him.  He laughed as she kissed his cheek.

      “Josh is only a few hours away,”  he teased, his dark eyes roaming her face.  “He’s going to be mad that I got to see the fairy without him.”

      She cackled again as her cheeks tinged with a blush.  She latched onto Violet’s hand and ran towards the door.  They parted so the ladies could find a table while the guys went to the bar to retrieve drinks.  A wave of nostalgia passed over her as they slid into a corner booth underneath the awning of plants.  The last time they had been to Donovan’s had been right before…

     “I don’t know what you’re feeding him, Vi, but damn,”  Max oozed as they started for the door.  “He’s prettier than I remember.”

     Violet smiled coyly as they settled in.  Max’s face turned serious after she looked back to see how long the line was, as if gauging her time.

     “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Ollie,”  she started, eyes darkening with thought.  “You know, Alison is going to go through with this.  She’s going to see that her case gets pushed through.”

     Violet nodded.  “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

     “She’s going to expect you to step forward,”  Max said quietly.  “She’s going to expect you to bring your-”

     “I know, Max.  But she’s going to be disappointed, isn’t she?”  Violet remarked, not wanting to sound hard, but her words came out that way.

     Max swallowed.  “I just don’t want this to come back and harm you.  Harm what you have, especially since it’s so damn obvious that there is love involved, Vi.” 

     “Yeah,”  she whispered, eyes straying back to where Jake and Ollie were waiting patiently.  “We’ve hit that part.”

     “Aww.  Sam’s wedding?”

     Violet nodded as a smile spread across her mouth.  “In front of his mother, no less.”

     Max fanned her eyes as they laughed hard.  “Oh my god!  I can’t…  It’s too damn sweet.  Like — ouch, baby.  All my teeth just rotted.”

     “I know right?”  

     Max grabbed hold of her hand and squeezed.  “I’m so happy for you, Violet.  I will do everything that I can to protect you from her expectations.  I just can see her going off the damn rails once this goes to the prosecutor.”

     “There is a reason why they wouldn’t touch my case, Max, and you know it,”  she said quietly, stomach growing sour.  “I will not allow myself to be victimized all over again by that man or his fucking lawyers.”

     Max was the only soul who knew her reasons why she would not allow a case to be made against Tim.  Although Wisconsin was a state that could pursue a case without testimony from the victim, knowledge of the victim of course had to be the evidence.  Tim’s lawyers had made a mockery of Violet, framing the abuse as tasks that had been asked for by her sexual practices.  The DA tried to toss that argument, of course, but when the defense actually produced credible witnesses of Violet’s former lovers, it was more difficult to root sympathy from anyone.  It was humiliating.  Worse, it was a career ending for her.  Tim won.  It was easier for her to walk away and hide than it was to fight.  He had made sure of it.

     She decided instead of justice, she needed to heal from within.  Her parents had no idea why she decided not to participate in the court case, nor did they press about it.  Her family had no clue that Violet was being told she had asked for the near death beating because she liked being spanked while being fucked stupid.  Max was the only one she was able to explain the full story and know that there would be no embarrassment or judgment.  Instead, her dear friend exuded understanding and comfort.

     “What do you need me to do if Ali decides to call on you?”  she asked.

     Violet shrugged.  “Honestly, I have no idea.  After the holidays, I’m hoping to actually travel with Jake.  I won’t be heading back overseas until May.  We’ll just have to see what happens and handle it as it comes.”

     “Handle what, gorgeous?”  Jake asked, as he set a glass of red before her.

     “After the holidays,”  Violet said with a grin.  “I was just saying that perhaps we’ll be able to travel.”

     Jake nodded as he moved in next to her, hand landing on her thigh, his thumb brushing against the inside seam of her pants.  Somehow, before their parting, Jake had convinced Max to join them for after Christmas festivities.  Ollie, not to be left out, promised to check his calendar and see if he could slide a few shifts over since it was after the holiday.  He then magically had the pair of them set up for New Years Eve in Nashville.  He had pressed a ‘Merry Christmas’ to her ear as he showed her the rooms he books while they were still in discussions.  

     They parted ways after a light supper and several rounds of drinks.  Jake got an uber back to the hotel.  He was quiet the entire ride back.  He just held her close, his thumb brushing back and forth against the palm of her hand.  Back to the room, and Violet felt herself unravel.  The weight of Alison’s state and what she was facing had been gnawing at her belly, despite the smiles and the laughter between the friends.  She dropped her bag on the counter and ditched her shoes in the middle of the room before landing face first on the bed.

      “Very princess,”  Jake sighed as he slid the shoes to the side with his toe.  

      She rolled onto her back, arms above her head.  He crawled up next to her, coming to rest on his side and taking her hand into his own.  She felt the quiet fill her and his presence comforted her.  He tugged her shoulder until she shifted and rolled to be belly to belly with him.

      He whispered a hello before placing a chaste kiss on her mouth.  “Are you okay?”

     She shook her head.  “It was so bad.  Being in that apartment, seeing everything that was her and everything that she was is just so broke.  She hates me for it.  Right now, she does.”

     “That hardly seems fair,”  he whispered.

     She felt bitterness in her mouth that she remembered well from before; from when she was nursing the first wounds.  Violet remembered the anger and betrayal. She questioned herself for months why any woman would allow Tim to lay hands on her the way he did.  Why had no one come forward?  Why was he allowed to continue his path of harm that led to her?  

     “I know where she is - she’s faulting every moment, every hit, every bit of venom that she suffered through on the woman who loved him before her.”  Violet swallowed the bile that threatened.  “I know I did.  Jake, there are so many others.  I can’t even imagine how many he’s hurt.  What she doesn’t realize is she’s going to be the champion of us all.  She’s going to put that fucker in a deep dark hole that won’t have any forgiveness from anyone, least of all any of us.”

If you would like to join the tag list, you can find it here

@lvnterninthenight @doodle417 @luverleaver @jakesgrapejuice @fictional-duchess @whitesuitjake @milkgemini @positivegvfthings @songbirds-sweet @streamingcolors-gvf @gretavanbitches @maverick-rose @joshkiszkas @gardensgatedaisy

[oobbbear]

Your art sounds like "more like Jason" by little Tybee (especially the part at 2:30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0n4pPuMcf0

Oh the instrumental part is so good!!! The lyrics is so funny bdjdjdjdnjcnchjd we should all be more like Jason 😔

[buddy-arc]

🎶✨ When you get this u have to put 5 songs u actually listen to, publish. Then, send this ask/tag 10 of your favorite followers ✨🎶

the generous mr. lovewell — mercyme

good day — mackenzie bourg

fireflies — owl city

house wren — owl city

abby — little tybee

tagged by: the amazing @musesofthemoon !!

tagging: please do steal this, i forgot who’s following this sideblog lol

[faveficarchive]

A Fine Line

By Jenbob

Copyright © 1997 Apr (Revised 1997 Fall)

All rights reserved

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Argo and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. Absolutely no aspect of this story (e.g. ideas, images, dialog etc.) contained within may be used elsewhere without the express prior written consent of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

EXTREME VIOLENCE WARNING/DISCLAIMER

This story depicts scenes of EXTREME violence and/or their aftermath. This simply cannot be emphasized enough. The violence is described in exacting detail at times, however, it was necessary for the plot of the story to include it. You may have read this warning in the past and thought that the author overemphasized how violent his or her story would be. However, in this case, the warning is VERY real and should NOT be taken lightly. Readers who are disturbed by or sensitive to this type of depiction may wish to read something other than this story.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE WARNING/DISCLAIMER

This story depicts scenes of sexual violence and/or their aftermath. Some readers may be disturbed by this type of depiction and anyone who is sensitive to this particular issue may wish to read something other than this story.

HURT/COMFORT WARNING/DISCLAIMER

This story may be best classified as a Hurt/Comfort Story involving the characters Xena: Warrior Princess and Gabrielle. Readers who are disturbed by or sensitive to this type of issue may wish to read something other than this story.

LOVE/SEX WARNING/DISCLAIMER

This story depicts a love/sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of this nature disturb you, you may wish to read something other than this story.

OTHER DISCLAIMERS

(1) The words to the "poem" that Gabrielle recites are actually the lyrics to the song "The Change", sung by Garth Brooks, and are used here without permission or intent to profit.

The Change was written by Tony Arata & Wayne Tester

(c) 1995 Little Tybee Music / Forerunner Music Inc.

MCA Music Publishing

(2) The story of Baucis and Philemon is an old Greek myths that was originally told by Ovid.

It is my best guess that it was this story that Gabrielle was telling Xena in the episode Chariots of War, although the details of Gabrielle's story do differ slightly from the traditional tale. I attribute this simply to bardic license on the part of Gabrielle.

PLEASE NOTE!!!!!

Warnings/Disclaimers are included with this piece of fan fiction to enable readers to judge whether it is of interest to them. Their inclusion is an attempt by the author to prevent any individual from being overly disturbed or distressed by this story and they are intended to be taken seriously as a comment about the nature of the story. After reading the Warnings posted, it is the sole responsibility of each reader to decide whether this piece of fan fiction is of interest to them or whether it might be more appropriate for them to read something else instead.

This story is dedicated to Catherine "Cat" McKenzie...since without her tireless support and willingness to go off on bizarre searches for obscure facts, this story would still just be rattling around my head. She's also the best furkin' editor and friend a bard could ever hope to have!

Author's Note: The events of this story take place a few weeks after the ending of The Third Wheel (which took place a few weeks after the X:WP episode A Day in the Life.) If you haven't read that story, well, it probably won't make too much difference, although some things may not make quite as much sense. Just get used to the occasional bizarre reference.

CHAPTER 1

The sun was still shining brightly overhead when the two women entered the clearing by the lake. A tall woman with jet black hair and a confident air of command looked the clearing over carefully, before nodding her head and dropping the reins of the horse she was leading. "This looks like a good place to set up camp," she announced. "I'll scout around a little to make sure the area's safe," she continued, as she turned to look at her blonde companion.

Gabrielle nodded. "It looks perfect. I'll have everything set up by the time you get back," she said, trying not to show her concern over how tired her friend looked and sounded. However, she knew that it would do no good to suggest to Xena that she rest first and scout later; the warrior was simply too obstinate to listen to logic like that. The fact that they were stopping for the day while it was still so early, though, clearly indicated that Xena was more tired than she was letting on.

Gabrielle shook her head, as she watched Xena head off into the surrounding woods. They had only started traveling again a few days ago, after having had to take time off for the warrior to recover from injuries she had suffered a month earlier. Xena had been willing to remain in Uthranis as long as she was still having difficulties walking. As soon as she was able to move around again without the limp, however, she had decided they needed to be moving on, and no amount of arguing could change her mind. The fact that she still tired easily and was not even close to being fully recovered, made no difference to the warrior. Xena had been feeling cooped up and constrained for far too long. She needed to be on the road again.

Gabrielle worked rapidly to set up their camp, determined that everything would be finished by the time that Xena returned. As she laid their bedrolls out next to one another, she couldn't stop a broad smile from spreading across her face. She and Xena had been lovers for a couple of weeks now, the best couple of weeks of her entire life, and sometimes she still had trouble believing that they were finally together. She knew, though, that this was another reason that Xena had wanted to leave Uthranis. Things had been fine while the two of them were staying by themselves, alone and away from others. Once they had started seeing other people on a regular basis, however, Xena had grown self-conscious about any displays of affection. Xena always felt the need to put on her strong warrior image whenever there were others around, and this was not particularly conducive to romantic encounters.

As Gabrielle finished setting up the rest of the camp and began to collect firewood for the evening, she thought back on the days since they had left Uthranis. It had been harder to leave than she would have thought. She suspected that it had been hard on Xena as well, even though the warrior would never admit to it. But they had left a good friend behind in Uthranis: Cor, a former lieutenant of Xena's who, with his humor, insight, and foolhardy bravery, had managed to get Xena and Gabrielle to finally openly admit to the feelings they had for one another. Gabrielle had been jealous of Cor's relationship with Xena when they had first met but, as time had gone by, she had come to consider him a friend, and she was already missing the sound of his voice.

The past several days had been relatively quiet for the pair. A few bandits and ruffians had tried to start some trouble with them, but Xena's name and her imposing stance, as she drew her sword from its scabbard, had been enough to frighten them off without any actual fighting. Unfortunately, this same routine hadn't worked on the men they had met up with earlier that day and they had had to fight the idiots to convince them that the warrior and the bard should be left alone. Xena had thrown herself into the battle with her usual enthusiasm, with Gabrielle following closely behind. They had easily defeated the eight men, although Xena had been forced to kill one of them in the process. Afterwards, though, Gabrielle could see that Xena's reserves were nearly drained. They had traveled for a short while longer before Xena had decided to stop for the day, hours before she would normally have made such a decision.

Gabrielle had long since collected the last of the firewood they would need for the evening and had laid out the makings of the campfire, by the time Xena returned with a rabbit for their dinner. Gabrielle shook her head as she took the animal from her friend and prepared to cook it. "Xena, we're still overloaded with all the food and supplies that Cor insisted we take when we left Uthranis. There was no reason for you to go to the trouble of catching something for us to eat tonight."

Xena shrugged. "It wasn't any trouble. I flushed him accidentally and took him with my chakram without even thinking about it. But if you'd rather have trail rations....," she said with a smile.

"No, this will be fine," Gabrielle replied. Seeing Xena looking around for something to do, the bard grinned. "I've taken care of everything, including Argo, so all you have to do is sharpen your sword for the next hour while I fix dinner."

Xena arched an eyebrow at Gabrielle and looked at her for several moments, before shaking her head and moving to sit on a nearby log with her sword and her whetstone. Soon she was engaged in the endless process of sharpening the blade, a process that was not only necessary for the sword, but was also important in helping Xena to relax from the tensions of the day. She was completely worn out and she was grateful that Gabrielle was, for once, remaining quiet. It wasn't that she minded the bard's stories but, at the moment, she simply didn't have the energy to listen to anything Gabrielle had to say.

Gabrielle kept a close eye on her friend as she went about preparing their dinner. It was obvious from the way Xena was carrying herself that the warrior was almost out on her feet. It was sheer stubbornness that was keeping her going at the moment; the same stubbornness that refused to allow her to take a few more days to rest and regain the remainder of her strength. Gabrielle had tried to convince Xena not to push herself so hard but, after their last argument, she had decided to give up on the direct approach since it obviously wasn't going to work. On the other hand, the indirect approach had the potential for success.

Supper was soon ready and the two women ate in comparative silence. Xena was too tired to carry on a conversation and Gabrielle was too absorbed in planning her new method of attack. After they finished eating, the bard took care of cleaning everything up, before finally making Xena a mug of tea and taking it over to where she was sitting. "Here, try this. I think you'll like it," she said with a smile.

Xena took the mug and smelled the brew, smiling appreciatively as she did so. She took a small sip and nodded her head. "It's good. What is it?" she asked curiously.

"Actually, I'm not sure. It's a mixture Cor gave me for you. He said you'd like it," Gabrielle replied.

Xena jerked the mug away from her lips and spat out the rest of the liquid in her mouth. "You gave me one of Cor's mixtures and you don't even know what's in it?" she sputtered angrily.

Gabrielle laughed at Xena's reaction. She had to admit, though, her friend was justified in being cautious. The last time Cor had given Xena something to drink without telling her what it was, the drink had contained a strong sedative that had quickly put her to sleep. Considering all the discussions they had had about Xena pushing herself too hard and needing to get more rest, Xena could be forgiven for being a bit suspicious about Gabrielle's motives. "Relax Warrior," Gabrielle finally said. "He assured me that there was nothing in it you would object to. It's just tea. See, I'm drinking some too. Do you want to switch cups with me?" she teased gently.

Xena chuckled ruefully. "No, that's all right. I just don't want to be under the influence of sleeping herbs when we're out here in the middle of nowhere."

"I know...now drink your tea. It might relax you but I promise it won't hurt you," Gabrielle said with a smile. Xena nodded as she began to drink the rest of the tea, enjoying the flavor and wondering what in the world Cor had mixed up this time. The two sat together in comfortable silence, before Gabrielle finally spoke up. "So, where are we headed anyway?"

Xena pondered the question for a few moments before answering. "Well, to be honest, I wasn't really headed anywhere. I just needed to get away from Uthranis. Everything was starting to feel too 'crowded' and 'close' there." Xena was silent for a few more seconds before continuing. "Actually, I was thinking that maybe we could visit the Amazons, unless you have some place else you'd rather go?"

A broad smile broke out across Gabrielle's face. "No. I'd love to go visit the Amazons! But we were just there not long ago. Are you sure you want to go back there again so soon?"

Xena smiled. "Well, you are the Amazon Queen now. I guess we should start trying to make it back there a little more often. Besides, we're relatively close and there's nowhere else we need to be."

Gabrielle grinned. "Well I guess we visit the Amazons then," she said happily. She looked over to see that Xena was draining the rest of her tea from her mug. As she finished, Gabrielle took her cup from her and then returned to help the warrior take off her armor. Her breath caught in her throat as she slowly removed each piece. She was amazed, as always, at the sheer beauty of the woman who had captured her heart. As she helped to take the armor off, she did her best to be gentle with her friend. Several times, though, she heard Xena moan softly in pain, as her sore muscles were pulled this way and that. When Gabrielle was finished, she leaned against Xena's back and wrapped her arms around her lover, closing her eyes as she held her tightly. She remained like that for several moments, before moving around to face the warrior. "Come on and lay down. Let's see what I can do about those sore spots," she said quietly.

Xena smiled gratefully, when she heard Gabrielle's words, before moving to stretch out on their bedrolls. The bard had only recently adopted the practice of giving her friend backrubs, but she had become amazingly good at it during the past few weeks. Of course, the fact that she had had so much practice at it, undoubtedly contributed to how rapidly she was becoming an expert in her technique.

Gabrielle grinned while she watched Xena get comfortable. As she began to slowly stroke the warrior's tired body, she launched into the dullest story that she knew. While giving Xena massages over the last few weeks, she had learned several things. She knew exactly how and where to touch her to drive the warrior wild with desire She had mastered the art of getting Xena to the point where coherent thought was impossible for her. She also knew exactly how and where to touch the warrior to soothe her muscles and lull her into a deeply relaxed state. It was the second type of massage that she was interested in at the moment.

It didn't take long to achieve her goal and soon Xena was sleeping peacefully, a small smile on her lips. 'Mission accomplished,' Gabrielle thought, as she pulled a blanket up to cover her friend, before rising and walking silently away. She checked on Argo to make certain that the mare was all right and then retrieved the scroll she was working on from one of the saddlebags. She spent the next few hours working quietly on her most recent story, before finally deciding to turn in as well. She tossed another log onto the fire, made one last check of the camp, and then crawled under the blankets next to Xena. She smiled when the sleeping warrior wrapped an arm around her and moved closer. She spent the next few minutes lightly caressing Xena's hair, loving the feel of it as it slid through her fingers. Finally she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against her lover's forehead, before closing her eyes and settling down to sleep.

Gabrielle woke up the next morning before Xena, a feat she only rarely managed to accomplish. Looking down at the warrior's face, which was resting against her chest, Gabrielle felt her heart swell with love. She remained motionless for several long minutes, enjoying the feel of Xena's body pressed against hers, and then gently moved out from underneath her friend. Stretching as she rose to stand, she glanced around the campsite, before grabbing a bar of soap from one of the saddlebags and walking the short distance to the lake. Reaching the shore, she removed her clothes and then dove into the warm water. She quickly washed her hair and the rest of her body and then tossed the soap back onto the shore. Moving into deeper water, she began to swim in slow, lazy circles. Finally, she flipped over to float on her back, while she allowed the sun to warm her body.

The sound of a splash eventually drew her attention back to the shore. She could see the ripples of water spreading outward from a point not far from shore, and she could see Xena's clothes lying next to hers on the bank. As Gabrielle began treading water, the warrior slowly broke the surface just in front of her and then moved into the bard's embrace to kiss her deeply. "Morning," Xena said huskily.

"Morning," Gabrielle replied, pressing up against her, delighting in the feel of Xena's skin against hers.

"I'm sorry about last night," Xena murmured, as she slowly caressed her lover's back.

"Last night? Why are you sorry about last night?" Gabrielle asked in a confused tone.

Xena looked at her in surprise. "Because I fell asleep on you, right in the middle of one of your stories," she replied.

Gabrielle laughed. "That was the whole point. Xena, I almost fell asleep during that story," she said, as she leaned in to kiss her lover.

The warrior pulled back. "You mean there was something in that tea?" she demanded.

Gabrielle grinned. "Xena...there was nothing in your drink. You were just tired. Now why don't you just admit that maybe you need to start trying to get a little more rest," she said and then pulled Xena to her to kiss her again.

Xena returned her kiss and deepened it, parting Gabrielle's lips to thrust her tongue into the bard's mouth. Gabrielle moaned and pressed closer to the warrior, as she wrapped her arms around Xena to hold her tightly.

Suddenly, Xena pulled away again. "Maybe you're right," she said in a serious tone.

Heart pounding, blood racing, it took a confused Gabrielle several moments before she could finally respond. "I'm right? About what?"

"I should probably get some more rest," Xena said solemnly, as she released the bard. "I'll just go take a quick nap and then we can get back on the road again," she finished, before she turned and headed back to the shore.

Gabrielle watched her, completely dumbfounded by the turn of events. As Xena neared the shore, however, Gabrielle grinned and quickly swam after her, easily catching the slow moving warrior. Sliding up behind Xena, she whispered in her lover's ear, "A nap is a good idea, but I think before you take one, you should get a workout first...you know...exercise your muscles."

Xena paused as she considered Gabrielle's advice. "Maybe you're right. I could practice with my sword."

"I was thinking of different muscles," Gabrielle said, as she placed soft kisses along Xena's neck and shoulders.

"Hmmm...maybe I could take Argo for a run?" Xena said, struggling to speak normally.

"Well...those are some of the same muscles I guess. But it's not really what I had in mind," Gabrielle replied, as she reached around to stroke Xena's breasts.

"Well, I'm out of ideas. What do you suggest?" Xena asked, then groaned deeply as Gabrielle dropped one hand to press against her sex.

"Let me think about it...maybe I'll come up with something," Gabrielle said, before wrapping her legs around Xena's waist and moving sensuously against the other woman. Moving her hand back up, she cupped both of the warrior's breasts in her palms, squeezing them firmly. She trailed her lips up Xena's neck to her ear and blew lightly across it, before outlining it with her tongue. She smiled when she heard her lover moan softly.

She continued to torment the warrior for a few moments more, before moving back to Xena's neck, nibbling and sucking lightly as she moved along the line to her shoulder. Reaching the warrior's shoulder, Gabrielle hesitated for a brief moment before biting down hard, loving the gasp of pleasure she heard escape from Xena's throat. Unable to take her lover's sweet torture any longer, Xena reached down to unlock the bard's ankles from around her waist and then turned quickly to face her. Recovering instantly, Gabrielle pressed up against Xena once again, locking her ankles behind the warrior's back while she kissed her passionately. Hands stroked backs, trailing fingernails across sensitive flesh, as both women sought to draw the other as close as possible. Xena moved her mouth hungrily over the younger woman's, parting her lips once again to thrust her tongue inside. She explored the bard's mouth thoroughly and then enticed Gabrielle's tongue back into her own.

Gabrielle groaned softly when she felt Xena sucking on her tongue. She began rocking rhythmically against the warrior, the feel of the water around them heightening every sensation. Lifting the bard up out of the water, Xena brought her lover's breasts to her waiting lips. Gabrielle groaned again, louder this time, as she felt Xena's lips draw her nipple into her mouth. She clutched the warrior's head firmly to her chest, encouraging her to take more of her breast into her mouth. Xena swirled her tongue across the nipple before biting down. She smiled when she heard Gabrielle whimper softly and then moved to lavish her attentions on the bard's other perfect breast.

The two lovers continued to stroke and caress one another for several minutes, before Xena began moving towards the shore once again. Gabrielle unlocked her ankles from around her lover's waist as they drew closer, then smiled when Xena immediately swept her up into her arms to carry her the rest of the way to their blankets. Laying Gabrielle carefully down on their bedrolls, Xena hesitated for several moments before joining her, enjoying the opportunity to simply drink in the beauty of her lover. Stretching out beside the bard, Xena lightly trailed her hand up and down her lover's body, watching the play of taut muscles as Gabrielle reacted to her touch. "I love you," she finally said, before leaning down to kiss the younger woman.

Gabrielle sighed softly, when she felt the weight of Xena's body pressing against hers. She returned her lover's kiss with equal passion, while she reached around to cup the warrior's head and hold her close. When she felt Xena's hands beginning to move over her body, Gabrielle broke the kiss to look up at her, a determined glint in her eyes, before quickly rolling her lover over onto her back. Smiling down at the look of surprise on Xena's face, Gabrielle leaned down to lightly brush her lips across the warrior's. "Let me," she said softly, as she reached out and caught Xena's hands in her own. Bringing each hand slowly to her lips, she kissed them softly one at a time, before placing them behind the warrior's head. Seeing the confused expression on her lover's face, Gabrielle smiled again. "For once, just let me love you."

Xena chuckled softly. "Gabrielle, what are you talking about?" she asked, as she brought her hands back out from behind her head and reached for the bard.

Gabrielle grabbed her hands before Xena could touch her, gently placing them behind the warrior's head once again. "You always end up taking the lead. Just relax and let me touch you. Trust me," she said softly, as she reached down and lightly ran her fingers across Xena's stomach and then up to circle her breasts.

Xena took in a deep, shuddering breath and then nodded. Gabrielle grinned at her small victory. Nearly every time they made love, the warrior ended up controlling the pace. This time, Gabrielle intended to be the one in control. She knew, though. that she'd never be able to last long if Xena started touching her, so she had to get that issue taken care of right at the start.

Still smiling, Gabrielle leaned down to kiss Xena softly on the lips and then moved to brush kisses across the warrior's cheeks, forehead, and chin, before finally settling near her ear. "You are so beautiful," she murmured into Xena's ear, before biting down on the lobe and tugging at it gently. Moving to her lover's other ear, she flicked her tongue out to lightly trace the outline, before exploring the crevices within. "I could spend days singing songs of your beauty," she said softly, before moving to run her tongue across Xena's jawline.

Pausing for a moment to look down at her lover, Gabrielle smiled when she saw Xena struggling to restrain herself. Nodding in satisfaction, the bard leaned over again to trail kisses down the other woman's neck. Her lips settled momentarily at the hollow of Xena's throat, while her left hand began tracing intricate patterns across the warrior's flat stomach. Moving to her lover's collarbone, Gabrielle used her mouth to brand the other woman as her own, smiling when she saw the small marks that were appearing on Xena's skin. She moved back to Xena's throat and began to run her tongue across her lover's neck, while her hand slid up to capture the warrior's breast.

Xena groaned loudly when she felt her lover's hand cup her sensitive breast, and she reached down to cover the younger woman's hand with her own, encouraging the bard to squeeze harder. Gabrielle shook her head, as she lifted her head to look down at the other woman. "No," she reprimanded gently, as she removed Xena's hand and put it back behind the warrior's head. "Not yet," she said huskily, as she moved down to run her tongue across one of Xena's breasts, while her hand gently massaged the other one, sighing softly when she felt it swell beneath her touch.

Xena moaned and arched against her lover's mouth, but somehow managed to keep her hands locked in place. "Please Gabrielle," she panted. "Harder...more....," she begged. Smiling against the warrior's breast, Gabrielle willingly complied. She moved her mouth to Xena's nipple and bit down and felt it grow rock hard at her touch. Her hand began squeezing the other woman's other breast more firmly, pinching the tip between her thumb and index finger. "Gods yes," the warrior ground out, fighting desperately not to reach out and grab Gabrielle and clutch the bard tightly to her body.

Gabrielle switched her mouth back and forth between her lover's breasts, leaving neither one of them neglected. The bard reveled in the sight of the warrior writhing uncontrollably beneath her touch, as she slowly pushed the other woman to the edge. Finally moving her mouth downward, she ran her tongue across Xena's quivering belly and then gently parted her lover's thighs and settled between them. Placing her head near Xena's damp curls, Gabrielle blew warm air across her lover's sweet folds, before turning her attention instead to Xena's inner thigh. Placing her lips against the soft skin, the bard began to lick and nibble her way down the other woman's leg until she reached her calves, then slowly began moving back up. Passing over the warrior's center, Gabrielle moved to the other leg and began the same, torturous treatment, as she moved slowly down Xena's leg and back up again, once more skipping over her lover's heated center to pass to the other leg.

"By the Gods Gabrielle...please....," Xena whimpered frantically, as she moved her hips towards her lover, fighting the urge to grab the younger woman.

"Please what, Xena?" Gabrielle asked softly, propping herself up to look at the warrior. "Tell me what you want me to do."

"Please Gabrielle. I want your mouth on me now...I can't...I can't take much more of this," Xena rasped hoarsely.

"On you...on you where?" Gabrielle asked with a gleam in her eyes. "On you here?" she asked, before pressing a soft kiss to Xena's inner thigh. "On you here?" she teased, while she leaned up and kissed Xena's stomach. "On you here?" she asked, as she parted Xena's folds and dipped her tongue between to take a long, loving taste.

"There," Xena moaned, as she thrust her hips towards her lover's mouth. Her hands came out from behind her head but she managed to keep from grabbing Gabrielle, and instead curled her fingers into the bedroll.

Gabrielle reached up to grab the warrior's hips firmly while she probed deeper, matching the movements of Xena's hips with her tongue. She lovingly explored every fold, every ridge, before finally moving up to flick her tongue across the other woman's center, smiling to herself when she heard the warrior's groan of ecstasy. Pressing harder as she heard Xena's breathing growing ragged and uneven, she ran her teeth across the swollen bundle of nerves, before taking it between her lips and sucking on it, swirling her tongue across its surface as she felt her lover slip over the edge.

Xena arched against the younger woman as she shuddered uncontrollably, waves of ecstasy coursing through her trembling body. Gabrielle stared in wonder while she watched the play of emotions across her lover's face, as she continued to press soft kisses to the warrior's center. As Xena's breathing gradually returned to normal, Gabrielle replaced her mouth with her hand and moved up to take Xena's nipple in her mouth once more, moving her tongue lightly around it. She slowly stroked Xena, gritting her teeth to control her own reaction when she felt the other woman's unbelievable wetness against her hand. Straddling the warrior's thigh, she began pressing against her lover's leg, moving to the same rhythm as her hand. She continued her assault for a few minutes more, as she felt the warrior's passion beginning to build out of control once again. Finally she slipped her fingers up to capture Xena's swollen clit.

Xena groaned low in her throat when she felt her lover touch her. Her hips were moving entirely of their own volition and her head was thrashing back and forth. Her entire world was centered on Gabrielle's fingers, as she brought Xena back to the edge.

"Xena, open your eyes," Gabrielle commanded, her voice husky and low. Obeying the command, Xena looked up to see the bard's face inches from her own, gazing at her with a look that could only be described as raw passion. She struggled for control, to hold on for a few minutes longer, but as Gabrielle pressed her hips harder against the warrior's thigh and her hand harder against Xena's sex, she slipped over the edge once more. Her gaze locked with Gabrielle's, Xena moaned as her body bucked and writhed against her lover's hand, while the bard continued to stroke her, continued to press firmly against her.

Several minutes passed before Xena was able to manage anything even closely resembling rational thought. Looking up, she saw Gabrielle smiling down at her, eyes still filled with passion, as she lightly stroked her lover. Leaning down, the bard continued to move her hand against the warrior, while she placed gentle kisses across her lover's breasts. Xena felt herself responding to Gabrielle's touch once again and moaned when she felt the younger woman's lips dancing across her skin. She thrust her hips helplessly towards the bard's teasing fingers but they continued to remain just out of reach. "Gabrielle...please...your fingers....," Xena groaned loudly, as she struggled to speak.

"My fingers?" Gabrielle asked innocently, as she continued to tease the warrior.

"Inside me Gabrielle...your fingers...Could you put them inside me...please," Xena finally managed to gasp, thrusting her hips towards the bard's hand once again.

"You want me inside you?" Gabrielle asked in a low, seductive voice, while she pressed two fingers to Xena's opening.

"Gods yes," Xena whimpered, as she felt her lover slip two fingers just inside her and then stop.

"You want me inside you...or you need me inside you?" Gabrielle purred softly into Xena's ear, before moving back to look down on the warrior's face.

Xena hesitated for a moment, gazing into Gabrielle's eyes, before willingly submitting. "Need. I need you inside me Gabrielle," she choked out, her voice thick with passion.

Gabrielle leaned down to capture Xena's lips, as she slid two fingers deep inside her lover. She sighed softly when she felt Xena's muscles contract around them. Thrusting her fingers to keep pace with the movements of the warrior's hips, Gabrielle moved to straddle the other woman's thigh once again and began rocking against her. She continued to thrust her fingers deeply into her lover while massaging the warrior's center with her thumb, all the while moving her hips against Xena's thigh and feeling her own passion building out of control. Reaching down to grab the other woman's wrist, she placed the warrior's hand between her own legs, moaning with pleasure when Xena instantly began to stroke her fingers against the bard's engorged clitoris.

"Gods Gabrielle," Xena groaned. "You're so wet...you feel so good," she panted, as she slipped two fingers inside her lover and began matching Gabrielle stroke for stroke. Their gazes locked as Xena reached up with her other hand to caress her lover's breasts, rubbing callused fingers across the nipples and sending shudders of delight through the young woman's body.

They continued to thrust against one another, trying to prolong their pleasure for as long as possible. "Now," Gabrielle moaned as she finally gave in, unable to deny herself any longer. With a loud cry, Xena released as well, arching her body as she lost control completely, giving in to her passion, trusting Gabrielle enough to fully let go.

They lay together for several minutes, before either one had the ability to move. Withdrawing their fingers at the same time, they shivered as pleasant aftershocks rippled through their bodies at the sensations it caused. Without a word, they both brought their fingers to their mouths and licked them clean, savoring the taste of the other. As they finished, they kissed deeply, tongues pressing against each other, causing their tastes to mingle.

Xena shifted Gabrielle to a more comfortable position but maintained her hold on her lover. The bard slowly traced circles across Xena's stomach, before hugging her tightly. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Xena chuckled. "Thank me?" she said in disbelief. "Why are you thanking me?" the warrior asked.

"For trusting me," Gabrielle replied. "And for letting go completely. For not trying to hold back part of yourself," she finished.

"Do I normally hold back from you?" Xena asked in a concerned voice.

"No. But I know how hard it is for you to allow yourself to lose control. I just wanted you to know how much it means to me that you trust me," Gabrielle said with a yawn.

"I do trust you, Gabrielle," Xena said, as she slowly caressed her lover's back.

Several quiet moments passed before Gabrielle spoke again, "Xena?"

"Hmmm?" Xena asked sleepily.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't think of a good workout for you," Gabrielle said, a teasing note in her voice. "Maybe you should just take the nap and forget about the exercise."

"All right," Xena agreed with a yawn. "I'm too tired at the moment to do anything strenuous anyway," she said, before pulling Gabrielle closer and allowing herself to drift off to sleep.

CHAPTER 2

The next two days passed by uneventfully and, before they knew it, Xena and Gabrielle were nearing the town of Baraliam, the last village of any reasonable size before they reached Amazon territory. Xena briefly considered passing by the village completely, but Argo was in need of a new bridle, and Baraliam was as good a place as any to pick one up. In no time at all, they had made their purchase and were preparing to be on their way, when Gabrielle hesitated. "Buy you a drink?" she asked, indicating the tavern that was standing nearby.

"You want a drink?" Xena asked with a slight smile.

"Actually, I just want to sit down and rest for a few minutes and this was the best excuse I could come up with," Gabrielle replied.

"Okay. We'll stop for a few minutes and have a drink," Xena agreed. "But I thought I was the one who was supposed to still be weak and recovering from injuries."

Rolling her eyes, Gabrielle led the way into the tavern. She was pleasantly surprised to find that it was filled with the aroma of delicious food, rather than the smell of stale body odor like so many of the other taverns they visited. Looking around, she saw that the patrons seemed to mainly be local citizens, and the place was clean and neat. Smiling happily, she began to walk towards one of the back tables, while Xena trailed behind her.

"Warrior," a loud voice called out, stopping the pair in their tracks. Looking towards the bar, they saw the bartender watching them closely. "No weapons are allowed in my tavern," he said firmly but not unkindly. "You can hang them by the door," he continued, pointing towards several large pegs.

Xena looked at the pegs, then back to the bartender, and then finally at Gabrielle. "Come on. Let's go," she said, as she turned to leave.

Gabrielle quickly grabbed her arm, stopping her progress. "Xena come on. Hang your weapons up and let's have a drink."

"I don't need a drink that badly Gabrielle," Xena said flatly. "And I don't want to be unarmed and defenseless in some unfamiliar place when there's no need for me to be in here in the first place."

Gabrielle laughed at her last comment. "Unarmed, maybe. Defenseless? I hardly think so. Come on. I'll bet that wherever you sit down in here, there will be five different things within arm's reach that you could use as a weapon," she said with a grin. "Give up the sword and the chakram and let me buy you a drink."

Xena considered her options for a few more seconds, before finally sighing in resignation. Hanging her weapons up carefully on the pegs provided, she cast a quick glance around the room, noting the exits, the locations of the customers, and a variety of other things that suddenly seemed infinitely more important now that she was no longer armed.

Gabrielle hid a smile as she watched Xena's actions, before wandering over to the bar and ordering drinks for the both of them. Returning to the table that Xena had finally chosen, she handed the warrior her drink. Sitting down across from her, she sighed contentedly, as she finally got off her feet. "So how much longer will it take to get to the Amazons?" she asked after several minutes had gone by.

"Probably about three days, maybe a little less," Xena answered.

Gabrielle nodded. "How long do you think we can stay?"

Xena shrugged. "I dunno, maybe a week or two."

Gabrielle looked at her in astonishment. "Seriously? That long?"

Xena grinned at her young friend. "Well not if you don't want to. We don't even have to spend the night if you're going to be anxious to leave."

Gabrielle smiled broadly. "It's not that and you know it. I'm just surprised that you're willing to stay that long."

Xena simply shrugged again and the conversation dropped. The truth was, she had several reasons for her willingness to stay for an extended visit with the Amazons. Gabrielle was the Queen now but she had chosen to travel with Xena rather than stay with the village, and Xena still felt guilty about that sometimes. She knew that Gabrielle not only deserved to learn more about the Amazons, but that she needed to learn more about them too. The only way to accomplish this was for Gabrielle to spend time with her adopted people. Besides, Gabrielle had been happy with the Amazons and even though she knew that Gabrielle loved her, she also knew that few things would make the bard happier than spending time at the Amazon village. Making Gabrielle happy was important to Xena, more important than she sometimes liked to admit.

But Xena had another reason for wanting to spend time with the Amazons. Everywhere they went, Xena had to be concerned about the people around them learning the truth about her relationship with Gabrielle. It wasn't because they were both women, although she knew that that fact could cause problems in some places. Xena seriously doubted, after everything she had done in her past, that her reputation could suffer much from the revelation that she was in love with a woman, but she wasn't entirely certain how Gabrielle felt about that issue. Still, Xena had to admit that the Amazon village was one place that loving another woman wouldn't be regarded as unusual. The real problem, though, was not that they were both women, but rather that Xena was a target; Gabrielle even more so. Xena knew that their survival often depended on the fact that she was perceived to be dangerous, to be a threat, and she could show no weaknesses when they were in public. To do so was to risk not only her life, but Gabrielle's life as well.

With the Amazons, however, Xena didn't have to worry about acting like the warlord, because they already knew exactly what she was capable of. She had had a formidable reputation amongst them before they had even met her and, since that time, she had only improved her image in their eyes. They had seen her defeat Melosa, their former Queen, in hand to hand combat. She had managed to defeat Velasca, another former Queen, who had eaten ambrosia and become a goddess. Best of all, in the Amazon village, Gabrielle would be the true focus of everyone's attention. This meant that Xena didn't have to feel like everyone was staring at her all the time. Next to Gabrielle, she was rather insignificant. Instead of feeling threatened by that fact, Xena found it strangely liberating.

They finished their drinks and Xena allowed Gabrielle to convince her to stick around for another round. As they downed their second round, however, Xena smirked at her friend. "Come on...I think this qualifies as more than enough rest."

Gabrielle grinned sheepishly, as she rose to follow Xena from the tavern. Stopping to grab her weapons, Xena fastened them securely, before continuing on her way out the door. Reaching Argo's side, Xena carefully examined the new bridle once more to make certain that it was adjusted properly and then reached for the reins. Her hand paused in mid-air, however, as she heard the sounds of screaming coming from further down the street. Turning in that direction, she stepped forward slightly as she tried to see what was going on. She heard the danger, however, several second before she actually saw what was happening. "Raiders!" she growled angrily, as she began running in the direction of the sound of pounding hooves and barbaric shouts.

It didn't take long for the soldiers to advance into the middle of town. They were a small "army" numbering only about two dozen men. They were more than enough, however, to subdue a town the size of Baraliam, which was filled with villagers who knew nothing of the art of warfare. They were not enough, however, to subdue a town that also contained the Warrior Princess and the Amazon Bard.

Sweeping through the soldiers, Xena managed to knock several of them unconscious, before she finally reached the leader. Leaping upwards, she tackled him from his horse, driving him to the ground. Rolling to her feet, she quickly drew her sword and parried his clumsy thrusts, grinning widely at the frustration on his face, as he tried to find an opening. Xena toyed with him for a little while, enjoying his growing anger as she continued to taunt him, before finally slamming the hilt of her sword hard across his face, knocking him to the ground in a lifeless heap.

Looking around, she saw that Gabrielle was having no problems with the soldiers she was fighting; none of them seemed to have the skills necessary to threaten truly competent opponents. Reassured that her friend was in no need of her help, Xena scanned the rest of the village. The majority of the soldiers who were still standing had already begun a hasty retreat. A few, though, were still fighting, and it was these men that Xena focused her attention on. She saw that two different people, at opposite ends of the village, were in need of help. Grabbing her chakram, she sent it arcing through the air to strike the helm of a soldier who was chasing a young woman, knocking him backwards off his horse. As he lay motionless on the ground, Xena's chakram returned to her hand and she ran in the opposite direction to where a soldier was standing over an older woman.

Flipping through the air and screaming her battle cry, she landed next to the soldier and backhanded him hard, knocking him away from the woman. Shaking her head as the fool came at her with his sword, she easily parried his attack and then disarmed him. He stared at his empty hands for a few seconds, before drawing a dagger and coming at her one last time. Dropping her sword, Xena reached out and caught his arm, twisting it around behind him and causing him to gasp in pain as he dropped the dagger from nerveless fingers. Reaching up with her other hand, she pressed her fingers hard against his neck, rendering him unconscious. "Sometimes it's just easier to do it that way," she muttered with a wry grin.

Seeing that the battle was all but over, Xena focused her attention on the older woman lying on the ground beside her. "Are you all right," she asked, as she knelt beside the woman she had just saved.

The woman carefully picked herself up, leaning against Xena as she did so. "Yes I'm fine. Thank you," she said with a smile.

Xena quickly looked around to find Gabrielle, sighing in relief when she saw the young woman helping someone else who had been injured, before turning back to the woman at her side. Xena returned the smile and then noticed that the woman's arm was bleeding. "Your arm is hurt. Let me take a look at that for you," she said, as she moved closer to examine the wound.

The woman turned to watch as Xena looked at her arm. "So, who do I have to thank for saving my life?" she asked.

"My name is Xena," she answered after a momentary hesitation.

"Xena. I like it. It has a good sound to it," the woman replied. "I'm Ishalia," she said pleasantly.

"It's good to meet you Ishalia, although it would have been nice to have met under better circumstances," Xena said with a wry smile. "Okay, I need to clean this up and it could use some stitches too," Xena told her as she rose, intending to find Argo.

"Xena, are you okay?"

Xena smiled when she felt Gabrielle's hand on her back and turned to find that the bard had reached her side. "I'm fine Gabrielle, but I need to find Argo and get our saddlebags."

"I'll find her for you," Gabrielle replied. "Anything else?"

"Just find out if anyone else was hurt and needs help."

Gabrielle nodded. "Okay...I'll be right back," she said before hurrying off.

"Is your friend a warrior too?" Ishalia asked curiously.

Xena turned to watch Gabrielle walk away, her voice softening slightly as she answered the woman's question. "No, Gabrielle is a bard," she replied, before turning back to face Ishalia. "And if you're not careful, you'll find that out for yourself," she said with a grin.

Ishalia smiled. "I look forward to it," she said sincerely. "I don't have anything handy to use for stitching this up, but that bucket over there has clean water if you want to get started cleaning this," she said, nodding towards the cut on her arm.

"All right...I could use a clean cloth though," Xena said as she looked around.

Ishalia shrugged. "This dress is old but it's clean. Just rip a strip off the bottom."

Xena chuckled. "Okay," she said and then leaned down and complied with Ishalia's instructions. Taking the cloth over to the bucket to wet it, she quickly returned and began cleaning the dirt and debris from the wound. By the time she had finished, Gabrielle had returned with the saddlebag she knew Xena wanted. "Anyone else hurt?" Xena asked her.

"From what I saw, it appears there were no major injuries, but I'll check again," Gabrielle replied.

Xena nodded as she dug through the bag, searching for her needle and thread. "Let me know if there's anything serious. I'll be there to help as soon as I finish here."

As Gabrielle turned to leave, Ishalia quickly spoke up. "Are you planning on introducing me to your friend Xena, or did you think we had already met?"

To Gabrielle's astonishment, Xena turned bright red. "I'm sorry. Ishalia, this is my friend Gabrielle. Gabrielle, this is Ishalia."

Gabrielle studied Ishalia briefly. She was an older woman, probably in her mid-fifties, who appeared to have a permanent smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. Extending her hand to the woman, Gabrielle smiled warmly. "I'm glad to meet you Ishalia," she said.

"You too Gabrielle. Xena tells me you're a bard," she said, wincing slightly as Xena began stitching up her arm. "I'd like to hear some of your stories before you leave."

"I'd be happy to, although I don't know how long we're going to be here," she replied, looking at Xena curiously for a moment. "Well I guess I'd better go see if anyone else needs help," she said, glancing down again at Xena before walking away.

Xena sewed Ishalia's arm up with quick, efficient movements, wanting to spare the older woman any additional pain. Finishing with her task, she rocked back on her heels with a smile. "There. That should take care of it," she told her patient, as she reached into the bag for a bandage and began wrapping the woman's arm. "Make certain you keep this clean. Later I'll give you something to put on it to help speed the healing process."

Ishalia nodded as she watched Xena finish with her arm. "What did Gabrielle mean about not knowing how much longer you'll be here?" she asked curiously. "You aren't planning on leaving already are you?"

Xena chuckled. "We were literally on our way out of town when the raiders attacked. We're just passing through. We'll be on our way again as soon as I make certain that everyone is all right."

"Where are you headed?"

Xena hesitated again. "Amazon country," she finally replied, not certain what the woman's reaction to that information would be.

To her surprise, Ishalia smiled slightly. "Ahh, I should have guessed. That would be Queen Melosa's village...no wait, that's wrong," she immediately corrected herself. "Melosa is no longer the queen. I don't remember the new queen's name, although I do remember hearing it was a rather complicated situation."

Xena looked at her in astonishment. "How do you know about Melosa?"

Ishalia shrugged. "The Amazons sometimes come here to trade. We're on good terms with them. Not allies, but we're certainly not enemies. So, are you and Gabrielle traveling that way for some particular reason or just to visit?"

"Just to visit," Xena replied. "We have several friends there," she continued, knowing that it would be too difficult to explain the entire situation.

"Well then, since you don't have to get there by any specific time, why don't you stay here for the rest of the day?" Seeing Xena getting ready to protest, she hurriedly continued. "It's going to be quite awhile before you'll be ready to leave anyway. You might as well stay here for the night. Please. You'll be my guests. A home cooked meal and a clean bed are the least I can offer after you saved my life," she finished, smiling warmly at the warrior kneeling in front of her.

Xena considered the offer. Ishalia was right, they weren't in any real hurry to reach the Amazons and they weren't going to get much further today anyway. Surprised that she would even be considering such an offer, when normally she would have refused immediately, Xena studied Ishalia briefly. Despite herself, Xena found she was drawn to this woman she had just met and she realized that she honestly wanted to accept her invitation. "Okay," she finally agreed. "We'll stay for the night." Xena rose to stand, before reaching down to help Ishalia stand as well. "But at the moment I think I'd better go help Gabrielle."

Ishalia nodded, a delighted smile on her face. "All right. That's my house over there," she said pointing to her left. "Just come by whenever you get done," she finished, as Xena nodded and left to find her young friend.

"That was fantastic," Gabrielle told Ishalia enthusiastically. "I don't remember the last time we had a meal that good," she said, as she pushed herself away from the table.

"I'm glad you liked it," Ishalia replied with a smile.

"Oh, she did. Normally Gabrielle only has two huge bowls of stew. Three bowls is unusual, even for her," Xena said dryly. "Here Ishalia, let me help you with that," the warrior said, as she watched the woman reach to pick up the large pot that contained the leftover stew.

"That's all right Xena. You two just go into the other room and relax. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Nodding, Xena silently agreed, before following Gabrielle into the other room. Seeing the inquisitive expression on Gabrielle's face, Xena narrowed her eyes. "What?" she demanded.

"Nothing...I was just thinking about something," Gabrielle said with a bemused grin, before sitting down in the middle of a long couch.

Shrugging her shoulders, knowing that Gabrielle would tell her if it was something important, or even if it was something insignificant for that matter, Xena sat next to her on the couch as they waited for Ishalia. After a few moments the woman joined them, moving to an overstuffed chair that faced the couch. They chatted for several minutes, Ishalia asking them about their lives and their travels, before she finally looked at the pair curiously. "So how did you two end up traveling together in the first place?"

Xena grinned. "Well, that was my fault. She showed up at my camp one night and I made the mistake of feeding her." Xena shook her head ruefully. "I should've known better. Everyone knows you can never get rid of a stray once you've fed it."

Ishalia laughed while Gabrielle glared at her friend in mock anger. "A stray?" the bard finally asked.

"Oh, I'm not complaining," Xena reassured her, as she placed her hand on the young woman's shoulder. "After all, everyone also knows there's nothing more loyal than a stray who's finally found a home," she finished, struggling to keep a serious expression on her face.

Despite her best intentions, Gabrielle smiled back at her friend, hearing the truth behind Xena's teasing words. "Well, even a stray can recognize a good thing when she sees it," she said, covering Xena's hand with her own. Looking into her lover's eyes, she forced herself to resist the impulse to lean in for a kiss. Reminding herself sternly that they weren't alone, she dropped her gaze and turned back to face Ishalia.

Ishalia regarded the two women with a small smile before focusing her attention on Gabrielle. "Well Gabrielle, since you're no longer a stray, I guess I don't have to worry about you adopting me. But since I did feed you, does this mean I can get you to tell some of your stories?" she asked, as she settled back further into her chair.

Xena chuckled. "You didn't have to feed her for that...all you had to do was stand still long enough for her to get started," she said, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

Deliberately ignoring her friend, Gabrielle smiled at Ishalia. "Sure, would you like to hear something in particular?"

Ishalia shook her head. "No, anything at all will be fine."

"Gabrielle...."

"I know, I know," Gabrielle interrupted, turning to look at Xena. "No stories about you." Smiling when she saw the look of relief on Xena's face, Gabrielle thought for a few moments about the best story to begin with. Eventually settling on one, she launched into her tale. As she finished, both Xena and Ishalia encouraged her to tell another and then another. Finally, after her fourth story, the young bard was beginning to grow tired as the events of the day began to take their toll. Seeing her friend growing sleepy, Xena began asking Ishalia about her village, allowing Gabrielle the opportunity to relax. She wasn't surprised when Gabrielle soon fell asleep, the bard's head resting against her shoulder. She hesitated momentarily before carefully shifting to draw Gabrielle partially into her arms, allowing the young woman to rest against her more comfortably, and smiling slightly when Gabrielle burrowed into her embrace. Holding Gabrielle tightly, Xena continued to listen to Ishalia for quite some time, occasionally asking questions as the woman told her about her life.

Ishalia finished talking and the two sat together, quietly enjoying the silence. Xena turned her gaze to Gabrielle, lightly stroking her hair as the young woman slept in her arms. "You love her very much, don't you?" Ishalia asked, a gentle smile on her face.

Xena looked up carefully, knowing she had let too much show through, but she had been unable to stop herself. Something about this woman and this evening had caused her to let down her guard. "Yes, I do," she finally answered quietly. "Is that going to be a problem for you?"

Ishalia laughed. "Why would it be a problem? Love is love. Who cares what body you're wearing when you finally find it? Actually, it simplifies things. I was a little concerned since there was only the one bed in the spare room. Obviously that won't be a problem."

Xena smiled slightly. "No...It won't be a problem."

"So," Ishalia said as she changed the subject. "You're planning on leaving tomorrow?"

Xena nodded. "Probably in the morning; whenever Gabrielle manages to wake up."

Ishalia cocked her head to the side as she studied the warrior. "I don't suppose I'd be able to convince you to stay another day, would I?"

Xena looked at her in surprise. "Another day?"

"Of course. I haven't had visitors like you and your friend in ages. It's been nice to have someone to fuss over again."

Xena chuckled. "I doubt you're at a loss for company Ishalia."

Ishalia smiled at her. "No you're right. But all my other friends already know all my stories, and I know theirs. You and Gabrielle are a unique find."

"I don't know," Xena hedged. "We were wanting to get to the Amazon village fairly soon."

"One more day won't make any difference now, will it? Besides, if you leave, how will you know if my arm is healing properly?" she asked with a sly grin.

Xena raised her hands in mock surrender. "All right. You win. We'll stay one more day," she agreed, amazed at just how much she actually wanted to stay for a little while longer. "But for now, I think I'd better get my little bard to bed," she said with a smile. Standing up, she lifted Gabrielle easily into her arms. "We'll see you tomorrow," she told the woman before carrying Gabrielle to their bedroom.

Gabrielle woke the next morning to an empty bed. She stretched languorously before rolling over again and trying to decide whether she should attempt to go back to sleep. Finally deciding that she might as well get up, she sighed and got out of bed, stretching once again for good measure before leaving in search of Xena.

"Ishalia, I'll go get the water for you," she heard Xena offer as she approached the kitchen.

"No no. I can handle it. You're the guest here so just stay put," Ishalia informed the warrior sternly.

By the time Gabrielle reached the kitchen, Ishalia was gone. Seeing Xena leaning against a table, wearing her leathers but no armor or weapons, Gabrielle smiled and approached her. "Morning," she said huskily, as she slipped into the warrior's arms to kiss her.

"Morning," Xena replied softly, holding the bard tightly. "Sleep well?"

"Mmmhmm," Gabrielle murmured, as she held her lover close, resting her head against Xena's chest. "So," she said after a few silent moments. "When do you want to leave?"

"Well actually...I told Ishalia we would stay for one more day," Xena said hesitantly.

Gabrielle pulled away from her slightly to look up into her lover's face. With a puzzled expression and a somewhat bemused smile, she studied the warrior for several seconds. "Xena...just what is it with you and this woman?" she finally asked.

"What do you mean?" Xena asked guardedly.

"I mean that you've been acting funny ever since you met her. I mean, you offered to help clear the dishes last night, and just now you offered to go fetch water. And I heard you doing the same thing countless other times yesterday, offering to help with this or that. It's just not like you."

"So you're saying I'm rude?" Xena said, arching an eyebrow.

"Oh no," Gabrielle said with a wide grin. "I'm just saying you hate doing chores," she finished diplomatically, trying not to laugh. "Seriously though, I've never seen you act so polite and respectful to someone you've just met," she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And I don't remember the last time I saw you blush the way you did yesterday when she chided you on your bad manners for not introducing the two of us."

Xena smiled ruefully. "I know. And you're right. I guess it's just that she reminds me of someone I used to know back in Amphipolis." Seeing Gabrielle's curious expression, the warrior reluctantly continued. "There was a woman there...a widow. Her name was Riash. She didn't have any kids, so she sort of adopted all of us as her own and we all adored her. All she had to do was say the word and we were falling all over ourselves to do whatever she asked of us."

"Even you?" Gabrielle asked with a smile.

"Especially me," Xena replied, chuckling softly.

"What was she like?"

"Riash? Riash was the kindest, sweetest woman you could ever hope to meet. One of those people that you just want to be around because they do everything they can to make you feel good about yourself. She never told me I was wrong to want to learn how to use a sword or fight. She always accepted me just as I was." Xena grinned as thoughts of Riash filled her head. "Of course, that didn't stop her from trying to instill a certain amount of discipline in me as well. Roughhousing was all well and good, but not inside her home. And no weapons either. I made the mistake of carrying my sword into Riash's house one time, and it was the last time I ever tried that again. Inside her home I was expected to be well-behaved and well-mannered...and it was probably the only time back then that I ever was."

"The only time 'back then'?" Gabrielle asked, a broad grin covering her face.

Xena smiled ruefully. "Okay...probably the only time in my entire life that I was well-behaved and well-mannered." Xena paused, as she continued to think about the woman from her past. "Riash was...well she wasn't really a mother or even a grandmother. When I was unhappy I went to Riash and with a word or a gesture she could make all the pain go away. And when I had good news to share, it was Riash I wanted to tell first. She was my confidant, my protector...my friend."

Seeing Xena's far away expression, Gabrielle hesitated for a moment before gently asking, "She was?"

Xena nodded as she closed her eyes. "Riash died a long time ago."

"Cortese?" Gabrielle asked softly, naming the warlord who had attacked Xena's village so long ago, setting her on the path of darkness that she had followed for years to come.

"Yes, Cortese. It always seems to come back to him, doesn't it?" Xena asked in a strained voice. Shuddering slightly as she felt Gabrielle's arms tighten around her, Xena pulled the young woman closer, losing herself in her lover's embrace. Finally regaining control, she began to speak again, her voice slightly unsteady. "Riash was killed by one of Cortese's men. It happened right in front of me, but I couldn't get to her in time to save her. I tried...the gods know I tried...but I was too far away. I was too slow and helpless to do anything but watch as he drove his sword into her and then laughed as her blood spilt onto the ground. I finally managed to reach her side but there was nothing I could do. She died in my arms. I don't think she even knew it was me holding her," Xena finished, her voice cracking despite her best efforts to remain in control of her emotions.

Gabrielle leaned back slightly to gaze up at her lover. Her heart constricted painfully, when she saw the sorrow in Xena's eyes. Reaching up, she brushed away the tear that was making its way down Xena's cheek before hugging her friend tightly once again. "You must have really loved her," she said quietly.

Xena hesitated for several moments before speaking. "Yeah, I did," she finally admitted. "She was the one person other than the members of my family that truly cared about me, and that I truly cared about as well. I loved her, and I would have done anything for her."

Taking a deep breath, Xena forcefully banished the painful memories of the past. "Ishalia is so much like Riash. She even looks a lot like her. I guess I just want to spend a little more time with her," she admitted quietly.

Gabrielle smiled. "Well I'm definitely not complaining. I haven't seen 'the warrior' make even one appearance while we've been in Ishalia's home."

"'The warrior'?"

"Yeah, you know. The big tough warrior image you always put on whenever there are other people around," Gabrielle said with an impish grin. "The one who I can't put my arms around and lean against. The one whose shoulder I can't fall asleep on."

"Gabrielle, I...."

Gabrielle quickly put her hand over Xena's lips to stop her. "It's all right. I know why you feel that you have to do it. But just because I understand it doesn't mean that I have to like it," she said. "Xena, we can stay here as long as you want. The Amazons aren't going anywhere."

Hearing Ishalia returning, Gabrielle reluctantly moved out of Xena's embrace. "Too little, too late, I'm afraid," Xena said wryly. "We blew any chance of keeping our relationship a secret from Ishalia last night," she said, as she reached out and caught Gabrielle's hand, drawing her back to keep her close. "She already knows all about us."

"And you're okay with that?" Gabrielle asked, wanting to be sure.

"And I'm okay with that. I don't think I need to be 'the warrior' in front of her," Xena said with a small smile.

"Gabrielle," Ishalia exclaimed happily as she entered the kitchen. "I was just talking about you."

"Oh?" Gabrielle replied, smiling as she watched Xena move to help the woman with her bucket.

"Yes. I saw the wife of the innkeeper, Fellia, while I was getting water and I mentioned that one of my guests was a bard, and a good one at that. She said to tell you they'd love to have you visit their tavern if you could. She assured me they could work something out to pay you for your time."

Gabrielle considered the offer. "Sure," she said after a few seconds. "Sounds good. It's been awhile since I had an audience of more than one or two for my stories. And maybe I could even tell a few of my 'forbidden tales' if you would agree to keep Xena busy for me," she said with a wide grin.

"'Forbidden tales?'"

Gabrielle laughed when she saw Xena roll her eyes. "Yes, you see, the big, brave warrior you see standing before you gets easily embarrassed whenever I tell stories about her. So I have to tell them in secret."

"Ahh, well I'm sure that any stories, forbidden or otherwise, would be welcome," Ishalia replied. "But I'll do my best to keep Xena distracted for you."

"Good, now if I could just get some breakfast, I'll get out of your hair and go find out what kind of arrangement I can make with Fellia."

Xena spent the rest of the day in Ishalia's company, taking a tour of the town, meeting various people and, despite the woman's protests, helping her with her chores. Late in the afternoon the two finally settled down in Ishalia's living room to relax. Ishalia told Xena more about her husband who had been a master craftsman. She showed Xena several of the items that he had made, before finally reaching what was obviously the one that meant the most to her. Taking a small lyre down from a shelf, she lovingly ran her hands over it, as she carried it to the warrior so that she could examine the piece.

Xena took the instrument carefully, amazed by its beauty. "It's incredible," she finally said. "Did he do all the carvings on it as well?"

"Yes he did," Ishalia said with a look of obvious pride. "He made this for me on our 20th wedding anniversary. It was probably the best work he ever did."

"I don't doubt it," Xena said sincerely, as she carefully traced the carvings on the lyre with her fingertips.

"Do you play?" Ishalia asked curiously.

"No," Xena replied with a chuckle. "I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to musical instruments like this. But you must," she said, as she handed the lyre back to Ishalia. "I'd love to hear you play something."

"It's been quite awhile since I've played for anyone else," the woman protested. "I wouldn't even know what to choose."

Xena shrugged. "Anything at all. Please?" she asked with a smile.

"All right...let me think for a second," Ishalia said as she began stretching her fingers to loosen them up. Finally, she smiled as she reached a decision and, moving to get comfortable, she began to play.

Xena smiled and sat back in her chair to listen to the music. Ishalia, despite her protests, was actually quite good, and Xena was enjoying herself thoroughly. All too soon the music ended, and Xena smiled broadly in appreciation. "That was wonderful," she said sincerely. "How about another?"

Ishalia cocked her head curiously at the warrior. "You don't play...but do you sing?" she asked.

Instantly, Xena's expression became more guarded. "Why?"

"I noticed you humming while I was playing. It was quite lovely. I'm guessing that you must sing equally as well."

"I sing a little," Xena admitted. "Mainly just for myself."

"Ahh...well why don't you sing while I play then? After all, I mainly play the lyre just for myself. It will make a good match," she said with a glint in her eyes.

"No...it's been a long time since I sang for anyone other than myself...I wouldn't even know what to sing," Xena protested weakly.

"Sounds familiar," Ishalia said with a grin. "Look Xena. If you really don't want to sing, I won't make you. I just thought it would be nice. I don't often get to play for an audience as appreciative as you. I just thought it would be fun to have you join in with me. If you want to sing, then just pick something and I'll follow along."

"Okay, okay. Let me think," Xena agreed. Finally, recalling a song that had been one of her favorites when she was younger, she hesitantly began to sing, her voice growing stronger and more confident as she saw Ishalia smile and join in. Feeling more at ease, she began to relax and enjoy herself, smiling as the small home was filled with music.

Gabrielle was in exceptional spirits as she wandered through the village towards Ishalia's house. The patrons at the tavern had been well behaved and they had loved her stories - an excellent combination. Her pouch was filled with dinars and she was on her way to what promised to be an excellent meal. It had turned out to be a great day.

As she approached Ishalia's home, she heard the sound of singing coming from inside. Drawing closer, she was astonished when she realized that it was Xena's voice that she was hearing. Gabrielle had heard Xena humming on numerous occasions, but actual singing was a rarity for the warrior. She remembered Xena telling her once that she only sang when she was "moved" or when there was "something behind it". Apparently, Ishalia had managed to touch something deep and personal within her warrior friend.

Moving forward, Gabrielle carefully opened the door to Ishalia's house and stepped inside. She stood quietly, transfixed by the scene before her, as she watched Ishalia play the lyre while Xena sang. The song was unfamiliar to Gabrielle, but there was a haunting beauty to it that drew her in and kept her spellbound. She remained silent and motionless for several seconds after the song had ended, before finally moving all the way into the room where Ishalia and Xena were sitting. "And I thought I was the performer," she said softly.

The two women looked up in surprise when Gabrielle spoke. Ishalia laughed as she rose and placed the lyre back on a shelf. "Don't worry Gabrielle. My playing is mainly the result of the quality of my instrument, not my skill. And I had to work hard to get Xena to sing even one song, so I don't think you have to be concerned about too much competition from her either."

Gabrielle smiled and nodded, turning her attention from Ishalia to Xena, who was sitting quietly, intently studying the chair she was sitting in. "Well that's reassuring. I'd hate to be out of a job," Gabrielle said with a smile.

"Are you hungry? Dinner should be about ready."

Gabrielle reluctantly turned her gaze from the Warrior Princess to the older woman. "I'm famished. I've been looking forward to your cooking all day," Gabrielle replied, as she watched Ishalia walk into the kitchen to check on the meal.

Turning to study her friend again, Gabrielle moved closer to sit on the table in front of her. "That was beautiful," she finally said softly.

"Yeah, Ishalia plays well," Xena agreed, deliberately misunderstanding Gabrielle's words.

"Yes she does. But that wasn't what I was talking about and you know it," Gabrielle said, as she reached out to gently stroke Xena's cheek, smiling when the warrior turned her face into her hand to press her lips against the bard's palm. She continued to study her friend for several more seconds before speaking again. "Did Riash play the lyre?" she asked quietly.

Xena chuckled and shook her head in wonder. "Yes she did," she replied softly. "And yes," she continued, seeing the unspoken question in Gabrielle's eyes. "I used to sing while she played."

Gabrielle smiled. "I'm not sure how I'm going to manage it, but somehow I've got to figure out a way to inspire you to sing more often," she said, as she stood and then reached down to help Xena rise as well.

Xena smiled and looked down at her lover. "You already do Gabrielle...It wasn't Riash that I was thinking about while I was singing, it was you," she said softly, before leaning down to kiss the young woman and then leading her into the kitchen to join Ishalia.

[spikebit]

tagged by @sykoyo !!! ty for tagging meee :3

nickname: jules, jb, jellybean

sign: virgo

height: 5'6"

last google search: loial ogier (started wheel of time book 2, wanted to see if i was right in picturing loial as basically a cow-man / watered down wow tauren. i was)

song stuck in head: metroid prime intro...

number of followers: a secret :3

amount of sleep: usually about 8-9 hours

lucky number: 13, 6

what are you wearing: leggings + black t-shirt from my fav (closed) nightclub

fav media: pokemon maybe

fav song: rn it's abby by little tybee

fav instrument: guitar... she is so versatile!!

aesthetic: somewhere between dingy computer basements and rgb neon eyesore. wrt to personal style + dress i'm pretty comfy, i like dark colours, denims, and faded grey blues. always looking for that sweet spot of stylish + comfy.

fav author: i've been reading a lot of fantasy lately but honestly don't know if i could pick like, a fav of all time.

fav animal noise: robin song on a summer evening... (❁´◡`❁) or maybe my dog's various grumps and grunts!

random: i think a new phase of "relatable" corporate marketing that we'll see soon will be brutal honesty + disaffected cynicism, along the lines of oil companies saying outright in their recruitment ads "yeah we're killing the planet, but we'll pay you enough to offset the impact on your life. join our team today!" or ads saying shit like "it doesn't matter what we do, you still need to buy new clothes every month"

tagging: @buriedwithoutceremony @palealebby @napworthysunbeam + anyone else who sees this!!

[csh-tournament]

Tournament Recap: Round 2

Looks like Face to Face's "undefeated" status was pretty short-lived as Stop Smoking (We Love You), Nervous Young Inhumans, and My Boy (Twin Fantasy) have been eliminated. As well as what is probably CSH's most popular song, Sober to Death, who was the victim of the craziest, most unexpected upset we've seen so far, being beaten by portrait of the artist (the last track from the Numbered Albums still standing)! I was pretty confident in my prediction that Sober to Death would be the one win the whole tournament, so to see it lose in Round 2 against a song off of 3 was genuinely very shocking.

*More detailed stuff under the cut*

1 [0/16 (0%) Remaining]

tybee island horse ghosts (Eliminated in Group Stage)

good sunday (Eliminated in Group Stage)

big jacket (Eliminated in Round 1 by My Boy (Twin Fantasy (2018))

Cesare the somnambulist (Eliminated in Group Stage)

happy/ugly (Eliminated in Group Stage)

David Lynch versus the moon (Eliminated in Group Stage)

his shiny customers (Eliminated in Group Stage)

up all night (Eliminated in Group Stage)

inside the bell jar (Eliminated in Group Stage)

july new hey (Eliminated in Group Stage)

kid war (Eliminated in Round 1 by portrait of the artist as a young fag)

you have to go to college (Eliminated in Group Stage)

yes bulletin (Eliminated in Group Stage)

mortgages for veterans (Eliminated in Group Stage)

my dad just passed out (Eliminated in Group Stage)

what does OUJ stand for (Eliminated in Round 1 by America (Never Been))

2 [0/13 (0%) Remaining]

smokezone (Eliminated in Group Stage)

this one time I went to a coffee house because some guy I knew was playing and I just sat there for an hour and didn't talk to anyone and then I came home and wrote this song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

we are in space (Eliminated in Group Stage)

it's you, you're the asshole who made this (Eliminated in Group Stage)

shoelaces (Eliminated in Group Stage)

act suspicious (Eliminated in Group Stage)

reversible jacket (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the majestic hotel (Eliminated in Group Stage)

90 (Eliminated in Group Stage)

fiction I (Eliminated in Group Stage)

hanging out with my mom in women's apparel (Eliminated in Group Stage)

...then it will be exactly the same as earth (Eliminated in Group Stage)

will you please pass the milk, please? (Eliminated in Round 1 by Famous Prophets (Minds))

3 [1/13 (~8%) Remaining]

no starving (Eliminated in Group Stage)

portrait of the artist as a young fag

beach weak (Eliminated in Round 1 by Nervous Young Inhumans (2011))

foreign song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

psst, teenagers, take off your clo (Eliminated in Round 1 by High To Death (2011))

sun hot (Eliminated in Group Stage)

beach fagz (Eliminated in Round 2 by Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (Album Version))

summer bummer (Eliminated in Group Stage)

ryan north by northwest (Eliminated in Group Stage)

beach drugs (Eliminated in Group Stage)

beach death (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sleeping With Strangers)

beach funeral (Eliminated in Round 1 by Bodys (2018))

oh! starving (Eliminated in Round 1 by We Can't Afford (Your Depression Anymore))

4 [0/9 (0%) Remaining]

a good bridge to never cross until there's no doubt that he's dead (Eliminated in Round 1 by Famous Prophets (Stars))

who even knows (Eliminated in Group Stage)

even the who knows (Eliminated in Group Stage)

not "kidding" around (Eliminated in Group Stage)

heartless dick (Eliminated in Group Stage)

dickless heart (Eliminated in Group Stage)

feel like daniel johnston (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the ghost of bob saget (Eliminated in Round 1 by Beach Life-In-Death (2018))

around (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Little Pieces Of Paper With "No" Written On Them [0/21 (0%) Remaining]

leave together (Eliminated in Group Stage)

I don't want you (Eliminated in Round 1 by Overexposed (Enjoy))

I am afraid of literally everything (Eliminated in Round 1 by The Ballad of the Costa Concordia)

100 minutes of solitude (Eliminated in Group Stage)

neon sign (Eliminated in Group Stage)

samson's golden axe (Eliminated in Group Stage)

I scream social (Eliminated in Group Stage)

wachovia receipts (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the singles song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

get better get well (Eliminated in Group Stage)

squid desert (Eliminated in Group Stage)

ff (Eliminated in Group Stage)

nothing (Eliminated in Round 1 by High to Death (2018))

surf jerk (Eliminated in Group Stage)

a pleasant sort of terror (Eliminated in Group Stage)

total burn (Eliminated in Group Stage)

when I'm here (Eliminated in Group Stage)

the staying song (Eliminated in Group Stage)

I CAN TALK WITH MY EYES SHUT (Eliminated in Round 1 by psst, teenagers, take off your clo (2015))

the vice president of google and et al (Eliminated in Group Stage)

hot sun (Eliminated in Group Stage)

My Back Is Killing Me Baby [2/11 (~18%) Remaining]

the drum (Eliminated in Round 1 by Unforgiving Girl (She's Not An))

happy news for sadness (Eliminated in Round 1 by Maud Gone (2012))

sunburned shirts (Eliminated in Round 1 by Maud Gone (2015))

stoop kid (Eliminated in Round 1 by Jerks)

something soon

no passion (Eliminated in Round 1 by Some Strange Angel)

father, flesh in rags (Eliminated in Round 1 by Oh! Starving (2012))

strangers (Eliminated in Round 1 by something soon (2011))

lawns (Eliminated in Group Stage)

p.o.w. (Eliminated in Round 1 by The Ending of Dramamine)

open-mouthed boy (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Twin Fantasy (Mirror to Mirror) [5/10 (50%) Remaining]

My Boy (Twin Fantasy) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Times to Die (2015))

Beach Life-In-Death

Stop Smoking (Eliminated in Round 1 by Hollywood)

Sober To Death

Nervous Young Inhumans

Bodys (Eliminated in Round 2 by Cosmic Hero)

Cute Thing (Eliminated in Round 1 by Beast Monster Thing)

High To Death

Famous Prophets (Minds)

Twin Fantasy (Those Boys) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Hey, Space Cadet)

Monomania [3/9 (~33%) Remaining]

Romantic Theory (Eliminated in Round 2 by I Want You To Know That I'm Awake/i Hope That You're Asleep)

Misheard Lyrics (Eliminated in Round 1 by Twin Fantasy (Those Boys) (2011))

Times To Die (Eliminated in Round 2 by Destroyed By Hippie Powers)

Overexposed (Enjoy)

Los Borrachos (I Don’t Have Any Hope Left, But The Weather Is Nice) (Eliminated in Round 2 by High To Death (2011))

Souls (Eliminated in Round 1 by The Gun Song)

Maud Gone

Sleeping With Strangers (Eliminated in Round 2 by Overexposed)

Anchorite (Love You Very Much)

Starving While Living [0/5 (0%) Remaining]

It's Only Sex (Eliminated in Round 2 by Nervous Young Inhumans (2011))

Reuse The Cels (Eliminated in Round 1 by Boxing Day)

I Hate Living (Eliminated in Round 1 by Romantic Theory)

Devil Moon (Eliminated in Round 1 by Cute Thing (2018))

Oh! Starving (Eliminated in Round 2 by The Ballad of the Costa Concordia)

Nervous Young Man [3/20 (15%) Remaining]

Boxing Day (Eliminated in Round 2 by Sober To Death (2011))

We Can't Afford (Your Depression Anymore)

Don't Remind Me (Eliminated in Round 1 by Los Borrachos (2012))

Homes (Eliminated in Round 1 by Knife In The Coffee)

Afterglow (Eliminated in Round 1 by Something Soon (2015))

Jerks (Eliminated in Round 2 by Famous Prophets (Stars))

Broken Birds (Rest In Pieces) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Twin Fantasy (Those Boys) (2018))

The Gun Song

Goodbye Love (Eliminated in Round 1 by There Must Be More Than Blood)

I Can Play The Piano (Eliminated in Round 1 by Stop Smoking (We Love You))

Crows (Rest In Bigger Pieces Mix) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Los Borrachos (2015))

I Wanna Sweat (Eliminated in Round 2 by Kimochi Warui)

Burning Man (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sinner)

Dreams Fall Hard (Eliminated in Round 1 by Nervous Young Inhumans (2011))

Plane Crash Blues (I Can't Play The Piano)

Big Jacket (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Death At The Movies (Eliminated in Round 1 by Fill In The Blank)

Jus' Tired (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sober To Death (2011))

Some Strange Angel (Eliminated in Round 2 by Sinner)

Knife In The Coffee (Eliminated in Round 2 by Anchorite)

Disjecta Membra [1/17 (~6%) Remaining]

Endpiece (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Please Mr Pilot (Eliminated in Round 1 by I Wanna Sweat)

2:24 (Eliminated in Group Stage)

The Hard Part (Eliminated in Round 1 by Bodys (2011))

Sound Man/Low Fidelity (Eliminated in Round 1 by Hey, Space Cadet)

Napoleon (March On Russia) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Drunk On A Work Night (Eliminated in Round 1 by Broken Birds (Rest In Pieces))

Love Me Too Much (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Dream: Encounter On Smoke Mountain (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Sinner

When Will My Man Come? (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Hi Life (Eliminated in Group Stage)

AC (Eliminated in Group Stage)

If Not, Then Oh Well (Eliminated in Round 1 by Destroyed By Hippe Powers)

Memories (Leonard Cohen Cover) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

KS (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Unfinished: Pain Star (If Heaven is full of people...) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (Album Version))

How To Leave Town [4/9 (~45%) Remaining]

The Ending of Dramamine

Beast Monster Thing (Love Isn't Love Enough) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Maud Gone (2012))

Kimochi Warui (When? When? When? When? When? When? When?)

I-94 W (832 mi) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

You're In Love With Me (Eliminated in Round 1 by Plane Crash Blues)

America (Never Been) (Eliminated in Round 2 by High To Death (2018))

I Want You To Know That I'm Awake/i Hope That You're Asleep

is this dust really from the Titanic? (Eliminated in Round 1 by Beach Life-In-Death (2011))

Hey, Space Cadet (Beast Monster Thing In Space)

Teens of Style [1/11 (~9%) Remaining]

Sunburned Shirts (Eliminated in Group Stage)

The Drum (Eliminated in Round 1 by It's Only Sex)

Something Soon

No Passion (Eliminated in Round 1 by Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (Single Version))

Times to Die (Eliminated in Round 2 bt Something Soon (2015)

psst, teenagers, take off your clo (Eliminated in Round 2 by The Ending of Dramamine)

Strangers (Eliminated in Round 1 by Drugs With Friends)

Maud Gone (Eliminated in Round 2 by Fill In The Blank)

Los Borrachos (I Don't Have Any Hope Left, But the Weather is Nice) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Beach Life-In-Death (2011))

Bad Role Models, Old Idols Exhumed (psst, teenagers, put your clothes back o) (Eliminated in Round 1 by I Want You To Know That I'm Awake/i Hope That You're Asleep)

Oh! Starving (Eliminated in Round 1 by Life Worth Missing)

Teens of Denial [6/12 (50%) Remaining]

Fill In The Blank

Vincent

Destroyed By Hippie Powers

(Joe Gets Kicked Out of School for Using) Drugs With Friends (But Says This Isn't a Problem) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Cute Thing (2018))

Not What I Needed (Eliminated in Round 1 by Deadlines (Hostile))

Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales

1937 State Park (Eliminated in Round 2 by Beach Life-In-Death (2018))

Unforgiving Girl (She's Not An) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Vincent)

Cosmic Hero

The Ballad of the Costa Concordia

Connect the Dots (The Saga of Frank Sinatra) (Eliminated Round 1 by beach fagz)

Joe Goes to School (Eliminated in Round 1 by Vincent)

Twin Fantasy (Face to Face) [6/10 (60%) Remaining]

My Boy (Twin Fantasy) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Plane Crash Blues)

Beach Life-In-Death

Stop Smoking (We Love You) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Bodys (2018))

Sober to Death (Eliminated in Round 2 by portrait of the artist as a young fag)

Nervous Young Inhumans (Eliminated in Round 2 by The Gun Song)

Bodys

Cute Thing

High to Death

Famous Prophets (Stars)

Twin Fantasy (Those Boys)

Making a Door Less Open [1/11 (~9%) Remaining]

Weightlifters (Eliminated in Round 1 by Cosmic Hero)

Can't Cool Me Down (Eliminated in Round 1 by Sober to Death (2018))

Deadlines (Hostile)

Hollywood (Eliminated in Round 2 by Deadlines (Hostile))

Hymn (Remix) (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Martin (Eliminated in Round 1 by Anchorite)

Deadlines (Thoughtful) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Kimochi Warui)

What's With You Lately (Eliminated in Round 1 by Twin Fantasy (Those Boys) (2018))

Life Worth Missing (Eliminated in Round 2 by We Can't Afford (Your Depression Anymore))

There Must Be More Than Blood (Eliminated in Round 2 by something soon (2011))

Famous (Eliminated in Group Stage)

Other

Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (Single Version) (Eliminated in Round 2 by Famous Prophets (Stars))

Unforgiving Girl (She's Not A Single Version) (Eliminated in Round 1 by 1937 State Park)

War Is Coming (If You Want It) (Eliminated in Round 1 by Times To Die (2012))