#looking forward to doing selene's tomorrow

[aquadestinyswriting]

15 Questions 15 Mutuals- Meredith

Thanks to @writingamongther0ses and @mariahwritesstuff for the tags. This is the first one of these out of two. Placing the rest under a readmore because it's going to get long. Oh and I'm nicking the idea of an extra-planar interviewer from @blind-the-winds because that will help me warm up the writing muscles for later. I'm answering these as of current fiction.

This is an open tag for anyone that wants to take part, but I will be tagging the people I know will be interested in the following responses

Tags: @druidx, @blind-the-winds, @mariahwritesstuff, @odysseywritings

[Fangthane, Titan. It's the middle of the afternoon in a small interview room in the Inquisitorial Headquarters across the street from the Cathedral of Kherillim. High Inquisitor, Meredith Bloodvein, is sitting across from a dark, shifting figure calling themselves The Interviewer.]

Interviewer: I appreciate your setting aside time out of your day to humour me.

Meredith: Aye, well, ye're lucky I had some time available. Now hurry it up, I've no' got all day!

1. Are you named after anyone?

Not as far as I ken. I asked my da about it once, he said something about having a feeling about the name once I was born and mum went along with it.

2. When was the last time you cried?

That's... a good question actually. I think it was when Gavid first started speaking. Hearing yer child say 'mammy' for the first time is not something ye can be adequately prepared for y'ken?

3. Do you have kids?

I just mentioned that I had one, but I'll humour ye. Just the one so far. No idea how many I'll end up with in the end, could only be two or three or upwards of five. We'll see how Yoruk feels about it once things have settled down some more.

4. Do you use sarcasm?

It's pretty much a second language 'round these parts. My folks tried to cut down on it when they started having children. By the time I came along, they'd pretty much given up on the idea entirely. It doesn't help when folk that aren't dwarves think ye're constantly being sarcastic just because of the accent when ye're speaking in Common.

5. What's the first thing you notice about people?

*taps the side of her head* These days it's usually the aura, I can't exactly turn that off anymore, but I can choose to ignore it. Generally speaking, it's the body language. Ye can tell a lot about a person by the way they hold and conduct themselves and make a generalised judgement afore they even open their mouths.

6. What's your eye color?

Dark blue.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

*once the concept of a movie is explained* Oh, then it'll be the happy endings. I've seen a wee bit too much in my life to want any more horrific things in it, never mind watching it play out for entertainment. I'm not even into my first century yet and I've experienced enough trauma to last several human lifetimes.

8. Any special talents?

Aye, I'm a Shaper so I can manipulate actual Creation magic. Not that I do it very often because it's difficult to properly control and there's not much of it around on the material plane. up 'til now I've only used it in any serious manner twice, almost thrice.

9. Where were you born?

Fangthane born and raised. More specifically, my mum had to be rushed off to the Cathedral's infirmary rather than having a home birth as with my older siblings. Apparently I got bored and decided I wanted to see what the fuss about the world was about two months too early.

10. What are your hobbies?

I don't usually have a lot of time to spend on hobbies, but I eventually took up embroidery so I had something to do with my hands when I was forced onto maternity leave early *mutters* godsdamned bloody cultists.

11. Have you any pets?

Pets aren't really a thing here. A few folk keep bats and we sometimes get rangers with their animal companions passing through, but most dwarves don't bother with animals.

12. What sports do you play/have played?

Aside from a bit of kickball when I was a wee lass, I haven't had time for sports since I started training as an acolyte.

13. How tall are you?

*grumbles* 3 feet 11 inches. No idea how, both my folks and my grandparents were of average, dwarven height (which is between 4'5" and 4'9")

14. Favorite subject in school?

I loved the combat classes during my training. Ok, so the drill were exceedingly boring, but I enjoyed having the opportunity to move around and to beat the crap out of the folk that teased me for bein' such a short-arse. I also enjoyed the history lessons, though the fact that ye have to sit still meant that it wasn't my favourite at the time, but I appreciate what I learned. Especially since it put a lot of what happened in the lead up to Ragnarok into context.

15. Dream job?

I'm lucky enough to be doing it now. Well, I hadn't expected to make High Inquisitor quite this soon, but I was certainly enamoured with the role of Inquisitor at a fairly young age.

Interviewer: thank you, again, for your time High Inquisitor. Your responses have been most enlightening.

Meredith: Aye, well, as long as ye don't use what I telt ye to stir up trouble. I ken you extra-planar types don't usually intend to, but I've dealt with enough of ye to ken that you usually do anyway.

Interviewer: Oh, don't worry, I have other places to be for the moment anyway. Have a nice day.

[The Interviewer leaves, by way of a Teleport of some kind, leaving Meredith to huff a sigh and grumble about paperwork]

[georgiapeach30513]

Keys in Your Ignition, Part 28

Summary:  Cozette Selene Everett is welcomed to the world

Pairings:  Hayden Everett X Reader

Rating:  explicit

Warnings:  language, explicit sexual content, unprotected sex, PIV sex, daddy kink, breeding kink (?), labor, 18+ ONLY

Word Count:  3.1K

Previous

Series Masterlist

*dividers created by @firefly-graphics​

“And when you get here I am going to hold you all the time.  You’ve got those pretty lips like your mama, but where did those cheeks come from?  And…and Doodle, well, he’s going to follow you around.  He already follows your mom around so much more since you’ve been swimming in there.  And…and your Nini can’t stop crying whenever she talks about you, and Poppy said he’s going to hold you and all his grand babies, and…and���Cozy!  Cozy baby,” Hayden presses his mouth more on your stomach.  Talking on it like a child would talk through a closed window.

“Cozy baby, are you awake?  Kick my face!” Blowing raspberries on your stomach you start giggling.  Running your fingers through his hair, you wonder how you ever got to be so lucky to be married to this handsome dork.  “Doll, make my baby kick me.  Ah!  Look!  There her is.  That’s my baby,” his pretty eyes pout up at you.  “I want her to hurry up.  You’re past the due date.  It’s…oh!  My!  God!  Doll face, do you know what tomorrow is?  Like in two hours, tomorrow?”

“What day is it tomorrow, Haydes?”

“The Fourth of July.  Cozy!  You come out of there right now.  I want an all American baby!  Wait.  Google how to put you into labor.  Hold please, my beautiful baby Doll,” giving your belly a hard smooching kiss he sits up, looking through his phone.  

His smile gets real big, and then he lowers his gaze at you, “No.”

“Doll, it says it.  It says it right here that coming on the big fat cock of Hayden Everett is what makes you go into labor.”

“No, it does not!”

“Okay,” he rolls his eyes, lifting you from your sitting position, “It doesn’t say that, but it does say that sex works.  So, get on your knees, I’ll put a pillow under you, and let me fuck you into labor.  Come on.  Let’s go, get into position.”

You shake your head laughing uncontrollably, and hold your belly with both hands, “Why would you want to have sex with this?”

“Why would I…what?  Doll, you take that back right now!  That belly is housing our fishie!”

“Why are you calling her a fish?”

“Fine, our mermaid is swimming in that tank.  No!  Our crabby patty!  She is going to be a cancer crab.  Now, I love you.  You.  Not your body, but you.  And if I have to sacrifice a bit of jizz to help our daughter come out of there, I’ll do what I have to do.  Plus, I really think you’ll enjoy it.  So if you could please just let me take you on a bumpy ride, and have some fun, that would be great.  I want you, and I want our daughter out of there, so this is a win win situation in my book.”

You hold out your hands, “I’m not riding you.”

“I was going to hit it from behind.  It said to give it to you nice and hard.  Is this even remotely turning you on?” Hayden slides a pillow under your belly, and starts pulling down your panties, cocking up his eyebrow, “Doll Everett, you slut!”

“What?” You start giggling, but that changes as he runs his hand through your slit.  “Did that answer your question, daddy?”

“You gonna keep calling me that?”

“Mhmm, whatever you want.”

“Fuck, you like that, huh?  Got you rocking back into my hand.  You want daddy to fuck you?  Instead of fucking a baby in you, I gotta fuck a baby out of you,” whimpering his name, he positions himself behind you.  Letting his tip slide up and down your entrance.  “Got your lips all swollen.”

“Haydes, just put it in, babe.  Fuck me so hard I have a baby.”

“There we go,” grabbing both of your hips, he thrusts forward, burying himself completely in your warmth.  Never hesitating to piston into you with a fervent need.  Moaning right along with your own labored breaths.  “This never gets old.”

“Never!  Haydes!”

“I gotta make this count.  You’ll be out of commission for a while,” he juts his hips into you harshly and you start to see stars.  Why did it always happen so fast since pregnancy?  “Yeah, just like that.  Gripping me so fucking tight.  So fucking tight.  Got you leaking all these pretty juices on me.”

“What?  Hayden, I haven’t even came yet,” he just keeps fucking into you, and with his ministrations, you feel an orgasm building up.  “Right there.  Right…” an odd overwhelming pleasure mixed with the feelings of Braxton hicks contractions conflicts your body.  “Hayden.”

You try to get his attention, realizing what your excess wetness was from.  “Can you turn back and look at me?  I always like to see what you look like when you look at me.”

“Don’t cum in me.”

“You’re already pregnant.”

“No, no…ehh…that’s not…that’s not…Hayden, jerk off on my back!”

“What the…?” He pulls completely out of you, panting when you turn back and stare at him.  “Oh come on!  I thought we were getting a marathon.  Cozy is this your way of sabotaging your dad,” you grimace, laying your head down on the bed.  “Oh!  I’ve always heard this was a pretty natural position to have a baby.  You want me to check your…?”

“No!” You hide your face in your hands while a contraction tightens your stomach.  “Hayden, is she coming out?”

“You literally just started contractions.  Why would she?” You give him a growl, demanding he cum.  “So I can’t cum inside you?”

“Sure, explain to the doctor why your baby juice is in my twat while I’m pushing our daughter out.”

“Well, when you say it like that, it sounds dirty.”

“Hayden!” Your fists tighten on the sheets, and you let out a guttural moan.

“Oh, shit!  Uh…Curtis!  Wait.  Damn, got you face down, ass up.  Ah!  Curtis, don’t you come in here, but uh…damn, my dick is hard.  Baby, you stay there, and uh…do you need your panties back on?  I mean…”

“Haydes!  Get me up!  I swear I feel her coming!”

“So she gets to come, but…I’m not making that joke.”

“Hayden!” Your knuckles were burning, blinding pain shoots through you.  “It isn’t supposed to be this fast!”

“Doll!  Hayden!  Is this some really freaky sex that I don’t want to know about?” Of course you were going to have a dramatic labor.  “Hayden, that doesn’t sound good, bub.  Put your dick up!”

“I’m trying.  Baby, stay there.”

“Where the fuck am I supposed to go?  My pussy is hanging out,” you start crying at the absurdity and the pain.”

“This is going to be fun getting you out of that position.”

“Your dick gets us into so much trouble,” your tears blind you as another contraction races through your body, “They’re too close.  I don’t want to give birth to my daughter here.  I want to be with my doctor.”

Hayden finally gets himself dressed, unlocking the door before realizing you were still stuck into a compromising position.  “Don’t come in here!  My pussy is wide and spread, and your niece is pushing her way out.”

“What!?”

“She’s exaggerating,” he leans back behind you, just to check, “Yep, exaggerating.  Just checked.  Doll face, uh…roll over?  Fall over?  Just tell me what I need to do to get you off your knees, and we’re going to the hospital.”

“I’m not having her in the car?” He shakes his head no, trying to assist you as much as possible as you try and get to where you can stand up.  “Your dick did this.”

“Yeah, but my dick also put our Cozy baby in your belly, so he’s a good boy.”

“Ehh,” you start crying harder, your body shaking, and Doodle scratches at the door, “Haydes, it hurts.”

“I know, Curtis, come in,” the second the door was open, Doodle races to your side, pushing his nose against your stomach, looking up at you confused, “Buddy, I’m calling the grandparents to get you.  Mama's gotta get to the hospital.  Doll, you need panties on.”

“No!  She’s coming.  She’s going to be coming in the car.  I hate your dick.”

“That hurts.”

“Haydes!” “Hayden!”

“Okay, let’s go.  Let’s get in the car.  Curtis the second we get in, call mom and dad to get Doodle.  He’s going to be pacing around and anxious about Doll screaming,” they hold your hands as they guide you to the car.  “Suitcase is in the car.  Water’s already broken.”

“You were fucking me too hard!”

“I can’t with you two.”

“You were the one that was soaking wet.”

“You were the one that thought I had squirted.”

“You two wanna do this alone?”

It was fast.  You barely made it to the hospital before Cozy was ready to make her grand debut.  No time for medicine.  Your body was already pushing as Curtis pulled into the hospital.  The pain was immense, but everything disappeared when they laid that beautiful baby on your chest.  Her eyes stare up at you, and a flow of never ending tears fall down your face.

You did it.  There she was, moving her fingers, and blinking at you.  A pitiful little cry, but she was here.  Perfectly beautiful in every way.  “Oh, my darling,” you wished these pesky tears would go away, so you could see your baby properly.  “Hayden, I’m a mama.”

“I know, Doll face,” he presses his lips against your temple, holding it there as he stares at his daughter.

“I love your dick.”

Everyone in the room, including Hayden, starts laughing, “I know you do, baby.  Oh…she’s…can I hold her?”

“How about you cut the cord first,” the doctor answers soothingly.

“It’s too soon to cut the cord.  We just got her.”

“No, the actual umbilical cord.  You two are a mess,” a nurse picks your baby up, and you tap Hayden to follow.  It felt like a deep emptiness inside of you.  You wanted her back, she was all you ever wanted.  And the further she got away from you the louder she cries.

“Oh!  Her wants her mama.  Doll, I think we got a mama’s…ah!  Why is my baby crying so much?  She’s loud.  Put her back!  Give her back.”

“Dad, I need you to calm down.  Let’s get this girl ready to give her back to her mama.”

“Please, I don’t like my baby crying like that.  Cozy baby,” your baby wails, her little mouth trembling, and it hurts.

“Mama, she’s okay, though.  She’s a healthy baby,” the nurse assures you.  A new round of tears pours out of your face.  She was healthy, and she wanted you.  You squeak out how you just wanted to hold your baby.  “Give me just a second.”

“We brought you some food,” Tara says, looking at her proud son.  Hayden hadn’t stopped staring at you, and you couldn’t get enough of Cozy.  You hold her fingers out, counting each and every single one of them.  Rub over her soft skin.  Smelling her because she was yours.  “How has Hayden been with her?” Hayden turns to glare at his mother, and Howard snorts.  “What?”

“I hold her, she cries.  I give her to Doll, she immediately stops.  Curtis holds her, she cries.  She hears her mama’s voice, she cries harder.  Give her back, and it’s instant.  The baby only likes her mama.  I talked to her the whole time, and she doesn’t recognize me.”

“Yeah she does,” you giggle.  Your little girl had opened her eyes, and was staring at her dad.  “Look at her.  She hears you.  You wanna try again?”

“Is she going to hurt my feelings?”

“Son, you wanna talk about it?  Wanna talk about how your daughter bullies you?” Howard was trying not to laugh too hard, it was the exact same way Hayden was when he was born.  Karma.

“It’s not funny.  Let me try,” he gets closer, and Cozy inhales quickly, looking up at you.  “My baby hates me.  I still love you, Cozy baby.”

“Why Cozy?” Tara stares at you wishfully.  Giving you the biggest smile.

“Because that’s how Hayden makes me feel,” you grab at his hand, and press it against your cheek.  “He’s always made me feel so comfortable and cozy, and now we have our own Cozy girl.”

It was hard to look away from your daughter.  It was hard to even believe that you were a mother.  You held her in your arms, and it still didn’t seem real.  She really squeaked, and blinked, and even nursed, but it didn’t feel real.  Your life didn’t seem real.  Hayden was perfect and darling in every way.  You had a mother and father that believed in you so much.  Two brothers now, three including Andy.

“Honey, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Tara says softly, while you cry again.

“She does that.  Baby, she’s real.  You really did that.”

The tears blinded you, but you look up at Hayden, “We did this, and look at her.  Are the tears ever stopping, Tara?”

“Oh, honey, you’re just happy and overwhelmed.  Eventually they do.  And then you’ll find something else to cry about.”

“She’s just so perfect, and she’s here,” you pick her up to you, giving her the sweetest kiss, and you swear she smiles a bit.  “Haydes, I’m sorry that her doesn’t want to leave my side.”

“Yeah, well, eventually she’ll want to snuggle on her dad,” when the door squeaks open, Amaris peeks in, and giggles.  Wandering over to your side, staring at the baby, “Doll, Andy Barber is here.”

“And he brought our niece.  Cozy this is your cousin, Amaris.”

“Alright, give me the baby,” Andy walks over to your side, holding his hands out.

“Eh, she’s a bit of a mama’s girl,” Hayden freezes as you hand Cozy over to Andy, and he walks over to the couch followed by his daughter, and Hayden’s mouth falls open.  “I don’t like this.”

“Aw, babe, she is just like you.  Even loves the Andy Barber,” it felt like you hadn’t slept in days.  Your eyes roll back in your head, and you sink down further in the mattress.  Getting a soft kiss from your husband, and your baby girl yawns.  “Hayden, watch Cozy.  I need to sleep.”

“It’s official, Andy Barber is the babysitter”

“Get her,” Steve leans back from holding Cozy.  “Tulip, get her and give her back.  Ow!  Why is she so loud?  Doll, she’s noisy.”

“No she’s not,” you reach your arms out for your baby, and she stutters her tears.  “I know, sweet girl,” Doodle leaves Curtis’ lap to come investigate his little human.  His wet nose presses on your hand, but never on her, “Her is just fine, buddy.  Who’s my good boy?  Uncle Steeb is mean to you, isn’t he?”

“Seriously?  You did this on purpose.  You made her hate me.”

“No, she just loves me,” you look your brother giving him a toothy grin.  “Her is precious and her is mine,” just to emphasize your words, Cozy snuggles in closer to you.  Yawning and scrunches her face up, “I thought I loved Sailor.  Thought I loved Amaris, but…damn…I can’t stop staring.  I always wanted this, you know?”

Steve sits beside Tulip, while Hayden snuggles up on the couch with you, “I never…never thought this was going to happen for me.  Thought I was cursed, ya know?  Thought that I was never going to get this.  And Hayden gave it all to me,” more tears.  They just never stopped.

“I didn’t give this to you.  You put in the work, and we met just when we were supposed to.  If it was earlier, we never would have worked out.  If it was later, well, you might have given someone another chance.  I don’t care that Cozy prefers you over me.  I care that she is ours.  Even if the only time I hold her is when she’s asleep and you sneak her in my arms.  But after our meeting, we did this.”

Steve had known for a long time how much Hayden was meant for you, but seeing how that man was still beaming when he looked at you.  Was still so tender whenever he talked to you.  He never made you feel guilty for your past, or made you feel you weren’t worthy of love.  Hayden worshiped you, adored you, and you him.  A completely equal relationship, and he made you smile.  He had this unwavering ability to bring out the prettiest smiles on your face.

“Doll, I don’t tell you enough.”

“Don’t.  Just stop.  Don’t say another word.”

“I’m proud of you,” tears.  Tears and more tears.  They never stopped.  “You deserved this life.  With your beautiful home, stupidly perfect husband, adorable little baby, and a Doodle.”

“DooDoo,” Sailor claps her hands, trying to get out of her mom’s arms.  “Baby!  Mememe baby!”

“Yeah,” you squeak out.  More tears.  “I’m so happy.  It’s just,” you look down at that sleeping bundle, and then over to your husband, “It’s like watching a piece of your heart, and she’s just there, and real, and good, and perfect, and pure, and she doesn’t know pain or hurt.”

“Until her dad tries to hold her,” you lean over on Hayden, but remain staring at her.  It was never getting old.  Every time you looked at her you noticed something different.  A mole on her neck that looked like her dad’s.  The color of her hair that looked like yours.  The way she adored Andy Barber, for no apparent reason, like her dad.  

“Haydes?” He looks up at you with the sweetest and softest smile.  There was never once that you regretted being with Hayden.  You weren’t sure you believed in love at first sight, but the crush you had on Hayden was pretty instantaneous.  You knew after that first date that you wanted to be with him, and you knew before ever having sex with him that he was the one.

“I love us.”

“I love us, too, Doll, and my Cozy baby.  Now, can I hold her while she’s sleeping?  She hates me if you’re around.  Even if you are around.”

“No, she just loves my boobies like you.”

“Yep.  Say, Tulip, time to go.  Hayden and Doll are talking about boobies.”

“You should hear how she went into labor,” Hayden chuckles as you put your daughter in his arms.

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure Steve wants to hear about that.  Doodle, come keep me warm,” Curtis pats on his chest, and looks at his phone.  “Quick nap.  Then, I gotta go.”

“Oh my god!  We have to come up with a better story than that.  I am never telling that story to anyone.  Water broke, fast labor, then a baby.  Okay.  I need a nap.  Sailor, you staying us?”

“Nope.  Baby cy.  Bye!”

Next

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season​ @marveloustaylortot​ @pono-pura-vida​ @sstan-hoe​ @peaches1958​ @kaybaby2494 @flannellover67​ @infatuatedharleys​ @redbloodedgurl​ @thedarknessilove​ @whimsyplaty92​ @superforgottensoul​ @lilac-tea-time​ @seitmai​ @smile1318​ @nichmeddar​ @andydrysdalerogers​ @buchanansbaby​ @cjand10​

[jvstheworld]

The Buffy Re-watch: S2E7 (part 1)

Lie to me

Playground equipment moving in the wind, not unsettling at all. How many horrors feature this type of thing at the beginning of their films or TV shows?

Then Drusilla comes in, stalks and tries to kidnap a child to amp up the creepy. Well done.

Angel appears and he and Dru have history, which makes sense because if he knew Spike, he would know Dru. We find out later what their real connection is and whoa boy, it is a doozy.

The kicker here is that Buffy sees it all. Doesn't take a genius to work out that they know each other.

Hold on! Giles, wants Buffy to have the night off? Did he get replaced by an alien? Or did he finally listen to his slayer about having a healthy work/life balance?

Passing notes in class. Something I never did in school. I didn't do a lot of things in school. God, my time at school was shit. This is not a new realisation, just remembering.

An old friend of Buffy's appears, probably one of the few she has left from LA, Billy Fordham.

If you have never heard the Divinyls song 'I touch myself' take 3 guesses as to what it's about and the first 2 don't count. This song was also famously used in 'Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery' in the scene where he dance fights the fembots towards the end of the film.

Willow's realisation as to the meaning of the song steals the scene for me.

Angel, honey, sweetie, learn to tell your sort of girlfriend the truth. Things would go much easier if you did.

Ford knows Buffy is the slayer. Buffy keeping being the slayer a secret identity is on par with James Bond keeping secret that he is a spy. Both of them are shit at it.

Mysterious club with very heavy metal doors? Never a good sign. And oh look, vampire wannabes.

Ford taking meds and wanting to turn into a vampire. Hmm, me thinks something is up.

Angel appearing again, but at Willow's house because he rightfully thinks Ford is being sus, and Willow confirms this with the school having no record of him having transferred.

Giles understands that Ford is cute, and that Buffy thinks he is too.

Ford came prepared, he has that going for him, but is still sus.

So, the entire club is made up of delusional people who believe that vampires are fluffy bunnies, and that they are really just misunderstood. Not in this universe they aren't. Hell, Angel and Spike while ensouled can still turn into rage machines if the occasion calls for it. They don't even know that one of the most feared vampires in history is standing right in front of them, that would be terrifying to know. To which I now have to ask, is there much in the way of vampires being good? There's Hellsing where Alucard and Seras are good, Blade from the Marvel comics, Alucard from Castlevania (loved the Netflix series by the way and looking forward to the next one), Underworld has Selene. Are there any others? And not just one or two of them, but where vampires as a whole are the good guys?

Jenny took Giles to go see Monster Trucks... I need to see that.

That angry mob in Prague did a shite job of killing Dru, since she is still walking around.

Dru is referred to as a 'sometime paramour of Spike's' does that mean they have an on-again-off-again relationship or just a very long term one? Because either is sort of believable, especially with how Dru can be.

Genuine question: do I come across as sarcastic in these posts? Because when I read through my notes in my head I definitely sound sarcastic, same when typing. I'm just curious.

Anyway, part 2 will be tomorrow.

[insomniiyac]

Life has never came easy for Selene after being assigned to the SavanaClaw dorms. Yet, she finds herself being given a second chance after months of hard work and a strengthened resolve.

[Full one-shot below the cut]

She was never meant for a life in Night Ravens College.

This was hammered into her time and time again from the moment she awoke from her coffin and made to stand before the Dark Mirror.

Life in Sunset Savanna was easy- go to school, hone your craft, and use the resources your family set before you to build a better tomorrow.

But here? It was more difficult than she could ever imagine.

Certainly, was destined for the Royal Swords Academy- it was what she wanted for herself after all.

However, turning back now would be going back on her promise- her values. She was far too stubborn and a slave to her pride to turn back. It didn’t matter whether she was one of the few females that attended after NRC relaxed their rules or one of the rare “prey” animals of the dormitory.

She knew it and the others knew it too. It became a game to the Savanaclaw dorm- who’d be the first to make the gazelle go home? Who’d be the first to bed her? To break her? To push her to her absolute limits?

Maybe if Mauve was still here, life in NRC would be more bearable.

But she pushes those anxieties down and pushes on, embracing the worst parts of herself. Her bullish attitude, her headstrong personality, and voice propels her forward up to the ears of the headwarden; Leona Kingscholar.

Determined to solidify herself against all odds, she strides over to her headwarden’s room and… finds it open?

She peers in, ears twitching in curiosity.

“Come in,” says Leona, who was leaning over the rail of his patio.

She walks in, hands behind her back as she inches closer to him in apprehension.

“You look scared, herbivore.”

“I’m not.”

She takes a deep breath, mustering all the confidence she has in her body before declaring: “I want to be vice headwarden.”

This earns her a curious ear wiggle from the other. He fully turns to face her, a playful smirk on his face.

“Heh, is that so? What makes you think you’re fit for the role?”

“I’m clever, have good grades, am good at sports, planning, and punctual. I can get everyone and everything in line,” she says, reciting everything she’s told herself in the mirror nights before.

“Hmm, a lot of things I’m not, huh?” He raises an eyebrow.

“H-Huh? No that’s not what I meant-“ she blubbers, but a raised hand from Leona puts a stop to it.

“How easily your confidence falters when pushed upon just a little bit,” he walks up to her and stops short, towering over her with a scowl. “One word of advice- if you wanna make it in this dorm, ya’ gotta have more confidence even if you don’t feel it. Or else you’re just prey in a predator’s world. And you,” he leans in, close enough for their noses to touch. “Are looking real vulnerable right now.”

He backs up and crosses his arms.

“So let’s try this again. What makes you think you’re fit for the role?”

Selene straightens her back, making straight eye-contact with newfound resolve.

“I’m clever, have good grades, am good at sports, planning AND punctual. I can get everyone and everything in line,” she repeats, boldly.

“Yeah? And what do you think you can do that I can’t?”

“Well, punctuality for once. You’re shit at getting up on time. I don’t have to depend on my retainer for all my work.”

“Is that so? You’re saying I’m an irresponsible headwarden?” He narrows his eyes, teeth slightly bared.

“Name one thing you’ve actually managed to take initiative on without the help of Ruggie,” she crosses her arms.

Leona inches closer to her, a low growl humming in his throat. “Tread very, very carefully, herbivore.”

“My name is Selene.”

“…Okay, Selene. I’m giving you three days. If I don’t take to you, you’re axed. Now go.”

Selene gives him a firm nod before leaving. One would think she put up a cold front, but the wagging of her tail gives away her excitement. It was kinda cute.

Maybe life here would be good for her after all.

—---------------------------------------------------------

Ruggie watches her walk out before strolling in.

“Thought you weren’t looking for a new vice headwarden. You must like her,” he remarks.

“Hardly. I can use someone else to do my paperwork and the rest of the annoying things while I sleep,” he hums with a smirk.

“Mm…,” Ruggie gives him a knowing look before saying: “Hope she knows what she’s getting into, sheyeheehe!”

[of-golden-guns]

"Well with Cayde stuck doing the Vanguard role. He's not really around much to fill in the whole. Mentor duty teach others without being barked at for leaving his place at the table. I guess that'll change since y'know.. the towers blown to pieces." Mist watched Selene jump.. rather unsuccessfully to her ship. When she witnessed the slip, Mists hand shot out and gripped Selenes cloak. Slowly lifting and easing the young light into the ships cockpit letting her plop into a cushioned seat haphazardly.

Mist chuckles thoughtfully, watching the younger light get adjusted before she pulled down the hatch. Letting it pressurize, she turned around and sat into her own cushioned seat before pulling down a monitor and clicked away. Scrolling in coordinates manually to her ships positioning and targeting systems. "Maybe after this is all over with, I can take you to the cosmodrome and we can see about getting the basics. But for now," Mist took the controls and steered the ship above the tree line before punching it. Letting the onboard guide jump them to Earth. "Lets focus on what ever 'plan' Zavala has....." The annoyance in Mists voice was laid on thick... - The Farm

- With the ship landed and stationed nearby, Mist had spoken with Cayde about her plan. She had her arms crossed to her chest, Caydes brows rose and he smiled. Passing off a pack of ammo to her before she nodded at him. "Take care, Six." "Yeah Yeah just teach the kid something useful." Cayde teased as he moseyed back into the barn. Mist tossed the pack of ammo a few times in her hand. "Well Caydes given the official... unofficial- official sign off to take you with me into the City. But first. Gun lesson," Mist started talking as she made her way back over to Selene. Recognizing the same uneasiness. A smile tugged at Mists lips behind her mask. "It's okay to be nervous." Her voice chimed reassuringly. Mist pulled something from her back revealing a sniper rifle from her personal inventory. "This is the last foray. A good sniper, if you know how to use it. Also deadly." Mist took the gun holding it vertical and touching certain parts. "Stock, barrel, scope, magazine, grip, trigger and safetu. Receivers those you can attach legs to if you fire from a laying position." Mist goes over it rather easily and quickly. "As you know were going up against Cabal. Each one has their own weak points. Psions the middle eye, Legionaries and Gladiators is around the seam of their helmets. Colosi and Centurions are the same but a bit harder. They're higher ranks and have better armor." Mist held out the sniper to Selene for her to get a feel of the weapon. "So, until night sets in tomorrow. We're gonna line some things up for you to shoot, after that. While we distract the masses to a certain area. We'll circle around and rejoin Cayde and the others after knocking a few around to cause some mischief." Cayde had walked over behind the two watching the lesson quietly, a little smug look over his exo face. Mist mimicked Selene pretending to hold up the gun she handed over. "Keep the stock in the crook of your shoulder, and as your looking down the sight keep both your eyes open to focus where you want to shoot. Take a deep breath in, hold steady and firm. Focus, breath slowly. And always pull the trigger on empty lungs." Mist lowered her arms and took a few steps forward looking around for a moment. Picking up a few cans and other things that were littered across the ground before setting them up a small distance away. "Use the scope and try hitting these. G'head take the safety off." Mist quickly moved out of the way her cape dragging behind her as she moved. Cayde was watching the show rather happily.

When the younger hunter finally smiles, a little warmth radiated in Mists chest. Finally seeing some emotion other than Selenes fear filled frown. Happy she was starting to loosen up around her. Mist agrees, nodding her head once, "Cayde back to his fireteam; as much as he doesn't want to admit to having one." Mist waves her right hand in the air a few times gesturing to the absurdity to Caydes actions. Even if the exo wasn't there. When drawn back to the sniper. Mist placed her hands on her hips. "Well, it's time someone taught you." Mist nodded her head once, "Most guns, are good for close combat like.. shotguns, side arms and hand cannons. I use hand cannons mostly.. But sniper? You can decimate a field and not even be anywhere near a fight." Mist lifted then lowered her hands, "Not expensive if someone gives you a sniper rifle." her ship swerving around the trees and meeting close enough. The hunter jumped through the air using a blast of light to launch herself into the hatch that happens to open as she flies nearby. She turns her body, cloak in hand behind her tilting her head twice for the other to join her. "C'mon. No scenic routes tonight. When we get to the city, I'll give you a brief run through on how to shoot a sniper and then we'll see how good you can pick up new tricks," Mist smiles her helmet shifting back over her face tugging her hood up.

[dauntless-gothamite]

Prove Them Wrong [2/?]

Fandom: Divergent Pairing: Eric Coulter x Fem! Reader Summary: Y/N is a Dauntless transfer from Erudite, and she has a drive, an ambition that sets her apart--it always has, even back in Erudite. She brings her perseverance (and need to prove others wrong) to Dauntless when she transfers, and she uses her mind to make her way through the initiation process. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies, and she finds herself comfortable around the man most people in Dauntless avoid at all costs: Eric Coulter. A/N: it seems this may be a little bit of a slow burn, based on the pacing and where I am in chapter three right now... Enjoy!

You woke up to the sound of metal clanging together, an unpleasant alarm if you’d ever heard one. “Get up, get dressed, and be in the training room in two minutes,” Four said, banging the metal together one last time before leaving the room. 

Everyone scrambled to get dressed in their new black Dauntless clothes, and as people entered the training area, they began to form a semicircle around Four and Eric. “Ok, let’s get started,” Four said, clapping his hands together. “There are two stages of training. The first is physical, you will push your bodies to the breaking point and you will master the methods of combat. The second is mental, again breaking point. You’ll face your worst fears and conquer them--unless they get you first. You’ll be trained separately from the Dauntless-born, but you’ll be ranked together. After initiations, rankings will determine what jobs you move into: leadership, guarding the fence, or keeping the factionless from killing each other.”

“The rankings will also determine who gets cut,” Eric cut in, rising from where he sat on a concrete slab. An uneasy whisper spread throughout the initiates. No one knew about this, and you had to admit, you were getting a bit nervous yourself. “At the end of each stage of training, the lowest-ranking initiates will be leaving us,” Eric continued. 

“To do what?” asked Al.

“Well, you can’t go home to your families, so you’ll be factionless.”

Another wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd of initiates, but it was quickly silenced by Eric’s glare. “Someone should have told us,” Christina said.

“Why? Would you have chosen differently? Out of fear?” Eric replied challengingly. “I mean, if that’s the case, you might as well get out now. If you’re really one of us, it won’t matter to you that you might fail, alright? You chose us. Now, we get to choose you.” Eric looked at each initiate, his blue eyes challenging each person to look away. Some people did, others didn’t. You didn’t. 

Instead, you held his intense gaze as the itch to prove others wrong that had been inside you since the day you were born rose up, ready to be set free. What Eric said was scary, but it didn’t matter--all your years of studying the faction system told you that they would try to scare the initiates, and while you hadn’t expected this, you had known it wouldn’t be easy. But you had worked your ass off for years to be top of the class in Erudite, and you’d be damned if you weren’t going to do the same here, in your new faction. 

--

“Everyone, get some water before we move into the next segment of training,” Four called out. It took everything in you not to bend over as some others were doing; you knew standing up straight, getting fresh air in your lungs, would make the cramp in your abdomen go away faster, even if it hurt more now. 

“Tris, stand up straight,” you whispered to your friend, who was red-faced after running twenty laps around the room, which was everyone’s warm-up for the day. 

“Just so you know, tomorrow we won’t just be running laps,” Four said, surveying all the tired initiates. “So get used to this.” 

You sighed, mentally thanking yourself for joining a small workout group in Erudite. It was fairly new, and it was only created because studies showed that after some physical activity, the brain was better equipped to come back to problems it struggled with earlier and continue working whereas remaining stagnant was more likely to result in burnout and fatigue. The workouts were nothing like this, but you were still appreciative of them.

“Alright, everyone find a punching bag and start hitting. Eric and I will be walking around correcting your form, but it’s on you to put our advice into practice. Go,” Four announced after barely even a minute of the “break” had gone by. 

Turning on your heel, you walked over to the nearest punching bag and lined yourself up. Feet spread evenly about as wide as your shoulders, then step the left foot forward just a bit. Knees bent slightly, fists raised high. Then, you get to punching. 

After what felt like an hour of hearing Four quietly critiquing other students between Eric’s shouts of disappointment at other initiates, the two trainers finally got to your area of the training room. Out of the corner of your eye you caught Four walking up to Tris, slightly adjusting her position and giving helpful tips. Another set of footsteps came to a stop behind you, which meant Eric would be the one helping you. Your shoulders tensed for a moment, but you quickly forced yourself into a more relaxed position and continued punching. Just pretend he isn’t there, you told yourself. After hitting the punching bag six times, called out “Stop” from behind you. He walked over to your side and took a fighting stance. “Make sure your hips are square, like this, so when you throw a punch with the hand that is further back, you can twist your hips and use core strength to put more power into it,” he said stoically, and you did your best to mimic his stance. “No, like this,” he said, grabbing your hips and twisting them, holding you firmly in place for a second before letting go. “Try it now,” he said. You started throwing punches again, and he nodded before silently walking away. When you paused to readjust your stance, you heard Eric yell “Did I say you could stop, Y/N? No, I did not; keep going!” You took a deep breath and began the next onslaught of punches as the room fell quiet save for the sound of fists hitting punching bags, a rhythmic thumping sound. 

“First jumper!” Eric called out, disrupting the steady beat and sense of calmness in the room. “In the ring.” Beside him, Four sighed and looked down at his feet, and you had a bad feeling about whatever was about to happen. “Last jumper,” he continued, looking at a girl with dark hair--you think you may have heard her friends call her Molly, but you aren’t entirely sure. “Time to fight.”

Tris and the girl stepped up to the ring. “How long do we fight for?” the girl asked.

“Until one of you can’t continue,” Eric said in response. 

“Or one of you concedes,” Four interjected, stepping forward. 

“According to the old rules,” Eric corrected. “With the new rules, no one concedes.”

“You really want to lose someone in their first fight?”

“Well, a brave man never surrenders.” 

“Lucky for you, those weren’t the rules when we fought.”

Eric clenched his jaw, irritated, before saying “You’ll be scored on this, so fight hard.” Tris and the other girl squared up and began to circle each other, but Eric was getting impatient. “Go!” he barked. 

After nearly falling off the mat, Tris lunged, but the other girl dodged, twisted, and retaliated with a swing of her own, landing a punch to Tris’ face. As Tris retreated, the other girl pressed her advantage, catching Tris’ waist, bending her over, and punching her stomach a few times before Tris managed to break free of her hold. Just as she reached the end of the mat and turned, Tris was met with another punch to the face, sending her to the floor. The other girl--Molly--glanced at Eric since Tris was down, and he nodded, signaling Molly to send one last blow Tris’ way, knocking her out. As you watched the fight, you felt bad for your friend; she was much smaller than Molly, and part of you wanted to speak up about the cruelty that the trainers were showing, but you shoved it down. There was no need to compromise your position right now. 

“Next,” Eric yelled, pointing to a girl named Selene and a former Candor named Peter who had made fun of Tris, calling her a Stiff several times. You secretly hoped Selene would kick his ass, but it was unlikely, he was tall and strong, plus he was willing to fight dirty--he’d admitted as much in the dorm area. Guess he still couldn’t keep his mouth shut, even though he’d left Candor.

Selene was tough; what she lacked in strength she made up for in endurance, but after a few rounds of dodging Peter’s punches, he finally landed one to her solar plexus, stunning her, allowing him to sweep her legs out from underneath her and kick her as she lay on the ground. You clenched your jaw as he did so, feeling anger rise up inside of you. Selene was unable to fight, that was the stopping point of the fights, but Peter was still kicking her. And Eric, the emotionless person that he was, didn’t do anything. 

“Peter,” you said, “stop it.” Peter turned towards you and smirked.

“What are you going to do if I don’t?” he taunted. You considered for a second before turning to Eric. 

Looking up at him, you steeled yourself. “I know we don’t get to determine the fighting order, or who we fight, but I would like to fight Peter. Now,” you said, sure to keep your voice level and maintain eye contact with the leader. 

He raised an eyebrow at you curiously, and thankfully, Peter had stopped kicking Selene when you started speaking to Eric. Selene scooted to the edge of the mat, but that was as far as she could move without assistance. “You two,” Eric yelled at two initiates, “help Four get this one,” he pointed at Selene, “to the infirmary.” Then he turned back to you. “What are you waiting for, initiate? Get up there.” For a moment you were stunned, you didn’t actually think you would end up fighting Peter, and you knew that both Eric and Peter were expecting you to lose quickly. You caught Four’s eye as he carried Selene out with the help of two initiates, and you looked around to see Christina, Tris, Will, Al, Edward, Molly, and a few other initiates staring at you like you were mad. Maybe you were, but it was too late to back out now. You stood in a low, sturdy fighting stance, just like Eric had shown you. Peter did the same. For a moment, the room was dead silent as your eyes locked with his, and then both of you whipped into action. 

Peter went right for the face punch, but you quickly blocked upward and threw a low roundhouse kick at his knee, making him wobble. He recovered quickly, and he quickly used his height to his advantage, moving to grab your shoulder and slam you into the ground. You were smart though, and you let him move you slightly before turning the downwards motion into momentum that allowed you to do a somersault, twisting his arm and landing on your feet. As he was turning around to face you, you sent a snap kick right to the back of his knee, making it buckle. You moved quickly to his other side, ready to send a few punches to his face and knock him out, but he sprung forward, wrapping strong hands around your neck and squeezing. For a moment you panicked, hitting his arms, but they didn’t move. Everyone was sure that was it for you, but you had another trick up your sleeve--Peter was overly confident this would weaken you and in the process of squeezing, he had left his own body defenseless. So you kicked him in the groin. Hard. He called out and released you, and as he leaned over in an instinctual reaction to pain, you kicked his forehead with your knee, shoved him to the side, knocking him over, and kicked him again, this time in the solar plexus. You stood there, stone-faced, and when Peter didn’t make a move to fight back, you turned to Eric, who nodded, and you jumped down from the mat. 

You landed next to Will, Tris, and Christina, all of whom were staring at you in a mixture of horror and admiration. You blushed in embarrassment and looked at the ground, thinking to yourself, What the hell did I just do? You were so lost in thought that you didn’t realize the next two initiates were on the mat and fighting, and you only came back to yourself when Eric yyelled, “Hey! Are you deaf, initiate? I said go grab some ice for your neck, I don’t want to hear complaints about it tomorrow!” 

You nodded to your friends and said “I’ll be back in a minute,” shocked at how hoarse your voice was. “Just going to… yeah,” you trailed off before walking quickly towards the infirmary. 

A/N: can you tell I love writing fight scenes? also I do martial arts and have played sports my whole life, so I love when I get to use my knowledge of anatomy and physiology two write action scenes :)

Tag List: @shykoolaid

[willow-salix]

Hog-Malarkey

Just a little (I’m lying about the little) thing that @olliepig​ and I have thrown together for you all to enjoy. The Secret Santa gift exchange took care of Christmas so we’ve got New Year covered. Here’s a little snippet of the first half (we’ll post the second half tomorrow), you can read the rest on Ao3 by clicking this link. 

“Remind me again, just why are we here?” asked John with a shiver as the car made its way through the streets toward the centre of the city.

“Because Penny was invited to some fancy party at the castle and invited Gordon and Cat, which somehow ended up with all of us getting dragged along just for good measure,” Scott grumbled from the front seat, ignoring the whack on the back of the head that could have come just as easily from Cat or Selene.

“Well I think it’s going to be fun,” declared Selene firmly with a defiant look at John, daring him to disagree with her. “It’s not often we get to spend time together off the island as a family and the least you boys can do is stop complaining.”

“It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s too early and I have far too much work to catch up on after Christmas, I fail to see why I had to be included on this little trip,” John muttered under his breath, crossing his arms  in an effort to keep warm. The driver had the heating on full blast but he could still feel the damp cold sneaking into every exposed gap on his person to freeze him down to his toes. 

“I’m looking forward to it,” Virgil piped up, a happy grin firmly fixed on his face. Scott shot a look at him that clearly warned him not to elaborate on that, on pain of death.

“Honestly, you men are so grumpy it’s ridiculous. I thought I’d married the only anti social one,” Selene said, ignoring  John's huff of protest, “but clearly not. This is a chance to have a break, maybe take in the sights and relax and all you're doing is complaining. If this is how it’s going to be then Cat and I will leave you at the hotel and have some fun on our own, won’t we, Tippy Toes?”

“Absolutely. If you boys want to be miserable then that's fine, but you’re not cramping our style. I’ve not been to Edinburgh for years and I’ve been looking forward to this so I’ll be damned if I’m letting some grumpy ass Tracys spoil it,” Cat finished with a flourish.

“OK, OK,” Scott placated her. “We’ll get checked in to the hotel, get some warmer clothes on and head out to see what the city has to offer. How does that sound, everyone?”

“That’s good for me,” Virgil smiled, nudging Alan as he peered out the window at the fairground attractions that were in the gardens below the castle. “Wanna go and see those, squirt?”

“I’m not a kid any more, Virgil,” grumbled Alan, trying hard to ignore the matching grins on his brothers’ faces as they watched him trying to reconcile his love for anything that spun him upside down with his desire to be seen as one of the adults. “But I guess it might be fun…”

“I’d just like to say, here and now, that I am NOT going on anything that spins fast or does that loopy loop shit, not unless you want me throwing up on your lap. We all remember what happened last time I let Alan and Gordon drag me onto a ride and we won’t be doing it again,” Selene told them firmly. 

Alan sniggered to himself, reminded of their trip to the theme park a few years before. “I promise we won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.”

“Good,” she huffed. “I need a relaxing break after the stress of dealing with you idiots the entirety of Christmas.”

“She’s just worried what she’ll blurt out this time if she goes on another ride,” Scott side whispered to Cat. “Last time she yelled for a divorce and they had only been dating four months but Grandma overheard and got all excited. They said they weren't ever getting hitched but now look, married and scowling all the time. I thought that only happened in TV shows.” He ducked and yelped when he received another smack around the head, confirming his suspicions that it had been Selene the first time too.

“I don’t think there is anything else she could yell out,” Cat whispered back. “Not unless she starts offering to sacrifice her first born to ensure her safety.”

“Don’t give Grandma more ideas,” Scott winked. “That would mean popping out a sprog first.”

“We can hear you, you know,” John hissed through chattering teeth, allowing Selene to wrap her arms around him in a bid to warm him up. Space was never like this, his suit kept him at the perfect temperature, space was quiet and calm and above all, didn't have his brothers there. This little trip was going to be a nightmare, he could feel it in his bones. 

“I know,” Scott assured him. “Doesn’t make it less true.”

“I think that's us here,” Cat called out, elbowing Scott in the ribs as they pulled up outside a grand looking old building right beside the castle, shutting down any further conversation. 

“Wow,” Selene whispered, her nose pressed against the window. “That really is a castle, an actual freaking castle. Bitch, we’re gonna be princesses!”

“Hell yeah, we are,” Cat grinned back at her as John and Scott exchanged a look of pure terror, wondering what was about to be unleashed onto the world.

“I wonder if  they have decent bathtubs here?” Selene pondered, ignoring the sniggers that echoed around the car. It wasn’t her fault that Scott had told everyone about the room cleaning bill that Penelope had discreetly passed on to him after she and John had accidentally flooded a bathroom the morning after Penelope’s charity ball.

"I meant so John could warm up!" 

"Sure you did," Scott drawled, not sounding like he believed her at all. 

“Oh look,” Virgil called loudly, pointing out of the window, clearly having never been more thankful to see his younger brother in his life before. “There’s Gordo.”

John frowned, catching sight of the strained look on the aquanauts face through the rain speckled windows of the car. “He doesn’t look happy.”

“That’s not a good sign,” Scott agreed, throwing open the door before the driver could make his way around the car to open it for them, waving his aside impatiently. “Gordon, what's wrong?” 

Selene exchanged a look with Cat, one eyebrow raised, Cat shrugged in return, a small smile forming as she watched Scott striding across the pavement. It was always interesting to watch the sudden shift that took place inside Scott whenever his bro sense tingled. He could go from teasing to serious in the blink of an eye whenever he felt like one of his family needed him.

“I know that smile,” Selene whispered to the other woman, “should we be expecting another room cleaning bill?”

“He’s just so damn sexy when he does that,” Cat sighed dreamily.

Selene cast a glance at John who had apparently forgotten that he was cold and grumpy to join Scott in his interrogation, a frown creasing his forehead as he shifted effortlessly into work mode. “Yeah, I'm with ya, girl.” 

Slipping her arm through Selene’s, Cat towed her along as they scurried to catch up with the rest of the family, Virgil and Alan having exited while they had been eyeing up their men.

“So she was sick right there and then?” they heard Alan ask, his eyes as round as saucers, as the girls joined the huddle of Tracy that had formed.

“In the ice bucket,” Gordon confirmed with a sad nod.

“She didn’t go on any of those rides, did she?” Alan asked. “Because if that’s the reaction I’m definitely not sitting next to Sel on anything ever again.”

“Hey!” Selene protested, insulted on her stomach's behalf. Alan just shrugged, unconcerned, he'd only said the truth. 

“And you still don’t know what it was that caused it?” Virgil asked, trying valiantly to drag the conversation back to its original point, the medic in him wanting all the information. 

“No! One minute we were enjoying dinner the next she was bright red and honking like a goose whenever she tried to speak.”

“Definitely an allergic reaction,” Virgil agreed. “Any other symptoms?”

“Other than re-spackling half the bathroom from both exits and not coming out all night?”

Alan made a face that registered his disgust at his brother’s vivid description, he'd never look at the Lady the same again.

“Yes, other than that."

“Itchy, blotchy, pukey,” Gordon ticked off symptoms on his fingers like he was calling a register at Disneyland. “Swollen and dizzy. Nope, I think that’s about it.”

“Is that not enough?” Selene asked, her eyes widening in horror.

“Where is she now?” Cat asked, concerned for her best friend. Penelope was not one to be caught out in such a manner, she had very few allergies but always made sure that any chef was well informed before she dined, so this one had to be previously unknown.

“Parker took her home about an hour ago, she’s got the family doctor on standby waiting to meet her back at the manor.”

“So, does that mean we can all go home?” John asked hopefully.

Gordon shook his head. “She made me promise that we would represent her in her absence. Apparently someone from the Creighton-Ward family has been in attendance for the last two hundred years and we can’t let her down.”

“Well, if you promised I don’t see that we have a choice,” Virgil admitted.

“Oh, come on guys,” Gordon pleaded, seeing the looks of resignation on his family’s faces. “It won’t be that different to what we would have been doing already, we just have to be on our best behavior and follow a few more traditions, that's all.”

“Why do I feel like we’re going to regret this?” Scott groaned.  

               ***

“So you’re telling me now that we’ve all got to wear kilts?” Scott exclaimed, his displeasure written all over his face as he took in the five matching outfits that hung from a rail that had been wheeled into the shared living space of their suite. 

[calofhearting]

Over the past year, Calista had tried to work through her grief, but it just seemed like an insurmountable challenge. Spending time with her and Cato's friends didn't feel right without him there, and trying to help her parents through it was difficult for her. Feeling like a disappointment to her parents was hard, and having to take on Cato's presence was hard. Sometimes, late at night, she lay in bed wanting to feel normal again, and that feeling made her feel even more guilty. "I'm sorry, you must think that I'm terrible," Calista finally said. "I would hate to ruin your night with my mood."

She wanted things to be different here and had hoped that maybe it would help to distract her from her grief, but instead, it somehow felt just as bad. But she wasn't the only one grieving, there were plenty of people that had lost someone too. "He did," she agreed. "He...he worked as hard as he could to win. My parents were really proud that he made it into the top three." Calista looked at her thoughtfully. "Maybe it just seems bigger because the buildings are so big. I've never seen such tall buildings before. Everything in Two is spread out. The buildings are much smaller. And the Capitol is new to me, I think... that when you have new experiences things just look so much bigger, you know? Two is familiar, so it seems so small."

"Oh, wow, that would be so nice of you," Calista replied. "I'm not really sure what's going on after tonight, Selene has been telling the lottery winners where to go and we just kind of go," she admitted. She was sort of hoping that she would have some free time tomorrow, although with the Quarter Quell starting...she realized that that was probably not going to be on the table. "I wouldn't want to impose though, you must be so busy with the Games and your parties." Was she flattering her? Possibly. But she also didn't want to do something wrong, something that someone would hold against her. Calista smiled. "The museum is nice, we don't have anything like this back home, but I am hoping to see some of the other things that the Capitol has to offer. I've heard plenty about the food, so I'm looking forward to trying anything that I can." Calista's stomach turned, though, at the mention of the training center. "I'm sure it's amazing."

once permission is given, domitila returns her hand to the girl's back, this time not for a nudge but so she can rub it as comfortingly as she can (which is…awkward, barely sincere in her intention to have the girl light up rather than truly take away her sadness). of course, it doesn't seem that any touch or word will actually get through this girl. domitila is far from being a psychology expert, but she's heard that grief comes in five stages, and though it has been almost a year, cato's sister is still in denial, when all of the proof are literally around them. what a sad little life that must be. "that's good instincts, yes." she cheers up on herself, lifting a finger to point as she smiles and compliments calista's vision; in events like these, going around feeling sorry for yourself for things that are out of your control is just so unpleasant.

"he told me a little about that too. nothing can beat life at the capitol, of course, but the resilience and spirit from two is just wonderful — cato had so much of that, too." again, she finds herself thinking what a waste it was to get to top 3 and just lose like that to semi-starved kids (if she was physically able, she would have turned that distate to the capitol, to the gamemakers — weren't they the ones to set the mutts that tore cato apart? but even the thought of that seems impossible). "you think?" she disagreed. two seemed vast, with all the mines, the mountains — the capitol was prettier and more advanced, though, so she wouldn't outright go against the girl's opinions.

"well, first of all, my studio. you're a darling, and i could put you into something here and there if you must attend more of these parties. there will be several tomorrow, but i'm unsure what your ticket comes with, and the ones i know are rather exclusive." she's boasting there, no surprise. she's been invited to several of those, but between taking ezra to the arena and needing a moment to go through every bit of the blood bath, she would most likely be late, and she can't exactly guide this girl around. "i know caesar picked the museum, but, honestly, there's only so much around here i could recommend. i like some of the photography rooms." they're good for inspiration, an attempt at a throwback of sorts. "oh, we have plenty of good restaurants, too. a pity you could not taste the food at the training center, for it is one of the most heavenly ones around this time of the year!" but for that, the girl would need to be a victor or a tribute, and, unfortunately, she's neither.

[carewyncromwell]

[LOTR AU] Carewyn “Carey” Cromwell-Took and Orion II Ellessar, Son of Arathorn and Heir to the Throne of Gondor Moodboard

Inspired by @drinkyoursoupbitch and @no-moon-nor-stars!! xoxo

x~x~x~x~x

The small band of travelers settled in a glen just outside the marshy Swanfleet. It would take some time to follow the river up toward Rivendell, so it was decided that it’d be best to take that journey at first daylight. One by one, the members -- Gwendolyn “Wendy” Copper, shieldmaiden of Rohan; her partner and Rider of the Mark, Benjamin; and the elvin twins Selene and Artemis Claire de Lune -- all fell off to sleep.

Orion lit his pipe, the tiny flame flickering in the dark. The campfire had nearly gone out and, he thought, perhaps that was best. With the rumors circulating about the cursed One Ring having been found, he deemed it wise to not attract too much attention.

The ranger called “Amari” had thought he was the only one awake at first, until the soft chirping of crickets and rustling of trees gained fresh accompaniment.

“Far over the Misty Mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old,

We must away ‘ere break of day

To find our long forgotten gold...”

Orion looked down, to see the final and smallest member of their group -- Carewyn Cromwell-Took -- carrying a small pile of wood over to the dying campfire. It was little wonder Orion hadn’t noticed her at first. He wasn’t impressively tall himself, but he still towered over the female hobbit. The thought had crossed his mind that she might even be considered small by hobbit standards, given that she only came up to his waist at full height. 

“The pines were roaring on the height;

The winds were moaning in the night;

The fire was red, it flaming spread --

The trees like torches...blazed with light...”

Her singing had actually lulled Orion into a rather relaxed state of mind, like a child listening to an engaging story -- but seeing her putting down the stack of wood she was carrying and poke the fire prompted him to say something.

“Forgive me for interrupting,” he said very softly, “but given that we aim to travel with stealth, it may be prudent to let it die out, so as not to draw attention to ourselves.”

Carewyn looked up, startled. Then her blue eyes softened and her ruby red lips curled up in a half-smile.

“I see what you mean,” she said, “but given the rumors...well, might the Nazgul take notice?”

Orion blinked. “The Nazgul?”

“Yes -- from what I’ve heard, they’re slaves to Sauron, aren’t they?”

“Yes,” said Orion. “They were corrupted by the nine Rings of Power Sauron gave them, and so can only follow his will and orders. If the One Ring has appeared, as they say...I daresay they would be the most dangerous threat we could meet, while traveling at night.”

“That’s what I thought,” said Carewyn with a nod. “Their primary weakness is sunlight, so they shouldn’t chase us by day...but they’re also weak to fire, so...”

“...Keeping a fire lit until morning would be wise, in case we needed to defend ourselves from a Nazgul attack,” Orion finished.

His voice was very level, but he was actually quite surprised. He hadn’t expected a being of creature comforts like a hobbit to be so...well, resourceful.

Carewyn nodded and set about relighting the fire. She poked the cinders into an open flame, added a cluster of sticks and some leaves, and soon was able to bring it back to glowing, golden light.

Orion considered the tiny woman’s back with interest.

“...The song you were singing,” he mused, “is it from your homeland?”

“The Shire?” asked Carewyn. “No -- I learned it from the dwarves of Erebor. It’s the tale of how the dragon Smaug conquered their home, oh, many, many years ago...”

“You traveled to the Lonely Mountain?” Orion asked, raising his eyebrows curiously. He’d never heard of a hobbit traveling somewhere that far, let alone dangerous. He leaned forward, resting an arm on top of his crossed legs.

“Yes. My brother Jacob had apparently had dealings with the dwarves of Erebor...so I went with two of my friends from the Shire, Bill and Charlie Weasley, to meet them. The dwarves weren’t able to give me all the answers I was looking for, but they were kind enough to host us for a few days. Duncan, son of Dain and Prince of Erebor, sang the Song of the Lonely Mountain during one of their feasts, and I asked him to teach me the words. It was actually on that same trip that I first met Ben.”

“I see...”

Orion put down his pipe at last, his dark eyes trailing over Carewyn’s face with a marked interest. He hadn’t been sure what to make of the two Rohirrim who rode alongside a little she-Hobbit on a white pony when they first collided, but it seemed that this little Lady Took had far more grit than her pretty white shirt with the bow-trimmed collar and wide tan skirt would suggest.

Carewyn cocked an amused eyebrow at Orion. “Are you surprised, that I traveled to the Lonely Mountain?”

Orion inclined his head respectively. “Forgive me -- I can’t claim any intimate knowledge of hobbits...but my understanding was that your people aren’t the kind to chase adventure.”

“We’re not, for the most part,” said Carewyn. “Nor am I either, truthfully. But my brother was -- he always took more after the risk-taking ‘Took’ side of our family, out of the two of us...”

Her gaze drifted down to the fire as she settled herself down on a small stone next to it. The golden-red light of the flames passed over her face, leaving dark shadows around her eyes and on the apples of her cheeks.

“He left the Shire to travel Middle Earth,” she said softly. “But just as he was about to come home...his letters stopped abruptly. We tried to reach out to other towns close by, but no one had heard anything from him. Weeks turned into months, and then a year and still...nothing. So I finally decided to set out and find out what happened to him. And it’s that journey that’s led me here.”

“Do you believe your brother has a link to the One Ring?” asked Orion.

“I believe he was hot on its trail, at least. He tracked its last sighting down to a cave in the Misty Mountains. Apparently from there, it was rumored to have been stolen by a hobbit and taken back to the Shire.”

Orion’s eyebrows furrowed. Was Carewyn’s brother the one who’d found the Ring and supposedly brought it to the elves of Rivendell?

“How long ago was this?” he asked.

“I can’t say for sure, but it was definitely a long time ago,” said Carewyn with a frown. “I hardly know how it could’ve been so long without anyone in the Shire catching wise, considering how in-everyone-else’s-business they all are...but considering the One Ring has now been found, I guess we’ll find out whether what Jacob heard is true or not.”

“And you might have your next lead about what happened to your brother,” surmised Orion.

Carewyn nodded, her eyes still on the flames. She paused for a moment -- then, without fully raising her head, she looked up at Orion out the top side of her eye.

“...Amari...may I ask you about your homeland?”

Orion raised his eyebrows airily.

“I’m afraid I don’t have one to speak about, Ms. Took.”

Carewyn frowned. “Did your family also travel?”

“If they did, I can’t testify to it,” said Orion with a light shrug of his shoulders.

Carewyn looked confused for only a few seconds -- then her eyes softened in a sad realization.

“...Do you not have a family, Amari?”

Orion gave the hobbit a small, reassuring smile. “No. But don’t pity me too much, Ms. Took. I’ve created a family of my own over the years, out of the friends I’ve made across Middle Earth. Much like you have, from what I can see.”

He nodded to the two sleeping Coppers. Wendy had fallen asleep with her head on Ben’s shoulder, only for Ben to likewise fall asleep with his head on top of hers.

Carewyn’s eyes softened upon her friends.

“...Yes, I have,” she murmured, and her voice echoed with fondness.

She glanced back up at Orion, her ruby red lips curled up in a small smile.

“I’d say you have more royalty in your family than I do in mine, however.”

Orion looked down at Carewyn, looking a bit taken aback for the first time.

“...What makes you say that?”

His voice was as balanced as usual, but he watched her face very carefully, all the same.

Carewyn’s eyes drifted away, landing somewhere in the area of his shoulder as she smiled a bit more wryly.

“Your...affect, I suppose,” she said thoughtfully. “Something in the way you talk and hold yourself reminds me of Duncan...though, of course, Duncan doesn’t tower over me nearly as much as you do.”

Orion couldn’t fight back a soft chuckle. “I daresay the Prince of Erebor also doesn’t dress in the attire of a ranger.”

His dark eyes sparkled with amusement, but they still trailed over the hobbit’s ginger hair and almond-shaped eyes carefully.

This Carewyn Cromwell-Took was truly a very intriguing woman...

Her ruby red lips still curled up in a pretty smile, Carewyn got to her feet and crossed over to the large tent that Orion, Ben, and Artemis had put up earlier. 

“Now then, shouldn’t you get off to bed too?” she said. “If you’re going to be helping us navigate tomorrow, your eyes will need to be in top shape.”

“Yes, but one of us should stand guard over the camp,” Orion pointed out. Seeing Carewyn’s reproachful look, he added a bit more gently, “I shall go to sleep once you have, Ms. Took.”

He suspected that she herself was also the sort of person to not go to sleep until everyone else had. It appeared he was right, since she crossed her arms and gave him a rather cool expression.

“I will go to sleep once I know you’re actually going to go to sleep, not just say you’re going to do it.”

Orion chuckled again. “All right, then.”

He leaned back onto the grass, resting his arms behind his head and folding his cloak into something of a pillow. Once he was lying down, he heard the flap of the tent move again.

“Oh...and Amari?”

“Yes, Ms. Took?”

“Please call me Carewyn. Or ‘Carey,’ if you’d prefer. I don’t let anyone call me ‘Ms. Took,’ unless they’re someone I’d like to remain a stranger.”

“I’m grateful that I’m not in that category, at least.”

Despite the lightness in his voice, however, Orion’s dark eyes softened slightly. He could hear the pretty smile in her voice when she spoke again.

“Good night, Amari.”

“...Good night, Carewyn.”

[passable-talent]

within the world of markiplier lore... set during the events of A Heist with Markiplier.

this fic is based off the brilliant and fascinating comic by @iiipeashy​ , using his character insert for the canonical y/n. this will all make a little more sense if you’ve read the comic, so please do... good shit!!!

I got permission before I used it! and if you’re at all interested in the additional backstory (more than I go into here), DEFINITELY check it out. fascinating plot, FANTASTIC art, and FOOD for all of us damien lovers out there. all the love @iiipeashy !!

Griffin knew that making a deal with Mark was akin to making a deal with the devil, but he didn’t realize just how bad it would be. 

He should have known when Mark mentioned Damien that any reunion wouldn’t be the one he wanted, but he couldn’t help but take the deal anyway- if Mark could get him out of the mirror, wouldn’t the price be worth it?

Whatever the price may be?

Living in the van was annoying, and dealing with Mark even moreso, but ultimately, the job wasn’t so bad. He was out of the mirror, and he could walk again, live again. 

You wouldn’t think you’d miss the sound of footsteps. You do.

Being used as bait, though, wasn’t quite as appetizing. Griffin hadn’t known what Mark meant at the time, but he would come to. 

Thirty-one different endings for his little choose-your-own-adventure. One of them even involved Wil, which was quite a shock, but ended up being quite nice, to see an old friend again. Even if he wasn’t the same as when Griffin had seen him last. Thirty-one different endings, and it took weeks, agonizing weeks to film them all. Finally, though, Griffin was filming the last one- number thirty one. This time, he was going to be ‘murdered’ by the sewer cult, faceless figures that Mark conjured up, or roped into his game, just like Griffin. He knew the script, he knew the turns he had to make, he knew what he had to show to the camera strapped to his chest. 

But things started going off script. 

Immediately, Griffin’s head started pounding, and he looked down, shutting his eyes tightly to try to regain his balance. When he looked up, his surroundings had changed into a old hallway, one he swore he recognized, but he couldn’t place from where. 

It was obvious that this wasn’t something Mark planned. That wasn’t Mark’s style- confusing Griffin like this would just lead to more takes, which would lead to wasted time, and Mark didn’t care for wasted time. Whatever this was, it wasn’t Mark’s doing. 

A clank from his left made Griffin flinch, and turn, and the sight before him was something that rattled him to the core. On this bleary, colorless brick wall, an ornate frame, lit by a single light- with Mark’s personal chef pictured within it, his eyes scribbled out. Griffin’s head pounded, an echo punching through his skull, of the chef’s words, one of the last times Griffin had talked to him. 

“I thought I told you to stay out of my kitchen!”

The phone that Mark had given him as a prop vibrated in Griffin’s pocket, and he fished it out immediately- it wasn’t even supposed to be on. But from an unknown number, he read an unsettling text, his eyes straining to pick out the words on a bright screen against his pounding headache. 

Aren’t you tired of it?

Tired of what, Griffin begged to ask, but the dark hallway and the pounding headache made him drop the phone to the side, hoping to focus on one problem at a time. Another clank, this time from his right, forced him to turn, this time to see a photo of the butler, who disappeared from the mansion before Griffin was shot. 

“Master would be so displeased! If only he were still alive!”

Every word rocked its way through Griffin’s head, splitting it open with a headache like none he’d experienced since... since he was put in the mirror, actually, all those years ago. When Damien and Celine left him there. The forced expulsion from his own body as it was taken by the siblings had driven a nail between his two temporal lobes, and he hadn’t felt pain like it since. Until now, that is. What was going on?

Another text, and Griffin lifted the phone again, focusing on the words as quickly as he could through the blurriness of detail around him. He didn’t need his glasses anymore, not since he’d gone in the mirror, but with his headache, the pixels of the letters blended together. 

Don’t you feel like you’re running in circles?

Well, yeah, but wasn’t that Mark’s point? Who was texting him, anyway? How was this possible? The phone wasn’t even meant to be on.

A light to his left made Griffin look over, and he found a portrait this time of the detective- Abe, his one-time partner. He was an oddball, but Griffin wished him the best... didn’t Wil shoot him?

“I knew I shouldn’t have trusted someone so god-damn gorgeous.”

Once again the phone vibrated, cutting through his splitting headache, which pounded through every echo of every word that Abe said, the sound swirling around him. It wasn’t from some speaker, but it wasn’t inside Griffin’s head, either. It was some combination of the two, hallucination, yet, experience. 

No one seems to question it. 

The end of the hallway was approaching fast as Griffin stumbled down it, and the last painting within the room was of Wil, his old friend. That weekend at the manor was all the time Griffin had ever gotten to know him, but he felt fondness for him, for all that he went through. Besides- he was the only one who was as willing to fight for Damien and Celine as Griffin was, when everyone else was ready to leave. He not only had his eyes crossed out, but also, the pink mustache was drawn large and curly over his face. Wilford Warfstache, as he had become. Griffin’s eyebrows turned up, his headache making him squint, but still feeling regret at the fate that Wil had suffered, descending into his madness. 

“I thought that it was about time that we got to know each other. Far from the prying eyes of...” 

The noise continued, but Griffin fought through it, reading the last text he received, this one making four. And he didn’t even know who’d sent them. 

But I thought you’d see through it. 

All that was left was a door at the end of the hall, and Griffin pushed through it, hoping to find an end, or at least a reprieve. He wasn’t so lucky. 

“...anyone else.”

He emerged into a black room, vast yet confining, the whole of it impressing a feeling of both claustrophobia and vulnerability onto Griffin. Spotlights clicked on, leading him forward to one final painting- of Mark himself. Now he was sure that Mark wasn’t behind this. 

“But it’s not about me... it’s about you! And who knows... I could be dead tomorrow.” 

The eerie laughter and crumbling of the portrait made Griffin cringe away, as though the words he was hearing was putting him back into the mindset he’d had, so long ago, when he didn’t understand Mark’s villainy, nor any of the supernatural forces pushing and pulling at both Griffin’s destiny, and everyone else that Mark surrounded himself with. Griffin hadn’t known, that night, that he was speaking the truth of his own future, through a plan he was acting out. He was always acting. 

“Same snake... different skin.” Griffin found that these words didn’t come with a headache, and shut his eyes tightly to push away what he felt, in that moment. Because he would recognize that voice anywhere. That voice, that he’d first heard when they were roommates in a university, and again when they were both trying to make a career in public service. That voice, that belonged to his husband, who chose him to be the district attorney shortly after being elected as mayor. 

Damien? 

“Always spinning his yarns, his webs... his lies.” Griffin whirled to his left, finding that familiar figure, but instead of the peaceful and honest expression he was so used to seeing on Damien’s face, instead he saw an eerie smile, and Griffin’s eyes fought against the red and blue shift of Damien’s figure in front of him. When a duplicate appeared, like a shadow, with it came a sound that slammed against Griffin’s ears, the force of it almost knocking him sideways. 

“I always thought that you were... t̵̮͊r̶̯͒ả̶̮p̴͚͠p̴̗̋e̶͚͐d̵̗͒ in his games.” The sounds continued, always accompanying some terrifying change in his appearance, like he wasn’t really supposed to exist in the three dimensional world. 

“Perpetually p̷̙͑l̵̠̋u̵̻̾ṇ̷̋ḡ̴̲i̸̠̍n̸͎̈́g̸̓ͅ down the rabbit holes of his stories.” There was something about this that seemed familiar to Griffin, the way that Damien’s words echoed around him, and back, but deeper, darker. 

I am, Griffin tried to say, but found that when he opened his mouth, no sound would come out, and Damien didn’t even react as though he’d tried. 

“Helpless,” Damien said, and Griffin tried again, trying to say the same words, I am, I am trapped, but nothing would leave his throat, as though someone had flipped the ‘off’ switch on his voice box. 

“Lost.” Damien’s words now seemed only to mock Griffin as he lifted one hand to his throat, and tried again, to force out any sound he could, but he just couldn’t. 

“I̸̠͛ ̵̦̏k̵̪̉n̵̩͌o̷͈̐ẅ̷͇ ̴̠͛t̷́ͅȟ̴͕e̶͑ͅ ̴̢̇f̶͎̌e̷͚̊e̸͔͘l̴̝̃i̵̻͗n̴͚̊ḡ̶͍,” Damien growled, his glitching and shifting intensifying, hammering more pain through Griffin’s skull, worsening his feelings of helplessness, because he couldn’t cry out in pain, like the pain itself was shifting between dimensions, just like Damien’s form, just like Selene’s voice. 

“Perhaps I̶̬͆'̴̹̉m̵̠̕ the crazy one,” Damien suggested, and finally Griffin realized where he had felt this particular pain before, where he had seen such shifting and glitching. 

When Selene brought him to that... shadow realm. 

“Perhaps we’ve met a hundred times already, and you simply don’t remember it.” Griffin gripped at his throat again, not moving and yet keeping pace with Damien as he walked, trying to just break through to him- this tortured being who he was once married to. 

Damien, he tried to say, but he couldn’t make a sound, and Damien continued on, apathetic, indifferent. 

“Perhaps you’re tired of me repeating myself, over, and over, and over, and over, a̸̡̓n̶̠͋d̶͓͌ ̸̭̀ō̵̪ṿ̸̊è̶̡r̷͋͜ ̵̱͗ă̸͕ğ̶̠ä̶̟́í̶̹n̵͚̑.” Every echo and screech and ringing in the massive and yet confining room felt like a needle into Griffin’s brain, and he gripped his throat tighter, his other hand trying to put pressure onto his head, as though it would help. 

Damien, please-

“Maybe you just miss my pretty face.” Damien’s eyes went dark, and Griffin found himself on the verge of tears, the powerlessness of his position breaking him down. Damien was in pain- and he didn’t even talk as though he knew who Griffin was. Didn’t he?

“It doesn’t matter. People like you only want one thing.” A red shift beside Damien let out a scream, making Griffin flinch backward, his chest feeling so heavy.

Damien!

“And it’s disgusting.” Damien zipped around, his form reappearing closer to the table he now stood behind, and reached down to pick up a wine glass full of something that didn’t really look like water. “You want answers.” He looked down, losing that eerie smile, and Griffin wondered briefly what such a break in his expression could mean. 

“Well,” Damien lifted the glass, and the higher he raised it, the more black the liquid inside became. “Games were always ẖ̷̎ḯ̸͜ș̴̈́ forte.” He paused to drink, and phased for a moment, his stance changing. 

“But allow me this one moment of self indulgence.”

Damien, please, fucking hear me-

Griffin was thrown backwards, smacking his spine against the wooden back of a chair, and he realized he was sitting in front of the warden’s desk from the prison set. His vision shot around, trying to pick up any sort of clue, but then it landed on the box, in Damien’s hand. That damn box.

“So much trouble, all for something so small.” He phased into the warden’s chair, sitting across from Griffin, and looked down at the box. 

Griffin tried to scream. But he couldn’t.

“Do you really want to know what’s inside this box?” And truthfully, Griffin couldn’t care less. He didn’t care for the silly little setpiece that Mark had conjured for his delusional, rabid fans. Maybe he would have been curious, once, but not with his tortured, lost husband in front of him. Not now. 

“The truth. Not the lies he’s told you. The truth.” Griffin ground his teeth together, the hand on his throat still clutching on as though if he squeezed hard enough he could hit the ‘on’ switch of his own voice box. 

“Well, I know how much you love good games, and all.” He shifted around, and Griffin’s eyes struggled to keep up with wherever he ended up, the movement throwing his headache against his temples. 

“Throughout this... heist, I’ve hidden codes. Several codes.” The symbols blinking behind Damien made a cold realization sink into Griffin’s skin. 

Damien wasn’t even talking to him. 

“Find them all, and...” 

Griffin wasn’t even there, to Damien. He was a vessel to speak to Mark’s audience. 

“You’ll get your truth.” 

Damien had no idea that he was so close to Griffin, so close, all of this was to talk to the audience, not Griffin. Did Damien even know that Griffin was alive?

“But that’s all I’m gonna give you.” 

Out of the void surrounding Griffin came sounds, like the room around him was falling down, crashing to the floor. Rumbling, and Damien was fading away, his expression no longer angry, but fading into quiet sorrow.

No! Griffin tried to yell, and he tried to hold on, but whatever or whoever was pulling him out or pushing him away was too strong for him. Damien faded from his vision with screeching and rumbling and creaking... 

And when he opened his eyes, he was on the steps of the museum, at the beginning of the ‘heist’ script.

“No,” He murmured, his voice hollow, and the triumph of hearing his voice again was trumped by Griffin’s soul-consuming anger, sadness, grief, that he’d seen Damien again, but didn’t get to speak with him, and now he was gone, and Griffin had no way back. He fell to his knees, letting the same word rise to a scream of anguish, of defeat, as he looked up at the colorful, happy windows of the closed museum. 

Damien had called out, and he’d reached Griffin. And he hadn’t even known it. 

Griffin’s resolve hardened, his heart hardened. Any fondness that he may have still been grasping on to for his old friend Mark was gone, and he vowed that he’d destroy Mark. 

For what he’d done, for using Griffin to lure in Damien, for everything. 

He was going to destroy Mark. 

-🦌 Roe

thank u, @iiipeashy , for singlehandedly restoring my motivation to write, if only for an afternoon

[courage-a-word-of-justice]

Suppose a Kid... 1 | Hortensia Saga 1 | Kumo Desu Ga 1 | 2.43 1 | Cells at Work!! 1 - 2 | Cells at Work: Code Black 1 | Back Arrow 1 - 2 | Praeter 1 | Horimiya 1 | Tomozaki 1 - 2 | Wonder Egg Priority 1 | IChu 1 | Kemono Jihen 1 | YuruCamp 2 1 | Dr Stone: Stone Wars 1 | Sk8 1 | Mushoku Tensei 1 | Design-bu 1 | Wave!! 1 | BSD Wan! 1 | Ex-Arm 1

After much watching...I cut it down to 5 anime and 1 short.

Suppose a Kid… 1

I am not writing out that full title every time! Anyways, here’s the first “real” debut of winter 2021.

For some reason…this series reminds me of Pokemon. Probably how at the start, Ash tries to get along with Pikachu by doing all sorts of things like what Lloyd is doing here. (<- learnt protag’s name through synopses)

The name “Shouma” rang a bell and I was right – Shouma is voiced by Souma…Saito.

The Japanese title has “monogatari” on the end there…so it probably doesn’t fully translate into the English title.

These orange flecks in Lloyd’s eyes are kinda distracting…

Isn’t Kunlun in China, though…?

If this is just going to be Marie yelling…I don’t see why I should stay. (<- turned volume on for everything so far)

*facepalms* Lloyd is so dense…

That fight scene’s not very good…

…oh great. Selen’s fallen in love with Lloyd already…*sigh*

The missing princess is certainly going to be a plot point later.

Wow, that tiger looks impressive! If only they could’ve done that for the fight scene…

…oh great, Selen is a low-key yandere…

Didn’t Lloyd say he sucked at combat…? Anyways, I’m not keeping this. The designs are colourful and the tiger was good, but it’s meant to be a comedy and it’s not funny.

Hortensia Saga 1

Here for Ume! He’s voicing a guy called Defloitte Danois.

I-Is that CGI? So early on into the anime???

*a dude gets bitten into by the werewolf*…welp, at least this series isn’t afraid of its own gore.

I had a sinking feeling our real protag was Alfred…and I was right, according to the OP.

Huh? The song goes silent for a second near the end…what the heck?

The book appears to use English, albeit English so faintly inked in you can’t quite tell what language it is.

Alfred, governing Albert…? Isn’t that a bit redundant?

I swear all the female voices in this anime are squeaky as all get out…

All these high fantasy anime – or heck, any high fantasy series full stop – ever justify why the country is worth fighting for. It’s why I find war stories pointless and senseless.

You can tell from the voice and short stature “Marius” is Mariel…but she uses boku, which is why Alfred can’t really tell the difference. (Also, he wasn’t privy to the fact Mariel cut her hair.)

This almost smacks of a game tutorial. The CGI is still there…it’s not as bad as other examples I’ve seen, but you can tell it’s CGI when you look at it.

Roy’s kind of pretty, in a generic way.

A close-range archer! Ho, you’re kinda impressive yourself, Roy. (The feeling of a game tutorial has disappeared by this point.)

Hortense…of Hortensia…how confusing.

The scruffy guy you keep seeing with the dark hair is Defloitte. Keep an eye out for him for me, would you?

The ED seems to consist mostly of…anguished pop screams. *cringes slightly*

Anyways, this anime isn’t bad. It’s quite average though and its CGI could easily get worse.

Kumo Desu ga 1

…you know I don’t like 1st person cam, yeah?

…this is just Kumoko (as I’ve heard her being called) yelling so far…plus there’s quite a bit of CGI.

I like how the ED has an English overlay and the style they’ve used for it. The music, though…? Nah.

Wait a second? Millepensee? Shin Itagaki? That would explain the CGI!

“…a spider that just happens to have my memories.” – A butterfly dream, huh?

…well, at least this anime is well aware of the genre space it inhabits. Maybe you could say…it’s an isekai light novel, so what? *groans from the audience*

…well, you didn’t really “bring” your “brother’s” (?) corpse in case of an emergency, now, did you?

…welp, to have guts, you must eat guts. I guess that’s how it goes.

What’s a “skanda”?

This anime’s quite monologue-y (as expected of an LN). I can live with it, but I don’t know if it can carry the entire thing through the season.

…humans? Haven’t seen them almost all episode. What are they up to?

These designs sort of look like SAO’s. They’re not a dealbreaker yet, but they could be down the line…

This ED seems to take cues from Cop Craft’s OP (same studio). It also has some…“Aggretsuko rage”, I guess you could call it.

2.43 1

…Another confusing title, I see. I normally don’t do sports anime, but I’m here for Ume.

*sees the colour of the volleyball* - Basically anything volleyball has to collaborate with volleyball maker Mikasa, doesn’t it?

This anime seems to like putting characters’ thoughts on the screen for dramatic impact. The CGI is sort of visible, but not a dealbreaker.

I’d thought I’d heard of this OP artist before, but it turns out I haven’t.

This series has a nice sense of force. You see those moments where the ball squishes, or when Yuni presses against the wall without thinking? Those.

LOL, way to burn Yuni, Chika…

These transitions are a bit hard to detect. I think I like Akudama’s more overt ones more.

LOL, Dr Popper (sic).

The serves are nothing special. Haikyuu does the same thing from the episode I saw of it. (You know I don’t like Haikyuu, yeah? Dropped it after 1 episode because everything I heard the fans talking about caused me to connect the dots.)

The way Yuni blushes…it’s more than someone usually would, even if it is out of embarrassment. It may just be the entertainment I consume, but I could swear that’s going somewhere in more of a BL manner.

I get the feeling Chika has a bit of Virgo or Taurus in him somewhere. The sort of guy who nags at everyone to do stuff his way is probably like that.

Pocari Sweat (unaltered).

I gave myself dimples by puffing up my cheeks and poking them until they became permanent. I guess you can do the same thing with ambidexterity…?

For some reason, I can detect Chika’s jealousy when he discusses blocks and natural talent.

…wow, this anime is pretty serious for a volleyball anime.

The ED scene where the face is replaced with flowers is pretty creepy. Like Jigokuraku or something.

Cells at Work!! 1

What are these blob creatures you see in the OP, anyway…?

I think I remember reading something that the numbers assigned to the cells aren’t arbitrary – they’re hexadecimal colors, e.g. RBCs get shades of red as their numbers.

D’aww, Platelets warm the heart. They really do.

Platelets have a master…? I thought they were all just lil’ kids.

“What the cell’s going on?!” – Oh, I remember seeing a tweet about this. I love that pun! Kudos to whoever was responsible for that.

LOL, no. 4989 dancing in the background.

Hmm…those nets look like CGI.

…uh, I did not need that shot of the Megakaryocyte’s camel toe…that’s distubring.

Wait, Backward Cap is a she?!

Aw, lookit WBC being a dad. That’s cute.

Backward Cap = Ushiromae-chan.

Is that…a construction worker holding a giant pudding?!

Cells at Work Code Black 1

This anime is called “black” due to black companies. It’s Code Black to avoid being racist, I guess. I’m looking forward to it because it’s undoubtedly going to show a dark side to the main series…

…and there it is, the RBC complaining.

I assume OJT = on the job training.

I knew “pespin” (sic) was a typo. It’s pepsin.

Now that I’ve been working at customer service for two years (give or take COVID), I can see where the senpai RBC is smoothing over the relations.

…that also means I know where to suppress my emotions. I’m not a person who opens up to people easily without getting used to them, so people never see me as suitable for customer service anyway, but it’s the only experience I have so *shrugs*.

…oh gosh. I haven’t seen these words since…the time I was still learning biology.

…*sigh* Rookie RBC is worried about boobs.

The fact Senpai lost his iconic hat…is kinda sad, actually.

“Don’t let his resolve be for nothing.”

Hmm…does the male WBC from the main series wear black fingerless gloves?

I thought I’d heard of this artist before…but turns out I just can’t distinguish really autotuned artists from each other…(lel)

…and stuff goes ka-blam. It’s the spiritual successor to HypMic, even if I wasn’t asking for it. (LOL)

Back Arrow 1

…I heard you said “hot guys”? (Yes, I am predictable as all get out.)

What’s with that episode title…?

Stereotypes, eh? I kind of expected as much from the promo, but where’s the title character…?

…was that yuri fanservice? I can’t quite tell because it was the aftermath of an action scene, but I can see the shippers gearing up in my head.

…after a bit of waiting, there he is. Back Arrow himself. He kind looks like Takuto (Star Driver).

“I’m not trying to hide anything!” – Well, that’s…true.

…*sigh* Why do girls always have more feminine-looking mechs? (Plus this one has boobs…*sighhhhhhhhhhhh*)

So it seems mechs in this anime are the form of one’s conviction and they have skills along those lines, eh? An interesting concept.

…you do realise I abandoned an entire anime based on a joke about lucky underwear? However, this anime is so absurd and just keeps running with the joke that I just can’t say no to it. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from volunteering at a charity store, it’s that when it comes to selling stuff, you can’t say no to a lot of stuff…including selling potentially used underwear, so long as it’s not dirty or stinky.

Whoa! Those things break?!

Why does the title card mention the wall...?

Anyways, I…like it, surprisingly enough. Let’s keep going.

Back Arrow 2

…eh? Didn’t expect inflatable clothing, LOL.

I suspect Shu Bi is scheming something.

What’s the long thing…?

“…tomorrow might not come.” – A good reminder to have in these times of COVID.

Peath = Peace. (Heh. What a stupid name…*thinks about the name “Quattro Bajeena” suddenly* Okay, “Peath” pales in comparison to that.)

What is that creature that circles in the sky…?

I know this is meant to be a serious fight, but…that attacking guy’s hat seriously looks like a bamboo stalk and so I keep seeing it and trying not to laugh.

I only just now realised there’s CGI. CGI these days is getting much better than it used to be.

Tomozaki 1

LOL, Yontendo. It’s clearly Smash Bros + Nintendo Switch and the character designer was also around for Iroduku, so that’s why this style looks familiar.

…lemme guess, since this is a romance, it’s likely NONAME is Aoi. Or some other girl.

I would pay for a romance where it’s the girl building the guy up to be presentable, instead of a girl building other girls up to be presentable a la Ageha 100%.

Didn’t the anime show us Tomozaki reflecting to himself, though…?

“…rules working in combination.” - Well, there’s social norms (e.g. knock before entering a room), laws, contracts, societal standards (e.g. in Japanese society, you bow to others as a greeting or apology)…(continues to blabber on for a bit)

I think Aoi said something like “onitadaku”, but I’m not sure what the joke is there. Oni is in there, sure, but what’s the original phrase she’s playing off?

…LOL, it’s a good time to remind people to wear a mask.

LOL, Krout.

Anyways, this seems decent. I like how it’s going the way I want it to.

Tomozaki 2

“…make sure I’m nearby…” – Okay, that’s just being pushy, Aoi.

Minami and Hinami…so confusing…

*Minami chomps on Natsubayashi’s ear* - …okay, that’s not a thing girls do in real life unless they’re lesbians. This is likely trying to take the fanservice route.

They didn’t even show why the “kiss” was broken up…meaning they were doing it to make potential girl-on-girl look hot. Just great.

*Aoi touches Tomozaki’s butt* - Dude, that’s groping…

I didn’t think we’d get the story on Aoi’s “hexactly” so soon.

…well, that episode just made me feel mildly bitter. I’m dropping it here.

Praeter 1

…aw s***. Only a few seconds in and this looks like a terrible game…

It’s like someone barfed paint across Durarara…

The only time the background buildings look any good are when there’s a fight scene…

These Seals (or whatever those designs are called) seem to act like mini shields. Update: They’re called tattoos.

That transition was a bit fast for my liking…

Seems like the series is mildly peppered with Greek terms.

“To Infinity and Beyond” by…some author I can’t really read the name of.

Suddenly, they throw in more characters…?

Where does Eiji keep those bullet cases of his…? In his jacket?

Having a guy die in the 1st episode is cheap. I mean, we don’t quite care for him yet – it’s too early in the anime for that.

Now there’s Norse terms on top of the Greek ones…

Even more characters? You kidding me?

Lemme guess, Eiji gave up his tattoo because Yamato inspired him and now he’s a goner.

Welp, the weight of the world is in your hands, Yamato. Including that dead dude on your back. (<- sarcastic)

Sk8 1

I’ve been hearing good things about this anime! Let’s go! (<- about a week late to the debut)

That politician is probably relevant…probably someone’s dad, if HypMic taught me anything.

LOL, a beef. They call this stuff “beef”? Where’s the chicken? (<- joke from HypMic)

Haemanthus…apparently a flowering plant from S. Africa.

That’s rare, you don’t see Canadians in anime all that much. I was just thinking as I came home from volunteering how you know British people all have fancy names like William and Australians are Johnno, Danno etc., but Canadians? No clue. Update: Apparently you’d call one Arnold or something just as generic…?

Why are all foreigners in anime half-Japanese with the mother being the Japanese side, anyway?...Because people can make their character speak Japanese while looking foreign. Right. Moving right along.

Ahh…I understand your plight all too well, Reki.

…Hmm. It seems Reki’s surname is written kiya, but read “Kyan”. His name literally translates to “history (calendar/age) of bravery (military might)” Update: Turns out his surname is 3 characters (read “kiyan”, although I’ve never seen that final character ever being read as “n”) and his first name is one, so his first name is just “history (calendar/age)”.

Even I suck at balancing on bikes and stuff (…yeah, I still can’t ride a bike even though I’ve done so many other things in my life) and I know you have to support yourself with one foot on the ground before you do things like trick flips. I may not have observed Tony Hawk all that much, but he was on the periphery of my knowledge.

“What’s your hourly wage?” – Ouch, I feel ya, Langa.

Koko ni netete actually means “Lie down here”, but…okay.

These eyecatches are cute.

That’s a cute fox.

Yikes! 60 mph = approx. 97 km/h!!!

Random umeboshi, LOL.

Aghhhhhhhhhhh! Cherry Blossom’s so pretty~! I love him already!

Thank you, based Bones!

Something that can be enjoyed, even without sound: this is why I enjoy both action and comedy anime!

Okinawa? We’re in Okinawa?

Well, that was cool! I didn’t even ask where the location was until the end. Update: Why is this anime sometimes called Sk8 the Infinity anyway…?

Horimiya 1

Horimiya…I’ve been aware of this series for a while. There’s even a Chinese volume of it at a library close to me, although due to contact tracing I haven’t bothered to check it out.

Oh, I bet Hori is the otaku!

Ooh, Marketing Script!

Because I’ve been behind on the premieres, I’ve seen enough to know this boy with the chain is Miyamura.

…argh! Miyamura is cute! Y’all were right!!! (<- likes blushing bois)

I bet there’s going to be an emergency meeting!

“Sorry, it’s egg time!” – Oh, I’m laughing so hard! So that’s the context behind the Wonder Egg Priority meme!

“…see these?!” – Well, it’s not like you have a tattoo or some-*Miyamura shows his tattoos* Never mind…

Oh, I just realised they even animate the minute movements of the eyes Miyamura does…cool.

Notice how Miyamura is blocked from the other guy due to the window.

Miyamura goes “Ishikawa-kun” but “Hori-san”…hmm. No wonder he’s letting Ishikawa get Hori.

The problem I find with romance series is that they’re generally tied to heteronormativity. Hori is coded with red silhouettes and Miyamura with blue…*sigh* Whatever happened to gender ambiguity?

Good heavens, what is up with this ED?! It looks like Pocoyo! (…Does anyone else know that cartoon…?) Aside from that quibble, this anime is great though.

Mushoku Tensei 1

Apparently this is the grandad of all isekai. Why it took so long for an anime of this…who knows?

…and of course this guy’s a loser virgin. Go figure.

*sighhhhhhhhh* He’s just ogling this woman’s boobs…

…oh, sorry. I was so distracted by the man candy, I didn’t care about Rudy.

I-It’s actually quite refreshing to not have an OP protagonist from the get-go for once. (Or maybe I’ve developed such a disdain for isekai since SAO rolled around that everything here suddenly feels fresh.)

You can see the birthplace of isekai without having watched any of the others right here, it looks like.

“…what’s the point of incantations?” – To make it easier for you to cast spells, I gue-spoke too soon.

…wow, they shamelessly showed off Rudy’s privates. I know he’s still young at this stage, but that reminds me of how I dropped Dragon Ball around the time Goku was shown the same way (which is…very early on, by my own admission).

I believe, based on the name of the spinoff I see in the 7 Seas emails, the magic tutor is called Roxy.

You’re thinking about marriage?! At your (reincarnated) age?!

Oh no! The tree again!

LOL, Rudy’s acting like a kid who’s been in COVID lockdown for a while.

I think what most of the isekai that spun off from here missed is that the loser is job age. Losers at life at job age are relatable and high school geniuses are relatable (albeit sometimes insufferable), but losers who become NEETs for no reason whatsoever and then get banged up by Truck-kun are not.

Anyways, this was good, but a risky kind of good, since it seems like this male gaze will continue to be around as Rudy gets older.

Update: Dropped after learning Rudy was a paedophile in his past life.

Update 2: Apparently the anime toned down this paedophilic tendency of Rudy’s, so...now the verdict is that I move on while I let other people tell me if this is true of the anime or not.

Kemono Jihen 1

“Kemono Jihen” means something like “creature incidents”. I wonder why Funimation didn’t change the name…?

Kabane means “summer wing”.

Kanoko Villa, I’d assume, is named after the deer (the name means “deer’s child”).

My experience with Sho Aimoto (creator of this manga) is reading a bit of Hokenshitsu no Shinigami. (That, by the way, reminds me of Nube, but it’s nothing spectacular.) However, Hokenshitsu no Shinigami has a very detailed artstyle…That’s why I’m pretty shocked Kemono Jihen has such a scratchy one…

Ooh, edamame!

Oh, I see…this is like Furuba or a werewolf story, huh? Rather than a Natsume Yuujincho sort of thing.

…I thought Inugami and Dorotabo had seen everything of each other because of bathing together…I guess not, then.

…is Yataro going to die?

It seems the “immortal demons” are oni, so…why subtitle them as “immortal demons” and not just “demons”?

Ohhhhhhhh…this shite’s good. It seems to have a throwback feeling to it, moreso than even Yashahime or a lot of the sequels I’ve seen recently.

Cells at Work!! 2

I was going to move right along to Wonder Egg Priority because I’m really behind on the debuts right now, but I accidentally opened this up while I was cleaning up so I might as well watch another episode or two before setting it aside.

He’s dead, Jim. (<-joking)

…gosh, these walls look like Hover all over again and that’s from 1995…

LOL, these background cells don’t even have any details. They’re basically stick figures with fat bodies…

I think that phrase that appeared, “Take good care of B Cell!”, may be a pun on Give My Regards to Black Jack (written with similar Japanese, “B Cell wo Yoroshiku!” vs. “Black Jack ni Yoroshiku!”).

LOL, “you sure have the guts”…while they’re in the guts.

The certificate says something about it being presented to someone in the face of bravery, I think (<- just looked at it briefly).

“You have a good head on your shoulders,” says the T cell as WBC struggles with the disguise…stuck on his head.

Wonder Egg Priority 1

I’ve been hearing this series is surreal, but no more surreal than Flip Flappers. So…I don’t know if I’ll like it or not.

What’s this K?(?96…?

There’s a sunflower on her raincoat…so that’s why I saw a post called “You’re the sunflower”. Personally, that just reminds me of Post Malone.

Those Seeno Evils…they’re CGI, aren’t they?

As Boueibu once said (but I may be paraphrasing here), “nothing is more scary than free”.

…to be honest with you, I haven’t had a best friend for at least 2 years now. I only really feel close to people who are like me and who I have sustained contact with over many years, so I end up cutting contact with people after we part ways and never trying to fix it.

I always find it slightly absurd when anime girls get a little pudgy and go, “I’m so fat!” (See, for instance, the Dumbbell series.) Or, in this case, Ai’s going, “I’m so ugly!” when there’s nothing wrong with her. She’s only a bit different from everyone else due to her heterochromia - she doesn't have any physical or mental difficulties.

IChu 1

Here for Ume and, of course, dem bois. Bring it!

I seem to remember one of the magazines called an “Ichu” “an idol egg” (i.e. a fledgling idol)…More egg puns for me, then.

I found him! Ume! He’s Akira Mitsurugi! Update: Turns out that’s Toshiyuki Toyonaga…Oops. (Ume is actually Lucas from I*B.)

Huh? For a second, I imagined Akira with a dubbed voice. Of course, I could only be dreaming, because idol anime normally don’t get dubs, but…it was interesting to think about.

LOL, “Onsta”.

This Akio-type character is popular lately. The sort who’s timid but has an outstanding talent they themselves might not see.

…uh, but Kocho means “Principal”…?

An idol bear?!

Torahiko is crazy…(Note the tigers. Tora = tiger.)

Specifically, that’s black coffee with no sugar.

As much as I want to keep watching this, I’ll hit pause on it here. There’s much better offerings this season.

YuruCamp s2 1

…grandpa’s writing is so…neat.

*glares at CGI car…*

This OP just doesn’t compare to Shiny Days, y’know…?

OOPArts.

Talking pine cones! They’re back!

Curry rice! Literally had some of the Japanese-style stuff the other day. It was great.

All this talk about jobs…I personally don’t like jobs because I like to work at my own pace (hence one reason why I’m working on being a translator), but…money…I’m jealous, girls.

I’m trying not to rely on the subs for those texts that appear on the screen so that I can keep my reading skills up…I kept up with them for the most part…but then I got distracted by the croquette sign at one point…

“…buy you some local food?” – That’s omiyage, normally translated “souvenirs”. “Local food” actually does make more sense in that gap, though.

…man, I’m jealous that the girls all got jobs suitable for their personalities and everything. Lil’ ol’ antisocial me sucks at retail, even after 2 years.

Design-bu 1

LOL, that man and his bunny. Update: That’s Unabara-san.

…geez, these utaite are everywhere now. I’ve seen 96neko, USSS, Eve and more being more central to anime song creation…

Thise characters in the OP seal (<-the stamp, not the animal) are saiyou, meaning “recruited”, or in this case, “accepted”.

OEM = original equipment manufacturer.

Hrm…you can tell it’s a giraffe by description, but…that “base everything on the horse” is interesting as you could count several things as horse derivatives. Also, the angels’ names are all standard Japanese names with natural components to them (Ueda = upright rice field, Shimoda = frost rice field etc).

Is this pink-themed guy…a guy? Or a crossdresser? Update: That’s Kanamori-san.

I like how the suits have little wing-like flaps. Also the wings on Shimoda’s back.

…I never thought an anime episode would make me so concerned about giraffes.

That guy in the green I remember from the Wave x Tendebu (Heaven’s Design Team) collab, his name is Kimura.

Oh, so there is a bird like that!

The random wiggling the chibis do in these short segments…it’s a bit disorienting. (<-Just a small quibble of mine.)

Oh! Galapagos effect!

Agonistic: “polemical; combative.” I thought they meant “antagonistic”.

Oh man, that punch line was great! It took me a while to get into the spirit of it, but this anime is great!

Update: Oh, that’s where those nature names come from! They’re actually meant to be gods! (Or…named after gods…?) Also, Ueda vs. Shimoda (the “shimo” could be the kanji for “below”).

Ex-Arm 1

I’ve heard this anime looks bad…even well before its debut. How bad? Let’s find out.

*stifles laughter* From the first pan, I know this anime is doomed on my list. Even Praeter was better than this!

*stifles laughter again* This OP really does look as bad as the stuff I was seeing prior to winter 2021! Like a game I shouldn’t take out of my archives! (It’s not as bad as Hover’s graphics, but still…that’s from 1995. Cut it some slack.)

That’s the 2nd Kimura this season…

Yugg is just…ugly. Never try to render elaborate eyelashes in CGI again, people.

Dimension High School was better than this because at least that had puzzles. This is even jankier than that!

Wait, why is Akira 3D when his dad is 2D? It’s not that obvious, but I notice these things. Update: That’s not his dad…but close enough. (That’s his brother.)

…and here comes Truck-kun! (LOL)

This would be good…if it weren’t rendered in the jankiest CGI known to man…

Alma’s gun strike doesn’t have a lot of force to it.

The fire is rendered so terribly…*stifles laughter*

This part with a disembodied Akira is what I assume I got up at 6 am for…but I can’t hear it, due to background noise. Remind me to confirm this later. (Minami’s mouth is rendered so terribly…augh.)

No force to any of these recent motions, either.

LOL, this censorship.

Wave 1

Ever since this project was announced, I’ve been watching developments unfold on Anime News Network. I knew it would get an anime or something similar I could follow…and now here I am. I mentioned in the Sk8 comments I have basically zero knowledge of surfing, so…this is very unexpected, in one sense.

Was that a drone…?

“Wizard of the Waifu Board”?! Are you kidding me?! (LOL)

There seem to be shots where I can see the CGI here, but…anything’s better than Ex-Arm. Let’s say that.

Actually…yappe is a derivative of yabai, meaning “cool” or “crap” (in an ironic sense). So it would probably be better to translate it as “Surfing’s the greatest!” or “Surfing’s the coolest!” Anyways, what I was thinking before I was going to say this was that the waves are so enticingly animated, it feels like a summer anime. Basically the only other anime I’ve ever said that for is Grand Blue.

If I’m understanding where Isokichi’s name comes from right, “iso” is the character for seashore or a rocky beach (磯).

LOL, the teacher just wrote “Show must go on.”

Hayama, Kanagawa. Kanagawa’s capital is Yokohama, so it’s not quite Tokyo, but somewhat close.

“Murphy”? I have zero clue what that means.

Oh, I see. The title is translated that way due to context. Now that I can accept.

I just burst out into laughter when I realised Nalu hasn’t dropped or put down his ukulele once.

BSD Wan! 1

Here comes my past to haunt me…aside from me being a fan of BSD, I’m here because I influenced this series. How so? Once upon a time in the now-distant year of 2016, I was a scanlator for a brief period. Most of the work I’ve done hasn’t influenced the world at large, but this is the most influential manga I had a hand in working on.

Oh no! They’re starting with the dog AU?! (That comes from pretty far into the manga, IIRC. Further than my work was on it, at least.)

It’s Rashomon, but Rashoken (that last bit means “dog”). Hence Ruffshomon.

Basically, they just insert dog-related words everywhere…don’t make me explain every one!

Ouch, I can only imagine how much pain it was to translate Inu Shikkaku. Literally, it’s “No Longer a Dog”, but how would anyone make it in line with the other puns…?

I wasn’t fully aware of how the dog AU was connected to the main Wan series because I haven’t really looked at it after I quit due to aggregators, but…that was a nice fakeout. Also, I was concerned as to whether this was going to be a full-length ep or a short…seems like it’s a 10 minute short, so I have more chances of taking it.

…oh gosh, that pose! I remember it! I worked on this one! (Now that I know it’s a TV short, I won’t cover future episodes, but I want to at least finish this one because I started it.)

I think they added a bit there. I remember Kunikida’s and Yosano’s were in the manga, but not the other members or Fukuzawa going “the wind is smiling” + Kenji working on the roof at the start.

Oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I remember Rampo. I think I had to approximate how he would say stuff with Pocky in his mouth, but Slug (current scanlator) went the extra mile and stuck food in his mouth to do the same panel.

It seems to make a short ep., they strung a bunch of the chapters together. Also, I don’t think we ever found out what Yosano’s puddle was and that was…probably for the better.

Oh yeah…I think I remember this one.

Now I remember it! I remember having fun explaining what a youkan was.

Whoa, Higuchi scrapped the SFX! That wasn’t in the original…

The ED seems to be an Atsushi cover of Namae wo Yobu yo.

Oh noooooooooooo! The flower gazing episode! That’s the one I remember most, because I was trying to figure out how to translate 移動 while making it smooth-sounding English…(I remember the final result was something like, “Move! Move~!”

Dr Stone: Stone Wars 1

Final debut! Let’s go~!

The last time this series was on the air was about 1 year ago. I can remember that far back…

I like how that recap is framed as Gen talking to the kids.

Senku overcomes every problem with science.

…not much to comment on here.

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

An egg-cellent day for an adventure

It's another fun filled day of baking sweet treats at the camp as we've got a surplus of eggs to use up. Good thing Emilia decided to drop by along with her daughter Michele Toni for a well deserved mother-daughter weekend. I was hoping for the day when Emilia would stop by for a visit and now she's here!

(Psstt... Andrea, Selene, Paget, Lena, Rini, Malka, Kate, Annie, and Luciana- camp's open all year round for visitors so if you can, come on over!)

Along with collecting eggs scattered across the camp and making baked goods, Emilia's also filming a travel-style vlog for her channel Emilia Eats. She mainly does recipe videos with an occasional vlog, something she's been doing for about ten years now. Along with making videos Emilia runs a local catering company of the same name.

I've always loved Emilia's cooking and baking - it's one of the many things I look forward to when I visit home - second to my mom's, of course. Also I love her videos as she's got a sweet personality that makes me feel enthusiastic about baking. I've saved a lot of her recipes for reference and sometimes I just like watching her videos just to see old friends like Serena, Tony, and Michele.

I'm glad to see Emilia in a much better place. We caught up a bit at the wedding, where I got to know Michele Toni a bit more as well as catch up with her dad. The past few years have been rough on them but now it looks like things are finally settling down for Emilia and Mr. Phillips.

Little Michele Toni's so cute, she's almost like a mini-me of Emilia. Hard to believe she's a toddler now and it's so cute seeing her take an interest in baking! I always love seeing her "cooking" alongside her mom in various videos.

Around the time before Michele Toni was born, Emilia was going through a rough time. Up until then, the Phillips-Conrad family were a happy bunch. The family had a bit of unwanted publicity as Mr. Phillips was, and still is, a big name in town, so the fact that he, a white man, adopted two young black girls was something the media wanted to dig up dirt on. Truth is, there was nothing to stir up - Emilia and Michele's mom and Mr. Phillips were good friends and he was always like a father figure to the girls. Both didn't have much living family so they assigned each other as godparents to their kids.

For years they were a happy family - Emilia, Tony, and Michele. Tony was the one who helped Emilia get started with her channel, teaching her how to film and edit videos as well as get more views. Michele was the one who helped Emilia come up with recipe ideas and in the videos where she's featured, the two would often talk about their mom. Emilia always spoke fondly of her as did Tony while Michele would listen intently when the two told stories of the past. Those videos are always bittersweet to watch, especially now that Tony and Michele are gone.

Things changed when Tony went off to college, traveling abroad and rarely coming home. Michele also went abroad and later got caught up in a hectic, stressful lifestyle, leaving Emilia in Rosevine balancing her life as a baker and a Galaxy Fighter. We all had a feeling that Tony and Michele were going to leave while Emilia stayed so it was expected that the three would go their separate ways. They were still a close knit family though - none of us suspected that something was wrong.

The deaths of Tony and Michele were a huge shock to the community. Both were struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction as their lives took a toll on them. Tony died from a drug overdose and Michele drove off a bridge, both were at their lowest point due to unlucky breaks. Then months later Serena died in the Crystal Shadow War so in that time span Emilia lost her siblings and best friend.

It was a difficult time for everyone. I was also going through some rough patches myself so you can imagine how bad it was. Pretty much everyone I knew from home was going through a terrible time because the universe somehow decided to be a dick and throw all these tragedies at us.

Thankfully, those days are behind us. Months later I opened the camp, Emilia and the other Galaxy Fighters had their spirit revived thanks to a band of adventurers - I guess you can say the darkest hour is just before dawn. Not everything's perfect right now, but we're all doing a lot better, and that's what matters.

Along with some new friends sort of turning Rosevine upside down, Emilia was in for another unexpected turn. Not too long after Serena's death, Emilia started seeing some guy who wasn't good for her. Then Michele Toni was born and she was probably the best thing to ever happen for her mom and grandpa in light of the tragedies that plagued them. It wasn't until last year when Michele Toni made appearances on Emilia's channel and stole the show. Seeing the two of them bake together makes me so happy - and I'm glad that Emilia finally feels comfortable embracing her role as a mom.

Michele Toni had a lot of fun bringing us eggs she found while exploring the camp, her favorite place being the beach. Emilia says her favorite hangout spot is Sunburst Island because it reminds her of her family's summer home in Watercolor Vineyards. I've never been there but from how she, Tony, and Michele described it, the island sounds beautiful!

While sightseeing and scavenging for eggs, Emilia filmed for her vlog and caught me and Daisy Jane  up on everything that's been going on at home. Selene, Arianne, and Vitoria are up to the usual, their latest adventure happened to be with Team Magic involving smoke screens, zombies, and frozen tidal waves. Kate's got a big tennis match coming up while Malka has a concert in a couple weeks. Rini and her grandma are doing well, running the shrine as usual and planning for their yearly spring trip to Tranquility Falls. Lena and Annie are busy at the hospital saving lives and helping others. Paget's doing all right, holding her own, taking it one day at a time. Andrea and Robin are doing their best too, keeping up with Selene and the others. Luciana's checking in on everyone as usual, coming to the rescue in the nick of time.

Hunting for eggs was a lot of fun! Emilia showed off her powers a little for the campers. As a Galaxy Fighter, she's Guardian Cyclone and her powers involve manipulating air into wind, creating powerful blasts that can be as strong as a hurricane. Since a good batch of the eggs are in hard to reach places (Why, Zipper, why?), it's a good thing we have Emilia here to help her out because she's currently the tallest person here right now, she's an agile climber, and can use her powers to drop eggs that are impossible to reach. In a stroke of luck, not a single egg was broken - and we were kinda rough with them.

Once we were satisfied with the amount of eggs we collected (maybe not satisfied but you can only collect so many eggs before you get annoyed by them popping up everywhere you go), it's time to get cooking! For savory dishes we made a bunch of quiches to put many of the eggs to good use and so we can freeze them for later. We made a bunch of different kinds - spinach and feta, four cheese, kimchi, salmon and cream cheese, shakshouka, garden veggies, sausage - it's a good thing we labeled everything! Of course, we used Emilia's trusty old recipe for a buttery, flaky crust that's not only delicious, but easy to make and freezes well.

The desserts was where we went all out. I happened to score a nice bargain with a barrel full of perfect peaches so we made a lovely pie with those. Daisy Jane taught us how to make egg tarts, a sweet treat I haven't had in forever. Coco made carrot cake cheesecake bars, Claude baked a giant quadruple chocolate mousse cake, and Dora made a lovely assortment of digestive biscuits to go with freshly brewed tea. Emilia made up a recipe on the spot - lemon vanilla cardamon bars - which turned out really good.

Since the lemon vanilla cardamon bars were such a hit, Emilia's gonna make a recipe video of it - at the camp. I still can't believe that Daisy Jane and I are gonna be on Emilia Eats - first for the vlog, now a recipe video! It's taken her years but Emilia plans to get most, if not all, her friends to appear on her channel. She plans to get Team Magic on next as she's planning a video with Mariposa and Skully, developing a recipe with Angie, figuring out what she wants to do with Luna that won't blow up the kitchen, and waiting on Pippa and Willow.

I can't wait to see what Emilia Eats has in store because Emilia's been knocking it out of the park lately! Her videos have always been consistently good but in the past few months she's been putting a lot more heart into it. Even when times were tough, Emilia always managed to put on a brave face. I remember watching her videos during those times, how despite everything that was going on, Emilia continued making recipes. We all have our different ways of coping with grief and hers was to continue with business as usual, which can be a good and bad thing.

Hanging out with her and watching her play with Michele Toni, I know for sure that Emilia's going to be all right. We can't undo the past and bring back lost loved ones, but we can carry on. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I think I see a little bit of Michele Toni's aunt and uncle in her. She's definitely got her mom's heart and spirit.

After a fun day of collecting eggs and baking, it's time for a well deserved bonfire dinner of quiches, seafood chowder, and freshly baked sourdough bread. Then tomorrow will be more egg hunting, baking, filming, and good old camping fun!

[dialovers-translations]

I have been spending a little more time on my DL OC ask blog over here these past two days but do not worry! I’ve been working on translations as well. xD

I actually finished translating both Ruki’s Para-selene CD and Subaru’s Do-S Kyuuketsu CD so those are going in the queue pretty soon. 

As for Reiji’s MB route, I just finished the Maniac part today so I’m gonna get started with the Ecstasy chapters tomorrow.

This weekend you guys are getting Ayato’s Do-S Kyuuketsu CD and Reiji’s Bloody Bouquet Short Story btw so look forward to those. 👀

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG Post Games Boat Heist Part 3

This is what happens during the night, at least for Zenith and Triel. What happens to Nesri will be a separate post! Tagging: @ratracechronicler (I don’t think this one has any of your characters but thanks all the same!), @maple-writes (also thanks for Asher!), and @pen-of-roses (also thanks for Lynn!)

Zenith

I was just hanging out in the room. Triel had left for her meeting with Snow. Cirrus and Rebecca had gone off after Nesri. She was probably doing something stupid. I was sitting by the door, just in case something happened.

And just as I thought that, someone pounded on the door. I tensed, slipped on my eyepatch so I wasn’t so recognizable, and opened the door a crack.

Lissa. I stayed tense, but she shook her head. “We’re not trying to capture you. We were watching the captured tributes to see if we could help them at all, but we caught wind that they were planning on escaping, and we were pretty sure you weren’t helping. So, Arque sent me to tell you.”

Shit. I glanced back at the others and back to her. Rowan didn’t look like they wanted any more adventure today. And Asher looked tired. “I’ll go stop them.”

Asher popped up. “Wait, I’ll come with you.”

I eyed him. He still looked tired, but who was I to tell him no? “Fine. Let’s go.”

Lissa led us to where the captured tributes were. While we walked, she glanced over at me. “When I left, the captured tributes were trying to cut out their shockers. We were helping so they wouldn’t hurt themselves too badly. But…” She grimaced. “I don’t think that will work. The Capitol knows you cut out your trackers. They won’t make the same mistake twice.”

Shit. They were going to hurt themselves? They were that desperate? Well, made sense. They didn’t believe we were here to save them. “We should hurry.”

Asher jogged to catch up to us, matching our pace at my shoulder. “They didn’t hurt themselves, did they?”

She shrugged. “I left before they could finish. They probably did hurt themselves, but Arque and Thast will make sure it’s not life threatening.”

Lissa stopped with a frown. No one was here. I tensed and glared at her, but she just picked up a scrap of paper on the floor. She handed it to me. It was a note in Arque’s crappy writing, made even more crappy by how hastily it was written: Went to the right side of the boat to help them “escape”.

Asher read it after I was done. “Already?” He looked up at us. “Do you know where they would have gone?”

Lissa nodded. “Somewhere where no one would notice. A small stretch on the back of the yacht where there’s no entertainment or lights.” She smiled a little. “Thanks for the suggestion earlier today, though. They’ll want something to help them swim probably, so the delay will help us catch up to them.”

What the hell was she talking about? I glanced between Lissa and Asher, but when neither of them were inclined to explain, I just headed off toward where Lissa had indicated.

We made it there, and Lynne and Lynn were whispering among themselves while Arque and Thast were pretending to be confused about the missing equipment. My eye twitched. Too dramatic. They probably knew something was up. We approached Lynn and Lynne, and they turned to us with glares.

Lynne crossed her arms. “What do you want? We’re not breaking any rules.”

Asher took a careful step forward. “I, I know you want to get out of here, but please just wait a little longer.”

“You, you were with Rowan?” Lynn asked.

Asher nodded. “We met before the games. They’re here too, and they’re safe.”

“Safe? When you’re all Peacekeepers?”

“What?” Asher blinked. “Oh, right.” He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but we really aren’t Peacekeepers.”

I sighed. They wouldn’t believe us. And real Peacekeepers could come at any minute. I crossed my arms and adopted the posture of a trained soldier. “I have to ask that you return to your rooms.”

“Just for now, please.” Asher nodded, standing up taller and mimicking my posture, just not as imposing. Good try, though.

Lynne glared at us, and she also stood up straighter, looked more confident. “Why? We’re not breaking any rules. And we’re not required to be anywhere right now.”

I put a hand on my hip, having my other hand hover over where the gun would be on the Peacekeeper uniform. “The president requires it. Please, don’t struggle.”

Lynn crossed his arms, studying me, and Lynne glanced around, probably for my old team, but they had wisely disappeared. She cursed under her breath and glared at us. “Don’t you have a shred of yourselves left in there? Wouldn’t you want to defy the Capitol?”

Lynn placed a hand on her arm. “What happens if we refuse to go with you?”

I clicked my tongue. “The president has allowed us to use force, if needed. It would be…unfortunate if we had to do that.”

Lynn hummed. “And you haven’t already because…?” He turned and whispered to Lynne, but loud enough for us to hear. “Have the other Peacekeepers been this…considerate to you without the adoring audience?”

Oh, he wanted to play it like that? I sighed. “Fine. You don’t believe me?” I dashed forward and grabbed Lynne’s arms, pulling them behind her back. She cursed at me and tried to struggle, but I kept a tight hold of her. I eyed Lynn. “Is that considerate enough for you?”

Asher jumped when I moved, watching me with horror. But then he shook it off and stood by Lynn, in between us.

Lynn stared me down but glanced over at Lynne. “I’ll go with you if you let her go.”

That was obviously not going to actually happen as smoothly as I’d like, but I wasn’t going to upset them any more than I had to. I let go of her and nudged both of them forward. “Then let’s go.”

Lynn turned back to Asher specifically. Oh, not making eye contact at the person who just showed you up? Nice. “Alright let’s go.” He started walking, and I followed both of them. Asher glanced at me for a little bit before following me.

I eyed the bandages. Their plan probably didn’t work, but maybe I could learn a little about it. “So, what’s with those bandages? They’re suspiciously over your shockers.”

They glanced at each other, and Lynn spoke. “Accident.”

“Are you okay?” Asher leaned back to look at the bandage. “Is it a large wound? Do you need anything for it?”

Lynne eyed me. She still looked angry at me. “Don’t touch them. Someone else already took care of them.”

“We’re fine,” Lynn agreed, glancing over at Asher. “You know, Rowan likes a very specific tea. I used to tease them about the smell being too similar to a garden for me.”

Asher nodded, smiling. “I can see that, they do like their plants. And their tea.”

“I still don’t believe you’re Peacekeepers. But then I don’t really believe much of what Selene tells me anymore. Are you really trying to help?”

Asher nodded again. “We’re all here. There’s been a snag, but we’re trying.”

“Then why stop us?”

We just needed to get them back to their rooms. We had to convince them to stay. And being all nice wouldn’t help. I muttered something about not getting involved as Asher responded. “I don’t really understand it, but there’s something extra in your shockers.” He gestured toward the bandages. “There’s something affecting your perception, and we need a little longer to figure out how to stop it.”

Lynn hummed in response but didn’t say anything else.

We arrived at their rooms, and I nudged them toward their doors. “Now, don’t leave again until someone tells you to. If any of the Peacekeepers see you out again, they won’t be as nice as we were.”

“Right,” Lynn muttered. He went into his room.

Lynne just walked into her room, pointing a middle finger at me, but before she slammed the door closed, she flinched with a hiss of pain. The shockers were still working.

Asher sighed, shoulders slumping as soon as the door closed. “At least they stayed on board.”

I watched their doors a little longer. Hopefully, they wouldn’t try anything else before we could rescue them. “But the shockers are still working. That must not have worked.” I put a hand in my pocket, and my fingers brushed against a piece of paper. I pulled the paper out. It was another note: Cutting them out didn’t work. The machines are clinging to their muscles. Too difficult to pull out without professional help. Sorry. I handed it to Asher so he could read it too.

He looked disappointed when he finished reading it. “That’s not good. Although, as long as we can disable them, it’ll still be good enough for now, right?”

I nodded. We were lingering too long. “Let’s head back before anyone asks any questions.”

Triel

The dear president, of course, wasn’t where we had planned. He was trying to bail on me. Well, maybe it was a good thing that we weren’t rescuing tonight. I had a chance to make sure the president knew that I wouldn’t give up, so he would have to be at the designated spot tomorrow.

I stalked through the boat (yes, I’m going to spite his stupid face by calling his stupid yachts boats), and I found his stupid Peacekeepers hovering around him as he was talking to some other stupid rich person. I cut in between them, and the Peacekeepers jumped. I had gotten past them without letting them know.

I grinned at him. “President Snow! You can’t imagine how long it took to find you. Did you forget that we had an appointment at 10?” I pointedly looked at a clock that read 10:30.

The dear president grimaced, but before he could say anything, his rich conversation partner gasped. “You’re that fabulous reporter! Theria Stane! Everyone in the Capitol is gushing about your exclusive interviews with the stylists. They were so illuminating! I loved them!” She looked over at the dear president, who was grimacing even more. “Cori, how could you forget an appointment with such a prestigious reporter?”

He smiled, but he was not even trying to make it look genuine. “I’m sorry, my dear. How about we have that interview now?”

I sighed in fake despair. “Unfortunately, I had an interview with Caesar Flickerman himself.” I chuckled. “I just find it so funny that I’ll be interviewing an interviewer.” I winked at the dear president’s conversation partner, and she giggled. He was grimacing even more than last time when I looked back at him. “How about tomorrow around 3:00 PM? It will be before all the special events start.” (Thank you, Amy, for the schedule!) “We could meet on the upper deck.” Even a farther drop down to the water.

He was trapped between a rock and a hard place as his conversation partner nodded encouragement. She probably would be a better conversation partner than the dear president. And maybe she could give up some secrets with enough sweet talking…

The dear president sighed quietly. “As you wish, my dear. I will meet you on the upper deck tomorrow at 3:00 PM.”

His conversation partner grinned. “You won’t regret this, Cori!”

I turned to her with my best smile and held out my hand. “And I don’t regret this opportunity to meet, Miss…?”

She shook my hand with a smile playing on her lips. “Serai Innos. A pleasure.”

I winked at her. “Would you like to meet up for drinks later after my other interview? I think it would be illuminating.”

She laughed and nodded, and I walked off as the dear president watched me go, baffled.

*

So, the captured tributes attempted to escape, and we almost lost them. I had to have a few drinks (not anything that would get me drunk) before I went back to the room. I sat down heavily on the barstool, and after a few minutes, someone else sat down beside me. Nesri?

Nope. Serai was frowning over at me. Really, was she who she said she was? She leaned in close and hissed in my ear. “You almost blew my cover. Just trotting up like that and inserting yourself. What’s the big idea, Triel?”

I blinked. “Do I know you?”

She huffed. “Lira. I’m the one who owns the apartment you’ve been wrecking. And I was trying to get some information out of him, and you had to derail the conversation. I wasn’t able to get the information I wanted. You owe me a drink for that.”

I smiled. “Gladly. I would have already offered to buy your drink even without that obligation.” She ordered a drink and downed it in one gulp.

She sighed. “Shit. Now, I’ll have to cozy up to that slime all over again.”

“I’m sorry. But at least it was for a good cause. Thank you for helping me trap the dear president. It will be a sight tomorrow.”

“I’ll bet.” She smiled a little. “I do admire you for what you’re pulling off. Takes a lot of guts.”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

She downed another drink. “Well, I needed to get going two minutes ago. I just wanted to officially meet you. Good luck.” She left, and I stared after her before I downed my first and only drink and headed off to the room.

[0idril0]

Seizure

I’ve been dealing with a lot at home (divorce, moving, depression, etc), so it’s been hard to write, I’m hoping I’m about to be able to get back to normal soon. Thanks @whumpywhumper and @voidwhump and @captivity-whump beta reading this 💗(I’ve needed a lot of help y’all, seriously)

Tagging @comfy-whumpee @whumpitywhumpwhump @kungpao-giffy @doityourselfbombs @gonna-feel-that-tomorrow @whumptywhumpdump @imagination1reality0 @walkingchemicalfire @castielamigos-whump-side-blog @genesissane and I’m sorry if I forgot you 😭

Continuation of this piece

<>

The woman’s magic put his teeth on edge, and Clint growled his displeasure, Evan glaring at him from where he hovered over the witch.

He couldn’t help it. Nico’s fear was pouring through the bond, making him feel like he was dangling off a cliff.

The smell of palo santo had his nose twitching as the witch wafted it through the air, wand glowing as she started to pour magic into Nico. An unearthly hum vibrated through Clint’s skull and he felt his wolf rise closer to the surface. He fought a growl, teeth and claws elongating.

Clint twitched as Brian’s hands came down on his shoulders, kneeding at his tense muscles. “Dude, relax, its not that—“

Nico jerked as the humming got louder, a loud popping noise echoing through the room as his legs jolted against the lounger. Brian’s arm was around his neck before he realized he had started to propel himself at the witch.

“Fucking let go!” His claws dug into the sirens arm, gouging at the tender skin. Brian hissed, and Evan stood, eyes burning at he extended a hand and threw magic at his wolf.

But Selene didn’t react to his anger, pale eyes glowing with magic that she forced through his mates body, he could taste it in the bond and he wanted it gone.

As suddenly as Nico had arched he collapsed, shaking as he landed on the lounger.

Swaying Selene’s hands started to shake where she held them over Nico.Evan grunted as her weight collided with him but he managed a choked “I gotcha...” before lowering her to the floor, Kristy clambering forward with a pillow.

Clint didn’t fucking care, ripping away from Brian as his choke hold eased. His knees hit the floor in his haste, pajama bottoms sliding on carpet as he checked on his mate. “Nico, Baby?”

Nico was shivering, the violent motion verging on convulsions. Cupping his face Clint hissed in dismay at the heat rolling off of him. “Fucking hell, Brian where’s that thermometer?!”

Brian glared at him, hand cupped around the furrow his claws had dug into the mans skin.

Clint felt a glimmer of guilt for the injury but that was swept away as Nico bucked and gasped. “Fuck, I’m sorry, Brian please.”

Brian dropped the glare, eyes becoming impossibly wide when Nico jolted, mouth gaping as he struggled to breath through the tremors. He dug into the cough cushions, rocking the sectional and throwing pillows around in his haste to procure it. “Umm- its um- here!”

Brian threw the thermometer from where he was standing, the plastic device thunked into Clint’s hand by the grace of enhanced reflexes.

Clint felt his snarl return as he turned back to Nico, irritated growl buzzing in his chest.

Kristy saved him from being the source of another injury to the siren, throwing a heavy pillow with wicked accuracy. “What were you gonna do if he didn’t catch it and it hit him, idiot.”

“Scream in terror probably.” Brian chuckled nervously, cupping his arm again as he side stepped behind the couch.

Clint ignored the exchange, cupping Nico’s neck as he pressed the thermometer to his burning forehead. He flinched at the press of cold plastic, trying to turn into Clint’s palm. The high pitched beep was ominous. “This can’t be right Evan.”

Evan straightened from where he had pushed the pillow under Selene’s head. “What’s it say?”

“105.4? That can’t fuckin be right, can it?” Clint begged Evan, panic coloring his voice.

Evan frowned, concern etching his face. “I hope not, try it again, make sure.”

Clint moved to check it again and froze, suddenly dizzy and disoriented as he stared at the vet. He felt Nico’s shaking grow worse, and his vision blurred, doubling as he tried to peel his gaze away from the vet to search out his mate.

Nico’s eyes had rolled, whites visible under his ulcerated lids, neck arching as his arms pushed out. Clint couldn’t find his tongue, yipping in distress as Nico jerked violently, bloody foam dribbling down his chin.

What was happening?

Panting and confused Clint let out another desperate whine, clutching at Nico’s bony shoulders. Evan- Evan help—

Evan was pushing his hands away, knocking him off balance as he grabbed Nico’s shoulder and hip, rolling him into his side as he dodged Nico’s limbs with ease. Clint hadn’t seen him move from the floor, his muscles rigid as he fought against the paralysis that had overtaken him.

Nico kept convulsing.

Hands grabbed his own shoulders as he listed to the side, swaying dangerously.

He could see Evan’s mouth move as he maneuvered Nico, holding his head so he didn’t choke. But he couldn’t understand him, the words blending together in a jumbled glob of nothing.

It took an eternity for Evans voice to become clear again, his vision following in stuttering increments. “—the tub in the master bath is big enough, and it’s big enough to maneuver.”

Nico was rolled towards Clint, slack face blue tinged as his slow harsh breath rocked him.

“Ev-Evan.. wha-what happened? Wha’did she do?” His voice was shaking. His voice never shook. What the fuck was that.

Evan turned his attention to him and frowned, eyes flicking between him and Selene’s prone form. “I don’t know what happened with you, maybe a rebound effect of Nico having a seizure.”

Clint’s heart stopped, a wounded noise punched from his gut, Brian made a reassuring noise behind him, thumbs rubbing into the knots in his shoulders. “Seizure?”

Evan nodded grimly, eyebrows furrowed in thought. “His temperature is dangerously high now, even with everything we’ve been doing to try to keep it down. I don’t know if it was the stress, or the magic but whatever it was it brought it up more and he seized. I don’t think it was intentional- she wouldn’t be on the floor if it was, and the pop was his hip setting- the bruising isn’t as bad and it feels more stable...”

Evan shook his head, trailing off as he peeled back a few of the bandages. “Thing is we need to cool him down.”

Clint felt his hands shaking as he reached forward to Nico, Brian releasing him when it was obvious he could keep himself upright.

“Nnn...” Nico shifted under Clint’s hands, eyes shifting beneath his lids. He couldn’t- he couldn’t identity how he felt as he started to pull Nico into his arms.

Clint groaned as a terrifying amalgamation of terror and desperate confusion assaulted him, breath catching in his throat.

“Aaahhhh!” Nico’s skeletal frame shot upwards, shoulder striking Clint in the gut in his haste. Lightening blue eyes flew open as Clint caught him a ragged scream piercing his heart.

Fuck.

“Go fill the tub. Now!”

<>

Nico screamed, desperation overriding everything telling him to be quiet. His throat was torn, blood flowing freely into his mouth, down his chin, he screamed again, gurgling and desperate. “‘Leas’ nnnmorennmore....” There was blood and tears and snot and he couldn’t do it anymore.

Hands clutched at his shoulders and pushed down on his mangled body, making sure he couldn’t get away. He wanted to get away!

“‘Leasss...’lease..., nnng...nngmmore....”

The magic had been cold, so fucking cold and he was already so so cold, his bones ached with it and he wanted to get away, maybe he could crawl in the forge with Abram and he’d finally finally be warm, he could die warm and he’d finally be free. Where was Abram!?

“Shhh Darlin it’s the fever, you’re burnin up Baby, gotta get you cooled down okay, just stay with me, it’s okay.”

Clint Clint it was Clint, couldn’t be him, couldn’t be. He wouldn’t cool him down more, Clint would keep him warm, he’d done it at the bon fire, cuddled him when the fire hadn’t been enough. Nico moaned, fear making him shake even worse, they could use Clint to do anything to him, please just let him die just let him die he couldn’t anymore.

Painpainpain, someone was crushing his chest and his shoulders and his head throbbed as he froze, his throbbing hip moving again.

“Tubs filling Clint, come on—“

The sound of rushing water and Nico flailed, keening silently, his throat unable to make the sounds of terror known anymore. He coughed on blood, retching as copper coated his tongue. He didn’t want to drown again, he couldn’t, there would be ice and it would cut his throat as they held him down and forced him to breath in and he would die but they’d just bring him back and he’d be forced to hurt again.

His eyes opened, searching for escape and the world swam in front of him, walls spinning and moving as he watched demons staring at him from corners. “‘leasenoooo....mmmm...”

“I got you Darlin, I got you, just gotta get something...”

Another set of hands touched him, rubbing at his hair, the hands were small and he felt a flicker of magic touch him before he gasped and tried to push away. “Sorry Nico, I’m sorry, I won’t use it on you...” Kristy’s voice murmured at him, cold hands supporting him as Clint’s voice moved away.

“‘Lease...’leasennn....” please don’t drown me, please don’t, I’ll be good.....

“I know Nico... Brian give me those scissors, gotta get these...”

The voice became muffled as Nico struggled to breath past his fear, the feel of metal on his skin irritating wounds and he sobbed again, eyes fluttering.

“Fuckin hell, at least his back looks a little better, if not the rest of him.”

“Brian shut up...”

Someone picked him up again and the world greyed around the edges, pushing him down, down down again. Please don’t....

The slosh of water had Nico holding his breath, barely able to hold it before he coughed and tried again. “Okay Darlin, it’s gonna feel cold but it’s not, I promise...”

Ice coated his toes and Nico screamed, eyes flying open as he scrambled at the person holding him, numb fingers pulling at hair, arms clutching at the thick neck as he pushed his face against skin.

“Fuck, Darlin, it’s okay, it’s okay, I’ll go in with you okay? I’ll hold you the whole time, and you’ll be just fine, I promise...”

Nico sobbed, pressing his face harder into the neck of the person holding him.He’d do anything, anything, just don’t drown him. Voices whispered around him, sloshing water, and sniffling and cold and he didn’t have the energy to fight against the person shifting him around. They didn’t peel his face away, but pulled him closer,his flank pushing against skin. “Okay, okay Sugar...”

The voice shushed him for a moment, moving slowly until water coated his feet and lapped at his calves. He mewled into the persons neck, and they shushed him again, not making a move to remove his face from safety. “Easy Baby.... I’m right here with you...”

Water lapped at his hips and Nico sucked into a rattling gasp as the cold water hit his cock, letting out a wet sob when it soaked him, his balls trying to retract from the cold. “I know Baby, nothin more uncomfortable than that huh, I’ve got you, it’s okay....”

The water pulled him down, some of the pain in his hip lessening as he started to sink down. He wasn’t fighting anymore, shivering and sniffling into the neck of the person holding him.

“Brian, grab his legs, kinda straighten them-“

Hands grabbed at his calves and Nico twitched, not wanting them to touch him, to pull his legs until he was under, drowning, bubbles of air surrounding him until he was empty and water started to fill him.

He couldn’t breathe. They pulled him from his hiding spot as he sobbed, their clutching hands prying his hands away from strands of hair until he was pulled against someone’s chest. “Fuck, it’s okay Darlin, breathe, breathe slow...” he was hyperventilating, chest throbbing as water lapped at his nipples, submerging his collar bones.

Then it stopped, the cold swallowing his chest, his arms, his legs. But muscular thighs bracketed him, accompanying arms holding his head above the water. He clutched weakly at the arm wrapped around his chest, and the arm squeezed gently, hand rubbing at his flank. Another hand came up and traced his face, thumbing at his tear encrusted cheek before cupping his head and holding his head to the chest. Out of the water.

His breathing slowed the longer he was in the water and not forced under, panic starting to recede.

“That’s it Darlin, I wont let you go, I’ve got you.... you’re doing so good... so good...”

Nico let himself relax as the praise continued. He was so so tired.....if he could just sleep....

Maybe...

...

Wet cloth soothed over his forehead and hair, making him jolt, eyes opening from where they’d closed. “It’s okay Darlin’...”

Was he in a tub?

Nico twitched, and water sloshed on his chin and mouth making his heart throb with a flicker of panic. When he started to move, wanting out of the water, arms tightened around him. “Shhhh, shhhh Sugar, gotta make your fever go down...”

“‘Lint...?” Nico slurred, half lidded eyes roving.

“Right here Baby...” the chest he rested against vibrated with the rumble of Clint’s voice. Nico tilted his head back as best he could, eyes catching on Clint’s stubbled jaw. “Hnnn...”

Clint pressed a kiss against his forehead and Nico let his head fall forward again. Clint’s legs were bracketing his hips, wet pajama pants plastered to the muscles beneath. “He feels a little cooler...”

Clint was talking to... someone? Who? “Nnhh??” Nico turned to the room, trying to see who was there...

His eyes landed on the slightly blurry form of Brian sitting on the toilet, hands clasped in front of him.

Nico couldn’t make himself move again, letting his hands float in the water around him. It didn’t feel as cold anymore, it was even starting to feel warm, especially where he was pressed against Clint.

Was Abram making it warmer? He couldn’t see him, he wanted his friend. “Abram...?”

The desire to find his friend had him twisting in Clint’s arms, pain briefly making him gasp on a broken moan.

Clint jumped, tightening his arms around Nico.”Whoa Baby, hey now, easy...”

Nico collapsed against Clint, breathing rapidly into his sweat slicked shoulder.

“‘Bram?!” his voice didn’t even echo, he wouldn’t hear him. Tears coursed down his face as he stared at the door, silently begging the man to come. But the bathroom was empty other than Brian and Clint. But...Abram made things hot, he’d made his bath hot when he’d been sick. Abram wouldn’t leave him alone this time would he?

“Nico, who’re you talking about?” Panting weakly Nico moaned, pushing away from Clint, he needed to get to the forge to check on Abram. “Forge...’ttach’ck.... ‘Bmm..”

“Nico, Nico, Doll, who’s Abram??” Clint cupped his cheek, forcing his head back so he was looking into the wolf’s green eyes.

Clint’s face blurred as exhaustion and tears pulled at him, Clint didn’t know Abram....he’d never introduced them, Abram didn’t want anyone to know about him. He wasn’t supposed to tell. He’d failed yet again, he’d failed his friend.

He just wanted his friend.

“Mmsorry...mmsorry....” his energy was waning as he mumbled his apologies, blinking slowly up at Clint.

“Okay Darlin’... I’ll find him, just gotta get you feeling better okay? Then I’ll find your friend... I’m sure he wants to see you too, right?”

Nico hoped so, he hoped Abram would still want to see him. He struggled to as his voice work, spikes of pain freezing his vocal chords. “F-fam-family... s’d family...”

“Oh Fuck, Clint I know who he’s talking about-“

Nico flinched at the sound of Brian’s voice, whining in fear.

“Sorry...” Brian sounded contrite but it didn’t stop him from talking even though Nico had slumped into Clint, eyes unfocused on the werewolf’s face. “Clint, I went to Nico’s shop once when he wasn’t there, I just wanted to drop in and maybe hang out since I hadn’t seen him for a while, I think it might have been after he was taken. Anyways—“ He could see the sirens flailing hands in his peripheral vision, the sirens restless energy seeking escape. “—there was someone there, working the forge, I interrupt him when I entered the shop, and he introduced himself as Abram.”

“Fuck...” Clint’s whisper didn’t registered with Nico, who’d let his eyes close as Brian talked. The water lapped against his back as Clint shifted, a soft cloth dabbing at his neck and shoulders. “Hear that Baby, we know where to find him, I’ll get him here I promise....”

Nico didn’t hear him, sinking down further into the warmth that surrounded him.

<>

“I’ll get him here I promise Darlin’, the only thing you’ve asked for isn’t it, you want family...”

Clint rubbed his cheek against Nico’s wet hair, stubble catching on the strands. He let go of the soap covered wash cloth, letting it disappear into the water as Nico went still against him, jaw slack.

“Brian grab me that thermometer huh?” He pitched his voice to a whisper, keeping as still as possible. They’d been in the tub for almost an hour at this point, Evan and Kristy having left almost half an hour in. Hopefully it was enough time to do something.

Brian scooted closer, bypassing Clint to check Nico’s temperature himself. Clint grimaced at the sight of gauze wrapped around his forearm, guilt surging through him. He hadn’t had a chance to apologize properly yet.

By tight wind of his shoulders as he waited for the beep, Brian hadn’t forgotten it either.

“101.3 Thank god.”

Relief surged through him and Clint squeezed his eyes shut, jaw clenched around a sob. He grabbed Brian’s wrist as he went to move away, squeezing it gently.

“I’m so s-sorry...” Clint’s voice broke around the lump in his throat, tears spilling down his cheeks for the first time since they’d gotten Nico to the pack house. “I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just—“

Clint abruptly couldn’t get in enough air to finish his apology, chest heaving against the terrible weight that seemed to latch onto him every time he looked at Nico’s exposed wounds. He’d been trying, desperately, since they’d found Nico to just keep breathing. To keep dealing with everything and hold it together, but he couldn’t fucking breathe anymore.

“I’m sorry—“ His lungs clung to his chest wall, air trapped as he gasped into Nico’s hair. His arm had tightened around his mate, and Nico twitched against the strength of his grip, but he couldn’t seem to make his hand loosen.

He was shaking, making the water splash up against Nico’s chin. The water left rivers of pink on his face, highlighting pale skin. It made him realize how dark the water around Nico was, left over dirt and blood staining the water a brownish red.

They’d done so much already, and Nico was still so sick....

Clint sobbed again, helplessly staring up at Brian. “I ddont know w-what to do anymore...”

Brian flipped his grip, plucking the thermometer away as he grabbed Clint’s wrist in turn. “Clint, it’s okay man, it’s okay.”

Brian’s eyes pierced through what was left of Clint’s strength, and he keened, higher and more animalistic than a human throat could manage. It wasn’t okay, it wasn’t. He struggled to breathe as Brian watched, his tears burned on his cheeks, and he curled forward to hide in Nico’s hair.

Brian released his wrist, and Clint sobbed, feeling like he was falling apart without the siren’s hold on him.

“N—nno— I-I’m so sorry—“ Clint’s keening sob were muffled around the lump in his throat, and Brian shushed him, lanky arm wrapping around Clint’s broad shoulders, his gentle hand dipping into the bloody water to pry Clint’s fingers away from Nico’s side before he could leave new bruises. “I d-didn’t mean t-to hurt yooou, ’m just so scared for-for him.”

“I know you didn’t, I know, we’ll deal with it later, okay? I promise I’m not mad, I’m worried about you guys. But we’re not going anywhere man, we’re not going to let anything happen to Nico, not again.”

Brian’s reassurance started to patch some of the cracks in his armor, and he was able to take a deeper breath, exhaustion rolling over him. He’d been awake for almost 20 stressful hours, and he could feel every second in his bones.

“C’mon, Evan and Kristy should be done getting Selene settled. He can dress these wounds again, and you can get some sleep-ah!” Brian cut off his protest, hugging him a little tighter. “No butts you ass, you’re exhausted and my arm paid the price. You’re going to sleep, you don’t have to leave him, sleep on the floor or something. Just sleep.”

Sniffling, the fight he had left fled, and he tried to gather Nico into his arms. He was shaking, and Nico made a hoarse noise at being jostled. “Fuck Baby, I’m sorry—“

“Clint, let me take him? You were swaying on your feet on the way in here, I can carry him at least to the couch.”

Clint instinctively let out a small growl, but cut himself off, taking a deep snuffle of Nico’s damp hair. “M’kay.... be careful...please...”

Brian hummed, his deceptively slender arms lifting Nico out of the water with ease. Nico barely reacted, a small shiver rocking through him as his skin was exposed to the air again. “I got you bud, I got you.”

[msuhana]

flattery

excessive, misleading praise given under the whims of intoxication. see also: hana and @msuxhamin, mokseong’s halloween party, and what happens when you pair powerful alcohol and delicious flattery. 

she feels a nonchalant lull sink deep into her veins. 

it keeps her afloat on a wave of numbness ; the tingling feeling in the pit of her stomach distracts her from the constant static lain privy to a girl who was so used to being wound so tight. tonight should have been no different -- yet, she feels the burn from her last drink scald her throat as it warms her cheeks -- the night wanes to different endeavors opposite of worn books. 

a residual flush clears from her cheeks to her very nape as she tosses the empty cup that had last been shoved into her hands by blake or selene ( at this point, she’s lost count how many she’s had -- an idea of who was supplying her her alcohol, now, also a bit fuzzy ) ; it was so irresponsible, something hana by no other definition was not.

cho hana being irresponsible? it was practically unheard of. 

but she stands, slightly unsteady on her feels -- pink wig slightly askewed as she rhythmically sways to the thrill running up and down her arms ; the erratic thump of edm beats in time with the heavy weight of her heart, urging her further down the depths of a sea she couldn’t quite pull herself out of. the thrill pulls inhibition and instinct forward ; leaving rhyme and reason for tomorrow’s regrets. just like how her arms pull her into one of a boy she’s seen a handful of times -- what was his name again? ah -- “hamin-ah~” her voice rings out a little too affectionately for their positions ; she barely knows him. but her fingers curl into his fit, tip-toeing up to poke his nose with a soft laugh. “you’re so cute? do you know that? have the other sophomores told you that yet -- no?” she gasps, as if it physically hurt her that no one sought the same thoughts as she regarding the other’s appearance. “that just wouldn’t do -- you have to know how delicious you look!” 

her fingers trail against his cheek before curving his jaw ; the same, offshoot of a grin on her lips as she watches the way her fingers dance a little too affectionately -- a little too intimately to a boy she barely spoke more than five words to prior. “if i wasn’t so thirsty, i think i would have eaten you right up!”