#lulu reads don’t let the forest in

[libraryleopard]

andrew perrault from don’t let the forest in has got that triple-a swag (anxious, asexual, and australian)

[lanitalay]

Among Flames and Starlight Chapter 7

a/n: i really wanted some fluff in this one but oh well

warnings: violence ( i keep the descriptions brief ), trauma

word count: 2k

Other Chapters

The stables had become Irene’s favorite place in the Autumn Court. She rode nearly everyday, only staying inside when torrential rain made riding unbearable. But if the skies were clear, Irene would be riding. At first it was just around the stables, getting to know the horses. Quickly, she started wandering off farther. She got lost one day, deep in the woods, the paths overgrown. Unable to find her way back. By chance, Lucien stumbled upon her. “What are you doing here?” 

“I got lost.” He sighed deeply. “Follow me.” 

That’s how Irene met Jesminda. The female was waiting for him at a small cottage. Lucien dismounted and Irene did the same. When he walked inside he was almost tackled to the floor by her. She kissed him deeply only stopped when Lucien pulled away to say “love, this is Irene. Irene this is Jesminda.” Her eyes widened and she stepped closer to Irene. 

“Lulu has told me many things about the new bride of Autumn, I’m sorry that you were… well what happened to you is unfortunate.” Irene nodded, “I don’t think Lucien has mentioned you before.” 

“He wouldn’t dare. If the High Lord finds out about us I’d be toast, isn’t that right, dear?” Lucien clarified for Irene “no one knows, but I trust that you’ll not say anything about this to anyone. Not even Eris.” 

“I won’t say a word.”

They were sitting by the hearth and drinking a spiced tea as Lucien explained to Jesminda why he had brought Irene along “she was out in the Cliff’s Edge Pass when I found her, too far to take her back and then come back out again.” 

“I’m glad you’re here Irene, us females need to have eachothers’ backs in this court.” 

Once the sun began to set Lucien announced they should head back, not wanting to ride in the pitch black forest. 

“It was lovely meeting you Jesminda, thank you for your hospitality.”

“Come by whenever you like, Irene, I need a break from Lucien every so often.” She teased and the male picked her up so fast she didn’t have time to let out a squeal of surprise before his lips were on hers. “I’ll be back soon, love.”

After that they would ride together to keep each other company even if Lucien insisted he was “only teaching her how to navigate the Court’s lands.” 

On the rare occasion it rained, Irene would read in her rooms or spend time with Mora. The Lady of Autumn had a calming presence and when the days were gloomy and storms raged outside and in Irene’s mind she would be soothed by her demeanor. Often discussing the books they were reading over tea or just sitting in silence by a crackling fire. 

Most days, she did not see Eris. To avoid Beron, she would have all her meals in her rooms or take a picnic on her rides. She only visited the library on the far end of the house, nowhere near his room or his study. Eris would spot her riding and sometimes they’d see each other in the library. “That’s my spot.” He had said when he found her in an alcove behind the section that housed all of the fiction books. Eris looked annoyed, he was carrying a book and had allotted himself an hour to read in peace when he found Irene in the very spot he wanted to be. 

“I was here first.” 

“Aren’t you supposed to be galavanting with Lucien?” 

Irene pointed to the window that was being pelted by harsh rain. “Not in this weather. We both fit here, let’s just share.” 

Eris thought about it and reached the same conclusion she had. His rooms were getting stuffy and this was one of the few places his father or his brothers wouldn’t bother him. So he sat next to her, on the far end, creating as much space between them as he could. They stayed like that until the sun set and Irene got up “I’ll see you around, Eris.” 

She was doing fine, she really was. Nightmares about being paralyzed or being burned by Beron would wake her up nearly every night, but she always managed to get back to sleep. The nights when sleep was impossible, a weight on her chest so large she could swear her ribs would crack, Irene would plot. She’d indulge herself with fantasies of the High Lord of Night’s head on a stake. Ideas of pulverizing him and spreading his ashes on piles of manure. Then she’d think of Beron’s punishment, driving an ice stake through his heart seemed an interesting approach. If fire runs through his veins he must enjoy the heat and Irene wanted his last moments in this world to be filled with pain and discomfort. Lastly she would think of how to get her mother out of the prison, but that always came with a wave of grief. 

Irene was perfectly fine.

Until she realized Starfall was two weeks away and the nightmares were not of her recent horrors, but of more ancient ones. 

That night, after leaving the library and eating alone, Irene fell asleep and dreamt of the first Startfall without her family. She remembers fragments, gaps looming over her memory. After crying most of the day, Victoria went into her room and forced her to get out of bed. “You don’t have to go to the party, we can just look at it from the window or something.” 

Decades later Irene wasn’t sure what Victoria’s intentions were that night. Maybe it was prepubescent contempt and the desire to not be surrounded by only her brother and his friends. Or maybe it was that she had gotten lonely after months of Irene isolating herself and it was an attempt at reviving her only friend in the world. But Victoria pulled Irene out of her room that night and Irene was forced to reckon with the fact that her world had been destroyed but life was still happening. 

The two girls sat huddled together by a large window and watched the sky come alive. For those moments, Irene felt a break from the crushing weight on her heart. They did not talk for a while, Irene was still bristled from being torn from her bed. 

“No one likes him.” Victoria broke the silence. “I know Rhysand doesn’t like him, neither does my mother and I hate him.” 

“I hate him too.” In her too small heart she harbored undiluted hate for the male and hate was easy. She could hate him without trying, hate him in her sleep. After Starfall was over and the girls went back into their rooms, Irene slipped into the kitchen to find something to eat. 

She heard footsteps for a split second. Then, the light vanished. Darkness enveloped her but she was not asleep. Hadn’t fainted either. It pressed against her and restricted her airflow. She was suffocating under the weight of the universe. At that moment, she couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Considering that maybe she had died and this was the painful passage to the next life. It could have been minutes or hours later, but Celene walked into the kitchen to find that her mate was strangling Irene with an onyx mass. 

The Lady must have sent something down the mating bond, or yelled hard enough that the High Lord snapped out of whatever compelled him to attack a child. Irene was frenzied, gasping for air and frantically clawing at her chest, like she wanted to rip out her heart and soothe it with her hands. 

That was the night her hate turned to fear. That was the nightmare that woke her up, all these decades after. 

The next few days were spent in a blur of sleeplessness. Irene could not bring herself to close her eyes. She kept a candle burning in every corner of the room and the curtains all the way open. Eating was difficult again. Mora asked what was the matter, “what can I do to help?”  Irene could not explain to her that the nightmares that kept her up and were slowly making her insane. She couldn’t find the words. 

Then Lucien visited her room and insisted that she sleep. “You look terrible and this room is a mess” he pointed to the piles of melted wax on the floor, the stale bread on the little table she ate and the bedding strewn on the mattress. “I can’t sleep.” He sighed “yes you can Irene, and you have to.” She refused. Lucien left and an hour later Eris walked through the door. 

“Hello.” Irene looked back at him from her chair by the window. “Hi.”

“I’m told you are not well.” She did not respond. “Something about not sleeping or eating?” 

“I can’t.”

He was still by the door, not stepping further into her room. “Why not?” Silence. “Irene, no matter how much of a fuss you make no one is going to come rescue you.”

“I know.” 

“Then sleep, eat.” He ran a hand through his hair, disheveling the short red locks. “Or rot away. It's your call.”

“Nothing has ever been my call, Eris. I’m stuck in this prison of a Court with a husband as a chain.” 

“No one is forcing you to stay in this roo-” he stopped speaking as she stood up from her chair. He saw her for the first time since the library and was taken aback at how dark the circles under her eyes were. How gaunt her face. She roared at him, and her eyes, bloodshot and wild, piercing his own. 

“Damn it Eris! I can’t go back home anymore! I can’t be with my family because I’m married to you! I’m nothing more than a stupid political hostage and you know it.” 

He did not need a reminder that his wife was a mere punishment. That she resented him just as much as he resented her. 

“Are you really that stupid? You were a hostage there too. If your precious Rhysand loved you or cared for you in any meaningful way he wouldn’t have let you marry me. You are a fool for wishing to be back there.”

“I’m more of a prisoner here.” 

“Here you have a title. Here you are the sole Princess of Autumn.”

“This house is a prison”

“The entire Night Court is a prison!” 

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You can rot in this room for all I care. But that’s your choice.”

“No it 's not. None of this is my choice! You, this mariage, this bloody title!”

“Look around! No one chose to be here! I was born into it, so was my father and so were my brothers. My mother was married into it, you’re not special. But you are choosing to waste away and, whatever your reasoning is, it's stupid.”

“Fuck you.”

“Pathetic.”

She couldn’t disagree. So she remained silent. 

He had nothing else to say. So he left. 

Eventually exhaustion won. She passed out on the chair and more nightmares came, each one worse than the last. How the High Lord would take her out of her room at night and experiment. First with suffocation, but then he tried to drown her, to lash her, he tried carving out her organs but could not get through a protective layer beneath her skin. He grew frustrated with all his blades ricocheting off her. When he was tired of trying he would return her to the room, drop her on the floor and think of new ways to try and end her. He tampered with her mind. Creating a permanent spot in her memory for the nights they spent together and forbidding her from speaking them aloud.

taglist: @sidthedollface2 @acourtofbatboydreams

[wipbigbang]

* FINAL CHANCE TO CLAIM FICS FOR WIP BIG BANG 2021 - CLAIMS END JULY 19TH *

We have 11 fics available for claiming in a variety of fandoms. If this fic snippet interests you, please claim it! Our writer would love to have an artist to work with.

Click here to claim this story!

Dragon Quest Builders 2

#26

Title: Of Empires, Queens, and Builders Pairing/Characters Builder & Malroth (Dragon Quest Builders 2), Female Builder (Dragon Quest Builders 2) (Builder is named by player in Game, named Sil in fic), Malroth Rating: Teen Warnings/Tags: Pre-relationship, gratuitous use of puns

Summary After the events of Malhalla and the builder and Malroth return to the Isle of Awakening, things are only peaceful for a short time. They quickly discover that the islands have merged with the real world practically overnight. Now their residents must determine their place in it, and how things have changed. How much time has passed since the Luminaries defeated Hargon? And what has happened since then?

A SNIPPET:

Lulu rolled her eyes. “Details, details. Look, it’s pretty and defensive and that’s the point.” She examined her nails. “Anything on that list would be better than an arena. What would we even do with one of those?”

“Fight things, of course,” Malroth said. “Entertainment for villagers and training for warriors.” He kept reading down the list. “Wait, stables? Why do you want her to design stables?”

“Well, with the naviglobes not working like they used to, we need better transportation.” Lulu started moving some of Sil’s blueprint papers into a stack. “And we should build roads between the different villages to make it easier to transport goods.”

“Lulu,” Malroth snapped, “we don’t have horses!”

“So we’ll get some!” she snapped back. “Or we’ll use something else.”

“Like what, cows? Slimes? Sabercats?” Malroth stopped and rubbed his chin. A toothy grin spread across his face. “Actually...”

Lulu’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Tame sabercats! That’s exactly what I meant. Good to know you agree with me.” Malroth glared at her and she stuck out her tongue. “Sil,” Lulu said, turning to her, “we need you to build us a... oh.”

Sil had laid her head down on top of her papers and was snoring. Lulu sighed and Malroth chuckled.

“It’s been a while since she did that,” he said. He reached over and tugged at her pigtail. She mumbled and swatted at him before rolling over. One of her papers stuck to her cheek. “Yep, she’s out.”

“Yeah, I know,” Lulu said. She got up and started gathering up Sil’s papers. “I’ll get these, you get her?”

“I know the drill,” Malroth said. He knelt down next to Sil’s chair and dragged her arm over his shoulder. She sleepily followed and laid down across his back, looping her arms around his neck. He got one hand under each of her knees and stood up, carrying her piggyback. “Where’re we dumping the body this time?”

Lulu snorted as she picked up the last paper. “Let’s put her in my room,” she said. “I can make sure she’s not disturbed. She deserves some quiet time and it is the nicest room in the castle.” She headed to the stairs that led up to the bedrooms.

“It is not,” Malroth said, following her. “It’s full of pink junk and it smells weird.”

“It does not smell weird,” Lulu said. They passed Sil’s workshop and continued down the hall. She opened the door to her room and Malroth recoiled, wrinkling up his nose. “That is just from when I sprayed some perfume,” she said. “It is nice stuff. You have no culture.”

“Forget it,” he said, continuing past her door. “She made my room the best, anyway. I’m putting her there.”

Sil started sliding down his back and he shrugged to hitch her back up again. She rubbed her face against his ponytail and blinked a few times. “What’s up?” she mumbled.

“We’re putting you to bed in a room that doesn’t smell like fake flowers,” Malroth said.

“‘Kay,” she said. Her eyelids drooped. She reached up with one hand and grabbed the tip of his ear. “Elfy elfy elf,” she mumbled, tweaking it back and forth.

Malroth felt his face go red, out to the tips of the ears she was playing with. “Sil,” he hissed. He glanced back at Lulu. She had her hand over her mouth and was turning red as well, but from holding back laughter.

Sil laid her head back down against his shoulder and yawned. She waved to Lulu. “They thought he was an elf, Lulu,” she said. “In what’s-it-called, place. With the ‘rena. They thought he was gonna forest-magic-curse them.”

Malroth groaned as he got to his door. “You traitor,” he mumbled. He shuffled into his room. The bed was still unmade from the last time he’d slept here, and he dumped her in the middle of it. Sil sat up and sleepily pulled her boots off, then burrowed under the blankets and curled up.

[abigneignenn]

you’re my best friend, i’ll love you forever // chapter 1

Summary: "You're my best friend, Lu," Matthew whispers softly, intertwining their fingers when there is no one but stars over their heads. "You know that, right?"

And, truly, she does. She feels it in her bones every time he looks at her with gentle, gentle eyes and nothing but affection on his face; she feels it when he calls first thing in the morning to tell her a joke he saw on the net and thought of her, or when he anticipates her moods better than anybody else.

Lucie knows they are best friends, Lucie knows they are forever — what Lucie doesn't know is that when did these words stop bringing her any semblance of joy.

or modern best friends au

(Matthew Fairchild x Lucie Herondale)

All characters belong to Cassandra Clare

Author’s note: I really want to thank @grxceblqckthxrn​ and @alittlestitiouss​ for beta reading and helping me improve this story! You two are absolute angels and I’m extremely grateful for all you’ve done!

ao3 link — Chapter 1, or Lucie is 10 and Matthew is 11 —

“I’m going to show him what happens when you mess with Herondales,” she mutters to herself.

Lucie is livid. Her heartbeat is racing, her vision blackens and soon there isn't going to be any teeth left from grinding them. She marches to the schoolyard with head held high, daring anyone to question her presence at year 6 recess — they don't. They still follow her with curious eyes, and while normally she would be worrying if there was something on her face, today is no usual day. Today she has purpose in her stride and a target on her mind. And there he is — a lanky boy, surrounded by gaping children who look like they’ve been told that demon pox is a real illness.

Naive fools. Lucie has known this since she was five — someone ought to tell Dad that he shouldn't leave his books lying around in a house full of small kids.

Her nose scrunches and she wonders again what everyone sees in this smiling kid. She remembers him from family gatherings — always the center of attention, always boasting and full of pride.

Matthew Fairchild.

Golden boy of the Alicante Academy, second son of Charlotte Fairchild — who, if she were to repeat after her father, is the best prime minister their country has ever seen — the teachers' absolute favorite. And apparently, based on the latest turns of events, a nasty worm who picks on Jamie.

Lucie doesn't care that James is her big brother; she knows what others don't: James is a tender soul, a delicate flame, waiting to be smothered by the weakest gust of wind. Lucie herself is a forest fire ready to burn everything that threatens her loved ones.

She steps forward, squaring her shoulders, — and a warm palm clutches her upper arm, jerking her back.

"Lulu, what are you doing?" hisses James. "I told you to let it go. You can't argue with every idiot who looks at me the wrong way.”

She could — but Lucie doesn't tell him that.

"Matthew isn’t just anyone," she cooly points out instead, waiting for his answer. There is none — Jamie can't deny it and they never lie to each other. Sometimes Lucie thinks that she doesn’t deserve James — James, who keeps trying to be her common sense even when she doesn't need him to; who doesn’t fawn over her and treats her like an equal; who lends her his beloved books as if they are diamonds — and something in her softens. She gently unclasps his hand, whispering, "I am not afraid of him," for James’s benefit.

We never lie to each other, Lucie reckons, but at times exceptions have to be made. Because some part of her is intimidated, her stomach sinking with alarming anticipation.

Sometimes, when I have to do something I don’t want to do, I pretend I’m a character from a book. Lucie remembers her father's words and thinks of Boadicea — of brave and powerful Boadicea, who charged into battle ahead of everyone for her country and people. It's her favorite bedtime story, and her parents exchange amused glances and grin at each other with stars in their eyes whenever she asks them to read it for her. Lucie doesn't mind — their love story is her second preferred tale, after all.

If I may hesitate then my inner Boadicea will not, she thinks, making her way to Matthew.

He is flanked from every side by loyal followers, but all Lucie can see is Christopher and Thomas. She feels a surge of irritation, remembering the other reason for the prickle in her chest: the Lightwood boys were Lucie and James's best friends growing up — it's hardly a surprise, as all of them are related by blood — and now they trail after Matthew like two shadows.

She doesn’t like to think of herself as impulsive, but perhaps she is. Because now, standing in front of him, Lucie doesn't know what happens next — how is she supposed to attract his attention? Does she need to do something?

Turns out, she doesn't even have to say anything: Matthew shifts his gaze and their eyes meet. Lucie looks him in the face for the first time in her life and–

Oh. His eyes aren't black.

Lucie doesn't know why this little detail throws her off balance, but it does. Last night, as she laid in her bed and envisioned their encounter, she thought of him as a boy with dark irises, cruel, and hollow, and unforgiving.

Matthew's eyes twinkle in the afternoon sun, lighting his face from within. They are a lovely shade of green, so deep that from a distance it can be easily passed for brownish-black. For Lucie, his eyes resemble a haunted forest with the hidden promise of a reward to anyone bold enough to look for it — and in the moment, she feels bold.

Lucie is reminded of an old English tale and a line that is engraved in her memory for some reason. "Be bold, be bold, but not too bold," it lulls, and she hopes that her ending will be better that of Mr. Fox's brides.

Lucie imagines herself as a little insect under a magnifying glass that is his vision, and wonders what Matthew sees when he looks at her. After a moment — or maybe several minutes, she isn’t sure how long they’ve been staring at each other — his lips stretch into his trademark smile, and she is struck by how radiant it is when she is the one on the receiving end. "Hullo! Herondale's sister, yes?"

Her own surname acts like a blast of ice-cold water.

James. Right. Her reason for being here.

Lucie feels a bitter taste at the tip of her tongue, with dread identifying it as shame. What a Boadicea she is. Boadicea would never get distracted by a pretty face. She wants to find excuses for her behavior, but there aren't any — and Lucie is hot all over her body. She is angry at herself for standing there like a shell shocked idiot, but mostly, she is angry at Matthew, and his stupid eyes, and his ability to make her flustered with four words.

Lucie seethes, and maybe some part of her does feel bad when his gaze shifts from beaming to startled, but she shoos this emotion away. "Why do you hate my brother so much?” she asks bluntly.

"I– What?" Matthew sputters, and disbelief courses through her. There he is, blinking like a wronged angel as if Lucie is the villain of their story when the reality is ironically different.

She isn't proud of her following words — and if her mother heard them, she would never live down her disappointment — but Lucie desperately longs for Matthew (and the uncomfortable flutters in her stomach when she looks at him) to disappear, hence her saying, "I knew you were rude, but for you to be hard of hearing as well! My brother, James. Does it ring a bell?"

"Are you his guard dog?" Matthew laughs. His eyes shine with wicked glee, and Lucie thinks of dark faeries who steal human hearts with saccharine vows and a dagger under their sleeve.

She feels a steady presence behind her shoulder and stiffens. Matthew moves his gaze to James, and his smile takes on a teasing edge. "Ah, Jamie, there you are! I was looking forward to our battle of wits, but two Herondales are better than one, I suppose."

"Lu, let's go," James tugs her back.

"No, I’d like to know what he has against you “she says, glaring at Matthew. "Is it that James doesn't worship the ground you walk on?"

"What I have against him?" he repeats, an unreadable expression flickering on his face before it morphs back into his mocking smile.

"Don't be a twit," Lucie scoffs. "Why do you pick on James?"

"It's quite funny, isn’t it? You say I'm rude, and yet you stomped here and started calling me names." Matthew grins at her, and she notices that his smile is crooked to the left. Lucie wishes it made him look uglier, but he only comes off as endearing, more like a golden puppy than a human. It is rather unfair that someone that beautiful can be so vile.

"I have a reason for that!"

"Which is what? Being a pain in the butt?" She hears someone snicker and feels a rising flush in her face.

Thomas — technically, he isn't her cousin, but Christopher's, who is related to her, but they grew up together and it's not like she cares for specifics — steps forward, lifting his palms in the air, "Maybe we all should–"

"Shut up, Thomas!" They bark at the same time.

"Lucie,–" starts James, but Matthew interrupts him.

"And really, what were you going to do, prancing over here like Nemesis? It's not as if you can beat me up or anything," he sneers.

His words catch her off guard. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Trust me, I know it's hardly believable," Matthew says, deliberately flicking his eyes up and down her body, "but you are a girl. Your lot isn't capable of violence. Go back to your dolls, love." No one whispers anymore — there is only a morbid silence around them and bloody crescents on her palms from balling her fists too hard

How dare he insinuate that she's incapable of punching someone? She's– she's Boadicea!

James steps closer to her, softly murmuring, "Lulu, cariad, he's not worth it, let's go." And she thinks that maybe he is right, that maybe she should be the bigger person and leave this petty idiot and his stupid remarks behind her–

"Yes, Lulu, listen to your brother," Matthew goads, smiling patronizingly at her — and something inside Lucie snaps.

She doesn't remember the action itself. What she does recall nearly seven years later is a growing ringing in her ears, threatening to drown out Jamie's voice, hot wrath, and Matthew Fairchild, stumbling to the ground with both hands clutching the middle of his face. Her knuckles hurt, and Lucie’s last thought is that they never write in books how painful it is to actually hit someone.

She also remembers the aftermath.

"Lucie Herondale and Matthew Fairchild, what is going on here! I'm taking both of you to the headmaster immediately!" yells Tatiana Lightwood, their maths teacher, from behind, and Lucie knows that her mum won't be happy. She doesn't worry about her dad — he will act tough and strict at first, but later send her a conspiratorial wink and sneak extra chocolate to her at night.

And while Mrs. Lightwood screeches, and someone — probably Thomas, it’s always Thomas — helps Matthew up, Lucie tries her best not to smile.

***

Matthew Fairchild doesn't know what hit him so many years ago.

Except, Matthew thinks, lighting up at his favorite childhood memory, that maybe he does. He vividly remembers little Lucie Herondale with bright blue eyes and his younger version baiting her to take a swing. What he doesn’t remember, to be exact, is a minute before her eyes blazed up like two flaming torches and him on the cold grass, clutching his bloody nose.

***

While they are being led to the headmaster, Matthew hears angry mumbling and strains his ears, hoping to catch her words.

"Boadicea... warrior queen... would be proud of me... need to teach stupid boys a lesson..." Lucie mutters in a half-breath.

Once, when Matthew was nine, he had to put out a fire on his father's head, and even then he felt less unsure of his actions. Lucie Herondale showed up like a thunderstorm with no mercy and swept him off his feet — in the truest sense of that phrase! — turning his world upside down. She is a tiny thing, hardly reaching up to his chin — and clearly, it doesn’t matter to her, because she keeps shooting him glares like everything is entirely his fault, and it’s a bit hypocritical, isn’t it? She's not the one with blood dripping down her pristine white shirt.

"You do know that she was defeated and believed to poison herself?" Matthew absentmindedly cuts her off, and Lucie stops, tilting her head with a silent question. "Boadicea. She led the uprising, yes, but it failed, and then she..."

He finds his voice trailing off because it's clear that Lucie doesn't want history lessons — judging by her face, the only thing she's wishing for him is a gruesome death. Matthew nearly takes offense at her unwillingness to speak, opening his mouth to retort, when Tatiana Lightwood nudges them from behind — and she is the second scariest thing in the world after his mum — so he obediently seals his lips and keeps going.

Matthew doesn't tell her she’s not Boadicea. Boadicea was a human queen —courageous and just, but still an existing person. Lucie, in turn, is full of divine light, threatening to pour out of her in a golden flare.

Lucie Herondale is no mortal, Matthew thinks. She is Andraste, the Celtic deity of victory and war, to whom Boadicea was praying, as she rushed into battle.

***

Tick, Tock. Tick, Tock.

It’s been forty minutes since Mr. Bridgestock left for urgent matters, and she is bored. Lucie had already counted the number of books in his office — 36, and she’s read a third of them! — played “I spy” in her head, and thought of several stories for Cordelia. They’re an enthralling affair of true love and betrayal, bloodlust and cruel bargains, and Lucie sighs wistfully, missing her notebook. And if all of them end with the death of a certain blond fool, it’s simply a miraculous coincidence.

Sunlight flows through the blinds, highlighting specks of dust in the air. Each one gleams like a mother of pearl, and she knows that in better circumstances she would think of this room as beautiful. It reeks of untold tales and secrets, reminding her of a writer’s lair, where poems are born and odes are sung — and Lucie detests Matthew for ruining one more thing in her life. The list is becoming too long.

It’s not the most entertaining task, counting seconds that is, but it’s either that or thinking about what an insufferable toad Matthew Fairchild is and how satisfying it was to sock him in the nose; and if she had another possibility, she would definitely use it, consequences be damned, — and Lucie can’t afford anymore trouble, so she picks the first option, keeping her eyes on the clock.

Tick, Tock. Tick, Tock.

There’s a loud noise in the hallway and the door bursts open, revealing both of her parents. Dad walks in first, exclaiming, “Lulu, did you really punch some poor sod?” And she wants to reply, honestly, but her mother barges into the office like an avenging angel on the day of judgment.

“Lucie Elizabeth Herondale,” Oh, she is in trouble, “do tell, why is it that I’m having a pleasant morning when someone from school calls to report that my kid got into a fight? And not my eleven-year-old boy, but his younger sister who wasn’t even supposed to be there.”

Da likes to say he fell in love with Mam because of her loving and gentle soul, her willingness to see the best in people — in that way she and Jamie are the same — but gentle isn’t the word Lucie would use to describe her mother now. She is the epitome of indignation, pacing around the room with furrowed brows and a crease in her forehead. “And who is the other-,” her gaze stills on the furthest corner and she stops in her tracks, seeing the blond boy for the first time. “Matthew?”

“Good morning, Aunt Tessa!” he enthusiastically waves from his chair with the sweetest smile and Lucie huffs. What a suck-up. “I must say, you look absolutely lovely today.”

Her mom’s cheeks redden and Lucie wants to bang her head on the wall until it turns out that today is a fever dream, conducted by her sick imagination, and no, she isn’t actually sitting in the office where Matthew Fairchild tries to charm her Mam. Successfully, by the way.

At least, Dad is still on her side.

Or not, she surly notes when Matthew asks him about his upcoming book, and they start talking about people's ignorance regarding demon pox. Traitors, all of them.

“Prime Minister, you shouldn’t have concerned yourself!” Mr. Brigstock’s brittle voice echoes from the corridor. “We contacted your spouse, assuring him that your son is quite alright and-”

“My husband isn’t here — I am,” Charlotte Fairchild coldly replies, walking into the room.

She is used to seeing Charlotte as the prime minister of their country — always with impeccable speeches and not a hair out of place — and it’s hard to remember how petite the other woman actually is. She stands only a head taller than Lucie herself, all delicate bones and straight posture, and yet her presence fills the room with an aura of quiet authority. Something in Charlotte Fairchild makes one want to pledge their loyalty and follow every order that comes out of her mouth — an irreplaceable quality while leading a country, Lucie must admit.

Charlotte’s eyes dart all over the room until they settle on Matthew with his toothy grin, and the troubled look disappears from her features. Only then does she notice the other people standing in the chamber, and her brows raise in surprise. “Will, Tessa, what are you doing here?”

“Wouldn’t we like to know,” pipes her father with a shrug of his shoulders, and three pairs of eyes bore into Mr. Bridgestock.

“You see, there was an incident,” he begins, sweating profoundly, when the door swings open for the third time and Lucie lets out a soft groan. This day will never end.

Tatiana Lightwood steps in, bearing the best imitation of an old hag with a sinister look on her face. “What Mr. Bridgestock wanted to say,” she sharply cuts him off, ”is that a horrible mishap has happened because of your daughter, Mr. Herondale.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Herondale,” her dad cheekily corrects. “Please, don’t forget about my wonderful wife.”

Mrs. Lightwood glares at Lucie’s father with pure hatred in her eyes; and if Lucie previously thought that there might be a reasonable solution to their problem, now there’s no hope left. Trust Dad to worsen the situation.

“Earlier Matthew and Lucie got into a verbal spat, which ended in her hitting him in the face. I wonder who she gets it from,” Tatiana adds with a clear quip.

“Lulu, is that true?” her father asks sternly, but mouths “nice strike” when no one is watching. James may have inherited their dad’s looks, but Lucie is the one who shares his fiery personality.

“Yes! But only because-,” she starts.

“Lucie Herondale, I am utterly disappointed in you,” Ma intervenes, shaking her head. “We always talk about how violence is never the answer to the problem. You have to apologize to Matthew right now.”

“But, mom-,” Lucie tries again.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what got into her, usually Lucie is an angel,” her mother completely ignores her pleas, turning to the other woman.

“Tessa, don’t worry, I’m certain there is a logical explanation,” Charlotte Fairchild kindly says. “Besides, I don’t think Matthew is seriously hurt.”

“Can anybody listen to me for one minute?” Lucie half-screams, but it appears to be fruitless, because everyone is engrossed in their own talks and there’s a chatter from every corner, merging together in one illegible sound.

“Lucie, apologize to Matthew,” repeats Ma to her left.

“Stop criticizing my daughter,” argues Dad from somewhere.

“In all my life I have never seen a girl who behaves like that,” hotly continues Mrs. Lightwood, and for the first time today Lucie wants to cry.

She feels overlooked (she despises this sensation with burning passion), worthless and frustrated, but most of all Lucie feels wronged. She has a clear picture in her head — she is going to get punished, while Matthew comes out of this situation untainted and innocent — and it’s such an unjust outcome, because he is to blame as much as she is, and doesn’t it even matter that she had a noble purpose in mind? Her parents always talk about fighting for what you believe in, but the one time she does exactly that-

“It’s not her fault.” Wait, what?

Lucie freezes, barely breathing, and thinks that she imagined his voice, coming from the corner, because there’s no way in hell it could actually happen. She glances at him and Matthew sheepishly grins when their eyes meet. There’s a strong determination on his face, and Lucie notes how Charlotte-like he looks in that moment, lips pursed in a silent dare and shoulders squared. Everyone is quiet now, waiting for further explanation, and he continues on, “I mocked her, saying that girls aren’t capable or good enough to fight; that they don’t have a violent streak or bloodlust in their veins — Lucie proved me wrong. She’s not at fault, and I’m the one who has to apologize to her, not the other way around. I let stereotypes cloud my judgment, and for that I am sorry.”

***

Matthew doesn’t know why he says what he says — it’s just that one moment Lucie’s eyes are full of defiance and heavenly fire, and the next minute they are brimming with unshed tears. He has a funny feeling in his stomach, as if something has gone terribly wrong in the span of several seconds, and he can’t sit idly by while they blame her for everything that happened. (See, Lucie, he isn’t a hypocrite. He acknowledges they both have their own share of guilt.)

She opens and closes her mouth before finally taking a deep breath with a blank look on her face, and some part of Matthew feels giddy at making the great Lucie Herondale speechless. He doesn’t know her that well, but something tells him that it’s not a common occurrence.

He doesn’t care that a lecture on gender equality will be waiting for him at home, or that he isn’t going to have good grades in maths anytime soon — Mrs. Lightwood keeps glaring at him as if he spoiled her hour of glory, so that’s out of the question — or that Charles will make fun of him for being hit by a girl.

Matthew doesn’t care about any of that, because for the first time Lucie looks at him with something other than anger, and for now it’s enough for him.

***

They are waiting out in the hall for their parents to finish up while Lucie questions everything her life has come to stand for. With Matthew it was always a steady knowledge of their roles — he, her brother’s bully, and she, James’s defender. Now the line is blurred.

It was easy to hate Matthew who condescendingly smiled at her. It’s not that easy to hate Matthew who took all the blame on himself and defended her actions.

Lucie doesn’t know what to feel about that Matthew.

“I don’t hate James,” he blurts out a mere meter away from her. “You asked why I picked on him, but the truth is, I never realized I was picking on him in the first place. I wouldn’t consciously hurt James at any time, because...” Matthew stills, hands fidgeting, “because all I ever wanted is to become his friend.”

“But- but you flaunt your ‘fans’ in his face every day?” Lucie furrows her eyebrows.

He stands in one spot with his face turned to the floor and doesn’t answer her for a good minute. “You know, in ‘Frankenstein’,” Matthew finally says, “the monster talks about love and hate: ‘if I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.’”

“You’ve read it too?” Lucie exclaims. “I knew I wasn’t the only one who–”

“What?” he looks baffled by her sudden outburst, “No, my dad and I watched the movie– anyway, that’s not the point. I thought that if James didn’t want to be my friend, I would show him that everybody else did; that it was his loss and not mine.” Matthew glances back to his feet, “Though, now that I think of it, it does seem like a lousy move.”

If this is the real reason, Lucie thinks, then boys are unbelievably dumb. She also thinks that it sounds too simple to be true; that nothing in life solves this easily; that there must be a catch to his words. But maybe there isn’t, maybe it is that easy.

Maybe she doesn’t have to hate him.

Lucie prides herself on being able to understand other people, their motives and intentions, but Matthew remains a closed book to her. She doesn’t know what he thinks or feels, and that makes her wary. For a moment Lucie wants to say something hurtful and offensive, strike Matthew before he will be the one with the power to belittle her — because it’s the easier choice; because in this scenario her heart is out of danger of being scorched and trampled upon.

And yet her mum says that the bravest thing you can do is to give another person a second chance with no knowledge about how that will end, and this time she is ready to take a leap of faith. Something in Lucie whispers that he is worth it.

“Matthew,” she hesitantly starts, “thank you for telling me this and… thank you for earlier, it was nice of you to say that. And I’m sorry for…” Lucie lifts her palm in the air, pointing to her head, “you know.”

“Oh, you mean for making my pretty face not so pretty, yeah? Don’t worry there aren’t many things that can make me look bad.” he says and Lucie snorts. Some things never change. “I’m really sorry for offending you. Now I think we can agree that girls are more brutal than guys — my nose is a living witness.”

They don’t talk after that, but Lucie’s fine with it — their quiet doesn’t feel like a silence to her, but endless possibilities and a newfound understanding between two people.

***

In the end, they don’t even get detention because it’s the first time both of them violate the rules. (It may also be due to the fact that Mr. Bridgestock is afraid of the prime minister, but one doesn’t complain about miracles and she isn’t going to start now.)

When they are finally leaving after one more scolding from their parents, Charlotte clutches Matthew’s hand in a strong grip, but he stops in front of her before going his way.

“I will never underestimate you again, Lucie Herondale,” Matthew says, looking her in the eye, — and Lucie thinks that it sounds like the beginning of something beautiful.

***

On the following day she sees James and Matthew laughing together like long-lost brothers and a little smirk grazes her lips. Boys are indeed idiots, Lucie notes, walking into her classroom.

Matthew sits with her at lunch that day, and every day for the remaining year, sometimes alone, sometimes with three boys trailing after him, and she doesn’t mind this novelty. They talk about everything, surprisingly having a lot in common, but mostly Lucie berates him on his preference of movies to books.

(“I’m just fascinated by the acting and portrayal of emotions! That’s it! It’s not like I’m degrading your beloved authors,” argues Matthew.

“Your excuses sound like a big pile of bull–”

“Lucie!” interrupts James, horrified.)

Matthew loses his adoring crowd, in turn spending all his breaks with the four of them, and she can’t help grinning a little, remembering Thomas’s relief-stricken face at this news and his recounting of every single time he nearly died of embarrassment and nerves when asked a question by a stranger. He also wants Matthew to promise that his bluster ends from this day on, and the blond boy fleetingly glances at her before answering that it won’t be a problem anymore.

***

Many years later, whenever she thinks about their blossoming friendship, Lucie can’t pinpoint the exact moment when Matthew becomes an inseparable part of her life. Maybe after all, it doesn’t even matter that she remembers only a little of what happened — she knows that it was the year when they became best friends and that is what counts.

Author’s note: I hope you liked this chapter! Feel free to leave a comment or ask, I’m always happy to see them!

Taglist: @christopherslightwood @taco-taco-belle (if you want to be added just dm me)

[jackdrawsgames]

An introduction to all my characters!

since I’ve been doing more drawing requests I’ve decided to make a master post with all of my characters and their respective group/universe names!

you can also feel free to ask these characters questions as I’m always happy to have a little rp!

however if you would like to ask any of the characters from the TIphy universe questions, please direct them to @tiphysjournal​

thanks! - J

MAIN UNIVERSE:

the main universe is where most of my characters are! they include:

Colt: the older of the twins by only a minute, he and Pollux are both half fae on their mom’s side. their father’s an asshole scientist who murdered their mother a few years after they were born because she was trying to find a way to escape from their father with the twins. Colt is very logical and often finds it hard to understand emotions, both his and others. he tried his best to provide for his family (all characters of @daddypatton​ ) but isn’t always great at listening instead of giving advice. he’s very good at technology and computers, and used to work for his dad entering data. he now works for an independent company making video games.

Pollux: the younger of the twins, he got the worst of his father’s “love” and the most of his mother’s features, including her freckles and ears. although not obvious anymore because his father surgically removed the tips in one of his experiments. Pollux is a proud transgender man and was kicked out of his father’s house at around 10 for coming out. he hid from his father for 8 years until being found by Virgil (again, Tobi’s aka @daddypatton​‘s character) and being brought to like with Virgil’s friend Envy. Pollux is more or less spoiled in Envy’s home and loves Pastel fashion (this is a trend in my characters lol). Pollux is still finding himself and his hobbies, as he didn’t have the ability to explore as a kid.

FIRE BOYS OFFSHOOT

I didn’t think Saulo needed his own category, as he is still part of the main universe, but all the rps with him and G are separate so he gets a little offshoot lol

Saulo:

Saulo (and his friends that you can see in the image) is a circus performer specifically in aerials. he uses his flame fae ancestry to perform feats of daring without actually being any more daring than any other aerialist. he uses his flame immunity in his acts to set fire to trapeze, arrows, and to swallow fire. however, after meeting G and falling in love, he makes the mistake of being a bit too obvious, and the circus finds out. With their no dating outside the circus policy due to previous performers running away with their loves in the middle of a season. he is told to finish the season and then leave. he now lives with G and they plan to open their own circus to host permanently in the city. in the meantime Saulo works training Dancers at Envy’s club while G works as a bartender.

POLY UNIVERSE

the poly universe only has one of my characters so far!

Clem:

Clem is a photographer who after being bullied all his life for liking “girly” things moves to the big city to find others like him. in the Process he meets Absinthe and Tony, and falls in love with them both. Clem likes fairy kei and decora fashion, and of course photography. he hosts an instagram account (not real, sorry!) where he takes street snaps of people in japanese street fashion where he lives. he’s very bubbly but can be shy around new people. he tries not to let his anxiety get to him, but of course everyone has their bad days

WITCHES

Nettle may not be the most elegant Witch, but they’re trying their best! They live in a secluded town with other witches that is hidden away from non magical eyes, and they themselves live in the forest outside of town. they don’t have a familiar yet, but are still looking so their powers can be finalized and they can do more complex magic. Nettle loves gardening and helping those in need, they are very cheerful and good at potions and tarot reading!

TatMJ Universe!

this in the universe for my comic, Tiphy and the Magic Journal! 

Tiphy: Tiphy is a seemingly ordinary girl, she likes most creative arts but mostly drawing and sewing. One day she finds a magic Journal, and her world turns upside down! Tiphy is a very curious character and often gets distracted on walks, causing her to get lost. she does her best to find her way back though!

Stephanie: Steph is Tiphy’s best friend and is often the more level headed of the two, she loves fashion and photography and is very good at studying. she has a lot of siblings and does her best to help around the house.

Vivian: Vivian is the guardian of the Journal and has been since it’s creation. They worked very closely with Alwin McCalmont in creating the journal and can often be a bit too protective of it, however they also love naps, and can often sleep for a very long time if not woken up by a Witch. They can come off as rude at times but really they just want what’s best for the Journal, and it’s current master.

NOT CATAGORIZED

here’s all the character’s who don’t really have a universe of their own!

Teacup: Teacup is my Goblin oc! they’re super bubbly and curious and will pick most things up if left unattended. they have been known to accidentally take someone’s picnic and they absolutely drink tea out of the tea cup on their head.

Marcie is also a goblin! she loves metallic things and especially working clocks, although she has collected many non working ones as well. she can be very shy but will absolutely love you if you give her anything metallic and shiny.

LuLu: Space girl now dubbed Lulu or Lujanne, is an astronaut! she doesn’t have much of a story yet or a personality, but I would love to hear from you guys with ideas!

[thebossveigar]

30 minute VeiTris fic

Little note: I didn’t really proof read this and just wrote thsi for the sake of having a VeiTris story since I can’t find... any.  So yeah, judge me.

The night air was quiet and peaceful, the silence was only broken by Veigar mumbling to himself and the songs of sapphire crickets in the distance.

He didn’t know how to go about this. He was standing outside of a cozy cottage that belonged to Tristana - desiring to ask her to attend the upcoming summer festival with him. Ever since he met her, all his interactions with her were pleasant.

She was so nice to him, patient with him and dealt with all his outbursts as he adjusted back to life inside of Bandle City. The yordle had never felt like this in his life - that he could remember, that is.

‘Just do it.’ he argued with himself. ‘The festival is tomorrow night. You don’t have time to mess around.’

Swallowing his pride - he reached for the doorbell… and stopped. He felt shaky, anxious. What if she said no? She probably would say no. He was quite rude to her when they first met, and since her breakup with Rumble she likely didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with him.

He was too afraid to ask her to attend the festival with him. He sighed, and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a note he had written for her - not with his name on it, of course! - and slid it under her doorstep. Maybe he’d feel more comfort just by getting it off his mind. He sighed, and turned around back to his home.

The next day was blistering hot. The croaks of forest frogs and buzzing of glade cicadas echoed throughout Bandle City, creating almost a song of sorts.

Tristana felt groggy. She didn’t sleep much the previous night. Her mind had been stuck thinking about Rumble, all the awful things he did to her, and what she would do if he dared to show up to the summer festival.

She was lost in her thoughts when she heard her doorbell ring.

“Trist! You coming? We have to set up the festival today.” the voice said. She knew that voice - it was Lulu. This was her first festival in a long time since relearning to live among yordles.

Tristana got out of bed. “I’ll be out in a minute, Lulu.”

She looked around her room. It was a complete mess. Blankets everywhere, cartons of ice cream from stress eating scattered about. It wasn’t something that could be helped right now. She had a festival to worry about, her house would have to wait. She put on a tank top and some shorts - her usual soldier attire wouldn’t be needed for such a relaxing festival.

She glanced over towards her front door, and saw the note on the floor. Tristana never got notes from anyone, really. Was it Rumble pleading for forgiveness?

Hesitantly, she opened the note. The writing… was hard to make out. It looked a bit scrappily put together, and no name was on it. Most of it she couldn’t make out, but she did make out the ending: “Will you go to the summer festival with me?”

‘Whoever wrote this must be nervous.’ she giggled to herself. ‘It’s kind of cute, really.’

She slipped the note into her pocket while she tried to find out who wrote it, and stepped outside.

“Hey Lulu.” she waved.

Lulu grabbed her hand. Lulu wasn’t very talkative, she liked to listen to nature and the voices of plants.

Lulu had taken Tristana over to her house. She looked up at Tristana. “I’m gonna go work on making food.” she whispered. “Help Veigar out with setting up the tables and chairs.”

Veigar felt a shudder go down his spine. She brought Tristana here? Now he knew this was his last chance.

“Hey Veigar.” Tristana waved. “I’m surprised to see you helping out with this since you usually just stay cooped up in your tower.” she was giggling at him.

He felt his face turning red and turned away. “Yeah… Lulu asked me to help and I accepted. That’s what friends do, or so I’ve been told.”

The two yordles started moving tables over to the main plaza of Bandle City. It was a bit of a lengthy walk, but it gave them plenty of time to converse.

“You know, I thought you hated me.” Tristana panted from carrying tables in the intense summer heat.

“You’re too nice for that…” he whispered under his breath.

“What?” Tristana looked back at him.

“Nothing!” Veigar scowled. “I never hated you, I just don’t like socializing.”

Tristana raised a brow. “Don’t pretend I didn’t hear that.” she giggled, reaching into her pocket.

“You wrote this, didn’t you?”

Veigar’s entire face at this point turned red, his ears sticking straight up. “Uh” he stuttered. “What makes you think I did?”

At this point, Tristana was just laughing. “You’re so awkward with your emotions, and your writing is scrappy. You can be honest with me, you know.”

Veigar felt so embarrassed, and was at a loss for words. It was that easy for her to figure it out.

“Look, Veigar.”  she grabbed his hand. “If it makes you feel better, I’ve had feelings for you too.”

He couldn’t tell if this was a joke, or what. His heart was racing, skipping several beats. “You mean it?” he asked.

Tristana giggled. “Yeah. You’re so awkward and funny, but really strong and can be so kind when you open up.”

He pulled at the collar of his shirt nervously. “So… will you go to the festival with me?”

“Of course, ya big dummy.” She rustled his head.

Veigar leaned in and kissed her cheek, much to Tristana’s surprise. Her face turned red like a tomato.

“Let’s finish setting up. This festival will be a good time with you by my side.” Veigar cheered, in perhaps the happiest tone he’s ever used.

Several hours passed, and the festival was soon to begin. Lulu came over with tons of meals and desserts.

“Is everything ready?” she asked.

“Sure is.” Veigar replied, holding Tristana’s hand.

Lulu was rather confused. “What’s going on here?”

Tristana smiled. “Veigar and I are dating now, Lu.”

“I’ve liked her for awhile now.” Veigar admitted. “I slipped a note under her door asking her to come with me here and bolted because I was nervous. Turns out, she felt similarly.” he giggled.

That night was one of the most memorable nights of Veigar’s long life. He was so happy he had her, after crushing on her for so long. Her laugh made him smile, and she much enjoyed his talks of “diabolical” plans. This was the beginning of a new era for Veigar and Tristana.

[galaxy-parchment]

It’s a miracle! I’m writing something for a fandom that isn’t tgs?? But yeah this is LU and if you’re here for LU and haven’t read The Glass Scientists I would highly recommend it. As for the actual fic once again I’m aware it's not great but I love Time and found it lowkey funny how many Oot and MM references there are on the BOTW map. I do plan to add a part two sometime soon so don’t worry I wouldn’t dream of not mentioning Nabooru given the opportunity.

1 (you are here) : 2

-

The sigh of relief from Legend as he let his bag drop to the ground punctuated the long day of travel they had just finished. Wild’s Hyrule was prettier than some of the others but it was by far the hardest to traverse. The rest of the group followed suit and sat down on some tree stumps and rocks that littered the forest clearing they found themselves in. Wild was the last to sit down as he looked around and spotted a lamp beside the trail, revealing where they were.

“Oh, this is great, we’re getting close to Zora’s Domain, I can’t wait to show you guys Ruto Precipice, the view from there is amazing!” There were a few excited mutters among the group but Time just gave him a look that could only be described as something between confusion and exasperation.

“Did you say Ruto?” He asked.

“Yeah, but there’s Ruto Precipice, Ruto Mountain and Ruto Lake, plus Divine Beast Vah Ruta is a derivative of the name” he explained, recalling something he’d seen in Mipha’s diary “I think it’s from an old legend, why?” Time gave his face a tired rub and didn’t bother explaining, instead opting to take stock of his own supplies and detract the conversation.

“How on earth did she get a mountain named after her” he muttered under his breath. Wind was the only one to notice that Warriors was trying his very best to stifle a laugh from the outer edge of the circle.

“Do you know who she is?” Wild questioned.

“Princess Ruto was one of the strangest women I’ve ever met. She proposed to me when we were 10 and then I had to accept because the stone she proposed with was a sacred stone I needed to get the Master Sword” he regaled, gesticulating exasperatedly at how absurd it was.

“I’m guessing it didn’t go anywhere?”

“I wish, I came back 7 years later and she was still insisting that we were engaged, so I steer clear of Zora’s Domain these days” he concluded, going back to what he was doing. A few chuckles circled the group at the story, Wild pulled out the Sheikh slate to check his map.

“I suppose we could also go to one of the other lakes, I’d suggest Mikau Lake, Lulu Lake or Toto Lake” Wild suggested, since Ruto was apparently something of a sore subject.

His suggestion seemed to be even more distressing to Time as he dropped a health potion he had just pulled out of his bag, the lid popping open and the potion spilling out onto the ground. He looked at the bottle as the red liquid dripped out and seeped into the dirt.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me” he deadpanned as he solemnly picked up the soiled bottle and wandered  over to the river to wash out the container. Everyone threw looks that ranged from concerned to confused but silently agreed not to mention it, since he seemed surprised more than anything.

-

After their trip to Zora’s Domain Wild had decided that they needed some money and fighting a local Igneo Talus near Goron City would be the perfect pastime.

“Okay, guys, once we get to Darunia Lake, I’ll climb on top of the Talus and you guys grab the ores that come off of it”

“Great Din, did you just say Darunia?” Time asked with a sigh

“Yeah, I think it’s another one of those really old legendary heroes, Bludo said Vah Rudania is named after him too” Wild answered as he checked through the Sheikah slate for his sledgehammer “did you know him too?”

“Yeah, he was a good guy, but being sworn as a Goron brother to the chief is great until you’re 10 years old and a small army is trying to give you a Goron hug” he said with a grimace.

“What? They don’t give me Goron hugs!” Wild exclaimed, even after he had specifically asked Yunobo for the tightest hug he could manage.

“Consider yourself lucky” Time said, giving a stone face as he marched forward.

[glow-worm]

Powerless - Ch. 4/4

(Read the rest of this fic on AO3 or here on tumblr)

As the Starblaster broke through a new plane, Lup watched Taako’s empty chair eagerly, her hands clasped together in anticipation.

The Light rebuilt him, and as soon as he reformed he threw his hands up in front of him and shut his eyes tight with an “Oh, shit!”

Lup’s brow furrowed in concern. “Taako?” She prompted.

He opened one eye cautiously, then both shot open wide as he searched his surroundings.

“What the fuck!” He exclaimed. “Did I die?!”

She smiled. Barry was right.

“Yeah, goofus,” she said. “Welcome back.”

“That thing killed me?!” He asked, shocked.

“One hit,” Lup said, feigning nonchalance. “Killed you real good.”

“One hit?” Taako repeated. He folded his arms across his chest, disappointed. “Damn.”

“Merle,” Davenport began, standing up straighter than he had in months. He tossed his crutch to the side. “Magnus, Taako. Welcome back.”

“Damn,” Merle laughed. “You guys really can’t stay alive without me, huh?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Magnus dismissed, instinctively reaching for an injury that was no longer there.

“For all you complain about my healing,” Merle began. “Sure sounds like you miss it when it’s gone!”

“Your healing is very helpful, Merle,” Magnus said. “But you know what would be really helpful? If our cleric could stay alive for five minutes.”

“Alright, alright, enough,” Davenport said. “I’m gonna get us to a safe spot, then we can recap and get the lay of the land. Looks...relatively normal? Then again, so did the last one...”

The Starblaster landed in a forest clearing a safe distance from a nearby village. They’d have some exploring to do later.

They filled Taako, Merle, and Magnus in on everything that had happened after they died while Lup busied herself in the kitchen, starting to prep a meal.

Taako had expected Lup to be a little bit...clingier.

Not that his feelings were hurt, but—she cared, didn’t she?

He noticed immediately that Barry was less shy about touching his sister. She asked Barry for help in the kitchen since Taako was deep in the recap, and Barry put a hand on her shoulder—for no particular reason! Taako wasn’t sure how to react. After all, things were getting...inevitable.

Well, Barry Bluejeans was a really good guy.

“Taako, if you’re caught up, come help me,” Lup called. “I’ve been cooking for five months.”

“Our friends haven’t had a decent meal for five months?” Taako feigned shock. “Tragic. Move it, goofus, I’ll make the sauce.”

Lup stepped out of the way while Taako sifted through the spice cabinet.

He had just gotten his hands on the oregano when he felt Lup wrap her arms tight around him, her face buried in the back of his shoulder.

Yeah—this was more of what he was expecting.

Something about the tightness told him he couldn’t joke about it yet, so instead he turned himself around and returned her embrace. He could tell from her breathing that she was fighting back tears.

He placed a hand on the back of her head and held her close, then he locked eyes with Barry, who was watching them with uncertainty from a few feet away. Taako gave him a nod of acknowledgement before returning his focus back to comforting his sister.

That night, the four who had survived the last cycle decided they were too stir crazy—not having been able to leave the ship much towards the end of the year—and wanted to camp outside.

Taako couldn’t have been less interested, but he couldn’t say no to Lup right now.

The rest of the crew slept on bedrolls around a bonfire, while the twins sat together far enough apart from the others so as not to be heard.

That night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Lup and Taako sat back to back with their legs crossed and folded. It was a position they often took when they kept watch—they could trance and watch over the others at the same time.

The twins rested in silence for an hour, listening to the sound of the fire crackling and popping. Taako was starting to wonder if he should say something, since Lup clearly had things on her mind—but she wound up speaking before he could think of how to start.

“Taako,” Lup addressed quietly. “That sucked.”

He opened his eyes and frowned, turning his head slightly so he could see at least part of her face out of the corner of his eye.

“I didn’t have much choice in the matter, Lulu,” he responded under his breath.

“I know that,” she whispered. “I just. That was. The most horrifying thing I’ve ever seen. And...I missed you, so much.”

“Well,” he started. “I’m here now. I know this whole situation is hell, in a way, but at least when we die we...y’know. Get better. Sorry. It must have been rough without me. Cause I’m so amazing and cool.”

Lup ignored his quip, which he took as a signal that she did indeed have a rough time and wasn’t in the mood for jokes.

“We’re gonna get out of this, Taako,” Lup said. “We are. One way or another.”

Taako moved his hands from his knees and folded them together in his lap.

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately,” Taako began cautiously. “Lup...are you sure that’s what you want?”

“What?”

“I mean, I get it,” Taako said. “All these planes are getting their shit wrecked. And we’ve been through some shit, yeah, but...come on, Lup, you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. How long we’ve been at this?”

Lup didn’t answer, so Taako continued.

“Think about it...thirty years. We haven’t aged because of the resets. But if we weren’t caught in these cycles...Barry, Mags, and Lucretia would be old. They’d be half way through their lives—they could be grandparents. And we...we really wouldn’t have aged at all. Thirty years is nothing to us, but it’s a third of a human life. At least.”

“I know. I think about that all the time. But...all this destruction? It’s not worth it. It’s not fair,” Lup balled her hands into fists.  “I’m grateful for the extra time we’ve had with Barry, and Lucretia and Magnus, but...I’m so tired, Taako. Aren’t you?”

“Of course,” Taako responded. “It’s just...if we do get out of this, what’s gonna happen? What if our ages, or our injuries catch up to us? What if you have to watch Barry get old, while you don’t change at all?”

Lup was taken aback. “Wh—What does that have to do with—why Barry?”

“Don’t play dumb, dingus,” he said. “It doesn’t suit you.”

Elven-human relationships back home were often viewed as inherently tragic. To the elf, their human was gone in the blink of an eye.

“All I’m saying is...I know this is hard, but in a way...we’re lucky,” Taako mused. “We’ve got something most folks would kill for. Time. And unlimited second chances. We shouldn’t waste them, or wish them away when things go a little south.”

Lup thought for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh. “Hah, yeah. See if you can keep up that point of view next time I beef it.”

“Oh, you know that’s not gonna happen, bubbeleh,” he remarked with a smile. “I mean, I’ll give it a shot, but—lets both try not to die, huh?”

���I’m glad you’re back,” she said.

He felt her reach for his hand. He rolled his eyes. After all, he’d seen her and all of his friends die more than once. But he bit back his snark and tried to be sympathetic—she had never been without him, after all—and locked his fingers into hers.

His urge for snark won out.

“Nerd,” he commented.

“Shut uuuuuup,” she retorted.

That night, Lup rested better than she had in months.

[imacrowcawcaw]

@supersonic-darling tagged me thank you!!!! 🌻🌼🌸🌹🌺

Nicknames: Lulu, Honolulu, Sanny Queen, The Crow

Zodiac: Taurus

Height: nearly 5'6 (165cm I think)

Hogwarts House: Gryffindor

Last Thing Googled: synonyms for moderated

Do I Get Asks: when I ask for them and then from friends checking in 😍

Amount of Sleep: varies a lot but 6-7 hours lately

Lucky Number: don't have one

What I'm Wearing: red and black flannel pajama pants and a blue long sleeve

Dream Trip: anywhere with evergreen forests

Instruments: viola, violin, bass guitar (learning), guitar (learning), vocals

Languages: English and slowly working on German

Aesthetic:

4 Favorite Ships:

- Sanny (Sam Kiszka x Danny Wagner; Greta Van Fleet)

- Zukka (Zuko x Sokka; Avatar the Last Airbender)

- Duzzy (Duff Mckagan x Izzy Stradlin; Guns n Roses)

- Merthur (Merlin x Arthur; Merlin BBC)

Favorite Song(s): Patience // Guns n Roses, Love Song // Tesla, Orion // Metallica, Time Gone By // Izzy Stradlin and The Juju Hounds, Jeepster // T. Rex

Last Thing Listened To: Let's Pretend We're Married // Prince (so fun)

Last Movie Watched: I saw parts of Pets 2 cause my mom was watching it in the living room lol

What I'm Reading RN: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, and also this AMAZING Zukka fic by Avocadolove on AO3 called Unchained Melody

What I'm Craving RN: nothing I jist ate hella cookies

3 Random Facts: I can't ride a bike, I also can't drive a car, and I just got a new puppy!

[northernlightz]

“I still can’t get used to reading Asmodian, those words are so confusing.”

Gabriel got up at the same that Ross had to leave. He took a walk in the library of the mansion, looking for the books his wife told him could have some information about the Haros. He found some of them but while he was going back to the living room to start reading, Luciel woke up and he had to give the little one his breakfast and then leave him distracted in the living room playing so he can focus on the books. He was reading for the most part of the morning, but all the books were in Asmodian, a language he has been learning with Ross but still a little confusing for him.

“This word has like 15 meanings and none of it fits the sentence” he sighed, looking away from the book to his son “I could be easier if you could talk, Lulu, I was able to understand you when you were in your four pawns form but I can’t right now” he smiled at his son who was playing with his toys without giving his parent any attention “Not like you can understand me neither”

Luciel looked at his father, smiled at him and then kept playing with the toys, talking tom himself in unintelligible words.

Ross and Gabriel had discovered that Luciel knew some words but were in a different language than none of then could understand and they were sure it was the Haros’s language. They both were teaching the kid their own but was something complicated to do, that's why Gabriel was surprised he could understand the puppy Luciel but maybe that was because he can actually talk with any animal and Luciel was one at that moment. The only way they could communicate with their son was because of their facial expressions and the tone of their voice when they were talking to him.

“ I hope your mom can find something” the sound of the door makes him look away from his son “Don’t go anywhere, Lulu” he leave the couch and walked to the door. He already knew who was there so he just opened the door and let him come in.

“I didn’t know you were coming”

“I didn’t tell you I was, I just decided to”

“I thought you weren't in this realm anymore, all the times you have called me was in our dimension”

“I have been more time than you think, Gabriel, there’s nothing more to see in our world so, why not enjoying another one?” he looked at Luciel who wasn't paying attention to any of them “besides I miss that little one”

“Oh, excuse him for not coming to say “hi”, I’m sure he hadn’t even noticed you are here. When he is playing he gets lost on it and after what happened the other I think it's better he stays there”

“Something bad happened?”

Gabriel tells his mater about how Luciel escapes from the house and how he found Luciel in the forest.

“ Not even you could fin him? That sounds too extreme for me”

“I know, I don’t know what happened that day. We decided to try to get more information about him and his race but there's barely anything in the books, Ross told me she would go ask a friend so I hope she has better luck. I'm sure you don’t know anything?”

“The Haros doesn’t exist in our world, Gabriel, but you are wrong about that “ he looked at Gabriel with a smile  I don’t know a lot about them but I have found one thing or two about them while I have been here, after all, that kid is my family too now”

{ Beginning } ~ [Previous] — [Next]

[sthayil]

2018 Reading Goal Outcomes

Goal: 52 books in 2018, no rereads or romance novels

Result: 28

1.       Whisky Tango Foxtrot, Kim Barker

Didn’t like it. Patronizing towards the places, and so littered with American pop culture references that it reads like she’s never used her imagination ever, and author is incapable of a metaphor that isn’t related to her American experience of the world.

2.       How Much Land Does A Man Need and What Men Live By, Leo Tolstoy

This is a tiny little penguin classic book with two short stories. The first story was a parable, your usual bargain with the devil and the greed of man coming back to bite him in the ass. Apparently James Joyce said it is the best story ever, but it has been done so many times that I’m not sure it’s true. The latter story was very Christian.

3.       Pegasus, Robin McKinley

McKinley is one of my favourite authors and I had read almost everything by her when I was a teenager, but I cannot believe this cliffhanger ending! And it’s been 8 years since publishing with still no sequel. Ebon is forthcoming, and that’s all it says on McKinley’s website.

4.       To Be Read at Dusk, Charles Dickens

Another Penguin collection of short stories. These were supposed to be spooky, and unfortunately I read them in the middle of the afternoon, and so didn’t feel the effects at all. The three stories were “To be read at dusk”, “The signalman”, and “The trial for murder”.

5.       Buying a Fishing Rod for my Grandfather, Gao Xingjian

This was a beautiful collection of short stories, I liked the titular one and the Temple with two lovers travelling.

6.       Half a Rupee Stories, Gulzar

I’m reading short stories for now just so I can get back into the habit before I jump into a full length book. I still don’t trust my own stamina. These were lovely stories, the ones I particularly remember are about growing old together and old loves.

7.       The Woman Who Thought She Was A Planet and Other Stories, Vandana Singh

My discovery of Indian sci-fi! This story collection was lovely, set in various time periods, with mathematics and physics apparent throughout which is the author’s background.

8.       Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Amy Chua

I had read a lot of the articles and reviews about it when it first came out but hadn’t read the book itself, so was glad to finally get my hands on it. It is true that the book doesn’t extoll what Chau deems the Chinese method of parenting more than the Western method, as given by the final example of her younger daughter Lulu.

9.       The Bad Boy’s Guide to the Good Indian Girl, Annie Zaidi & Smriti Ravindra

This was a fun read. Intertwining narratives from the perspective of a variety of different characters.

10.   Geek Girl, Holly Smale

Yes it was a young adult novel, but I was so exhausted with work and wedding planning and just wanted to relax and read something fluffy and I found this at my aunt and uncle’s house. Was a fun read, pretty predictable but didn’t go in expecting more than that. There’s a sequel out, but it was not gripping enough for me to look it up further.

11.   Airhead, Meg Cabot

12.   Being Nikki, Meg Cabot

13.   Runaway, Meg Cabot

Just burning through the series to see what happens at the end. The protagonist is a little annoying. A decent read but I wouldn’t want to own the books, and reading them once was enough.

14.   The Maze Runner, James Dashner

Again, back to young adult fiction from my cousin’s bookshelf. I’ve been meaning to read this series for a while. The book itself was ok. Pretty annoying because they kept dragging out the mystery for so long. When the audience has as little background as the protagonist does, how are we supposed to bond with him?

15.   The Scorch Trials, James Dashner

Again, similarly mysterious and dragging. Sure, we have more of a bond to the protagonist because we all got through the first book together, but I’m tired of all questions and no answers. It’s also very convenient that everything is so arbitrary and does not make sense because it’s done by the Creator people and the protagonist has no memories, because that puts zero pressure on the author to have a brain and think about things, or connect any dots, or tie anything together at all. It’s just a bunch of random shit happening for no reason, and nothing is connected. I can’t believe this series got so popular. This better wrap up in the final book.

16.   The Death Cure, James Dashner

Super lame. In the end they all just went to some magical forest place that was undisturbed and had not been mentioned until then, and it was a community who were meant to repopulate the Earth. The whole series didn’t have to be written if they had just done that from the start, when they already had the idea. Not worth rereading. I hear there’s a fourth book, but not even interested enough to find out the title, let alone track it down and read it.

17.   Recurve, Shannon Mayer

This is a promising new fantasy series, a world of elementals and other magical beings with a strong female protagonist and good logic.

18.   Breakwater, Shannon Mayer

19.   Firestorm, Shannon Mayer

20.   Windburn, Shannon Mayer

21.   Rootbound, Shannon Mayer

22.   Ash, Shannon Mayer

23.   Destroyer, Shannon Mayer

Amazing series. Just what I needed to read after the failure of The Maze Runner.

24.   Venom and Vanilla, Shannon Mayer

On a roll with Mayer. I like her writing style, and she has good strong female protagonists.

25.   Fangs and Fennel, Shannon Mayer

26.   Hisses and Honey, Shannon Mayer

Another solid series from Mayer.

27.   My Dateless Diary, R. K. Narayan

My first time reading anything by this author. Maybe I should have started with Malgudi Days, but I really enjoyed this. An autobiographical set of musings on life and travel as he goes through the US a long time back, when segregation was still ongoing, there was no internet and people had to ask each other questions to learn, and everyone had time for everyone else. Makes me almost wish that I lived back then just to experience that sort of peaceful life of transient interactions and persistent contact.

28.   A Few of the Girls, Maeve Binchy

A collection of short stories, mostly in the UK from the 60-80s. Very Rosamunde Pilcher-esque but happy endings not guaranteed.

[cowplant-pizza]

500 Followers Gift!

This time, I wanted to do something a little different than decorating an apartment, so I decided to create a whopping 40 Cats and Dogs for you guys to Adopt! They range from all ages, sizes and personalities! 

You can find each and everyone one of them on my Origin: boeybum. Or, you can download their Tray files from SimFileShare (no adfly) below, linked to their names. 

CC USED: Default Eyes!

If you would like a larger picture, a longer description or to see a kitten/puppy as an adult, please send me an ask! Any questions are welcome!

Please tell me if any links are broken!

So please, if you’re interested in adopting one of these fuzzy friends pictured above, click Keep Reading to find out more about them all! (I apologise for the long post for those of you on mobile. This has been tagged as #long post if you’d like to hide it!)

Welcome to the grand opening of Cowplant-Pizza Adoption Centre! Here are our current residents profiles! (in order, left -> right)

Cats: Kittens:

Nougat - Talkative, Skittish, Fluffy - Mixed Breed

A little bundle of joy for your families! Nougat came to us a few weeks ago, alone and scared. She is very skittish and nervous of new people, but has shown a huge amount of affection once she gets comfortable with you. I recommend Nougat being the only Pet in the family until she regains her confidence! 

Taco - Playful, Spoilt, Frisky - British Shorthair

This little dude is full of life! He is extremely playful and is always finding things to chase. He loves to run and hide, jump and climb. He might be a little bit of a handful, but Taco is a lovely addition to any family. 

Lulu - Affectionate, Playful, Skittish - Mixed Breed

Lulu is a tiny little bundle of love. She wants constant cuddles and is always in the mood to play. She came to us through unfortunate circumstances, leaving her jumpy and nervous to loud noises and other cats. I recommend her being the only cat in the family.

Kia - Skittish, Curious, Frisky - Mixed Breed

Kia was the runt of a litter, so is very skittish when it comes to meeting new people. She dislikes being around peoples feet, so likes to sit up high (often on the fridge!) so she can watch the world go by from a safe spot! She loves to chase mice and investigate new smells.

Mr. Wiggles - Clever, Playful, Affectionate - Mixed Breed

Mr. Wiggles is the embodiment of your dream kitten. He is full of cuddles, play times and even learning tricks! He loves to learn new things, and will be your best friend for life. Be careful where you step, because he’ll always be somewhere close by!

Princess - Affectionate, Spoilt, Prowler - Mixed Breed

Princess acquired her name for a very good reason, because she acts like royalty. Don’t expect her to do anything you tell her to, because she wont! However, just because she’s a bit of a suborn kitty, doesn’t mean she has any less love to give.

Mojo - Glutton, Fluffy, Curious - Mixed Breed

Mojo is a big ball of fluffy cuddles. He loves nothing more than eating! After a big meal, he’ll curl up in your lap for a long nap. But not before long, he’ll either be off investigating a mouse hole, or begging for another bowl of food!

Luna - Clever, Playful, Prowler - Mixed Breed

Luna is a beautiful kitten with shining green eyes, however, she might not sit still long enough for you to admire her! She is a pocket rocket who loves to run, pounce, chase, catch and climb. 

Dakota - Affectionate, Friendly, Playful - Mixed Breed

A tiny ball of love and cuddles, Dakota is the perfect addition to any household, and a best friend for life. Make sure to get plenty of toys, because she will need them to keep occupied when she finally decides to stop pestering you for cuddles.

Adults: 

Tom - Affectionate, Fluffy, Lazy - Mixed Breed 

Tom has been in our care since he was a kitten due to his unusual looks and short tail. However, if you can look past his goofy crossed eyes, he is a best friend to anyone. He’s just waiting for the right person to come along and look past his features and to look into his heart.

Disco - Mischievous, Prowler, Aloof - Mixed Breed

Disco was found a few months ago hunting through our bins behind the shelter. We immediately fell in love with his unusual coat colours. We later found that he has traces of Raccoon in him! Who knows what his mother was up to! He is a very mischievous boy, who is always getting into trouble. But who could stay mad at that face? Not us!

Cinnamon - Spoilt, Lazy, Territorial - Mixed Breed

Cinnamon is definitely the Queen of the shelter. She is always bossing the other cats about, and even sometimes the staff! She loves long naps by the fire while being brushed or stroked. 

Buzz - Aloof, Clever, Mischievous - Sphynx

Buzz is a little troublemaker. He’s always up to something! But don’t take this little bundle of joy as an idiot, because Buzz is the cleverest cat you will ever meet! And in between his plans to take over the world, there’s of course always time for a nap with his mum/dad. 

Precious - Mischievous, Playful, Affectionate - Sphynx

Poor Precious came to us in a terrible state, and has been left sadly blinded through neglect. However she does not let this get to her, and is still on her way to being the criminal mastermind she has always dreamed of being!

Bobby - Fluffy, Lazy, Aloof - Siberian

Bobby is a fat, fluffy, lazy cat. You’ll often find him curled up in places where he really shouldn’t be, eg. washing baskets, beds, your favourite chair. But his favourite place of all is next to you.

Elders: 

Magnus - Affectionate, Friendly, Lazy - Mixed Breed

Magnus is an old chap who was found alone in a back garden. We are unsure of his history, but we can confidently say that he might be the friendliest stray ever if he has been alone his whole life. 

Duchess - Affectionate, Friendly, Lazy - American Shorthair

Duchess is a beautiful cat left to our care after her owner sadly passed away last month. She is very lonely now, and has so much more love to give. Could you give this girl a home for the last few years of her life?

Dyno - Territorial, Prowler, Mischievous - Bombay Cat

Dyno is a grumpy old man in cat form. He hates younger cats and is very protective of his family and home. He loves to hunt birds and mice, and often seems a lot like a kitten. 

Dogs: Puppies:

Cludo - Glutton, Playful, Hairy - Mixed Breed

This little chap is full of energy and full of food! We have never known a puppy eat so much and then want to play for hours straight afterwards. Cludo is very fluffy and loves a good snuggle.

Merlin - Playful, Hunter, Adventurous - Mixed Breed

Merlin is one of those puppies that never sit still! He needs a very active household to take him on many adventurous and to many interesting places. He’s very eager to get out there and to meet the world with his companion! 

Kodey - Adventurous, Active, Loyal - Mixed Breed

Kodey is a funny looking boy with a goofy personality. Perfect for an active owner, Kodey loves long walks and jogs through the forest, fields and beach! But don’t worry, he’ll never run off far, as Kodey will be by your side forever. 

Paris - Clever, Friendly, Hunter - Mixed Breed

A tiny ball of fur and cuddles, Paris is a loving dog looking for a loving home. She is always looking for hugs, kisses and play. She learns tricks very fast and will even go out hunting for you! 

Speckles and Zoey - Active, Jumpy, Friendly. Clever, Playful, Adventurous - Mixed Breed

Speckles and Zoey come as a pair. Twin puppies who were brought to us after an unwanted pregnancy. Speckles is very shy, but has lots of love to give. His confidence definitely shines when around his sister Zoey, who loves to play and run! These two are like chalk and cheese, but they are two peas in a pod.

King - Loyal, Couch Potato, Hairy - Tibetan Mastif

King is the biggest and goofiest puppy you will ever see. He is loving and loyal. However this might become a problem if he continues to think he’s a puppy and tries to lie on your lap every night... 

Adults:

Maddie - Glutton, Playful, Sleuth - Great Pyrenees

Maddie is a huge bundle of love and joy fit for any family. She will smother you (literally) in love and play. But make sure to keep a bowl of food down at all times, because being that big means you have a big appetite! 

Sadie - Clever, Playful, Hairy - Poodle

This girl is the most fashionable Poodle ever. Fit for a well dressed (or not) family, Sadie will bring you years of fun. Be sure to make use of her very clever mind too! This girl might win you a competition or a few! 

Daisy - Playful, Stubborn, Vocal - Havanese

This tiny bundle of fun is quite the handful! I recommend an experienced owner in re homing Daisy. Once you have gotten used to her stubborn attitude, she’ll be your best friend. 

Rosie - Loyal, Couch Potato, Glutton - Rottweiler

Rosie is a big, floppy doggy, who will love you more than anything. Well, maybe she loves naps a little bit more. Hmmm, or maybe her food... But she’s definitely full of love! 

Penny - Clever, Loyal, Aggressive - Poodle

Penny has had a very troubled past, so needs to be the only pet in this family. She has a huge amount of love to give, but is very hesitant with strangers. She needs a lot of support and encouragement. 

Boomer - Couch Potato, Glutton, Hunter - Mixed Breed

Boomer is another one of our blind residents. But don’t let that put you off this goofy bundle of love. His favourite thing in the world is to curl up with you after a long days hunting and eating, and eating some more.

Lilly - Glutton, Troublemaker, Vocal - Lhasa Aspo

Lilly might look small and cute, but she is definitely a lady who can stick up for herself! She loves to get up to no good when your backs turned (normally burring her head into the dog food bag!) And she’ll be certain to let you know when she’s hungry! 

Gunner - Hairy, Active, Independant - Labradoodle

Gunner is a very active boy who needs a family to take him on lots of long walks in new and interesting places. He doesn’t need much love and cuddles, but still appreciates them non the less! 

Spot - Friendly, Active, Stubborn - English Setter

Spot is another one of our dogs that has a lot of energy and needs lots of walks. Expect him to greet everyone he meets with a friendly lick and nudge of the nose. He loves attention, but isn’t too receptive to learning tricks. 

Astrid - Clever, Vocal, Loyal - German Shepherd

An unusually coloured German Shepherd, Astrid makes it known that she is one special lady. She’s extremely clever and will make a brilliant companion to anyone willing to give her the time of day.

Elders:

Joey - Clever, Couch Potato, Loyal - Giant Schnauzer

Joey is an old boy. He has arrived at the Shelter due to his life time best friend passing away. He is full of love, but very lonely here. He obviously misses his owner very much, and we just can't possibly fill that hole. If you have space for a big furry bundle of joy in your life, please consider adopting an older dog. Joey would love a companion to love him for the rest of his days!

Balto - Active, Jumpy, Friendly - Mixed Breed

Balto, an old sledging dog, is looking for a family to spend his final years with, winding down after a life of activity and fun. Don’t let his old age fool you though, as this old guy still needs plenty of play and walks! 

Sasha - Friendly, Couch Potato, Sleuth - Schnoodle

A Queen in her past life, Sasha loves nothing more than to be pampered by a nice warm fire, curled up next to you with the TV on in the background. This old girl doesn’t let age slow her down, and is still desperate to learn everything she can about the world before Grim comes to take her away! 

[internationalhouseofblupjeans]

An Eighth Bird, Born Out of the Storm - Chapter 5

Based loosely on the Luume'irma headcanon from @interstellarvagabond

Lup and Taako get their decennial “visitor” just before the fateful trip on the Starblaster. Taako holes up in his room, meditating away the discomfort while Lup discovers a partner for the week. Unforeseen consequences arise. Bonds are created. An eighth bird rises.

Eighth Bird AU.

The crew lands on a hostile planet and, within the span of a couple of weeks, loses three members. Barry is numb. Taako doesn't eat. Magnus is no longer hospitable. 

This chapter is rough, guys. I apologize in advance. The angst got away from me in this one, so warning for blood, major (temporary) character deaths, and a character dealing with disassociating. I tried not to get too explicit with the violence, but this chapter is gonna hurt.

Thank you to Calcu from the writer’s chat for Beta'ing!!

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 below Chapter 6 Chapter 7Chapter 8 Chapter 9  Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22

To whom it may concern:

This is my fifth request in regards to the clerical mistake made when I first joined the IPRE. I realize that cursive is difficult for some of the younger administrators to read, however my name should have been written as Darry Hallwinter. I realize my mistake in that I should have used my full birth name of Sildar, but Darry is an acceptable nickname.

Additionally, I believe a clarification needs to be made with my last name. I am not sure who changed it, but my last name is indeed Hallwinter. It is not Bluejeans. Bluejeans is not a family name.

Enclosed are my birth certificate and government issued ID card. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to correct this error.

Thank you,

Sildar Hallwinter

Barry realized it after leaving Tesseralia.

Lup had missed her “visitor” three times now.

This wasn’t just planar shenanigans. There was no way that this had to do with planar magic.

He wanted to talk with her about it, but as soon as Taako was out of Magnus’ room at the end of his week, Lup was constantly at his side. He couldn’t find a time to be alone with her.

When the cycle reset and the crew landed, Lup and Barry went out to survey the area. Barry was nervous the entire time, wanting to ask her about her missing visitor. What if she was pregnant? What would they even do now?

What was their relationship at this point?

The sound of something whizzing past him shook Barry out of his reverie. He looked up and gasped.

Lup was standing, slumped over, in front of him. Her back was to him, but he saw an iron spear sticking out of her back.

No no no no …

Barry ran to Lup’s side, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. She was staring down at the ground, shock on her face as she tried to breathe around the spear that went through her.He looked around, prepared for a fight, but saw no one.

It must have been a trap. He could have been killed instead.

I should have ...

“Lup …” Barry whispered.

She looked up at him and her expression softened as she tried to smile, sadly.

“Well, I guess that’s it for this year, huh?” She gasped.

“I’ll … I’ll get Merle!” Barry cried out.

“N… No … Don’t leave me,” she whispered. “I don’t like being alone …”

Barry froze for a moment before he moved in closer to her. He tried to cradle her without moving her too much, not wanting to make her feel any more pain than she already did.

“I was going to talk to you but … I can’t focus … Remind me next cycle,” she whispered.

Barry nodded, trying to keep himself together.

“Taak … Take care of …” she pressed her head into Barry’s chest. “Hurts …”

“I know,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry …”

“Not your …”

Lup closed her eyes and took a few more shallow breaths. Barry held her close, tears spilling onto her dark hair. He wasn’t sure how long it had been, but eventually, the breathing stopped and the warmth started to leave her body.

He’d been there when she died before, but it was always at the end of a cycle. Always quick.

He’d never gone through an entire cycle without her before.

~

Taako waited nervously for Lup and Barry to return.

As soon as they had reformed at the end of the Beach cycle, Lup had pulled Taako into her room and sat him down.

“Taako … I … I’m pregnant.”

“I fucking knew it. Who was it? Was it Davenport? Fuck, please tell me it wasn’t Davenport! Barry’s going to be so upset!”

“Oh Gods … He is, isn’t he? He probably didn’t want this at all and now I’ve saddled him with this! We just thought it was going to be for a week. Just a fling! And now I’ve tied him down with this if we ever get out of these cycles! He’s going to hate me! I can’t tell him-”

“Wait … Tied down … Barry?”

“Yeah … He’s going to be so- Wait … Davenport’s …. You thought I was pregnant with Cap’n’port’s kid?” Lup had asked, perplexed and horrified.

“Well you weren’t all over Barry like I thought you would be and he never said anything!” Taako complained. “So … You and Barry?”

“Yeah … during my …”

“Hachi Machi ….”

“Yeah .. and we kept saying it would only be a fling but, Taako, I think I’m in love with him …”

“Wow … Yeah …” Taako started. “I mean, that’s good but, Lup, you’ve gotta tell him …”

“I know but … I can’t. He doesn’t need this, on top of everything else! It’s not fair to him!”

“Lulu …”

Taako had wanted to say something, anything to make this easier, but Barry had put his trust in him. If he wasn’t ready to say anything …

“Ok … Well, just - Just think about telling him, Ok? Doesn’t have to be now, but he deserves to know,” Taako sighed.

“I know …”

When Lup had told Barry to come with her on the survey, she looked to Taako with the look that said, “I’m going to tell him.”

And they were still out there.

Taako knew, deep down, that eventually Barry would be alright with this. He had to know that this was a possibility. And he’d said he loved Lup.

When he only saw Barry appear through the trees, his heart caught in his chest.

When he saw the blood on his shirt as he got closer, Taako’s heart plummeted.

“No …” he whispered before running out to Barry.

Barry stumbled out of the forest, still in shock. He couldn’t lift her body off of the spear. He could barely move his arms. He stopped when he saw Taako bolting towards him.

Lup’s name must have escaped his own lips. He must have said something because Taako looked absolutely destroyed. He expected anger. He expected Taako to rage against him, to hate him for letting his sister die so soon.

Instead, Taako pulled Barry into a close hug.

“Barold … Gods, I’m so … I’m so sorry Barry …”

Barry crumpled into Taako’s arms and wept bitterly as Taako tried to calm him down. Taako was too in shock to mourn properly. Barry and Lup were supposed to have their heart to heart conversation. Barry was supposed to get (hopefully) good news.

Instead, she was gone for a year.

A whole year.

Taako had never been without his sister for that long, in the century he had been alive. He had never even imagined what life would be like without her.

He helped Barry back into the Starblaster where they were greeted by a concerned Merle who immediately paled when he saw the blood on Barry’s shirt.

“Not mine …” Barry mumbled, hoarsely. “Lup’s …”

That night, Magnus went with Barry to where Lup had been killed. Taako found himself in his sister’s room, wrapped up in her blankets.

He had tried to keep himself from crying. From showing any weakness.

He had to put on a brave face. Lup was always so much braver than he was. Even as children, she was the brave one. She was the one that protected him.

Now she was gone for a year.

He looked around her room. Everything was painful to look at but he couldn’t leave the room. He couldn’t leave the reminders that his sister existed. He curled up tighter in Lup’s blanket.

Maybe she wasn’t really dead. Maybe this was all a sick prank.

But Barry’s face. The shock he had been in.

Lup was dead.

And they were going to bring her body back soon.

~

Barry looked at the bloody spear.

Lup was gone.

“She … Someone …” Barry started.

Magnus pulled Barry close. He looked around, scanning for movement.

Whoever had taken Lup was long gone. He felt Barry trembling in Magnus’ arms.

“Why … Gods … We can’t even bury her …”

“I’m sorry,” Magnus whispered.

“We … We should go back …”

Magnus nodded and helped Barry back to the Starblaster. In the morning, he would mount an expedition and see who was out there. Maybe he could still find Lup’s body so that the crew could have closure for this year.

So that Taako could have closure …

He watched as Barry stumbled down the hall, stopping in front of Lup’s doorway before entering. He heard him speaking softly to someone in there before a loud sob escaped the room.

Taako …

Magnus continued on to his own room and got ready. He was going to find who did this.

Fuck his rustic hospitality.

They hurt his family.

~

Over the next few days, the crew waited in the ship as Magnus continued his quest. He had gone out with as much of the armory as he could carry and rations for days. Taako had not moved from Lup’s bed, not even for meals. Barry had brought in food but it always sat, untouched, on the bedside table. Barry tried to get Taako to eat, but eventually, he was locked out of Lup’s room after Taako enchanted the lock.

He sat outside the door, waiting and worrying.

He couldn’t lose Taako too.

After a week, Magnus arrived, disheveled but alive. His eyes were haunted and in his hand was a gunny sack.

“I … I had to steal her,” he explained. “Don’t … Don’t look inside. They’re dangerous unless you’re human. Taako …. He can’t leave the ship. He was lucky he didn’t … Where is he?”

“Lup’s room.”

Magnus nodded, setting down the sack.

“I … I need a shovel. So we can bury her. And … Tell Taako. We’ll do a ceremony if he would like …”

Barry nodded and went to Lup’s room to find the door ajar.

His blood ran cold.

He stepped into the room, the eerie silence hitting him as he walked through the door. He looked at Taako’s form. He looked like he was sleeping but Barry knew better.

He walked over and touched Taako’s arm.

Cold.

He cleaned up the plate of food and walked out, not sure if the shock of losing both twins was going to hit him yet. He passed Magnus who looked at him, concerned.

“You … you need to dig two holes,” Barry whispered.

Magnus broke into a run toward Lup’s room as Barry continued into the kitchen. He set the dishes into the sink and turned on the water, letting the sink fill up.

He could see himself, now, just staring into the water. He could see himself grabbing the soap, pouring it into the sink. He could see the bubbles forming, the foam filling the sink.

He couldn't feel the heat of the water. He couldn't feel the smoothness of the plates or the silverware.

He couldn't feel anything.

He wasn't sure how long he was even standing at the sink. He somehow got all of the dishes done, though he didn't remember doing them.

Lup was going to tell him something.

Taako was so eager for them both to return.

He went outside. The sack was still there. The sack that held Lup.

That held the woman he loved.

He sat down next to it and placed his hand on it. He felt her arm through the sack. Her head. A leg. Haphazardly thrown in.

Oh.

That's why Magnus said not to open it.

Tears pricked his eyes but did not spill out.

When Magnus came out, carrying Taako’s shrouded body, Barry got to work, helping him dig. He didn't notice when he got the splinters in his hands or the blood running down them as he gripped the shovel tightly but Magnus eventually pulled the shovel away from him.

“Go get Merle before he goes into Parley,” Magnus started. “We can do a ceremony …”

Barry must have nodded. He must have gone inside. He didn't remember any of it.

He couldn't really understand what Merle said as he stared into the twin holes in the ground. He thought he saw Lucretia writing something. He wasn't sure.

He just knew one thing.

He needed this year to end.

~

Lucretia didn't know it then, but a seed was planted.

She watched as the twins’ bodies were lowered into the holes. They were down two crew members now.

Once Merle was in Parley, they would be down three.

She stared at Taako’s grave as she chronicled the funeral.

Taako couldn't live without his sister.

This could never happen again.

~

Barry ended up being the one to make contact.

It had been four months. Barry still would occasionally find himself handing something off in the lab to someone who wasn't there.

The silence on the ship was deafening. The loss of the twins had created a vacuum. The loss of Merle when he went into Parley made it worse. It felt like everyone was on autopilot.

It's why Barry had found himself outside the ship.

He stood at Lup and Taako's graves. He knew they would be back in less than a year, but it didn't make it any less devastating.

“What were you going to tell me?” He whispered.

The bushes rustled and Barry’s hand went straight to his wand. He stared into the darkness, waiting for something to attack.

Instead, a friendly looking human man emerged.

“Hail and well met!” The stranger crowed. “I'm looking for someone! Perhaps you have seen him-?”

The man stopped when he saw Barry standing over the two mounds.

“Ahh. Did you lose someone in the hunts?”

“The what?” Barry asked.

The man laughed.

“You one of those elf lovers?” He started. “Come on, they're not people like you and me. They're like deer, only more dangerous.”

Barry's hand trembled.

“What …”

“I'm actually looking for the one I caught. I got a Sun Elf in one of my spike traps and took it in for processing. Someone took it and, well, I assumed that it might have been taken by someone who was jealous of my kill … They are rare after all … but now I think I know what happened to it.”

The man reached for his weapon.

Barry cast without thinking.

Magnus was alerted to the loud explosion outside of the Starblaster and raced out. He saw Barry, standing in front of a smoking crater. His whole body was shaking and his jaw was set in anger.

“Barry?” Magnus asked.

“He killed Lup. He killed her for a trophy … They hunt elves here …”

Magnus’ expression softened.

“Yeah. When I found her … It was horrible. I couldn’t even get all of her, Barry … I’m sorry.”

“Fuck this planar system,” he growled before turning back to the ship.

Magnus stared at the smouldering crater. A part of him wished he had told Barry the truth earlier. He knew, however, that if he had, then it would have gotten worse.

He had seen Barry during training before the mission. He knew how powerful he was when he was casting. He knew how easily Barry could lose himself.

He followed Barry back into the ship. There wasn’t any way they could find the light on this plane, anyway. Not with such hostile inhabitants.

Passing by the twins rooms, Magnus wondered if he even cared.

~

When the year ended, Barry paid his respects one last time to Lup’s grave. He knelt in front of it as the silent storm gathered overheard. A part of him wanted to stay. To not have to wait the agonizing minutes before the reset.

But he knew the rest of the crew still needed him.

He knew that Lup and Taako would be back soon.

As they were pulled apart and reformed, Barry caught his breath, worried that this would be the one time where it didn’t work.

He watched as Lup and Taako formed in the light in front of him, their hands tightly clasped together. They looked to each other and hugged tightly.

“Sorry bro-bro,” Lup whispered. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

“I forgot to eat,” Taako responded, sheepishly, earning a playful slap on the back of his head from Lup.

She looked over at Barry, her ears drooping. She then looked to Merle.

“Lup,” Merle started.

“Yeah … Um … Barry? I need to talk with you but …”

Merle nodded and he and Lup left for the sick bay. Barry looked to Taako.

“Sorry dude … Um … If you want, we can wait outside and then you can talk to her?” Taako began, apologetically. “It is pretty important.”

Of course Taako knew whatever it was Lup needed to tell him. They knew everything about each other.

Barry thought back to that day on the beach. He felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Maybe the news wasn’t going to be good after all.

[kainissoable]

Ever since reading this it’s been bouncing about in my head, so here, have an opening that probably won’t go anywhere.

*

Henris wasn’t a particularly bad man. True, he was a Glukkon. True, his minor accountancy role in the Splinterz Toothpick Manufacturing Plant had aided in stripping several hectares of forest bare. But he was reasonably polite to his Slig assistant when he remembered to be, and made a habit of donating a portion of the small amount he embezzled from the company to charity.

In a company full of middle managers who would sooner step on a Mudokkon scrub than around them, he didn’t deserve to be the one looking out of the window as a certain eco-terrorist walked into view. But, as his queen mother was so fond of saying, Oddworld wasn’t fair.

Henris squinted. From here it almost looked like the blue skinned weirdo was glowing.

He was getting one of his headaches again, the sort of throbbing pressurised pain that felt like someone was reaching around inside his head. No, someone was reaching around inside his head.

His body twitched as another consciousness struggled for control of it.

“Help! Help! Sal, for fuck’s sake!” he shouted as loudly as he could as his mouth tried to clench itself shut.

“Coming boss,” Sal called, but too distant, too slow.

Henris fought with strength he didn’t know he had to slow the invader in his mind, but by the time green hands pushed the door open, his vision faded to black.

*

“You alright, boss?” the Slig asked.

Abe blinked a couple of times, trying to adjust to a body that wasn’t his. “I. Uh. Forgot the password?”

“Again?” he tutted. “I’ll have to sew the thing on your tie’s lining.”

Abe watched as he typed the password in and stepped back. These two clearly knew each other enough to have a rapport. If the Slig noticed something was wrong, he was in serious trouble. Still, how long would it take for him to he figure out how to divert funds away from shareholders’ pockets and into more useful enterprises?

More than he thought, it turned out as columns upon columns of numbers flashed up on the screen.

Abe went to press a key, realised he had the wrong type of hands, and stopped.

“Uh, you can go now.”

“You sure you’re feeling alright?”

“Fine. Now go!” he barked in his best impression of Molluck.

The Slig went.

“Now let’s see,” Abe muttered to himself. “Paying Linda’s share to Lulu could look like an accident… Cancel that chainsaw order… Invoice to Rupture Farms, good luck with that, heh.”

After almost half an hour of shuffling numbers, Abe decided this was as good as he was going to get. This guy was a nobody, but at least he’d got some more fuel for Toby’s train hobby.

He closed his eyes and pulled himself away from the Glukkon’s body, feeling the familiar sickly shudder of the body, then weightlessness, then. Nothing.

*

“Easy does it. You’re gonna be alright.”

Abe groaned and opened his eyes.

He screamed, scrambling back from the Slig, but not moving anywhere. His legs were to short, bound up in some way, along with his arms.

“Ey, ey, don’t got getting yourself worked up again. I’ll get you a cuppa and you can have your break early, how’s that.”

Abe looked down and only just managed to stop another scream. He was still in the Glukkon’s body.

This was not good.

*

“Abe? Abe you okay?”

Mudokkons he didn’t recognise clustered around him. There was something hard at the back of his head and the sound of an unhappy Elum in the background.

Henris sat up. Where the hell am I?

I know the fanfic writing community for Oddworld is kinda small. But I’m genuinely a little surprised that, out of all the fanfic tropes out there, nobody to my knowledge has written a body swap fic for Oddworld.

Literally the main gimmick of the protagonist Abe is that he can temporarily posses enemies like Sligs and Glukkons, so I feel like you could incorporate the body swap trope in a pretty semi-natural way here.

Maybe one time when Abe possesses a Slig or Glukkon, something goes wrong and he actually gets stuck in that body. So until Abe can find a way to get back to his original body, he has to try and act like a mean Glukkon boss or a tough Slig security guard so no one gets suspicious. (And given Abe’s more kindhearted and sensitive nature, you can imagine this would prove difficult for him).

Bonus points if theres a side plot where the soul of the Glukkon or Slig Abe possessed gets swapped into his body, and Abe’s brothers have to deal with a mean Glukkon boss or tough mean Slig in the body of Abe.

[itslulu42]

Author Meme

Tagged by @kaminariozora

1. How did you come up with your username and what does it mean.

All through my life there has always been one person who called me Lulu.  The 42 comes from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.  I needed a number that was available on ff.net and I didn’t want it to be random.

2. Which fanfic of yours has the most feedback? (bookmarks/favorites, follows/subscriptions, visitor hits, kudos)

My Harry Potter story Path of Decision will probably stomp on anything I make for the rest of my life.  That story had about 4 thousand people reading it when it was my WIP  It currently stands at  1,255,876  hits.   @__@

3. What is your FFNet/AO3 profile icon, and why did you choose it?

My ff.net has a picture from Threadless that ended up being inspiration for A Marriage Inconvenienced.

4. Do you have any regular/favorite commenters?

@forest-of-shagbark who has been into Kakashi for a very long time and is always kind. Anyone who leaves me a loooong review.  (those are so good)  Sethunya who doesn’t have a ff.net account or ao3 but I’ve seen on other fanfics besides my own.  If you ever get a tumblr, Sethunya, just let me know okay?

5. Is there a fanfic that you keep going back to read again and again?

A Series of Firsts by leafygirl and The Price by tuathafaerie

6. How many stories are you subscribed to? How many do you have bookmarked?

I don’t subscribe to stories because I check the Kakasaku stories every day.  XD  I rely on the recommendations of friends for other pairings/fandoms/interests.

7. Which AU do you find yourself writing the most?

Fuck you.  All of ‘em  *sobs in corner*

8. How many people are subscribed and bookmarked to you in total? (you can view this on the stats page)

omg, y’all are looking into my stats.  I’ve got 590 people on author alerts on ff.net and 572 followers on tumblr.

9. Is there something you’d like to write about but are 😨 of people judging you for it? (Feeling brave? If so, share it!)

Not really.  I felt embarrassed as hell when I started, but kickass reviews have made me shameless.

10. Is there anything you would like to be better at? Writing certain scenes or genres, replying to comments, updating better, etc.

I’m still not where I want to be when it comes to output.  When I started, I had no trouble with creating content. Now it’s a lot harder, but I know the quality is miles better.

11. Do you write rarepairs or popular ships more often?

Hahaha, I generally hate ships and that’s a big chunk of what people enjoy in fandom. What am I even doing???

12. How many stories have you posted on FFNet/AO3 to this day (finished and unfinished)?

6!

13. How many stories do you have saved in/with your writing program?

like 15. most are half baked ideas that I have no intention of opening again.

14. Do you write down story ideas, or just keep them in your head?

In my head.  Writing it down feels like a commitment.

15. Have you ever co-authored a story?

Yes.  

16. How did you discover FFNet/AO3?

I think I was googling Harry Potter and it showed me the way.

17. Do you consider yourself to be a popular or famous author in your fandom(s) on FFNet/AO3?

LMAO!  A Marriage Inconvenienced is very popular, but it’s rated T so it’s literally the last thing anybody reads.  Every time there is a new person on Kakasaku discord, they are excited to see Lolalot or Kakashisgf.  I ask if they’ve heard of me, and I have yet to get a yes.  XD  It doesn’t bother me, but I think it’s hilarious.  

18. Do you have a nickname or fandom name for your readers?

No.  Did you get the part where no one knows who I am?

19. Was there an author who inspired or encouraged you to write?

Probably.  But I’m drawing a blank.  

20. What writing advice would you give to a beginning author?

Editing can turn the most awful garbage into gold. 

21. Do you plot out your stories, or do you just figure it out as you go?

Plot.  Figuring it out is the worst.

22. Have you ever gotten a bad comment on a story? If so, what did you do?

Yes. There was one chapter in my HP story that made people so mad because I wasn’t that good of a writer and did a poor setup. I had to go back and edit the chapter out of embarrassment.

23. Is there a certain type of scene that you have a hard time writing? (action, smut, etc..)

Action is really tough.  I’m not great with imagining movement.  

24. What story(s) are you working on now?

EBTKS

25. Do you plan your next project(s) before you finish your current ongoing story(s)?

No.

26. Do you have a daily writing goal set for yourself?

I write on my days off since my brain is toast after work.  I generally write 3 hours on those days.

27. Do you think you’ve improved as a writer since you first started?

Yes.

28. What is your favorite story(s) that you’ve written?

*ded*  Probably EBTKS after I’ve finished it.  The storytelling is so tight and I do a lot with a few words.  

29. What is your least favorite story(s) that you’ve written?

EBTKS.  I fucking hate writing this story so much.

30. Where do you 👀 yourself (as a writer) in 5 years?

Hopefully I’ll be working on an original novel.  If I have an idea, I’ll write it.  If not, more fanfic.

31. What is the easiest thing about writing?

I think I have a really good sense of timing.  Like I know when a story is dragging and I’m able to trim it or be more concise.  It also helps with jokes.

32. What is the hardest thing about writing?

When you get an idea that’s better than your first idea and have to juggle your plot to accommodate it

33. Why do you write?

Sweet delicious reviews.  

[thebossveigar]

The Moondawn Celebration

Veigar rolled his eyes. “I don’t really want to help. It all sounds ridiculous.” he groaned.

“Veigar, didn’t Lulu ask you to help out with the festival? This is a big deal for her, and most of our kind.” Tristana asked.

“Yeah, she did.” he responded. “Doesn’t mean I have to do it. I may consider her family, but that doesn’t mean I have to take part in everything she asks of me.”

Tristana sighed. “Give it a chance. Who knows, you may even have fun!”

“Fine.” he said, giving up on the thought of trying to get out of this.

“Good.” she said while smirking. “You can help Rumble and I set up the plaza for the event.”

You see, the end of the harvesting season was nearing in Bandle City. Yordles have had a rather bountiful harvest, and were ready to face the harshness of the coming cold season. Before the cold season begins though, the biggest night of their year happens, and yordles celebrate it. This night is known as Moondawn.

Moondawn is a night near the very end of the harvest season. On this night the moonlight turns a shining silver, and feels incredibly warm, almost as warm as the golden sun, and touches the ground all over the spirit realm, blessing the land and causing one last growth to the crops all around.

Yordles celebrated this night by honoring the moon, designing banners to hang around the villages, making tons of food and baked goods they name after the event, and letting off fireworks at the end of the night. 

And this year will be Veigar’s first time witnessing Moondawn since he was a young yordle. The way Lulu had described it to him made it sound like something she had made up rather than a serious thing, but the entire village had been talking excitedly about it, and now he was practically forced to participate in the festival.

The day of the festival came fast. It was an absolutely beautiful day in Bandle City. The sunlight was golden, forest frogs were croaking a song, and rainbow fish were splashing around the gilded river. Even some Glade protectors were gently fluttering by the villages, waving their little paws to greet the yordles below.

 Veigar had been making his to the plaza to help set everything up. He made sure to take as convoluted of a path possible, mostly to delay the inevitable. He hated celebrations, absolutely despised them. In fact, he hated them so much he would ruin celebrations back in Boleham just to watch the despair, fear and panic in everyone.

‘I hope this thing doesn’t last long.’ he thought to himself, while kicking a rock into the gilded river, scaring off some of the rainbow fish that were splashing around the bank of the river.

“It’s not fair.” he scowled. “Why is it when they don’t want to participate in something, they don’t have to. When I don’t want to participate in something I get forced into it in some way.”

At this point he was more so stomping his way towards the plaza, still taking the long, convoluted path. Being forced into all these events made him think. He loved being in Bandle City and having a place to call home, but he wasn’t big on all these events that yordles had. In a way, it made him miss the secluded life back in Boleham in a way.

“I don’t have to show up and help.” he mumbled to himself. “I’ll go to the tavern until sundown. Then I won’t have to help set the event up.”

He made his way towards the Dewdrop Tavern on the edge of the plaza. He sneaked his way around the back of most buildings to avoid Tristana’s eyesight.

Veigar had noticed Lulu walking towards the main plaza, with Pix sitting on her hat with a bored expression on his face. She seemed to be carrying a container filled with cupcakes she had made for the festival tonight, and she looked quite happy about them. While he was tempted to blow his cover to say hello to her, he thought it better to continue his way to the tavern and hide.

He arrived at the tavern at midday. The tavern was mostly empty, aside from the bartender, which was perfect for Veigar. It was peaceful, quiet and he would spend his time in the backroom reading texts on ancient magic until the day was over.

Over at the main plaza of Bandle City, yordles were bustling to get everything prepared for the big night. Tristana and Rumble were hanging banners, Ziggs was counting up the fireworks, and Lulu was placing out all the baked goods on a table. It was looking like preparations for the festival were going well.

Lulu had been looking all around the plaza for Veigar. She was really excited to show Veigar how exciting the Moondawn Festival was.

“You did ask him to come help, right?” Lulu asked Tristana.

“I did, Lulu. I don’t know if he forgot or what, but I hope he shows up for your sake” Tristana replied.

“I hope so too..” Lulu whispered.

The day had gone by fast with how busy everyone was kept. Over at the Dewdrop Tavern, Veigar was dozing off and struggling to keep awake. Looking over at the clock mounted on the wall, he realized he had stayed much longer than he meant to. He stood up and went outside. The sun was setting, and night was fast approaching.

Veigar made his way towards the plaza, his nose twitching from the smell of all the fresh baked goods in the air. It was an overwhelmingly sweet smell, and he didn’t know if he liked it, or hated it. Banners showing yordles dancing under the moon, crops growing in size, and detailed pictures of the moonlight touching the ground of Bandle and its surrounding area were strung all over the village. Many of the yordles were dancing, singing and drinking Mistberry Wine in celebration. Even creatures from the local Bandle woods were gathering for the event, perching on posts or rooftops.

This surprised Veigar. ‘This event really is that big of a deal here?’ he asked himself.

He scanned the plaza, looking around for Lulu. He saw she was sitting alone behind the bulletin board. It wasn’t like her to not celebrate things like this, especially when she makes a big deal of them and hypes them up. This concerned him, to see his friend down.

“Lulu?” he asked.

Lulu jumped, she wasn’t expecting anyone to come over and bother her. “Veigar?” she wiped tears away from her eyes.

Veigar sat down next to her. “You were really excited about this event. Why aren’t you over there celebrating with the rest of the yordles?”

“I wanted to celebrate it with you.” she replied somberly. “I never felt too welcome during these festivals. Most other kids think I’m weird, and Trist usually spends the night with Rumble. I thought I could celebrate with you, but you didn’t show up earlier… so I thought you weren’t coming.”

Veigar’s heart sank a little hearing this. “Don’t take it personally Lulu.” he said softly, patting her head. “I’ve never been one for social events. They’re too loud, and I hate big crowds. I always hated hearing everyone celebrate, they create too much noise. When Tristana asked me to help set up, I didn’t come because I wasn’t fond of being asked to help set everything up. I always planned to come at sundown, just to make you happy. You are my best friend after all.”

Veigar gave her a hug, and her sadness had gone away quickly. She hugged him back, and then sprang up out of excitement.

“Let’s go then! There’s plenty of games we can play, and snacks we can eat. And just wait till the moonlight comes, it’ll be sooo pretty!” 

Several hours had passed. Veigar managed to have a good time, mostly due to the great food and wine that was around. Lulu had a great time playing all the games that were set up, and explaining the long, storied traditions of Moondawn to Veigar.

It was time for the main event. The moon was shining, and a beam of bright silvery energy touched the ground and spread vastly across the magic filled lands of the spirit realm. The light was surprisingly warm, and rather beautiful - even to Veigar.

The remaining crops had grown exceptionally, and had a faint silvery glow to them. All the yordles had cheered, this harvest season was a major success and they were prepared for the cold season.

Veigar remained silent as he watched the rest of the moonlight flicker out. Fireworks had gone off above the plaza, and the event was coming to a close. It was rather late, and he felt exhausted from being around so many people for so long. He was ready for a long rest.

“Thanks, Lulu. I enjoyed myself, but I need to head home now. I recommend you head home soon too.” he said to her.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Veigar. I told you you’d have fun!” she said with a smile on her face. “Can I follow you home?”

“Sure.” Veigar replied. “You don’t live too far from me.”

There were faint silver sparkles in the air, and moon moths were all over Bandle City. All the creatures from the Bandle woods scurried back to their homes. Veigar listened to Lulu as he took her home, and he thought that maybe, festivals weren’t so bad after all.