#mira's lost her marbles

[miradelletarot]

WHY?

Why is my brain soup? I feel like I have a rabid giant miniature space hamster and a beheaded chicken running around in the space where my brain should be.

[thecatastrophic]

GRUVIA WEEK 2023 — DAY SEVEN: CONTENTMENT

@gruviaweek

FROSTY WIND gusting through the pine trees, the sweet aroma of gingerbread cookies and candy cane, a picture-perfect warm fire dancing with the wood in the fireplace, and gooey love drifting through the atmosphere enveloping the people in a mist.

Shades of white covered the entire land in a thick blanket as pointed icicles decorated the window, cyan orbs lost in the motion of snowflakes trickling down the quaint town of Magnolia as he brought the cup of cafe mocha in his mouth, the rich chocolate flavors bursting through his system.

Years had gone by, trends had changed, and old buildings and roads had been refurbished, yet the sweet taste of the beverages in Mira's Cafe that he had known ever since he was a kid had always stayed the same. He despised changes more than anything in the world, maybe it was also the reason that he resisted the urge to leave their hometown like anyone else; there were times when he had to welcome the inevitable unknown only to go back to where he was used to growing up.

The screeching of the chair against the marble floor brought him out of his reverie, turning his head to meet the gaze of the person standing before his hooded eyes. He could feel his breath hitching, his dark pupils widening as his heart thumped out of his ribcage coming face to face with the person — no, a ghost from his past.

The first thing he noticed about her was her azure loose waves, they had grown longer with specks of lavender hues on their ends, resting on the luxurious beige coat around her body which had grown more mature, voluptuous as it perfectly embraced her figure donning a black top that matched her skirt that reached up to her mid-thigh. 

The stars dancing in her oceanic orbs were shining brighter than he could remember, the last time he gazed into her eyes — it was laced with tears and pain that he had caused. In her delicate hands was a net basket of carnations blooming in vivid pink shades, he also took note of the snowflake diamond jewelry on her ring finger.

"Juvia," her name seems foreign tumbling out of his lips, yet in the same way, familiar.

"Lyon," her voice had grown more feminine as a sweet smile graced her features, one that he hadn't seen in years.

Acting politely, he stood up to help her towards the sit before him to which she reciprocated with a simple 'thank you.' He sat down in front of her, only feeling the awkward atmosphere that seems to envelop the two young adults.

"Juvia knew she'd find you here, Lyon," the blue-haired lady was the first one to break the silence, trying to ease the awkwardness circling their space with the joyful rhythm of her voice. "How has Lyon been?" she intoned.

Lyon faked a cough before answering, "I've been good, Juvia. Working as a public lawyer had been tiring, but it was fun. How about you?"

"Juvia had been doing good too, she learned a lot of new things about marine life while working at Alvarez. She's been saying yes, instead of no. Also, did Lyon know that dolphins sleep with only one-eyed close?" she seemed excited, her fingers tracing the G initial engraved on her circular pendant which did not go unremarked by the silver-head man, he can't help but wonder what the initial meant.

"I have no idea," Lyon chuckled at her display of excitement remembering the same old Juvia who easily got excited over the minuscule of things.

Juvia genuinely smiled as she observed the crease by his hooded eyes as he cackled, the melody of his laughter seeming like an old song that she hadn't heard in years that she almost forgot how it sounded like; even though his cries when she left him by the lakes constantly haunted her in her sleep a few years back. 

"Juvia had this dream Lyon's doing cool shit."

Lyon halt from laughing, tilting his head as he never heard her curse even before, "Like what?"

"Having adventures on your own. Juvia dreamt that Lyon met some woman on the internet and take her home," Juvia responded, looking out at the scenery at the window.

Lyon's brows drew in a straight line, "Wow! That's quite the dream. Contrary to your sleep visions, I haven't been seeing anyone after Ultear." And after you left, he wanted to drag those words out of his mouth, yet found it improper, instead, he asked to further get the conversation going. "How about you? Have you been seeing someone?" he queried his former best friend.

With a flicker of overwhelming emotions that flashed through her orbs, further enhancing the glow of the stars beneath her voids that resembled that of the ocean that she fancy, and the tint of roses coating her high cheekbones, he could only deduce that she's caught in a love mist.

One, two, three.

Lyon waited for the excruciating waves of grief to trickle through his heart; to feel his lungs screaming for air as it felt like a thousand roses laced with thorns is blocking his airway as death knocked through his door of life — the same anguish that he felt almost ten years ago, only that it didn't come.

Had time changed his feelings contrary to his belief? 

"Who's the lucky guy?" he didn't know but his mouth somehow formulated those words.

Hazy chuckles erupted from Juvia as she handed him the basket of carnations, he had only noticed the ivory envelope resting in the center with a gold wax seal. The blue-haired girl gestured for him to open the envelope which he instantly obliged, curious.

Together with their families

Gray and Juvia 

Request the pleasure of your gracious 

presence at their engagement celebration.

It was Gray, of course, he should have known.

Gray and Juvia, their names etched with a fine foil print on the scented paper in swooping, sloping, cursive alphabetical characters were the catalysts to the memories that he had tried to bury deep in his soul; the moments that he realized that it has always been Gray for Juvia as Juvia had always been for Gray.

The tale of the trio's friendship had its genesis in snowy weather with three snowmen clad in Juvia's Santa hats, the ridiculous purple hand-me-down gloves from Gray's sister, and the scarves that Lyon stole from his mother.

The cold breeze continuously prompts the six-year-old Juvia to erupt in a cute sneeze as her tiny fingers moved to shape the snow in a circle, the plush sweater that resembled that of a pink frog failing to do its job to shield her from the cold.

"Stupid Juvia, just go inside the house," shrieked the seven-year-old raven-haired boy, pointing to the house beside his home as he had enough of her sneezes. 

"No, Juvia wants to win!" the younger girl cried as she thumped her feet against the snow-covered ground.

"Let her be, you idiot!" taunted an eight-year-old Lyon who was lost in his world as he sculpt his snowman to perfection.

Gray stood up from his comfortable squat on the ground, harshly removing the scarf draped around his almost-finished snowman which caused the figure that he made for half an hour to crumble down into nothing but an ugly lump, mixing with the ivory land.

The silver-haired kid jumped up and down as he watch his friend's snowman disintegrate, "I won!"

"No!" 

Gray paid Lyon no heed, walking towards the blue-haired girl having a tantrum at Lyon's outburst. Standing in front of her, he encircled the red frozen scarf around her which engaged a shriek from Juvia. "G-Gray, no way! It's cold!" she embraced her arms around her body, squatting down on the ground.

Gray's hand trembled, quite shocked at her reaction as he quickly moved to untangle the scarf around the younger kid, confusion dancing in his deep-blue orbs. "What's wrong? Teacher Elfman said that scarves are made to keep people warm, right?" he questioned naively.

The sound of Juvia's sweet snortles resonated through his ears as he helped her stand up, the blue-haired girl tilted her head in a wavy azure bob as she began to wonder alongside Gray, she motioned the older boy to scoot down as she whispered in his ear, "Maybe Lyon's scarf is broken because he just stole it from Auntie?"

"Hey, I heard it!"

A seventeen-year-old Lyon threw his phone on the bed, his fingers raking his silver hair as he felt the frustration from his never-ending fights with his girlfriend consume him. He lay on the bed, covering his eyes with his hand as he debated climbing over to Ultear's balcony which is a house away from his own to fix their misunderstanding, and if he was lucky, he can have her writhing underneath him or the other way around and make out thoroughly with her, but he decided against it as she says over the phone and he quoted, "I need space."

The teenager stood up from his bed, deciding to just take a much-needed cold shower he opened the blinds to let some light from the sunset seep through his room when a scenery from the next door window caught his eye. His brows drew in a thick line, confused as to what were those two doing. Ever since he dated the purple-haired lady next-next door, he hadn't been able to hang out with his best friends. 

Gray lazily sit on Juvia's bed with Frosch resting on his bare stomach as he read one of the beauty's books about marine life, while the female was slumped in front of him with his bejeweled guitar (courtesy of Juvia) resting on her front seemingly playing a song which prompts the raven-haired athlete to cover his ears with his hands. 

The tune of Juvia's carefree laughter drifted through the air, even engaging a smile on the silver-haired teenager's forlorn features. Her laughter ceased when Gray rested his forehead against hers, their pointed noses brushing against each other. Juvia put down the guitar, her forefinger moving against her best friend's bare chest as she traced stars around the area where his heart resides. The raven-haired male moved his head away from her, only to rest it against her shoulder as he buried his face in her azure curls, the spectator couldn't help but to take notice of Gray's ear blushing to a healthy shade of red. 

The silver-haired male closed the blinds as his jaw clenched, feeling rather vexed over something that he didn't know.

The golden rays of the morning star spread their scorching warmth on the beach, providing heat on the water, the sound of the waves meeting the shore should have been peaceful yet it felt menacingly eerie. The pure sand seeped its way inside his sandals, despite the heat beating down against his body; Lyon could feel the cold sweat trickling down his pale skin as he stood frozen on the ground, his dark pupils shrinking as he stared at Juvia who seems rather pale and unbreathing as she lay in the arms of Gray.

As if she was a delicate China that could break with mishandling, Gray gingerly placed her on the ground as he sat next to her. Trying to be as calm as he could, feigning ignorance to the quivering of his body as his mind dreaded the worst-case scenarios or how he felt like air is being punched out of his lungs, the raven-head placed his hands at the center of the female's chest. His palms pushed as hard and fast as he could, deducing that his best friend wasn't responding, he was swift to tilt her chin upwards as he pinch her nose, sealing her lips with his own as he blew as much air into her mouth. 

The hockey player kept repeating the cycle several times, until the blue-haired girl began coughing up a huge amount of water, feebly shifting to her side to vomit more water. The first thing that she saw was Gray when she opened her blue eyes, heaving rapidly with heavy panting as she tuck Gray in a tight embrace as memories underneath the surface of the sea began flooding her mind. 

"J-Juvia t-thought she'd," blazing tears began to course down her red cheeks, slender fingers clinging to his back. Her shoulders tremble with the force of her emotions as she forced herself to say, choking on her sobs, "N-never sees you again, G-Gray-sama." 

Broad shoulders quivering, the hockey athlete only stroked her tangled locks with his fingers, responding to her cries with the feel of his pale lips planted on her left temple as he embraced her tighter as if she'd evaporate in his arms.

Relief began to wash over Lyon as he watched his best friend alive and breathing, yet he couldn't help but taste an acidic flavor in his mouth as he realized that he did nothing but just stood there while she was fighting for her life. His cyan eyes watched over the two figures on the ground, a green monster emotion burning behind his dark orbs as he felt that there was more to his two best friends than meets the eye, he just can't seem to decipher what.

"Juvia's leaving in a month to study in Alvarez."

Lyon felt like the moment had stopped as her words registered in his mind, he stared wide-eyed and mouth agape as enormous emotions began to consume his being. The chirping of the crickets residing in the pine trees remained as the only music that enveloped the quiet evening, the glow of the crescent moon burning brightly in the ceiling of midnight sky gifted light in the quaint town of Magnolia in which the two figures sat side by side in front of Juvia's porch. 

The barking of his dog next door bestowed him the courage to let out strangled words, "W-what do you mean?" A crease formed between his thick eyebrows as he gazed at the young lady, who exuded a melancholic aura as she further buried herself inside the embrace of her thick blanket.

Her bloodshot eyes were decorated with dark circles, and the radiance that she once emanate seemed to have flown out in the air as her pale lips trembled; it dawned on him that she must have been feeling under the weather for the past few days. The confusion began to circle his mind, ever since they were just children playing around in the neighborhood, it had always been her dream to leave this town and study abroad as her parents did before.

"Alvarez University is sponsoring Juvia a scholarship to study marine biology," she smiled weakly, her gaze drifting towards the empty road in front of them as she sink further into her sheets.

"Truth be told, Juvia's hesitating to leave. Somewhere deep in her soul, Juvia wants to stay in her comfort zone with her comfort people!" the acidic water trailing down her face was glistening under the moonlight. "Juvia does not want to leave G-Gray-sama behind, Juvia doesn't understand why he kept pushing her to go to Alvarez. And does Lyon know what's worst? He said he'd catch up on Juvia so she should just go, but Juvia knew how much he loves the hockey team here! Of course, Juvia being Juvia said no which resulted in a fight. Plus, other girls would probably make a move on him!" she ranted, breathing heavily, she broke out in a childish wail as her hands moved to conceal her face. 

Lyon did not say anything, he ignored how she just blurted out her feelings for Gray, instead he hauled the blue-haired girl in a firm hug to show his sympathy as she let out her pent-up anguish to her friend. She buried her halo of blue in Lyon's shoulder, seeking warmth and comfort after being in solitude for days, without the familiar arms that used to hold her to tend her broken heart.

The heavy footsteps ghosting against the blue-haired chick's front lawn rang through his ears as he looked up, before he could register the storm brewing inside the dark-haired athlete's irises of oceanic blue, the older teenager was drawn upwards as his sharp jaw met his friend's fist causing him to tumble on the ground.

"Dude, what the fuck?!" Lyon screamed in the late evening, gaining the interest of their neighbors who instantly opened their respective windows to eavesdrop, desperate for some gossip, and that includes his ex-girlfriend with an unamused stare as cucumber coated her entire face.

Before Gray had the chance to pounce at him for the second time, Juvia was quick to intervene as she clasp her painted fingers around the furious male's wrists. "Gray-sama, no! Stop!" she shrieked as she leaned her head on his trembling back, drawing stars around his bruised fist to calm him down. Deducing that she needs to lay her armor down to end this cold war with Gray, the beauty flashed Lyon an apologetic smile before hauling the vexed man inside her house.

A flicker of realization dawned on the nineteen-year-old boy, he completely understood now. 

"No."

Gravel-grey clouds hover above the pitched-black painted sky, droplets of rain plunged like thousand of icicles scraping his pale skin as he knelt in the wet ground holding out a raindrop ring residing inside a heart-shaped velvet box. The loud cries of the heavens failed to mask her single answer to his proposal, he clenched his teeth with the feeling that the natural calamity was mocking him with the acidic taste of the rain in the corner of his lips, how it rumbled throughout the sky resembling that of a madman's laugh.

Grueling waves of anguish transverse to his heart as a feeling of being ruptured over by a thousand shards flickered through his being, swift yet excruciating; roseate lace thorns seeped through his airways, heartwrenching, and bloody, blocking his means of breathing. The tears that escaped his cyan voids as it hauntingly coursed down his face like a river seeming as the only remedy to ease his pain as he grieved for the living, watching her azure waves drift as she ran away from him reflecting the agony that he was enduring.

Loath.

Underneath the shower of the petals of water, as he dreads the path towards his house, Lyon loathed himself and his foolish decisions more than anything in the world. It was ungentlemanly, proposing to Juvia on a whim as he strive to stop her from leaving Alvarez to chase her childhood dreams.

Egocentric.

The silver-haired man embraced his feelings, feigning ignorance of the emotions of his closest friends as he caused them misery, their prosperous yesterdays of childish laughs and cries seeming to fade into thin air with his act of egoism.

Lyon's soul felt thin as shame washed over his being, the hurt in his heart escalated as if he was struck by lightning, standing frozen a few meters in their neighborhood; his melancholic voids watched as the love of his life tiptoed to savor the taste of Gray's lips as if it is her greatest luxury, with the raven-head's arms embraced tightly around her quivering figure as if it'd shield her from the demons lurking in the world.

Or maybe it was Lyon, himself.

The homey aroma of hot chocolate laced with a hint of burnt wood wafting through Mira's cafe, gently tickling his nostrils was the catalyst to bring his mind back to reality. His keen eyes observed the person in front of her, her oceanic orbs drifting around the cafe she frequented as a child, trying to spot as many changes as she failed to do so. 

Lyon brought the cup of his beverage to his lips, the sweet flavor providing him the determination to speak the words he failed to do back then. "Juvia," he began which caught her interest. "About the night before you left the country," recognition danced inside her starlike voids, "I sincerely apologize. Believe me, when I say, there wasn't a single night where I did not regret what I did. In my defense, I have none for not respecting your feelings to save my own." 

The fair lady painted a ray of sunshine over her angelic features, "Juvia had long forgiven Lyon for that. And it's alright now, but that stunt is something, doesn't Lyon think so?"

"Well," he responded with a nervous laugh.

The awkward aura that he felt earlier ceased to exist as it seemed to have evaporated into the dense air, they continued to converse about their lives for half an hour over cups of hot chocolate and cafe mocha with gingerbread cookies on the side — a similar scenery back when they were foolish teenagers.

The silver-haired man had learned that she and Gray had been together for more than ten years, turns out the former hockey player found himself fascinated with glaciology when he set foot in Alvarez. Juvia had also told him that her relationship with the raven-haired male had hit quite a bump in the road, like how she thought they would break up in the morning after 'the great war' as she quoted, but contrary to her insecurities, the man had remained patient with her as she is for him.

Lyon relish the way how her orbs were sparkling every time she talked about her glaciologist of a fiance, yet there was a selfish part of him that couldn't help but wonder that if one of his wishes had come true, would he be the one to light up the stars in her eyes?

"No!" Juvia exclaimed as she fixed her gaze on her phone, a crease forming in between her defined eyebrows as she gaze back at him with an apologetic smile. "Juvia had to go now, does Lyon remember Lucy? She's going into labor now!" she hastily stood up on her heels, as she fished out two cards from her purse that ranges from blue to black colors.

Lyon stood up with a grin on his lips, receiving the cards in her beige-painted fingers before briefly checking it to see that it was Juvia and Gray's contact details. "Oh! The writer who's dating Dragneel? I'm hoping for her best delivery," intoned the man. 

"Juvia truly enjoyed the chat today, she hopes we can catch up again some other time with Gray-sama like old times!" Juvia took a few steps towards the silver-haired man engaging him in a friendly hug as she pats his back before drawing away, "Be sure to bring a date next month! Juvia heard from Gray-sama that Ultear's single," she winked teasingly, before waving goodbye.

The lawyer stared at her as she walked towards the decorated door with a jump in her steps, observing her through the large window adorned with gilded pinecones, he noticed how she tucked a stray lock of azure behind her ear when a black Lexus car halted before her. 

Gray emerged from the driver's seat to open up the car door for her, he rested his palms on both of her shoulders which made her stop in her strides, before removing the woolen grey-colored scarf around his neck to drape it around her, making sure to hide her gorgeous face from the cold.

Some things never change. 

Satisfastion coursed through his veins, pleased that Gray and Juvia ended up with each other, despite trying to act as the villain of their story to sabotage fate himself. Some things are just meant to be, he thought as he took a sip from his beverage, catching a glimpse of vivid curls of bubblegum pink, and maroon eyes, walking past the couple.

Juvia encircled her slender arms around Gray's broad shoulders, sneakily pointing at the mistletoe by the bejeweled pivot door of the cafe. The raven-haired man rolled his blue eyes, whispering sweet nothings into her flushed ear, before leaning down to claim her luscious lips with his own. 

A sense of contentment washer over Lyon as his orbs of cyan voids stared at his old friends with a proud gaze, the quaint town of Magnolia had never seen a love as pure as these childhood sweethearts who seemed oblivious to the lavender haze that they emanates.

All's well that ends well.

[hanzajesthanza]

I saw your “thoughts on ______” post and I quite like reading your thoughts on witcher lore (especially your thoughts on Geralt’s hansa), but I was wondering what are your thoughts on Ciri in the witcher 3? Specifically her personality if you think it aligns with the books at all.

Thank you for your all of your posts on the witcher!

okay looong post haha :D

tldr: tw3 ciri and books ciri are very different characters.

i would say that the ciri of the books and the ciri of tw3 are both reflections of their respective mediums; ciri is the books and ciri is the game; or at least, she should be...

the witcher books are a narrative saga with a predefined story, and a tragic one at that; the witcher 3 is a game with storytelling, yes, but it changes based upon player interaction and choice. but there is no choice with ciri of the books. her destiny, and the destinies of all the other characters, have already been decided by fate, destiny, the hand of a great demiurge... conveyed via the divine medium called sapkowski's computer keyboard. ciri, like all the other characters, are bound by the same fate and doomed... they lose, in the end, having lost everything, they still lose... but in the witcher 3, fate rests in your hands as geralt. you choose the destiny, your decisions towards ciri affect the ending she has and who her character becomes.

both ciris have the opportunity to become witchers. but the books and tw3 treat the concept of a witcher very differently. for books ciri, she is given the entire series to meditate on the meaning of witcherhood. geralt teaches her the sword in self-defense, but the ability to kill consumes her.

ciri is beaten down, over and over again, from the slaughter of cintra to losing geralt and yennefer and landing in the korath desert and suffering utter humilating circumstances, hiding out as a criminal with the rats... in many ways she is like every other war orphan, but her princess side never leaves her, her dignity demands more, and for this reason she rages.

originally, she wants justice for the slaughter of cintra, and later, she wants justice for the torture and other wrongs done unto her, to repay evil... and she is well-beyond justified in her anger. however - her arc is about the extent which revenge and violence can take, because engaging in an excess bloodbath continues the cycle which she may never escape from. the sword has meaning and consequences in her hands. we get to see what it looks like when she has no control. when she kills and bullies and threatens indsicriminately, not to only the evil, but to the innocent as well, out of her own pain, misery, and contempt. the worst of everything that can hide in a person emerged from her, wickedness and cruelty... and soon, as a result of that, we see an even worse manifestation of evil following her footsteps, tracking her down - bonhart.

at the end of tower of the swallow, she's become a witcher again - she slaughters the mercenaries at dun dare, but she shows restraint on tarn mira and does not kill skellen, although he wounded her. but this is her revelation and personal philosophy that "witchers kill monsters". it's quite nice, actually, come to think of it, because as soon as geralt stops being a witcher (sometime in early october, his medallion melts away in the fire of the druids' wicker hag) ciri becomes one (at dun dare on saovine, the end of october). she is still considered "evil" though, and only stops being "evil" when she descends the marble staircase with geralt and yennefer at castle stygga; then, she becomes something else, which she doesn't know. but i think, from chapters 1 and 12 of lady of the lake, that she simply becomes a witcher girl, and that sailor of an archipelago of places and times that she is described as being in ch 7; a lone wanderer, eliminating darkness in her path... the new kind of witcher that the world needs, which geralt describes in rivia before his death.

this is a magnificent story. especially since it was well-written. it has all the virtues of what a seven-book series should be. but it wouldn't be as much of a good video game. its virtues as writing do not directly translate to the virtues of a game. and neither do the virtues of its characters.

because ciri's story (as it is in the books) is remarkably dark, exceptionally horrifying in many cases. it makes me weep, it makes me feel. and there's no happy ending. as nimue and condwiramurs say, "it's so... frighteningly realistic." it reminds me of my own life and growth and pain and an uncertain future. of my own past lives lost and my own bitter defeats and who i've had to take out on a boat on loch eskalott...

but would any of this be fun to play as a character in a game? when i first played the witcher 3, i was surprised at some of the darker storytelling elements (e.g., the bloody baron, carnal sins, the empress ending... which i won't touch on the empress ending for ciri because... apologies, but it's bullshit if we're considering the books canon, it's practically netflix's interpretation of the series... it's just so wrong i can't even start to explain why or how much retconning it involved)

but when i read the books? the books make the witcher 3 look like children's daytime tv programming. at least when it comes to ciri's story and character. this is necessary in order to make the witcher 3 game fun to play and not a horrifying endless nightmare of suffering and s*xual assault, which the books can sometimes end up being! at least in the ciri parts... but the witcher 3 is virtuous as a video game because it is fun to play. it treats being a witcher much more simply...

i think this summarizes it: you know in blood and wine when regis asks geralt, if you were reborn, would you choose to be a witcher again, or would you want to be something else? the first time i played the witcher 3 (and was new to the franchise) i was so confused why he would ask this. of COURSE i like being a witcher, i bought this game for like $25 on steam with DLC included and i've been having the fucking time of my life doing all these quests and riding around on roach. (i play on the 'just the story' mode :))... but after i read the books, and then replayed the witcher 3, and got to this part? geralt, would you want to be a witcher? there was only one answer in my (geralt's) heart - NO! god, please no... being a witcher canonically sucks, but the witcher 3 does such a good job at being fun that it makes you forget how terrible of a life it is. it's a game, it's not intended to feel real... but the books tell a very realistic story.

ciri in the witcher 3 is not so much a justified in her rage, fallen from grace, vengeful and spiteful victim, as she is... a spunky girl on the run from some baddies. don't get me wrong, she suffers much loss over the course of the game... but she suffers nowhere near as much as ciri in the books and has nothing to grow from or react to.

one such example is of her scar, her iconic scar. (well, first off, it's not even really in the right place in vanilla tw3...) ciri's scar in the books is the epitome of her loss of childhood, the horror and pain of it, and the later shame of it and need to conceal her trauma. she's marred, she thinks the scar is ugly, and she cries when she sees her reflection. she weeps for the death of her childhood. the unscarred child who she'll never be again. ... whereas witcher 3 ciri... uhhh... "avallac'h made me some ointments to make it better :D!" good for her...! the scar for her has little impact and little depth, unlike stefan skellen's orion, but much like she has on us as the audience.

it doesn't help that she's not the main character of the game, unlike in the books, where so much in the later saga is told from her point of view. game ciri simply doesn't get the screentime or narrative importance to be the center of attention. i mean, the part of the witcher 3 that always makes me cry is the isle of mists quest, where she finally is the center of attention and the themes of the books come in - the loss, the grief, the reunion... they play the scene from something more, to make a point...

so because of this, ciri in the witcher 3... is kind of bland. she does what the player wants, because the player's decisions are her. she, like many video game characters, lacks agency of her own (when compared to a character from a book) because her writing is dependant on the player. i'm not trying to hate on witcher 3 ciri, i think i'm being objective - but what does ciri in the witcher 3 have to learn from, what hard lessons does she encounter, what suffering does she endure, what is she wrong about and how does she suffer for her mistakes and imperfections?

it has been a while since i played the game's main quest, forgive me, but i can't remember any significant storybeats that ultimately defined her character asides from vesemir's death, maybe fighting the crones, and entering the tower at the end. and i still can't really picture what she learned from these storybeats, other than it being emotional and having to deal with a difficulty and move on. she doesn't change, and that's what makes her less of a character with agency and more of a static object that geralt and yennefer are tracking down. (i also don't wish to explain these differences away with "well, she's older, since the games take place later..." characters should not get more boring with age or timeskips)

witcher 3 ciri's personality is mild compared to books ciri. yes, she has her emotional moments, is a daredevil and sure of herself, but has none of that terrible teenage rage that books ciri carries, that determination and frightening bloodthirst, as well as her ultimate vulnerability, sorrow, grief, and childlike tendencies. books ciri has flaws, human imperfections, is sure of herself to the point of arrogance, feeling deserved, being hot-tempered, and she suffers for all of it. witcher 3 ciri... certainly... has a sword!

can y'all send some asks that are like “thoughts on __” (ask meme)

[sweeethinny]

Mom's Advice

because I realized that I had never written anything about Ginny and James, having a mother and son moment

‘’How did you and dad get together?’’ James asked, while he and Ginny worked to make lunch.

‘’Hm .. We won--’’

‘’- No.’’ James interrupted. ‘’For so many years. What do you two do to… stay together?’’ Ginny sighed, looking at the chicken that was boning, and thinking that James seemed a little too lost grating the carrots.

''We love eachother. Basically. But .. we talk, and it’s true with each other ..’’ She started.

‘’Well, last week, Dad bought a boat without you knowing it.’’ James looked at her, laughing in a way that was so different from her and Harry, something she only saw in her son.

‘’But I knew he wanted to have one, I just didn’t think it was real.’’ She laughed too. ‘’But there’s no magic, Jamie. Not here.’’ They were silent, and Ginny even thought the boy would give up on the conversation and that was just any question, until James spoke again.

‘’There’s this girl and...’’ James released the carrot and knife, running his hand over his face, looking a little hopeless. ''I like her, but ... do you know when something is missing?'' He looked at his hand, his elbows resting on the marble countertop, his face being illuminated by the light emanating from the huge kitchen windows, his eyes getting a little more with the interference of light. ‘’It’s cool to be with her, she’s smart, but .. I couldn’t list more than ten things it’s cool to be with.’’ He sighed. ‘’Sometimes it’s so.. no emotion. Like ... when I'm with her, I know exactly what we're going to do, when we're going to do it, I can even say what her reaction is going to be depending on what I say. It’s so monotonous that it’s tiring…’’

‘’Well .. maybe you shouldn’t be with her then.’’ Ginny said, dropping the knife and the piece of raw meat. ‘’You can’t be with someone if you’re thinking these things.’’

‘’But what do I say to her? I don't want to hurt her, she's so nice.'' James sighed, looking at his mother the same way he did when he created a problem and needed her to help him.

‘’Say the truth. Or, half true.’’ She laughed softly. ‘’Say you’re not happy, and that you think it’s better to just be friends.’’

‘‘Was it like that with you and that Dean?’’ James winked brown eyes at her, curious to the last drop.

‘’Kind of… Actually, I said I was just exhausted from him. I was a bit of a bitch, but I was stressed by the situation, and I liked your dad, so ..’’ They laughed together, James looking much more relieved, cutting back the carrot, and Ginny, the chicken.

‘’So .. did you like Dean at the same time you liked dad?’’ James asked.

''No. I liked Dean, but it was different from the way I liked your father.. Dean was my friend, but your father was the man I wanted to kiss until I lost my breath,’’ Ginny said.

‘’Ew, don’t give me those details.’’ James grimaced.

‘’You asked me!” She laughed. ‘’Furthermore, you’re the one who came up with the subject.’’

‘’But no details, please.’’ James started cutting the onions, looking much more nimble than she did. ‘’But then..You like two people at the same time... ’’

‘’James, do you want to ask something specific?’’ She released the meat knife again, and James released the onion, looking at her again.

‘’Do you knew how to differentiate Dean to Dad? Like, what did you feel.’’ James said.

‘’Well, with Dean, I felt suffocated and enjoyed a few moments of ours. But with your father, it was always natural and I always wanted to spend more and more moments with him. Even the trainings, I wanted them to be longer just because I liked your company.’’ She looked at him. ‘’Does that remind you of someone…?’’

Ginny knew James well enough to know that a question like that would not come innocently. It was her son, she herself had pulled him out of her. Ginny simply knew.

James looked at his hands, then at the window in front of them, Harry said something to Albus, who laughed and nodded, before returning to the task of throwing the gnomes away. Lily was not in her line of sight, but from the screams, she bet the girl was running with Sir, their dog.

‘’Sometimes I don’t know how I feel.’’ Ginny looked at James, a little worried and curious. ‘’At the same time that Rosália is very nice, and I liked her for almost three years… On the other hand, I have so much fun with Mira. Like, I doesn't have a day, even on that day when we fought and she spent the next two weeks without looking me in the face, that I don't like being with her. Maybe that's why she is my best friend... right?’’ James looked back at his mother, looking much more confused than before.

‘’Being friends with the person you care about is essential.’’ Ginny shrugged. ‘’There’s nothing wrong if you like her.’’ Actually, she thought, it was all good, because she just loved that girl. From the first day she met her, she hoped James would pay attention to her.

Ginny now understood how her mother felt about Hermione with Ron. Or even, she with Harry.

Her baby was growing up.

‘’Thank you mom, but I think .. I think Mira is just my friend.’’ James smiled sheepishly at her, his cheeks with a few freckles turned pink, and he went back to work cutting the onion.

‘’If you say… Ron said the same thing to Grandma, about Hermione.’’

[severetimetravelnerd]

I Don’t Know(ft. G Dragon and MINO) (6)

Part 6

When Jiyong stumbles into your home drunk, you start to remember things long forgotten.

This series will be updated once a week, every Friday! No specific time though lol. It’s an AU where Jiyong has a younger sister and you’re her best friend! Featuring my OC Mirae as the Best friend. Just saying, it’s not related to any of the scenarios I’ve written so far. Please do leave me some comments or asks! I love receiving them! It’s also a bit of a love triangle situation, so yeah :)) There will be eventual smut in this series.

(I don’t own any of the images used. All credit goes to the original owners.)

I only write on this blog on tumblr, so if you see my work on any other platform, please let me know immediately.

Taglist:

@kwonnansi​

@unabashedturkeytreeslime​

@happiestgirlontheeastcoast​

@yee-hawwwwwwww​

@slayergroupie0128​

@herewecomeitsjekki​

@happygirl327​

Please comment if you’d like to be added to the tag list:))

Word Count: 2840

WARNINGS: slight smut, drinking.

——————————————-

6 years ago

It was late. Jiyong had just finished watching a movie and was wrapping up. He was just about to go to bed when he heard loud singing and knocking from the front door. Rushing to get the door before anyone else woke up, he opened it to find you, flushed and swaying, with an idiotic smile on your face.

“Jiyong!”

And you threw yourself at him. He caught you, whisper shouting at you.

“What’re you doing? Why did you drink so much?”

You pouted, eyes becoming sad. His heart clenched.

“It was Mina’s bachelorette.”

“Why’re you here?”

You looked around, confused.

“I don’t know.”

Your eyes widened.

“Do you not want me here?”

Your lips started trembling. Jiyong sighed.

“No, it’s not that. Come with me. Just… don’t make any noise.”

Immediately, your face lit up and you yelled,

“Yay!”

He smiled looking at you, gently shushing you. You were an adorable drunk. You pouted.

“Why do you not want me to talk Jiyong?!”

“Because it’s 2 in the morning and I don’t want you to wake up everyone else?”

“Oh. Good point.”

He held your hand and guided you to the couch.

“Sit here and don’t move, okay?”

You reached out and grabbed his hair.

“Woah! So fluffy! Your hair is surprisingly soft for someone who dyes their hair so much.”

Jiyong froze, a light blush spreading across his cheeks. You ruffled his hair, laughing.

“You’re surprisingly cute Jiyong.”

He turned red.

“J-just wait here, okay?”

Still flushed, Jiyong went up to his room to get make up remover for you. By the time he got back though, you weren’t there anymore. It was relatively easy to find you though. He just had to follow the sound of the crashes.

He found you in the kitchen, crawled up on the counter, trying to reach the chocolate wafers. He sighed and reached over you, getting the wafers and handing them to you.

“What’re you doing?”

“I was hungry.”

“Okay. Turn towards me.”

“No. I want to eat and you’ll steal my wafers.”

Jiyong didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh.

“Y/N, I’m not going to steal your wafers. I just want to remove your make up and get you to bed.”

“Sleep is for the weak Jiyong.”

“Says the girl who once slept for three days straight.”

You huffed and widened your eyes.

“Hey! That was after not sleeping for a week!”

“Why didn’t you sleep for a week?”

“…I procrastinated.”

“Exactly.”

Tired of you rambling, Jiyong gently grabbed your waist and turned you towards him, standing between your legs.

“You can continue eating. I just want to remove your make up.”

And as he gently wiped off all your makeup, you stared at him, wondering how he was so beautiful. When he looked up and caught you staring, you blushed and stuffed a wafer into his mouth.

“What was that for?”

“Consider it a gift.”

“Come on, let’s go up.”

You started whining.

“No, Jiyong. I’m tired. I’m just going to curl up here and sleep.”

Jiyong raised his eyebrows.

“Here?”

“Yes.”

“On the cold marble counter top?”

“Yes.”

“Where there is barely enough space for you to sit?”

“Yes.”

He sighed. Muttering under his breath, one of his hands gently went under your knees and the other went around your waist as he carried you, enjoying the way your arms went around his neck immediately for support. Your face went red and you buried your face in his neck, leaving you unaware of his adorable smile. He opened the door to his room and gently put you down on his bed. Sounding adorable confused, you asked,

“Why are we in your room?”

“Because if you wake up Mirae, she’ll kill you and you need to change. Here, take this t-shirt and shorts. I’ll be outside. Call me once you’re done changing and I’ll help you to Mirae’s room.”

You felt happy when you wore his clothes. Your drunk mind didn’t comprehend why, but it felt nice. It was comfortable. It was familiar. You looked around at his room and stared at the pictures he had up. You were in some of them. It made you feel nice. At least he cared. Even if you didn’t remember this the next morning, it was nice to know he cared. You were interrupted by a gentle knock and Jiyong came in.

“You should have called me.”

“I was looking around.”

He sighed, ruffling your hair.

“Come on. Let’s go.”

And as he held your hand, you pulled him closer, burying your face in his chest.

“Jiyong, can we just stay here like this for a while?”

His breath hitched, but he sat there next to you in silence, allowing you to rest against him. After a while, he realised your breathing was getting slower and sleepier. He was about to get up and tuck you in when you grabbed his hand. You mumbled something in your sleep.

“Don’t go Jiyong.”

His heart melted when he saw your small hand wrapped around his. He moved you in and lay down next to you, letting you snuggle into him and just enjoyed the moment. He stayed like that for a while, until he was sure you were asleep, and then got up and slept on the couch. Seeing you in his arms in the morning would have been too much. He didn’t want to give himself hope.

 4 years ago

There was a family get together at Mirae’s place. You were practically part of the family, so of course, you were there too. You smiled at everyone as you stepped away from the light and the noise, wanting a bit of fresh air. You walked away, enjoying the cold, fresh night air. You walked towards the back, walking through some grass when you heard the grass behind you rustle. Tensing, you turned around, prepared to punch whoever was following you, but only found a very surprised, sheepish Jiyong trying to light up a cigarette. You walked over to him, stifling a laugh at the way he refused to meet your eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I’m here to smoke.”

You looked at him sceptically.

“Weren’t you supposed to be trying to quit?”

He looked at you suspiciously.

“What’s it to you?”

“Hey, I’m just trying to help you.”

You moved away, not liking the smell of the smoke, and you stumbled. Jiyong’s eyes widened and he grabbed your arm, pulling you into him.

“Be careful! You could’ve gotten hurt. Why’d you move away?”

Your face scrunched up when he breathed out the smoke on your face.

“I don’t like the smell of cigarettes Jiyong. You do what you want, but I’m going to just walk for a bit.”

You gave him a light smile, wrapped your shawl around yourself tighter and walked off. Jiyong watched you walk away with a growing sense of panic. Suddenly, he found himself putting out his cigarette and jogging up to catch up with you. He never smoked a cigarette around you again, because he never wanted you to walk away from him like that again.

 ***

Minho sat down at the table, with you sitting right next to him, your hand on his thigh. Jiyong’s jaw tensed. You didn’t realise but Minho did, and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling at Jiyong while taking your hand and saying,

“Hi hyung! It’s nice seeing you here.”

Jiyong barely managed to politely smile and nod at Minho before getting up to leave for the bar. It was going to be a long night. Minho felt a little guilty for driving away his hyung, but the overwhelming feeling was still relief, because seeing you with his hyung just reminded him of everything in the past.

Two hours later, Jiyong could barely stand when Hwiyoung, the designated driver for the night, helped him into his car. Hwiyoung had very kindly offered to drop off everyone, but you had declined, knowing that they couldn’t find out about Minho. Jiyong was drunk, and while that was nothing new to him, he was used to taking someone home with him. After meeting you again though, he couldn’t, because every time he was with another woman, all he could see was your face, your smile, your lips, everything about you. He was lost in thought, thinking about you when Hwiyoung stopped the car for Somin to get out. Just wondering out loud, he asked,

“I wonder why Y/N didn’t just come with us. You and Y/N literally live on the same floor.”

Somin laughed.

“I’m sure she had her reasons. But we don’t live on the same floor. I live on the 9th floor and she lives on the tenth floor.”

“Meh, close enough.”

Hwiyoung was about to start the car again when Jiyong suddenly sat up, barely aware of what he was doing when he told Hwiyoung,

“Hwiyoung, thanks for the lift, but I’ll get off here.”

“What? Why? This is so far away from your place.”

To make things less suspicious, Jiyong smirked and said,

“Yeah, I know, but a girl I know just texted me to meet her at the ice cream place down the road, so I’ll just go.”

“Oh, okay then. See you tomorrow then.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Hwiyoung.”

 You were slowly unwinding after Minho dropped you home, changing into a tank top and shorts and listening to music while going through your emails. You smiled when you saw Somin’s. She really was a lifesaver. You opened up the email and a chill went down your body. It was about the meeting with Jiyong. The one where you thought he was making fun of you. The more you read of it though, the worse it became. Why was he apologising? Why were the colours he picked your favourite colours? Why did he pick tea, peonies and poems? Oh no. Oh good god no. You shook your head. You had to be wrong. He couldn’t possibly like you. After years of making you feel awful, he can’t just change his mind. Just when you were finally happy. You snapped your laptop shut. You didn’t want to think about it anymore. You couldn’t afford to. But just as your mind went back to it, you heard the doorbell ring.

You were suspicious about who could be knocking at your door so late, but you knew who it was the moment you heard his drunken singing of ‘If you’. Your blood froze, but you opened to door to see what he needed. Icy, you asked,

“What is it?”

Jiyong didn’t respond and walked straight into your apartment, looking around in wonder.

“Get out of my apartment.”

Jiyong just turned and flashed you a light, trusting grin. You just stared at him in disbelief. He came close to you and cupped your cheeks.

“Wow, you look really pretty.”

And before you could react and pull away, he moved away, covering his face and blushing. You looked at him, drunk out of his mind and sighed.

“Can you stand on your own?”

He jumped.

“Yeah, I’m going to take that as a yes. You’re too drunk to go home on your own, so I’m going to call you a cab, okay? I know we have to be careful about your image but I know this one guy-”

And before you could complete your sentence, he fell on you, pushing both of you onto the couch. His forehead was resting against your collarbone. You blushed as you looked around. It was a very awkward position to be in. You were just about to push him off when he held your hand and very sleepily said,

“Don’t go Y/N. Let’s just stay like this for a while.”

You froze. You never fully remembered what happened when you were drunk, but this brought back memories. Why was it that you had a vague memory of saying that to him and him actually listening? You looked down at him. He was asleep already. Sighing, you pushed him off and got up, shaking your head as you forced yourself to not think about what you just remembered. Or what Somin’s mail told you. You couldn’t afford to. Not when you finally got over him. Not when you were happy with Minho. You went and got a blanket to cover Jiyong with. It was cold without one. You looked down and decided that you didn’t want to be alone at home with Jiyong. Too many memories. And it would have killed Minho if you did. So, you called him.

He sounded quite surprised when he answered.

“Hey Y/N, all okay?”

You smiled when you heard his voice. You could already see the raised eyebrows on his face.

“Hey Minho. Did I wake you up?”

“No, I was just changing. What’s up?”

“Do you mind spending the night here, with me?”

You could hear him grab his car keys and wallet.

“I’m on my way. What happened?”

“Jiyong is here.”

Minho had just gotten into the elevator when he heard that. His heart stopped for a second.

“Jiyong turned up here drunk and passed out on my couch. I don’t want to be here alone with him, which is why I called you.”

You paused.

“Minho, sweetheart, listen to me. It’s going to be okay. Nothing happened. He just passed out here. I like you. I’m with you for you.”

You could hear Minho shakily take a breath.

“Yeah, I know Y/N. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Don’t worry.”

 When you opened the door fifteen minutes later, you were expecting to find a worried, sad Minho. You were not expecting to be pushed against a wall and kissed hungrily. Before you could get used to it and kiss him back, Minho wrapped your legs around his waist and his mouth had already moved on from your lips to your neck, hell bent on leaving marks. Minho couldn’t help it. His fear got the better of him. He had to feel you. He had to feel you to know that everything was real. That you were his girlfriend. That he wasn’t just lying to himself.  His hands desperately went to your tank top and bra and ripped them off. You gasped. You knew something was off. This felt different. Minho had never been this aggressive with you. But the moment his tongue met your nipple, all thought left your mind and you moaned, letting him carry you to the bedroom.

  ---

Jiyong woke up early the next morning, wincing at the sunlight that was hitting his face. Yawning, he slowly stretched and looked around. Where was he? Did he go home with a woman last night? He furrowed his brows. No, that’s not right. He was with Y/N and her team last night. Oh shit Y/N. that’s when everything started to come back. And then suddenly, in the span of seconds, he went from confused to happy because if he was in an unfamiliar place, that meant you had let him stay. He looked down at the blanket covering him with a newfound appreciation. You had put that blanket on him. You still cared enough about him to do that for him. He grinned and jumped up, wincing from the ache in his head. He had to do something as a thank you. As he went to get water, he suddenly found a packet of pancake mix. His smile got wider. That was one of the few things he could cook and luckily, pancakes for breakfast were your favourite.

A good twenty minutes later, you stirred, the sounds from the kitchen disturbing you. Wait. Sounds from the kitchen? If you weren’t cooking, who was? Turning around, you saw Minho with his arms wrapped around you. You couldn’t help the smile that formed on your face. You pressed a kiss to his cheek and slid out of his arms, throwing on his shirt from last night before walking out into the kitchen. You were taken aback when you saw Jiyong flipping pancakes and adding them to a stack next to him.

“Jiyong, what is this?”

Jiyong grinned. You called him Jiyong again. He was in the middle of flipping a pancake, so without turning around to face you, he said,

“Good morning Y/N! Thanks for letting me crash here last night when I was drunk. As a thank you, I made pancakes.”

He had just flipped the last pancake and turned around with a huge smile on his face only for it to fade. And fast. It first faded because he saw all the new marks on your neck from last night because of how loose Mino’s shirt was on you. It faded more because a shirtless Mino had walked out of your bedroom, wrapped his arms around your waist and kissed you. He looked up at Jiyong, surprised at first, then nervous and finally, with a challenging raise of his eyebrows, he said,

“Good morning hyung.”

[carnal-lnstinct]

Conton City Lockdown

Summary: Time patrollers have returned from missions carrying an unknown disease and infecting others denizens of Conton City with it, forcing Trunks and Supreme Kai of Time to shut down most operations and training around the City and drastically limit missions for a while until they can get everything under control. Everyone is instructed to stay inside their assigned domiciles until further notice. "Who knows what that could do to the timeline if Patrollers pass it on during a mission?!" Supreme Kai of Time urges Conton. The Conton City Hero has also been quarantined with her current Master, Goku much to both their dismay as there was still so much training left. What other shenanigans can the two saiyans get themselves into while being all cooped up.

Word Count: 6,013 (Chapter 3) AO3 Rating: Explicit / Mature Warning: nsfw ( smut, explicit language )  A/N:  I actually booted up Xenoverse 2 again to get a bit more idea what to do with this chapter. I tell myself I don't want long chapters since this is a short one-shot, but I couldn't bring myself to pass on the details here. Hope its worth it!

Chapter 3

Days were really starting to  feel blended together now. With Conton city running on 24 hour daylight, the week's time that passed felt like one extremely long day. By the grace of the technological advancements here were you able to track the time and days. That and the daily scheduled check in from the robotic clerks of Conton. The second most physical presence you were able to get now.

You finally awoke on the sofa feeling lighter than you remember when falling asleep. The heavier figure of the wild haired man was nowhere to be found around you. You opened your eyes to find you were alone in the living room, no immediate sounds being made until the faint hints of water sloshing around behind a door hit your ears. Relieved to still sense the passive ki of your fighting master, it wasn't completely gratifying to wake up without him. Again.  For two people sleeping together, you and Goku never actually slept together. All the times he fell asleep before you, you left him to his peace and went to your bedroom alone along with him never failing to make an effort of relocating you to your room when you would fall asleep around him or are left barely lucid from your rumps. It all comes to you foggy, but you know he does it with such care and tenderness, the way he places you in your bed and tucking the blanket around you before departing to his designated sleeping space. This time though, you insisted he not to do that. Even going so far as commandeering the couch he slept on. You wanted to stay with him for the whole night at least once. Having stretched yourself out along the sofa messily decorated with a spare blanket and pillow, you patted your chest invitingly with your persistent charm knowing he could not deny it. You left him no choice but to crawl onto you and rest his head against your breasts. You still remember the length of his arms stretching around you to snuggle to his comfort, his torso between your legs and how comically his feet hung off the edge of the chair. And the weight of all his muscles on you.  He seemed to become heavier the longer you stayed that way until you drifted off like a weighted blanket you never knew you needed. A brief moment where you slightly stirred from your sleep was content to still feel him wrapped around you and shifted against the weight of him for more, needing more of him around you and drifted off once again with a hand lost in his hair and another hanging around his shoulders.

It would appear he couldn't wait to get this "new day" started, the saiyan male already washing up and would be expecting breakfast to follow soon after. Come to think of it, you haven't taken a decent bath yourself since the day before yesterday and you slowly remember why.

Yesterday with little convincing, you talked  Goku into following you outside to the rooftop area of your building for just a small, quick spar to keep the muscles loose. No transforming, no ki blasts, no charging your energy. Just a small practice of physical skill and technique, something that barely counted as a work out between trained saiyans such as yourselves. But something was better than nothing. It was almost eerie how quiet the large city was with only the sound of the robotic clerks working away at various tasks,but the way the sun hit you skin roused you up for the risk. Sadly it didn't take long for the small training session to draw one of their attention. The robotic voice calmly urging the both of you to go back inside per its protocol, however was immediately cut off by the sharp pierce of the familiar, old yell from your former mentor.

"Have you lost your marbles!?" The Elder Kai's vocals startling you and rattling the machine itself, shouting from the robot's speakers. "We are in a state of emergency! How dare you of all people not heed the warnings of your elders! How reckless!! Shameful!! Get your tuckus back inside or I will suspend you from any Quests! Permanently!"

Usually the old man's berating didn't phase you by much, but the thought of never going on a time patrol again wracked your core as a chilling fact of his power. Well, not his power but what the Supreme Kai of Time would do if or when she found out. You wasted no time teleporting out of there the moment you recover from your shock, leaving the confused Goku behind who immediately followed after your ki once he detected you back inside. The poor robotic clerk left to heal from the voice rattling it.

Suffice to say, getting caught really shook you up more than you could have expected. More than fighting the powered up Mira or even an angry Beerus. And though you hoped it wouldn't, it did get to the Supreme Kai of Time whose lecturing stung worse. She sounded more understanding and approached the situation more openly than the old man but the guilt certainly sat in your chest all the same. Back inside your living quarters, the conversation between you and the two Kais over your communicator ends with you being reminded of the current danger and the lack of grasp on their ends to plan a counterattack accordingly. Isolation wasn't the best option, but it was all they had so far that kept the strange disease from passing around, even sharing worry of it being anything like the virus that had attacked Goku across the timelines. Supreme Kai of Time made a passing thought that they would be in need of you very soon as well, rousing hope in you again. The Kais didn't waste time questioning Goku's presence either as he watched over your shoulder through the whole thing. You immediately answered vaguely, leaving it as him simply stopping by to train, a true fact a week ago, but since he was already here you could stand the company and he was eager to help where needed as well. That had set the tone for the rest of the day, prompting your dispirited heart to submit to whatever comfort the larger saiyan gave you by simply being there. Even just a cuddle to sleep.

With all of that flooding back into your mind, you sighed and figured it was time you prepared for the day as well, holding out hope you would be summoned to the Time Nest and anxious that maybe you would be left waiting longer as punishment. Heading into your bedroom to choose some comfy clothes to change into after your bath, an old duffel bag catches your eye as you went through your closet. It's familiar, of course, but its contents are a mystery. You hadn't used this bag since you first entered the Time Patrol Academy. Inside, you find an old scouter, your first scouter, and the old, blue bodysuit you used to wear under your armor. Made of the familiar saiyan-grade material. A nostalgic glance between the two items rushes you with a feeling of worry all over again from the Kais words replaying in your head. But Supreme Kai of Time did say soon.. You can only continue to try to remain optimistic.

Until then...an idea pops into your head, that scoundrel grin rising into your features.

Goku is settled into the tub that fit his entire body better than the small couch he was had been resting on for the week, the hot water and space around him gives such a relief to his body. He gave a light stretch before submerging himself further, knees rising out of the water but a knock at the door catches his attention.

"Oh Kakarot." He hears your voice a few moments later and turns his head toward the unlocked door. "Are you hiding from me in there?" Your tone is playful and calm, but he doesn't think twice about it.

"Not at all, did ya need something?" He answers, unaware of what was awaiting him beyond the door.  You press the button sliding the door open, the bathroom light revealing your form to the half submerged saiyan. Your tail is slowly swaying behind you as you stand there with a hand on your cocked hips and the other braced on the doorway to give you an imposing and suggestive stance. Wrapped around your upper body is the blue suit alone, clinging tightly to your curves and purposely left raised around your thighs to expose them more where they connected to your ass. You purposely left yourself bare underneath the whole thing. Your feet and hands were fitted into the old white boots and matching large white gloves. And of course, the scouter is affixed to your ear to complete the look.

"Hey, Earth man." You greet him in your most sultry tone while attempting to come off as a threat, loosely wrapping your tail around your hips.  "I'm here to conquer you..and then take your magical balls all for myself. What are you going to do about it, huh?" Goku's eyes lift, mesmerized by the appearance of you but not for the reason you had hoped for.  "Oh, wow you have one of those power reading thingies. You look like Vegeta when he first came to Earth." He pointed at you, naivety on full display.

'That was hardly a compliment', you thought, the permanent scowl on the Prince's face flashing through your mind.

You try to play that off and raise your head to increase your look of intimidation and to keep the focus on your goal, giving him a sly smirk as you pressed the scouter button to activate it. The equipment pings and starts to reads his passive energy. "That's right, Kakarot. I'm a saiyan, after all. And according to my scouter...You're gonna be a howling mess after I pound you into the ground. Begging me to finish you off. What d'ya have to say to that?" You tease, giving him an expected look to pick up on.

Goku sits up in the water and leans against the edge of the tub as he tilts his head at you, blinking. "I think your scouter is broken, you know it's going to take a lot more training before you're able to beat me." You visibly cringe at his answer.

"--I KNOW!" You shot back, nerve scratched. Immediately you curse under your breath having openly admitted that. "I'm trying to flirt with you, ya dolt! I've been trying for 2 days now!" You huff and throw your hands up in defeat. "Forget it! Just hurry up so I can take a bath!" You storm out of the doorway snatching the scouter from your ear. As the door closes behind you, the sound of Goku calling after you to wait grows quiet as you go back into your bedroom. Throwing the scouter onto the bed you start muttering to yourself as you return to your previous task of looking for something to settle around the house again. You start to hear the bathroom door open and the heavy steps coming up fast, the dripping wet Saiyan making his way into the room with his right hand holding the towel closed around his waist.

"H-hey! I'm sorry! I-I didn't realize-!" He stutters nervously over his words as you shoot him a glare, silencing him.

"Save it! We've been at this for a week already and you still don't get it. I could wear a sign that read 'Hey Kakarot! Shove your dick inside me until I pass out again' and you would still be dense to what it means!"

"P-Please just hear me out. You know as well as I do this is all still new to me. I don't mean to make you mad but c-can you really be that surprised about i-"

"I CAN, YOU JACKASS!" You yell, stomping your way over to him as he stumbles back against the wall and you shake a gloved fist at him. "How many more times we have to do it before it gets through your thick head?! You'd pick up on me going to the kitchen for any reason at all if it got you food better than me spreading my legs in your face! GET WITH IT, KAKAROT!" You growl, your energy peaking visibly as the clear aura wrapped around you, blowing your wild saiyan hair into a frenzy. You're not as frustrated at this vicious cycle you keep going through with him and flirting, trying to play subtle and coy in getting his attention. No, it was more of everything else going on around you two.

"Easy! I will, I promise!" The larger saiyan pleaded mercy for your calm to return, a single hand up in defense of you as he felt all the more vulnerable dripping wet and barely holding the towel around his hips. Regaining your wits at his demeanor, you realized what you were doing and backed down. Your ki settles back down to your base level.

"No..." You sigh heavily, giving his wet chest a ginger pat over to better show you're harmlessness.  "You're doing fine. Just..." You didn't want to come off as a bully, especially to one of the strongest warrior you know while he's naked. You begin to feel you may be shoving him out of his comfort zone despite how well received your advances do tend to go with him. Whatever this is between you two, something you still need to address.  "Never mind. I'm just.. frustrated with everything else going on and I'm unfairly taking it out on you." You admit, placing your hands on your hips and turning away as you pouted with lightly dusted cheeks. "I-I'm big enough to admit that.. Just thought.. Maybe I needed a distraction from it all for a bit, but that's not your problem. I-I'm...S-sorry..."

Goku recovers, reading your change in energy beyond you lowering your power level. Better than he has picked up on most things around you lately, but to be fair he has been improving on noticing some things beyond that of a direct kiss to the lips or an obvious frown he couldn't fix with his ever encouraging words. He too remembers the old man's lecture of you basically almost being out of the job for what you two did outside and the following disapproval of the Supreme Kai of Time pretty much offering the same consequence should you go off without order again. All of that for just a little training? He gets why, but for all you've done they could have been less harsh. It's not easy for saiyans to sit still for too long. It clicks that he should know--does know-- you a little better now in this small time together than he has in all of the time you spent training from the day he first took you on as his pupil. Your job as a time patroller has been your life for a long time now, to not do it or anything that has to do with it was like taking away your reason for fighting. For training, to become stronger.  All of his efforts to one day make a powerful and tough opponent out of you to challenge for real would be for nothing. Even now you back down from him and apologize in your own way for yelling at him. That was a first. Admittedly, he admires that unyielding fire in you.  Goku finally understands that you don't feel good, but you're trying to. He should have realized by the sudden appearance of you in the saiyan costume that you were up to something to lift your spirit and tag him along for the fun. What kind of Training Master had he been to not realize his pupil was so deeply troubled? He...He's going to fix it.

"You're right." The larger saiyan nods, you glance over your shoulder to look at him. "I must be foolish to not see it sooner... Right, then." He laugh softly, quickly he adjusts the towel around his waist with a small knot and places his hands on the sides of his face giving an overly dramatic look of terror. "Oooh nooo! It is a saiyan from another planet coming to destroy me!"

Your brow quirks at this sudden display and you turn around to find him dropping down on his knees with his head lowered, bowing down to you in this animated fashion to accent his downright hammy performance. "Please don't destroy my planet, oh evil one! Take me instead!"

Unbelievable. You snort and break into a laugh. "Kakarot, no.  You don't have to do this. It's okay."

"Oh yeah?" He lifts his head up with a wink and leaps up, putting space between you both and takes on his fighting stance. "Because I am not Kakarot! I am Goku, the saiyan from earth and defender of its people! I will defeat you, evil saiyan!" He smirks, immediately transforming into his super saiyan form. The aura washing over the room and leaves the pale gold color of hair and azure eyes "glaring" back at you.

You blink at him, body stirred by the sudden appearance of his super saiyan form. Lifting your hands from your hips you slowly take a fighting stance of your own. "Goku, 'defender of earth' huh?" You repeat grinning as well, the similar shade of blue replacing the black hue of your eyes as the golden glow burst out around your body.  "Not when I'm done with you. I'm going to put you on your back, Earth boy."

"Not if I put you on yours first."

You didn't expect that, but you would be lying if you said it didn't immediately excite you. The space around you is small but you waste no time jumping forward with a ready fist to punch at him. He blocks you with his forearm and as you come at him again with your off hand, punch denied again by a raised knee.

You're both holding back, but the loose items around you are rattling on their surfaces from the force of your moves alone. You continue going at him, picking up the pace with your half-hearted punches. Goku remaining ever elusive to your increasing speed, movements blurring to the naked eye. Your hands collide together, feet braced on the floor as you pushed against each other in this playful display of strength. Fingers laced, the electric blue of your eyes boring into one another as sparks of rogue energy began to race in between your hold and around each of your knuckles.  It was amazing how you were both barely giving  any effort worth bragging about but still managed to produced such energy, this vortex of power appearing around you and the vibrations shaking the entire place. You can start to feel energy tingling, grow erratic between your palms, this making you both quickly draw back before it escalated into something more wild and destructive to your room.

You could only look at each other through the gap of empty space between you now as the feeling of that energy still tingles against your skin but starting to fade. A silent exchange between your stares and your smile fades, Goku withdrawing from his fighting pose to stand at his tallest. Together, you let go of you super saiyan forms to return to base level, your breath trembles on exhale at the release of power. Goku treads across the floor to you and you come to meet him without hesitation, colliding together once more but in a furious exchange of kisses and hands pulling anywhere they can grab. You left no space between you with hands settling around his torso to hold him closer  and his cradling your head in his large hands, leaving little chance for you to catch your breath.  His skin already felt dry against your grip, most likely from the rising heat of his body upon transforming and you can smell the fragrant soap emanating from it's surface. The rough hands you would normally find around the small of your back by now clung to the back of your exposed thighs as you were lifted up in a single, effortless motion,  propping your legs around his waist. This demeanor of his is different. Where you normally the lead, you find yourself following his actions, your legs looping at the ankles around him without thought.

Suddenly the wall is slam against your back, your hands pulled from his waist and held back by each side of your head.  You gasp in a deep breath, chest continuing to heave for air  as your surprised eyes looked up into the larger male's darker, commanding gaze. You feel your heart going wild in your chest, feeling smaller than you were under his eyes.  "Promise to stop terrorizing my planet ...and I won't let you suffer." Goku brusque "warning" leaves your jaw hanging, only a resigned whimper betraying you when he pressed closer to you. "Got it?"

You collect your thoughts and swallow, raising your head to give the impression of looking down your nose at him. "Make me." you dared, managing to smirk again. "I can take anything you throw at me, earthling." You try to sound tough, but you hoped he would do just that. Anything. Once more your body betrays you as your thighs twitch around his hips in excitement for what's to come now.

He smirks back at you, "I figured you'd say that." You feel your back leave the wall but your hands still bound by his larger pair, more and more your lower body grows enticed to this authoritative motion. In no means were you so much weaker you couldn't shake yourself free of him, more so you were eager to see where he intends to go with this. You almost didn't want to fight back. Even his energy feels different to you. It is nothing like the passive ki you sensed when he was in the bath tub. Your eyes never leave his and you feel your collective weight fall into the mattress of your bed. Goku releases your hands finally and trace over the skin tight material down to your sides where he proceeds to mercilessly tickle at you beneath him. He has you trapped, your legs still around him and his body so close to you limiting any means to escape it.

You let out a holler of laughs, twisting violently beneath him and pulling whatever your hands could grab that would help you pull yourself free. "Ka- Kakarot I'll k-kill you...f-for this!" You managed to shriek out between your fits of uncontrolled laughter.  

"You should have accepted surrender!" Goku teases, giving you a shit-eating grin.  Your legs fall from his hips as you dig your booted heels against the bed to try to push away to no avail. He continues his assault, hands too strong and too quick to beat away. The most you could manage to do was twist around to your stomach and attempt to crawl while batting your tail at him.

"C'mon, say 'uncle'!"

"You a-ass! Th-This isn't f-fair!" You body continued to convulse at the tickling and your words just seemed to grow more broken up in your cackles.

"Say it!"

"S-STOP!"

"I'll only stop if you say it!"

"F-Fine! UNCLE! U-UNCLE!"

The saiyan male liberates you from his attack, leaving you to lie there a panting, grinning shame. How could you not expect this from him? This big goof. "I'm sorry, it was too good a chance I couldn't pass it up!" He giggles at you from a benevolent place before that switch appeared to go off in his head again and that good-natured innocent saiyan you knew disappeared into a sinful gaze. "Now let's get serious." As if you weren't feeling limp enough, a pressure bears down around your tail, eyes shooting wide at the sharpness that overcame your entire body. Goku lets up on his grip at the base of your tail just enough to divert any pain, leaving only the lack of control of your limbs. He is all too familiar with what a tight grip could do and he doesn't want you to hurt, just doesn't want you trying to wiggle away again. "Guess you're not as big a conqueror as you thought. You haven't even trained your tail." He coos, patronizing you for your weakness. "Guess you're nothin' but a big bully."

"A-Are you out of your mind?! Let go!" You gripe at him, though left silenced with a small whimper when he gives a light tug and raises your hips to settle your lower body on your knees. With what strength left in your body holding you there, he lets up his grip again. Goku runs a finger of his free hand along the stretched fabric clinging to you where it contours to your warmth, clit twitching on contact. His stroking circles between your entrance  and your sensitive button making you bite your lip at the long awaited contact but  jerk your head back to look at him trying to focus on the fact he has your tail in his grasp. "H-hey! Do you hear me?!" You see his eyes lift to yours and his lips curve into an almost devilish countenance, turning his gaze to his finger's handiwork and the saturated line of moisture growing in its pattern.

"You said you could take anything I throw at you, right?" He asks continuing to toy with you, switching from his finger to his thumb as he narrowed his motion to your clothed clit. Your entire lower body jerks back against it, wanting to follow the motion but trying to hold control until he withdraws his limb when he realizes your resolve. "What was that you were saying earlier? You were going to put me on my back?" His husky voice goads you on. Knowing full well there wasn't much left you could do with your tail in his trained hand and your drenched button twitching from stimulation, you almost consider taking your words back in this game. You watch him shift behind you, carefully positioned on his own knees between your legs and hear his towel fall loose and land beside your head, earning your eyes. In place of his fingers now, you feel the head of his erect cock press against your clit, exciting it all the more through the fabric. You mewl at the contact, dropping your head into the mess of sheets of pillows and pushing your hips back against him for more. You can feel you insides practically opening up for him, ready to take him in if not for your damned suit! Goku laughs a little, "You just say when you're ready to give up and I'll end your suffering." How can he still sound so in control teasing you like this?! He must have been sizing you up for this the moment he triggered his super saiyan form, conniving every step and reading your responses for the proper approach. Let it never be said Goku's wiles were not up to par with getting what he wanted, especially when he was confident he was going to come out on top.

God Damn it, Kakarot.

The not so subtle rubs of him against your entrance but denied by your clothes taunted you further. He knows exactly what he's doing when he's into it, a lesson you would not have thought you would come to regret if he was going to tease you like this. You try to tell your body you can endure more of this, but your insides are begging to be filled with him.

"Well?"

"....I'll...yield..."  You relinquish your pride to your greedy, depraved core. You don't think you have ever been more turned on by him then you were right now. You regain control of your muscles once you feel all the pressure lift from your tail and it dangles at your side. A sigh of relief, you attempt to speak and lift yourself. "Kakarot, yo-", A keen shriek shoots from your throat when you feel the fabric pulled aside, exposing your moist privates, and how easily the head of his cock found its way inside, opening you up for the rest of him. Your entire core rattles with delight at the penetration. You should have known it was too good to be true. He was caving alongside you the whole time, waiting for your blessing to take you. Goku lets out a decadent groan as his length twitches feverish from the snug caress of your insides welcoming him, drawing himself in and out as he lets his control slip away.

"Took you long enough." He chokes back, stretching the fabric further away from your hole, his other hand guiding your hips back to suit his cock.

"J-Just shut up!" You still attempted to sound tough, though your voice was muffled by the sheet you had bitten down on as the pleasure ignited inside you. It already felt like you were edging towards your orgasm, you had to attempt to calm your overexcited nerves  enough to enjoy the full ride. How easily your body accepted his length this time left you almost breathless. Already you can feel his hips bouncing off your ass, driving your lower body back with just one of his hands to meet his thrusts. There was no holding it back now considering how much he stirred you up. Your insides squeeze him all at once as a strained, euphoric squeal falls out of your throat. His rhythm slows in response, groaning as your twitchy insides only seem to pull him in to the hilt and grow all the more hotter around him. You hold yourself against him as the head of his cock nudges at your deep spot, rubbing together in your languid movements.

The strong hands of the saiyan reaches over to your frame and draws you up to hold you into the contour of his muscles, your back resting against his chest as you readjust your legs to accommodate the position. Goku wastes no time pulling the stretchy fabric down your shoulder, kissing the revealed skin to his content. With the lightest twist of your torso, you turn to meet his lips, reaching behind his head and taking a handful of his hair. He begins to quicken the grind of his hips into you again, a steady flow of deep thrusts in this new position you immediately rock yourself into.

"That all you got?" You prod, coherent enough to still provoke this "punishment" worthy of planetary invasion. Though intense and more gripping than ones before, you've endure much more than a single orgasm from him. There was more to go before all the fight is taken out of either of you. You feel his lips spread into a grin against yours, clearly taking the bait.

"I can go all out." He shamelessly declares, a fact you're both aware of, thrive on. You were creating a debauched monster and you intended to delight in every minute of it.  Every moment he wraps you in his large arms and bears down on you to drive inch after inch into your core until it hurts, every curt and tactless word that falls out of his mouth inevitably reminding you of this carnal delicacy of a man who finds new ways to please you, every kiss..and beyond kissing. That alone stirred your arousal right back up. He wrestles control of your hips from you with both hands and begins plunging his cock against your spot again with enough momentum to knock you back into the sheets below. Each of your hands grip at the back of his head to anchor yourself from falling over, taking every bit of this lewd assault on your body with wanton sobs. "D-Don't..Don't stop!" You urged, attempting to bounce yourself back into his movements. Goku braces his forehead against the top of your skull, switching from holding your frame in his hands to wrapping his arms around your build and continuing to drive into you, rocking your entire body with a sharp and ungraceful cadence you could only interpret as his own orgasm creeping in. Your hold on his head grows stronger as your pleasure builds back up to the edge so soon, voice trembling. He lets out a tremulous groan behind you as he stills his hips inside you with a rough shove, hot cum gushing against the wild spasms of your insides. Deliriously you both ride out the shared euphoria until you sink further into his hold, these strong arms the only thing holding you up at the moment.

The larger saiyan leans against you, encouraging you to lie forward as his body follows, catching himself on his own hands and letting you slide off his expended cock before rolling over beside you. Your face is lost in a small bundle of sheets and pillows, body still quivering from it's ecstasy. You managed to turn your head towards him with a small gasp for air, the rise and fall of his chest as he draws for air making him look like he was worn out but you knew better. You extend a hand to touch face, turning his head to look at you. When your eyes meet you see a smile start to form in his features, that kindness returning to his eyes. At least until you narrow your eyes on him and slap your hand down across his cheek with the strength you could find from your exertion.  Goku lets out a yelp of "Ows" and holds the reddening side of his face, downright confused as he looks back at you.

"Ow, geez! What was that for?!"

"You grab my tail again... I'm pulling a new one out of you through your throat." You huff, lifting yourself up enough to crawl over and lie across his chest.  "Warn me before you do that next time."

"Y-Yeah.." He agrees, laughing as he continued to rub his cheek.

"U-Umm...Guys?" A voice emanates by your feet. You and Goku both look at each other in mirrored confusion before looking down to where the voice came from. By your feet you see only the old scouter barely hanging from the edge of the bed. A couple of voices come through, all turning your face a ghostly white as you stared at it wide-eyed. That's right, you never turned the scouter off. It was old but it was the exact some one you wore at the time Elder Kai scouted you for that special mission. The very one you synced with the systems of the Time Nest so the Kais, Trunks and His partner could communicate with you while out on a mission. You're pretty sure your heart just stopped in your chest.

"T-...Trunks?!" You answer hesitantly. The half saiyan responds in a tone similar to yours, wishing he could hide away from the things he heard but its clear now that you were all aware of each other now and everything that transpired between the communicators since you pressed that power button.

"I-I didn't mean to interrupt! J-Just thought you should know Supreme Kai of Time requests for you. Uh, whenever she and my partner can revive the Elder Kai," Trunks manages to report, ever embarrassed. Somewhere in the Time Nest lay the fainted elder kai with a heated face and a drip of blood hanging from his nose., Supreme Kai of Time and the former Toki Toki city hero doing their best to bring the elder back to consciousness.

Your brain is still trying to process what this was going to mean for you, but Goku began to laugh sheepishly, holding a hand to his head. "Well this is gonna be awkward, isn't it?"

[ochoislas]

EL ESCUDO DE AQUILES

   Miró sobre sus hombros    tras viñas y olivares,    repúblicas de mármol,    naves sobre mar brava...    mas en la obra bruñida    sólo labró la mano    un facticio baldío    bajo un cielo de plomo.

Un llano escueto y pardo, sin más seña, ni hoja de hierba ni morador alguno, sin pábulo ni asiento en sus confines. Mas una grey se yergue en aquel limbo, un gentío sin voz inteligible. Ojos y botas por millones forman impasibles y aguardan la señal.

Voz sin rostro del aire vano arenga, aduciendo muestreos, con un tono seco y raso como el paraje mismo: ni aclamaciones ni debate alguno. Las tropas por columnas entre el polvo emprendieron la marcha bajo fe a cuya lógica, acullá, sucumben.

   Miró sobre sus hombros    buscando ritos píos,    novillo enguirnaldado,    lustraciones y ofrendas...    mas en la obra bruñida,    en el lugar del ara,    vio entre chispas de forja    un cuadro muy distinto.

Cierra alambre de espino área incierta donde aburridos oficiales burlan y en la guardia los centinelas sudan. Gente corriente y en general buena mira, quieta y callada, desde afuera cómo sacan tres bultos macilentos y a tres garrotes los atan erguidos.

La grandeza y el peso de este mundo, todo lo grave y siempre compensado, de otras manos pende. Ínfimos son y salvación, tal como fue, no esperan: su enemigo cumplió lo que le place. Su desdoro completo, la honra pierden: mueren los hombres antes que sus cuerpos.

   Miró sobre sus hombros    tras agones de mozos,    y encantadores miembros    que la danza sacude    al son presto y ligero...    mas en la obra bruñida    no labró era su mano    sino campo enyerbado.

Solo y ocioso, un trapiento golfo vaga por el baldío; vuela un pájaro huyendo el tiro de su honda certera: dos matan a uno, se fuerzan las mozas, tales sus corolarios, pues ignora que haya un mundo donde la fe se guarde, donde se llore por el llanto ajeno.

   El boquiangosto armero,    Hefesto, renqueando    parte y Tetis la blanca    desconsolada llora    ante la obra divina    que a su fuerte hijo cuadra,    el mortífero Aquiles    duro, que pronto muere.

*

THE SHIELD OF ACHILLES

   She looked over his shoulder       For vines and olive trees,    Marble well-governed cities       And ships upon untamed seas,    But there on the shining metal       His hands had put instead    An artificial wilderness       And a sky like lead.

A plain without a feature, bare and brown,   No blade of grass, no sign of neighborhood, Nothing to eat and nowhere to sit down,   Yet, congregated on its blankness, stood   An unintelligible multitude, A million eyes, a million boots in line, Without expression, waiting for a sign.

Out of the air a voice without a face   Proved by statistics that some cause was just In tones as dry and level as the place:   No one was cheered and nothing was discussed;   Column by column in a cloud of dust They marched away enduring a belief Whose logic brought them, somewhere else, to grief.

   She looked over his shoulder       For ritual pieties,    White flower-garlanded heifers,       Libation and sacrifice,    But there on the shining metal       Where the altar should have been,    She saw by his flickering forge-light       Quite another scene.

Barbed wire enclosed an arbitrary spot   Where bored officials lounged (one cracked a joke) And sentries sweated for the day was hot:   A crowd of ordinary decent folk   Watched from without and neither moved nor spoke As three pale figures were led forth and bound To three posts driven upright in the ground.

The mass and majesty of this world, all   That carries weight and always weighs the same Lay in the hands of others; they were small   And could not hope for help and no help came:   What their foes like to do was done, their shame Was all the worst could wish; they lost their pride And died as men before their bodies died.

   She looked over his shoulder       For athletes at their games,    Men and women in a dance       Moving their sweet limbs    Quick, quick, to music,       But there on the shining shield    His hands had set no dancing-floor       But a weed-choked field.

A ragged urchin, aimless and alone,   Loitered about that vacancy; a bird Flew up to safety from his well-aimed stone:   That girls are raped, that two boys knife a third,   Were axioms to him, who'd never heard Of any world where promises were kept, Or one could weep because another wept.

   The thin-lipped armorer,       Hephaestos, hobbled away,    Thetis of the shining breasts       Cried out in dismay    At what the god had wrought       To please her son, the strong    Iron-hearted man-slaying Achilles       Who would not live long.

W. H. Auden

di-versión©ochoislas

[kurtoooons]

Aetheria Myth - The Seven Valorous Avengers

Clearest Blue

----- ------- --------- ------- -----

Falling into a deep abyss was the last thing Amadea remembered.

Then the voice.

FIND ERIANA. FIND HER, AMADEA.

Amadea woke with a jolt on a bed too fancy for her taste. Loose clothes hung from her pale body as she looked around this strange room. It was a room none too special, with only a bedside drawer and a wardrobe. A window overtaking most of the wall to her left took on a beautiful view of a mountain range.

Thoughts raced through her mind. Who's Eriana?

Amadea stared up at the ceiling. More importantly, where am I? She started to step off from the bed only to crash onto the cold marbled floor. She was terribly weak as if she has been bedridden for years. With a great struggle, she managed to get to the door. With a click, it opened before her eyes.

Blinding light poured into the small room and she was taken by surprise when she found herself in a circular courtyard. The courtyard spanned wide and many flowers of many colors scattered across the grass of blue. A stone fountain sat in the middle of the circle of what looks to be rooms like the one Amadea emerged from. She walks around the beautiful courtyard, sometimes stopping to admire the flowers.

As she circled, she saw a girl sitting on the fountain, staring blankly in a random direction. The maiden had beautiful white hair and dressed in tunics similar to Amadea's. She approached the sitting girl and with a quiet greeting, the girl looked in her direction. Amadea found herself staring at the girl's face. It was beautiful and serene like a princess's, but a V-shaped mark scarred her right eye. It looked like it was branded there. Painfully.

"Hey." The marked girl greeted back. The silver eye of the marked girl studied Amadea closely.

"D- do-" Amadea could hardly speak, she finds her voice missing.

"Do you know w-where we are?" Amadea finally forced out.

The girl looked away and shrugged.

"I know about as much as you probably do." The girl said, "Woke up in a strange bedroom and came out to this place."

Amadea sat with her, keeping the silence.

One of the bedroom doors flew open and a man made of metal stomped into the courtyard. He looks around and sees Amadea and the girl on the fountain. He walks towards them, his eyes glowing red.

"Who are you? Where am I?" The metal man demanded.

Amadea's mind raced scared as the metal man towered over her.

"W-we don't know either." Amadea admitted. "My name's Amadea. Now, who are you?"

The metal man's eyes narrow as he looks around.

"I'm Llachrima of the 547th Silver Legion. Or was it the 505th? I... I can't seem to..." Llachrima desperately tries. "Remember..."

"My memory has been hazy, too." Amadea adds, "All I remember is my name. Not even my past is clear..."

A look of envy met Amadea.

"What is it?" Amadea inquires.

"Nothing." The marked girl added, "I can't seem to remember anything, either."

Amadea felt something off with what she said. There was clearly more than what she let on.

The others have now joined them, totaling seven. They were all dressed somewhat similarly. A white tunic and white pants. Amadea looks around. There was a blonde boy, a small, frail girl that was clearly younger than the rest, a giant of a man towering over the other six and a girl with black horns and deep crimson skin. Amadea tried not to stare and she failed. With eyes like flowing magma, the horned girl glared before looking away.

"Where are we?" Says the blonde boy as he looks around. "Who are you people?"

"I feel we should get started with knowing each other's names. My name is Amadea." Amadea advised, "I feel like we'll be together for a long time."

That final line hung in the air for an uncomfortable amount of time.

"My name's Endymion." The blonde boy announces. Amadea couldn't help but stare at him. His pale complexion, his bleach blonde hair, his blazing blue eyes. They're all so similar to Amadea's that she couldn't ignore it.

"I-I'm... uh... O-Omagi" The young one said, "Of the... Seraph Clan. Nice to meet you all."

Seraph Clan...? Amadea raised an eyebrow.

"I'm Llachrima." The metal man said bluntly.

"Illyanna." Said the horned girl.

"Call me V." The marked one said absently.

The group looked expectantly to the man that was easily 3 meters tall. Silver lines ran up and down his robust ebony body. He opens his mouth as if he was about to say something but then realizes something. He then looks to the group and gestures to mouth and shook his head. It was clear that this giant was mute.

Amadea wanted to talk with Endymion about how similar they look, but she thought it'd be no use as he doesn't seem to have his memories either. Although Amadea lost her personal memories, she seemed to have kept basic concepts like language.

Everything in their little pocket dimension felt indifferent. It was lethargic. Not even the sun moved. Amadea sat bored for what felt like hours. V sat at the same place, only sometimes laying down. The giant paced around the yard. Endymion had the idea of walking away from the courtyard but an invisible barrier around the yard prevented him from straying too far. Illyanna thought about how this must be an afterlife and that they're all just punished to stay here forever.

Amadea was staring up at the unchanging skies until the voice that jolted her into the waking world came back.

FIND ERIANA.

Amadea frowned. Who's Eriana? Why do I have to find her? She thought about these questions endlessly but her lack of memories made it especially difficult. No matter how much she racked her brain, there was nothing hinting her past. Amadea gave up and started circling the courtyard.

In the great silence, Amadea felt the winds change. In an instant, golden gates appeared in the courtyard, towering over all. It swung open, giving way to a lady of heavenly proportions. A flowing white dress, accented by golds and blues. Her hair flowed beautifully and her eyes shone gold like suns.

"My name is Elizabeth Mira. I am the Crown Princess of Aurum Noctis. Apologies for being late, I'll explain everything if you'd kindly follow me."

Amadea was still where she stood.

Illyanna was the one to break the silence. "Excuse me, what?"

"I promise, all will be explained." The Princess said, "Now, please follow me."

And with that, she turned and passed through the gates from whence she came. The seven reluctantly followed the Princess through the gates.

[argoetia]

FOREWARN NIGHTRAVEN , GOING BACK IN TIME WILL HAVE DIRE CONSEQUENCES .

. * — ★ trembling . cold . claw tips numb . demonic seal at ready until she shows the first signs of life , coughing and hacking as her fragile body rolls over to his horror and manages to crawl on all fours . they had began with pirouettes , grand jetes and ballerina shoes hitting the floor in tandem with music . silver hair swaying and flying in the air as crimson eyes keep a watchful gaze at their kin landing their marks .

the disembodied orchestra continues to build so does the choreography . one , two , three . jump ! she makes her landing . farther now as she continues , his eyes still watching as the music builds to the magical moment . arms at ready , she takes a step and does something daring and surprising that brings forth memories of striped tents and the scent of dirt . a triple flip and spin . not something fit for a ballerina , but someone belonging to a... she hits the ground .

a crack of bones . body contorting in a way that he’d never seen her do before. she doesn’t get back up .    ❛     MIRABELLE !     ❜ the music stops . silence .

but when she wakes , when a gasp of air enters her lungs he’s there gathering her body in his arms and cradling it as the dangerous symbols of time travel dissipate into nothing . the girl slows her heavy breathing and swallows , looking into her father’s bright eyes .

    ❛     i thought i could do it .     ❜ Mira sighed , defeated .

    ❛     do what ? kill yourself ?! my heart stopped Mira ---- i thought you were dead .     ❜

    ❛     but i wanted to try something new . maybe the ballet could ----     ❜

    ❛     you’re never to do that again ! do you understand ? tell me you understand .     ❜ the prince’s grip on his daughter’s arm tightens , but Mira knows that her actions has truly brought genuine concern and she shuts the world out . she wants to obey but her heart tells her otherwise . too long she’s been silent . too long she’s been obedient and for once she wants her heart to tell the truth ; even if it may break her bond with her father .

                                                                                 ❛     no !     ❜ if so , then so be it .

     wriggling out of her father’s lanky arms the princess creates distance and stands , hands balled into fists and eyes filled with unmatched fury . ❛     i don’t want to do ballet ! i’m not like mother ! i’m not like the other girls at the dance academy ! they’re perfect and talented and pretty...     ❜

    ❛     Mira you are those things... otherwise why would you have the lead role ? you were born to dance .     ❜

    ❛     that’s what you want . because you don’t want me to be like you .     ❜

                                                      Stolas doesn’t understand .

    ❛     you’re heir . you will be the realm’s gatekeeper when you’re ready .     ❜

    ❛     do you love her ?     ❜

    ❛     what ?     ❜

    ❛     do you love mother ?     ❜

    ❛     of course i do , and i love you .     ❜

    shoulders rising , Mira breathes solemnly as she shakes her head. ❛     then why ? why do you lie and keep secrets ? secrets that have nothing to do with the Nine Circles’ tomes . secrets that you shouldn’t be afraid of . why do you hide who you truly are ?     ❜

    ❛     ENOUGH MIRA .     ❜ the marble cracks beneath him , lights flickering at the shift in the air . crimsons aglow under the now dimly lit dance studio of the castle as father and daughter stare each other down . he hasn’t a clue of the nonsense his bold Mirabelle speaks of but , when she summons a photograph betwixt her talons he turns pale beneath his feathers . there’s something distinct about the parchment which the photo is printed on , ancient and better left forgotten . he smells the scent again ---- of dirt . of the circus . if he had lips they would be dry as he steps forth and outstretches a talon . ❛     where did you get that ?     ❜

    the photo is offered without much trouble and Mira settles down on the floor , watching as her father too settles down beside her speechless . but she smiles though sorrowful . ❛     i’ve seen the way you look at him . that imp with the striped horns ? i... came home early one day from dance and i wanted to ask you ---- i saw you . with him . in your room...     ❜

    ❛     Mirabelle I ---     ❜

    ❛     i was angry at first until mother told me the truth . she told me that you were happiest at the circus and you had to give up that life because of your duty . i’m sorry your dreams didn’t come true.     ❜

    ❛     no , stop .     ❜ a deep breath . the prince pockets the photograph of his old circus group into his breast pocket , sliding closer to his kin. ❛     my choices are mine alone . you needn’t apologize for things that were out of your control . broken dreams don’t excuse our actions and if you hold any ire to what i have done... what you saw , i will not hold it against you .     ❜

    ❛     i’m not upset about what i saw anymore . i just... wish you told me about the circus , about your life before this one instead of mother telling me the answers i’ve been seeking for . i always knew i was different . i’m not like the girls at the ballet academy . i’m like you . i want to do something... like the circus folks . i don’t want to do ballet .       ❜

    ❛     then you don’t have to do anymore pirouettes . we’ll find you something .     ❜

    upon nodding at her father’s understanding , Mirabelle takes a moment before speaking once more . ❛     ... did mother know about the imp ? before you two were married ?     ❜

    ❛     that i already loved somebody else ? yes , she did .     ❜

    ❛     ... so , why did you sacrifice your happiness ?     ❜

    ❛     because i am the nightraven . i am the keeper of the tomes . i hold the key to all the realms and you will too when you’re older . one choice does not invalidate the other . in another realm i could be with my beloved Blitzo . but if you know anything about alchemy and equivalent exchange ---- which you should because they’re a part of your studies , the rule is ?       ❜

     ❛     to obtain , something of equal value must be lost .     ❜ ❛     yes , that’s right .     ❜

     ❛     so , what did you gain then ?     ❜

    Stolas smiles , talon reaching to fix a part of silver hair . ❛     well , i still have Blitzo . i have your mother , and most importantly i have you , my darling Mirabelle .     ❜

[bookclub4m]

Episode 091 - Best of 2019

It’s our Best of 2019 episode! Of course, these are not necessarily the best things published in 2019, but instead the best things we read for the podcast (including everything from Bizarro Fiction to True Crime) and the best of everything else we read. Join us!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | RJ Edwards

Favourite Non-Fiction read in 2019:

For the podcast: 

Anna: 

Your Black Friend and Other Strangers by Ben Passmore

The Mental Load: A Feminist Comic by Emma

Episode 084 - Political Non-Fiction

Matthew: 

The Antifa Comic Book: 100 Years of Fascism and Antifa Movements by Gord Hill

The 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book by Gord Hill

RJ: 

I’ll Be Gone In the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

Episode 080 - True Crime

Meghan: 

The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich

Not for the podcast: 

Matthew: 

You Look Like a Thing and I Love You: How Artificial Intelligence Works and Why It's Making the World a Weirder Place by Janelle Shane

AI Weirdness blog

Twitter thread including neural net generated smut titles - Featuring “Sex Tongs” and “The Nutwoble Resort”

RJ: 

Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob

Meghan: 

How to do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

Anna:

They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib

Thick and Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom

Favourite Fiction read in 2019:

For the podcast

RJ:

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson 

Episode 086 - American Gothic

Meghan: 

Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes

Episode 078 - Supernatural Thrillers

Anna: 

Gutshot by Amelia Gray

Episode 074 - Short Story Collections

Matthew:

Robots vs. Fairies edited by Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe

Not for the podcast

Meghan: 

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Anna: 

Abara: Complete Deluxe Edition by Tsutomu Nihei

Matthew: 

Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee

RJ: 

Next Year, For Sure by Zoey Leigh Peterson

Favourite other stuff from 2019:

Meghan: 

Au-dela des limites: L'histoire des sports en fauteuil roulant by Judith Lussier and Donald Royer

Les petits garcons by Sophie Bédard

Matthew:

Grease Bats by Archie Bongiovanni

Lego Rewind

Lego Rewind Ep.20- Halloween Special

RJ: 

A Tour of My Plants by Jenna Marbles

Anna: 

SciShow

Safiya Nigard

Jungle

Chvrches

Billie Eilish

Lizzo

Flume

Sofi Tukker

King Princess

The Dø

Like a Version (triple j)

CHVRCHES cover Arctic Monkeys 'Do I Wanna Know?' for Like A Version

CHVRCHES cover Kendrick Lamar 'LOVE.' for Like A Version

Runner ups (not necessarily mentioned in the podcast):

Meghan:

The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

The Lost Girls of Camp Forevermore by Kim Fu

The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus 

The Breakaway by Nicole Cooke

Invisible: How Young Women with Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships, and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine by Michele Lent Hirsch

Anna: 

The Good University: What Universities Actually Do and Why It’s Time for Radical Change by Raewyn Connell

For Her Own Good: Two Centuries of the Experts' Advice to Women by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English

Nine Pints: A Journey Through the Money, Medicine, and Mysteries of Blood by Rose George

Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History by Bill Schutt

Kid Gloves: Nine Months of Careful Chaos by Lucy Knisely

Beneath the Dead Oak Tree by Emily Carroll

Matthew: 

Fiction

Clade by James Bradley

A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe by Alex White

Our Lady of the Ice by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Non-Fiction

Thrill-Power Overload: The First Forty Years by David Bishop and Karl Stock

Academia Obscura by Glen Wright

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph

Comics

Hex Vet, vol. 1: Witches in Training by Sam Davies

Stonebreaker by Peter Wartman

My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 by Gengoroh Tagame

Sugar & Spike: Metahuman Investigations by Keith Giffen and Bilquis Evely

Melody: Story of a Nude Dancer by Sylvie Rancourt (the first Canadian autobio comic)

SP4RX by Wren McDonald (Cyberpunk!)

Your Black Friend and Other Strangers by Ben Passmore

O Human Star, Volume One by Blue Delliquanti

Hilda and the Mountain King by Luke Pearson

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

Coda, Vol. 1 by Simon Spurrier and Matías Bergara

Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1 by Kamome Shirahama

RJ

Pokémon Cafe

Ghibli Museum

I’m Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

When I Arrived at the Castle by Emily Carroll

Radishes by Carolyn Nowak (also published in Girl Town)

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Santa’s Husband by Danielle Kibblesmith & AP Quach

Links, Articles, and Things

Visual novel (Wikipedia)

Now Kiss — Love Thyself - A Horatio Story

Doki Doki Literature Club! (Wikipedia)

Top Visual Novel games - itch.io

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Ida B. Wells (Wikipedia)

Hermitude cover Nirvana 'Heart-Shaped Box' for Like A Version Ft. Jaguar Jonze

Check out our Pinterest board and Tumblr posts, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, join our Facebook Group, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, January 7th we’ll be talking about the non-fiction genre of Art!

Then on Tuesday, January 21st we’ll be talking about our Reading Resolutions for 2020!

[hoefortomhoelland]

If you're still accepting requests for KOH!Tom, can you please do something where he discovers that his human girlfriend has terminal cancer and he freaks out because the treatment won't work and because she's feeling a lot of pain, but mostly because he knows that when she die she will be send to heaven and it will be almost impossible for him to see her?

I accidentally deleted the request like usual :/ so I’m very sorry. I hope you enjoy it! ✨☁️

You arrived at the gates of Hell, weaker and struggling more than usual. The guards who stood there immediately came to your assistance and helped you up, carefully pulling you to your legs.

“Thank you.” You smiled weakly as they opened the gates at you and nodded.

Everyone here knew you were ill. Cancer. And you were coming to your last couple of months of living. As you wandered through Hell towards your home, you smiled at the usual pedestrians you’d see.

A maid from the castle spotted you and instantly hurried to your side, wrapping her arm around yours and placed another on the top of your back.

“Hey, Mira.” You smiled at her. She was like your mother pretty much. For the past two months she had assisted you and tended to your every need during this painful time.

“My love, you look awful.” She frowned, looking at your sunken features.

“Nice to see you too.”

“I’m being serious. You’re so pale and your eyes are sinking in. You’re going to have to tell poor Tom at some point.”

That was the problem though. Tom was the only one who didn’t know about your illness that was slowly sucking the life out of you.

“I don’t want to tell him though. He’ll be so distraught.” You looked down at the floor as you were being lead towards the castle doors. “I just want to spend as much time with him as possible without him being constantly reminded about the inevitable death that’s slowly approaching.”

She squeezed your arm with a sad smile.

“Tom will be in even more pain once he finds out that you haven’t returned to him for years, wondering what he did wrong.”

Your heart stopped for a second as you imagined him sat on his throne, eyes sunken in like yours and just wondering where he went wrong, how he lost you.

Humming in response, you listened to the sounds of your slow footsteps as you approached his throne room.

“I’ll be okay from here, thank you Mira.”

“Okay. I’ll make you lunch. Try to be careful while I’m gone.”

You nodded and smiled before knocking twice on the doors and allowed the guards to open them. You were greeted with their black eyes that somehow comforted you.

“Y/N? My angel, what are you doing here?” Tom grinned at you as you entered the room, not expecting to see you.

“Tommy.” You beamed but it changed into a frown once you felt your knees buckling and before you knew it, your head slammed against the cold marble ground, knocking you unconscious.

“Y/N? Y/N.” Tom repeated, his voice echoing slightly as you opened your eyes. You looked around the room and noticed you were in his bed and surrounded by maids and guards and of course, Tom.

“Tom, I-“

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He whispered after dismissing everyone from the room.

“About what?”

“The illness, Y/N.” He day beside you and took your boney hand in his, squeezing it ever so slightly as if he was afraid to break you.

“Because... I just wanted to spend these last couple of months with you carefree and not being constantly reminded that I’m going to fucking die soon.” Tom wiped a tear that you didn’t even notice had fallen down your cheek.

“But if you told me, we could have helped you maybe.”

“There’s no use. I tried all the treatments yet I’m still in excruciating pain, Tommy. I decided to just quit and let nature just... do it’s thing.” You smiled slightly, resting a hand on his cheek and allowing him to tilt his hand into you palm and close his eyes. He placed his hand on top of yours and admired your soft skin on his.

“I don’t want to lose you, Y/N.”

“I know, baby.” You whispered as you pulled your hand away, his eyes fluttering open.

“What if I-I don’t get to see you because you end up in heaven?” He panicked, his hand gripping the silk sheets slightly. “How will I be able to sleep alone at night without you in my arms?”

“Maybe I won’t end up in heaven?”

“You will though, darling. You’re so pure, there’s no way you’ll end up here.”

“Who knows, Tommy. And the good thing is that you’ll see me healthy and glowing rather than slowly dying and pale and-“

“I would love to see you in less pain. But I just don’t want you to leave me. I’ll be in misery for centuries, my love.” He frowned.

“We’ll make it work, Tom. I promise.”

Lemme know if you guys want a part two for this! I’d love to write about her being ‘reborn’ and you’ll guys find out whether she ends up in heaven or in hell with him.

[samuelmmarcus]

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Modern Farmhouse Tour

  How wonderful it is to start a brand new week with you here, on Home Bunch. Thank you so very much for your presence!

I am happy to be featuring Liz Hackett of @lizhackettinteriors‘ newly-built home on our “Beautiful Homes of Instagram” series. Liz’s home feels airy and stress free and, as the years go by, I think we should make of our home a place that brings us peace. I feel that when my house is clean, uncluttered, and organized, my mind is calmer and I can think clearer. This home is exactly like that; a place anyone would feel better, not only because you’re so close to nature, but also because the house itself feels uncomplicated and that, my friends, is the approach that we should be aiming for.

Read on to know all details and make sure to pin your favorite interior ideas!

  Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Modern Farmhouse Tour

Hello! My name is Liz and I live with my husband and 3 kids in Asheville, NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We built our modern farmhouse one year ago on a quiet wooded lot. My husband is a local home builder and I work in interior design. We designed and built this house together and have created a place we are happy to call home.

Home Ideas

“Our goal for this house was to incorporate the modern farmhouse aesthetic with both classic and modern details.”

Exterior Paint Color

The exterior body and trim is Benjamin Moore Classic Gray.

Porch flooring is Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray.

Home-Sweet-Home

“I wanted our home to feel comfortable, liveable and inviting.”

Windows

Windows are Mira by Plygem and are black metal clad exterior and wood interior.

Front Door

What a brave guardian dog! 🙂 The front door paint color is “Benjamin Moore Black”.

Foyer

Every part of this 3500 square foot house gets used daily and there are no wasted spaces. We gave a lot of thought to making sure that function and style were both foremost in the design.

Wall Paint Color

Paint on main walls of house beside shiplap are “Benjamin Moore Classic Gray”.

Farmhouse-inspired

The front porch and the foyer features 100+ year-old barnwood shiplap from Kentucky.

The chevron barn door (similar here) is painted in “Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray”.

Built-ins

Built-ins in front Hall are “Benjamin Moore HC 168 Chelsea Gray”.

Space

 The house is 4 bedroom, master down, 3 1/2 baths plus a flex space between the first and second floor.

Kitchen

This is one of the most beautiful kitchens I have seen in a while. Beautiful white cabinets are complemented by real beams and shiplap walls.

Kitchen Lighting: Visual Comfort in bronze and brass – Other Great Pendants: here, here, here, here, here, here & here.

Sconces are Boston Sconce – similar here, here & here.

Kitchen stools are from RH – similar here – Others: here, here, here, here, here & here.

Kitchen Island Dimension: 9′ x 4′.

Countertop

Countertops are Carrara Honed Marble and backsplash is Shiplap, made from custom milled 7 1/4″ Poplar boards.

Cabinet Hardware: Colonial Bronze – similar Pulls & Knobs.

Open Shelves: Custom – similar here.

Cabinetry

Kitchen Cabinets are inset poplar Frosty White by Crystal Cabinets- one of their custom colors. We color matched all of our trim and shiplap to match the cabinets. I would say it is very similar to BM White Dove.

Faucet: Champagne Bronze Delta Trinsic faucet.

Sink: Kohler.

Beams

Kitchen has four 100+-year-old wood beams that were reclaimed from an old tobacco barn in Kentucky.

Hardwood Flooring

Wood floors throughout the main house are 4″ white oak with a stain of 2 parts Early American and 1 part Classic Gray custom mix. Done in a satin water-based finish.

Beautiful Hardwood Flooring: here, here, here, here, here & here.

(Somebody got a little tired of being a guardian dog… 🙂 )

Dining Table

“The kitchen table was handmade by my husband the day before we had 16 people here for our first Thanksgiving in the house!”

Dining Room chandelier is from Restoration Hardware – similar here, here & here.

Rug: here – similar.

Inspiring Dining Room Decor:

(Scroll to see more)

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Dining Chairs

Black metal sliding doors open to a spacious screened-in porch.

Dining chairs are from World Market.

Screened-in Porch

The screened-in porch is full of inspiring ideas. Take a good look at the many interesting architectural details found in this space. Flooring is painted in “Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray”.

Fireplace

The fireplace features vertical wood planks and concrete hearth.

Great Room

The Great Room features cathedral ceilings with white beams and floor-to-ceiling shiplap.

Interior Design

As an interior designer, I approached this project the same as I would with any of my clients: it should reflect the personalities of the people who live there and be classic, timeless yet original.

Black Windows Paint Color

The black windows are painted in “Benjamin Moore Black”.

Coastal Farmhouse Vibes

Inspired by this Room:

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Garage

We have a detached 2 car garage.

Peacefulness

May your week be as peaceful as this home feels… 🙂

  Many thanks to Liz for sharing the details above. Please, make sure to follow her on Instagram to see more!

Interior Design: Liz Hackett Interiors.

Builder- Longview Builders – Instagram.

Photographer- Kevin Meechan Photography.

Architect- Brickstack Architects.

    Click on items to shop!

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Best Sales of the Month:

Thank you for shopping through Home Bunch. I would be happy to assist you if you have any questions or are looking for something in particular. Feel free to contact me and always make sure to check dimensions before ordering. Happy shopping!

  Serena & Lily: Pillow & Throw Sale!

  Wayfair: Up to 75% OFF on Furniture and Decor!!!

  Joss & Main: Up to 70% off Sale!

  Pottery Barn: Bedroom Event Slale plus free shipping. Use code: FREESHIP.

  One Kings Lane: Buy More Save More Sale.

  West Elm: 20% Off your entire purchase + free shipping. Use code: FRIENDS

  Anthropologie: 20% off on Everything + Free Shipping!

  Nordstrom: Sale – Incredible Prices!!!

Posts of the Week:

Black & White Modern Farmhouse.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram.

Interior Design Ideas: Home Renovation.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Modern Farmhouse.

2019 New Year Home Tour.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Charlotte, NC.

New-Construction Home Ideas.

Small Lot Modern Farmhouse.

Florida Beach Cottage.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen’s Home – Full House Tour.

Dark Cedar Shaker Exterior.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Coastal Farmhouse Design.

Neutral Home.

Southern-inspired Modern Farmhouse.

Coastal Farmhouse Home Decor.

Modern Farmhouse with Front Porch.

Lake House Interior Design Ideas.

New England Home.

Florida Beach House Interior Design.

Beautiful Homes of Instagram: Fixer Upper.

Tailored Interiors.Grey Kitchen Paint Colors.

Follow me on Instagram: @HomeBunch

You can follow my pins here: Pinterest/HomeBunch

See more Inspiring Interior Design Ideas in my Archives.

“Dear God,

If I am wrong, right me. If I am lost, guide me. If I start to give-up, keep me going.

Lead me in Light and Love”.

Have a wonderful day, my friends and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”

with Love,

Luciane from HomeBunch.com

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[a-god-of-calamity]

Lucy Heartfilia (A short One-Shot)

Natsu woke up in a bed not his own though not unfamiliar, the sun shining through the curtains. He opened his eyes as he shifted below the covers looking at the blonde girl who lay next to him. His lips spread in a smile, inhaling her familiar scent that he had come to love, as she sighed softly and stretched, her eyes beginning to open. She looked at the dragonslayer in her bed next to her, and glared at him. Yeah she had had slept great and the bed was warmer and comfier than usual but this had become to much of a habit. “Natsu…” she said slowly. “Yeah Luce?” “Get out of my bed!” she yelled and pulled the blankets off of him. The force of her voice startled him and made him fall back out of the bed. “Ow, gee Luce it’s too early to be yelling.” He winced as he sat up on the ground and looked up at her. “Well, then quit sneaking into my apartment and sleeping in my bed!” she huffed as she got up and held out a hand to help her partner up. “The bed better be made when I get out of the shower.” she said helping him up and then heading toward the bathroom. “A shower sounds great!” Natsu beamed. “No way!” she turned on her heel and held out her arm to stop him. “You can take one when I’m done but don’t you dare come in!” “Fine.” Natsu huffed as he crossed his arms and looked away. “Don’t know what the big deal is.” he muttered as he heard the bathroom door close. He went and began to make the bed which was a bit of a comical sight. The strong Salamander of Fairy Tail making up a bed with pink sheets and neatly placing various stuffed animals on it. Surprisingly, he made up beds fairly well, and very neatly. When he had done it in the past Lucy had been impressed that he was so good at it. If he hadn’t been banned from cooking he would’ve made Lucy breakfast but his first attempt at cooking nearly resulted in him almost burning down the apartment. Thus he was never allowed to even look at the kitchen. He looked over at the bathroom door as he heard the shower stop and had to stop himself from jumping over there and walking in. He sat on the bed and waited for her to emerge, but unfortunately she had on more than a towel. He didn’t know when she grabbed clothes but those didn’t look bad on her either. She had on a t-shirt and loose sweats, her lounging attire. “Come on Luce, let’s go do something.” Natsu said leaning back on his hands as she went to the kitchen to get some water and a muffin. “No way, today we actually have a day off...for the first time in awhile.” she said walking over to her small desk. “I can finally work some more on my novel.” “Oh yeah?” Natsu perked up at hearing that. “Yup, and you can only stay if you promise not to be looking over my shoulder and making comments. Otherwise you can go.” she said pointing to her door. “Promise. I’ll be good.” he said and she smiled as she pulled out her notebook. “Natsu.” Happy called softly as he flew in through the window. “Yo, Happy.” he said as the exceed landed next to him on Lucy’s bed. “Hey, just wanted to make sure you were gonna come today, that you didn’t forget.” “Yeah, don’t worry I'll be there. I wouldn’t miss it.” Natsu said and Happy nodded his head before flying out. “See ya Happy.” “Bye!” Happy said “Bye Happy!” Lucy called as she began to write again. “That’s right, gotta leave enough time to get ready for Fairy Tail’s party today. Another reason why we can’t go on a mission or anything.” “Yeah, yeah. The party.” Natsu waved it off as he laid down on her bed. “There’s some food in the fridge you can have.” Lucy said as she worked and Natsu jumped up with a big grin. “I’m all fired up now.” A few hours had passed before Lucy finally took a break from her writing. She had agreed to go out for a bit and do some window shopping. Natsu laughed softly as he watched her go from store to store looking at all the things she wanted or found cute. He looked up at the sky, his hands behind his head as they strolled through Magnolia. Eventually they made their way back to her apartment, needing to get ready for the Fairy Tail party. “You really know how to dress up nice Natsu.” Lucy said looking over at him in his dark suit. Natsu adjusted his tie as he and Lucy walked on the pavement to their destination. A cool breeze blew past them and his jacket fluttered in the wind. He brushed his hand through his hair and felt the warmth of the sun. Natsu dropped his hands to his sides and put them inside his pants pockets. “Yeah, well I figured you’d want the party to be fun and want everyone to look nice, even me.” he said smiled softly as she walked up ahead of him. “Listen Natsu, there’s one more thing I want you to do for me.” she said turning around to face him and they stopped walking. “I can’t promise not to brawl.” Lucy shook her head. “You have to forgive yourself for what happened the other day.” she told him. “Seriously?” he chuckled but not in a humorous way. “Yup. Promise.” “You’re crazy...fine. Ok.” he said hesitantly and she smiled. “Good.” “Now, where’s your dress? You’re always wanting to look all dressy and stuff at these things.” He asked her noticing her usual mission clothes and the fact that she wasn’t dressed up like he was. “Aren’t you gonna wear a dress?” “A dress?” Gray asked walking up behind him. “Yeah, for the party, need to look nice and everything for a party.” Natsu said turning to his friend. “Natsu, where do you think we are?” he asked softly. Natsu turned back to Lucy only to find her gone. He looked around for a bit and his smiled faded as he slightly cokced his head to the side. He turned back around to Gray who was dressed in a dark suit also and began to walk toward him. The two friends walked over onto the grass passing a few headstones. Gray walked behind him and looked at Natsu softly. Eventually they came to a black marble gravestone and Natsu paused in front of it. Lucy Heartfilia. Gray held back and watched as Natsu approached it, staring at the letters, wishing that none of this was real. He pulled his hand from his pocket, an engagement ring between his fingers. Gray turned and tears streamed down Mira’s face as he placed the ring on her gravestone. Everything was supposed to work out and be perfect. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to lose her. Natsu sighed shakily as tears fell from his eyes. He turned back and walked with Gray to sit in the front row of seats as they waited for the others to get there. Natsu’s soul unbelievably heavy, sank deeper as he heard Levy sobbing into Gajeel’s chest. Forgive himself? What a joke. How could he? He lost her. He lost Lucy. The person who was everything, who meant everything to him, who was life itself and she was ripped away from him. What was the point to anything if Lucy was dead? The words sank into him shredding his insides, an indescribable pain coursing through him like he had never felt before. After everything, he wasn’t strong enough and now Lucy Heartfilia, the love of his life, was dead. ------- Ahahahahaha *laughing turns to crying* I made myself cry re-reading this...anyways hope you liked it? Lol. This was based off an episode from Scrubs but I can't remember which ep # and stuff right now. So it wasn't completely an original idea but I liked the episode a lot and I got this idea. Yay. *cries*

[tuxiedjabberwock]

King’s Court - Fairy Tail, two-shot

Natsu x Lucy

3148

Romance

T/M

First part

“You live in the castle?” Lucy gasped, hands clasped over her mouth as she beheld the old stone building. Moss and ivy crept up the edges where mortar met earth (someone wasn't doing their job — oh well) and feebly grasped the bases of the many floor-to-ceiling windows. Elaborate carvings adorned the oak double doors down to the dragon-head knockers and each spire seemed to pierce the heavens themselves, they were so massive. Natsu, on the other hand, appeared entirely bored with it all as he seized the ring of the knocker.

 “Let's see who's on guard today . . .” He slammed the brass into the pedestal with the strength needed to break a neck for whatever reason. Lucy could feel her teeth quivering from his force. A deep rumble growled through the air and both of them gave the doors ample berth as they opened, revealing a sparkling marble entryway, and partly blocking that view was the world's most despised Ice-prick (at least, in Natsu's book he was).

 “Oh,” said Gray, rolling his eyes at the sight of Natsu. Then he caught sight of Lucy, who gave a somewhat tense smile, and blanched. “Oh. I see you screwed up grandly today. You know, I was just wondering what new heights your idiocy could reach.”

 “Cram it, Fullbuster . . . but find your pants when you do,” he added with a pointed look at Gray's blue undergarments. Gray simply rolled his eyes, as unaffected as the both of them to his indecency, instead stepping aside to allow Natsu his walking space.

 “What to do with your guest?” he inquired as Natsu unwound the strings of his cloak. It tumbled to the marble in a downy heap, baring his gold-edged vest and plain canvas shorts.

 “Eh . . . just give her a guest room. And clothes . . . Mira's should fit I guess.”

 “That's all you have to say?” tried Gray, but he had already taken his leave. He grumbled to himself about the “pink-haired moronic dick” while side-eyeing Lucy cautiously, eventually resigning himself with a weary sigh. “Well, what's done is done, I guess,” he decided, raising a shoulder as he turned and stalked purposefully away. Lucy wasn't the brightest street rat, but she took his gesture as a means for following, so she did. Not that she had much of an option, what with being in an unknown setting and all.

 “So,” Lucy began as they moved along corridors of polished marble and elaborate tapestries woven of fire red and polished gold. “Natsu is?”

 “Something of a lord,” Gray responded with the curt tone of one unused to and unwilling for questions. Still, she persisted.

 “Something? What are the caveats?”

 “Look . . . Lucy,” he said, fishing a moment for her name among other superfluous information. “You’re an interest of his. Interests are, by definition, ephemeral. You’ll be here until he finds another interest and then you’ll be back to what you were doing.” She was silent, which he took to be shock without turning to examine her expression. “It’s only the way he is.”

 “You think that’s any skin off my back?” she said flatly, gleaning a semi-amused look from him. “I just go back to doing what I was, making a good living.”

 “If that’s what you call a good living, you need to do some self-evaluation.”

 “You’re one to talk, aren’t you?” Lucy smirked at him. “Working in a nice castle.”

 “I did what I had to to get here,” was all he said, clamming up again. He led her to a wooden door unlocked by key, opening her eyes to a neat room with a four-poster bed as large as her apartment and draped in finery better than her own. She stepped inside with the lush cobalt carpeting tickling the spaces between her toes as Gray sidled past her and to a cherry-wood armoire. Ornate dresses bearing the shades of all nature and then some went flying to the sheets without a care, even as Lucy saw them packed with careful precision within the drawers and on hangers, before he finally drew one set over his arm alongside a fistful of lacy undergarments. Haven’t worn those in a while, Lucy thought with a self-satisfied smirk that bordered shame. He set them on the bed, then drew a pair of ballet flats from the lowest shelf and set them on the ground. With a nod in her direction, he left Lucy to it.

Natsu found the affair of being important . . . fairly boring. He had papers to sign, babies to kiss, yadda yadda yadda — he was much more impressed walking the streets of Crocus, drinking in the sights and sounds of his environment, tasting the extortionate vendor food and gulping comparatively cheap beer in alleyway hobbles. It was imprudent, it was mind-numbing, and a hell of a lot more fun than sitting behind a desk being stiff. But then, every once in a while, he met a beauty that broke through the stupor, and he felt as if things were worthwhile. A knock on the door, and that beauty was back.

 Mirajane’s dresses looked . . . better on her. Ah, that was a gross understatement. It appeared Gray had chosen one of silks very similar to her own, all pastel yellows and rose golds and burgundy like wine, and how appropriate too, for he became intoxicated as he drank in the sight of her. The bodice hugged her figure as a mother, bringing up her already abundant cleavage, and the diaphanous sleeves danced about her arms with skill that nearly rivaled hers. The tripartite layers of ruffled velvet and fabric blossomed from her wide hips and came to a halt at her ankles, where her bangles and bell ribbons jangled and tinkled softly against her small feet. They were still bare.

 “The shoes . . . hurt,” she supposed after a moment of careful deliberation, following his eyes. “So I opted out of wearing them.” He smiled a little.

 “That’s fine.” She scowled slightly, crossing her arms.

 “What’s the joke here?”

 “Nothing, really. I’d usually get an apology, but you didn’t, is what I’m smiling about.”

 “Hmm.” She ghosted about the circular office with the same grace that adorned her and dripped from her every extremity like the sweetest honey, tips of her fingers drifting over a bust of a dragon’s head. “You like dragons, do you? The castle reeks of the paraphernalia.”

 “It’s, ah, on the coat of arms.” He indicated said coat of arms with his thumb over his shoulder, pointing out the circular gold-leaf plate inscribed with a dragon’s roaring head. “It’s one of the things Dragneels are known for.”

 “That so?” But she was prevaricating and both of them knew it. “So, what will you do with me?”

 “Nothing, really,” he admitted with a shrug, meeting her dubious glance. “I told you the truth: I thought that this would be a better life for you.”

 “I live the life that I deserve,” she remonstrated. He waved a hand at nothing in particular, expression hard.

 “So you think you deserve a life getting taken up and beaten for a handful of Jewel?” he enquired bluntly. Her cheeks colored to some extent as she bit her lower lip, eyebrows drawn in aggravation. “I don’t think anyone deserves to be like that, honestly.”

 “But you chose me,” she said flatly. It was his turn to flush, and he turned away. “What makes me special, huh? I’m a nobody as far as things go.”

 “What makes you special,” he repeated softly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “I wonder . . .”

 “Your guard told me that you have interests,” Lucy said, taking a step closer. “Things that come and go on a whim. When you tire of me, what then?”

 “What? That’s — That’s not how it works,” he said defensively, rising. Her steps quickened until she was nose to nose with him, the fine strands of her hair ticking his throat.

 “Then how does it work? Tell me,” she murmured into the space between them. “I’m a charity case?”

 “No. No way.”

 “Then you wanted a performer of your own?”

 “I told you, no!” he repeated vehemently. She recoiled but recovered quickly.

 “Then why, Natsu? Tell me.” He dropped his head for a moment, then returned her gaze with a look so soft, so vulnerable, it made her flinch for altogether different reasons.

 “I wanted you,” he said quietly. “Your . . . Your heart, okay?”

 “My heart,” she repeated dully. “You’re kidding me.” But his expression was far from jovial. She recoiled as if she had been physically wounded, eyes squinted from the ethereal agony. “. . . You’re pining for a poisoned vessel, you know. One and all that’s been in my heart — Mama, Father, Aqua — they’ve lost themselves, then lost their lives. You’d be better off getting some now and letting me walk away.” He gave a world-weary sigh as he walked from behind the desk, easing past her.

 “My mother died giving birth to me,” he said without turning around. “And my father died protecting me. And when I was younger and an accident crippled me, my brother stressed himself to death taking care of me.” He spun back to face her with a wry smile. “So, I guess we’re both poison, huh?”

 “You—”

 “And either way, it doesn’t matter to me a person’s past. I don’t need to know the circumstances at all. What I know about you is what I’ve seen in your eyes, and that’s more than enough for me.”

 “Your innocence . . . it’s like a child’s,” she remarked, but her eyes were wide. “It’s . . . endearing.”

 “Thanks?”

 “It wasn’t exactly a compliment.” But, despite herself, Lucy began to smile, and then she laughed. He grinned at the sound. “I haven’t believed in good will for a long time now, but I suppose I can give it another try.”

 “Thank you, Lucy.”

 “Natsu.”

 “Yes?”

 “Dance with me.” It was a request spoken softly, but with no room for refusal. He was baffled as she stepped backwards, hiking up her skirts and securing them at her waist with the soft white sashes pinioned about the bodice. She tested her freedom before, satisfied, began to spin unhurried circles, arms up and fingers spread. Paralyzing. Sensual. Diaphanous silk provided just the faintest barrier over her similarly-formed skin, pale as milk and succulent to simply behold. Her eyes met his on her third revolution, and a catty smirk decorated her full lips. “Well?”

 “I don’t . . . I’ve never, uh . . .”

 “Try it.” She stepped closer, and once more, until they were flush together and breathing one another’s breath. Her hands swept over his arms, his neck, his face, and halted at his cheeks. Barely aware of his surroundings any longer, it was a faint thought that his feet had begun to move alongside hers, and his body was twisting with her movements. His focus was on those russet eyes of hers, framed by bountiful golden lashes, and the little curve of her nose and her soft lips. She twirled him, brought him against a wall, and he smiled with bated breath.

 “You’re good,” he commented. “But I already knew that.”

 “You’re good, too,” she responded, and stood up on her toes to press those soft, full lips to his cheek for a mere breath. “And I didn’t know that.”

  “Hnn.” And he laughed again, a jubilant sound. She smiled, but ultimately started laughing too, and they spun around the room that way, a disjointed dance that would last always.

[nalufever]

A Girl Worth Fighting For

Prompt:  White Day ~ A  Girl Worth Fighting For Pairing:  Nalu (can't resist) Rating:  fluffy Word count:  1646 'A Girl Worth Fighting For'

<><><><><><>

Summary:  Natsu navigates unspeakable horrors to win Lucy's  love ~ or ~ Natsu goes shopping, looking for the perfect white day gift.

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A fun little drabble exchange for White Day tagging @impracticaldemon @ff-darkshininglight @cheer-chan @magerain @rizzy09

"Happy, are you sure this is the best department store in Magnolia?"  Natsu craned his head up to look at the fancy lettering on the big glass windows.  "Hudson's Em - poor - e - um?  Doesn't look that great.  You sure this the best one?"

"Well yeah, lookit all the stuff in the windows!"  Happy gestured to the fancy display of mannequins wearing the latest Heart Kreuz fashions.  "Mira and Erza love this place!"

"But will I find Lucy the perfect gift here?  She's not like other girls."

"Yeah, she's weird."  The exceed chortled and flew out of reach.  "But you're getting just as weird as her, worrying about finding a white day gift.  Give her fish!"

Natsu shook his head.  "If you're not gonna help you can leave."

"I wouldn't miss this for all the fish in the river."

Putting his worries aside for the moment, Natsu strode up to the double doors and entered Hudson's Emporium.  Clothes, shoes, handbags and luggage were on the immediate left; on the right were displays of sporting equipment, kitchenware and lamps.  

Natsu wandered aimlessly, Happy trailing behind him giving a constant stream of poor advice.  "Ooh!  Buy her a vacuum!  How 'bout hip waders?  Gym membership?  Lookit that muumuu, maybe they have one in her size."

Natsu glared at his exceed.  "Oi!  I said if you're not gonna help you could leave!"

His usual shit-eating grin in place, Happy responded.  "I never said I was gonna help - I said I wouldn't miss this for all the fish in the river!"

An announcement blared over the public address system:  "White Day Special Sale next to the food department starting in five minutes."

With shining eyes and hope reborn in his heart, Natsu let go of Happy.  "Lucy loves food!"

Rubbing his sore neck, Happy coughed.  "That's one thing we can agree on, she loves greasy food!"

They joined the torrents of men rushing to the back of the store also intent on procuring the perfect White Day gift for their special lady.  In between the food and millinery departments was a long table bedecked with a blinding white tablecloth.  Upon it was a dazzling selection of white items; from marshmallows and white chocolate to candles, coffee cups and lingerie - all astonishingly white.

All the men trudged closer beginning to paw the merchandise.  And once the P.A. system squawked alerting them to a time limit they began to toss through the sale items with terrible haste.

Natsu had never been subjected to such indignities before.  As a mage of incredible power and wild disregard for personal safety and the subtleties of personal space, Natsu had never, ever been elbowed in a brouhaha over merchandise.  Each man was desperately digging, searching for a cheap yet stylish and hopefully beloved gift for their special someone.

Happy flew overtop and dive-bombed the now swarming group of men pawing the selection of marshmallows, candles and skimpy night attire.  Competition got fiercer.  A fist-fight broke out over a set of mugs emblazoned with a cheesy 'love' print.  Three men were sprawled on the marble floor - tussling over a package containing white slippers, a nighty and robe.

Shouted threats, kicks and thrown elbows kept Natsu off balance. He had never seen non-mages act like guild members before - it was more than a little off-putting.  Finally his frozen state broke.  Natsu dove into the throng with a battle cry worthy of Erza fighting for the last piece of strawberry cake.  He searched with single-minded aim, finding and discarding novelty knickers embroidered with a suggestion he almost burst into flames just reading.  The candles were a bit tempting, but not nice enough he decided.  Marshmallows were 'meh', the chocolate too similar to what he'd received, the nightwear was all too nosebleed inducing and the mugs were honestly ugly.

The same voice emerged from the speakers:  "Final five minutes left in our White Day Special Sale!"

The table of sale items was now engulfed in a writhing sea of desperate men still seeking the perfect purchase to please their girlfriends.  Intent on one final item he'd had yet to examine, Natsu was taken unawares by two people playing tug of war with a large box.  The smaller of the two men fighting head-butted his opponent who then stumbled backwards, grabbed at the table trying to keep upright, and flung a white metal trivet as he fell - which happened to conk Natsu on his forehead, knocking him out. Happy dragged his friend under the table, hiding from the melee.  He lightly slapped Natsu's face and when that didn't work, he put some muscle into it.  Natsu roused ten minutes later as the special event table was being put away - the saleslady and her two assistants screaming were the perfect wake-up call.

A bit groggy and now with a dully pounding headache, Natsu ran with Happy as the three shop workers yelled 'pervert' at the top of their lungs.

Down a corridor and then up a set of stairs they found a quiet corner of the store.  More than a little depressed and despondent Natsu sighed and confided in Happy.  "That was my last hope.  White Day is tomorrow and I don't have the slightest idea of what to get Lucy."

"Let's have a snack!"  Happy tugged Natsu by the hand to a set of café tables and chairs.  "Hudson's has the best tako-yaki in town."

"Maybe food with help me think."  Natsu slumped into a seat.  "I just wanted to give her something as nice as she is."  Picking at the food Happy brought back, Natsu ate slowly and sparingly.  "The sale is over and I don't know what to do."

"We won't leave until you find something."

"You're the best, buddy!"

<><><><><><>

To mark the special occasion, Natsu entered the apartment building on Strawberry Street using the ground floor entrance after reminding Happy he had is own special gift to deliver to Charle.  Natsu trudged up the flights of stairs clutching Lucy's gift, wrapped in white paper and silver ribbon.  It wasn't as flashy as some of the gifts he'd seen available, nor as sexy as the underwear - but upon seeing it, he'd known his search was over.

Knuckles poised over the door, the slayer paused.  Natsu took a few deep calming breaths and shook his head to clear his thoughts.  He knocked and waited, shifting the parcel from under one arm to the other.

The door opened showing Lucy's welcoming face becoming confused.  "What are you doing?"

Natsu grinned.  "Is that how you greet a guest?  Weirdo."

"I don't think I've ever seen you use the door - or wait for me to let you in - or -"  Lucy went silent as she saw the gift - and more importantly - the gift tag that bore her name in big swooping letters.  "Come in."

Natsu remembered his uncertainty over his gift and his swagger lost a lot of his strut.  He covered up his lapse in poise by setting down the gift box on the coffee table and dropping into his usual spot on Lucy's couch.  Natsu clasped his fingers together and puffed air, blowing the unruly lock of hair that covered one eye out of the way.

"What happened?"  Lucy couldn't stop herself from leaning over close from her seat and gently tracing over the band-aid over his eyebrow, full of concern for her best friend.  "Does it hurt?"

His cheeks coloured a dull pink, clashing with his hair.  "Nothin'.  An' it only hurts a little bit."

"You have to take care of yourself you know."

"Yeah - but it was for a good reason."  He gave Lucy a timid smile.  "Remember those chocolates you made for me?"

She nodded and bit her lip.  "I remember."

"Please accept this."  Natsu snatched up the box and thrust it at Lucy.  "It's not one of the traditional recommended gifts, but as soon as I saw it I wanted you to have it."

"…"  Lucy took hold of the proffered box.  "Thank you."  She smiled and her eyes gleamed with unshed tears.  "You didn't have to get me anything.  I did hope but I wasn't expecting."  Lucy stared at the pretty white paper with silver ribbon on her lap and traced her name on the card.

"Open it."  Eagerness coloured Natsu's voice as he encouraged Lucy.  "I saw it and thought of you."

Lucy plucked the card off the gift and set it aside on the table (that was going into her scrapbook later).  Lucy tugged on the ribbon and set that beside the tag.  Using her nails she slit the tape all around the box lid.  Slowly she prised off the lid and sat silent.  Natsu had given her a selection of pens, ink and a leather bound notebook in the creamiest pale yellow colour.

She blinked, set the gift down on the table and held out her hands to Natsu who was holding his breath as he tried to figure out if Lucy was pleased.  Her eyes sparkled and in that instant Natsu knew Lucy was happy.  He lunged forward hugging her; wrapped his arms around her and squeezed, breathing in calming air.  "I'm so glad you like it!"

"Yeah, I like …it…and you."

Natsu nodded, then realized Lucy couldn't see that - he needed to speak.  "I know, or else you wouldn't have taken so much time and care to make those chocolates."

Lucy blushed.  "This is a very thoughtful gift, but it's much more than three times the value of what I gave you.  You didn't -"

"Don't be such a weirdo."  Natsu pulled back so he could see Lucy's face.  He looked into her eyes as he rubbed his forehead.  "You're worth it, and never let it be said you're not a girl worth fighting for."