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mielwriting · 3 months ago

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My thoughts on the 5.0 livestream

Disappointed Mavuika appears to be another pyro claymore. Was really hoping for a 5 star pyro sword. Would also help make connections to Bennett, since he's the only other pyro sword.

Props to those who predicted Il Capitano would be a cryo user!

Also props to whoever predicted the Archon Quests would follow the pattern shown in the Mond prologue: that is, first we learn about the Abyss Order as enemies, then we focus on the Fatui for a while, then the Abyss Order comes back into focus closer to the final showdown. It seems they’re getting a much bigger focus in the Natlan archon quest!

Also, wow, so we already know Natlan and Mondstadt have weird connections - Now we know they have another one: Natlan and Mondstadt are the only 2 nations the Abyss Order is interested in.

Hey look a pale npc with dreadlocks

Love the greater focus on the Mandarin language! Very nice for a learner

Furina wasn’t biologically an archon, so her hair didn’t glow - she had that glowy fabric in the back of her outfit to kinda hide that. Mavuika is a really nice contrast - her entire head of hair glows very bright! Not just the tips like previous archons

Was noticeable how they reframed the player feedback: “everyone’s very interested in our inspirations for Natlan” as a corporate translation of everyone’s anger over the whitewashing and Spirit Halloween-ifying

Still disappointed in the pyro archon’s leather biker suit

Someone more familiar with Genshin’s music look into this - but around 34:10 when they started answering the question “will someone be resurrected” does the music resemble more the music from La Signora’s funeral video?

Wonder about the original Mandarin titles for the Archon Quest acts - Because “Flowers Resplendent on the Sun-Scorched Sojourn” sounds so cool - and then Act 2 is “Black Stone under a White Stone”. It’s just comically simple compared to the big words that are usually in genshin titles

Also really interested in the Ancient Names thing. I’m almost certain it’s something taken from a real-life culture, and should really research more into that.

Did I understand that right? They’re gonna give us Kachina for free, just like we got Amber and Kaeya and Lisa back in Mondstadt?

All 3 of the new 5.0 characters mark regional specialties, and also have additional exploration benefits!

Wow you can really see the effect that Wuthering Waves had on Genshin

And Test Run finally lets you test out the effects of the characters in an open-world environment!

Traveler will not get the pyro element this update - but it sounds like that’s a possibility for once the Archon Quest has finished?

So I noticed that the 2 new Geo characters we’ll get - Kachina and the tall lady - both come from the same tribe - the one associated with rocks and such. Makes me wonder if it’s possible to even get a vision that doesn’t correspond to your tribe’s element.

Really seems like the cultural elements here are more simplified “everyone in this tribe loves music” “everyone in this tribe loves extreme sports” “everyone in this tribe loves mining” where’s the complexity.

I shall add capybaras to my teapot!

Yay another Dodoco event! I really enjoyed the one last year

They’re also giving out extra rewards for completing archon and story quests within the 6 week release - including giving us a lot of the ascension materials to get to level 60!

Did find it funny when one guy was explaining all the new benefits and the other is like, “wait, this is Genshin Impact? All this cool stuff is in Genshin Impact?” Like yeah Wuthering Waves bred innovation!

FREE STANDARD FIVE STAR EVERY YEAR

I already have Tighnari, Dehya, and Keqing. I don’t really want any of their constellations, so my choice is between Qiqi, Mona, Jean, and Diluc. I don’t want Qiqi, and I don’t need Mona since I already have Furina. It’s down to Jean or Diluc. Jean’s ability to push people away looks really fun, and I can certainly think of places where I would’ve loved to have that skill. However, I have wanted Diluc since the very first time we played him in that trial run during the Mond archon quest. I also already have Kaeya, Rosaria, and Venti, so completing the Angel’s Share team would be cool. My only hesitation is that his gameplay will probably be outdone by Mavuika. But leaks have said she might not release til January, when I was expecting her in November (however leaks also said Emilie was part of Hexenzirkel they aren’t always right).

Love that Oratrice Mechanique d’Analyse Cardinale made it into the stream

BEFORE Khoi Dao repeated that phrase, I did not know he spoke French. But I could hear his actual good French-speaking accent when he said it, and turns out he does indeed speak it! Cool!

Yippee!

Zach Aguilar and Khoi Dao are a great comedic duo

LOVE to hear Brittany Lauda talk about relating to her character, Chiori, for both being seen as intimidating - I specifically relate to Chiori for her basic facial expressions, her bluntness, her acceptance of her quirks, and difficulty making friends because of those traits. Just really glad to hear I’m not the only one.

The English voice actor for Lumine actually has a twin brother?!

Amber Lee Conners appeared at the end of the stream, so this is a good place to say how AMAZING her voice acting as Furina is. Just listening to her voice lines and hearing the difference between her acting confident and her actual, recovering-from-depression self is a clear display of talent. Always a treat to listen to.

Jenny Yokobori (Yoimiya VA) having worked as a pyrotechnician! Cool!

And her sharing the bond with her character for their dads. So sweet.

Let Erika Harlacher-Stone sing as Venti more!

The Clorinda VA Crystal Lee also loves Tabletop Games!

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anonair · 3 years ago

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HELLO AGAIN MY AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED FRIEND!!!! I absolutely LOVED the latest story!! It was everything I had hoped for and I can't wait to see what you come up with next!! So, if I could request another story from you, please? That would be awesome!! So for this one could you do the wedding ceremony scene, please? Sweet and fluffy, please? Then, gently swing into the Honeymoon (NSFW, please?) scene, please? Btw, sorry for saying please a lot. I just can't help asking you so nicely!! I know you're busy with work and school, as always, PLEASE take all the time you need!! I don't want to stress you out at all. Also this is the dress and lingerie that I would love for Mona to be described in, please!! Thank you again so much!! I ALWAYS LOVE YOUR WORK!!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: none <3 just an overwhelming amount of beauiful love haha

𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲: @moonwolfdemonprincess21 <3 thank you for your patience <3

NOT PROOFREAD

The nervousness rushed through Mona’s body as she tried to patiently wait for her best friend to let her know that Damian was ready for her. The first look is always so special. Originally, Mona had thought about making Damian wait for her to walk down the aisle for him to get his first look at her, but the anticipation of wondering what he looked like got the best of her. She couldn’t believe that their wedding day had finally arrived. “Mona, He’s ready.” Her best friend spoke.

Mona could already feel her anxiety piling up in her body. For a moment, she couldn’t feel her legs. If it weren’t for her impatient mind, she’s pretty sure she would’ve stood frozen in the room. Mona took a deep breath as she made her way closer to Damian. Every step made her heartbeat louder and louder until she couldn’t hear her heels clicking against the pavement of the beautiful outdoor wedding hall. Mona finally was there, standing in front of Damian, but of course, he had his back turned to her. “I’m here, love. Are you ready for this?” Mona spoke, barely able to say the words without her voice shaking. It wasn’t that she was hesitant to marry Damian that made her nervous, it was that she wanted and hoped that she would be the perfect partner to him. She felt more than ready to walk into this journey of life with him. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” He replied.

At that moment, the photographer set up the perfect angle to capture Damian laying his eyes upon Mona for the first time. “Can I look now?” He asked, trying to be as patient as can be. Mona nodded before realizing he couldn’t see her- another nervous tactic. “Yes, my love. I am ready.” She said. Before he could even turn around, Mona’s eyes pooled with tears. Damian swiftly turned his body, now facing Mona. His eyes reflected that f Mona’s; he was teary-eyed.

“Wow.” He said before the tears started streaming down his face. “You are the living embodiment of beautiful.” He announced, his eyes roaming Mona’s body that was draped in the finest fabric. Mona’s dress was stunning. It perfectly encaptured who she was as a woman. She was free-spirited and adventurous. The lace of the dress embodied her essence of elegance while the big sleeves represented her whimsical side of her. The off-the-shoulder top and perfectly fitted bodice did justice in showing her adult, sexy persona. Damian scanned her body over multiple times before leaning in and pulling her in for a warm embrace. “I can’t believe I am marrying you.” He whispered in her ear, taking a deep breath. Mona melted in his embrace, feeling safe and secure. If anything, the hold reaffirmed her devotion to him. Mona leaned back, taking a good look at Damian. She would give anything to kiss him right now, but they both agreed on no kissing until the ceremony. That promise was deemed to be too hard at the moment, but the wait would be worth it.

“Mona, I hate to break up this beautiful moment, but it’s time to get everyone lined up.” Mona’s best friend called. “That’s my unfortunate, but not so unfortunate cue.” Mona giggled. “Enjoy your last moments as my fiancé.” Damian winked, flashing a bright and big smile at her. He watched as she walked into the bridal suite again, unable to take his eyes off of her. It was a bittersweet moment for them, as they both craved each other’s presence the most.

In the bridal room, Mona had her court all line up in the order they would be walking out in. She could see through the tiny glass window through the door at all the guests and the decorations awaiting her. She couldn’t wait to profess her love for Damian in front of everyone. She could hear the music start playing, an indication of the ceremony starting. Mona patted the wet puddles on her cheeks and started fanning them with her free hand. She could only hope her makeup wasn’t ruined from already tearing up at the first look. The first couple in her court walked out.

Eventually, there was only her left. Instead of Mona being traditional with her dad walking her out, she had her dad and mom walk out together, leaving her to walk out on her own.

Mona took a deep breath, feeling as if she took the deepest of breaths ever. She watched as the door swung open to reveal all her friends and family on their feet waiting for her arrival. She felt honored. Her eyes scanned the decorated outdoor area before finding Damian at the other end of the aisle. There he was with tears streaming down his cheeks. You started walking down the aisle to the beat of ‘All of Me’ by John Legend. Instantly, the tears came back into her eyes. For a second, things were blurry as she was walking down the aisle until she blinked. The tears fell down her face until she finally made it down to the aisle.

Shortly after the pastor welcomed everyone and let them take their seats, it was time for the vows. Mona went first:

“Damian, I didn’t know it then, but my heart did. Ever since our first introduction in our workplace, I’ve always been compelled to get your attention in some sort of way. Whether it was purposely walking past your dressing room, or staying late because I’m scared of forgetting my things on tour and hoping you’d find me, and that’s just it- you always found me. I love saying how things happen when they are meant to, but boy, I wish I had met you sooner in life. You are the person that my 12-year-old self dreamed of being with- scratch that, you are better than I ever imagined. I vow to try and be the most perfect partner I could possibly be. I vow to be your best friend, your shoulder to cry on, and the woman you first met. I promise I will be here for you through every trial and tribulation because you are the love of my life. You are my perfect person, Damian. I love you.”

Everyone in their seats had tears falling from their eyes, but none more than Damian. She loved how he never held back his emotions. Now, it was Damian’s turn:

“Mona, it’s ironic because I too wrote about that night in the arena late at night. It was as if fate had determined my destiny without me ever knowing. The one day I leave my hairbrush in the locker room, I cross paths with the most stunning woman I had ever laid eyes on. I had always looked at you and thought you were beautiful, but that night really confirmed that you were the one for me. Something about the air in the room was different.” He laughed, taking a breath and then continuing. “I don’t know what I did right in life to deserve you. Sometimes I feel unworthy of all of your love, but then you come and reassure me of how much I’ve needed you. I can’t remember what life was like before meeting you, and to be honest, I don’t want to. I can’t wait for this married-lie journey and eventually starting our collection of mini-me’s, as I’d like to call it.” He laughed. “Te amo, Mona.”

After the vows, the most anticipated thing was the exchanging of the rings.

“Damian, do you take Mona to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to cherish her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her for so long as you both shall live?” The officiant spoke as he stared at Damian.

Mona had already said I do. She knew without any regret in her heart that Damian was the one for her. Nobody in the world could prove her otherwise. She swiftly moved her eyes from the officiant over to Damian. He locked eyes with Mona before speaking, “I do” she could tell he meant it. Damian reassured her by squeezing her hand tightly as he said it.

Damian and Mona leaned into each other. Damian embraced Mona and leaned her over, pressing a long and passionate kiss to her lips. The kiss was nothing short of the same emotions exchanged in the first ever kiss you two had. If anything, it was better. The sparks were electrifying. Mona smiled through the kiss, unable to believe that this was her life. She couldn’t fathom life without Damian. They both stood back up, grabbing each other’s hands. They looked over at each other with the brightest and happiest look on their faces before walking down the aisle.

part two (the honey moon) whenever I get the chance <3

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koukouture · 4 years ago

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Rating Genshin Impact designs pt.2!

(part 1)

Welcome back whales, f2ps, and everyone in between! Since the first part was pretty well received, I’ve decided to continue this series!

Once again, I am not a professional artist of character designer, I am just doing this for fun since Genshin has a lot of good and bad designs

Aether

I LOVE HIM!!! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!! LOOK AT THE SILHOUETTE! THE DETAILS! THE COLOUR SCHEME!

Aether’s design is a fucking GODSEND from those shitty basic male MC looks. Ya know, the ones with dark basic anime boy hair and an outfit that’s about as imaginative as an unborn fetus.

The use and placement of colours is so nice and I love the details all over him. He looks like your typical kind and princely character, which is honestly how I imagine his personality. Also idk why but I love the fact he’s wearing a crop top, it’s just so refreshing to see an MC that isn’t in a regular outfit or a full suit of armor with a shitty silhouette.

He looks sleek and leaving him in mainly black and other neutral tones ensures that he’ll look good with any element in his lights, gold also works with a lot of colours very well, so nothing ever looks awkward on him.

I also love where they put the lights, it just works really well. Hell, even without lights he looks awesome, I could see Aether’s design without any of the elements lighting him up like a lightsaber.

Also, it looks pretty comfortable for traveling, boots, gloves, and he’s gonna be walking and fighting a lot so a crop top is a good choice. The pants are a bit more loose for easier movement and he doesn’t wear too much armour that could restrict him. Love it.

Overall, I love this design so much, I wish my colour placement was that good, bruh he looks like the friggin sun I love his design so much ;-;

Lumine

Ok so, I like this dress, and I like the design. It’s not my favourite, but Lumine is really cute and looks super dainty and doll like, but it just doesn’t speak as loud as Aether’s design. Idk I feel like it’s lacking something. I do love her hair though, it’s a super cute hairstyle and is leagues different from other generic blonde anime girls.

The main gripe i have with this is that i don’t think a WHITE dress with a corset is a good outfit for traveling. There’s also just a lot of weird detail on the dress? Like there’s this weird part in the middle of the skirt where it looks like there’s metal? Just attached to the fabric?

She doesn’t look like a traveler, she looks like a princess, and I guess that fits given that Aether is the one used in most promotional material, but I think this dress is more something she would wear when she joins the Abyss.

Lumine seems so cool and threatening as a villain, I think her outfit really reflects that, like I said, she looks like a princess and the cool whites and blues really help with that.

Overall.... I just don’t know. I don’t like it, it’s really easy to recognize but it’s just not as good as Aether’s. Sorry Lumine

Mona

Ok, ok, ok, I LOVE MONA!!! Her colour scheme is so nice and not only is her design pretty, it tells you a lot about her. There are stars all over her, she’s an astrologist, her outfit is very intricate and it suggests a cocky personality, which is pretty true.

The outfit looks so expensive though??? Like Mona how did you afford this? But it sells the mage vibe so well and aaaahhhh she’s just so pretty!

Not a lot to say, she’s just pretty :3

Xingqiu

I really like the top part and the shoes, my only gripe is the shorts. They look so out of place?? They look like workout shorts and just don’t flow with how elegant the rest of the design is. I feel like adding more detail to the shorts or just sticking with the “young noblemen from the 1800s” vibe and making them longer (and maybe pleated?) would seel the look a lot better. Don’t get me wrong Xingqiu, you work booty shorts better than me, but booty shorts that look like “athletic gear” from Walmart? On a young noblemen/martial arts prodigy? Yeah no, it doesn’t pass the vibe check.

On the other hand, his shoes and shirt (and tailcoats) really sell his whole rich vibe better. I love how it sort of combines elements of Victorian London and traditional Chinese clothing, it works so well. I just wish I could come of with something as creative.

I see a lot of people dunking on his haircut but I like it personally, it’s very recognizable. The fact that the right is really short and flat just kind of pisses me off? Idk maybe that’s just me.

Overall a very good, well thought, and creative design.

Chongyun

Ok, next to me loving Chongyun so much, I just- look at his design. There is so much to unpack and I love all of it.

It combines modern day fashion with traditional Chinese clothing and it just does it in such a natural way and looks so fucking good??? Like the hoodie over the qipao? The baggy pants and the shoes that allude to him as a martial artist? Immaculate.

Cryo characters all have such nice designs, Miyoho really does play favourites. Like there is not a single cyro character with a bad design, all of them are 1) recognizable and 2) very very very very pretty

(Also random thought but Chongyun reminds me of a k-pop idol? Like his haircut and the drip? Idk but peak k-pop energy)

His colour scheme is on point because why wouldn’t it be? You can tell that he’s sort of cold and that he definitely has ice powers, the placement is also just really smart. Chongyun has like four colours on him (gold, navy, light blue, white) and yet it’s just arranged in such a way where it’s so easy to recognize and sets him apart from all of the other blue and white characters with ice powers.

I remember I saw a video titled “why you should play Genshin Impact” after I had finished BOTW, and I saw Chongyun’s design and being like ‘Oh wow, he looks pretty cool’

I love Chongyun so much and his design is a big contributor to that, and that’s all I have to say.

Geo Daddy Zhongli

BARK BARK BARK BARK GRRRRR AWOOOOOOGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAA-

Ok Zhongli is really hot. Like really, really, really, FUCKING hot. Like “he simultaneously raised and lowered my standards for the male gender” hot. How did he lower them? Bruh his spending habits, it makes him so endearing and cute I just- *dies*

(Zhongli I have Mora, you don’t need Childe I can be your sugar mommy-)

Ok so let me start with his colour palette because awooga that shit is hot. Black and brown wasn’t a colour palette I expected to love so much but here we are. He definitely looks like he has earth powers, and it’s so nice. I have never seen any character who have brown in their colour palette, even if they do, it’s just their hair.

And the fact that he’s wearing an elegant suit and yet has pauldrons? I love it so much. It speaks to him as a gentleman and a warrior, which is literally his entire personality and I love it so much.

Once again we have a character who combines Victorian London vibes with traditional vibes and it is amazing. Like the tassels and the dragon motifs? The long ass tailcoats that aren’t practical for fighting but GOD are they hot? Yes. Yes to all of it. I just wanna tug on his lil tie and smooch him.

I love how they just added yellow on the inside of his tailcoats, it’s really nice and helps break up the dark colours of his outfit I love Zhongli so much he is my comfort character and everything I don’t deserve :’)

#genshin impact #zhongli #zhongli genshin impact #chongyun #chongyun genshin impact #xingqiu #xingqiu genshin impact #traveler #traveler genshin impact #aether #aether genshin impac #lumine #lumine genshin impact #mona #mona genshin impact

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fletchphoenix · 4 years ago

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May You Always Be Satisfied

Short Chapter but Chapter 18 of coffee tastes better aka the coffee shop au!! sorry its so short, I broke my arm literally like....a week ago? I’m kinda struggling to type a bit so aha hope this is enough <3 love you all

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Hugo hadn’t been to a wedding since he was around eight. Cyrus and Mona’s wedding was beautiful, the woman looking akin to an angel (not the biblical version) as she virtually levitated down the aisle. He’d shuffled uncomfortably in his suit as Donella’s hands rested on his shoulders to hold him in place in a bid to stop him shifting from foot to foot. Cold hands picked at all the little details: the out of place hairs that stuck out from his ponytail, the loose threads on the shoulders of his suit jacket, straightening the tie that was only just off centre. He knew she just wanted him to relax, but how was he meant to stand still when he was just so excited? The boy had watched Cyrus, nothing but love and happiness in his eyes as he smiled back at his wife. Even then he knew that they would be perfect together.

He’d watched as they swayed across the dance floor, Mona’s dress brushing across the floor as her head rested on the tall man’s shoulder and the music played in the background. There were flowers everywhere - white lilies were in little baskets that hung from the top of the pavilion they were under. Donella also pointed out to him the hydrangeas, orchids and magnolias as well as the carnations and Amaryllises. They were quite pretty in his opinion. His eyes had focused on the fairy lights that illuminated the area and provided a fantastical feel to the whole wedding, making it almost otherworldly and ethereal. If he’d been older, he would’ve been taken aback by the sheer beauty and care taken in decorating the place if he was being honest.

He remembered going home and taking all the botany books Donella owned, researching the meanings behind the pretty flowers that he’d seen. He knew they put a lot of thought into them, with all of them representing love and acceptance, unity and beauty...it was all so interesting, yet confusing. Why did people give meaning to something as simple as a flower? In many ways, it didn’t make sense to the young boy, though at the time he’d just supposed adults were dumb and wanted to see meaning in everything that didn’t mean anything - symbolism in things that didn’t need to represent anything. “It makes things feel more meaningful.” Donella had told him, though he didn’t really understand why. Eventually, she’d grown sick of his questions and told him to go to bed, though he still stayed up all night to research them and grumpily refused to go to school the next morning.

He hadn’t been to a wedding since then, Donella always giving him the option to stay home. He’d preferred to stay home anyway. He never really thought he would ever get married anyway, so what was the point in seeing others happy when he didn’t think he deserved it? Well, the metal on his finger reminded him of a certain raven haired man, a smile on his face as he twisted it over the skin with his other fingers. The boy he loves with all his heart and soul loves him back, and that was enough to keep him happy. He could already tell their wedding was going to be something to remember - something beautiful, fun and nothing short of spectacular. After all, it was him and Varian! If their wedding wasn’t something as wonderful as a royal wedding, then was it even their wedding? “Hugo, you ready?” His fiance called from the other room, Hugo being abruptly brought back to reality. Ah, yes. It was Cass and Irene’s wedding today. The long-awaited marriage of the two had Varian nothing short of excited for the whole week, the other man hardly able to keep a conversation without it spiralling into a rambling session of ‘I bet it's going to be amazing’ and ‘I can’t wait for them to finally get married!’. Sure it was cute, but Hugo could only take so much of Varian talking about the couple, so for the day to finally arrive was like a saving grace. His hands shifted to try and fix his tie, the emerald fabric not co-operating at all or doing what he wanted it to do. Letting out a frustrated groan, the blond kept trying. Why would he suddenly not tie a tie? What was this so damn difficult when he wasn’t even that stressed?

A pale hand settled on his shoulder as the raven haired boy forced him to turn around with a gentle smile. “Let me help you.” He muttered, Hugo absolutely hypnotised by the way his hands twisted and moved the fabric with a smile on his face, his fringe that usually covered his eyes now pinned back and the single blue streak still as prominent against the sea of black locks as it was when they first met. Wow. He was still beautiful, the suit he was wearing complimenting him nicely as he stepped back and examined his work. “See something you like?” The blond teased, pushing his glasses up his nose as he snaked his arms around the raven haired boy’s waist and brought him closer to his chest.

“Pfft. Yeah, sure.” Varian rolled his eyes, though his arms still wrapped around the other’s neck and brought him down into a gentle kiss. Somehow it still took his breath away each time his boyfriend pressed a kiss, warming him up on the inside as he let out a happy sigh against the other’s lips. They broke after a while, Hugo taking a moment to drink in all the features of his boyfriend’s face as though he were a dying man in the desert. A familiar flush came to his boyfriend’s face as he was gently pushed backwards. “No time for staring, Hugh. We have a wedding to get to!” The raven haired boy declared as he grabbed the other’s wrist with a wide grin, before pulling him along down the hall and towards the door of their apartment.

Hugo let his head rest against the back of the seat as his boyfriend drove, the blond letting his eyes flutter shut for a while. He hoped his wedding would be more interesting: with lilies and Varian in a pretty suit, all done up and ready to commit to each other. They’d get married somewhere fancy too, like an old house or something like that, just for the sake of bragging that they were THAT cool (though it would be extremely fuckin’ expensive for the two of them). He’d want Yong to be the ring bearer: that sounded quite fun, the boy would be ecstatic to find that out, after all, Varian still went to the library to help him study on Wednesdays. And Nuru would be a bridesmaid, maybe even the maid of honour, though that would most likely be reserved for Donella (if the woman would even accept the role was a question unto itself, so Hugo decided to ignore it in favour of his fantasy). Maybe even Rapunzel? Eugene would probably be the best man. The guy had helped Varian so much, it was the least he could do. Visions of first dances under the stars, holding Varian’s hands as they exchanged rings and laughter filled his head, until he was rudely awoken by the car jolting to a stop.

“We’re here. Damn, did you really not sleep enough last night?” Varian laughed as Hugo grumbled and fixed his hair, leaving the car and dusting off his suit. Midway through his ministrations, a flurry of purple rushed forward and gripped him in a rib-crushing embrace. Ah yes, his future sister-in-law. He’d forgotten about her death grip hugs. His grip on life slipped briefly as the woman rushed hellos before shifting to hug his fiance, the blond wheezing to catch his breath as Eugene patted his back with a loud chuckle. Hugo raised his head to glare, a frown on his face. Of course the brunet wasn’t given the death hugs from his wife. What a lucky bastard. Finally, after greetings and useless conversations, they went inside and sat down. The place was beautiful, the women deciding to get married in something akin to a conservatory. The sun shone through the glass panels making up the roof, vines dangling from the ceiling and intertwining with each other as they descended. Flowers climbed up lattice, fond memories of climbing up it to see Varian flooding through Hugo’s mind and making a small, barely there smile appear on his face before they took their seats, the blond interlacing his fingers with Varian’s as he kept looking around. Pillars of marble stone sat organised along the walls, little baskets of flowers propped onto the tops, Hugo could only point out the carnations and lilies that resided in the baskets. He smiled at the sight, thinking of Mona and Cyrus. He’d have to invite them to his and Varian’s wedding - that would be nice. Maybe they could help them with decorating?

Music began to play as he turned his head, Cass standing in a black suit, a dark blue tie showing between her jacket. Her undercut had been arranged to be gelled back, her green eyes focused expectantly at the door with a gentle smile on her face, shifting from foot to foot. Finally, Irene stepped out, a rose wedding dress covering her body with a lace top and a long skirt, as well as a veil decorated with lace flowers on her head. She looked beautiful as well, Hugo not being able to help the little smile on his face as he saw the look the couple exchanged as Irene walked down the aisle and stood opposite her girlfriend.

The ceremony was just as beautiful as Hugo had expected, the pair absolutely infatuated with each other as they held hands and smiled, tears welling in their eyes at the mere sight of each other and the sheer amazement of the moment. As the ceremony wrapped up and the sky darkened, the DJ played music across the stereo, Hugo’s hand resting on his fiance’s waist as they watched the pair dance and sway across the floor, his boyfriend’s head resting against his shoulder. Hugo smiled to himself as he kept watching. “This’ll be us soon.” He whispered to his boyfriend and pressed a kiss to his temple, the other simply nodding and shuffling closer. And for once, Hugo was happy they’d gone to the wedding, watching the pair in front of them so happy and the mere thought that him and Varian would be that happy one day was enough for him.

#varigo #tangled varian #varian and the seven kingdoms #varian #tangled hugo #hugo x varian #varian x hugo #hugo tangled #alchemy boyfriends #rapunzels tangled adventure #varigo coffee shop au

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running-from-my-problemss · 3 years ago

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hey!! 15 and Ava, for th ask game :)

I’ve never done headcanons before so thanks for the ask!!! At first, I didn’t know what to write and then I got a little carried away and wrote a lot which is why it took so long!

Happy Legends 100th Episode Day!!!

- We already know she can bake snickerdoodles. But I think she is also a great cook. Like, at first, not so much (she burned the chicken piccata in 4x01) but early in their relationship, she wanted to cook for Sara who never had time because of the Legends’ crazy schedule. So, she worked at it until she got REALLY good and now loves it and will cook as a stress relief. Even though she was living on the Waverider in season 5-6, a lot of times she would cook instead of having Gideon fabricate meals because she would use it as a way to decompress and have some time for herself.

- She’s 10000% a morning person. Like wakes up early, makes coffee, works out, showers, reads a few book chapters, may has Gideon drop her off at park somewhere to go for a morning stroll, and takes some time to herself all before most of the Legends even roll out of bed. 🤷‍♀️

- She’s an avid reader, I know that she was in book club and usually didn’t read the books and would instead just drink and relax but I think that’s because Mona was picking novels that wouldn’t interest her that much. She reads SO MANY murder mysteries in both fiction and non-fiction. Fiction for fun, and non- fiction for fun and research for Stabcast.

- After she found out about being a *the C word* she wanted to find out what she was good at and actually enjoyed doing instead of what her fabricated memories told her. So, she tried a BUNCH of different activities and discovered she’s a talented skier. Like, she took lessons out of curiosity and was weirdly good at it. I don’t really know why I think this, she just strikes me as a skier. 🤷‍♀️ It totally has nothing to do with the fact that I enjoy skiing or anything 🤭

- Going off being outdoorsy and active, she loves mountain hiking. She has Gideon drop her off somewhere in the early October where the leaves are changing color and the air is cool, and it’s just super aesthetically pleasing, after checking the timeline to make sure she won’t affect anything of course. She walks up the mountain and admires the beauty of fall nature. One day she even convinces Sara to go with her and they treat themselves to cider donuts and hot chocolate when they make it down the mountain, she also makes sure to bring a donut back for Zari.

- Kind of going off her missing out and having fake childhood memories, she wanted to experience childhood stuff for real, so she googled what kids like and discovered Disney. She starts watching some Disney movies out of curiosity and to see what the hype was. Not a lot, just some that appealed to her. She ended up really liking “Meet the Robinson’s” because she related to Lewis, a kid with no family who ends up getting adopted by a dysfunctional family (aka her Legends family) and it’s about time travel (aka her job). Then she asked Zari, Nate, Nora, Ray, and Sara, to go to Disney world with her because that’s something many kids dream of. (Some didn’t originally want to go but Sara forced them because she knew it would make Ava happy) She ended up not being a huge fan saying it’s “unsanitary” and “had too much going on” but she was happy she went and experienced it (she also tried to get Astra to go too because she also missed out on her childhood being I hell and all, but Astra refused).

- She a perfectionist but this leads to procrastination. It’s no secret that she wants things done perfectly and is always planning, however, she wants everything to be so perfect that she is afraid to start on projects because she doesn’t want to mess them up and ends up leaving them to the last minute. This is one of the reasons she was working on paperwork so late when Nate found her at the Time Bureau in early season 4 when he helped with her money pitch to his father. She wanted it to be done perfectly and ended up waiting until the last minute because she was afraid she would mess it up, and before she knew it, the deadline was upon her.

- Years later when she finished time travel and her and Sara move into a house together. She convinces Sara to get a cat, but Sara only agrees if they can also get a dog. She loves the cat and despite being a cat person, the dog grows on her, but she would never admit that to Sara.

- I feel like this is more cannon than headcanon, but she’s SUPER cuddly, like constantly grabbing onto Sara because it brings her comfort and calms her down when she’s stressed. Every time something goes wrong with a mission or she’s having a rough day, or is sick or in pain, she instinctively goes in search of Sara just to hug her and hold her so she feels less stressed, anxious, and just all around feels better.

- Last but not least, while I’m on the subject of after Sara and Ava finish time traveling years in the future, even though you literally didn’t ask, I totally see Sara and Ava having more kids than the Legends, but Ava is super nervous about it because she still doesn’t fully understand what kids like because she never was one. Sara comforts her about it, and they are the best moms around.

#legends of tomorrow #dc's legends of tomorrow #dc legends of tomorrow #lot #lot season 7 #zari tomaz #thank you for the ask!#i appreciate you

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alias-b · 4 years ago

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sins of my youth. 004

Billy Hargrove x OC! Evie Fenny~ Also posted to my AO3

Summary: It was common knowledge that Billy Hargrove hated Hawkins. Hated Cherry Lane. Even loathed the strange girl next door. Evie Fenny wasn’t too fond of the chaotic Cali transfer either. An awful high school tradition sparks a chain of events that changes everything, ultimately bringing two frayed souls together.

A/N: Hello all! Pushing out a baby chapter early so I can focus on my other fic! Thank you so much for the support on this fic. Billy goes to dinner and Tries It. That's the chapter. :D Tag list open!!!

Chapter 4: No Day But Today

“Claudia, do you have the keys?” Mona crossed the salon floor.

“I do, we’re fine here, go on. Dusty is spending the night at the Wheeler’s place. Having some castle and dragons party.” She'd gushed.

“Feel free to close up early if we’re dead the last hour. Thanks, sugar.” Mona patted her back as she followed Evie out the door.

“Can I drive?”

“I was hoping you’d ask.” Mona smiled.

Evie was saving for a car. And college. And her future.

And it was a lot.

Truthfully, she didn’t care for school. It was in the way. Wished her lyrics could carry her straight to the red carpet before all those flashing paparazzi.

Wanting to unwind, Evie hid in her room when she got home. Shut the curtains and prodded at herself before the vanity. Sorted dangly earrings in a mesh metal display. Huffing to lean over when Bourbon swept into her legs. His little body shivered and she plucked him up.

“Okay, BB, you’re my best guy. You can’t let me down.” She scratched under his chin, gave him a little boop on the nose. “You take one look at that walking Def Leppard poster and you hiss and run. Got it?”

A purr.

“Good boy. You’re my only hope here. We can’t lose. Not to Billy Hargrove.” Arms let him down. She'd feel this sentiment often about Billy. A sigh. Evie applied a fresh lip color and paused. “Ugh.” She pushed up and didn’t change. Did her school work to get it out of the way and wandered out, turning the TV on to some game show. The savory smell of dinner wafted. “Need help here, Mom?” One tug and the ceiling fan spun, cycling cooler air.

“No, I have it. You can set the table for me.” Mona drained some noodles.

“Got it.” Plates and cutlery clicked around. Evie slid everything into place, perked up when the doorbell rang. Mona turned and smiled as her daughter adjusted fabric and fixed curls into place all the way to the door.

Evie half expected Billy to not even show. But, there he was. Sly smile and all. Billow of date night cologne. A vision in moonlight.

“Hey.” Evie said slowly. The surprise evident.

“Hey." He mirrored it.

"You're here." An exhale out. He blinked, found himself again.

"I was gonna steal flowers from the old lady’s garden across the way, but there’s a huge opossum in her trash guarding it.” He tilted his head, earring catching the porch light and she cracked a grin.

"Big Ben? Yeah, he's the neighborhood menace. Chief Hopper's nemesis because they get so many calls about it. You'd be a hero if you took him on." Evie persuaded lighter. His face fell.

"I'm not trying to die in Hawkins, Indiana. That thing was bigger than anyone on our football team."

“Color me impressed. King Billy didn’t want to do battle for the first time?” She actually teased him. Her nose crinkled when she smiled. Cute. “Shock and awe.”

Billy felt this tug pulse up his ribcage. Pulled a genuine chuckle from his lips. He had to look away to give it. Glowy in starlight.

“Sometimes I surprise people. I know my weight class and the pests here look like they were grown and mutated in some lab.” He shrugged into the door frame with one fist lifted, clicking his lighter shut. Hooded eyes all over. Evie went still as he leaned forward to her face with his tone lowering. “Am I allowed inside? Pretty please?”

“With cherries on top?" Bright, wet lips parted. His lashes fluttered, a baritone sinking. Bringing her with him.

"With anything your heart desires on top." Smooth.

"Huh. I guess. For now.” Evie stepped out of the way. “We go to school with plenty of those lab grown pests by the way.”

“No kidding.” Billy shrugged his jacket off and she awkwardly reached to take it. Hung it up behind her.

Evie turned to see him staring again and swallowed a hard lump down. Thought maybe he saw all the begonias blooming behind her eyes and up her throat.

“Billy.” Mona came out of the kitchen, arms out. “So glad you’re here.”

“You saved me from a sad date with a TV dinner.” Billy winked, charming Ms. Fenny to bits. She giggled and shook her hair out.

“Dinner’s got about ten minutes. Why don’t you show him around, baby?” Mona hurried back off, leaving them alone again.

“Tour? Great idea." He peered behind Evie. A mission at hand. "Where’s the cat?”

“Hiding from you, clearly.” Evie beamed, gesturing. “Welcome to the living room. Mom's showroom is a better word.”

“Your mom like tchotchkes or what?” He came to the full mantle. Scanning.

“How’d you guess?” Evie reluctantly trailed to his side.

It was strange to let this boy wander around and see little bits of her life. Guess things about her as he went along, trailing deft fingers about the fireplace. She wondered what was blooming within the pit of his stomach, if anything.

Mona Fenny's house overwhelmed.

Photographs, plants, and crafts. Little porcelain figurines. Too many handmade candles. Crochet projects. A full dollhouse on a table in the corner.

“My grandma passed a lot of craft skills down. She owned this amazingly strange trinket and voodoo shop in New Orleans that my aunts run now after Nana died."

"Your mom didn't stay for a piece of that?" Billy let his eyes trail over every little thing.

"Ah, I don't know. She was the baby and married pretty young. Seemed like she wanted something new," Evie peered behind her and whispered. "Never really got along with Nana like her older sisters did."

Billy hummed a little. Decided not to pry with Mona in the next room. Evie brought him to the corner and flicked a lamp on.

"Mom’s dollhouse is her pride and joy. Lights up and everything.”

“Tell me why your mother has a framed photograph of Dolly Parton next to a picture of you two on the fireplace. And the same photo shrunk down in the dollhouse?”

“Science may tell us the truth one day when the world is ready. And I fear for that day.” She replied in all seriousness and Billy snorted. Laughing.

A truly enchanting sound Evie decided she liked.

“And I have to say,” he plucked a photo off a bookshelf with a broad grin, “this one is my favorite.”

One of Evie on Halloween. Had to be about six. Dressed in the campiest pink daisy costume with a huge toothy smile.

“Gah,” she cringed and swiped it from his hand, “this house is a museum of embarrassment.”

“You’re into the museum shit, guess this is like our first-” Billy stopped himself from producing the damning word when Evie turned. Blushing. Oof. He scratched the back of his neck. “So, uh, you got a bedroom in here or do you sleep in the dollhouse?”

“You won’t find the cat that easily.” She caught him peering around again and led him past the kitchen. “C’mon, not much to the rest of the house. Garage. Spare room.” That used to be her dad’s office space. “Mom’s room. Attic up there and on this end. My cat's room that he lets me stay in too.”

The door was open so Billy prodded it to peek inside. Evie exhaled and flicked the light on.

It didn’t feel like a teenage girl’s bedroom. Not covered in decorations and pictures like the rest of the house. No posters cut from magazines covered in pink lipstick kisses.

A vanity full of disorganized makeup. Desk. Overfilled bookcase of novels and tapes. Crafts and trinkets she collected in labeled tin boxes. Dresser covered in jewelry. Music player. Bed. Closet. Couple of pictures taped by the vanity and headboard. Mostly Evie and Heather laughing and bright. Her beloved acoustic guitar propped in the corner.

It felt like it was decorated by one trying to take up as little space as possible. Everything was compacted. Billy eyed the wall by her bed. Realized most of the papers were notes with random lyrics and words patched together.

“Yeah, I tend to jot every little thought down even when I’m half asleep and hope it makes a song eventually.” She peered aside. It felt too intimate, letting Billy shift about the space.

"Hey, everybody has a method." Two fingers traced over a note taped up to straighten it. She caught the ring gleaming on his middle finger. “My-”

“Ah, don’t read them aloud, I may combust.”

“Oh?” Billy slunk toward her, licked his lips. A hungry way about it. Mouth watering fangs full of sweet venom. Wonder how they'd feel sinking into her throat. “Because I make you nervous, Angel?”

“No, it’s just...just…weird.” Evie pressed up into her desk. Billy closed the distance. Got within inches of her. “It’s weird.”

Repetition didn’t ease the sear of those ocean eyes drowning her too sweetly. She felt her chest fill and flutter all the way down. Flowers unfurled to be plucked and caressed. Billy pushed into the space until she was seated there on the desk. Scrambling further. Unable to climb the wall.

“You do seem nervous though, Evie.” His tone hushed. Fingers brushed her thighs and palms came to rest there. The bunched fabric of her dress barely separating them. She inhaled his cologne. Smelled peppermint from his breath. Chest heaving.

Billy knew this wasn’t part of the quest. If that’s what this was, maybe that was a nicer way to put it. Maybe rationalizing it a thousand times would help him get some sleep at night. Just show her a good night, cash in, and go home.

It still sounded shitty. Wasn't doing Evie any favors. This girl painted too many iridescent colors. They could bleed and Billy wouldn't step away if it pooled too close.

He liked to watch the blush spread across her freckled cheeks. Rose petals falling into a cool pond. Liked the way her nose scrunched when she smiled and when she was cross with him.

Billy didn't want her because she was a conquest. A challenge. Sure, she challenged him, that was part of it. And she also made him smile like he was looking at the rocking ocean waves again. Sand and wind kissing his warm skin. There was a mystery in those molten eyes he wanted to taste for himself. Maybe it was possible to just enjoy a person without strings.

To let colors bleed and swirl. To just watch it happen without fear or judgement. To not step away from it either. Just sink right in and create those echoing ripples.

It was too sweet and peculiar, how soft Evangeline Fenny was against the hard edges of his steel frame. So sharp, it warded everyone off.

But, not Evie, she fit perfectly against him. Fire with fire. It gave them so much in this world that had forgotten them both. Freckles to count. Eyelashes to wish upon. Flesh curves and razor angles to explore.

Hell, he even enjoyed how shaken she got as he neared and how still she went when his fingers trailed up her legs.

Evie watched his muscled chest rise, the saint pendant caught the light. Looked up at his eyes and then his mouth because it couldn’t be helped. Billy Hargrove filled Evie's space and lungs with sugary smoke. He was too many colors in one soul. So, he pushed further because those painted lips were big and full and right fucking there.

One curious taste, that couldn't hurt.

Brought his hand up toward her chin and leaned forth when…

“Dinner!”

Evie practically shoved Billy back. Scrambled up so the desk gave a rut. Bright red as he stumbled.

“Sorry.” She shuddered, passing him. Smelling of amber perfume. “Coming, mom.” Billy stared at the back of her hair. Blinked a couple times to pull himself together. To rationalize some.

Curiosity. A deadly thing and so sweet too.

It felt like he was dreaming and woke up sitting at the dinner table. Evie clicked a Coke in front of him, flashed a knowing expression that made him smirk before she sat down.

“Now, I left a bowl in the kitchen to cool. We always bring extra to Miss Abigail, she’s three doors down.” Mona was setting plates about.

“It looks amazing, Ms. Fenny.” Billy even shifted a dish to help make room for another.

“Please, Billy, just Mona. Ms. Fenny was my mother and she was a harder woman.” She set a glass of water down and smoothed her dress out, sitting. Billy went for his fork and his hand was snatched. Evie shot him a look as Mona reached out. “I always say grace. Don’t feel pressured to join, sweetheart.”

Billy peered at Evie’s warm hand in his and accepted her mother’s. Bowed his head a little so Mona could say her prayer.

“Bless us, oh Lord. For this and all we are about to receive, make us truly grateful. And thank you for bringing Billy to our humble table, may he truly feel welcomed in our home. Please guide and protect him. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.”

“Amen.” Evie offered softer. Lips lifting when Billy peered at their hands again leaving each other. Clearly not expecting such words from a neighbor.

“You’ll forgive me, Billy, some people say they leave their hearts open. I just let mine fill the room.” Mona settled a napkin in her lap. “May I ask, if your family is religious at all?”

“Dad’s Lutheran.” Which meant Susan was by default now whatever she believed before. “We don’t go to church or anything.”

As if Neil Hargrove could drag his son under a steeple without one of them spontaneously combusting.

“Well, that’s perfectly fine.” Mona cut each of her meatballs into smaller pieces which Evie mirrored. “Evie doesn’t attend with me when I go. Although, the choir sure misses her voice.”

“Mom...” A teenage whine, near silent as she prodded at noodles.

“She get all the solos?” Billy encouraged the pink spreading Evie’s cheeks.

“Oh, every single one. She’s even been asked to come sing the national anthem at minor league baseball games.” Mona prattled and Evie’s head fell back.

“Mom!” Another drawn out groan. Evie sunk down lower.

“Oh, Evangeline, let your mother brag about you.” Mona ignored her.

"Yeah, Evangeline." He chimed in, earning a harder glare.

“Now, Billy, you’ve been in Hawkins just over two months?” Mona continued. Blue eyes lifted from the plate before he gave a nod. “How are you liking it? I’m sure it’s such a huge change from California. You must miss the beach.”

“Getting used to the cold.” Billy speared a meatball and didn’t sound convincing.

“I’ll bet you’ve never seen snow before, your poor sinuses aren’t going to know what to do. Anyone in your family takes ill, just give us a ring.” Such a mom. “It took me a few years to get used to the cold here too. We moved when Evie was just a baby straight up from N’aw Lins.”

Billy bit his tongue.

“What type of music do you write?” Billy asked and there was a beat when Evie realized he was looking at her. Addressing her pointedly. Maybe to make conversation and suck up to her talkative mother. Evie’s back grew taut, lips opening.

“Evie’s gonna be a folk singer.” Mona had cut in. “Voice of an angel, she’ll make it big. She’s been in competitions, just one look from any talent scout and she’s sold.” Evie sank down again to go back to her food. Billy watched her roll a meatball around her plate like it was the most interesting thing in the room.

Mona Fenny struck Billy as a woman who always meant well. Frilly like a lace doily. So well, she steamrolled over you because she knew best. Evie barely got two syllables out before her mother was flicking her hair and boasting. A doll that constantly had the string in its voice box yanked.

Billy learned a great deal about her.

That Mona had been arrested twice in her life for marching and protesting. Civil and women’s rights. She joked that she hadn't been arrested for gay rights yet, but looked forward to the inevitable. She was a pageant queen too. Stopped when she found out she was pregnant and couldn’t compete after that. No bitterness there of course. She had a daughter to mold and complete the legacy now.

Mona insisted on taking the plates away. Grabbing her own, Billy’s, and a side dish.

Evie was still rolling that meatball around until Billy plucked up a fork, stabbed it, and swallowed in one bite. She perked with flushed cheeks. Glared again.

Billy wanted attention.

“Your mom is friendly.” Statement of the fucking millennium.

“Just wait til she busts out her old pageant scrapbooks. You'll never see home again.” Evie quickly flashed a smile and picked up her own plate to follow her mother off. Billy stood too, peered around. That cat had to be close. “Give it up.” Arms crossed when she leaned into the doorway working a melting ice cube around her mouth. Swallowed it whole instead of crunching. Water ran in the kitchen behind her.

“We agreed on an hour of television.” Billy matched her stance, saw her hip cock.

“Half hour.”

“Hour.” Billy went in to sit on the couch like he owned it. Legs spread. “Come on in, the water’s fine, Evangeline.” Evie plucked up the remote, sat as far away from him as she could. Turned the TV on to something campy just to make him suffer.

“Fucking Love Boat. Really? Susan watches this crap.”

“You said the full hour.” Evie flashed a smug grin. “I think The Golden Girls is on too.”

“Love Boat is fine.” Billy lifted his hand. Swiped the remote from her to set it on the other side of him. They both sunk in there. Eyes on the screen. Mona left them alone to bring the plate to their neighbor, stayed for conversation.

Billy fidgeted. Stretching to scoot closer so he could nudge his knee into Evie's. Her face remained at total peace. She pushed back at his leg which drew slow smiles upon them both.

“What kind of music do you really like, or does your mother always do all the talking?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Evie felt him peer back over and held herself. A beat.

“Yeah, your dreams. They don't matter." Came sarcasm. "A girl who wants her name in lights. Don't spend too much time feeling for the switch in darkness, Angel."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just asking. You really want to sit in silence to this cheesefest? Young actresses paired with old ass grandpas playing love sick.” Billy put his arm up over the couch. Missed Evie twitch. Got his hand smacked for tugging her curl like a giddy little boy.

“I don’t know,” Evie faced him with a shrug, “somewhere in the rock and pop area. Maybe with a touch of soul. Not the hair metal I’m sure you’re into."

How beautiful she looked when she hoped.

"And my name in lights won't ever be enough, I need people to chant it too.”

Lips curled at Evie.

“Better than folk music.” Billy decided. Pride welled because she smiled too. Genuinely. Evie fiddled with her necklace. Delicate little music note caught the technicolor glow. Brown eyes turned to see him, she tried to bite the smile down. Failed.

“So, what’s the deal with this party thing? A dance?”

“One of many in the city. Bunch of high schools will probably run drunk through the streets with everyone else. No one will get carded because no one cares on New Years. Dancing and whatever. Watch the ball drop, it’s just the feral thing to do that night.”

“And you could score with any girl, but you’re asking me. It won’t be like a date or anything.” Evie dropped the charm in her fingers to see Billy’s eyes linger.

“You mentioned that. I know how to get out and have a good time without fucking. I have all sorts of tricks.” He noted the word didn’t make her wince. “Not looking to break your seal.”

“You’re gross.” Again, no argument on the details of it.

“You’re too tightly wound.” He paused, whispering. “Maybe not, but you hide it.”

"Nothing to hide, I'm an open book."

"A never ending record," Billy pushed into her so their legs pressed flush, "not nervous around me though."

"Nope." Her lips popped, fingers curling into the hem of her dress when his arm snaked behind the couch. "Not nervous."

"Not running either." That realization seemed to hit them both.

"Why would I? I can handle you just fine." She hissed at that because it came out sexual. Billy licked his lips and snickered, shifting to face her head on.

"Oh, I like the sound of that." He'd murmured, inches from her face. Evie found herself wondering how he managed to weasel his way in this close. Wondered why she was drinking him back in. "Picture this. You and this perfume enjoying a couple free drinks and some fireworks in the city. No strings attached. Not a date. Just those exploding lights and that chilly wind cooling your cheeks down, because you'll be blushing and you won't know it."

"Uh huh. I guess I can see it." Evie sized him up and crossed her legs to lean back into him. "You and the roar of a Camaro commanding the city to its knees. Glam and hairspray working their magic."

"I love an audience, Angel." Billy shook his head and froze because her palm came to his knee. Bold move. "But, I don't mind the front seat to see you blush too."

"What about you?" She whispered with a hum. "What makes King Billy blush? Does all the noise you like to make hide it?" A spark flitted up her eyes. Made his chest heave. "Is that your secret?"

"Come to the party, I'll tell you all my secrets." Fingers grazed up her arm when soft digits gave a rhythmic tap against his thigh. Billy went for it. "Do this dance with me."

"You don't play as hard to get as you let on."

"Not when I want something bad. Better to just play harder." Lips parted to hit that word. Her brows lifted at such an admittance. "You're sizzling up a fuse, aren't you, Evie?" She shook her head with a lazy smile. Eyes finding his again after. Near sultry.

"You have to light a fuse first, Billy, for it to sizzle." Her hand crept along denim. Felt him go rigid and part his thighs just a little bit wider before she sat back. "And the fire's out anyway. I'll make good on the deal. If you win."

"I hope you have a dress picked." Billy scoffed, breathless and still intent on her while she looked ahead at the screen.

“Time is ticking. As if you taking me out will do me any good." Evie rolled her eyes and reclined back into his side. Quite comfortably like she wasn't thinking about it. "Give me cool points so Tommy and Carol leave me alone.”

“They’re assholes to everyone. It’s not you.” Billy replied dismissively. Curled his finger into her locks behind the sofa.

“You don’t notice who they target because you’re too busy chasing skirts and fighting others yourself. Also haven't seen the writing about me on the bathroom walls. School hierarchy rules. Open those pretty ocean eyes and see the world for what it is. You're untouched because of your front. Everyone wants to be Billy Hargrove or screw him.”

Evie looked at him there, blinking.

"What side of the line are you on?" He bit his lip. "I can guess."

She plucked his hand from her shoulder and placed it back into his lap. Patted it for good measure.

“So, you really think my eyes are pretty?” Billy laughed when a square pillow nailed him in the face. "You said it before too! When we were drunk and you still think it now that we're sober. Telling."

Tension shattered. Evie glittered right back at him, teeth flashing. Still chuckling, he tilted his head back to create the magical sound. Quieted.

“Fine. I’ll pay attention if it helps you sleep at night.”

Evie blew air out her lips, let a curl fly up and bounce down. They watched the screen again. Shared a space. Maybe it shouldn't have felt so intimate.

“Episode’s almost over. Thanks for playing.” She about sang. Triumphant.

“I guess you have me, Fenny.” Billy pushed up. “Mind if I take a leak?” He was already pacing off so she said nothing.

Just watched couples go hand in hand into the sunset.

There was a flush, the sink running, and then Billy’s huge smile crept back down the hallway. The boy was gone all of three minutes.

Bourbon in his arms. Purring. Perfectly happy. Evie’s jaw dropped open.

“Guess who crawled out of the shower to eyeball my junk? Not that I blame him.” Billy quipped, scratching the cat’s chin. Bourbon rubbed back into the touch. Rasped his scratchy meow for more.

“Traitor...” Evie muttered, coming to her feet. “Damn it.”

“Oh, yeah. You’re mine now, Evie. Seven o’clock. Wear something short if you like.” Billy’s lips were pressed up. Such an ass.

"I call foul." Her finger lifted.

"And I'll be calling on you. New Years Eve. Just an annoying dance. It'll be fun and free." His chin gestured at her. "Just say yes, Evie. Get out of this small town and see some lights for once. You want your name in them so bad, you gotta look at the damn things first. No day but today. Right?"

"Right," a lengthy sigh, "but, the fire's still out. Bourbon, why? First, mom and now you. He's just hypnotizing you both.” Evie took the cat from Billy, watched his face scrunch.

“Your cat is really named Bourbon?” He said flatter.

“I found him when we visited family in New Orleans. Bourbon street.” She let the feline nuzzle into her chest.

“God, Angel, I hope your lyrics are more creative than that.” Billy lightened, chest shaking as he peered away shaking his pretty head. “Well?”

She pouted and if that cat wasn't between them, Billy didn't know what he would have done. Another time or place. Another pretty dress. Another shared beat of bleeding together.

That itched him the rest of the night.

“I’ll go. Seven. I’ll dress nice. It’s not a date, so don’t try anything and get me home in one piece. I reserve the right to leave you if you act like too much of an ass.” Evie grumbled some about it, defeated.

But, she wondered about the lights and what it might be like to share them. Suppressed all urges that longed to hope.

“That much I can do, I might even keep my ass in check. Don’t flake, we have a deal. I’ll be your Mr. Darcy or whatever.” Billy made for the door, plucking up his jacket as she opened it.

“That’s an impossible standard, but keep dreaming.” Evie sighed out. Watched him turn to beam. Offered a pet to Bourbon. “Least you got his name right.”

“Quick learner, I get points. New Years Eve. Don’t make me chase you, Evie, because I will.” Billy stepped off the porch lighting a cigarette, idly waved behind him.

Game. Set. Match.

“I’m not gonna be nice about it.” She called.

“So, you’ll be your normal, cheery self with me. Great. Won't ask for anything else, we have a good thing going.” He turned to wink, curling a final smile. Evie stilled, petting her cat before sighing into the cold air. “See you then, Fenny.”

“Whatever you say, Hargrove.” She shut the door as he climbed his own porch. Looked at her cat.

“You did this to us, I hope you’re proud.”

Bourbon blinked. Another rumbling purr in response.

** ** **

“The world...” Evie plucked an idle cord. Sang soft to not disturb her mother down the hallway sleeping. Nestled into the wall on her bed next to the window. “May think I’m foolish. They can’t see you like I can...”

Darkness shrouded save for a small set of twinkling lights around her bed frame. Eyes kept averting to the clock.

“Oh, but anyone...who...”

Another pause to see the clock. Eyes flickered out along the street marked with lamps. Cracking her window to see out. Nothing. Evie settled. Changed the tune to something original and plucked another heart string.

“Those ocean eyes… Drowning me out. What I wouldn't give to...” Her palm caught the vibrating cord to snuff the sound. A groan as she set the guitar aside. “Shit.”

That was not happening.

A car went down the street at the exact moment the clock struck eleven. Evie grabbed her coat and locked her bedroom door. Checked her hair and makeup before hitching one leg over the window. Felt the naughty thrill pulse into her heart as she snuck out.

Billy peered to see beyond his own window near the foot of his bed. Unseen in the pitch black space. Thought about catching her. It was always a Saturday night. Evie Fenny crept out like clockwork. Wearing something nice under a jacket she held close. Sometimes with the guitar on her back. Lips painted red. Went down the street and returned as the sun rose. He’d observed it often. Sometimes it happened on school nights. Two to three times a week. Never asked because it didn’t seem important enough before. But, now…

Billy knew a teen girl didn’t paint her lips red at eleven o’clock on a Saturday for just anyone.

Evie hurried down the street toward the woods at the end. Got into a shiny car. Disappeared until sunrise.

~~~~~

Chat with me about Evie & Billy and the impending Skirt Safari Dance! Thanks!

TAGGED:@80sbxtch @nottherightseason @orxhidshavana @alagalaska @alongcamedolly

#billy hargrove #Billy hargrove x oc #Billy Hargrove imagine #billy hargrove fanfiction #billy hargrove fanfic #writing #mine #SOMY #Billy x Angel #Angel Fenny

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palakvalecha · 4 years ago

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Emily in Paris Fashion Analysis (part 1)

Unless you're living under a rock, chances are that you've heard of Netflix's show "Emily in Paris". So this week, I decided to see for myself what the fuss was all about. In terms of styling, the show is a lot like Sex And The City, which makes sense because the show has been styled by Patricia Field, who also styled Sex and the city, who also styled The Devil Wears Prada. This begs the question: what went wrong this time? Because Emily Cooper, for the most part, looks messy, barring a few looks. As I binge-watched the show, I couldn't help but realise how her sartorial choices are sometimes downright questionable. Emily's looks often include prints on prints on prints, a lot of color, a lot of plaid and A LOT OF CHANEL. But it's not all that bad. The show features references to Alexander McQueen, Victor and Ralph, Audrey Hepburn and apparently Gossip Girl. Lets get right into it.

We first meet Emily working out in Chicago, in a very dramatic workout look. A yellow, black and red Nike puffer jacket paired with black leggings and white sneakers seems like a bit much for a workout. While this look doesn't do much for the character to be liked fashion-wise, it is pretty good in comparison with the other looks.

We later see Emily in an office where she wears a Kenzo-print dress with a tiny black belt and white ankle-length cowboy shoes. The dress and the japenese motif is a subtle homage to Kenzo Takada, the designer who recently passed away, and his legacy.

Emily later arrives in Paris and to my dispair the look is very American. It's a Paris montage, she should have worn something chic. Granted that it's an 8-hour long flight from Chicago to Paris so she needs to be comfortable, but this wouldn't be the first time the styling for the show was going to be unrealistic. If we've decided to ignore logic, we might as well make her look good.

Emily heads to her office for her first day in Paris, where she wears graphic booties, python skirt and worst of them all, a Paris landscape shirt. A PARIS LANDSCAPE SHIRT IN PARIS. Who wears an Eiffel Tower shirt to go to work in Paris?? It's like wearing an "I ❤ Goa" shirt to your first day at work in a Goa.

Then comes this look with a breath of fresh air. We see Emily in a shin-length dress with polka dots and some other motifs paired with elegant black strappy heels by Elie Saab. This is the closest Emily has ever come to looking Parisian chic. This look is a sharp contrast to all the messy and over-the-top looks that we had seen and were yet to see on her.

Where do I even start? With this look, Emily missed the mark by a mile. Crosses over Breton stripes over plaid over metallic over camouflage over neon pink lace? Looks like the costume designer took all the fabrics she could find, and stitched it together. She paired it with a teal Chanel round bag and a Chanel jacket. We see the white cowboy boots make a comeback after the Chicago look, and it's nice to see Emily repeating shoes, you know, like one of us. But nothing can help improve the overall disaster that this look is. It's hideous, and my least favorite look from the season.

For a work event, Emily wears a black strapless cocktail dress with tule skirt and a black belt with a knockoff Alice and Olivia stace face bag. Why she had to ruin an otherwise elegant look with a quirky bag is beyond me.

This look is also one of the most questionable looks. She wears a polka dot bow top and a beige chiffon skirt with a pink fringe bag and the ugliest shoes in the history of footwear- Maison Margiela Tabi boots in beige. These shoes were made by Martin Margiela himself in 1988 and has been a brand staple ever since. The Japanese believed in separating the toe from the rest of the feet. While the legacy of the designer and the history of the shoe is rich, no outfit can make the shoe look good, least of all this one.

Next, we see Emily in a market and while everyone else wears heavy coats, Emily shows up in a crop top, high waist jeans, a colorful hat and a Chanel round bag. Who wears an outfit like that to go to the market? While the hat is chic, we can't disregard the fact that the look is insanely unrealistic. Emily's style might be a lot of things; practical is not one of them.

We next see Emily wear a black and white gigham blazer and shorts set paired with a red beret and yet another Chanel bag. Enough with the Chanel bags. But credit where it's due, the look is quite chic. The look is very Blair Waldorf, although she wouldn't wear that in 2020. But the Mona Lisa tote bag? Now I question everything positive I've said.

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psychosistr · 4 years ago

Photo

FOWL Scientist/Former Agent “Dr.Rose Gold”

Art by @thefriendlyfour , full bio under the cut:

Physical Description: Greater flamingo with extremely light pink (almost white) feathers for most of the body, dark pink tipped feathers on head feathers/hair that give the illusion of reverse-frosted tips, black feathers on fingers with darker pink feathers on hands. Beak has the same standard black tip and line going along the seam of the beak as regular greater flamingos, almost looking like black lipstick. Torso is fairly slim and small, but long legs and REALLY long neck make Rose look taller when fully extended- full extended height puts them about an inch and a half or so taller than Steelbeak. Has beautifully crafted mechanical legs plated in rose gold colored metal, hence the name.

Outfit: Rose’s general outfit consists of what could be described as a “crop-top lab coat” with a light pink upper half that just barely covers their chest and leaves their midsection exposed, and a split twin-tail style back in vibrant red with a rose emblem on the back. Part of the sleeve and tail on one side have suffered extreme tears and burn damage due to previous experiments gone wrong, but they refuse to throw it out because it “gives the coat more character”, in their opinion.

Gender: Gender fluid/tri-gender, will switch pronouns often (always best to assume gender-neutral pronouns unless told for sure if one of the others is okay).

Sexual Orientation: Polysexual with a preference for men and nonbinary individuals. Is okay with a partner who sometimes presents as female like they do, but not typically interested in regular women.

Age: 31

Nicknames: Rose, Rosey, Ro, Goldy, Dr.Trap, Pinky, Kee, Keekee (the last three are exclusively used by Steelbeak).

Real Name: Keya Datta. (Family is from India, but they never went until they were an adult)

Background:

Coming from a family of FOWL scientists, Keya always had a love of two things: Technology and Villainy. However, instead of taking the route the rest of their family did and jumping straight into the scientist role, Keya wanted to try the exciting life of an agent first.

They were partnered with Steelbeak ten years ago before Steelbeak became chief officer and the two worked surprisingly well together (despite Steelbeak not understanding or remembering their pronouns most of the time), with Keya being one of his longer lasting partners with a record of three months.

Unfortunately, their partnership came to an abrupt end when Keya suffered a rather nasty accident on a mission that resulted in their legs being blown off. The damage was so severe that not even FOWL’s medicine rays could repair their legs. Keya was out of commission for two years for recovery and used that time to design and build their replacement legs.

The joy of fabricating something so sleek and advanced rekindled their love for science and a year later Keya officially became Dr.Rose Gold- FOWL’s top security system designer and elite limb augmentation specialist.

Current Position: Still FOWL’s top scientist when it comes to security systems and traps, Rose has an entire laboratory to themself out in the middle of nowhere in the Nevada desert. This is both so they have the room to build and test elaborate traps and security systems, and because most people (High Command included) prefer to keep Rose as far away as possible. They don’t really have a lot of people working at the facility, either, it’s mostly just them and the occasional assistant or body guard that High Command sends to look after Rose, though most of them don’t stay for long because they get tired of dealing with Rose’s erratic nature while working, the traps they have to navigate on a daily basis, or both.

Personality:

Rose has a generally cheerful disposition, despite what they do for a living. Don’t let the constant cheerfulness fool you, though, they can also be very creepy and intimidating when they smile while talking about things such as “live experiments”.

They have a lot of energy and will talk for hours about anything they’re interested in (mainly technological advancements, traps, and security systems). Unfortunately, this energy isn’t always directed properly into their work as they’ll often get distracted and bounce randomly from one thing to the next depending on what strikes their mood.

Once they’ve formed an attachment to someone, things like personal space go out the window and they’ll be all over that person constantly. They’ll do everything from sitting on the person’s lap while tinkering with something, to draping themselves over their shoulders for a hug, and even preening- regardless if the person’s a bird or not.

Steelbeak’s so desensitized to it by now that he doesn’t even bat an eye or register anything off about the contact. He’ll hold very serious discussions with people while Rose is hugging him from behind and nuzzling him and not even acknowledge it until someone points out their behavior, at which point he’ll just be like “Trust me, gettin’ rid of ‘em’s more trouble than it’s worth- this is the safer option.”

While the physical affection can be a bit much for some people to handle, it’s nothing compared to Rose’s protective streak. Once they’ve gotten attached to someone, they’ll be SUPER protective of them, doing things like abducting people who wronged the person they care about to use for security-system testing later, keeping security cameras in key locations around their home to monitor for possible threats, and even planting trackers on/in them to know where they are in case of an emergency. “Invasion of privacy” is a phrase that definitely comes up around Rose more often than it probably should, but it’s just their way of showing they care.

Interesting Bonus Facts:

Rose’s favorite instrument is the hurdy gurdy, which surprises most people since it’s a 1,000 year old instrument, but they consider it a remarkable breakthrough in musical engineering. They’ll happily bust one out and play it to prove their point, which many people may originally laugh at...but the laughter stops when they start playing it like THIS and they just smirk when everyone’s jaws hit the floor.

Despite what many people’s first gut-reaction of seeing someone as hyper as Rose drinking coffee might be (typically fear), it actually has the reverse effect that most would expect and helps them focus easier. If they have a deadline for something coming up, they’ll practically LIVE off of coffee for several days straight and go into a work-frenzy where they’ll hyper-focus on their assignment until it’s completed.

Their robotic legs are their pride and joy, and they’ll happily talk about them whenever someone shows even the slightest interest. The limbs are sleek, strong, beautiful, durable, and practical- the feet have built in magnets they can activate to walk along metal walls and ceilings with ease.

Good luck getting them to cover up those pretty legs, though, they’ll plot your death if you even SUGGEST wearing pants to them.

For formal events they’ll either wear a really nice top or a dress, but a full suit is completely out of the question.

“Would you cover up Mona Lisa’s smile? No? Then don’t you even DARE suggest I hide these works of art from the world!”

People are often confused by/misinterpret the nature of Rose and Steelbeak’s relationship due to both Rose’s lack of personal boundaries and the two’s general familiarity and behavior with one another.

Many assume the two have dated in the past, but that never actually happened, mostly because Steelbeak was still figuring himself out back when they were partners and thought he was straight/didn’t understand Rose’s gender identity. Steelbeak eventually figured out he was bi later in life and gained a better understanding of different genders, but he’s also demiromantic and doesn’t really experience romantic attraction that often.

Rose definitely had a physical attraction to Steelbeak back when they worked together, but it never really went anywhere, and by now they’re both too comfortable with their current relationship to want to change anything. So, in the end, they have more of a “could have been something at one point, but never really happened and now it’s too late to try” sort of relationship.

Nowadays the two of them are still close despite how little they get to see each other in person. At most, they might be considered queerplatonic, but they don’t really have any sort of label on their relationship and just enjoy it for whatever it is.

#darkwing duck #dwd #dwd oc #my oc #FOWL #fowl scientist Rose Gold #thefriendlyfour

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anonymoushouseplantfan · 5 years ago

Note

Good morning Plant! One thing I’ve been thinking about lately and would love your thoughts on: do you think Meghan would have had more success framing her PR around being an underdog learning the ropes vs a victim? In storytelling readers generally can’t stand a victim but there’s something very powerful that people connect to emotionally about being an underdog. Or did Harry really screw her chances by being so restrictive about access right from the start?

I think she would have been more successful coming in as an underdog than as a glamorous Hollywood star who didn't need a training period because she would be perfect for the job and would bring the brf into the 21st century. That was her initial pr and the victim stuff didn’t start until this year.

An anon asked me if Kate’s super-slow princess rollout wasn’t, in retrospect, a good idea . I don’t think I posted that anon because I wanted to think about it, but, yes, in retrospect Kate’s rollout, which had many “underdog” aspects to it was a better idea than Meghan’s “she’s a star” rollout. Kate slowly worked her way up to royal events and her first event with the Queen didn’t happen until almost a year after her marriage. It was very frustrating because the pace was sooooooo glacially slow, but it worked a lot better than Meghan’s rushed intro.

One thing I have to note, though, is that Kate learned from her mistakes and that’s partly why her rollout was so successful. You could see them making course corrections in real time. The outfits for the cancer fundraiser and boat christening were too busy, so they simplified things and they switched to pared down Burberry coats and red Spagnoli suits. She was a little too enthusiastic in Anglesey and NI, so she was a bit more reserved in St. Andrews and the other events. The blue suit didn't photograph well so they stuck to simpler fabrics. The dress she wore for Charles’ gala was too sexy, so that got streamlined too. The Unicef interview didn’t go that well, so they ixnay-ed the interviews for a while. She had real rapport with kids, so they built that into her portfolio.

It was paaaaaaainfully slow, but you could see that they were taking it seriously and trying to do a good job. Meghan not only went too fast, she also made no changes whatsoever, even when it was clear she had huge problems. The clothes and grooming never improved and her interactions became more and more fake-looking as time went by. The only course-corrections he made is that she adopted the now-signature Mona Lisa smile, which looks better in photographs than her open-mouthed smile.

So, yes, a slower “underdog” rollout would have helped, but it’s hard to tell how much because you are not going to be a successful underdog if you are not willing to change and Meghan is not willing to change. She thinks she’s perfect and the brf should be one making the changes.

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twoidiotwriters1 · 5 years ago

Text

Starcrossed Losers V (Josh Wheeler xReader)

A/N: We get some interaction between Y/N and Angelica/Wesley. I hope that’s enough for you guys lmao

Words: 2,271

Warnings: This is basically a tutorial on how to not fix a severed finger. Blood and swearing.

Previous chapter // Next chapter

“Hey Wheeler, stay with me,” I slap his face lightly to keep him alert, “c’mon dude, Angelica's coming.”

Alex was sort of right about me. I take care of my people. Not that Josh is exactly my people, but he’s the closest thing I’ve had to that in a long time. I’m aware it’s only been a day, but still, I don’t want him to die. He worked so hard to find Sam I think it’d be shitty if he doesn’t get to reunite. I’ll stay and help, so my departure has been delayed.

“I’m an idiot,” He mumbles half-conscious, “I’m an idiot with no index finger on his left hand”

And I try, I try so hard to avoid laughing cause this isn’t a fun situation. Josh is losing a lot of blood. I can see the bone and muscles of his finger. I try and I fail cause it’s so ridiculous. He got bitten and instead of asking he jumped straight into the “guess I’ll cut it” part. Now he has no finger, and he is an idiot, but I have to act like he’s not so he doesn’t feel worse.

“It’s ok, everybody makes mistakes from time to time,” I reassure him, “we’ll figure it out, we have to cauterize the cut and maybe we’ll have to sew it. We can fix it. Now be good and keep your hand high while I cut a piece of this.”

He obeys and I rip the lower part of my shirt. I wash it hurriedly on the sink to get rid of most of the dust and when I’m done I kneel in front of him again and press the tip of his finger tightly. He screams and I shush him.

“Don’t move your hand! I’ll take care of this, just don’t move.”

“I’m back!” Angelica’s carrying duct tape and bandages on her arms, she drops them in front of me, “we should get to work.”

“You must have a lighter on that backpack,” I tell her, “get it along with Josh’s sword. We have to warm it hot enough to help us stop the bleeding.”

“You sure you know how to do this?” She asks skeptically.

“Do I look like a fucking doctor? No, I don’t but we have to do something,” I push her lightly towards the exit, “Get your backpack!”

“Okay! I’m on it!” She huffs, running back out.

“Weren’t you about to leave?” His eyes are tightly shut and his voice comes out harsh from clenching his teeth, I shush him again.

“I can’t leave you like this, can I? That’d be shitty of me, considering you help me get supplies and all”

“I just brought you to the mall, you got all that on your own”

“Still, if it wasn’t for you we’d still believe this is Baron’s territory,” Angelica comes back and kneels beside me, she grabs the sword and puts the end above the flame of her lighter.

“You don’t have any kind of anesthesia on that magical bag of yours, do you?”

“Sorry, no,” The girl replies without looking away from her job, “and the pharmacy is on Eli’s side, those things are the only stuff I could find.”

“Eli’s side?” I ask, “He locked us up again?”

“No. Wesley locked Eli,” She answers, “I need something stronger than my lighter, this won’t cut it.”

“Didn’t you have a blowtorch or something?”

“Sorta,” She stands up again, “I’ll be back!”

“Well, we have to wait like, ten minutes for the bleeding to decrease anyway.”

“How do you know this stuff?” Josh asks, a bit reluctant.

Because I read it on a fanfic once.

“You know... you don’t get bored during the holidays and google weird shit?”

“I-I don’t know, I guess?” He shrugs, then goes back to whining.

“Hey, crying won’t make it stop, tiger,” I tell him, “and it makes me nervous”

“I just fucking cut my finger, Y/N! I know crying doesn’t help but sure as fuck relieves the tension!” He snaps.

“Swearing is better, I can swear with you,” I offer, then look back at the blood dripping from the fabric, “Shit, I really fucking hate that you did this, are you out of your mind?”

“I just said I’m fucking stupid!”

“Are you swearing cause I told you to, or cause it’s actually helping?” I giggle, I do that a lot when I’m nervous.

“I think a bit of both?” He takes a deep breath, then screams at the top of his lungs, “FUCK!”

I laugh harder this time. This is surreal as fuck, here I am, holding Josh Wheeler’s severed hand, listening to his swearing concert while Angelica runs back to the bathroom with her blowtorch and points it to the sword, setting it off immediately. After the longest ten minutes of my life, Angelica let us know the sword is ready, or at least, she thinks it is. And she’s supposed to be the smart one so I trust her.

“Bite this, lover boy,” I pull the belt from the cutting board and give it to him, “cause this is gonna hurt worse than anything you’ve ever experienced in your life.”

Josh looks at me in panic and puts his belt between his teeth, firmly closing his mouth (and eyes) so it’s my turn now.

“Don’t fuck up what’s left of his finger,” Angelica warns me.

“Noted,” I say, taking the sword with shaky hands, “okay Josh, one...”

And I put the seething metal against his injury. I always heard is better if you do it without notice. There’s no way someone can prepare for the pain, to make a countdown for it is torture.

Josh screams but his voice is muffled by the belt on his mouth. I wait six, seven, eight seconds to retreat it and I see that his flesh is burnt and ruined, but is not bleeding anymore. He faints right after that.

“At least he waited till the end,” I sigh, when I look back I realize Wesley is also there and is looking at me with terror in his eyes, “oh, hi. Can you give us a hand?”

“What the..?”

“Stupid Josh cut his finger cause a Ghoulie bit him and thought he’d get infected.”

“Is he, like, still alive?”

“Yup, he just needs to sleep for a while, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“We should put the bandage now while he’s asleep and can’t complain as much,” Angelica mentions, giving me the stuff.

“Right,” I nod, “uh, Wes, you think you can bring me a bowl and put water in it so I can wash his hand?”

“What?” He looks at me like he just woke up and then blinks rapidly, “oh, yeah. Sure, be back.”

“Good job,” Angelica examines Josh’s hand with interest, “is this the first time you do it?”

“Thankfully, yes. I’m not sure he’ll be fine or if I actually helped, maybe I just fucked it up even more...”

“Nah, he’s a lucky guy, I’m sure he’ll make it out.”

“Hope so.”

“I heard him say you were leaving,” Her voice is softer now, and I know she’s doing it on purpose, “are you leaving us even if Josh’s hand isn’t fully recovered?”

“No,” I grumble, “I’ll stay until I’m sure he’s better. It’s the least I can do.”

“Perfect!” She stands up happily, “so like, a month or so, right? That’s enough time.”

“A month?! Enough time for what-” I look over at her in confusion but she’s already turned her back to me and is walking out of the restroom, “Angelica, that’s enough time for what?!”

Wesley gets back and has a bowl and several small towels on his hands.

“I thought you might need these too...” He signals to the towels on his left hand, then he steps closer and puts the bowl under the sink, “so Y/N... I guess you must hate me too.”

“I don’t, Wesley,” I’m not looking at him since I’m trying to put Josh in a more comfortable and easy position to clean his hand, but I can hear the nervousness on Wesley’s voice, so I figure it’s a good moment to set the record straight, “Do I think you were an idiot back in Highschool? Totally. I hated how you washed your hands from your friends’ shitty actions; all that is over now, though. We’re not in Highschool anymore and holding grudges over something that happened back then would be stupid.”

“You’re the first one to say that to me,” He lets out a nervous laugh, I hear his steps getting closer and his hand appears at my eye level with the bowl and a towel, I take them silently and start to clean Josh’s hand.

“Well, I’m not the one you bothered the most at school, if things were different, maybe I’d still be hating you. I still hate Hoyles, for example. And Turbo is no better. At least you do your weird samurai shit without annoying others.”

“I guess...” He sits beside me, waiting for me to finish my work, “I don’t really remember you from Highschool if I’m honest.”

“But you knew my name,” I give him a quick look, “when I got here with Josh, you said my name.”

“Yeah, cause I knew you from my time with the jocks and Turbo. You were always around School, doing this and that, whatever it was that Mona Lisa asked you to do. And you never spoke much with others. I saw you walk away from some of the Football players that tried to flirt”

“I wasn’t very fond of any of them. I was there for survival only. Then I decided I would be fine on my own and left,” Josh mumbles something and I stop what I’m doing, however, he’s still asleep and I start to put the bandage around his hand, “the real question here is, why did you go? You were Turbo’s right-hand man, you had everything”

“I didn’t have my freedom,” He answers, “Turbo can be... possessive, with his closest friends.”

“That sucks,” I finish the bandage and look over for the tape.

“Here,” He grabs it from behind me and I take it with a soft ‘thanks’, “so what’s your story, then? You had no friends on Highschool or something?”

“What’d you mean?”

“Why are you on your own?”

“Oh. Well, I did have friends,” I’m careful to wrap the tape only around the bandage and not the skin, so it doesn’t hurt him when he has to pull it off, “I had plenty, but you know how it is when a group of friends is not united by some common liking or hobby. When they’re just your friends cause you like them and that’s all. They felt like our group was lacking some kind of essence. So they went to the tribes that felt right for them.”

“And you?”

“There’s no tribe that specializes in doing random teenager stuff,” I chuckle, “I liked art stuff. And I wasn’t a fan of the Kardashians or did sports, or farming, or knew about tech and games... the Cheeramazons asked too much... I had this friend, Alex. He and I were a team. Until he also left.”

“That sucks,” Wesley nods, “but hey, you’re welcome to stay with us as long as you want. Me and Angelica, cause Josh will flee as soon as he feels better.”

“And I will do too,” I reply, finishing my work and cleaning my hands with the towel, “thanks for the offer, Wes, but I don’t feel like joining any group. I just don’t feel that works for me anymore, you know?”

“Hey, I’m no one to tell you how to live your life,” He shrugs, “you’re free to do as you please.”

“Sure,” I smile at him, “you’re kinder than what I had originally thought.”

“Thanks,” He nods, “you’re cooler than I thought. Now let me help you with this obsolete boy”

We get up and together grab Josh by the arms and put each one around our necks to take him somewhere where he can lay and rest. Angelica sees us and tells us that there’s a bed inside the store on our right, so that’s where we take him.

“Now what?” Wesley asks me.

I have no clue about what the fuck am I doing, and I’m not their leader, Josh kind of was. Isn’t it Wesley the one who should be telling me what to do now that Josh is out?

“I should be asking you that,” I frown, “Aren’t you like the second in command?”

“Fuck no, I’m not doing that again so soon,” He raises his hands, stepping back, “you’re the one who did all the curing, you know better”

“I know shit,” I reply, “I did what I think it could work to save him but if that doesn’t work someone has to take care of this cause Triumph might come back, or Turbo might still be looking for all of you and Angelica is your responsibility now.”

“Hey, I don’t need a fucking babysitter, Doctor House,” Angelica replies from her place next to Crumble who somehow got a hold of Josh’s finger and is practically drooling, “so don’t try to use me.”

“Fine,” I walk out of the store.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“I’m going to get Josh’s stuff from the bathroom and bring them here. Then I’m going to get my backpack and hammer and also bring them here. Let’s wait until Josh wakes up if he wakes up.”

Taglist.

@letsbloodmagic @hollywaterpls

#twoidiots writing #josh wheeler #josh wheeler xreader #wesley fists #angelica green #ms crumble #daybreak fanfic #daybreak #netflix #eli cardashyan

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letterboxd · 4 years ago

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Satisfied?

We examine what Letterboxd reviews of Hamilton reveal about the musical’s cultural currency in 2020.

In this absolutely insane year, when our love of movies feels helpless in the face of pandemic-induced economic collapse, some extremely good decisions are being made on behalf of audiences. Studio Ghibli on streaming platforms. Virtual screenings to support art house cinemas. Free streaming of many important films about Black experience. And: Disney+ releasing the filmed version of Hamilton: An American Musical—recorded at the Richard Rodgers Theater in 2016 with most of its original Broadway cast—a year ahead of schedule, on Independence Day weekend.

“Superlative pop art,” writes Wesley of the filmed musical. “Hamilton wears its influences and themes on its sleeve, and it’s all the better for it. Lin-Manuel Miranda and his team employ an unlikely cocktail of not only hip-hop and showtunes, but also jazz (‘What’d I Miss?’), British-Invasion pop-rock (‘You’ll Be Back’), folk music (‘Dear Theodosia’) and Shakespeare (‘Take a Break’) in service of developing an impressively vast array of themes. This is a testament to the power of writing, an immigrant narrative, a cautionary tale about ambition, a tragic family drama, and a reevaluation of who decides the narrative of history.”

2016 may only be a half-decade ago, but it feels like an eon in American political years. With theaters dark and America’s long record of racism under urgent scrutiny, the complex smash-hit lands back in the spotlight at an interesting time. Is Hamilton “the most offensive cultural artefact of the last decade”, as Lee writes? Or “timeless and wholly of the moment”, as Tom suggests? The answer, according to a deep read of your Letterboxd reviews, is “all of the above”.

First things first: why now?

Sophie has a theory:

“Disney executive: Hey we’re losing a lot of money because our parks are closed. How do we start making money again?

Other Disney executive: It might be nice, it might be nice… to get Hamilton on our side.”

Sure, business. Still, it’s historically unprecedented that a Broadway show of this caliber (a record-setting sixteen Tony nominations, eleven wins, plus a Grammy and a Pulitzer) would be filmed and released to the public while it’s still, in a Covid-free universe, capable of filling theaters every night. Will people stay away when Broadway reopens because they’re all Disney+’d out?

No chance, reckons Erika. “I’d still kill to see Hamilton live with any cast… I get why producers are afraid that these videos might hurt ticket sales, but I’m fucking ready to buy a ticket and fly to NY one day just to see as many shows as I can after watching this.”

Not every musical fan has the resources to travel, often waiting years for a touring version to come near their hometown. And even if you do live in a town with Hamilton, the ticket price is beyond many; a daily lottery the only way some of us get to go. So Holly-Beth speaks for many when she writes: “I entered the Hamilton lottery every day for almost two years but I never got to be in the room where it happens… however, this 4K recording of the original cast will do very nicely for now! Finally getting to see the context and performances after obsessing over the music for years was so, so satisfying.”

“Finally” is a common theme. Sydnie writes, “I love this musical with every fiber of my body and it was an extraordinary experience finally getting to watch it in Australia”. Flogic: “To finally be able to put the intended visuals to a soundtrack that I’ve had on repeat for such a long time: goosebumps for 160 minutes.” Newt Potter: “Now I fully understand people’s love for this masterpiece of a musical!”

I’ve got a small query for you.

Where’s the motherfucking swearing? Unsurprisingly, Disney+ comes with some limitations. For Hamilton, it’s the loss of a perfectly placed F-word.

“I know Disney is ‘too pure’ to let a couple of ‘fucks’ slip by,” writes Fernando, “but come on, it’s kind of distracting having the sound go out completely when they sing the very satisfying ‘Southern Motherfucking Democratic Republicans!’ line.”

Will agrees: “Disney cutting ‘motherfucking’ from ‘Washington on Your Side’ felt like sacrilege akin to Mickey Mouse taking an eyebrow pencil to the Mona Lisa.”

Nevertheless, sings Allison:

“Even tho Disney stripped the story of its f***s, Don’t think for a moment that it sucks.”

(Yes, she has a vegan alert for Hamilton.)

Does it throw away its shot?

The crew filmed two regular shows in front of live audiences, with additional audience-less sessions for a dolly, crane and Steadicam to capture specific numbers. The vast majority of you are satisfied. “It’s the most engaging and expertly crafted life filming I’ve seen since Stop Making Sense,” writes ArtPig. “The film does an incredible job of placing you right in the action. It feels like the best seat you could get in the theater. You can see the sweat and spit.”

“Translates perfectly onto the small screen,” agrees Ollie. “There’s a level of intimacy that feels hard to replicate in any other filmed production. We see those close ups, the passion and gusto behind every actor’s performance.”

“Shockingly cinematic for something filmed on such a small stage,” is Technerd’s succinct summary, while Paul praises director Thomas Kail: “He knows when to back away along with moving nearer when appropriate, and the choices always serve to govern the power and stamina of the performances.”

Though cast members’ voices were recorded on individual audio tracks, Noah had a few quibbles with the sound quality. “Some of the audio capture is off in the recording, sometimes voices being too soft or too loud. It’s not immersion breaking, but it is noticeable enough to irk me a little in pivotal moments. Some of the shot composition doesn’t fully work either. Of course nothing is going to be as good as seeing it in person.”

Robert, recalling another recent cinematic escapade of musical theater, lets his poetry do the talking:

“This will do for now until the true movie’s made, Though if Hooper directs, there’ll be an angry tirade.”

I think your pants look hot.

Hamilton fans have their cast favorites, but something about being able to see Jonathan Groff’s spittle and Leslie Odom Jr’s scowls in 4K has you losing it all over again. Several specific shout-outs we enjoyed:

“Daveed Diggs the Legend! Go watch Blindspotting (2018), it’s one of the best movies ever!” —Kyle

“It’s hard to believe anyone will ever top Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr. I already loved him from the original cast recording, but seeing his full performance in all its glory was just godly.” —Erika

“Thankful that it was made possible for me to view with such clarity the phenomenon that is Renée Elise Goldsberry and spectacular Phillipa Soo.” —Thea

“Daveed Diggs was electrifying and Jonathan Groff was absolutely hilarious. If they interacted together the stage would’ve combusted from the sheer will of their talent.” —Nick

This is not a game.

On one hand, the release of Hamilton is sweet relief for music theater nerds riding out the pandemic. A generation of kids knows every word by heart, rapping (this version of) American history like it’s no thing. On the other, the Obama-era musical already feels behind-the-times, even for many Hamilton lovers, and the filmed version has brought that into sharp focus.

“I listened to the OG cast album about 50 times when it came out, the production is about as good as I’d always hoped,” writes Josh. “Since then however there’s been a very important and broader reckoning with the failures of neoliberalism and the Obama years ([from] which this has to be the most emblematic piece of art) and for me personally a drifting further to the left that has resulted in a very different relationship with the material. So my feelings today are a bit more complicated.”

“Hamilton is extremely non-committal about its politics,” writes Sting. “It doesn’t examine much of what Hamilton dictated besides ‘he wants complete financial control of the country’ (which would sound like a fucking supervillain in any other context, including reality).”

That lack of political commitment, reckons Morgan, is what helped Hamilton as a musical become so popular: “It’s fun. It’s catchy. It interweaves trendy and socially relevant artistic tools to infer a subversive subtext, while simultaneously sanitizing and, at times, flat out fabricating the historical narrative and downplaying the brutality of the true origin story, for the sake of appeasing those in power. Classic Bill Shakespeare stuff.”

History has its eyes on you.

Much criticism lies with the fundamental storytelling decision to make a modern ruckus about America’s Founding Fathers, the men (including Alexander Hamilton) who in the late eighteenth century united the thirteen colonies and co-wrote the Constitution. Undisputed titans of history, they also have blood on their hands, and HoneyRose writes that the musical “glorifies these men, and paints them as self-sacrificing heroes, and honestly normalizes and validates slavery, as well as the behavior of slave owners.”

Stevie, who saw the Broadway production as well as the filmed version, confesses: “I’ve tried (I’ve really tried) to understand what makes people lose their minds over this but I’m still completely baffled by the hype… These were horrible men and a romanticism of them through song and dance just seems entirely misguided.”

Sean is not convinced that Hamilton is a hagiography. “I can’t imagine anyone watching all of this and thinking it paints a portrait of the Founding Fathers as anything other than childish, greedy, venal and self-aggrandizing.” Wesley agrees: “I don’t think Hamilton is trying to be a history lesson, so much as a lesson about how we think about history. It’s a compelling human story told in a revolutionary way.”

That “revolutionary way” is the musical’s central conceit: that of a cast-of-color playing the white founding fathers as they bumble towards independence. Journalist Jamelle Bouie, who regards the musical as “fun, exciting, innovative and, at points, genuinely moving,” wrestles with the “celebratory narrative in which the Framers are men to admire without reservation. Through its casting, it invites audiences of color to take ownership of that narrative, as if they should want to take ownership of a narrative that white-washes the history of the revolution under the guise of inclusion.”

It’s complicated for Matt, too: “It’s widely agreed upon that the show encapsulates the Obama era better than anything, how it coddles white liberals with a post-racial vision of history in a superficial sense, overlooking the insidious and oppressive systems that they benefit from (hearing the audience clap to ‘Immigrants, we get the job done’ unsettled me). Of course hopefully its legacy will be that it opened up more Broadway roles for POC. But I really think that the show doesn’t make Broadway more appealing and accessible to POC, it just makes hip hop more accessible to white people, a launching pad of course to listening to Watsky or something.

“No hate though to anyone that’s completely in love with this, it’s definitely worth seeing despite any hang ups.”

I wanna build something that’s gonna outlive me.

The story doesn’t end, just because the music does. Kai_Kenn has a suggestion: “I have been a part of discussions that dissect the culture that created Hamilton, as well as the culture that Hamilton created, and whether or not Hamilton appropriately addresses the modern issues [that] the cult following proposes it does.

“This is an ongoing discussion that I am trying to be an active listener in and, if you consider yourself to be a conscientious consumer of art, you should too.”

Noah is on board with that: “Reflecting on the past and focusing on the future are not two mutually exclusive actions. Both are a must, regardless of who you are or what you do. A five-star experience in a four-and-a-half-star film. I think that’s just fine.”

Related content

Want to see more of the key cast? Watch Daveed Diggs in ‘Blindspotting’; Renée Elise Goldsberry in ‘Waves’, Jonathan Groff repeat his role as Kristoff in ‘Frozen 2’, Lin-Manuel Miranda in ‘Mary Poppins Returns’, Leslie Odom Jr. in ‘Harriet’, Phillipa Soo in the forthcoming ‘Broken Hearts Gallery’, Christopher Jackson in the forthcoming ‘In The Heights’, Jasmine Cephas Jones in ‘The Photograph’, Okiereriete Onaodowan in ‘A Quiet Place II’ and Anthony Ramos in ‘Monsters and Men’ and ‘A Star is Born’.

Ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement

Official Black Lives Matter’s Resources

Teenagers that have ‘Hamilton’ stuff on their bedroom walls

Films where they mention ‘Hamilton’

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coffeeandcalligraphy · 5 years ago

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20, 30, and 43 for the ask game?

20. Post a snippet of a WIP you’re working on.

Ohh there’s so much I want to share from Feeding Habits but I shall leave it to this paragraph because I’ll be coming out with a writing update very soon! In the following a dissociated Lonan finds himself at a confessional after a mini argument with his girlfriend Eliza. Textbook Lonan vibes:

The confessional smells rank, like rotting paper and expired cologne, all of its corners seedy with overuse. Scratches mar the fabric he rests his elbows on, like someone clawed into it, skid marks on the floor from a rainy day. He can’t imagine anyone else but him in this small box, caged in by the lattice, mumbling incoherent sins to the priest he hasn’t even committed. Stealing a set of glass eyeballs from a garage sale. Forgetting his wedding anniversary. Missing Easter Sunday mass to go whale watching. He doesn’t sign himself at the right times or speak at the right times or thank the priest at the right times. He lies when he’s asked if he’s lied since his last confession. He mentions nothing of drinking with Anya, of not saving the sheep or the bunnies even though he knew the outcome of their lives without finishing the program. Of being a wicked child, of knowing wicked children, of not knowing the difference between wickedness and innocence, and which one he learned first.

30. Favorite line you’ve ever written.

I also really like this little section from Feeding Habits!! However Rewired (Fostered #6) probably contains all my favourite lines I’ve written which just goes to show that sixteen-year-old Rachel was truly onto something. But this is from FH:

She liked the feeling of subtle frost on the countertops, how it jolted her when she touched it accidentally in the morning. He found her many mornings awake before him, transfixed to the table with both palms soldered to its surface, like she’d forgotten she wasn’t a part of it.

43. Are you an avid reader?

I’m a horrifically terrible reader actually! I used to read a lot more when I was younger (not an astronomical amount, but I did read), but I think as I’ve aged and also picked up more hobbies, reading has been left in the dust a little. HOWEVER my lack of reading has begun to upset me so I’ve actually found reading poetry books has helped because they’re so short that I can read them in an hour or so. I have a very short attention span when it comes to reading, so it’s super motivating to get through an entire book in one day! I recently read For Your Safety Please Hold On by Kayla Czaga (so good 5 stars delish), and am halfway through Anatomy of An Injury by Myna Wallin. I’ve also been reading Bunny by Mona Awad for a few months and I adore it so far I just need to keep it in an obvious place so I don’t forget to pick it up! Really I just gotta remember to read! If anyone has litfic-y short novel recs/novella recs hit me up!

#writing #amwriting #writeblr #writerblr

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ask-de-writer · 4 years ago

Text

An excerpt from GONE TO SEA, a novel in progress

Return to the Master Story Index

Return to the World of Sea

CHILDREN’S PLAY

An excerpt from GONE TO SEA, a novel in progress

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

3688 words in this excerpt

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Users of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights. They may reblog the story. They may use the characters or original characters in my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical compositions. I will allow those who do commission art works to charge for their images.

All sorts of Fan Activity, fiction, art, cosplay, music or anything else is ACTIVELY encouraged!

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What Mecat told Kurin was basically true. The fundamental discoveries of glue in Strong Skin was made by children wanting to make toys. They even made some boats and some ships. Over time, their arts got lost and Mecat had to show the scattered men on Sea how to do again what the children had learned.

The original colonists to Sea were all picked for being, among other criteria, quite bright. Somehow, nobody paid attention to the fact that many bright people have bright children too.

When Adults get too busy, they often put the concerns of children last. In an environment like Sea, that may be a mistake of sorts . . .

Chapter 04. Children at Play

As is the case everywhere that there are children, they play. In some of their playing, they imitate their elders. They also do another thing that children have done since the dawn of time. Because the only toys that the adults thought to bring or make were educational, they raided the trash for fun things to play with.

Cora Halyn dug the pan out of the waste stream dumpster. Grinning, she held it up for the others to see. “What good is that?” asked Mikal Novotnoy.

Cora grinned some more and threw out several used twenty centimeter air filter disks made from the dried skin of the Strong's shark. She said happily, “I was there when the cooks made this mess out of some Moreson's eels. They tried to soak it out, scrape it and even chip it loose. Since it melted once, I don't know why they didn't try to melt it again. If it will melt, we can squish it into these disks and make Frisbees!”

Jason Torres asked her, “Did they chuck out any of the Shark's teeth or bones?”

Cora promptly dove back into the dumpster. The sound of things shifting and thumping about followed. Several large pieces of bone and some ten to fourteen centimeter long razor sharp and naturally serrated teeth cascaded out of the trash bin. Cora vaulted out after them.

“Why did you want the teeth and bones, Jase?” she asked curiously.

Jason cut a finger as he gathered up the teeth and bones that Cora dug out for him. He paused long enough to suck the cut a moment before commenting, “Those teeth are sharp! I thought that it might be fun to try doing some scrimshaw with them. Maybe even make my dad a present that he can use, like a paperweight or something.”

The children gathered up their booty of trash and went to the recycle center. Mister Makle looked over what the children wanted and asked, “What do you want with the pan? The rest is no problem but that pan is aluminum. We can remelt it and make new things from it.”

Cora grinned and pointed out, “True, but we already get all of the new aluminum that we want by processing seawater. What we really want is the goo in the pan. I think that we can melt it and work it into the used filter disks. If I am right we can make Frisbees out of them! Those eels are pretty common so we can make lots of toys like that if it works.”

Shrugging and smiling, Mister Makle signed a release for the children's salvage and said, “Be sure to let me know if that trick works! I'd like a Frisbee too!”

The next day, Cora and the rest of her crowd brought Mister Makle a home-made Frisbee.

Cora proudly explained, “The goo by itself was way too brittle when it hardened in the disks. We fixed that by mixing in some oil that we got by rendering the waxy stuff. Now it is strong and somewhat flexible. Here, try it!” She expertly flipped the disk to him.

Mister Makle caught the disk with a delighted smile and did try it. He flexed it some and then tossed the disk so that it bounced off a wall and examined it again. He smiled even more as he said, “Keep me and the rest of the waste management and maintenance team in Frisbees and you can have anything that you want from the trash if it isn't dangerous. OK?”

Jason grinned back and said, “Sounds easy enough. There's lots of those used filter disks. We have another idea that you might like.”

Interested, Mister Makle asked, “What is that?”

Seeing that there was an adult who wasn't too busy to pay attention, the assorted children of Cora's crowd gathered around and said, “Fishing! When we saw how tough that Strong's skin and eel goo is, we made a pole out of some of it.”

Mikal added, “We figured out that if you cut a big mussel loose and just set it in some seawater, it will put out the attachment foot to start making new holdfast strands. We put a little chunk of bone near where the foot comes out. As soon as it stuck the holdfast thread to the bone, we started to pull real gently. We got over five meters of line from it.”

Mister Makle said, “I'd like to see that. What are you going to use for a hook?”

Cora said, “We are going to try several things to see what works best. The dense bone from the Strong's shark will be the base for most of them. A few will be carved out of shell from the mussels. Got a piece of paper? Mala'klea will sketch them up for you. Her folks were in the Polynesian Back to the Ocean movement. She's learned all sorts of neat stuff from them.”

Black haired little Mala'klea silently took a pen and began sketching quickly. It only took a few moments for her to hand Mister Makle the paper with a half dozen different hook designs on it, complete with notes about materials and the glue applications where necessary.

While she was sketching Mister Makle asked Cora, “Doesn't she talk?”

Cora gave a half grin and replied, “Yes she does, when she has something to say. It is worth listening when she does speak because it is always good.”

Mala'klea did suddenly look up at Cora with a smile and said, “We can overlap disks to make laminated planks. We could make a sailing canoe from them.” She fell silent again and took another sheet of paper.

Her nearly flying pen sketched rapidly. A simple dory built design for a long, deep keeled and moderately wide canoe-like boat took shape. It had a large outrigger or secondary hull and a deck on struts between the main hull and the smaller one.

Mister Makle looked at the paper and commented, “Sweet design. This is all done with equal angles for the ribs. That will make the fabrication easy. You kids will need a formal adult supervisor for a project this big. How long do you actually plan to make it?”

Cora grinned in relief that their idea wasn't just being blown off by a man whose department was critical to building it. She replied, “We thought that about twenty meters should make it safe from Strong's sharks and most of the other big fish that we know of.”

Mister Makle studied the drawing and sections seriously for a moment and said, “That will be way too large to manage easily with paddles. Will it have a sail?”

Cora agreed, “It will have two masts and three sails. Mala'klea has that all figured out. Her mom was the captain of the Mona Loa. It was a sailing ship of the Polynesian Back to the Ocean Movement.”

Mister Makle grinned widely and said, “You do know that this boat is as big as the two ships that the station engineers are planning to build, don't you?”

“Sure we do,” Cora replied confidently. “Size is a relative thing. Theirs will be wider and deeper in the hull and have two masts. Those round ships will be able to carry a lot more than our voyaging canoes and will have a longer range. We figure that these will be way faster, though.”

Mister Makle asked, “Would you be willing to practice on a smaller boat or two using the same principles, just to test your ideas before you commit to building the big one?

“I know that the maintenance crew would be willing to do the supervision in their off time. They want a chance to play about with boat building but the shipyard is being a real prat about it ever since Mister Angerson got put in charge. This will be a big job because of all of the Moreson's eels that you will have to catch. I can set the recycle folks to salvaging all of the filters that come through.”

Cora got a faraway look and then suggested, “That would be great. We could use a test boat to catch the eels that we will need. If everything works as well as it should, we could even help the maintenance team to make some boats for their own use.

“I think that Pele Barant would be our best senior supervisor. Not only is she Mala'klea's mom, she knows all about primitive tools and things because she was in the Polynesian Back to the Ocean movement. She's also a top flight mechanical engineer.”

Mister Makle promptly placed a call through his computer. “Mrs. Barant, this is Mister Makle down in the Waste Management office. Your daughter and some other children are down here.

“What? No. There is nothing wrong. In fact, I think that they want to do something very right. It will need a senior supervisor who understands so-called primitive tools and materials.

“They told me that you were in the Polynesian Back to the Ocean movement on Earth and that you might make a good person to supervise their work. Oh, did I forget to say what it was? They want to make a surprisingly large sailing canoe based on a Polynesian voyaging canoe.

“Yes, I thought that you might like to see how they plan to do it and the materials that they have found. Recycle has turned up a few other native things that might be useful in the project as well.

“So, we will see you in a few minutes? Excellent! We will be waiting.”

He turned back to the children and told Mala'klea, “That really got your mother's attention. Do you kids know that this is the first proposed project to use only things and materials from Sea?”

Cora grinned and held up one of the flying disks. “Not quite. We made these first. To do them right we had to make a knife that would cut that Strong's shark skin. It is really tough stuff.

“Jason, do you have those knives that you and Mala'klea made? If you have them handy, we could show them to Mrs. Barant. Mister Makle might like to see them, too.”

Mister Makle leaned back in his office chair and said, “I would like to see them. My department got stuck with making those filter disks and you would not believe how fast that skin will dull a knife. Thing is, Pele is on her way down. Save the knives and show them to both of us at once. She is the expert on things like this.”

Several of the maintenance crew came into the office. One of the women exclaimed, “Boss! How did you get Frisbees? I applied to engineering to make us some for recreation and they turned their noses up at the job. Said that they had more important tasks than toys!”

Mister Makle grinned and tousled Cora's hair as he replied, “They turned me down too, Molly. The kids here made these out of old air filter disks and some sort of glue that they made out of Moreson's eels. They work really great. Here, Molly, catch!” He flipped a disk at the woman who had spoken.

Startled, Molly reflexively caught the disk. She paused long enough to examine the disk carefully. She said quietly, “This looks like it was press molded. How did you guys make it?”

Cora smiled in delight at the recognition of their work and replied, “We made one that worked really well. We used it to make a form that we do press them into. All that we need to do is wax the form and our hands. Then we work the glue into the disk and push it tightly into the form by hand. It needs about twenty minutes to set up and then we can pop it out and make another. That's about all that there is to it.”

Molly happily flipped the disk to another of her crew, even though the range was short. It never got to him. A small Black haired woman dived in from the door and caught the disk before he had a chance at it. She bounced energetically off one of the office walls and stood, examining the disk intently. She flexed it and said, “Here, Klea! Catch!”

The disk sailed across to little Mala'klea who did catch it expertly. Beaming, she said, “Thanks, Mom! This one is for Molly and her team. We have more and can make them for anyone else that wants one!”

Mister Makle observed, “That is more than I have heard you say even when you were drawing up the boat plan.”

Mala'klea, cringing like she expected to be hit, looked about fearfully, and went silent. Pele crouched beside her daughter and pulled her into a hug. Mala'klea hugged back fiercely, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.

Pele spared a look for the shocked Recycle and Maintenance people in the big office. Still holding her daughter, she told them, “Klea was one of the children that Mister Angerson was caught beating for refusing to pray to his God during their schooling time. Instead of teaching them math, he was trying to force the children to follow him in his suicidal mania that he calls a religion.

“He was particularly brutal to those kids that he called pagans. Since my little Klea follows our family's polytheistic beliefs, he beat her the worst of all. The station's doctors found two cracked ribs and a hairline fracture of the right radius.

“Mala'klea refused to give in to his assault but he did manage break her trust in most people.

“Mister Angerson has been formally required to surrender his teaching duties and stay away from the children. He has been forbidden to ever touch or speak to any of them. His own wife and two children moved into our apartment to get away from him. Trisha has filed with the station's Executive Committee for a divorce.”

One of the men from Molly's Maintenance crew said, “I know about the schooling problem. I was on the jury. What Angerson did sickened us all. He claimed that God Himself ordered him to discipline the children for their unbelief and that God's orders override the Colonial Charter. We all disagreed. The verdict was unanimous.”

Molly volunteered, “That idiot Marcus cornered me once and tried to convince me that we are doomed. God sent us all here to die by slow starvation for our sins. Seems that we are all to be the Sacrifice For The New Covenant to preserve all of mankind's colonies in space.

“He seems to forget that both the thymine and lysine that are our last real stumbling blocks have been spotted from orbit, even if they haven't been isolated to any particular organism yet. In the meantime, the plants and animals that we brought along are filling the gap. We will find what we need someday, probably soon.”

Pele nodded to Molly then gave her daughter another hug and asked her, “Do you have any sort of plan or working drawings for the boat that Mister Makle mentioned? What are you thinking of making it out of?”

Everyone watched silently as Mala'klea went fearfully to Mister Makle's desk and, darting glances all about, brought her mother the pages of sketches. She took one of the flying disks from Cora and wordlessly handed it to her mother as well.

Pele's eyes lit up and she sat cross-legged in front of Mala'klea and patted her lap. Looking meaningfully about at the other adults for silence, Pele said, “This is a wonderful start, Klea. Please tell me about it.”

Mala'klea began almost inaudibly, “We can use old filter disks and rectangles to make the planks. See, Mother? The big side planks are the same width all along their length. By keeping the angles of the side to bottom planks the same, it is just a long four plank dory, the same way that the old Polynesian voyaging ships were built.”

Mother gave daughter a quick hug and prodded, “How will you make the planks out of the smaller pieces, Dear?”

Mala'klea answered more confidently, “To make the flying disks we had to make a glue out of Moreson's eels. Because of the messy way that they come apart when we heat them, we call them Goo fish. We had to try several ways to get the glue right. We had some of the disks stick together by accident. That gave me the idea for laminating the parts.”

Pele nodded in happy seeming approval. “Very observant, Klea. How will you hold the planks and ribs together?”

The other children of Cora's Crowd almost bit their lips to keep quiet. Cora stopped one of Molly's crew from speaking by whispering, “We have seen this before. This is how Pele helps Mala'klea to stop being scared. Let Klea answer for now.”

The man nodded understanding and held his tongue.

Mala'klea almost eagerly told her mother, “We can get strings from the mussels that grow almost everywhere on the Station's docks. Cora figured out the glue and filter thing but it was Jason who thought of the string. It was Matty that thought of making a boat. I put their ideas together.

“We can use string that we make from the mussel threads to tie the parts together. Once we are ready, we can laminate more skin over the joints to waterproof them. We can lock the ribs into place the same way. It is only a little different from the way that you were putting together the latest big Polynesian ship that you and your friends were building back on Earth.”

Pele grinned at her daughter, and looking her in the eye, pointed out, “Those planks and parts will need to be trimmed to shape, and many holes drilled in them to tie them together. How will you manage that?”

By now, Mala'klea was answering eagerly and openly again. “Jason and I made some knives and other tools out of Strong's shark teeth! Jason brought them down here to show to Mr. Makle. We can cut and trim the glued skin with them. We made an awl that can make the holes. When you were making that big canoe, you had a bow drill thing to make the holes but I couldn't remember how to make one.”

Jason silently handed a roll-up of knives and other tools to Mala'klea who unrolled it to show her mother. Pele took the time to examine each knife and tool carefully. She thoughtfully tested edges and checked the orientation of the natural serrations in the fangs that the knife and tool edges and points were made of. One tool was made from a piece of flat bone with fairly coarse teeth carved into it for spreading and forcing glue into the skin. The tool had the sheen of a waxy coating worked into the bone. They all had handles formed of many layers of the skin and glue. Each handle was carefully formed to fit the hands of the children. Pele even examined the leather of the roll-up.

Nodding with a smile as she felt the softness of the leather, Pele asked Mala'klea, “Is this made out of some of the Strong's skin with your oil from the Goo fish worked in to soften it?”

Mala'klea smiled at her mother and said, “Yes, mother. Mikal Novotnoy thought of doing that. We all worked on different parts of it. It is stitched with the mussel string. We needed something that would keep the tools sharp and save us from getting cut on them.”

Pele gave Mala'klea another hug and stood up, holding the child's hand. She said, “This is a really well thought out project, Klea. I especially like the way that you gave credit for ideas to the others. I think that this ship will make a great project.

“It will need you children to do a lot of math to figure out the details. You will need good language skills to present what you figure out to the rest. We can use this project for a big part of you kid's schooling. It will make a perfect demonstration of the relationship between what you are taught in class and the real world. It will also be more fun than any lessons should be.”

Mr. Makle thoughtfully consulted his computer, accessing the Public Announcements. Looking up he said, “You kids don't need to worry about Mr. Angerson any more. He is forbidden to even come near to any of you, including his own family or your projects. If he tries, we can lock him up. The Executive Order implementing the jury verdict of child abuse was posted about four days ago.”

Pele looked over at Mr. Makle and asked him, “How can we keep him away from this project? It will need a lot of room to build it and, because of their time in the classrooms, the kids won't be able to work on it all of the day.”

Mr. Makle looked cheerfully at the children of Cora's Crowd and said, “Maintenance will contribute building space for it down on Maintenance Dock C. Its access ways all lock. As soon as you are ready for the actual building to begin, let me know and I will formally reserve it for you. Due to the suspicion of sabotage to the Reverse Osmosis Desalination plant, we have been given the authority to forbid access to ANY unauthorized personnel. We can arrest trespassers if necessary. C Dock is already equipped with surveillance cameras and alarms.

“We installed the locks, alarms and cameras because we are storing those new fiberglass boats that you have been making for us down there. If we do have a saboteur, those boats could become a prime target.”

The End of Chapter 4

Return to the Master Story Index

Return to the World of Sea

#CHILDREN’S PLAY #excerpt from GONE TO SEA #World of Sea #Written by De Writer

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ladykateofledfordpark · 5 years ago

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The Pink Shirt (Logan x MC)

This fic was written for day 5 of the Choices July Challenge hosted by the amazing @kinda-iconic under the profile @choicesjulychallenge and for RoDAW!

I want to dedicate this fic to the one and only @itsbrindleybinch! Without her I would probably still be stuck on an idea for a fic. XD

Of course, I'm also dedicating this to Mar (@brightpinkpeppercorn) and @choicesarehard, some of the founders of this beautiful week! ❤

Tagging also my beautiful and supportive friends @jlpplays1 @desiree-0816 @choices-fam, @lady-kato and a few others- @universallypizzataco @lilyofchoices @x-kyne-x @princessstellaris, @sibella-plays-choices! Thank you for everything! =)

This fic is fairly lighthearted cause I wanted to write some lighthearted fic amongst all this angst! XD

Day 5 Prompt: Mistake

Pairing: Logan x MC (Ellie)

Summary: There is a slight mishap in the laundry.

Warnings: PG-13 for slight slight innuendos

----------

The sun's rays slanted through the window's shutters, landing right above Ellie's face. She twisted, murmuring something to herself, when she heard slight cursing.

She opened her eyes and glanced at Logan. He was shirtless, his hand tirelessly running through his beautiful messy hair. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice he woke her up, but Ellie didn't complain. She enjoyed these few moments when she could just gaze at him in adoration.

"Is something wrong?" She asked at last.

Logan glanced at her, his dark eyes suddenly full of worry. "Did I wake you up?"

Ellie smiled. "It's fine," she stretched, and laughed when she saw the slight smile on Logan's lips. "What?"

"You're cute, you know that?"

Her cheeks reddened, and she fidgeted with the shutters. How did Logan always get her so flustered?

She heard the scratching of wood before a familiar warmth coursed through her. Logan sat beside her on a wooden chair as he held her hand. The way he looked at her made her cheeks darken even further. "I like teasing you."

He brushed his thumb on her hand, and her pulse automatically quickened. Somehow, even after living with the MPC for a few weeks, Ellie still found herself acting sometimes like a young flustered girl.

She hated it, but she loved how Logan beamed after these moments. Only then he had that special smile: kind, affectionate and happy.

She shot him a smile, before asking again. "What's wrong? You seem worried."

Logan sighed. He got up and walked toward the table, picking up a slightly pink fabric. When he unfolded it, Ellie's eyes widened. "Your shirt."

"I know."

Ellie met his eyes, and suddenly she couldn't hold back her laughter. "Oh my gosh. I can't believe it. What happened?"

Logan put down the shirt, gazing absentmindedly at the wall. "One day I don't do my laundry. One day. And this happens."

"Don't you have other shirts?"

"I had one other, and it was also inside the same machine."

Another fit of giggles escaped her, and Ellie tried her best to keep it down. By the way Logan looked at her, though, it was pretty obvious how successful her attempt was.

She couldn't help it, though. Logan's reaction to this was priceless.

"It's really not that bad, Logan. A lot of guys wear pink shirts. You won't be the only one."

He didn't meet her gaze. "I can't. I need to keep this threatening persona, Ellie. No gangster would be afraid of someone with a pink shirt."

Ellie bit her lip, laughter still mercilessly attacking her. "I don't know. I think pink will suit you."

He let out a heavy breath, though there was a slight hint of a smile on his face. "Ellie…"

"Try it on."

Logan sent her a steely glare. "No."

She batted her eyes. "For me?"

"Fine," Logan answered reluctantly.

With wide strides he crossed the room, took the shirt on the desk and put it on. Ellie scanned him, her smile growing, before giving an affirming nod. "You look even better like this."

Logan rolled his eyes before he took off his shirt. Ellie sighed in disappointment, but Logan shook his head. "No."

"But-" her eyes fell once again on the shirt, and she pouted.

"No, Ellie. Now come on."

They left their room, back out to the garage. The other MPC members were all awake by now, each one of them focused on their very own project. Logan headed to Toby, his steps long and confident, when Mona thrust out an arm to block his way. Her gaze flitted from Logan to Ellie, her brow raising in question.

"It's not the time." Logan murmured.

Ximena crossed her arms. "Leave them alone, Mona."

Mona shrugged. She turned her back to the rest of them before heading to the kitchen, the click of her footsteps on the stone floor the only sound she made.

Ellie was surprised when she felt a familiar weight sitting on her. She turned in that direction, and was surprised to see Colt watching her silently. Something about his gaze was so different than the way he usually looked at her, that she couldn't even tell if it was real.

And then it was gone, and Colt turned back to his own tinkering.

Logan sighed and walked till he was right next to Toby. "Hey, can I help you with anything?"

Toby turned toward Logan, and a wide smile immediately emerged. He played with his glasses, enthusiasm shooting from his eyes like lasers. "Of course!" He started to point out different parts that needed working, when he suddenly stopped, frowning. "Why are you shirtless, Logan? I did the laundry yesterday!"

Logan sighed. "It was you?"

Toby nodded. "You guys always do mine, so I decided to learn. Colt helped me."

Colt smirked, his hands still busy with his work. "It was my pleasure."

Logan narrowed his eyes. "You-"

Ximena hurried toward Logan and held him in the strongest grip she could muster. "Calm down, you two. Stop acting like hunters fighting over prey. You're taking this too far."

Toby frowned, glancing between the sheathing Logan and Colt, before meeting Ellie's gaze. "Do you know what's going on?"

She bit her lip. "Well…"

Ellie winced as the voices of the two boys grew louder. By now Ximena was nearly digging her fingers in Logan's shoulder, all in a desperate attempt to stop the fight threatening to break out. "Logan, relax. It's just a pink shirt."

He glared at her. "That's not what this is about. This guy-"

"That is enough."

The room quieted, and they all turned toward Kaneko's cold stare. His voice was the perfect type of dangerous: cold and calculating, with a hint of danger Ellie never wanted to know.

Once. Before she joined this life.

"Logan, go put on a shirt. It's not the right time to impress the girl. As for you," he turned back to his own son, "no stunts, understood?"

Colt clenched his jaw. "Of course."

"Good."

Logan and Colt exchanged venomous looks before Logan hurried off. Ellie sighed as she started after her almost-boyfriend, wondering if the girls of the MPC will always have to babysit the boys.

"Seriously, it's just a pink shirt."

#playchoices #choices #choices stories you play #rodaw #logan x mc #choices ride or die #ride or die logan #ride or die #ride or die appreciation week #choices july challenge

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lovehugsandcandy · 5 years ago

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Eight Days a Week, Eight Seconds a Kiss (Part 5) (Colt x MC)

A/N: Still don’t know what I am doing but as long as we’re having fun. Or, as long as Mona is having fun, I guess. That’s all that matters. (Ellie, girl, you’re so close here! So close!)

Pairing: Colt x MC, ROD

Length: ~2K words

Rating: PG-13 (Swearing, probably, because I swear a lot.)

Summary: Ellie wants to live her life to the fullest, starting with her first kiss. She just needs a little encouragement.

Wednesday: Somewhere Between I Want it and I Got it

“Have you ever tried eyeliner?” Mona studied her, circling in silent evaluation.

“At sleepovers?” Ellie felt shy, melting under Mona’s piercing gaze; no one had ever looked at her with such an calculating stare. She was pretty sure that she was coming up short.

“Hmm….” Mona pursed her lips. “Might be a little too aggressive then. Some shadow?”

“Why are we doing this again?”

“Why did you borrow my clothes the other day?” Mona turned to her closet, flinging clothes through the air, digging for something underneath the leather.

Ellie froze, not knowing how to answer without spilling the embarrassing truth.

Thankfully, Mona breezed by her silence. “Just letting you know, I can suit you up a little better than Junior can.” She held up two dresses, a strapless grey and a black number with a plunging neckline.

“Sleeves. Dear God, please, sleeves.”

Mona laughed and threw it at her. “Change.”

Ellie looked at the dress. She may have miscalculated; it looked like a lot less fabric when it was in her hands. “Wait, here?”

“I promise you, you have nothing I haven’t seen before. Many times. Many, many earth-shattering times.” Mona leered. “But you can use the bathroom if you want.”

She ducked through the door, leaning against it with a deep breath, staring at the fabric in her hands. There were sleeves at least, but what was this strap? And if these were the sleeves, then was there nothing to go in front of her boobs? Were those shorts? What was this monstrosity?

It took five minute, three tries, and one tuck of a strap just away, hidden in her bra, but she thought she got it. It was a dress, low cut, straps crisscrossing her back in what she hoped was the right way, and slit that slid so high she could almost see the tiny freckle, near her hip, that had only seen daylight at the beach. She was unsure until she looked up, peering in the mirror for the first time, and damn. Ellie was used to wearing her sweatshirt everywhere but in this, she actually looked hot! She peered closer. Was that her? Damn.

She sauntered out. When she emerged, Mona’s eyes widened and Ellie smirked, self-satisfied, striking a pose. It looked like she put the dress on correctly.

“Verrry nice,” Mona purred and leered while Ellie flushed, shooting her a shy smile. “You ready to go?”

“Wait now?”

Mona turned on her heel, shooting her a wink over her shoulder. “No time like the present.”

Crap.

She followed Mona out, scanning the floor. Toby and Ximena were in the back of Kaneko’s Aylesbury and it sounded like they were arguing about a carburetor. She couldn’t see Logan but she knew he was around somewhere.

As she looked around, Colt stood up from behind his bike. “Mona, where are my-” He froze as he took her in and she felt the blush forming as his eyes swept down her. “God damn.” It was a whisper and, judging from the look on his face, he definitely didn’t mean to say it out loud, following it up with an awkward cough. “Uhh…I mean…well done, Mona.” He rubbed the back of his head.

Mona smirked. “I do know what I’m doing. And your wrenches are by the Maranello.”

“Thanks.” He nodded and turned away, tips of his ears red.

Mona laughed, deep and loud, pulling her through the shop, passing the cars, the tools, the dented toolbox. “Come on, Ellie! You’re driving!”

“Wait, what?” Ellie had to stop every few seconds to pull the dress down so she was struggling to keep up.

Colt also stopped. “What? Where are you going?”

“Why do you care?” Mona was grasping the top of the open door, grinning wolfishly at Colt.

“But where are we going?”

“We want to see and be seen.” Mona was still staring at Colt as she spoke to Ellie, eyebrows raised. “You coming, Junior?”

Ellie looked between the two, at whatever nonverbal communication that was happening right in front of her, but just over her head.

Colt narrowed his eyes, striding towards them, never dropping his gaze from Mona. “Let’s go.”

~~~~~

Ellie settled up on the sea wall, looking out at the volleyball game happening in front of her and the sunlight glinting off the ocean beyond that. Mona was right; apparently, the boardwalk was the place to see and be seen. Even better, with the crowds and the outfits and the bikinis, she wasn’t so out of place as it was in a garage in Gramercy Park, her dress barely catching a wandering eye.

Mona’s hair blew lightly in the sea breeze, dark strands flitting in the wind and catching Ellie’s shoulder as she leaned close. Colt had wandered off to find fries, at Mona’s orders; directives from Mona were never to be taken lightly and apparently even Colt agreed, acquiescing without a fight. Ellie was in awe of her powers, would have asked for pointers, before Mona interrupted her thoughts.

“You gonna tell me what’s really going on?” Mona’s eyes were assessing, so sharp that Ellie had to duck her head.

“What do you mean?”

Mona rolled her eyes. “You making moon eyes at Logan. You and Kid Kaneko borrowing my clothes for your driving test. You getting so distracted you crashed your car in the shop?” She shook her head. “I’m not an idiot, Ellie.”

“It’s stupid.” Ellie sighed to herself.

“Try me.”

“We’ve been trying to…you see…” Ellie sighed, watching the surfers glide across the horizon. “I’ve….I’ve never been kissed.”

Mona laughed. And laughed some more, until Ellie pushed her. “Mona, shut up.”

“Are you kidding me? All this work for a tiny little kiss?”

Ellie flushed, cheeks red. “I’m 18 years old. Is this like a bad Drew Barrymore movie?”

“Excuse you. A good Drew Barrymore movie.” Mona bit her lip, considering. “I guess I thought a girl like you would want your first kiss to mean something, to be with someone who likes you, like really likes you, like a kiss in one of those movies.”

“I dunno, I guess that would be nice but…” Ellie shrugged, looking at her hands; apparently, she had given up on that. “But what if that never happens?”

Mona rolled her eyes. “Jesus, why don’t I kiss you right now?”

“What?”

Mona glanced around, surveying the crowd behind them, and leaned closer with a devilish smirk. “I can take care of that problem for you.”

“Wait.” Ellie was caught in her stare. She felt like she was drowning; Mona had to be one of the most beautiful girls she had ever seen in real life and she was being pulled in. “There were some caveats to this thing.” For this life of her, she couldn’t remember what those caveats were.

“Really….” Mona leaned even closer and Ellie couldn’t help but look down, at her lips, inches from hers. “Why don’t you let me show you how to kiss and you can tell me all about those caveats later?” She tilted her head, eyes dark.

Ellie followed, tilting her head just so, and shut her eyes.

“Fries.”

Ellie pulled back with a gasp, blinking, She and Mona almost…she couldn’t move for a second, willing the breath back into her lungs, watching the giant smile split Mona’s face in two as she looked behind them.

“Hello, Junior. Don’t you have perfect timing.”

“Your fries, Mona.” Colt was gritting his teeth; Ellie could hear his molars grinding above the crash of the surf.

If anything, Mona grinned wider, taking the fries with a wicked gleam in her eye. “Why thank you, Colt. This is exactly what I wanted. But I’m gonna go grab a milkshake too.” She shook her hair out as she stood, radiant in the sun, catching Ellie’s eye. “Who knows? You might get your movie moment after all.” With a wink, she sauntered off, Ellie’s eyes on her back the entire way.

“What was that about?”

Did Mona think she would have her first kiss with someone who liked her? Did Mona have more faith in her than she herself did?

Ellie blinked at Colt, standing with his hands in his pockets. “I’m….” She swallowed. “I’m…not sure.”

He looked like he wanted to say something, rocking back on his heels as she watched, trying to process what just happened.

“Ellie-”

“Damn. Maybe Logan isn’t who I should have been focused on.” She wrinkled her nose, thinking out loud. She was in her own head, but not enough that she didn’t notice his face fall and jaw clench as he looked out at the waves. “Colt?”

He turned away, shoulders raised. “Let’s go.”

~~~~~

The ride back was quiet. Mona wouldn’t stop smiling, humming the verse of every single song on the radio, while Colt just glowered in the back. Ellie sighed. She thought they were over the whole death glare situation, especially after the last few days. Apparently, she was wrong.

She put the car in park, checking the e-brake once, twice, three times just to be sure, as Mona headed to the break room and Colt peeled off towards his bike. She sighed, still thinking. Mona wasn’t wrong. She had always imagined her first kiss being somewhat special, though it seemed like that would never happen for her. But, if she was doing all this work and putting herself out there, she might as well shoot for the moon.

She sighed again, leaning her head against the steering wheel before she climbed out of the car. That grumpy jerk was not going to like this.

She gingerly headed over to him, leaning against a toolbox. “Hi.”

“Sorry about the lack of making out.” He barely looked up at her, hands rifling through the metal.

She couldn’t stop her eyes from rolling. “Eloquent as ever.”

“Hey, I’m trying here.” He shrugged, turning over a screwdriver in his hands before dropping it with a dull thud.

“Yeah, right. Sure. You know, I was thinking something.”

“No.”

“You didn’t even listen to what it was!”

“Didn’t have to, answer is still no.” He turned back to the toolbox in front of him, opening another drawer.

She sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. “Well, I am going to tell you anyway. Mona and I were talking-” The sound from Colt’s throat was between a guffaw and a choke but she ignored it. “Ahem. Mona and I were talking and she thinks I should hold out for someone who like me. Not just someone who thinks I’m cute.”

“Jesus Christ.” He froze, the only movement the blinking of his eyes, looking down at her. “You’re not doing what I think you’re doing-”

“One more, Colt. One more request.”

“What the fuck.” He slammed the drawer shut. “Are you just making this harder on purpose?”

“Well, it’s not like I’ve had any luck with you helping me! And Mona-”

“I didn’t want to help to begin with, ok? This is fucking stupid.” He leaned closer, eyes blazing.

She met his glare head on and leaned closer herself, ignoring his sharp inhale as she scowled at him. He was so close she could see the shades of brown swirling in his eyes, could see every individual strand of his eyebrows, all furrowed into an angry line. “You agreed to help me so let’s just do this and get it over with.” She wasn’t going to back down, no way.

He crossed his arms over his chest, eyes hard, staring right back at her. She had to will herself not to look away. “This was before all your stupid rules-

“They’re not stupid-” She had to stop herself from reaching out and shaking him.

“They are stupid! I agreed before all these stupid additional rules and before-” He swallowed, still staring at her, eyes inches from hers, cutting himself off. She watched his tongue trace over his lower lip.

“You agreed to help me so let’s just do this and get it over with.”

They stared at each other; Ellie felt goosebumps start to sprout on her arms, the cool air in the shop sliding over Mona’s flimsy dress. Still, she didn’t move, didn’t look away, and the charged moment held where all they did was wait for the other to fold.

She waited, watching his eyes trace over her face, settling on her lips, shoulders dropping. He ducked his head to look at the ground, look behind her, look anywhere but her. She grinned; he was starting to cave.

And now that she was no longer the singular object of his glare, Ellie finally felt like she could breathe again.

“Fine.”

She took a deep breath. “Fine. So my addition…” He scoffed but she continued right over him. “So my addition is that I want them to actually like me. Like, romantically.”

“You sound like a 13 year old.” He hadn’t moved away, was still inches from her. She hadn’t moved away either.

“Says the person who has no functional human relationships with anyone.”

“Actually, says the person who’s kissed someone.”

“Shut up.” She couldn’t help but wonder who Colt had been kissing. Did he have someone he could kiss now? “So that’s my addition. I want them to like me.”

“And tolerate you.”

“And think I’m cute!”

“Christ.” He rolled his eyes. “We have like three days. You think you can find someone else to fall for you in three days?”

The insinuation stung, badly, and she tried to fight back the flash of hurt. “You know, half the shit you say is actually really insulting.” She locked eyes with him.

He only looked away, taking a step back. “Force of habit.” Now that there was some space between them, Ellie could feel her heart evening out, the uncomfortable racing slowing to a more manageable beat.

“Well, if you were half as clever as you thought you were, I might actually get my kiss.”

He turned to her, peering at her for so long that Ellie coughed, awkward. He only shook his head. “Tomorrow. We’ll all go out.”

“That’s all we’ve been-”

“Everyone. Logan. Mona.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “The entire crew. You can have your pick of anybody.”

“Anybody?”

“Yeah.”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t think anybody…”

“Well, if you were half as clever as you thought you were…”

“What’s that supposed to-” She had to stop herself from stomping her foot. He was so goddamn frustrating. “You know what, whatever, tomorrow. We’ll all go out tomorrow.”

He nodded, looking like he was about to reply before thinking better of it. With one last raise of his eyebrows, he turned and walked away, hurrying through the shop floor.

Ellie watched the set of his shoulders as he cut down a dark hallway before disappearing. She had an eerie sense that, while she won this battle, maybe she lost the war.

She fought back a pang of guilt as she left the shop, driving the familiar route home. Yes, she pressured him to help her and he was trying, in his completely frustrating Colt way. Regardless, after today, she was sure that she could get Mona to kiss her before the week was out; she wouldn’t need Colt’s pity kiss at all.

The thought wasn’t as much of a comfort as it should have been.

Tags: @deimosensblog @alegria1580 @choicesarehard@thefarrari@client-327 @moonlit-girl-wonder@going-down-downtown@soniadotalves@jolietmaraud @hazah@flowerpowell@poeticscolt@brightpinkpeppercorn @zaira-oh-zaira@desiree-0816@leelee10898@maxwellsquidsuit@liamzigmichael4ever@octobereighth@omgjasminesimone @waytooattuned @i-only-signed-up-for-fanfiction @emichelle

#playchoices fanfic #colt kaneko #colt x mc #choices rod #rod choices #amy writes

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