#morgan & tess

[ghouliquid]

sorry i don't post here much ... here's a huge disventure camp spam + analise reality resort

[liliwoohoo]

I thought this was funny

[disventurecamptakes]

and yk what it also sickens me how little ONC cares for its non-mlm queer characters. tomjake and jaiden got so much screentime in their respective seasons, and the entire DCAS drama was centered around the tomjakeden love triangle, but gabellie came out of nowhere and then barely got anything in DCAS, dan was only confirmed asexual because he’s purple, tess and ally were confirmed bisexual for like?? no reason?? just for ONC to show that they’re progressive i guess?? because the polycule we were teased with didn’t fucking happen despite huntessally constantly being advertised together which like. fuck you?? and same goes for karol being a lesbian like she gets almost no screentime and she is so so so unlikable does anybody like. actually care

and they also care so so little for the characters in general. the last names of the foreign characters are one ten-second google search away. you search ‘indian last name’ and sharma pops up among the first. search for german last names, müller is first or second. search for korean last names, kim is the most popular. so forth so forth

like. if ONC don’t care for their characters why should i 😭🙏🏼

.

[pixeldolly]

The Sacrifice - Part 11 - The End

"How are they, Tess?"

"I've treated Roman's injuries and he's resting now. I've also given him antibiotics and painkillers, so he should be comfortable...as much as he can be, given the circumstances."

"As for Evelyn, I've done all I could for the moment, but we'll have to wait for the morning change before I can perform a full examination. Her wounds seem to be healing remarkably fast though."

"Is it because she's a werewolf?"

"Yes, although I do want to take a closer look at that bite, in case it's at risk of becoming infected. I admit I don't have any experience treating demon-inflicted wounds."

"They are prone to infection."

"I still can't wrap my head around the idea that anyone would do something like this! To their own child, no less!"

"It shocked me as well."

"You took such a risk in confronting her, Fiona! The inhabitants of the Hellplanes are not to be trifled with!"

"I'm aware of that, Dad. Would you rather I'd let Jacob and Evelyn go in there alone?"

"Of course not - what you did was very brave - but we can't help worrying. The whole thing could've gone so much worse."

"Well, it worked out fine, so you can let it go now."

It was Abby who brought the conversation back on track.

"Is Roman going to be all right?"

"Physically? Probably. He had a number of deep gashes that needed stitches, several broken bones including two ribs, a bruised lung, plus the...runes carved into his back, which will be uncomfortable for a while. Assuming there are no complications, these should heal in time."

"Mentally, it's a different matter. I'm not an expert, but I don't think the kind of trauma he's been through is something he'll be able to just shrug off. Speaking to therapist might help him."

"May we go in and see them?"

"You may, but just for a little while. Jacob is with Roman already; he hasn't left his bedside since I brought him back to the ward."

"Mr Stigfinnare is with his wife as well. He's been worried sick about her, prowling around the waiting room like a caged wolf."

"I'm surprised he didn't kick the door down."

"He might've done, if I hadn't let him in."

The trio - together with Ulf, who refused to be parted from Evelyn - gathered around Roman's bed.

Roman was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep and forget, but he forced a smile on his face as he looked at each of the people who had risked their lives to save him.

In truth, he could hardly believe it.

"I don't know what to say. I owe you my life - no, more than my life. My soul. 'Thank you' doesn't seem like enough..."

"This is the second time I had to help save your ass, Turner! You'd better not make a habit out of it!"

Evelyn's cheerful tone helped defuse some of the tension, although Ulf kept his arm wrapped protectively around his wife. She was putting up a brave front, but he could tell she was hurting more than she was letting on. He hated it!

"It's over now."

"Maybe...maybe not."

"Fiona...? What do you mean?"

"The ritual circle carved into his back. The Nameless One may be have been banished, but those runes are magic. He's tied to the Hellplanes now."

"WHAT?!"

Roman sat up so fast that white stars burst before his eyes and his injuries flared painfully despite the medication keeping the worst of it at bay. He felt the cold panic rising like a tide.

"Are you saying it can come back?"

"Fuck. You're not, are you?"

"There are many doors between the planes, and things have a way of slipping through the cracks. That sigil is one such door; closed for the moment, but not locked."

"But you can remove it, right?! Or...render it inert, or something?"

"I...I'll do some research. Ask around."

Roman looked so crestfallen, Jacob's heart twinged in sympathy.

"Guys? Can you give us a moment, please?"

"Please try not to think about it, all right? If anything happens, my whole family are witches; they'll help. You need to focus on getting better."

Roman smiled humorlessly; it was hard not to think about the interdimensional door to Hell itself he carried around on his back, but he was so very tired. Sleep beckoned, demons or no demons.

But first, there was something he needed to say to Jacob.

"I have to admit, I didn't expect you to come to my rescue. Considering how things are between us..."

"Look, just because we broke up doesn't mean I don't still lo- care about you. Besides, I didn't actually do much, it was mostly Evelyn and Fiona."

"Still. Facing down demons and witches when you're just a regular person with no special powers took guts."

"I did have an axe."

Something happened then that Roman did not expect: he burst into laughter. Which hurt, but it was worth it, and his heart felt lighter for it.

"I think I'd like to sleep now..."

"Yes, you should. I'll be back to see you in the morning."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

As Roman sank into the cottonwool depths of drug-induced sleep, a smile fluttered on his lips.

The End!

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story!

[sinclarify]

'huntally is better' 'nonono HUNTESS is the best' 'what about tessally' im still hung up on the huntessally polycule that could've been. the entire time i was watching s2 i was like pleeease please please can they all just kiss but naw.... in my mind its hunter and his 2 awesome girlfriends who also kiss all the time. im so upset . we could have had it all 💔

[pawnshopbleus]

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

[shrinkthisviolet]

I don’t have any right to grieve either of them. I barely knew them. (insp)

Taglist (send an ask or DM to be added or removed):

@arrthurpendragon @ocappreciationtag @raith-way @vexic929 @ironverseocs

@thechaoticfanartist @goldheartedchaoticdisaster @negative-speedforce @starstruckpurpledragon @angst-is-love-angst-is-life

@miss-eli-starfleet

[starryystim]

bisexual tessally stimboard!

taking requests! dm or ask if interested :3

[trulyatessfan]

I will continue the mini series after, but today is an important day for me, because it is the 10th anniversary of Ashes to Ashes, my favorite case and the reason why I continued Criminal Case in 2014,,, So to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ashes to Ashes, I made this piece <3

Also Kelly was in Ashes to Ashes this entire time, what do you mean- (Kelly is my OC if people doesn't know, they are my non-binary detective)

[exorcist-tess]

Howdy! I reckon you must be one of Lute’s coworkers? The uniform is kinda hard to miss, haha. Anyway, I don’t believe we’ve met! I’m her fiancée, Sadie. *She extends her arm for a handshake.* And you are? -🔥

@ask-sadie-morgan

Tess can't help the confused look that crosses her face, brows furrowing slightly. Lute? With a fiancée? Like, as in someone actually likes the commander enough to marry her? It's the same feeling as finding out Adam was married... Twice.

"Oh, uh... It's nice to meet you? I'm Tess," she says, awkwardly accepting the handshake. "And I wouldn't say coworkers. She's more... My boss, I guess."

Should I say congratulations or condolences?

[scootkiddo]

there should be a paradigm shift where we as a society call for more platonic relationships between men and women in fictional media. the ones we do have are like two cold sides to a whole pillow

[adriellej]

All I am is yours

Warnings: None really, except maybe a little description of being at a NICU in Denmark, don’t know if that could be upsetting for someone.

Pairings: Harry x Tess, besides that, none, just Harry appreciating his little daughter

Word Count: 1,1K+

A/N: Thanks to Sara I had this idea! I work at a NICU as a nurse, and honestly, I love it even when it’s tough to see them with all the tubes and cords attached to them.

GIF found on Google, all credit to the owner!

A little explanation on the medical words I use, and what we do for the babies. 

Feeding tubes: they all get feeding tubes because they are not strong enough to eat on their own. It goes through the nose and down into the stomach. They eat every 2-3 hours. We teach the parents to be able to give them food on their own during the day and evening - we take the night shift. 

CPAP: CPAP is short for a continuous positive air pressure machine. It’s connected to them through their nose, they have them on at all times, except for when we move them around sometimes. It unfolds their lungs by putting constant pressure into the lungs. They don’t necessarily all get this, but a lot of them do. 

Electrodes and Pulse Oximeter: The electrodes are three cords that we put on their chests in order to see their heart rate, it’s essentially a simplified EKG. A Pulse Oximeter is a cord that we wrap around one of their feet or hands. It measures the amount of oxygen (saturation) in their blood, and it can also measure the heart rate - therefore pulse. 

Skin to skin: So we don’t pick up premature babies like we do mature ones when they get upset. Usually not until they’re week 33-34, so we mostly put a heavy hand on them, to make it seem like they are still in the womb, it gives them comfort. We do condone skin to skin though! This part is very important to also give them comfort, get to know their parents, and help them grow and stay warm. They are also wrapped closely to give comfort.

I think that’s it, sorry it got a little long, I just wanted to make it a little easier for you to understand my work and what I’m talking about in this little piece.

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

Harry had barely slept for the past few days. The noise from the machines, the alarms going off, and the constant disturbance of people in their room kept him up. Tess was getting all the rest she could. She had just given birth to their beautiful daughter. The only thing was that Jesse decided to come out a little too early and be born prematurely - which caused them to be stuck in the hospital. 

He looked down at his daughter, the tubes and cords were making her seem even smaller than she already was. He put one of his hands over her tiny body, feeling her chest rise and fall. She stirred a little and stretched her arm up in the air, only for it to land on her cheek grabbing at the CPAP machine connected to her. A big smile slowly grew on Harry’s face as he took all of Jesse in. He wanted nothing more than to pick her up in his arms and hold her close, but he had to settle for a hand on her body. 

“You are my everything, Jesse Quick,” His heart fluttered at the sight of her. “All I am is yours to keep from now and till forever,” He smiled down at her. He looked over to his wife, who was using the time Jesse slept, to sleep on her own. She was sleeping so soundly, and Harry was overwhelmed with joy. He had so many feelings inside of him, so much love for these two. It was hard for him to contain himself, and it was hard for him to express himself, but Tess knew him. She knew how he felt, even when he didn’t.

There was a knock at the door prying his eyes away from his wife and daughter. 

“Oh, Harrison you are awake,” The nurse smiled at him as she walked over to them. “Last time I popped my head in you were all sound asleep,” She laughed and Harry gave her a smile back. 

“Yeah, her monitor started beeping. It woke me and I had to check on her and make sure she was okay,” He responded as a yawn threatened to break free. 

“Have you slept much during the night?” She asked as she started to unpack Jesse to take her temperature. Harry had become fond of their nurse. She had been there from the beginning and was in the delivery room when Jesse was born. 

“Not really,” He said, and the yawn he tried to hold back escaped. His body decided to emphasize he didn’t sleep at all. “But it’s okay Lily,” He continued quickly after seeing their nurse’s expression taken over by concern. 

“You do need your sleep, but now that you’re awake, do you want to change her and lay with her while she eats?” Lily asked as the thermometer started beeping. “She could use the warmth, she’s a little bit cold,” She continued as she looked at the temperature. 

“Yes, I would love to,” Harry quickly answered. He’d always choose time with Jesse over sleep. He could sleep when he got old. Lily stepped aside to let Harry take place before Jesse’s bed. He fumbled a little bit with the diaper, it was all so new to him. 

“Okay, so the diaper under her before you open the old and toss it,” Lily gave him a reassuring smile. “We wouldn’t want there to be a mess so we have to change the entire bed,” She laughed lowly, causing a chuckle to escape Harry’s lips. He lifted Jesse’s tiny body from under her hip to put the diaper under her. He took the small squares of cloth to clean her from the poop she had made. “Good, now if you lightly dap at her bottom you can close the diaper,” She guided him and he did as he was told. 

“Very good Harrison, you’re slowly getting the hang of it,” She praised him for his work. Harry felt foolish for not being better at it, and even more foolish for being so happy from her praise. He was a genius with 7 PhDs, but changing a diaper was difficult.  “Now if you take your shirt off and get settled in the bed, I’ll get her ready for you,” She gave him a big smile and Harry pulled his shirt over his head. 

He laid down in the bed and put some pillows under his arms, as Lily was starting to take Jesse off the monitor so she could move her a little easier. 

“I’m thinking we lay her on her stomach on you, helps her breathe a little easier and gives her more warmth from you,” Lily informed Harry as she moved Jesse towards Harry. Jesse was starting to get upset and made a bunch of noises. She slowly turned Jesse to lay on her side on Harry, laying her right cheek on his chest, before she turned her body to lay on her stomach. Her legs were curled up under her, and she quickly calmed down as she breathed calmly on his chest. 

“She’s starting to know your scent, and you for that matter,” She continued and gained a goofy smile from Harry. Lily started to swaddle Jesse with small blankets and a rolled-up cushion under her feet. “I know you’ll get really warm from this, but it’s the best to do for her,” She continued to inform Harry of what she was doing. It gave him a sense of understanding, why she did what she did for Jesse. “May I?” Lily gestured to take Harrison’s hand in hers to guide it over Jesse’s body. 

“Of course,” He smiled and let her. 

“The weight of your hand will give her some extra comfort,” Harry’s hand covered Jesse’s entire body, and he was yet again reminded how small she was. Lily put on the syringe that fit her feeding tube and checked for air in her stomach before pouring milk into the syringe. “Here you go, just call for me when you’re done,” She gave him the syringe in his free hand and left the room. 

Harry looked down on Jesse. Her lips were a little pursed from her cheek being squished by his chest. He could clearly hear her breathing from the machine. 

“I can’t wait to see you properly Jesse,” He sighed as he gave her something to eat. She started to lick into the air, her tongue popping out once in a while, causing him to chuckle at the adorable girl. He looked over at Tess, who was still sound asleep. “I can’t believe we made such a beautiful miracle, my love,” His hand leaned over to Tess’ hand and he squeezed it. 

“You’re going to love your mom. She’s quite amazing, caring and so very loving,” He whispered. “But you Jesse Quick, you are one of a kind,” A tear formed in the corner of his eye, his life was truly complete.

Tag list:

@hiddenwritingsintheworld, @sarawritestories, @brianllamawrites

[liliwoohoo]

:333

[disventurecamptakes]

DCAS is like. the worst season of DSVC ever and not only that but it’s so much worse than even TDAS. which, like, the bar is in HELL so it should be impossible to not make a better show than that but somehow ONC managed to make it THE WORST.

three love triangles, almost zero real development, almost no good plotlines. if you didn’t bring back half this cast and just ended their stories with their respective seasons, not only would nothing have been changed, but they’d have been BETTER.

likd, the only people who actually got something good out of DCAS were alec & fiore because they made up. say you don’t bring back tom & jake - they get a hopeful ending. don’t bring back gabby & ellie - okay, they’re happy anyways. don’t bring back miriam - she won! who cares! don’t bring back james & aiden - they’re together, they’re happy. don’t bring back grett - she gets a hopeful ending. don’t bring back ashley - who the FUCK cares about ASHLEY she did NOTHING for the story. don’t bring back huntessally - who cares they’re all mid-tier characters at best. don’t bring back connor - everybody forgot he existed anyways. don’t bring back yul - please GOD do NOT bring back yul.

like. name me one character besides alec and fiore whose story was significantly changed by being in DCAS. gabellie? they had a mild disagreement then went back to being okay. tomjake? they literally returned to that hopeful ending they got in season 1. jaiden? james was kicked out first and aiden was just stuck in between tomjake the entire season.

and also, oh my god i could’ve lived happily without ever having to deal with trevek again. man FUCK trevek they have zero chemistry from day one. they piss me off sm they’re like tomjake but a bit older and so so so much stupider and meaner on dereks part.

all ONC did with DCAS was show us they genuinely 1) do not care about their characters whatsoever, unless it directly benefits them and 2) cannot. fucking. write.

.

[joy-eris-joy]

Seraphim Showcase: Gender Sisters

Ava tried to escape the presence of the other Exorcists, making her way towards the Peruvian buffet. Seeing Adina was not what he wanted to experience tonight, not when all he wanted to do was distract himself from his unending thoughts.

Despite this, all he could hear was her mocking voice. He was a stupid, pathetic thing, someone that messed up a friendship with one of his best buddies all because he couldn't stop being afraid that she'd leave him too. God, he wished he brought another pack of cigarettes with him to the event.

As he reached the table, he noticed he was breathing heavily. No, not now. Not in public. Can't break down. So don't. Just stop, just stop...

"OH SHIT, A RAT!"

Drawn by the sound of screaming, he noticed some partygoers running away from the platter of papas rellenas. Upon a closer look, she could see that there was a white rat eating the entire supply.

"Hey, I know you!" He said to the rat, "You're one of Papa's buddies! How you been?"

He talked with the rat a little bit, which calmed his nerves a little. Still, she wished she had someone she could turn to - someone who could actually talk back.

The line for barbecue is practically wrapped around the block, so Sadie and Lute opt for appetizers and fresh fruit first.

They both turn their heads at the sound of the screams. By the time Sadie finds the source of the commotion, all she can see is Ava standing all by himself, or so she thinks, where there should be throngs of Winners lining up for food.

Oh, god, what did he do?

She hands Lute her plate and rushes over. As she approaches she can hear him muttering something.

“Uh, Ava? Who you talkin’ to, bud?”

“Oh, Sadie! Great to see ya!” She says, turning to see her, “I just found one of Papa’s street buddies here!”

She gestures towards the rat.

“She and him go way back. He brings her ‘round often. So often that I think I might take her in. How’s that sound, mi pata?”

The rat squeaks happily in response.

Sadie’s eyes glitter and she smiles.

“Ohhhh, da wittle babyyyy! May I give you a little scritchy-scratchy behind the ears?”

The rat squeaks at her as well, so Sadie scratches her head.

“Looks like your little family is growing!” She chuckles. “Anyway, sweet party, huh? I can’t believe I’ve never come to any of these before.”

“Yeah, it ain’t too bad. I’ve been to a few a’ these before.”

He tries to focus on what’s happening right now, but his troubled expression betrays him.

“I don’t usually like goin’ though. Not when I can get drunk myself, ha!”

“Yeah, fair enough.”

She pets the new rat friend again, applies some hand sanitizer that was nearby, then grabs a piece of Yuquitas Rellenas from the buffet table.

She studies Ava for a moment and frowns, concerned.

“Hey, you alright? It sorta looks like something’s bothering you. If it’s the crowd, I heard there’s a quiet room around here somewhere.”

“Yah, all good here! I think all I need is just a good drink to really get in the mood for a party. Say, ya up for another round a’ beer shotgunning? Betcha I’ll win this time!”

Ava puts on his best front, not wanting to tell Sadie about his thoughts. He wanted to forget, just for a little while. Booze would do the trick. It was the next best thing to smoking.

Sadie laughs and grins, then turns her head and glances behind her to where Lute stands a few paces back with their plates in her hands.

“Alright, but I’m only racing you one this time. Lute’s already way less than thrilled to be here, so the last thing she needs is to carry me home.”

She reaches under the table to where the beer is (the alcoholic selections are kept under the tables and are sorted according to their corresponding ethnic cuisines) and grabs them each a can of Cusqueña. She tosses one underhand to Ava.

“I ain’t about to lose either! Not with my girl watching! On the count of three, then?”

Catching the can, he grins back at her. “Ya got it!”

“Uno, dos, tres!”

On “tres”, he and Sadie start their little competition. Breaking it open with his teeth, Ava quickly chugs the whole can. He finishes a second before Sadie does, and so he cheers.

“Hah, looks like I win! This calls for a celebratory drink!”

He pulls out another can from underneath the table and begins to chug.

“Damn!”

She chuckles as she concedes defeat, and uses her forearm to wipe some beer fizz away from her mouth.

“Must be losing my edge! Nicely done.”

She watches as Ava victoriously chugs the second beer, then as he reaches for a third and guzzles it just as quickly as the first two.

“Hey, slow down, champ! Why don’t you eat something before—”

It’s no use, Ava grabs a fourth beer and downs it. He’s knocked all of them back in extremely quick succession.

“Fuck, that’s good!”

He tosses the emptied cans to the ground, starting to feel a bit dizzy. For some reason, it wasn’t working as well as he thought it would. He still kept thinking.

“Ahh, don’t worry about me Sage-Diggity,” he slurs, “Ya know me. Ava El Carbón isn’t a lightweight!”

He laughs, trying to convince her and himself that everything was fine.

On the other side of the party, Sarai awkwardly avoided Ava and Sadie. She kept stealing quick, not-so-subtle glances from the corner of their eye, her mouth feeling dry.

She promised Sadie she'd make an effort to talk to Ava. But tonight obviously wasn't the night for that! He was having fun! With his good friend! No way she could just ruin that for him! Obviously she had to wait at a better time for any such conversations.

"Oh! Sorry! I didn't mean to!"

A little person bumped into her. To Sarai's annoyance, it was that small orange Exorcist.

"You again?" She said, her wings raising defensively, still holding a grudge over the whole incident with Sera, "Is this a habit of yours?"

Tess flushes, intimidated by the tall Seraph's bluntness.

"Well, hello again to you too." She murmurs, "Uh, how's Sera?"

Sarai eyed Tess. "Sera should be none of your concern. Care to tell me how in this grand event you manage to bump into me again? Some might just accuse you of being an obsessive stalker of mine."

"What! Fuck nooooo!" Tess exclaimed. She was a simp but not that desperate. "Just how far up your own ass are you!?"

She regretted that as soon as she said it.

"Ah, I didn't mean that. What I meant was...Aha, shit..."

Sarai wasn't entirely wrong. Tess had been staring a bit too much at them from across the Promenade. But to her credit, she had stopped looking when she went to go find a quiet place to retreat from all the commotion as she was trying to avoid the party altogether. She may be a rude, elitist bitch, but Tess couldn't help but be absolutely taken by Sarai.

Maybe if she weren't so...her, we could get along.

"Excuse me, Exorcist?"

Nope. I just ruined any chance at a decent friendship with my big mouth again.

"...Tess. My name's Tess." She squeaked out. If this meant she was getting into trouble again, she did not want it. She was already dreading when Lute had told her she had to figure out a just punishment for her over the whole "pocket sand" incident. (But Tess could've sworn she saw the Commander hold back a smirk when she recounted why she had summoned Tess to her.) She looks around and sees Ava slamming back a few beers with Sadie, and very awkwardly points to them. "I think I'll just...go over there...with my Exorcist friend!"

Sarai noticed Ava once more, and her initial anxiety returned.

"W-wait, excuse me," Sarai said to Tess, suddenly becoming nervous, "You're friends with her? That Exorcist?"

Taken aback by the Seraph's sudden shift in demeanor, Tess looked at her and then at Ava.

"Ava? Yeah. We're not like super close, but we've talked a few times before and vibe pretty well."

Sarai instantly regretted her lashing out. Sheepishly, she asked Tess, "This may be a strange request...but could you lead me to her? I have some...matters I must discuss with her."

If she were anyone else, Tess probably would flat out refused. But in that moment, Sarai looked like a completely different person, like someone that was unsure and kind of lost. And also, she was still very hot. Maybe this could be how she'd amend her mistake of accusing her of being up her own ass! (Even if such an accusation was true.)

"Sure, I can do that. Follow me. Uh, please, Your Highness."

Tess motions for Sarai to follow her through the crowd. It feels strange, to be leading an all-powerful high and mighty Seraph through the crowd. And Tess couldn't help but be a little curious about what Sarai could have to discuss with Ava. Were they friends? It was hard to imagine Sarai being cordial enough with anyone that wasn't another Seraph to actually form a bond.

Nervous, Sarai follows Tess and approaches Ava. They’re taken aback by the sight of Ava’s drunkenness, and by the sight of the rat on her head.

“A-“

She remembered she was in public, in the eyes of many. After her talk with Sera, she was a thousand times more cautious about letting others know about her relations with Exorcists. But it was too late to back out now. She had to save face somehow.

“Exorcist Ava,” she said, trying to sound professional, “I wish to speak with you.”

Ava looks up at Sarai. She feels a jab of irritation at Sarai referring to her as “Exorcist Ava”. There was a time when they were just Ava and Sarai to each other, no need for titles. Suffice to say, she wasn’t happy.

“Ayyy Your Royal High Ass,” he chuckles, “How’s it hangin’? Finally remember us little people exist? Guess that’s easy to forget when you’re built like a damn skyscraper.”

Already, she was aggravated. It was clear Ava was going to make this difficult.

“It would serve you well to show more tact in public,” she answered coolly, “Especially to a Seraph that wishes to speak with you. If you’re done with your little taunts, then follow me to a more secluded area so we can talk like real angels.”

Ava laughs humorlessly.

“No no, princesa. Anything you wanna say to me, you can say right here, right now. This is Heaven, ain’t it? We’re all real angels!”

He feels his temper rising. He knew how he got when he got drunk and angry. It wasn’t a good combination. He was aware of the rat on his head and how nervous she was getting. He gently took her off and looked around.

Then he saw Tess, a familiar Exorcist. Without a second thought, he approached her and handed her the rat.

“Hey, you’re Tess right?” He asks her, “We live across each other in the dorms, yah? Couldja hold her for me?”

After giving her the rat, he goes back to face Sarai.

"Wh— Oh!" Tess jumps a bit nervously upon being startled by the exorcist, but her heart rate slows just a bit when she notices how nervous he looks.

Confused, she takes the rat into her hands, letting the creature climb onto her shoulder and cloak herself in her long red hair — even the animal is nervous.

"Hey, Ava, wait!" She calls out as he leaves, but Tess isn't sure he hears her. "Shit..."

"You've gotta be quiet, okay?" she whispers to the rat, reaching up to stroke her fur gently.

There are so many people on the scene now that Sadie doesn’t really know where to start. She nods at Sarai as a means of greeting her. It’s… something… to see her again.

Sadie really just wants to be eating pierogis with her fiancée right now, but this is important. Although she doesn’t know why, she does know that Sarai and Ava have needed to talk for a long time now, and that her Best Bridesbro is in no condition for a productive conversation at the moment. She cautiously approaches him and speaks calmly.

“Hey, buddy? Try to cool off a bit, okay? I reckon Sarai comes in peace.”

“Sage-Diggity, don’t worry about me, I’m chill as fuck. Hell, I feel better than I have before. And I got lots to say.”

He turns his attention to Sarai.

“So what say you, O Great Seraph? Come to call me “lowly” again? Wanna tell me more about how I’m “unfit to stand beside” ya? I’m all ears, princesa!”

He bows mockingly, staggering as he slightly loses his footing.

“I knew this was a terrible idea,” Sarai scoffed, “You are completely inebriated. I make the effort to finally speak with you, and this is how you act? I don’t know why I even bother.”

“Why do ya? Ya made it pretty clear the first time that you had no use for me! I heard ya perfectly!”

He notices the guilty expression on Sarai’s face and laughs dryly.

“Oh, don’t pretend like ya feel bad. You loved doing that to me, didn’t ya? You’ve been wantin’ to say that to me ever since we met! Just couldn’t wait to throw me out, eh?”

“That’s not true! Stop your lies! Why else would I have let you come around?”

“Haha, that’s right! You let me hang around! Cuz nothing gets by without your approval, does it, princesa?”

His head ached, his heart felt like it was going to explode. Not even he had realized how much he wanted to say until now.

“Just admit it! You were always embarrassed of me! Why else would ya tell me that we can’t be seen together? Why else would you just refer to me as “that Exorcist” whenever Sera came around? For fuck’s sake, I’m your sister!”

“Ava! Quiet yourself!” Sarai hushes her frantically, aware of all the eyes of the crowd, “We’ve talked about this! You know how the Council looks down upon Seraph/Exorcist relations! I was only doing what was best for the both of us and our reputations! I don’t know how many times I have to explain this to you!”

She says this in a hushed, nervous tone, terrified that news of this would get back to Sera. After their last meeting, she was not eager to have the High Seraph discover she personally knew another Exorcist.

Ava flies up, staggering, as she meets Sarai’s gaze.

“All ya ever wanted was someone that made ya feel better about yourself. “Ay, my life sucks, but at least I’m not Ava!” Right?”

He staggers, and lands on the ground.

“Did ya think I was blind to how you ashamed ya looked whenever you were around me? Ya think I never picked up on how much you wished you weren’t stuck with me? God, you’re dumb.”

He chokes back a sob.

“But fuck…I’m the moron here. Cuz I really let myself believe that you weren’t like the others. I thought you were different. I thought you wouldn’t be like dear old ‘Dina.”

“But nah. All you Seraph bitches are the same. All youse care about is your clout, and ya don’t care about pathetic bastards like me.”

He angrily storms off without another word. He said all he wanted to say.

“Ava… Ava!”

Sadie’s calls after him are of no use. She takes a step forward with intent to go after him, but then stops, absorbing everything that he had said to Sarai. She turns to her, now.

“You’re Ava’s sister?”

She thinks for another moment.

“YOU’RE MILAN’S SLAM PIECE?!”

Sarai stood frozen as all eyes were on her. Looks like the cat was out of the bag.

“I…um,” she says, trying to answer Sadie, “I am not…”

What was the point? Out with it.

She sighs.

“I would prefer a less vulgar term…but…yes. I am…involved with Milan. And…Ava is…my sister.”

Sister.

The word lingers in Sadie’s head. As do some of the other words exchanged between Ava and Sarai.

Embarrassed. Ashamed. Wished you weren’t stuck with me.

She thinks of her own sister. She thinks of the terrified look on Josie’s face as their living room burned below them. She thinks of the way Josie clung to her as she carried her outside. She thinks of going back into that apartment and not making it back out. She thinks of how she’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

A heat stirs up in the depths of her belly that she hasn’t felt since her arrival in Heaven. Fire gathers at her clenched fists. Her eyes flash red as she shoots Sarai a nasty glare.

“You… you BASTARD.”

“I made decisions that resulted in the END OF MY LIFE in order to protect my sister. And THAT is how YOU treat YOURS?”

She is trembling. The fire crawls up her arms.

“You make me SICK. What kind of low-life thinks of their own sister as a burden? As an embarrassment? As dead weight? As DISPOSABLE?”

“You oughta be fuckin’ ashamed, alright. Ashamed of yourself. I don’t give even half of a drop of rat piss about Heaven’s goddamn hierarchy, and neither should you. Ava is your sister. You think that’s an inconvenience for you? You think he’s not WORTHY of you?”

She’s been so at peace lately that she forgot; she’s an angry crier. Warm tears gather in her eyes.

“You think you’re TOO GOOD for your own sister? CHECK YOURSELF, BITCH.”

That being said, she storms off as well, leaving a trail of smoke and embers behind her.

As much as she wanted to respond, Sarai knew there was truth in Sadie’s words.

She had always made it a point to hide their sisterhood with Ava, never wanting any of her Seraphim colleagues to know that she was even friendly with her.

As much as she hated to admit it to herself, Ava was right too. She had been embarrassed. And she had thought herself better than the Exorcist that only wanted to be her friend.

The crowd was loud. There were whisperings among those who had watched the argument, while the rest seemed too engrossed in their conversations to care. She had to get out.

She walks away, hoping to find a good supply of absinthe to keep her busy.

Tess' features pull into a tight frown as she glances back at the rat on her shoulder. She tries not to think about everything she'd just witnessed with Sarai, but... It's hard.

Milan, though? Of all the decent exorcists crawling around the barracks, she picked Milan to be less of a prick to? That's what Ava's friend had put together, right? Were they a thing?

Tess sighs, marking yet another pathetic crush off of her list. At least attempting to entertain the idea of a seraphim was bold, even if she never got past a few sentences. Bold for her, at least.

The rat makes a small noise, dragging her wandering mind back to reality.

"What do you think, squeaks?" she asks as the animal hops off of her shoulder and back into her hands. "Wanna go find your... Dad?" She realizes she still isn't quite sure whether this rat is a pet or something Ava had just picked up off the street. Still, she doesn't seem too bothered either way. "He looked pretty shaken up."

With one last concerned chirp from the rat, Tess stands, chasing after Ava.

[squeamishnerd]

Cat and Feet