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shallowseeker · 1 year ago

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///

Rowena insists that there are absolutely no traces of magic.

Nevertheless, she tries lots of simple spells and and potions.

In the end, she recommends Alexa’s “Goodnight Classical music list,” hot tea mixed with local honey, and a long, "luxurious" bubble bath with a side helping of Epsom salts.

(But she promises to keep researching in case the insomnia doesn’t abate.)

///

Jack is starting to get very worried. He’d read that just twenty-four hours without sleep is comparable to having a blood alcohol content of 0.1%, which is above the legal limit for driving. And he’d also read that humans might die without sleep.

Jack is ashamed. His lack of control is just another failure in a long list of failures.

He'd thought that he was mostly human now, and that his grace was supposed to be recuperating--lying dormant. (He knows he's not completely human, because supernatural creatures still clock him as "angel," and he still doesn't need much sleep.)

So, had he accidentally tapped into his soul? (Cas would be furious if so.)

Either way, it's more evidence that he's got poor control--that even when he's weak, he's still a liability to their hunting team.

He has to fix this on his own. He has to.

So, he starts researching his own potions. He’s no Rowena, but the internet has a lot to say about sleep, Benadryl, and Melatonin.

///

By day four without sleep, Dean seems on the verge of tears.

///

He seems very offended when Cas offers to run him a "luxurious" bubble bath.

///

An hour later, Cas runs one anyway.

He seems to box Dean in as he bullies him down the hallway and into the room with the clawfoot tub.

///

Jack is investigating the magnolia, chamomile, lavender, and passion flower-flavored teas for his sleep potion when Cas reappears in the kitchen.

He peers suspiciously at the teabags in Jack’s hands.

“You were eavesdropping when Rowena was here last night, weren’t you,” he says with a raised eyebrow. "Which means you know about Dean's problem."

Jack actually hadn’t been, but he feigns guilt. “Uh, Yeah. Do you really think the tea'll help him?"

Cas seems to buy it. “Rowena says it might," he sighs. "But here. Let's make it anyway."

Instead of putting a saucepan on the stove, Cas opts for tap water in a ceramic mug and heats the whole thing with one steady palm. Jack stares at his hand wistfully, missing that kind of angelic power control.

“So...which tea?” Jack whispers, trying not to fidget.

“She suggested chamomile and valerian root.”

Jack hands over the chamomile bag in his hands and doubles back to the shelf to search for valerian root. When he finds it, he hands it over too and watches as Cas dips it into the steamy water. Next, he watches Cas squeeze a generous helping of honey into the brew.

“Why don’t you take this to him?” Cas suggests. “I’ll be there after I check in with Sam.”

Without giving him time to respond, Cas shoves the mug forward and stalks off towards the library. Jack hmmphs and resigns himself to facing Dean.

But first...he takes advantage of this perfect opportunity.

A tiny voice at the back of his brain urges caution--urges him to check in with Cas first--or to run the potion by Sam. It urges him to come clean about the little insomnia curse he'd accidentally set on Dean.

He squashes the doubt.

After all, if the potion works like it's supposed to, everything will go back to normal. And Jack had carefully read over the ingredients several times and checked with the Internet to make sure it'd be okay.

So, he takes a deep breath and adds dissolved Benadryl and ZZZQuill to the tea. He stirs it in with a teaspoon, tastes it to make sure it hasn't mucked up the flavor too much, adds a bit more honey, and heads down the hallway.

///

The door to the “spa room” is wide open, so Jack lets himself in without announcing.

Dean is reclining in the tub, eyes completely shut and nearly obscured by a cartoonish pile of soap bubbles. He’s got a blue towel-turban on his head. If you ask Jack, it seems like a stupid thing to wear in the bathtub. (And Jack doesn’t know why someone with hair as short as Dean’s would even need a head-towel in the first place.)

Dean looks like he might’ve fallen asleep, which could be a very good thing so long as he doesn't slump over and drown in the soapy water.

There’s a small stool pulled up near the head of the tub, so Jack decides to perch on it and wait him out. Even a few minutes of micro-sleep would be be good for Dean, right?

Alas, he's awake.

He seems to know that Jack's here, too, because his hand shoots out over the edge of the edge of the tub and makes a claw-like, grabby motion.

Jack tests the temperature of the ceramic mug to make sure it’s not too hot before setting it in Dean’s open palm. With an exaggerated noise of displeasure, Dean clasps it and brings it up to his mouth. Jack holds his breath, hoping Dean can't taste the secret medicine he'd added.

“S’ok for flowery shit,” he murmurs, so softly a regular person might struggle to hear it. Then, Dean suddenly furrows his brow, twists his mouth and juts his lower lip out. “Hot, though.”

(Jack gets the sense he’s complaining just to complain.)

"Hot," he repeats, more petulantly this time.

Jack frowns and doesn’t say anything back.

After a few seconds, Dean sighs and leans his neck way back like he’s stretching it. He looks kind of silly, to be honest, like he's Littlefoot reaching for a Tree Star. Keeping his eyes closed, Dean extends the mug out and sort-of demands, “Put an ice cube in it?”

Jack blinks. Maybe it’s the sleep deprivation, but Dean’s acting weird.

He even sounds kind of weird.

Annoyed, Jack blurts, “Why don’t you just wait a few minutes? It’ll cool off on its own.”

Dean’s red-rimmed eyes shoot open, like he’s been electrocuted, and the water sloshes as he rockets upright. He retracts his neck and tucks it in, like he’s a sea turtle, and he sputters. “K-kid?!”

Jack frowns at him in confusion.

Dean sniffs, recovering quickly. “Cas said he was makin’ me tea.”

As if summoned, Cas appears at the doorway. “And Cas did make you tea,” he sasses, striding in. He nods at Jack. “Thank you for bringing it, Jack.”

“You’re welcome,” Jack says pointedly, eyes pinning on Dean.

If Cas weren’t in the room right now, Jack might be tempted to tell Dean to stop being a big baby. (But well, Cas is in the room, and it’s kind of Jack's fault Dean’s stuck with insomnia to begin with. So, he opts not to say anything else.)

Dean coughs and mumbles something that sounds like, “Whatever. Thanks, kiddo.”

Cas strides further into the room, but before Jack can vacate the stool, Cas opts to sit, perfectly balanced, on the edge of the bathtub.

Dean gets a little redder, and then he licks his lips before making a series of small splashes with his opposite hand. To Jack, it looks like he’s renewing the soap-bubble pile.

“Nothing new from Rowena,” Cas reports, clipped and business-like. “She suggests trying to sleep the old-fashioned way. And Sam bought you a 'Sega Starry Cove.' He says it will ‘relax’ you.”

Dean squints. “The fuck is—?”

Jack’s had that in his Amazon cart for ages. “It’s a star projector,” he explains happily. "It makes your ceiling look like the night sky."

It’s expensive, though, which is why Jack never bought it, not even in secret. (Maybe after all this blows over, and if Dean doesn’t like it, Jack can convince him to give it to him instead.)

“Okay, so it's like a juiced-up baby mobile. What’s next, a friggin' crib?”

Straight-faced, Cas fires back, “Actually, I thought we could try Baby Einstein Box Orchestra next.”

Dean rolls his eyes so hard that he almost loses his towel turban, and Cas winks at Jack. Jack is having trouble following their conversation. He knows who Albert Einstein is, but he doesn’t know what he has to do with babies or orchestras.

“What’s Baby Einstein?”

Cas grins. “Before you were born, I read dozens of parenting books.”

(Which doesn’t actually explain anything.)

“Music, kiddo,” Dean huffs. “Lame-ass lullaby music.”

“Oh,” Jack says. “Sounds nice. I mean, anything could help you sleep, couldn't it?”

Dean scoffs. “I’ve tried everything. Short of knocking myself out, anyway, but then...Cas tried that for me.”

Guilt feels like it’s working a hole through Jack's stomach, and he struggles to meet Dean’s eyes.

“Maybe you could try a ThunderShirt or--or a weighted blanket?” he whispers.

Dean misreads his nervousness. “Hey,” he says, softening in a way that makes the guilt squirm even harder in Jack’s gut. “I’ll be okay. I always am, you know?"

Jack swivels his eyes to Cas and finds the same warm reassurance reflected there.

If there were ever a time to come clean, that time is now.

Jack…tries.

“Uh,” he says. But that’s all that comes out. “Let me know if I can help,” he putters out lamely.

(He knows he should tell them the truth.)

If the sleep potion doesn't work tonight, he thinks, then I'll tell them.

Dean clears his throat and cracks a smile. “You can help me with the star laser shit later. K, kid? That'd help me out a ton."

Jack nods.

Satisfied, Dean takes a huge sip of his tea. Then, he makes a theatrical expression of disgust. His mug shoots forward, just as it had earlier, but this time extended towards Cas.

“It got gross n’ lukewarm,” he complains.

Cas looks surprised.

“Is it?”

He takes an experimental sip for himself and shoots Dean a disbelieving stare.

Dean goes pink again.

“Actually, I kinda want iced tea.”

Cas heaves a dramatic sigh and gets to his feet.

“Very well.”

Dean watches him go with an impish smile. (Jack thinks that it’s the same kind of look he gets on his face when he wins a game of Wordle.)

Jack stays to make sure Dean doesn't accidentally fall asleep and drown. Content to sit until Cas returns, he pulls out his phone and continues researching Melatonin. He even asks Google if ThunderShirts work on humans. (According to Google, sometimes humans find the compression soothing; other times, it triggers claustrophobia.)

“What’re ya playin there? Minecraft or somethin?”

Jack freezes, “Uh. No.” He thinks fast and picks a lie that will hopefully bore Dean to tears: “I’m, uh, reading about wind shear and meteorological soundings.”

Dean pulls a predictably faux-horrified face.

“Seriously? That’s gotta be Sam’s doing. Yeesh.”

(Actually, Sam doesn’t like meteorology that much, not outside of demonic omens.)

It works.

Dean doesn't ask any more questions, and he actually seems content to hang out in companionable silence after that.

///

When Cas comes back with iced tea and Dean’s fresh-from-the-dryer gray dead-guy robe, Dean drops his disgruntled act and shines with naked relief.

It makes Jack notice the sunken circles around his eyes. (Hoepfully, the potion will help him with that.)

Cas hands off the iced tea to Dean and makes to take up his perch on the edge of the tub again.

Jack hops up. “Uh, wait, Cas. You can have your seat back now. I'm done 'being the Lifeguard.'"

Dean scowls at the metaphor, but Cas's eyes crinkle in amusement. He nods and retakes his stool.

Jack hovers nearby for a few minutes, wondering what he could possibly do to help. He peers down at where Dean's hands encircle his mug. His fingerpads are super water-logged and wrinkley.

"You're getting really pruney. You should probably get out soon."

"Hey," Dean shoots back, “You're the--prune."

Jack ignores him and crosses the room to grab two fresh towels. He drags over one of the lightweight surgical tables closer to the tub and plops the towels down on the surface.

"Thank you," Cas murmurs, setting the gray robe next to the towels.

"Neither of you should rush me," Dean huffs. "After all, Rowena said I need to relax."

"If I recall correctly, just two hours ago, you refused to entertain the possibility of relaxation, much less a 'girly-ass bubble bath.'"

Dean shoots Cas a cheeky smile and gulps down his tea.

(Cas inspects Dean's throat as he drinks, so Jack looks, too, but he doesn't see anything out of the ordinary.)

Dean finishes with a little "ah!" and hands the empty mug over to Cas. "Well, two hours ago was before I had you two as my royal handmaidens."

Cas sets the empty mug next to the towels.

"If two hours of light pampering makes you this spoiled, I imagine you'd make a rather nightmarish princess."

Jack can't help it. He laughs.

Dean shoots him a glare, and Jack stifles it quickly.

(He'd read that sleep deprivation could make people really cranky, after all.)

“Maybe Sam and I could go get everyone some stuff from Jiffy Burger?”

Cas turns to him in surprise. “That’s very thoughtful, Jack." He beams at him proudly, and the guilt stabs Jack in the gut again.

Dean, likewise, seems to sag with relief. “Yeah, that--that'd be awesome.”

Jack grins and fires off a text to Sam before heading towards the doorway.

Dinner, Jack can do.

In the meantime, the potion can be taking effect, and Dean will hopefully be asleep by evening.

Jack pauses at the threshold. One last time, he contemplates coming clean about the whole fiasco.

"Kid? You okay?"

Jack balks. What would Sam say in this situation?

"I'm fine. Just--"

What would Sam say in this situation?

Jack does his very best Sam: "Just wondering if you need a special order, Your Majesty."

Dean snorts.

"Just the usual, pageboy. And shut the door behind ya."

///

After Jack closes the door, he walks down the hall a little ways, only to stop when he hears Dean and Cas start talking in low, urgent tones. Something about it feels alarming, and he finds himself immediately straining his ears to hear them.

The exhaustion is easier to hear in Dean’s voice now: “You sure you can’t check—”

“I said no.” Cas’s voice is sharp.

“I trust you—”

“Even if you trust me, Dean. I don’t trust me. I don’t have the control I used to have.”

“But Cas, what if?”

What if what, Jack wonders.

The sentence hangs, and they go silent a long time.

Jack's phone pings. (It's from Sam, a messages that urges: "Yeah. Let's hurry and go before the dinner rush.")

But just before Jack gets out of range, he picks up Dean’s voice, “What if something's up with my soul?”

///

Of all the things Dean Winchester has done over the course of their unusual, turbulent lives, Jack Kline has no idea why this Thing in particular is the Thing that annoys him most.

It happens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and occasionally on weekends, if case-hunting goes belly-up.

And Jack knows.

He knows that they’re different from one another in this aspect. He knows that Dean cannot fight this one human Thing.

It’s still annoying, though.

///

So, Jack combats the problem.

///

He tries everything, from being extra chatty to turning the TV volume up annoyingly loud. He even pretends to lose his grip on a giant textbook (held suspiciously at waist level) so that it lands like thunder on the bunker floor.

#dean/cas + bathing #dean/cas + curses #jack + nephilim powers #jack & dean #jack & dean & cas #lebanon jiffy burger #tfw + the smith center #dean + sleep deprivation

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dreaming-of-assclass · 4 years ago

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Hey if you can choose three 3e kids to be the protagonists of assclass, who would you choose? :D (does this count as tea ask idk lmao-)

Nao, you know how biased I am. 😂 There’s no one else I’d say besides my three faves: Sugino, Kanzaki, and Okano.

They’re a very balanced dynamic. Sugino and Okano are both comfortable with getting out of their comfort zone. Okano is direct and confrontational. Sugino is a moodmaker and connects to others easily. Kanzaki is a balance for both their strong personalities, but girl is a force of nature herself. She doesn’t take bullshit. She’s also the one to think things through and hold the other two back before they rush into stuff.

How I imagine their friendship to go:

- The girls still have beef like in canon. And it makes both of them very uncomfortable, and they avoid each other.

- SUGINO...bless this boy...is the one to connect both of them.

- He becomes friends with Okano first, getting to know the other athletes of the class, including Maehara and Kimura. While they’re all a good friend group, he gets especially close to Okano.

- They just vibe easily, and Okano appreciates how proactive he can be, but still so friendly and nice to everyone. Sugino likes teasing her about everything and he likes seeing her soft side since she’s a little prickly most of the time.

- They also very much connect on the experience of having been kicked out from a sport club they were crazy passionate about. Sugino recommends her to join a local team, since she still loves it. Nothing’s stopping her. “Screw those bastards at school” - Sugino. Her cheers up Okano, and yeah...very sweet friendship.

- But while he’s been befriending Okano...boy has also been getting closer to Kanzaki since they’re in the same friend group. His crush on her dissipates fast in this AU...he liked her at first because of how prim and perfect she seemed.

- But then he gets to know her and gains a platonic appreciation for the other parts of her, like her love for video games, rebellious attitude, etc. His crush leaves quickly, and they become friends. Kanzaki really likes how dorky he can be, and how he values her who she is, not what she likes look.

- How do they all join together?? Well, Sugino of course picks both of them to be his partners in a PE game. They’re both pretty talented so why the hell not?

- It’s incredibly awkward...Okano loses her temper and snaps at both of them a few times. Kanzaki goes off and does things on her own. Sugino suffers.

- But...at the very last moment, they somehow all accidentally coordinate together in this super badass moment, and they win whatever PE game the class was doing.

- And in the midst of cheering, Sugino grabs both of them in this bear hug, and Okano and Kanzaki smile at each other. Beginnings of change...

- They unconsciously make more of an effort to talk or interact more in class, especially since Sugino pulls them together a lot too. He just wants both his friends to get along 💜

- Eventually the more they do...the more they find out about each other. Kanzaki admits her 2nd year lie and everything. Okano talks about how much she’s struggled being accepted for her tomboyish attitude. They realize how much they have in common...both of them are judged for who they are.

- After realizing that, they both cry...and hug. Because damn, how much had they misjudged each other? How long were they beefing when really they could’ve connected?

- The dynamic strengthens, and the trio becomes a very tight friend group. Soon the girls don’t need Sugino around, they connect and hang out too 💜

- Boy is beyond happy to see them getting closer and becoming friends

General strengths as a trio:

So I think we can all agree that RGB trio is OP. But this trio...they’re very strong but in a reasonable, realistic way.

Okano: by far the strongest. She’s the top fighter of the class, with her immense speed, strength, and high skill in gymnastics. She specializes in offense. She’s also skilled in intelligence gathering, being able to scale tall trees, high walls, unstable ladders, etc. Her small stature also makes it easy to hide in places and collect information. Her night vision is the top in the class, and she’s especially needed for night missions.

Sugino: boy has a TON of physical strength and mobility, being a fairly fast runner. He has a lot of raw energy, and high stamina, being able to endure physically stressful scenarios more than most. His upper arm strength is one of the most defined in the class. He’s also very skilled in diplomatic situations, being able to persuade others. He’s a good infiltrator, putting his nice attitude and ability to blend in to good use.

Kanzaki: she doesn’t seem strong compared to the other two, with her delicate, slim stature and graceful attitude. Well...surprise surprise. She’s the most hardcore. Her proficiency in long-range is one of the best in 3-E, gained from all her shooting game experience. She’s an extremely skilled strategist, able to make plans on the spot. Combine that with the usual image she gives to the class...no one expects her to attack so viciously.

To sum it up: Strengths

Okano: close-range, offense, intelligence gathering

Sugino: close-range, defense, politics and negotiations

Kanzaki: long-range, both, strategy/planning

What a balanced, powerful, amazing trio.

This is getting too long but I put the basic facts lol. Will def make headcanons and more on this AU because now I’m in love with it UwU. Thanks Nao 😭

#this is a semi-tea post #mostly passion mixed with a little salt #assclass #assassination classsroom #ansatsu kyoushitsu #tomohito sugino #yukiko kanzaki #hinata okano #ask #faves AU😍

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hanjinstant · 3 years ago

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ָ࣪ if bts were macaroon flavours ♡ ָ࣪

taehyung

obviously he's caramel/salted caramel. i've said before he radiates beige aesthetic energy and further proof has been collected from the fact that he made his merch bag brown too. (it sold out in less than a minute which is absolutely mad). he's the human version of mostly sweet with a little bit of a lot of hot and spicy thrown in for good measure. or v for victory could also be... um these tata macaroons i found on pinterest?! ....(i want one. or five)

jimin

whatever food jimin could be, it would have to be a vibrant and flavourful one. jimin is one of the most (beautiful) and lively people i have ever become to know of. + the colour pink is psychologically associated with love & kindness too. with the addition of the whipped cream, because everyone's whipped for mr park jimin, it also represents the wonderful mix of his skill and humour. yeah and i'm gonna be honest he probably tastes like strawberries when you kiss him 🥺🥺🥺.

hobi

there's a reason he's not only our hope but also our sunshine; he is 💯% the star that shines the brightest. what's underrated about j-hope? his laugh. that man's laugh makes me laugh on its own! it's music to my ears and everytime he laughs i can picture the happiest grin on his face and it makes me happy. i feel like these macaroons resemble him to a t, and would also give me very slight hope world vibes

namjoon

this man.... i have unlimited respect for him. truly. i admire his mindset in the way that he seems like a very chilled person to be around, and he appreciates the little things, like thunderstorms and paintstrokes. his taste is EXQUISITE, and as i named him already as a pistachio macaroon in my bts as desserts hc, we are keeping the theme alive here. he is exquisite, expensive and well-valued. so are pistachios. and green is just the colour of nature and peace. i rest my case.

jin

jin would be a very extravagant flavour with even more extravagant decorations. i can see his macaroons being served in fancy gold boxes that look like they're from a jewellers. obviously, exterior isn't everything, so there would be some super expensive ingredients like black watermelon extract and sea cucumber sprinkles or something like that. the idea here is that eating one of these macaroons is a economical statement. oh, and they're always sold out because everyone loves them.

suga

min yoongi has this indescribable air of simplicity but complication simultaneously around him. hearing him talk about his and the boys' songs is so inspiring and relaxing to me; it's incredible to see how passionate he is! i think he would a flavour like plain almond or coconut because whenever i think of him the colour white pops into my head. it's peaceful and serene. he's the classic flavour that is indispensable and it always the bestseller in each macaroon parlour, for sure.

jungkook

toasted marshmallow, without a doubt. jk is a more adventurous flavour then perhaps some of his hyungs - even though he's been in bts for as long as the others, i imagine him of all members appreciates the novelty of being a performer most; while the others always cherish it and adore it (clearly through they way they've spoken about missing touring during the global panorama), i think he still feels butterflies when he really stops to think about the extent of it all. there's a fire that's ignited somewhere in him every single time he stands in front of a crowd of thousands and thousands.

a/n: thank you for all the love on my writings so far, it's so fun to think of things like this and materialise them for others to enjoy! (especially when it's food-related).

stay a while! bts as desserts ; bts as ice cream flavours ; masterlist

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dogwise · 2 years ago

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I'm not sure if you've been asked this before so sorry if you have been! But could you give a little guide or some tips on how you take care of your crabbyboys??? Because you seem to take such amazing and thoughtful care of these guys, so passionate. I'm so inspired by you to have some lil shell guys!!!

Hi!! This was so so so nice to read!!! Thank you!!! I really can’t tell you how much it means!😭

I compiled this list mostly from the Land Hermit Crab Owners FB group’s 101 post, but cut it down to its bare bones. Just let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to help!!

Set Up

Tank: The smallest tank you want to have is 20 gallon tank for 2 crabs (you’ll want to start with at least 2 because they are social critters). Add additional 10 gallons per crab. The lid needs to hold humidity and heat - so should either be full glass or cellophane covered mesh. Hermit Crabs require a consistent humidity of 85%.

Substrate: The crabs’ substrate needs are pretty specific: play sand (usually sold at department stores; pet store sand like calcium sand and dyed sand is dangerous and should be avoided) and coconut fiber mixed at a 5 to 1 ratio -- ie five cups play sand for every one cup coconut fiber. The mixture should be sand castle consistency and be no less than 8” so the crabs have enough room to molt.

Pools: You need at least two pools deep enough that the crabs can full submerge. One of the pools should be freshwater and the other saltwater (the saltwater use Instant Ocean Salt Mix). Both need to be dechlorinated if you’re using public water.

Heat: Hermit crabs require a consistent temperature of 85 degrees F. Use an under tank heater mat (UTH) for the source of heat. The UTH should cover the back of the tank, not the bottom, and not go below the substrate line.

Décor: Plenty of fake plants and coconuts/log hides -- hermies are naturally prey animals so get stressed without plenty of places to hide. Climbing objects like cholla wood and driftwood are also good. Hermit crabs are actually pretty smart too so will enjoy things like mirrors and “puzzle toys.”

Shells: Hermit crabs need plenty of natural shells (not painted -- all paints are toxic to crabs) available, otherwise they will start getting aggressive with one another. There should be 5 shells per 1 hermit crab that are similar or larger than the size of the shell the crab is currently in (measure the shell size by the hole opening). Turbo shells are the most popular!

Care

Handling: They’re mostly hands-off critters. Being prey animals, being picked up and played with a lot only stresses them out.

Molting: This is when the crabbies go under the sand and shed their old exoskeleton. All we can do is give them time and privacy. It can take weeks to months for a crab to finish molting. As tempting as it may be though, never go digging for them.

Feeding: As omnivores, they need a well-balanced diet. Calcium, Fruit, Veggies, Proteins, Cellulose, and Chitin are the four musts. There is a huge selection of food they can eat (pretty good list here!), but in general, you just want to make sure it’s pesticide-free. I generally opt for freeze-dried food to lower the risk of mites.

#thank you so much for asking!!!!!#hc #<3

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silvia7272 · 4 years ago

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Miraculess Ladybug Salt AU: You Always Liked To Play With Fire ~ Blossoming Friendships???

I really hope you’re all enjoying this new series; I honestly just came up with the idea on a dime, and then after I started developing it, I knew I needed to share it with all of my fans.

Also, when I actually get around to including more characters from the movie, it’s gonna be fun giving them some personality traits. I can’t wait.

And er-… I may have accidently messed up with some off the names. Since I changed most off the names already, I then decided to change them for Barbara and Olympia, however I had forgotten that I’d already written their names down in the story. Opps. I thought this would’ve been better since I think I saw some people complain about the United Hero’s super names, so I changed them, as well as if I’m going to add in going to Gotham into the mix and there’s already a character called Barbara, I just know I’ll get hella confused for who I’m talking about. I don’t want people to get confused but maybe I should make a post off the names I’ve already changed to begin with, just to defer from canon. Well, here it is.

My OC: Rosaniline Keyne-Hill was Rosina Scoats

Soliane Rin was Crisono Tassa

Canon Counterparts: Jace Keyne was Jessica Keyne

Aveon Keyne-Hill was Aeon Hill

Medusa was Uncanny Valley

(I kept Olympia the same)

Nebula was Majestia

Brianna was Barbara

Eostrix was Night Owl

So, I might just change them when I can be bothered to.

This fanfic and its ideas were all made before season 4 came out, so if something doesn’t add up please don’t worry. That information wasn’t available then, and unless it fits into my story or I like it, I won’t include it in my story. Also, that new Miraculous wiki can get lost, I’m not putting any of that new information in here if they couldn’t even put it in the show. (Also, so far, I do not care for season 4 whatsoever so yeah, I may not include any of that in this work and the other.)

Word Count: 9435

Tags: @vixen-uchiha if you wish to be tagged all you have to do is say. Also, if you change your name please tell me, I don’t want to leave you out since you’ve asked to be tagged. I’m very sorry if I’ve missed anyone.

Well, I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Summary:

Note: This fic contains OOC scenes of Miraculous Ladybug as well as a ton of salt, so if you don't like that stuff you may scroll past and have a nice day.

In a world with no Miraculous, no Hawkmoth and no Ladybug, how does our little heroine do?

Well, it usually would be hanging out with her friends, as any other teenager would do...

But, of course, this wasn't normal.

This was reality. It was cold, hard and definitely not welcome.

So, when this girl wishes to have some kind of adventure in her boring, mundane life…

How long does it take for her to regret it?

***

Mlle Bustier had always believed her students were the best in the whole Collège.

In fact, she whole-heartedly believed that all her students could do no harm.

In her mind, they were at the peak of maturity, though they may be in their adolescence and had some seemingly petty dramas, they all prevailed to take whatever they wanted for themselves, when they saw opportunities, they rightfully took.

And Mlle Bustier only wanted the best for her students.

As much as Caline would never admit it to any of her work colleagues, she always knew her class was exceptional.

Kim, Alix, what with two of the sportiest people that were bound to succeed.

Max, A genius who was able to develop a fully functioning AI, when he was a teen no less. She could only imagine what other inventions her little Einstein could invent later on. The type of universities he’d get into, the job offers, oh the endless possibilities.

Ivan, Rose, Juleka, A lead vocalist, guitarist, and drummer in a popular rock band. Though she had heard there may have been a few mishaps in the band, she was sure they would be even better than before.

Mylène, A passionate environmentalist who only wanted to help the world become a cleaner place, and entered as many organisations as possible.

Nino, An inspiring DJ/filmmaker. She always wanted to help out by lending the classroom key afterschool, that way he could work on all of his works. Allowing everyone to take part even, it was truly one of her best rules.

Alya, A journalist's whose goal was to become bigger than Lois Lane.

Adrien, A model, the most famous teenage one by Parisian standards.

Chloé, The mayor's Daughter.

Sabrina, The head of police’s Daughter.

Nathaniel, an inspiring comic book artist that had gained a lot of attention online.

And Lila, a Daughter of an Italian diplomat.

Although she could admit to herself that not all of these aspirations were something that she could boast about, she could show off that all of her students had something they would work for or even show off.

And what did the others have?

Two weather girls and a writer? Caline would have to laugh, compare that with her class and you could clearly see who was at the top.

Although she hadn’t said a specific name for a reason.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng. The young fashion designer/baker’s girl.

For a while, that name had left a sour name in her mouth, whenever she had been forced to say it for the register, it only took her a few days for her to realise how much it annoyed her whenever said girl was late to her lesson. Honestly, did that girl not value punctuality? Nevermind in the workplace; what about her reputation as a teacher?

She was becoming a lot more reclused, gaining a disrespectful attitude towards her she had no recollection of when she had gained it, and became incredibly upset when she remembered every year on her birthday, the girl would give her a whole assortment of pastries and desserts.

Now, because she had somewhat highly encouraged her students to send gifts for a better grade, it was just a box of chocolates.

Just a small box of chocolates!?

How could she show off her gifts to the others now!?

And worst of all?

She refused to be the good little Class President anymore.

Her example?

Her Marinette off the world?

Did she not care about setting a good example? Or to be a role model to the class?

Really, to be so selfish, to all of her friends, how ungrateful.

She believed she had sorted this little problem when Chloé, in a fit off understandable jealousy, drew over her gift.

Marinette was unreasonably angry at the poor girl, and so Bustier had said how better it would be for her to rise up and become a beacon of light for Chloé instead of letting that hate and anger fester inside her.

To let go and help out everyone.

To not let your negative side take a hold of you and be positive around everyone in your vicinity.

After all, sharing and helping makes the world go round, and we do want to help the world, right?

She remembered those words she had spoken so fondly to her, as she was always someone anyone could come to for advice. It had always worked after all, after students were able to see the correct side, she’d be thanked which always left a small flutter of happiness around her.

Mendeleiev scared many students away, D’Argencourt with his eccentric personality, made students want to avoid being seen near him after lessons ended, and hardly anyone spent their time in the art club room.

Caline believed she was seen as a shining example of light by the other students, and knew she was seen as a Disney Princess by many, Rose had even called her that once.

However, getting back to the matter at hand, she was very pleased when Marinette had gone out of her way to make Chloé happy, of course, her attitude still remained mostly the same but Caline was smart enough to know it wouldn’t take one nice event to help the girl, so she was so proud when she carried on helping the poor girl out. Chloé was smiling more and even asking for a multitude of things from the blue-haired girl, and if she ever saw Marinette get unreasonably upset again, she’d send a very disappointing glare.

She knew being disappointed in students was a sure-fire way for them to do better and work harder, she knew how guilty her students would feel if they ever managed to get that gaze from their teacher, and… If the elder had done this a bit more on Marinette than anyone else… Well, she would just smile, telling them how much Marinette was able to accomplish, her trips for the class were so good, everyone was jealous. So, didn’t that seem good?

And even though she did see most of it going in the trash, she knew Chloé was just a little bit picky, she’d liked the interest in her, it was normal.

Her home life wasn’t something to be overlooked, she just knew the girl only wished for attention, and she was sure to be able to give it to her.

But then she… Stopped.

Caline had believed the girl had gotten wrongly impatient and told Marinette she shouldn’t be so extreme, but Marinette dared to fight back, against her?

She exclaimed that it wasn’t just Chloé anymore, how could she be expected to be nice to both her and Lila?

Bustier was confused, Lila? What did she have to do with this?

And so, the girl explained that she was just lying for attention, every breath that came out was just a lie. And she couldn’t stand it, she’d apparently turned her friends against her.

Now, normally, Bustier knew Marinette wouldn’t lie.

But, she also knew she couldn’t let this ‘lie’ be revealed.

It might harm her reputation.

She couldn’t have that happen.

So, she knew what she had to say.

That this was just girl drama that all teenagers had.

She couldn’t afford to let her empire fall so soon.

And for something like that.

The faces of the other teachers.

The gossip surrounding her.

“Looks like Caline’s not so good a teacher after all.”

No, she couldn’t bare it.

Who said a little white lie would hurt anyone?

In order to keep her class, exactly the same.

A few snips were made to maintain its image.

And if she had to snip her most prized student.

Then… So be it.

***

When she entered her classroom it was just like any other day.

Her students forming around a desk in the front of the room.

She always commended her students for such actions, she knew how sweet and silent the girl could be and loved how accommodating the class could be to her.

She couldn’t help the wondering gaze that looked upon the back row.

A certain seat was empty, but that was routine by now. And even though there was still 5 minutes till the bell, she still marked her late in her book.

Sometimes Caline had to think if at some points she had expected too much of this single girl… But only to remember that, no, in fact, when Marinette had a better attitude, she had expected too less. Back when she gained some confidence, she had always surpassed her expectations, her trips were the highlight off her job, her morning snacks were a welcomed surprise, her need to prove herself let her have as many responsibilities as possible, yes some were meant to be her own paperwork, but she’d never seen Marinette excel so much, it was a dream come true.

If she could just push her, just a little more… She was sure Marinette would go back to her obedient self, and it would make Bustier’s job a lot easier.

Although… The new student seemed like the perfect candidate as well, since Marinette may not follow her good example, she may be able to get a different example.

She could see just how sweet and pleasant the cherry haired girl was, she’d be perfect for the role. Sneaking a quick glance at the girl who was simply minding her business reading a book and keeping to herself. She did take note she had a bit of a limp for the past week, but didn’t bring it up just to not embarrass the girl in front of the whole class. She just knew if she was able to simply send her views her way, a new example would be made, hell she may even be able to have two if Rosaniline became such a good influence on Marinette she may even change again.

She also just knew Rosann would be good for Chloé, after all, they’d have so much to talk about, and coming from similar backgrounds she could make sure they could be paired together as much as possible.

Of course, only she knew about her family name, Monsieur Damocles had been informed by her residence that they’d prefer not to spread this information about, for it had been such a hinderance for her to make friends before.

Bustier frowned, she knew very well her students wouldn’t try to suck up to her, she almost felt insulted that she wouldn’t trust her students.

But the worst part was that she couldn’t brag about her new student to anyone, no one could find out or they’d all face some action from her Mother, she was very clear on that.

However Bustier tried to not let it bother her too much, after all she was sure she could give a gentle nudge in the right direction about trusting friends and not keeping secrets, to coax her out of her shell. She’d just have to be excruciatingly patient.

Clapping her hands was a symbol for them all to pay attention, she’d never raise her voice to them, not even a little, and she knew they would respect it and quieten down their chatter.

And just like that, the door opened to a fashionably late bluenette. Bustier would feign ignorance to the rather disappointing glares stares the girl was receiving, after all, she was giving one off her own.

She sheepishly walked to her seat just as the bell rang, honestly, she’d given her a lot of warnings before about her punctuality, did she really need to brief her Parents in about the situation?

“Well class, since all of you are here now, I can get on with the lesson” And so began her teaching.

It was fairly simple, she knew her students would be able to easily understand, after all, she knew they were the best, the smartest.

She had to explain the project they were bound to complete to a high standard, she just knew it was another to her list of student’s accomplishments she could brag about.

The project entailed 30% of coursework they must do in pairs in the span of 2 months. They could choose any topic so long as it followed the theme.

And this year’s theme was history, generally her students would groan at this topic, but considering they were able to decide on their personal preferences that should help encourage them to complete it to the best of their ability.

Plus, it helped towards their end of the year grade, and helped their teamwork skills. Of course, Mlle Bustier would always try to be as generous as she could, she wouldn’t remove marks from accidental mistakes unlike a purple haired teacher would, she just couldn’t bear to be so mean to them when she knew they were trying so hard to get all of their marks, she couldn’t punish them for that. Even if it was not necessarily the right thing to do, she couldn’t let there be any wrongful disappointment.

As long as they carried on being a great example, she could never fail them.

Besides everyone loved her projects, while having to be in pairs they always got to present it in any way they wanted, a science experiment, PowerPoint presentation to even a play, she was so very proud when Mylène did that play from last year, so impressive and she had gotten out of her shell. All she had to do was make them follow a simple rule before they could go all out. Her students loved the independence, and when they asked what type of ideas she had, she gleamed and expressed her own interest in the fairy tales. There was so much you could do with so many magical stories and elements, the possibilities were endless. She loved always talking about them in at least all of her lesson as she knew how many life lessons could come out of it.

And besides, in a sense, the other thing that made her the best teacher, she let them pick their own partners.

Of course, she had to make it seem like that.

It was always the same since kindergarten, everyone’s names would be placed in a bowl on a piece of paper, and one by one she’d pick a name up, when she read it out loud other people could raise their hands to ask to be their partner.

Normally it would be the first person to raise their hand, however, Caline wasn’t stupid, there were certain pairs she didn’t always want together.

Such as Alix and Kim, if it were a presentation about sports, she wouldn’t mind as much, knowing they would present a physical display of their athleticism… However, she knew if they were paired up for a slideshow presentation about let’s say, politics. She knew they would only start at the last minute, and include a very messily strown up slideshow. And with Marinette refusing to help out her classmates with even the simplest of matters, her hands were tied.

So, if they ever stuck their hand up for either of them, Bustier would wait to see who else would put their hand up, most of the time it was either Max or Nathaniel respectfully, and since they were all friends, no one had called her out for it.

And that’s how she got around it.

So, she started doing her routine, swirling her hand around the, she picked one up and began to read it aloud.

“Lila Rossi. And who would like to be her partner?” Immediately several hands shot up, bringing a smile on her face again, so many wanted to help this girl it filled her with pride and comfort.

And well, she always had to help by picking the most knowledgeable of students.

“Max, I believe I saw your hand up first” Some students moaned that they couldn’t be with Lila, but they knew that maybe next time they would get a shot.

“Ivan Bruel” Unsurprisingly Mylène’s hand shot up first followed by Juleka and Rose, now normally she wouldn’t let couples be together, but she couldn’t break them up, they did their work so well, so she let it slide.

Grabbing the next piece of paper Caline’s once bright smile, dropped as her eyes scanned over the name before sighing audibly, she didn’t need to hide it, everyone knew whose name it was.

Marinette Dupain-Cheng took a deep sigh.

As soon as Bustier told them about a presentation she was immediately filled with dread.

She could quite easily do it well, or at least get a well enough grade considering Bustier’s shady marking skills.

But her partners influence would be something she dreaded.

Best case scenario, they’ll be so repulsed to be in the same room with her that they’d work independently, and it would more or less seem like two separate presentations in one. Her grade was low.

Worst case scenario, she’d be subjected to either do it alone, or screamed about how much they don’t want to be near her. Her grade would be lowered.

Not theirs, hers.

Bustier would exclaim how she wanted the bluenette to rise above it all and forgive them, and until she was a better student in her eyes, she’d be punished for it.

It didn’t help that when her name was specifically called out, there would be a silence they’ll have to endure for what would seem like eternity.

It would either stop when someone so nobly sacrificed themselves to team up with her or Bustier would be forced to wait until the end for the last name to be picked out.

And she hated having to feel like this.

They were all friends, why did it have to be like this?

And well, just like this silence, it would last for a rather uncomfortable time, more than Marinette liked.

Her head rested on the desk, she at this point didn’t care about her appearance in front of the new girl. It had been a week already and at this point Marinette knew they’d be no point getting to know someone who was bound to abandon her.

It was a despairing truth she’d learn from experience, it was why no one hung around her, even from the other classes, they would be a target next.

Marinette couldn’t blame them, if the situations were reversed, she doubted she’d have enough courage to go out of her way to help.

So, she’d just sit, head on desk as time would pass.

“H-Hey! Why do you have your hand up, we told you how she was a bully, why would you want to be her partner!?”

???

Wait-

That wasn’t meant to happen.

Hesitantly, Marinette picked her head up, only to find her seatmate with an eager hand in the air.

She looked over to her face, a smile present as she glanced towards the teacher, waiting for her to say they would be paired together.

“I want to be Marinette’s partner, and I haven’t seen yet why I shouldn’t” Rosann’s head turned innocently to her classmates, she was radiating happiness as they stared in shock. A blond very much as he did want to be her partner when her name was called out, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

“Marinette! Did you threaten her as well, girl you’re unbelieva-”

“I’m afraid you are being mistaken Mlle Césaire, I wouldn’t willingly make a partnership with my enemy, now Mlle Bustier you may continue if you would please” Marinette gasped, she- she’d just put a target on her back. For her! This girl was crazy…

And yet, despite her cute appearance, she hadn’t seen someone look so confident and polite.

‘Wait did I say cute-’

Even though the girl had stated her answer, it wasn’t the answer the class was looking for.

“Mlle Bustier you can’t put their names down together” Someone protested. It sounded like Lila, she was always leading the class for this sort of thing.

“Yeah, put my name down for Rosaniline instead, we know she doesn’t mean it.” That was Alya.

“But I-” She felt guilty for the new girl, she really did, she would’ve warned her how you’ll never truly be able to say your opinion without everyone interfering or as she put it, butting in.

“She doesn’t know what’s she’s gotten herself into, the poor girl” Rose spoke, if Marinette wasn’t so used to it she’d flinch from the words Rose spoke about her.

What was bad, Rosann wasn’t able to speak.

What was worse, Bustier was very much considering it.

“I guess it would be for the best” Marinette couldn’t believe it. The one person who willingly decided to pair up with her, was being ignored to be partnered up with someone else.

Not that Marinette wanted them to be with someone else mind you, but it was their decision, why wasn’t she spared a thought and have people notice that maybe they didn’t have to decide for her?

What was crueller, was that Marinette found the one person that was on her side… Was the one person who was the first to make her clamper up.

“This is ridiculous absolutely ridiculous” Of all people, it had to be her to join in?

“How extremely hypocritical of you Mlle Bustier, if I couldn’t change my partner from the last project then neither does Dupain-Cheng in this one, isn’t this school meant to teach fairness. Well, the only fair thing I see is the fairly incompetent from this class” Of course the students didn’t take kindly to her words as Bustier sighed yet again.

She knew Chloé had a point, she’d tried to persuade Chloé to have a different partner than Sabrina a few times in previous projects, it would depend on the person, if Chloé didn’t mind, she’d moan but nothing else. If it was someone she didn’t like, she’d threaten to call the mayor, most of the times she wouldn’t considering out of all the teachers even Chloé would admit she liked Bustier the most, she’d never blame her for anything and she loved that about her, but she had a point none the less.

Besides, Bustier believed that maybe Rosaniline would prove to be a very good example to her previous one, and this could be a great place to start.

“Yes Chloé, I believe I understand now, it would be highly unfair if we didn’t let Rosaniline decide for herself” Marinette couldn’t help the somewhat annoyed glance she gave to the teacher for that comment.

“But Mlle-”

“No buts Alya, now why don’t we use the idea Chloé suggested?” The class all heard the snicker from Chloé, they couldn’t believe she could stoop so low like this.

And then it carried on like it had been, but Marinette couldn’t help but let her curiosity get the better of her and as the class was carrying on, Marinette swallowed the gulp that had formed in her throat and turned to the girl next to her.

“Err- Rosaniline?” She gently tapped the girl’s shoulder, she turned and showed she was listening.

“Yes?” Oh god Mari don’t lose confidence now.

“Why, why did you do that?” With that, she saw a smirk emerge from the girl.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, but I am rather petty since I refuse to take the word of someone else before doing my own research” Oh. Somehow that wasn’t what she was expecting, but honestly it was better than pretending to care.

“Although… I should apologise, for how abrupt I was about it” Marinette widened her eyes, why- she didn’t do anything wrong?

“I would’ve preferred asking for your consent first, but seeing the opportunity I may have taken it rather quickly” She grasped one of her braids, a nervous habit maybe, Marinette couldn’t help but notice before giving her answer.

“N-No its fine, I-I don’t mind you being my partner, not like I’ve got anyone better- I mean- I didn’t mean it like that. I just- erm, I just. I’m glad you thought about me” If Marinette had been able to look past her hair, she would’ve noticed the small blush creep up on her cheeks.

“No problem”

***

Normally, a weekend would be extremely relaxing to the young designer.

She had as much time to sleep in, plus she started a late shift anyway, her Parents were the best when it came to that, since they knew how much trouble she had getting up on a school day, they knew they couldn’t ask her to get up early for work, especially since it was their workplace.

And she had completed other homework assignments a while ago, so surely there was no reason for why she should be pacing around in the living room so early for her.

Well, it may or may not have something to do with the new girl.

She really should stop calling her new girl, she gave her her name for god’s sake.

But she just felt so nervous.

She told her Parents about this new assignment, and how she actually volunteered to be her partner, and how Marinette in the spur of a moment offered to go to her place on Saturday to start it. And she couldn’t deny when she saw the relieved expression she had when she offered. But now…

She hadn’t had someone over in years, everyone else avoided this place like the plague, the Parents still came though, and although they were slightly informed of the situation, they also just believed it was teenage drama.

Her own Parents showed their own worry, they loved their girl, and they truly didn’t want her to ever be hurt like last time ever again, but they also knew if she never gave this girl a shot, she’d never know.

Was it better to know than to ponder it forever?

That was a phrase Marinette was all too familiar with. However, it still didn’t calm her nerves.

Her Parents had told her if she didn’t want Rosaniline to be around anymore, they’d be more than happy to just so happen have an event take place right at that moment that she would have to leave, even if Marinette hoped that wouldn’t happen.

So, as she continued to pace, she was able to see from her balcony the Parisians all around, her doorway was slightly ajar so she could hear the sound of birds chirping, cars passing, and a motorcycle coming to a stop.

The noise of a motorcycle made her come to a fond thought of her Nonna. She loved her very much, and her free spirit.

Whenever she came back from one of her grand trips, she’d always get Marinette some type of fabric that always made her determined to incorporate into some type of clothing.

It was somewhat why she always stayed in the path of fashion, not just because her Parents would be disappointed in seeing her so unmotivated, but because she still liked the challenge of turning fabric into something.

She giggled, besides that thing from last week, it was the only adventurous thing she had done.

The sound of steps interrupted her as she saw her Maman, she nodded before Marinette felt a slight drop in her stomach.

She was here, she just needed to calm down, it would be fine.

She’d just smile and brace for it.

Walking down the stairs to her bakery was the same as always, she could smell the fresh bread from the oven. She always appreciated this aspect, living in a bakery always meant the aroma was lovely.

Going through the door after her Maman she braced herself to see the ne- er, Rosaniline.

What she didn’t brace for was the little girl cuddling her leg as soon as she entered.

“Hi, my names Piper, can we go to your room now?” She had to compose herself so she wouldn’t fall over with the girl in tow, but she couldn’t help internally awwing at the little kids’ appearance.

Black hair tied back in a red bow, a pink leotard with a lighter coloured tutu skirt. And a short but worn-out blue cape. And to top it all off, sparkly pink shoes faded to orange.

“O-Oh, hi there.” She gave a little wave, still completely confused.

“I’m so sorry Mari, Piper was just too excited to meet you, I’m very sorry for the shock” She saw a concerned look coming from Rosaniline. She sure did fret a lot- ah, she knew she didn’t mean it as a bad thing she just, well, she was used to being quiet and observing.

“Its fine really, but how come you brought your… Sister here?” She was unsure if the guess was right but considering the nod from the other girl, she relaxed knowing she was right. And considering she had to ignore a comment made from her Parents about a nickname she was given, she could just ignore that.

“I’m so sorry for the late notice, it’s just, something came up and I couldn’t find anyone able to take care of her. I’m really sorry for not telling you before but I- I don’t have your phone number so I couldn’t tell you. Eheh. I promise she won’t cause any trouble. Right?” The smaller girl, now back at her Sister’s side, bounced and repeated yes several times.

She looked to her Parents, almost asking them if it was alright, this whole situation caught her slightly off guard, and she momentarily forgot the question was directed at her.

Luckily her Maman was ready.

“Of course its fine, my, your Sister is such a cutie. And what’s your name sweetie?” Her Mother crouched down to make eye level. The girl puffed her chest out before standing straight up.

“My name is Piper Keyne-Hill ma’am, and I am 6 years old” She held one hand up before she looked up.

“Did I do it right?” Rosaniline smiled before bending down to her level as well.

“Do you believe that is the right answer?” Her use of that caused attention to Piper’s hand as the little one looked back, she gasped before proudly extending another finger up.

“There you go” She ruffled her hair as Marinette saw her Mother continue talking with Piper.

And yet… She felt that dread from earlier flee away, seeing Rosaniline interacting with her Sister so fondly brought heat to her cheeks and inside. She just, felt so calm around her.

And that warm smile…

She, kinda wanted her to smile like that to her…

“Marinette?” That broke her out of her trance, she looked over at her Papa who had a confused look.

“Shouldn’t you two start working on the project?”

“Huh? Oh- oh yeah, yes of course the project… Eh, Rosaniline lets go, I’ve got some kid books to keep Piper company” She didn’t mind the weight on her arm, or the way her Parents smiled at her interactions with the cherry haired girl.

She just minded how heavy her heart was pounding for some reason.

Marinette never considered her room big, she always found it spacious, it might be due to her always misplacing at least something when she’s in a rush, but she knew where it would be.

Stepping over to her desk draw, she pulls out a bunch of child books, since Nadja always did spring a babysitting job on her, she figured there was no reason to place them somewhere that would be too much of a hassle to keep getting out. So, she kept them closer.

Turning back, she saw the two looking around her room, Piper held so much excitement as Rosaniline wore a smile.

“Woooooow, it’s so pink, Rosalee what type is it?” Tugging at her Sister’s cardigan the older girl smiled.

“There are many different types, so I doubt I know the exact one… But I’d say it was a coral pink” She pattered her head as she too looked over the room, a somewhat reminiscent expression as she takes it all in.

“Mari I’m so jealous, to be able to live in a bakery with all of those magnificent smells around every day, it must be like heaven” Marinette scratched her head, ok- this was all so different, no matter how much she wanted to go back to her usual self, there was always something holding her back. Almost like, if she fell in this trap again, she’d mess it up, before she could be comfortable.

There she goes again, over thinking the situation like before.

No wonder-

“Ahh- it’s a tiger, look look” Piper’s voice brought her out of it as she saw Piper sitting in Rosaniline’s legs.

“Mmhmmn, so, Mari should we get started?” Marinette could only nod before they pulled out some books to get started.

***

‘This was easier when I had to do it on my own’ The bluenette thought, now don’t get her wrong, they weren’t arguing or anything, they just couldn’t exactly agree on a subject together.

When Rosaniline suggested gory fairy tales, she had to physically force herself not to shudder, fortunately the girl opposite her said it was a mere jest, thinking it would’ve been funny to see the teachers face when they spoke about it, but maybe it would be too much.

Rosaniline even joked that they may not have anything in common at all, that did nothing to soothe the young girls’ nerves. She just knew this might not have been the best decision, if they couldn’t find a topic, she knew Bustier would blame her for it, and if Bustier blamed her no doubt the class would as well. And it would just be one more point for them as they’d slowly but surely turn Rosaniline away from her.

It’s not like she would be disappointed or anything, it’s just, she’d rather be right now than in the future with her hopes up.

But, it didn’t help that her feelings were so mixed about this. Why was it she wanted to get to know Rosaniline?

Knock knock.

“Girls, I think you’re due a break now, don’t you?” Marinette was relieved, surely after some food they’ll be able to come up with at least one idea.

“Yes, Mlle Dupain-Cheng, that would be lovely.”

“Now stop that, you can call me Sabine, aw such a polite child you are” She blushed as she rubbed the back of her head.

“Marinette dear, mind if you help me?” Her eyes were confused, her Maman would normally never ask for help, what was so different now?

But not wanting to cause a scene she nodded and proceeded to climb down, just as Piper was moving onto a different type of picture book.

Going over to the kitchen she saw that her Mother had prepared so much food it would’ve looked like a feast, but that was how she was, whenever guests came over you could see more food on a table than a table.

She hoped Rosaniline and Piper had an appetite.

“Is everything alright dear?” She felt her Maman’s hands on her shoulders, it was always reassuring that her Parents did so much to look out for her, even when she pretended to be just fine her Parents would give her time just to be by herself if she needed it and then be there if she wanted to talk.

“Yes Maman, she’s really nice… We just haven’t figured out what topic to do yet.” She laughed nervously as her Mother couldn’t help but give a somewhat serious expression.

“You know, if you at all feel uncomfortable, we can still make up an excuse-” She shook her head.

“No Maman its fine really, if anything we’ll just keep it to the school library… She’s- I don’t know, I can’t explain it, I just feel-”

“Relaxed?” Her Mother finished the sentence for her, she nodded as Sabine thought how glad this girl was making her feel.

“Alright, well then get back up there, you don’t want her thinking you abandoned her?” She nudged her cheek as Marinette pushed her hand gently. She gave her Mum a kiss on the cheek before making her way back up to her room.

She couldn’t explain the feeling much, it was like she was feeling peaceful, a smooth tranquillity around her.

It wasn’t a feeling she had around her older friends, it always seemed like whatever they did was rushed, no time to process it. Or they didn’t let her speak.

Rosaniline did, she let her speak, she listened to her, she made her- feel.

She didn’t want that feeling to go away.

“Piper- I know you like this book, but I don’t think you should be flicking through it.”

“But why? Marilee gave me these. And they look so pretty I want one.” The little one responded, she didn’t demand, she was raised better than that.

“Well, I don’t think she meant to give you this one.” She was confused, wait what book was it?

Her heart stopped as she saw a pink cover-

That- that was her commission book!

She was rushing too much to even notice that she’d given Piper that one book.

Oh god, she was going to see her secret, that she was starting her own commission blog, that she was MDC- that she could tell everyone at Collège Françoise Dupont, and it could ruin her career. That everyone could post lies about her, making nobody trust her and demand refunds, and maybe she’d get taken in by the police- be sent to jail and never have her dream job of-

“Mari? Hey, Mari can you hear me?” She felt warm hands wrap around her own. She could feel herself look up as silver concerned eyes looked back at hers.

She felt another tug at her skirt, looking down to see Piper with her own worried expression.

“Did I make Marilee upset?” It was a simple question that pulled at her heartstrings, she felt tears prickle at her eyes for her overthinking. But she didn’t mean for Piper to be upset, or for Rosaniline to be worried either.

There she went again, overthinking every little thing that she couldn’t account for, why did she have to be this way, why did she have to be so cynical and downright negative.

“Oh no, heavens no Piper, I just- er had something in my eye, yeah. You didn’t do anything Piper, I’m glad you like the books I gave you.” Piper smile grew as she proceeded to drag Marinette over to the books again.

She seemed to be putting on an act though, from what Rosaniline could see. She was panicking over something, why? She didn’t know, she did want to find out but didn’t want to push it. She had a habit of wanting to find out answers, it wasn’t a bad thing, she remembered her Mum say, it’s just sometimes she could be just a teeny bit insensitive about it.

Looking over the scene she saw her little Sister pointing excitedly at the pages of sketched clothing, her saying how much she loved them and all the colours that she used and said how the author was so creative.

Marinette laughed along, her tears faded as she enjoyed Piper’s enthusiasm, almost making a note to definitely make her something- and for Rosaniline of course, it’ll be weird to make it for one and not the other.

And then- an idea struck.

“I know, why don’t we do it about the history of fashion?” The dark-skinned girl spoke up. She saw two heads turn towards her as she grinned. Putting her hands together near her cheeks as she spiralled in her own thoughts.

“I’ve always wanted to learn more about it, to see the transformations going through all the ages. And this could be the perfect time. So, what do you think?” It was a question that seemed as if she could reject it, but it still felt like a trick.

What if she didn’t suggest this as a solution, but for convenience for herself, since now she knew she liked fashion and would make her do all the work, it’s not like it hadn’t happened before, so why did it hurt so much to have her do it?

Did she have any right to object, wouldn’t it seem like she was being way to fussy? They already saw her sketches before, so she couldn’t deny she was a good artist. But then what if the others thought it was her idea?

That she made Rosaniline chose this subject, and get told how selfish to have done so, a disappointing gaze from Bustier, a disapproving gaze from Adrien, she felt her chest tighten up again, oh god, she was overthinking again, why did she have to be like this?

“Hey- hey Mari, we don’t have to if you don’t want… I-er saw you liked videogames; we could always do it about that if you want?” But Mari felt so disappointed in herself, she was being so accommodating to her, why, why for her? She didn’t deserve this.

“B-But Marilee’s so good at drawing, she can really really really draw. I know you can do it.” Piper enthusiastically cheered, she would’ve smiled but couldn’t, not yet, she just had to think through it.

What could she do?

“Piper, not now” Rosaniline slightly scolded, she never liked doing it honestly, but besides her Mother she had the trademark glare that told her to pack it in.

Unfortunately, Piper never did look at her while she was in such an energetic mood.

What could she do?

“Rosalee she’s amazing, she’s the best in the world. Don’t do it about stupid video games.” She tried persuading her Sister to see some sense, in the short time that she had known Marilee, she was pretty much enarmed with her, she found another Sister that needed a confidence boost.

What. Could. She. Do!?

“Piper!- Look, sometimes not everyone wants to show their skills to other people, and we have to respect that, ok?” She crouched down to her level, kids felt less intimidated when you weren’t so tall, besides, Piper didn’t mean anything by it, she was always told to follow her heart, and if she was proud of something, she should show it off for the whole world to see.

What could-

Wait?

Could someone really be so accommodating? Could it really be true? Could all of this be true?

“Aww… Ok Rosalee, sorry Marilee” Piper hugged Marinette’s leg, and even though it felt like she was getting told off, she knew she wasn’t in real trouble.

Or was it a persona?

“I’ll do it.”

If this was a plan, a plan to make her do all the work, then she’ll go along with it. It felt so mean, so immature, so senseless that she still wasn’t trusting her, but she didn’t want to turn Rosaniline away without any evidence, besides, if this was all a trick, then surely it was better this way, she would’ve foreseen it and everything would go back to normal, she’d go off to join the class while she’d be alone once more, maybe they’ll have passing glances and memories of what could’ve been but she wouldn’t leave her here open and out to be in such a vulnerable position.

Not just for her, but for both, she didn’t know what would happen after another heartbreak.

“Huh?”

“I- I don’t mind if we do it about fashion, I mean, only if you want to, I don’t mind teaching you about it, I-I even had some books stored just for this, so I guess its lucky right” A nervous laughter evolved as she looked at anywhere but her.

However, the cherry haired girl wasn’t as convinced.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I guess little Piper just convinced me.” The little girl fist pumped to herself before running along back to her books before the bluenette felt soft hands on her shoulders.

“As long as you want to as well, I… Wouldn’t want to force you or anything” Quick, she had to ease the tension.

“-Psst- Don’t worry so much Rosaniline, c’mon I’ll see where I put those books, also how far do you wanna go back, if we go too far, we might not be able to cover everything. But if we go to a few years back our presentation would just be too small. Maybe we can just go halfway. That reminds me maybe we could have a physical element, I could throw together some pieces of old works together and show them of as we talk- or” Her shoulders were gently grabbed again as she looked at the close proximity she was in, it made her blush just a tad more than she thought she ever could.

“Maybe we could discuss that, over something to eat?” She quickly looked down and remembered the food on the ground, no doubt cold now. She felt guilt come in before seeing her passionate smile.

“Sorry, I just saw how passionate you were about this, I couldn’t bear to stop you, but then I got worried if you’d run out of air, Eheh. Think we can heat the food up?” She nodded, maybe it might be better to eat downstairs after all, now that Marinette knew what topic she- they were doing, they could crack on and complete it earlier than the deadline.

She’d have to get Rosaniline’s phone number of course, just in case they needed to discuss other things but that could wait.

Of course, it could wait.

She was just so happy in that moment, she- she may have really wanted to try and be her friend.

And maybe-

No- she just wanted to continue to be near her, to hold her hand when she’s upset, to help her when she’s had a bad day.

To be… Closer to her, to that warmth.

… Was it selfish of her to want to be near that warmth for longer?

***

Night had fallen upon Paris, but the lone girl on her balcony didn’t mind at all.

Ever since that day, a part of her wished something else would happen.

No- she didn’t want the hero to be hurt again, that’s by far too sadistic to even think about… But she was really excited by all of those events, when she was able to get a breather, there was a rush of adrenaline throwing through her veins, and even if she did want something else to happen, she’d prefer to be out here just to see if she could get a glimpse of the hero again.

It had been a week since it happened, and Marinette could only guess she must have been resting from her… Fight? Was that the right word? Oh well, she must’ve been resting since she hadn’t heard anything about her from the news for a while, she could only hope her wound would heal by professionals instead of her shoddy work. But- she had to realise that she had to hope for the hero’s survival.

For Soliane Rin’s survival.

… She may have read a bit more into her- but it was only out of curiosity, she wasn’t going to gain another obsessive crush over someone famous again, nope, nada, she wasn’t going to fall for those really amazing silver eyes the press had made sure to call grey, but she was sure they were silver.

Wait, no it wasn’t like she looked at them for particularly long or anything, she definitely didn’t get lost in them, she saw a poster of them! Ah- this wasn’t helping. She needed to change the subject immediately!

Clang.

She jumped up instantly, her commissions book that was resting on her lap was now flying through the air! Oh no, she was going to lose everything, crap! Her designs!

A figure, however, flew up to catch them before landing in front of the startled girl.

“I believe these books were trying to plan their escape from you mi Belle” It was her; it really was her! She was-

“You’re alright” Her happiness took over her before she could even register that she had leapt into the arms of the hero of Paris.

She was going to regret this so much.

With her cheeks rosying so much, she jumped back until she fell back onto her chair, apology after apology escaping the girl not daring to look at her face.

‘How embarrassing, how inappropriate, how childish. Why did she have to make a fool out of herself now? In front of the new hero no less? Again!’

“There’s no need for any embarrassment, I was unaware I’d caused you such panic over my recovery, if I’d known you were worried, I would’ve visited a lot sooner.” Ah- she was always so formal with her choice of words. It was great, she was great- wait what?

“But I- didn’t realise you’d wish to see me after my blunder from last time.” That made her perk up, what… What was she talking about?

Soliane’s gaze seemed to be fixated on the ground as she looked so- so frustrated with herself. Why?

“To have failed on the first day as a hero, to have troubled a civilian with help. I can’t thank you enough to have woken you at such a godly hour just for my sake” She bowed her head forward as Marinette couldn’t help but try to make her stop.

“It’s nothing really, I mean I’m sure anyone else would help out a hero like you. I-I mean maybe not everyone else since there are some bad people but I’m sure most will. Not that you don’t need it, I mean you do- don’t I- I’m sorry I’m rambling again” Soliane Rin didn’t appear to hear her as she carried on with her tirade.

“But to not even know who it was that harmed me. I-I don’t deserve to have my title as a hero.” Why? Why was she saying this? She- no she couldn’t be serious.

But that look made it all the more real, she’d seen it so much. Every time she ever looked in the mirror after crying for so long, regret, disappointment, anything and everything negative flashed through her mind and she could tell, see everything, all of it.

And knew it broke her, would break her.

Marinette knew she didn’t have any powers.

She couldn’t shoot lasers from her eyes.

She couldn’t fly.

She couldn’t control objects through her mind.

But- how Mother always said she had a talent for one thing.

Empathy.

She could be so understanding when her mind was so calm, when she wasn’t worrying about what others were thinking of her, when she could see, truly see inside their heart, all of their feelings out on display, and helping them, by being there for them.

For knowing exactly what to say…

It- may not always work, but no superhero comes out of every battle unscathed.

“Please stop” She looked up, but it was still such a pitying look. She could see through her smile, but it felt as if she wasn’t even trying to hide it, like there was no use concealing it.

“You can’t keep blaming yourself for a mistake like that, it’s not fair to you- or to me. Yes, I was scared when I saw you injured, but I’m so glad that you’re here now. You’re still standing. You still want to continue even when you were hurt. I’ve seen just how strong you are, how confident you can be when the world tried to throw its worse at you.” She stepped closer to her, having gotten up from her fallen position.

“So please don’t give up for one mistake,”

She stepped closer…

“Don’t give up when I know you have the strength in you to persist.” She wrapped her arms around her again, and this time she wasn’t so embarrassed about doing it.

She was crying…

She tried to use those words for someone else.

It hadn’t worked… So, she had to believe in anything and everything for it to succeed now, for her.

“You risk your life every day, and yet you never ask for anything. I want to thank you for all that you’ve done, on behalf of Paris, no, the whole world. You’re a real hero Soliane Rin. Please don’t doubt that.” She hugged a bit tighter; she hadn’t meant to get so emotional on her, but maybe that emotion wasn’t just for her.

It was silent.

Too silent.

Marinette had to hold her breath in anticipation, did- did she go too far? Did she overstep her boundaries again? Did she-

“Ah I see. Thank you, I-I mean, I appreciate your gratitude Marinette” When she looked back, she could see her cheeks were red, she could see her silver eyes look back at her before seeing her own cheeks reddening as well- wait, she was so close! Again!

She jumped back again, not falling this time, thanking the heavens that she wasn’t making a fool out herself as much as usual.

“I must commend your stubbornness my dear. I- I hadn’t imagined you’d have a positive opinion of me after that, I must apologise for making such a rash assumption about you, and for- eh snapping me out of that. I’m thankful to have met such a kind and respectable hero like you.” She bowed her head again as Marinette had to comprehend what had just happened.

It felt awkward, Soliane Rin was blushing a lot, Marinette was blushing like crazy as well.

“Me a hero, what no way. You’re just joking, don’t tell me you hit your head too?” She waved her hands in front of her. She recalled how clumsy she was, how often she’d trip on the stairs to Collège or even when she dropped her tray of pastries on the floor, that one was particularly embarrassing.

However, she was too late to see that Soliane had stopped her smile as Marinette began to panic again.

“No! I didn’t mean hit your head I meant did you crack it- no check it- no I mean, how can I ever be a hero to anything, I’m just me, Marinette. I don’t have any superpowers or anything I’m just an ordinary girl ehehehe” She felt her hand taken by the hero again, her heart stopping for a moment before jumping to x2, she couldn’t believe she was holding her hand again.

“Just because I wear a mask and costume doesn’t make me a hero. It’s my ideals and thoughts for the people. Marinette, you may not have powers, or a hero name. But you can be a hero still. After all, All that is needed for the prevail of malevolence is that individuals concede defeat.” Marinette was shocked, she just- wow, that was cool. And… So sweet. To say that, about anyone, about her. Even if she didn’t fully believe it at first, she’d be sure to keep those words very close to her heart.

The bluenette smiled back, before they both looked over her balcony and over Paris, they share a moment just looking out, the silence was comforting to them as some time passed.

There was a question that may have crossed her mind at one point, she felt guilty for taking so much time out of her day- night- schedule? Oh well, she had to ask just one little thing.

Marinette fiddling with her fingers, she took a deep breath.

“S-So do you have to do a patrol or-” Soliane looked up surprised before checking something around her wrist, she laughed nervously before turning back.

“Huh- oh yes, unfortunately I won’t be able to stay longer, however it would be even more unbefitting of me to avoid my job any further” She wanted to deny what she said was true, but saw her giggle so slightly, knowing it was a small joke, she lightened up as Soliane Rin bows again and flies off from her balcony railings bidding her adieu.

With her hand resting where her heart was beating, faster than usual, faster then whenever she was late for class. Faster than-

Oh no.

No no no! Not again, how did she not realise it sooner?

How!?

This familiar feeling.

Why did it come back?

And why did she want it to stay!?

***

I hope you enjoyed it.

Anyway, I’m willing to take a bunch off prompts for Rosann and Mari on date nights/doing couple things, whether you want some added salt from the class is up to each requester, I may turn a few away if I either feel uncomfortable or simply not able to write it, these prompts will come out randomly, I have no structure to anything. To submit, I’ll allow for the idea to be within any time frame, i.e. when they first meet, to being friends, to being a couple. I do love angst although I’ll be unsure how to make it work when it should be a ton off fluff stuff. If you have any questions don’t feel afraid to ask, I might have to clarify some points. I’ll be ordering the prompts, and stating when they come in the main story, what you would’ve need to have read before, if it contained any spoilers for certain chapters and any trigger warnings, although you may need to state what might be triggering as sometimes, I too get confused on what I need to state, if anyone can do that then that’s alright.)

Even though I like a Saltinette, sometimes I still wanna see a different perspective of her, an anxious, guilt-ridden, cautious, mess like this version. I just think it’ll be interesting to basically rewrite Marinette’s character. Instead of this sassy overconfident one in most fanfic’s I’ve now changed the status quo. Haha.

And I believe I’ve taken a somewhat realistic approach to Marinette trying to trust someone else, I didn’t want to just rush into it. However, I do think it’s a bit different with Soliane Rin because she is a hero, and I think Marinette could trust her a lot easier than Rosaniline.

Also did you know that Majestia’s quote was a straight rip off of Edmund Burke’s?

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing.

Yeah...

Cya next time.

Note: Please tell me if I should add anything else to the card, there will be one of these cards for all 15 chapters, however, because I have uni work all updates will be slower because I really need to focus on the uni stuff, then I might be able to upload quicker. They also may change in the future because I can never stop adding stuff.

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lawblrworld · 4 years ago

Text

(Mostly) healthy study snack ideas.

I LOVE to snack while I work, but this can be a problem, especially during exam times when I work almost all day, so I always need to think about how to make my snacks a little healthier to avoid eating junk food 24/7. Here are a few easy & mostly healthy snack ideas to fill up your next study session:

1. Naan/ pita bread with a healthy dip (e.g. hummus, tzatziki, paté, low fat cream/ cottage cheese, guacamole, salsa, Baba Ganoush, tahini etc.)

2. Mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, cranberries, cherries, mulberries, black berries, currants, goji berries)

3. Toasted brown/ rye bread with your fave topping (sugar free peanut butter, nut butter, tahini, bananas and honey, camembert/ brie cheese, salami and cheddar, pastrami, vegemite/ bovril/ marmite and gouda cheese, chunky cottage cheese and chives, chicken mayo and spinach, avo and sprouts etc.)

4. A bowl of sugar free instant oats with some fun toppings (my favourite is adding 1/2 tbsp of nutella & 1/2 a sliced banana, but you can also add: peanut butter and banana, mixed berries, cinnamon and vanilla, choc chips and coconut flakes, apple and cinnamon, dates and vanilla) (For the adventurous: my family loves eating sugar free oats with small blocks of cheese and a bit of butter - the cheese melts in the warm oats and it becomes more like a mac ‘n cheese vibe)

5. Nuts and seeds (almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, cashews, pistachios, macadamia, peanuts, walnuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)

6. Popcorn (For a healthier option, skip on the pre-packed microwave bags & just buy the loose kernels and pop it in a microwave safe bowl with a lid- just add whatever salt or flavour you want)

7. Veggie sticks and hummus (sliced carrots, sliced cucumber, sugar snaps, peppers/ capsicum, jalapeños, mini tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus)

8. Baked sweet potato fries (done in the oven) with a creamy mayo or ketchup

9. Pretzels and your fav dip (if you feel like a real treat, these are amazing with nutella)

10. Mixed fruit salad bowl (mango, kiwi, dragon fruit, berries, pineapple, apple, banana, grapes, starfruit, litchi, pear, persimmon, papaya, melon, cherry, pomegranate, watermelon, guava, granadilla/ passion fruit, fig, peaches, plum)

11. Mini snack platter (crackers, fruit, cheese, deli meat, chips, veggies, dips, cooked cold meats, nuts).

12. Sushi (a treat you can never go wrong with)

13. Dark chocolate.

14. Homemade iced coffee (make cold brew the night before from coffee grounds & stick it in the fridge. Just add sweetener and your milk of choice the next day)

132 notes · View notes

barnesandco · 4 years ago

Note

Ayesha!! How about 'sometimes i just can’t stop kissing your stupid face' from your prompt list? <3

I'm spilling wine in the bathtub, you kiss my face and we're both drunk

Drabble

Warnings: Nudity, I guess? Brief mentions of war, flashbacks, and PTSD. No alcoholic drinks involved, in spite of the title. It’s hurt/comfort, my dudes, I don’t know what to tell you.

A/N: Apparently, fluffy Sam ideas inspire the softie, songfic writer in me, because this prompt reminded me of the above lyric from Dress by Taylor Swift. Thank you for the request, Helios!

Sam enters the bedroom from the en-suite bath with a tired smile and a sweet nod, both aimed at you, unspoken gestures in the wordless language you have built over the years to tell you the bath is ready. You fiddle with the tie of the robe you’re wearing, somehow shy and apologetic at having come to him for comfort, even though he has already reassured you multiple times that you aren’t a burden.

You’re his best friend, and he’s happy to be there for you whenever you need it. “You’re allowed to not want to be alone,” he says again, approaching you with open arms and you sink into that embrace with stubborn tears stinging your eyes, tears that you push back fiercely. An exhale leaves you with a shudder, and you nods against his cashmere-clad, solid shoulder.

“Thanks, Sammy,” you say, pulling back. You don’t try to apologize again, in part because you don’t know if you have the words to, but mostly because the fervently protective look in Sam’s eyes tells you he’s not going to stand for it. “I appreciate it.”

Only nodding again, he lets you go with a quick rub of your shoulder blades with the hands you know better than any other.

The bathroom is lit with the glow of a glorious autumn sunset, and there’s a solitary candle named Soaring Around -- you snort involuntarily -- on the vanity, that you inhale the scent of before turning to the bath. It’s cloudy with opalescent bubbles, the rainbow hues reflecting onto the wall like in a miniature disco party. Hanging the robe up behind you, you step into the warm water, that smells of jasmine, and something tells you Sam has probably added Epsom salts to soothe the ache in your muscles.

Sinking into the water releases a sigh that seems to escape from your body as much as it does your mouth, and you almost forget about what brought you here. Namely an exhausting day at the gym, haunted by flashbacks like you haven’t had in months. Images of war and bullets, explosions and gunfire, in between the mixed martial arts lessons you teach to anyone who wants them.

You were honorably discharged from your job as a Marine a little over a year ago, after a hostage situation gone terribly wrong and a consequent PTSD diagnosis, and it’s been hard to readjust, even with Sam’s help. Inseparable since childhood -- you were neighbors, grew up side by side -- until you went to war on different fronts. The thought of coming home, the memory of Sam waiting at the airport when you stepped out, remembering the secure hold he had enveloped you in warms you from ankle to toe.

He’s a good man, Sam Wilson. One of the best there is, you’re convinced, but more than that, he’s a good friend. Steadfast and patient throughout your recovery, and your re-acclimation to normal life after near back-to-back tours. Never wavering once.

The closeness has been reawakening things you thought you buried as a high-school crush, but there hasn’t been any room to move forward in. For one, you’re too scared to break a good thing, the best thing that ever happened to you. For all the solid strength this friendship brings you, it feels as fragile as glass these days. Teetering on the edge of something great, something golden, that feels like it’s been carved into your fates since the moment you shook chubby hands as toddlers. But something always makes you take the teetering see-saw off the pivot, place it on the flat, even ground, never letting it rise any higher.

Persuading yourself that it’s because you aren’t in any state for romance is easy, although internally you’re aware it’s a lie. Progress has been made in leaps and bounds, with stumbling blocks like today in between, but you’re no longer the shell of a woman you were when you arrived seaside a year ago, and that, in large parts, is due to Sam.

This is not to say that you haven’t returned the favor, because you have. It’s why you chose D.C. Sam can take care of himself, but he shouldn’t have to -- how hypocritical of you, honey, you hear him say in your head. Coming home from the studio to him sitting in front of your door, red-eyed with phantom menaces in his head. Panicked calls at two in the morning, Sam’s husky voice rasping tired and sleep deprived, barely controlling the fear after another nightmare, your own voice the only thing able to talk him down. Sometimes failing entirely, turning to concrete at the thought of any terrible thing happening to him because what the hell would you do if he--

“Bumblebee?” Sam calls, using the nickname he adopted for you as a teenager, joking that your mind buzzed as loud as the insect, that he could hear you thinking faster than you could talk, which is really saying something considering your chatterbox of a mout-- “You okay?” He asks, when you take too long to answer.

“Yeah, fine, Sam,” you call back, pulse pounding.

A heartbeat’s count passes. And then three more, before he speaks again. “I have tea,” he says cautiously, and you know why. He isn’t telling you to hurry up, he’s asking for permission to enter.

“Then what are you waiting for?” You say, the grin on your face no longer forced. The bubbles and the milky water cover you just enough, and a pesky ghost whispers in your ear: do you care if they don’t?

The door creaks open and Sam appears with two mugs in hand; yours has a Daffy Duck cartoon on it and his boasts the Avengers logo. “Hey,” he says, reaching down to give you the cup before settling down on the soft bathmat next to you.

“Hi,” you say, mind going into overdrive at his elbow resting on the edge of the tub, his tongue licking his lips after a sip of tea, the bubbles mirrored as polychromatic circles in his big eyes. You resent the water for obscuring their pure, brown beauty.

Those eyes look at you worried, with question marks in them now, and Sam goes to open his mouth but you answer him before he has to ask. “I’m okay, Sam, I don’t want to talk about it,” you tell him, honestly. “I feel a lot better just being here.” You don’t add around you, but that’s a given at this point.

He leans back dubiously. “Okay, but if you change your mind--”

“I’m here for you,” you finish with a nod and a grin. Exactly, his eyes say. “So the bath helped?”

“Yes,” you reply, and then ask about which salts he used, which turns to a question about why you needed them in the first place, and before you know it, you’re regaling him with stories about your most junior class, and his laughter fills the room as loudly as the fading sunlight does, love in the room warm and bright and tangible.

He tells you about training Spider-Man, his youngest recruit, and his mention of his meme usage makes you laugh so hard you spill a little tea, and then quiet down, drinking the rest quickly and putting away the mug. A satisfied sigh leaves you, your very bones now content and silent, waiting. Sam watches you patiently.

“What’re you looking at?”

His gaze is somber, and he leans forward, arms hovering over the edge of the tub to take your face in his hands, lays a soft peck on your left cheek, and then your right. Your skin grows hot under his touch, and he continues, placing a quick kiss on your forehead, grazing across the surface, then moving down to your closed eyelids, the tip of your nose and finally your chin.”I just love your stupid face, sometimes,” he says with a smirk and a shrug that is none too innocent, before circling over your face with his lips again, and again, and stopping only when you giggle to look at you meaningfully, thumbs stroking your pulse point.

Something gives you the nerve to say: “You missed a spot,” and rub your lips together so there is no ambiguity about which spot you mean. His eyes darken, deepen, and there are no more questions now. No doubts. Whether in a moment of madness, or impulse too strong, the balance tips over and his lips slant over yours.

Sam kisses like he hugs -- heated, all-consuming, until the world falls away and he is everything. Your hands find themselves forming fists in his shirt as you push forward, water lapping gently at you, not as warm as his hands cradling your face, his lips pushing and pulling. Mouths open, then, and the taste of mint tea meets camomile with a pressure sweet and ferocious.

Time passes in inhales between kisses, and it takes half a dozen brief, sharp gasps between the meeting of your lips before you admit to being breathless, and lean back. Sam presses in with one more passionate kiss, both his lips engulfing your bottom one as he pulls away, a soft groan emitted at the warmth.

When you open your eyes, he’s still holding you, and your hands stroke his wrists, return the steady, intent look he is giving you. The one that tells you, without spoken words, that he loves you. You let the tilt of your forehead to meet his, the gentle kiss you bestow the corner of his lip, say I love you, back.

#ayesha writes #sam wilson x reader #sam wilson #sam wilson fluff #sam wilson fanfiction #sam wilson x you #sam wilson x y/n

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magic-of-drawing · 4 years ago

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Extended content on Balan Wonderworld

Okay, the Demo has been released for a long while now and I know there is high criticism for it and many folks would likely turn away from it. But to anyone who is still interested in play the game after experiencing the Demo or still curious about it, then I will leave this message is for you (as someone who followed this game series since its announcement trailer) you can have a better understanding of it.

BALAN WONDERWORLD is a wondrous action-platformer game themed around a mysterious musical theatre. The stars of the show will use special abilities from a multitude of characterful costumes as they adventure in the bizarre and imaginary land of Wonderworld. So think of it.... as you playing Alice who is actually traveling to Wonderland. The game is more or less a successor to Night in Dreams but is something different. It's related but it's likely doesn't reside in the same world (take what I said with a grain of salt.)

~Now to get to the more narrative aspect of the game....there isn't a straightforward story but rather a theme to it. Here memories and vistas from the real world mix with the things that people hold dear. There are Twelve different tales (or Chapters) in Wonderworld and each with its own unique quirks (or settings). They are mostly labyrinthine stages, using all tricks and gimmicks whether out in the open or hidden, the player needs to get through them in order to get to the heart of each touching story.

So long story short: It's basically you traveling to different worlds that reflect their hosts, find their "heart", discover what brought darkness within their hearts, and freeing them. Basically a rescue mission with a twist.

~Next we move onto the game mechanics (which I believe, is the biggest subject that needs explanation), the random characters like Tornado Wolf and Jumping Jack are actually embodiments of power-ups or costumes. There are like 80 or more in this game and each of them is a representation of the Host and their world. What they represent is basically up to you.

So far there are like 5-6 costumes each in 12 chapters and each one has a unique skill or quirk to them that can help you guide around the stage and solve puzzles. And since there are usually 2 Acts on each chapter stage so there are likely 3 or 4 costumes in them as well.

The little creatures are called Tims and are basically the Chao or Nightopians of Wonderworld. They live on the Isle of Tims (which is your Hub World) and they are born from the happiness felt by inhabitants of the real world. They all come in colors and personalities, and they’ll help you on your adventures. For example, The Pink Tims help you collect items you overlook or past while the Red Tims attack your enemies.

The Drops are like food that changes their colors and quirks while also making them bigger.

The Balan Bout is basically a quick-time event where you play as Balan. If you play with all excellent you get a Balan Statue.

The Statues are mostly scattered throughout the Chapters and you will need to collect enough of them to move to the next chapters. It's always good to collect as many of them as possible if you can.

~ Moving onto the main characters, there only 4 we are aware of.

Starting off with the title character, Balan himself is the magical maestro of the theater with eccentrics of his own. He's mostly your guide in Wonderworld and basically the one Genie from Aladdin of Wonderworld. He's charming to say the least and easily the most fun to watch.

Next, we have the player: Leo Craig A 15-year-old boy who always acts cool but is really lonesome. Several years ago he had a big argument with his best friend and has preferred being alone ever since which explains in his cutscene on why he is kinda rude.

Then we have another player: Emma Cole, also 15 who is has a bright smile yet often concerns herself with whatever one says around her which makes her very self-conscious and nervous.

Finally, we have Lance, the mysterious being within Wonderworld who controls the Negatis and traps visitors in Wonderworld with negative energy to create monsters out of them. Not much information from him other than he is the antagonistic force of Wonderworld.

So far, this is much information on the characters as we can collect thus far.

Finshing up with the discussion, I believe the game itself is mostly a passion project for Yuji Naka and I can tell he put a lot of work into this too. There are some things that needed more focus on like the context as well as dialogue but as I mentioned earlier, the core of the game is mostly about finding Balance within yourself and understanding what makes you happy in life. And since the setting resides in a magical theater...I think going to expect music, dancing and probably singing as well.

A/N: This isn't me defending the Demo as I am aware that it has issues that needed to be fixed but I am also willing to give the game series a chance since it's the kind of game that I honestly don't mind playing. This message is just me explaining the game in a better context from the information that I and the discord server had collected over the time since the announcement so please do not judge those who still love the game.

TLDR: My discussion is a thorough extended content of BALAN WONDERWORLD,

~An action platformer game with puzzle-solving and collectathon

~The story is more of a Theme that is a central topic, subject, or message within a narrative. And it takes place in a magical theater about 2 teenagers with issues helping 12 other people with issues with the power of friendship, theater, and furry outfits.

~There are over 80 costumes that help throughout the Chapters/Stages of the game.

~The Tims are your helper sidekicks

~And game has good visuals and content but the execution of the demo was not but still giving it a chance.

#balan wonderworld #square enix #balan wonderland #games of 2021 #balan #game informer

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morrigan24601 · 4 years ago

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My two bio kids have always been phans from the time they were little. I kind of inadvertently raised them that way. They were humming along to POTO almost before they could talk. We watched 2004 POTO and the 25th Anniversary a lot. They've seen the cartoon. They know I have the original novel but they're not quite at the point where they'd like to read it yet.

Anyway, on to the meat of the story.

My oldest kid is 13 now and growing like a wild, wonderful weed (she's almost as tall as me!). She's currently going through a seemingly endless phase in which she watches '04 POTO on repeat and there is absolutely no middle ground for her current emotions regarding it. She's no stranger to the film, obviously, but her feelings about it have changed markedly from when she was younger. She used to feel sorry for Erik but she was kind of scared of him and would say things like "he's a creepy stalker man who kills people. Run, Christine, run!!" I was weirdly proud of her for that. "Ah, what sensible little phans I'm raising," I would say. 😂

She now (and I'm now almost completely convinced that this has to be a near-universal rite of passage for young phans) ships Erik and Christine hardcore, thinks they should get married and have kids no matter what, and hates Raoul with a burning passion. My efforts to provide some slight nuance to this and hearken back to her earlier feelings on the matter have fallen on mostly deaf ears.

She assures me, however (with a great deal of eye-rolls thrown in the mix), that she KNOWS Erik is not a great guy and she KNOWS Raoul is not really all that bad comparatively, but by god, she ships E/C, and Raoul is in the way of her ship. "Raoul needs to die in a fire" has become her favorite phrase.

I am less than a month away from turning 34 and I did not ask to feel like an impossibly ancient relic when I'm still this young, but here we are. Also I feel like a massive hypocrite because I went through a very similar phase myself when I was 18 and stumbled onto POTO for the first time, and hell, I STILL ship E/C and it's all I ever really write. I'm just being a mom, I guess. Fanfics are all well and good, I just don't want her to unwittingly fall prey to the idea that she can fix an abusive person with the power of her love IRL because frankly, I tried that multiple times to my detriment when I was a young adult.

I'm mostly just hanging back and letting her do her thing, because she and I have had enough talks over the years that I know she knows deep down to take her ship with a grain of salt and not treat it too terribly seriously.

I think she and I are probably going to look back and have a good giggle about all of this in a few years. It's honestly wild to me that my firstborn is growing up so quickly. I feel like one of these days I'm going to blink and she'll suddenly be an adult.

There really isn't any particular point to this story, just sharing the joys (and occasional mild frustrations) of intergenerational phandom with you all. ❤

#poto #parenting #phans #teens #morrigan's blog

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rayne-storm · 3 years ago

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AUgust 14 - Chefs

Title: WENN LIEBE IN DIR IST… UND GUTES ESSEN

Fandom: Tanz Der Vampyr

Alfred/Herbert, Graf/Sarah

This is my favourite musical. Straight up. You cannot get better than this. Maybe "Master and Margarita" but I haven't found a good bootleg of it.

I really hope you guys like this one!!!

Oh, there they were again. That damned truck with it's bombastic orchestral music, the catchy paintings, and the obnoxious sign boy. Alfred knew they were doing this on purpose, parking there because they knew how much it pissed off the staff of his own restaurant. Sure, it wasn't really "his" restaurant. It really belonged to Abronsius, the eclectic perfectionist who taught him everything.

And there the sign boy went, platinum hair flowing ever so delicately on the wind. He chatted up anyone that came by, and of course the mesh shirt mixed with the weird cape thing only made the spectacle that much more intriguing.

Alfred must have been glaring for too long because the blond eventually turned and winked straight at him through the window.

Damnit!

His face must have turned red because Abronsius asked him what was wrong, and he quickly made up some excuse about the heat before going back into the kitchen.

"You know," Sarah - the newest pastry chef - whispered, "their food's really good, and the sign dancer guy is single~" she teased.

Alfred felt his face pucker like he'd eaten a lemon.

Yes, the man was attractive, but from what Abronsius had said, they were all bad sorts there. But… well… whatever. Whatever. He had soups to make.

---

Three nights later. They were back. He had the evening off. Fuck. He was pissed. Abronsius had denied him a raise again. He shouldn't have been surprised, but if always stung when he was educated on exactly why he wasn't worth an extra two dollars an hour.

He knew he was young, sure, but he wasn't stupid or incompetent, he didn't have wrong priorities. He wasn't any of the things that stodgy old bastard said. And all he had wanted was two (2) more dollars. It wouldn't have even made him the highest paid (even discounting the profits he knew the old asshole was keeping).

So he wanted to make the man upset. As the sounds of Tchaikovsky drifted towards him, he couldn't help smirking. He hoped Abronsius was watching. Hoped Abronsius saw him ordering off the competition's menu, and he fully planned on eating right outside the restaurant, in full view from the large glass windows.

"Well hello there, finally come to see what all the fuss is about?"

Alfred nearly jumped out of his skin. He hadn't heard anyone approaching, but there he was: the sign guy. Blond haired, pale skinned, and just, umf, fucking beautiful.

Alfred felt his heart rate increase just from the sheer proximity.

"I-I-I, uhm, yeah. Uh, m-mostly, well, I, uh, wanted to p-piss off my boss."

Real smooth, dipshit!

Sarah was right. He was hopeless.

The guy grinned and, of all things, kissed his hand.

"Well, I'm glad you did. I thought I might have to venture into that tacky place to properly say hello."

Alfred honestly didn't disagree. The restaurant was called Knoblauch, which just meant "garlic" and the interior was kind of gaudy. Not that he would have ever dared say so.

"I, uh- wait. You wanted to see me?"

"Every day since I first spotted your adorable pout, yes."

It was effortless the way this guy flirted and Alfred was just getting more and more shy.

"I'm… um… that's sweet. Thanks."

"So did Sarah get you to take a look? She's been very chatty about you, you know."

Ah fuck.

"I, uh, I mean, maybe I guess, but, uh-"

"She says you're a single hopeless romantic, and I really hope she's right," the man interrupted, and whoops, there went Alfred's ability to speak anything but flustered gibberish entirely.

The man leaned down and grinned.

"My name's Herbert von Krolock. What's yours?"

Oh, Alfred knew this man knew, but he couldn't help answering anyway, stuttering it out.

Herbert grinned. "You're so cute! Do you wanna have dinner with me? Now?"

"U-u-uh, um, I mean, uh, I…. Yes…?"

Herbert took his hands (both of them, like this was some kinda romcom), and led him over to the side of the food truck, music playing louder there, and the magnificent frescoes truly visible. They were gothic scenes, dark balls. Alfred couldn't help liking them, for whatever reason.

Then another beautiful man appeared, pale and salt-and-pepper tied in a neat bun.

"Oh, the boy finally came. What shall we have tonight?"

Herbert smiled and nudged Alfred, who realized in a panic he had no idea what kind of food they even sold. The man seemed to take pity on him, luckily.

"Let's start you with a sampler, then. I know it's a wide variety… I'm glad you stopped by. Sarah speaks highly of you," he added with a small smile.

If he survived this Sarah was getting the bougiest fucking brunch ever.

Hebert led him to a small table over to the side to wait.

"You know, Graf is head over heels for her, but he's afraid his age will put her off," the blond murmured conspiratorially.

Alfred couldn't help snorting softly.

"She has a thing for older guys, actually. He should go for it."

Herbert grinned brightly. "I'll try to let him know that…"

Alfred couldn't help smiling. Was it something in the air? Who knew? He just… was having the best night he'd had in a long time.

The food was ready and Herbert got it, stopping only briefly to greet visitors. Alfred was a little surprised, since he always seemed so sociable before, inviting people in.

"What's the look for, hmm?"

Alfred was startled again by the quietness of Herbert's steps.

"O-oh! Nothing, really. Just… you always seem so chatty when…"

"When you spy on me from your little restaurant? I am. But tonight I'm on a date with a very cute guy, and he gets all my attention."

Alfred once again lost all coherence, nibbling at a strawberry to hide his sheepishness.

Herbert just chuckled, and began telling him about the food truck.

Graf (the owner, Mr. Sexy Older Guy) had taught himself to cook after dealing with a very hard childhood, and one day he decided he would take his knowledge out and feed others. He quickly became popular as a caterer at parties, the rich-people kind, like masquerade balls and that kinda thing.

He still did them sometimes. But his true love lay in cooking for the masses, it seemed, out on the street, in parks, at games. He decided to take the Balls and Parties with him.

"That's… really cool," Alfred admitted.

"Yeah? I think so. But we might have to give it up… he's thinking of doing a world tour in his golden years," Herbert began with a wry smirk, "as though he ever plans on retiring… but he wants an apprentice. I'm no good at anything except cold foods and people-pleasing…"

Alfred sighed and shook his head. Just his luck. He found a new favourite place and they were closing.

"I mean, you seem pretty good at what you do…" Herbert added suggestively.

"Wait, wait, what? Me?"

"Yeah. You. You're not the only one that spies from time to time. You seem really passionate about food. And fast. And competent in general."

Everything that Abronsius berated him for not being.

"I… is this all just a ploy? To poach from the competition?" He asked, stiffening. It was one thing to be all flirty and friendly, an entirely other thing to-

"What? No. Of course not! I'm not so shallow I'd do that."

Herbert looked genuinely hurt and offended. Fuck.

"I… I… I'm sorry it's just… I'm pretty often reminded that I'm a young, stupid know-nothing that'll never make it on my own and all…" Alfred muttered bitterly.

"That old hack doesn't know what he's talking about."

Graf's voice came from nowhere, and you know what? Alfred could live in a state of permanent heart-attacks. That was fine.

"What? You know him?"

"That pompous blowhard is the reason I never went to culinary school. Way back when, he made everyone's life hell because it had to be his way or nothing, because he knew how to cook 'properly' and we knew nothing."

"....so I take it he hasn't changed much."

"Nope. Almost ruined food for me. I decided I'd never go through anything that would turn me into a rude monster like that."

"Well, I'm quitting tomorrow, so I don't blame you."

Graf chuckled. "Why bother with that courtesy? Just come work for me. Rub it in his face. Bring the girl too. Take his two best kids from him."

Yeah. That… that sounded good.

"You know what? I think I will. If you'll excuse me, I have a call to make."

He walked over to the other side of the truck, a little ways away, where he could look in and see the kitchen. And there was Sarah, flinching at something the old bastard was saying.

He called her number.

He almost couldn't believe it when she picked up.

"Look outside," he directed. She did, and gave him a wave and a bright smile.

"How do you like it?!”

"So much I'm gonna work here. I quit. You should too. They asked for you by name."

"Say no more."

She hung up, and without further ado completely stripped off her uniform, leaving her in a sports bra and leggings (cause let's be real it got fucking hot in that kitchen sometimes), and she just sauntered on out.

Herbert started laughing, and Alfred turned just in time to see the look on Graf's face as his dulcet darling was strutting over.

"So, you want to give a recently unemployed girl a job?" She asked with a bright smile.

Alfred was glad he wasn't the only one who sometimes forgot how to speak.

Herbert took over, and the pair quickly bantered a deal, and Alfred just took a minute to watch.

They looked good, all together like that. Almost like a family.

Of course, then Herbert glanced up at him, and gave him another of those heart-stopping winks.

Well.

Carpe noctem and all that.

#my writing #rayne writes #au-gust #au gust 2021 #fanfic #tanz der vampire

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purplesurveys · 4 years ago

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1185

survey by xflirtykaosx

Alphabetti Spaghetti (3/3)

Please believe. - P

How many pages did the last book you read have? I don’t even remember the last time I opened it; but if I have to guess, it’s probably anywhere between 600–800 pages.

What do you like on your pancakes? Soaked in butter, with peanut butter and maple syrup on the side. My dad will also sometimes mix bacon into the batter, and it always turns out delicious.

Do you like small parties or large parties more? I love going to any kind of party, but I like large ones just a little bit more just because it’s easier to blend in and go unnoticed for the most part. I usually feel pressured at smaller parties.

What was the last exam you passed in? I have no idea. Maybe a history exam? I remember taking a Rizal exam right before the pandemic started and I never got the results for that since classes were canceled shortly after. I’ll never know if I actually passed that test haha.

Do you think paw prints are cute? Yesssssss.

How much would you pay a neighbour to do your lawn? We have someone in the village who does that, and my mom usually gives him a tip of I would guess around ₱100.

Ordinary pens, scented pens, gel pens or felt tip pens? Ordinary. The other ones write horribly.

Are you a people person? I’ve grown to be one over the years. I do like my alone time, but I have the most fun with a person or two or ten around me.

Do you put pepper on your scrambled eggs? No. I never use pepper myself, actually.

Who, except yourself, has the nicest pet? Angela’s, at least one of her dogs are. Hailey is super nice and she doesn’t really care what you do with her hahahaha.

What's your favourite piece of clothing? Right now, probably my IVP sneakers since they’re my newest purchase. Other than that, my mom jeans are always super reliable.

What place have you gone to that you never would again? Police stations that I had to visit to cover stories for my journalism classes. Maybe it’s other people’s passion – and I thought it was mine at one point, too – but once I found myself in places like that I slowly realized that I didn’t have the fire for journalism I once thought I had.

What do others seem to have plenty of and you have little or none? Nice photos of themselves. I’m very camera shy.

Is pink a nice colour, an okay colour or icky? I personally love pink, so.

Give me a description of a great film plotline? ...I don’t feel like it :(( I also haven’t watched/rewatched any films in a while, so my memory is a bit rusty.

What do you have in your pockets? Nothing I’m wearing right now has pockets.

Do you listen to podcasts? Not really. I’m part of the minority that finds podcasts a little boring.

Have you ever played Poker? I’d guess I’ve tried playing it one or two times, but I’ve never understood the rules and I probably just did some random moves when I did try it.

Do you have a pond in your garden? No.

How about a swimming pool? We don’t.

Do you like Poptarts? I loooooove Pop Tarts and I wish we had more flavors here :( and that they weren’t so expensive.

Do you write notes on post-it notes? Sometimes; but lately I’ve mostly just been making to-do lists on my laptop. Writing takes too much time considering how hectic my job is.

Quiet darling, shh. - Q

Do you ever use the word quaint? Very rarely. I never really get into situations where that word would be most fitting to use.

Do you know what quantum physics is? I know of the term from watching The Big Bang Theory, but I don’t know what it refers to.

Are you a quiet or loud person? Depends on the people I’m with, my general mood, and my level of comfort.

Do you usually ask a lot of questions? I never do. I feel like that’s a weakness of mine, too. My mind never wanders too far, and I’m only able to recognize good questions when someone else raises them.

What's your favourite quote from a film? “Rome. By all means, Rome.”

Favourite quote from a song? “Now I’m told this is life, and pain is just a simple compromise so we can get what we want out of it.”

Are you quick witted? In what aspect? Not always; but yeah, I guess it comes out sometimes. I’m pretty good at witty or funny comebacks, especially with people I’m comfortable with.

Do you find the word queer offensive? Er, no?

Roses are Red and Romance is dead. - R

Do you listen to the radio often? I used to, since I once drove to school everyday and I liked having the radio on - especially in the morning, since there was a morning program I was hooked to. But now that I’m at home 24/7, I don’t really tune in anymore; I don’t even have the slightest clue what songs are trending rn.

Do you prefer rain or snow? We only get rain, so.

Have you ever ran into someone and injured you or them due to it? Fortunately no, for both circumstances.

Do you listen to rap music? K-Pop groups always have their own rap sub-unit, so yeah I’ve definitely been more exposed to rap these days.

Do you find pet rats gross or nice? Why? I guess it’s cute when they’re pets, since I’m sure they’re harmless. Not so much when they’re big black filthy rats that are house pests and probably carrying a lot of diseases.

Have you ever been to a rave? No. I’d love to experience it once.

Are you somewhat of a rebel? Nah.

How about reckless? Now this hits the spot more, especially when it comes to money lol

Do you prefer red, black or purple dresses? Black, then red, then purple. I don’t wear a lot of the latter to begin with.

Do you know how to reload a gun? I don’t; I’ve never even held a real gun before.

Do you remember your first best friends Mum's name? I don’t think I ever met her mom. Our friendship was super short-lived and didn’t go beyond preschool.

Do you have a good or a bad reputation? Idk, you’d have to ask other people for this I think.

What song do you request most often on the radio? I’ve never requested a song to radio stations.

Do you prefer rice or tofu? I need rice for literally every meal, otherwise it won’t feel filling. I like tofu too, but I only have it occasionally when it comes with some dishes.

Have you ever held a rifle? Nope.

Do you know a Robert? What's he like? I have an uncle-in-law named Robert. He’s very nice, and super intelligent; he’s from New Zealand but currently lives with my aunt and their family in Vietnam. Since he’s from a different country, he has lots of fun stories and different perspectives to share at family reunions, which makes me always want to sit at whichever table he’s at so that I can be part of interesting conversations.

Do you like rollercoasters? No.

Been to Rome, Italy? Nope.

Are Roses your favourite flower? They’re one of them.

So sweetheart, lets fan. - S

Do you feel safe in your neighbourhood? Yeah, I mean that’s kind of the whole point in living in a gated village. I’d be pretty alarmed if I ever hear of a crime happening here.

Whose the Patron Saint of your Country? St. Lorenzo Ruiz. I actually didn’t know that for a fact, so thanks for the Google search and impromptu lesson!

Do you put salt on your fries? Yessssssss, I need my fries to be very salty. Unless it was already seasoned with something else, I’d find it boring if it wasn’t salty enough.

Do you think we are all born the same? In some ways, yes; in some ways, no. I know everyone is born as humans worthy of love and respect, but when it comes to factors like privilege then that’s when circumstances start to get all different.

When did you stop believing in Santa? I never bought it. I used to always get frustrated that I was never allowed to meet Santa (none of my relatives ever played as him), and that he apparently just likes to leave gifts at midnight. Not seeing a Santa made me doubt and eventually I just kinda stopped buying it by the time I was like 5.

Do you think the name Sarah is pretty? Erm, it’s fine but I find it a little common.

Is Saturday your favourite day of the week? Fridays are, but Saturdays are a very close second.

Have you ever watched Saved By The Bell? Opinions? Nope.

What about the Saw films? Opinion? I haven’t, but I know they’re my eldest cousin’s favorite so it must be a good series.

Are you easily scared? In certain ways. I hate jumpscares for one, and I easily get offended by them.

What's your secondary language, if any? English.

Name all the things you can see from where you're sitting? The entirety of my bedroom.

What's the last sentence you spoke out loud? “JAY KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY”

Have you changed your default settings on your computer? Some of them just to change some aspects of the appearance, but I didn’t do a complete overhaul.

What year did you turn seven in? 2005.

How important is sex in a relationship how important is sex from 1-10? For me, probably like a 3 or 4.

What is your favourite shade of blue? Sky or royal.

Shade of Purple? BTS purple, I guess? Hahaha.

Favourite shape? I don’t have one.

Do you know a girl called Sharon? Nope.

How about Shari? Nope.

Do you shave your arms, legs, pubic hair and/or somewhere else? I shave, but not all of these areas.

When was the last time you were sick? May 2020 was the last time I felt like death.

What's the worst side effects you've had due to a medication? I’ve never gone through side effects from a medication.

What does your signature look like? A very lazy scribble of the first and last letters of my whole name.

Do you like silk? What do you own that is silk? It’s okay, but I never actively search for it. I have one set of silk pajamas but that’s it.

Do you sip or drink hot drinks fast? As much as possible I don’t like getting in contact with hot beverages. I wait for them to cool down considerably before I take my first sip.

How about with alcohol? Sure, I like to take them fast so that I don’t feel the nasty burn on my tongue.

Do you have sisters? How many, what ages and what're they called? Nina is turning 21 this year.

Is your grandmother older than sixty five? Both of them are, yeah.

Do you slam doors often? Nope.

Have you ever slapped someone in the face? For what reason? Yes. Because he had slapped me first. I was in so much shock that my first and only instinct was to hit back.

Do you snack a lot or just eat big meals? I like letting myself go hungry then reward myself with a very generous serving to eat in one go.

Do you smile more often, or frown? Smile.

Are you wearing socks? No, I haven’t worn any in a while.

Do you say sorry too often? Yes.

What's a sound that always soothes you? This. I always play it before turning in, or when I need to calm down.

Do you carry a lot of spare change? How much is on you now? Not so much anymore, since I’ve been increasingly going cashless.

Do you own a swimsuit of the Speedo brand? I don’t think so.

Do you like sunflowers? They have a personal meaning to me, so yes. It’s not my ultra favorite, though.

#survey #surveys #i just realized the author never wrapped this up :(#so i guess we're stopping this at S hahahaha

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detectivedreameater · 4 years ago

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Margarita Monday || Camille and Marley

TIMING: Mid October PARTIES: @carrionxcamille and @detectivedreameater SUMMARY: Camille comes over to Marley’s for margaritas but ends up sharing a little more than drinks. CONTENT: Alcohol

Relaxing just...wasn’t something Marley really did. Ever. Sure, she took time off and had nights off, but just doing something to do it for, well, fun? Was strange. Having another woman over and not having intentions to sleep with her was also very strange for Marley. But, here she was, setting out ingredients to teach someone how to make margaritas the right way, just to...do it. No ulterior motive, no reason other than to just be normal. Readjusting herself, Marley set out the ingredients-- Dragones tequila, triple sec, cognac, lime juice, and a little bit of simple syrup. Oh, and ice. Marley had had to go to the store and actually buy a bag of ice, considering the only fridge she had was a small drink fridge, and it didn’t make ice. Was that weird or suspicious? Did she care? If this Camille was anything other than what she said she was, Marley could easily get away or fear gaze her. She was in no trouble here. Still, she jumped a little when there was a knock on the door. She looked over, straightened herself out, then went over. “Welcome to Casa Del Marley,” she said in a cheesy tone, even if she did know proper Spanish. “It’s Margarita Monday today, so please come in and make yourself at home.”

Right, this was good. Meeting people, getting out of the house, making connections. Camille was making progress, and it sure was better than spending another tuesday night parked in front of the tv barely focusing on trashy reality shows. She needed more friends, and margaritas certainly seemed like a good way to curb any first meeting awkwardness, even if it was a little college to get drunk on a weekday. Whatever, it’s not like running the park was hard. This would be good for her. This wasn’t her threadbare allyship with Regan, and she couldn’t rely solely on Cece for company either. The greeting at the door made her laugh a little as she stepped in, toeing her boots off by the door, “thanks for having me, I needed an excuse to get out the house.” And an excuse to have a drink a little stronger than a glass of wine, honestly. “You earn points already for the alliteration.” She grins, “teach me your ways, margarita master.”

Marley moved around to the kitchen quickly once Camille was inside, trying not to let the strange feeling in her stomach take too much hold on her. “Yeah, sure,” she said, setting out two glasses and the mixer. “Anything to have an excuse to make margaritas, honestly.” She gave an awkward smile. “Not that I need one, but, you know.” She cleared her throat, gesturing to the ingredients she’d laid out. “Well, first of all, you need the right ingredients. None of that cheap shit, okay?” she pointed at the tequila. “This is the best kind, hands down. People might try and tell you Cuervo or Patron is good enough, but they’re wrong,” she tapped on it, “plus, my girlfriend would gut me if I said anything otherwise.”

It was a long time since Camille had tried to make friends, honestly. With Jace the way he had been she didn’t want people around at the house and eventually being lonely was just easier than trying to make yet another excuse for why the girls couldn’t meet her husband or see her home. But Marley had offered to have her over, she wanted the company too. Of course, Camille couldn’t really afford high shelf tequila right now, but they’d- unsurprisingly- had a well stocked liquor cabinet at home, and she did one day plan to have a set up like it again. “Right.” She nods sagely, laughing a little, “honestly I can’t drink Cuervo anymore anyway, it just tastes too much like terrible college decisions.” She grins, “does your girlfriend work for the company or is she just a big believer in high shelf tequila?”

“As it should,” Marley said, scrunching her nose. “Cuervo is for college frat kids who want to get drunk fast. You need a nice fine tequila to truly appreciate the art of the margarita.” She cleared her throat, trying to move past the awkward feeling in her throat, even if she’d said the word first. “She’s a lady of fine taste, what can I say?” grinned before sweeping her hand to the next ingredient. “Now, some people might also try and tell you that you can use sweet and sour mix. It’s cheap, it’s faster-- blah, blah. But they’re wrong. You gotta do it yourself if you want the best flavor. I use lime juice, salt and simple syrup. 2 parts lime juice, half part syrup. Pinch of salt,” she explained, finding talking about alcohol was much easier than talking about Anita being her girlfriend and what she liked. “Lastly, my special secret ingredients,” she moved down the line again, “triple sec and cognac. Add to taste, of course, but I usually do a shot of each. Really brings out the other flavors. You can add a little orange juice as a spritz sometimes, too, if you’re feeling citrusy. But, yeah--” she nodded to herself as if to congratulate herself on a job well done. “That’s all there is to it. So, shall we try and make some?”

College frat kids who want to get drunk fast? Camille almost winces. That had sure been Jace. Perhaps this whole thing really was her own fault, in a roundabout way. How had she not seen the signs of it when they were younger? Sure everyone liked to get messed up at parties when they were kids, but Jace was always looking for another party to get messed up at. She’d thought- stupidly- it was the social aspect. Jace was a jovial guy, he loved to be around people, that was why he loved parties. Maybe even back then he’d loved drinking more. Uh oh, yeah, she was not going to admit it to Marley but Cam had definitely made a few sweet and sour mix margaritas in her time. It was easier. But then she hadn’t been sure how easy the real method was too-- and honestly it didn’t sound like rocket science. She liked listening to people talk about a passion of theirs, and Marley clearly had this down to a T, so seeing her in her comfort zone made Camille a little more relaxed too, and they weren’t even drinking yet. “So you go pretty sour then? That’s good. I make cosmos sometimes and I always add more lime juice than recipes say too, I just like them sour.” She nods, “doesn’t sound like I’d be able to fuck it up too badly,” Cam grins and picks up one of the glasses, “assuming you start with tequila?”

“Oh yeah,” Marley said, nodding, “the more sour, the better. What can I say? I’m a sour woman.” She stacked two glasses on the counter in front of them and motioned to the ingredients. “It really is hard to fuck up a margarita, it’s more about getting the right proportions so that you can enjoy all the flavors at once. And, of course, making sure you have good tequila,” tapped the bottle again, “yeah, sure. Start with that, I’ll uh-- supervise,” she said stepping back and letting Camille approach. This was still...strange and knew for her, but she was learning that it was nothing to be awkward about. Maybe this was just how normal people interacted. Maybe if she kept trying, she’d actually get used to it one day. She gave a smirk. “Go on, then,” she motioned, “don’t fuck it up.”

Camille laughed a little- actually, she’d been called a sourpuss once, by an older guy at a club trying to grind on her. The memory amused her to this day. Maybe they were both a little sour, but she didn’t think that was a bad thing. “I’m the same with wine, I never like it overly sweet.” She says, stepping up to the counter to start by pouring some tequila in one of the glasses- hey, she was still young enough at heart to know roughly how to pour out a shot. “I’ve known people to use triple sec before, but I’ve never come across cognac. Hey, I’ll trust the master though.” Cam shrugs, adding in plenty of lime juice and salt before pouring some syrup into a measure and adding that too. “I will admit to hating it when people put stuff on the rim of a glass though, salt or sugar or whatever. I’ve never gotten that.” She was sure that too was something about flavor, but the grains just irritated her mouth. Camille knew she liked triple sec, so after a full shot of that she measured out a little less cognac- she’d never been a huge fan- and added that too. “Looks like I managed to avoid total disaster… Or I didn’t make a mess at least.” Obsessively watching bartenders in college to make sure they didn’t mess with her drink had paid off, it seemed. She raised the glass, “cheers.” And took a sip. “Wow. Okay, you’re right. I’m adding cognac to every margarita I make from now on. Damn, that’s good. I don’t even like brandy.”

Marley watched Camille fill up her drink, talking herself through the process. “Cognac just gives it a little extra bite, you know?” she shrugged, “I’m not a big fan of the alcohol on its own, but the slightest touch really does spruce up the most basic cocktail.” Mostly, she didn’t like it because it wasn’t an alcohol she could consume copious amounts of in a small amount of time in order to get drunker quicker. But she didn’t need to say that outloud. “Ah, see! You’re amazing at it already,” she said, leaning back against the counter. From around the corner of the kitchen table came JD, sniffing the air and the new scent in the house. Marley observed him for a moment, before realizing that his horns really weren't anything that normal people would expect on a hare. Or, really even, expect a hare. She went forward to shoo him away, but he scampered under the table and around into the kitchen, right up to Camille. “Uhh, he’s got-- a mutation,” she said, staring wide eyed.

It was all going well and everything was very normal, which Camille was pretty pleased about because since waking up in town she kept getting hit across the face with weirdness. Killer mimes and vampire neighbors and an eyeball where the goddamn sun should be. It was nice to kick back with a new friend and have a drink, and talk about normal things like cognac. She’d been into cocktail making for a while when she was younger, but then Jace’s problem had gotten worse and keeping high percentage alcohol in the house just… Didn’t seem smart. She took another sip and tried not to think about that. “Well it helps to have a good teacher.” Camille laughed, only the slightest of a bitter edge to the sound, “I would know, I used to be a- ah!”

Camille startled when the creature scurried up to her, pressing her body back into the kitchen counter. “Holy hell.” It was, in essence, a big weird looking rabbit. Which would probably not have garnered much of a reaction if it were not for the horns. Horns! Every day something new and totally out of left field. Is it the weirdest thing she’s seen? Well… There were eyeballs coming out of her taps at one point, that was probably weirder. But this-- Camille didn’t quite see how a mutation could give a rabbit horns. Which meant this was the supernatural kind of weird, which meant Marley knew about the supernatural kind of weird. “...Right.” She takes another sip of her drink and sighs, weighing the pros and cons. Camille could pretend to believe her, but there would be an awkward air over the rest of the night. She had enough secrets already. “Y’know, you don’t have to… I- look, here’s the thing, I’m not an expert. Like, I don’t know a lot about it all but I do know that there’s stuff in this town that is…” She waves a hand vaguely in the air, trying to find a good word for it. “Let me put it this way, when I lived in the motel my neighbors were vampires. So, don’t bullshit me. That’s not a normal rabbit.”

Marley watched Camille closely, as she started down at JD. She could see the cogs turning in her head. Most people who wanted to remain ignorant would wave this away and be happy to accept the “mutation” explanation-- but when Camille didn’t, Marley felt herself slowly warming up to the idea that maybe she wasn’t half bad. She came over around the counter and picked up the large hare, hoisting him onto one arm and holding him so his legs dangled below her arm. He sniffed the air, wriggled once, then settled in. “You’re neighbors were vampires? Gross,” she muttered, scrunching her nose, “vampires are so broody and angsty. Oh, my life is so tragic,’ she sighed, putting a hand to her forehead, “I’m doomed to eternal life and I must feed on the blood of innocents! Or...whatever.” She remembered the last vampire she’d known, and how much his disposition to drink blood tortured him. Vampires, for all their monstrosity, could be so human sometimes. “Glad you got out of there, then,” she replied, feeling the awkwardness hang in the air a bit. She cleared her throat. “He uh--” glanced down at JD, “--he’s a Jackalope. Supernatural hare, basically. But I swear he’s nice! Usually.”

Camille wasn’t going to wander around the whole town with her eyes closed. She was in White Crest because she’d died. If she wanted answers about what the hell had happened to her and didn’t want those answers to totally freak her out it would probably be a good idea to embrace everything else weird and wacky going on in town. It was just so… Exhausting. Nothing was normal. She couldn’t even make a new friend and drink margaritas without some not rabbit thing becoming part of the evening. Maybe she just had to get used to it.

It was almost comical the way Marley handled the thing, and how quickly it settled into her arms like it’d been there a dozen times before. It probably had, she seemed to be keeping it like a domestic pet. That was almost… Sweet. And her vampire impression did make Cam laugh. “They were broody!” She agreed, “those walls were thin, I could hear them complaining. Didn’t stop the parade of pretty young girls always going in and out of their room though, so they can’t have felt too put out.” Once she’d found out what they were Cam had started watching for those girls- some of them went back again and again, but what mattered to her was making sure they walked back out. She nods, “yeah. Cece really did me a favor.” Oh how much she had come to rely on the kindness of strangers as of late, it was new. “He doesn’t seem not nice. He just startled me. I’m still getting used to all this stuff, and I don’t really feel like getting into why I’m here in the first place but it.. Yeah, it’s part of my life now, so.” Camille shrugs, staring at the jackalope… She’d heard of them, but it hadn’t occurred to her that they might really exist in this new world. “He’s almost cute. Does he have a name?”

“All vampires are,” Marley said with a little roll of her eyes. “They’re pretty dramatic.“ At least, all the vampire she’d met were like that-- she felt like it almost came with the territory, just like how most mara liked the strange and horrific. Most of them even shared Marley’s love for insects, because unlike most mammals, they didn’t run away scared. “Oh, you know Cece? Like Cece Bishop, Cece? I work with her sometimes.” And somehow knowing Camille knew Cece made Marley all the more relieved. At least she didn’t have to skirt around things anymore. “He’s very nice, usually. Just spooks easy, which is funny, considering--” she paused, frowned, “he’s pretty scary looking.” Marley rustled her arms, cinching her brows. “Almost cute? He’s extremely cute, actually. I mean, lookit his face!” she exclaimed, holding him up. JD responded by thumping his legs against her and leaping out of her arms and over to the couch. “Well...I think he’s cute,” she muttered, looking back over at Camille. “His name’s JD. Short for Jack Daniels.” A pause. “I swear I’m not an alcoholic, though.”

Sometimes Camille worried she was taking all of this too well. But then she remembered her first few months here, the icy cold that had settled over her the second she realized she was supposed to be dead, sitting in that motel room and staring at the wall for god knew how many days without being able to move. Trying to accept it all had practically rendered her catatonic, and she was still struggling, but Camille was no idiot. Even with all the additions the world was still the world and she was still a living thing that needed to make money and survive and carry on.

“I haven’t actually met any vampires, so I couldn’t speak for all of them.” Cam shrugs, and then her eyes widen, “at least… I don’t think I have. I suppose that’s rather the point.” Wow, maybe she had met vampires. Marley could be one for all she knew. It was probably rude to ask. “Yeah, it’s her I live with. We met out at Dell’s Tavern one night and when she found out I was staying at that creepy motel she insisted I stay with her.” She nods, “right, it makes sense that you’d know her too.” The morgue and the police department probably worked closely. They’d probably done that in Boston, when she’d died. Camille chuckled a little at the contradictions, how Marley thought something could look scary and cute at the same time. Though she managed not to flinch when it- JD- was brought closer to her face. He had regular rabbit eyes, all big and innocent and shiny. She did jump when the beast moved suddenly though, clutching one hand to her heart and laughing despite herself. “He can leap like a rabbit, huh? Is he- do you just keep him, like, as a pet?” Cam smiled, “I like JD. When I was in college my roommate had a hamster and we called it Khalua.”

“Count yourself lucky, then,” Marley said with a small chuckle. “Oh, trust me-- you’d know.” It was a strange thing, to find someone so...okay with all this weirdness. Even Erin had been a little freaked out by everything at first, but maybe Camille had just skipped past it all already. Or she just hadn’t seen the freak out and was getting the after effects. She shrugged. “Yeah, Cece’s like that.” She didn’t know Cece all that well, but from what she could gather, the woman liked to feel useful and help others. And was a bit nosey. “He’s a hare, actually. Common mistake. Hares are bigger than rabbits.” She scratched her chin. “I mean, yes? He’s pretty harmless. He mostly just follows me around and chews on things. Animals don’t normally like me, so it’s kinda nice to have one around that, you know, does.” A chuckle. “Khalua, ha. That’s a good name. I’m gonna steal that if I ever get another pet. I was considering getting another tarantula, they’re pretty low maintenance.” She gave a short pause, before prodding her next question. “So...how do you know about all this stuff?”

“Oh, would I? Well that’s… Reassuring, I suppose.” The only thing that’d tipped Camille off about her neighbors at the motel was how loudly they talked about it. Perhaps they’d been trying to scare her. Honestly at the time they’d been the least of her worries, and she’d even briefly wondered if any attempts to kill her would actually work. Jury was still kind of out on that one, but it wasn’t like she wasn’t going to ask anyone to try it and find out.

Camille nodded, “right, a hare.” The difference wasn’t enough to bother her, but she’d try and remember it. “Ah, I hear most animals are a little bit destructive like that.” She chuckled, it was one of the things that had stopped her from getting a dog with Jace, being too precious about her house. “He was a real hit whenever we had dorm parties, that’s for sure. Even the dean thought he was too cute to tell us off.” The idea of a spider as a pet was… Really not Camille’s cup of tea, but if Marley already had a weird supernatural hare it probably wouldn’t seem so odd to her.

Right. How did she know about all this? Marley was a cop, it probably wasn’t smart to tell her too much about how she didn’t have a legal identity and there was a man in prison for her murder. But… Well, Marley was a cop with a jackalope, and wouldn’t it be a good idea to have as many useful people helping her figure this out as possible? If Marley had a strong enough link to the supernatural stuff, maybe she’d have some information no one else did yet. “Well…” Camille sipped her drink, tapping her fingers against the side of the glass. “How do you know about this stuff?”

.Marley ruffled her nose. “Hey, I asked you first,” she pointed out, frowning. It was strange to not feel affronted by the question, however, and she had to take a minute to pause and decide if that really was one she wanted to answer. A few months ago it would have been a solid and definite no, but now that things had changed in Marley’s life, she wasn’t sure anymore. She waffled on it for a moment, confused by her own indecision. “I’m a cop in White Crest,” she finally answered with a shrug, “how could I not know about this stuff? I know most of the precinct will like to make you believe everyone around there has their head in the sand, but you can’t judge us all because of that.” Even if Marley did. She knew most of the other cops didn’t believe in any of this shit. “I also sort of grew up with this kinda stuff.”

She leaned back against the counter again. “Okay, so now that I played my cards, are you gonna tell me yours?” she asked, nodding at her. “You seem pretty normal, so what could’ve happened to you to clue you in to all this shit?”

Camille lounged back against the counter, tapping her nails against the almost empty glass in her hand and waiting. Whatever Marley had to say she was willing to bet the other woman had been around this kind of stuff a lot longer than she had. The reasoning of being a cop was sound enough, she was willing to bet they all saw some weird stuff. But Regan worked in the morgue and had wings and still managed to be disbelieving of the whole thing. Growing up around it, though, that made Camille relax just a little.

She set the glass down to pull back the sleeve of her shirt and show the sigil on the back of her hand. “I died a while ago.” Camille said, trying to sound more nonchalant about the whole thing then she felt. “Woke up in White Crest earlier this year. With this thing-” She tapped a finger against the mark- “which I did not have in my first life. A lady told me it means I was resurrected and the mark keeps my soul in my body, or something.” Camille tugged her sleeve back down. “So I am pretty normal. Or I was, but it’s kind of hard to deny all this stuff when you know there’s an autopsy report with your name on it.” She shrugged, twisting her hands together, “I figure for now this town is the best place for me, while I’m still trying to get it together.”

Had Marley been drinking something, she would have spit out her drink. Instead, it came up as a cough that felt as if it stuttered and stuck in her throat, and she turned to look at Camille with wide eyes. “I’m sorry, did you say you died? And then-- came back?” That wasn’t really all that uncommon, but Marley had been sure Camille wasn’t a zombie or a vampire-- her tastebuds were too on par. But then she showed Marley the marking on her hand and it clicked-- someone had brought her back to life using necromancy. Marley didn’t know much about it, only that only very powerful spellcasters could do it, and that it was some sort of taboo-- Peter had informed her of this, and reminded her that they were not vessels of death while doing so-- and that Bea had likely also been resurrected. She’d told Marley she’d died after Marley had pestered her about not calling back.

“Yeah, well, I guess that’s fair,” she answered, scratching the back of her neck. “Normal is-- relative, I guess. Even though you’re, well, you know…” she motioned towards her, “you can still live a normal life.”

Marley’s reaction was… Almost comical. Especially in comparison to others. Nell had been matter of fact, Regan in denial. Marley was much closer to what Camille had expected of people. The tequila probably helped, but she actually didn’t feel all that exhausted by talking about it for once, which was a nice change. Perhaps because she hadn’t gotten into the details of her ex husband and the whole ordeal that had brought about her death. She didn’t want too, it wasn’t like she owed Marley anything. Part of normal was moving on. “It’s kind of a lot to process.” She said, nodding. “So I’m trying to take it easy. Just… Getting out into the world again, y’know? Steady job, making new friends.” Camille shrugged, “not perfect but better than nothing.”

She smiled,“actually, it makes me feel much safer knowing we actually have cops who understand exactly what is going on in this town, even if you can’t convince the entire squad.” She laughed softly, moving to set her glass down by the sink and pick up her bag. “It’s getting late. I shouldn’t keep you up all night. But we should hang out again, now that I know I don’t have to watch what I say with you.”

For a dead woman, Camille was pretty casual. Marley didn’t know what that experience was like, but she could understand wanting to make a normal life for yourself. “You really should quit the Cryptid Corner,” she said after a moment, but it was with a sly grin and not a judging one. “I heard that place is haunted.” Marley gave a sheepish shrug. “Well, glad I can help out, then. I’ll certainly do my best to keep this place clean, but White Crest is certainly a...dangerous place. Don’t um-- do anything to get yourself killed again, alright?” She started heading over towards the door with Camille. She wanted to quip about how the night was her time, but she kept her mouth shut for now. She’d already given away too much, and even if Camille had been more forthcoming with all this than she’d originally thought, she still felt exposed in some way. Even though Camille had spilled her entire story, Marley kept hers much closer to her chest. “Uh-- yeah,” she said, confused for a moment. People didn’t often ask to hang out with her again, let alone as just friends. Was this really how the world worked? She furrowed her brow. “Yeah, let’s do this again. Maybe with snacks next time, too.” That’s what people offered, right? She brushed the thought away. “And uh-- thanks for trusting me enough to tell me. You don’t have to worry, either. Your secret’s safe with me.” And if Camille turned on her somehow, it would make for some good blackmail. Not that she wanted that to happen. But old habits die hard.

Camille snorted out a laugh and shook her head, “the closest thing that place has ever gotten to haunted was the one time we had a possessed toilet. A nightmare to deal with but we’ve had nothing since. It’s too lame to haunt.” She nods, “yeah… Yeah I know this place can be a bit wild. Hell, when I woke up here people were being attacked by mimes, so.” It was almost scary how quickly she’d gotten used to it all, but maybe waking up dead could numb you to experiences like that a bit. “Trust me, I don’t have any plans to put myself in harm's way.”

It was true, she certainly wasn’t going to go looking for trouble. She’d even stopped walking around the forest at night, so things were looking up. Another friend who knew her secret, someone else to trust. Camille was sick of being lonely, see, she’d decided this life was going to have friends. “Right. I appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of your night, I’ll see ya.” She gave a cheery little wave before heading out the door, to return to her own home feeling a little more optimistic than the day before.

#chatzy #chatzy: camille #wickedswriting #margarita monday #camille

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