#mr phantom they could never make me hate you

[soupmanimation]

my rendition of this scene lol

Masquerade reprise

[elizabethemerald]

Gala Daze DPxDC

AO3

“What a great idea Vladdie!” 

“I don’t know Jack…” 

“Oh I assure you, my dear Maddie that Daniel will be perfectly safe with me. I won’t let him out of my sight for a moment.” 

“Come on Maddie, it would be a perfect opportunity for our Danno to bump elbows with some rich bigwigs!” 

“Well maybe he can talk to them about getting some funding for ghost extermination. Very well Vlad. You can take Danny to Gotham.”

Danny was disassociating. While not entirely a new state of being, a dissociative episode had never lasted this long for him. He had been fully checked out from his body ever since the flight from Amity Park to Gotham. He had been thinking about turning intangible and just letting the plane fly through him so he could go home, when Vlad had leaned over to him to whisper in his ear. Vlad said if Danny stepped even one toe out of line, or did anything to embarrass him, Vlad would overshadow as many people as it took to ensure that Jazz was turned down by every college she applied to. He would ruin her entire future if Danny did even one thing wrong. 

Danny had started disassociating after that. 

His parents had done a lot to hurt him and Jazz. Usually the harm the elder Fentons did to their children was either accidental or unknowing. Like when Jazz was sick for days after the Thanksgiving dinner where Dad tried to fry the turkey in ectoplasm or like when they shot Danny when he was out as Phantom. 

However this time there was no excuse for them hurting their kids. If they ever listened to their children they would know that Danny hated Vlad and Jazz didn’t trust him. The kids had said over and over again for years that they didn’t like Vlad, but no! Uncle Vladdie could do no wrong! Danny and Jazz were just making things up for attention. 

Ancients, Danny hoped that he could keep his nose clean for the trip, he didn’t want to be responsible for Jazz having to give up her dreams of getting into an Ivy League school. He had lost huge swaths of time. He barely remembered leaving the airport and the next time he was cognizant they were heading to the gala in the tailored suits Vlad had ordered. 

Fortunately Vlad loved nothing more than the sound of his own voice, not even Danny or his mom. So he was more than happy to talk to the people around them about Danny and any time someone asked Danny a question he would be the one to answer instead. Vlad kept his hand either on Danny’s shoulder or on the back of his neck at all times so he couldn’t even slip away. 

Now he was talking to some rich fruitloop who kept trying to engage Danny in conversation. Brucie? Wait? Bruce Wayne? Yeah the guy was rich but why would Vlad go out of his way to introduce Danny to this airhead? 

“Well, yes, my son Damian does have many interests, but I can’t say that any of them have to do with NASA's latest satellite.” Mr. Wayne was saying in response to something Vlad had said. Ah. That made sense. Vlad wanted to brag, shove his superiority into Mr. Wayne’s face. Brucie turned to address Danny. “Tell me Daniel, what do you know about NASA's deep space satellite?”

“Uh, I prefer Danny actually, Mr. Wayne.” Danny said. Mr. Wayne’s eyebrows rose marginally considering those were his first words during this conversation. “And I-”

“Yes, Daniel really is attached to that childish nickname, isn’t he?” Vlad spoke up again. “Really Brucie, you would think children would grow up at some point. We should discuss this more over a game of golf next week…”

Danny let Vlad’s words wash over him again. The worst thing about Vlad was he really knew how to push Danny’s buttons. Of course he would bring up the new satellite only to show off to his rich rival, then not even let Danny talk about it. And then insulting him for his name! Prick!

He tried to avoid looking at Brucie’s concerned face. Obviously he was a socialite and knew all about the proper behavior for galas, and Vlad probably wasn’t meeting those social rules. There was a small part of Danny’s chaos-gremlin brain that wanted to say something seemingly innocuous but super sus if you thought about it. Nothing would make Danny happier than getting Vlad investigated for something stupid like tax fraud, but he couldn’t risk Jazz’s career just for spite. Or gremlin urges. 

Vlad moved his hand from Danny’s shoulder down to his lower back. Danny did everything he could to keep the snarl he wanted to make at that action from coming out. He still couldn’t help the full body shudder that shook his frame for a fraction of a second. Vlad shot him a look filled with malice and promised pain so Danny reigned himself back in and put his attention firmly on the floor in front of him. 

Danny clenched his fists, driving his nails into his own palms. He was sure he was bleeding, but he couldn’t stop. He couldn’t do anything. He hated feeling powerless. You would think that after the portal accident and him gaining actual real powers the feeling would be far more rare, except it happens far too often and he hated it. His hands were shaking with rage and suppressed desire to punch Vlad right in his smug, manipulative, fruit-loop face. 

He chanced a glance up just in time to see a girl melt out of the shadows near the wall. If he didn’t know better he would say she was a ghost with how easily she was able to appear. But she definitely wasn’t a ghost. Perhaps a touch liminal, but not a ghost. And she was watching him. 

Danny tilted his head slightly to get a better look at her and she tilted her head to match. Her eyes flicked to the two adults for only a fraction of a second to confirm they were still engaged in whatever conversation they were having, then her hand came up and she signed for letters in what Danny recognized as ASL. 

“R U O K.” 

She merely looked the question at him. He risked a peak at Vlad, but he was focused on trying to strong arm Brucie into meeting for a golf match and some private drinks. Other than his thumb rubbing circles into the small of Danny’s back he wasn’t paying any attention to him. Danny looked back at the girl who was watching him intently. He gave the smallest shake of his head he could, hoping that Vlad wouldn’t notice. The girl nodded and slipped effortlessly back into the shadows, all but disappearing from view. 

Several more minutes went by of mindless conversation with Mr. Wayne seemingly had given up on trying to get Danny to answer questions. He let his mind drift again to his beloved stars as he began naming the stars in biggest constellations visible in the night sky. 

For a while Danny thought that nothing would come of the mystery girl who had checked on him, until a crash echoed across the hall from the entrance of the gala hall. Vlad finally released Danny’s shoulder to whirl to face the noise. Then to his surprise, Mr. Wayne turned as well to put himself in between Danny and the crash, effectively hiding him from Vlad. At first he thought that was just serial adopter Brucie Wayne’s first gut instinct in a crisis, putting his body between a threat and the nearest black haired kid. 

However, immediately after Mr. Wayne stepped in front of him, two kids appeared out of the crowd, grabbed Danny’s shoulders and started to drag him away. He recognized the asian girl who had signed to him, and the other was, even more surprisingly, Damian Freaking Wayne! That meant that the other girl must be Cassandra Wayne! Sam had made sure Danny knew all the Waynes before the topic of the gala had even come up. Apparently the Waynes were the only people who made the events her parents dragged her to worth it. 

Damian and Cassandra maneuvered through the crowd so effortlessly Danny had to take a moment to check if they were using intangibility. The trio weaved through as the noise behind them got even louder until they pulled him into a back room of the hall where a very tired looking Timothy Drake-Wayne was already there on his laptop. He looked up at Danny in confusion for a second before returning his attention to the computer in front of him. 

“Don’t worry, that noise was just the chandelier in the entrance hall falling. Apparently it couldn’t take Dick’s weight.” Timothy, actual real CEO of Wayne enterprises said. Tucker would be losing his mind right now. 

Cassandra settled Danny into a chair while Damian marched up to Timothy. Danny could finally take a moment to look properly at the Waynes. All three of them wore elegant, likely name brand suits. Timothy was wearing a plain white shirt under his suit jacket while Cassandra and Damian wore black on black suits, though Damian’s did have some green highlights at the lapels and pockets. Timothy looked like his eye bags had eye bags, which Danny could relate to. 

“Father ordered you not to work for the night of the Gala.” Damian snapped. When Timothy didn’t dignify that with a response the youngest Wayne turned back to face Danny. “Vladimir Masters escorted you to the gala tonight.” 

Danny couldn’t help but snort. 

“What a polite way of phrasing that.” He said with a dark chuckle. 

“Would it be more accurate to call you his hostage?” Timothy asked from his chair, where he was still focusing on his computer screen and whatever it was he was working on. 

That brought Danny up short. He tried to stutter out a denial, but Damian quickly spoke over him. 

“Has he hurt you? Threatened you or someone you care about?” Damian demanded. 

“N-no!  He would never lay a finger on me!” Danny was quick to say, trying to project as much confidence as possible. Cassandra moved her flat hand in line across her face. Damian glanced at her and his eyes narrowed at Danny. 

“You don’t have to lie to protect him. We can protect you, our family has resources.” 

Danny shook his head over and over again. 

“I can’t talk about it. I can’t talk about it. I can’t talk about it.” He had to repeat himself, the phrase trapping themselves in his mind as he kept saying it over and over again. 

If he told them what Vlad had done to him, Vlad would ruin Jazz’s entire life. He already regularly tried to kill his father, but there was no telling what he would do to Jazz. Danny couldn’t tell them about being thrown into walls during his fights with Plasimus, or the clones Danny had watched melt in his arms under Vlad’s uncaring eye. He almost jumped out of his skin when a hand came to rest on his shoulder. 

While he was panicking, Damian had withdrawn, visibly uncertain about how best to approach him. Cassandra and Timothy had come closer, Cassandra had her hand on his shoulder providing a calm, steadying presence. Timothy had closed his laptop and scooted forward his attention now fully on Danny. He made some motion to the others that seemed to symbolize that he was going to be taking point. 

“You’re not from Gotham originally, is that right?” When Danny nodded he continued. “We have some heroes here in Gotham. Believe it or not, we Waynes get kidnapped a lot, get rescued a lot. We know some of the Bats, they could help you.” 

Danny was already shaking his head again. 

“No, no no! That’s even worse. The worst thing that can happen if you Waynes help me is Brucie gives Vlad WE for pennies on the dollar and Vlad gets even richer. But if you get Batman involved, then he could have a man inside the JL. He could turn them against the people, use them as a tool to take over whatever he wants. He could overthrow the Ghost King…”

Now Danny was really panicking. He had muttered the last bit, terror carving its way through him. It would be like the absolute worst of the fight with Pariah Dark and Dan all over again. Danny would have to fight, and maybe kill the Justice League to stop him. If he won, he would have to eradicate Earth’s heroes, and if he lost Vlad would become King of the Infinite Realms. 

“You are talking about mind control.” Damian said, his eyes wide.

“No! Not mind control. Overshadowing. Humans call it possession.” Danny was rambling now. Desperately trying to convince these silly rich people not to get involved. Danny was a lost cause, he couldn’t be helped. All he could do was keep his head down long enough for Jazz to get into her college of choice. The Waynes glanced at each other nervously for a moment and Damian pulled his phone from his pocket. 

“I think I need to make a call.” 

Danny snapped his head up, his attention on the far wall as his breath came out in a foggy puff, like he had just walked into a freezer. He didn't know it but his eyes were blazing green at that moment. 

“It’s too late now.” 

The Waynes all step back or slouch against their chairs. Only a second later the door to their room snaps open, Vlad furious, his once spotless suit now covered in red wine and assorted finger foods. His eyes burned red with rage as he locked onto Danny. Timothy immediately stood to his feet. 

“Ah, Mr. Masters.” Vlad pulled himself back from his rage with difficulty to acknowledge the young CEO. “We were just coming out to look for you. Your ward was grabbed by our security team. Small case of mistaken identity. It's standard procedure during these sorts of events to get my brothers and sister to safety in the event of another terrorist attack. Or worse a Joker attack. Thankfully it seems everything is under control. You may take your charge now.” 

Timothy brushed past Vlad without another comment. Damian glared at him, but he glared at everyone, while Cassandra just stared at Vlad, unblinking, like some kind of demonic cat. Her complete lack of reaction obviously weirded Vlad out even more than Damian’s aggression. 

“Oh I’ll do that.” He grabbed Danny’s arm hard enough to bruise. “Come Daniel. We’re leaving.” 

Danny turned away from the Waynes as he was dragged out the door. He didn’t want to face their pity. At least he did a good enough job convincing them that they can’t help him. Now he just had to last long enough to get back home again. He let himself checkout, ignoring Vlad’s crushing grip on his arm as he dragged from the gala and back to the hotel. 

When Danny next checked in with his body it was to Vlad screaming in his face and burning pain in his body. In Vlad’s furious race out of the Gala after his humiliation he had pulled Danny’s arm out of his socket. And to emphasize his points Vlad would hit him with ecto fire, each hit destroying more of his once nice suit and leaving burns on his body. 

“You think you can just toy with me in front of these richest elite? I will make your life hell! I will make your sister’s life hell! She’ll be lucky to make a living on the street corners of a shit hole like this!” He gestured out to the window, which Danny belatedly realized was open. “I just don’t understand why you make me do this to you, Daniel. Little Badger, you are forcing my hand and I-”

He shrieked as a batarang whipped from the open window. The lights in the hotel room flickered for a second and Batman, Robin and Orphan were standing in the room when the lights returned. Vlad turned to them, furious that they would interrupt. 

“Vladimir Masters. We have some questions for you.” Batman growled. 

“No! I think you’ll find Batman, that I have some questions for you!” Vlad’s eyes flared red. Danny tried to stop him but he was backhanded away

Vlad floated into the air as his ghost transformation rolled over his body. He reached out to grab Batman but before he could several things happened at once. First and most shockingly, Robin drew a katana and cut off Plasmius’ hand at the wrist. Then several voices shouted out at once.

“Azarath Metrion Zinthos!”

“Dnib siht tirips ot sti ydob!” 

“Puer iste spiritus maxime!”

Chains of gold, purple and blazing fire wrapped around Plasmius again and again. The chains dragged him down to the ground even as he snarled and swore at them. A man in a trench coat, a woman in a long black cloak and an actual stage magician appeared in the room, magic sparking at their fingertips. Cassandra had bypassed the battle completely to come to Danny's side, though she did still have her weapons in her hands. Batman turned to address him, ignoring Vlad’s continued vitriol in the middle of the arcane trap. 

“You’re safe now Danny. You don’t have to worry about him hurting you ever again. This I swear.” Batman said, his voice just as serious as it ever was, and for the first time in his life, Danny felt like he could actually believe it when someone told him he was safe. He collapsed to his knees, shuddering sobs shaking his body. He was safe, Jazz was safe from Vlad’s machinations. Maybe this nightmare could finally be over. 

[tulip-room]

pixy stix - r. suna

prologue || Pumpkin Patch

words: 1.2k

masterlist || all hq works || next

"Did you cast a spell on me to make me yours? I want you to be mine."

Steam, pour, serve. Over and over. She had only been working at this job for a few months at this point (one of her friends showed it to her). It definitely wasn’t the worst one she’s worked. Apparently, you can get sick of Halloween, or more specifically Halloween Music. You can also get sick of making pumpkin themed drinks. The smell followed her home when she left the pumpkin patch. She could smell it in her apartment and on her clothes even after washing them over and over. Maybe it wasn’t Halloween she was sick of. It was pumpkin. 

One highlight of her day– though she would never admit it– was the scare actors coming in on their breaks to get a drink. “Have a good time scaring children?” She comments as she grabs a cup to fill with orange juice. Every day without fail he would order an “orange juice on the rocks” , something about hating apple and pumpkin flavored drinks. After months of having phantom smells she was beginning to agree with him. 

“Of course, have fun being surrounded by pumpkin?” He leans over the counter as his eyes scan her figure as she wades around the kitchen. He can’t help the smile that breaks out across his face at the sound of her laugh, how her head turns to look at him over her shoulder.

“Never. It was fine the first few weeks,” she sets the glass down in front of him, “One orange glass on the rocks for a Mr. Suna Rintaro.” She smiles and winks at him. She can faintly hear a gagging behind her and her eyes meet with Sakusa and Sav’s as they shake their heads. She rolls her eyes and flips them off before turning back to Suna. “So, how’s it going?”

“Same old, same old. I’m stuck on hayride duty today.” Hayride duty, where he stands in the same spot in the pitiful trees that they call woods and jumps out to scare people. It’s his least favorite assignment to get as most people are too preoccupied looking at their phones to notice the actors in the woods. His favorite is actually the pumpkin patch, he doesn’t have to do a lot to get a scare out of the adults and the kids make him laugh when they grab a hold of his legs and tell him they think he looks cool. For some reason it makes him gleam with pride. 

“Wanna switch?” She teases and pokes his shoulder. 

“And make pumpkin drinks all day? Yeah, no thanks pretty girl.” He pokes her back and takes a drink, his lipstick smudging on the glass as he hadn’t bothered to take his scare makeup off. 

“Whatever. Go sit down somewhere and stop distracting me,” she waves him off towards a table in the corner. He grabs her hand and presses a sloppy kiss to it, a grin breaks out across his face as he watches her crinkle up into disgust. “Eww!” She gags and wipes the back of her hand off on his sweater. “Gross. You disgust me.”

“You want to kiss me so bad.” 

“I think it’s the other way around.” Her eyes met with the group of people that just walked through the door. “Seems I have guests to serve, now go sit down.”

“Yes ma’am.” He does a pretend salute and sits down at the table. He watches as she handles the orders with practiced ease, he’s not aware of Sav sitting down across from him until a hand is waved in his face. 

“I think you have something written in bright red letters across your forehead.”

“Hmm?” He barely pays her any mind as his eyes continue to watch the girl at the counter with an easy smile on his face.

“Yeah, it’s the word loser. When are you going to tell her you like her?” That gets his attention as he finally turns his head to look at her. 

“When are you going to tell Sakusa you like him?” He smirks as he thinks he’s won their little battle.

“I already did.”

“What? When? Happy for you!” He reaches a hand over the table and pats her head.

“Last week, now stop deflecting. When are you going to tell Y/N that you like her?”

“I don’t know, I’ll probably take it to my grave.” He shrugs and leans back in the seat, arms going behind his head as he tilts it back and closes his eyes. 

“You two frustrate me.” Sav groans and almost puts her head in her hands before remembering the makeup that’s on her face can’t get smeared more than it already is. “Well, enjoy living in your delusions I guess.” She gets up and sighs as she looks back over to the expo counter. “Your lipstick is wiped off by the way.” She gestures to her mouth. 

“I know,” he smirks and opens one eye to look at her. “It’s all part of my plan.”

“What plan?”

“Y/N carries lipstick with her so I just steal her lipstick.” It’s almost funny how proud of himself he sounds about this plan. He sits up and finishes off his drink, to really sell the deal though he grabs a napkin and wipes his lips. 

“I didn’t think your pining could get worse. I was wrong.”

“Wish me luck,” he winks at her and goes up to the counter. He patiently waits in line for Y/N to be free to talk. “Hi pretty girl, I am in need of chapstick it seems.”

“Hi silly boy, it seems you are.” Oh– that’s a new one. He likes that. “What do you want me to do about it?” She leans against the counter and rests her chin in the palm of her hand.

“Well, I heard from a little birdie that you happen to carry lipstick on you.”

“And if I do?”

“Can I borrow it?”

“I don’t know…let me think about it,” she says as she pushes off the counter and opens a drawer to pull out her purse. Her hands dig through the velvety material inside, combing through the random things: chapstick, a hair tie, a receipt for a movie, ah– finally. Her lipstick. “Here you go.” She hands it over to him but he shakes his head.

“Put it on for me? I’m terrible at staying in the lines.” A lie. He doesn’t like other people doing his makeup, it makes his skin crawl. But her? Oh he would do anything for her. She could run him over and he would say thank you. 

“Fine, come here silly boy.” He leans down and she unscrews the cap and starts applying the lipstick to his mouth. “This is transfer proof, I’m surprised they haven’t bought any for you guys.” She hums more to herself than him. “Okay, all done. Now, get back to work.”

“Thank you, pretty girl, see you tomorrow.” His heart should not be beating as fast as it is right now. He knew he liked her, but he didn’t think he liked her that much. Okay, he needs to calm down. He has never been more thankful for hayride duty than he is right now.

a/n: this is just silly goofy autumn fun where they're idiots who pine very loudly for each other and make it everyone else's problem <3 a break from the angst of my other series if you will lol

taglist: @akaakeis @eggyrocks @hiraethwa @wyrcan [please send an ask to be added or removed from the taglist <3]

if you enjoyed, please consider leaving a like, comment, rb, or sending me an ask <3 I love interacting with you guys <3

[dangraccoon]

Let's Live

Day 31 ~ survivor's guilt ~ (alt. prompt)

Crosshair

Word Count: 1008 Content: references to The Outpost and Plan 99, self-sacrifice, guilt, survivor's guilt

He wasn’t sure if it was the violent shivers that rolled endlessly through his body or the sharp cry of the ice vultures but Crosshair found himself awake and sitting upright in the early morning hours. 

A soft, warm breeze fluttered the curtains of his open window. He could hear the sound of the tide coming in, splashing against the rocks near their cozy home. The sun was far enough from rising that the moonyos weren’t even starting to chitter yet.

Crosshair groaned, using his remaining hand to pull the blanket up over him as he flopped back down onto the too-comfortable mattress. 

He knew about phantom limbs, of course–Echo had grumbled about it enough to pique his curiosity–but it didn’t stop the frustration that rose in his chest as his body insisted that his right hand was shaking again. He shoved the end of his arm under his pillow, praying for the “out of sight, out of mind” mindset Wrecker had long used as an excuse for his forgetfulness.

It never came. Groaning once more–as though acting like a petulant child might make him feel better–he shoved the blanket away, swinging his legs over the side of his bed.

Their house was an older one on the island; one of the elder residents had expressed that they wanted the batch to have it as she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law. “It was good enough to raise five kids in, so I’m sure Miss Omega can handle you lot in it.”

He walked through the house, idly thinking he should visit Mrs. Neawick soon–she was one of the only residents that could match his snark and she made sour hard candies that she pretended not to realize Crosshair loved–while stepping around the occasional creaking boards. He knew Hunter could hear him, but the least he could do was not make the disturbance worse.

He made it to the kitchen, noticing the caf maker’s timer starting the machine up. He scowled at the flimsi tooka calendar attached to the fridge. Omega had insisted on picking out different colored markers for each of them to write their various activities. “This way we can plan things together, too!”

He followed the sloppy orange scrawl that indicated Wrecker’s schedule and it made sense. Although Wrecker hated caf with a fiery passion, he’d come to rely upon it–mixed with an ungodly amount of cream, sugar, and whatever syrupy flavoring Omega had picked out, of course–for his early morning fishing trips with a fisherman he’d befriended.

Crosshair felt a little guilty that he couldn’t recall the man’s name, especially when he found their symbiotic relationship so amusing; the short and skinny fisherman had someone who could pull the lines up easily and carry their haul, and Wrecker had someone that never tired of his boisterous retellings of their missions and misadventures.

While he waited for the pot to finish brewing, he moved to the window, looking out over one of the lower sections of the island. Dawn was still an hour or so out, but the sky was just beginning to glow with the idea of first light. The various light-sensitive lamps still lit lined the walkways and outsides. He had to admit the view was… nice.

“Cross?” Wrecker hummed. “You’re up early.”

Crosshair glanced over his shoulder at his brother, who was wiping the sleep from his eyes. He shrugged.

“You okay?” Wrecker asked, joining him next to the window.

“Fine,” he murmured, though he could barely even convince himself of it. Wrecker would see right through him.

“Thinking about Tantiss?”

Crosshair winced. “No.”

“If you don’t tell me, ’m gonna go wake up Omega,” Wrecker shrugged, nudging Crosshair’s shoulder. “She’ll make you talk.”

Crosshair eyed his brother, almost trying to call his bluff with a glare.

“Alright,” Wrecker said, his tone shifting from sleepy concern to somewhat irritable. “That’s fine, Cross. Don’t talk about it. You’ll feel great keepin’ it all to yourself.”

Wrecker went about preparing his caf, pointedly ignoring Crosshair as he wrestled his unruly pride.

“Fine,” he growled, stalking over to the kitchen counter next to his brother to lean against it. “I had another nightmare. That’s why I’m awake.”

Wrecker’s facade of indifference fell almost immediately. He nodded, prodding him to continue.

“Not about T-Tantiss this time,” he continued, face twisting into a scowl at the way he struggled to push the words out. “Barton IV and… Mayday.”

Wrecker’s eyes lifted to look at Crosshair. He didn’t let a single noise slip, terrified that if he did Crosshair would retreat. Where Wrecker had always been open, Crosshair was the opposite. He’d been skittish around emotions since they were barely out of the tube.

“Mayday was the commander at the Outpost,” he elaborated. He’d only mentioned Mayday to Omega before, and that was only because she asked. “There was only him and two others left from his squad. They’d been there over a year guarding… stormtrooper equipment. Getting picked off by raiders. The lieutenant I– I killed sent us off to track the raiders. After we found and… eliminated them, there was an avalanche. I would’ve been killed if he hadn’t pushed me out of the way.”

Wrecker couldn’t help but notice the way Crosshair shivered.

“I carried him back to the Outpost. He was hurt a-and by the time we got there, that lieutenant… h-he wouldn’t get a medic. Mayday…”

A shaking sob crawled up his body and he was quickly encircled by Wrecker’s arms. He was powerless to stop the tears rolling down his cheek.

“He should’ve lived– it-it should’ve been me th-that–”

Wrecked shushed him. “Don’t talk like that. He gave his life for you to live, Cross.”

His hand clung to Wrecker’s shirt helplessly. “I… I owe him everything.”

“I know, vod. But we can’t get stuck in all the shouldas,” Wrecker whispered. “We owe it to them to live our lives ‘nd be as happy as we can, right?”

Wrecker didn’t say who he was thinking of. He didn’t need to. Crosshair nodded.

“Then let’s live. For them.”

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Thanks for reading! - River

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[delicatebluebirdruins]

The screaming staircase reread

notes made whilst reading my paperback copy of the book

also the foreward where Stroud talks about the show and his first image of the story has me feeling so many things (I love this bookmark so much)

16th October 2024

3 I love the opening

4 Lockwood’s sillyness

5 “I spied a movement: something shifting in the halls black depths”

6 “all the usuals emotions featured” glad that the law states part was give to Lockwood in the show

9 “when entering the house…” I love this bit and the house description and “halls, landings and staircases are the arteries and airways of any building”

Bright death-glow, the landing on top feeling would never come across on screen “then we find ourselves a ghost”

15 ‘It’s the simple things that matter most”

16 “already checked everything back in the office’ did you though?

17 “lamplight glimmered darkly in his flop of hair” and “irony is cleverer”

17th October 2024

19 Harry Crisp

20 “she felt as if something was looking for her, that it knew she was there, but couldn’t find her…”

23 “a nail being hammered into wood” love the implications for this because how would Annie know the process of what Fairfax did to conceal his crime?

27 “scary things with your eyes” don’t blame George

29 “I saw a girl sanding there”

31 I love the terms being explained even though we have a glossary

33 Lucy’s sing song voice

37 Iron to the face.

40 “It’s my responsibility”/ “to make bad decisions?” Lmao “Sun coming out, Lockwood’s glare softened to a grin”-> what tipped you off that Mr Hope was a geologist?

47 knocked the filings

51 “She was prettier than me”… “she looked to be like the kind of girl I’d always instinctively disliked” internalised misogyny Ding! Ding!

53 description of body

55 “would you call that even the slightest bit controlled? Nope I would not”

18th October 2024

57 the locket! I love this description

60 “sooty grin”… “suspended together between heat and cold”

66 Highgate Terror and the Mud Lane Phantom

68 the terror of the abuse not being finished with death… seven girls? Lucy is baby

72 Penny Nolan + pretty field of flowers

73 mustard coloured jackets and first sunrise corporation

74 Fittes Manual for Ghost-hunters; all sisters apart from Mary left home; advancement and ambitions; all her team died as “Jacob began to lose his nerve” (you know in the show they changed the name to Moorgate Mill? Real place in Wessex apparently)

80 “more accurate” piss off and an update on what happened to the mill and leaving for London

19th October 2024

84 corner shop my love

87 Umbrellas, walking sticks and rapiers

88 Lockwood smile, green and white spotted handkerchief “Almost here”

90 Murton Colliery Horror

92 “when he smiled at me, a warm light seemed to suffuse the room”

97-98 blessed scene- did the Skull first and the three (good, bad and indifferent) at the same time

100 “don’t care wave”

104 attic and more books

106 I love this bit in the show with the gag of Lucy pushing the lid and revealing the insult (It would have been funnier if George called Lockwood out on the time change or cases messed up)

108 Joe and Esmeralda (their namesakes Marissa’s ghosts) we can have them in the show it would just be them getting repaired

110 Uncle Lockwood- Hey Kensal Green!

112 I love Lucy talking about Lockwood and complaining about George

115 “Walking into darkness with Lockwood at my side”

119 dismissing his grandchild Lockwood’s pointed questions (spiders attracted cats repelled)

124 Clever Lucy wish we could have seen this scene in the show

128 love Cameron delivering this line in the show “you’d think…” love the talk about George

Part three the Necklace

133 “like dragon scales”

135 I wish this scene was in the show. Lockwood talking to Lucy and telling her they're going to the hospital. Alas we might have got it if Netlflix wasn't allergic to anything more than eight episodes (or the episodes were longer)

138 “adrenalin in the ambulance and stopped the rot”

140 Lucy don’t be dense hate this scene

143 how big a reward? Is it still applicable?

146 I am so glad this storm cleared

20th October 2024

153 “Barnes liked the rules more than most”… “inexpressibly old”

156 four weeks to two in the show and Barnes dissmissal of other cultures (so really upping the stakes in the show)

158 “it’s easily started by grotesque shapes” George!

160 now people cancelled the cases… did she?

165 “I messed up and disaster followed”

168 ghost-fog is so cool and Annie is so creepy here

172 “the smiley giraffe” 173 George is so funny

180 "maybe I just wanted to save something of her, so she wouldn't be completely lost..."

183 "this necklace is more significant to Annabel Ward than her own bodily remains..."

185 wanting to save Annie... how hot was the Sheen Road fire?

191 Lockwood requests and asks her to connect with Annie's memory

195 "marks of their profession and status"

200 here here George "I say it's a crime to refuse free food"

201 Gibbet hill?

203 Lockwood's wolf like smile

205 the moment that sparked a number of questions all boiled down to did Kipps know Jessica and like her? (personally I think they were friends)

207 Love this bit "almost got it Kipps" wish we got to Jack Bandeira jump around a bit in the show

209 a note of when this begins again Hugo Blake is 100% guilty

216 I want a mint

218 "doesn't really add anything" LOCKWOOD WHAT

219 Lockwood's aesthetically long coat hindering him again

21st October

222 casually threatening children

225 "she was so radiant it was like the other-light was already on her"

232 potential murderer

237 "this was our house, our home"

240 I like the change in the show "can I offer you some tea" intruder using the ghosts as distractions and weapons

255 Compliments on ghost-wards

258 ingratiation with the trio

265 missing boy of the Fittes team :(

271 George and Lucy team up

273 Lucy's scary eyes

278 "obviously guilty" HOW? (I really want to know Lockwood's thought process as it so obvious that he was suspecting Fairfax quite early on)

282 the Skull? "talking quietly in the next room" (when Lucy is showing Annabel the group* picture) I wonder how this story would have changed if the Skull was heard by Lucy earlier on? how many more insults would we get?... as I was typing this up I came to ask myself am I the Skull? when reading this book? and the answer might very well be yes

*good idea she should have got a copy and cut it up and just showed the other people one by one see what happens

284 worried Lockwood is my favourite

287 *sarcasm* I wonder who else is in the picture

22nd October 2024

289 Lmao Lucy

291 dear Cousin Throckmorton (i had the exact same reaction the first time I read the book)

292 ululation is a word I forgot the meaning of (and all I could think looking at it is Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds)... I love a map... blackface of course the crimes Fairfax has commited is varied for sure

294 "not really relevant" but isn't it though? not a thought in this girls head honestly

302 "Lucy's terribly jaded"

309 "the house was just the gate"

313 Lockwood's customer service voice must be great. It has to be.

315 another puzzle piece

320 "we worked together" a well you say? well, well, well

324 Lockwood talking about what type of man Fairfax is "a dreadful one isn't it obvious?" to me? Yes both times I've read the book and even without watching the show first. George and Lucy however? not so sure it is

23rd October 2024

328 disconcertingly bright death-glows

332 "I didn't like it's face"

334 clever George

337 Lockwood not believing in the Screaming Staircase

345 hello smell of blood

347 more bright death-glows

348 "It looks like blood, it smells like it. it'll do as blood for me" (I like the show altering this line a little bit to make it run better)

353 lmao Lockwood "You're a girl aren't you meant to be more sensitive"

362 those poor cats- hey Lucy does have a brain it just took a minute to catch up

365 poor little boy "his other-light lit nothing but himself"

368 I love this converstation and Lucy being pleasant about it

372 "Lockwood was too good a leader to ignore so strong a warning"

377 "it had come from the locket... A burst of energy" Aw Annie is trying to help

378 Lockwood "No Lucy, that's not the way it's going to be"

385 funny George... don't worry Lucy will slap Lockwood you just have to wait a bit

386 Castle Sherbourne? 388 Lockwood noticing the smoke

389 Fairfax a self made man my aunt fanny

393 "Don't give me that. You had no idea" George might have actually and just didn't share it like Lockwood did

394 "she was an actor too... she'd had a promising acting career, but had given it up because of... something or other"

400 Lockwood is cool, calm and collected

402 "feel free to shoot the girl' Lockwood said something, but I didn't hear what" okay what did Lockwood say?

406 "pretentious, self-regarding sort of fellow"

407 "Will Fairfax" the acting name but Will Fairfax ever grow up?

409 "passion between them" concealment and performance of secret relationships...

412 Forgot? Good for Annie though

413 Clever Lockwood sending a message to Barnes (also why did DEPRAC show up in the show?)

415 Grebe seeing and recognising the silver glass and going "uh oh"

421 Starkins being spooked by DEPRAC is so funny

424 Barnes is so great "in keeping with tradition, Inspector Barnes managed to remain deeply annoyed with us while grudgingly congratulating us on a job well done."

425 Lockwood defending his choices and the "fullest most radiant smile" is so great

427 prep school nice (have fun kids)

428 Sad "His name was Sam McCarthy. For the record, he'd been twelve years old." (I do love the show for having Penelope approached and thanked the trio personally and having them attend the funeral as well)

431 party time hello "harp"

433 "we met each others eyes, smiled, and looked away"

435 I LOVE Lucy telling Lockwood about the Mill Incident

437 I giggle quite a bit at Lucy going "I don't need lights" and immediatly trips over a box

439 Lucy has no time for your nonsense

440 Lockwoods laugh and how well Lucy knows him "He'd thrown his head back, I could tell"

[blackghostm2o]

Ok… I’ve watched Love Never Dies, the Australian version. Spoilers (if you even care)

The ending is horrible… It feels… Unfinished? Idk if that makes sense and I don’t even know how to explain it. Someone could probably say: “Yeah, That’s how an open ending works.” Ok, but it feels like the play should continue just a lil bit more…

Now… Idk if it’s just me misunderstanding, but at first didn’t Madame Giry say that she and Meg helped MISTER Y (pretty shitty name if you ask me, it would have been a lil better if they used the E to make it sound like Mystery and also allude to the name Erik) to go to the States, like saving him? Later Meg is being: “I’ve come here for him and restarted my own life for him and he doesn’t even care.” (Not really, but you get it).

Madame Giry idolising Mr. Y??? Meg loving Mr. Y (I hate this name, I’ll call him Phantom from now on). Idk… It really feels wrong, really random and out of character. Both of their relationship with the Phantom are strange, don’t like it. Also Meg KILLING CHRISTINE???? They were good friends, but ok… Let’s play the devil’s advocate and say that she went a bit crazy, why tf the Phantom was “Oh! But you are like a rough diamond! The BeAuTy UnDerNeAtH! But btw… Nobody can be like Christine.” DUDE!!! WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU!??! She has a gun and is jealous af rn! Mah… Needless death.

The characters have been butchered, not only the 2 Giry, but also Raoul and Christine.

I’m not a really big Raoul fan (I admit it), but I don’t think he could be a gambler, a raging alcoholic and a shitty father… Nah, that’s not Raoul. His main song is about he being a shitty person and you think “maybe he will get better” WRONG! He takes a bet with the Phantom (he’s a gambler so it checks out). That choke scene??? ,’:)

Christine loving the Phantom… Hmmm, not really in line with ALW poto. Her having sex with the Phantom… Don’t really like it. When would have happened? The ending of PotO wouldn’t make sense if they had sex before.

Another thing that really annoys me is him having a freak show. Even in ALW’s canon he was used as an attraction so why would he open a place like that and inflict to others what happened to him as a kid. I believe that he would burn down a place like that instead of opening one.

Some songs are good and really catchy, others are ok.

LND is basically ALW being the 1st Erikstine fan, that’s it.

[chvoswxtch]

Hey lovely

Can I get a Margarita with a side of inspiration? How about this quote: 'If I could, I would kiss away all of your scars.' It's kinda like that Taylor Swift line from 'Willow' - 'Show me the places where the others gave you scars.'

And if it's not too much trouble, could Mr. Murdock or Mr. Castle hook me up?

Thanks for inviting me, love! I'm delighted to have stumbled upon your account. I adore you, always <3

my darling nes!!!

thank you so much for this request. i had frankie hook you up for this one, bc i feel like this song fits him really well. i hope you enjoy! 🥂

blurb below the cut

willow

show me the places where the others gave you scars

Frank hated his scars. They were a constant, physical reminder of the hell that he had endured, and had unleashed on this world in his bloodthirsty need for vengeance. They were the evidence etched into his flesh that his nightmares weren’t just dreams, they were haunting memories. Even though the wounds had long ago healed, he still felt the phantom pain when he looked at them, as if they had been ripped open all over again.

Sometimes it felt like a lifetime ago. Sometimes it didn’t feel real at all. Sometimes, he could trick himself into forgetting any of it had happened.

Until he looked at them.

He especially hated you looking at them. You were the one semblance of peace he had found amidst the wreckage he had crafted, and he never wanted to taint you with the demons that lingered beneath the crests and carvings that marked his skin. Frank had given you the briefest of summaries about his past, but he knew that you knew more than you let on. You never asked him for any detail, wanting him to be the one to offer it if he felt comfortable, but he had shown the world what he really was a long time ago, and that proof wasn’t hard to find.

Frank only made love to you in the dark. Since he was an early riser and woke up before you, he was always dressed by the time your eyes were just starting to flutter open. He never let you see him in his most vulnerable form. Hearing and reading about what he had done was one thing. But being face to face with it, being able to authenticate it with your touch, he was scared of that. He didn’t know what you would think of him if you really saw him.

One morning as the earliest rays of dawn began to filter through the curtains, Frank awoke to a featherlight touch tracing invisible shapes and lines on his skin. It took a few moments for him to fully wake, and once his vision cleared and you came into focus, he froze. You weren’t tracing invisible shapes and patterns, you were outlining the marks on his skin. Frank began to panic, a million thoughts and worst possible case scenarios racing through his head. When he silently reached out to gently grasp onto your wrist, he finally caught your gaze.

And it broke his heart.

There was an undeniable sadness in your eyes and tugging down the corners of your lips. But he wasn’t sure exactly what it was from. Were you disgusted? Were you upset thinking about what he had done to earn these? Were you gonna leave?

Frank cleared his throat as he looked away from your unwavering stare, glancing down at the mosaic of chaos and rage that covered his body.

“I uh…know they ain’t pretty to look at.”

“They’re hard to look at.”

Frank closed his eyes hearing the evident pain in your voice. This is exactly what he had been avoiding. He felt you shift closer into his side, your soft palm gently cradling his jaw, and when he opened his eyes, he was met with a somber smile on your lips and a gentle, warm look in your eyes.

“Only because it reminds me just how much you’ve gone through…how much you’ve lost. It makes me sad for you, baby. Because I hate the thought of you being in pain like that. Not just physically. I know these are nothing compared to the ones that must be on your heart.”

Frank’s lips parted in surprise at your words, and a sight furrow formed between his dark brows.

“They don’t…you don’t hate seein’ ‘em?”

“I don’t love seeing them, but I don’t hate them. I think they’ll always make me sad to look at, but they also remind me that you’re alive. You made it through all of that, and you found your way to me. You’re home, and you’re safe, and you’re mine. That’s all I care about. Please don’t ever feel like you have to hide anything about yourself from me. Nothing could ever make me love you any less.”

Even though the self-loathing programmed in Frank’s subconscious wanted to pick apart your words and find holes in them, the conviction in your voice and the look of pure adoration in your eyes couldn’t be contested. You meant every word, and that moved Frank to tears. 

Because you were right.

He was home. You were both safe. And you were his.

And when you traced his scars with your lips, he felt no pain. 

Just love.

[hannahmanderr]

Ohhh new ship ask game. Paulina and Danny maybe?

"And... why do you want me specifically?"

Paulina flashed Danny her heart-melting smile. "Because! You've got a great shape for it, and you wouldn't want to let me down, would you?"

"Of course not," he said, trying to contain his sigh. Sure, he'd gotten over her more than a year ago, but he couldn't help it. He was a people-pleaser. Especially when it came to his people.

It still didn't mean he was totally okay with being used like this.

"Plus just think! The statement you'll make!" Paulina threw an arm around his shoulder and spread her hand across the horizon in front of them. "Picture it: some los- er, a lost soul finding their way because you, Danny Phantom, were bold enough to take a stand! How could you let an opportunity like that pass you by?"

To his credit, he didn't flinch when she used his celebrity name. After all, much to his (and Sam's) surprise, she had respected him enough to continue to call him Danny Fenton, unlike some kids, who for some reason thought they could just call him Phantom as he passed by in the hallway. Or even worse, the adults who would refer to him as Mr. Phantom, even if he was very obviously in human form.

But he couldn't deny the flashbacks of the shrines she'd built in her locker freshman and sophomore years. She'd torn them down immediately, of course, after the revelation, but they still burned a hole in his memory.

Plus she'd never actually admitted to having lost her crush on 'her' ghost boy. For all he knew, this was a ruse to get him closer to her.

Still though, Paulina was cleverly manipulative. She knew exactly what to say to tug on his core and make him want to give in.

He groaned. "Alright, fine, but this is a one-time thing, you hear?"

She squealed and grabbed his hand. "Oh, Danny, you're the best! I promise, if you hate it, you'll never have to do it again! I swear!"

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

Well.

He didn't hate it. Surprisingly.

Actually, it looked really... pretty?

Sitting there, a half hour after Paulina had approached him, he rotated his hand, letting the sun catch the different colors in the polish she'd painted on his nails. At one angle, it looked like a deep, vibrant teal, and if he tilted it just to the side, it turned into a rich, shiny purple. Tiny sparkles covered the whole nail, reflecting like hundreds of itty bitty stars in a sky that he held on his finger.

"How'd you get it to do the multi-color thing?" he asked absently. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight.

Paulina was still bent over his other hand, working on painstakingly applying more polish. He didn't understand, considering she'd done that hand in the same holographic colors, but she insisted it wasn't finished. "I didn't do it. It's just the polish. Now cállate! I'm trying to concentrate."

Apparently she was very serious about her manicure skills. The way she shushed him, stuck her tongue out a bit as she worked, and moved ever so carefully, it all showed a dedication to the art that he had never realized was possible.

Another two minutes passed before she sat upright, nearly causing Danny to jump three feet in the air. "There!" she said triumphantly, putting the lid back on the polish bottle. "Tell me what you think of that."

At first, he couldn't see what she'd done differently. The nails were shinier than they had been - probably that clear bottle sitting to her side - but nothing else had changed.

And then he saw it.

Only on his ring finger, his logo, perfectly painted out onto the nail in white. It stood out against the purple and blue and green of the polish underneath and brought out the tiny stars even more.

His heart caught in his throat. Sure, he'd seen plenty of people wearing his logo in many different ways by now, but this... something about this was different. Maybe it was how he couldn't help but see the depths of space now at his fingertips. Maybe it was how she'd clearly spent a lot of time and effort making the logo look absolutely perfect, without a stray line to be seen. Maybe it was how instead of standing out loudly, garishly like he saw on so much other merchandise featuring it, it somehow simultaneously blended in yet stood out elegantly, subtly.

Paulina watched him gape wordlessly at his hand. She flipped her hair over her shoulder with a proud smile. "Told you it'd be great," she said with the confidence of someone who'd never doubted her skill for a moment.

She had every right to have that confidence, as far as he was concerned.

He looked up at her, still unable to speak, and her grin only widened. "Do you want me to do the other one?"

Danny immediately nodded, then stopped himself. "Would... would it be weird if I... left it on?" he asked quietly. He wasn't opposed to the polish itself, of course, but to walk around school, around town with something that wasn't really his? Even if he loved it?

Her laugh tinkled in the air. "Of course, silly! Why would I spend so much time just for you to get rid of it?" she giggled as she reopened the bottle.

Her grin didn't fade as she bent over the hand he'd been admiring. "Just wait till you see what other designs I've been working on."

"You have more?"

She glanced up at him. "Uh, duh. But... I suppose you said it was just this one time," she said with a sigh.

Danny blushed. "Well, I - uh, you know... I mean, maybe you could... um... again - only if you want to though! I wouldn't - I can't -"

Her laugh echoed across the field and up into the sky.

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

~~Send me a ship and I'll write the first scene that comes to mind between the characters!

[burntblueberrywaffles]

Fic tag game

got tagged by @fangeek-girl ❤️❤️

How many works do you have on Ao3?

I have 7 works but 3 of them are fanfic lol

2. What's your Ao3 word count?

1896 words total. Your girl is definitely one for brevity LOL

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Wednesday, that one drabble I made for The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and I've been writing for Star Wars (though I haven't posted anything yet) and Mrs maisel (i wrote a whole short fic for that almost a year ago but I forgot about it completely until I found it in my notes apps, I should get around to posting it)  

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

I don't have 5 fics total but here's my current count in order:

1-Lies

2-The world's a little blurry

3-Pretend

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes always! the fact that people are READING my stuff and taking time to comment has me 🥺🥺🥺

My writing ao3 isnt linked to my main email adress though so sometimes it takes me a while to respond because I wont see it until I periodically check my fic stats

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

.....Probably The world's a little blurry let's be real (I'm going to fix it it in the next one in the series, I promise!!!)

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

akdadhjgsjgd hard to say all my shit is angsty, I guess Pretend?? kind of, it's less of a downer than the other ones. The final part of Come a little closer will have a happy ending though I promise! (already finished writing the end, I just need to write the beginning lol)

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No ❤️ I don't think any of my stuff has gotten enough attention for that lol

9. Do you write smut? What kind?

NO my ace ass has no experience with that so I wouldn't know how 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️(I might need to in some future project, fortunately a lot of my friends are perverts (affectionate) so I could probably ask for some guidance if it comes to that LOL)

10. Do you write cross-overs?

No, I'm not a big fans of crossovers in general so certainly have never felt compelled to write one.

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No

12. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

No

13. What WIP you would like to finish, but doubt you ever will?

So many ugh I cant even choose, it's more rare for me to actually finish something than the opposite, that's why I'll never post anything unless the whole thing is finished (only exception is my current series, but that's because I felt like each fic making up the series were self-contained enough that they didn't need to follow up immediatly to work? if that makes sense - plus the first one was a one shot and only thought of how to follow it up after posting it)

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

ANIDALA MY BELOVED

15. What are your writing strengths?

I think I'm really good at imagery and emotion (being a poetry writer goes brrrrr)

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

DESCRIPTIONS oh god I'm so bad at it. My fic are vibes only lmao, what are they wearing? where are they? what movements are they doing? NOT IMPORTANT how about I offer you 12 metaphors on how this character is feeling instead. (though I'm forcing myself to work on it haha)

I also struggle with any longer story arc... there's a reason all my stuff is so short lol

17. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

If it's in french it would be pretty fun since it's my ✨first language✨ hehe. For other languages I'd see if one of my friends speak it but otherwise idk if I'd include it bc I don't want to butcher another language, I've seen too many english authors put french through the ringer it's painful 😭

18. First fandom you wrote for?

I guess Julie and the Phantoms? I never posted it but I had a pretty advanced fic for that. unless you count the 13 reasons why fic I posted on wattpas when i was early teen but we dont talk about that

19. Favourite fic you've ever written?

right now it has to be The world's a little blurry, I just love how it came out hehe

20. What fic would you want to rewrite one day?

none right now.

Anyway tagging @nonamemanga @beri-allen @unlifeira @realmermaid333 @suchaladyy @witchysith @king-crimson-works @theycallme-thejackal and anyone else who might want to do it!

[artzychic27]

A little something for the Monster High au, because… True Monster High is honestly a bop for me

@imsparky2002 @msweebyness

“Hey, guys,” Nathaniel greets as his wings take him over to his class’ usual lunch table. Ivan and Alix make room for him so he can stretch them out a bit after his guard shift. “Did I miss anything?”

Kim answers, chucks of his steak flying out of his mouth and onto his tray. “Nah, you’re just in time. Looks like Jean’s got a performance planned.” Alix gives him a swift slap to the arm, reminding him not to talk with his mouthful. “He’s been hinting that he got inspired by a history lesson from like… A week ago?”

Nino gives a low, impressed whistle. “Damn, he writes fast.”

Rose’s bones begin to rattle with excitement. “Well, I can’t wait to watch! Do you think he has someone singing in his place, or he’s using a recording?”

Quickly swatting away one of the flies buzzing around her, Sabrina groans and gets a few nods from around the table.

“Yeah, I do like hearing his voice,” Marinette agrees. “Well, fingers crossed.” She struggles a bit to cross her felt fingers. When Nino tries to help her, she swats his hand away. “I got it, hold on…” Eventually, she gets it. “Fingers crossed.” Alya gives a fond roll of her eyes and tussles her yarn hair. “Oh! It looks like it starting!”

The lights in the cafeteria dim a bit, the only source of light coming from Aurore’s hand, scenting as sort of a spotlight for the young phantom who stands in the middle of the room as a soft guitar melody plays from somewhere, followed by Jean’s disembodied voice.

Jean: Have you ever heard the story

Of dear old Mr. Hyde?

Half human and half monster

Whom everyone despised

Alya gasps and quickly whips out her phone.

Many of the students were becoming interested and were literally on the edge of their seats. The story of Jekyll and Hyde was the most famous story in monster history, of course, they were interested.

Jean: It's a cautionary tale

That should never be forgotten

Jean walks through the cafeteria, which turns into more of a glide thanks to his phantom powers

Jean: His secret was his undoing

Then things turned out really rotten

He gets up on top of a table and strikes a pose before flipping his hair and turning to the crowd with a smirk

Jean: Gimme a beat!

While there was a rhythmic drumming coming from wherever the music was playing, the students added on by hitting their lunch trays against the table or tapping their feet/talons/hooves against the floor

Jean: Mr. Hyde, he tried and tried

To fit in with his kind

Monsters hated human Jekyll

And humans hated the monster Hyde

Could you imagine being both and neither at the same time?

Mr. Hyde, he was truly cursed

'Cause we know monsters are the best, yeah

“Hell yeah!” Cosette cheered.

Jean: And humans are the worst, bleh

Jean stuck out his tongue on cue with the lyrics

Jean: Humans are the scariest, smelliest and hairiest

They're all a bunch of creepy freaks

In time with the beat, the students and even some teachers clap.

Jean: We're the coolest of the cool

We all know that monsters rule

Clap along if you agree!

The students all clap.

Jean: Don't be afraid to show your tru-u-u-u-ue monster heart

Don't be afraid to show your tru-u-u-u-ue monster heart

At this point, a few of the students, specifically the couples have gotten up to dance around the phantom in what almost looks like a choreographed routine

Jean: Okay okay okay yeah

Go ahead and let it out

You know it's time to shout

Do what us monsters do and show your tru-u-u-u-ue

Show your tru-u-u-u-ue monster heart

M O N S T E R, hey

Show them who you really are

H U M A N S, hey

A few students on the fearleading squad spell out the letters with their severed limbs and serve as sort of back up dancers for Jean when the couples take their seats for a moment

Jean: Humans are the worst and we're the best!

Mr. Hyde was put on trial

His crime, hiding the truth

No one would believe him

'Cause his heart was half untrue

Jean approaches his boyfriend and taps where his heart would be. The young reaper plays along and pretends to look aghast before the two share a quick kiss

Jean: Rules are rules and when monsters chose

To enforce the rules it got gruesome

No one ever had his back

Hyde was shunned, that's a fact

They were scared 'cause he was half human, ugh

Chloé gags in time with the lyrics and smiles a bit when she sees Sabrina dancing in her seat.

Jean: Humans are unbearable, altogether terrible!

Chloé: Just a bunch of freaky creeps!

Zoé looks almost shocked when she heard Chloé sing along, but still claps.

Jean: Humans smell like dirty socks

Denise: We all know that monsters rock.

Simon looks at his partner with fondness in his eye at the sound of their singing voice.

Marc: Clap along if you agree.

With that line, Marc crossed one leg over the other and clapped all four of his hands to the beat.

Jean: Don't be afraid to show your tru-u-u-u-ue monster heart

Don't be afraid to show your tru-u-u-u-ue monster heart

Okay okay okay yeah

True to his love for the Rockabilly genre, Jean does a knee slide, eliciting an uproar of cheers from everyone in the room and got a few students to throw up the goats

Jean: Go ahead and let it out

You know it's time to shout

Do what us monsters do and show your tru-u-u-u-ue

Show your tru-u-u-u-ue monster heart

M O N S T E R, I say

Show them who you really are, let's go

H U M A N S, ugh

Humans are the worst and we're the best

Jean finishes his performance with a pose in the middle of the room as the students and teachers clap and cheer for the phantom. He gives a bow and preens off the praise.

“Thank you!” They finally speak. “Thank you! As usual, it is a pleasure performing for you all!” With a quick flip of their hair, Jean sits at their table where they’re met with congratulatory pats on the back.

“Bonito!” Denise gives Jean a strong pat on the back, almost making him fall out of his seat. “It was so worth the wait.”

“Warn me before you come at me with that masterpiece!” Ismael exclaims and curls up by Jean to purr against him. “In all seriousness, that was a total bop. Give me a copy of that, will ya?”

Jean smiles and gives Ismael a scratch behind the ears. “Of course, Ismael.”

“That was by far the greatest performance I have ever seen!” Her eyes turn a bright yellow to match her current emotions. “An excellent retelling of Hyde and the Doctor. Though, it does make me wonder what happened to him.”

Cosette points to the extraterrestrial. “Oh, now that’s a mystery. No one knows where he went, but anywhere he goes, he’s not gonna be accepted.”

“It is the sad life of a monster-human hybrid,” Reshma chirps. “Humans fear him, monsters hate him. He cannot win.”

Out of the corner of their eye, Denise catches Simon staring at something from across the room. “Everything alright, amour?” The students all look at what has Simon’s attention and find a strange blur going past the window.”

Marc squints his eyes. “Am I the only one who saw that?”

“Definitely not,” Zoé answers.

“Maybe it’s one of the shadow imps,” Mireille figures, and their friends all shrug and take that as the answer.

Outside, a hooded figure sprints away from the school, thankfully going unnoticed as the gargoyles were all on break. Feeling his hood starting to fall, he pulls it back over his head to cover his blonde locks and continue his sprint.

‘Well,’ he thinks in between pants. ‘They’re definitely not going to like having a human at their school next month.’

[onlygenxhere]

Jatp/10 Things I Hate About You AU

In honor of the third anniversary of the premier of Julie and the Phantoms here is the 10 Things I Hate about You AU I will never write.

I’m not going to explain a whole lot about 10 Things. If you’ve seen the movie this should make sense, If not I highly recommend.  

Luke is Patrick – With his sleeveless tees and his doesn’t give a crap about school attitude. Think more brooding musician Luke, less excited puppy. He gets sent to the office all the time for skipping class to write music.

“You’re not afraid of me are you?”

Julie is Kat – Angry at the world. Her mother died three years ago and she’s moved on from grief to anger. The only scene I have an idea about is changing the dancing drunk on a table scene to singing karaoke drunk on a table. Cause I’d still want her to hit her head and have Luke catch her and take her outside and worry she’s got a concussion.

That whole scene on the swing set, need it.

“Why are you doing this?”

“I told you you may have a concussion.”

“You don’t care if I never wake up.”

“Sure I do.”

“Why?”

“Because then I’d have to start taking out girls that actually like me.”

“Like you could find one.”

“Oh, See, that, there. Who needs affection when I have blind hatred.”

“Ugh, just let me sit.”

“So why’d you let him get to you?”

“Who?”

“Bobby?”

“I hate him.”

“Well you’ve chosen the perfect revenge, mainlining tequila.”

“Well you know what they say?”

“Nope, what do they say?”

Julie passes out.

“No, no, no, no, Julie wake up look at me! Listen to me Julie open your eyes!”

Julie opens her eyes to see Luke hovering over her.

“Hey, what color even are you eyes? Every time I look at you they’re different.”

He smiles at her.

She throws up.  

Reggie is Cameron – New kid in school. Completely smitten by Flynn the first time he sees her just like Cameron is with Bianca.

“I burn, I pine, I parish…”

Alex is Michael – He’s a band geek instead of future MBA (Masters Business Administration) like Michael was. He knows all the gossip about everyone. He’s the one showing Reggie around campus when Reggie sees Flynn for the first time. He could also be the one that sets up the apology song (Can’t keep my eyes off of you) for Luke to sing to Julie with the band chiming in.

Flynn is Bianca – Kat’s/ Julie’s sister. I’m going to go with Flynn being adopted a couple years after Julie was born.

“Can you for one night forget that you are completely retched and be my sister… please.”

So they wouldn’t be the same age like in jatp but a couple years apart like in 10 things. So everyone but Flynn and Carrie are seniors.

Willie is Mandella – Kat’s best friend who Alex has a crush on. No weird Shakespeare thing needed. Maybe Alex just leaves a regular old note in their locker asking them to prom? Maybe it’s not a “regular” note but one on the back of a postcard of a famous painting by Willie’s favorite artist.

Carrie is Chastity – Flynn’s best friend.

“I know you can be overwhelmed and you can be underwhelmed but can you ever just be whelmed?”

“I think you can in Europe.”

Bobby is Joey – It’s definitely believable that that character could be an idiot jackass and I think I can believe he’s a model if he was prepped up some (less grunge more styled). The only weird would be that he’d end up taking Carrie to the prom and most of us write them as related. I was thinking they don’t HAVE to be related but then again maybe it’d be even funnier if they were cousins and she was his only option after Flynn ditched him for Reggie.

Bobby punches Reggie.

Flynn punches Bobby.

“Shit Flynn! I’m shooting a nose spray add tomorrow!”

“That’s for making my date bleed!”

Punches him again.

“That’s for my sister!”

Knees him in the groin.

“And that’s for me!”

She helps Reggie up off the floor.

“Are you ok?”

He smiles, “Never been better.”

KISSES!

Nick is Bogey Lowenstein – Rich band nerd not cool jock. It works well enough.

“You guys please, take it outside!” Fighting boys crash through the window. “Thank you!”

Ray is Mr. Stratford – Kat and Flynn’s dad. I know on jatp he’d a photographer but he’d just have to be a gynecologist in this because all his panic about the girls dating is way too funny to skip and with the pregnancy belly he makes Bianca put on at one point.

“I know who you want to bend the rules for it’s that hotrod Bobby.”

Caleb is Ms. Perky –The principle. Who doesn’t want to see Caleb spending time writing a romance novel instead of disciplining the children? I can just see him trying to think of new words for “throbbing member” and Luke or Julie giving him an answer he’s pleased with.  

“The point is Julie. People perceive you as somewhat…”

“Tempestuous”

“Heinous bitch is the term used most often.”

Julie grins.

“You might want to work on that… Thank you.”

“As always thank you for your excellent guidance Mr. Covington. I’ll let you get back to Christopher’s quivering member.”

“Quivering member, hum, I like that.”

Mrs. Harrison is Mr. Morgan - The English teacher, no stretch here.

Carlos and Victoria could still be there just in much more minor rolls. They would be pretty much how they are on jatp.

[tj-dragonblade]

Tagged by @seiya-starsniper, thank you! It's delightful to see new/different get-to-know-me questions circulating

Who was your first fictional crush?

Tygra from Thundercats. Had a friend when I was maybe ten and we'd hang out at recess and she'd make up Thundercats stories, and she loved picking on Tygra in these stories, so at some point I ended up going 'stop being mean to him, fuck it he's mine now' and I don't know if you'd call it a proper crush but there you go.

What’s the first colour you think of when I tell you to think of a colour? …Purple

Which fanfiction emotionally scarred you and still makes you shudder to this day? Don't know that I've ever been scarred by fic, per se. But that MCU fic where they used pancake syrup as lube still drifts to mind every now and then

I’m coming to your house for dinner, non-negotiable, what are you making me? Ahhhhhh, uhm, I don't really have the kitchen skills uh. I will corral Mr TJ to make you his signature chili and cornbread

Do you prefer lions or kangaroos? Kangaroos

Which fictional villain do you brush past the glaringly obvious issues for because you really like them? Danzo from Naruto perhaps - I mean it's not an 'oh my god I just love this guy' kind of thing as 'this dude is absolutely fascinating and compelling as a villain to the story who willingly makes himself the villain for the greater good and thereby maybe sees himself a sort of hero.' I enjoy him where most of fandom loves to just hate on him, and I definitely like him far better than any of the other villains that Naruto fandom adores

But also. Erik, Phantom of the Opera? Like yeah okay he's Got Issues he's murdered he's a stalker a manipulator etc etc but I have never felt inclined to root for anyone else in that story, sorry. He's probably the prime candidate if I was going to undertake to rewrite 'the story you think you know' a la Wicked or Maleficent

What would accompany your picture in the Burn Book in Mean Girls? I'm sorry I have never seen Mean Girls and don't know enough to answer this one

How many days would you last in the universe of your favourite fandom? Favorite as in current? Barring that 24-hour diner business (I had the impression it was worldwide but I could be wrong), probably alright. Favorite as in longest-standing? I'll probably be fine in the Trek-verse too

Have you heard of Mischief Theatre? I have not

Do you feel sorry for Medusa? Not something I'd ever thought about? But I am a fan of the trend of taking classic stories and reworking them from new perspectives, different points of view, with the idea that the narrative we're used to being given may not be how it actually went. So…I'm inclined to view her sympathetically?

Which song makes you think of your OTP? Uh, for current otp, maybe it would be Ville Valo's Olet Mun Kaikuluotain? Not even lyrically, just. Vibes. Soft waltzy quiet cozy romance vibes and that's what I want for them

Which song makes you disassociate and daydream the fastest? Depends on several factors but usually it will be if a song is firmly attached to a story in my head, where the story is built on or around the song. Like there was a whole multi-incarnation backstory I had in my head for Goujun/Tenpou at one point in my Saiyuki days, springboarded from Nightwish's Ghost Love Score to some degree, and for awhile that song would put me deep in the thought-spinning for that (which of course I never wrote)

Tagging, no obligation, tag me in your existing post as applicable: @danikatze, @zzoomacroom, @teejaystumbles, @academicblorbo, @staroftheendless, @chaosheadspace, @rooftopwreck

[archduchessofnowhere]

“With her I experienced the curious feeling of living in today yet being able to reach out and touch the past”

Second and final part of Catherine Barjansky's account of her meetings with Queen Marie Sophie in 1914 (you can read part 1 here). In this part Catherine goes to a strange concert, tells us of Marie's eating habits, and reflects over the Wittlesbach sister's lives while sculpting. Also completely unwarranted Francesco II's looks bashing (we hate to see it):

A few days later my husband and I received a letter from the Comtesse de la Tour, inviting us to accompany the Queen of Naples to a concert in Geneva and to dine with her. When we reached the hotel lobby the Comtesse was waiting for us.

“The Queen will come in a moment,” she announced, and she hurried away. The Comtesse too lived in a phantom kingdom, and the etiquette of a court was part of the fabric of her life.

In a little while the lady in waiting returned with the Queen, the little white-haired Comtesse pattering along with fast steps, struggling to keep up with the long swift pace of the Queen. The latter was dressed as inconspicuously as though she wished to be invisible, in a long black coat, black hat, and black veil. She passed through the lobby like a breeze, a little breath of cold air, and yet eyes followed her as she went because she was so unlike anyone else.

In a dark automobile driven by an old chauffeur, we went to the concert hall. That was a strange concert, for most of the musicians were busy making war instead of making music, and the orchestra had been scrambled together haphazardly. Few of the players were professional musicians; they were unaccustomed to ensemble playing, and they had been inadequately rehearsed. Yet the conductor, though he was manifestly dissatisfied with the result, drew some wonderful phrases from them. He was, we learned from the program, the great musician and composer, Ernest Bloch.

The Queen, stiff and erect it was impossible to imagine that emaciated body at rest listened to the music with closed eyes. And when the concert was over, she hastened through the hall like drifting smoke and into a side street where her motorcar was waiting.

Dinner was served in the small dining room of her suite. While we waited to be summoned, the Comtesse told us that the Queen was accustomed to dining early because she ate only one meal a day. The routine of her life, like everything about her, was strange. Every morning, regardless of the weather, she went out at eight o'clock and for two hours walked swiftly through the streets. Geneva is famous for its disagreeable and severe winds, but they never prevented the Queen from taking her outing. It was almost as though she disregarded the weather, as she did mankind, as unworthy of her notice.

When she returned to her hotel she ate some ice cream. Between three and four in the afternoon a large dinner was served, and again from six to eight in the evening she sped through the streets, as though in swift pursuit of a mirage, the ghost of a queen moving unseen by the people of Geneva. At eight o'clock she ate more ice cream and so ended her curious day.

That day at dinner she sat between my husband and me. The only other people present were her lady in waiting and Mr. Tramontana, her court gentleman, a Neapolitan. These two people had left Naples with her at the time of her exile and had spent their whole lives in her service, creating by their devotion and their sacrifice a phantom kingdom in which the Queen could live.

It was amusing to see what quantities of food this shadow of a woman could consume: soup, steak, vegetables, dessert, coffee. There was comedy in the stately meal and the voracious appetite.

And after dinner I began the wax portrait. She is imprisoned there in wax, the Queen of Naples, with her stiff back; her austere black dress; her long and ghostly hands that will not let go their tenacious hold of what is hers; the narrow feet resting so lightly on a gold-and-black cushion; the strange blue eyes and aristocratic nose; the bitter mouth with its narrow lips; the high forehead with its black braids and imaginary crown.

I did the sculpture with fabrics. The figure sits on an arm chair that looks like a throne, its color a faded red and gold. I covered the body with black velvet and tulle. The background is an old brocade of gray and gold. The face broods, the bitter mouth is unreconciled.

While the wax portrait was gradually taking shape under my fingers, I thought of the extraordinary fate that had been the lot of so many of that Bavarian house of Wittelsbach. As the waxen Queen of Naples took on life and resemblance, I studied my sitter whose kingdom had not existed since Garibaldi united Italy under the house of Savoy, which she hated with a deep, corroding hatred. I thought how strange it was that this hotel, where she had elected to live out her exile, was directly opposite the spot where, years before, her sister Elizabeth had been staying at the time of her death. It was as difficult for me to imagine the radiant Elizabeth of Bavaria, wife of Francis Joseph, becoming old, as it was to picture this gaunt woman as young and lovely. Yet lovely she had been, for many men had loved her. Young too. For she was only nineteen when she had her brief moment of authentic glory. One would think she might, even then, have been somewhat disillusioned with kingdoms, married as she was to a man so ugly that no one ever dared to take his photograph, a King who, in the face of revolt, cravenly took himself off to Rome. But the young Queen Maria of Naples had appeared on the barricades and stood all day long, in the face of whining bullets, encouraging the soldiers, urging them on by her presence.

Modeling the thin lips, that bitter mouth, sterile, devoid of all passion, one could not help wondering how much of that stormy past she remembered and what meaning it had for her now.

These Wittelsbachs certainly were destined to lead violent lives. Empress Elizabeth of Austria had died at the hand of an assassin, and her only son had been a suicide. Another sister, the Duchess Sophie of Alençon, was at one time betrothed to Ludwig, the eccentric King of Bavaria. She was later burned to death in a fire at a charity bazaar.

Each time I came to work on the wax portrait, my husband accompanied me. Arid on one of these occasions we took part in the Queen's evening walk. On our return to the hotel we found two Neapolitans waiting for her at the door. “Long live the Queen!” they shouted lustily. On the long pale face appeared the rare smile that made her nearly human. She extended her hands to the man and woman, who bowed and kissed them. “Long live the Queen!” they shouted again. She smiled once more, entered the hotel and disappeared in the cage of the elevator.

Later I took the wax portrait with me to Rome, where I finished it and so, although in wax, she came again to Italy, which she loved and still regarded as a possession, a piece of property wrongfully snatched from her grasp. She was seventy-four at the time I met her, and after leaving Switzerland I was never to see her again and never to forget her. With her I experienced, as I later did in Egypt, the curious feeling of living in today yet being able to reach out and touch the past.

[thenukacolachallenge]

some spoiler-y thoughts about tears of the kingdom thus far:

-FUCK GLOOM HANDS. i hate that everyone at nintendo saw our fear of spooky grabby hands and said “fuck yeah lets keep doing this forever”. i’m tired of being groped by very old men goddamnit! and then some of them turn into Phantom Ganon???? holy shit, that is a difficult fight. 80% of my deaths in the game so far have been at the hands(no pun intended) of these fuckers.

-ZELDA TURNED HERSELF INTO A FUCKING DRAGON AND I SOBBED LIKE A BABY. bruh i was not ready. SHE SACRIFICED HERSELF and her personality! but like, i havent finished all the main quests even though i got all the dragon tears/memory things so like, if Zelda IS a dragon, then who the fuck is showing up all around hyrule looking like her? is Mr. Dorf doing an evil magic to look like her like in that one memory? that can’t possibly be the case for all of the Zelda sightings. i’m so confused but so fucking intrigued.

-seriously though, watching Zelda sacrifice herself in order to save Hyrule and support Link is so upsetting. this girl was 16 the day the Calamity hit, and she hasn’t known a moment’s peace since then. give a bitch a break! but hey, at least she’s doing stuff in this one, whereas in most Zelda games, she’s just.... kidnapped.

-SIDON’S ENGAGEMENT STORY IS BULLSHIT. there is ZERO evidence of any other kingdoms existing for Zora outside of the Domain in Lanayru that King Dorephan rules over, it’s JUST to piss off people who ship Sidon with Link and that’s incredibly homophobic and annoying(especially since i had to fucking rewrite an entire part of my OC’s story due to it). and like, i feel bad, bc Yona seems like a lovely character, but she’s going to be HATED in the fanbase bc of the bad writing.

-speaking of questionable writing, there’s still so much i’m very fucking confused about. TotK obviously takes place several years after BotW, but they don’t specify how many and it creates a lot of confusion. why have some characters obviously aged up but some are still basically the same age? like, Hudson and Rhondson have a child who’s old enough to be sent back to Gerudo town, but Finley never hit her growth spurt(even though she clearly stated last game she was old enough to have supposed to hit it by botw)? what the fuck is that about?

-also, WHERE THE FUCK DID THE DIVINE BEASTS GO????? you can’t re-bury four fucking giant robot constructs in the span of maybe a decade, especially with Ganondorf reviving and creating a massive earthquake that unearths a fuckton of other shit. like, not having the Sheikah Slate i get(which is why the Purah Pad exists), and all the shrines and towers probably went back underground, but that part makes no goddamn sense and i don’t like it.

-i’m kinda sad Teba wasn’t the Sage of Wind and instead it was his son, Tulin. he really only got to shine in Age of Calamity, and most Zelda fans didn’t even play it bc it’s non-canon. the disrespect on my poor mans.

-i do love that so many of the towns are under new leadership now. it really feels like the world is evolving in that aspect. Teba and Paya being in charge of their respective towns is lovely to me.

-i love the idea that Link gave Zelda the house he dumped literally thousands of rupees into in Hateno, but like. where did he live? did they sleep together in the same bed? it’s implied Link no longer has a house bc you can make your “dream home” in Tarrey Town or w/e but like, ????? what’s that all about? Zelda just kicked Link’s ass out and made a secret room in the home HE invested in lmao, typical royal colonizer behavior(joking)

-i love that Grante, Robbie and Jerrin’s son, changed his name to Granteson so he could work for Bolson Construction. that’s genuinely adorable. he was already one of my fav tertiary characters just bc he’s Robbie’s son but this makes me like him even more. i also love that Jerrin is involved with stuff at the Lookout Landing! let Robbie’s wifey take care of stuff. even if it’s just cleaning. give her something to do besides glower at a machine her husband built lol.

-Kohga being still alive is hysterical, and the Yiga clan evolving to live partially underground is a lovely touch. them taking over old abandoned areas in the game is great as well. i also love that they flat-out do the “leave Mighty Bananas on the ground as bait to lure in unsuspecting victims” bit bc that’s EXACTLY how i imagined my OC fought them in BotW. i totally headcanon they stole that idea from her.

-tbh i’m kind of enjoying exploring the depths more than i am the sky islands. maybe it’s the fear of heights, or maybe it’s just that i really like that it wasn’t advertised at all. i thought it was just gonna be land and sky, but no! we’re going underground too babey~

-i love the addition of caves, wells, and other underground spaces. it makes a lot of sense for a game like this to have these things, and it makes me kinda sad they weren’t really a thing in the last one.

-the fusing thing is just okay. they didn’t really fix the issue people had with durability in the last game, so that’s annoying, but it is fun to make new weapons out of things at least.

-overall i really like the game so far. even though it’s a world most people have explored through already, there’s enough change and new content to make it fresh and engaging, and even though there’s another crisis, it’s heartwarming to see how people are finally being able to rebuild after the century-long crisis that was the Calamity. i’ve beaten one boss character so far(the Rito one) and i’m looking very forward to the rest!

[scarletsaphire]

Sam has been spacing out more and more lately. the fact that she keeps spacing out looking at Paulina is a coincidence. Obviously.

---

Day two for Shiptember!

Sam tapped her pencil across the notebook, letting the vibrations it sent up her arm wash away any conscious thought. Mr. Lancer was still droning on at the front of the room, but she wasn't process a word he was saying. In fact, Sam wasn't processing much of anything. She was tired, which was normal for her, but it was affecting her more than it normally did. It didn't matter much. She was doing fine in school, and as much as she hated it, no one would fail her anyway. Her parents donated too much money to the school board for them to risk angering them. 

Distantly, Sam noticed movement from the students around her. Had the bell rang already? She hadn't heard it if it had. Maybe there was some kind of school trip? She let the movement fade back into her peripheral. If it was some kind of sports game or whatever, it didn't involve her, and if it was the bell, Danny and Tucker would come find her sooner or later. 

The indistinguishable blob of pink that had been in the center of her vision became bigger, more clear. Sam tried to ignore it; she really did. But then that blob of pink opened her stupid pretty mouth, and Sam was forced back into focus. "You're staring again." 

Sam knew that Paulina couldn't see her blush; it was one of the many reasons she wore so much foundation. Her goth image wouldn't last long if people realized just how often she blushed. "I wasn't staring," Sam said, using her many years of practice to pump as much venom into her voice as she could. "You were just in the way."

Paulina leaned on the desk, smiling teasingly down at Sam. "And earlier, in geometry? Or in chemistry? Was I just in the way for all of those?"

Sam was less certain that her blush wasn't showing through her foundation as her cheeks flared hotter. She broke Paulina's gaze, looking at the floor. "Yes." 

Paulina laughed, not the normal sharp laugh she used to make fun of students, but a true, soft laugh. "You don't have to lie to me, chica. I know I'm beautiful. Who wouldn't fall for me?"

Sam flung her head back around to face Paulina, mouth open in a rebuttal, but the reply died in her throat. Paulina had lowered herself further, letting her head rest in her hands, propped up against the desk. Her hair fell over her shoulder, fanning out over the desk. Sam had always had a soft spot for dark hair, and Paulina's was almost perfectly black, even under the harshness of the classroom's fluorescents. 

Paulina noticed Sam's shock, she was sure. She could see it in the widening of her devious grin and the crinkling at the corner of her eyes. Still, she said nothing, leaving Sam to fumble for a response. "I don't know what you're talking about," Sam settled on finally. It didn't have the vitriol that she normally threw towards Paulina, but sue her. She wasn't used to being looked at with anything but mild disdain in those enchanting eyes. 

"Well, then I don't see any need to tell you that I'll be at that new coffee shop that opened at the mall at six," Paulina said. She removed the hand from under her chin, standing up fully. "It's the one with all those weird antiques. Seems like the kind of place you'd enjoy." Paulina started to walk away.

"Are you asking me on a date?" Sam blurted out. She realized what she said, and this time she knew that there was absolutely no way Paulina couldn't tell she was blushing. 

"If you want it to be," Paulina said over her shoulder.

"I never said yes," Sam pointed out. 

"Then I guess I'll have to get coffee by myself." With that, Paulina walked out of the classroom, Sam's eyes trailing her the whole way. Traitors.

Sam bit at the bottom of her lip, before gathering up her things to leave the now empty classroom. She had to find Danny and Tucker. She wouldn't be joining them for ghost hunting tonight. She had other plans. 

[wonderousmonarch]

Kamen Rider Wizard Thoughts #3

This series is so silly

Episode 6

- I like to think Haruto has some magical way of tracking this donut cart

- bros in love

- wait is this a love demon?

- love is in the air? no! gas leak!

- are they dealing with The Rizzler this episode?

- HIS DONUTS NOOOOO

- I joke about his stupid belt but I do love his transformation so much

- wow his aim fucking SUCKS lol

- UNICORN! GET HIS ASS!

- uh oh. pretty girl doesn't trust the police (based) I wonder if she kills people

- oooh this jacket. I like it :3

- yep. she's stealing things from the people she dates.

- yep. she's scamming everyone she dates

- does Manami just flirt with everyone in a pink shirt

- love is in the air? WRONG! Pyramid Scheme!

- the ground just ate her

- I really want him to say "it's time to rock" when using his earth transformation

- GIGA DRILL BREAK??? god if only.

- "Hello Manami. I'm yellow now."

- do NOT let me become a Kamen Rider unless you want to hear the most marvel movie ass one liners you've ever heard

- he curved the bullet

- god I love this man

Episode 7

- is this bitch trying to get killed

- sad boys club

- get these sopping wet men out of my sight

- the stank ring. the ring that makes you stanky

- not that anyone can tell, but I do watch the whole opening every time. if they didn't want me to watch it they wouldn't have made the theme such a banger

- they need to get off the other phantoms asses. they're just vibing

- in-cop-etence

- the phantoms need a different strategy than the "fear of death"

- the nefarious concrete tubes. didn't they come here in Geats?

- rinko did you even try to stop her from leaving? it can't have been that bad

- oh. is she stuck in the past? trying to buy back her childhood home?

- ah. she was.

- the devious landowners plan to destroy her home

- see there we go! a plan that is actually going to work!

- man id be so good at this phantom thing.

- Haruto my goat. lock the fuck in

- he's getting whackamoled

- OH SCENT! THE FUCKIN

- YEAH!!! THE STANK RING!!!

- how is he going to kick him he's in the DRILL POWER!!!!! NEVER MIND!!!!

- oooh big fan of this combining ring abilities. the spell combinations go hard

- the classic orange filter to show it's the afternoon. this really is tokusatsu

- KEEP HER DREAM ALIVE!!!! LETS FUCKING GOOOOO

- oh my goodness phoenix is crashing the fuck out

Episode 8

- man it really bugs me that these two partners don't end on an even-numbered episode

- there's allegedly going to be a new magic ring

- oh. there it is i think.

- white bird! it knows how to open doors! how sophisticated!

- Koyomi's rock sense is tingling. it means the rock might be evil.

- uh oh evil lady found a child. this won't go well.

- the English subs for the opening lyrics like, almost work if you try to sing along? it's only a couple parts where they really line up and that bugs me. at least I could sing along with Ex-Aid's opening

- "the ghouls are out"

- I love the rings so much but I HATE wearing rings. my ass could never be wizard

- why is shunpei matching outfits with this kid

- ooh Haruto lore

- Phoenix aka mr crash out

- I wish a pretty snake lady would boss me around...

- I love his familiars. go my little guys.

- ah, the classic car crash victim. many such cases.

- OH SHE WAS THE NURSE! yikes man

- did his mom take away his X-BOX

- oh shit Wiseman is giving phoenix a license to kill

- ah. father issues.

- "because she knows me... and I'm a wizard." that probably sounded cooler in his head

- HOLY SHIT

- OH MY GOD

- NANSBFHSIWJDB

- ahem. Haruto, kick his ass.

- yeah the Phoenix guy is probably immune to fire. nice job Haruto.

- PUT THE SOG ON HIM!!!!

- he did not put the sog on him. this might be bad.

- oh boy Haruto's getting boxed. folded like laundry

- into the drink :(

Episode 9

- last one before I conk out

- y'know I haven't mentioned this but. I like the effect that Wizard has on his voice when he's transformed. Meteor had something similar (I think) but I think it fits Wizard REALLY well with how his suit looks. idk I'm a sound design major so I'll be commenting on parts of the audio experience as well

- RED EYES??? UH OH

- I think Haruto might be having a phantom problem.

- Y'know, Rinko hasn't shot anything in a while, at least give her some silver bullets or something. let girlypop be useful

- DID HE JUST PUNCH THE GLASS TO GET INSIDE??? WHAT AN ICON

- is his dragon summon... his own phantom? that's raw as fuck

- "he's trying to take away hiroki's parents for good... just like me!"

- the new ring is done :D

- Medusa could destroy my life

- bro came in to unplug their life support

- oh it was all a dream... or is it

- it was :)

- TELL EM HARUTO!

- this show makes me happy. im not confident in ranking it yet but I like it

- Haruto my poor baby. give him a big hug

- ooooh new ring :)

- is he going Dragon Mode?

- LETS GO

- not the ERROR....

- stop folding bro like laundry he's just trying to enjoy donuts and be whimsical

- oh fuck

- I am thou, thou art I....

- THATS RAW AS HELLLL

- BURN... BURN.... BURN BURN BURN!

- oh my god hes looking like a bottle of ketchup

- oh but the music.... oh yesssss

- HE COPIED HIS SWORDS MY GOAT

- "you don't have the chops to beat me!" *stabs him*

- DRAGON REALLLL

- holy shit the fucking T-Pose Beam attack....

- Medusa is all alone now :(

- oh nvm. he is a phoenix I guess

- episode good dragon strong I'm eepy