#next time someone asks me why I use my cane I NEED to just give them a silent weird look

[serana666]

Doctors/nurses SUCK that’s all I can say 😤

[scarlettjohanssons-mistress]

idk if requests are open but i was wondering if you could do a fanfic about lady lesso having a secret family

Family

Warnings: PURE fluff

Word count: 1.9 K

Pairing: Lady Lesso x Fem!Reader

Prompt: Leonora deserves a little love.

Requests: OPEN

[Main masterlist] [Charlize Theron characters masterlist]

It was known that evil could never have a happy ending.

At least, that is what has been taught for centuries and centuries, from generation to generation. It was unheard of to think that some villain, from any story, would return to a nice cabin with his family, after trying to poison a princess.

Any 'Ever' student could have that same thought about anyone belonging to the 'Never' school, incapable of love. And if the name of the dean of evil slipped into the conversation, the answer was an obvious and resounding NO.

While any human being with two eyes and a few centimeters of a brain could confirm that Lady Lesso is an extremely beautiful woman, they could also classify her as someone 'terrifying'; considering anyone brave who could spend more than five minutes with her, without being scared.

——————————————————————————— 

The weekend was slowly approaching, which made the redheaded woman extremely excited. She was already sick of her incompetent students, of Dovey's constant complaining, of the thousands upon thousands of papers waiting in her office to be reviewed, causing excruciating headaches.

Everything about to end…

Until Emma reached her office, opening the door a little and sticking her head out.

"Leonora?"

"What do you want?" the woman asked without taking her eyes off the exam in front of her. Anastasia, an incompetent who would fail her class for the second time.

“Clarissa requested your presence at the meeting”

The dean's eyes rolled wearily, making her disappointment known.

"Really? Why do you need my presence with… 30 minutes to go before the end of school hours?"

"I don't know, she didn't give me an explanation…"

Before Emma could begin to ramble, Lesso abruptly stood up from her chair and began to pace, hitting the ground next to Emma with her cane, causing the smaller woman to jump.

Quickly, Leonora walked to the room where the meeting was taking place, opening the doors violently, making her arrival known.

"Oh, Lesso," Dovey interrupted, "it's good that you're here."

Leonora didn't even deign to answer, she simply sat in her usual chair and with the help of her magic, materialized a notebook, to scribble and avoid getting bored.

It took her a few minutes to realize that she had brought into the meeting room the notebook she used for her most private matters. Full of vibrant colors and children's drawings.

With a quick movement, and with the eyes of some of her colleagues glued to the notebook, Leonora opened it, hiding the cover and beginning to draw, not listening to Dovey's chatter.

The meeting lasted forever, almost 3 hours after their usual time to leave; but when Dovey finally called the meeting to a close, Leonora was among the first to rise from her seat, until Dovey's voice reached her ears.

"Actually, Lesso, I need to talk to you."

With a great grunt, Leonora watched as her companions left the room, to be left alone with Dovey.

"What do you want?" asked Leonora tiredly

"Relax, I don't want to entertain you" Dovey turned her back on the redhead to take a small basket full of sweets and baked goods "I remembered that last week was Y/N's birthday, so I thought I'd give she her favorite desserts"

The basket reached Leonora's hands, who awkwardly gave a grimace, which she tried to pass off as a smile.

"Thanks suppose. I'll give it to her"

"All right. So… see you on Monday”

"See you on Monday" and just as the redhead walked back to the exit, Dovey's voice interrupted her again.

"By the way, tell Rose she did a good job." The brunette pointed at Leonora's notebook with her eyes, drawing a grunt from the redhead.

"Whatever"

——————————————————————————— 

When Leonora had finally reached her house, she was surprised to find all the lights on; Normally, when she arrived at this time, the only light that was on was the one in the living room, where Y/N was reading a book.

Wearily she opened the door and stepped inside, letting the homey warmth and the smell of the oven reach her face.

The redhead didn't even have to make her arrival home known, to hear those little footsteps on the wood.

"Mom!"

Little Rose ran down the stairs, laughing, until she reached the open arms of the redhead, who quickly picked her up, thanking everyone for how small the girl was.

"Hello little monster"

From the back of the kitchen, the Dean's green eyes collided with Y/N's, causing the latter to show a beautiful smile, seeing the two girls together.

"You're late" Y/N joked

"Go to your room, beast, mommy and I have to talk"

The little girl quickly climbed back up, making the redheaded woman walk until her back was to her wife and hugging her hips.

“Blame it on Dovey” Y/N laughed as she took the food out of the oven “I'm serious Y/N, if I hear another 'Ever' complain again, I'm going to have to cut my ears off.”

“Relax, the good thing is that you are home now, and dinner is ready. Go call Rose, and set the table."

——————————————————————————— 

Dinner was one of Leonora's favorite moments. The feeling of warmth, the delicious food, Y/N's voice along with Rose's giggles and games made her cold heart feel what the warmth of a true home is.

“Today I saw my friend Erick”

Until that wretch's name left Rose's little lips.

The story was very long and very exhausting to tell, but to summarize. Y/N had graduated as a great 'Ever', giving her first kiss to a handsome and gallant prince named Erick. As a good 'Ever', it only took her a few months to commit to the man. But when the man found out that a baby was on the way, he didn't hesitate for a second to abandon the woman with the baby.

Leonora met her almost two years later, while she was on an emergency trip through a town near the school.

She doesn't even remember what made her fall: Y/N's shy look or little baby Rose's babbling.

How had the jerk come to contact his women? Leonora had no idea, but she tried not to get into the subject. She just enjoyed the little girl.

"Really? And did you have a good time?" asked the redhead, seeing how everyone finished dinner, so she got up and took the dishes to wash them.

"Yes. But… I missed you, mom. I like hanging out with him, but I miss when you and I go out to play."

Yes, Leonora could confirm that Rose was one of the few people who could make her believe that she still has a heart.

"Oh honey" Y/N interrupted her by kissing the girl's head "the good thing is that mom is going on vacation, and they can go out to the field every day, to play"

"Don't forget Lily" commented the redhead causing both women to laugh

"Sure, let's not forget Lily"

The baby's cry began to sound, warning that he had woken up.

“Talking about the queen of Rome”

"Come Rose, let's go for her"

——————————————————————————— 

"Are you ready to sleep?" Leonora asked as she tucked in the little girl, who was already beginning to yawn and rub her eyes.

"Yep"

"You stayed up very late today, little naughty" the redhead stroked her hair, trying to make her fall asleep even faster.

"I told mommy I wanted to wait for you"

"I know baby, thanks for waiting for me" the older woman planted a kiss on the girl's forehead.

"I love you so much mom"

"I love you too"

"Tell Lily and Mommy I love them too."

"They love you too, monster"

The girl quickly fell asleep, for which Leonora got up leaving the room, closing the door, to enter her own room, finding her wife and the little baby playing on the bed.

"You don't seem like she want to fall asleep anytime soon, do you?"

"She just wanted to see her mom"

Small emerald eyes met those of the taller woman, eliciting little squeals from the baby.

"Hello, little fairy"

Admitting that little Lily had come into this world thanks to Dovey's kindness and care (and magic), it was very difficult for the redhead to show her gratitude, so she decided that calling the baby 'fairy' was more than enough.

Out of the corner of her eye, the redhead could see how her wife was beginning to yawn, already very tired, and apparently, baby Lily had enough energy to keep her awake for a few more hours.

"My love, go to sleep, I'll take care of Lily" the woman murmured as she snatched the girl from her arms.

"No, I can…"

Leonora interrupted her wife's protests by planting a kiss on her lips and on her nose.

"Honey, you've already done a lot here, let me take care of my girls."

The woman soon fell asleep, so it was Leonora's job to play with the little girl to tire her out.

"Hey, beast, you have to shut your mouth, you're going to wake up mommy and your little sister"

The girl ignored it and tried again to stick her finger in her mother's nose, while she burst out laughing.

As much as she wanted to deny it, her heart vibrated every time she heard her youngest daughter's little laughs, as well as her oldest daughter's voice, and without a doubt, Y/N's kisses only put the garland on the cake.

Some time later, the baby was finally able to fall asleep, so the redhead quickly tucked the girl into her little crib and lay down on her own bed, but in the process, she woke up Y/N.

"Hmm, are the girls asleep yet?"

"Yes, sorry for waking you up"

"Don't worry, let's go to sleep"

A silence settled in the room, but still, Y/N could tell that her wife wasn't asleep.

"Leo, what's up?"

"Do you think… that they hate me?"

"What?"

"Girls, do you think they'll hate me when they find out I'm the dean of evil?"

Y/N got up so he could look at her wife's glassy eyes.

“My love, of course they won't hate you, you're their mother” Y/N began to caress Leonora's face, to keep her eyes from leaving her “You're their favorite person in the world, they love you. We love you, we know that you are not a bad woman. Even if you don't believe it yourself, we know you have a heart; that you feel, that you deserve affection, love. Nobody is completely good or bad, you are not black, nor am I white, we are both gray scales, and they will be able to see that "

The redhead gave her wife a smile and a kiss on the chin

"You know, I'm starting to think that I married you because you always know what to say."

Y/N started laughing as she planted kisses all over her wife's face.

"Admit it, you married me because you love me"

Both women lay back down, ready to go to sleep. Leonora embracing her wife's body from behind, planting kisses on the woman's bare shoulders.

"I love them, so much" confessed the redhead already half asleep

“Your family loves you twice as much”

Because it was known that evil could never have a happy ending.

But, no one is completely good, nor completely bad, and despite that, we all deserve a little love.

Leonora deserves a little love.

Note:

I'm starting to believe that I LOVE writing about Lady Lesso. Thank you for submitting this request.

I hope you enjoy it

I appreciate the reblogs, the likes and the comments

taglist: @littlebitchsposts // @xxsekhmet

message me or send an ask to be added to my taglist!

[aguineapigcouldntdothis]

i was at a campus horror tour event a few days ago and it was cheesy but fun and i needed to sit for a bit because even with my cane standing on the uneven hilly ground is uncomfortable. and some guy i had never met asked me why i use a cane so i ignored him because i dont answer that to strangers. if you were able to get into university you should hopefully be able to think of some reasons someone would use a cane. or at least realize that that isnt an ok thing to ask to a stranger. and then a friendish person sat down next to me and he asked them and they do not know me well enough to know why i use it. so they said "knee pain". and honestly there i wasnt too pissed off about it bc i was having a good time listening to scary stories and whatnot. just looking back on it holy shit that was really unchill of both of them

for one, i do not have knee pain. literally the only mobile joint in which i dont have pain mostly bc my nerves are fried there. this person could've said literally any other joint and it wouldve been right in some regard.

i also had not explained to this person why i use a cane. they didnt know why, so why should they feel the need to answer for me? i am an adult and im fully capable of deciding who gets to know about my disability and who doesnt. and even if they did know why im still not ok with people giving out my info.

anyway if you're ablebodied and your physically disabled friend or partner or whatever is being asked these invasive questions please do not answer for us. if we are ignoring them we do it for a reason, if we lie we do it for a reason. someone's health status can be really fucking stressful and terrifying and having control over who knows is good.

[idontliketomatoesleavemealone]

if it’s cringe please say so and euthanise me while you’re at it xoxo

„Freyaaaaaa……“

Freya internally cringed a little, hearing her name for the eight millionth time today. She’d gotten to the southern islands a few days ago, and Hella and Cajetan - Caj -, two of her younger cousins (which there were way too fucking many of, by the way, and she said this as one of eleven kids), had made it their life‘s mission to ask her about every single thing that she’d ever done. 

The Westergaards were… surprisingly okay, actually, at least most of them. Mikki and Tore, two boys her age, had taken to introducing her to everything, which was quite helpful even if she was pretty sure they were still confused about her choice on whom to avoid, even if they respected the decision. (Dad always said to avoid Caleb, Edvin, the twins, and Loke. That would’ve been easier had Caleb not been the king and had Loke not been Mikki, Hella, and Caj‘s dad.) 

However, being from a different background entirely apparently made her the most fascinating thing to ever walk into Hella‘s line of sight, and it was a bit hard to say no when she knew the pair was well-intentioned. Also, they’d been sneaking her slices of apple pie, and that was definitely a bonus of letting them bug her. (Bjelna, yet another cousin, had told her to tell them that she needed them to help with her baby when Freya got tired of the kids. Thank you, Bjelna.)

And so, she closed her eyes for just a second before turning to Caj, who nudged Hella to ask. 

„Why are your hands like that? You’re always, like, shaking all weird, and it looks kinda yucky.“ 

„Yucky‘s a mean word to use on someone, Hella“, someone said without stopping or looking up from their book. Freya mentally had to go through a family tree Teodor had drawn up for her to place the person, and she only managed to narrow it down to like, four people. Whatever. (Oliv? Laerke? Helle? Krista??)

„It is kinda yucky, though.“

„Those are scars, actually.“

„People still get those?!“

„…yeah?“

„Middle ages-ass explanation.“

„What does that even mean.“

„Whatever. How did you get scars? And like, on your hands? That was super stupid, you shoudlve gotten them somewhere cool instead.“

„I kinda wasn’t planning it happening, I’ll take that into consideration next time I know when I’m gonna get scarred?“ The kids were looking at her expectantly, so she decided it couldn’t harm them to know. „My dad broke a bottle on the ground when I was your age and I fell on it. …from a flight of stairs.“ (She left out the part about being pushed. It wasn’t of use to speak ill of the dead.)

She carefully trailed her fingertips over the rough surface of her palm, remembering the one between her thumb and pointer finger - „lol, see this one? I tore it up a few weeks later after getting out of the hospital and my dad insisted on stitching it up himself. Didn’t give me anything to numb it - Tonya said I was such a good, brave girl about it and I was like, fuck no I wasn’t, I was bawling the whole time! He did a pretty bad job, too. She sewed it up properly for me later, though, so it was fine. Still got the scar from his work, though.“

She looked up from her hand to see two identically blank faces. „You didn’t hear me curse, by the way. That was your imagination. Princesses don’t curse.“ Reflexively straightened up at the phrase, she was near-expecting her grandmother‘s cane to whack her for the misdemeanour. 

„…you’re joking, right? About, that part?“ 

„the part with my dad? No, I told him to just let me run to the hospital and he was like, 'nuh-uh, you’re my kid so I’m gonna do it.' Let me tell you, the guy can’t sew a button to a shirt, much less a dominant hand if you want a working thumb afterwards,“ she added brightly. „I used to be pretty decent at sewing, actually. I don’t do it much these days, cos of the shaking and stuff.“

„Freya?“

„Yeah?“

„Your dad kind of sounds like a fucking dickhead.“

[skylarmoon71]

Matt Murdock (Daredevil) - Chapter 5

“Foggy stop it you know I’m ticklish!!”

You were laughing to the point of tears on the bed.

“That’s why I’m tickling you!”

“I give up, I give up!!”

He finally relented, stepping away and you were still trying to catch your breath as you let out little breaths. Matt walked in at that point. He just turned to the direction of Foggy’s bed.

“Do I want to know?”

Foggy shook his head.

“Nah man, I had to take some drastic measures. It was necessary.”

You sat up on the bed, pointing at him.

“He almost made me pee myself, tickling me that much!”

“It sounds like you’re accusing me, do you want a round two?”

You jumped off the bed, running behind Matt.

“Save me, he’s a monster!”

Matt lifted his cane slightly.

“Stay back Foggy.”

He batted the air and Foggy snorted.

“I’m not so low as to attack a blind guy. You won this round (Y/N).”

With your head lifted high, you just smiled.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Acting all high and mighty because you got Matt as a shield is kind of cowardly. Do better (Y/N).”

You just stick your tongue out.

Matt turns at the action and you blush when you realize just how close you are now. You release him, stepping back.

“I-I need to get going. See you guys later!”

“Bye pipsqueak!” Foggy yells.

Matt’s eyes are still directed at the door even after you leave.

You wish you could say that it was nothing but lately a few things have changed. You just hope no one picks up on it. Foggy is pretty oblivious when it comes to that kind of stuff, so you aren’t worried. But Matt..he’s a little more perceptive.

He always seems to know when something is going on with you. You try to shake it out of your head as you return to your apartment. You’re glad that you’ve gotten over your fear of the dark. Although that’s the case, you’re not reckless either. The minute you step inside your place you lock the doors, dropping your bag on the couch.

“Man, I'm tired.”

Sometimes the days feel longer than they are. That’s why you’d stop by Foggy’s to decompress. You’d done just that. You feel much lighter. It's already pretty late, so you should probably head to bed, but..your vigilante friend tends to pop up around this time and you could really use someone to talk to right now.

For the next half an hour or so you just do some minor cleaning. You’re not really focused, just trying to stay awake. The familiar tapping on your window before it slides open makes you smile.

“Sometimes I swear you can read my mind.”

You rush over to the couch to get comfortable. He takes a seat, but this time he’s on the couch. You straighten. You’d like to point it out, because you’re happy that he’s started to get more comfortable, but you hide your smile, shaking your head.

“So how is the vigilante business?”

“Pretty slow lately, I think that’s a good thing.”

“True, true.”

You tuck your legs under you, and when he turns his body to you, you wait for him to speak.

“If you don’t mind me asking, when did you discover your abilities?”

That’s not the question you expected. You know he must spot the way your body tenses.

“Sorry, if you don’t want to talk about it we don’t have to.”

You shake your head.

“It’s fine.”

There isn’t really anyone else you can really talk to about this.

“It was in high school. I was walking home and I saw this kid crying in the park. She fell off her bike and her mom was looking after her younger sister, so she didn’t really see at first. I just wanted her to feel better so I playfully told her that if I touched her leg all the pain would disappear. It was a game, it wasn’t really supposed to happen but then it..it healed right there in front of us. I thought I was going crazy.”

He understands.

“The kid was ecstatic. When her mother came over she told her I was a fairy. She thanked me and they left but I was still trying to wrap my head around what happened. I needed to see if it was real so I tried it on this neighborhood cat. It liked to stop by for food every now and then and it had this limp on the right paw. All I did was touch it and like magic it was healed.”

You still have no idea where the abilities came from. As far as you knew, no one in your family could do what you’d done.

“No one knows about this, not my parents, not even my best friends. More than anything I want to tell someone but I’m terrified that if I do..”

“Then everything will change.” He finally finishes.

His statement is a reflection of how you feel. You nod, eyes sullen.

“I guess in a way I really admire what you do. I have the ability to help people and I hide away, but you go out there everyday and you make a difference. I could never do that. I know that in a sense it makes me a coward, but the idea of even trying just..it terrifies me.”

He can’t really imagine what that’s like. Maybe because he’d grown up around violence, the idea of this has always come natural to him. You weren’t like that. Even if you were scared, it didn’t make you a coward.

“You’re not a coward.”

You smile, because you know he’s just trying to make you feel better.

“I’m serious. Any other person with your abilities would have exploited it. Made billions, possibly trillions. You took the chance of revealing that secret to help me even though I was a stranger you knew nothing about. Regardless of your reasons, that took courage. It takes a strong person to admit when they’re scared and still take action. You’re not a coward, far from it.”

His words make you tear up. You wipe your cheek with a laugh.

“Thanks Mr. Daredevil. You really are good at this therapy thing.”

He smiles.

“If I ever get tired of fighting criminals, at least I have a back up career.”

You laugh, leaning back on the couch.

[morgana-artt]

Giangio x Apprentice!Male!Reader

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

Note: twirling and kicking my feet at this because I need more of this man, we don't know much but he's definitely an interesting character and the more I do these x readers the more I'm slowly diving into the need of writing up smut. Especially possessive ones. But only if people would want that and it'll probably be mostly Male reader or afab being written.

Also big thanks to people liking these, it means a lot and its been giving me the confidence to write more so MWAH thank you guys.

Warnings: Spoiler for Giangios character/ some stuff near end game is in this so be warned and minor swearing.

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

Giangio was a...strange man. Stranger than most some would say and as someone who you've "worked" for you eventually got used to his antics. His favourite thing was to lie. Like, a lot. Most couldn't tell because he was that good putting on a front but you've known him long enough to see the small smile that quickly appears on his face to the slight narrow of his eyes when the person he's lied to believes him. The next lie you witnessed was when he said he was infected with the disease- the petrification disease to be precise- to a young man with bright blue eyes, a certain softness to his face and dressed in rather rich clothes.

You eyed your companion as he put on a sick cough and voice, "Of course, friend...please do be careful..." his weak voice spoke as the boy in front of you nodded before leaving. Giangios voice went back to normal but in a hushed whisper, "I really do not like to lie-" "-and that's a lie in on itself" you interrupted him and got a chuckle from the green haired man in response, "You got me again (Y/N)! My...you're getting quite good at catching me out!" he said with a small smile, you furrowed your eyebrows "but why lie to him...he doesn't know you?", "Ah, my dear friend...that lie was necessary. I want to see how this all plays out", you frowned, "what play out?" you asked as he leaned on the pillar next to you, "You'll see, friend. I have a feeling this one is pretty special" you blinked, 'special...?' you thought as the taller man next to you dusted his gloves off. "I know I'm leaving you in the dark here, (Y/n). But trust me when I say that this may be a breakthrough for us all", you sighed "You get more cryptic as I hang out with you...I can never understand you Para-Giangio."

He grinned at your slip up, "Oh? 'hang out'? I didn't know you thought of me as a friend!" he chuckled making you roll your eyes, "I'm gonna ignore you now" and with that the conversation died down.

-Timeskip-

The sound of your heeled shoes echoed through the halls of the place you were held up in, you decided to stay cooped up with Giangio in an abandoned house in a corner of Krat, in his words 'best place to stay until it's time' cryptic bastard.

You sighed as you sat on the sofa next to the green hair bloke you had been with for a while now, "I do wonder-" Giangio started making you glance at him, "-why you decided to stay with me" he asked although there was a sense of coyness within his voice. You shuffled in your seat, "well...for starters I don't want to get hammered into the ground by some puppet and secondly, didn't have much of a choice did I? With you-know-who basically forcing me to go with you, I couldn't say no." Giangio tapped his index finger on top of his cane, "Hmm...both valid reasons. However..." he turned to you, a glint in his eyes "there's something more isn't there...hmm?" You glared at him, "get lost" you grumbled as you slumped into the chair, you heard shuffling and saw your companion closer to you, usually you would just get up and walk away but lately it had been really lonely in Krat. Up until recently, Giangio wasn't around you for a while and you basically had to defend and be very aware of your surroundings and now that he's back you sort missed the lying bastard. You were assigned to him when...your father forced you to. Saying how it was to help you become an alchemist and yet there was nothing you really learned about being an alchemist with Giangio and it seemed like Giangio had an agender of his own, he never told you but he did tell you his real identity which you were strickly told never to tell and only that he was in search of something. You didn't know what it was and you had a feeling Giangio wouldn't tell you, at least not now.

You got used to his weird personaility and come to sort of...liking it. Your father never really bothered with you once your mother passed- even when your mother was alive he didn't bother much either but your mother was the only one who you were close to, you would be babysat in the alchemist tower and it would get lonely and even lonelier throughout the years. Until you meet the man sitting next to you, he was quiet and only spoke when needed. Giangio and your father would be all hush hush and it made you suspicious until one day your father suddenly announced that you would be working with Giangio which was a surprise but nothing else was said and now here you were.

You let out a tired sigh, it had been a rough day for you as it made you just sad looking out in the broken city of Krat, before the frenzy it was genuinly a beautiful place but now it's nothing but a cold and harsh place. You felt a gloved hand take your bare one, a thumb softly rubbing over your knuckles. You glanced at the man next to you practically a few inches from your face, "don't worry my dear apprentice...it won't be long before the puzzle is almost complete" Giangio whispered as you stared at him, "again with the cryptic nonsense...just what are we waiting for? Can't you tell me?" you asked softly as the greenette shook his head with a frown, "not yet.." he took off his hat and placed it on the table in front of you before laying his head on your shoulder making you turn your head to the side in embarssment, "don't get used to this..." you mumbled as you heard a low chuckle.

The taller man sat up before leaning into you, "but what I can tell you is that I missed you..." you rolled your eyes, "sorry, did I just hear the Paracelsus say HE missed ME?" you snorted. "isn't it bit inappropriate to flirt with the leader of the alchemists son?", "I've never been a one to follow the rules 100%...and you haven't been the one to follow your fathers rules either..." he softly chuckled as his gaze went to your lips before going back to your eyes, "god, we really are just two lonely men..." you mumbled. You were quiet for a second before sighing, "but fuck it, why not?" you shrugged as you grabbed the collar of the greenette and smashed your lips against him earning a surprise 'mph!' before feeling him deepen the kiss, your face heated up upon feeling his tongue pressed against your lips asking permission which you granted him.

Your hands hugged his slim waist as you both deepened the kiss before pulling away a little, a bit breatheless as you narrowed your eyes at him, "I think we'll stop there..." "what a shame, I was enjoying that" Giangio replied as leaned in and gave you soft peck, "my fine assistant I suspect our job to be almost done and after that I truly do hope we can continue our little...winding down time". "You sound pretty confident that we'll continue this" you smirked with an eyebrow raised, Giangio had a glint in his eye as he chuckled before placing his hat back on and grabbing his cane before standing up. "I must go see so that puppet, he must have more coins for me by now, stay here and try not to miss me too much!" he sang as he walked out.

....

Shutting the door behind him, Giangio smirked "You may have developed a whole being Manus... but I can already see your son in exceeding further beyond that...and I don't intend to let this one go." he mumbled to himself before making his way down the desolate alleyway of Krat alone.

[i-can-even-burn-salad]

Stone Cold

[ID: The title of the story, Sweet Little Lies, written in a pink to yellow gradient over a picture of various glass jars filled with assorted, colorful candies. All other images in this post are decorative dividers. End ID]

This one is a little glimpse into what Cedric thinks about having a person bleeding all over his sofa, again. It's a direct continuation of a chapter quite in the middle of this novella, you should definitely check it out to see how we got here *puppy eyes*

To the one person who clicked omg yes, spoilerz: look away.

Warnings: Some wound care, but the pov char isn't looking 😆

“Then give her a chance to say it to your face.”

Laurent’s hard swallow at these words made Cedric pause. Damn. His friend truly was head over heels in love with that woman. That definitely complicated things.

Tania cleared her throat. “I need some—”

“Warm water, yeah.” Cedric started to walk into the kitchen, leaning heavily on his cane. This was by far not the first time a healer was patching someone up in his living room, and it wouldn’t be the last. “If you need some fresh linen, you know where the bathroom is.”

“Sure do,” Tania said. “Oh, and put another kettle on the stove afterwards. I will need more than one.”

While he waited for the water to warm, Cedric stared at the kettle as if it was to blame for everything that had gone wrong. His friends kept getting hurt—or worse—and it was his fault. He had sent Laurent to test how much this contact knew about him, but also because his ankle hadn’t taken kindly to crawling through the sewers while breaking into the jeweler. And if he didn’t feel guilty enough already for almost getting Laurent killed, now he could feel guilty for messing with his love life as well; a love life that had been pretty much nonexistent in the last decade or so.

It remained to be seen whether that woman was bothered by her suitor bleeding all over her place and dragging the guards into her home in the middle of the night. If he was honest, he wasn’t particularly optimistic, but he would not voice his doubts in front of Laurent. 

A bowl of warm water in hand, Cedric returned to the living room. Tania had unwrapped the bandages from Laurent’s arm and thrown them on the floor in a bloody pile. The swollen, discolored mess that was Laurent’s hand kept Cedric from lingering on the question whether the blood would stain his carpet.

“What did you do?” Tania asked as she turned Laurent’s hand this way and that.

“Tried to grab a knife at the wrong end,” he said.

“Now why would you do such a thing?”

“Better my hand than my— ah.” Laurent squirmed under her touch, the fingers of his free hand digging into the cushions. “Careful, please.”

“Yeah, well, how about you stop—”

“Can you fix it?” Cedric interrupted her. 

Laurent might be reckless from time to time, but this was not his fault, and the last thing he needed was to be scolded for it. Tania whipped her head around, but her fiery stare didn’t last long. It was Cedric who looked away first, finding the softness of her gaze more threatening than her anger had been.

“Probably. Please bring me a cup of water.” Without waiting for Cedric to acknowledge her words, she turned to face Laurent, raising a small glass vial. “It’ll help a bit, but it will still hurt a lot. Can’t knock you out, because we need to make sure your fingers still work.”

“Just my luck,” Laurent muttered. 

Cedric brought the cup of water and handed it to Tania, feeling quite useless standing around next to her. He wished Yvan were here. His husband was much better at comforting people—and at making himself useful. 

When Tania offered the prepared mixture to Laurent, his hand shook too much for him to take it, so she put the cup to his lips instead. Laurent drank slowly, grasping at the sofa once more, his eyes half closed, and trembling all over. If he had turned that guy into charcoal, he might have exhausted his magic. Another thing to feel guilty for. Cedric threw a few more logs into the fire before returning to the sofa with a spare blanket.

“How are you holding up?”

“Splendid.” Laurent didn’t open his eyes, at least not until Cedric dropped the blanket on his friend’s chest. Then Laurent looked up. “What…”

“I’m gonna freeze from just watching you,” Cedric grumbled as he sat next to Laurent, pointedly ignoring Tania’s way-too-knowing gaze. There couldn’t be much of his stone-cold reputation left with her, but for now, he clung to the pitiful remains.

“No one’s forcing you to,” Laurent said, but he did pull the blanket over his bare torso.

Both of them knew Cedric wouldn’t leave, and both of them would rather bite their tongue off than put it into words. 

“I’ll start now,” Tania said. “You shouldn’t look.”

Laurent grunted and leaned his head back, his gaze directed at the ceiling. While she probably hadn’t meant him, Cedric decided on a similar course of action. When he leaned back, his cane that had been propped against the sofa clattered to the floor. His annoyance about the inconvenience was short-lived when Laurent cried out.

“Ah.”

Laurent flinched, then forced himself to relax with a strained exhale. Under the folds of the blanket, his unharmed hand found Cedric’s. As Tania continued cleaning his wounds, Cedric could feel him tremble, could feel him squeeze his hand, even when he managed to remain quiet.

“Can you move this finger?” she asked after a while. 

“Mh.”

“Good.” A pause. “A bit more.”

“Ow ow ow ow.”

Tania tutted, and Laurent barely suppressed a pained whimper, and Cedric wished he were anywhere else but here. While she continued healing, he thought of rocks, and paperwork, and anything else that wasn’t the fact that this was, in the end, his fault.

“Okay. That’s the critical part done. Don’t move your hand yet, it’s not fully healed. The cut on your arm won’t need much magic, but I want to look at the other wound first.” Tania stood up and faced Cedric. “I’m gonna get new water, then I’ll need to be on that side.”

While she went to the kitchen, Cedric used his magic to lift his cane and moved to Laurent’s other side. On a blood-splattered cloth between them rested Laurent’s hand. Several long cuts along palm and fingers looked like they had been healing for a week or two; mostly closed, but the flesh was still raw. Cedric didn’t want to think about how they had looked before.

Tania returned, placing the bowl and a fresh stack of linens on the coffee table.

“Okay. Let’s get this off.” 

She pulled the blanket away and cut the bandages apart, dropping them onto the floor next to the other pile. With a wet rag, she cleaned off the dried blood before she grabbed a small pair of scissors and cut away at the stitches, using a similarly small pair of pincers to pull the threads out one by one. If Laurent’s expression was anything to go by, it was an unpleasant sensation, to say the least.

“Who in Thryvis’ name did this?” She pulled another one out. “Those are the worst stitches I’ve ever seen.”

“Don’t be rude,” Laurent mumbled. “She’s a candy maker, not a healer.”

“What?”

Laurent opened his eyes. “Aurelia. My… A… She saved me.” He swallowed. “I don’t think I would have made it here without her help.” 

When Tania’s questioning gaze met his, Cedric only shrugged. “Not one of us.”

Tania’s eyes darkened. “Laurent Elias Beaufort,” she said in a tone so stern it made even Cedric wince, “are you saying you had some poor girl, who is not involved in whatever the two of you are involved in this time, stitch you up?” When Laurent didn’t reply, she pulled on the last thread with a bit too much vigor, making him flinch with a hiss. “You what—just walked up to her house and bled all over her floor?”

“Actually.” Laurent’s attempted grin turned into a pained grimace. “It was her bed.”

Tania huffed. “And that’s the only way you’ll ever end up there.”

She put her hand on his side, inspecting his wound with her sight and her magic. “You owe her. And you were damn lucky. A bit deeper, and you would have spilled your guts on her bed instead.” She took a clean cloth, dipped it into the bowl and wrung it out, muttering, “Talk about a mood killer.”

“Would have. Saved me. From. You—Ah.” He squirmed under her touch. When he dug the fingers of his injured hand into the sofa, he screamed, bending over. “Fuck. Ow.”

“Hold still. I need to clean this. You don’t want to know what happens if I close the wound around any debris still stuck inside.”

“I’ll win a—Ah. Ow!”

“Can you hold him down?” Tania asked.

“Me?”

She glared at Cedric. “Do you see anyone else here?”

He sure wished he did. After carefully lifting Laurent’s injured hand onto his lap, Cedric put his arm around his friend’s shoulder, pulling him against his chest. The fact that Laurent didn’t take the opportunity to make a witty comment was more concerning than anything. Instead, he clung to Cedric’s arm with his uninjured hand and closed his eyes.

Tania tsked. “Did you make it that hard for her, too? No wonder the stitches looked like shit. I’m surprised she dealt with that instead of handing you over to the guards.”

Cedric’s murderous glare got lost in the back of Tania’s head. When she continued, Laurent tried to squirm out from under her touch, but there was nowhere for him to go. His fingers dug into Cedric’s arm, through the fabric of a shirt that had cost a small fortune and was not made for this kind of treatment. In other circumstances, Cedric might have joked about it, but every thought of commenting on it left him when he saw the shimmer in the corner of Laurent’s eye.

Fuck.

Cedric tucked the blanket around Laurent’s shoulder in an attempt to cover at least the part of his torso Tania wasn’t working on, but he feared Laurent wasn’t trembling from cold alone, just like he feared he wasn’t crying from the pain alone. Not knowing where else to put it, he wrapped his other arm around Laurent as well, holding his friend a bit tighter than would have been strictly necessary. 

Tania didn’t acknowledge the tears, but she did stop with the snarky comments, keeping her communication to short and not unfriendly instructions when she needed Laurent to move.

“That’s the worst of it done,” she eventually said softly. “I’ll start healing now.”

The frown on her face as she closed her eyes and focused on her magic wasn’t exactly reassuring. Cedric could feel Laurent relax, but he still held on, just in case. While not quite as painful, he knew from experience that healing magic was far from pleasant.

Laurent flinched from time to time, but he didn’t struggle against Cedric’s grip anymore. With his head rolled back against the sofa, he stared at nothing in particular. 

“I trusted her,” he suddenly said.

“What?”

“She told me to hide. And I. I did.” Laurent’s voice was husky. “Then I heard their voices. I thought they’d find me. I was afraid she would betray me to save herself, and then I thought. I thought she should save herself.”

In hindsight, it was a funny story, but knowing his friend, Laurent had been just as terrified of her coming to harm as he had been of being discovered himself; perhaps even more so.

“But she didn’t,” Cedric said.

“No.” So much pain behind a single word. “No.”

Laurent closed his eyes, showing no reaction as Tania finished up healing the wound at his side and merely following her order when she asked to see his hand again. From time to time, new tears found their way down his cheeks, and when he opened his eyes, his gaze was far away. In front of Tania was no place to talk about it, though, so Cedric kept pretending not to notice it and kept quiet.

“Okay. We’re done.” Tania put Laurent’s hand down. “And by the looks of it, not a moment too soon. You’re already half asleep.”

“Sorry,” Laurent mumbled, blinking red-rimmed eyes open.

“Shh. You need to rest.”

When Tania shot Cedric a questioning glance, he nodded, resigned. The living room was neither the most comfortable nor the most practical spot for Laurent to sleep, but he didn’t look like he had the strength left to sit on his own, let alone walk up the stairs into the bedroom.

“Do you have something made out of silk in all your fancy shit?” she asked. “A sheet or a shawl or something?”

“Fancy shit,” Cedric muttered as he left the room to check. He wasn’t one for wearing silk, but in one of the storage rooms stood a few boxes waiting to be donated. Even though clothes didn’t fit the range of goods his store offered, they were occasionally included when he took his chances and purchased a complete estate.

Thick fur coats and fine leather boots and ruffled blouses. In the third box, he discovered what he had been looking for, feeling a bit petty as he selected the most unfashionable piece he could find. 

When he returned to the living room, Tania had helped Laurent into a shirt; he must have asked her to fetch it from the clothes chest for him, Cedric realized, because she did not look like she was going to let him get up anytime soon.

“Does that work?” he asked, offering her a hideously patterned scarf.

“Wonderful.” 

Tania took it from him and wrapped it around one of the sofa cushions, which she then placed at the end of the sofa. Supporting Laurent so he didn’t have to put too much strain on his no longer bandaged midsection, she helped him lay down and pulled the blanket up to his shoulders and over his legs.

His eyes were all but closed, his breathing strained. Despite being dressed and covered, he was still shaking.

“You shouldn’t be alone now, so you stay there.” It wasn’t a suggestion. She stood up. “He needs at least two days of bedrest,” she said directed at Cedric, knowing as well as he did that his friend would have to be practically forced to stay put. “More would be better, but knowing him, two is already stretching it. Try to keep the room warm and dark. Did he drink enough?”

“He had a cup of coffee when he arrived.”

“Coffee!” She made a disgruntled noise and stared Cedric down. “You need to make sure he drinks lots of water. Water or tea. And broth, if you can get Yvan to make some.”

Now that was uncalled for. But not wrong. At least she trusted him to make tea. “Yes, ma’am,” he mumbled. 

“And don’t you ma’am me. Not my fault I’m the only one with a sliver of common sense here.” She snapped her bag closed with a pointed clack. “After all the times I’ve fixed you up, one would think you would remember a thing or two about how to take care of yourselves.”

If he was honest, he knew better, but treating Laurent’s condition with the seriousness it deserved would have made it all too real how close it had been. How close he had come to losing his best friend for over twenty years.

“I’m leaving you those.” Tania pointed at the glass vial left standing on the table next to the now empty cup. “Ten drops, twice a day, absolutely nothing more. Understood?” Only when Cedric nodded did she continue, “If it doesn’t get better, or there’s any sign of infection, let me know immediately. Fever, swelling, any kind of discharge.”

Cedric nodded again.

“Two days. At least,” Tania repeated.

“Tania?”

She whirled around, arms propped against her hips and obviously ready to defend her instructions against any excuse Laurent might be about to voice.

“Thank you.”

Her shoulders sagged. For a moment, she just stood there. Then she sank to one knee next to the sofa and wrapped her arms around him. 

“Please stop trying to get yourself killed.” She pressed a kiss onto Laurent’s forehead. “Selene would be heartbroken.”

Cedric decided to close the curtains, now that Tania didn’t need the light anymore. He walked over to the windows instead of using his magic, running his hand over the embedded pieces of quartz.

“Wouldn’t want to… do that to her.”

Cedric did his best to tune out their voices and give them a moment of privacy, but it wasn’t easy to close the curtains this damn slow. He checked the seams and tugged the fabric this way and that. The thread around one of the crystals was frayed. Running his thumb over the crystal, he smoothed the sharp edge that must be at fault for that. He should call someone to fix it, and perhaps to check all the other curtains as well. 

A half soft, half stern “Get some rest, Laurent” sounded final enough, so he turned around, finding Tania standing ready with her bag in hands.

“I’ll bring you to the door.”

Tania opened her mouth, but perhaps he had a sliver of authority left, because she didn’t attempt to decline his offer. She matched his pace as he led her through the hallway and to the front door, pausing with his hand on the handle.

“Where’s Merridy?” he asked.

“At my place. She seemed rather distraught, so I told her I was in the middle of cooking and asked her to watch over my stove until I returned.”

“Were you in the middle of cooking?”

Tania smiled. “My mom’s special stew. It’s been on the stove since this morning and won’t be done for another few hours.” She reached for the door. “I’ll tell her that everything went well and Laurent will be as good as new in a few days.”

Cedric swallowed against the sudden dryness in his throat. “Will he?” he asked.

“Yes. He lost a lot of blood, he exhausted his magic, and he will gain a few more scars, but he will be fine. Just make sure he actually rests for once.”

“Thank you,” Cedric said, and he meant it. 

She accepted his thanks with a nod and stepped outside. 

When Cedric returned to the living room, Laurent was already fast asleep. Cedric fetched a second blanket, one made from thicker wool, and spread it over Laurent as well. After throwing a few more logs into the fire and leaving a glass of water on the coffee table, he extinguished all but one glowing crystals. The last one he only dimmed, in case Laurent would awake after sunset.

With heavy steps, he walked up the stairs. He hadn’t used his magic, and he hadn’t lost any blood, but he hadn’t slept a single minute last night, and he felt almost as tired as Laurent looked. Giving the door a wistful glance, he walked past the bedroom and into the study, where he sank down onto his cushioned chair.

With a disgruntled noise, he swiped business correspondence and letters aside, going over everything the alleged contact had promised him in his mind as he opened a drawer to grab a fresh sheet of paper. He was going to find out who was behind the attempt on Laurent’s life, and he was going to make sure that person would spend the rest of their very short and very miserable life regretting it.

Did I give him a middle name specifically so she can call him by his full name? It's more likely than you think.

I should give more characters middle names...

[ankhisms]

Forgot that i even signed up to do a box office shift for the current show at the theater which i now have a very sour relationship with which ill ramble a bit about under the cut but basically something just came up with my mom where i wont be able to make it to do the box office and i had been dreading it so im just like (completely monotone voice and deadpan expression) oh how terrible. Its so horrible that i cant go do free work for this organization that hates me. So sad. Anyway

Didnt want to really dwell on it when it happened so i didnt post about it but like two weeks ago i did a favor for my martial arts classmate who is a jewlrey artist and sells her work at the local farmers market, she had surgery and needed to rest so i took over her farmers market booth that saturday and the guy next to me was someone i knew- the father of the person from that theater id say i have the most positive relationship with and their parents do a lot of work with the theater and are nice and have never been weird to me so it was nice to have someone i knew in the booth right next to me. Anyway since theyre very involved in that theater they know the more higher ups in that theater board etc etc and anyway the like current owner of the theater came by his booth AND one of the people involved in the performance i did last october too (WHICH I STILL HAVE NEVER BEEN PAID FOR WHEN THEY SAID MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THEY WOULD PAY ALL THREE OF US ACTORS)- i could maybe see the owner not knowing me since ive never been in a show hes directed (although i have auditioned for his shows) but the other lady ABSOLUTELY knows me and would have recognized me. Anyway i wanted to be friendly and at least say hi to them even if talking is hard i wanted to be nice yknow but they just. POINTEDLY ignored me. And i dont think this is me being paranoid or missing a social cue/misreading a situation before. Ive been ignored and isolated plenty of times in my life. They were talking to this guy 3 feet from me and refusing to look at me and then making a point to walk in the opposite direction so they didnt have to walk past me. And honestly at the time i felt like this burning feeling of anger and confusion and hurt where its like i literally have no fucking idea why this group of people have decided that they dislike me and that they dislike me enough to not give me ANY roles in any show i audition for and to only ever ask me to do unpaid shit for them (when they KNOW i live farther away than anyone else) and theres just a whole laundry list of how ive gone out of my way to do everything i can to be helpful and kind and to like be a good part of what i hoped was a cool theater community but in the end i just get exploited, lied to, and then treated like i fucking killed someone. I literally have zero clue what i could have done beyond just generally having visible traits of not being ~normal~ enough for them. It just is frustrating especially when this group is always talking about being progressive and inclusive and shit but i know damn well they treated a disabled actor know who uses a cane like shit and wouldnt cast them bc of that.

Anyway tldr i think im done with that theater. Ive had enough and their whole "theme" this season is "the american dream" and i just am like. Actually fuck that fuck the american dream and fuck the united states i dont want to do theater with neoliberal bootlickers anyway

[duskwoodgirl4life]

Trap of lies

Chapter 24

This is a collaboration with @x3kristax3 it's based in the 1700s where Jake and MC meet while in this chapter there are not trigger warnings. In other chapters there are so I ask you too read with caution ⚠️ you can check out the other chapters here

Jake's POV

I woke up early my mind drifted back to last night's events, thinking about MC and what Alan did to her. She told me to trust her I trust her with my life ever she has planned I hope Alan suffers.

Today is the day I take over the family business, Charlie's guidance I know I can do this. He told me to meet him at 9 am sharp so he can go over things with me.

Before I leave I have to take care of my wounds making sure they are cleaned and rebandaged. I have a slight bruise on my hand from where I punched Alan god it felt so good doing that.

I start to smarten myself up ready for the events of the day, I am both excited and nervous about taking over the business I feel very honored that the business has been entrusted to me. My mind drifts back to the events of last night, I should have been the one to take care of Alan. I know MC is more than capable but I don't want her hurt anymore.

I get snapped out of my thoughts when I notice it's time for me to leave, I grab my coat and trusty cane and make my way to Charlie's. I start making my way to Charlie's people walking about ready to start their day. I notice the flower stand being set up putting out all the beautiful flowers. I see MCs favorite they are almost as beautiful as she is I decide to go over and fix get them for her. I make sure to pick some up for Mary as she has been so kind to me.

Arriving at the shop I knock on the door and Charlies lets me inside I hand the flowers to Mary who smiles and gives me a big hug. She goes to put them in water leaving us to go over what needs to be done.

I never realised just how interesting the trade business can be. When you're the one running it. It's like a whole new world has been opened to me. Charlie teaches me all I need to know and says he will be with me for the next couple of weeks.

I see Charlie looking at my hand the bruise has gotten much darker than before, I can see in his eyes he wants to ask me about it but I have the feeling he knows how it got there.

Charlie's POV

Jake arrives at the shop and instantly I notice something off about him, he has a bruise on his hand. He's been fighting, he's been fighting with Alan I can't blame him for wanting to do that. I know how much he loves my daughter I think he would even kill for her.

A few nights ago I saw Jake and Alan arguing in the town, they thought no one was there but I saw and heard everything that happened. I saw how the anger roared up inside Jake he wanted to end Alan's life right then and there.

Something stopped him that night it was as if Jake saw someone in the background and pulled himself away. I could hear Alan moking Jake he made sure to let Jake know he would never get MC back.

Alan turned and walked away laughing he thought he had won some kind of victory over Jake, but in fact, he hadn't really won anything well apart from impending death brought to him at the hands of my daughter.

I need to talk to Jake about what happened, some things need to be said. He must understand that he can't keep getting in the way as hard as it will be to hear I know he will understand.

I invite Jake into the backroom where we can take in private, I ask Mary to keep an eye on things and to call me if she needs me.

Charlie: Jake, we need to talk about the other night

Jake: you saw me and alan?

Charlie: yes I did, I saw you two arguing over MC you can't keep doing this Jake you need to stay away it's for your own good

Jake: but I love her, I need her so bad

Charlie: I understand that, but staying away is what's best. You have to tell let her to choose her path

Jake: I'm sorry, I never meant to...

Charlie: Jake my boy, I do truly understand why you did what you did, please promise me you will stay away

Jake: I promise, I never meant to cause any trouble

Charlie: how did you get that bruise on your hand?

Jake: I was angry when I got home so I punched the wall

Charlie: Okay then, we will leave it at that come on there is a lot to go over.

That morning I stopped by and got the paperwork from the courthouse to give Jake full ownership, all I had to do was having him sign it which he did right away after last nights conversation before he left Jessy’s. I’m still hoping this works to keep Alan out of this business, as I never wanted to hand it over.

As we walk bac outfront the door opens and in walks my daughter and Alan. i see a bruise on her face and shes looking down. I have no idea what this man has done to her but he’s breaking her fight that we all love.

Charlies: What can I do for you Alan?

Alan: I’m here to take what is mine as I am taking care of your daughter now.

Charlies: Sorry but the business is no longer mine. Jake is the rightful owner of this trade business now. I am just helping him with all the stuff I’ve been doing all these years.

We watch Alan slam his can on the ground and he’s losing his temper. I see’s MC face and she looks scared. Mary notices as well.

Mary: MC, darling, can you come with me please?

MC: Yes mama.

MC goes to walk away and Alan grabs her hand and gives her this look. I watch my daughters face and I know nothing good is coming out of this. I just hope she’s acting this way and he really hasn’t broken her spirit.

MC POV:

I walk into the back with my mama and I see the concern on her face. She grabs a bag and some ice and puts it on my face on the bruise. I flinch at the coldness of it but I know I need it. He hit me good last night before Jake showed up and it only got worse after he woke back up from being knocked unconscious.

Mary: Hunny, do we need to pull you home?

MC: Jessy and I have a plan. Please don’t step in okay? Its bad enough already, but he hasn’t broke me yet but I need him to think so mama.

My voice is soft so he can’t hear but we hear yelling out in the front. I look at her and she looks at me and we walk out to where the men are and see Alan holding his face,

Alan: We are leaving now

MC: what happened?

Charlies: don’t think we don’t see that bruise. I know he laid a hand on you and as your father it’s my right to protect you.

MC: *sigh* please just let me be with who I choose. I choose Alan, why is it so hard for everyone to understand that?

Charlies: Because we know you darling. Even the last time you two were together you weren’t happy.

MC: happiness is not what matters to me anymore. Its about being safe and not lied to

I glare at them as check on Alan and I see Jake clench his hands. He knows the truth but he’s still angry at Alan for last night.

Jake's POV

It has been a long day filled with so many emotions, I had lied to Charlie about my hand. I couldn't tell him what happened I promised I would stay away but I find myself being pulled back. As I make my way home I think about MC I am so worried about her.

I have to keep reminding myself that she is more than capable of taking care of Alan but still I should be protecting her from the evils of this world. As I get to my front door I see a note sticking out the corner of the door. I pull it out and open up the paper I see that there are only a few words on the paper but I can't help but smile a little.

Everything is okay X

[lifeofkaze]

A Search for Balance

CHAPTER 23: THE SEED OF DOUBT

Find the masterlist with all chapters of this story here, the previous chapter here, and the next one here.

Tagging: @flareshogwarts

A/N: Katriona Cassiopeia (in mention) belongs to @kc-and-co

HOLIDAY HEROES OR CHRISTMAS CLOWNS?

Rita Skeeter’s take on the first season half, how the Quidditch stars spent their Christmas break and who rang in 1994 with who. 

The first half of the season is done and dusted, and our Quidditch teams have exchanged their broomsticks for candy canes. For the  Montrose Magpies, the festive period has been particularly merry - they finished the year on top of the League, the Kenmare Kestrels and Wigtown Wanderers hot on their broomstick bristles. For the Chudley Cannons, it’s new year, same old story as they are cosying up with the Ballycastle Bats at the bottom of the table. Both teams will need to put their holiday hangovers aside quickly to prevent dropping down a division once the final round begins.

Someone else who should use her season break well is Wigtown’s problem Chaser Elizabeth Jameson. For the match against Montrose, coach Parkin gave preference to Jameson’s substitute Morgaine Yarwood, and Jameson hasn’t been seen attending practice since. Has the Bludger to her wrist renewed her former injury, or is there more to her continued absence?

Matthew put away the Daily Prophet and helped himself to another cup of coffee. There was a satisfied smile playing around his lips, but it vanished as he looked at the vacant seat across from him. Lizzie had been supposed to meet him for breakfast ten minutes ago, but - as per usual - there was still no sign of her. 

From the first day of her Christmas break, which Lizzie spent at McRae Manor, the atmosphere between her and Matthew had been strained. She had initially planned on accompanying her parents on their trip to Boston, but Matthew had had different ideas.

“A lot has happened, and we could really use some time with just the two of us. Wouldn’t that be nice? It’d be easier for me to focus on your representation if I knew we were alright again.”

Lizzie had eventually agreed to stay, but she didn’t hide the fact that the manor wasn’t really where she wanted to be. She was concise to the point of being rude and spent as much time by herself as Matthew was willing to give her. He was disappointed in her behaviour but convinced that she would calm down sooner or later. 

When the door to the breakfast room opened and Lizzie entered, Matthew smiled and indicated for her to join him at the table. The smile she returned looked forced, but surprisingly, she did as he had asked her to. Suppressing a sigh, Matthew’s eyes dropped to her wrist; the bandages Lizzie was supposed to wear were nowhere to be seen. Scowling, he snapped his fingers, and Dede, the McRae’s house-elf, appeared.

“Master Matthew?”

“My fiancée seems to have misplaced her bandages. Go and see that she is taken care of.”

The house-elf bowed, her long, floppy ears brushing over the carpet. She padded towards Lizzie and reached for her hand, but Lizzie withdrew it from her.

“You don’t need to do this. I’m fine.”

Dede made an unhappy sound. “Please, Miss Lizzie. If Dede doesn’t do as Master Matthew has instructed, she will have to drop a pot on her foot. Dede won’t like that at all.”

Lizzie’s eyebrows shot up, but she let the house-elf wrap her hand in some crisp white dressings without another word. Once Dede had left, she frowned at Matthew.

“Was that really necessary?”

“The Healers told you to keep it still. Why won’t you listen to what’s best for you?” 

Lizzie didn’t reply, instead staring unhappily at her wrapped-up hand. Matthew let the flare of frustration rising in him go. The Bludger that had hit her during her last match had put her in pain; she hadn’t said so, but Matthew knew her well enough to have known anyway. To spare her from her own stubbornness, he had convinced Ethan that it would be better to let someone else play for the remaining games until the Christmas break. Lizzie hadn’t been amused to be removed from the roster, but if she wasn’t sensible about her health, someone else would have to be.

That her enforced break from Quidditch was taking her away from her teammates suited Matthew just fine. He had always known that Skye Parkin and her likes were trouble, but that they would go as far as goading her into trying to end their relationship, even Matthew hadn’t foreseen. The thought filled him with anger. If it wasn’t for Skye and her meddling, everything would still be on track. 

What had happened between Lizzie and her ex-boyfriend was unfortunate, but Matthew was confident that she had learned her lesson. She would soon see that Matthew only had her best interest at heart. He loved her, after all.

Lizzie had finally stopped fretting about her new bandages and was helping herself to some breakfast. Matthew raised his eyebrows at her full plate, so she put it down with an irritated noise. 

“What?”

“Do you really want to eat all this?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“It’s your fault you were late. We have people to meet.”

Lizzie pulled a face. “More wedding stuff?” 

“No, not more wedding stuff,” came Matthew’s cool reply. “There’s still a lot to do before New Year’s Eve. You’re going to need a new dress, too.”

“I have plenty of dresses.”

“I don’t want to fight you on this.”

“You started it.”

Matthew sighed deeply. “Just go and get ready, please.”

Lizzie’s look was acidic. “Can I have my coffee, at least?”

“Suit yourself,” Matthew said with a defeated gesture of his hand.

The angry clanking of Lizzie’s teaspoon against the sugar bowl was interrupted when Dede reappeared, carrying a silver tray with a stack of letters, which she handed to Matthew with a bow. 

“The post has arrived, Master Matthew.” 

Matthew flicked through the letters after Dede had left, sorting them into business matters, private things, and those addressed to Lizzie. He paused briefly when his eyes fell onto an envelope with unfamiliar handwriting. It had Lizzie’s name on it, and when he was sure that she wasn’t looking, Matthew quickly put it between two letters from the Ministry and onto his business stack. 

Lately, more and more offers from other clubs had begun rolling in, and Matthew took care that they landed on his desk instead of Lizzie’s. He had never told her about the offer from Montrose, and considering the fuss she’d made the last time he had accidentally opened her post, it would remain that way. He didn’t need her interfering with his work; she had done enough damage to her career for a while. 

Putting the letters from her parents and grandmother onto the newest copy of Which Broomstick?, he handed everything to her. 

“Here you go, dear. You may want to go through them when we’re back, though.”

“Whatever,” Lizzie said, leaving with her coffee and her post to finally get changed. Once she had gone, Matthew pulled out the unknown letter and opened it. It was from one Katriona Cassiopeia, a former Beater of the Caerphilly Catapults and friend of Lizzie’s, if he recalled correctly. 

Upon reading what Katriona had written, Matthew’s scowl turned into a satisfied smirk. Orion Amari was spending his Christmas with Katriona and her husband and seemed to be incredibly disheartened about Lizzie’s return to her rightful place by Matthew’s side. 

The fact that Lizzie had broken ties with Orion contented Matthew, but Katriona Cassiopeia was a variant he hadn’t foreseen. He didn’t quite know what to make of her; she seemed to be a woman with strong ideas and ever stronger tendencies to voice them, something that could prove problematic in the long run. 

He was still weighing his options as he put the letter back onto the tray and lit it with fire from his wand. He would need to keep a closer eye on who Lizzie was surrounding herself with. She was quick to trust, but her spilling details about their relationship wouldn’t do. Maybe it was time to show her what could happen if she placed her faith in the wrong people.

He snapped his fingers, and Dede appeared once more.

“Fetch me some parchment and a quill,” he told her. “And get an owl ready. This letter is urgent.” 

***

When Lizzie opened the Daily Prophet the following day, her mouth dropped open. Her eyes flew over the article, disbelief written all over her face as she held the paper out to Matthew.

“What is this?”

Matthew took the newspaper from her and quickly scanned the page. It was the gossip column, a picture of Lizzie and him attending Lewis Parkin’s farewell party last summer dominating the page. The headline above it read:

Fairytale Gone Bad? Rita Skeeter sheds light on British Quidditch’s hottest couple and their darkest secret.

“It appears we made it into the tabloids,” he said with a shrug. He kept his face straight, but there was a feeling of profound satisfaction as Lizzie pulled the newspaper back towards her and began to read out loud:

“It appears that Wigtown’s star Chaser Lizzie Jameson has been chasing more than Quaffles lately. Who is the mysterious man Jameson risks her pre-marital bliss with? Word in Diagon Alley is that the disturber of peace is none other than her teammate and former sweetheart Orion Amari, whose return from his mysterious hiatus has thrown the League and hearts of fans all over the country into turmoil. How does deceived fiancé and agent Matthew McRae cope with this horrific news as the wedding of his dreams approaches?”

Lizzie threw the Prophet on the table when she had finished. “Has this Skeeter woman lost her mind?”

“Just a bit of overly dramatic writing, if you ask me.”

“Do you find this funny?”

“It doesn’t bar a certain irony, don’t you think?” Matthew raised his eyebrows at Lizzie’s scalding look. “If I may remind you, I’m the one who got cheated on. You’re not in the position to berate me on how I want to deal with it.”

Lizzie fell silent, chagrin written on her face. At least she had the decency to feel ashamed about what she had done. It was a step in the right direction. Matthew’s face softened as he reached for her hand, on which her engagement ring was glittering.

“Don’t be upset. I forgave you, didn’t I? I don’t see why you’re making such a fuss about it, anyway,” he added after having read the article himself. “People like us get written about all the time. If I had to guess, I’d say that Rita Skeeter made this up to increase her sales. It’s not like she knows the actual truth, doesn’t she?” 

“How would she come up with this, of all things?” Lizzie asked unhappily. Her eyes flicked to Matthew. “You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”

“Why would I? I’m not the one to gain something from discrediting you.”

Lizzie frowned. “What do you mean? 

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but think about who would profit from putting you in a bad light. Your friend Skye, for example,” Matthew clarified when Lizzie didn’t catch on. “You’re raking in your well-deserved praise while she’s under constant scrutiny from her father. I’ve heard people questioning if making her captain instead of you was the right choice to begin with.” 

Lizzie opened her mouth to protest, but Matthew wasn’t done yet. 

“She was always jealous of you, even when you were at school. You said it yourself, she can’t accept it when she isn’t the centre of attention. And then, there’s your ex, of course.”

“Orion?” Lizzie whispered, all colour draining from her face.

“I’m afraid so.”

“No,” Lizzie shook her head. “He would never. And neither would Skye.”

“You know them better than me,” Matthew conceded, but the flicker of doubt in her eyes wasn’t lost on him, “but if Rita isn’t secretly a Seer, someone must have tipped her off. Skye is jealous, and Orion feels rejected. And who can blame him? I don’t know what I would do if someone tried to take you from me.”

He leaned across the table and took her hand again; this time, Lizzie let him. 

“I can’t believe this,” she said, looking as miserable as Matthew had ever seen her. He rose to his feet and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t hug him back, but neither did she push him away as Matthew ran his hand up and down her spine and whispered:

“I wish I could have spared you this lesson. Sometimes, the people we trust most aren’t who they appear to be.”

[sl-newsie]

Chapter Five: Backstage Rage (Spot Colon x Female Newsie)

I put tha finish’n touches on my hair and check my reflection one last time. For tonight’s foist performance, I’s wear’n a blue corset with a half-skirt, exposing tha front of my legs and mak’n me shake noivously. Then Medda bursts in.

“Oh, Becca! You look marvelous, in my professional opinion!”

“Yeah, and so will everyone else think in their own opinion,” I mudda.

“Don’t worry- nobody is going to harm you. Maybe a few calls and whistles, but you just ignore them. Focus on that glorious singing voice of yours!” She pats my shoulda and waltzes out.

“How can I focus on sing’n someth’n that is tha complete opposite of what I wanna sing?” I ask myself. But I gots no choice- if we’s go’n on strike now, I godda earn even more money.

Five minutes lata, I’m backstage behind tha curtain, termb’ln immensely.

“And now, dear gentlemen, the Glorious Graclyn!” Medda announces. My stage name.

Jack, forgive me.

I put on a wide smile, sassy attitude, and step onto tha stage as tha music starts.

(Treat Me Rough from Nice Work If You Can Get It)

“Treat me rough,

Muss my hair,

Don't you dare to handle me with care.

I'm no innocent child, baby,

Keep on treating me wild!

Treat me rough,

Pinch my cheek,

Kiss and hug and squeeze me,

`Till I'm weak.

I've been pampered enough, baby-

Keep on treatin' me rough!”

I strut over ta tha edge of tha stage, earn’n a few whistles. Try’n ta keep tha attitude, I shake my shouldas and twist my torso. When tha music picks up again I quickly go back ta center stage.

“Treat me rough,

Pinch my cheek,

Kiss and hug and squeeze me,

`Till I'm weak.

I've been pampered enough, baby-

Keep on treatin' me rough,

(I adds a few swings with balled fists, justs ta show tha audience that I’s ain’t one ta mess with.)

Rough, rough, rough,

Keep on treatin' me-

Keep on treatin' me rough!”

I finish with a quick curtsy and make my way backstage. Claps, whistles, and hollars fill tha theatre, giv’n me a confus’n feel’n of pride and shame. After escap’n to my dress’n room I begin to put on my next costume: a dark purple corset with a blood-red skirt. Not as scandalous, thank goodness, but tha song ain’t much bedder. I’s still consider’n wear’n tha mask with it, so I put it on. I also keep on my robe as usual, neva want’n any attention I’s don’t need backstage.

When I step out, I nearly have a heart attack, much less gasp.

Spot! He’s here! Backstage, in tha theatre! Sure enough, he’s lean’n up against a nearby wall twirl’n his cane.

Why is he here?

Soon he notices me- I freeze.

“S’cuse me, miss, where do I find tha seats near tha front row?”

Um...

I stiffly point ta tha door on tha right, try’n ta keep my face straight.

Spot nods. “Thanks good-look’n.”

After he leaves, I give a heavy sigh. He didn’t see my face through tha mask, and my costume’s covered. Good, that’s ova…

No it ain’t! I’s still gotta perform!

In ten minutes I’ve already used three cloths ta wipe my face off. Hav’n ripped tha mask off, I feel a bit cooler. I’s shouldn’t be worry’n- I’s dealt with worse crowds- but not worse like Spot Colon! If he figures it out, not only will Jack know, but all of New York will too!

“And now, dear gentlemen, the Glorious Graclyn!” Medda announces again.

Oh God.

Spot’s POV

“Thanks, good-look’n.” I say as I make my way to tha seats. I’s neva been here before, but I hoid through Bucky that it’s a happen’n place. When I take a seat next ta some animated guys, a red-head lady in a bright green dress steps onto tha stage.

“And now, dear gentlemen, the Glorious Graclyn!” 

A bunch-a guys whistle and hollar, leav’n me confused.

“What’s tha big deal?” I ask tha fella next to me.

“No guy in their right mind misses a night when Graclyn performs!” 

Graclyn? What a stupid name.

“Why on Earth would someone pick such a-”

Rebecca’s POV

(Why Don’t You Do Right from Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

“You had plenty money, 1822,” I whisper-sing behind tha curtain. 

I step and saunter to tha front. My outfit gets more whistles, almost mak’n me blush. I first notice that Spot’s seated in tha very front, near tha right of tha stage. Poifect, just what I need.

“You let other women make a fool of you.

Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too.”

Spot’s POV

“You had plenty money, 1822.” I hear from behind tha curtain. It sounds… holy. And then my thoughts is clarified: an angel steps out onta tha stage. 

Stop tha press! 

More whistles and hollars fill tha theatre.

Is- Is that tha goil I talked to backstage? But she was wear’n a mask…?

Her dress is nice. A bit show-y, I guess, but what I’s taken by is her voice...

“You let other women make a fool of you

Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too.”

She begins strutt’n ova ta tha left of tha stage, and I’s can’t help but let my jaw drop at tha sight of her face. I turn to tha guy again, who’s clearly awestruck as well. 

“Wh-who is she?” I ask, try’n ta find my voice.

“No one knows- she just started working here a few months ago. What a looker!”

I scrunch my face. What kind of guy stares at a goil like she’s eye candy?

Rebecca’s POV

“You're sittin' down and wonderin' what it's all about

You ain't got no money, they will put you out.

Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too.”

I slowly begin ta walk ta tha right, avoid’n fac’n Spot as much as possible.

“If you had prepared twenty years ago

You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door

Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too

Why don't you do right, like some other men do

Like some other men do.”

Spot’s POV

She’s start’n to come this way. Her voice, that voice! I’s don’t know why but it’s like I died and went to Heaven! I’s can’t put my finger on it, but there’s someth’n ‘bout her that’s familiar...

“If you had prepared twenty years ago

You wouldn't be a-wanderin' now from door to door

Why don't you do right, like some other men do?

Get out of here and get me some money too

Why don't you do right, like some other men do

Like some other men do.”

She ain’t looked at me at all, but right before she turns ta leave I catch her eye- God, where has I seen her before?!

Rebecca’s POV

It takes all tha strength I’s got left ta not go sprint’n offstage. As I walk towards tha curtain, I hear more and more whistles. I also notice, however, that Spot never once joined in- but he did clap tha loudest.

I feel like a new woman afta I completely wash my face of all tha makeup and curls. Soon I’s wear’n my usual clothes, with my hair tucked unda my cap. This is my favorite part of woik- sweep’n up backstage. There’s only a few acts left, and I ain’t one of ‘em! I sometimes watch if I can, earn’n a few pointers fer myself.

“Don't come a-knocking on my door

You aren't welcome here no more…”

I can’t help but do a little jig along to tha music…

“Hello again, beauty.”

I stop. Spot’s back, lean’n against tha wall again. It’s ok- I’s a newsie now, not some showgoil.

“What’re you’s do’n here without Jack? Arn’t you’s tied at tha hip?”

I scowl. “Haha. Whadda ya want, Spot?”

“I’s just ‘bout leav’n when I sees a goil newsie sweep’n up. Ya got anodda job besides sell’n papes?”

“Since when is it your business? I ain’t-” I then hear tha big part of tha act begin onstage- “Shut up now. I’s watch’n!”

I run ova and climb a beam hold’n tha curtain. I’s just able ta see tha goils perform’n, and it’s go’n great!

Spot’s POV

What’s her deal? Sure, she ain’t a normal goil, but someth’n’s off…

I look up and see her climb’n tha beam. Woah, what a goil. Normally I’s ain’t interested, but this is different.

Sighing, I quietly sing in my head:

“I got no use for moonlight

Or sappy poetry.

Love at first sight's for suckas-

At least it used to be.

Yeah, goils are nice, once or twice

‘Till I find someone new.

But I never planned on someone like you.”

I walk closa and get a bedda look at tha goil- ‘Becs.’ She really is a beauty. 

She sees me look’n and squints.

“What’re ya do’n?” She asks suspiciously.

“Quiet down! There's a show going on,” I tease.

She rolls her eyes and hops down, point’n a scold’n finga at me. “You are tha most impossible boy-”

“Shh…” I put a finger ta my lips, motion’n ta tha goils sing’n. 

She scowls. “-eva! Foiget this, I gotta go!”

She hurries ova ta grab her bag and rushes out tha door. I watch as she sprints down tha ally and out into tha street, and I can’t help but worry if she’ll make it home safe.

“No, I never planned on someone like you.”

Still, I can’t get tha singa’s face outta my head. Just someth’n ‘bout it seems familiar...

[bumblerhizal-art]

hidden

(Set shortly after Novhen and Morrigan's post-Inquisition reunion. Possible Inquisition spoilers re: the old god baby. CW: Discussions of memory loss)

[70 One Word Prompts]

Someone was watching him. Novhen felt the eyes boring into the back of his neck plain as anything. The Vigil's gardens were small and simple. He was on their edge and, by all appearances, alone, save for his mabari resting at his feet. All that was behind him was a single waist-high hedgerow and the roofed corridor that led back into the keep's interior. Just enough shadow for someone to conceal themself.

His hand tightened around his cane, but his muscles burned too much from old wounds to let him rise from the bench.

Novhen leaned forward as best he could and pet Griffon for a chance to get a good look at the hound, but he was placid, yawning even. It was doubtful that he wouldn't have noticed an unfamiliar scent. Whoever it was couldn't have been a threat, but the unwelcome feeling wouldn't go away. If they were going to watch him, Novhen at least deserved to know who it was.

"Griff," he whispered into his ear, "do you think you could fish out whoever's spying back there?"

Griffon smushed his snout against Novhen's jaw and hopped up. He ran around the bench and over the hedges behind it. He stood tall and barked with his tail wagging vigorously.

Novhen turned in time to see a child fall backwards out of the shrubs. The child held his arms defensively in front of himself. His face was the spitting image of Morrigan's. 

"Griffon, stand down," Novhen commanded.

Griffon barked affirmatively. He toddled back to Novhen’s feet and laid down to passively watch events unfold. He had done his part. Kieran lowered his arms and stared at anything but his father.

Novhen looked at him apologetically. "Hope he didn't give you too much of a fright, kid."

Kieran twiddled his fingers anxiously, "Hello, Father. I'm sorry for hiding."

Novhen's chest sank. The poor boy clearly didn't trust him. Not that he could blame him. They'd only just met. Until last month, he had been nothing but an absence for years, worse than a stranger. He had no right to expect any better.

He tried to smile, "There's no need to apologize for that. You don't have to be so formal with me either, you know. You can just call me Da."

"Right… Da," Kieran said.

A silence fell between them. Kieran looked at his feet. Novhen kicked himself. He was lucky the boy acknowledged him as family at all. He shouldn’t try to force that familiarity so soon. He would have to earn it, but this could be a perfect time to work towards that goal.

Novhen said, "Kieran, why don't you come sit with me while I wait for my strength to come back? There's still space for another."

Kieran cautiously stepped forward. As he turned the corner around the nearest gap in the hedges, he kept his eyes fixed on Griffon. Novhen followed his line of sight.

"Don't worry yourself about him," he said. "He's a smart dog. Wouldn't hurt a hair on your head."

Griffon huffed as though any other possibility would have been completely absurd.

Kieran sat down slowly. He now stared off into the distance, refusing to look either Novhen or Griffon in the eye. 

Novhen leaned back. Birdsongs filled every inch of the air at this hour. The thought flitted through his head that Kieran could have snuck up on him by shapeshifting into a bird or some other innocuous animal. He was all but guaranteed to develop magic someday, and Morrigan would certainly be a willing teacher. It was only a matter of whether or not he already had. Or, Novhen mused, maybe he used more traditional means of sneaking around, like a Tabris.

The boy sat stiffly next to him.

"Something on your mind?" Novhen asked.

Kieran hesitated to answer. "I remember you with a sword. I haven't seen you with a sword here though."

"Don’t know where you would’ve gotten that image of me from. I'm not really a swordsman. I don't think I've even touched one since…"

Right. The archdemon. Of course he would remember that.

Novhen cleared his throat. "I guess that doesn't matter. I only used a sword that one time."

Kieran looked down at his hands and said quietly, "He said that you killed him, but he wasn't mad."

A pause.

"How much do you remember of that day?" Novhen asked delicately. 

"Not much anymore."

"That might be for the best. I can't imagine those being pleasant memories for you to hold," he said softly, "but hey, that gives us something in common, doesn't it?"

Kieran looked at him quizzically, "What? But how would you forget? You were there."

"Ah, so I was," he answered, "but as it went, I also hit my head something awful right after and was still recovering from the last time I got knocked down that fight. I only know I'm the one who killed the archdemon because everyone else spent the next six months screaming in my ear about it nonstop."

He said, "The story I heard was much more heroic than that."

"I bet it would be. The truth makes for a lousy story, and your storyteller had dignity to protect."

"Can you tell me the truth then?" Kieran asked.

"Would if I could, kid, but like I said, I got slapped around a few too many times to remember much of anything," Novhen shrugged. "I guess if you want to know about any earlier part of that battle? Or is there any other story? I know a few good ones."

Kieran furrowed his eyebrows for several seconds before he responded, "How did you become a Grey Warden? Whenever I asked Mother, she would say she didn't know."

From the ground, Griffon raised an ear.

Novhen drummed his fingers against his cane's handle, "Yeah, I suppose I never told her much of that one. It's not my favorite to tell, but for you, I'll let it slide this once. Listen close because I can't promise you'll hear it again."

Novhen cleared his voice for the show. This would be a lot of details to smudge.

[sw2-serials]

Anne Sends Me to Ms. Rachel

“I’m disappointed in you, Lauren’ is her favorite line.  “I thought you would do better – you could have done better, couldn’t you have?” is another.

Early on, Anne couldn’t bring herself to give me any more than a hand spanking, and that just turned me on (especially with what she did after, then I did after, then we did after…).  We both knew how badly I needed a firm hand so she asked her friend Rachel to help.

Now I tell all my faults, foibles, and mistakes to Anne and she writes them down.  I guess she notes which ones she objects to, somehow… or maybe they discuss them.  In any case, after a few days she’ll take me to see ‘Ms. Rachel’.

There, Ms. Rachel will question me closely about what Anne has e-mailed her… starting with the issues she’s not concerned with.  She’ll tell me which things I should not to be too hard on myself about, and explain why – and sometimes gives me things to do to make things right when I can and when it’s a good idea (she does this for all of the issues).  Even this really helps.

Then we move on to bigger issues, and I know there’ll be a spanking involved (the sole purpose for me seeing her is so that I can be spanked!).  We discuss these, the whys, the ‘what I should have done’, all of that…

Then… then we get to what I call the ‘blow up issues’ – things that I might have thought was a little thing but she considers much more serious – and by that she means much more important to me getting the life I want.  For instance, sometimes doing something late will get me a lecture (with all its implications for my backside) on all the other consequences it could trigger.  Or someone might be a little upset with me, but she’ll see them as feeling ‘betrayed’ or ‘unappreciated’ or something a lot more.  By now my bottom is clenched and I need to pee really, really badly, even if I just did.

The worst part, I guess, is that she questions me on all of this, with a lot of low-key ‘don’t you see…’ type of remarks, and I just know – in fact, she makes it clear, sometimes – that my answers are just getting me in more trouble.  I‘ve tried just not arguing and agreeing with her, but then she’ll ‘quiz’ me and conclude that I ‘don’t really understand’.  So she tries again. Or, I raise my issues, and her disappointment grows!  That always seems to turn up ‘aspects that we’ll need to deal with.’

Okay, we made this arrangement because I needed harsher spankings than Anne would give me, but there could be a middle ground somewhere!  Because (once I’ve relieved my bladder and left my pants (if any) and undies in the bathroom) next comes the ‘spanking’ part – an all-inclusive term for all the ways she’s going to redden my hide!

She’ll put her ‘tools’ on the coffee table and I get an idea what I’m in for… oh look, there’s the hairbrush (after a session with her hand to ‘get my head straight’…) – and the discipline strap, of course, since I don’t get sent until I need it… and the cane (‘that’s for later, dear’, she always tells me).  All that’s missing is the slipper or slapper or ruler(s) she’ll use after to ‘roast my punishment in’ (and extend it to my thighs) for ‘a good long effect’…

In a way she shows a lot of interest in me, advising me and going over my behavior like this… on the other hand, it’s Anne and me in the relationship, so she really has no concerns about ‘staying on my good side’… in other words, there’s no reason for her to ever ease up from what she’s decided will ‘do me the best good’…

Her questions continue during the spanking – mostly when she’s using the strap, when she uses the cane she’s lecturing and doesn’t expect (or allow!) a reply… if I’m begging and pleading frantically or not answering her questions properly she’ll take a break – so that we can repeat our ‘discussion’ and make sure I’m ‘straight on things.’  Then it’s back to the strap.

She likes to have me crying halfway through the hairbrush… and by the time she finishes the strap I can’t really even speak sensibly… and I don’t recover much over her knee for her ‘after-spanking warming’ (which I call ‘roasting’).  So when she’s all done I kneel by her sofa, bawling my eyes out while she pets my head and says ‘there, there’ and ‘you’ll do better, I know you will’ and handing me tissues for my nose and eyes (I’m still undies-less and to be honest, sometimes I could use a few tissues down there, too (blush)).

At some point I hear Anne come back and Ms. Rachel goes to greet her… they visit in the other room until I get my act together… and she leads me back to her place.

When we get there I thank her and thank her (I’ll write Ms. Rachel a ‘thank-you’ note later, every time) and be desperate to serve her.  Fortunately she has no problem with this and sees that I fulfill any needs she has… then we work on developing some more… and finally, looking at mine, which usually starts off with my bottom’s need for lotion, which Anne provides (she seems comfortable with my condition, as long as she’s ‘alleviating’ it)…

I make Anne friend sound like a monster… but of course she’s not.  I could stop this any time, which I would never want to (except when I’m in the middle of it!).  I recognize that if it was anything less I’d probably be asking for more…

And who knows?  Maybe someday – maybe someday soon – I’ll get to the point where I’m not always disappointing her!

[human-monokuma]

A bittersweet Christmas

*Nanokuma was laying in bed at Future Foundation HQ. They silently stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. They hears a knock at the door.*

Monophanie's voice: "Nano? Are you awake?...I-It's Christmas morning. Everyone...everyone's exchanging gifts...."

"Alright.....I'm coming......." *Nanokuma sighs and gets out of bed and heads to the main floor. They look around, looking at the Christmas decorations that the staff put together. The christmas tree was big and tall, decorated with beautiful christmas lights, candy canes, and more. Nano looks at the tree with apathy as they find a table to sit at. THey sits next to Yasuhiro, who was drinking hot chocolate.*

Yasuhiro: "Good morning, Nano! Merry Christmas!" *Nano gives a silent wave to Yasuhiro.* "....I hope I get that new Kamen Rider Gotchard Figure! I'm a bit of a kamen rider fan. Silly for someone my age, but I like what I wanna like, you know?" *Still no answer from Nanokuma.* "Want some hot chocolate?" *Nano shrugs.* "Ok. I'll go get you some." *Yasuhiro walks away to make Nanokuma some hot chocolate. Nanokuma just sat there in silence as Aoi sat next to Nano with a cup of hot chocolate.*

Aoi: "Morning, Nano. Merry Christmas. And don't worry. i told Hiro that you can have my chocolate." *Nano silently takes the cup of chocolate and just....looks at it in silence.* ".....So how was your trip to the pizzeria's christmas extraviganza?" *Nano shrugs.* "Ok........So.....what do you think you got for christmas?" *Nano remains silent still. Aoi scratches her head in confusion and worries.* "I'll.....go check on the others." *AOi gets up and leaves Nano by their lonesome. She passes by Kuro.* "Sorry, Kuro. I couldn't break through their shell."

"Damn. I was afraid of that. After losing Monosuke and Motherkuma recently, they're becoming more distant. I'd call Maki, but Nano told me not to out of her dying to that crazy assassin too. It's clear that Nano's scared of losing more than they already have."

Aoi: "What do we do now?"

Yasuhiro: "We could try to bring his dead family members bakc to life. Only problem is that we can't get our hands on their back up information."

Aoi: "It has to be because whatever that Achlys guy did."

Byakuya: "No doubt because of his powers, it must've captured the souls of the monos he killed. If we can't reboot them normally, then we'll just have to figure out how to get them back from him." *Hina, Hiro, and Kuro turns around, noticing Byakuya.*

Yasuhiro: "Byakuya."

Aoi: "How much did you hear?"

Byakuya: "The whole thing. We can't avert our eyes from this. We need to figure how to get the monos back and stop this Achlys character before he causes us more trouble. I've already contacted Lishu and Dementia, since they know more about black magic than we do. For now, we just need to be ready for anything that comes from this."

Yasuhiro: "You're right, but.....what about Nano and the monofamily?"

Byakuya: "We'll leave that up to them. Whatever they do is solely up to them."

Aoi: "If...you say so."

"Ok. I'll try to talk to Nano then. Give them some peace of thought." *The three nods and walks off as Kurokuma sighs. He heads to the tree and picks up a gift addressed to Nanokuma and places it on the table in front of them.*

"Hey Kiddo. Go ahead."

"Why.....? It's not time to open gifts yet, Uncle Kuro....."

"Yeah....But no one else has to know....It'll be our little secret.....Come on~. Aren't you just a little bit curious?" *nanokuma looks at the present. After a moment of thinking it over, Nano finally unwraps their gift to find......a brand new camera. A Nikon D850 Digital SLR Camera. Nano's eyes light up a little as they hold the camera in their hands.* "Ooooh! I heard that one was super expensive! No doubt that Monophanie got that for you, eh?" *Nano goes silent.*

"I......asked......mommy....to buy this.....for me........She.....She....She said....it costed.....It costed alot....to get it......But then....Monosuke came in.....And said...."

"And said......'Don't worry about it, Nano....B-Big bro Suke's gonna buy it for you......So....just give me....your allowance....and I'll....take care....of the.....of the.......of the rest.....' Monosuke.....Mama........" *nanokuma breaks down into tears as they held the camera close to their chest. Kurokuma gently pats Nano on the back to help them let it out.* "Why....Why did this have to happen!? We weren't doing anything wrong! We...Were just trying to live our lives! And now Mom, Suke, Kid, and even Auntie Shiro....!!! it's not fair!!! it's not fair!!!" *Nanokuma cries as they hold Kuro and cried into his chest. Kurokuma hugs Nanokuma closely.*

"I'm really sorry, Nano....I really wish I had an answer. I really do." *nanokuma continues to cry as Monophanie, Monodam, and Monotaro comes by at last.*

"Nano....I was hoping that you were going to let it out."

"Yeah. We were all worried about you. We know that losing both mom and Suke was taking a tole on you. We miss them too."

"But....why.....? I don't understand why this is even happening! I....I don't get it! it's not fair! It's not faaaaaiiiirrrrr!!!!" *Nano cries more and more as Kurokuma, and then the rest of the Monos, hugs them closely.*

"I'll look in it." *Everyone looks at Monodam.* "I'm immortal and a sinner of lust. My power means that I can't die and I'm very powerful in my own right. Whoever or whatever this guy is, he's no match for me. He might've gotten the jump on me once, but once was all he's going to get." *he pets Nanokuma on the head.*

"Don't worry, Nano. Big brother Monodam is going to make everything ok. I promise." *Nano quickly hugs Monodam, starting to calm down.*

"Big bro! *Sniffles* Thank you!"

"AWWWW~! This is so sweet!"

"Yeah! We all gotta work together to take back our family!" *Nanokuma dries their tears and nods.*

"Yeah...Yeah! I know we will!"

"Glad to see that my little niecphew is snapping out of their funk. So how about we go eat some cookies and have some eggnog?"

"Hell yeah! Eggnog!" *Monotaro runs off to have eggnog with Phanie giggling and going after him to make sure he doesn't go too far. Nanokuma goes after the two as well while Kurokuma and Monodam chats.*

"Thanks for the help back there. They really needed it before they snapped."

"No problem, Uncle. And don't worry. I will find a way to get Mom and the others back. Now let's go get some nog." *Kurokuma nods and goes with Monodam to get some eggnog with the others. Unknown to them, a wings slowly turn to terror as Achlys is preparing his troops for their mission. The winds of war, are approaching.*

[harbingerofwhump]

(Hi OP, I hope it's ok that I've added on. Feel free to let me know if it's not though, I'm happy to delete and reblog without the addition if you'd like)

- Some people will be aware and accommodate in quote-unquote "small" ways (offering a chair or making sure there's something available to sit on when possible, matching your pace while walking, waking on the side you aren't holding your cane, that sort of thing) without needing to be asked/told. Many, if not most, won't. Many won't even if you've communicated your needs previously. Some still won't even if you have, in that moment, stated your needs

- Sometimes friends/colleagues/family/etc will make plans you can't participate in without thinking or realizing you might not be able to participate. You are allowed to speak up when this happens. It can be hard to do it, and it's ok if it's too hard or too much or not worth it. But you are allowed

- Some people will expect you to push yourself to participate in plans. You don't have to do that. Some people will take it personally, but that's their problem, not yours. You don't need to feel guilty or let people shame you for looking out for your well-being

- You will be asked "what happened to you?", "why do you use that?", and other variations of The Question. You do not owe anyone that information. You do not have to explain. You do not have to justify yourself.

- Sometimes no answer you could ever give will be "good enough" for the person asking. Some people will also pry for more and more details and explanations. This may or may not be done with the intent of catching you contradicting yourself so they can prove you're "faking it". (You are not faking it. Your pain and/or illness is real. Your disability is real)

- Pebbles and things get wedged in those 'gutters' (is there a specific word for it?) on the bottom of the cane tip

- People might get confused about your age, or assume you're older than you are, because they associate cane use with old age

- Wind can be a bitch. It can blow your cane in directions you don't want it to go. If you have to walk in wind, be prepared to have to fight with it, and keep a tight grip when the cane is off the ground. (I nearly lost my hold on mine the first time I got caught in a storm.) If there's a wrist strap and you don't typically use it, this might be a good time to think about trying it

- It's a learning process. It might take some time to feel coordinated with your cane, find your rhythm, etc.

- Related: you might catch it on the ground as you swing it forward, in the same way you might catch the toe of your shoe on the ground

- Sometimes you will get forced off the path as you're walking. It doesn't matter if you're next to a ditch or a bunch of shrubs or anything. It doesn't matter if you're hugging the side as much as possible. Sometimes people (especially if there's a group) just will not give you enough room to walk without veering off path. This happens whether you're using a mobility aid or not. It seems to happen *more* when you have one

- On that note, many people don't actually realize using a cane can mean you need more space to maneuver than someone who doesn't have, or isn't using, a mobility aid

- Canes are awesome and badass and so are you

- There will be people who think you should be miserable all the time. There will be people who think you should be positive and happy and grateful all the time. These people can fuck off. Many won't. You aren't obligated to put up with this and you aren't obligated to listen to them. You feel however you feel --- nobody gets to dictate that for you

- People might try to use you as 'inspiration porn', a way to put minimize others' or their own struggles, etc

- It's alright to be positive and confident and happy. It's also alright to be self-conscious and angry and sad. It's alright to grieve and mourn. It's alright for your feelings to be complicated or to change moment by moment, day by day, etc

- You do not need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. (It's alright if you do anyway. You are allowed to feel the way you feel)

- Eventually, your palm and fingers will itch where the handle touches them. They will itch. They will itch. If you use it for long enough, they will itch. But if you use it often enough, your skin will also start ti toughen up (literally, not metaphorically. Or, not *just* metaphorically), and that will become les of a problem

- You can make it yours!

- Seriously. Have fun with it, if you'd like. Get the color you love, get the fun pattern, put stickers on it, whatever you'd like. And if "whatever you'd like" is undecorated, no pattern, solid 'neutral' color, that's perfectly fine, too

- If it helps you always, it helps you. If it helps you sometimes, it helps you. There is no quota you have to meet. If it helps you, it helps you

personal observations made by a new cane user:

you do not need to be in constant pain to own a cane.

folding canes have a clasp or band to keep them folded. losing the band is a pain in the ass.

you will get dirty looks

it does not matter what age you are. you will get dirty looks.

you have to hold it in the opposite hand as the disabled leg. this is fortunate, as I am right handed, so i hold it in my left hand to support my right leg.

people will try to steal your cane from you.

when standing still, I hold it in my right hand unless i need to do something right handedly. this does not work as well as i thought it would.

being visibly physically disabled is difficult. having a mobility aid will help with pain and movement, but some people don't get them because visible disability is treated with disgust.

if someone meets you for the first time, and you don't have your cane, then they will like you more, but they will not believe you are actually disabled.

if someone meets you for the first time, and you have your cane, they will not treat you the same.

the majority of other cane and mobility aid users I have met are homeless. I live close to a big city.

People do not want to see you being disabled.

you will not hear of the benefits of using a cane from anyone who does not use a cane.

no one will prepare you for the world of being visibly physically disabled. however bad you think we have it is usually not from the disability at all. I can deal with pain and I can deal with an indisposed left hand.

the hardest part of being disabled is the fact that no one will care until you make them care.

the disabled seats on trains are a suggestion

the disabled seats on buses are a suggestion.

you will have a different experience with using a cane than I have had.

your hand will become tired. you are using it as a leg.

your cane is legally a part of your body. this will not stop some people.

you are not your disability. but it will affect you.

i love you

theres always an invisible someone who has it worse. that person will not be affected or offended by your use of a cane. take the damn ibuprofen. put the folded cane in your bag. ask your friends for help. gd knows they need help sometimes too.

you will have to learn that things will be impossible to you. you may not run as fast anymore. you may not become a skater, like you always wanted to be. you may be left behind when everyone else runs ahead.

you deserve better.

your cane handle gets dirty. wash it.

some days pain is worse. some days you will feel it the moment you wake up.

no one deserves pain. the human condition is not to suffer. we deserve better. we deserve to be loved and not tolerated. we deserve to be seen better than from the corners of eyes. we deserve to be heard better than an afterthought at a meeting.

be quick to care for yourself. I love you.

[truthandlove]

ONe teestimony of hundreds of thousands: submitting to fake healthcare, to bioweapons, has terrible consequences --

Written by a Mom. "My daughter Layla Brown died at 3 months of age May 29th 2020.  The pain will never go away. The way I found her on my bed will never go away . There will always be a part of my heart that will still hurt.

She was always happy she will make sure she have a smile on her face and yours she was one special baby girl.  no health issues at all she was healthy baby well taken care of but….. I never knew this will happen to me this was my biggest fear and it still happen to me.  I’m going to always ask God why me, why my baby girl? I know we don’t suppose to but this one will always have me asking him it’s not enough words. I need more answers YES THE SHOTS SHE TOOK KILLED MY BABY GIRL they just not gone tell me that they don’t know why she past away there have to be a reason my baby gone. it's crazy that she took her shot at 2 months,  shot on April 20th.  she slept all day , I had to wake up few times then the next day that’s when she started yelling like somebody was hurting her, she was having diarrhea a lot it never stop then a week before she passed the screaming was getting louder she didn’t want her bottle she always wanted someone to hold her then her poop was turning red,  her stomach was hurting her,  then the day of she wouldn’t stop screaming for nothing.. 

I took her to the hospital and to her doctor they both said it’s fine it’s was normal for newborns to have these symptoms. (bullshit! pain is there to get your attention) 10:20 when I put her to sleep she was fine then I checked on her at 3:00am she was fine at 5:30am I checked on her again she laying there COLD I’m screamed my mom caning running in there got her rush her to the hospital I was only 2 mins away from the hospital they grabbed her from us started working on her then 30mins later the doctor and nurses came and told me she didn’t make it she was already gone before we got her to the hospital my baby girl is she gone. Something just not added up these doctors killed my baby and please don’t tell me these shots didn’t do it because a yes they did! Do your research on these vaccines shots they giving different baby different shot I thought these doctors was here to protect our kids NO THEY OUT HERE TO KILL THEM just like they out here to kill us my baby girl didn’t deserve this (no she did not but your lack of research did this to her) I didn’t either, my family either we all taking it so rough right now my heart is so heavy every night I got to come home every night where my baby had her last breathe on my bed y’all don’t know how tough that is for me where I lay my head at my pain is so different I don’t wish this on anybody now I know what it feels like loosing you child it’s hard definitely buried them knowing they not coming back. by LAYLASWORLD