#note: that's not a ghost- that's supposed to be nix-

[minusgangtime]

I've still got something for you...

I can't accept that we're through!

Just keep on holding onto yourself so when you wake up...

(Reference below-)

(Sequel to this-)

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Character voice

Thanks to @elsie-writes here and @willtheweaver here!

Rules: rewrite the given line in your characters' voice

“The recipe says to add milk next!” (Note: Thinking kind of in the context of some characters would say this anxiously bc milk HAS to be next, and some characters would be like, "but I'm gonna put [whatever]!")

Lexi: "I'm no expert, but I think we should follow the recipe. It says add milk next! Therefore, we should add milk next."

Maddie: "The recipe says to add milk next, but hear me out-- what if we didn't include milk at all? I'm curious how this would taste."

Ash: "Why do we have to add milk? Why does the recipe know better? I think we should add whatever liquid we want." *Pours in Sprite*

Gwen: "The recipe says to add milk, so I'm gonna do that. But I feel like I'm not adding enough milk. This is pretty dry."

Robbie: "Okay, the recipe says we need to add milk, but, like, what milk? 2%? Whole? Skim? Lactose free? Coconut? Almond? Oat? Cashew??? Chocolate???? How am I supposed to cook if I don't know what milk to use??"

Akash: "Robbie, it doesn't matter what milk we use. It's just milk. I'm just really thankful you didn't say breast milk." (Robbie: oh my God I forgot breast milk!! That makes this more confusing!)

Jedi: "I am afraid I am not used to following a specific recipe myself. Usually, I simply create it in the replicators. However, I believe I will follow the recipe, though if it is not satisfactory, I will change it for next time."

Carmen: "If the recipe says we have to add milk, we are adding milk! What is the point of the recipe if we're just going to change it? See, this is why cooking is stupid! We have replicators for a reason!"

Bonus:

Noelle: "Why are we debating this??? The recipe says to add milk????"

“Come on, where’s your sense of adventure?”

Slightly different interpretation of this line because not everyone is adventurous

Lexi: "My sense of adventure would be a lot better if adventure came with a schedule."

Maddie: "Cmon, it'll be an adventure! Who knows, you might have a lot of fun."

Ash: "Yeah, things are kinda crazy, but it's also kinda fun. Like an adventure."

Gwen: "Not sure about this adventure, but I'm curious to see where this leads!"

Robbie: "Holy shit, this adventure sounds like so much fun! But I'm only in if Akash is."

Akash: "I don't have a huge sense of adventure, but Robbie does, so I'll indulge him."

Jedi: "I would like to think I have a sense of adventure. One could say I...traveled a lot as a child. One specific trip... But I also consider my scientific studies an adventure in of itself."

Carmen: "I don't have a sense of adventure, and frankly, yours is rather annoying."

Tagging @writeouswriter @leahnardo-da-veggie @pluppsauthor @pluto-murphy-writes @aalinaaaaaa

@dyrewrites @eccaiia @aalinaaaaaa @willowiswriting @words-after-midnight

@evilgabe29 @mk-writes-stuff @cherrybombfangirlwrites @rickie-the-storyteller

+ ANYONE ELSE

Your line is: "I think I'm gonna try that Ghost Pepper." [Include their reaction.]

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

@nebula--nix @literarynecromancy

[reno2ndgun]

I posted 216 times in 2021

99 posts created (46%)

117 posts reblogged (54%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 1.2 posts.

I added 336 tags in 2021

#reno nix - 104 posts

#sometimesrufus - 54 posts

#verse: wonderful trouble - 49 posts

#ooc - 32 posts

#sentineloftheunderworld - 22 posts

#blazing blue - 18 posts

#verse: main - 15 posts

#verse: a dance of red and blue - 15 posts

#verse: hot shot - bc - 14 posts

#krvla - 13 posts

Longest Tag: 85 characters

#so i feel like they'd know stars and planets because they're visible to the naked eye

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Look who’s here! im not dead but i’ll be checking in more often now!

10 notes • Posted 2021-03-18 14:38:45 GMT

#4

Wonderful Trouble

Reno looked around the dance floor of the Ball only to Find Ruluf in a proper mess and drunk. It didn’t take long for Reno to Find Tseng on the floor and slowly walk up to the man. “He’s really not taking Barker’s death well is he?” Tseng sighed and shook his head. “No. Not Really. Look, I know you both had a rough go recently after the breakup but do you think you could talk to him? The rest of us have tried.” Reno pressed his lips into a thin line. It wasn’t the first time Ruluf’s drinking had become a problem. It was the main reason Reno had dumped him. He like Ruluf ALOT. But there was nothing he could do about the heavy drinking. Barker had helped Ruluf get into rehab but with the mans death it seems like Ruluf had jumped right down that rabbit hole again. “Reno..” “Yeah yeah ok I’ll...See what I can do.” Reno sighed and moved away to go check on the other who was sitting at the bar Reno was supposed to be tending in half an hour.  The Winter Ball was not the best place to be drunk. Especially when Ruluf was supposed to be helping Reno work the floor with Tseng and Rude. Aside from being drunk, Ruluf looked presentable. Hair neat, suit pressed.  Reno Glanced over to Rufus on his way to the bar to to keep an eye on where he was on the floor. It was his job after all.  “Ruluf....hey...Buddy. C’mon. “ He Rubbed a hand along Ruluf’s back to wake him and the next thing Reno know he had Ruluf hanging off of him and getting WAY too publicly affectionate with his ears.  Reno put up with it long to give the guy an awkward pat and try to Coax him away from the Alcohol.  “Look I know shit’s hard after losing Barker, but you gotta wise the fuck up here. The alcohol isn’t going to solve jack shit and it never has. Look, i’ll take your floor shift and we’ll talk when you’re sober. Go home for the night and grieve.” Reno pickpocketed Ruluf’s keys and tucked them away inside his vest when the man wasn’t looking.   It takes another solid 20 minutes of coaxing  and dodging drunk kisses and comforting lamentations before he actually got Ruluf to head off to the parking lot to pick up a taxi.  He has no Idea ShinRa Seniors hired guns are watching...

10 notes • Posted 2021-11-22 18:30:28 GMT

#3

-lays down on the couch- "I just had to explain basic addition to one of our top clients. Come distract me from thinking a about it."

Reno looked to Rufus from where he stood behind the couch. "So Dee was a good girl and ate Scarlet's shoes. Don't ask me where she found them"

15 notes • Posted 2021-11-29 19:43:23 GMT

#2

"And now Palmer is asking me about his /own schedule/." -tosses PHS aside- "Why am I surrounded by incompetent idiots?" Rufus Shinra may not whine, but he’s dangerously close. He looks at Reno with big blue eyes.

"Probably because the only way you father feels even remotely competent is by surrounding himself by the incompetent. I think that's why he hates you. You remind him he's a fucking moron in comparison."

19 notes • Posted 2021-11-29 19:47:14 GMT

#1

{Ghost Veld} Did you know Vincent never liked anyone touching him? Ever? I was the exception. As was his trainee...but even then. He despised it. It is a nice reprieve to see him allowing touch.

"VINCENT! I'M SEEING DEAD PEOPLE IN YOUR CLOSET AGAIN!"

24 notes • Posted 2021-07-30 07:18:18 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[talldarkandroguesome]

27th of Last Seed, Fredas

I have not faded into non-existence, so that almost made the having to go through the whole procedure of dying worth it.

The Farseer has spoken to me about what I should like done with my body. I spoke with Nabine about it and asked if she wanted to partake, as is the Bosmer custom. She said that since I was not truly dying, she did not wish to put herself through that emotional aspect of the process.

I had reminded her that, of course, I was effectively never going to die, so if partaking of some part of me was important, that I would understand her desire to do so and would not deny her that opportunity.

She thought for a long while before saying that she could not bring herself to do it. That such acts were only supposed to be a way to keep those with you who had passed on as a way to hold onto that part of them that was physical. Since I would not be dying, despite her jokes to the contrary, she had no desire to consume me.

In truth, it was a bit of a relief. I could only imagine how difficult it would be for her. But also, I could not imagine how I might feel seeing the aftermath of it all. Knowing that....

Well it matters not, after all, she did not wish to do so.

Instead, I had the Farseer take my life somewhere away from where my family might see. She asked me if I would like my body treated as a fallen of their tribe. I told her I would be greatly honored for her to do so. She told me that, while they would forgo some of the usual rituals, I was not exactly dead, dead, she would have my remains laid to rest in the proper way.

Then we walked the path of the Veil of the Ghost Snake. I gathered the bog rats and made the offering. The Farseer spoke to the Ghost Snake and asked for His assistance, which He granted. Several of the wisewomen joined us with their own offerings. The Ghost Snake allowed us entrance to the ritual chamber below and the Farseer and I ventured down.

It was not a place I had ever been before and I admit a shiver of fear as we came to the altar. The wisewomen entered  soon after and bathed me and anointed me in the oils of the dead. Then I was dressed in mourning stole and my face painted and hair decorated with flowers. The Farseer took me by the hand and bade me lay down upon the cool stone. She explained the spell briefly and made sure I was comfortable as possible, given the hard stone. The wisewomen laid around me mourning flowers and herb and incense and began to recite the parting words.

When they had finished praying for me, the Farseer handed me a vial. She did not have to tell me the contents for me to know the poison well by scent alone. I thanked her for her choice. It was a kindness, really. It was a combination that causes loss of feeling, then you slip into slumber, and then you simply stop breathing. It is a peaceful acting poison, far less traumatic than most,  if you are able to mix all the parts in the correct proportions.

The wise women began their spell and the Farseer completed the first part of her incantations before giving me the signal to drink.

It was bitter to take down without anything else to ease its passage over tongue. But I knew my participation was important. This death was important. Even with the thousands of doubts and fears that poured into my mind like a bottomless well, I force my hand to remain at my lips and finished pouring the poison in, swallowing as quickly as possible. 

The wise woman laid a soothing hand upon my brow and had me lay back against the small cushion she brought. She stroked my forehead like a child’s, even as the spell continued.

I felt a strange sort of light, almost a presence around me, through me, just before the poison began to take effect.

Despite all I had been told about the poison, it was not entirely painless.

I did lose the sensation of my limbs. A sort of numb, but thrumming feel, akin to the vibration of many bees as they swarm around a queen. Sort of warm at first.

Then the heat began to leave me. I began to dream. It was as though I were laying on my back in a pond. The water slowly creeping up my body as the level of the water grew.

And when it reached up to my face, I realized I could not breathe. There was soft music, as though the nymphs of Imperial legends were singing as they bade me join them in their games. The water had submerged me. My lungs burned and ached. My chest felt tight. The singing grew louder until it was almost one singular, continuous note.

Then I was gasping, my eyes shooting open. I found myself naked in the middle of a grove of trees. I could tell I was in Deshaan. After a short while of looking about, I came to get my barrings, not so very far from the tribe. It was a short jaunt back to the camp, where several of the women of the camp laughed at my returning without a stitch of clothing.

I belated realized that it was probably uncomfortable for them, so I plucked up a mushroom to hide my manhood behind. Perhaps a bit too much of a symbolic object, but it was what was at hand. I hurried to the tent, blessedly empty from the children being at their respective studies, and changed into the clothing I had left for myself.

Still shaking off the strange images from before my last death, I decided a few drinks and a bit of a lie down was in order.

I could not sleep however, I continued to see the images behind my eyelids. So I turned to more drink and picked up my lute for a bit of a distraction.

It was near to supper when the Farseer and the wise women returned and I was made to go to the Farseer’s yurt where the spells were continued.

As they worked their incantations over me, I could hear the merriment of dinner preparations and eating.

By the time everything was complete, my stomach was growing and dusk had fallen.

I was allowed to return to Nabine and Avon and the children. They had saved me some nix-hound chili on ashyams with a side of pickled mushrooms. It was the perfect comfort for all I had been through. Kuna laughed at me and said I ate like a starved Kagouti. Nabine scolded her about speaking to her father in such a way, though I am sure she was right.

That night there was singing and storytelling by the fire. Cariel curled up in Nabine’s lap and her wide eyes soon fell shut as she dozed off to the ancient epics. Kuna, unlike her sister, was so rapt with attention that when the storymaster paused to take a drink, she almost had a tantrum about needing to hear the rest.

Nabine told her to be patient or she would be put to sleep right then and there without getting to hear any more. She sulked, but waited. As she did so, began to shape the fire, so that when the storymaster resumed her tale, there was images to accompany them. Avon joined in, as did Sildras, who already knew the stories well. It is a memory I shall not soon forget. And it made me nostalgic for Qau-dar’s clan and the stories told to Little Khes when she was still so young.

How I miss them so.

Of course, even the happiest moments must come to an end.

One of the wise women called me to the Farseer’s yurt. The Farseer, Mother, and several of the wise women were already gathered and conversing about what was seen.

All of them went silent as I entered.

The Farseer told me that they knew now why I was falling susceptible to the urges of the Three Pillars of my Prince’s domain. I was eager, but apprehensive about what she was about to say, but simply nodded and waited for her judgement.

She explained that, as my soul was held in the Spiral Skein and I had given myself to my Prince, my connection to my soul was being filtered through the influences of Her realm. Further, each time I die, although Nirn is providing my body to me, it is through my connection to my soul back in the Spiral Skein.

I asked why I had not felt such influences when I had died with my soul in Coldharbour. The Farseer replied it was likely that I was receiving some influence, but that without my having pledged myself to Bal, and in fact having pledged my service to another Prince, the connection was far weaker.

The Farseer warned me that the more I die with my soul dedicated to my Prince and residing within the Spiral Skein, the more I will change.

I asked her what sort of changes and what I should be worried about.

She did not answer right away. The wise women looked at one another in nervous silence.

It was Mother who asked the Farseer to tell me.

The Farseer said that, I would slowly become more and more a being of my Prince’s realm. The more I died, the more influence Her sphere would have upon me. In a sense, I would slowly become more and more like the other non-mortals within His realm.

I glanced about and none of the wise women would meet my eyes. I turned back to the Farseer and asked her to be very specific with me.

Again she stalled in telling me my fate. I turned to Mother and asked her to please tell me.

Mother sighed and the Farseer made some motion in her direction that I did not understand. But Mother shook her head and took a deep breath to compose herself. I realized then that she was looking far less statuesque than she would normally allow herself. She looked almost feeling.

With a great rush she simply told me that I would become effectively a Daedra. I would still be Dunmer, but my body would become more and more Daedric each time that it reformed. Always outwardly Dunmer, but I would begin to feel the sway of that Daedric  existence. 

I laughed.

It was likely nerves, for there was no mirth in it.

A mortal become a Daedra? It was ludicrous, was it not?

And yet, some part of me knew that those impulses were not natural to me as who I had been before. But they felt so natural to me now. The proof was within me. I could tell it.

Did this mean that I was likely to become a serious danger to my family? To my House?

A crack of thunder split the sound of my laughter, a flash that illuminated the entire yurt. Then the rain began to pound  upon the yurt, a sudden summer storm that seemed manifested from my own heart. I heard the sound of people running to get out of the rain and to their dry yurts.

Another deafening strike of thunder struck so close that it caused the ground to shake and I heard Kuna shriek in surprise. I heard Nabine singing a lullaby to soothe her, even as the storm continued.

Usually I would enjoy the chaotic fury of a summer storm. The thrill of the danger, but the knowledge that it brought with it cooling rains that quench the giant mushrooms and towering trees’ thirsts.

Somehow all I could feel was emptiness. That hollow space within me where my soul once resided. A space never to be filled, but for the temporary warmth of aetherial shards. Did Daedra feel this too? Or do their very natures prevent such things? Is it simply normal?

The Farseer told me I should rest to regain my strength after such a day.

I did not argue. I let Mother lead me back to my tent as though I were a child once more.

The storm continued to rage all around the encampment throughout the night. I laid there and listened to the sounds of everyone breathing.

I cannot describe the strange way that I feel now. It is mostly a sort of melancholy, a dread. But some part of me is also excited by it. I cannot explain why. Is this a blessing from my Prince. Has She deemed me worthy of her service in such a way as to make me one of her own? Was it intentional?

What am I saying, my Prince is far to good at weaving fates for it not to be intentional.

There was much of me that has been worried about if I might lose myself in the dangerous urges I felt. Yet, knowing that they stem from what they are, it is a sort of comfort. It is not that I have lost my moral compass, it is that I am experiencing that urge that Daedra always fight when in the presence of mortals. And they can do it. Which means that I, too, will be able to do it.

Perhaps it is not what I should be focused on given the grave implications, but I cannot help but feel blessed.

Is this the wrong feeling to have?

[aweebwrites]

Move on Dragons Ch23

“Of all the times to be sent back to…” Cole murmured as he looked down at his translucent green hand, finding himself to be a ghost all over again.

He was sure the only reason he wasn’t having a more severe reaction was because of the shock of the whole situation. And he had to keep focus on that, on emotions or else he’d lose his mind over his inability to physically feel.

“H-hey! It’s ok! I mean, Little G got reversed pretty quickly so maybe you will too?” Jay says hopefully as Cole frowned.

“Lets hope so. I’m…” He swallowed. “I’m not willing to go through this twice… That and… There’s no Ying Yang moon for a long time to come.” He says, clenching his fist and feeling nothing.

He could feel the shock slowly bleed into slowly increasing panic. Despite having his other two senses, he felt muted, felt as if he was missing a limb- but all over. A barely there whimper caught his attention and he looked down at Rux as he looked him over in apprehension, frozen to his spot on the ground from where he fell from Cole’s hands that couldn’t hold anything anymore.

“Don’t worry about it bud. It’s fine.” Cole reassured with a tight smile.

“Holy shit! Cole! Why are you a- a ghost again?!” Kai blurts as he stepped out with several blankets and pillows in arms, his wings helping him hold them.

“There’s not much we can do about this right now so I suggest we focus on the dragons for now.” Zane says as he walked over and picked Rux up, the dragon far more hesitant with him than he was with Kai or Cole. “If we aren’t careful, they could develop traumatic memories. And while we can’t always prevent such a thing, we should put our best efforts into trying still.” He spoke low as panels in his back opened up for a metallic wing to pull free, half wrapping around Rux as comfort.

“Zane’s right.” Cole agrees, glancing at his friends looking at him in worry. “We’re supposed to help them grow up into better dragons than they were. Trauma isn’t the best way to do that. You guys take them upstairs.” He told them and Zane nods and went.

It wasn’t that he didn’t care or hold concern over the fact that the amount of time he’s been a ghost has long passed how long Little G was a human. No, it was the opposite. He wanted to stay by Cole’s side but someone had to be level headed once it comes onto the dragons… That and he knows Cole doesn’t want them see him slowly coming apart at the seams like he was. Especially not Rux.

“... Cole…” Nya began.

“No, it’s ok. I just need a moment. Go help out Zane.” He reassured her with a tight smile before he passed Kai by to head into their room.

“Nix, you be a good boy and look after your brother for a little while, ok?” Jay says, looking down at the dragonling who was looking around nervously at the tense air around them.

Nix blinked at him as he walked him over to Nya, letting her take him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back in a jif.” Jay promised with his normal bright grin before nodded at Nya to go.

She hesitates then does so, Pixal following after a moment.

“I’ll talk to him.” Tempest says, turning around to face Kai, the latter frowning.

“... Jay, make sure to keep him in check.” Kai spoke after a moment’s contemplation, his tail flicking back and forth with underlying anxiety.

“I will. Rux needs you for now.” Jay nods then passed him by too and Kai watched him go, noting how his stride changing mid walk as Tempest took over again.

He then breathed smoke through his nose before heading upstairs.

Tempest walked into the room, finding Cole curled up on his bed- or rather, half way through, his breathing fast as he clutched his hair. He tilted his head to the side then walked in, perching at the edge of the bed and curling his tail half into his lap.

“Hey, what’s being a ghost like?” Tempest asked, ignoring Jay as he yelled up a storm, threatening to strangle him.

Cole didn’t respond but Tempest waited patiently, his slitted blue eyes on the tip of his tail, watching it flick back and forth.

“...Hell.” The quiet response came some time later. “... It’s… Like being plugged out of your body… You can see… And hear… Think… And feel emotions… But…” Cole looked up from his arms, looking run down and weary, his now equally green eyes looking distant and tired.

“That’s it. You can’t… Fell… Or smell… Or taste… You can’t… You just… Feel untethered… Like a helium balloon.” He murmured into his arms. “And… If I’m not careful… I’ll float away… And disappear…” He gritted his teeth at that, gripping his arms tightly- not that he could tell he was without looking.

“And you’re afraid that’ll happen to you, right? That you’d disappear and there’s no coming back?” Tempest asked him, tilting his head to the side.

“... Yeah.” Cole’s barely audible answer came not long after.

“But that won’t happen.” The blue half serpentine, part dragon, barely human spoke factually and Cole frowned. “‘How do I know that?’” He guessed before Cole could ask.

“Haven’t you realised? You have annoyingly persistent friends, family that would tear this world apart before they let that happen to you, before they let you fade away. This rich coming from me but, have some faith in them, will you?” He huffed. “The dragon elders still have Nix’s time forward powers so they could try that. And if that fails, we have contact with an interdimensional traveler slash inspector or whatever the hell that girl- Vortica- is. She’s bound to see this happen at least a few times and would know how to fix it. And even if that fails, they’d all find a way to fix this. Even if it meant marching into the Departed Realm and asking the First Spinjitzu Master himself for help.” Tempest reminds and Cole couldn’t hold back a huff at his bold statement.

“Don’t believe me? Then take their word for it. You know your friends better than I do but I know they’re idiotic and troublesome enough to actually find themselves infront of the First Spinjitzu Master if you needed it.” He told Cole, glancing at him through the corner of his eyes. “And you know it.” He added, using his tail to point at Cole and the Earth Ninja couldn’t deny.

His friends, they were all stubborn enough to pull off something like that. And knowing that… Cole smiled as warmth filled his chest, spreading through him and making him solid.

“... Thanks…” He told Tempest as he uncurled himself, feeling infinitely better than he previously had. “You know, you’re pretty good with this whole pep talk thing. Why not do it more often?” Cole joked and Tempest tsked.

“That’s way too troublesome and tiring.” He immediately declined and Cole chuckled. “Don’t make it too much of a habit either. I only did it because this idiot would probably make things worse. He’s desperate enough to help his friend that he’s willing to try- even if he knows he’d fail.” He huffed, ignoring Jay’s yell of hey.

Cole huffed.

“You kno, you can stop with this whole ‘his friend’ business. I’m your friend too you know.” Cole says lightly and Tempest hated that he froze so suddenly. “Heck, we all are. You should know that by now.” He huffed as he shifted to the edge of the bed, nudging the other male with his shoulder, pleasantly surprised to find that he was actually solid enough to do so.

“... Yeah whatever.” He huffed to brush it off before he retreated, shoving Jay out.

“Rude much.” Jay huffed, crossing his arms. “... You alright?” He asked tentatively after a moment.

“Yeah. I’m alright.” Cole smiled then got up and stretched on reflex. “We better go help out the others. Rux and Nix must be worried.” He reminded and Jay nods as he stood, a smile on his face to hear in his friend’s voice how much happier and confident he was.

“Yeah. Let’s go.” Jay says, leading the way.

Cole headed above deck in the living space and wasn’t at all surprised to find Rux curled up in Kai’s arms from where the latter was seated by the half opened doors, if only to stamp out the last of Rux’s fright of the loud thunder by reassuring him that it was just that: thunder. Nix was also with him, both of them using Kai as a sort of glorified bed, no matter how small. He seems much calmer with a familiar figure and his brother. The others all perked up at the sight of him, wanting to ask questions but not sure if they should interrupt this moment of peace he seems to just have found. He walked over to where Kai was, wary of the rain but Kai had made sure to raise a wing to block any stray drops of water as he closed the door again with his tail. He then sat next to him and reached out to Rux, stroking his head.

Rux’s head lifted as he opened his eyes at the familiar touch. It was confusing for him. He couldn’t smell the other strange dragon he found himself attached to. He remembered before, remembered his power, remembered how this one had changed and looked him over, noting he looked… Different… He hesitated then gave a low, questioning coo.

“It’s ok Rux. I know I probably look different but it looks like I’ll be like this for a while. I won’t always be able to pick you up or touch you anymore but you don’t have to worry about that. I’ll be back to normal in no time.” Cole murmured low, knowing he probably couldn’t understand him but wanting to reassure him anyway. “You just be a good little dragon and be happy, yeah? It’s not every day you get to relive childhood twice after all. So let’s make sure you enjoy it to the fullest.” He smiled, leaning down to gently butt their foreheads together and Rux gave a chirp before switching onto Cole’s arms, nuzzling him.

“Oh thank god.” Kai sighed, taking a deep breath. They’re really growing. I could barely breathe.” He relaxed then more still once Jay picked up Nix off of him and sat next to Cole so both brothers could be close.

“They are. Soon, they’ll be the ones picking us up.” Jay chuckled, nuzzling Nix as he gave a happy coo.

“So what’s the plan? I don’t think you’ll be turning back on your own…” Nya asked as she and the others joined them on the ground.

“Well, the big dad and Wu still have Nix’s time powers contained and with them so we start there tomorrow once the storm is over. And if that fails, we have Vortica’s contact. Maybe she knows how to reverse it.” Jay told them and the three nodded at that, finding that both options are smart ones.

“Don’t worry Cole, we’ll fix this, even if we have to resurrect Lloyd’s grandfather to help.” Nya told him determinedly and Cole chuckled before all out laughing, his smile wide.

All but Jay looked at him confused- but happy to see him genuinely laughing in this situation.

“You know...” Cole began, swiping nonexistent tears from the corner of his eyes, his smile still wide and warm. “A friend of ours told me you might do that.” He hummed.

“Of course we would.” Lloyd shrugged, leaning forward on his hands planted in his lap. “That’s what family does.” He grinned, showing off large fangs.

“Darn right that’s what we do!” Nya grinned too, slinging an arm around Lloyd’s neck and he laughed.

Cole smiled as he scratched under Rux’s chin, hearing him purr as he did. Yeah. Everything would turn out fine, he was sure.

_____________

(Whoop a little late here. My sense of time is warped af. But hey! Tempest to the rescue! I wouldn't say he's shy but as a whole nother personality that's more like a whole new person inside Jay, he's new to most concepts. That and actually feeling emotions rather than bat them aside with a smile and carefulness can be a little overwhelming for him. Anyways thanks as always for reading!!!)

[afewmarvelousthoughts]

Only For A Moment Ch. 34

Only For A Moment Master List

Pairing: Bucky X Reader

Summary: For most of your life you’d been able to keep your abilities a secret, that is until Hydra got wind of you. After years of being in their clutches, you break out when The Avengers expose SHIELD/Hydra. Since then, you’ve been on the run. Things are going as well as you could hope when you see a familiar face… Could the Winter Soldier really be in Bucharest too?

Warnings: Feels, fluff, cute shit.

A/N: Muh babies. Muh reader (who I call Jude for anyone that cares). Just... I really want them to be happy. Y’all gotta know that. Like I have fucking FEELINGS for these characters. It sucks lol. 

Just a heads up. Y’all may be getting a real beefy chapter 34 next week. I know most of these have been pretty short thus far (clocking in under 2k words) but I’m having a hard time finding the right place to cut it. SO let me know: Do you like that these chapters are shorter? Do you want beefier chapters? I wanna know! 

Love y’all!!!

Tags are open!

The feeling of his lips on your palm sends shivers up your spine. You want those lips, that mouth… everywhere. But it’s far from time for that.

No matter how much you think you can’t pinpoint what may have set him off. Maybe something out on the job today? Too many people?

“Buck…” You can’t seem to form the words, not wanting to pry but your concern sits heavy in your chest.

He smiles, you’re surprised to see it reach his eyes, “The pie,” your brows knit in confusion. “I… my Ma used to make apple pie all the time… the smell just… caught me off guard is all. Lot’s of memories.” Gently he strokes your face with his right fingers, “Good memories.”

You can’t help but smile even though your heart is breaking for him, “Do… do you want some? Made fresh coffee too.”

“Yeah, that’d be great,” he looks down at his dirty clothes. “Let me change first.” Lowering yourself to the floor you move out of his way.

When the bathroom door closes you stare at it for a second worry eating at you. Even good memories could hurt… especially when they were linked to loss. You knew that all too well. It kills you a little that it hit him so hard.

This just solidifies a thought you had earlier in the day. He needs a phone if he doesn’t have one. If he had one you could have told him you were making a pie. It would have been passing to you but he could have mentally prepared maybe. Not to mention the less innocuous reasons to have a way to contact one another.

You’re moving the tall stack of CDs and the laptop from the table when he comes out. The white tee strains over his chest as his muscles subtly move under the fabric while he dries his hands on a small towel. Its hem skims the top of the loose jeans slung low on his hips. You swallow hard and turn back to your task.

“What’s all this?” He asks with a smile.

“Your musical education.” You set the laptop and CDs on the counter by the stove before turning to get you both pie and coffee. “Or the beginning of it.”

He laughs a little picking up the top CD, Queen’s greatest hits. “I liked whatever you had on earlier.”

“I should hope so,” you turn back to him smirking, “if not we would be having some serious problems. Queen is non-negotiable.”

“Noted. Here,” he comes over and grabs the plates with a slice each, carrying them to the table.

You follow with the coffee, “I haven’t made pie in years,” you sit across from him, “so don’t judge it too harshly.”

A half smile lifts his lips, “I have no doubt it’ll be amazing.” He reaches across the table, his fingers grazing the back of your hand wrapped around the mug, “Thank you.”

“It’s just pie,” he rolls his eyes playfully, “but you’re welcome.”

He takes a bite, eyes closing as he savors it, and you anxiously wait for feedback. When his eyes open, he catches your stare. He laughs, “Are you gonna watch me eat the whole thing?”

“Just nervous,” you grumble, shoving a bite in your own mouth, mostly for the distraction. Honestly, it’s pretty damn good.

“It’s great just like I knew it would be, and you,” he points with his fork, “are ridiculous.”

“I thought you said ‘amazing’,” you say over a mouth full.

This earns you a laugh, “It’s amazing. Better?”

You shake your head “I suppose.” 

For a bit you sit in comfortable silence, enjoying the treat. You chase a large bit of flaky crust with a gulp of coffee before asking, “Do you have a phone?”

He raises a brow, “That’s out of left field. But… No? Haven’t had a need… Why?”

“Thought it may be good for us to have some way to get in touch. Like if one of us runs late or if there’s pie waiting,” Or if the group of Nazis who tortured us for years shows up. You know you don’t have to say the last bit. It’s implied.

He nods, “Good point.” Taking another bite he looks pensive. “Phones are easy to track though.”

“Not if you set ‘em up right,” you pull yours from your back pocket. “If anyone tracks this it’ll ping them to Africa. Hacked it myself. We can do the same to yours.”

“Sounds good. Should come up with some shorthand too. Make sure we can communicate a lot of info quickly if we need to.”

“Definitely. Tomorrow?”

“I got more stuff to do on the job,” you notice his eyes avoid yours. Interesting.

“Ok, I can grab one, get it set up.” You stand to wake up the laptop, “For now though, it’s time for school.”

By 10pm you’ve made a simple meal, the whole pie is gone, and you’ve given him a thorough history lesson on why Queen is inarguably one of the best bands of the 20th century. He sees the appeal, though some songs, such as Bicycle, give him pause. Now you’ve moved on to Fleetwood. Another non-negotiable.

His head is resting on the arm of the couch, body stretched out, legs dangling off the other end. You’re on the floor, back against the couch. Gently he runs the fingers of his right-hand through the short crop of your hair as the album Fleetwood Mac plays. Rhiannon is wrapping up and you’re half a world away in your mind, spinning on a rooftop with ghosts. His voice, soft and drowsy, pulls you back to this little apartment in Romania.  

“This makes me think of you” Bucky’s fingers pause, and a smile warms his half-closed eyes before he yawns.

Your heart tightens a little. Nix would call you Rhiannon sometimes, he knew what you could do so anything witchy he’d lovingly associate with you. You aren’t at a place to divulge this though, it’s too real, too personal.

“You look tired.” He nods. You were already in a pair of leggings you’d bought earlier and a tee, perfect sleepwear. “Come to bed,” you grab his hand and gently tug him in the direction of the mattress but he doesn’t budge.

“I’m ok here,” you give him a look. He is not a small man and it is a small couch.

“You are not.”

“Really, this is fine.”

You sigh, if he didn’t want to share a bed that was fine but there’s no way you’re letting him sleep like that. If he even can. “Don’t be ridiculous. Sleep on the bed, I can take the couch, I’m shorter.”

“Y/N-” You roll your eyes, cutting him off by wrapping your power around him and lifting him just a touch. His eyes meet yours, awestruck.

“Don’t make me move you. I can,” you smirk.

“I almost want to make you,” he grins mischievously, “just to see if you really can.”

You raise an eyebrow. Without ceremony, you will him up and let him plop hard onto the mattress with a thud. It was always easier when you were doing it for fun. He looks genuinely surprised.

“How do you think I got you in my squat after knocking you out?” His head is on your pillow and you yank it from under him with your power sending it floating to the couch.

He laughs, “I didn’t think about it honestly. It’s pretty damn impressive.”

“I know,” you wink. “You gonna sleep in your jeans?”

“If I say yes are you going to threaten to strip me?”

“Don’t tempt me.”

He reaches up from his spot on the bed and gently rubs the back of your calf with his left hand, fingers squeezing slightly. For a second you think he is going to tempt you, your mouth practically waters at the thought, but a shadow covers his features.

“I think I can handle that,” he gives you a halfhearted smile before getting up and going to the bathroom.

Disappointment wraps around you. Picking up your copy of Frankenstein from the table you cozy yourself on the couch. You finished it earlier today but had started again, from the beginning immediately. It had been a while since words had brought you a strange sense of comfort like this.

Bucky comes out in just his boxers and you force yourself to not stare, to not want what he so clearly wasn’t offering. He walks over to you and you allow him a warm smile. Something is troubling him, you don’t want to add your worry and disappointment to his shoulders.

When he cups your upturned face in his hands your heart skips a beat. His eyes are more grey, stormy though not cold, and you can’t quite read the emotion in his face. Instead of trying to make sense you cover his hands with your own and just savor the feeling of his touch.

He leans down and you hold your breath, hungry for his lips. But they only press against your forehead tenderly. Now you can read the emotion on his face as easily as the book at your side. Sadness and disappointment.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” His smile is tight, his eyes glistening. As he pulls away it takes every ounce of strength you have to not pull him to you, to not kiss him, hold him, try to calm the sea of hurt in him.

“Sleep well, Buck.” He doesn’t say anything else, just lays down with his back to you.

You flip the light off, no longer in the mood to read, and lay down too. For a few minutes, you watch the steady rise and fall of his breathing, your mind working over everything. 

He had been distant since his flashback. Every touch extra gentle, almost every action thought out. Then, despite all the kindness he’d shown you, he seemed shocked you accepted the key to his place. It’s as if he’s just waiting for you to run screaming… You realize that’s exactly what he’s waiting for.

“Bucky,” your voice is soft, not wanting to startle or wake him if he is asleep.

“Hmm?” Drowsy but still conscious.

“I want you to know, I meant it before. I’m not afraid of you...” Silence thunders in the space. You know he heard you…

“I know,” his tone is measured. Relief floods your system for a second before he follows with, “I’m scared enough for the both of us.”

@bluegirlusa1 @l0kisbitch @tazzi-baby @disagreetoagree @woodyandbuzz20-01 @mooniightbucky @souless-and-sarcastic @saundrasays  @breezy1415 @alyssaj23 @mywinterwolf  @wonderlandmind4 @fairislesheets  @anamcg317 @buckaroo-barnes @jazztherebel @peachthatdrinkslemonade @regulusirius  @auskitty @babyimp1967 @katecolleen @handplucked @piensa-bonito @darkdragonphoenix @issanitydead  @thestorydetective @buckysstar @wintersoldierswhore @greyeyedsmile14 @watchoutforfrostbite @for-the-love-of-the-fandom @meg-asaur @jewelofwinter @siriuslycloudy2

[auburnfamilynews]

Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Gus Malzahn and the boys made their way to Hoover today!

Auburn’s cadre of Gus Malzahn, Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson, and Prince Tega Wanogho arrived at the Wynfrey Hotel for the final day of SEC Media Days this morning, and while nothing super groundbreaking was made known, there were some interesting tidbits nonetheless.

If you recall, during bowl preparations and after the supposed move to replace Gus as head coach of the football team, the head man got a little... uh... fiesty at times. He became cocky Gus, Swaggy G, Arthur Gustavo if you will, and it paid off in the Music City Bowl as Auburn set record after record in the obliteration of Purdue.

Maybe he knows something that we don’t know. Maybe he sees the ghost of Cameron Jerrell Newton in Joey Gatewood’s eyes and knows that #Greatwood is destined for something huge. Maybe he sees the senior leadership in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Maybe he sees the schedule with key home games dotting the landscape of a slate that’ll never be easy. This quote says a lot about being more self-aware than people have given him credit for recently:

“I’ve got a job that expects to win championships, and I expect to win championships,” Malzahn said. “I knew that when I signed up for it. In the years that we win championships, it’s good. The years we don’t, it’s hot seat this, hot seat that. ... We expect to win championships. I’m very excited about this year.”

Either way, Gus has broken out of his shell a little bit. Maybe he’s pissed off. Maybe he’s mad at himself for giving up the playcalling. He was the guy making the calls during the hugely-successful early run of his time at Auburn, and he took over again against Purdue. The result? 63 points.

SEC Media Days Follow along as the Auburn Tigers take over #SECMD19! #WarEagle X #RidefortheBrand pic.twitter.com/FxjhvBRc8g

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) July 18, 2019

See: Swaggy G.

Let’s dive in to what he had to say in front of the press today...

First question comes in regard to facing one of the toughest schedules in the country without having the quarterback battle settled.

Gus says that we’ve had to play the toughest schedule in the country pretty much every year, but that he hasn’t gotten too much into the actual starting QB yet because we have a chance to be really good around him, whoever he is. Thankfully there’s room to learn at the start of the year provided the Tigers can get by Oregon.

We get a question about not beating LSU in Baton Rouge since 1999 almost right off the bat.

And Gus refers to the 2017 game, which was one of the most heartbreaking losses that he’s experienced. Then he talks about last year. Both of those losses were ones wherein Auburn held a double-digit lead before LSU made a comeback. Personally, a win over the Bayou Bengals in Baton Rouge to break that ridiculous losing streak would go a long way for Gus to keep his spot even if we didn’t beat some of the biggies down the stretch.

Does it invigorate you going back to your roots in calling plays, and what’s the back story about reaching that decision to take over the responsibility?

Gus mentions that he’s been calling plays his whole life, but bad advice led him to relinquish control. Once Chip Lindsey left, Gus pretty much took the mantra of “IF YOU WANT IT DONE RIGHT, YOU GOTTA DO IT YOURSELF” as he got back into the groove and got back to being himself.

Someone wants to follow up about a new offensive coordinator, asking about Kenny Dillingham.

Gus needed to find someone who had a similar philosophy when it came to offense that he did, and Dilly was in the same situation advising a play-calling head coach in Mike Norvell at Memphis, so the fit was perfect.

Now we get a question about comparing Gatewood and Bo Nix and how the offense will change when each is out there.

Apparently there’s not much difference (at least publicly) at this time in their skill sets. Both can run, and both can extend plays, and Gus mentions that it’s always easier calling plays for a running threat. Now, based on what happened in 2010 and 2013, when Gus had his only two true dual-threat guys, it took a few games to warm up into what really became the offense. This year we’ve even got a bit of a quarterback controversy, so I’m very interested to see exactly what happens if Gus’ play-calling isn’t quite in the groove yet and we don’t get to see the offense that complements one quarterbacks skill to the highest potential.

Linebackers are being replaced, but we have seven starters back on defense.

Gus talks about the defensive line first and how good they’ll be, and that the linebackers aren’t going to experience a ton of drop-off thanks to guys playing some in relief last year and having good springs. There’s also a chance to have the best defense he’s had since his time at Auburn. This is a sentiment I can get behind. All we need to see is pretty solid play from the linebackers and this unit is going to be tough to move on. The defensive line will eat nearly everyone on the schedule, and there’s experience in the back end with speed to burn.

Next we get a question about the improvement of the running game.

Here’s an area where Auburn simply wasn’t great last year, due in large part to injuries and inexperience on the offensive line. However, Gus turns it around and talks about how throwing the football down the field — no more screen passes :-( — is an important element of what they want to do. He points to the bowl game again as evidence. In 2017, the deep ball was a huge part of the offense, and it was a backbreaker in many of the wins. We didn’t see it much last year with any success, Get back to the long ball and we’ll be a force.

Now we have a question about tuning out the external noise.

Gus talks about the leadership and experience that guys don’t allow that kind of stuff to happen.

Here’s a Kevin Steele question about how his relationship with the defense encouraged guys to come back for another year.

Gus tells the assembled media that the big idea behind Brown and others coming back was unfinished business and getting degrees. He does say that the core of the team is rooted in the group that decided to come back and eschew the NFL. You don’t come back just to play another year, but to have a successful season.

Any rising players that are becoming leaders on and off the field?

Auburn hasn’t had any real off-field issues in quite some time, and Gus says that there’s a good group of leaders, especially seniors and guys that have taken starting jobs already.

Any time table for naming a starting quarterback?

Not really. This ain’t Jarrett Stidham in 2017 when everyone knew that he would start.

Quarterbacks football IQ? How does Bo Nix compare being so young?

Everyone is hungry to learn, and there’s a healthy relationship between Bo and Joey. They’re both desperate to be the best they can be, but whichever one starts against Oregon won’t have any college football experience. That’s why it’s important to have the support around the quarterback position.

In other statements, Gus made sure to note that everyone was running some form of the HUNH that he popularized over a decade ago. Even teams that poo-pooed those that wanted to go quicker in the past made changes and are implementing hurry-up techniques. We’re basically one step away from Gus foregoing “Bullcrap” as his go-to curse, and slapping Nick Saban with a string of profanity that would make Will Muschamp blush.

I'm not sure anyone is catching this stuff, but Gus is firing some shots at people during this press conference. Just mentioned hurry-up offenses and how teams even with "health issues" now run it.

— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) July 18, 2019

Elsewhere, everyone from this latest recruiting haul is on campus, including grad transfers from Youngstown State and Arizona State —

Auburn HC Gus Malzahn told local media earlier that Youngstown State transfer WR Zach Farrar will report today + OL signee Kamaar Bell arrived earlier this week. Arizona State HB/TE transfer Jay Jay Wilson has been on campus for "a month or two." Auburn's incoming class is set.

— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) July 18, 2019

Stay tuned here for a depth chart look, courtesy of AU Nerd, because the first string can play with anyone in the country. We need to know how depth is going to be established during fall camp before we can predict some really special things for this team.

To finish up, we got one piece of nice news that’ll help to put the Tigers on the map if they can take care of business against Oregon in Arlington.

Can't wait for this one @CollegeGameDay Week 1: @AuburnFootball x @oregonfootball pic.twitter.com/87Ko93WWLh

— ESPN (@espn) July 18, 2019

It’ll be the 19th time that College Gameday has been present for an Auburn game, with the last one coming in 2017 for the Iron Bowl — you know, the “Kick Ass”. Let’s get more of that in about six weeks.

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2019/7/19/20699617/sec-media-days-notes-and-reaction

[gaykarstaagforever]

@thesnowprince

Talk about replies to old posts! 😁 Good to see Verizon hasn’t nixed the old blog yet, at any rate.

Also, note before my reply that I don’t give a shit about TESO or anything it has done to lore. Skyrim messing up Nord history is hard enough to shoehorn in, I’m not even bothering with Joss Whedonesque half-sarcastic retcon fanfic shit from HO Scale Morrowind. I don’t even know a lot of that stuff and don’t really feel obligated to learn it.

And as I just made a model train reference in 2017, so I should probably get started.

The reason werewolves work in TES is because werewolves are just a variety of people transforming into animals, and the TES universe is already one populated by people who do that with magic. And there are also preexisting intelligent beast-races. Werewolves are just a variation on a common aspect of that world, so they fit into it.

The problem with vampires is that Bethesda couldn’t seem to figure out what kind of things they are in the first place, for most of these games. Are they a living race on the mortal plane like elves? Are they a magical monster, like liches or zombies? Or are they the result of an infection, like Blight victims? They basically made them bits of all that, and it was pointless and desperate.

So is there then a type of thing already established in the lore that they could be 100%, so that they could be added in under that heading and find a role in the complexity of the universe?

Obviously, yes, but Bethesda only just figured that out in Skyrim, and then tripped over it in their glee to put Buffy vampires in the game. What they are, or can be, are thralls of a great power. Like the dragon priests / draugr for Alduin, or the various mutilated monsters that served Dagoth Ur / The Heart of Lorkhan, or the dremora / lesser daedroth that serve the Daedric Princes. And that’s what they tried to do in Skyrim in making them the thralls of Molag Bal, and that should have worked.

But to do that, they would have had to explain why any particular thrall is needed by the power in question. What do they specifically do, and why can only they do that? Otherwise, why wouldn’t something less specialized be used? And vampires in TES literally can’t do anything that 15 other things that aren’t vampires already do to varying degrees. And Molag Bal has no good reason to have them doing most of that for him in the first place, given what he’s supposed to be.

To make them work as thralls, Bethesda would have to radically change their skill set to make it unique to them and of greater value to Molag Bal (once they figure out what he’s doing with them in the first place; best of luck, it makes no sense). The vampire lord transformation is a start, but it’s basically just a shitty temporary beast-man transformation any wizard human or elf could do, and even then it doesn’t seem in any way more effective than Molag just employing Khajiit or Argonian battlemages. So vampires really have to become flying mini-dragons with life-draining shouts, or fully ethereal ghost-people who could clip through enemies and geography or take people over from within, with unlimited agency, or be able to split themselves into three different intelligent animal forms at the same time, or something like that. Something big and unique and useful, that would also be fun to play.

They would also need to get rid of the sun allergy crap and the need to drink blood crap, because not only does that suck to play, it limits them in a universe where we don’t see other creatures’ similar limitations. As in, you don’t have to play eating or pooping or Argonians needing to stay damp or Khajiit hating the cold in these games. It’s just implied that they somehow are dealing with it when they step into an inn. Sleeping is a feature, but that’s only traditionally to level up and now just to make time pass. Vampires shouldn’t be screwed by “real” limits when no one else is, just to get traditional vampire crap in the game.

Yes I realize that a vampire that doesn’t drink blood or hate the sun is basically not a vampire. But maybe that’s goddamn why they don’t belong on this universe / these games - they aren’t consistent with it, as what we know as vampires. That’s my point.

Besides the thrall thing, I think I posted way back on the old blog about the theory that the people of Akavir were humans or elves that had all become vampires. That could work, in that vampires could be a new playable base race, like a human / elf with night vision and strong unarmed attacks and various natural blood magic-type powers, and they could only regain health by draining it or some kind of unique blood potion. But then they are otherwise just a playable race. And Bethesda would have to explain what they are and how they got there. I guess it could be some kind of disease or parasite spread from mother to fetus. But then why hasn’t anyone used advanced magic to cure it? And why doesn’t it seem very widespread? Maybe if the vampire race is just some kind of civilized Neanderthal human / elf variety, a predatory, carnivorous species. But then again, where do they come from, why haven’t we seen them before now, and why didn’t everyone they prey on wipe them the hell out during the TES Stone Age?

Having vampirism be just a shitty disease is lore friendly, which is why they did that in Oblivion. But let us all remember how super fun that crap was to play. It is literally just a negative then, an inconvenience no one wants. Which is why in Oblivion it made little sense that so many vampires seemed to love being vampires, because they were just mundane idiots with an annoying infection that inexplicably made the human ones live a lot longer. Again, for the human victims, lore friendly, I suppose. But with zero gameplay benefits.

You just can’t throw traditional Dracula into TES. It can’t work. A vampire has to be made into something else to fit, and at that point it’s not a vampire anymore, so why even bother?

But there are so many other native means of doing gothic horror / Lovecraftian terrors in the TES universe, it’s not like we lacked for stupid old skool vampires. Morrowind is freaky enough with the Sixth House / Blight monster stuff. Oblivion has the isolated forest / Ayleid creepiness. Skyrim has the Falmer and Dwemer ruins and dragon tombs. Bethesda should have spent more time doing unique TES horror stuff, if they wanted, instead of forcing random movie monsters into it just to do it. It just can’t work in any satisfying way.

unit220 said: 

And I thought I was the only one who thought that whole DLC’s plot line was a mess!