#one candle for mom and one for vito

[kofolacitrus]

Decided to draw more m2 art! Inspired by a wonderful and very memorable song by John Lennon.

This one is also very special to me and not just because of the bond between Vito and Frankie, which is so interesting, and it deserves much more attention.

Working on this was very healing for me, and I found again the joy from what I love the most.

The fanart itself is actually quite personal to me because I lost my own mom, too. However, I had a lot of fun and a good time while drawing this, which is important in my opinion. Sorry for a little over sharing.

Anyway yeah...that's it.

Details and the inspo song down below 👇

My mummy's dead

I can't get through my head

Though it's been so many years

My mummy's dead

I can't explain

So much pain

I could never show it

My mummy's dead

- John Lennon

[theramseyloft]

2/15/21 Loft Notes

Alex got right up on my foot this morning.

Lucy, Dio, and Reo are the first on me every day.

Alex got on my elbow for a second, went OH SHIT, WHAT AM I DOING!!! and hopped back down on my knee.

Huh.

Pippin just tread Indica.

Glaring at Pookie the whole time. Indica was gracious enough to still give his tiny husband a turn.

Vito remains an obstinate super bastard.

But Ginger got a few minutes to eat.

Indica and Pookie are trying to nest again.

Vito is vying for a spot on top of the retirement list too.

Pretty sure Nica and Ginger would have no problems on eggs without him constantly chasing them.

He won't let Ginger rest or eat or settle anywhere. How Dare Nica like him better!

Ginger isn't helpless, mind. He eats and rests and courts when ever Vito is distracted, but Vito isn't going to let them have a nest.

Nica and Ginger tried to claim the top center nest as it's the most defensible.

But Vito still got in, threw Ginger out by the scruff, and is very surprised that Danica refuses to join him.

There are no ladies who look like him but Nica.

He's really dead set on that meaning she is  the only lady.

You see that a lot with birds raised in homogeneous lofts.

Nica's reclaimed her box and is dead set on not letting Vito in.

Pookie just went to remind them that "Nah, bitches, this is MY box!"

All boxes belong to Pookie!

He and Indica go home on the 24th.

I have only refrained from bringing them into quarantine because they are not bothering my nesting pairs.

Vito has had enough of Danica not joining him, so he's just chasing Ginger all over the loft

He's significantly larger than Ginger and knows it.

But an angry Danica is significantly meaner than him.

Leela had Vito's attention for a minute.

And now all the cocks are riled and crave violence.

Also Mj. There cannot be good chaos without Mj.

She's just threatening any other bird that wants lap or shoulder time right now.

Nica and Ginger are soundly in a box, and Vito is now menacing every one on the floor.

Leela has chosen now to remind everyone that she is a single lady.

Vito tried to surprise Cody in his box.

When that went badly, he just fucking tackled Tandy out of the goddamn sky on her way to her box.

And now we know where Pookie got his craving for chaos.

Pippin just dove into the box where Ginger and Danica were snuggling and reminded Vito which one it was.

Once again, Danica attacked Vito for intruding and left to join Ginger.

Vito tried to woo Tandy on the window sill, but she noped right tf outta that shit!

Nica has returned to her box and is calling Ginger.

Ginger joined her.

Vito is firmly uninvited, but trying to figure out how to join them.

Then got distracted by Tandy.

Who once again noped RIGHT tf out because he came in in full bully mode and she is ABSOLUTELY not here for that shit!

Aaaand he threw Nica and Ginger out of their box again.

Who are still together... Across the loft from him.

Nica is very done with Vito's shit.

Now he's straight up just attacking her.

And everything he can get his beak into.

Luxie is a lot lower on the list than Vito, Mj, and Liang now.

She can at least mom.

Farthing is DONE with Pookie!

Pookie tried to insist Farthing let him tread. Farthing straight up punched his face.

Pookie was reminded that Farthing is WAY bigger than him!

The rest of the flock will get real tired of his shit real fast.

Pippin and Cookie just changed guard.

So maybe there will be slightly less chaos.

Vito tried to woo Tandy again, who once more noped RIGHT tf out of that shit!

Vito is gonna have to change tactics if he wants any pleasant hen attention.

Holy shit, the sun is out and MJ took a turn on her eggs!

Indica immediately chased Thistle off of me.

Apparently, my shoulders and head belong to him and Pookie.

Let's see if I can get any of these candlings done...

Wukong and Suki's egg is fertile!

Satin and Sprinks first was, but died.

Danica's stress lay was not fertile.

Thistle and Mj's second is alive!

Jesus christ, I may end up swapping Betty and Vito on the retirement list if he don't quit his bullshit.

Just not letting Ginger eat or drink.

Also, attacking any bird he can get to, regardless of sex or demeanor.

The second he glances sideways at an established pair on eggs, I'm isolating him.

He's getting every cock in here defensive and riled up.

Whiiich just earned him Indica and Pookie's attention.

Unfortunately, temporarily isolating them makes problem cocks think they are master of their own territory, and they come back super aggressive.

That's how flock rank is achieved and why I prefer to bring in new blood as young as possible.

Ginger did get a chance to drink in the chaos.

And immediately offered to feed Nica.

Pookie has decided no one gets to tread on the floor today but him.

Alex landed briefly on my shoulder.

Vito has until Hoss weans to be less of a flock disruption.

If he isn't by then, Betty stays and Vito goes.

Or if, at any time before then, he starts shit with any of my nesting pairs on eggs.

This is why I prefer adding weanlings over adults for new blood.

Hens can fit in pretty ok. and so can some cocks.

But with cocks, it's a coin flip between making any attempt to fit in and being an absolute chaos-bastard.

[bestfriendforhire]

Entry 375

 Portentia was satisfied to see that the prisoner was still here, despite the lack of locks.  Papak had assured that he’d devour the poor man if an escape was attempted.  Some of the younger vampires as well as a couple older ones went blood drunk when they fed, so I stayed behind and watched over them while the others got started with their tour.  I had seen a fair amount of the tour before and would surely visit again many times over the years to come.

Time could seem to pass incredibly quickly for me these days.  As I watched over the vampires, I reminisced about the past years as Dani grew, since I wanted pleasant thoughts for company after seeing the vampires overact their feeding.  Papak had bit one of Portentia’s arms off to try shocking my daughter.  I barely had touched upon Dani’s tenth birthday when Vito and Ariadne popped in to visit.

 “James, you’re not here to steal our staff, are you?” questioned Vito with a small smile.  “I know perfectly well that they’ll never want you to leave, having met you.”

 “Sorry.  Papak is giving my family his part of the tour, so I volunteered to watch over this lot.  They had a bit much of Portentia’s blood.” I explained.

 “Ah.  Yes.  I do appreciate your consideration.  Sorry to have left you alone with Papak, but we didn’t realize you’d be here quite so soon.  That was quite the quick flight.” he told me.  “Is Portentia still around?  I thought I smelled her. on the way in here.”

 “She’s here.  I hired her for the duration of the visit, so she could help feed everyone.  Feel free to get a snack before stopping to talk.” I told him.

 “Is my niece with you?” questioned Ariadne.

 I used a spell to mute the area around us, not wanting the other vampires to hear.  “Always.  You know her.  She’s not officially here though, so Portentia and my daughter don’t know.”

 She nodded and said, “Vito, would you mind tying them up, so James can join us?  We brought souvenirs from our trip.”

 “I’m surprised you don’t just…”  I snapped my fingers and created a small flash of light around them.  “I can’t imagine a reason you’d need to shop.”

 “Need, no, but I do like to get out occasionally.” she insisted.

 As she spoke, Vito unleashed a spell he made.  From what I saw, I estimated that the vampires here would be trapped for half a week if they didn’t know how to undo the spell.  Vito surely wouldn’t leave them quite that long, but I did appreciate his skill at spellwork.  

 Smiling, Ariadne said, “Thank you, dear.  Let’s catch up with the others before Papak makes up too much about Vito and Zachary.  They’ll be fighting for weeks if he gets too carried away.”

 I followed as they leisurely walked out.

 “How’s Raine coming along?” questioned Vito.

 “Still skittish.”

 “But how’s her magic?” he questioned.

 “She doesn’t consciously use any yet.”

 “What?” asked Ariadne, turning around in surprise.  “She could handle all of your shopping with ease if my niece didn’t.  What I do doesn’t hold a candle to what she could do.”

 I nodded and said, “I know.  I need to work with her more, but I’ve been waiting for the right time.”

 “I’d tell you that there’s no time like the present, but my niece is probably involved.  That girl…” stated Ariadne, shaking her head.

 I grinned, catching the momentary smile on Ariadne’s face.  “Keeps life interesting, doesn’t she.”

 “That is certainly one way of putting it.  Has she ever made you watch her use that scythe of hers?” questioned Vito with a shudder.

 “Too often.  I don’t even get the bad memories anymore.  You do know the scythe’s just for show, don’t you?” I questioned.

 Vito frowned and said, “I’ve guessed, but that is still a terrifying weapon.  She could no doubt devour the world with it.”

 “She could snuff out a galaxy on a whim if she tossed it into a star, told it to conserve its energy, and left it for a while.”

 “She speaks to it?” asked Ariadne, surprised again.

 “You could say that.”

 “Aren’t you worried about saying too much?  You obviously know more about that thing than we do at this point.” stated Vito with obvious warning in his voice.

 “She’d just kill me again if that were a problem.”

 “Again?” questioned Ariadne.

 I shrugged.  “She’s Death.  There’s really no difference to her whether someone is alive or dead.  We might as well have on/off switches.”

 Ariadne gently touched my arm and asked “What happened to you on your honeymoon?”

 I smiled and patted her head.  “Much.  I can’t tell you a hundredth… well… less than that.”

 “You’ve aged, James.” stated Vito with a tone of surprise.  He was staring into my eyes as if he were trying to peer into my soul.

 I smiled.  “Just don’t go calling me ‘old man’ yet.  My daughter’s only fifteen.”

 “Most people will think you’re still going on twenty.  If I didn’t know Carl, I’d be at a complete loss.  As things are, I’m still very curious.”

 “I know you’re patient.  Give me a hundred years from your perspective, and I should be allowed to tell you a great deal more.” I replied.

 “How long will that be for you?” he questioned.

 Ariadne elbowed him and said, “Be nice.”

 “I honestly don’t keep count.  If I knew my age, I’d probably brood about it.” I told him.

 He grinned wickedly as he said, “Maybe Aaliyah will let us throw you a party when you pass us.”

 Ariadne punched his gut.  “Be nice!”

 “Yes-yes.  Always.  I’d invite you.” he assured her.

 She sighed dramatically.

 Papak charged down the hall toward us, grabbing me with one hand and scooping up Vito and Ariadne with the other as he flipped around.  We let him carry us to where he left the group.

 “Got them!” exclaimed Papak with a grin.  “You’re up, Vito.”

 “I see.” stated Vito as he straightened Ariadne’s shirt for her.

 “Are you two dating!?” exclaimed Dani with a grin.

 Vito raised an eyebrow as he appraised my daughter.

 “Dani, this is Ariadne and Vito.” I told her.  Turning to them, I said, “And this is my daughter, Dani.”

 “She’s pink!” exclaimed Papak with a big grin as he pointed to Dani.

 “Really?” questioned Vito, feigning surprise.  “Are you certain?”

 Papak stuck his enormous head up next to his brother and said, “Yes.”

 “Well, thank you for informing me.  I would never have figured that one out.”

 Dani quickly ducked under his arm, tapped on his cheek, and asked “Are they dating!?  They feel like they’re dating.”

 “Do they?” questioned Papak as he eyed Dani.

 “Sorry.  She’s exceptionally energetic today.” explained Alma, as she ducked around Papak to grab Dani.

 “But Mom…” complained Dani as she was being pulled away.

 Ariadne smiled and said, “Yes, Dani.  We’re dating.”

 “See!” exclaimed Dani as she bounced on her feet.

 “You are… quite interesting, aren’t you.” stated Ariadne, looking at Dani curiously.

 “Still doesn’t have Portentia beat.” stated Cosette with a smirk.

 Dani frowned and tried to move toward Cosette despite Alma holding her arm.  “You don’t think I’m interesting!?”

 Cosette smiled, stepped forward and patted Dani’s arm.  “You’re very interesting, but Ariadne’s an incredible healer.  She was examining your physiology.  You can tell by the soft glow around her.”

 “Ooooh.” stated Dani.  She quickly turned to me and exclaimed “Daddy, don’t kill her!”

 I sighed, walked over, and hugged her.  “Dani, you know I don’t randomly kill people, even if they give random medical exams.  Besides, Ariadne is Aaliyah’s aunt.”

 “Is she really!?” asked Dani as she stared up at me.  “That’s so cool!  No wonder they look similar!  She must know all sorts of things!”

 “Let me apologize in advance.  I can’t compete with my niece for knowledge.”

 “Does Aaliyah really know that much?” questioned Portentia.  Seeing everyone’s gaze turn to her, she said, “What?  Aaliyah’s a super genius, but she’s… what… thirteen now?”

 “Tell me what you think in a couple hundred years.” stated Vito with a smile.

 “Did James tell you that Portentia’s here as lunch?” questioned Papak.

 “He mentioned it.”

 “Wait.  You think she’ll be around in a couple hundred years?” questioned Portentia.

 “I thought you had found out that she doesn’t age.  Interesting medical condition.” I explained.

 She nodded and said, “Life’s so strange.  Just a year ago, I thought I’d be wandering the streets alone forever.  Half a year with James, and I’m surrounded by immortals.”

 “I’m not!” exclaimed Dani with a grin.  “Immortal that is.  I’m going to grow old, sooo old.  There will be wrinkles and everything!  It’ll be so cool!”

 She knew quite well that her species didn’t get age wrinkles, but she became obsessed with them after seeing “through the years” collections Mila had shown her while expanding her knowledge of this planet’s art.

 I was still against my daughter aging.  Aging wasn’t even a tricky thing to prevent for Aaliyah, but Death would claim her one day.  Dani would smile and grab my hand just as her heart stopped.  The faded color of her hair was ingrained in my mind.  I had been too young to watch my daughter die, but she had been so very happy in her new world, excited for the next adventure in a younger body.  When she died, I’d be the one smiling as I escorted her to her new world this time, not the one sobbing at her side.  For now, we had time.

[bffhreprise]

Best Friend For Hire Reprise, Entry 373

 When Ariadne and I returned home, I caught a scent so pleasant that I could’ve missed the others for my joy.  Portentia was here.  After tasting her blood, nothing else had been satisfying, and the best part was that she wouldn’t even be injured by feeding any number of vampires.

 “James, you’re not here to steal our staff, are you?” I asked, giving him a smile.  If he were, then they would go.  With Aaliyah’s backing, James could do anything, and I couldn’t begrudge vampires an even better life.  “I know perfectly well that they’ll never want you to leave, having met you.” I commented, feeling his aura affecting me.

 “Sorry.  Papak is giving my family his part of the tour, so I volunteered to watch over this lot.” he told me, motioning to a bunch of hooligans that couldn’t handle the power within them.  “They had a bit much of Portentia’s blood.”

 “Ah.  Yes.  I do appreciate your consideration.  Sorry to have left you alone with Papak, but we didn’t realize you’d be here quite so soon.  That was quite the quick flight.” I pointed out, wondering if they even did fly.  “Is Portentia still around?  I thought I smelled her on the way in here.” I told him as nonchalantly as I could manage.  The cravings her blood would incite around here would have to be stamped out when James left, but we still owed him for the easy and exceptional meals.

 “She’s here.  I hired her for the duration of the visit, so she could help feed everyone.  Feel free to get a snack before stopping to talk.” he replied, not even bothered by our blood requirements anymore.

 “Is my niece with you?” questioned Ariadne as she looked around warily.

 James quickly and neatly made a spell that would prevent sound from leaving our vicinity.  Then he said, “Always.  You know her.  She’s not officially here though, so Portentia and my daughter don’t know.”

 Ariadne nodded, acknowledging the point.  “Vito, would you mind tying them up, so James can join us?  We brought souvenirs from our trip.”

 “I’m surprised you don’t just…” he snapped and created a flash of light in obvious imitation of Ariadne’s powers.  “I can’t imagine a reason you’d need to shop.”

 “Need, no, but I do like to get out occasionally.” she insisted.

 Meanwhile, I trapped my young brethren, planning on releasing them later, since I doubted any of them could figure out that particular spell before it would naturally dissipate.

 Ariadne smiled up at me as she said, “Thank you, dear.”  Then she told James “Let’s catch up with the others before Papak makes up too much about Vito and Zachary.  They’ll be fighting for weeks if he gets too carried away.”

 James followed behind us, but I was certain he could find his own way just as easily.  Something was different about him since last we spoke.

 “How’s Raine coming along?” I asked as we walked.

 “Still skittish.” he replied immediately.

 “But how’s her magic?” I prodded.

 “She doesn’t consciously use any yet.” replied James, shrugging slightly.

 “What?” asked Ariadne, turning around in surprise.  “She could handle all of your shopping with ease if my niece didn’t.  What I do doesn’t hold a candle to what she could do.”

 James nodded and said, “I know.  I need to work with her more, but I’ve been waiting for the right time.”

 “I’d tell you that there’s no time like the present, but my niece is probably involved.  That girl…” stated Ariadne, shaking her head.

 James grinned, probably noticing the momentary smile on Ariadne’s face.  “Keeps life interesting, doesn’t she.”

 “That is certainly one way of putting it.  Has she ever made you watch her use that scythe of hers?” I asked as I allowed myself a shudder.  I immediately suppressed those memories as they tried bubbling forth.

 “Too often.  I don’t even get the bad memories anymore.  You do know the scythe’s just for show, don’t you?” he asked, studying our reactions.

 I frowned and said, “I’ve guessed, but that is still a terrifying weapon.  She could no doubt devour the world with it.”

 “She could snuff out a galaxy on a whim if she tossed it into a star, told it to conserve its energy, and left it for a while.” he told me with certainty.

 “She speaks to it?” asked Ariadne, surprised again.

 “You could say that.” he elusively replied.

 “Aren’t you worried about saying too much?  You obviously know more about that thing than we do at this point.” I told him with a note of warning.

 “She’d just kill me again if that were a problem.” he said with a shrug.

 “Again?” questioned Ariadne in surprise.

 James shrugged again.  “She’s Death.  There’s really no difference to her whether someone is alive or dead.  We might as well have on/off switches.”

 Ariadne gently touched his arm and asked “What happened to you on your honeymoon?”

 He smiled and gently patted her head as if she were the child she appeared to be.  “Much.  I can’t tell you a hundredth… well… less than that.”

 Realization clicked in my mind.  “You’ve aged, James.” I asserted.  Looking into his eyes for some sign that I was right.

 He acknowledged my assertion with a gentle smile.  “Just don’t go calling me ‘old man’ yet.” he insisted.  “My daughter’s only fifteen.”

 “Most people will think you’re still going on twenty.  If I didn’t know Carl, I’d be at a complete loss.  As things are, I’m still very curious.” admitted Ariadne with a look that said she wanted to pry the story out of him.

 “I know you’re patient.  Give me a hundred years from your perspective, and I should be allowed to tell you a great deal more.” he assured us, speaking of a hundred years as if that was nothing to him as well.

 “How long will that be for you?” I asked in surprise.

 Ariadne elbowed me and said, “Be nice.”

 “I honestly don’t keep count.  If I knew my age, I’d probably brood about it.” he told us, actually sounding old for a moment.

 I gave him a grin fit for a T.V. villain as I said, “Maybe Aaliyah will let us throw you a party when you pass us.”

 Ariadne punched me in the gut.  “Be nice!”

 “Yes-yes.  Always.  I’d invite you.” I assured her as if that’s what she was worried about.

 She sighed dramatically, looking to the ceiling and rolling her eyes.

 I didn’t dodge as my brother charged down the hall toward us, grabbing James with one hand and scooping up Ariadne and me with the other as he flipped around.  He carried the rest of us through the mansion far faster than I could have managed on my own, but that was his reward in return for stunted magical talent.

 “Got them!” exclaimed Papak with a grin.  “You’re up, Vito.”

 “I see.” I told him as I unruffled Ariadne’s shirt.  He could have been a little careful at least.

 “Are you two dating!?” exclaimed a pink skinned girl with brilliant blue hair and amethyst eyes.

 I had never seen anything like her.  Despite the odd colorations, she was stunning to behold, even as she grinned like a kid in a candy store.  How had she come to her conclusion so quickly?

 “Dani, this is Ariadne and Vito.” stated James.  Then he turned to face us as he said, “And this is my daughter, Dani.”

 “She’s pink!” exclaimed Papak with a big grin as he pointed to Dani.

 “Really?” I asked, feigning surprise.  “Are you certain?”

 Papak stuck his enormous head almost against me, saying, “Yes.”

 “Well, thank you for informing me.  I would never have figured that one out.” I told him, pretending to be grateful.

 Dani ducked under Papak’s arm, tapped on his cheek, and asked “Are they dating!?  They feel like they’re dating.”

 “Do they?” questioned Papak as he eyed Dani.

 She felt we were dating!?  What sort of power was that!?

 “Sorry.  She’s exceptionally energetic today.” explained Alma, as she ducked around Papak to grab Dani, whom she smiled at affectionately.

 “But Mom…” complained Dani as she was being pulled away.

 Ariadne smiled at the two and said, “Yes, Dani.  We’re dating.”

 “See!” exclaimed Dani as she bounced on her feet.

 “You are… quite interesting, aren’t you.” stated Ariadne, looking at Dani as curiously as I was while using her magic to see what I could not.

 “Still doesn’t have Portentia beat.” stated Cosette with a smirk.  She had been observing us by one of Papak’s old trinkets.

 Dani frowned and tried to move toward Cosette despite Alma’s hold on her.  “You don’t think I’m interesting!?”

 Cosette kept up her smile, stepped forward and patted Dani’s arm.  “You’re very interesting, but Ariadne’s an incredible healer.  She was examining your physiology.  You can tell by the soft glow around her.”

 “Ooooh.” stated Dani.  She quickly turned to face James and exclaimed “Daddy, don’t kill her!”

 He sighed as if that was a typical overreaction of his daughter, walked over to her, and hugged her.  “Dani, you know I don’t randomly kill people, even if they give random medical exams.  Besides, Ariadne is Aaliyah’s aunt.”

 “Is she really!?” asked Dani as she stared up at me.  “That’s so cool!  No wonder they look similar!  She must know all sorts of things!” she exclaimed, making me wonder how much she knew of Aaliyah.

 “Let me apologize in advance.  I can’t compete with my niece for knowledge.” stated Ariadne immediately.

 “Does Aaliyah really know that much?” questioned Portentia in legitimate confusion.  Seeing everyone’s gaze turn to her, she said, “What?  Aaliyah’s a super genius, but she’s… what… thirteen now?”

 “Tell me what you think in a couple hundred years.” I told her in with a smile.

 “Did James tell you that Portentia’s here as lunch?” questioned Papak.

 “He mentioned it.” I replied, though I was craving her blood just looking at her.

 “Wait.  You think she’ll be around in a couple hundred years?” questioned Portentia in surprise.

 “I thought you had found out that she doesn’t age.  Interesting medical condition.” explained James.

 She nodded and said, “Life’s so strange.  Just a year ago, I thought I’d be wandering the streets alone forever.  Half a year with James, and I’m surrounded by immortals.”

 “I’m not!” exclaimed Dani with a grin.  “Immortal that is.  I’m going to grow old, sooo old.  There will be wrinkles and everything!  It’ll be so cool!” insisted Dani, weirdly excited about the idea.

James’ only reaction to her statement was to roll his eyes, but Alma looked quite amused by the idea, which was weird.  When did Alma start looking like a content mother?

 As Dani elaborated a little more at how cool growing old was, James’ eyes grew distant, as if he was remembering something or looking elsewhere.  He actually managed to seem very old as he did, despite the obvious youth of his body.  Waiting a hundred years for an answer to what had happened might actually seem like a long wait if he kept surprising me.

[thelouisianauproar]

Louisiana Uproar - Chapter 28

Summary: Dottie wakes after being abducted by the Ensanglante cult; Jason Stanwyck and the Louisiana Mafia work to find her; Guest star appearances include Tony Derazio, Vito Scaletta, Lincoln Clay, and more! 

I’m not exactly sure where I wake up. I can’t even know if it’s real, I see a chalkboard, desks, and chairs. I look at the ceiling and purple smoke is coming out of a pot. Man. I try to stand but I lose balance. Shake it off, Jetson.

I use a chair to look through the class door’s window. I see a black woman pacing back and forth. She’s talking to herself and wipes her face with the back of her hand. “Miss! Miss!” I’m trying to get her attention. For such a small distance, I can see her quite well. I know exactly who she is---Katherine Smith-Jetson.

Her hair is slicked back. She’s wearing baggy slacks and a sweater that stops at mid forearm. Now, I hear a baby crying. Where did that carriage come from?

“Miss!” I’m still screaming. The woman is sobbing. She points the gun at the baby. My screams for her get louder and they change: “Mom! Mom! Please!” She hands her head in defeat. She walks away and puts a gun to her head. Without hesitation, she shoots herself. In the same defeat, I drop my head and get down. I trip and fall on my front.

“Quite a predicament you’ve found yourself in.” A strong southern accent tells me. I get on my knees.  When I look up, Tony Derazio is standing in front of me. No way. “Dorothy Jetson. It’s a pleasure.” He extends his hand. “The pleasure is mine.” I shake it and stand. “I should think so. You stole my life.” “Well.” In the moment, I’m ready to argue the notion.

“Numbers guy for the mob, knew all the political contacts. You ran the show from behind the scenes and you love it.” He makes it sound like an insult. “Didn’t you?”

Mr. Derazio’s straight face turns to a smile and a laugh. I assume it’s because he doesn’t have a good enough answer. “The only thing you’ve done is make a mess.” He pushes me on my butt by palming my face. What the hell? I felt that. I stand up. “Whoa, whoa hey.” I feel hands on both my shoulders from behind me. It’s a familiar voice. I look over at the person.

Vito Scaletta walks slightly from me. He starts his cigarette.

“No reason for violence, Tony.” He’s cool as a cucumber. “She stole my life, too. I find it endearing.” “Vito.”

“It’s been a long time, kid.” “Scaletta, you’ve always been nothing.” That’s not true. “A fucking carpetbagger.” That name. They called him that when I worked at the docks.

“Anything you’ve ever had you messed it up.”

My head is killing me. The men are saying things but I bend over gripping my head. I feel Vito’s hand on my back. I wave him off.

Their argument is so calm, yet, so cold.

“Vito, you’re hurting your little pet.” Tony says, “Not my pet. The kids a fucking monster.” Vito chuckles. “You’d be proud of that, if it didn’t mean the end of your empire.” Good point.

Wait, these men aren’t real. These men died at the hands of Lincoln Clay. I need to end this.

I grab the nearest brick. I throw it at Derazio. He reacts and there’s my opening. I knee him in the stomach and beat him with that brick, as merciless as I’ve ever been.

“Alright, Alright, kid.” Vito pulls me to turn around. “That’s it.” “Vito.” My body is shaking. “I’m not-not a monster.” “It’s alright. We all are...somehow.”

“I’m loud and I’m vulgar, and I make the tough decisions because somebody has to! I am not a monster!” He’s calm. He grips my forearms.

“I disagree.” He guides me to lie on the floor. “Rest babygirl, you’ll need it.”

When I wake, I hear someone talking. I try to play dead, but she’s refilling that smoke. She refers to us as animals killing each other again. There are two bodies near me. One’s face has been bludgeoned. Her back is turned to me. I’ve got to do something.

My arms wrap around her neck, she tries to struggle. John Donovan once showed me how to snap a neck. How did it go again? Just try it. I make the attempt and feel the crack. The woman stops fighting.

I hope she’s real. It starts smoking so I use the chair to pull it down. What do I do? I dump the hot content and desperately put it out with my hand. I need to get out. How? The door is still opened. It must have been too late.

I’m starting to feel weird again. As I’m going through the hallways, I’m seeing things. I don’t know what’s real. I see Vito, Cassandra, and Burke watching me as I sneak. I see John and Nicki making out in a corner. Dear god, Emmanuel has been hung. I have to get a hold of myself.

I make it to the gymnasium of a school. I hear people talking so I hide. The things they are saying about the Ensanglante. Soon, they disburse. There is something in the middle of the gym. It’s a car on fire. Please don’t tell me they have that smoke in here. There is something in the driver’s seat. It’s burnt to a crisp, but the shape looks like Lincoln Clay.

His head snaps to me and his eyes open. I scream.

I have to get out of here, before he gets me. I rush up the bleachers to a broken window. It’s gonna be quite a fall but I have to go.

When I wake, I’m in a room full of candles. I’m lying down, I’m tied down. Every once in a while people will come in and refill the drug. I plead with them to let me go. They don’t respond. Sometimes, they read to me. They read dark things: sometimes spiritual, sometimes graphic. I hear the words sacrifice and filth, many times.

A woman in white comes in and undoes my ties. I don’t know if she’s real. “How are you breathing this?” I ask, gingerly. “I have been obsessed with you for a long time.” Her back is turned to me, and I sit up. “I haven’t had the pleasure.” My head is killing me. “The name’s Bonnie.” Bonnie? Should I know that? “We believe that humanity is ultimately doomed, Ms. Jetson.” “Well, especially when people like you and me exist.” I can’t catch my breath. I stand but I’m weak. Bonnie chuckles.

“Have you ever seen the life light leave someone’s eyes?” “I have.” “It’s a beautiful thing. Pure. Intimate.” She turns to me. “My blood gave birth to this city. Owned it. Now all I see is filth where well borns once reigned.” She turns me around and her image shocks me. I fall down.

“You’re looking like you’re peaking, cher. Maybe you should sit a spell.” She may be right. Bonnie continues to talk but I hear gunshots. She rushes out of the room.

Get yourself together. What happened since I got her? Where am I? I was in that classroom. What else happened? There’s blood all over me.

I look at the smoke. It’s still going. Oh no, not again. I’m losing consciousness. Damn’t. Kill me already.

---

The next time I wake, it’s bright. I look over and a man is writing. I know him. It’s hard to speak.

“Good morning.” He says with a friendly smile.

“You inhaled a lot of it. I understand if you are tired.” He says, “Physically, you will be fine.”

Slowly, I start to feel more. Movement comes back to my joints. I can only describe it as the unrefreshed feeling after a long, sweaty nap. My clothes are different. My ankle is wrapped. The man’s face becomes familiar--he’s the mob doctor, and I’m back in the penthouse.

The doctor told me that my friends are coming. They wanted to come together.

“Hey, sleeping beauty.” Nicki greets me, she walks in first.

“H-Hi.” I feel so out of breath. She gets in the bed with me.

“Jason and Ray are on their way in.” She observes my face. “She’s sweating.” “It will start soon.” The doctor says. What will start soon? “Okay.” “Hey, champ.” Ray says, Jason follows. The men pull up chairs around me. The doctor gets the door.

“So, what a week we’ve all had.” Ray starts. “Especially you. What do you remember?”

It all feels like I had a terrible nightmare. I can’t form the words so I slightly shake my head and my eyes start to water.

“Alright.” The doctor stops everyone. “What is your name?” “Dottie. I remember...being in Empire Bay---Joe. I…” A thought crosses my mind. “How long has it been?”

“Seven days.” I’m horrified. I panic to think of what I could have missed. In life, at work, my poor father. “Wh-who...What h-happened?”

“That’s what we want to know.” “Dottie, we’re worried we don’t have enough time.” Ray leans forward. “You were on some heavy shit, the doctor says you’re stable. He’s gonna take you off your meds. You will withdrawal.”

“You’re fucking with me.” I push the words out. I look at Jason, he nods to confirm.

“There’s the Dot we all know.” There’s a silence between us, it’s like they wait for me to speak.

“Dot.” Jason starts, “I’m going to say some words. They should be familiar.” I nod and Nicki holds my hand. “The Blessed. The Filth.” With each word, my heart rate speeds. I can’t stop stuttering.

“We need to know why they wanted you.” He says, “Give me anything.”

“The filth...it uhhh...t-the filth will know their place, blue smoke.” It’s hitting me. I pause. “There was things, I-k-killed...I k-killed in there.” I pause. “I jumped out of a window. I-I-I had to get out of there. Th-the crying...and, the tears and...the blood...a school.” “Good work, Dottie.” Nicki tells. “I did good...I-I...did good.” She leads me to rest of my side. “Th-the mind scends. The flesh consumed.” Where did I hear that? I repeat to myself and I remember. “Be careful of the falling sky!” I pop up. “I know.” Jason nods. I hear Ray say, “Why would they take her to the school. She’s the filth.”

[theramseyloft]

3/10/21 Loft Notes

I collapsed from physical exhaustion yesterday around 6pm, so I'm taking things very, very slowly today.

To give you guys an idea of how functional I was, minutes before that happened, I tried to mark this new egg of Elliot's with a ?

I could not, even by muscle memory, work out what that was supposed to look like.

I gave that egg back to Elliot, made it back to the living room, and ceased being able to function.

I do not mean I got on the couch and fell asleep.  I mean I was fully conscious, but unable to move of my own volition.

Patron: "She said her veins were falling out."

It legit felt like the big one down the center of my left arm had come loose and just slid down my skin.

Patron: "How are you feeling today?"

Patron: "I was wondering if you remembered"

Numb and sluggish, but having missed cleaning Monday, I can't safely put it off any longer.

So I'm just gonna have to take my sweet time about it.

Took meds. Just finished breakfast.

Patron: "oof :( stay well in tune with yourself and be careful. good luck today!"

Gonna do my best. Thank you.

Prooobaly gonna list crap I need to do here so I can keep up with it.

The block tower that is my executive function is a pile of splinters right now.

Think I have my feet far enough under me to get a roast started. Then vacuum.

Roast done.

Living room vacuumed.

Aaaaand auditory hallucinations confirmed.  I swear, I hear a heavy downpour with high winds...

Buuut that is demonstrably not happening.

Vacuumed quarantine. Just kinda mechanically moved to the cages and forgot Gordon and April's exists.

Satin and Sprinks received their final doses of avionidazole. They will rejoin the flock tomorrow.

Heading out to the loft momentarily.

We'll see if our new arrival caused or got into any trouble.

I made that attempt to ? Elliot's egg because the timing is such that it could have been Elliot who stress laid the one I gave Alex and Dodger.

We may or may not know in a few days. XD  But if a home comes up for Alex, I will at least have some one I can put his foster under.

Bluh. Shaky again, so pausing to snack and recover before heading outside.

Checked the calendar while sitting here.

Time to stop turning the egg.

And pay closer attention to the water.

It's due to pip on Friday.

Aside from adding to the water every three days or so and turning the egg whenever I passed, I have not interacted with it much. At candling, 6 days ago, it was developing normally and very much alive.

The wren is back.

Angel is fitting in just like Satin and Sprinks did when they got here.

Not afraid of the other birds, or bird-focused enough to go harass any of them.

Aside from occasionally biting me for having the audacity not to be his mom-wife, he's great so far.

He's 4.5 months, and bigger than everyone else here, except maybe Sprinks.

And Farthing.

Farthing may also outweigh him.

Patron: "Angel hatched that long ago?? Ahhhhhh"

Late November.

Ginger tread Danica

Oops! The wren got trapped in the porch!

It left when I held the door for it. XD

Tiny wild friend, no! XD

Leonard's kids are chasing him around the floor begging to be fed.

Patron: "They’re already on the floor!? Oh my goodness"

Their nest is on the floor. XD

They go flailing back to it when they get full.

Ginger tread Danica again.

Aaaand they have taken up Sprinks and Satin's nest, the night she is due to lay, when Satin and Sprinks are due to return in the morning.

They had claimed the nest next to that, uncontested.

If Nica lays in there tonight and gets driven off in the morning, I'll have to tuck another one in the broken incubator.

Think I'mma go ahead and bring them on back out to preempt that shit.

Ginger's dumb ass the second Sprinks and Satin reclaimed their box: "Uh. 'Scuse me. TF y'all doin' in my house?"

Satin and Sprinks: "Whose house, bitch?"

Sprinks, confident that Satin can handle a little dipshit 2/3 his weight, is having a snack.

Patron: "now that's a tussle i'd like to see on video lmao"

You might get to.

And I now have 20 minutes of footage of Ginger fighting Satin and Sprinks until they went "You know what? Fuck this shit!" And claimed the box one level higher.

Followed by Ginger and Danica not being sure whether or not they want that specific one after all.

Followed by several minutes of Danica begging Ginger to tread her, and Ginger responding by crouching for her to tread him.

And Vito being a cock blocking bastard.

After the video, Danica strolled over to the other end of the nest wall and attacked Elliot's chicks.

I ice cream coned her away.

And am still sitting here because she thought I was too distracted by typing to notice her try to go after them again.

Bitch, you won the nest you wanted. Why you trying to throw out peeps?

And he finally tread her again.

Angel will eventually learn that trying to bite my eyes will get him snatched off my shoulder and tossed.

This is not unexpected.

Pigeons go for eachother's faces in sereous disputes, and that seems to be instinctive.

So it carries over to how imprinted pigeons respond to what they consider a serious enough grievance. Aaaand human eyes are a larger target.

Patron: "is the grievance in this case is just you turning your head in his direction when he's willingly in your shoulder lol"

While not being his mom-wife, yes.

He likes me ok most of the time, but he wants his Mom-wife and is more upset with me than he is able to deal with yet for not being her.

There is literally nothing she could have done to prevent it.

Every pigeon hand raised by a human is like this to the new human.

And she took him so Val wouldn't hurt herself by refusing to let Zephyr help.

It was a necessity, and I knew to expect the behavior issues.

Khou would be HELL for any one else!