#one of my favorite bits was when i was blamed for a management meeting being run poorly because i ‘should’ve been the one to structure it’

[call-me-corvid]

Manger in charge of a LOT of shit quit recently because he got a job offer that was

A) 3x his original salary, and

B) involved far less responsibility

I had worked as his subordinate last year, so naturally the head honchos asked me take over what he was doing. Not with the title, but with the “promise” that we can visit that discussion in eight months depending on my performance (yeah okay /s).

Key note: I had received a similar promise for a different manager position. (No followup mention of that promise + no significant training provided to move me towards that position) * 7 months = empty promise. Alright cool.

One month in. Not getting too much guidance (expected), told I’m doing good and need to value myself higher.

Okay. Bet.

Asked for a raise in recognition of increased responsibilities beyond my current job description, quality of work, pay scale of the position (i’m at the bottom), etc. You know, hard facts that cannot be influenced by subjective feelings of importance or relevance.

Oh let’s not forget part of the raise was the annual raise that the HR manager promised ALWAYS happens but I have not received since my annual review four months ago. That I told the HR manager about two months ago but never heard anything back on. So there was a reminder of that, as well.

Told (to my face) that I’m entitled, don’t work hard enough, issued an ultimatum (literally didn’t make any sort of threat but okay), used the owner’s words against him (literally just quoted him on something he told me about pay when I was first hired but okay), they threatened that they could easily go out and find an external hire to take on in the role I’m being “trained” for, and asked if I REALLY think any other place would hire me. Among other “”feedback.””

Okay. Okay okay okay okay. I see how they view me now. Good to know. I learned quite a few things from this conversation and I think some of those things may surprise them.

[heegyukeluv]

love-battery (lhs) - req

pairing: heeseung x afab!reader

synopsis: Heeseung always would make you feel recharged just by being around. And you did the same to him.

my's note: hi hello here's a very fluff cute little thing! it's a request (thank you for requesting <3), so i hope you like it!!!! (have to say that when i chose the name of this fic, the jinyoung's song with similar name started to play on my head non-stop help)

warnings: skinship, established relationship, fluff, pet names, explicit language (i can't help myself. i'll always use at least one 'fuck' lol).

request: clingy gf with heeseung and it’s super cute and they’re in love, she really just misses him (here!)

wc: 3k

NOT PROOFREAD.

Even with your boyfriend’s tight schedule and the fact you both lived quite far from each other, you and Heeseung always managed ways to meet up and hang out for at least an hour or so – enough to work as a full recharge for Heeseung.

However, for the last whole month you only saw Heeseung three times. You were used to seeing him almost every day, either by going to his and staying for a bit or he coming to yours for the same reason, and it was pissing you off how annoying adult life was being so far, unabling you to do your daily basis chores, let alone drive to Heeseung’s studio to be with him.

Heeseung normally had a tough routine as a producer by spending long hours in his studio, staying up all night working on his music and constantly dealing with tight deadlines. Your favorite hobby was to grab a coffee and some snacks to surprise him by showing up unexpectedly; and of course, to sit on his lap while he kept doing his things. 

But now you were the one fighting against time, as you had to deal with your last year in college, struggling with your final project and with your respective project partners – who would have thought that working with people would lead you to be that stressed, huh?

Your life was a total mess at this point, your sleep schedule chaotic, your body aching, begging for a pause to get some proper rest, but you really couldn’t give yourself that luxury; all the submission dates getting closer and closer making you go crazy in desperation.

And on top of that, you haven’t seen your boyfriend, the main source of your happiness, in almost two weeks.

“This is so frustrating, Hee,” you said with a realistic sad tone, when you decided to ignore the blank page on your laptop waiting for a new plot to pop up in your mind, and give your love life a little more attention, calling Heeseung. “It’s almost like the world doesn't want us to be together.”

“Don’t say such things, my love. Not even as kidding,” he interrupted you to say with a gentle voice. “We’re going to figure out something, yeah?”

“I’m sorry, Hee. But– I’m dealing with a bunch of stupid assignments with stupid deadlines in this stupid degree I chose, and you’ve told me early this week that you were pretty chill with your work. But I didn’t even have time to invite you over the days you said you’re free! Not to mention that if you were here I’d be paying more attention to you and getting fucked with my project.”

“Y/N–”

“And when I’m free you’re the one swamped with work! And, please, I’m not blaming you, babe, please don’t take it the wrong way. I love you and I love that you can work with the thing you’re passionate about. I’m just… Frustrated,” you unloaded with a long sigh, voice trembling a bit since your feelings were, also, a mess and your heart aching. “And I miss you so much. I wish we lived a bit closer, so we could meet more often in moments like this.”

You heard Heeseung soft breathing through the phone. He decided to let you vent instead of cutting you off, because he, more than anyone, knew how overwhelmed you felt whenever you had to deal with submission dates and projects. It was your third project in your whole degree, this one being the most important one, and Heeseung saw you in shambles during your working time in the smaller ones, fully understanding how hard it has been with this final one.

“I’m sorry you’re having to go through all of this, pretty girl,” you could feel the comfort in his tender, sweet tone. You wiped out a single tear that tried to escape your eyes, curving yourself into a little ball on your couch. “But you don’t have to do this alone, my love,” you heard a weird noise through his phone, very similar to a door unlocking. Your door unlocking. You frowned. “Don’t freak out, bae. I’m entering your apartment right now.”

Your heart dropped in your chest. “What?” You whispered in disbelief, your phone falling off from your hand, your eyes widening as you watched your boyfriend walk through the front door, smiling big and bright at you.

His dark red hair was attractively messy because of the motorcycle helmet. He also carried a big backpack on his back and a plastic bag with the logo of your favorite food place.

“You’re kidding me,” your voice was barely a whisper at this point, your lips curving into a smile that grew bigger and bigger, still finding it hard to believe that the man talking to you on your phone was now in front of you. Your beloved boyfriend was now in front of you. “Lee fucking Heeseung!” You almost squealed, walking in his direction right after he put his helmet and his backpack on the ground, to jump on his open arms which were waiting to embrace you in a tight hug.

Your legs instantly wrapped around his waist and your arms on his shoulders, his firm hands gripping on your thighs to hold you close and steady as you buried your face on his neck, inhaling his scent as if it was your favorite drug. You heard Heeseung chuckling at your reaction and you finally noticed how fast your heart was beating, everything feeling unreal. All the frustration you felt waving off your body quickly.

“Hi, baby,” Heeseung said in an affectionate way, with you still hidden on the curve of his neck, making him let out a small laugh at your adorableness. He missed you so much.

Your fingers tangled in his soft hair, pulling him into yourself as if you could become one before you started to kiss every piece of his exposed skin, from his jawline to close to his ear, to his cheek, the tip of his nose and finally his glistening, dreamy lips.

Heeseung let out a contented sigh when he felt your sweet taste, walking carefully through the living room so he could sit on the couch with you on his lap, the contact never breaking. He deepened the kiss by slightly brushing his tongue on your bottom lip, electricity running all over his body once you let him in to feel him closer, so intimately; his hands sneaked into your shirt, caressing the bare skin of your waist just because he needed to touch, to feel you more.

“I missed you so much, my love,” you whispered when you parted away to catch your breath, pecking his lip countless times as you said “Missed. You. So. Much. Oh. My. God,” and the last one lasted a bit longer, making Heeseung giggle and kiss you properly one more time. 

“I missed you too, pretty.”

Heeseung was looking at you with so much love, his eyes sparkling in joy for finally having you that close, touching, kissing you. He caressed your cheek while his gaze wandered all your face features, as if he was trying to memorize every one of them, completely endeared by your beauty.

Heeseung looked at you as if he just discovered what love is. 

You weren’t different, though. Your soft touch on his strands of hair, scratching slightly as your contemplated every piece of your very good-looking boyfriend, not holding yourself when your fingers started gently to trace his face; his big deer eyes now turned into little crescents, his pretty nose that you loved to kiss, the little charming mole on his forehead, and his so, so attractive lips adorning the most beautiful smile you ever had the chance to see. You were so in love.

Heeseung felt like he could stare at you all day and he would never feel tired, actually to have you close always worked as a battery recharge. And for you, Heeseung did the same, making all your bad feelings wash away easily because you had him, and you knew you could rely on him.

Ironically, the sound of your laptop on the coffee table indicating that its battery was running out, pulled you both out of your little love bubble, startling you slightly. The reality check hit you with full force, and the bottom of your stomach sank immediately.

You gulped, looking at Heeseung with a hint of sadness before you sighed and said, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m super happy you’re here, but I–”

“You have things to do, I know,” Heeseung cut you off mid-sentence. His kind voice, the small peck on your cheek, and his cute smile making you shiver and melt. “But don’t worry about me, okay? You do your things, I’ll be around for whenever you finish, and then we can cuddle,” he said simply, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear.

“You’re staying?” You questioned with eyes sparkling in confusion. “I don’t want you to mess up your sche–”

Heeseung now stopped your talking with a sweet kiss, and then another, and another, and one more just in case. “I’m staying, baby,” he chuckled at your tilted head, expressing that you were very much confused. “As I said before, I’m pretty chill this week,” he explained with a warm smile, mirroring yours. “Anything I have to do, I can do from my computer or phone, so I’m all yours this weekend, my love.”

Heeseung fell even deeply for you when he saw your eyes shining like you received the best news of your life. And for you, you actually did. To have your boyfriend for a whole weekend after days without being able to see each other, you truly thought you were dreaming. 

So to have Heeseung feeding you while your hands worked on your writing was definitely something that you hadn’t planned for your friday. He was openly giving his opinion as well after you cutely asked him to, paying attention to every detail you shared with him about the plot you were working on. 

“So your idea is that after he leaves the house, you give an extra zoom on the door knob because someone is going to open, even though the house is supposed to be empty?”

“Yes! And then it’s revealed to be actually his ‘dead’ twin!” You explained excitedly, noticing Heeseung gazing very passionately at you. You blushed, feeling suddenly too aware, because your story now has been read by someone other than you. “I– I know it’s kinda simple and boring, but I mean– I got the approval to keep working on it, so…” You shrugged, trying to act cool, but your pout was showing how insecure you actually felt.

“It’s not simple or anything bad, my love,” Heeseung couldn’t resist the urge of kissing your small pout as he reassured you. “It’s impressive how your creative mind works, I’m really proud,” he said with his voice filled with sincerity.

You gave him a shy smile before going back to writing, heart beating fast with his genuine words.

Heeseung never left your side. You needed him around you every single second, not only to compensate for the days you were apart, but because Heeseung was really your source of energy. So to write on your computer while having his fingers intertwined with yours became a natural activity during the moments you were working on your project. You could feel Heeseung’s love stare at your face during those moments, completely in love by your focused expression. 

Sometimes he would leave your touch to reply to some of his co-workers on his phone, giving them the attention they needed, but in the meantime his head would be resting on your shoulder, completely addicted to your touch and to having you close – his hair tickling your neck making you lose focus for a few minutes.  

You both wanted and needed each other with the same intensity. Heeseung always loved your clinginess, emphasizing how lovable you looked with your pouty face whenever he had to leave the bed to go to the bathroom or grab some food in the kitchen and “leave you to die alone”, like you normally would say in a very dramatic way. Especially because he himself was pretty clingy too, holding you in a tight back hug whenever you had to go back home after visiting him at his studio, refusing to let you leave his side.

To move in together was a big dream. However Heeseung always talked with you about finishing your studies first before committing your relationship on that instance, so you could have your freedom without him disrupting your focus; he also knew that he wasn’t ready to have you so close for that long, afraid of scaring you off by how much he would be around you, maybe losing his own concentration on his work. 

And this behavior was being shown at that moment, by you doing the lunch and him hugging you from behind.

“I have to be honest, I don’t really see this as ‘helping’, Hee,” you said with a playful chuckle, not really bothered by his big hands resting on your hips as well as his chin on your shoulder while you did all the work. He was clinging like a koala, making it challenging to move around the kitchen.

“What do you mean? I’m clearly helping you,” he said with a babyish voice, making you giggle. You could tell he was pouting too. “What if you get hurt? I have to be close, y’know? To save you from danger.”

You laughed hard, throwing your head behind and profusely resting it on his chest. “The danger?”

“Yeah, the knife and fire and stuff…” He explained like it was obvious.

You turned down the heat on the stove, moving away from it so you could face your boyfriend, just to meet his big, adorable eyes looking at you with a dramatically pleading expression. “You’re right,” you said softly, cupping his cheeks and planting a kiss on his lips. “Thank you for protecting me from the dangers of my kitchen,” you added a hint of sarcasm to your very affectionate tone, without holding your smile when he nodded proudly, before pulling you closer to kiss you properly as now your self-proclaimed hero. 

After you finished cooking – with Heeseung’s help, of course –, you both shared the meal, doing constant “love shots” but with your food, just so you could feel each other’s touch.

Heeseung didn’t let you go back to work on your project when you finished eating, saying you needed a bit of resting time with him. And how could you oppose such truthful words? 

So you spend quite a long time of your Saturday afternoon embraced in Heeseung’s arms and scent all over you, making it difficult to choose anything different from being on the bed cuddling him. 

After changing positions many times, you now were on top of Heeseung, face buried on his neck while he hummed some random song, hands gently caressing your back and scalp, making you wonder if taking a quick nap at that moment would mess up too much with your project work.

As if a sense of responsibility hit you, remembering all your deadlines and especially that you had to finish at least the plot writing by Monday – in two days –, you forced yourself to try to move away. Your body refused, though.

“I should go,” you said, muffed into his skin.

“Yeah, you should…” Heeseung added, not moving an inch to help you with that. In fact, he held you closer. Your warm body against his own helping him to relax. 

“Like, reeeally gotta go…” You didn’t move as well, trailing kisses all over his neck as you refused to get up.

“Definitely you do…” His voice was a bit raspy in a sweet, tender way that made it even harder for you to leave. He was about to fall asleep.

You sighed, “I missed being like this with you.” You lifted your head just enough to see his serene expression; eyes closed, lips slightly parted and a calm breathing. You almost cried with the fact that you truly needed to go back to your life instead of staying there with Heeseung. 

Your hands caressed his face with all the care in the world, making him open his eyes, “I missed it too, pretty. I miss you every moment I’m without you, actually.”

You noticed a soft flush  on Heeseung cheeks and giggled at the sight of your ‘so cool’ boyfriend blushing in front of you. 

You always appreciated how Heeseung was not only a good listener to your worries and maybe overwhelming thoughts, but also unafraid to show you his most sensitive and vulnerable side in order to make you comfortable on doing the same. You cherished his presence in your life with all you had, not being scared of loving him so openly, because he did the same for you. 

“I love you,” you whispered, leaning in to tease a kiss. He smiled against your lips, closing his eyes again.

“I love you too, my love,” he murmured, mirroring your tone and capturing your bottom lip with his own, to pull you near and finally kiss you. 

You decided to stay for a bit longer, because Heeseung’s hands roaming your body with such care and tenderness, his sweet mouth working on yours, and his loving whispers against your skin were too irresistible.

The best excuse you found for yourself was that you were revitalizing so you could work better, your creativity would flow easily and you would finish it in no time.

And, well, he would be around you anyway, because he just couldn’t never get enough of your pretty face, or your joyful presence, or your addicting warm touches.

After all, Heeseung always worked as a recharger to your love battery, and for him, you were no different.

[flaresemily]

Hi, Do you still accept Ror request ? Can I request for RoR characters' reactions when their s/o, a Valkyrie in her weapon form, is broken or dies alongside their human partner?

Record of Ragnarok x Valkyrie Reader

Record of Ragnarok men with their s/o who is a Valkyrie in her weapon form who is broken/dying.

(You will be their opponent without them realizing it. Or maybe they did)

Thor :

Lu Bu was hard to kill, he admits it but it all ended with Lu Bu dying. That's when he saw it…his…beloved.

He was shocked when he saw you all broken and bruised from his impact.

That's when he realized his mistake. You were a Valkyrie…and he wished he didn't do the finishing blow.

You looked at him with a smile on your face. There were no regrets…no sadness…no betrayal; happiness was in your eyes.

He tried to reach up to you, but it was too late.

As you slowly crumble away along with the other soldiers.

You manage to make one last playful wink at him.

He stood there…suddenly it rained.

Loki saw Thor's sad face and he too grieved with him…you are the only one who always plays pranks with him.

Loki can't imagine losing his s/o like that.

Loki :

It was the second round. As Zeus and Adam were fighting he smelled a scent that he recognized so well

You…

But how could it be?

That's when he saw it…when Adam was just standing there not moving and Heimdall announced him dead..every god and goddess cheered, except him.

A figure suddenly appears being broken and injured.

And that beautiful figure…is you his s/o whom he loves very much.

He couldn't believe it was his beautiful s/o…who slowly crumbled away.

He tried to scream but no words came out. He tried to run to you but his legs wouldn't move…

He can only watch…tears filling his eyes.

That's when you look at him and smile.

The smile that he loved. As you disappear leaving nothing except a paper that was written

Dear Loki…

I miss you, do you miss me? I'm sorry that I didn't back you up that day…Brunhilde called for me and I can't disobey her. I just want to say that I am fighting with a man named Adam. Please don't think I'm cheating! Adam was like a father to me, he was so kind! And…if I don't survive please don't blame yourself. I'm sorry that I was such a bookworm. Love you, my handsome god~

Xoxo your favorite Valkyrie ;>

Hermes :

(Let just pretend…that the gods win)

Hermes was standing by Zeus' side as usual duh.

He was watching the fight.

It was the fight between Poseidon and Sasaki…

Sasaki is almost at his limit and SLASH

He's dead. He paid no mind to the human death but!!

The twin swords suddenly glow and become two different types of person. One of it is Poseidon s/o and the other is…his.

He was so shocked! Even Zeus noticed it.

His hand was trembling

His eyes widened. He couldn't move, couldn't speak.

(You were the angry one)

As you scoff at your crumbling figure you look up and see him.

Now it's your turn to be shock

You see him cry, a silent cry.

You sigh and look up and give a thumbs up while smiling at him.

His eyes were blurry with tears as you finally crumbled away with your twins.

Poseidon :

(Pretend he wins)

He can't wait to tell his s/o about his victory…

Wait a damn minute…why does the figure on that humans left look familiar?

(You were the kind one)

He gasped softly.

There were you clinging to your twin.

You were crying a bit.

He slowly walks towards you.

And you notice him.

“Poseidon…”

“Darling…”

He manages to wipe your tears away…how sweet.

“Don't cry Poseidon…”

He doesn't realize he is crying…

“Till then I hope we meet again some other time ~”

His eyes widened. “Y/n!!!!”

And there he was…kneeling to the ground. Tears start flowing non-stop.

The stadium was quiet, no sound was being heard other than Poseidon and Hermes' cries.

Hades :

(This time…imma make him dead)

He was fighting with Qin Shi Huang. Not gonna lie it was tough maybe…if they survive they can go get some drinks together.

He knows that's not gonna happen. But hey…it was worth a shot right.

He can't wait to go home….his beloved is pregnant after all!

If only times only it.

As he stood there slowly dying he noticed Qin Shi Huang walking to him.

And offer his hand. Hades didn't know what he meant so he took it hoping that maybe just maybe he could see his pregnant beloved.

There he saw it…a soft delicate hand that's when he looked up.

Gasp

“Darling…”

“My Persephone…why are you here? Aren't you pregnant!”

“I give birth just recently…I didn't have time to tell you Brunhilde she—”

Before she could finish her words a baby's cries could be heard.

Everyone in the arena could hear it.

And there it is or should I say he was.

Hades's baby…a boy look exactly like him

“...is that…”

“Your son…”

Both of them smile and crumble away

As the baby watch them go

The baby tried to reach them but couldn't. Realizing it the baby continued to cry.

Everyone in the arena was dumbfounded about what just happened. That's when they heard the screams of a god…Zeus why? Because he knows Hades will be a good father…and yet Hades didn't have enough time to be one.

Hermes, knowing this, slowly walks to retrieve the baby and bring it to Zeus.

There Zeus holds the baby gently and names him…

“Hades”

[bebx]

One of the things I love about Lokius is that, if you're someone like Thor and you're introduced to Mobius, and you had to appraise this funky lil dude in 10 seconds, you know the immediate, visceral reaction is: HIM?! This folksy guy with the ugly brown suit, haircomb mustache, corny dad jokes, average height, and middle-aged tummy? This guy?!

Because if you've only ever known up to Phase 3 Loki, it's not unreasonable to think he'd go for someone up to his "standards"; someone sexy, alluring, powerful, fashionable, and a little bit dramatic. Heck, that's what present Loki expected, too.

But no, it turns out it's very much THIS GUY, with the slight southern twang, no mystical powers whatsoever--not even basic super strength--and a love for snacks. THIS GUY who has a general calmness about him and whose epitome of joy is jet skis. THIS GUY who manages to find a little bit of purpose in bureaucratic paperwork.

It's objectively hilarious and, from a trope perspective, very sweet. Because a healthy, healing individual would see past the superficial and fall for the heart. All those quirks? Endearing. But what matters most is this person believed in you from the start, when you were at your worst and lowest. The wrinkles? Memories of all those times he laughed, smiled, or worried for you. The white hair? Very stately. Gorgeous, like a silver fox. But maybe Mobius is more of a coyote. With that silly knee-slapping laugh and wily mind. The soft tummy? A reminder of every time you had a heart to heart at the cafeteria or "detoured for refreshments" during a mission. So huggable. So perfect.

And past Loki would be appalled. He'd call it pathetic. This puny mortal? Oh, how low you've fallen ... A disgrace!

Present Loki would be so /offended/ by his own arrogance. By his own blindness!

"Yes," he'd say, chin up, eyes firm. "HIM."

this reminds me of this fic I wrote here where Mobius meets Thor and the rest of the Avengers as Loki’s special someone and they’re all shocked because Loki???? The Loki????? with This Guy????????!!!. I mean not to shamelessly promote my own fic or anything but Loki, a god, ending up with Mobius, a little guy, is the concept that is so precious to me I had to write a fic about it.

and yes, Mobius being just a Little Guy is what makes him so special as a character. we have all these superheroes Marvel introduced us to and then you have Mobius. and somehow he still manages to be such a popular fan’s favorite and also I think Mobius just being who he is is what draws — mind you, not just Loki but also so many fans towards to him. like everything you’ve described about him here is actually what makes me a fan of him. so really, we can’t blame Loki for falling head over heels in love with him here.

Thor’s reaction to meeting this boyfriend of Loki would be so hilariously precious too. but also, I believe it wouldn’t take long at all for Thor to grow overprotective of Mobius because Mobius is a good man with a heart of gold and most importantly, Mobius makes Thor’s brother happy. and Thor will do anything to make sure no one looks at Mobius the wrong way.

[saltyyuuri]

🖋️Writers Block 🖋️

Iso x fem! Reader

Part 7

PART 1 - PART 2 - PART 3 - PART 4 - PART 5 - PART 6 - PART 7

Words; 2800

Warnings; mentions of NSFW and vulgar language . This will be copy pasted on every chapter.

🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️

For the next weeks you are completely absorbed with writing your books- because the moment you started writing the second one, you also started writing the entire series without stopping. You had spent two entire weeks, not taking a day off, writing non-Stop. There has been a few instances where Jett decided to butt in your office, playing one of the songs from Hamilton, "Non-stop" , to pester you slightly-

But honestly you were so absorbed with your work that you didn't take a moment to even acknowledge her. Jett and Iso ended up giving you a bit of space for the time that you were just completely absorbed with your own work- even though they felt a little neglected, they kind of understood your point of view.

You were working on a series that anytime you mentioned it you said you were going to make it one of your best series yet- that you wanted it to become your best seller and that the idea that came to mind was one of your favorite ones so far. You were pouring your soul out onto this- and even Iso was starting to have trouble to pull you away from your computer to get proper rest and take care of yourself.

You did however apologize for the time that you were taking away from him- promising that once this was done you would give back all that time, you just just wanted to write this entire thing since you were on the bubble of creativity, and that you have the energy to just do it all in a go.

2 weeks straight, within that time you managed to complete two books, and you were missing the fourth one-the one that would be breaking everything back down. That meant probably an extra week, and that meant having to ask Jett and Iso to be patient with you for just another week.

You saved a copy of the third book on your hard drive, just like you did for the first and second, making sure not to lose anything. You sent in the third book to the editor-which of course they called you a bit insane for being able to write everything so fast- but accepted it nevertheless.

It was around 7:00 p.m., not too late-since you had some free time tonight you decided you were going to do something with Iso - take him out on a date since you were done with the third book and had some spare time for the evening. You immediately sent him a message, telling him to meet you at your dorm and to dress nicely.

You on the other hand headed back to your dorm to take a shower, do some proper self-care and slide on a nice dress- it was a long sleeve V-neck simple black dress, which you paired up with a pair of heeled boots, a white trench coat and some silver jewelry. By the time you were done applying some perfume, you heard a knock at your door.

Your heels clicked on the floor of your room, swinging open the door with a smile. "Yu!" You called out, smiling even wider when you saw him. "Good evening - you look really pretty-" He said, looking you up and down, a slight blush on his face as he was shamelessly checking you out. To be fair, you had been dressed in only pajamas and sweats for the past two weeks, so you really don't blame him for that reaction.

"Thank you, and you look hot in a button up shirt -" you pointed out as you fiddled with the collar of his shirt, smirking slightly. "Hm- if it weren't for the fact that I already have taken reservations for restaurant, I would have asked if I could have you for dinner-" you added- leaning into place a kiss on his cheek before walking out of your room, your hand in his.

He blushed a bit, but smirked. "I mean-" he started off before you interrupted him. "Love, I already put down my credit card for that reservation. If I cancel now I'm still paying for the table." You cut him off, giggling slightly. He let out a slightly disappointed sigh, but followed you along towards the parking garage.

He was going to be driving there since you still didn't have your car, so you got in the passenger seat, making yourself comfortable that's the passenger princess. He put the car on drive and started making his way towards the address you put in the GPS. "So... What has you in such a good mood tonight?" Iso asked , smile on his face. "Are you done writing your series?" He asked you once again.

"I'm done writing the third book but I still have one to go-" you said, your head turning to look at him immediately. " But I swear I only have one left, so it's one more week and then I'm free -" you said in a reassuring tone, one of your hands going to rest on his thigh. Iso felt his face heat up at the touch, keeping his focus fully on the road.

"Oh- ... It's only one more week, it's not that bad." He said softly, smiling as he spoke. You paused for a moment, your hand still on his thigh, your mind wandering just a bit. "I do want to apologize for locking myself up while I work on my books-I know it probably seems like I'm neglecting you, But I'm just trying to get through it all as quickly as I can to not only not forget my ideas-but also allow me more free time." You said, just trying to put some sense into what you were doing.

"And I really felt the need to say it, because I know I haven't been the most talkative for the past two weeks. But just know, as soon as I'm done, my entire attention spawn is all yours. And I won't jump back into another series or another book immediately- I'll let this one simmer." You continued, giving his thigh a small squeeze as you spoke.

"(Y/n), you don't need to apologize, I understand. You're just caught up with your work." He said, taking one of his hands off the wheel to take the one that was on his lap into his, interlacing his fingers with yours. "I appreciate that you're taking time off this evening to spend it with me, but I wouldn't have held it against you if you decided to continue working."

You simply stared at him for a short moment before finally speaking up. "How are you so perfect - I swear-" you mumbled out, your cheeks turning a bit pink at the statement you made. He chuckled, squeezing your hands lightly.

🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️

And so, the next week came along and just as you predicted, you are completely absorbed in your work, not wanting to be disturbed unless it was someone bringing you food because you inevitably forgot again.

You are so focused on your idea, nothing was pulling you out of it. You ended up writing a lot more than you had expected yourself to-meaning that last book was going to be a bit longer than expected, but you didn't care. You just wanted it to be perfect-you wanted it to have that exact plot twist, with these exact details and you also wanted that shocking extra NSFW scene that would leave your audience talking about it for ages.

You wanted it all- and you made sure it was perfect. Even though as you were done typing it, you took the time to read the final book over, making sure you didn't miss anything and that everything was strategically placed correctly in the timelines.

That's what you have been doing for the entire day, just rereading the entire thing. By the end of it, you saved your copy, sending it into the editor afterwards. And that was it-that writers block you were fighting off when you came here was gone, leaving place to this four book series that you deem to be one of your best ones yet- all on this hard drive.

You stared at the hard drive in your hand- and then an idea I came to your mind. One that you think both Jett and Iso would appreciate- plugging the hard drive back into your laptop before clicking away, working up a little plan on your end.

After maybe half an hour, your plan was complete, all put into a nice little Zip file. You have turned your four books into PDF copies, deciding to send out that zip file to Iso and Jett. You sent it via email just because- the only thing you wrote was "Here it is. Early access for you guys- enjoy :)".

And then you finally relaxed in your chair, letting out a sigh of relief. You finally shut your laptop, this time it was going to be for a good while. You stayed there for a few minutes, as if basking in the aftermath of all your hard work-even if it wasn't out yet, you knew it was going to be good.

It was only a few minutes later that you finally pushed yourself off your chair and out your office, making your way back to your room to settle down for the night. You texted Iso goodnight as usual, then deciding to turn off your phone to get a good night's rest-actually knocking out for more than just 6 hours.

And when you woke up the next day, sometime around noon, you picked up your phone to check your messages-surprised to see that they were empty. You wondered if maybe the email didn't send out- or maybe if they just didn't check their phones? You didn't want to worry about it too much, so you just decided to head to the training room for the day, knowing you usually would find those two there.

Except you didn't. It was already odd enough not to find Jett doing some weird stuff here-but not having Iso do his usual practice? That definitely striked you as odd. You decided to stick around a bit, chatting with some of the other agents, thinking that maybe at some point they would show up-

But it was already late afternoon and there was no sign of either. So you headed towards the common kitchen-making yourself dinner. Once again, no sign of Jett or Iso. You have time to cook yourself dinner, eat it and even do your dishes and there was still nothing, not even a message.

So you thought enough was enough-it was already 7:00 p.m., and you made your way towards Iso's dorm to look for him. You knocked on his door a couple of times but there was no answer-so you just walked in.

What you didn't expect was to see him look up at you, there was an unreadable expression on his face as he had his phone in his hand, plugged in. There was bags under his eyes as if he hadn't slept, also looking like he was taking a second to register you were actually in the room. "Hey-" he said quietly, looking back down at his phone for a short moment.

"Hey indeed-what were you doing all day?" You asked him curiously, shuting the door behind you as you made your way towards the bed. He looked up once again from his phone, blinking a few times before speaking up. "Reading your books- I'm already starting the third one." He said-his attention shifting immediately after.

You paused-now realizing that those two have probably been reading up your book series-and he seemed to have pulled an all-nighter as if those books had got him hooked. You weren't sure if you should just interrupt his reading to tell him to at least take a nap-or let him be. You ended up just deciding to lay beside him in bed, propping yourself in a way so that you were able to see the screen too.

You read along with him, reading your own story as he did the same. Your book series - about the protagonist being an assassin who ended up retiring- was filled with small plot twists, and up to the third book the plot twists were just to keep people hooked, drop little hints. You knew by the moment he would be on the 4th book, that's when the stuff would hit the fan.

7:00 p.m. turned into midnight-and he was already past halfway in the book, while you were just completely passed out, sleeping beside him. Iso was honestly way too hooked to want to pause-but seeing you sleep beside him finally made him put down his phone.

He promised himself the moment he woke up he was going to continue-because if there was one thing that was certain, is that you were right when you said that this was going to be your best book series.

🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️🖋️

The next day, by the end of the evening, you were already in your room on your phone, passing time scrolling social media. Iso was too caught up on your book series, so you didn't want to bug him. And you assumed that Jett was probably doing the same- so you just passed time alone.

Or at least that was until the two of them barged into your room at the same time- Jett yelling something as she had tears in her eyes and Iso just looking shocked. "Woah what-" you jumped, not expecting them to barge in that way.

"SHE WAS A TRAITOR??" Jett yelled, hiccuping slightly, unable to hold back her emotions. Iso on the other hand looks like he was trying to find something to say- taking an extra moment. "Jett, calm down, its just fiction-" you said, immediately trying to help her calm down a bit-but your attempts are futile. "No! HOW COULD YOU MAKE HER THE TRAITOR?!" She yelled out again before tears actually streamed down her face-

Before you can respond- Iso finally spoke up. "You... You actually did the knife play. I'm not even that mad about the traitor- I'm just-... How are you so descriptive of that-please understand I'm mildly concerned-" he finally said, making you cackle just lately before Jett continued sobbing. "Iso I promise it was just the fruits of my imagination-" you said a bit sheepishly as you tried to console Jett.

You were currently hugging her she was crying in your shoulder- trying to get over the ending of your book- while Iso was practically staring at you blankly. "I'm really concerned as to how you can imagine that so vividly-and put it down on paper as if it was describing an apple-" He said, shaking his head slowly.

"what-did I maybe awaken a new kink?" You asked him teasingly- smirking as you spoke to him. "No! God no- I wouldn't imagine doing that to you-" he said, his face going a bit pale as you burst out laughing. Jett finally started calming down, lifting her head from your shoulder for a moment. "Wait... So you two are dating?" She asked, making sense of what was going on, putting aside her breakdown from your book serious for the moment.

"You haven't told her?" Iso asked you, looking at you a bit incredulously. "I .. I will admit it slipped my mind-" you said sheepishly - it really did seem that you had that slight issue of announcing to people that you were dating-and boy did Jett not let that slide.

"WhAt?!" She exclaimed loudly once more. "First you kill my emotions with your book, and now I suddenly learn you two are dating?! Are you trying to kill me emotionally right now?!" She yelled, making wide gestures with her arms, flailing around a bit as she spoke.

"I swear I just really forgot to say it-" you said , rubbing the back of your neck as you spoke. Iso on the other hand just watched this dumpster fire burn-not intervening at any moment.

Anyways with all the yelling, it attracted some attention-and not only did the word go around fast that you and Iso were dating - but also word of your book series being complete went around. Which means, anyone who liked the stuff you wrote was inevitably sending you text messages asking if they could get the leaks too-

You sighed- the evening was definitely chaotic- but in a good way. You were glad to see that your book series ended up putting those two in such states- in your mind that was a victory, meaning that you successfully wrote everything exactly how you wanted it to pull up the right emotions.

So when you went to bed that night, cuddled up with Iso in his room of course, you fell asleep with a wide smile on your lips.

Overall; this stay in valorant protocol brought you a new amazing idea for a book series, brought you closer to your remaining family and brought you Iso.

You couldn't ask for anything better.

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Gale Reviews: Miraculous: Ladybug & Chat Noir. The Movie

Welp I finally got the miraculous Movie so now I get to review it.

So For this review, I plan viewing this SOLELY on the movie. I will not be judging it completely based on the show. This is Zag's take. (The view on who did it better will be for another Post)

(Thanks @knightsweeties for the picture)

How I will be reviewing it.

Plot

Characters

Lesson

Animation

Music (Because yes, this is a Musical and should be judged)

Final Thoughts.

________________________________________________________

Plot

So its pretty simple. A villain named Hawkmoth appears that wants to use the power of the butterfly miraculous to get the two miraculous he needs to attain his goal. But two heroes will rise in order to fight him, Ladybug and Chat noir. We will see another take on the show that inspired the movie. A new world for Ladybug and Chat noir.

Overall, this movie's plot is pretty generic, its not going to be winning anything for originality. BUT it sticks to the script and does everything it needs to do to set up Ladybug and Chat noir's respective character arcs and setting up one heck of a final confrontation with hawkmoth. The emotional drama is there and mostly hits the points it needs to. And while not everything got a laugh out of me, some things did.

It also ties up a good amount of loose ends while leaving Sequel bait.

For the most part. 7/10 for non-fans

9/10 for fans.

Its engaging enough and does what it needs to do.

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Characters:

Marinette: She is likable and you do enjoy seeing her on screen when she starts getting confident. I do think the pacing of the movie does impact her a bit, but its never to the point where its unbelievable. Also as Ladybug, her banter with Chat noir is top notch. There is some really good chemistry there. That being said, I find it harder to believe that she fell in love with Adrien over chat noir. But its a nit pick.

Adrien: I admit it took a bit for me to actually like this adrien, but I think thats intentional. Chat noir starts out arrogant and annoying, while Adrien starts shut off and quiet. He is a boy mourning the loss of his mother and his father is so distant that he seems gone to. But then he meets Ladybug, he sees this girl and how incredible she is. He finds someone he can relate to and his heart opens. Its beautiful seeing him fall in love with her and pull out all the stops opening up to her. He even gets to confront his father. Its quite a biting scene. I must say this maybe my favorite iteration of Adrien. (Careless whisper is the only song he listens to.) I do wish he was in it a bit more as adrien, but its not that bad.

Gabriel: I dont know how they did it, but they managed to make Gabriel sympathetic. Showing the lengths he is going, how lost he is, the survivor's guilt he has. He blames himself and wants to bring his family back together again. And Hawkmoth they made wacky and yet TERRIFYING. And we see this especially in the finale and the moment we think he wins, he sees his son. He sees it was Adrien, the one thing left in his life that he wants to protect him. This is a gabriel that deserves some sympathy but doesnt shy away from the fact he committed crimes.

Alya and Nino: Now they are both not in this as much as the actual show, but they are great supports and some of the changes done to both of them are wonderful. Alya being supportive of Marinette, Nino being such a bro to adrien while also simping for Alya (Chef's kiss). I do wish Nino and Adrien's meeting but their friendship is good.

Chloé: This chloé is exactly what she needs to be. A bully character but never so excessive that it detracts from the plot. She is spoiled and she is probably the funniest character. (For those that know the show, think Season 1 chloé with a dash of season 2) I think they got a different english VA for her, and honestly it works.

Plagg and Tikki: I found Plagg a bit annoying with the fart jokes, but outside of that he is pretty similar to his canon counterpart. Tikki on the other hand SHINES in this movie. This is what I wanted from Tikki, motivational, curious, fun loving. this is what I picture with the kwami of Creativity.

Fu: He is the mysterious old man character. He plays it well, though he is hardly in the movie. But at least he actually shows up for Ladybug and Chat noir almost right away, instead of just hiding.

The other characters play their roles and there are some funny bits, the akumatized villains are fun and play their role. Lady Magician and the Mime are both phenomenal.

Also the Gargoyle, I feel so bad for him. He wins the award for most Tragic akumatization.

Overall Solid 8.5/10

I do wish we got more Alya and Nino, and less fart jokes from Plagg

____________________________________________________________

Lesson

There are 3 lessons to take away from this movie.

The first one "Stronger together"

Having help and working with those around us can help us grow, we have to be willing to let others in and help us be our best selves.

The second is "Believe in yourself"

Marinette's main character arc is coming to terms with what she can do and finding the inner strength that she always had, even without powers. (Done better than a chunk of films these days)

The Third lesson, "Power of Love"

It was love that helped stop Hawkmoth, it was love that helped chat noir and ladybug overcome their weaknesses and fix paris. It was even love that helped them at the very end.

That being said... the execution on all of the lessons was not perfect, the first one sort of fell off by the end, but the second one and third lesson still applied. There could be some work but I still enjoyed it.

6/10

___________________________________________________________

Animation:

The Animation looks great, the character designs look great, and while I was originally iffy on them, after seeing it I must say the designs work.

The Lighting in itself if Heavenly to say the least. Whoever was in charge of the lighting needs to be given a deep tissue massage and a raise.

It does feel a bit Disney for my personal taste but I cant complain with how crisp the fights look. Great Choreography and it really sells the intensity of the scenes. The details and call backs, the foreshadowing.

Its solid animation, I would say that it is missing a few bits to really make it stand out, some sort of Stylization. But outside of that. Its good.

The scenes that they want to focus on look great, the imagination bits are grandiose. There was care put into this and not just a cheap cash grab.

9/10

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The Music

This movie is a musical, very disney-sque.

And as a courteous, I listened to the songs in French and english. I know the english VA's arent the one's singing. And I have to say, it feels SO WEIRD for Marinette in the english dub. But Its not that bad. I think the French one is just more consistent sounding. But english and french both sound fine. Also Chat noir's VA isnt singing, but I think the singing voice for him fits him a bit closer but the french is still the best. "My Lady" is a great song for Chat noir.

The songs are fine, nothing that really blew me away, but they were fun. "I believed in me" fits Marinette well as an opening song.

Tikki's rapping in english is surprisingly decent. But SO WEIRD.

But Gabriel's singing voice, THAT through me off.

Villain song 101. Love it in the english dub. "Chaos Reigns"

But the song "Stronger together." That hit me. The duet in both iterations are great.

The Background music always seems to fit the mood... Except Careless whisper (But that was always used in amusing ways). The BG should be praised

7.5/10

_____________________________________________________________

Final Thoughts

Overall, if I had to rate it objectively, without knowing the show or series. 7/10. Nothing ground breaking but its a good film in itself, its entertaining and fun, and it has some good moments. Pacing is a bit all over but it’s under 2 hours so it’s more of a pick your battles thing

If I had to rate this as the Show fan that I am and my personal enjoyment.

8/10

It does nearly everything I wanted it to do, and added to flair and changes.

Now not everything is perfect, since limited time to tell a story. But its coherent and cuts some of the bloat that was a problem in the OG series. Now some things I enjoyed were also cut though.

I like how it isnt a 1 for 1, it changes some things and gives a fresh tale.

Now which one is better I will address in another post

[theywantedplayer]

May I request an angst with a happy ending. (Something like they lost connection a long time ago, but then they met each other again) with Mitch Marner please !💙

AN-Sorry that this took me so long. I like to do my requests in order from first to last hehe.

You were  nervous to say the least you haven't seen Mitch in over 2 years since your break up.   you're a social media manager for hockey teams, when you got this job you were still dating Mitch but you got relocated to a different hockey team the team being the Florida Panthers that was the whole reason why you and Mitch broke up you guys decided you couldn't do the distance.  but now you're back in Toronto now back  working with the Toronto Maple Leafs as their social media manager.

 you were excited to start working with the team again but you and Mitch had a lot of history, and knowing yourself  you still loved Mitch And you didn't know if you were going to be able to control yourself.

 you showed up to their 9:00 a.m. morning practice to take some videos and photos for the Twitter and tiktok account. you went and sat on their bench as you pulled out your camera and began to take some photos of the players. You've been texting back and forth with Auston  talking about the whole Mitch situation and how you were excited to come back to work.

You Started to take pictures of the players you looked through the lens of your camera as you were taking a photo of one player until you caught his face, your heart stopped as you moved away from your camera and looked at the player with your own eyes.

Mitch 

 this  was the first time you've seen him in person in 2 years. You didn't know if you should cry, be happy  or run over to him and slap him in the face for breaking your heart. You didn't do either of those, you just stood there. you were standing long enough that Mitch felt like someone was watching him and turned and made eye contact with you. He knew you were coming back but it doesn't mean he still wasn't surprised to see you. Should he go over and talk to you should you wave Mitch had no idea what to do. 

Later in the practice you were calling each player over one by one to ask them what their favorite Taylor Swift song for a tiktok. You were dreading it but you also couldn't lie you were a little bit excited to finally talk to Mitch. when one of the coaches told him to go to the bench you took a deep breath and got his attention.  he skated over to where you were standing

“Hey Mitch  I just got to ask you a question for The Tick Tock account” you told

“Ok shoot” He smiled 

“ what's your favorite Taylor Swift song”  you asked 

Mitch laughed in response 

“Y/n you already know” He laughed

You smiled Because it was true Micth played it every time in the car when you were together

“I know I know but it's for the tiktok” You smiled 

“Ok for the tiktok” He mocked making you laugh “My favorite Taylor Swift song is Enchanted by far” He answered 

You stop recording and put your phone in your pocket. Assuming Mitch  would skate away but when you looked back up he was still looking at you.

‘Sooo…. you excited to be back?” he asked 

“Yeah I very much prefer working here with you guys than I did with the Panthers” You Half joked

There was a long stretch of silence between you too, you didn't know what to say to break the ice. You could feel Mitch trying to make eye contact with you so you moved to meet him. There was a gentle smile on his face, as his eyes softened as you looked him in the eyes. You tried to hide your smile but Micth never failed to make you smile.

“I know it's weird” Micth spoke “ but I'm really glad you're back……….. really glad”

“I'm glad I'm back too” You shyly said 

Mitch shifted on his feet like he always did when he was a little uncomfortable and you couldn't blame him for being uncomfortable you also were a little bit.

“I really hope I'm not overstepping here” he said “ but me and some of the guys, we're going to go out to eat tonight………. do you maybe want to join” he asked 

Mitch was hoping you'd say yes. He wants to catch up, he wants to know what he's missed in your life. He wants to be part of your life like he used to be. Mitch Could see You weighing pros and cons in your head as you debated if you should go or not .

“Sure i'd like that” You decided

A grin spread across Mitch’s face when he heard your answer.

“You hope you still have my number, i'll text you tonight I'll pick you up” he yelled as he skated away

Of course you still have his number, you still have everything he gave you Even his jersey that he signed. Yeah you could have sold it out of anger and made at least a couple hundred bucks but you loved that Jersey as much as you loved him. 

[marshmallowprotection]

Can I please request long distance relationship Hcs with Saeyoung? Maybe the MC was in Korea for college but they’ve completed their degree and are now back home (for the time being)?

Saeyoung hates the distance between the two of you. It doesn't matter if you're in the other room or you're across the globe, he's always missing you.

When you're not there with him it's like a piece of his heart is missing. You have done so much for him in your life over the year few months, and he wants nothing more than to spend the rest of his with you. He knows what he wants for his future and

He's already carving out your future together in his heart, and he knows that there will be things that you need to do that he can't always be by your side for, but it doesn't change the fact that he wants to be there to support you throughout the entire process.

You can't blame a guy for being madly in love, can you? 

He upgrades Meowy quite a bit for the time that you're away from him. Meowy was created to keep you safe and happy while you're far away from him, after all. It's not strange for you to bring your feline friend with you to wherever you need to go. Faraway to him is a place where he can't reach you with his car, so, if you're overseas, he needs you to keep Meowy with you at all times.

He would find a way to be with you if that was the case, but on the off-chance that he can't get out of the country, Meowy goes. That's his stipulation. Meowy has all kinds of features to not only make you happy but KEEP YOU SAFE. Sure, is it overkill? Yeah. But, he's a guy with warranted paranoia who wants to keep you safe from all of the villains he's pissed off over the years.

One wrong move and someone wants to hold you for ransom to kill him. Meowy is equipped with tools for self-defense. You can walk at night safely with Meowy. Don't be afraid about that. He'd rather you not walk alone at night, but at least, Meowy can protect you and let him know if something goes wrong by pinging you location to him at a moment's notice.

Video chats.

Every day.

Phone calls.

Every day.

Cheesy Emails.

Every day.

Anything he can do from a mile away, he'll do it.

But, as far as you coming home? He's got the whole welcome wagon ready. You're not going to manage a surprise with him because he's a surprise master. He invites everyone to meet you at the airport with a wild grin on his face, because he knows that even if you want to see his face first, you're going to want to see the rest of your friends, too. He knows you just as well as you know him.

Confetti, balloons, there is everything you can imagine waiting for you IF you don't mind being the center of attention. He will go for something a little more low-key if you're not the kind of person who wants to be on display, so don't worry about that, your friends will be there regardless of the party. He wants to make sure you understand that he wasn't the only one who missed you dearly, and your family was waiting for you to come home! Your second family if you already have another one.

He'll run at you as soon as he sees you, with tears in his eyes as he pulls you into his arms. It'll feel like you haven't seen each other in a few years compared to a few months. To him, five minutes can feel like forever, like an eternity without you, so to see you in his arms as soon as he can is like a gift from God.

"Is it too much to say I never want to see you leave my side again? I know that might sound greedy... but you're my favorite star, and all I want is to watch you shine by my side. I think the saying is that your absence can make my heart fonder, but if I loved you more than I did right now... we'd have to call a doctor to restart my beating heart."

[00ops1e]

Sunshine for Everyone pt.2

Pricefield! Fluff!

Life is Strange - Max Caufield x Chloe Price

After saving Chloe at the expense of Arcadia Bay, our favorite girls are forced to flee their hometown. It soon becomes apparent that while they can run from the storm, running from their desires just isn't plausible.

click here for part one

“I swear I could sleep forever,” Max mutters, cuddling into the blanket further. The motel had proven to be a good idea, using someone else’s hot water and blankets was always nice. The pair were too tired to even notice the television only had four channels, or that the mattress was a little lumpy. Maybe things just weren’t so bad if they had each other.

“We can stay as long as you'd like,” Chloe trails off, “s’cheap enough anyways we deserve a vacation.” she babbles with eyes half closed, no longer sure of her words. The girls lay in bed, inches between. The last room available happened to be a single, and she had managed to haggle the price down, so fucking score again. When the man in the office mentioned the single bed, Chloe felt something flutter deep in her gut. It was a giddy, childlike feeling, but muddled with some sort of anxiety. 

Max shifted in the bed, mind still racing, “Will you hold me?” She heard the words fall from her lips before they even registered in her brain. The question appears to catch both girls off guard. It hung in the air for a moment, Max began to babble, face growing red, “I- 'm sorry I really didn’t mean to… I just, I can't stop it's all too much. I don’t know what's w-wrong with me.”

Without hesitation, she pulls the smaller girl into her arms, as if rehearsed, as if Chloe had been waiting a lifetime. Instantly the tension evicts Max’s body. The sweet musk of her shampoo, perfume, whatever it was completely enveloped Chloe. Holding her tight just felt natural, like all was well with the world. Comforting others has never come easy for Chloe, always awkward, never knowing what to say or do. Not with Max though, she made everything easy. Existing with her felt like hearing an old song and singing along perfectly, yet recalling none of the lyrics. She traces small circles into Max’s back, the smaller girl somewhat buried in her chest.

“There is nothing wrong with you,” Chloe starts, angry at the world for putting her max through all of this, “y-you didn't ask for any of this. You shouldn't have seen even half the shit you did. Max, I swear to you if there was a way I could take it all away, I’d do it.” Max looks up at her, tears in those beautiful blue eyes threatening to spill. A pang of fear hits Chloe right in the gut. Did she say something wrong? Did Chloe cause those tears? 

She begins to ramble, “Shit, I’m not saying I'm not glad I found you again, or that you shouldn’t have saved me or-or anything like that,” a sense of urgency laced her tone, god she was supposed to be helping not making it worse. “I just- I wish I could fix it, seriously Max. I am so so fucking happy you’re with me again. I don’t know, I guess, i-i just feel like it's all my fault” Her voice thickened towards the end, holding back a sob. ‘This is not about you Chloe,’ she thinks, reprimanding herself for being so selfish. But the guilt had been festering, gnawing at her organs like some feral dog with a bone. She was the reason the whole world had turned upside down.

“C-Chloe,” Max mumbled, sitting up to look at her properly. With shaky hands, she took the girl's face in her hands. Forcing Chloe to meet her eyes, hands lingering on her cheeks a bit too long before pushing the messy blue hair behind her ears. Her hands rest languidly on Chloe’s shoulders, reassuring her somehow. Max sat and contemplated her next words before answering, “None of this was you, okay? This is some freak-supernatural stuff okay? I do not blame you. Do you hear me? Please don't ever think that. I’d go through it all again if it meant I had you. Chloe, you're my best friend.”

It was like Max was able to reach inside and undo the knots in Chloe’s stomach. No one had ever done so with such ease, such grace. Not even Rachel, though that hurt to admit. Max just knew her, regardless of the years apart. Deep down, way below the rough punk girl exterior, Chloe was still the same little girl Max had grown up with. A soft smile inched its way to the surface, god how could she not smile looking at her? The way her hair fell, perfectly framed those soft doe eyes. Those fucking freckles and long lashes. The way Max would look up at her, eyelids heavy, how could anyone keep a straight face? Chloe hadn’t realized she was staring until she felt a soft squeeze on her shoulder.

“Thank you,” Chloe mustered up, embarrassment pricking at her cheeks. She shifted in place, yearning for closeness once more. These feelings, they can't be normal. Max’s words reverberate in her skull, ‘my best friend’  they stung a little. Those ten letters formed a lump in her throat, a pit in her chest. The words had some sort of mal effect on her, and she just couldn’t pinpoint the reason. Chloe once again chalked it up to just feeling weird about Arcadia.

The blank look in Chloe’s eyes prompts Max to speak. Whatever had her in such a trance could not possibly be kind. Max used a shaky hand to brush the girl’s cheek, “Do you think we could get some sleep now?” she proposed, pulling Chloe from the complexities that danced in her mind. 

She nods silently and lays her head on the pillow, wriggling slightly to settle in. Max drapes an arm around her shoulders, pulling that mess of blue hair onto her chest. Upon feeling the weight on her chest, Max lets out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. This was a comfort unknown to her, never before had she felt this light. An absentminded hand travels to Chloe’s hair, despite all the bleach and dye damn it was soft. With her fingers tangled in the blue locks, everything felt right in the world.

“Everything that happened was so terrible,” Max breathes, wanting to offer one final comfort before slumber claimed them both, “It was so terrible, we’re not okay. But we’re gonna be. We can work through it Price, we’re a team and-and we can heal together. I’ll help you, we don't have to face things alone.” max consoled, her voice wavering ever so slightly. 

“It's you and me against the world Caufield, now and forever,” Chloe assured, tightening her grip on the smaller girl, as if afraid she’d get snatched away, “seriously max, what would I do without you?” she let out a small chuckle before closing her eyes and passing out, still entangled with her best friend.

I have yet to begin writing the rest of this (call of duty brainrot is taking over my life) but i promise my google doc has many many ideas. stay tuned ig? lots of love, liz

[olinadoeswriting]

Owlcatober Day 30: Wedding

Aula and Arueshalae take on their wedding. A fun little affair with costumes and themes.

[AO3 Link]

Aula / Arueshalae.

Takes place in secret ending.

Aula’s realm is arbitrarily large, it can be given space in any direction and any place, even where it’s contradictory. If all of Drezen wants to visit her wedding then she won’t be the gatekeeper, let this clearing come off as impossibly open, the spring at its center may be infinitely far away. And inside that spring there may be a grand and complex pier and dock system holding ships somehow larger than the water they’re in. That’s true only poetically though, a spring you can never reach isn’t exactly the best communal space, so things are mundanely large. And, ‘all of Drezen’ is closer to the twenty or so people Aula regularly spoke to there.

 All together Aula’s magic means the tens, maybe thirties, of people barely touch the view from her house. Everything begins tomorrow, so Aula and Arueshalae are taking the day to meet up with all their friends before their time gets taken away. Many of them were seen recently, most of them are in Aula’s pantheon, a few, like Lann, are coming back from long expeditions. Aula’s mother has taken to avoiding this particular meeting, given how awkward it might be for her to meet up with people like Galfrey it can hardly be blamed.

Aula stands herself up from the ledge, looking down she can see her sibling, old and with their own children. It was only a month ago she introduced herself to them, it was probably weird for the runaway older brother they heard about in their youth to show up as a youthful goddess. Aula settles her thinking; it’s unfair to make Arueshalae manage the social event all alone. So Aula walks back to the house before people show up. Even without anyone there yet the additional table and furniture make the kitchen feel prematurely crowded.

“It’s been too long since you made cookies. I asked a giant to make some special large ones for Aivu, so we might be able to have a lot of them for ourselves.” Aula hops her way over a clear part of the table to get a hug around Arueshalae.

“You asked a giant to bake cookies? That must’ve been a tall order.” Arueshalae maintains her neutrality for a second before smiling at her little joke.

Aula lays a kiss on Arueshalae’s cheek. “Add some alcohol and our friends will go wild at that joke. Maybe before going wild on each other too depending on how much.”

“Does alcohol still affect them?”

“Cayden Cailean never complained about not being able to get drunk, so I would think it’s still possible.” Aula switches to helping fit the table with ceramics. “Maybe Galfrey will come off more casually when in the presence of deities.”

Outside Aivu swoops in and drops off the guests. Before they even open the door her head is already through the window. “It smells so nice in here, like a bakery full of sweets! You should give me one for my intensive services.”

“I can’t say no to my favorite dragon.” Arueshalae hands off one of the cooling cookies to Aivu, it quickly disappears from reality. “Aula got a cook, just for you, just wait until they finish your very own, specially sized, cookie.”

Aivu gets excited at their cookie.“My own cookie! I will cherish it and celebrate it before eating it. I hope there’s a specially sized jar of jam too.”

“The dragon gets to eat before we do? Was everything she raided from my home simply too refined to satisfy her pallet?” Daeran slides into a seat, leaving a bottle of wine on the table.

“Too refined? Daeran it was all cheese, you just had rooms filled with wheels upon wheels of imported cheese.” Seelah sits down and adds a bit of the wine to her glass.

Woljif also joins in. “And some of it was really valuable.”

“Now how is it that you know?” Daeran says, as though he wasn’t also involved in the plot. “Wait, don’t answer, we must make sure all of our focus is on our beloved knight commander, Aula, and her soon to be succubus housewife Arueshalae.”

Arueshalae’s response is confident, she’s not worried about Daeran’s warning. “You keep to your mansion far more than I stay here. I will continue to fly down to Golarion after tomorrow.” 

“You misunderstand, answering prayers is housework.” Daeran explains. “All those mortals are children begging any woman they see as motherly to fix each of their issues. You two will just be adding a few extra children to the list.”

Nenio pops up from a panel in the floor which leads to the labs. “So it is correct that you two are having children. For the purpose of guessing their future appearance and qualities, could you describe your chosen method?”

Aula jumps back a little. “Nenio! That- uh, birth?”

“Who’s the sire?” Nenio prepares to mark the entry in her book.

“... Me.” Aula realizes this is a fine enough way to put the knowledge out there, but she was worried about saying it more so than saying it well.

“And so that leaves the suc-” Nenio pulls a notecard out from her book and sounds out the word on it, “Arue-sha-lay as the carrier.” Nenio starts sketching what Aula guesses to be predictions of their children's features.

“Chief, can’t believe you’re already planning children, you’ve barely known each other for… three years?”

“It turned to four years about a week ago.” Arueshalae moves around the table to stand next to Aula.

“Four! Chief… You waited far too long, three and half years is right where the window is best.” Woljif nods at his own idea.

Aula takes Arueshalae’s hand and joins the table. “Six of those months neither me nor Arue were consciously aware of passing, so it’s closer to three and a half from our perspective. Does that satisfy you Woljif?”

Arueshalae considers that calendar. “But you spend so much time in my dream, and don’t sleep as much anymore, wouldn’t that have given us extra time?”

Aula hides her red face and whispers to Arueshalae. “What happens there is just for us to remember.”

“We do other things there, like card games.” Arueshalae’s mind trails off reminiscing, causing her to add, “oh, those were also…”

Woljif follows the math in his head and leans forward to speak. “Now what a wonder is that, it adds up. Guess that means Seelah will think I owe her.”

“You do owe me!” Seelah shouts from outside, as Aivu drops off several more.

“Seelah! It’s been so long since you came over.” Aula awaited for the door to open and to observe all the new guests.

Regil’s back from hell, Seelah of course is part of the group, and Wenduag finished hunting in the dark forest, what a curious trio.

“Unless I accidentally stepped into another Abyssal storm I think we last talked last night.” Seelah sits across from Aula, Daeran decides to pour her drink.

“I baked cookies and forgot to give them to you, so you are about twelve hours late to them being fresh… Sorry.” Arueshalae pulls out another stale cookie and tosses it to Aivu.

“Seelah, accept her apology so I’m not being mean when I eat your food.” Aivu has the cookie captured in her teeth but doesn’t yet chew it.

“All right Aivu, I accept Arueshalae’s apology.” Seelah laughs and strokes Aivu as she chews. “And I got myself full on the cherry pies you baked last night with or without the cookies.”

“Yes, I bake a lot don’t I? Should I try something else… maybe frying!” Arueshalae’s mention of frying gets Aula to hunger for fried pastries, or maybe some non dough thing you can fry, whatever that may be.

“Frying is a wasteful process, a cultural plague which is difficult to root out from soldiers.” Regil’s first statement seems typical for him, but his next words feel less harsh. “But, commander, head of our pantheon, I hold no judgments against you- or your wife, if you two engage in it. Especially not today or tomorrow, a wedding is an important tradition that merits exceptions.”

Aula gets a special reward out of the deep respect from people so opposite of her, sometimes it makes her strangely complicit in war crimes, times like this it just feels good. “Thanks Regil, but I must warn you that we’ve gotten several advisors who’ve helped us make this event as untraditional as possible.”

Woljif, chewing on a small scrap of cheese, adds, “Yep, it happened, I was one of ‘em.”

“Me too.” Wenduag laughs at all the horrors she hid in the haunted mansion. “Mistress, after our faithful service to your character, I think we have become worthy of your fresh delicacies.”

Arueshalae checks inside the oven, cookies are done, the mysterious lump which technically isn’t meat still needs some time. The tray is pulled out, a few minutes are supposed to pass before people can eat them, but mysteriously some have already disappeared.

“Ah, Arueshalae, you never fail us. Unfortunately can’t say the same about my body, they never warn you about how not tiring-” Woljif’s interrupted by Aivu flying off again.

“You should have chosen to be a god of beauty, then no matter what you gain or lose you will have done so into an even greater body. Alas I was already too innately perfect as to make that one of my domains, it’s not beholden to my kind of people to worship their own appearance.” No one actually really knows what Daeran’s domain is; he never reacts to prayers, with the exception of Aula of course.

“How are ya still saying ‘my kind’ up here? Or down- whichever cardinal direction we are of the material plane. You’ve become as noble as I am.” Woljif ends the clause with a bite into a cookie he somehow stole without getting up.

“So, Woljif, are you gonna put your noble blood to something?” Aula teases.

“I was thinking of starting a rumor that I had a secret child. Whenever another tiefling achieves something grand, I’ll hit ‘em with my patronage and bam! The world will believe they’re the secret child.”

Seelah’s a little bewildered by the complexity. “Or, you could just give them your patronage, and not mess with any of the ‘secret child’ business.”

“Huh, guess that does sound better. Doesn’t reinforce anythin’ about bloodlines being important either, maybe you’ve got a deal, Seelah.” Woljif makes his hands into the shapes of a weapon a smith showed to him in the Mana Wastes.

“Speaking of… topics.” Aula thinks she’s transitioning well. “I’ve never attended a wedding before myself, except for one in a brief court session. So I don’t understand a lot of the roles, but as I am playing the captain of D.S. Heartpiercer, I do need someone to play quartermaster. You’ve always had a surprising knack for logistics, and being my friend, so want to take it?”

“Chief, you’re gonna make me tear up if you go on for too long.” Woljif leans back and douses some strange ‘dust’ off his eye. “I’ll keep the quarterdeck perfect Chief, the wedding will be a fine affair. Oh, I already have an outfit ready, so don’t bother or worry about that.”

“And Seelah…” Arueshalae begins.

“Don’t worry about it sister, the tailor’s gonna finish my dragon costume by tonight.” Seelah slips out the slip from the tailor and lets it slip from her hand onto the table.

Arueshalae’s excitement from the confirmation grows even more when she hears the rest of the guests show up.

An arm and a wing tucked around her makes it awfully difficult to simply get up. Aula tries to be gentle and provides a small stimulus to Arueshalae, a light graze down her cheek. The succubus stays slumbering, she might have just fallen into a nice dream. Aula searches the room for a clock, it may not be visible to her but she can hear the clockwork fine enough. The minute hand is around fifty, her own innate sense of the realm’s time suspects an hour closer to seven, so about 6:50. Aula acquiesces to the binding limbs around her and tries to close off her mind once again.

Aula opens her eyes again, Arueshalae has exploited the additional time to be the first out of bed. Or is it… The very wooden walls, the splash of water, the lack of a clock, it seems Aula’s already in the right place. She steps out of her bed, and lights candles on the desk before her, illuminating the room and her papers. One of the maps before her is high quality, the other one seems to be a treasure map hastily made by Aivu. But both are wonderful in their own way.

If pirate queen Aula is to inspire her guests into fulfilling their roles to find the dragon’s hoard, she will need an inspiring outfit. The great coat is tattered at the bottom, the fluff about her neck has pinned into it several relics stolen from her time in the midnight isles. A hat to top it off and some boots to stride in and she leaves. Her jubilant subjects react with praise and fill the air with celebration.

“Captain’s up!”

“Queen, scourge of the seas, find us that treasure.”

Shore’s not too far away, and there’s not really room to move the ship, but it’s still rather impressive next to the wooden complex. Upon elevated towers her subjects keep watch for any of those dangerous dragons. Whatever, or whoever, the dragon’s bounty is, she will take it without remorse.

“You’re quite the queen.” Galfrey compliments, wearing the basic garb of a deckhand.

“Galfrey! It’s a surprise to see you engaging with the outfits, it’s been too long since you were here.” Aula would hug Galfrey but she hates hugs and physical touch and would never… She goes against her own discomfort and hugs Galfrey anyway, not everyday you can be so casual with a queen, or former queen at least.

“A hug from the queen herself, I must say I’m rather privileged with this association.” Galfrey looks at Aula, and then makes it clear she’s not joking. “Really, you’ve become more influential than I. I’m not a leader of anything anymore, and all you have to do is descend down to Mendev and ask to be given leadership at the enthusiasm of its people.”

“I’m kept too busy getting summoned as an ‘advisor’ to Drezen and answering prayers, adding a second nation to my list sounds a little too much. Maybe I could quickly overthrow the rule of nobility and set up another peasant republic with full tiefling equality…” Aul’s mind flickers with wonder towards a semi-related topic. “How’s being a herald?”

“I do many of the same things you do, just less so. But don’t spend your day talking to me, all your crew is telling me that you have found a legendary treasure, and must claim it. And I think I should contribute to finding it.” Galfrey prepares a grip on her sheathed, probably fake, sword.

“Since you’re a day late you should stay a day extra, talk with people. Maybe meet my- you can catch up with everyone.” Aula avoids bringing up her mother with how much Galfrey initially opposed just Arueshalae.

“It’ll be hard to spend that extra time, but for a goddess who’s been so patient with me I can’t reject.” Galfrey smiles.

Aula walks up the stairs and takes her spot at the wheel, her quartermaster just to her side. “Loyal crew, you have all stood by me, through the storms and artillery. Patched our hull plank by plank, everything nailed beneath me by your hands. We’ve sailed the seas, but not without all of you. You are the strength of our ship, my greatest pride, today you will show the world why this captain’s the pirate queen. Dragons fly overhead, their bounty is near. We need every last scrap of labor today, for it your names will become legends and your pockets will be forever full!”

The crew cheers, praise and song and dancing comes next. Following the initial jump in enthusiasm people start out on their “challenges”, some need to investigate haunted areas for traces, some just need to ‘battle’ enemy dragons.

Areelu appears behind the attentive Aula. “Are your plans going well?”

“The wedding appears perfect so far-” Aula turns around to see Areelu has switched out some clothing and got fake scales added to her skin and now golden wings. “An envoy of the enemy? You would show up so brazenly before us? Well, do not think we’ll move on easily, dragon!”

“You seek this treasure but do you even know what it is?” Areelu taps a finger against herself and pretends to contemplate. ”Maybe you do, but it doesn't matter. Our dragon servants are performing their challenges dutifully, there’s nothing you can do.” Areelu disappears again.

“Bye, mom.” Aula waves to the empty air.

And that foul servant of dragons didn’t believe in her! But Aula’s crew today showed that they earned their… fins? Yes, fins! Not wings, for those are the weapons of the enemy. Except the wings on Aula’s back, they’re pirate wings today. The horn, drums, and lute of dragon summoning, a human with a dragon soul, and the profane cake have been gathered. There’s nothing left to do but begin the ritual.

Her crew’s band: Ilkes, Aranka and Thall, play the instruments. Daeran, the human with draconic, not celestial, heritage dances to fulfill the ritual. Once the music stops all the dragons appear around them, and falling before them is a pile of gold and treasure, with an unfortunate dragon sleeping on it. Whoever this poor woman, who suspiciously looks like Arueshalae, is, they fell asleep in the wrong hoard and must now be collected by Aula.

“No! You can’t have accomplished this, your task was impossible!” Areelu shouts out after appearing atop the hoard.

Aula confidently steps down from the stern to approach her new treasure. “Nothing you ever could’ve done would’ve stopped us, comradery is more powerful than any draconic challenge. This is now all mine to claim.” Aula unties the unfortunate dragon before her. “Would you, the treasure in my eyes, the hope which fills my heart, let yourself be a part of my claim.” Aula can’t help but run her hand over Arueshalae’s cheek.

Arueshalae lets her face turn red and does her part of the speech. “I want to be in your story, will you take me across the world in this ship? Will you show me every place I haven’t seen and give me every emotion I haven’t felt?”

Aula brings Arueshalae to her feet, arms just around her waist, keeping her from falling. “I will. Will you bear my name, so that we may follow each other in this world?”

Arueshalae utters the simple words. “I will.”

Aula slowly reaches her face forward, and takes on the next step, softly entering a kiss with Arueshalae. The beat of her heart is placing a ringing into her ears which drowns out the cheers and applause, but that’s ok. She only wants to focus on the touch of her wife, the feel of their lips together.

Somewhere in the static of her ears, she hears someone announce, “I pronounce you two Aula and Arueshalae Vorlesh!”

[ruinaimagines]

i love this blog sm i binge read most of the HCs here, also just to fill my brain with happy in the future and because reqs are open how would the sefirot react if their favorite employee (you) were replaced by nothing there?

HEYY I am so glad my writing brings enough entertainment that you’re willing to binge them!! Thank you for the compliments and ofc ofc you may.

Sefirot Reacting to You Being Replaced by Nothing There Headcanons:

Malkuth would immediately know something is off based on the uncanny stare ‘you’ offered. Didn’t help that the responses weren’t really.. Responses to what she was trying to get your attention for. Would immediately bring it up to others to check on you and figure out what happened, wouldn’t delay in action at all especially with how risky that would be in the Lobotomy Corp environment. Would be mortified upon realizing that it’s none other than Nothing There, leaving a very unfavorable reality for you. Is heartbroken over this but at the same time knows she has to move on, it’s part of the job after all. This will probably impede her work flow for a bit and she will put emphasis on paying close attention to the abnormality so stuff like this won’t happen again.

Yesod probably gets frustrated with your lack of proper answers to his words, thinking that for whatever reason you might just be being stubborn. Will repeat things only to realize ohh. Oh. That’s not you. Immediately calls someone over to suppress the abnormality before it can go on a rampage. Feels a little bad for getting irritated and assuming it was you, considering that it kinda implies that you’re uh.. Not in the best shape. People will notice that he seems to be a lot more snappy and short tempered in the coming days as well as drown himself in even more work than he did before.

C’mon don’t do this to Netzach he already has 500 reasons to be sad. Genuinely thinks it’s just you joking around and playing dumb for a little bit, so he entertains Nothing There for a little while unintentionally. Then it sort of starts to rub him the wrong way and he notices that the behaviors you usually have just aren’t the same. Honestly open to being mauled by Nothing There when it clicks but yeah that wouldn’t really work out in the end. Like why did it have to be you? Honestly considering bribing the manager with the fact he’ll do his work (let’s be real for a week at most) if he can bring you back.. But he also wants to trash talk him so he’s torn between two sides. Doesn’t help that his team is meant to ensure the security of the employees, just salt in the wound really.

NOO NOT HOD poor baby knows some things off so her first response is to ask if you’re okay. Thinks you’re just struggling with words to explain but no Nothing There is just like that. Only figures out that it’s the abnormality when someone else points it out for her, and when I tell you if machines could have facial expressions the way her look morphed into being mortified. Feels stupid and also terrible because she really enjoyed talking to you, even blaming herself a bit though it wasn’t her fault. Does not speak for the rest of the meeting and everyone can tell that it’s had an impact on her.

Tiphereth is like Yesod where she’s initially pretty annoyed and thinks you’re pranking her, only to learn the truth and be thoroughly disgusted with Nothing There. Will claim that you’re an idiot for letting that happen to you in the first place, and that you should’ve been more careful and then immediately begin writing 30 papers on why the abnormality needs more secure containment procedures as well as trying to convince the manager that you were one of the few actually competent ones. She does care, and she will put effort in trying to get you back.

Gebura is pissed. She already has some pretty rocky foundations with Nothing There, and because of such can immediately tell when it’s that horrid thing and not you. It gets suppressed the moment she lays eyes on it, no hesitation at all, and with immense loathing. The manager will be rewinding the day whether he wants to or not, she doesn’t even have to say anything you can just tell that she is not having it and it’s probably the best course of action if you don’t want half of the facility to be trashed. Doesn’t even have time to be super sad because yeah you’ll be back.

Okay well Chesed always knew this posed a risk, and externally seemed pretty laid back about it. A sort of ‘That’s really unfortunate, feel free to take your time everyone’ where he knows the atmosphere is heavy. You’d think he’s taking it well so long as you don’t see the 80 coffee mugs strewn about his office. If robots could have the shakes you’d think he was in the middle of an earthquake. Given it’s very likely you were a part of his department and one of the more stronger agents, he will make not-so-subtle suggestions of rewinding the day. I mean hey everything can just be redone, it’s not too big of a deal, plus it doesn't seem worth the cost of a really useful employee right? Right???

Yeah Hokma is not having it. He understands you might be a bit immature at times but there is no way this is slipping from him. Stares at the abnormality with all I can describe as a powerful disapproving look. The old man starts speaking in what seems to be riddles for the rest of the day, going on about some philosophy that only makes sense to the other employees in his district (and even then sometimes it’s hard to process). Will continue to talk about you a lot, even if he doesn’t directly say your name everyone knows who he’s speaking of. Honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he kept a memoir photo around.

Binah just shrugs it off, an indifferent ‘that sucks’ air to her as she goes about her day like it’s more of a mild inconvenience if anything. It might come across like she could care less about your death, but really it’s because she feels pretty confident that it will be rectified. The most unaffected out of everyone, going back to her work and watching the other employees as she waits for the day to come to a close. If it seems like it won’t be fixed? Well, she’s already quite the threatening individual, what makes you think she won’t go through with it? Really the best course of action is just to play the safest route, after all it’s hard to understand what’s going on in that kind of hers.

[yanguazalie]

Author's Note: After three years of sitting on this (can you tell by how old the cover looks? lol), I've finally made the small illustrations I wanted to and now I've finally posted my first fanfic! May you enjoy some fluffy Kandy angst under the cut!

Kitty's secretive love for Mandy grows daily, sprouting like a flower through a jagged crack in the ground. She has endless opportunities to be open about her love, and yet she prefers to keep it under wraps. Is there something bigger you want to avoid, Kitty?

"Alright, so this next one's Jonathan... Oh I know Jonathan! He's the artist-slash-model, he's cute. I didn't know he liked you."

"He does! So then the issue was whether I'd hang out with Harley or with Jonathan. We could have hung out together but both wanted me to themselves, and I can't blame them!"

"Gosh how can you keep track of so many suitors? You should just stick with one like me."

"Well you know the saying, 'Plenty of fish in the sea,' Gonna catch them all and taste every one of 'em!"

"Is that what the saying means?"

On a late afternoon at the Institute of Perfection, the Spy Girls: Kitty, Lydia, and Tuesday were sitting on the raised benches along the path, where other dolls were passing by, whether to finish their remaining classes, to meet with friends, or just ditch. The Spy Girls were in the third category; they managed to get away with it more often, for one reason or another.

Lydia was gossiping to Tuesday about her current romances; she was such a socialite, so open to other dolls, if not for Lou being in charge she'd have the whole Institute at her feet. Instead she just had a growing group of dolls trying to woo her for undivided attention.

While they were chatting, Kitty was sitting next to them, looking the other way, lost in thought, about a girl... About Mandy.

Kitty was pretty responsible about leaving her heart at home. Her utmost priority, as any doll, was to graduate from the Institute and be paired with her kid. She handled all her courses with ease, most preferably the obstacle course- she and her Spy sisters were the best at it. Other classes were her second-favorites if Mandy was in them, but even Kitty knew to control herself around her.

Mandy was also very devoted to her courses, maybe even more so because of her myopia, which she had to keep under wraps from everyone. All three of the Spies knew that she wore her glasses during her free time; that was the one bit of confidence between them all, and it was far more than they would do for other dolls. So with her devotion, Mandy wasn't ever the first to chum around with other classmates, lest she catch negative attention from the staff-bots and soon from Lou.

Kitty most often found this as a chance to be beside her when they happened to have classes together, and stare at her for as long as she could with contentment. Mandy wouldn't have noticed, being so focused on the lessons, and this was exactly how Kitty wanted it.

However, her heart snuck out of the house this time, and made Kitty a lovesick doll by the end of the day. On this day, Mandy was in ALL of her classes up until this last one. And for one reason or another, Mandy took initiative to talk with Kitty! Kitty deep down was caught off-guard by her sudden friendliness, but on the outside she mirrored the mood as if it were a natural occurrence.

Mandy was all smiles throughout her classes, all while chatting with Kitty about little things, and helping each other through the courses, cracking jokes here and there, even trying to contain their giggles when it started becoming too much. There wasn't any mention on why Mandy was acting so relaxed, but Kitty was all for it. Being one-on-one with her like this, Kitty liked pretending that she was "hanging out with her girlfriend" and that put her on top of the world.

"You did it flawlessly, Mandy," Kitty mumbled to herself.

Lydia and Tuesday only heard her slightly and paused to see if she was going to say anything else. When all she did was sigh and continued to look onward, the two returned to their gossiping. Without knowing her current mood they knew she wouldn't be interested in talk about boys or quick hookups anyway.

"You really think so? I slipped a few times," Kitty imagined Mandy replying.

"Oh no no, you were great! You were so confident how could anyone notice..."

Lydia and Tuesday were too enthralled in their own conversation at this point to pay attention to their distracted sister. They were missing quite a show as Kitty quietly giggled to herself, swinging her legs back and forth out of pure happiness. Outside of the Spies' shared home, Kitty was never this loose with her manners. Only a few of the passing dolls noticed the usually sassy spy's sudden giddiness, but they knew to keep it to themselves and maybe a trusted friend later- otherwise one or all three of the spies would stick it to them if they gave the wrong notion.

"I know we're in the open," Kitty thought for Mandy again. "but do you think it'd be too much to hug each other right now? Whether or not it's because I'm a child's doll, I've been in quite a tizzy today and could use it to calm down."

"Oh you're being quite silly today," Kitty replied to herself. "Of course we can't hug! As much as I'd want to..." Within her daydream she saw Lydia's hand resting on the bench out the corner of her eye. Still neither Lydia nor Tuesday were paying attention.

"I figured as much... But... what if you kissed my hand? Then others would just think we're practicing etiquette right? Please, Kitty..."

"Oh I'd LOVE to kiss your hand, my dear girl! I'll make it count for your sake."

It wasn't until Lydia felt her hand being raised did she finally take notice to Kitty, and Tuesday noticed as soon as Lydia stopped talking. The both of them being out of the loop, just watched Kitty gently lift her sister's hand, becoming squicked at her raising it to her face, followed by a loud shout of disgust as the pink-haired doll enchantingly pressed her lips against the defenseless hand.

"Kitty, what are you DOING?! Gross!!" Lydia snatched her hand away, vigorously shaking off any "cooties" before wiping the tainted back of it on Tuesday, who responded with swatting it away from her.

Kitty, finally snapped out of her spell stared wide-eyed at Lydia, stunned by her own unorthodox behavior and feared them catching on.

"What? You don't want me kissing your hand?" Kitty said, trying to change the mood.

"No!" Lydia shouted. "Neither you or Tuesday can kiss my hand- ANYWHERE!" Lydia shuddered all over. "Cheeks are okay but those are only sometimes- UGH, I still feel it on me!"

"Oh calm down, I was only teasing," Kitty lied. "You act like EVERYONE is pining for you, I was getting tired of it."

"Well if you want to 'tease' me, don't make it so icky," Lydia replied. "Getting unexpectedly kissed has to be the grossest thing..." Lydia smirked rethinking the idea. "Well, most often."

"I wouldn't mind Lou unexpectedly kissing ME," said Tuesday, a big smile coming across her face at the thought of him. "I dream of the day!"

"Well dream in one hand and cry in another and see which fills first," Lydia said sarcastically. 

"You're being such a hater right now," Tuesday said, peeved for only a moment.

"You wouldn't want Lou to kiss your hand?" asked Kitty, trying to lighten her stunt again.

"Heck no!" Lydia protested. "He's so bossy. And he's too old!"

"No he's NOT!" Tuesday snapped. "You're as young as you're made! Don't call Lou old. And he's only bossy to YOU because you keep ignoring him." Lydia mockingly stuck out her tongue.

"Would you let Amaya kiss you?" Kitty started again.

"Oh yeah, that's fine!" Lydia said as she bounced in approval. "Anyone but you two and Lou can kiss me."

"So then you'd let Charles kiss you?"

"Yup!"

"Even Arnold?"

"Yes!"

"Sarah?"

"She kisses everyone but yes to her too! I'm telling you, anyone but you three."

This made Kitty irresponsibly suspicious. "Would you let Mandy kiss you?" She stingily asked.

"Yea- wait, MANDY? Why would SHE kiss me?"

The two dolls looked at Kitty, waiting for an answer. Kitty realized her attempt to redirect the conversation failed, and she looked away- as if that gesture alone was enough to keep their gears from turning: Why did she bring up Mandy? Mandy was close enough to all of them, but Lydia never liked her romantically, nor has Mandy ever acted any sort of way toward her to peak her interest. If anything, Mandy had more in common with...

"Ooooohhh!" The two caught on. Then they started laughing, realizing their sister's weird behavior all made sense.

"You don't have to worry about me, Kitty!" Lydia reassured. "Mandy's all yours."

"Ugh," scoffed Kitty.

"Kitty likes Mandy~♪" Tuesday chimed in.

Kitty crossed her arms and looked away from the both of them, all annoyed and embarrassed. Lydia looked at her lovingly, knowing how much Mandy meant to her and how much she loses herself at the thought of the four-eyed Polymath-slash-Model had her melting at the cuteness. Tuesday couldn't help but giggle since Kitty always acted so flawless in public, and yet here she is getting all defensive about her crush after acting so foolish.

"Looks like your affection can't be contained anymore," Lydia confirmed. "You should just tell Mandy how you feel!"

"...I don't want to," declined Kitty.

"Why not?" asked Tuesday. "The sooner you tell her the sooner she'll notice you and the sooner she'll love you back! Since I told Lou I loved him, it's way easier to get his attention and win him over."

"You mean TRY to win him over," Lydia corrected.

"He's coming around!"

"But Tuesday's right, Kitty. You have a VERY clean shot with Mandy. The two of you get along so well when you're one-on-one! You're both nerdy, like and dislike a lot of the same things, and your chemistry is so adorable!"

Kitty irked at the 'adorable' part. "Why would you say that? Have you been WATCHING me with Mandy?"

"GIRL, of course I have! Tuesday too!" Tuesday nodded proudly. "The fact you didn't know shows how good of spies we are."

"...It's not worthwhile," she said with deflated energy. "I'm fine with the way things are. And it's better this way. So I deserve to delve in daydreams like these, aren't I?"

"What do you mean?" Tuesday asked concerned.

"It's just-"

"Hey Mandy! MANDY!!" Lydia suddenly shouted. Kitty and Tuesday turned their heads to where Lydia was looking, and saw Mandy fast-walking down the path, nearly passing them.

Mandy heard her name and turned to where it came from. She squinted her eyes toward the direction, but it was all an heinous blur without her glasses. If not for the brightly colored hair of the three, she wouldn't have been able to recognize the Spy Girls.

"Hey girls!" Mandy shouted back.

"Come over here!" Lydia urged.

Mandy slightly hesitated since she was rushing to her final class, but walked over anyway.

"What's up?" Mandy asked once she made it to them.

"Girl, where you've been? I haven't seen you all day!" Lydia said, easing her in.

"We had classes all day," Mandy reminded.

"But even with the random schedules Lou gives us to 'keep us on our toes,' I see you at least once a day, in class or walking to the next one, or on days with Lou.

"I suppose? I've seen Kitty all day, though!" Mandy gave a big smile as she glanced over to Kitty. "Isn't that right?"

Kitty was becoming uncomfortable between her sisters teasing her and then Mandy being chummy toward her in front of them.

"Uh-huh," Kitty forced out of herself, staring at Mandy, frozen.

"Is that so?" Lydia said, clearly becoming intrigued.

"Yeah!" Mandy happily said. "We've been having class after class together!"

"Oh REALLY??" Lydia and Tuesday said in unison. 

"She's been my companion up until the last one. It's been fun!"

"Yeah? She's been your right-hand gal?" asked Lydia. "How's she been?"

As Mandy happily spouted all the things she and Kitty had done without a second thought, both Lydia and Tuesday observed Kitty, who was doing her best to deflect their stares. But Kitty couldn't help herself as she listened to Mandy and started smiling, noticing the joy in Mandy's voice simply because she was around her all day. For a brief moment she pretended she was being "praised by her girlfriend" and everything was pure bliss.

"Kitty can be so helpful!" Lydia promoted. "That's why she's the leader you know. She makes a VERY good PARTNER too." Kitty sneered at her for her shameless coaxing, wanting to push her over. Mandy didn't seem to catch on to that last part.

"Absolutely!" she replied, looking over to Kitty again, with her lovely and honest smile, her gold-colored eyes glimmering to match. Kitty couldn't help but smile back. She really loved this doll.

"Oh! Mandy!" Tuesday suddenly burst out. "I remembered something just now! Lydia's hands are bigger than all of ours! Almost like a boy's."

"Crazy girl, what're you spouting?" Lydia asked, feeling near-insulted.

"It's true! Mandy, the three of use sleep next to each other at night-"

"Tuesday, don't tell her that!" Kitty snapped. "Jeez!"

"Nah, I told her already," said Lydia. "When she came to our 'Elite Girls' slumber party, remember that night? Lou invited himself?"

"Hm-hm, we got to draw on his face after he passed out."

"And he went home without checking the next morning." Kitty and Lydia snickered mischievously together.

"Yeah, Lydia told me," Mandy confirmed. "It was after you two went to sleep. But it's nothing to be embarrassed about; We're children's dolls. Sleeping next to someone can be soothing."

"See Kitty? Even Mandy knows what it's all about!" Lydia then whispered in Kitty's ear, "She'll gladly sleep next to YOU." Kitty sneered at her again, then ramming her elbow into her- Lydia let out a small whine.

"ANYWAY," Tuesday resumed. "That's when I noticed the sizes! Lydia's are the biggest and mine are the smallest."

"My hands are NOT big!" exclaimed Lydia. "Put 'em up! Lemme se- Oh... they are."

Mandy chuckled. "That actually makes sense," she said. "Since you're 'Combat Princess' they would need to bigger. Makes it easier to throw good swings!"

"Wild... Mandy let me see yours then! Oh! Tuesday's ARE smaller!"

"Are they? Tuesday, let me see. Oh they are, a little bit. Maybe because you're 'Gadget Princess,' your hands need to be smaller for when your tinkering with electronics!"

Tuesday scoffed. "Small hands are for cute dolls. That's all it is! But now that's two reasons!"

"But you're all cute!" Mandy remarked. "If Lou has anything to say about it."

"But I'm the CUTEST! That's why my hands are smaller."

Kitty could already see where this weird game was going. Was this Tuesday's sneaky plan to spark a romance... or maybe she got sidetracked remembering the hand-kiss earlier? Either way, Mandy looked over to Kitty, right on time. It was her turn.

"Kitty, what about us?" Mandy asked as she went over to her. 'What about us' she says. Kitty couldn't stand it!

But even if she couldn't, she lifted her hands to avoid suspicion. Mandy pushed her own hands right against hers. This really was the first time they ever touched hands, and this Spy Girl's mind became foggier with every second that passed...

Kitty instantly became flooded with the urge to lace their fingers together and never take them apart. Mandy's hands already felt so soft when they had slid up against her pale fingers, they'd be even softer to squeeze. Suddenly, Mandy's cherry-scented perfume became even more intoxicating, even though she was pleasantly smelling it through their classes all day. It took everything in her to not just grab this doll's hands and take a full whiff of the cherry scent that came off of them. Instead she fought hard not to breathe, but then her heart pounded, whether because of holding her breath or the restraint to just smell the scent again. '"If I were your girlfriend it'd be so easy," Kitty thought.

"You have the same sized hands!" said Tuesday.

"Talk about a PERFECT match!" said Lydia.

"That's so cool!" Mandy observed. "It must be because we have so much in common, right Kitty?" She continued holding her hands against Kitty's as she examined how they fit together.

Lydia and Tuesday looked on excitedly. Mandy must have felt something for Kitty if she said that, right?

"I-it's because I'm 'Strategy Princess' right? I'm the middle ground for our team!" Kitty could feel herself getting dizzy, even though she'd been sitting this whole time.

"Well maybe... It's still really neat since we get along, you know?"

"Yeah it's... neat."

Mandy's smile grew with the affirmation. Then she sighed in satisfaction. "I've been in a really good mood today," she said, looking out at the sky over the far wall of the institute. "The day started like any other, but I still felt really happy... Maybe because I was going to have the pleasant surprise of hanging out with one of my friends all day. I usually only see the three of you once a day for our classes. Some days I don't see you at all. I won't count the days we spend together with Lou."

"You and Kitty are BEST friends," Tuesday said innocently. "Because you get along the best!"

"We do, don't we? That's why I've been so happy then. Because I got to hang out with YOU, Kitty!"

"It makes me glad to hear you say that," Kitty tiredly confessed before indirectly shooing her away. She took her hands back and said, "You should get going! We'll see you later."

"Oh right! It's always fun talking to you girls, I never get to do it. See you later then!"

"Byyyee," said Tuesday and Lydia as Mandy dashed off, somewhat disappointed in Kitty for ending it so abruptly.

Once she got farther from the three, Lydia and Tuesday couldn't stop squealing to each other. Then they hovered over to Kitty, shaking her and standing her up to get her as excited as them.

"Come ON, Kitty! Jump! Dance!" Lydia affectionately pinched her sister's pink cheek, which she promptly snapped away from. "Do SOMETHING! Mandy said she was happy because of YOU!"

"I have ears, Lydia," Kitty was sounding more miffed than excited.

"We make SUCH a good team!" Tuesday hopped over to Lydia, grabbing her hands in a job-well-done.

"I KNOW! That was crazy, it worked so beautifully. But with these two it handles itself."

"That's enough," Kitty said weakly. But the two were too excited to hear her.

"What should we try next?" Tuesday asked in suspense.

"Ooh! Maybe you can hack into whichever robot puts the schedules together, then they can share all their classes every day!"

"That's a pretty detailed job. I think I can handle it! What if we do another slumber party, but we don't tell anyone?"

"Like kidnapping Mandy so Lou doesn't catch on? I like the way you think!"

"You guys," Kitty tried again.

"Or we can set up a tea party for the two of them! I can get the Bakers-slash-Models to make all their favorite things! They'd do anything for me you know."

"I can arrange the music! I know so many love songs."

"Yes, YES! Those two are so good at dancing."

"Guys," Kitty said with a deeper tone, shaking.

"We come up with such good plans. Kitty, what do you wanna-"

"I want you guys to drop it, OKAY?!"

The Institute suddenly fell silent. The pathway had cleared as all the dolls already left, and any other lively thing in the vicinity no longer made a sound as Kitty's burst of anger spread over everything. Tuesday and Lydia finally quieted down. Though they weren't too sure how to respond now.

"I don't know why you BOTH are so up in arms about this," Kitty continued to exclaim. "I'm the leader, aren't I? I know what's going to work better than the two of you using all your braincells! Don't you think if I KNEW it would work I'd be all over the situation without you butting in?!"

"You know it WON'T work?" Lydia cautiously asked.

"YES! There's no doubt it won't work!" 

"But at home..." For as naïve as Tuesday could be at times, she knew Kitty's immodesty with her love behind closed doors too well. She felt deeply that the team-leader was hurting herself by being seclusive about her true love. "You write Mandy's name in cursive all the time because you said you want to see how pretty it could look. And you draw you and her together sometimes. You sing love songs thinking about her, I know you do. Don't you want Mandy to know?"

"What for? Even if she liked me back, we could only be together for as long as we're here. Once we all graduate, I'll never see her again. I don't want something temporary like you two do. And... what if she were to turn me down instead, while we're still here? I've run it through my head and I would still want her all the same... I'd look at her the same way and think of her the same way, and she'd notice it this time. How distracting it'd be with as much as she has on her plate.

"She has to be good at ALL the occupations since she's a polymath, on top of the etiquette lessons everyone has to take, and she's an elite doll so it's even more important- I, I think? I don't know why Lou yells at her all the time- we've done worse. She does everything fine, she has to because she can't see without her glasses! We ditch class all the time while Mandy has to go to every single one in case Lou turns up. He hasn't shown up today but what if he did while she was slacking with me? He'd yell at her in front of everyone and I can't be by her side or else I'd get the three of us in trouble, too! And Mandy would think it's her fault because Lou was already mad at her, a-- and---"

Lydia and Tuesday started noticing the pain expressed in her breaking voice.

"I won't add on to her problems if being her friend is enough. Either way, I'd have my heart broken, whether we split up or if she rejects me. I could break hers even more if I led her on. The three of us will leave together, and who would she have? That must already sting... None of this is right."

"You got to touch her hand," Lydia said, trying to bring Kitty back to a better mood; The way her sister beat herself up over the perfect execution, it's all she could say that seemed the least stressful to her.

"I'd rather have held it!" Kitty replied. "If it were up to me though, I wouldn't have done it at all. Now my head and my stomach hurts like crazy just remembering it."

"It'll be okay," said Tuesday. "It's a good thing we're ditching, right?"

Kitty nodded and covered her face with her hands, either from exhaustion or to keep from crying.

Lydia put her hand on her trembling sister's shoulder. "We'll drop it," she said. "You ready to head back?"

Kitty quietly nodded again. Tuesday took hold of her hand, Lydia wrapped her arm around her, all together walked off the path returning home.

[kitthepurplepotato]

DEAR DEAR LOVE.

OKAY.

I HAD to send this comment as a massage and not in the comments section because I have so much to fucking say.

I think I want to marry you?

First of all the new chapter got me into the six dimension and I can't believe I actually got the courage to read this in the car with my dad so I had to pause and actually get home so I could react to this in peace, and OMG the d-rule.

Perfection.

You have no fucking idea how I fucking love the idea of the mha series happening in this universe and Deku meeting horikoshi and there are no words that can describe my feelings rn but I'll try anyway

You, you bring me happiness and this has become much more than just a fanfic, and I might be exaggerating but who can blame me when I read perfection.

But love, dear, darling, sweetie, I adore you, okay? But please please PLEASE take a break if you need to, your health means much more than us and stupid adorable deku alright? I'm begging you, do not overwork yourself, please

Alright. So have an absolutely amazing wonderful and happy birthday ever, I wish you all the goods and hugs, and everything you could ever wish for, and as always, don't forget to drink, eat, and rest my love! ❤️❤️❤️

I love you so fucking much, I swear your comments are my favorite things on Tumblr! ;D

Not going to lie I kinda thought you’re gonna send me hundreds of questions when I saw your name pop up and I was kinda excited 😂 it’s still exciting though, you made my heart go all TOKIDOKI!!! 💜💜💜

Funnily enough the D-rule thing and the KiriBaku story wasn’t even planned that just happened while I was writing 😂 it was supposed to be a basic confession scene, no My hero academia story or anything but then… Deku decided to overcomplicate the whole chapter but I really like how it turned out and the confession wasn’t as harsh thanks to it so I’m glad!

About your marriage proposal, well, it’s not impossible to be fair, might need to talk to me boyfriend of 10 years about it but he doesn’t look like he wants to marry anyway so you can totally marry me? 😂😂😂😂😂💜

Thank you for all your worries, I swear I’m completely fine! (well, kinda, but it has nothing to do with me overworking myself I’m afraid 😂)

Writing these silly fanfictions make me happy and reading your comments is my favorite thing in life, honestly! I also play the two MHA games on my phone all the time so I swear I’m not just writing and editing every single moment of my free time. The only reason I get overwhelmed is because sometimes i enjoy the chapter I’m writing so much I over-concentrate on it and I give myself anxiety because I have so much to say but everything wants to come out quicker than my fingers can move and then I burn out for a few days. I’m silly like that. (yes, I have undiagnosed ADHD 😂)

(this bit a tiny bit more personal, mostly for Ronimacaroni, but feel free to read it if you are nosy like me haha)

I don’t really know how to do anything without stressing to be honest, even those two games makes me feel like I NEED TO play a certain amount of time with it daily even if I’m not in the mood, otherwise I feel like I’m “neglecting it”. So silly.

I do the same at work by the way, I used to be in management so I always had all the responsibility on my shoulders and I changed my job due to my mental health and went down to operations (so basically just putting stock on the shelves) yet I still manage to freak the shit out and try to sort stuff out that’s not my responsibility. It’s just who I am, trying to everything all at once then making myself sick with it. I’ll try to think about your words the next time I start being an idiot though!

But I swear I don’t only post because I need to and I do take a break when I have to it’s just that I had a random spur of inspiration after my birthday and I managed to write both the Izuku and the Bakugou chapter, all in one go so I was like “why wait if I can post them sooner and read the cute comments that will make me happy” so after I came home from work because I got a flu and had a Power Nap I posted the Izuku one quickly, knowing it will cheer me up 😂

Omg why can’t I shut up I’m so sorry I love you much btw be my friend thank you 😂💜

Tell your dad I said hi! 😂💜 (that sounds so weird omg just shut me up please omg this is as long as half of a shenanigan chapter send help)

Kit

This is me now and Inko is you, listening to my rambling thank you.

[hippolotamus]

Thanks for the tag @spotsandsocks 💖

More from the Bridgerton AU. Directly follows this snippet (some things might look familiar since I shifted some words around).

“Surely you can’t count Sophia like that? She’s happily married with her second child on the way.” He reaches for a slice of lemon cake from the silver tray set between them. It’s Christopher’s favorite. Eddie doesn’t like to keep many overly sweet things in their kitchen, but he does always swipe a little something when he’s forced to visit the family home.

“Right,” he continues when no one answers. “So, other than being invited under the ruse of tea and good company, what is this about?”

With the tea finally set out, Sophia takes her place on a sofa closest to Eddie and Adri, opposite their mother.

“Have you received your invitation to the Grant-Nash ball?” Helena asks, as though wondering if he’s seen the latest opera.

“Have I- really? You wanted me here to find out whether I got an invitation to the first ball of the season? This could have been a correspondence. A note. A meeting between staff.”

Even with all he knows of his mother’s meddling, her questioning him face to face seems a bit of a stretch, only serving to set him further on edge.

“You would have ignored it. You often do. Am I wrong?”

She does have a point.

“Mother, why don’t we skip the games and roundabout talk? Just tell me which ladies you have in mind for me to marry, and will make the perfect wife and maternal figure, so I may avoid them and choose anyone else.”

“Edmundo, if your father—“

“Don’t,” he warns. “Do not even think of bringing him into this. Do not pretend either of you cared for Shannon or that you never blamed her for Christopher’s illness. For any problems she and I had, she was still my wife, and mother to my son. My beautiful, brilliant, perfect son. Christopher and I are thriving despite whatever you may think. Am I clear?”

Helena visibly stiffens on her cushion, taking a lengthy sip from her tea before she answers. “Yes, Edmundo. Quite. The fact remains that you and that—”

“Carla,” he interjects.

“Carla, of course. That you and her are not enough for your son’s proper upbringing. This will not go away and you will find a match this season. Now, am I clear?”

“Crystal,” Eddie grits out between clenched teeth, standing so quickly he feels dizzy from it. Still he manages to give each of his sisters a kiss goodbye and take the slice of cake. “Good day, Sophia. Adri.” After a moment he bows his head and curtly adds “Mother.”

No pressure tagging @shortsighted-owl @alyxmastershipper @mysteriouslyyounggalaxy @buddierights @911onabc @littlebitofdiaz @monsterrae1 @jesuisici33 @heartbeatdiaz @chaosandwolves @rose-buddie @the-likesofus if you wanna 😘💖🥰

[doomednarrative]

for the act one asks: 1, 2, 4, 9, 17, 18, 19 💖

1. Tell us about your Tav! Name, class and subclass, race, pronouns. Do you have a headcanon for where they're from? Their family? Are they a Dark Urge? Or did you choose an Origin Character? Was it an easy decision?

My Tav's name is Virl :3 they don't have a last name (yet) but they've also disowned their last name, so they're just Virl to everyone they meet. They're a half high elf storm sorcerer, with a particular affinity for lightning. (They love to joke that they're a walking lightning rod.)

I'm still very new to BG3 and the world of dnd in general so I'm not quite sure where they're from yet. As far as family, their dad died while they were still young and their mom was not very fond of having such a destructive sorcerer for a child when they come from a long line of wizards, so they were, shall we say, kicked the fuck out of their home fairly young, hence disowning the last name ~

They're not a Dark Urge, just a regular kinda dude who can be chaotic when called for :3

2. Was there something about the character creator that just couldn't capture your Character? Please tell us about their hair, facial hair, tattoos, piercings, disabilities, their trans or intersex body, or anything else you're comfortable sharing.

For the most part Virl in game looks pretty much how I envision them mentally, tho I do think theyre very freckled Everywhere, not just in the face. The scar on their face also stretches a bit further across their nose over to the other eye and down their neck to their right arm a bit, more webbed looking in intensity (It's from an accident involving their own lightning as a kid, whoops.)

Virl's agender personally, not really feeling a connection to any spectrum or binary. Theyve never done much to change their body but their voice is Way fuckin deep (voice 2 in thei cc iirc,) way more so than anyone ever expects for their androgynous appearance and it's always been like that. They don't know why but they're certainly not complaining about it ~

4. Do you remember in which order you recruited your companions? Which companion introduction would have felt the most familiar / like home to your Tav / Character?

It was Shadowheart > Astarion > Gale > La'zeal > Wyll > Karlach.

Karlach and Gale were definitely the ones that Virl was most immediately drawn to as far as feeling most at ease around. Karlach was desperate to be seen as not being a threat after finally getting out of a shitty situation in the Hells and Gale is a chaotic yet talented spellcaster, and both of those are things Virl can relate to.

9. Do you have a favorite member of the Tiefling Refugees? Is it the same as your Character's?

Me as the player I'm drawn to Zevlor and Dammon, but I can also put a little blame on @timethehobo for that one after seeing their wonderful art of those guys for months on my feed now lol. In Virl's case tho, they love all the kids (even if they did steal shit from them.) Virl's got a soft spot for little shithead children causing chaos and just trying to survive in the world after being one themself, so they're protective of them. (This is what led them to go after Kagha instead of going straight for Halsin too, because her threatening a child was too far for them.)

17. What does your Character think of Withers?

Virl does not know what the hell to make of that skeleton honestly, they're a little wigged out by him and still unsure how trustworthy he is.

18. How did your Character deal with Wyll, Karlach and Mizora?

Virl jumped right between Karlach and Wyll's sword, managing to convince him after their shared visions that Karlach was not the monster he was led to believe. And after seeing how that decision led to Mizora punishing Wyll in such a drastic way, Virl was the first to assure him it didn't change their opinion of him. They definitely despise Mizora tho, seeing as they're already wary of gods and patrons alike on principle, and after that much of a public display she didn't earn herself any favor in Virl's book.

19. Did your Character spend a night with a companion either the night of the party or earlier? Is it someone they have a continued interest in?

Virl went straight for Karlach and everyone called them out on it lmao. Virl took a liking to their firey friend from the moment they met and Karlach felt the same ~ they're hoping it'll become a normal thing given time for them both to grow closer ♡♡

[verdantcrimson]

Heaven and Earth / Creation of Heaven and Earth - 9

(Unproofread)

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Keito: Now let’s quiet down and get back to business. We ended up getting sidetracked and chatting, but we’ll start over and try filming again—

Hideyoshi: —Huhh, you’re doing something interesting over there, aren’tcha?

Keito: …!? Hideyoshi-sensei?

Hideyoshi: Heyyyy. Keito Hasumi-kun, Kuro Kiryu-kun and Souma Kanzaki-kun from AKATSUKI, was it? I dunno who that kid is though. Who are you?

Koga: ……

Keito: This kid is Koga Oogami of UNDEAD. Please do remember him. …Though, Sensei, I can’t believe you actually remembered our names.

Hideyoshi: Obviously, ‘cause it’s rude to forget someone’s name. Also, remembering and using someone’s name makes you more likeable. What’d be the point of slacking off there, even?

Souma: Sensei, what brings you to Yumenosaki?

Hideyoshi: I was asked to give a short lecture to the classes in the General Ed course.

Hideyoshi: Also, since Yumenosaki is a historical building, I got permission to do a quick survey of it.

Hideyoshi: Schools are kinda treated like restricted access locations, and they’re not easy to get into, so I have to take advantage of opportunities like this. 

Kuro: I- I’m surprised you’re actually doin’ things properl… You did it properly, of course.

Hideyoshi: I do the bare minimum to avoid losing my title. Japanese folks love their titles, y’know, and the title of ‘Charismatic Historian Popular with the Youth’ is one I’d like to keep.

Hideyoshi: I’m the kind of person that doesn’t see stuff like that as ‘hard work’ at allll~.

Keito: My favorite manga artist said something similar once. When you’re doing something you like, nothing feels like ‘hard work’. 

Hideyoshi: Eeh~? I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned I don’t like, actually enjoy being a historian a few times now, though?

Hideyoshi: My parents were great scholars and teachers, so they gave me like, special education in my childhood. So I was just better at studying than all the other kids.

Hideyoshi: I ended up having a knack for this, so I figured I’d make a living off of my talent.

Hideyoshi: That way I can make money, and everyone will give me attention, ‘cause I’m like, a genius. What I’m actually passionate about is the money and the fame.

Hideyoshi: It’s kinda like, “I don’t like fighting. Winning is what I like!”, y’know? ♪ ¹

Keito: (…Incredible. I mentioned manga artists, so he immediately picked up on the fact that I was a manga enthusiast and started talking to me appropriately so we’d be on the same page. I’m a fan of ‘Dr*gon Quest: D*i’s Great Adventure’ too.)

Keito: (Humans tend to be in a better mood when someone brings up a topic that interests them.)

Keito: (They say the real Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a people person, but this might be the case for Hideyoshi-sensei as well.)

Hideyoshi: —More importantly, meeting you here must’ve been fate, ‘cause I’ve got a bit of a personal favor to ask you all about.

Keito: What did you want to ask?

Hideyoshi: I get what you guys are trying to do right now. You’re trying to make the show work without us ‘Three Sages’, well, I hate to call us that— But you’re trying to make it without us, right?

Keito: ……

Hideyoshi: Uh, I’m not like, blaming you or anything, so don’t get me wrong, ‘kay?

Hideyoshi: I’d throw in the towel if I was expected to manage a bunch of troublesome people and create an interesting show on top of that too.

Hideyoshi: But like, y’know. ‘Rumbling Heaven and Earth’ is like my magnum opus, and I’m basically guaranteed to get more famous as long as I show up on it.

Hideyoshi: While the show itself is poorly managed and basically a money-sink, if I use it to get my name out, then the jobs I’ll get as a result will rake in the cash.

Hideyoshi: That’s why it’d be like, a real problem if I was told to stay uninvolved with this ‘goldmine’ of a show.

Hideyoshi: So, hear me out.

Hideyoshi: Today, you guys are gonna make a version of ‘Rumbling Heaven and Earth’ without any of the ‘Three Sages.’

Hideyoshi: Then, you’ll do the same thing, but with a different variation.

Keito: What do you mean by that…?

Hideyoshi: I mean, like. You make a version of ‘Rumbling Heaven and Earth’ the way that I, Hideyoshi-sensei want to see it, and then you like, make a version of the show tailored to the way the other two proposed it, respectively.

Hideyoshi: Then we compare all the different versions and pick whichever is the most interesting.

Keito: So what you’re saying is that we should hold an audition of sorts?

Hideyoshi: Yup yup. Unlike history, or well, the past, the future is unpredictable, and we can never tell what’s going to happen 100%, no matter how hard we try.

Hideyoshi: You’ll never know for certain what the right choice is. That’s why preparation and rehearsal are so important.

Hideyoshi: If you screw up, there’s no recovering from that, right? It only makes sense to try and reduce the likelihood of that happening, even it’s only by a little bit.

Hideyoshi: It doesn’t matter how hard you think about things in your head. In reality, history is a tapestry woven both consciously and unconsciously by countless people.

Hideyoshi: You’ve gotta proooperly compare it with reality, y’know? That shitty old m— Ieyasu-sensei, I mean, and the other one might have a different opinion, though.

Keito: ……

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Translation notes

He's quoting Flazzard, from the Dragon Quest manga. I lifted the quote from the wiki, so thank you to whoever translated that! Unfortunately I did not have it in me to go looking for the source material and read it all.